U.S. patent application number 11/307695 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-23 for secure fastener for belts.
Invention is credited to Chi-San Huang.
Application Number | 20070193001 11/307695 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38426618 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070193001 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Huang; Chi-San |
August 23, 2007 |
SECURE FASTENER FOR BELTS
Abstract
A secure fastener includes a fastening device and a security
device. The fastening device includes a base, a handle pivotally
installed on the base between a slackening position and a fastening
position and a latch movably installed on the handle for engagement
with the base in the fastening position. A first crossbar is
installed on the base so that a first belt can be attached to the
first crossbar. Second and third crossbars are installed on the
handle so that a second belt can be directed past the third
crossbar, wound around the second crossbar and directed past the
third crossbar again. The security device is installed on the base
for pushing the second belt against the third crossbar in the
fastening position.
Inventors: |
Huang; Chi-San; (Changhua
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KAMRATH & ASSOCIATES P.A.
4825 OLSON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY
SUITE 245
GOLDEN VALLEY
MN
55422
US
|
Family ID: |
38426618 |
Appl. No.: |
11/307695 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/71ST ;
24/68R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B 11/065 20130101;
Y10T 24/4016 20150115; Y10T 24/2175 20150115; Y10T 24/4019
20150115; Y10T 24/2147 20150115; Y10T 24/21 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/071.0ST ;
024/068.00R |
International
Class: |
A43C 11/00 20060101
A43C011/00; A44B 11/25 20060101 A44B011/25 |
Claims
1. A secure fastener comprising: a fastening device comprising a
base, a handle pivotally installed on the base between a slackening
position and a fastening position, a latch movably installed on the
handle for engagement with the base in the fastening position, a
first crossbar installed on the base so that a first belt can be
attached to the first crossbar, a second crossbar installed on the
handle, a third crossbar installed on the handle so that a second
belt can be directed past the third crossbar, wound around the
second crossbar and directed past the third crossbar again; and a
security device installed on the base for pushing the second belt
against the third crossbar in the fastening position.
2. The secure fastener according to claim 1 wherein the security
device comprises a pressing element installed on the base for
pushing the second belt against the third crossbar.
3. The secure fastener according to claim 2 wherein the periphery
of the pressing element is rough.
4. The secure fastener according to claim 2 wherein the pressing
element is movably installed on the base.
5. The secure fastener according to claim 4 wherein the pressing
element comprises two fins, wherein the base defines two slots in
and along which the fins are movable.
6. The secure fastener according to claim 4 wherein the security
device comprises an elastic element installed on the base for
biasing the pressing element.
7. The secure fastener according to claim 6 wherein the elastic
element comprises a concave side for contact with the pressing
element.
8. The secure fastener according to claim 6 wherein the security
device comprises a supporting element installed on the base for
supporting the elastic element.
9. The secure fastener according to claim 8 wherein the supporting
element comprises a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration for
receiving the elastic element.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a secure fastener for
belts.
[0003] 2. Related Prior Art
[0004] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a conventional
fastener for belts. The fastener includes a base 1, a first
crossbar 4 installed on the base 1, a handle 2 pivotally installed
on the base 1, a latch 3 movably installed on the handle 2 for
engagement with two hooks 9 on the base 1, a second crossbar 6
installed on the handle 2 and a third crossbar 7 installed on the
handle 2. A first belt 5 is formed with a loop around the first
crossbar 4 so that the first belt 5 is secured to the first
crossbar 4. A second belt 8 is directed past the third crossbar 7,
wound around the second crossbar 6 and directed past the third
crossbar 7 again. At first, the belts 5 and 8 are tensioned mildly
referring to FIG. 1. Then, the handle 2 is pivoted toward the base
1 so as to fasten the belts 5 and 8, and the latch 3 is hooked by
the hooks 9 referring to FIG. 2. There must be enough friction
between the second belt 8 and the crossbars 6 and 7 for ensuring
normal operation. This is however not always true. When a user
intends to exert on the belts 5 and 8 tension larger than the
friction, the second belt 8 will slip. Hence, the user cannot exert
the intended tension on the belts 5 and 8.
[0005] The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at
least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] According to the present invention, a secure fastener
includes a fastening device and a security device. The fastening
device includes a base, a handle pivotally installed on the base
between a slackening position and a fastening position and a latch
movably installed on the handle for engagement with the base in the
fastening position. A first crossbar is installed on the base so
that a first belt can be attached to the first crossbar. Second and
third crossbars are installed on the handle so that a second belt
can be directed past the third crossbar, wound around the second
crossbar and directed past the third crossbar again. The security
device is installed on the base for pushing the second belt against
the third crossbar in the fastening position.
[0007] The primary advantage of the secure fastener according to
the present invention is to provide enough friction on the second
belt so that the second belt does not slip.
[0008] Other advantages and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description referring to the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention will be described through detailed
illustration of the preferred embodiment referring to the
drawings.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional fastener
for belts.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional
fastener in another position than shown in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a secure fastener for belts
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the secure fastener shown in
FIG. 3.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the secure fastener
shown in FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the secure fastener in
another position than shown in FIG. 5.
[0016] FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the
secure fastener shown in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a secure fastener
for belts according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The secure fastener includes a fastening device 10 and a
security device 20. The fastening device 10 is similar to the
conventional fastener discussed in the RELATED PRIOR ART except
several features adapted for installing the security device 20.
[0018] The fastening device 10 includes a base 11, a first crossbar
14 installed on the base 11, a handle 12 pivotally installed on the
base 11 between a slackening position and a fastening position, a
latch 13 movably installed on the handle 12 for engagement with two
hooks 19 on the base 11 in the fastening position, a second
crossbar 17 installed on the handle 12 and a third crossbar 18
(FIGS. 5 through 7) installed on the handle 12. A first belt 30 is
formed with a loop around the first crossbar 14 so that the first
belt 30 is secured to the first crossbar 14. A second belt 40 is
directed past the third crossbar 18, wound around the second
crossbar 17 and directed past the third crossbar 18 again.
[0019] The base 11 includes two lateral members each formed with a
rectilinear slot 15 and a U-shaped slot 16. Each of the hooks 19 is
formed on related one of the lateral members of the base 11.
[0020] The security device 20 includes a pressing element 21, a
supporting element 22 and an elastic element 23. The pressing
element 21 includes two fins 211 movable in the rectilinear slots
15 so that the pressing element 21 is movable on the base 11. The
pressing element 21 includes a rough periphery for providing enough
friction with the second belt 40. The supporting element 22
includes a U-shaped configuration viewed in an end view. The
supporting element 22 includes two ends fit in the U-shaped slots
16 so that the supporting element 22 is installed on the base 11.
The elastic element 23 includes a flat side positioned in the
supporting element 22 and a concave side 231 for receiving the
pressing element 21.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 5, the belts 30 and 40 are tensioned
mildly. The third crossbar 18 and the pressing element 21 together
form a pinch for the second belt 40. Now, the pinch is idle.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 6, the handle 12 is pivoted toward the
base 11 so as to fasten the belts 30 and 40, and the latch 13 is
hooked by the hooks 19.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 7, the pinch pinches the second belt 40.
The elastic element 23 pushes the pressing element 21 firmly
against the second belt 40. The friction between the second belt 40
and the crossbars 17 and 18 and the friction between the second
belt 40 and the pinch ensures normal operation.
[0024] If the thickness of the second belt 40 is changed, the
elastic element 23 can compensate such change in the thickness of
the second belt 40 and still push the pressing element 21 firmly
against the second belt 40.
[0025] The secure fastener of the present invention exhibits at
least two advantages. Firstly, it provides enough friction on the
second belt 40 so that the second belt 40 does not slip. Secondly,
it compensates change in the thickness of the second belt 40.
[0026] The present invention has been described through the
illustration of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art
can derive variations from the preferred embodiment without
departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the
preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present
invention defined in the claims.
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