U.S. patent application number 11/858259 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-03 for strap adjusting assembly.
Invention is credited to JOHN S. PONTAOE.
Application Number | 20080078069 11/858259 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39259756 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080078069 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PONTAOE; JOHN S. |
April 3, 2008 |
STRAP ADJUSTING ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A strap adjuster may include a main body and enlarged adjustment
engagement areas configured to allow a user to easily adjust a
strap secured to the strap adjuster. The main body may include an
engagement wall connected to a strap-retaining wall and lateral
walls. At least one strap passage is formed through the main body.
The enlarged adjustment engagement areas may be proximate the
engagement wall and are wider than the strap and strap passage. In
order to loosen the strap for adjustment, the main body is pivoted
with respect to the strap.
Inventors: |
PONTAOE; JOHN S.; (Chicago,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
3600 WEST LAKE AVENUE, PATENT DEPARTMENT
GLENVIEW
IL
60025
US
|
Family ID: |
39259756 |
Appl. No.: |
11/858259 |
Filed: |
September 20, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60848223 |
Sep 29, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
24/196 ;
24/200 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/4093 20150115;
Y10T 24/4084 20150115; A44B 11/04 20130101; A44B 11/266
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/196 ;
24/200 |
International
Class: |
A44B 11/04 20060101
A44B011/04; A44B 11/10 20060101 A44B011/10 |
Claims
1. A strap adjuster configured to adjustably retain a strap, the
strap adjuster comprising: a main body having an engagement wall
connected to a strap-retaining wall and lateral walls, wherein at
least one strap passage is formed through said main body; and
enlarged adjustment engagement areas proximate said engagement
wall, said enlarged adjustment engagement areas being wider than
the strap, wherein said main body is pivoted with respect to the
strap in order to adjust a length of the strap.
2. The strap adjuster of claim 1, wherein said enlarged adjustment
engagement areas comprise engageable protuberances that laterally
extend from one or both of said lateral walls and/or said
engagement wall.
3. The strap adjuster of claim 1, wherein said lateral walls
outwardly flare from said strap-retaining wall toward said
engagement wall.
4. The strap adjuster of claim 3, wherein said lateral walls
outwardly flare at a constant angle toward said engagement
wall.
5. The strap adjuster of claim 1, wherein said lateral walls do not
taper back from said strap-retaining wall toward said engagement
wall.
6. The strap adjuster of claim 1, wherein said main body is
integrally formed as a single piece.
7. The strap adjuster of claim 1, wherein a height of said
engagement wall is greater than a height of said strap-retaining
wall.
8. The strap adjuster of claim 1, wherein said enlarged adjustment
engaging areas are laterally offset from said at least one strap
passage.
9. A strap adjusting assembly comprising: a strap adjuster
comprising: a main body having an engagement wall connected to a
strap-retaining wall through lateral walls, wherein a first strap
passage is formed proximate said strap-retaining wall and a second
strap passage is formed proximate said engagement wall; and
enlarged adjustment engagement areas proximate said engagement
wall; a first strap adjustably positioned within said first strap
passage; and a second strap adjustably positioned within said
second strap passage, said enlarged adjustment engagement areas
being wider than said first and second straps, wherein said main
body is pivoted with respect to said second strap in order to
adjust a length of said second strap.
10. The strap adjusting assembly of claim 9, wherein said enlarged
adjustment engagement areas comprise engageable protuberances that
laterally extend from one or both of said lateral walls and/or said
engagement wall.
11. The adjusting assembly of claim 9, wherein said lateral walls
outwardly flare from said strap-retaining wall toward said
engagement wall.
12. The adjusting assembly of claim 11, wherein said lateral walls
outwardly flare at a constant angle toward said engagement
wall.
13. The adjusting assembly of claim 9, wherein said lateral walls
do not taper back from said strap-retaining wall toward said
engagement wall.
14. The adjusting assembly of claim 9, wherein said main body is
integrally formed as a single piece.
15. The adjusting assembly of claim 9, wherein a height of said
engagement wall is greater than a height of said strap-retaining
wall.
16. The adjusting assembly of claim 9, wherein said enlarged
adjustment engaging areas are laterally offset from said first and
second strap passages.
17. A strap adjuster configured to adjustably retain at least one
strap, the strap adjuster comprising: a main body having an
engagement wall integrally connected to a strap-retaining wall and
lateral walls, wherein at least one strap passage is formed through
said main body, said lateral walls outwardly flaring from said
strap-retaining wall toward said engagement wall, said enlarged
adjustment engaging areas being laterally offset from the at least
one strap passage, wherein a height of said engagement wall is
greater than a height of said strap-retaining wall; and enlarged
adjustment engagement areas proximate said engagement wall, said
enlarged adjustment engagement areas being wider than the at least
one strap, said enlarged adjustment engagement areas comprising
engageable protuberances that laterally extend from one or both of
said lateral walls and/or said engagement wall wherein said main
body is pivoted with respect to the at least one strap in order to
adjust a length of the strap.
18. The strap adjuster of claim 17, wherein said lateral walls
outwardly flare at a constant angle toward said engagement
wall.
19. The strap adjuster of claim 17, wherein said lateral walls do
not taper back from said strap-retaining wall toward said
engagement wall.
20. The strap adjuster of claim 17, wherein said main body is
integrally formed as a single piece.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application relates to and claims priority benefits
from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/848,223 entitled
"Buckle Adjusting Assembly," filed Sep. 29, 2006, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a
web or strap adjuster that is used to adjust a length of web or
strap, and more particularly to a strap adjuster that may be
conveniently and easily adjusted with respect to a strap or
web.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A conventional buckle, web or strap adjuster includes a main
body having at least one strap passage. The strap passage is
configured to securely and adjustably retain a strap therein. The
strap adjuster may be moved with respect to the strap in order to
lengthen or shorten the strap. For example, the strap adjuster may
be tilted or pivoted with respect to the strap in order to loosen
the strap so that a user may then adjust the strap in relation to
the strap adjuster. Typically, strap adjusters are used with
various products, such as backpacks, to allow a user to adjust the
length of the straps connected thereto.
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a conventional strap
adjuster 10 connected to straps 12 and 14. In order to adjust the
straps 12 or 14, a user engages an engagement area 16 that is
substantially aligned with the strap 14. That is, the engagement
area 16 is directly above the strap 14. A user positions a finger
between the strap 14 and the engagement area 16 in order to pivot
the strap adjuster 10. During this time, the user then grasps the
strap 14 while pivoting the strap adjuster 10 in order to loosen
the strap 14, for example.
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a conventional strap
adjuster 18 connected to a strap 20. The strap adjuster 18 is
similar to the strap adjuster 10, except that the strap adjuster 18
has an even smaller engagement area 22. Similar to the strap
adjuster 10, the engagement area 22 is aligned directly over the
strap 20. Thus, in order to adjust the strap 20, a user positions a
finger between the strap 20 and the engagement area 22 in order to
tilt the strap adjuster 18 relative to the strap 20.
[0006] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the engagement areas are no wider
than the straps themselves. A user engages a typical strap adjuster
above or below the strap because the strap is aligned with the
engagement areas. Thus, movement of a strap relative to a
conventional strap adjuster may be hindered because of a user's
finger(s) interfering with the strap. That is, a user's finger(s)
may be pinched between the engagement area and the strap, thereby
limiting free and easy movement of the strap with respect to the
strap adjuster.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,310, entitled "Web Adjuster and
Coupling" (the "310 patent"), discloses a web adjuster. For
example, FIGS. 20-23 of the '310 patent illustrate a web adjuster
that includes a push button in order to adjust webbing material.
Simply tilting the web adjuster relative to the strap, however,
does not allow a user to adjust the web material. Thus, the process
of adjusting a strap may be more complex as compared to the simple
tilting of standard strap adjusters. Moreover, the web adjuster is
constructed from a plurality of parts, including springs, button
members, and the like. As such, the process of manufacturing the
web adjuster disclosed in the '310 patent may be labor and time
intensive when compared to standard strap adjusters.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a strap
adjuster configured to adjustably retain a strap. The strap
adjuster may include a main body and enlarged adjustment engagement
areas. The main body may include an engagement wall connected to a
strap-retaining wall and lateral walls. At least one strap passage
is formed through the main body. The enlarged adjustment engagement
areas may be proximate the engagement wall. The adjustment
engagement areas are wider than the strap and strap passage. The
main body is pivoted with respect to the strap in order to adjust a
length of the strap. A height of the engagement wall may be greater
than a height of the strap-retaining wall in order to prevent a
user from inadvertently contacting the strap during adjustment.
[0009] The adjustment engagement areas may include engageable
protuberances that laterally extend from one or both of the lateral
walls and/or the engagement wall. The enlarged adjustment engaging
areas are laterally offset from the at least one strap passage.
[0010] The lateral walls may outwardly flare from the
strap-retaining wall toward the engagement wall. For example, the
lateral walls may outwardly flare at a constant angle toward the
engagement wall. Also, for example, the lateral walls do not taper
back from the strap-retaining wall toward the engagement wall. That
is, as the lateral walls expand, or widen in one direction, they do
not taper back at any point.
[0011] The main body may be integrally formed as a single piece.
Thus, the process of manufacturing the strap adjuster is easy as
there is no need to assemble the strap adjuster from a plurality of
parts.
[0012] Certain embodiments of the present invention also provide a
strap adjusting assembly. The strap adjusting assembly includes a
strap adjuster, a first strap adjustably positioned within a first
strap passage of the strap adjuster, and a second strap adjustably
positioned within a second strap passage of the strap adjuster.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a conventional strap
adjuster connected to straps.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of a conventional strap
adjuster connected to a strap.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a top isometric view of a strap adjuster
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a top plan view of a strap adjuster
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a lateral view of a strap adjuster
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom plan view of a strap adjuster
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a strap adjuster connected
to straps according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates a top plan view of a buckle assembly
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of the components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various
ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including" and
"comprising" and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items
listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional
items and equivalents thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a top isometric view of a strap adjuster
30 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The strap
adjuster 30 may be manufactured as a single, unitary piece of
material. That is, the strap adjuster 30 may be molded as a single
piece, as opposed to being assembled from a plurality of separate
parts. Thus, the process of manufacturing the strap adjuster 30 may
be efficient and easy.
[0023] The strap adjuster 30 includes a main body 32 that may be
formed of plastic, metal or any other suitable material. The main
body 32 includes a strap-retaining wall 34 connected to an
engagement wall 36 through an intermediate area 38. Lateral walls
39 span from the strap-retaining wall 34 to the engagement wall 36.
A strap passage 40 is formed proximate the strap-retaining wall 34.
A channel 42 is formed through the intermediate area 38. A strap
passage 44 is also formed proximate the engagement wall 36.
[0024] In order to form a strap-adjusting assembly, an end of a
first strap, not shown in FIG. 1, is passed into the strap passage
40 and looped around a beam 46 spanning between the lateral walls
39 and into the channel 42. The first strap end is then looped back
into the strap passage 40 and out of the main body 32. Similarly,
an end of a second strap, not shown in FIG. 1, is passed into the
strap passage 44 and looped around a beam 48 spanning between the
lateral walls 39 and into the channel 42. The second strap end is
then sent back under engagement wall 36. Thus, a strap adjusting
assembly is formed.
[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a top plan view of the strap adjuster 30.
As shown in FIG. 4, the lateral walls 39 flare out, or widen, from
the strap-retaining wall 34 toward the engagement wall 36, thereby
forming an enlarged adjustment engagement area. The lateral width
of the strap adjuster 30 may be greater at the engagement wall 36
as compared to the strap-retaining wall 34. The lateral walls 39
may flare out at a constant angle toward the engagement wall 36.
For example, the width of the strap adjuster 30 may constantly
increase toward the engagement wall 36, thereby providing a large,
robust surface area for a user to grasp. The engagement wall 36
does not taper back down. Thus, a user's finger is unlikely to
slide off the engagement wall 36 during an adjustment process.
