WO2006109903A1

WO2006109903A1 - Ratchet-type buckle with dual pawls

Info

Publication number: WO2006109903A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/001490
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sang Jae Lee; Seunggon Oh
Original assignee: Wooyun Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-04-12
Filing date: 2005-05-23
Publication date: 2006-10-19

Abstract

The present invention provides a dual-pawl type ratchet buckle, in which several pawls, each having a stop, contact sawteeth of a strap at different positions, so that the strap can move in minute units of distance rather than in units of one pitch. In the present invention, the strap is placed between opposite plates (110) provided on the base (100), and a lever (200) is coupled to the opposite plates. Furthermore, the dual-pawl type ratchet buckle includes a pawl unit (300). The pawl unit comprises an inner pawl (310) and an outer pawl (320), which are provided on the same shaft and rotatably coupled to the opposite plates, and each of which has a spring so as to be returned to an original position thereof. The stops (303) are provided on ends of the inner and outer pawls which face the lever. The ends of the inner and outer pawls on which the stops are provided are in contact with the sawteeth at different positions. Thus, the distance that the strap is moved can be minutely adjusted.

Description

Description RATCHET-TYPE BUCKLE WITH DUAL PAWLS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to ratchet buckles and, more particularly, to a dual-pawl type ratchet buckle, which is provided in a shoe for various kinds of sports, such as shoes for bicycles, inline skates, snowboard boots and ski boots.

[2] More in detail, the present invention relates to a dual-pawl type ratchet buckle, which has two pawls so that a strap can be tightened and loosened in units of distance smaller than a pitch. Background Art

[3] A ratchet buckle was proposed in US Patent No. 3662435 (filed in 1972). After that, various types of buckles have been proposed. Typically, such a conventional buckle includes a base, a lever and a single stopper.

[4] Meanwhile, a ratchet lever-multiple claw type buckle for sports shoes was proposed in Korean Utility Model Registration No. 351754. In this technique, two stoppers are provided at left and right positions. However, because the two stoppers are disposed in a line parallel to the sawteeth of a strap, when tightening or loosening the strap, the strap is moved in increments of one pitch of the sawteeth in the same manner as that of prior buckles. Therefore, there is a problem in that minute adjustment cannot be realized.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[5] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a dual-pawl type ratchet buckle, which has two pawls to minutely adjust the distance that a strap is moved, and in which stops of the two pawls contact sawteeth of the strap at different positions but not in a line, so that, when the strap is tightened or loosened, the minimum movement distance of the strap is 1/2 pitch, rather than one pitch. Technical Solution

[6] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a dual-pawl type ratchet buckle, including: a base, having opposite plates, facing each other, formed by perpendicularly bending opposite side parts of the base, with a strap, having sawteeth, placed between the opposite plates; a lever disposed between the opposite plates and rotatably coupled at an end thereof to the opposite plates, the lever having a spring so as to be returned to an original position thereof, with a pulling protrusion longitudinally protruding from the end of the lever; and a pawl unit having an inner pawl and an outer pawl, which are provided on a same shaft and rotatably coupled between the opposite plates, and each of which has a spring so as to be returned to an original position thereof, with a stop provided on an end of each of the inner and outer pawls and facing the lever. The stop corresponds to the sawteeth formed on the strap. The ends of the inner and outer pawls on which the stops are provided are in contact with the sawteeth at different positions. [7] The pawl unit may include the outer pawl, having a U-shaped opening in a surface thereof facing the lever; and the inner pawl inserted into the U-shaped opening and fitted over the same shaft as the outer pawl. [8] Furthermore, the pawl unit may include the outer pawl, having an L-shaped opening in a surface thereof facing the lever; and the inner pawl inserted into the L-shaped opening and fitted over the same shaft as the outer pawl. [9] Preferably, an end of the inner pawl which is opposite the lever may extend to a lower surface of the outer pawl. [10] Furthermore, the ends of the outer and inner pawls on which the stops are provided may alternately engage with the sawteeth of the strap, thus allowing the strap to move in increments of 1/2 pitch. [11] As such, the dual-pawl type ratchet buckle of the present invention includes the two pawls, that is, the inner and outer pawls. They are alternately operated to serve as stoppers. Particularly, the stops of the inner and outer pawls are in contact with the sawteeth of the strap at different positions.

Advantageous Effects [12] In the dual-pawl type ratchet buckle according to the present invention, two pawls, that is, an inner pawl and an outer pawl, alternately engage with the sawteeth of a strap, so that the minimum movement distance of the strap is 1/2 pitch. Thereby, the strap can be minutely adjusted, thus providing a superior wearing sensation to a user.

Brief Description of the Drawings [13] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a dual-pawl type ratchet buckle, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [14] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the dual-pawl type ratchet buckle according to the present invention; [15] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the state of the dual-pawl type ratchet buckle when a lever is not manipulated; [16] FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the state of the dual-pawl type ratchet buckle when the lever is rotated in one direction; [17] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view showing the relationship between a pawl unit and a strap while an outer pawl is serving as a stopper; [18] FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing the relationship between the pawl unit and the strap while an inner pawl is serving as a stopper; and

[19] FIG. 7 is a side view showing the operation of releasing the strap of the dual-pawl type ratchet buckle which has been locked, according to the present invention.

[20] <Description of the elements in the drawings>

[21] 100: base 110: opposite plates

[22] 200: lever 220: pulling protrusion

[23] 300: pawl unit 310: inner pawl

[24] 320: outer pawl 303: stop

[25] 400: strap 410: sawteeth

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[26] Hereinafter, a dual-pawl type ratchet buckle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[27] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the dual-pawl type ratchet buckle, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the dual-pawl type ratchet buckle.

[28] As shown in the drawings, in the dual-pawl type ratchet buckle of the present invention, a lever 200, an inner pawl 310 and an outer pawl 320 are coupled to a base 100, and a strap 400 is movably placed among the base 100, the lever 200 and the pawls.

[29] The base 100 includes opposite plates 110, which are bent from respective opposite side edges of the base 100 and face each other. The strap 400 is placed between the opposite plates 110. The strap 400 has thereon consecutive sawteeth 410.

[30] The lever 200 is disposed between the opposite plates 110 and is rotatably coupled at a first end thereof to the opposite plates 110 such that it can be returned by lever springs 210 to its original position. Furthermore, a pulling protrusion 220 longitudinally protrudes from the first end of the lever 200 which is coupled to the opposite plates 110. The pulling protrusion 220 serves to move the strap 400 while engaging with a sawtooth 410 of the strap 400 when the lever 200 is rotated upwards.

[31] In detail, as shown in FIG. 2, a receiving space (a) is formed in each of the opposite sides of the first end of the lever 200, so that the lever springs 210 are seated in the respective receiving spaces (a). Stop notches 120 for holding ends of the lever springs 210 are formed at predetermined positions in the base 100. Furthermore, pin holes 130 are formed at predetermined positions in the base 100, such that the lever 200 can be coupled to the base 100 using a lever pin 230. Due to this construction, when the lever is rotated upwards using a lever handle, the elasticity of the lever springs, which makes it possible to return the lever spring to the original position thereof, is applied to the lever.

[32] Preferably, each pin hole 130, which is formed in the base 100, has a track shape and is configured such that a central portion thereof protrudes inwards somewhat. As such, because the pin holes 130, which support the opposite ends of the lever pin 230, have track shapes, when the lever is returned to the original position thereof after having been manipulated, the lever pin 230 is obliquely moved upwards, thereby the operation of returning the lever can be smoothly conducted.

[33] Next, a pawl unit 300 having the inner pawl 310 and the outer pawl 320 coaxially provided will be explained herein below.

[34] The pawl unit 300 comprises the inner pawl 310 and the outer pawl 320. A single pawl pin 301 is inserted into the inner and outer pawls 310 and 320. Each pawl has a spring (s) such that it can be elastically returned to the original position thereof. The pawl pin 301 is supported at opposite ends thereof by pin holes 302, which are formed in the respective opposite plates 110.

[35] The inner pawl 310 and the outer pawl 320 are provided such that they face the lever 200. Furthermore, stops 303, which correspond to the sawteeth 410 provided on the strap, are provided on ends of the inner and outer pawls 310 and 320 which face the lever 200. The ends of the inner and outer pawls 310 and 320 have the stops 303 contacting the sawteeth 410 at different positions.

[36] Hereinafter, the construction and coupling relationship of the inner pawl and the outer pawl constituting the pawl unit will be explained.

[37] A receiving space (a), into which the inner pawl spring (s) is seated, is formed in a side surface of the inner pawl 310. An end of the inner pawl spring (s) is held by the outer pawl 320.

[38] Meanwhile, a receiving space, into which the outer pawl spring (s) is seated, is also formed in a side surface of the outer pawl 320. An end of the outer pawl spring (s) is held by a hole (h), which is formed at a predetermined position in the base (100).

[39] As stated above, the outer pawl 320, the outer pawl spring (s), the inner pawl 310 and the inner pawl spring (s) are fitted over the single pawl pin 301. The opposite ends of the pawl pin 301 are supported by the pin holes 302, which are formed in respective opposite plates 110 of the base 100.

[40] Furthermore, the stops 303 are provided on the ends of the inner and outer pawls

310 and 320 which are rounded and face the lever 200. Each of the inner and outer pawls 310 and 320 has an upward oblique surface, which extends from the stop thereof towards the opposite end.

[41] Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a U-shaped opening 321, in which the inner pawl 310 is placed, is formed at a medial position of the end of the outer pawl 320 on which the stop is provided, so that the inner pawl 310 and the outer pawl 320 are coupled to each other using the pawl pin.

[42] In the inner and outer pawls 310 and 320 which are coupled to each other, the end of the inner pawl 310 that is opposite the lever (opposite the end on which the stop is provided), extends to the lower surface of the outer pawl 320. Therefore, when it is required to loosen the strap 400 which has been tightened, the upper surface of the end of the outer pawl 320 (opposite the stops) is pushed downwards. Then, the stops 303 of the outer pawl 320 disengage from the sawtooth 410 of the strap 400 and, simultaneously, the stop 303 of the inner pawl 310 is also lifted, so that the strap 400 can be moved without restriction.

[43] In the dual-pawl type ratchet buckle of the present invention, the ends of the inner and outer pawls 310 and 320 in which the stops 303 are provided contact the sawtooth of the strap at different positions. Preferably, the end of the inner pawl in which the stop is provided is disposed at a rear position spaced apart from the end of the outer pawl by 1/2 sawtooth pitch, such that the minimum movement distance of the strap is 1/2 of the pitch of a sawtooth. Due to this structure, the ends of the outer and inner pawls, on which the stops are provided, alternately engage with the sawteeth of the strap so as to conduct the function of a stopper. Thereby, the strap is moved in increments of 1/2 pitch.

[44] The operation of the dual-pawl type ratchet buckle having the above-mentioned construction will be described herein below.

[45] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the state of the dual-pawl type ratchet buckle when the lever is not manipulated. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the state of the dual-pawl type ratchet buckle when the lever is rotated in one direction.

[46] When rotating the lever 200 upwards to tighten the strap 400, the pulling protrusion

220 of the lever 200 comes into contact with the sawteeth 410 of the strap. Then, the strap is moved in the direction in which it is tightened. At this time, the stop 303 of the inner or outer pawl 310 or 320 slides upwards along a sawtooth 410 and is rapidly moved to the bottom of the sawtooth 410 by the elasticity of the spring just after passing over the peak of the sawtooth 410. When the outside force, which has been applied to the lever, is removed after the lever has been rotated upwards a limited amount, the lever is returned to the original position thereof by the elasticity of the lever spring. The strap is tightened by a series of such operations.

[47] Meanwhile, FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view showing the relationship between the pawl unit and the strap while the outer pawl is serving as a stopper. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing the relationship between the pawl unit and the strap while the inner pawl is serving as a stopper.

