BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A buckle assembly includes a first housing and a second housing removably connected to the first housing. Each of the first and second housings may include a main body connected to an outwardly bowed strap bar through outwardly angled lateral walls, such that a strap channel is formed between the main body, the outwardly bowed strap bar and the outwardly angled lateral walls. The strap bar may provide a strap clearance area between a strap secured to the strap bar and a body to which the buckle assembly is secured.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/918,008 entitled “Buckle Assembly,” filed Mar. 14, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a buckle assembly, and more particularly, to a buckle assembly having strap or web adjusting members that allow for quick and easy strap or web adjustment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A typical buckle assembly includes a male buckle member that is removably secured to a female buckle member. Each buckle member includes a web or strap securing structure, such as a loop bar and channel, that is configured to adjustably secure a web or strap therein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of a conventional buckle assembly 10. The buckle assembly 10 includes, as noted above, a male buckle member 12 that is removably connected to a female buckle member 14. The male buckle member 12 includes release buttons 16 connected to flex arms (hidden from view). The release buttons 16 are received and retained within button openings 18 formed in the female buckle member 14. Both the male and female buckle members 12 and 14 include a loop bar 20 and 22, respectively, and a strap channel 24 and 26, respectively. Straps or webbing 28 and 30 are adjustably retained by the loop bars 20, 22 and strap channels 24, 26, respectively.

Various fastening systems for waist belts include V-shaped strap arrangements. That is, the strap or webbing material is designed to enter and exit the strap channels forming a V-shape. However, typical buckle assemblies include straight sidewalls that do not accommodate such V-shaped strap arrangements well, thereby dragging on the straps and making strap adjustment somewhat difficult. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the loop bars 20 and 22 integrally connect to end walls 32 and 34, respectively, through straight lateral walls 36 and 38, respectively. Because the loop bars 20 and 22 connected to the straight lateral walls 36 and 38, respectively, at right angles, the strap 28 and 30 tend to enter and exit the strap channels 24 and 26, respectively, in a straight, linear fashion. Thus, a V-shaped strap or webbing configuration may be difficult to achieve and/or adjust using a conventional buckle assembly, such as the buckle assembly 10.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the conventional buckle assembly 10 through line 2-2 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the loop bars 20 and 22 of the male and female buckle members 12 and 14, respectively, are typically straight bars, although some conventional buckle assemblies include curved loop bars (but such loop bars are typically connected to straight side walls). Straps 28 and 30 are typically wrapped around the loop bars 20 and 22, respectively. Adjuster bars, which may be two or three bars arranged in a generally stepped fashion, are also common. However, adjustment of the straps or webs 28 and 30 around the loop bars 20 and 22, respectively, usually is not smooth. As shown in FIG. 2 in particular, typical buckle assemblies, such as the conventional buckle assembly 10, force the straps 28 and 30 to abut into a person or object 40 to which the buckle assembly 10 is secured, thereby causing drag on the straps 28 and 30. As such, a user may need to use a relatively large amount of force to adjust the straps 28 and 30 to overcome the dragging force.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In contrast to conventional buckle assemblies, embodiments of the present invention provide buckle assemblies that allow for easy strap or web adjustment.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a buckle assembly that includes a first housing, such as a male buckle housing, and a second housing, such as a female buckle housing, removably connected to the first housing. Each of the first and second housings includes a main body connected to an outwardly bowed strap bar through outwardly angled lateral walls. A strap channel is formed between the main body, the outwardly bowed strap bar and the outwardly angled lateral walls.

An axial cross-section of the outwardly bowed strap bar may be tear-drop shaped. The axial cross-sectional shape may include a curved portion connected to a reduced tail portion through an intermediate portion. The outwardly bowed strap bar provides a strap clearance area between a strap secured to the outwardly bowed strap bar and a body of a wearer.

The first housing may also include release buttons and the second housing may also include large button openings. The release buttons are received and removably retained within the button openings. The release buttons may be set within the button openings deeper than a maximum width of either the first and second housings. The large button openings protect against inadvertent engagement of the release buttons.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may also provide a buckle assembly in which first and second housings each include a main body connected to a strap bar through lateral walls. A strap channel is formed between the main body, the strap bar and the lateral walls. The strap bar provides a strap clearance area between a strap secured to the strap bar and a body to which the buckle assembly is secured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of a conventional buckle assembly.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the conventional buckle assembly through line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top isometric view of a buckle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a buckle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top plan view of a buckle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a buckle assembly through line 6-6 of FIG. 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric cross-sectional view of a buckle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of a buckle assembly adjustably secured to straps according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top isometric view of a buckle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of a buckle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top plan view of a buckle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a buckle assembly through line 12-12 of FIG. 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a top plan view of a buckle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate top isometric and side views, respectively, of a buckle assembly 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the buckle assembly 50 includes a male buckle or first housing 52 removably connected to a female buckle or second housing 54. The male buckle housing 52 includes release buttons 56 connected to flex arms (hidden from view). The release buttons 56 are received and retained within button openings 58 formed in the female buckle housing 54. When a user wishes to disconnect the male buckle housing 52 from the female buckle housing 54, the user squeezes the release buttons 56 toward one another, at which point the release buttons 56 and/or flex arms disengage from corresponding structure within the female buckle hosing 54.

