US2020531A - Buckle - Google Patents

Description

P. W. WHITE BUCKLE4 Filed Aug. 30, 1955 Patented Nov. 12, 1935 PATENT OFFICE BUCKLE:

Paul W. White, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Parva Products Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application August 30, 1933, Serial No. 687,387 6 Claims. (Cl. `2{1-'73) This invention relates to a slide buckle and has special reference to devices adapted to be mounted on straps, bands, and the like, for the support of garments or other objects particularly Y 5 onthe person.

More particularly, this invention relates to slide buckles comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames havinguppen lower and side bars with the upper bars cooperating when in an l aligned operative position for engaging a strap, band, or the like, threaded therebetween, the free end of the strap extending through the apertures defined by the bars of the frames. One of the frame members is provided with means 18 for engaging the other of the frames to direct a relative transverse movement of the frames or bars upon a relative longitudinal movement f thereof to clamp the strap in adjusted positions between the upper bars.

20 The device hereinafter to be described more particularly in detail is adaptable for use with various types of objects particularly on the person and'may be employed with slight variations not departing from the spirit of the invention .25 universally where detachable connections are desired to be made. However, the slide buckle will hereinafter be described and isY shown in the 'drawing in its association with a strap of an overall, the strap being threaded between co- 30 operating slidably engaged upper bars of the pair of frames for adjustably clamping the strap relatively thereto, the bottom bar of one of the frames being detachably engaged with a button of a bib of an overall. It will be, of course, ap- 35 parent that the one side or bar of the frame may be ilxedly attached as well as detachably secured to ,any type of Vgarment or objects. n

Applicant contemplates the provision of a slide buckle formed of a pair ofV frames having "40 .longitudinal slidable movement therebetween,

the upper ends of the frame members cooperating to grip efficiently the strap theaded therebe- Y tween and at the same time to permit of a ready adjustment thereof. The strap vis held positively y.,145 against slipping after an initial application of tension without the necessity of providing sharp projecting prongs or like gripping members and is readilyand conveniently drawn in either direction to adjust the strap longitudinally therein '50 with a maximum of ease.

Y In the drawing, the lower bar of one of the vframe members is shown asbeing provided with an outwardly extending button-*retaining loop for detachableengagement with anY article to be 355 *l supported, .although the Vbar maybe straight or 4otherwise formed to be sewed or xedly attached in any manner to the article to be supported. A tension on the strap to support the garment or `other article produces a relative longitudinal movement between the frames in a direction outwardly from each other, which relative longi- Vtudinal movement produces a relative transverse movement of the frames or bars thereof to clamp a strap between the upper bars in any desired position.

In the present example, it will be noted that the strap for supporting the garment extends downwardly and initially between the upper bars of the respective frame members where the clamping action takes place. The free end of l5 the strap `is thereafter threaded through the opening'in one of the bars defined by the upper and lower bars thereof, and thence under that bar and rearwardly through the opening defined by the upper andY lower bars of the vother of the frames, whereafter, the free end of the strap hangs downwardly and is preferably hidden by the supported article. In this condition,a tension on the strap urges the first mentioned frame toward the second mentioned frame as the latter is held by the supported article, thus provided for a relative longitudinal movement. The relative transverse movement may be provided in one of several ways, as, for example, by means of the formation of channels on opposed edges of one of the frames for engagement with the opposed edges of the other of the frames. Should the channels be tapered, a

Vlongitudinal movement will direct the frame in a direction toward the other to' clampingly hold the 35 strap between the upper bars. However, should the channels be straight, or, in other words, the opposite sides of the channels be parallel, then the upper bar of the frame attached to the su- Y ported article may be tapered to eifect the same 40 clamping action on the strap.

It is particularly desirable in the instance of the association of the slide buckle with overall straps -that the upper bar of one of the frames be offset or have a projecting portion centrally of the overall width thereof for engaging the strap, whereafter theportion of the bar adjacent the sides of the frame is relieved to permit a more or less free movement of the edges of the strap for the reason that these edges Vary in thickness. The variance of the strap is occasioned by reason of the edges of the strap being folded over and sewed together, the strap Y comprising a -folded piece of material of tubular fashion. The edges of the material forming the ,55

strap are folded in order to obviate a raw edge on the outside thereof, making the one side of the strap four folds of material in thickness and the center of the strap but two folds. In order therefore, to obtain an even clamping of the strap, it is desirable to clamp the material thereof at an intermediate portion, or, in other words, at the portion of uniform cross-section which is centrally of the width thereof.

One of the objects of this invention is to provde a buckle comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames of the character hereinabove described in which the strap threaded therethrough may be conveniently and easily adjusted in either direction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a slide buckle comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames of the character indicated above in which a relative longitudinal movement of the frames provides a relative transverse movement for clamping the strap in adjusted positions between the frames.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a slide buckle comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames as has been hereinabove pointed out wherein the strap initially enters the buckle at the upper end thereofbetween the cooperative clamping bars.

It is also the object of this invention to provide a slide buckle comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames of the type hereinbefore referred to in which the construction may be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, may be durable andsimple in construction, and may be simple in threading and in manipulation.

Other objects and advantages will be hereinafter more particularly pointed out and for a more complete understanding of the characteristic features of this invention, reference may now be had to the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which latter:

Figure 1 is a face view of a buckle constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention in which the buckle is shown as being connected to a fragmentary portion of a bib of an overall;

Fig. 2 is a central vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing a strap threaded therethrough; Y

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the frames of the buckle construction illustrated in Figure 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the other of the frame members of the buckle construction shown in Figure l;

Fig. 5 is a face Vview of an assembled buckle of a modified form of construction employing the teachings of this invention;

Fig. 6 is a central vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1;

Fig. 7 is a face view of an assembled buckle showing another modified form of construction, employing the teachings of this invention; and

Fig. 8 is a central vertical sectional View taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. '7.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the construc- .tion therein shown comprises a pair of frame members I0 and II, the frame member I0 being substantially rectangular in shape and comprising sides I2 and I3, an upper bar I4 and a lower bar I5 defining a substantially rectangularly-shaped `opening I6, as shown more particularly in Fig. 3 of the drawing. The kbar 4I5 of the frame I0 is shaped to define a loop II, the button receiving opening I8 of which opens into the rectangularly-shaped slot I6 of the frame. Portions I9 of the loop I'| are offset upwardly or forwardly withA reference to the remainder of the face of the loop for reasons which will hereinafter be more fully explained. Further, adjacent each displaced portion I9, the lower bar I 5 is provided with offset portions 20, which portions are displaced to extend in a direction rearwardly of the loop I'I for facilitating the entrance of the button into the loop, as will hereinafter be more clearly explained.

The frame member II is likewise substantially rectangular in shape and comprises sides 2| and 22, an upper bar 23, and a lower bar 24 dening a substantially rectangularly-shaped opening or slot 25, as shown. more particularly in Fig. 4 of the drawing. The upper bar 23 of the frame II'is preferably provided with an offset portion which extends over a central portion thereof in a direction toward the other frame when the frames are in an assembled condition. The edges 2| and 22 are shown as extending above and below the upper and lower bars 23 and 24, although, of course, it may only be necessary to have the sides coextensive with the outside edges of the bars for purposes of appearance.

The frame members I0 and II forming the slide buckle may be conveniently stamped from sheet metal or otherwise formed of a unitary construction so that the commercial production of the buckle is thus facilitated. In the stamped buckle, the bars or frames are preferably dished or arci-form in cross-section to obtain a desired strength of the buckle with the use of a relatively light-gage metal. The sides 2| and 22 of the frame I I are preferably bent back upon themselves in a spaced relation to form channels for receiving the opposed edges I2 and I3 of the frame IO. The spaced sides of the channels are in the present instance substantially parallel and the spacing therebetween is suicient to permit the opposed edges I2 and I3 of the frame I0 to slide easily therein. The bar I4, however, is tapered longitudinally of the buckle or is offset withr respect to the plane of the frame. The frames in their slidable longitudinal movement are parallel, which, as will hereinafter be more apparent, effects a clamping of the strap between the bars I4 and 23.

The frame members IIJ and II, when in an assembled condition, cooperate to clamp the strap 2E in various adjusted positions, the free end of the strap 26 being passed between the bars I4 and 23 forwardly through the opening 25 under the bar 23 and thence through the slot I 6 and downwardly to a position behind the loop I1, which threading is shown most clearly in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

In clamping the strap 26 in an adjusted position, a tension on the strap provides a relative longitudinal ymovement of the frame members and II in opposite directions, the frame IIJ -moving upwardly with the strap and the frame II remainingin a fixed position relatively to a Y button 21, a shank 28 of which rests at the lower end of the button loop Il. In this instance, the

button is shown as being attached to a. bib 29 of an overall.

' 70 The frames I 0 vand IIYare slidably engaged,

the opposed sides I2 and I3 of the frame I0 engaging the channels 2| and 22 of the frame A pull Vor tension on the strap 26 provides a rela- ,tive longitudinal movement of the frames, where-'75 Vfrom the plane of the frame.

`nection with Figs. l to 4, inclusive. .the lower edge 45 of the bar 34 is preferably by the offset portion of the bar 23 moving in the plane of the frames engages the strap 26 and urges Ythe latter against the inclined face of the bar Id of the frame I0 to clampingly hold the same in any desired adjusted position. When it is desired to loosen the strap within the frames, the frame ll may be brought downwardly by a manual manipulation of the frame I I in a direction away from the Vinclined surface of the other frame.