[48] In the state of FIG. 5, when the lever 200 is rotated upwards, the stops 303 of the inner and outer pawls 310 and 320 slide upwards along the inclined surface of a sawtooth 410 of the strap, so that the inner and outer pawls 310 and 320 are rotated upwards. Just after the stop 303 of the inner pawl 310 passes over the peak of the sawtooth 410, it rapidly falls to the bottom of the sawteeth 410 and instantly serves as a stopper which prevents the strap from being loosened.

[49] At this time, the stop of the outer pawl also slides upwards along the inclined surface of the sawtooth 410 and reaches the medial position of the inclined surface of the sawtooth, that is, the position corresponding to 1/2 pitch of a sawtooth.

[50] Thereafter, when it is required to further tighten the strap, the lever is again rotated upwards. Then, the pulling protrusion of the lever engages with the sawteeth of the strap, so that the strap is moved. Thus, the stop of the inner pawl slides upwards along an inclined surface of the sequentially adjacent sawtooth while the inner pawl is rotated upwards.

[51] At this time, due to the rotation of the lever, the stop 303 of the outer pawl, which has been at the medial position of the inclined surface of the sawtooth as shown in FIG. 6, passes over the peak of the sawtooth and thereafter falls to the bottom of the sawteeth, as shown in FIG. 5. Simultaneously, the stop 303 of the inner pawl reaches a medial position of the inclined surface of the sequent sawtooth.

[52] By repeating this operation, the distance that the strap is moved is adjusted using the lever in increments of 1/2 pitch, which is the minimum movement distance.

[53] FIG. 7 is a side view showing the operation of releasing the strap of the dual-pawl type ratchet buckle which has been locked, according to the present invention. When a contact surface (k), which is provided on the upper surface of the outer pawl 320, is pushed downwards, the inner pawl, which contacts the outer pawl, is also pushed downwards. Then, the stops 303 of the inner and outer pawls are lifted to a position higher than the peaks of the sawteeth of the strap 400, so that the strap 400, which has been locked to the stops 303, is released. As such, after the strap 400 has been released from the stops, a user pulls the strap to release it. Industrial Applicability

[54] As described above, a dual-pawl type ratchet buckle of the present invention enables minute adjustment of the degree of tightness, so that the dual-pawl type ratchet buckle can be applied to various kinds of sports articles and help a user put on a sports article more conveniently. Therefore, the present invention is a technique which can substitute for the conventional art.

[55] Furthermore, because the present invention has a relatively simple structure, the incidence of damage or malfunction is reduced. Accordingly, the present invention can be regarded as a technique having high applicability.

Claims

[ 1 ] A dual-pawl type ratchet buckle, comprising: a base (100), comprising opposite plates (110), facing each other, formed by perpendicularly bending opposite side parts of the base, with a strap (400), having sawteeth, placed between the opposite plates (110); a lever (200) disposed between the opposite plates (110) and rotatably coupled at an end thereof to the opposite plates (110), the lever (200) having a spring so as to be returned to an original position thereof, with a pulling protrusion (220) longitudinally protruding from the end of the lever (200); and a pawl unit (300) comprising an inner pawl (310) and an outer pawl (320), which are provided on a same shaft and rotatably coupled between the opposite plates, and each of which has a spring so as to be returned to an original position thereof, with a stop (303) provided on an end of each of the inner and outer pawls (310) and (320) and facing the lever, the stop (303) corresponding to the sawteeth formed on the strap, the ends of the inner and outer pawls on which the stops are provided being in contact with the sawteeth at different positions.

[2] The dual-pawl type ratchet buckle according to claim 1, wherein the pawl unit

(300) comprises: the outer pawl (320), having a U-shaped opening (321) in a surface thereof facing the lever (200); and the inner pawl (310) inserted into the U-shaped opening (321) and fitted over the same shaft as the outer pawl (320).

[3] The dual-pawl type ratchet buckle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an end of the inner pawl (310) which is opposite the lever extends to a lower surface of the outer pawl.

[4] The dual-pawl type ratchet buckle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ends of the outer and inner pawls on which the stops are provided alternately engage with the sawteeth of the strap, thus allowing the strap to move in increments of 1/2 pitch.