Buckle Assembly

Abstract

A buckle assembly, including at least one buckle and at least one release trigger, wherein the buckle has a first buckle component and an additional buckle component. The first buckle component has a bar, which is movable back and forth between a locked position and an unlocked position. In a connected position of the buckle components the bar engages in the locked position thereof behind a locking surface of the additional buckle component in order to interlock the two buckle components and the bar can be moved to the unlocked position to disconnect the buckle components. The release trigger is connected to at least one of the buckle components by a transmission line, preferably a Bowden cable, the additional buckle component has at least one counter bar, which is movable from a locked position of the counter bar to an unlocked position by actuating the release trigger.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to a buckle assembly comprising at least one buckle and at least one release trigger, wherein the buckle has a first buckle component and at least one further buckle component, and the first buckle component has at least one locking bar which is movable back and forth between a locking position of the locking bar and an unlocking position of the locking bar, wherein, in a connecting position of the buckle components, the locking bar, in the locking position thereof, engages behind a locking surface of the further buckle component in order to lock the two buckle components to each other, and, in order to separate the buckle components, the locking bar is movable into the unlocking position thereof and the release trigger is connected by means of at least one transmission line, in particular in the form of a Bowden cable, to at least one of the buckle components.

[0002] Buckle assemblies of the type in question can be used, for example, whenever a person has to carry loads on their body, from which the person has to be able to be separated rapidly in an emergency situation or the like. The buckle assembly can be integrated, for example, into a strap system of a rucksack or the like. Opening of the buckle or the buckles enables the person, in an emergency situation or the like, to be rapidly freed from the rucksack or from another load fastened to the person by means of the assembly. In the event of just one buckle, the advantage consists especially in the fact that the buckle can be opened from a remote location by means of remote triggering. This is advantageous, for example, if the buckle is arranged at a location to which access is difficult, if possible at all. A buckle which can be opened by means of a pull cord is known, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,487,761 B2. The advantage of assemblies of the type in question additionally resides, in the case of a plurality of buckles, in that the person does not have to open each buckle individually, but rather all of the buckles can be opened simultaneously by a single actuation of the release trigger by remote triggering.

[0003] WO 2009/143410 A2 already discloses a very simply structured buckle assembly of the type in question having a plurality of buckles. Cable pulls are used here in order to be able to open the buckles centrally or by means of remote triggering. WO 2009/143464 A2 likewise shows buckle arrangements of the type in question. It is known from this document to use Bowden cables, or pneumatic, hydraulic or electric lines as the transmission line.

[0004] In all the buckle assemblies of the type in question that are known in the prior art, the release trigger acts via the corresponding transmission lines on the locking bars of the respective buckles of the buckle assembly in order to bring said buckles from the locking position into the unlocking position.

[0005] In the areas of use referred to, the buckles firstly have to be operable in a simple manner and with as little effort as possible, in order to be able to separate the buckle components from one another. Secondly, however, the buckles, when they are in the connecting position and the locking bar or the locking bars are in the locking position thereof, are also intended to withstand large tensile loadings without being inadvertently opened. An undesirable or inadvertent or overload-induced opening of the connection between the buckle components should generally definitely be avoided in the abovementioned application areas.

SUMMARY

[0006] It is therefore the object to design a buckle assembly of the type in question with remote triggering firstly to be operable in a simple manner, but secondly also to be highly operationally reliable.

[0007] This is achieved according to the invention by the further buckle component having at least one counter locking bar which is movable from a locking position of the counter locking bar into a release position of the counter locking bar by actuation of the release trigger.

[0008] A basic concept of the present invention is therefore to provide at least one counter locking bar on the second buckle component in addition to the at least one locking bar of the first buckle component, thus achieving the effect that, in the locking position of the locking bar and of the counter locking bar, the two buckle components are connected to each other in a particularly secure manner, i.e. are able to absorb high tensile forces. Furthermore, the operating reliability is also increased as a result, since, in order to separate the buckle components from one another, both the locking bar and the counter locking bar have to be moved into the respective unlocking positions. An inadvertent release of the two buckle components from each other is highly improbable or entirely prevented as a result. By connecting the release trigger to the counter locking bar via a transmission line, the counter locking bar is preferably movable into the unlocking position thereof from the release trigger, and therefore from a remote location.

