REDIRECT BUCKLE

Abstract

A redirect buckle includes a securing portion and a redirect portion. The redirect portion comprising a first redirect crossbar and a second redirect crossbar configured to slideably engage and redirect a webbing. The first redirect crossbar configured to set a receiving path below a bottom surface of the first redirect crossbar for receiving the webbing entering the redirect buckle. The second redirect crossbar is configured to set a redirect path along a back side and over a top of the second redirect crossbar for receiving the webbing from the first redirect crossbar and redirecting the webbing toward the forward end of the redirect buckle. The securing portion comprising a first securing crossbar and a second securing crossbar configured to receive a fixed webbing loop and secure the redirect buckle.

Description

FIELD

Embodiments of this invention are directed to a redirected buckle for aiding in the adjustment of a waist belt, backpack or harness in the field.

BACKGROUND

Hikers, solders and outdoorsmen often carry extremely heavy backpacks and other equipment into the field. It is essential that the pack or harness is properly fitted to slow exhaustion and improve endurance. Many backpacks and harnesses currently use adjustment devices to help users customize the fit of their backpack or harness to their individual size.

For example, when securing a backpack or waist belt around a user's waist, these the adjustment devices typically require the user to reach behind their back and pull adjustment straps or webbing backward to tighten the belt. This movement is awkward for a user and is not a direction of motion in which the user can apply great strength. This movement is made even more difficult while carrying a heavy pack or other equipment.

Accordingly, there is a need for device to improve this adjustment action so that it is easier for a user to perform this adjustment action in the field.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment includes a redirect buckle including a securing portion and a redirect portion, wherein the securing portion is located at a back end of the redirect buckle and the redirect portion is located at a forward end of the redirect buckle. The redirect portion comprising a first redirect crossbar and a second redirect crossbar configured to slideably engage and redirect a webbing. The first redirect crossbar is positioned forward of the second redirect crossbar. The first redirect crossbar configured to set a receiving path for the webbing entering the redirect buckle. The second redirect crossbar is positioned behind the first redirect crossbar. The second redirect crossbar is configured to set a redirect path along a back side and over a top of the second redirect crossbar for receiving the webbing from the first redirect crossbar and redirecting the webbing toward the forward end of the redirect buckle. The securing portion comprising a first securing crossbar and a second securing crossbar configured to receive a fixed webbing loop and secure the redirect buckle. A first side bar connected to a first end of the first and second redirect crossbars and first and second securing crossbars. A second side bar connected to a second end of the first and second redirect crossbars, and the first and second securing crossbars.

An exemplary embodiment of a belt includes a redirect buckle receiving a first portion of the belt from a locking device. The first portion of the belt slideably engages a redirect portion of the belt at a forward end of the redirect buckle. The redirect portion comprising a first redirect crossbar and a second redirect crossbar. The first portion of the belt is directed below a bottom surface of the first redirect crossbar, the belt is then directed along a back side and over a top of the second redirect crossbar in a direction of a user's forward pull. A second portion of the belt loops around a securing portion at a back end of the redirect buckle. The securing portion comprising a first securing crossbar and a second securing crossbar. A first side bar connected to a first end of the first and second redirect crossbars, and first and second securing crossbars. A second side bar connected to a second end of the first and second redirect crossbars, and first and second securing crossbars.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various non-limiting, examples, innovative aspects in accordance with the present descriptions:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary illustration of a redirect buckle from an isometric perspective.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of a redirect buckle from a top down view.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary illustration of a redirect buckle from a side view.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary illustration of a bottom of a redirect buckle.

FIG. 5A is a redirect buckle with an exemplary routing of webbing.

FIG. 5B is a redirect buckle with an exemplary routing of webbing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the presently disclosed invention is capable of being embodied by multiple different forms, the drawings illustrate a number of exemplary embodiments that are discussed in greater detail hereinafter. It should be clear to one having ordinary skill in the art that the figures and embodiments discussed herein are exemplary in nature, and are not intended to limit the invention to a specific illustrated embodiment.

In this disclosure, the use of the disjunctive is intended to include the conjunctive. The use of the definite article or indefinite article is not intended to indicate cardinality. In particular, a reference to “the” object or “a” object is intended to denote also one of a possible plurality of such objects.

Referring to the figures, FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a redirect buckle 1. The redirect buckle 1 includes a first side bar 6 and second side bar 7, a redirect portion 9 and a securing portion 10. The redirect portion 9 includes a first redirect crossbar 2 and a second redirect crossbar 3. In an exemplary embodiment, the first redirect crossbar 2 has a first side at the front of the exterior of the redirect buckle 1. The first redirect crossbar 2 has a second side facing the interior of the redirect buckle 1. The first side of the first redirect crossbar 2 has a substantially convex shape. The second side of the first redirect crossbar has a substantially concave shape. A first end of the first redirect crossbar 2 is attached to the first side bar 6. A second end of the first redirect crossbar 2, directly opposed to the first end of the first redirect crossbar 2, is attached to the second side bar 7. The bottom surface of the first redirect crossbar 2 is substantially planar with the bottom of the first side bar 6 and second side bar 7 and a first securing crossbar 4 and second securing crossbars 5. The first redirect crossbar 2 has a substantially flat top surface. The top surface of the first redirect crossbar 2 is lower than a top surface of the first side bar 6 and second side bar 7. This difference in height results in a guide wall 8.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second redirect crossbar 3 has a first side facing the first redirect crossbar 2. The second redirect crossbar 3 has a second side facing the securing portion 10 of the redirect buckle 1. The first and second sides of the second redirect crossbar 3 are substantially flat with rounded corners. A first end of the second redirect crossbar 3 is attached to the first side bar 6. A second end of the first redirect crossbar 2, directly opposed to the first end of the second redirect crossbar 3, is attached to the second side bar 7. The bottom surface of the second redirect crossbar 3 is preferably above the bottom of the first side bar 6 and second side bars 7, the first redirect crossbar 2 and the first securing crossbar and second securing crossbar 5. The second redirect crossbar 3 has a substantially flat top surface with rounded corners leading to the first and second side of the second redirect crossbar 3. The top surface of the second redirect crossbar 3 is above than the top of the first redirect crossbar 2. The top surface of the second redirect crossbar 3 is below the top of the first side bar 6 and second side bar 7 resulting in the guide wall 8 being on either side of the second redirect crossbar 3.

The securing portion 10 of the redirect buckle 1 includes a first securing crossbar 4 and a second securing crossbar 5. In an exemplary embodiment, the first securing crossbar 4 has a first side at the rear of the exterior of the redirect buckle 1. The first and second sides of the first securing crossbar 4 are substantially flat. A first end of the first securing crossbar 4 is attached to the first side bar 6. A second end of the first securing crossbar 4, directly opposed to the first end of the first securing crossbar 4, is attached to the second side bar 7. A bottom surface of the first securing crossbar 4 is substantially planar with the first redirect crossbar 2, the first side bar 6 and second side bar 7 and the second securing crossbar 5. A top surface of the first securing crossbar 4 is planar with the top surface of the first side bar 6 and second side bar 7.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second securing crossbar 5 has a first side facing the first securing crossbar 4 and a second side facing the redirect portion 9 of the redirect buckle 1. A first end of the second securing crossbar 5 is attached to the first side bar 6. A second end of the second securing crossbar 5, directly opposed to the first end of the second securing crossbar 5, is attached to the second side bar 7. The bottom surface of the second securing crossbar 5 is substantially planar with the first redirect crossbar 2, the first securing crossbar 4, and the first side bar 6 and second side bar 7. A top surface of the second securing crossbar 5 is above the top surface of the first securing crossbar 4 but below the top surface of the first side bar 6 and second side bar 7. This height difference results in a guide wall 8 above the second securing crossbar 5.

While the shape and position of the cross bars have been described in detail in conjunction with the figures, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the cross bars may be of various shapes and positioning. In an exemplary embodiment, the crossbars may have a substantially circular, square, rectangular, octagonal or other polygonal cross-section.

In an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, the bottom of each crossbar includes a series of cavities 11 and trusses 12. This truss 12 structure lightens the redirect buckle 1 and strengths each crossbar. Some of the trusses 12 may have a substantially circular shape to assist removal from a mold.

In an exemplary embodiment, the redirect buckle 1 may be manufactured of nylon, polycarbonate, acetal or the like.

In an exemplary embodiment, some or all of the surfaces of the redirect buckle 1 may be treated. This treatment may include wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining), polishing or the like. This treatment is designed to reduce friction between the webbing and buckle surface in use.

The redirect buckle 1 includes two distinct loops of webbing, redirect webbing and fixed webbing. In an exemplary embodiment, the redirect webbing comes from a separate and distinct adjustment or locking device. The adjustment or locking device holds the webbing at a position that may be moved along the length of the webbing but the user's alteration.

In an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 5A, the redirect webbing follows a path through the redirect buckle 1 with an entry path and an exit path. The redirect webbing is initially directed underneath the first redirect crossbar 2. The redirect webbing is then directed underneath, around and over the top of the second redirect crossbar 3. The redirect webbing then exits the redirect buckle 1 above the first redirect crossbar 2. The redirect webbing slideably engages the redirect buckle 1.

In an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 5B, the redirect webbing follows a path through the redirect buckle 1 with an entry path and an exit path. The redirect webbing is initially directed above the first redirect crossbar 2. The redirect webbing is then directed underneath, around and over the top of the second redirect crossbar 3. The redirect webbing then exits the redirect buckle above the first redirect crossbar 2 and the entering redirect webbing. The redirect webbing slideably engages the redirect buckle 1.

In an exemplary embodiment, the redirect webbing exiting the redirect buckle 1 may include a capture device. The capture device is attached to the redirect webbing and prevents the redirect webbing from being pulled through the redirect buckle 1 and removed. The capture device may be a knot, bar or loop integrated about an end of the redirect webbing.

The redirect buckle 1 should have a minimal amount of friction to hold the redirect webbing in the redirect buckle 1 while allowing the redirect webbing to slide freely with a minimal amount of force. Raising the bottom of the second redirect crossbar 3 above the bottom of the rest of the redirect buckle 1 reduces any contact the redirect webbing may make with other webbing or clothing that the user is wearing. This reduces friction on the redirect webbing making it easier for the user to pull the redirect webbing. The guide wall 8 on the first side bar 6 and second side bar 7 helps guide the redirect webbing through the redirect buckle 1.

The fixed webbing is fixedly attached about a user's belt or harness. The fixed webbing may be attached by sewing the fixed webbing to the belt or harness, being attached about a fixed loop or ring, or the like. The length of the fixed webbing loop cannot be adjusted.

In an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 5A, the fixed webbing follows a path through the redirect buckle 1 with an entry path and an exit path. The fixed webbing loop enters the redirect buckle 1 below the first securing crossbar 4. The fixed webbing loop is then directed below, around and above the second securing crossbar 5. The fixed webbing loop exits the redirect buckle 1 between the entering fixed webbing loop and the first securing crossbar 4.

In exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 5B, the fixed webbing follows a path through the redirect buckle 1 with an entry path and an exit path. The fixed webbing loop enters the redirect buckle 1 below the first securing crossbar 4. The fixed webbing loop is then directed below, around and above the second securing crossbar 5. The fixed webbing loop exits the redirect buckle 1 above the first securing crossbar 4.

Harnesses, backpacks, belts and hiking frames use separate adjustment devices to hold the webbing at a user specified length. These adjustment devices also allow the user to adjust the length of the webbing in the field. In order to change the length of the webbing while using the harness, backpack or hiking frame the adjustment device may require a user to the pull the webbing behind them in a rearward direction. This motion by the user is very unnatural and uncomfortable. By feeding the redirect webbing from the adjustment device through the redirect buckle 1 the user can adjust the length of the webbing by pulling in a forward direction on the redirect webbing. This is a more natural and comfortable motion to be performed by a user in the field while carrying a heavy load.

It should be understood that this description (including the figures) is only representative of some illustrative embodiments. For the convenience of the reader, the above description has focused on representative samples of some possible embodiments, and samples that teaches the principles of the invention. The description has not attempted to exhaustively enumerate all possible variations. That alternate embodiments may not have been presented for a specific portion of the invention, or that further undescribed alternate embodiments may be available for a portion, is not to be considered a disclaimer of those alternate embodiments. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that many of those undescribed embodiments incorporate the same principles of the invention as claimed and others are equivalent.

Claims

1. A redirect buckle comprising:

a securing portion and a redirect portion, wherein the securing portion is located at a back end of the redirect buckle and the redirect portion is located at a forward end of the redirect buckle;

the redirect portion comprising a first redirect crossbar and a second redirect crossbar configured to slideably engage and redirect a webbing; the first redirect crossbar being positioned forward of the second redirect crossbar, the first redirect crossbar configured to set a receiving path for the webbing entering the redirect buckle, the second redirect crossbar being positioned behind the first redirect crossbar, the second redirect crossbar configured to set a redirect path along a back side and over a top of the second redirect crossbar for receiving the webbing from the first redirect crossbar and redirecting the webbing toward the forward end of the redirect buckle; the securing portion comprising a first securing crossbar and a second securing crossbar configured to receive a fixed webbing loop and secure the redirect buckle;

a first side bar connected to a first end of the first and second redirect crossbars and first and second securing crossbars; and

a second side bar connected to a second end of the first and second redirect crossbars, and the first and second securing crossbars.

2. The redirect buckle according to claim 1, wherein the receiving path for the webbing is directed beneath the first redirect crossbar and further having an exit path configured so that the webbing exits the redirect buckle above the first redirect crossbar.

3. The redirect buckle according to claim 1, wherein the receiving path for the webbing is directed above the first redirect crossbar and further having an exit path configured so that the webbing exits above the receiving path of the webbing and the first redirect crossbar.

4. The redirect buckle according to claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the second redirect crossbar is higher than the bottom surface of the first redirect crossbar.

5. The redirect buckle according to claim 1, wherein the first securing crossbar is configured to guide the fixed webbing loop below a bottom surface of the first securing crossbar.

6. The redirect buckle according to claim 1, wherein a first portion of the fixed webbing loop is guided above the first securing crossbar and a second portion of the fixed webbing loop is guided beneath the first securing crossbar.

7. The redirect buckle according to claim 1, wherein the top of the second redirect crossbar and a top of the second securing crossbars is convex.

8. The redirect buckle according to claim 1, wherein top and side surfaces of all the crossbars is not treated, is treated with wire EDM or is polished.

9. The redirect buckle according to claim 1, wherein the redirect buckle is constructed from nylon, polycarbonate or acetal.

10. The redirect buckle according to claim 1, wherein all the crossbars include a series of cavities with an opening on their bottom surface.

11. The redirect buckle according to claim 1, wherein the webbing beneath the second redirect crossbar is not in contact with other pieces of clothing or a user's body.

12. A redirect buckle assembly for an accessory worn by a user and configured to be adjusted by a user's forward pulling motion with the user's arms, comprising:

a redirect buckle, a locking device and a first and second webbing;

wherein the locking device holds the first webbing at a length that is set by the user;

wherein the first webbing extends from the locking device to a redirect portion of the redirect buckle;

wherein a securing portion of the redirect buckle is located at a back end of the redirect buckle and a redirect portion of the redirect buckle is located at a forward end of the redirect buckle; the redirect portion comprising a first redirect crossbar and a second redirect crossbar configured to receive, slideably engage and redirect the first webbing; the first redirect crossbar being positioned forward of the second redirect crossbar, the first redirect crossbar receiving the first webbing entering the redirect buckle, the second redirect crossbar being positioned behind the first redirect crossbar, the second redirect crossbar configured to define a redirect path along a back side and over a top of the second redirect crossbar receiving the first webbing from the first redirect crossbar and redirecting the first webbing toward the forward end of the redirect buckle; the securing portion comprising a first securing crossbar and a second securing crossbar configured to receive the second webbing and secure the redirect buckle to the accessory; wherein the second webbing is configured to be secured to the accessory and extend from the accessory to the securing portion if the redirect buckle; a first side bar connected to a first end of the first and second redirect crossbars and first and second securing crossbars; and a second side bar connected to a second end of the first and second redirect crossbars, and the first and second securing crossbars.

13. The redirect buckle assembly according to claim 12, wherein a bottom of the second redirect crossbar is higher than a bottom of the first redirect crossbar.

14. The redirect buckle assembly according to claim 12, wherein the second webbing is guided beneath the first securing crossbar.

15. The redirect buckle assembly according to claim 12, wherein the second webbing is guided above and beneath the first securing crossbar.

16. The redirect buckle assembly according to claim 12, wherein the top of the second redirect crossbar and a top of the second securing crossbar is convex.

17. The redirect buckle assembly according to claim 12, wherein a top and side surfaces of all the crossbars is not treated, is treated with wire EDM or is polished.

18. The redirect buckle assembly according to claim 12, wherein the redirect buckle is constructed from nylon, polycarbonate or acetal.

19. The redirect buckle assembly according to claim 12, wherein all the crossbars include a series of cavities with an opening on a bottom of all the crossbars.

20. The redirect buckle assembly according to claim 12, wherein the first webbing beneath the second redirect crossbar is not in contact with other pieces of clothing or the user's body.