Both the male and female buckle housing 52, 54 include main bodies 59, 60, respectively connected outwardly curved or bowed loop bars 62, 64, respectively, through outwardly angled or bowed lateral walls 66, 68, respectively. The outwardly curved loop bars 62, 64 and outwardly angled laterals walls 66, 68 efficiently and easily accommodate a V-shaped strap configuration.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top plan view of the buckle assembly 50. The lateral walls 66 of the male buckle housing 52 are set at angles θ with respect to lines y that are generally parallel to a central axis x of the buckle assembly 50. Similarly, the lateral walls 68 of the female buckle housing 54 are set at angles θ′ with respect to lines that are generally parallel to the central axis x of the buckle assembly 50. Thus, the lateral walls 66 and 68 are set at obtuse angles with respect to horizontal lines w and z, respectively. The angles θ and θ′ may be equal or different.

Further, the loop bar 62 of the male buckle housing 52 is outwardly curved or bowed with respect to the line w that is perpendicular to the central axis x of the buckle assembly 50. Similarly, the loop bar 64 of the female buckle housing 54 is outwardly curved or bowed with respect to the line z that is perpendicular to the central axis x of the buckle assembly 50.

The curved loop bars 62 and 64 and angled lateral walls 66 and 68 of the male and female buckle housing 52 and 54, respectively, provide for a wider range of strap entry and exit with respect to strap channels 70 and 72, respectively, allowing for a wider range of custom strap orientations with respect to a wearer. Thus, a V-shaped strap configuration may be easily achieved. Further, adjustment of such V-shaped strap configuration is not hindered by straight walls dragging on or digging into the straps. Instead, it has been found that the combination of the outwardly bowed or curved loop bars 62 and 64 and outwardly angled lateral walls 66 and 68 allow for easy and efficient orientation and adjustment of a V-shaped strap arrangement.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the buckle assembly 50 through line 6-6 of FIGS. 5, while FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric cross-sectional view of the buckle assembly 50. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, each loop bar 62 and 64 includes a tear drop axial cross-section (i.e., over a longitudinal axis of the loop bars 62 and 64) with a curved portion 74, 76, respectively, proximate the respective main bodies 59 and 60. The curved portions 74, 76 are integrally connected to reduced curved tails 78, 80, respectively, through intermediate portions 82, 84, respectively. As shown in FIG. 6, in particular, straps 86, 88 are adjustably positioned around the loop bars 62, 64, respectively. The tear-drop cross-sectional shapes of the loop bars 62, 64 provide a smooth, relatively drag-free surface over which the straps 86, 88 pass. In addition to the loop bars 62, 64 positions on the angled lateral walls 66, 68, respectively (as shown in FIG. 5), the tear-drop cross-sectional shape of each loop bar 62, 64 encourages the straps 86, 88 to conform to the contour of the wearer, as opposed to digging into the body 90 of the wearer. Further, it has been found that the tear-drop cross-sectional shape provides smooth and easy pulley-like strap motion during adjustment. Additionally, the tear-drop cross-sectional shapes of the loop bars 62, 64 provide a clearance area 89 between the straps 86, 88 and the body 90 of a wearer. Thus, the cross-sectional shapes of the loop bars 62, 64 keep the straps 86, 88 away from the body 90 proximate the loop bars 62, 64. Thus, strap adjustment is not hindered, or rendered difficult by the straps 86, 88 being pinched between the loop bars 62, 64 and the body 90 (in contrast to typical buckle assemblies).

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of the buckle assembly 50 adjustably secured to the straps 86 and 88. As discussed above, the buckle assembly 50 is configured to easily and efficiently orient, and allow adjustment of a V-shaped strap configuration with respect to each buckle housing 52 and 64.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate top isometric and side views, respectively, of a buckle assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The buckle assembly 100 is similar to the buckle assembly 50 in various respects. The buckle assembly 100 includes a male buckle housing 102 removably secured to a female buckle housing 104.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top plan view of the buckle assembly 100. Similar to the buckle assembly 50, the buckle assembly 100 includes outwardly bowed or curved loop bars 106 and 108 connected to outwardly angled side walls 110 and 112, in order to provide easy and efficient orientation and adjustment of a V-shaped strap arrangement. The female buckle housing 104 includes, however, larger button openings 114. Consequently, the release buttons 116 of the male buckle housing 102 are inset deeper toward the central axis x′ of the buckle assembly 100. That is, the larger button openings 114 allow the release buttons 116 to be set within the buckle assembly 100 deeper than a maximum lateral envelope or width of either the housings 102, 104.

The larger button openings 114 allow an operator to easily engage the release buttons 116. However, because the release buttons 116 are inset deeper into the buckle assembly 100, the chances of inadvertent engagement of the release buttons 116 is less as compared to conventional button arrangements. That is, an operator has to engage the release buttons 116 relatively deep into the button openings 114, while the surrounding structure of the female buckle housing 104 that defines the button openings 114 acts as a safeguarding barrier to inadvertent engagement (such as through the body of the operator). Thus, the buckle assembly 100 allows for easier button engagement, while at the same time protecting against inadvertent release.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the buckle assembly 100 through line 12-12 of FIG. 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the buckle assembly 50, the loop bars 106, 108 of the male and female buckle housings 102, 104, respectively, include tear drop cross-sectional shapes. Thus, straps secured to the loop bars 106, 108 are not pinched against a body of a wearer, thereby allowing for easy and efficient strap adjustment, as discussed above.

FIG. 13 illustrates a top plan view of a buckle assembly 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The buckle assembly 120 includes a male buckle housing 122 removably connected to a female buckle housing 124 and is similar to the buckle assembly 100. The female buckle housing 124 includes even larger button openings 126 into which release buttons 128 of the male buckle housing 122 are received and retained. The larger button openings 126 allow for the release buttons 128 to be even further inset toward the center of the buckle assembly 120. Thus, the larger button openings 126 provide increased protection against inadvertent engagement of the release buttons 128.

Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide buckle assemblies that are easily and efficiently adjusted. Further, embodiments of the present invention are particularly well-suited for use with V-shaped strap configurations. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention provide buckle assemblies that allow for easy button engagement, while at the same time protecting against inadvertent buckle release.

While various spatial and directional terms, such as upper, bottom, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, and the like may used to describe embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.

Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A buckle assembly comprising:

a first housing; and

a second housing removably connected to said first housing,

each of said first and second housings comprising a main body connected to an outwardly bowed strap bar through outwardly angled lateral walls, a strap channel being formed between said main body, said outwardly bowed strap bar and said outwardly angled lateral walls.

2. The buckle assembly of claim 1, wherein an axial cross-section of said outwardly bowed strap bar is tear-shaped.

3. The buckle assembly of claim 2, wherein said axial cross-sectional shape includes a curved portion connected to a reduced tail portion through an intermediate portion.

4. The buckle assembly of claim 1, wherein said outwardly bowed strap bar provides a strap clearance area between a strap secured to said outwardly bowed strap bar and a body of a wearer.

5. The buckle assembly of claim 1, wherein said first housing comprises release buttons and said second housing comprises large button openings, and wherein said release buttons are received and removably retained within said button openings.

6. The buckle assembly of claim 5, wherein said release buttons are set within said button openings deeper than a maximum width of either said first and second housings.

7. The buckle assembly of claim 5, wherein said large button openings protect against inadvertent engagement of said release buttons.

8. The buckle assembly of claim 1, further comprising straps secured around said outwardly bowed strap bars.

9. A buckle assembly comprising:

a first housing; and

a second housing removably connected to said first housing,

each of said first and second housings comprising a main body connected to a strap bar through lateral walls, a strap channel being formed between said main body, said strap bar and said lateral walls, said strap bar providing a strap clearance area between a strap secured to said strap bar and a body to which the buckle assembly is secured.

10. The buckle assembly of claim 9, wherein an axial cross-section of said strap bar is tear-shaped.

11. The buckle assembly of claim 10, wherein said axial cross-sectional shape includes a curved portion connected to a reduced tail portion through an intermediate portion.

12. The buckle assembly of claim 9, wherein said first housing comprises release buttons and said second housing comprises large button openings, and wherein said release buttons are received and removably retained within said button openings.

13. The buckle assembly of claim 12, wherein said release buttons are set within said button openings deeper than a maximum width of either said first and second housings.

14. The buckle assembly of claim 12, wherein said large button openings protect against inadvertent engagement of said release buttons.

15. A buckle assembly, the buckle assembly comprising:

a male buckle housing comprising release buttons; and

a female buckle housing removably connected to said male buckle housing, said female buckle housing comprising button openings that receive and removably retain said release buttons,

each of said male and female housings comprising a main body connected to an outwardly bowed strap bar through outwardly angled lateral walls, a strap channel being formed between said main body, said outwardly bowed strap bar and said outwardly angled lateral walls, an axial cross-section of said outwardly bowed strap bar being tear-shaped having a curved portion connected to a reduced tail portion through an intermediate portion, said outwardly bowed strap bar providing a strap clearance area between a strap secured to said outwardly bowed strap bar and a body of a wearer.

16. The buckle assembly of claim 15, wherein said release buttons are set within said button openings deeper than a maximum width of either said male and female housings.

17. The buckle assembly of claim 16, wherein said button openings protect against inadvertent engagement of said release buttons.

18. The buckle assembly of claim 15, further comprising straps secured around said outwardly bowed strap bars.

19. The buckle assembly of claim 15, wherein said straps are secured around said outwardly bowed strap bars in a V-shape.