US3001256A - Adjustable buckle - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 26, 1961 D. LAVIANO 3,001,256

ADJUSTABLE BUCKLE Filed June 12, 1957 2 SheetsSheet 1 4555:2650 exa-saxed 1,, mai

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F/G. 6. F/G/4. l5. at/ INVENTOR.

DON LA VIA N' O By Quad ATTORNEYJ Sept. 26, 1961 D. LAVlANO 3,

ADJUSTABLE BUCKLE Filed June 12, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. DON LAVIANO Qwudfbu V- ATTORNEKS 3,001,256 ADJUSTABLE BUCKLE Don Laviano, 119 Washington Place, New York, NY. Filed June 12, 1957, Ser. No. 665,161 2 Claims. (Cl. 24-178) The present invention relates to attachment devices, and in particular to an improved buckle for use with a strap having a series of spaced-apart, tongue-receiving apertures for achieving between size adjustment of the buckle and strap assembly. Buckles embodying features of the invention find particular application in making between size (i.e. half size) adjustments of the strap and buckle on wrist watch bands, shoes, belts, and like articles which are adapted to encircle a portion of the body or an extremity of a wearer.

Numerous articles of wearing apparel, jewelry, and similar personal elfects employ the well known strap and buckle attachment assembly which includes a buckle embodying a frame havin spaced sides and a clasp section, a pin or pivot extending between the sides and having its opposite ends supported on the sides, and a tongue swingably mounted on said pin or pivot for movement into engagement with the clasp section. The buckle is attached to one end of the strap and has its tongue selectively engaged in the spaced apertures formed along the other end of the stra or of the separate strap. The attachment means is adjusted in accordance with the spacing between successive tongue-receiving apertures in the strap.

Familiar to all is the problem of finding one strap adjustment to be too loose and the next adjacent strap adjustment to be too tight. This usually necessitates the provision of an extra aperture to accommodate the tongue and to allow for in between size adjustment thereby supplementing the normal adjustment capable with the regularly provided apertures in the strap. Apart from the trouble that this represents, quite frequently the strap breaks when the user attempts to make additional holes as required. At best this attempt at between size adjustments is a crude makeshift and is undesirable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved buckle for use with a strap which obviates one or more of the aforesaid difiiculties. Specifically, it is within the contemplation of the present invention to provide a buckle and strap assembly which allows for the normal size adjustment of the strap in relation to the buckle in accordance with the spacing between the series of spaced-apart, tongue-receiving apertures provided in the strap; and in addition for between size adjustments.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved buckle which enables the user, by simple manual manipulation, to make half size adjustments for a buckle and strap assembly. To advantage, the tongue of the buckle may be placed in a prescribed one of the tongue-receiving apertures on the strap or belt and thereafter, to either loosen up or tighten up on the strap and buckle asembly. The between size adjustment may be achieved when the strap is initially engaged with the buckle, or as the situation may later require.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an improved buckle for use with a strap which enables both full and half size adjustments of the buckle and strap assembly.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating features of the present invention, my improved buckle is for use with a strap having a series of spaced, tongue-receiving apertures and comprise a buckle frame having spaced pivot and clasp sections and a tongue swingably mounted on the pivot section for movement into engagement with the clasp section. The tongue is adapted to be extended through one of the apertures of the strap for selectively attaching the strap to the buckle. Means are provided which are operatively connected to one of the sections for mounting said one section for movement toward one of the other sections whereby the effective separation between the sections may be foreshortened thereby enabling between size adjustment of the buckle and strap assembly. Accordingly, upon engagement of the tongue of the buckle in one tongue-receiving aperture a half size adjustment may be made to tighten up or foreshorten the strap and buckle assembly by merely displacing the movable one of said sections toward the other of said sections into an adjusted position whereby a size adjustment of the strap and buckle assembly is achieved as a function of the displacement of the one section.

Advantageously, the normal strap and buckle assembly of any one of a variety of familiar articles may be readily adapted to achieve half or in between size adjustments in addition to those normally provided by the spaced apart apertures in the strap.

