SECURE FASTENER FOR BELTS

Abstract

A secure fastener includes a fastening device and a security device. The fastening device includes a base, a handle pivotally installed on the base between a slackening position and a fastening position and a latch movably installed on the handle for engagement with the base in the fastening position. A first crossbar is installed on the base so that a first belt can be attached to the first crossbar. Second and third crossbars are installed on the handle so that a second belt can be directed past the third crossbar, wound around the second crossbar and directed past the third crossbar again. The security device is installed on the base for pushing the second belt against the third crossbar in the fastening position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a secure fastener for belts.

2. Related Prior Art

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a conventional fastener for belts. The fastener includes a base 1, a first crossbar 4 installed on the base 1, a handle 2 pivotally installed on the base 1, a latch 3 movably installed on the handle 2 for engagement with two hooks 9 on the base 1, a second crossbar 6 installed on the handle 2 and a third crossbar 7 installed on the handle 2. A first belt 5 is formed with a loop around the first crossbar 4 so that the first belt 5 is secured to the first crossbar 4. A second belt 8 is directed past the third crossbar 7, wound around the second crossbar 6 and directed past the third crossbar 7 again. At first, the belts 5 and 8 are tensioned mildly referring to FIG. 1. Then, the handle 2 is pivoted toward the base 1 so as to fasten the belts 5 and 8, and the latch 3 is hooked by the hooks 9 referring to FIG. 2. There must be enough friction between the second belt 8 and the crossbars 6 and 7 for ensuring normal operation. This is however not always true. When a user intends to exert on the belts 5 and 8 tension larger than the friction, the second belt 8 will slip. Hence, the user cannot exert the intended tension on the belts 5 and 8.

The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, a secure fastener includes a fastening device and a security device. The fastening device includes a base, a handle pivotally installed on the base between a slackening position and a fastening position and a latch movably installed on the handle for engagement with the base in the fastening position. A first crossbar is installed on the base so that a first belt can be attached to the first crossbar. Second and third crossbars are installed on the handle so that a second belt can be directed past the third crossbar, wound around the second crossbar and directed past the third crossbar again. The security device is installed on the base for pushing the second belt against the third crossbar in the fastening position.

The primary advantage of the secure fastener according to the present invention is to provide enough friction on the second belt so that the second belt does not slip.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description referring to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described through detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment referring to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional fastener for belts.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional fastener in another position than shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a secure fastener for belts according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the secure fastener shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the secure fastener shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the secure fastener in another position than shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the secure fastener shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a secure fastener for belts according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The secure fastener includes a fastening device 10 and a security device 20. The fastening device 10 is similar to the conventional fastener discussed in the RELATED PRIOR ART except several features adapted for installing the security device 20.

The fastening device 10 includes a base 11, a first crossbar 14 installed on the base 11, a handle 12 pivotally installed on the base 11 between a slackening position and a fastening position, a latch 13 movably installed on the handle 12 for engagement with two hooks 19 on the base 11 in the fastening position, a second crossbar 17 installed on the handle 12 and a third crossbar 18 (FIGS. 5 through 7) installed on the handle 12. A first belt 30 is formed with a loop around the first crossbar 14 so that the first belt 30 is secured to the first crossbar 14. A second belt 40 is directed past the third crossbar 18, wound around the second crossbar 17 and directed past the third crossbar 18 again.

The base 11 includes two lateral members each formed with a rectilinear slot 15 and a U-shaped slot 16. Each of the hooks 19 is formed on related one of the lateral members of the base 11.

The security device 20 includes a pressing element 21, a supporting element 22 and an elastic element 23. The pressing element 21 includes two fins 211 movable in the rectilinear slots 15 so that the pressing element 21 is movable on the base 11. The pressing element 21 includes a rough periphery for providing enough friction with the second belt 40. The supporting element 22 includes a U-shaped configuration viewed in an end view. The supporting element 22 includes two ends fit in the U-shaped slots 16 so that the supporting element 22 is installed on the base 11. The elastic element 23 includes a flat side positioned in the supporting element 22 and a concave side 231 for receiving the pressing element 21.

Referring to FIG. 5, the belts 30 and 40 are tensioned mildly. The third crossbar 18 and the pressing element 21 together form a pinch for the second belt 40. Now, the pinch is idle.

Referring to FIG. 6, the handle 12 is pivoted toward the base 11 so as to fasten the belts 30 and 40, and the latch 13 is hooked by the hooks 19.

Referring to FIG. 7, the pinch pinches the second belt 40. The elastic element 23 pushes the pressing element 21 firmly against the second belt 40. The friction between the second belt 40 and the crossbars 17 and 18 and the friction between the second belt 40 and the pinch ensures normal operation.

If the thickness of the second belt 40 is changed, the elastic element 23 can compensate such change in the thickness of the second belt 40 and still push the pressing element 21 firmly against the second belt 40.

The secure fastener of the present invention exhibits at least two advantages. Firstly, it provides enough friction on the second belt 40 so that the second belt 40 does not slip. Secondly, it compensates change in the thickness of the second belt 40.

The present invention has been described through the illustration of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A secure fastener comprising:

a fastening device comprising a base, a handle pivotally installed on the base between a slackening position and a fastening position, a latch movably installed on the handle for engagement with the base in the fastening position, a first crossbar installed on the base so that a first belt can be attached to the first crossbar, a second crossbar installed on the handle, a third crossbar installed on the handle so that a second belt can be directed past the third crossbar, wound around the second crossbar and directed past the third crossbar again; and

a security device installed on the base for pushing the second belt against the third crossbar in the fastening position.

2. The secure fastener according to claim 1 wherein the security device comprises a pressing element installed on the base for pushing the second belt against the third crossbar.

3. The secure fastener according to claim 2 wherein the periphery of the pressing element is rough.

4. The secure fastener according to claim 2 wherein the pressing element is movably installed on the base.

5. The secure fastener according to claim 4 wherein the pressing element comprises two fins, wherein the base defines two slots in and along which the fins are movable.

6. The secure fastener according to claim 4 wherein the security device comprises an elastic element installed on the base for biasing the pressing element.

7. The secure fastener according to claim 6 wherein the elastic element comprises a concave side for contact with the pressing element.

8. The secure fastener according to claim 6 wherein the security device comprises a supporting element installed on the base for supporting the elastic element.

9. The secure fastener according to claim 8 wherein the supporting element comprises a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration for receiving the elastic element.