Pivoted Lever Patents (Class 24/191)
  • Patent number: 7631400
    Abstract: A buckle for swimming goggles is assembled on a left/right frame of swimming goggles, allowing a head strap pulling therethrough and controlling engagement with or disengagement from stopping grooves of the head strap. The buckle for swimming goggles includes a connecting base, a pressing member pivoting to the connecting base by means of leverage, a button for controlling the pressing member to disengage from the stopping grooves of the head strap, a cover assembled to the connecting base, a wrapping layer, and a mounting element between the connecting base and the cover for mounting on the left/right frame of the swimming goggles. The wrapping layer is provided on an outward side of the cover, and enveloping the button entirely, thereby avoiding nipping users' hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Inventor: Herman Chiang
  • Publication number: 20090300888
    Abstract: A buckle includes a strap slidably looped around a strut proximate a front opening of a housing, a spring-biased, lever-like ratchet having front and rear sections and a front engagement tooth adapted to matingly engage with one of a plurality of rack teeth on an upper surface of the strap, and two opposite pivotal arms extending outside of the housing. Pressing the arms will push down the rear section to lift the front section to disengage the engagement tooth from the rack tooth, thereby adjusting the buckle in discrete increments to tighten the strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Chih-Cheng Shiue
  • Publication number: 20090078268
    Abstract: Respirator and buckle having a flexural member allowing the buckle to move in three dimensions, potentially improving user comfort, the effectiveness of the respirator, and allowing for more precise adjustments to be made to the fit of the respirator on the user. The flexural member may be a three dimensional living hinge. By lifting on the buckle, the straps that secure the respirator to the user are released and the ability of the buckle to move in three dimensions tends to increase the situations in which the adjustment may occur. Various types of three dimensional living hinges may be utilized, including a cylindrical hinge and a serpentine hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Daniel J. Stepan, Yonas Gebrewold, Lance E. Behymer, Dwayne D. Daugaard, Michael K. Domroese
  • Publication number: 20080244875
    Abstract: A buckle set, which fits onto a strap for adjusting the strap to a desired length, generally fits onto the strap attached to goggles of almost any application, such as swimming goggles, scuba mask, or dust and wind goggles. Specifically, a buckle set allows a strap to easily and quickly be adjusted to a desired length from its two ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Shu-Fang CHOU
  • Publication number: 20080201912
    Abstract: A strap assembly capable of engagement with an object (101) includes a strap (110) having a first end (111) and a second end (112), and further includes a buckle (120, 190) coupled to the strap. The buckle includes a cover (210) and a base (220) adjacent to the cover, and the base includes a slot (221) and an engagement aperture (122). The object with which the strap assembly is engaged has coupled thereto an attachment piece (102), which may take the form of a post (141) topped with a cap (142). The strap extends through the slot, the engagement aperture is capable of engaging the attachment piece, and the buckle is capable of rotating about the attachment piece when the engagement aperture is engaged with the attachment piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Arena Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Davin Saderholm, Robert Radi
  • Publication number: 20080189916
    Abstract: A low profile locking tie head having a reduced wall thickness is provided for use in conjunction with a flexible strap. The low profile head comprises a wall, which circumferentially defines an opening, a reinforcement rib attached to the wall, and a pawl mechanism disposed at least partially inside the opening. A pair of clamping rails preferably provides a complete clamping surface, lowers the required tie head height, and assists in the transfer of force to the reinforcement rib. Further, a tie head retainer is provided to allow secure connection to a predetermined support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Gerard G. Geiger
  • Publication number: 20080155793
    Abstract: A buckle structure includes a housing including a top plate and two side plates, a sliding wedge and a pivotal piece. Each side plate has a guiding slot. The sliding wedge is positioned below the housing and has projection portions projecting from its two sides. The projection portions are fit into corresponding guiding slots of the housing, and stoppers are positioned on top surface of the sliding wedge. The waist belt is fastened by the stoppers positioned on top surface of the sliding wedge so that the waist belt will not be loosed. Connection portions are extending from the top plate, and each connection portion has a through hole at its midpoint. Pivotal pins are extending from the pivotal piece and correspond to the through holes of the two connection portions. The pivotal piece is formed with the two pivotal pins so structure is simplified and cost is lowered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Sheng-Yi Chen
  • Publication number: 20070240286
    Abstract: A buckle arranged to connect a band member to a connected member includes a base having an attaching portion for the connected member, a base portion, and opposing lever member supporting portions projecting from the base portion. A lever member is rotatably attached to the base, and includes a combined portion and an operating portion extending from the combined portion. The operating portion includes a slit through which the band member is allowed to pass. The lever member further includes a clamping portion protruding from the combined portion in a direction different from the operating portion. The clamping portion is configured to clamp the band member, which passes between the base portion and the combined portion, to the base portion by a rotation of the lever member towards the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: NIFCO INC.
    Inventors: Gaku Kawaguchi, Ki-Po Sim
  • Patent number: 7203972
    Abstract: A pair of strap adjustment assemblies for a bicycle helmet is provided. A first pair of straps is connected to one side of the helmet and a second pair of straps is connected to the other side of the helmet. A first strap adjustment assembly includes a release lever and a base for engaging the first pair of straps. The lever can be moved from a closed position to an open position. When the lever is in the open position, the user can move the strap adjustment assembly along the first pair of straps to adjust the location of the strap adjustment assembly. When the lever is in the closed position, the first strap adjustment assembly draws together the first pair of straps at a desired location. A second strap adjustment assembly is similar the first strap adjustment assembly and engages the second pair of straps, which are connected to the other side of the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Pietrzak, Christopher J. Bullock
  • Patent number: 7181808
    Abstract: A fastener is adapted to retain one or more holes of a belt or strap beneath a belt frame without passing through the frame. The fastener comprises primarily a frame and a back plate, coupled together for relative rotational movement about an axis parallel to the axial orientation of the strap. The frame also serves as a biasing member to engage a latch mechanism. The back plate anchors the member-to-be-secured, if it is a belt. Otherwise, if the member-to-be-secured is a strap to, for example, close a pocket, then the back plate is mounted to the body on which the pocket is mounted, such as a purse or a piece of luggage. A faux tongue gives the appearance of a known buckle, but the faux tongue does not pass through the belt or strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Denzal Wayne Van Winkle
  • Patent number: 7004547
    Abstract: A safety belt positioning device includes a top cover and a bottom cover pin jointed together, wherein a clasp is configured interior of a clasp-eye of the top cover, and the positioning device is fixedly secured directly on a location of the safety belt by means of the clasp, which not only effectuates easy installation, but also convenient adjustment thereof. The present invention is characterized in that the positioning device is moveably disposed on the safety belt, and upon using the safety belt, the clasp of the positioning device is utilized to fixedly secure length of the safety belt in accordance to physique of the passenger, thereby achieving objective of adjusting degree of tightness of the safety belt. Moreover, because of a tensile force of an interior spring, re-pullback on the safety belt will not occur, which thus provides even greater comfort to a passenger when seated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Sheng-Hsiung Cheng
  • Patent number: 6978519
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for adjusting and locking a strap. The device includes a base portion, the base portion including a base having a first and a second side and a front and a back. A first sidewall extends away from the first side of the base, the first sidewall defining a window. A second sidewall extends away from the second side of the base, the second sidewall defining a further window. A door portion cooperates with the base portion, the door portion having a first and a second edge. The door portion includes a locking bar having a first and a second end, the locking bar extending between the first and second edges of the door portion. The first end of the locking bar defines a first positioning dial. The second end of the locking bar defines a second positioning dial such that in use of the device, the first positioning dial is movably located within the window. Also, the second positioning dial is movably located within the further window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Pontaoe
  • Patent number: 6938925
    Abstract: An apparatus for reversibly locking a lap belt portion of a belt webbing in a three-point, continuous loop seat belt system which includes a tongue assembly having the belt webbing routed therethrough, includes a cinch body adapted to mount to the tongue assembly, and a cam coupled to the cinch body and adapted to urge the belt webbing against the cinch body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Lap Belt Cinch, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce A. Mather
  • Patent number: 6898826
    Abstract: A ladder strap (150) is made by joining—for example, by co-molding—a first, relatively supple material, defining a lower strap portion (155) with a second, relatively hard material defining an upper strap portion (165). The teeth (167) of the ladder strap are comprises substantially of the harder, second material. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second materials are thermoplastic urethanes, and the co-molding is done using an injection molding process. The co-molding process may be accomplished with co-injection, wherein the two materials are injected at about the same time, or the first material may be injected into a first mold cavity and allowed to partially set, after which the cavity is modified to accommodate the second material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: K-2 Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander D. Draper, Nigel Bruce Edward Steere, Kenneth Wayne Heinle
  • Patent number: 6868587
    Abstract: An improved strap tensioner that allows a user to manually shorten the strap by applying greater tension on the strap and easily lengthening the strap after being tightened. The tensioner includes a tension lever, an intermediate member, and a brake lever all pivotally mounted on a rigid base. The tension lever and brake member are longitudinally aligned on opposite sides of the rigid base. Formed on the tension lever is a transversely aligned clamping flange that extends under the strap when longitudinally extended through the rigid base. Formed on the intermediate member and disposed above the clamping flange is a first cam surface that forms a slot for the strap to extend through. The brake lever includes a second cam surface that is spaced above the front flange member to form a second slot. During operation, the brake lever is rotated to press the second cam surface against the front flange member to temporarily hold the strap inside the rigid base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Inventor: Roy Rard
  • Patent number: 6842952
    Abstract: A strap system can be retrofit onto the backseat of a motor vehicle to securely mount a child safety seat in the backseat of the motor vehicle. The strap system includes a shoulder strap that is mounted on the back support portion of the backseat and a connector element that couples the shoulder strap to one lap belt portion of the seat belt system of the motor vehicle. The connector element is releasably coupled to the seat belt buckle to releasably couple the shoulder strap to the lap belts of the seat belt system of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Kevin E. Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20040187270
    Abstract: A buckle clip with secure lock preventing accidental releasing is provided. The buckle clip includes a first bracket, a second bracket, a fastening member that fastens the first bracket to the second bracket, a lever that is pivotally provided on the first bracket, and a lock that is fixed on the first bracket. The lever is pivoted to move the fastening member. The lock includes a lock spring member that engages with the lever. The lever to has a first end, a second end and a lever hole. The lever is pivotally supported at the first end, and the lever hole is provided near the second end. The lock spring member engages with the lever hole when the buckle clip is in the fastened state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Seung Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 6789296
    Abstract: A buckle assembly includes a fixing seat adapted to securely connected an object and having a hoop, a controlling bracket having a roller rotatably mounted therein, a fixing rod securely sandwiched between two side walls and adjacent to the baffle to correspond to the hoop and a pressing plate pivotally received in the controlling bracket. A spring is provided to provide a recovery force to the pressing plate. The second end of a secondary strap is extended through the adjusting ring to enclose the second roller such that when the adjusting ring is pulled, the pressing plate is detached from engagement with the roller to allow the secondary strap to slide on the roller to adjust a distance of the controlling bracket to the second end of the secondary strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Long-Shing Yang
  • Publication number: 20040143941
    Abstract: The buckle is ideal for all purposes that require fastening. Not limited to headwear, the buckle is used to enclose and fasten an open aperture for different individual head sizes. The multipurpose buckle is an ideal fastener for those individuals who participate in active outdoor leisure where the fastener might come undone inadvertently due to excessive sweat and body movement. Because of its small, compact and lightweight form, the buckle allows easy placement along the area to which need fastening while conforming with the surface of the individual's body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Kyu Nam Lee
  • Patent number: 6735826
    Abstract: Provided is a buckle which comprises a buckle main body 11 and an engagement member 31. The buckle main body 11 comprises a base part 12, at least two insertion holes 18 and 19 provided on the base part 12 with a space in between, to which a belt 2 is inserted, and an upstanding piece 20 provided therebetween for bending the belt 2 in a direction away from the base part 12. The engagement member 31 can be moved to a first position where the buckle can be moved against the belt 2 and to a second position where the buckle can be fixed to the belt 2. Further, the engagement member 31 comprises a pressurizing part 33 for pressurizing the belt 2 in the second position so as to obtain a further bent state and an adjustor 35 capable of adjusting the length of the other belt 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoichiro Uehara, Shinichiro Kinebuchi, Yoshinobu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6719341
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuously adjusting the length of a lifting sling designed to carry a load comprises a U-shaped clamp having a central region, and first and second side legs projecting from the ends of the central region, a swivel axis member supported by bearings in the first and second legs of the clamp; a load lifting element attached to the clamp which is designed for attachment to a load; and a clamping element supported on the swivel axis member. The clamping element comprises: (i) first and second side legs spaced apart from each other, each side leg having a free end coupled to the swivel axis member and a second end; (ii) an end cross-piece formed at the second end of one of the side legs and spanning the distance between the side legs; and (iii) a center cross-piece located between the end cross-piece and the swivel axis member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: SpanSet Inter AG
    Inventors: Rolf Götz, Willi Panhausen
  • Patent number: 6665913
    Abstract: An end-fitting buckle having a cam cover that allows webbing to be inserted when the cam cover is in an up position. After inserted, a free end of the webbing is pulled to tighten the webbing while the cover is in an intermediate position. The cover may then be closed to lock both the free end and load end. When the cover is locked, movement of the load end is prevented by teeth in the cam cover. The teeth lock the free end into place, holding the set position of the webbing. The cover design also promotes use of varied thicknesses of webbing, because the cam action of the cover utilizes friction between the two ends of the webbing instead of a pinching action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Bodypoint Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Kosh, John N. Tilden
  • Patent number: 6658705
    Abstract: Disclosed is an exchangeable self-adjusting device for use in a belt, in which a strap is properly extended due to a slight abdominal motion, and a wearer can easily exchange the buckle to follow the fashion. The device includes a cover 10 being movable left and right, a slidable body 20 inserted into a bottom of the cover 10, and a bottom plate 30 hinged to one portion of a bottom of the body 20 by means of a hinge 32. The cover 10 includes a cover hook 12 formed at a front thereof and inserted into a buckle hook 51 provided at a rear of a buckle 50, and a leaf-spring hooking boss 11 with a hooked groove 11a formed at its center. The body 20 includes detachable bosses 21 protruded from both sides thereof, a roller fixing shaft 23 formed at a center of a bottom thereof for rotatably fixing a roller 70, and a hinge protruded from both sides of the rear thereof towards the bottom and having a hinge hole 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Jong Sig Yoon
  • Patent number: 6640396
    Abstract: A buckle device for a skate comprises an adjustable receptor fixed to a side of an upper of a boot of a skate, a strap, and a tensioning/releasing mechanism. The tensioning/releasing mechanism comprises a base and a release arm. The base is fixed to another side of the upper of the boot and includes a pivotal seat on an end thereof. The release arm has a first end and a second end pivotally engaged with the pivotal seat. The strap has an end pivoted to the release arm. The release arm is movable between a tensioning position in which the release arm is retained in place relative to the base and the strap is tensioned and a detaching position in which the strap is not tensioned. The second end of the release arm is detachable from the pivotal seat when the release arm is in the detaching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Chao-Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 6640397
    Abstract: A quick release harness system for wind or kite surfers or the like that enables users to manually release themselves from the harness line during a “blow over” event and which can easily reconnect to the harness line when desired. The system includes a quick release, biased lever mounted to a main bracket. The main bracket is attached to a waist support member worn around the waist of the user. Located below the lever and attached to the main bracket is a biased pivoting hook member with a forward extended arcuate section designed to engage a ring or similar structure attached to the distal end of a harness line. Also attached to the main bracket is a biased pivotal latch that selectively moves between engaged and disengaged positions with the hook member. Movement of the latch is manually controlled by pressing downward on the lever which enables the latch to rotate inward and move to a non-blocking position so that the hook member is able to move upward and disengage from the harness line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Dale Gipson
  • Publication number: 20030140461
    Abstract: A buckle having a first part (1) pivotally connected to a second part (2) for securing straps (5, 6) together, the first part (1) having a cavity formed therein dimensioned to accommodate part of the second part (2) and the straps (5, 6), and a latch to hold the free ends of the first and second parts together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Peter Wilcock
  • Publication number: 20030110597
    Abstract: Disclosed is an exchangeable self-adjusting device for use in a belt, in which a strap is properly extended due to a slight abdominal motion, and a wearer can easily exchange the buckle to follow the fashion. The device includes a cover 10 being movable left and right, a slidable body 20 inserted into a bottom of the cover 10, and a bottom plate 30 hinged to one portion of a bottom of the body 20 by means of a hinge 32. The cover 10 includes a cover hook 12 formed at a front thereof and inserted into a buckle hook 51 provided at a rear of a buckle 50, and a leaf-spring hooking boss 11 with a hooked groove 11 a formed at its center. The body 20 includes detachable bosses 21 protruded from both sides thereof, a roller fixing shaft 23 formed at a center of a bottom thereof for rotatably fixing a roller 70, and a hinge protruded from both sides of the rear thereof towards the bottom and having a hinge hole 22.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: Jong Sig Yoon
  • Patent number: 6578241
    Abstract: An inward-wind type belt buckle in which the rear end portion of a belt is wound between the front end portion of the belt and the clothes is disclosed. With the belt buckle, since the upper marginal portion of the side wall of the lower channel is not exposed forwardly, various types of patterns or designs can be expressed on the front plate of the belt buckle, thereby providing more elegant and refined belt buckle. In addition, since the hinge pin of the fixture for fixing the belt is not exposed outwardly, its stability in use is more improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Inventor: Hong Tok Tan
  • Patent number: 6571431
    Abstract: An inward-wind type belt buckle in which the rear end portion of a belt is wound between the front end portion of the belt and the clothes is disclosed. A fixing piece for fixing the front end portion of the belt is fixed to the inner side wall of the belt buckle, so that a hinge pin of a fixture for fixing the belt is not exposed outwardly, and thus, its outer appearance is fine as well as improving a stability in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Inventor: Hong Tok Tan
  • Patent number: 6560825
    Abstract: A webbing length adjustor adapted to clamp webbing when tension is applied to a tension end of the webbing. The adjustor has a webbing guide, a clamp element pivotally mounted on the webbing guide, a locking cam on the clamp element which in a locked position clamps the webbing between the locking cam and the webbing guide to prevent movement of the webbing through the adjustor when tension is applied, a release actuator, and a projection on the clamp element that abuts against the webbing between the locking cam and the tension end thereof so that the webbing exerts a force against the projection which urges the clamp element in a direction that holds or moves the locking cam in or into a locked position. The projection is adapted to always slightly deflect the webbing, even when the clamp element is in its locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Britax Child-Care Products Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Wieslaw Maciejczyk
  • Patent number: 6550070
    Abstract: A full face mask with a strap, which is fastened to a mask body (15) by clamping action by means of eyes can be removed from the face of the user of the full face mask in a simple manner. Two holding grips are connected to eyes located adjacent to one another. The holding grips are located on a side area (18) of the full face mask (14). A pulling device (19) brings the holding grips (4, 41) into the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Stephan Wiegand
  • Patent number: 6510592
    Abstract: The clip includes a base hingeably attached to a lid. The lid includes two detent prongs with detent apertures including ledges formed at the distal ends thereof. These ledges engage complementary inverted ledges on detent protrusions on the base. The lid can be released from the base by squeezing the detent prongs toward each other in a direction parallel to the rotational axis between the lid and base thereby releasing the ledges from the inverted ledges. Typically, the base is secured to a first strap which can be further secured to a pouch. A second strap which is typically formed as loops on a backpack or similar structure is then secured between the lid and base in the locked position, thereby allowing a pouch to be securely attached to a backpack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6439610
    Abstract: A stick handle for ski, trekking and the like, equipped with an improved device for adjusting the wrist strap. An operating lever is equipped with a cam pawl which allows to obtain an effective blocking of the wrist strap for a variety of thickness of the strip of the wrist strap itself. One end of the wrist strap is connected to an elastic element which automatically returns it into a housing of the stick handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Gipron Giuseppe Pronzati S.p.A.
    Inventor: Attilio Pronzati
  • Patent number: 6427291
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a buckle of the belt which is equipped with saw-toothed coupling means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Geun-Sik Kim
  • Publication number: 20020100145
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a buckle of the belt which is equipped with saw-toothed coupling means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventor: Geun-Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 6381810
    Abstract: A belt lock includes a casing, the casing having a serrated engagement portion and a bearing portion respectively disposed at a bottom wall thereof at a top side, and two parallel upright side walls at two sides of the bottom wall, and a locking unit pivoted to the upright side walls of the casing and adapted to lock a belt being inserted through the casing, the locking unit including a handle pivoted to the casing and turned between a locking position and an unlocking position, and a sector-like swivel pressure block pivoted to the handle, the handle having two barrels bilaterally disposed at a front side thereof and respectively pivoted to the pivot holes of the upright side walls of the casing, the swivel pressure block having a serrated engagement portion adapted for pressing on the inserted belt against the bearing portion of the casing when the handle is turned to said locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Taiwan Industrial Fastener Corp.
    Inventor: Yun-Mei Hsieh
  • Patent number: 6185794
    Abstract: The buckle (F) consists of a base part (F1), attached to one side of the footpocket of the fin (P) and comprising a movable strap-locking tooth (22), counteracting elastic means (24), associated to said tooth (22) and manual strap-releasing means (17) connected to said tooth, and of a strap-fastening part (F2), which only comprises strap-guiding means (13) for returning the strap (C), and is joined to the base part (F1), in such a way as to be able to slide in the longitudinal direction of the strap (C) between a retracted strap-tightening position, wherein it is automatically hooked to the base part (F1), so as to be manually releasable, and the strap-locking tooth (22) is engaged with the teeth (C1) of the strap (C), and a forward quick strap-loosening position, wherein the strap-locking tooth (22) is disengaged from the teeth (C1) of the strap and allows the latter to slide freely in both senses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Salvas Sub S.p.A.
    Inventor: Renzo Maggi
  • Patent number: 6163941
    Abstract: An adjustable buckle device used in conjunction with a strap or the like for holding an object firmly in position is provided. The buckle device includes a buckle body fixed to one end of the strap and a ratchet member fixed to the other end of the strap for firmly releaseably engagement with the buckle body. The buckle body has a base and a locking plate pivotally coupled to the base for firmly engaging with the ratchet member. The locking plate is formed with a stopper for stopping the ratchet member from being released from the buckle body after the ratchet member enters and passes through the buckle body. The locking plate also allows the disengagement of the buckle body and the ratchet member to be conveniently operated by simply lifting up the locking plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Taiwan Industrial Fastener Corp.
    Inventor: Jefferson Lai
  • Patent number: 6148485
    Abstract: A buckle for a belt includes a frame having two opposite sides formed with two upwardly extending lugs each having a through hole, two arms each extending outwardly from a respective one of the lugs, and a shoulder bridging another sides of the lugs, and a retainer generally including a tubular member, a shaft, and a spring, the tubular member having an elongated opening having an edge formed at an intermediate portion thereof with a hook, each end of the tubular member having a longitudinally and outwardly extending rod member, another edge of the elongated opening having a radial groove close to an end of the tubular member, an L-shaped handle close to the radial groove, the shaft extending longitudinally through both ends of the retainer and supported by the lugs at two ends thereof, the shaft having an intermediate portion formed with a through hole, the spring having a first end engaged with the through hole of the shaft and a second end fitted in the groove, whereby the belt can be easily fastened and r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Chuan-Lin Wu
  • Patent number: 6145169
    Abstract: A belt clip for supporting an object on a user's belt includes an inward portion for insertion between the user's belt and body, having a first hinge portion on one edge thereof and including a pair of spaced-apart, flexible wings located at the other edge thereof, wherein each wing has a first locking structure thereon; an outward portion for attaching an object thereto, having a second hinge portion thereon and having a second locking structure thereon; and a hinge pin for joining said first hinge portion and said second hinge portion together in a moveable condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Wegner Design and Development, LLC
    Inventors: Robert G. Terzuola, Timothy B. Wegner
  • Patent number: 6067662
    Abstract: A fastener for a belt includes a buckle member adapted to be attached to a first end portion of the belt, wherein the buckle member includes a receiving member having an opening for receiving the belt therethrough, an operating plate provided with a tongue and pivotally mounted to the receiving member, the tongue extending from the operating plate toward a rear portion of the receiving member, and a fixing member pivotally fixed at the rear portion of the receiving member; and a slot member including a plurality of slots and protrusions and adapted to be formed to a second end portion of the belt, wherein the tongue is inserted into one of the slots and abutted against a substantially vertical surface of one of the protrusions by the operation of the operating plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Jae Kwon Sim
  • Patent number: 6049950
    Abstract: An adjustable BUNGEE cord device for fastening, securing or mounting objects together or to a stationary object. The device comprises at least two sections of conventional BUNGEE cord, each having a means for attaching the cord sections to each other or to some stationary object, such as metal hooks. One of the cord sections is firmly attached to a locking mechanism via a roll pin positioned near the middle of the locking mechanism. This cord section extends from the locking mechanism through a slot which runs from the roll pin to the edge of the locking mechanism. The other cord section is slidably engaged with the locking mechanism via a slot which extends completely from one end of the locking mechanism to the other. The locking mechanism further comprises a latch hook comprising a lip for securing it in the closed position, a pin hole for rotatably attaching it to the locking mechanism, and a serrated edge for gripping the cord section when the latch hook is in its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Inventor: Louis Cavallo
  • Patent number: 5920963
    Abstract: A ropefastener includes a U-shaped base and a press member. The base has a front bottom and a rear bottom separated by a large opening. An inner lateral side of the front and the rear bottom are formed with a swelled up or down smooth edge so as to give no cutting or hurting function to a rope extending on them, prolonging the service life of the rope and obtaining the real safety of the rope fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: An-Chuan Chou
  • Patent number: 5875523
    Abstract: A belt and buckle arrangement which includes a buckle unit having a frame and tongue unit and a mounting strip fastened to one end of the frame and tongue unit, a belt detachably connected to a coupling portion at one end of the mounting strip, a connecting device adapted to connect the belt to the mounting strip, the connecting device including a mounting frame fixedly fastened to the coupling portion of the mounting strip, and a locking lever pivoted to the mounting frame and adapted to hold down a lead end of the belt on the mounting frame, and a belt keeper detachably connected to the mounting frame and adapted to hold a tail end of the belt in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventor: Kuo-Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 5871129
    Abstract: The buckle (1) comprises a compartment (11) that cannot be seen from the outside, for holding small objects, the compartment being easily accessible to the user who is wearing the buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: O.B.I. Officina Bigiotterie Italiana S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giancarlo Boncompagni
  • Patent number: 5852852
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tightening device including a strap portion provided with a serrated portion and with a tightening element, such as band or flap, on which is mounted a locking member including a base fixed on the tightening element; a ratchet connected to the base by a journal and having at least one complementary retaining serrated portion adapted to cooperate with the serrated portion of the strap portion; an elastic return device which maintains the serrated portions in contact with one another in the locking position; and a lever that can be actuated against the force exerted by the elastic return device for disengaging the serrated portions, wherein the strap portion engages through the locking member into a space provided between the journal and a complementary retaining serrated portion of the ratchet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Rigal
  • Patent number: 5839175
    Abstract: A buckling device used in conjunction with a strap for holding an object firmly in position is provided. The buckling device includes a male fastener and a female fastener. The male fastener includes a strap-mounting body for fixing a first end of the strap thereto and a tongue-like member formed on the strap-mounting body. The female fastener includes a rectangular body having a hollowed inside and formed with an insertion hole; a locking/releasing piece pivotally mounted on the rectangular body; and an elastic piece provided at the insertion hole. To engage, the tongue-like member on the male fastener is inserted into the insertion hole in the female fastener. The tongue-like member pressed on the elastic piece such that the elastic piece is bent downwards and thereby urges forcibly against the tongue-like member, thereby locking the tongue-like member in position in the female fastener and thus securely engages the male fastener with the female fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Taiwan Industrial Fastner Corporation
    Inventor: Chih-Jay Lin
  • Patent number: 5832569
    Abstract: A lockable buckle for belts, straps and the like, consisting of an exterior housing, or shoe, accommodating a freely movable locking slide which forms, between it and the inside of the shoe, a locking area for nipping a belt or the like passing through the buckle. Locking is brought about by means of a manually operated eccenter mechanism engaging the rear end of the slide. The belt is arranged to enter the front of the buckle from below through an opening in the shoe and to pass over a rigid, profiled rib at the front end of the slide before entering the locking area under the slide. When the buckle is locked and the belt is under load, the tension in the belt will press this end of the slide against the belt, assisting the locking action exercised by the eccenter mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Odd Berg
  • Patent number: 5806145
    Abstract: A belt buckle which includes a base frame fastened to a lead end of a belt, the base frame having a locating plate with a notch, a holder frame fastened to the base frame, the holder frame having a chamber and a front opening disposed in communication with the chamber, a locking mechanism pivoted to the holder frame in its front opening and moved between a locking position where the locking mechanism is moved into the notch on the locating plate to hold down a tail end of the belt, and an unlocking position where the locking mechanism is moved out of the notch on the locking plate to release the tail end of the belt, and a release control unit mounted in the chamber of the holder frame and controlled to move the locking mechanism from the locking position to the unlocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: Kuo-Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 5774953
    Abstract: A buckling device includes a fastening strap and a catch. The fastening strap is slidably mounted on a strap seat which is fastened with a movable part of an article. The fastening strap is provided with a toothed portion extending along the longitudinal direction of the fastening strap. The catch includes a retaining member and a pivoting seat to which the retaining member is fastened pivotally by a pivoting shaft in conjunction with a spring. The retaining member is provided with a pawl engagedble and engageable with the toothed portion of the fastening strap. The pivoting seat is fastened with another part of the article such that the pivoting seat is corresponding in location to the strap seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventor: Chen Shou Mao