US3404436A

US3404436A - Buckle and strap combination

Info

Publication number: US3404436A
Application number: US548283A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arthur W Mcmurray
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1966-05-06
Filing date: 1966-05-06
Publication date: 1968-10-08
Anticipated expiration: 1985-10-08

Description

Oct. 8, 1968 A w. M MURRAY 3,404,435

BUCKLE AND STRAP COMBINATION Filed May a, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Az-f/wr MMCMWM Oct. 8,1868 A. w. MCMURRAY 3,404,436

uucxms AND STRAP COMBINATION Filed May 6, 1966 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,404,436 BUCKLE AND STRAP COMBINATION Arthur W. McMurray, 32 Brookdale Road, Cranford, NJ. 07016 Filed May 6, 1966, Ser. No. 548,283 Claims. (Cl. 24-168) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A buckle has a frame with crossbars two of Which are in opposed relation and spaced apart in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the frame, while another is connected to one end of a strap. A slide is slidable between said opposed crossbars of the frame and has inner and outer side crossbars providing strap-receiving spaces at opposite sides of said opposed crossbars. The strap is threaded through said spaces and over one of said opposed crossbars, providing for gripping and releasing of the strap between said inner crossbar said one of the opposed crossbars when the frame is held stationary and the strap is pulled against said outer and inner. side crossbars, respectively.

This invention relates to buckles and more particularly to slide buckles or devices adapted to be mounted on straps, bands or the like for the support or fastening of garments or other objects.

In carrying out the invention in one form, a slide buckle is provided comprising a frame and a slidable member which are disposed in longitudinal slideable offset relation and provided with cooperating crossbars for clamping or pinching a strap portion threaded therebetween in adjusted position upon relative longitudinal movement of the frame and slidable member.

More particularly, the frame is composed of a preferably but not necessarily substantially rectangular body including a crossbar constituting one side of the body and a pair of spaced flat crossbars constituting the other side of the body. The crossbars and end bars of the body of the frame define a single opening to receive a substantially rectangular shaped slide. The opening in the body of the frame is of lesser length than the width of the slide so that one of the crossbars of the slide is disposed outwardly of the body and in a plane offset from the planes of the crossbars constituting the pair of crossbars so that a strap threaded over one of the crossbars of the pair of crossbars, through the slide and body and over the other crossbar of the body of the frame will be substantially distorted out of the plane of the body of the frame and clamped or pinched between the frame and slide.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a buckle having a substantially rectangular frame with a crossbar at one side with an inner surface and a pair of spaced flat crossbars at the other side, the crossbars and end bars defining a single opening, the corners of the inside edges of the spaced fiat crossbars being sharp so as to cooperate with a slide between said pair of crossbars which has side crossbars and an intermediate cross bar therebetween for clamping or pinching a strap threaded between said pair of crossbars of the frame and one of said side crossbars of the slide.

Still another object according to a further modification thereof is to provide a frame for a buckle having a body substantially rectangular in configuration with a single crossbar at one side and a pair of spaced crossbars at the other side, with means for preventing the collapse of the pair of crossbars.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide improved buckles of this type which are capable of wide application and adapted for use on straps or bands of varying thickness.

It is also proposed to provide a simple slide buckle construction which is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble, readily threadable by the user and which may be applied with a greater degree of reliability than has heretofore been possible, to straps or bands widely varying in thickness without encountering slippage or difiiculty of adjustment.

For further comprehension of the invention and of the objects and advantages thereof reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings and to the appended claims wherein the novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective disassembled view of a buckle embodying one form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the buckle in assembled condition, taken through the center thereof, showing a strap extending therethrough in unclamped position, in dot-dash lines.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the parts of FIG. 2, on a reduced scale, showing the straps threaded through the buckle.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3, showing the parts in strap-clamping position.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the parts moved to strap-adjusting position.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of a buckle embodying a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 6A is a view similar to FIG. 1 of the form of buckle of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of a buckle embodying still another modified form of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an assembled perspective view of the buckle of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

Referring now more in detail to the various views of the drawings, in FIG. 1 a buckle embodying one form of the invention is shown in disassembled relation. The buckle is formed of a suitably rigid plastic material. Structurewise, the buckle comprises a frame 10 and a slide 12. The frame 10 has a body 14 rectangular in configuration. A crossbar 16 substantially oval in cross-section constitutes one side of the body and a pair of

opposed crossbars

18 and 20, spaced from each other to define a space 22, constitutes the other side of the body. Bar 18 is formed with an enlargement or thickened portion 21 for a purpose to be described. The inner edges of the cross-bars have sharp corners 24 as shown in FIGURES 2, 4 and 5. All of the crossbars are integrally joined by

end bars

26, 26. The crossbars and end bars define a single strap-receiving opening 28 in the body.