In use the introduction of the button into engagement with the loop is facilitated by virtue of the fact that the frame IU is provided with downwardly extending offset portions 2l] which are adapted to engage the peripheral edge of the button to direct the same forwardly to a position where the shank of the button is engaged in the opening i6 with the underneath 'head of the button engaging the front face of the loop. As long as there is a relative pull between the strap and the button, the button will remain in the lower Vportionof the loop. If, however, this relative pull should be relieved and the button should slip upwardly in the loop, the portions IQ will deflect the button forwardly over the lower bar 2li of the frame i! to prevent its accidentally being disengaged from the button loon.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawing, the construction therein shown embodies substantially the same elements as those previously described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, there being a pair of slidable frame members 3G and 3i, the frame member 3l! being substantially rectangular and having sides 32 and 33, an upper bar Sil and a lower bar 35 defining a substantially rectangular slot 35.

The frame member 3i is likewise substantially rectangular in shape and comprises sides 3l and 33, an upper bar 39, and a lower bar 4i) defining a substantially rectangularly-shaped opening or slot l l. The bar 35 is preferably ofset or inclined The bar d@ of the frame 3| is shaped to dene a loop i2, the button receiving opening i3 Vof which opens into the rectangularly shaped slot l of the frame.

The frame members 35 and Si of this embodiment may likewise be stamped from sheet metal, or otherwise formed of a unitary construction in the'same manner as previously recited in con- However,

bent at an angle to the plane of the barrll, the bent edge preferably extending only a portion of the width of the bar and preferably centrally thereof, leaving portions at the edge of the bar which are relieved to permit the edges of a strap l5 threaded therebetween to have free movement therethrough. I Y

When it is desired to Vclamp the strap in an adjusted position, .a tension thereon provides a relative longitudinal movement of the frame members in opposite directions, the frame 3i) moving upwardly with Vthe strap and the frame 3| remaining in a fixed position relatively to the article supported by the loop lili. Y

The movement of the frame 3@ relative to the frame 3l is effected by threading the strap between the bars 313 and 3S through the slot 36 over the bar 35 and thereafter under the bar and through the slot tl of the frame 3l downwardly behind the loop. Theredges 32 and 33 of the Yframe 30 are preferably channel-shaped to receive opposed edges 3l and 38 of the frame 3|V in slidable engagement therewith( VThe opposite faces of the channel in this instance are preferably substantially parallel so. that the frames have parallel relative movement. However, when the frame 30 moves upwardly as the frame 3| remains in a fixedV position, the angularly dis- 5 p's'ed edge 44 of the bar 34 urges the strap 55 against the inclined face of the bar 39 to clamp the strap in one of its adjusted positions. When it isdesired to release the strap from its clamped position, a manual manipulation of the bars to 10 move the two in a direction toward each other may be had to widen the distance between the angularly disposed edge lill and the inclined bar 39.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 7 and .15 8 of the drawing, the construction therein shown comprises a pair of frame members d5 and 41, the frame member 46 being substantially rectangular in shape and having upper and lower bars 48 and 49 and sides 50 and 5l defining a sub- 20 stantially rectangular slot 52.

The frame member @l is likewise substantially rectangular in shape and comprises sides 53 and 54, an upper bar 55 and a lower bar 56 defining a substantially rectangularly-shaped opening or $5 slot 5l. The bar 55 of the frame ll is shaped to define a loop 58, the button receiving opening 59 of which opens into the rectangularly-shaped slot 5l of the frame. The loop 53 as well as the loop l2 in the preceding embodiment is formed 30 similarly to the loop l'l of the rst described embodiment having portions which are offset upwardly for preventing accidental disengagement of the button from the loop when tension is relieved on the strap threaded through the frames 35 and also portions which are displaced to extend Vrearwardly of the loop for facilitating the entrance of the button into the loop.

The frame members iii and ll may be stamped from sheet metal or otherwise formed of a unitary 40 construction and may be of arci-form cross-section to result in the use of a substantially lightgage metal in obtaining a maximum strength in construction. The edges 53 and 5d of the frame. lil are formed into channels, the upper edges of which channels are tapered or offset with respect to the plane of the frame. All of the bars in this modication lie substantially in the plane of their respective frames.

