US3349444A - Metal buckle - Google Patents

Description

J. R. BEACH Oct. 31', 1967 METAL BUCKLE Filed April 12, 1965 I M @Zeac United States Patent 3,349,444 METAL BUCKLE John R. Beach, Elmhurst, Ill., assignor to Signode Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 447,423 4 Claims. (Cl. 24-74) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A one-piece metal buckle as disclosed is formed from a length of rod stock to present a pair of crossbars at each end of the buckle outline. Each pair of crossbars receives a strap end portion in a reverse folded relationship to develop increased frictional holding power against strap pull out by presenting maximum surface contact area between the crossbars and the strapping. At each end, the inner wrap of the folded strap is impressed against one of the crossbars by the outer wrap, with additional holding power being developed by contact between the inner and outer wraps.

This invention relates to buckles for use with nonmetallic strapping for securing opposite ends of a strap loop which is to be arranged in taut relation about a package or other object that is to be tied.

Plastic strap or tape is now used in many instances where steel strap has been employed in the past and due to its elastic and resilient properties finds many strapping applications for which steel strap is unsuitable.

The advent of non-metallic strap, in particular plastic strap, has brought with it the need for specialized connectors for securing opposite ends of the strap loop. The metal seals which require mechanical crimping have not found universal application with plastic strap and various types of buckles have been employed, which depend upon development of mechanical, frictional engagement with the strap ends. Until the present time, the holding power of these buckles has been unduly limited. This has been a limiting factor in the exploitation of the plastic strap field. In addition, with the use of smoother surfaced plastic straps, such as strapping of polypropylene, the slippery surface character of the strapping has made the buckle gripping factor even more critical.

In accordance with the present invention, a buckle is provided exhibiting significantly improved holding power with respect to the strap ends which are threaded through it. A feature of the invention is the provision of a one-piece skeletal rod buckle for individually receiving each of the opposite ends of a strap loop and establishing an increased surface area of contact against the strap to maximize frictional holding power.

Another feature of the invention is to provide an improved buckle-type strap connector that is laterally open adjacent each end to facilitate strap threading.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a buckle-type strap connector having a symmetrical configuration to enable convenient use in any orientation, both from the standpoint of ease of threading and from the standpoint of effective frictional engagement.

Other and further features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and claims, and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which show structure embodying preferred features of the present invention and the principles thereof, and what is now considered to be the best mode in which to apply these principles.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of the 3,349,444 Patented Oct. 31, 1967 figuration for the buckle; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary diagrammatic cross-sectional View taken through a buckle having opposite ends of the strap loop loosely threaded therein and having the areas of surface contact presented by the buckle emphasized in heavy lines to demonstrate the principles which contribute to the significant improvement in holding power provided by the buckle of this invention.

Referring now to the drawings, the typical application in which the buckle of the present invention is employed is illustrated in FIGURE 1 wherein a package or other object that is to be tied is designated generally at 10 and is shown equipped with a strap loop 11 having its opposite ends 12 and 13 individually threaded through opposite ends of a buckle-type connector 14. Arrangements of this general type are well known wherein the buckle 14 is formed of a bent wire rod of substantially stable configuration, and wherein the strap 11 is nonmetallic and preferably of a plastic that exhibits tensile strength and elastic recovery such that it assumes a taut, snug relation about the object. The stability of the connection between each strap end and the buckle depends upon the frictional relationships existing and while various complex buckle configurations have been developed, there is need for a buckle which is easily threaded at each end and which exhibits resistance to distortion and, more importantly, a strong slip-proof engagement with the strap ends.

The buckle 14 is formed from a suitably bent onepiece metal rod, preferably of spring wire and preferably suitably surface-roughened and thereafter surfacecoated to increase its frictional properties, though the invention is not limited to surface treating of the buckle. As is best seen in FIGURE 4, the buckle is of generally rectangular configuration in plan outline and has a first set of strap engaging crossbars 15 and 16 at one end and a second set of strap engaging crossbars 17 and 18 at its opposite end. In the strap and buckle arrangement of FIGURES 1 and 5, the strap end 12 is shown threaded through the set of crossbars 15 and 16 and the strap end 13 is shown threaded through the crossbars 17 and 18. These sets of crossbars are located in generally side by side relation to each other, and the crossbars common to each set are located in generally side by side relation to each other. Thus, it may be seen that the crossbar set 15 and 16 is spaced from the crossbar set 17 and 18 in a direction endwise of the buckle to define a common central opening 19 for passage of the opposite ends of the strap. Correspondingly, the crossbars 15 and 16 of the first set are spaced in a direction endwise of the buckle to define an intermediate opening 20 for passage of the strap end 12 while the crossbars 17 and 18 are also spaced in a direction endwise of the buckle to define an intermediate opening 21 for passage of the strap end 13.

It may be noted that the first crossbar 15 constitutes a terminal portion of the rod and defines one extremity of the buckle outline, that the second crossbar 16 of the same set constitutes an intermediate section of the rod, that the first crossbar 17 of the second set constitutes another intermediate section of the rod, and that the second crossbar 18 of the second set constitutes an opposite terminal portion of the rod and defines an opposite end extermity of the buckle outline.

To complete the buckle, the rod has an endwise run 22 interconnecting crossbars 15 and 17, another endwise run 23 interconnecting crossbars 16 and 18, and a final endwise run 24 interconnecting the crossbars 16 and 17. The endwise runs 22 and 23 are located on the same side of the buckle and are partially overlapping and partially exposed in plan outline relation to each other to react one against the other for stablilizing the buckle configuration. The endwise run 24 is located on the opposite side of the buckle. As may be observed in FIG- URE 3, the run 24 extends from the plane of the run 22 to the plane of the run 23.

It may be further noted from the drawing figures that the endwise runs 22 and 23 are corresponding in length and symmetrical about a transverse buckle centerline such that the spacial relationship existing between the crossbars 15 and 16 corresponds closely to the spacial relationhip existing between the crossbars 17 and 18.

In the practice of the invention, each of the crossbars 15 to 18 and each of the runs 22 to 24 are straight with adjacent ends of these elements being integrally connected by substantially right-angle bend portions of the rod. This is the simplest form of buckle to fabricate, but it will be appreciated that the crossbars and endwise runs need not be exactly straight so long as the essential relationships of the structure are maintained.

In the structural embodiments having the general arrangement and configuration illustrated in the drawings, spring wire of 0.135 inch diameter is employed with the central opening 19 having a dimension of inch in the endwise buckle direction, and with each of the intermediate openings 20 and 21 having a dimension of A3 inch in the endwise buckle direction. While round rod cross sections are illustrated herein, variations of the cross-sectional contour of the rod are contemplated where circumstances so require and where the strap properties permit.

Two different configurations for the buckle are disclosed herein, the differences being apparent primarily from a consideration of the plan outline views of FIG- URES 4 and 4A. In the preferred configuration, illustrated in FIGURE 4, the endwise runs 22 and 23 are in different vertical planes that are oppositely angled from a true lengthwise direction through the buckle. Typically, each of these runs is angled about 5 from a true lengthwise direction, making a total of between the runs themselves. By maintaining a 90 relationship between run 22 and crossbar and between run 23 and crossbar 18, the intermediate openings and 21 are divergent towards their open sides. These crossbars 15 and 18 are to receive return bend portions 12B and 13B of the strap ends and the resultant increased clearance at the free ends of the crossbars 15 and 18 makes the buckle easier to thread. Another advantage of the arrangement of FIGURE 4, is that the crossbars 15 and 18 distort towards a true transverse direction in response to cantilever forces acting thereon during tensioning and during subsequent strap holding. This optimizes ultimate gripping of the strap.

In the other configuration shown in FIGURE 4A, the endwise runs 22 and 23 are both directed in a true lengthwise direction along the buckle and are coplanar to appear congruent in plan outline.

