MAGNETIC BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for efficiently and cost-effectively having a magnetic buckle including a buckle base locking assembly. A first magnet clip with a lock hole are disposed on a buckle base assembly, a lock tongue optionally with a second magnet are disposed on a locking assembly, two moving portions are flush with the buckle base assembly respectively, and two unlocking portions are disposed within the buckle base assembly. When the lock hole is closed through a lock tongue, the first magnet attracts a second clip to guide the lock tongue into the lock hole to achieve locking.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/331,364, filed 15 Apr. 2022 and incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELDS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a buckle, in particular to a magnetic buckle that provides for ergonomically smooth, low force operation.

BACKGROUND

Buckles are found in many products such as child safety seats, infant carriers, women and men clothing, and belts usually need to be connected or maintained in a certain state through buckles. For example, belts encircle the waste line of an individual and must be connected or loosened realized through a series of multiple or single buckles. Normally, some of these buckles are plug-in buckles. Plug-in buckles require the user to align and lock the mating male buckle and female buckle with both hands to achieve a safe connection. This kind of plug-in buckle is relatively inconvenient to operate without a dependable securing means, so it can meet the requirements of various scenarios. Thus, magnetic buckles can be used to solve this problem.

Existing magnetic buckles have various unlocking methods. However, in the present invention a unique magnetic buckle is described that is locked and held by magnetic attraction, which typically includes a clip to allow two portals to lock along a flush surface, each of which is equipped with magnets. When closed via linking portals, the position may be corrected and the two may be quickly combined together under the action of magnetic attraction. Thus, it is positioned and attracted by magnetic force to maintain connection of the belt, it does not require the user to align the halves of the buckle. The interlocking features resist lateral tension. Thus, it is convenient in use. For this kind of magnetic buckle, the positioning and locking of the buckle is realized by alignment of geometric features with the help of magnetic force. The attraction between the magnets also makes it necessary to resist the magnetic force when unlocking.

The unlocking procedure in the present invention is performed much easier than existing buckles by pressing and separating the magnetic flush portions. When unlocking, the first clip member is pressed to unlock the buckle, and then one side of the buckle is lifted up from the flush surface so that one end of the magnet is spaced apart, and the entire buckle is separated after weakening the attractive force between the magnets.

Although the existing magnetic buckles are convenient to lock, the locking and unlocking methods provide improved ease of use in an esthetically pleasing buckle face, so as to be more in line with daily habits of individuals, and to be more labor-saving and easy to operate.

SUMMARY

The embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and summarized below. It is to be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the forms described in the specification. One skilled in the art can recognize that there are numerous modifications that would continue to embody the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the claims.

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, which provides a convenient and ergonomic magnetic buckle.

In order to achieve this objective, a magnetic buckle is provided herein. The magnetic buckle includes a buckle base assembly and a locking assembly, wherein a first magnet and an adjustable locking hole are disposed on the buckle base assembly having a lock tongue capable of insertion into the lock hole optionally having a second magnet disposed on the locking assembly. Two moving portions are disposed at two opposite sides of the buckle base assembly respectively to provide a flush contact surface. The two unlocking portions are linked by two portions connected to the belt which is disposed within the buckle base assembly. When the lock hole of the buckle base assembly is close to the lock tongue of the locking assembly, the base assemblies are leveraged through the tongues which allows a first magnet to attract the second magnet to guide the lock tongue into the lock hole to achieve locking.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein.

FIG. 1 Drawing showing the buckle clip details of the front and back assembly with the features of the molded clip and the locations of the magnets within the assembly.

FIG. 2 Front view of the magnetic buckle, illustrating how two equivalent parts mated together to form the complete buckle assembly.

FIG. 3 Mated buckle back perspective view of the magnetic buckle.

FIG. 4 Front view of the magnetic buckle in cross section showing magnets mated together with each having a magnet in a portion of the base.

FIG. 5 Front view of the magnetic buckle with a cross section showing the interlocking feature design to resist lateral tension.

FIG. 6 Shown is an image of the locked buckle with belt or resistance band.

DESCRIPTION

In order to enable the above objects, features and advantages of the disclosure to be more apparent and easily understood, the specific embodiments of the disclosure will be further elaborated hereafter in connection with the drawings.

The following embodiments are further explanations and supplements to the present invention, and do not constitute any limitation to the present invention.

The embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and summarized below. It is to be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the forms described in the specification. One skilled in the art can recognize that there are numerous modifications that would continue to embody the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the claims.

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, which provides a convenient and ergonomic magnetic buckle.

In order to achieve this objective, a magnetic buckle is provided herein. The magnetic buckle includes a buckle base assembly and a locking assembly, wherein a first magnet and an adjustable locking hole are disposed on the buckle base assembly having a lock tongue capable of insertion into the lock hole optionally having a second magnet disposed on the locking assembly. Two moving portions are disposed at two opposite sides of the buckle base assembly respectively to provide a flush contact surface. The two unlocking portions are linked by two portions connected to the belt which is disposed within the buckle base assembly. When the lock hole of the buckle base assembly is close to the lock tongue of the locking assembly, the base assemblies are guided by the tongues which allows a first magnet to attract the second magnet to draw the lock tongue into the lock hole to achieve locking.

Thus, when the moving portions are pressed toward each other, the flush surface portions are locked through the lock tongue which combines with the buckle base assembly to become held together through the attractive force between the first magnet and a second base assembly, so as to also facilitate later separation between the buckle base assemblies and the locking assembly when unlocking.

Unlocking in the present invention can be achieved through a unique, simple twisting motion as described in detail herein.

Further, by having the magnetic linkage as two members, the problem of unlocking in one direction may be solved to avoid pressing one side to unlock, which may greatly improve safety of use. In the present invention, unlocking requires a twisting motion in a direction perpendicular to the tensile force that would be applied in use through the connected straps. Tension on the connected straps will only serve to wedge the locking tongues more tightly and increase the resistance to unlocking, therefore any tension must be released before unlocking can occur. For the magnetic buckle of the present invention, not only the operation is humanized, but the force required for unlocking is small and the operation is very labor-saving as well as avoiding failure in unlocking, with strong practicability and vigorous promotion. The magnetic buckle of the present invention may be widely applied to parts that need to be connected in a variable state, such as child safety seats, child strollers, backpacks, suitcases, etc., and is especially suitable for resistance exercise bands as shown herein.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the magnetic buckle in the present invention lies in a magnetic lock formed as a flush junction between two assembly portions on both sides, wherein when an opposing tongue portion is inserted through a portal in an opposing portion, the two portions are attracted by magnets thereby facilitating a locking means.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 a representative drawing contains buckle clip details in perspective views of the Front and Back sections. The back section contains at least one portal or hole having a tongue portion to interlock with a second assembly portion,10. A magnetic element,12, in the base portion forms a flush connection with a second locking portion,13. A slot allows for webbing, elastic fabric and other types of material to be secured to the buckle,16. The molded clip contains opposing magnetic pins on the north or south pole of the respective bases, 12,13. FIG. 2 provides a flush, front face representation of the buckle locked or engaged with the respective base portions, illustrating how the two equivalent parts are mated together to form a complete buckle assemply,20, while FIG. 3 represents a back view of the same base portions locked or engaged,30. FIG. 4 identifies a small magnetic pin or plug,40, embedded into the north or south base which is flush with the surface of the base. The magnets attract to lock the buckle,45. The interlocking mechanism,50, which features resistance to lateral tension is shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 shows a representation of the locked buckle,60, with a belt or similar resistance band,65.

While the present invention considers all applications utilizing fabric or strapping material at least 2 inches wide. FIG. 6 provides a view of the buckle engaged or locked with a resistance band from both base portions, thereby joining the belt fabric. The buckle design provides innovative aesthetics for a clean, flat look and creates a unique cascading waterfall graphic for independent viewers when the two halves are mated (or locked).

A still further embodiment of the present invention provides for the composition and construction of the components incorporated into the buckle. The molded buckle base can be made from various plastic compounds, including but not limited to, compostable plastic, or fiber reinforced plastic depending upon whether greater strength is needed for a particular application. The buckle base and constituent magnets can also be fabricated in any combination or magnetized composition thereof even composed of a metal or metal alloy, including but not limited to iron, nickel, cobalt, or alloys of rare earth metals.

Thus, the buckle design is well suited for additive manufacturing methods and can be fabricated from environmentally friendly and sustainable materials.

A further embodiment in the present invention provides for a buckle used in resistance exercise bands having a width of 2 inches or greater.

A still further embodiment of the present invention incorporates the functions of a mechanical snap which functions equivalently and which is either molded as part of the base or is formed with an additional component.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A magnetic buckle, comprising:

a. a buckle base assembly having i. one or more adjustable locking holes or recesses disposed on the surface and ii. one or more first magnets,

b. a second, possibly identical, buckle base assembly having i. a tongue or tongues capable of insertion into the hole(s) or recess(es) and ii. one or more second magnets, and

c. a tongue inserted in the hole or recess resists lateral forces normal to the polar axis of the magnet, wherein a first magnet and the surface of the second locking assembly are held in a flush position along the buckle base assembly.

2. The magnetic buckle of claim 1 wherein component a, b, and c are a plastic, compostable plastic, or fiber reinforced plastic material or combinations thereof.

3. The magnetic buckle of claim 1 wherein components a, b, and c are a magnetic material selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel, cobalt, alloys of rare earth metals, and combinations thereof.

4. The magnetic buckle of claim 1 further having connected straps capable of supporting a resistive force.

5. The magnetic buckle of claim 4 wherein the magnetic buckle with resistive straps is humanized.

6. The magnetic buckle of claim 5 wherein humanized is a child safety seat.

7. The magnetic buckle of claim 5 wherein humanized is a child stroller.

8. The magnetic buckle of claim 5 wherein humanized is a backpack.

9. The magnetic buckle of claim 5 wherein humanized is a suitcase.

10. The magnetic buckle of claim 5 wherein humanized is a resistance exercise band.

11. A method for locking a magnetic buckle of claim 1, comprising:

a. disposing a buckle base assembly having a first magnet and one or more adjustable locking holes,

b. disposing a lock tongue capable of insertion into the adjustable locking hole and optionally having a second magnet disposed on a locking assembly, and

c. aligning the buckle base assembly and lock tongue to provide a flush contact surface, and

wherein the lock hole of the buckle base assembly guides the lock tongue to allow the first magnet to attract the second magnet and draw the lock tongue into the lock hole to achieve a locked magnetic linkage.

12. The method of claim 11 further unlocking the magnetic linkage by twisting in a direction perpendicular to the tensile force that would be applied in the use through connected straps.