The above brief description as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of several presently preferred embodiments, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an improved buckle demonstrating features of the present invention mounted on one end of a strap and adapted to be connected to the other end of a strap or to a separate strap;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of the strap and buckle assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 in a selected position of engagement as determined by the spaced-apart, tongue-receiving apertures provided in the: buckle engaging portion of the strap;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the buckle and strap in their relative positions when a between size adjustment is eflected;

PEG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an improved buckle demonstrating still further features of the present invention mounted on one end of a strap and adapted to be connected to the other end of a strap or to a separate strap;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section of the strap and buckle assembly illustrated in FIG. 4 in a selected position of engagement as determined by the spaced-apart, tonguereceiving apertures provided in the buckle engaging portion of the strap;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the buckle and strap in their relative positions when a between size adjustment is elfected;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective View of an improved buckle demonstrating still further features of the present invention mounted on one end of a strap and adapted to be connected to the other end of a strap or to a separate strap;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section of the strap and buckle assembly illustrated in FIG. 7 in a selected position of engagement as determined by the spaced-apart, tonguereceiving apertures provided in the buckle engaging portion of the strap;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8 but showing the buckle and strap in their relative positions when a between size adjustment is effected;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an improved buckle demonstrating still further features of the present invention mounted on one end of a strap and adapted to be connected to the other end of a strap or to a separate strap;

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal section of the strap and buckle assembly illustrated in FIG. 10 in a selected position of engagement as determined by the spaced-apart, tongue- 3 receiving apertures provided in the buckle engaging portion of the strap;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view similar to 'FIG. 11 but showing the buckle and strap in their relative positions when a between size adjustment is effected;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic showing of a pin and slot interconnection for use between a buckle frame and clasp illustrating a still further modified form of the invention, the parts being shown in the relative position for a half-size or between size adjustment;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to *FIG. 13, but showing the parts partially out of the half-size position of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a showing similar to FIG. 14 but showing the parts still further translated out of the half-size position; and

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic showing after the parts have been adjusted to the position corresponding to the normal stepwise adjustment between the buckle and strap.

In FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive there is illustrated an embodiment of the invention wherein a buckle 212 is provided having a clasp section 228 which is integral with the opposite sides 222, 224 of the buckle frame 229. The pivot or pin section, generally designated by the reference numeral 226, is movable between the normal extended position of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the adjusted retracted position of FIG. 9 wherein the between size adjustment is achieved. The pivot section 226 is in the form of a pivot pin having spring biased retractable stubs at one or both ends. The opposite ends of the pivot pin 226 are mounted in confronting bayonet slots 227, 229 provided in the opposite sides 222, 224 of the buckle frame 220 and extending lengthwise of said sides adjacent their innermost ends. The bayonet slots are identical and accordingly it will sufiice to describe the bayonet slot 229 in the side 224 only. This slot incorporates a longitudinal section 229a which communicates with two downwardly extending seating sections 229b, 2290. The seating sections 22%, 229:: are adapted to selectively receive the piri 226 whereby the pin may be releasably engaged at either extremity of the aligned bayonet slots. Normally the pin 226 tends to ride toward the rear of the bayonet slot 229 and to be engaged in the seating section 22%. This effect is achieved by the provision of the rearwardly and downwardly inclined camming surface 229d which terminates at its forward end in the seating section 2290 and merges gradually into the seating section 22912. To achieve the half size adjustment of the strap and buckle assembly, the pin 226 is urged forwardly until the end portions thereof are seated within the forward seating sections of the bayonet slots 227, 229. To effect release of the pin 226 and restoration to the position of FIGS. 1 and 2, it is merely necessary to urge the pin upwardly until the same is engaged upon the rearwardly and down wardly inclines (i.e., 229d) whereupon the pin is restored to the illustrated position of FIGS. 1 and 2. By adjusting the spacing between the limit positions of the pin in its slots, the required degree of between size adjustment may be controlled. For a separation of one quarter of an inch between the successive tongue-receiving apertures 213 of the strap portion '216, the spacing between the seating sections 2291) and 22% should be of the order of /8 inch, which distance would be measured between the centers of the pin 226 in the limit positions of adjustment.

In FIGS. 4 to 6 inclusive there is illustrated a further embodiment of the invention in which corresponding parts have been designated by the same reference numerals as parts of a 300 series. In this form of the invention, the clasp section 328 is integral with the opposite sides 322, 324 of the buckle frame 329 of my improved buckle 312. The pin or pivot section, generally designated by the reference numeral 326, is movable between the normal extended position of FIGS. 4 and 5 and the retracted adjusted position of FIG. 6 wherein between size adjustment is achieved. The pivot or pin secor up tion is journaled at its opposite ends in bayonet-type slots 327, 329 of a construction similar to that described in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive. In lieu of relying upon the seating of the pin section in the bayonet slot at its opposite extremities as described aforesaid, this embodiment employed a U-shaped latching piece, generally designated by the reference numeral 333 which includes opposite legs 333a, 33 8b and a connecting bight 3380. The U-shaped latching piece 338 has its legs pivoted on pins 342, whereby the latch piece 333 may be moved from the locking position illustrated in :FIG. 4 to the unlocked position illustrated in FIG. 5. Each of the legs 333a, 3385 is of similar construction and is pro vided with spaced apart downwardly opening detent or locking notches 344, 346. The notches 344, 346 are spaced apart to correspond with the extreme positions of the pin section 326 as it moves in the bayonet slots 327, 32?. Specifically, the notch 344 is in position engage the pin section when the same is at the rearward ends of the bayonet slots 32 7, 3.2-? which is the normally ex tended position illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The downwardly opening notch 34 6 is in position to engage the pin section 326 when the same is seated in the forward ends of the bayonet slots which is the position illustrated in HG. 6.

When the user desires to make an adjustment, the latch piece 338 may be lifted by engaging the same with the thumb or finger whereupon the pin section 326 is freed to be urged from its extended position to its retracted position whereupon the pin section enters into the forward downwardly extending seating section of the respective bayonet slots. Thereupon the latch piece may be pivoted from the unlocked position of F'G. 5 into the locked position of FIG. 6 in which the pin section 326 is confined within the forward ends of the bayonet slots 327., 329 by the action of the bounding and engaging portions of the latch piece continguous to the notches 346.

In FIGS. 7 to 9 inclusive there is illustrated a still further embodiment of the invention wherein corresponding parts have been designated by the same reference numerals but as part of a 400 series. In this form of the invention, the clasp section 428 is integral with the opposite sides 422, 424 or" the buckle frame 42% of my improved buckle 412. Th pivot or pin section 426 is movable between the normal extended position of FIGS. 7 and 8 and the adjusted retracted position of FIG. 9 where the between size adjustment is achieved. The pivot pin section 426 has its opposite ends projecting outwardly of the opposite sides 422, 424 of the buckle frame 420, the pin section being journaled in opposed bayonet slots 427, 429 provided respectively in the sides 422, 424. The bayonet slots in this embodiment are symmetrical about a vertical center plane and each includes opposed seating notches 429b, 429s which are joined by a connecting section 42912. In order to effectively lock the pin section in either of its limited positions of travel, there is provided a latch piece 438 of generally U-shaped configuration which includes opposed legs 438a, 4381; connected by a curved bight 4323c. The latch piece 438 is constructed to serve a dual function, namely to lock the pin section 426 in the limited positions within the bayonet slots, and to eifectively cam the pin section 426 between the limit positions. To this end, the legs 438a, 4381; are provided with identical bayonet slots 443, which bayonet slots are inverted with respect to the adjacent bayonet slots 427, 429; that is each of the bayonet slots terminates in an upwardly extending seating section or notch 444, 446 which is adapted to receive the opposite end extremities of the pin section 426. The latch piece 438 is pivoted on the pins 44-2 to swing between the lock position illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9 and the unlocked position illustrated in FIG. 14. The arrangement of the pin section 4'26 extending through the corresponding but oppositely directed bayonet slots on each side of the buckle frame and the adjacent side of the latch piece is such that as the latch piece is pivoted in a clockwise direction about the pin or pins 442, the pivot or pin section 426 is cammed out of the rearward seating notches or sections of the bayonet slots 427, 429 and is urged toward the forward seating notches or sections 4270, 4290. When the pin section enters the foremost seating notches 427a, 429a, the latch piece can again be brought to the engaged position to thereby lock the pin section 426 in the adjusted retracted position illustrated in FIG. 9. This achieves the required between size or half size adjustment.

When it is again desired to restore the strap and buckle assembly to the full size corresponding to the particular engagement between the tongue 430 and the selected one of the apertures 418, the latch piece 438 is again pivoted in a clockwise direction until the pin section 426 is cammed out of the seating notches 427e, 4290 whereupon the pin 426 may be restored to the rearward set of the seating notches (i.e. by pulling on the strap) and into the position illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 whereupon the latch piece may again by brought to its locking position.

Finally in FIGS. 10 to 12 inclusive, there is illustrated a still further embodiment of my invention wherein corresponding parts have been designated by the reference numerals as part of a 500 series. In this form of the invention my improved buckle 512 includes a frame 520 which is substantially symmetrical about the pin section '26 which attaches the strap 514 to the buckle 512. The buckle body includes the frame 520 having the sides 522, 524 and the connecting integral clasp section 523 and a similar frame 538 which is of generally U-shaped configuration (corresponding to the part 438) and includes leg sections 53811, 53% connected by a transverse section 538a. The sides 522, 5 24 of the buckle frame 520 are provided with bayonet slots 527, 529 corresponding to those previously described, while the sections 538a, 5381) of the frame 538 (the latch piece) is provided with the inverted bayonet slots 543 having the opposite seating or locking notches 544, 546. The latch piece 538 is pivoted on the pins 542 (as previously described) and upon manipulation of the latch piece 538, the pin section 526 may be cammed from the position at the left extremity of the bayonet slots 527, 529. Manipulation of the pin section 526 from the illustrated position of FIGS. and 11 to that of FIG. 12 may be achieved by moving the latch piece 538 in a clockwise direction about the pins 542 whereupon the pivot or pin section 526 is free to translate along the length of the corresponding bayonet slots 527, 529. When the latch piece 528 is restored to the locking position, whether the pin be adjusted for a full size or half size adjustment, the virtually identical parts 520, 538 cooperate to provide a conventional buckle frame having a centrally and transversely extending pin which mounts the tongue 530 for cooperation with the selected ones of the apertures 518 in the other cooperating strap portion.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 13 to 16 inclusive there is shown diagrammatically a still further embodiment in accordance with the present invention. In this form of the invention the opposite sides 624 of the buckle frame 620 are formed with L-shaped slots 629 each of which includes a horizontally-extending section 62911 and an angularly upwardly extending extension 62% communicating with the section 629a at a reduced neck 629c. The reduced neck 629c provides a detent action for bolding the pivot or pin section 626 from falling back into the section 629a unless positively urged. The pivoted clasp section 638 is formed with corresponding slots 646 which include upwardly extending end sections 646a, 64Gb joined by an intermediate section 6460. For the half-size adjustment the pin section 626 on the strap is seated at the right end of the section 6460 in the seating notch 646b (see FIG. 14). When the clasp 638 is rocked in the clockwise direction about the pivot section 626, for example to the intermediate positions of FIGS. 14 and 15, the pin section 626 is urged toward the left by the pull of the strap to increase the length of the strap and buckle assembly. When the pin section 626 is brought to the extreme left end of the slot 629, the clasp 638 can then be rocked in the counter-clockwise direction whereupon the section 646a of the slot 646 serves to lock the pin section 626 in the adjusted position.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances some features of the invention will be used without a corresponding use of other features.

What I claim is:

LA buckle for achieving between size adjustments for use with a strap having a series of spaced-apart tongue-receiving apertures comprising a buckle frame having spaced sides and a clasp section, there being opposed bayonet slots formed in said sides, a pin having its opposite ends extending into said slots and movable between limit positions, a tongue swingably mounted on said pin for movement into engagement with said clasp section, said tongue being adapted to be extended through one of said apertures for attaching said strap to said buckle, and means operatively engaging said pin for locking said pin in a limit position toward said clasp section whereby the effective separation between said pin and said clasp section is foreshortened to enable a between size adjustment of said buckle and strap.

2. A buckle for use with a strap having a series of spaced-apart tongue-receiving apertuers for achieving adjustments as established by the spacing of said apertures and between size adjustments comprising -a buckle frame having spaced sides and a clasp section, there being opposed openings formed in said sides, a pin extending between said sides and having its opposite ends journaled in said openings, said pin being movable from a first limit position at a prescribed spacing from said clasp section into a second position closer to said clasp section for achieving a between size adjustment, a tongue swingably mounted on said pin for movement into engagement With said clasp section in both of said limit positions, and tongue being adapted to be extended through one of said apertures for attaching said strap to said buckle, and an actuating member operatively engaging said pin for displacing said pin from said first limit position toward said clasp section and into said second limit position whereby the eifective separation between said pin and said clasp section is foreshontened to enable between size adjustment of said buckle and strap, said actuating member including means operative to releasably, and selectively secure said pin in one or the other of said limit positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 229,087 Brazeal lune 22, 1880 245,729 Landis Aug. 16, 1881 1,057,714 Davis Apr. 1, 1913 2,735,152 Beuchat et al. Feb. 21, 1956

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