' rl'he frame members d5 and lll, when in an 50 assembled condition, cooperate to clamp. a strap 5% in various adjusted positions, the free end of the strap 65 being passed between the bars t8 and 55 forwardly through the slot 52 over the bar 59 and thence under the latter bar and through the 55 slot 51 to extend downwardly behind the loop 58, which threading is shown more particularly in Fig. 8 of the drawing, when the strap is in a clamped position. 60 A tension on the strap 55 provides a relative longitudinal movement of the frame members in opposite directions, the frame 55 moving upwardly with the strap and the frame 5l remaining in a xed position relatively to the article supported. However, by reason of the fact that the bar 48 is of arci-form cross-section throughout the width of the frame, the outer ends of the bar -ride in the tapered channel and provide a transverse movement of the frame 55 relative to 70 the frame 51 upon a relative longitudinal movement thereof to clamp the strap 5@ between the bar 48 and the bar 55. The bar 58 in this instance is shown as being straight throughout its width, although, of course, as in the previous embodi- ,5

isv

ments, this bar may be centrally offset to engage but a central portion of the width of the strap.

While several embodiments of this invention are herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various modifications thereof may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and, therefore, the same are only to be limited by the scope of the prior art and the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A slide buckle, comprising a frame having spaced sides and a third side-for attachment with an article to be supported, a bar connecting said spaced sides for engaging a strap, a second frame for slidably engaging said first mentioned frame and having upper, lower and side bars defining an opening through which said strap is threaded, said upper bar overlying and coop-erating with said first mentioned bar in an operative position and having a central deformed portion, andV means on one of said frames for engaging the other of said frames to direct a relative transverse movement of said frames upon a relative longitudinal movement thereof to clamp said strap in adjusted positions between said central deformed portion and the bar it overlies.

2. A slide buckle, comprising a frame having spaced sides and a third side for attachment with an article to be supported, a bar connecting said spaced sides for engaging a strap, a second frame having upper, lower and side bars defining an opening through which said strap is threaded, said upper bar overlying and cooperating with said nrst mentioned bar in an operative position, opposed edges of one of said frames being bent to form channels, each channel having walls inclined toward each other to receive opposed edges of the other of said frames in slidable engagement, and means on said opposed edges for engagement with the inclined walls for directing a relative transverse movement of said frames upon a relative longitudinal movement thereof to clamp said strap in adjusted positions between said overlying bars.

3. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames disposed face to face in a spaced substantially parallel relation, each frame having a pair of cross bars connecting spaced side bars for defining a slot in each of said frames to receive a strap threaded therethrough, a cross bar on one of said frames being attached to an article to be supported and the other cross bar engaging the strap, a cross bar on the other o-f said frames overlying and cooperating with said strap engaging cross bar and being spaced sufficiently to permit said strap to be clamped in adjusted positions between the opposed faces of the cooperating cross bars by the transverse movement of the frames toward each other upon the tensioning of the strap, the side bars of said second frame being bent to form channels for receiving the side bars of the rst frame to permit the slidable engagement thereof, and means for directing relative transverse movements of said frames toward and away from each other upon relative longitudinal movements thereof.

4. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames disposed face to face in a spaced substantially parallel relation, each frame having a pair of cross bars connecting spaced side bars for defining fa slot in each of said frames to receive a strap threaded therethrough, a cross bar on one of said frames being attached to an article to be supported and the other cross bar engaging the strap, a cross bar on the other of Said frames overlying and having an offset portion to cooperate with said strap engaging cross bar and being spaced suiciently to permit said strap to be clamped in adjusted positions between the opposed faces of the cooperating cross bars by the transverse movement of the frames toward each other upon the tensioning of the strap, the side bars of said second frame being bent to form channels for receiving the side bars of the first frame to permit the slidable engagement thereof, and means for directing relative transverse movements of said frames toward and away vfrom each other upon relative longitudinal movements thereof.

5. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames disposed face to face in a spaced substantially parallel relation, each frame having a pair of cross bars connecting spaced side bars for defining a slot in each of said frames to receive a strap threaded therethrough, a cross bar on one of said frames being attached to an article to be supported and the other cross bar engaging the strap, a cross bar on the other of said frames overlying and cooperating with said strap engaging cross bar and being spaced sufficiently to permit said strap to be clamped in adjusted positions between the opposed faces of the cooperating cross bars by the transverse 35 said frames toward and away from each other 45 upon relative longitudinal movements thereof.

6. A slide buckle, comprising a pair of slidably engaged frames disposed face to face in a spaced substantially parallel relation, each frame having a pair of cross bars connecting spaced side bars for defining a slot in each of said frames to receive a strap threaded therethrough, a cross bar on one of said frames being attached to an article to be supported and the other cross bar engaging the strap, a cross bar on the other of said frames overlying and cooperating with said strap engaging cross bar and being spaced sufiiciently to permit. said strap to be clamped in adjusted positionsrbretween the opposed faces oi' the cooperating Vcross bars by the transverse movement of the frames toward each other upon the tensioning of the strap, the side bars of said second frame being bent tolform channels the walls of which are tapered for receiving the side bars of the first frame to direct relative transverse movements of the frames toward and away from each other upon r'elative longitudinal movements thereof.

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