Optionally, the lateral walls 39 may abruptly bow out at points
along the length of the strap adjuster 30.
[0026] Lateral ears, wings, flaps or other such protuberances 50
outwardly bow or extend proximate the union of the lateral walls 39
and the engagement wall 36, thereby providing an adjustment
engagement area 58 that is wider than a strap positioned through
the strap passage 44. As such, the adjustment engagement areas 58
of the engagement wall 36 are laterally offset from the strap. That
is, the adjustment engagement areas 58 of the engagement wall 36
are not aligned over or below the strap.
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates a lateral view of the strap adjuster 30.
As shown in FIG. 5, the height of the strap adjuster 30 may
increase from the strap-retaining wall 34 toward the engagement
wall 36. In particular, the height h.sub.1 of the strap adjuster 30
proximate the strap-retaining wall 34 is less than the height
h.sub.2 of the strap adjuster 30 proximate the engagement wall 36.
As such, the adjustment engagement areas 58, e.g., the lateral
protuberances 50, may be positioned well above a strap 60 that
passes out of the strap passage 44 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). Thus,
a user is less likely to contact the strap 60 during an adjustment
process, as compared to conventional strap adjusters.
[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom plan view of the strap adjuster
30. As shown in FIG. 6, the width w.sub.s of the strap 60 is less
than the we of the engagement wall 36 proximate the adjustment
engagement areas 58. As such, the adjustment engagement areas 58,
including the lateral protuberances 50, are not aligned over or
below the strap 60. A user may engage the strap adjuster 30 about
the protuberances 50, which are laterally offset from the strap 60.
Thus, a user is unlikely to have a finger sandwiched or pinched
between the strap 60 and the adjustment engagement areas 58,
thereby allowing for quick and easy strap adjustment.
[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the strap adjuster 30
connected to straps 70 and 72 according to an embodiment of the
present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, a user adjusts the strap 72
by first engaging the strap adjuster 30 about the adjustment
engagement areas 58, such as the protuberances 50, which are
laterally offset from the strap 72. The user then pivots the strap
adjuster 30 in relation to the strap 72, such as by upwardly
pivoting the strap adjuster 30 with respect to the strap 72. In
this way, the strap 72 is loosened, and the user may grasp the
strap 72 and adjust accordingly. In order to tighten the strap 72,
the user disengages the strap adjuster 30 and merely pulls the
strap 72.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 7, the user's finger 80 is positioned to
the side of the strap 72. The user engages the strap adjuster 30 at
the adjustment engagement area(s) 58, which are laterally offset
from the strap 72. Thus, the finger 80 does not contact the strap
72 or become sandwiched or pinched between the strap 72 and the
strap adjuster 30.
[0031] FIG. 8 illustrates a top plan view of a buckle assembly 90
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The buckle
assembly 90 includes a male connection member 92 that mates with a
female connection member 94. The male connection member 92 includes
a strap adjuster 93 that includes outwardly-flared, laterally
offset adjustment engagement areas 96 similar to those of the strap
adjuster 30 shown and described above.
[0032] Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a
convenient and easy-to-use strap adjuster. Embodiments of the
present invention allow a user to quickly and easily adjust a strap
without interfering with the strap or web material. The enlarged
adjustment engagement areas of the strap adjuster ensure that a
user's fingers are less likely to be pinched between the strap
adjuster and the strap or web as compared to conventional strap
adjusters. Unlike conventional strap adjusters, a user does not
need to grasp the strap adjuster at a specific, limited area over
or under the strap in order to adjust the strap. Additionally, the
strap adjusters shown and described are simple and easy to
manufacture.
[0033] While various spatial terms, such as upper, lower, mid,
lateral, horizontal, vertical, and the like may used to describe
portions of the embodiments discussed above, it is understood that
such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown
in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or
otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion,
and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.
[0034] Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the
scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention
disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative
combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or
evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different
combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present
invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes
known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled
in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed
to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the
prior art.
[0035] Various features of the invention are set forth in the
following claims.
* * * * *