US2586159A

US2586159A - Adjustable strap buckle

Info

Publication number: US2586159A
Application number: US76938A
Authority: US
Inventors: Grishman Simon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1949-02-17
Filing date: 1949-02-17
Publication date: 1952-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 1969-02-19

Description

Feb. 19, 1952 s. GRISHMAN 2,586,159

ADJUSTABLE STRAP BUCKLE Filed Feb. 17, 1949 INVENTOR. 5/210 afiafew ant/M X Patented Feb. 19, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE STRAP BUCKLE I v Simon Grishman, Yonkers, N. Y. 7 Application February 17, 1949, Serial No. 76,938

This invention relates generally to buckles and more particularly to buckles for adjustable straps.

In the past, the buckle aperture, in which the two portions of an adjustable strap were bent back in confronting relationship, was defined by generally rectilinear edges or boundaries. Consequently, the confronting bent portions of the strap were generally straight edges. When the strap was subjected to a pulling force or tension the confronting strap portions tended to creep to the opposite ends of the buckle aperture and crowded at their bends around the edges of the generally rectangular aperture, into a folded condition near one or the other of the opposite ends, respectively, of these apertures. This resulated in excessive wear of the folded portions of the straps, causing tears and breaks therein. Moreover, an additional disadvantage resided in the fact that the disengaged parts of the strap, at its confronting portions in the prior buckle apertures, presenteda particularly unsightly appearance.

Therefore, one of the objects of this invention is to avoid the disadvantages and deficiencies inherent in prior buckles for adjustable straps.

Another object is to produce a buckle that will maintain the confronting strap-edge portions in substantially correct alignment regardless of the tension applied to the strap.

A further object is to produce a buckle of simple construction which will materially increase the life of the straps associated therewith.

In order that my invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 shows an improved buckle of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the buckle shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front view of a buckle and strap of the invention, in assembled relationship;

Fig. 4 is a section taken along line 44 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 shows a buckle and strap of the invention, with an unevenly distributed pulling force applied to the strap,

Referring now to Figure 1, in accordance with my invention buckle I II, which may be formed of meta-l, plastic, or any other suitable material is provided with an arcuate aperture 2 bounded by curved confronting buckle surfaces I4 and I8, locking aperture I8 and guide aperture 20. Inturned prongs 22, having confronting end portions, are provided at the top of the buckle and 1 Claim. (Cl. 24200) define a boundary of aperture 20. The strap may be formed of fabric, leather, plastic, or any other suitable material, and comprises upper portion 26 and lower portion 24. The strap is of the adjustable type, for example, a shoulder strap for an undergarment. As is Well known in the art. one end 28 of upper portion 25 is secured to part of an undergarment (not shown), or other object. The other end 30 is free for adjustably positioning the upper strap portion in the buckle. When threaded into buckle l0, upper strap portion 26 is looped through aperture I2 and bent back to form an edge portion 32 encompassing buckle surface HI. As shownin Fig. 4, portion 26, beginning at end 28, passes from the rear of the buckle through aperture 20, to the front thereof, then through aperture I8 to the rear of edge portion 32, and through aperture I2, to the front of the buckle. Continuing from edge 32 strap portion 26 overlaps itself at 34 and continues in overlapped condition as it passes to the rear of the buckle through aperture 2| Prongs 22 serve to guide end 30 to the rear of the buckle. The manner in which buckle I0 is adjusted along the strap and lockecL whereby the strap is made shorter, as the buckle is positioned closer to fixed end 28, and is made longer, as the buckle is positioned nearer free end 30, is well known in the art. Lower strap portion 24 is looped through aperture I2 to form edge portion 36 encompassing interior buckle surface I6. The lower strap portion is affixed to a portion of a garment (not shown) or other object, as is well known in the art.

It will. be noted that folded strap edges 32 and 35 are in confronting relation in the buckle and assume the shape of confronting arcuate surfaces or edges l4 and I6. Although the edges l4 and I6 are illustrated as having an equal degree of curvature, it will be understood that it is within the scope of the invention to provide a buckle in which only the edge It is curved, the curvature being concave. It will also be understood that the degree of curvature of surface or edge I4 may vary.

In operation, when normal pulling pressure or tension is exerted on the strap, the resultim force will tend to be evenly distributed over the longitudinal extent of arcuate surfaces I4 and 16 to maintain confronting

strap edges

32 and 36 in correct alignment, thereby preventing crowding of the strap at the ends of aperture l2. In the event of the application of an abnormal or unevenly distributed pulling pressure to the strap, such that the buckle becomes displaced, as in Fig. 5, the tendency of curved surfaces I4 and Hz to evenly distribute the force resulting from the unevenly applied pressure, will prevent undue crowding at the aperture ends. It will be noted that under these circumstances,

strap portions

32 and 36 will remain in substantially satisfactory original alignment, as in Fig. 5, so that only a very slight crowding or folding of these portions will occur.

Although the buckle .and strap have been described finconnection with clothing, it is not intended to limit the use and application thereof, thereto. It will be understood that the invention is applicable wherever adjustable straps are used.

I claim as my invention:

A buckle for an adjustable strap connection, said buckle having two laterally spaced bars intermediate the opposite ends thereof for engaging the folded portion of an adjustable loop of said strap connection, said buckle having at one end thereof a third 'bar for engaging another folded strap portion of the strap connection, said third bar and one of said two bars having confronting edges defining an openingto receive said two strap portions, said opening-defining edges being concave with their curvatures disposed oppositely with reference to each other so that the folded strap portions which are received in said opening en- .gage said'concave edgesofthe bars and have concave folded edges at their respective fold lines conforming to the curvature of said bar edges,

respectively, so that they remain substantially co-extensive with said edges in various laterally displaced positions of the two strap portions, the opposite end of said buckle having spaced confronting parts which, together with one of said first mentioned bars are adapted to hold said loop adjustably in position, said spaced confronting parts defining an aperture to facilitate the insertion of the strap loop in the buckle.

SIMON GRISHMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the .file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS