US3088184A

US3088184A - Sliding buckle for strap ends

Info

Publication number: US3088184A
Application number: US58151A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bittner Ernst
Original assignee: Scholl Manufacturing Co Inc
Current assignee: Scholl Manufacturing Co Inc
Priority date: 1959-09-23
Filing date: 1960-09-22
Publication date: 1963-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 1980-05-07

Description

May 7, 1963 E. BITTNER 3,088,184

SLIDING BUCKLE FOR STRAP ENDS .Filed Sept. 22, 1960 INVENTOR. 77252 5:277:67

w TTORNE YS fates nite This invention relates to improvements in a sliding buckle for strap ends, and more particularly to fastening means for straps ends, the invention being highly desirable for use in connection with the straps on sandals, shoes and other articles of footwear, belts, carrying cases having shoulder straps, and various other devices as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

In the past, many and various devices have been developed for connecting strap end portions together, and the most common of these formerly known structures is the prong-type buckle, wherein the prong of the buckle is selectively inserted in one of a series of holes in one strap end portion, while the buckle itself and the prong are hingedly secured to the other strap end portion. Other types of strap end connectors have been made including a buckle of rectangular configuration on one strap end having a bar centrally disposed thereacross, with a sliding serrated element thereon, and the other strap end being threaded through the buckle over the bar and the serrated slide engaging it to hold the parts firmly connected. In still another instance a pair of like rings were utilized on one strap end and the other strap end threaded through and between the rings in a manner that the rings pressed one against the other to lock the strap end in position. However, in each instance with such securing elements, and particularly where they were utilized on a strap that engaged the human body, parts of the structure were directly in contact with the body of the user or with the apparel of the user around which this strap means was fastened. This was particularly true where such formerly known strap connecting means were utilized in sandals and other articles of footwear, and particularly with regard to foot exerciser sandals where the strap connects over the front portion of the foot, and the foot must be naked in order to properly wear the sandal and receive the exercising benefit therefrom. Consequently there was likelihood of the strap, rivets, or other portions of the fastening means gouging the foot of the user in an uncomfortable manner, and in the event hosiery was worn, there was danger of injuring the hose. Likewise, in the case of belts worn around a dress or other garment, there was likelihood of injury to delicate fabric by means of projecting metallic portions of the strap fastening means. Further, with securing means of the type of the commonly known prong buckle, there was danger of painfully pinching the body at the time the strap end portions are connected.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the instant invention to provide fastening means for strap ends so arranged that no metallic parts can come in contact with the body or whatever else the strap means are disposed around and wherein the strap end portions may be very facilely connected in a secure manner.

It is also an object of this invention to provide fastening means for strap ends highly desirable for use on sandals and other articles of footwear and wherein the strap end portions may be facilely connected without danger of pinching or injury to the body or apparel, and simple slide means are incorporated to maintain the strap ends connected.

Also a feature of the invention resides in the provision of fastening means for strap ends so constructed that the strap end portions may be padded, present a clean and uninterrupted undersurface, and yet be firmly secured together in a selective degree of adjustment simply and positively.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of fastening means for strap ends wherein one strap end portion may be provided with a series of aligned apertures therein, and the other strap end portion has an upstanding stud for selective engagement in one of the apertures, and a slide member carried thereon has a slot therein to slide over the apertured strap end portion and engage the stud to maintain the parts connected.

Still a further object of the instant invention is the provision of fastening means for strap ends wherein one strap end portion is provided with a series of apertures, while the other strap end portion is provided with an upstanding headed stud selectively insertable in one of the apertures, and this strap end portion is also provided with a slotted slide element wherein when the element is slid over the stud and over the other strap end portion the slot engages the stud beneath the head thereof.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of simple fastening means for strap ends which may be made of any desired material, of any desired color, and are extremely pleasing in appearance while being highly effective in operation.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a sandal having straps equipped with fastening means embodying principles of the instant invention, showing the same in operative position upon a diagrammatic representation of a human foot;

FIGURE 2 is a greatly enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line II-II of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the upper central portion of the fastening means of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a greatly enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line IVIV of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view illustrating a diiferent usage for the fastening means embodied in this invention.

As shown on the drawing:

The illustrated embodiment of the instant invention is first shown associated with a foot exercising sandal comprising a block 1 having .a conformed top to provide exercise to the foot when the sandal is worn, and a resilient tread 2 underneath the block 1. A strap 3 is secured to one side edge of the block 1 by any suitable securing means indicated at 4, and the corresponding strap portion 5 is secured in similar manner to the opposite side edge of the block 1. The straps are shown engaged around a human foot 6 to hold the sandal in operative position upon the foot.

The fastening means embodied in the instant invention are associated with the end portions 6 and 7 respectively of the straps 3 and 5. As seen best in FIGURES 2 and 4, the end portion 6 of the strap 3, which contacts the foot of the user when the sandal is worn, is preferably made of upper and lower layers 8 and 9 of leather, simulated leather, or any other desirable or suitable material, with a layer of cushioning material 10 disposed therebetween, which cushioning material might be padding, foam latex, or a thermoplastic foam such as vinyl or polyurethane foam so that the entire strap will feel soft against the user. The layers 8 and 9 may be secured together in any suitable manner, such as by stitching 11. It will be noted that the undersurface of the layer 9 is clean and uninterrupted, presenting a soft and smooth surface to the users body or apparel. No metallic parts extend through this layer to contact the body or apparel of the users A strap section 12 of lesser width is secured to the upper layer 8 of the strap end portion 6 by rivets 13 or man equivalent mariner-Q Preferably through both this strap section 1'2 and the upperlayer 8 an upstanding stud l4'extends, the stud having an intermediate collar 15 thereon and a crushed lower end'ISa whereby the stud is riveted to the top layer 8 and'the strap section 12. The up'per portion'of the stud is'provided with a groove lfi'therearound to definea-head 17. A slide element 18, substantially in thetorm' of a sleeve, and provided with downwardly and inwardly extending fian'ges 19 on each side thereof to embrace the strap section 12, is freelys'lidable along the strap section between the stud and the opposite end of the strap section. From approximately a central portion to the inner edge thereof, the slide member 13 is provided with a slot 20 therein of suflicient size to engagethe portion of the stud inthe groove 16 of reduced diamet'er beneath the head 17, and the rear end of this slot is expanded and beaded as indicated at 21.

' The other strap end portion 7 may also be of oneor more layers of material as above described, and this end portion is provided a series of aligned apertures therein defined by eyelets 22. That is all it need he provided in connection withthis strap end portion.

In operation, the instant'inventionis' extremely simple and eifective. When it is desired to connect the strap end portions, it is asimple expedient to lift the portion 7 sufiiciently to clear the stud 14, as indicated by dotted lines in FIGURE 4, after the slide 18 has been retracted or drawn away from the stud as shown in the same figure. The tip of the portion 7 is then entered within the slide if it reaches that far, and a selected eyelet 22 is lowered over the stud 14, at the desired degree of tightness of the strap end. The slide 18 is then moved until'the stud'is' received-in the recess or slot2 0 beneath the head 17 and the slide'is moved the head 17'is received in the expanded and beaded portion 21 of the slot, which more efiectiv'elysecures the head in position and enhances the overall appearance." It will be noted thatwhen the slide is engaged with the stud, the upper face of the slide is disposed over the strap end portion 7 and under' the head of the studso'thatthere is little'possibility of the parts becoming accidentally loosened, they remaining firmly connected, and yetno metallic parts of m riad contact thebody'or apparel of the juserwhich is only contacted by the smooth and uninterrupted underface of the layer 90f the strap end portion 6.

It will be noted that the eyelets 22, stud 14, and slide 18 may be made of any suitable plastic material or of metal, and given any desirable color or decorative efiect so that the fastening means are very pleasing in appearance and enhance the overall appearance of the strap means with which they are associated, rather than detract therefrom.

In FIGURE 5 I have illustrated the same fastening means as above described associated with the ends of a belt 23 merely for the purpose of indicating that the instant invention may be used to connect the ends of a single strap element, in addition to connectingadjacent ends of separate straps. Obviously, the invention will have nu merous uses and purposes as will be apparent to one skilled'in the'lart, in addition to those illustrated in the r g 7 I-t' will be understood that modifications and variations may beefiect'edwit hhut departing from the scope of the novelconcep'ts of the present invention. 7' i I claim as my invention:

Fastening means for elongated strap ends, comprising:

(a) a pair of strap'end portions, one of said portions having an aperture therein, the other strap end portion compri-sing'outer and inner layers of material withpadding'therebetween, the inner layer having an inner uninterrupted surface;

(17) an upstanding stud fixedly secured within said other of said portions to said outer layer and positioned to abut said padding, an external portion of said stud being receivable in said aperture, said stud having an external length greater than the thickness of said one portion, and having a peripheral groove disposed outwardly of said thickness; and

( 2) a ig d s e membe arr e by ai other P r ion in such a manner that it is movable over said one portion only in the direction of the length of said other portion, said member having means defining a slot of substantiallyuniform width receivable in said groove and opening at one end into an outer edge of said member, and being closed at its other end and terminating in an outwardly extending U-shaped head portion receivable in said groove.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS