U.S. patent application number 10/961187 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-28 for buckle.
Invention is credited to Yoshiguchi, Manabu.
Application Number | 20050086772 10/961187 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34510301 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050086772 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoshiguchi, Manabu |
April 28, 2005 |
Buckle
Abstract
A buckle for connecting two belt-like members includes a pair of
side frame portions; a first cross bar extending between the side
frame portions; a second cross bar extending between the side frame
portions and disposed between the first cross bar and end portions
of the side frame portions; and a finger hooking portion formed in
a tongue shape projecting from the second cross bar toward the end
portions of the side frame portions. One of the two belt-like
members is inserted between the side frame portions from a back
side of the buckle, and is taken out to a front side of the buckle.
Then, the one belt-like member passes between the first cross bar
and the second cross bar to the back side of the buckle.
Inventors: |
Yoshiguchi, Manabu;
(Kamakura-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAUPTMAN KANESAKA BERNER PATENT AGENTS
SUITE 300, 1700 DIAGONAL RD
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314-2848
US
|
Family ID: |
34510301 |
Appl. No.: |
10/961187 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/197 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/4086 20150115;
A44B 11/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/197 |
International
Class: |
A44B 011/02; A44B
011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 28, 2003 |
JP |
2003-367588 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A buckle for connecting two belt-like members, comprising: a
pair of side frame portions having end portions; a first cross bar
extending between the pair of the side frame portions; a second
cross bar extending between the pair of the side frame portions and
disposed between the first cross bar and the end portions of the
side frame portions; and a finger hooking plate portion formed in a
tongue shape and projecting from the second cross bar toward an end
side of the end portions of the side frame portions, said finger
hooking plate portion having side end portions attached to the side
frame portions and located away from the end portions of the side
frame portions.
2. A buckle according to claim 1, wherein said first and second
cross bars are arranged such that one of the two belt-like members
is inserted between the pair of the side frame portions from a back
side of the buckle to a front side of the buckle and passes through
a space between the first cross bar and the second cross bar to the
back side of the buckle to wind around the first cross bar, and
when the finger hooking plate portion is lifted up from the back
side of the buckle, the belt-like member tightened by the buckle is
released to allow the belt-like member to slide with respect to the
first cross bar.
3. A buckle according to claim 1, wherein said plate edge portion
of the finger hooking plate portion has a mountain shape such that
a central portion of the finger hooking plate portion projects
forward.
4. A buckle according to, claim 1, wherein said side frame portions
include upper and lower surfaces positioned outside upper and lower
surfaces of the finger hooking plate portion on the front side and
back side of the buckle, respectively.
5. A buckle according to claim 1, wherein said end portions of the
side frame portions are always positioned at a substantially same
position or away from the side end portions of the finger hooking
plate portion.
6. A buckle according to claim 2, further comprising at least one
third cross bar attached to the side frame portions at a side
opposite to the second cross bar relative to the first cross bar
for connecting another belt-like member.
7. A buckle according to claim 1, wherein said second cross bar is
integrally formed with the finger hooking plate portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART STATEMENT
[0001] The invention relates to a buckle having an improved
structure for connecting two belt-like members.
[0002] Patent Documents 1 and 2 have disclosed buckles formed in a
frame shape as a whole and having four cross bars extending between
a pair of side frames. In the buckles, a belt-like member is wound
around one of two cross bars between cross bars at both ends, and
another belt-like member is wound around the other of the two cross
bars, so that the belt-like members are connected with each other
through the buckle. A finger hooking plate portion is formed on one
end of the buckle. A finger is hooked on the finger hooking plate
portion to lift the one end of the buckle, so that the belt-like
members are disconnected.
[0003] In the conventional buckles, the finger hooking plate
portion is formed of a plate shape piece integrally projecting
sideward from one of the four cross bars located at one end of the
buckle. Accordingly, when a finger tries to find the finger hooking
portion, even if a fingertip touches an edge portion of the finger
hooking plate portion, it is difficult to recognize the edge
portion of the finger hooking plate portion just through touching.
Also, when a fingertip is hooked on the finger hooking plate
portion, the fingertip tends to slip away from the finger hooking
plate portion upon lifting.
[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Design Registration No.
675371
[0005] Patent Document 2: Japanese Design Registration No.
938391
[0006] In view of the problems described above, an object of the
present invention is to provide a buckle in which it is easy to
find a finger hooking portion with a fingertip for releasing
belt-like members. Also, even if the fingertip is lightly hooked on
the finger hooking portion, it is possible to securely release the
belt-like members.