The slide 12 has a rectangular shaped body formed of

cross-bars

30 and 32 constituting the sides thereof and an intermediate cross-bar 34, The cross-bars define a strapreceiving opening 36 between the cross-bar 30 and intermediate bar 34 and a strap-receiving opening 38 between the crossbar 32 and bar 34. The openings extend transversely of the path of movement of the slide 12, and opening 36 is Wider than opening 38. Bar 30 is formed with a rib 40 projecting from its edge adjacent the opposed crossbars of the frame, and along its front surface as viewed in FIG. 1, the crossbar 30 is formed with a projection 42 midway its ends. This projection prevents accidental pulling dut or withdrawal of the slide, but is of such dimensions as to permit the slide to be forcefully pushed into or pulled out of the frame. This projection also reenforces the crossbar. The elongated edges of the crossbars have sharp edges 44 and the crossbars are integrally joined by

end bars

46, 46.

In use as a buckle, the frame is attached to an article or strap 48 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the slide 12 is slidable through the space 22 between the

fiat crossbars

18 and 20 into the opening 28 in the body of the frame, leaving the outer crossbar 32 and opening 38 outwardly of the frame, the intermediate crossbar 34 under the bar 18 and the bar 30 in the opening whereby the opening 28 provides a space on both sides of the end bar 30 of the slide, as best seen in FIG. 2. A strap 50 or the supported article such as a brassiere, is looped around or secured in any suitable manner to the side crossbar 16 of the frame, for example, by stitching 52. The strap 54 is secured at one end to an article or object with its free end 56 threaded upwardly as viewed in FIG. 2 through the opening 38, passed over the enlargement 21 on crossbar 18 of the frame, downwardly through the space provided by opening 28 in the frame between the crossbar 18 and crossbar 30, over the shoulder 40 on crossbar 30 and under the crossbar 30 and outwardly of the opening 28. The shoulder 40 presses the strap between the

opposed crossbars

18 and 20 and enhances the gripping or biting action on the strap of the edges of the inner crossbar 30 of the slide and opposed

crossbars

18 and 20 of the frame.

The looped end of strap 50 is wrapped around the crossbar 16 of the frame forming a resilient or fabric covering for the crossbar 16. When the strap 54 is inserted through the opening 38 between the crossbar 32 of the slide and crossbar 18 of the frame and the intermediate bar of the slide, passed over the enlargement 21 of crossbar 18 and downwardly between crossbar 18 and crossbar 30, and pulled in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 4, the slide 12 will move toward the frame thereby clamping the strap 54 between the sharp corner edges of the

crossbars

18 and 30 of the frame and slide, respectively. The frictional engagement of the strap assists in holding the buckle against slippage and the distortion imparted to the strap by the shoulder 40 on crossbar 30 insures that the strap will properly engage the bar 18 of the frame to provide a pull up and tightening action when the strap is pulled in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4. The enlargement 21 of crossbar 18 ensures that the portion of the strap between the crossbar 18 and the crossbar 32 of the slide shall engage the latter at such an angle that the strap will exert a strong pull on the slide when the strap is pulled to clamped position in the buckle.

Shortening or lengthening of the strap may be accomplished by holding the frame 10 and exerting on the strap 54 a suflicient longitudinal pull in the proper direction to shorten or lengthen the strap to overcome the resistance to slippage offered by the slide. Another way of adjusting the strap is to hold the buckle frame with its general plane at right angles to the planes of the portions of the strap 54 at opposite sides of the frame crossbar and pulling the strap in one direction or the other.

In FIGS. 6 and 6A, a modified form of buckle made of metal for heavy duty, such as a seat belt buckle, is shown. The buckle has a book-form frame 10, rectangular in configuration, and a rectangular shaped slide 12.

The frame 10' is formed with spaced front and

rear walls

60 and 62, respectively, as viewed in FIG. 6 and with a side wall 64, the other side being open. Side wall 64 is formed with an elongated opening 22'. Both ends of the frame are open. Rectangular shaped openings 28', 28 are formed in the center of the front and

rear walls

60 and 62, respectively.

The slide '12 is somewhat similar to the slide 12 of FIG. 1. Further, in slide 12', the openings 36' and 38 are of the same dimensions and in place of the shoulder 40 of slide 12, the crossbar is tapered to a point for biting into the strap. In all other respects, the slide 12 is similar to slide 12 and similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts.'

The buckle shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A functions similarly to the buckle shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive.

Another modified form of buckle is shown in FIGS. 7

and 8. In this form of buckle, the frame 10 is somewhat similar to the frame 10 of FIG. 1 except that the opening 22 of frame 10 is interrupted by a bridge portion 64 forming a pair of openings 22" on both sides of the bridge portion. Furthermore, there is no enlargement on crossbar 18" such as the enlargement 21 on crossbar 18 of FIG. 1.

The completed slide 12" shown in FIG. 8 is formed from an inverted U-shaped or bail-shaped member 66 shown in FIG. 7, including a bight portion 68 and

radial end arms

70, 70. In assembling the buckle, the

arms

70, 70 are inserted through the openings 22", 22" and then bent toward each other to abutting relation, forming a split inner crossbar 30" and a solid outer crossbar 32". There is no shoulder on the crossbar 30 similar to shoulder 40 of slide 12 of FIG. 1. However, in all other respects, the buckle of FIGS. 7 and 8 is similar to the buckle of FIG. 1 and similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar parts.

The buckle shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 functions in general the same as the buckle of FIGS. 1 to 5, inclusive.

When the buckle is formed of rigid plastic material it is desirable that the crossbar 30 of the slide have its inner edge, i.e., its edge nearer the opposed crossbars of the frame, bowed or curved to compensate for the bowing of the cross bar under tension when the strap is clamped therein.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that changes in details of construction might be made without departing from the principle of the invention and I desire therefore to be limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a buckle and belt combination, a buckle comprising a frame having a crossbar in spaced parallel relation to a pair of opposed crossbars that are spaced apart in the direction perpendicular to the general plane of the frame, and end bars joining the crossbars integrally, said crossbars and end bars defining an opening in the frame connecting with the space between said pair of opposed crossbars, and a slide slidable through the space between said opposed crossbars of the frame into and transversely of said opening in the frame, said slide having spaced apart outer and inner side crossbars and end bars joining said side crossbars, the outer side crossbar of the slide being disposed outwardly of said pair of opposed crossbars of the frame, leaving a strap-receiving space between itself and said pair of opposed crossbars, the inner side crossbar of the slide being disposed inwardly of said pair of opposed crossbars and defining a strap-receiving space between itself and said pair of opposed crossbars, and a strap slidably threaded through both said strap-receiving spaces and over one of said pair of opposed crossbars, said combination providing for the gripping of the strap between said inner side crossbar of the slide and said one of said pair of opposed crossbars when the frame is held stationary and tension is applied to the strap in one direction to draw the strap against said outer side bar and thereby pull the slide outwardly in the frame, and said combination also providing for release of the strap when the frame is held stationary and tension is applied to the strap in the opposite direction to draw the strap against said inner crossbar of the slide and thereby pull the slide inwardly of the frame.

2. A buckle as defined in claim 1 wherein said one of said pair of opposed cross bars of the frame has a projection beyond the general plane of the frame around which the strap passes providing for engagement of the strap with the outer side cross bar of the slide at such an angle that the strap will exert a strong pull on the slide when the strap is pulled in the direction which moves the slide outwardly in the frame.

3. A buckle as defined in claim 1 wherein the inner of said side cross bars of the slide has a projection to engage the inner surface of said one of the pair of opposed I! cross bars of the frame to prevent accidental withdrawal of the slide from the frame.

4. A buckle and belt combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the inner side crossbar of the slide has a rib along the edge thereof nearer said opposed crossbars of the frame for pressing the strap between said opposed crossbars so that the strap is gripped between the edges of said inner side crossbar of the slide and said opposed crossbars when the strap is pulled in one direction, and said inner side crossbar has a projection on the outer surface thereof adapted, when said buckle does not engage a strap, to abut said one of said pair of opposed crossbars of the frame and prevent accidental withdrawal of the slide from the frame, and wherein said one of the crossbars of said pair of opposed crossbars of the frame has a longitudinal enlargement on its outer surface over which said strap passes into the space between said outer side crossbar of the slide and the frame thereby to ensure that the portion of the strap between the outer side crossbar of the slide and said one of the pair of opposed crossbars shall engage the outer side crossbar at such an angle that the strap will exert a strong pull on the slide when the strap is pulled in the direction to grip the strap in the buckle.

5. A slide buckle comprising a substantially rectangular shaped frame having a body with front and rear spaced walls and a side wall, the other side of the body being open, said side wall having an elongated opening therein,

said front and rear walls having aligned openings therein, and a substantially rectangular slide having spaced inner and outer side crossbars slidable through said elongated opening and between said front and rear walls, said slide adapted to be disposed with its outer side cross bar outwardly of said side wall, with its inner side cross bar across the aligned openings in the front and rear walls of the frame whereby a strap may be inserted inwardly through the space between said wall of the frame and the outer side cross bar, over the front Wall of the frame, downwardly through the aligned openings between the inner cross bar of the slide and the edges of said openings in said front and rear walls and away from the frame, whereby upon application of tension to the strap outwardly of said outer side cross bar of the slide, said slide is slid in the frame and said strap is gripped between the inner side cross bar of the slide and the edge of at least one of said openings in the front and rear walls of the frame nearer said side wall of the frame.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1904 Sourek 24168 8/1958 Gaylord 24-170