To appreciate the increased holding power exhibited by the new buckle arrangement, it is helpful to consider the path of the strap ends which are threaded through the buckle and for this purpose reference should be had to the enlarged view of FIGURE 5. For purposes of this discussion, it will be assumed that the strap end 12 is at the free end of a strap and that the strap end 13 is the supply end and is connected to a strap reel which is not shown. In this event, tension is pulled on the strap end 13 to the extent that it is necessary to draw the strap loop taut. Pulling final tension on a strap loop normally requires a mechanical assist and some form of tensioning tool may be employed. It is normal for the operator to be located on the same side as the supply strap end 13 and connect the tool at that region of the strap for pulling the tool towards him to draw the strap end through the buckle. For the strap tensioning operation assumed herein, the left side of the buckle, as viewed by the operator, is the open side, in which case the strap may be fed into the buckle by the operator grasping the buckle in his right hand and the strap in his left hand. After the strap loop is formed about the package 10, the free strap end 12 is applied to the buckle by folding the strap end double and passing the thus formed return bend portion 123 upwardly through the central buckle opening 19 and then around the intermediate crossbar 16 to an extent sufficient to permit the return bend 12B to be looped about the crossbar 15. In an analogous fashion, the strap end 13 is formed double to present a return bend portion 13B which is fed upwardly through the central buckle opening 19 and around the crossbar 17 to an extent suflicient to permit the return bend portion 13B to be looped about crossbar 18.

The spacial positioning of the crossbars 15 to 18 in their paired sets is such that as tension is drawn on the strap loop, the crossbar 15 presents a strap contacting surface over an arc of about 180, the cross bar 16 presents a strap contacting surface over an arc of about 270, the crossbar 17 presents a strap contacting surface over an arc of about 180, and the crossbar 18 also presents a strap contacting surface over an arc of about 180. These effective surface contacting regions are emphasized by heavy, solid line arcuate segments in FIGURE 5. In the case of the free end of the strap, it will be noted that the tension on the adjacent intraloop region of the strap acts to reinforce the contact between the crossbar 16 and the strap end 12 and in addition sets up pressurized contact between the adjacent overlapping portions of the strap. Similarly, the intraloop region of the strap adjacent the supply end 13 acts to reinforce the strap contacting pressure acting on crossbar 17 and also acts to set up pressurized resistance to slippage between the overlapping portions of the strap as they pass about the cross bar 17. These effects are not realized to any comparable extent in any buckles employed prior to the development of the buckle of this invention, and a comparison of the effective strap contacting surfaces presented by the crossbars of the present buckle makes it clear that significant improvements in holding power are actually achieved.

It is preferred to apply the buckle in the fashion described as the crossbars 15 and 16 present a maximum strap gripping action and should therefore be associated with the dead end of the strap. The crossbars 17 and 18 produce somewhat less strap gripping action and therefore enable the strap to be drawn through the buckle in a loop tensioning mode with greater ease. It is possible and practical to use the buckle in a reverse fashion wherein the strap end 13 may be considered the free end, and the strap end 12 may be considered the supply end which connects to a strap reel. In this case, the operator faces the strap end 12 and grasps the buckle in his left hand, and grasps the strap in his right hand to feed it into the open righthand side of the buckle.

Thus, while preferred constructional features of the invention are embodied in the structure illustrated herein, it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A buckle formed of a single metal rod, said buckle being generally rectangular in plan outline and having a set of strap engaging crossbars on opposite ends thereof, said sets of crossbars extending substantially side by side and the crossbars common to each set extending substantially side by side, the first crossbar of one set constituting a terminal portion of the rod and defining one end extremity of the buckle outline and the second crossbar of said one set constituting an intermediate section of the rod, the first crossbar of the other set constituting an intermediate section of the rod and the second crossbar of said other set constituting an opposite terminal portion of the rod and defining an opposite end extremity of the buckle outline, said rod having an endwise r-un interconnecting the said first crossbars, and another endwise run interconnecting the said second crossbars, said endwise runs being partially overlapping and partially exposed in plan outline relation to each other, and said rod having an endwise run interconnecting the second crossbar of said one set and the first crossbar of said second set.

2. A buckle formed of a single metal rod, said buckle being generally rectangular in plan outline and having a set of strap engaging crossbars on opposite ends thereof, said sets of crossbars extending substantially parallel to each other and the crossbars common to each set extending substantially parallel to each other, the first crossbar of one set constituting a terminal portion of the rod and defining one end extremity of the buckle outline and the second crossbar of said one set constituting an intermediate section of the rod, the first crossbar of the other set constituting an intermediate section of the rod and the second crossbar of said other set constituting an opposite terminal portion of the rod and constituting an opposite end extremity of the buckle outline, said rod having a straight run interconnecting the said first crossbars, and another straight run corresponding in length to the first named straight run and interconnecting the said second crossbars, said straight runs being partially overlapping and partially oxposed in plan outline relation to each other, and said rod having a straight run interconnecting the second crossbar of said one set and the first crossbar of said second set.

3. A strap buckle constituted by a one-piece skeletal rod of generally rectangular plan outline configuration and having first and second end sets of strap contacting crossbars, said sets of crossbars extending substantially side by side and spaced endwise of the buckle to define a common central opening for passage of opposite ends of a strap loop, the crossbars of each set extending substantially side by side and spaced endwise to the buckle to define for each set a separate intermediate opening for passage of the corresponding strap end, the first crossbar of one set constituting a terminal portion of the rod and defining one end extremity of the buckle outline and the second crossbar of said one set constituting an intermediate section'of the rod, the first crossbar of the other set constituting an intermediate section of the rod and the second crossbar of said other set constituting an opposite terminal portion of the rod and defining an opposite end extremity of the buckle outline, said rod having an endwise r-un interconnecting the said first crossbars, and another endwise run interconnecting the said second crossbars, said endwise runs having oppositely inclined lengthwise directions in plan outline and being partially overlapping and partially exposed in plan outline relation to each other, and said rod having an endwise run interconnecting the second crossbar of said one set and the first crossbar of said second set.

4. A strap buckle constituted by a one-piece skeletal rod of generally rectangular plan outline configuration and having first and second end sets of strap contacting crossbars, said sets of crossbars extending substantially side by side and spaced endwise to the buckle to define a common central opening for passage of opposite ends of a strap loop, the crossbars of each set extending substantially side by side and spaced endwise of the buckle to define for each set a separate intermediate opening for passage of the corresponding strap end, the first crossbar of one set constituting a terminal portion of the rod and defining one end extremity of the buckle outline and the second cross bar of said one set constituting an intermediate section of the rod, the first crossbar of the other set constituting an intermediate section of the rod and the second crossbar of said other set constituting an opposite terminal portion of the rod and constituting an opposite end extremity of the buckle outline, said rod having a straight run interconnecting the said first crossbars, and another straight run corresponding in length to the first named straight run and interconnecting the said second crossbars, said straight runs lying in a common plane and being partially overlapping and partially exposed in plan outline relation to each other, and said rod having a straight run interconnecting the second crossbar of said one set and the first crossbar of said second set.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,012,402 12/ 1911 McFarland 2426 3,112,543 12/ 1963 Derrickson 24-26 X OTHELL M. SIMPSON, Primary Examiner. E. SIMONSEN, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A BUCKLE FORMED OF A SINGLE METAL ROD, SAID BUCKLE BEING GENERALLY RECTANGULAR IN PLAN OUTLINE AND HAVING A SET OF STRAP ENGAGING CROSSBARS ON OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF, SAID SETS OF CROSSBARS EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY SIDE BY SIDE AND THE CROSSBARS COMMON TO EACH SET EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY SIDE BY SIDE, THE FIRST CROSSBAR OF ONE SET CONSTITUTING A TERMINAL PORTION OF THE ROD AND DEFINING ONE END EXTREMITY OF THE BUCKLE OUTLINE AND THE SECOND CROSSBAR OF SAID ONE SET CONSTITUTING AN INTERMEDIATE SECTION OF THE ROD, THE FIRST CROSSBAR OF THE OTHER SET CONSTITUTING AN INTERMEDIATE SECTION OF THE ROD AND THE SECOND CROSSBAR OF SAID OTHER SET CONSTITUTING AN OPPOSITE TERMINAL PORTION OF THE ROD AND DEFINING AN OPPOSITE END EXTREMITY OF THE BUCKLE OUTLINE, SAID ROD HAVING AN ENDWISE RUN INTERCONNECTING THE SAID FIRST CROSSBARS, AND ANOTHER ENDWISE RUN INTERCONNECTING THE SAID SECOND CROSSBARS, SAID ENDWISE RUNS BEING PARTIALLY OVERLAPPING AND PARTIALLY EXPOSED IN PLAN OUTLINE RELATION TO EACH OTHER, AND SAID ROD HAVING AN ENDWISE RUN INTERCONNECTING THE SECOND CROSSBAR OF SAID ONE SET AND THE FIRST CROSSBAR OF SAID SECOND SET.

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