[0007] Further objects and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following description of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In order to attain the objects described above, according to
the present invention, a buckle for connecting two belt-like
members includes a pair of side frame portions; a first cross bar
extending between the side frame portions; a second cross bar
extending between the side frame portions and disposed between the
first cross bar and end portions of the side frame portions; and a
finger hooking portion formed in a tongue shape projecting from the
second cross bar toward the end portions of the side frame
portions. One of the two belt-like members is inserted between the
side frame portions from a back side of the buckle, and is taken
out to a front side of the buckle. Then, the one of the two
belt-like members passes through between the first cross bar and
the second cross bar to the back side of the buckle, and is wound
around the first cross bar to fasten the two belt-like members.
When the two belt-like members are disconnected, a finger is hooked
on the finger hooking plate portion from the back side of the
buckle to lift the finger hooking plate portion. The finger hooking
plate portion is formed such that the end portions of the side
frame portions are positioned ahead of an edge portion of the
finger hooking plate portion connected to the side frame portions
and heading toward the end portions.
[0009] With the structure described above, when a finger tries to
find the finger hooking plate portion to release the buckle, a
fingertip moves along the edge portion of the finger hooking plate
portion heading toward the end portions of the side frame portions,
and a side of the fingertip touches an inner surface of the side
frame portion. Accordingly, it is possible to easily find the
finger hooking plate portion through a single searching operation
without repeating such an operation as described above. Also, when
the finger is hooked on the finger hooking plate portion to lift
the buckle, the inner surfaces of the side frames are positioned on
both sides of the fingertip. Accordingly, the finger does not slip
away from the finger hooking plate portion upon lifting.
Especially, even if the finger is lightly hooked on the finger
hooking plate portion, the finger does not slip away from the
finger hooking plate portion.
[0010] According to the present invention, the edge portion of the
finger hooking plate portion heading toward the end portions of the
side frame portion may be formed such that the edge portion
projects forward at a center of the finger hooking plate portion to
form a mountain shape. In this case, when the fingertip slides
along the edge portion of the finger hooking plate portion heading
toward the end portions of the side frame portion, it is easy to
find the center of the finger hooking plate portion. Accordingly,
it is easy to hook the finger on the center of the finger hooking
plate portion.
[0011] According to the present invention, surfaces of the side
frame portions may be positioned ahead of surfaces of the finger
hooking plate portion at the front side and back side of the
buckle. In this case, the finger hooking plate portion can be
protected by the side frame portions. Accordingly, when the buckle
is stepped from the front side or the back side, the finger hooking
plate portion is protected from being damaged as much as
possible.
[0012] According to the present invention, the end portions of the
side frame portions are positioned at a position substantially same
or outer side of the edge portion of the finger hooking plate
portion heading toward the end portions of the side frame portions
at any position of the edge portion. In this case, the finger
hooking plate portion can be protected by the side frame portions.
Accordingly, when an outer force is applied to the buckle from a
projecting side of the finger hooking plate portion, it is possible
to prevent damage to the finger hooking plate portion as much as
possible.
[0013] According to the present invention, in the buckle for
connecting two belt-like members, when the two belt-like members
are disconnected, it is easy to find the finger hooking plate
portion through touching with a finger. Also, even if the fingertip
is lightly hooked on the finger hooking portion, it is possible to
securely release the buckle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a buckle R;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the buckle R;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a back side view of the buckle R;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front view of the buckle R;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a left side view of the buckle R;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a right side view of the buckle R;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG.
2;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG.
2;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a use state of the buckle
R; and
[0023] FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a use state of the
buckle R.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Hereunder, embodiments of the present invention will be
explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. FIGS. 1 through 8 show a
buckle R having a structure according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 shows a state where two belt-like members W are connected
through the buckle R. FIG. 10 shows a state where a finger hooking
plate portion of the buckle R is operated to release one of the
belt-like members W from the buckle R.
[0025] The invention relates to a structure of the buckle R for
connecting the two belt-like members W. More specifically, the
invention relates to a structure of a finger hooking plate portion
of the buckle R for connecting the two belt-like members W through
the buckle R.
[0026] The buckle may include a structure in which two
through-portions are provided and each of the belt-like members
passes through the through-portions to connect each other,
respectively; or a structure in which a male buckle having a
through-portion for passing one of the belt-like members W and a
female buckle having a through-portion for passing the other of the
belt-like members W are provided, and the male buckle engages the
female buckle so that the belt-like member W passing through the
through-portion of the male buckle and the belt-like member W
passing through the through-portion of the female buckle are
connected with each other. (In the buckle R with this structure,
there are, typically, a side release type buckle where an
operational direction for releasing the engagement between the male
buckle and the female buckle is a lateral direction; and a front
release type buckle where the operational direction for releasing
the engagement between the male buckle and the female buckle is a
front side direction.)
[0027] In the embodiment, the buckle R includes two
through-portions 2 for passing the belt-like members W, so that
each of the belt-like members W passes through the two
through-portions 2, respectively, to connect with each other.
[0028] In the buckle R, a fingertip F is hooked on a portion of the
buckle R to lift a side on which the fingertip F is hooked, so that
one of the belt-like members W passing through one of the
through-portions 2 is released. In the specification, the side of
the buckle R where the fingertip F is hooked for a hooking
operation is called as "a side of a finger hooking portion 1".
[0029] On the side of the finger hooking portion 1, the buckle R
includes:
[0030] (1) a pair of side frame portions 3;
[0031] (2) a first cross bar 4 extending between the side frame
portions 3;
[0032] (3) a second cross bar 5 extending between the side frame
portions 3 and disposed between the first cross bar 4 and end
portions 30 of the side frame portions 3; and
[0033] (4) a finger hooking plate portion 10 with a tongue shape
projecting from the second cross bar 5 toward the end portions 30
of the side frame portions 3.
[0034] One of the belt-like members W is inserted between the side
frame portions 3 from a back side Rb of the buckle R and taken out
to a front side Ra of the buckle R. Then, the one of the belt-like
members W passes through between the first cross bar 4 and the
second cross bar 5, and is taken out again to the back side Rb of
the buckle R to wind around the first cross bar 4, thereby being
fasten thereto.
[0035] In the embodiment, on a side of end portions 31 of the side
frame portions 3, there are provided with a third cross bar 6
extending between the side frame portions 3, and a fourth cross bar
7 extending between the side frame portions 3 and disposed between
the third cross bar 6 and the first cross bar 4. As shown in the
drawings, the buckle R is formed in a frame shape with the side
frame portions 3 and the first through fourth cross bars 4 to 7.
The other of the belt-like members W is inserted between the side
frame portions 3 from the back side Rb of the buckle R, and taken
out to the front side Ra of the buckle R. Then, the other of the
belt-like members W is taken out again to the back side Rb of the
buckle R through a space between the third cross bar 6 and the
fourth cross bar 7 to wind around the fourth cross bar 7, thereby
being fasten thereto.
[0036] In the embodiment, the side frame portions 3 are formed in
an elongated plate shape. End surfaces 32 on one side of the side
frame portions 3 in the longitudinal direction are gently curved,
and end surfaces 33 on the other side in the longitudinal direction
become an inner side of the curve. The end surfaces 32 on the one
side in the longitudinal direction are on the front side Ra of the
buckle R, and the end surfaces 33 on the other side in the
longitudinal direction are on the back side Rb of the buckle R.
[0037] In the embodiment, a front surface 40 of the first cross bar
4 is positioned on a plane same as the end surfaces 32 of the side
frame portions 3 on the one side in the longitudinal direction. A
side surface 41 of the first cross bar 4 facing the second cross
bar 5 extends along a thickness direction of the buckle R, and a
first corner portion 42 is provided between the front surface 40
and the side surface 41. A space is formed between the first cross
bar 4 and the end surfaces 33 of the side frame portions 3 on the
other side in the longitudinal direction.
[0038] A back surface 50 of the second cross bar 5 is positioned on
a plane same as the end surfaces 33 of the side frame portion 3 on
the other side in the longitudinal direction. A portion of a side
surface 51 facing the first cross bar 4 at the back side Rb extends
along the thickness direction of the buckle R, and a second corner
portion 52 is provided between the back surface 50 and the side
surface 51. A space is formed between the second cross bar 5 and
the end surfaces 32 of the side frame portions 3 on the one side in
the longitudinal direction.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 7, a space is provided between the first
cross bar 4 and the second cross bar 5 and has a size for passing
one of the belt-like members W smoothly. A distance between a
projected line y passing along the first corner portion 42 in the
thickness direction of the buckle R and a phantom line x passing
along the second corner portion 52 is smaller than the space
between the first cross bar 4 and the second cross bar 5.
[0040] When one of the belt-like members W is wound around the
first cross bar 4 as described above, a front pulling-out portion
Wa directly contacts the back surface of the buckle. When a back
pulling-out portion Wb at an outer side of the front pulling-out
portion Wa is pulled, the front pulling-out portion Wa is strongly
pressed against the second corner portion 52 by the back
pulling-out portion Wb. Accordingly, the one of the belt-like
members W is fastened to the buckle R (refer to FIG. 9).
[0041] From the fastened state described above, when a finger is
hooked on the finger hooking plate portion 10 from the back side Rb
of the buckle R to lift the side of the buckle R provided with the
finger hooking plate portion 10, the front pulling-out portion Wa
moves away from the back pulling-out portion Wb to thereby release
the one of the belt-like members W from the buckle R (refer to FIG.
10). In the released state, when the one of the belt-like members W
is taken out from the buckle R, the belt-like members W are
disconnected. After adjusting a length of the front pulling-out
portion Wa, when a finger is released from the buckle R, it is
possible to fasten the one of the two belt-like members W to the
buckle R at an adjusted position.
[0042] In the present embodiment, the finger hooking plate portion
10 has a plate edge portion 11 heading toward the end portions 30
of the side frame portions 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the plate edge
portion 11 is connected to the side frame portions 3 at plate edge
portions 12, and the end portions 30 of the side frame portions 3
are positioned ahead of the plate edge portions 12.
[0043] Accordingly, in the present embodiment, when a finger tries
to find the finger hooking plate portion 10 to release one of the
belt-like members W from the buckle R, the fingertip F slides along
the plate edge portion 11 of the finger hooking plate portion 10
heading toward the end portions 30 of the side frame portions 3. In
this case, a side portion of the fingertip F touches the inner
surfaces 34 of the side frame portions 3 positioned ahead of the
plate edge portion 11 of the finger hooking plate portion 10.
Accordingly, it is possible to find the finger hooking plate
portion 10 with a single operation.
[0044] Further, when the finger is hooked on the finger hooking
plate portion 10 to lift the buckle R as described above, the
fingertip F is positioned between the inner surfaces 34 of the side
frame portions 3. Accordingly, the finger does not slip away from
the finger hooking plate portion 10 in the lifting operation.
Especially, even if the fingertip F is lightly hooked on the finger
hooking plate portion 10, the finger does not slip away from the
finger hooking plate portion 10.
[0045] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the plate
edge portion 11 of the finger hooking plate portion 10 is formed in
a mountain shape with a forward projecting portion at a central
portion of the finger hooking plate portion 10. Accordingly, it is
easy to find the center portion of the finger hooking plate portion
10 when the fingertip F slides along the plate edge portion 11 of
the finger hooking plate portion 10. It is also possible to
securely hook the finger on the center portion of the finger
hooking plate portion 10.
[0046] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, at the front
side Ra and the back side Rb of the buckle R, the end surfaces 32
and the end surfaces 33 of the side frame portions 3 are positioned
outside a surface 13 of the finger hooking plate portion 10.
Accordingly, the side frame portions 3 protect the finger hooking
plate portion 10. When the front surface side Ra or the back
surface side Rb of the buckle R is stepped upon, it is possible to
prevent damage on the finger hooking plate portion 10.
[0047] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, in any
portion of the plate edge portion 11 of the finger hooking plate
portion 10, the end portions 30 of the side frame portions 3 are
positioned at a substantially same position as the plate edge
portion 11, or outside the plate edge portion 11. Accordingly, the
side frame portions 3 protect the finger hooking plate portion 10.
When an outer force is applied to the buckle R from a projecting
side of the finger hooking plate portion 10 with respect to the
buckle R, it is possible to prevent damage on the finger hooking
plate portion 10.
[0048] In the embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, one end of the
finger hooking plate portion 10 is integrally connected to a front
portion 53 of the second cross bar 5 positioned at the front side
Ra of the buckle R. Left and right sides of the finger hooking
plate portion 10 are integrally connected to the inner surfaces of
the side frame portions 3 to thereby extend toward the end portions
30 of the side frame portions 3. The finger hooking plate portion
10 also includes a finger hooking surface 14 at the back side Rb of
the buckle R.
[0049] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
2003-367588, filed on Oct. 28, 2003, is incorporated in the
application.
[0050] While the invention has been explained with reference to the
specific embodiments of the invention, the explanation is
illustrative and the invention is limited only by the appended
claims.
* * * * *