U.S. patent application number 13/405211 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-29 for survival buckle.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dale Roybal. Invention is credited to Dale Roybal.
Application Number | 20130224667 13/405211 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49003243 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130224667 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roybal; Dale |
August 29, 2013 |
Survival Buckle
Abstract
A survival buckle is disclosed which is durable, easy to use,
safe, and can provide the necessary spark to create a fire in
almost any setting. The male buckle member comprises a flint
cartridge positioned on the center guide rod, and the female buckle
member comprises a striking pad. To create a spark, the user will
separate the male buckle member from the female buckle member,
secure the male buckle member in one hand, secure the female buckle
member in the other hand, and strike the flint cartridge against
the striking pad in an outward motion. The impact from the flint
cartridge causes a portion of the striking pad, heated by friction,
to react with oxygen from the atmosphere and create a spark.
Inventors: |
Roybal; Dale; (La Mirada,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Roybal; Dale |
La Mirada |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49003243 |
Appl. No.: |
13/405211 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
431/6 ;
24/615 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23Q 1/06 20130101; A44B
11/266 20130101; Y10T 24/45529 20150115; A44B 11/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
431/6 ;
24/615 |
International
Class: |
F23Q 1/06 20060101
F23Q001/06; A44B 11/25 20060101 A44B011/25 |
Claims
1. A survival buckle comprising: a female buckle member and a male
buckle member releasably connectable to said female buckle member;
said male buckle member having a base, a center guide rod forwardly
extending from said base, and two spring arms equally spaced from
said center guide rod and forwardly extending from said base, said
spring arms terminating with retaining hooks at their front ends;
said female buckle member having a hollow body, front aperture, and
two side apertures which hold and secure said spring arm retaining
hooks when said male buckle member is slideably inserted into said
female buckle member; said center guide rod having an attached
flint cartridge on its top side positioned such that said flint
cartridge does not contact said female buckle member when said male
buckle member is slideably inserted into said female buckle member;
and said female buckle member having a striking pad; wherein a
spark is created when said flint cartridge strikes said striking
pad.
2. The survival buckle of claim 1, further comprising: a groove on
said top side of said center guide rod; a locking mechanism at the
base end of said center guide rod; a replaceable flint cartridge
adapted to slidably engage and be retained by said groove and said
locking mechanism.
3. The survival buckle of claim 1, wherein said striking pad is
located on either the top side, the bottom side, the left side, or
the right side of said female buckle member.
4. The survival buckle of claim 1, wherein said striking pad is
positioned to be flush with an edge of said female buckle
member.
5. The survival buckle of claim 1, wherein said striking pad is
positioned to protrude over an edge of said female buckle
member.
6. The survival buckle of claim 1, wherein the female buckle member
is made of steel and operates as a striking pad.
7. The survival buckle of claim 1, wherein said female buckle
member further comprises a compartment having a compartment door
and a rubber seal to secure the contents of said compartment when
said compartment door is closed.
8. The survival buckle of claim 7, wherein said compartment door
further comprises an openable top side of the female buckle
member.
9. The survival buckle of claim 1, further comprising a compass
located on the female buckle member opposite said compartment
door.
10. The survival buckle of claim 1, wherein said male and female
members further comprise strap apertures adapted to retain a belt
or strap.
11. The survival buckle of claim 10, wherein said male and female
buckle members are attached to opposing ends of a strap using said
strap apertures to create a bracelet or necklace.
12. The survival buckle of claim 11, wherein said bracelet
comprises intertwined rope which can be unbound for survival
purposes.
13. The survival buckle of claim 1, wherein said male and female
buckle members are incurvate.
14. The survival buckle of claim 1, wherein said center guide rod
is entirely made of a replaceable flint cartridge.
15. A method for creating a spark using a survival buckle, said
method comprising the steps of: separating a female buckle member
and a male buckle member releasably connectable to said female
buckle member; securing said male buckle member in one hand, said
male buckle member having a base, a center guide rod forwardly
extending from said base, and two spring arms equally spaced from
said center guide rod and forwardly extending from said base, said
spring arms terminating with retaining hooks at their front ends;
securing said female buckle in the other hand, said female buckle
member having a hollow body, front aperture, and two side apertures
which hold and secure said spring arm retaining hooks when said
male buckle member is slideably inserted into said female buckle
member; orientating said center guide rod such that its top side is
exposed, said top side having an attached flint cartridge
positioned such that said flint cartridge does not contact said
female buckle member when said male buckle member is slideably
inserted into said female buckle member; and orientating said
female buckle member such that its top side is exposed, said top
side having a striking pad; and striking said flint against said
striking pad such that a portion of the striking pad, heated by the
friction of the collision, reacts with the oxygen from the
atmosphere, creating a spark.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: releasing a locking
mechanism at the base end of said center guide rod; removing said
flint cartridge adapted to slidably engage and be retained by a
groove on said top side of said center guide rod and said locking
mechanism; replacing said flint cartridge; and locking said locking
mechanism at the base end of said center guide rod to secure said
flint cartridge.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein said striking pad is located on
either the top side, bottom side, left side, or right side of said
female buckle member.
18. The method of claim 15, further comprising: storing a flammable
material within a compartment on said female buckle member, said
compartment having a compartment door; and creating a spark using
said flint and striking pad to ignite said flammable material.
19. The method of claim 15, further comprising: attaching said male
and female buckle members to opposing ends of a strap using a strap
aperture on said mail and female members; and slideably inserting
said male buckle member relative to said female buckle member,
creating a bracelet, said male and female buckle members being
incurvate for comfort.
20. A center release survival buckle comprising: a female center
buckle member and a male center buckle member releasably
connectable to said female center buckle member; said male center
buckle member having a center base and a center tab which forwardly
extends from said center base, said center tab having a center tab
aperture encapsulating a release arm retained by the bottom side of
said center tab aperture; said female center buckle member having a
female center aperture which engages said release arm; said release
arm having an attached center flint cartridge on said bottom side
of said center tab aperture; and said female center buckle member
having an attached center strike pad; wherein a spark is created
when said center flint cartridge strikes said center striking pad.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates generally to a survival buckle, and
more particularly, to a side release survival buckle with a
plurality of features including a flint and striking pad.
DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART
[0004] A buckle is a device used to secure two or more loose ends
by attaching each of them to opposing pieces of the buckle and
connecting them together. As such, the buckle creates a bonding
force between the loose ends powerful enough to hold a tremendous
amount of weight. Buckles come in a variety of shapes and sizes
dependent upon their use, and are used to secure a variety of items
together. Belts, bracelets, and straps all use buckles to allow an
adjustable manner in securing the item.
[0005] A conventional side release buckle is formed from a male
buckle member and a female buckle member. The male buckle member
includes a portion that is inserted into the female buckle member.
Once inserted, opposing forces operate to secure the male buckle
member within the female buckle member until released. Side release
buttons are advantageous because of their high strength, ease of
use, and durability.
[0006] A traditional survival fire starting kit includes a flint,
steel striker, and potentially magnesium powder to assist in
starting the fire. The steel striker is struck against the flint,
where the flint then shaves off particles of the steel, heated by
the friction between the two, which reacts with oxygen to produce
sparks. The sparks are used to ignite tinder to create a fire in a
wilderness setting. Magnesium can be used in conjunction to quickly
ignite the tinder and jumpstart a fire. These kits involve many
different pieces, each designed for their specific use.
[0007] While many types of buckles exist in the prior art, there is
no variant that incorporates the ease of use of a buckle with the
survival advantages of a fire starting kit. Therefore, a need
exists for a survival buckle which is durable, easy to use, safe,
and can provide the necessary spark to create a fire in almost any
setting. The present invention accomplishes these objectives.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention will provide a survival buckle which
is durable, easy to use, safe, and can provide the necessary spark
to create a fire in almost any setting. Furthermore, the present
invention will be versatile enough to incorporate into almost any
outdoor or survival equipment. This is accomplished by
incorporating a flint and steel within the male and female buckle
members, as well as survival rope, an emergency container, and a
compass.
[0009] The male and female buckle members operate in conjunction,
with the male buckle member having a flint cartridge positioned on
the center guide rod, and the female buckle member having a
striking pad. To create a spark, the user will separate the male
buckle member from the female buckle member, secure the male buckle
member in one hand, secure the female buckle member in the other
hand, and strike the flint cartridge against the striking pad in an
outward motion. The impact from the flint cartridge causes a
portion of the striking pad, heated by friction, to react with
oxygen from the atmosphere and create a spark.
[0010] These and other objectives of the present invention will
become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading
the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. It
is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to
provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a top view of the male and female buckles
separated;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a top view of the male and female buckles
together;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the male and female buckles
separated;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the male and female buckles
together;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the male and female buckles
prior to striking;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the male and female buckles
after striking;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the female buckle having a
side striking pad;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the male buckle having an
all-flint center guide rod;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a top view of the female buckle having a
compartment;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a side view of the female buckle having a
compartment;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the male buckle having a
replaceable flint and groove track;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a top view of the female buckle having a an open
compartment door and flammable material;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the survival buckle having
a strap and compass;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a top view of the male and female center buckles
separated;
[0025] FIG. 15 is a top view of the male and female center buckles
together.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described
below. The following explanation provides specific details for a
thorough understanding of and enabling description for these
embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the
invention may be practiced without such details. In other
instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown
or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the
description of the embodiments.
[0027] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout
the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising,"
and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed
to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense
of "including, but not limited to." Words using the singular or
plural number also include the plural or singular number
respectively. Additionally, the words "herein," "above," "below"
and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall
refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular
portions of this application. When the claims use the word "or" in
reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of
the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the
list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items
in the list.
[0028] The present invention discloses a survival buckle 10
comprising a female buckle member 30 and a male buckle member 20
releasably connectable to the female buckle member 30. The male
buckle member 20 comprises a base 21, a center guide rod 22 which
forwardly extends from the base 21, and two spring arms 23 equally
spaced from the center guide rod 22. The spring arms 23 forwardly
extend from the base 21 and terminate with retaining hooks 24 at
their front ends 25. The center guide rod 22 of the further
comprises an attached flint cartridge 40 positioned on its top side
26.
[0029] The female buckle member 30 comprises a hollow body 31, a
front aperture 32, and two side apertures 33 which hold and secure
the spring arm 23 retaining hooks 24 when the male buckle member 20
is slideably inserted into the female buckle member 30.
Furthermore, the female buckle member 30 comprises a striking pad
41 positioned on either the top 34, bottom 35, left 36, or right
side 37 of the hollow body 31. The striking pad 41 can be inset 45
within the body 31 of the female buckle member 30, can be flush
with an edge 38 of the female buckle member 30, or can protrude 39
over an edge 38 of the female buckle member 30. In an alternative
embodiment, the entire female buckle member 30 is made of steel and
operates as a striking pad 41.
[0030] To create a spark, the user will separate the male buckle
member 20 from the female buckle member 30, secure the male buckle
member 20 in one hand 81, secure the female buckle member 30 in the
other hand 82, orientate the center guide rod 22 such that the top
side 26 and flint cartridge 40 are exposed, orientate the female
buckle member 30 to expose the striking pad 41, and strike the
flint cartridge 40 against the striking pad 41 in an outward
motion. The impact from the flint cartridge 40 causes a portion of
the striking pad 41, heated by friction, to react with oxygen from
the atmosphere and create a spark 42.
[0031] When slideably engaging the female buckle member 30, the
flint cartridge 40 is positioned such that it does not contact the
female buckle member 30 or the striking pad 41. This is of critical
importance, as it prevents inadvertent sparks 42 and potential fire
hazards. A clearance of 1-5 mm is anticipated to prevent this
contact. Alternatively, the inside track of the hollow body 31 of
the female buckle member 30 may comprise a coating or other
material to prevent accidental sparks 42.
[0032] In an alternative embodiment, the flint cartridge 40 is
replaceable by utilizing a track or groove 28 which runs along the
top side 26 of the center guide rod 22. Here, a replaceable flint
cartridge 43 is adapted to slidably engage and be retained by the
groove 28. Furthermore, a locking mechanism 29 is positioned at the
base end 27 of the center guide rod 22, providing a secure means of
retaining the replaceable flint cartridge 43. The user merely needs
to release the locking mechanism 29 at the base end 27, remove the
flint cartridge 43, replace this cartridge with a new flint
cartridge 43, and lock the new flint cartridge 43 in place using
the locking mechanism 29. In a further alternative embodiment, the
entire center guide rod 44 is made of flint and is replaceable.
[0033] In an alternative embodiment, a compartment 50 having a
compartment door 51 is placed within the female buckle member 30.
The compartment 50 may use a small portion of the female buckle
member 30, or may utilize a large amount by implementing a
compartment door 52 on the top side 34 of the female buckle member
30. A rubber seal 53, or o-ring, is positioned between the
compartment 50 and compartment door 51 to seal the compartment 50
when the door 51 is in a closed position. This compartment 50 can
be used to store a flammable material 71 such as magnesium powder
or lint to assist in starting a fire using the spark 42 from the
flint cartridge 40 and striking pad 41. A compass 54 may also be
placed on the female buckle member 30 opposite of the compartment
door 51.
[0034] In the preferred embodiment, the base 21 and hollow body 31
comprise one or more strap apertures 60 allowing a belt or strap 61
to be attached to the survival buckle 10. As such, the male 20 and
female buckle members 30 will attach to opposing ends of a strap 61
and can create a bracelet or necklace by slideably inserting the
male buckle member 20 relative to the female buckle member 30. The
strap 61 can be made of intertwined rope 62, which can be unbound
for survival purposes. Furthermore, to aid in comfort and reduce
fatige, the male 20 and female bucket members 30 are slightly
incurvate 70, or curved like a bow.
[0035] The male buckle member 20, female buckle member 30, base 21,
hollow body 31, center guide rod 22, spring arms 23, and other
features may have a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. While
this application is not meant to be exhaustive, it is anticipated
that so long as a flint cartridge 40 or other object capable of
creating a spark 42 is inserted within a female buckle member 30,
or is moved and stored relative to a female buckle member 30, it is
within the purview of this application. While the preferred
embodiment will be made of plastics or other polymers, a variety of
materials such as metals, metal alloys, and can be used.
Furthermore, while the preferred embodiment discloses a bracelet,
it is anticipated that the present invention can be incorporated
into backpacks, jackets, clothing, outdoor gear, and other
objects.
[0036] While a survival buckle 10 is disclosed in the present
application, other buckle types are anticipated. For example, a
center release buckle 110 comprising a female center buckle member
130 and a male center buckle member 120 releasably connectable to
the female center buckle member 130. The male center buckle member
120 comprises a center base 121 and center tab 122 which forwardly
extends from the center base 121, the center tab 122 having an
center tab aperture 125 with a release arm 123 retained by the
bottom side 124 of the center tab aperture 125. The female center
buckle member 130 comprises an female center aperture 131 which
engages the release arm 123. The center tab 122 has an attached
center flint cartridge 126 on the bottom side 124 of the center tab
aperture 125, while the female center buckle member 130 has an
attached center strike pad 132. A spark 42 is created when the
center flint cartridge 126 strikes the center strike pad 132.
[0037] The above detailed description of the embodiments of the
invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed above or to the particular
field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific
embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above
for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are
possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the
relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention
provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily
the system described above. The elements and acts of the various
embodiments described above can be combined to provide further
embodiments.
[0038] While certain aspects of the invention are presented below
in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various
aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly,
the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after
filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for
other aspects of the invention.
* * * * *