US2293562A - Buckle - Google Patents

Description

z- 1942. w. ROSENTH'AL 2,293,562

BUCKLE Filed Jan. 11, 1940 '2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR WILLIAM ROSENTHAL ff BY HIS ATTORN Aug. 18, 1942. w. ROSENTHAL I 2,293,562

BUCKLE Filed Jan. 11, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR WILLIAM ROSENTHAL Patented Aug. 18, 1942 BUCKLE William Rosenthal, New York, N. Y., assi nor to Maiden Form Brassiere Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 11, 1940, Serial No. 313,331

15 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to buckles.

One of the objects of this invention is the creation of buckle or strap fastening constructions of such character that straps may be readily engaged therewith and, when engaged, the effective length of such straps may be readily and easily adjusted, as desired, and, when adjusted, fixedly maintained.

Another object of this invention is the creation of buckle or strap fastening constructions of the foregoing character and which are provided with means whereby they may be also readily and easily interengaged with other elements such as strap loops, or the like.

Another object of this invention is the creation of buckle or strap fastening constructions which, while well calculated to attain the foregoing objects, are strong and durable, as well as economical and easy to make and use in quantity and generally embody the advantageous features hereinafter more fully disclosed.

These and many other objects are secured by the constructions herein disclosed. Various other objects and advantages of the invention than those hereinabove specifically mentioned will appear more fully hereinafter. It is to be understood that the specific forms shown are merely illustrative and hence the detailed description thereof is not to be taken as limiting the invention itself.

This invention resides substantially in the parts as well as in the combination, construction,

arrangement and relative location of parts, all as will appear more fully hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the several views to indicate the same or similar parts, it will be found that:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the buckle of Fig. 1 taken along the section line 2 2, in said figure, looking in the direction of the arrows, and shown with a strap threaded through said buckle about the middle full bar thereof;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the buckle of Fig. 1, with a strap fully threaded therethrough and engaged therewith, said buckle being shown about a buckle of my to be engaged with a separate garment strap loop which is perspectively shown secured to a portion of a garment;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of said buckle, strap, garment strap loop and garment portion, after e gagement has been effected;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the section line 55 in Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the buckle and strap of Fig. 3 shown with a part of the strap not engaged with the buckle and in condition for the making of adjustment in the effective length of the strap;

Fig. '7 is a perspective view similar to that of Fig. l but of a buckle which is a possible variant and modified embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a strap first being inserted into a slot of the buckle of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the strap engaged about the middle full bar of the buckle of Fig. '7 and with part thereof about to be swung up to and engaged with the upper part of said buckle;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view similar to the view of Fig. 3 except that the buckle shown is that of Fig. 7 instead of that of Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view similar to that of l but of a buckle which is a second possible variant and modified embodiment of my invention; and

Fig. 12 is a perspective view similar to that of Fig. l but of a buckle which is a third possible variant and modified embodiment of my invention.

It will be observed that each of the hereinafter disclosed buckles is so constructed that adjustment may be readily made in the effective length of a strap secured thereto, and said buckles are provided with means whereby, at will, each may be readily engaged with or disengaged from a strap loop, or the like.

Buckles of this character are generally of advantage in the wearing apparel arts and are peculiarly of value for use on and in connection with womens undergarments which are supplied with one or more'straps. Since the hereinafter disclosed buckle constructions are susceptible of many uses, the herein disclosed particular instances and manner of utilization of such buckles should be considered as illustrative and in no sense as limiting.

Thus, by way of a specific illustration, women frequently find it necessary and/or desirable to make adjustment in the effective length of the shoulder straps of their brassieres so as to suitably vary the tension and breast uplift provided thereby, as well as to disengage and open a shoulder strap, as desired. Indeed, While this is of advantage in garment shoulder strap constructions generally, it is particularly of value in brassiere shoulder strap constructions and especially so in the case of nursing brassieres, such for example, as that shown in U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,979,576, granted: November 6, 1934 where, inter alia, I disclosed certain shoulder straps the effective length of which might be varied, and which straps, when desired, might be opened and disengaged from the garment pockets.

A particularly advantageous feature of the buckles hereinafter disclosed will be found to reside in the fact that each of them preferably comprises an integral body which may be readily formed into the desired configuration by processes such as stamping, casting, molding, or the like, depending upon the body material employed.

In the case of brassire shoulder strap constructions I have found that suitable buckles constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention may be produced bystamp-ing the same out of a suitable metal such as brass, or the like and thereafter providing the stampings with suitable coating of enamel, or the like. It should be understood that I make reference to this only by way of illustration; and since, as will be readily realized, various different materials could be employed in the fabrication of buckles of xnyinvention, Iclo not intend that my invention be in any wise limited to the use of any particular material or materials.

Moreover, although I have found it preferable that each of these buckles be made in :a single integral body, it however will be understood that,

if desirable, each buckle could be made in a suitable number of separate pieces and suitably assembled and united.

Turning now to the drawings, it will be observed that inFig. 1, there is shown at I, one form of buckle constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention.

This buckle I is preferably a single piece composed of four transverse bars, 2, 3, 4 and 5, suitably spaced apart from each other between two spaced side bars, 6 and I. This arrangement provides three intermediate transverse slots, namely, slot 3, lying between bars 2 and 3, slot 9, lying between bars 3 and 4, and slot IE1, lying between bars 4 and 5.

A central opening II, into slot I is provided in the'upp-er transverse bar 5, said opening dividing said bar into two spaced apart portions, to wit, a left portion 5a and a right portion 57!); and, adjacent the opening II, the opposed ends of 5a and 5b preferably are conveXly rounded to .provide a smooth entrance into slot I0. Preferably substantially at the upper left hand corner of slot .8, side bar 6 is provided with an opening I2 into said slot 8, and the opposed walls of said opening I2 preferably are also convexly rounded to provide a smooth entrance into said slot.

Buckle I, is preferably attached to a strap I3 having a'free end portion I3a by a threading of said free end portion Ifa through the slot 9 about the bar 3 and back through the slot 8. The body I3b of the strap I3 is then momentarily twisted, crumpled, compressed, folded or otherwise suitably manipulated to introduce it through the opening II and into the slot it where said body I3!) is released; and buckle I and strap I3 are then in condition shown in Fig. 6. Buckle I is then slid along strap I3 until the desired effective strap length is reached, whereat the free end I3a of strap I3 also is introduced through opening I I into 5101; III in alike manner.

When thus arranged, strap It (proceeding along the length thereof to the free end thereof) extends downwardly towards the rear of buckle I and runs through slot II! of said buckle from the rear to the front thereof, thence downwardly against the front face of bar 4, thence through slot 9 of said buckle from the front to the rear thereof, thence downwardly against the rear face of bar 3, thence through slot 8 of said buckle from the rear to the front thereof, thence upwardly against the front face of bar 3, upwardly across (but not through) slot 9 and upwardly against the outermost side of the fabric lying against the front face of bar 4, thence, following said fabric, through slot II) of said buckle from the front to the rear thereof, thence upwardly against the rear face of the bar portions 5a and 5b and thence upwardly from the buckle; all as is :clearly illustrated in the fully threaded buckles shown in Figs. 3, 4; and 5.

By this arrangement, it will be observed that the strap I3 at the lowermost portion thereof is looped about the bar 3 whereat it is reversely directed and two thicknesses of the fabric of said strap lie against the front face only of bar 4 while two thicknesses of the fabric of said strap lie against the rear face only of bar portions to and 5b, with the result that the strap I3 is firmly interlaced with and'upon the bars 3, 4 and 5 of buckle I and accordingly said buckle is thereupon eifectively locked and fixedly held against movement along the length of said strap at appropriate position thereon.

Subsequent tension in a direction away from the buckle on either free end portion I3a or body portion I31) of strap I3 thereupon tends to increase the locking and holding effect due to such ten sion pressing and bringing the interlaced parts or said strap into increased engagement with the respective bars, i. e., by a drawing taut of the-interlacing upon the aforementioned buckle bars.

At this point it will be realized that, if desired, strap I3 might be engaged with the buckl I by causing the free end of said strap to first enter through the slot ID from the rear of the buckle and thereafter pulling said strap through said slot and threading the free end of the strap about the bars and through the slots of the buckle in the order just hereinbefore mentioned rather than by engaging said strap, in the first instance, about the bar 3 and thereafter causing the body portion I31) and the free end portion 13a to enter into the slot II! through the opening II in the fashion hereinbefore first mentioned.

Since, however, either ofthetwo mentioned manners of engaging the strap I3 with the mentioned bars of buckle I will produce the same ultimate threaded condition, the user, of course, may optionally choose the one which is most convenient and/or desirable; but irrespective of which manner the user chooses, adjustment of effective strap length is preferably to be made before the free end portion I3a is folded back and caused to enter the slot Ill through the opening II, i. e., when the buckle and strap are in the condition shown therefor in Fig. 6.

While I have thus described certain manners whereby strap I3 might be threaded through the buckle I to produce a given ultimate threaded arrangement of said strap upon said buckle, it should at this point be realized that the fashion in which a strap might be engaged with my buckle is by no means limited to the particular manners of threading and the ultimate threaded condition which I have specifically mentioned. Thus, if desired, the free end portion Iita of strap. I3 could conveniently be arranged to lie behind, instead of in front of, the body portion I3b of such strap. Furthermore, by a reversal of the direction in which said strap is threaded through the respective slots and about the respective bars, the ultimate threaded arrangement might be made such that the strap, while still looped about the bar 3, would be so arranged that two thicknesses of the fabric of the strap would lie against the rear face only of bar 4 (instead of the front face only thereof) and two thicknesses of the fabric of said strap would lie against the front face only of bar portions a and 5b (instead of the rear face only of such bar portions). This could be readily accomplished by having the portions I30; and I 31) extend away from the buckle, in the first instance, to the left thereof instead of to the right thereof as shown in Fig. 2, or assuming that the user will choose to commence threading by inserting the free end of the strap into the slot I!) then, in the first instance, by having such free end enter the slot I9 from the front instead of from the rear of the buckle followed by a thread ing of such strap through the slots and about the bars in a fashion which, in each instance, is the reverse of that hereinbefore described.

Going still further it should be understood that the hereincontained terms and expressions of direction and position (e. g., upwardly, downwardly, front, rear, etc.) are employed for purposes of relative description and not of limitation in order to clearly describe my invention relative to the particular illustration thereof shown in the drawings, and, that the buckle construction which I disclose may be threaded in suitable fashion irrespective of which face of the buckle is forwardly directed and irrespective of the particular position in which said buckle be held when the strap is interlaced with the bars thereof, provided, of course, that the direction of the run of the strap upon threading will suitably accord to the particular position of the buckle at the time of threading and the arrangement desired by the user.

Moreover, since as hereinbefore pointed out my buckle constructions are such that they are susceptible of many uses and the manner of threading and the threaded arrangement thereof may be readily varied, as desired, the hereinbefore described particular instances and manner of utilization of such buckles should be considered as illustrative and not as limiting.

Having thus described the manner in which strap I3 is threaded upon, what in Figs. 1-6, inclusive, is the upper part of my buckle I, I will now proceed to a description of the fashion in which the lower part of said buckle is employed.

Thus, when completely threaded upon strap It and fixedly held at appropriate position along the length thereof the buckle and strap are in the condition shown therefor in Fig. 3 of the drawings and the buckle thus attached to the adjusted strap may then be interengaged with a strap loop I4 which is suitably secured to a portion I5 of a garment or otherwise appropriately provided, by an introduction of the lower bar 2 of buckle i into and through the loop Id, in the direction of the arrow illustrated in Fig. 3, whereupon the loop I4 enters into the slot 8 through the opening I2 and rests upon the bottom of slot 8 and about the bar 2.

Due to the fact that the opening I2, as hereinbefore stated, is provided preferably at the upper left hand corner of the slot 8, a portion 6a of the side bar 6 remains upstanding from the bar 2 and in conjunction with said bar effectively provides a hook-like member at the bottom of buckle I; said portion Ga acting as an abutment for the left hand side of the loop I4 to prevent accidental disengagement of the strap loop I4 from off of the lower bar 2 of buckle I once engagement thereof has been effected. Moreover, portion 6a and that portion of side bar I immediately upstanding from lower bar 2 provide side guards limiting sidewise displacement of the loop I4 when once the same rests at the bottom of the "slot 8 and about the bar 2.

The height of portion 5a and the length of loop I4 are relatively suitably proportioned so that, as desired, the bar 2 carrying therewith the portion Ea may be readily introduced into, passed through, or withdrawn from the loop I4.

Since in use there will always be some tension upon the strap I 3, the loop I4 will always rest about the bar 2 at the bottom of the slot 8 and when disengagement is desired the buckle I and the loop I4 are relatively manipulated against the action of such tension until such loop may exit from the slot 8 through the opening I2, said manipulation involving either a lowering of the buckle I, a raising of the loop I4, or both.

When the buckle with the strap suitably threaded therethrough is in a condition where it is completely interengaged with the strap loop M, said elements are respectively in the relative positions shown therefor in Figs. 4 and 5.

Next, it should be understood that while I have hereinbefore described in a particular order the operations involved in arranging for a particular effective strap length and a uniting of my buckle with a strap loop, the particular sequence of steps, in the specific order thereof hereinbefore adopted for purposes of description, need not necessarily be followed, and, indeed, in actual practice, often may not be followed. Thus, when a user would first adjust a garment provided with my buckle, strap and loop to the body, such user probably would first engage the lower bar 2 of the buckle I with the loop I4 and, having the buckle thereby fixed in position, would then manipulate the free end portion I3a of the strap I3 until a suitable effective strap length was provided, whereupon the user would fold the free end I3a back and introduce the same into the slot I0 through the opening II to efiect a locking action of the described character of the buckle I at the chosen position along the length of strap I3. Thereafter, such user would know that having the proper effective strap length arranged for, engagement or disengagement of the buckle I and the loop I4 could be effected at will without changing the position of the buckle along the length of the strap. Indeed, having once adjusted for an effective strap length, the user, in the average case, would probably not desire to vary the adjustment except to meet particular conditions, such as, shrinkage in the fabric of the strap or other parts upon laundering, or the like, or to provide a change in the effective strap length to meet particular needs and desires of the user.

From the foregoing, it is to be understood that the order of assembly and adjustment of my strap, buckle and strap loop remains matter which is entirely optional with the user and accordingly I am to be considered as in no wise limited to the particular manner of operation which I have hereinbefore set forth for purposes of illustration.

Turning next to the possible variant and modified embodiment of my invention which is illustrated in and by Figs. 7-10, inclusive, it will be found that in said figures I show a buckle I6 which in construction is in all respects the same as buckle l except that an additional opening I! is provided through the right side bar I, said opening giving free access to the slot 9 from the right. The opposed walls of opening ll preferably are also convexly rounded to provide a smooth entrance into the slot 9.

Buckle It being thus constructed provides a structure wherein strap [3 instead of being first threaded through slot 9 about bar 3 and through slot 8 as taught in and by Fig. 2 may, if desired, be formed in a loop as illustrated in Fig. 8 and slid into slot 9 in the direction of the arrow illustrated in Fig. 8 towards the side bar 6 and pressed against the side bar 6 sufficiently so that the free end portion I30, may clear the rounded top of the portion 6a and be introduced through the opening l2 into the slot 8 and then released to assume the position therefor illustrated in Fig. 9.

At this point it will be observed that the relative position of the strap 13 with respect to the buckle l perspectively shown in Fig. 9 is substantially the same as that sectionally illustrated as the position of the strap 13 with respect to the buckle I in Fig. 2; and that such position is attainable without the necessity of threading the strap first through slot 9 about the bar 3 and back through the slot 8.

It accordingly will be realized that with but a very small amount of practice a user of this embodiment can, without any threading, readily and quickly learn how to effect looping of the strap l3 about the bar 3' by simple manual movement.

With this construction a particular user may, if preferable, also loop the strap l3 about the bar 3 by threading. Thus, if desired, the strap l3 could, in this embodiment, be wholly threaded through the slot 9 about the bar 3 and back through the slot 8 or slid into the slot 9 and thereafter threaded through the slot 8.

Accordingly it is apparent that buckle It is susceptible of different manners of use, and I, therefore, am not to be considered as limited to the particular manners which I have herebefore mentioned by way of illustration.

At this point it will be realized that this buckle l6 and those buckles hereinafter described are peculiarly of value in those circumstances where it is desired to eliminate to a maximum the need for threading, as may be the case when straps having fringed, frayed, unwieldy, or enlarged ends are employed, or in other appropriate cases.

When the buckle and strap are in the relative position therefor illustrated in Fig. 9 the body portion B2) of the strap may be swung upwardly in the direction of the arrow and appropriately introduced through the opening H into the slot Ill and the buckle and strap will then be substantially in the same relative positions with respect to each other as that illustrated in Fig. 6. Thereafter, a suitable effective length of strap is arranged for and the portion I30. is introduced through the opening ll into the slot I0 in fashion like that hereinbefore described in connection with the description of buckle I and the ultimate condition of the buckle and strap is that illustrated therefor in Fig. which is substantially the same as that illustrated for the buckle I in Fig. 3, i. e., with said buckle locked at ap-' propriate position along the length of the strap and in a position where the lower bar 2 thereof is about to be introduced into the strap loop l4.

Turning next to the second possible variant and modified embodiment of my invention which is illustrated in and by Fig. 11, it will be found that in said figure I show a buckle l8 which in construction is substantially the same as buckle l except that an additional opening I9 is provided through the left side bar 6, said opening giving free access to the slot 9 from the left.

The opposed walls of opening l9 preferably are also convexly rounded to provide a smooth entrance into the slot 9 and this is preferably attained in any suitable fashion, such for example, as by convexly rounding the free left end of the bar 3 of this buckle.

Having thus described the construction of buckle l8, it will be readily understood that the same may be used in a fashion substantially similar to that in which the buckle It is used except that the looped strap [3 shown in Fig. 8 is slid into the slot 9 of buckle Hi from the left instead of from the right.

This buckle provides a construction having one fully solid buckle side I, i. e., a buckle construction wherein all of the side openings are on one side at which side alone sliding engagements are effected, while all of the bars are mounted on the other fully solid buckle side 1.

It will here be readily understood that the rounded free end of the bar 3 could be provided with a rounded knob-like portion, if desired, to provide additional retaining action upon the strap when interlaced with the bars of this buckle. However, since such strap is ultimately locked and drawn taut upon insertion into the slot in through the opening II, I do not believe that in the average case there will be much likelihood of need for providing the free end of bar 3 with a knob-like end. I, however, make mention of the same so that it will be understood that it is within my contemplation and same is within the scope of my invention and may be used should any need therefor be presented.

With the foregoing explanation, the manner in which my buckle I8 is used will be readily understood.

Thus, it will be appreciated that a strap may be readily adjusted as to effective length by means of such buckle and when suitably adjusted thereupon, the buckle may, at will, by means of its bar 2, be engaged with and disengaged from a strap loop such as the strap loop I4 herebefore described.

Turning next to the third possible variant and modified embodiment of my invention which is illustrated in and by Fig. 12, it will be found that in said figure I show a buckle 20 having, like the previous embodiments, four transverse bars, 2, 3, 4 and 5, appropriately separated by the slots, 8, 9 and Ill, but, however, with the upper bar 5 being solid and not provided with any opening ll therein. The side I of this buckle like the side I of the buckle I8, is also fully solid.-

This buckle has all of the openings in its side 6 that buckle [8 has and in addition thereto has an opening 2| in said side giving free access to the slot I!) from the left.

The opposed walls of openings l2, l9 and 2|, in this embodiment preferably are also convexly rounded to provide smooth entrance into the respective slots into which said respective openings give access. Since in this embodiment all of the slots (and particularly slots 9 and ID) are open at the left side of the buckle, the opening 2| is preferably constricted by providing the top of the left free end of bar 4 and the bottom of the left free end of bar 5 with the opposed protuberances Ho. and Zlb, respectively, to provide an assured retainer against accidental displacement of the strap I3 out of opening 2|, when once said strap has been disposed within the slot I0 of this buckle. If desired, the bottom of the left free end of bar 4 can also be provided with a protuberance substantially like the protuberance 2Ia provided at the top of said left free end, and as heretofore explained in connection with the free end of bar 3 of buckle I8, a knob-like p-rotuberance could be formed also, if desired, at the left free end of the bar 3 of buckle 20.

Having thus described the construction of buckle 2|], I now desire to describe the manner in which the same will be used. Thus, the fabric strap I3 is formed in a loop as shown in Fig. 8 and said loop is slid into the slot 9 through the opening I9 and thereupon the body portion I3b of the strap I3 is caused to enter the slot I9 from the left side through the opening 2| by a suitable manipulation thereof to the left through said opening and into said slot. The buckle is then slid to appropriate position along the strap I3 and the free end portion I3a. of said strap is also caused to enter the slot I6 through the opening 2| by a like manipulation so that it will be in an arrangement of interlacing upon the bars 3, 4 and 5, substantially the same as that shown for the interlaced strap in Figs. 3 and 10.

The bar 2 in this construction is adapted to the same uses and purposes as the bar 2 of the embodiments previously described.

In this buckle construction all strap engagements are made on one side of the buckle only and entrance to the slot I0 is by means of the opening in the side of the buckle through which straps may be slid rather than an opening in the top of the buckle through which straps are compressed or otherwise manipulated into the slot Hi, and, accordingly, I believe that this buckle will be found to be peculiarly of advantage when the strap intended to be secured thereupon is of a relatively rigid material which is not readily compressible and therefore difficult of insertion through an opening such as the opening H, such for example, as relatively stiff elastic, relatively stiff leather, metallic cloths, or the like.

I have found that the employment of devices constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention herein disclosed by me, when properly adjusted, applied and used, provide the effects and conditions hereinbefore mentioned as desirable.

The terms and expressions which have been herein employed, are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the devices shown and described or portions thereof.

Indeed, it will be obvious from the foregoing that the invention I have herein disclosed incorporates many features which are possible of general adaptation. Furthermore, it is conceivable that materials and arrangements other than those which I have mentioned as preferable, might be employed in place of those I have mentioned, with equal result.

Still further, I am, of course, aware that many changes in the details of construction and relative arrangement of parts will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and that various modifications are possible within the scope of my invention as herein claimed.

Accordingly, I do not therefore desire to be limited to the exact details herein set forth by way of illustration but rather to the spirit and scope of my invention as I define it in the appended claims.

What I seek to secure States Letters Patent is:

l. A buckle of the type described consisting of a member having two side bars four spaced apart transverse bars all lying substantially in the same general plane providing therebetween an uppermost slot, an intermediate slot and a lowermost slot, said buckle having a first opening through the body thereof giving access to the uppermcst slot and a second opening through a side bar thereof adjacent the top of the lowermost slot of said buckle and giving side access to said lowermost slot; said second opening leaving a lower portion of the side bar, through which it opens, upstanding from the lowermost transverse bar of the buckle, which lower portion has a rounded upper free end, is in line with the upper portion of said side bar, and is adapted to by and claim for United act as an abutment.

2. The structure recited in claim 1 characterized in that the first mentioned opening is formed in the top of the buckle and gives access to the uppermost slot from above.

3. The structure recited in claim 1 characterized in that the first mentioned opening is formed through the body of said buckle on a side thereof adjacent the top and gives side access to the uppermost slot.

4. The structure recited in claim 1 characterized in that the first mentioned opening is formed through the body of said buckle on the same side thereof as is formed the second mentioned opening but adjacent the top instead of adjacent the bottom of said buckle and gives side access to the uppermost slot.

5. A buckle of the type described consisting of a member having four spaced apart bars providing therebetween an uppermost slot, an intermediate slot and a lowermost slot, said buckle having a first opening through the body thereof giving access to the uppermost slot, a second opening through the body of the buckle on a side thereof giving side access to the intermediate slot and a third opening on a side adjacent the bottom of said buckle giving side access to the lowermost of said slots; said structure being characterized in that the opposed walls of each opening are convexly rounded to provide smooth entrance to the slot into which it opens.

6. The structure recited in claim 5 further characterized in that the first mentioned opening is formed in the top of the buckle and gives access to the uppermost slot from above.

7. The structure recited in claim 5 further characterized in that the first mentioned opening is formed through the body of said buckle on a side thereof adjacent the top and gives side access to the uppermost slot.

8. The structure recited in claim 5 further characterized in that the first mentioned opening is formed in the top of the buckle and gives access to the uppermost slot from above and that the second and third mentioned openings ar on the same side of the buckle.

9. The structure recited in claim 5 further characterized in that the first mentioned opening is formed in the top of the buckle and gives access to the uppermost slot from above and that the Second and third mentioned openings are on opposite sides of the buckle.

10. The structure recited in claim further characterized in that all of the mentioned openings are on asingle side of the buckle.

11. A buckle of the type described consisting of a member having four spaced apart bars providing therebetween an open uppermost slot, a closed intermediate slot and a lowermost slot, said buckle having an opening in the top of the body thereof giving access to the uppermost slot from above and a second opening in a Side of the body near the bottom thereof giving side access to the lowermost slot.

12. In a buckle adapted to cooperation with a formed strap loop and a strap, the effective length of which is to be adjusted, a member comprising two side bars and four spaced apart transverse bars providing therebetween an uppermost slot, an intermediate slot and a lowermost slot, said member being provided, at the top, with a central opening dividing the uppermost transverse bar into two pieces having opposed rounded ends and giving smooth access to the uppermost slot, and, being further provided in a side substantially at the top of the lowermost slot, with an opening giving smooth access to the lowermost slot and dividing the buckle into an upper section through and upon which the strap may be looped and interlaced and a lower section in the form of a hook-like member adapted to detachable engagement with the formed strap loop.

13. The structure recited in claim 12 characterized in that the intermediate slot is closed.

14. The structure recited in claim 1 characterized in that the first mentioned opening is formed substantially in the center of the top of the buckle and divides the uppermost transverse bar thereof into two pieces having opposed convexly rounded ends and thereby gives smooth access to the uppermost slot from above; and further characterized in that the intermediate slot is closed.

15. In a strap fastening combination a buckle, as recited in claim 1, a strap which is adapted to be so drawn through and engaged with said buckle that it is looped about the third bar from the top thereof, folded back upon itself into doubleply and arranged, in double-ply, to one side of the second from the top of said transverse bars, and, in double-ply, to an opposite side of the uppermost of said transverse bars, and a formed strap loop into which the lowermost transverse bar of the buckle and the mentioned upstanding portion of-the side bar may be introduced for detachable engagement of said loop with said buckle in the lowermost slot thereof.

WILLIAM ROSENTHAL.

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