[0009] In principle, it is conceivable for the first buckle component also to have a locking surface which, in the locking position of the counter locking bar, is engaged behind by said counter locking bar. Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention make provision for the counter locking bar to have at least one supporting surface and, in the locking position thereof, to use the supporting surface thereof to block the locking bar or at least one of the locking bars in the locking position thereof. In other words, provision is therefore made in these embodiments for the supporting surface of the counter locking bar to support the locking bar, when both locking bar and counter locking bar are in the respective locking position, in such a manner that the locking bar can no longer be moved into the unlocking position thereof for as long as the counter locking bar is in the locking position thereof. In these embodiments, the counter locking bar therefore has to be brought first of all, or at least at the same time as the locking bar, from the locking position thereof into the unlocking position thereof so that the locking bar can be moved into the unlocking position thereof. Only when locking bar and counter locking bar are both correspondingly actuated can the buckle components be separated from one another.

[0010] For the sake of completeness, it is pointed out that, even if in the claims the locking bar and the counter locking bar are referred to in places only in the singular, the most varied embodiments are conceivable. The first buckle component can have one or even a plurality of locking bars, such as, for example, two, four or six locking bars, of the type depicted. The same also applies to the second buckle component. The latter can also have one or even two or more counter locking bars which operate in the manner depicted or interact with one locking bar or a plurality of locking bars of the first buckle component.

[0011] The connecting position of the buckle component is understood to be the position in which the buckle components have been brought so far toward one another and/or have been brought into contact with one another in an intermeshing manner such that the locking bar can be brought into the locking position thereof or assumes same automatically if said locking bar is not stopped from doing so, in particular by means of forces from the outside. The fact that the buckle components are in this connecting position, however, does not yet imply anything about the actual position of the locking bar and/or of the counter locking bar. In corresponding exemplary embodiments, the locking bar and counter locking bar can be in the connecting position of the buckle components both in the locking position thereof and in the unlocking position thereof. However, it is advantageously provided for the locking bar and/or the counter locking bar to be prestressed and, in the connecting position of the buckle components, to automatically assume the, preferably respective, locking position in so far as it or they are not prevented from doing so, in particular by forces acting from the outside.

[0012] The locking position of the locking bar is the position in which said locking bar engages behind the locking surface, which is assigned thereto, of the second buckle component. The unlocking position of the locking bar is the position in which the locking bar releases the locking surface of the second buckle component. So that the buckle components can be separated from one another, the locking bar or all of the locking bars of the first buckle component therefore have to be in the unlocking position. The locking position of the counter locking bar is the position in which the counter locking bar blocks the locking bar in the locking position thereof or engages behind a corresponding locking surface of the first buckle component. The unlocking position of the counter locking bar is in each case the position in which said counter locking bar releases the components mentioned. Engagement behind the respective buckle component with the locking bar and/or counter locking bar, and also the blocking of the locking bar in the locking position thereof by means of the supporting surface of the counter locking bar are advantageously effected via a corresponding positive locking action. The term engaging behind is to be understood in the most general version thereof also to fixing or fastening.

[0013] As a rule, the buckle components are designed in such a manner that one of the buckle components has a male, outwardly projecting extension, with which said buckle component engages in, or is introduced into, a corresponding recess of the other buckle component in the connecting position of the two buckle components. In this sense, it is customary to refer to a male and a female buckle component. However, mixed forms, in which the two buckle components have corresponding projections and recesses with which said buckle components then intermesh in each case in the connecting position, are also conceivable in the invention.

[0014] In preferred embodiments, provision is made for the first buckle component to have at least one elastic restoring element which prestresses the locking bar in the direction of the locking position thereof. The same advantageously also applies to the second buckle component and/or the counter locking bar. In this case too, provision is therefore advantageously made for the second buckle component to have at least one elastic restoring element which prestresses the counter locking bar in the direction of the locking position thereof. The restoring elements are in each case advantageously configured in such a manner that, as soon as the locking bar and/or counter locking bar are released, said restoring elements move said locking bar and/or counter locking bar back again into the respective locking position by means of the elastic restoring forces thereof. The elastic restoring elements can be designed in very different ways. They can be springs, in particular helical springs, leaf springs or the like, but also bodies made of elastomer, such as, for example, rubber rings, to name but a few examples. However, the elastic restoring elements can also be directly integrated into the locking bars and/or the counter locking bars by regions of correspondingly elastic design being present in the respective locking bar and/or counter locking bar, or by each thereof being of fully elastic design. The locking bar is advantageously mounted so as to be movable, preferably pivotable, in or on the first buckle component. By contrast, the counter locking bar is advantageously mounted so as to be movable, preferably displaceable, in or on the second buckle component, preferably in or on a housing of the second buckle component. Particularly preferred embodiments make provision for the counter locking bar to be displaceable back and forth between the locking position thereof and the unlocking position thereof, while the locking bar is advantageously pivotable back and forth between the locking position thereof and the unlocking position thereof. Of course, however, the locking bar can also be displaceable back and forth in a corresponding manner and/or the counter locking bar can be pivotable back and forth in a corresponding manner. The locking bar can be, for example, a component which is rigid per se and is mounted pivotable about a pivot axis. Alternatively and/or in addition, however, it is also conceivable for the locking bar to be a component which is elastically bendable per se, i.e., for example, is designed in the form of a spring tongue or has at least one such spring tongue.

[0015] In preferred embodiments of the invention, provision is made for the counter locking bar or the counter locking bars to be movable from the locking position thereof into the unlocking position thereof both by means of a release trigger and also by manual actuation on the buckle. So that, when the counter locking bar is actuated manually directly at the buckle, the release trigger, the transmission line and all of the other buckle assembly components connected in between do not have to be actuated at the same time, particularly preferred embodiments in this connection make provision for the counter locking bar or the counter locking bars to be movable from the locking position thereof into the unlocking position thereof by manual actuation of the buckle and also by means of a transmission part which is actuable by the release trigger, wherein the transmission part has a clearance for the manual actuation of the counter locking bar. The clearance ensures that an individual buckle can be actuated manually without the abovementioned components required for the remote release having to be moved at the same time.

[0016] In the connecting position of the buckle components, both locking bar and counter locking bar are advantageously intended to be able to be brought from the locking position thereof into the respective unlocking position by means of manual actuation from the outside. To this end, preferred embodiments of the invention make provision for a housing of the buckle, preferably of the second buckle component, to have at least one, preferably common, engagement opening which is accessible from the outside and for the locking bar and/or the counter locking bar, preferably in each case, to have at least one actuating surface, wherein the actuating surface or the actuating surfaces is or are manually actuable from the outside through the engagement opening in the connecting position of the buckle components and in the locking position of the locking bar and/or of the counter locking bar. In this case, it is in principle conceivable for locking bars and counter locking bars or for each locking bar and each counter locking bar to be provided with a dedicated engagement opening. Preferred embodiments, however, provide common engagement openings through which at least one locking bar and advantageously at least one counter locking bar are manually accessible or actuable at the same time from the outside.

[0017] Embodiments of the invention, in which the first buckle component has at least two, preferably at least four, locking bars which are mounted so as to be pivotable in at least two different pivoting planes which are preferably normal with respect to one another, are possible.

[0018] In principle, it should be pointed out that the buckles of the buckle assembly according to the invention can in each case have at least two, but also more than two, buckle components which can be locked to one another and separated from one another by means of locking bars and counter locking bars. The buckles are advantageously what are referred to as strap buckles which serve to connect different straps, which are fastened to the different buckle components, to one another by the buckle components being connected to one another. The buckle components here can in each case have receiving openings, which are known per se in the prior art, for attaching the straps. These may be receiving openings which permit adjustment of the strap. However, these may also be receiving openings at which the strap is fixed in one position. This is known per se in the case of strap buckles in the prior art and does not need further explanation.

[0019] As can already be seen from WO 2009/143464 A2, various types of transmission lines that are known per se in the prior art are suitable as the transmission line. In the course of the invention, one or more Bowden cables is or are particularly preferably used as transmission lines. However, corresponding tube or hose lines are also conceivable as transmission lines when the release trigger is intended to operate the counter locking bar pneumatically or hydraulically. Electric cables may also serve as transmission lines when the counter locking bar is intended to be actuated via a corresponding electromechanical or electrostatic drive. In the case of electric cables as transmission lines, use can also be made of magnets or electromagnetic components, such as, for example, coil arrangements, for moving the counter locking bar. In the case of pneumatic or hydraulic transmission lines, a corresponding piston/cylinder arrangement is advantageously provided for actuating the counter locking bar.

[0020] In principle, it is conceivable for the buckle arrangement to serve to be able to actuate a single buckle from a remote location by means of the release trigger.

[0021] However, buckle assemblies according to the invention may also have a plurality of buckles. In this case, provision is advantageously made for the buckle assembly to have a plurality of buckles which are connected via at least one, preferably in each case one, transmission line, preferably in the form of a Bowden cable, to the release trigger or to a coupling device connected to the release trigger, preferably via a transmission line. The coupling device here advantageously serves as a type of multiplication station which transmits the release pulse of the release trigger to all of the buckles which are connected thereto by means of transmission lines.

[0022] If the buckle assembly has a plurality of buckles and if the latter are intended to be actuable simultaneously by a single release trigger, this can very rapidly lead to considerable forces having to be applied to the release trigger in order to open all of the buckles. In order to avoid this, preferred embodiments of the invention make provision for a step-down gearing to be arranged and/or to act between the buckle or the buckles and the release trigger, preferably in the coupling device. The step-down gearing here ensures that, even in the event of a plurality of buckle assembly buckles to be actuated simultaneously, the forces to be exerted manually by the operator on the release trigger are kept within limits.

[0023] Such step-down gearings can in principle be designed in very different ways. In a preferred alternative, the step-down gearing has a guide path which runs spaced apart, preferably concentrically, with respect to an axis of rotation and is rotatable about the axis of rotation and is intended for a tension cable which is connected to the release trigger. By this means, a relatively small force can be converted into a large torque, thus making it more simply possible simultaneously to actuate a multiplicity of buckles with little effort.

[0024] Preferred embodiments of the invention make provision for a blocking device to act, preferably in the manner of a ratchet, on the step-down gearing, wherein the blocking device, in the blocking position thereof, blocks the step-down gearing in a restoring direction and, in the release position thereof, releases the step-down gearing in the restoring direction in order to restore the counter locking bar or the counter locking bars into the locking position thereof. In this context, "in the manner of a ratchet" should be understood as meaning a mechanism which, as known per se in the case of ratchets, for example by means of corresponding, intermeshing, spring-loaded toothings, permits a movement in one direction and blocks said movement in the opposite direction until a corresponding blocking device is brought into the release position thereof, thus permitting a restoring movement. If such a blocking device is used in the case of buckle assemblies according to the invention having a corresponding step-down gearing, it can be provided that, after the release trigger is actuated, the counter locking bar or the counter locking bars can only be moved back again from the unlocking position thereof into the locking position thereof when the blocking device is brought into the release position thereof and therefore the step-down gearing is released. For the restoring movement, elastic restoring elements, such as, for example, springs, can be integrated into the coupling device and/or the step-down gearing. However, it is just as readily possible, for the restoring movement of the counter locking bars, to provide exclusively elastic restoring elements which are integrated into the buckle or into the further buckle component. These elastic restoring elements in the buckles can then act directly or indirectly on the counter locking bar.

[0025] In the case of buckle assemblies according to the invention, by actuation of the release trigger, first of all only the counter locking bars are brought from the locking position thereof into the unlocking position thereof. However, this does not yet mean that the corresponding locking bars of the buckle or the buckles are also brought from the locking position thereof into the unlocking position thereof. This can be used as a safety measure if the forces required in order to actuate the locking bars are of such a magnitude that each locking bar has to be brought individually manually from the locking position thereof into the unlocking position. However, there are also alternatives according to the invention in which, after the counter locking bars are unlocked by means of release triggers not on each individual buckle, the respective locking bars have to be brought manually from the locking position thereof into the unlocking position thereof. These alternatives make provision for the locking bar and/or the locking surface to have at least one oblique surface, wherein the oblique surface is designed for assisting the movement of the locking bar from the locking position thereof into the unlocking position thereof when the first buckle component is pulled off from the further buckle component. In these alternatives, it is then possible for each locking bar no longer to have to be opened individually manually. On the contrary, it is then sufficient to pull on the first buckle component itself. The oblique surfaces then ensure that, after a certain force threshold value is exceeded, the locking bars are brought into the unlocking positions thereof by the oblique surfaces such that the first buckle components can be pulled off from the further buckle components. However, this preferably only takes place if the respective counter locking bars interacting with the locking bars are in the unlocking position thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The figures show preferred embodiments of the invention which will then be described below. In the figures:

[0027] FIGS. 1 to 4 show illustrations of a first exemplary embodiment according to the invention of a buckle assembly;

[0028] FIGS. 5 and 6 show an alternative embodiment of a release trigger, in particular for a buckle assembly according to the first exemplary embodiment;

[0029] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a second exemplary embodiment of the invention that is modified in relation to the first exemplary embodiment;

[0030] FIGS. 9 to 11 show a third alternative of the invention;

[0031] FIG. 12 shows a fourth alternative of the invention;

[0032] FIGS. 13 and 14 show an alternative embodiment of a release trigger, in particular for the alternative according to FIG. 12;

[0033] FIGS. 15 and 16 show a further exemplary embodiment according to the invention, this time with just one buckle, and

[0034] FIGS. 17 to 24 show various illustrations of a preferred embodiment of a buckle which can be used in the mentioned buckle assemblies according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] In the first exemplary embodiment, the buckle assembly according to the invention has four buckles 1. This is, of course, merely one example, as the alternatives of the invention below also show. Buckle assemblies according to the invention can have one, two, three, four, but also more buckles 1. The buckles 1 are connected to the coupling device 17 by means of the transmission lines 16. The coupling device 17 of the first exemplary embodiment is connected to the release trigger housing 25, and therefore to the release trigger 15, via a transmission line 16.

[0036] In the first exemplary embodiment, as also in all of the other exemplary embodiments shown here, Bowden cables are used as transmission lines 16. This is a highly operationally reliable and dependable form of the transmission line 16, but, as already explained at the beginning, is not the sole possibility of using buckle assemblies according to the invention. A Bowden cable, as is generally known, refers to a movable mechanical element for transmitting a tensile force by means of a flexibly layable combination of a tension cable 21, generally made of wire, and a sheath which is stable in the direction of extension.

[0037] In the first exemplary embodiment, as also in all of the exemplary embodiments described below, use is made of a single type of buckle. Of course, however, buckles 1 used for buckle assemblies according to the invention may also be configured differently. In the example shown, each buckle 1 has a first buckle component 2 and a further buckle component 3. In FIGS. 1 to 3, as also in most of the other figures, said buckle components are in the connecting position in which they are connected to each other and are locked to each other by locking bar 4 and counter locking bar 6. In FIGS. 1 to 3, the locking bars 4 of the first buckle components 2 and the counter locking bars 6 of the further buckle components 3 are in the respective locking position. In said locking position, each locking bar 4 of a first buckle component 2 engages behind a corresponding locking surface 5 of the respective further buckle component 3. In the exemplary embodiment shown, each locking bar 4 is locked in the locking position thereof by a counter locking bar 6 by means of a supporting surface 7. This is illustrated graphically in FIG. 18 in section and is explained in more detail further below.

[0038] In the exemplary embodiments shown, the further buckle components 3 each have a housing 10 into which the respective first buckle component 2 can be pushed and blocked there. In order to make locking bars 4 and counter locking bars 6 accessible in the event of manual actuation of the buckle, the housing 10 in each case has an engagement opening 12 in which the actuating surfaces 13 of the locking bars 4 and the actuating surfaces 14 of the counter locking bars 6 are accessible from the outside and are actuable. In order to bring the counter locking bars 6 manually on the respective buckle 1 from the locking position thereof into the unlocking position thereof, the respective actuating surface 14 has to be pressed, for example, by one finger in each case. If, by corresponding pressing on the actuating surface 14, the respective counter locking bar 6 is in the unlocking position thereof, then, by pressing against the corresponding actuating surface 13 of the associated locking bar 4, the latter can also be brought from the locking position thereof into the unlocking position. If all of the locking bars 4 and counter locking bars 6 of a respective buckle 1 are in the unlocking position thereof, the first buckle component 2 can be separated from the further buckle component 3. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first, here male, buckle component 2 is pulled out of the housing 10 of the further, here female, buckle component 3. Upon this manual actuation, the buckles 1 can be opened individually or successively.

[0039] In order to bring all of the counter locking bars 6 from the locking position thereof into the unlocking position thereof at the same time, it suffices to pull centrally on the release trigger 15.

[0040] In order to comprehend the mechanism which is triggered in the process, reference is made in particular to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a top view in which the cover 30 of the coupling device housing 36 of the coupling device 17 has been removed. FIG. 3 shows an exploded illustration in which the construction of the coupling device 17 can be seen particularly readily. In the first exemplary embodiment, the release trigger housing 25 and the coupling device 17 are, as stated, components which are separate from each other and are connected to each other via a Bowden cable 16. By pulling on the release trigger 15, the tension cable 21 of the Bowden cable 16 connecting the release trigger housing 25 to the coupling device 17 is pulled for a distance out of the release trigger housing 25. At the opposite end, said tension cable is connected to or fixed on a rotary pulley 33 of the step-down gearing 18, in a tension cable fixing means 43. The rotary pulley 33 has a guide path 20 which runs spaced apart, preferably concentrically, from the axis of rotation 19 and is rotatable here together with the rotary pulley 33 about the axis of rotation 19. The tension cable 21, which is connected to the release trigger 15, is guided on said rotatable guide path 20 and is fixed in the tension cable fixing means 43. By this means, pulling on the release trigger 15 causes the rotary pulley 33 to rotate about the axis of rotation 19 thereof in the coupling device housing 36. By means of a concentric configuration of the guide path 20 with respect to the axis of rotation 19, a constant torque is achieved upon pulling on the release trigger 15. By rotation of the guide path 20, the rotary pulley gearwheel 34, which is integrally formed in this exemplary embodiment on the rotary pulley 33, is also rotated about the axis of rotation 19. This rotary pulley gearwheel 34 engages in a rack 32 of a compensating rocker support 31. The compensating rocker support 31 is illustrated separately once again in FIG. 4 and is mounted on the guide body 28 so as to be displaceable in the coupling device housing 36. By pulling on the release trigger 15, the compensating rocker support 31 is displaced along the guide body 28 via the rotary pulley 33, which forms the step-down gearing 18 here, in conjunction with said compensating rocker support 31. During this movement the compensating rocker support 31 entrains, via the compensating rockers 26, the tension cables 21, which are fixed on the compensating rockers 26 by means of the corresponding tension cable fixing means 43, of the Bowden cables 16 leading to the individual buckles 1. The compensating rockers 26 are each rotatable about the compensating rocker pivot points 27 thereof and, by means of twisting of the respective Bowden cable 16, compensate for possible deviations in the tensioning distance between the individual Bowden cables 16. The Bowden cables 16 transmit the tensioning movement to the respective buckles 1. In each buckle, the tension cables 21 are fixed on the transmission parts 23. By tension being applied to the tension cable 21, the transmission parts 23 are in each case displaced within the buckle 1 in such a manner that they displace the respective counter locking bar 6 from the locking position thereof into the unlocking position thereof. How this takes place in detail will be explained further below with reference to FIGS. 17 to 24.

[0041] In the exemplary embodiment shown, a ratchet mechanism is integrated in the step-down gearing 18, said ratchet mechanism locking the step-down gearing 18 in the restoring direction thereof for as long as the blocking device 22 is in the blocking position thereof. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the blocking device 22 is a lever which is pivotable about the blocking device axis of rotation 37 fixed on the coupling device housing 36. The spring 29 presses said lever of the blocking device 22 into the blocking position thereof. The toothing 11 formed on the blocking device 22 engages in the toothing 35 of the rotary pulley 33. The toothing engagement between the toothings 11 and 35 is configured in such a manner that, when the release trigger 15 is pulled, the rotary pulley 33, and therefore the guide path 20, can be rotated at the same time in said direction, but is blocked in the opposite direction. This has the consequence that, after the release trigger 15 is drawn completely out of the release trigger housing 25, the counter locking bars 6 of the buckles 1 remain in the unlocking position thereof until the blocking devices 22 are brought into the release position thereof, by pressure being applied to the actuating surface 44, in which release position the toothings 11 and 35 are no longer in engagement with each other and the restoring elements 9, which here, in this exemplary embodiment, act directly on the counter locking bars 6, can bring the entire mechanism back again into the starting position, in which the counter locking bars 6 are in the locking position thereof.

[0042] FIGS. 5 and 6 show an alternative exemplary embodiment of a release trigger 15 for the first exemplary embodiment. The release trigger housing 25 here is reduced to the abutment 38. The entire abutment 38 is illustrated in FIG. 5. In FIG. 6, the cover plate of the abutment 38 has been omitted, and therefore the fastening of the sheath of the Bowden cable 16 is seen. The alternative of a release trigger 15 that is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 makes no change to the described operation of the first exemplary embodiment.

[0043] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a second exemplary embodiment according to the invention which substantially corresponds to the first exemplary embodiment, and therefore only the differences will be discussed here. FIG. 7 shows an external view and, in FIG. 8, the cover 30 of the coupling device housing 36 has been removed. The substantial difference over the first exemplary embodiment consists in that a Bowden cable 16 between the release trigger 15 and the coupling device 17 and, correspondingly, also a release trigger housing 25 or an abutment 38 has been omitted. In this second exemplary embodiment, the release trigger 15 is arranged directly on the coupling device 17. This makes no change to the operation of said release trigger and to the entire operation of the step-down gearing 18.

[0044] FIGS. 9 to 11 show a third exemplary embodiment according to the invention of a buckle assembly having only two buckles 1. FIG. 9 again shows an external view, and FIG. 10 shows an illustration in which the cover 30 has been removed from the coupling device 17. FIG. 11 shows an exploded illustration of the third exemplary embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, by means of a reduction in the number of buckles 1, the number of compensating rockers 26 required is also reduced. A single compensating rocker 26 to which the tension cables 21 of the two buckles 1 are fixed in the tension cable fixing means 43 suffices here. Otherwise, the operation likewise corresponds to that described in the first exemplary embodiment.

[0045] FIG. 12 shows by way of example a fourth exemplary embodiment according to the invention having two coupling devices 17. In FIG. 12, the cover 30 has again been removed from the coupling devices 17, and therefore it is possible to see into the interior of the coupling device housing 36. The coupling device 17 provided for activation by four buckles 1 corresponds to the first exemplary embodiment. The second coupling device 17, which is connected to only two buckles 1, corresponds to the third exemplary embodiment. However, the two coupling devices 17 are connected to a release trigger housing 25 via a Bowden cable 16. A pulling on the common release trigger 15 actuates the two coupling devices 17 simultaneously and therefore all of the buckles 1 of this exemplary embodiment. In order to provide a compensating possibility in this case, in this exemplary embodiment a compensating rocker 26, which is rotatable about the compensating rocker pivot point 27, is likewise provided on the carriage 45, which is mounted in a longitudinally displaceable manner in the release trigger housing 25.

[0046] FIGS. 13 and 14 show a release trigger 15 which is usable as an alternative in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 12 and into which the length-compensating function for the tension cables 21 is directly integrated. This involves a common tension cable 21 which is guided around a compensating path 39 within a release trigger 15 which is of two-shell-type construction here. In FIG. 14, the release trigger housing 25 of this exemplary embodiment is illustrated in open form such that the compensating path 39 can be seen. For the fastening of the sheaths or casings of the Bowden cables 16, a corresponding abutment 38, which is likewise illustrated in open form in FIG. 14, is also provided here.

[0047] FIGS. 15 and 16 show an exemplary embodiment of the invention in which the buckle assembly has a single buckle 1. The latter is directly connected via a corresponding Bowden cable 16 to the release trigger 15, which is arranged remotely. In this manner, even with just a single buckle 1, the counter locking bars 16 can be remotely actuated by pulling on the release trigger 15. Since, in this exemplary embodiment, when the release trigger 15 is pulled, the counter locking bar 6 of a single buckle 1 merely has to be pulled counter to the restoring elements 9, a coupling device 17 and a corresponding step-down gearing 18 have been omitted here.

[0048] FIGS. 17 to 24 now show different illustrations of the buckles 1 as used in the exemplary embodiments described previously. Only a single buckle 1 or the components thereof are illustrated in each case. FIG. 17 shows a side view and the section plane AA. FIG. 18 shows the section along the section plane AA. FIG. 19 shows a top view of the buckle 1 and the section plane BB. The section along the section plane BB is illustrated in FIG. 20. In FIG. 21, the buckle 1 is illustrated in an exploded illustration. FIG. 22 shows the transmission part 23. FIG. 23 shows a pair of counter locking bars 6. FIG. 24 shows the first buckle component 2 in a separate illustration.

[0049] In FIGS. 17 to 20, the locking bars 4 of the first buckle component 2 and the counter locking bars 6 of the further buckle component 3 are in each case in the locking position thereof. In said locking position, the locking bars 4 each engage behind a locking surface 5 of the further buckle component 3. In this position, the counter locking bars 6 use the supporting surfaces 7 thereof to block the locking bars 4 in the locking position thereof. In order to be able to bring the locking bars 4 into the unlocking position thereof, in this exemplary embodiment the counter locking bars 6 have to be brought into the unlocking position thereof so that the supporting surfaces 7 release the locking bars 4. This can take place, as already described, manually by reaching, for example, with one finger in each case into the engagement openings 12 and pressing on the actuating surfaces 13 and 14 of locking bar 4 and counter locking bar 6. By means of this manual actuation, the counter locking bars 6 are pushed back counter to the prestress of the restoring elements 9, which are designed here as helical springs, into the further buckle component 3 such that the supporting surfaces 7 release the locking bars 4. By appropriate pressure being applied to the actuating surfaces 13 thereof, the locking bars 4 can then be pivoted inwards. In the process, pressure has to be exerted counter to the resilient limbs 8, which are designed as restoring elements, of the locking bars 4. If locking bars 4 and counter locking bars 6 are in the unlocking position, the first buckle component 2 can be pulled out of the housing 10 of the further buckle component 3.

[0050] In order then to be able to bring the counter locking bars 6 from the locking position thereof into the unlocking position thereof not only manually by means of the actuating surfaces 14 thereof but also remotely via the release trigger 15 and the transmission line 16, a transmission part 23 which is mounted in a longitudinally displaceable manner is provided in the buckle 1. This transmission part has a tension cable fixing means 43 into which a tension cable 21 of a corresponding transmission line or of a corresponding Bowden cable 16 can be fitted. A control pin 40 of the transmission part 23 engages in a free space 41 in the counter locking bars 6. This free space 41 is bounded by the stops 42. By pulling on the tension cable 21, which is not illustrated here but is fastened to the transmission part 23, the transmission part 23 is displaced in the housing 10 of the further buckle component 3. As soon as the control pin 40 of said transmission part comes into contact with the corresponding stops 42 of the counter locking bar 6, the counter locking bars 6 are carried along and, by compression of the restoring elements 9, pulled into the unlocking position such that the counter locking bars 6 thereby release the locking bars 4 by means of remote triggering. The geometry of the free space 41 and of the stops 42 is dimensioned in such a manner that, when the counter locking bars 6 are manually actuated, a clearance is provided between the transmission part 23 and the control pin 40 thereof such that, when the counter locking bars 6 are manually actuated, the transmission part 23 is not carried along but rather enters into action only in the event of remote triggering via the transmission line 16.

[0051] It can be seen particularly readily in FIG. 24 that, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the locking bars 4 are equipped with oblique surfaces 24 with which said locking bars bear against the locking surfaces 5. The existence of the oblique surfaces 24 makes it possible, when the counter locking bars 6 are in the unlocking position thereof by means of remote control, to bring the locking bars 4, by appropriately firm pulling on the first buckle component 2, into the unlocking position thereof without having to press against the actuating surfaces 13. This serves to the effect that, for example, in an emergency situation, after the counter locking bars 6 have been brought into the unlocking position thereof by means of remote triggering, the locking bars 4 of the various buckles 1 of the system do not have to be released individually, but rather, by means of appropriately vigorous pulling on the first buckle components 2 or straps connected thereto, the locking bars 4 can be brought into the unlocking position thereof in order thereby to be able to separate the buckle components 2 and 3 from each other. The forces required for this purpose depend on the angle of the oblique surfaces 24 and on the elastic properties of the restoring elements 8 of the locking bars 4 and can thus also be set in a corresponding manner. For the sake of completeness, it should be pointed out that, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the locking surfaces 5 and the locking bars 4 have corresponding oblique surfaces for resisting the movement of the respective locking bar 4 from the locking position thereof into the unlocking position thereof when the first buckle component 2 is pulled off from the further buckle component 3. However, corresponding oblique surfaces 24 can also be provided only on the locking bar 4 or on the locking surface 5. It should also be pointed out, for the sake of completeness, that the restoring elements 8 and 9 of the locking bars 4 and counter locking bars 6 can also be designed differently. In both cases, resilient regions of the respective locking bars or counter locking bars or additional spring elements, such as, for example, the restoring elements 9 realized here may be involved. Furthermore, however, it should also be pointed out that counter locking bars 6 and locking bars 4 can carry out both a pivoting movement and a linear movement on their path from the locking position thereof into the unlocking position thereof and back.

[0052] Strap fastening slots which are visible in the figures and with which the buckle components 2 and 3 can be fastened to straps or the like are provided on the buckle components 2 and 3. Of course, other fastening means for fastening the buckle components 2 and 3 to straps or to other bodies can also be provided on the buckle components 2 and 3. The same also applies for all of the other components of the buckle arrangement according to the invention. For example, fastening means, such as, for example, strap slots, for fastening said components to straps or to other bodies, can also be provided on the coupling device 17, the release trigger housing 25, the abutments 38 or else on the transmission lines 16.

TABLE-US-00001 Key to the reference numbers: 1 Buckle 2 First buckle component 3 Further buckle component 4 Locking bar 5 Locking surface 6 Counter locking bar 7 Supporting surface 8 Restoring element 9 Restoring element 10 Housing 11 Toothing 12 Engagement opening 13 Actuating surface 14 Actuating surface 15 Release trigger 16 Transmission line 17 Coupling device 18 Step-down gearing 19 Axis of rotation 20 Guide path 21 Tension cable 22 Blocking device 23 Transmission part 24 Oblique surface 25 Release trigger housing 26 Compensating rocker 27 Compensating rocker pivot point 28 Guide body 29 Spring 30 Cover 31 Compensating rocker support 32 Rack 33 Rotary pulley 34 Rotary pulley gearwheel 35 Toothing 36 Coupling device housing 37 Blocking device axis of rotation 38 Abutment 39 Compensating path 40 Control pin 41 Free space 42 Stop 43 Tension cable fixing means 44 Actuating surface 45 Carriage

Claims

1. A buckle assembly comprising at least one buckle and at least one release trigger, the buckle has a first buckle component and at least one further buckle component, the first buckle component has at least one locking bar which is movable back and forth between a locking position of the locking bar and an unlocking position of the locking bar, in a connecting position of the buckle components, the locking bar, in the locking position thereof, engages behind a locking surface of the at least one further buckle component in order to lock the two buckle components to each other, and, in order to separate the buckle components, the locking bar is movable into the unlocking position thereof, a release trigger is connected by at least one transmission line to at least one of the buckle components, and the further buckle component has at least one counter locking bar which is movable from a locking position of the counter locking bar into an unlocking position of the counter locking bar by actuation of the release trigger.

2. The buckle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the counter locking bar has at least one supporting surface and, in the locking position thereof, the supporting surface blocks the at least one locking bar in the locking position thereof.

3. The buckle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first buckle component has at least one elastic restoring element which prestresses the locking bar in a direction of the locking position thereof.

4. The buckle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking bar is displaceable back and forth or is pivotable back and forth between the locking position thereof and the unlocking position thereof.

5. The buckle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a housing of the buckle has at least one engagement opening which is accessible from outside, and at least one of the locking bar or the counter locking bar has at least one actuating surface, and the actuating surface or surfaces is or are manually actuable from the outside through the engagement opening in the connecting position of the buckle components and in the locking position of at least one of the locking bar or of the counter locking bar.

6. The buckle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buckle assembly has a plurality of buckles which are connected via at least one transmission line to the release trigger or to a coupling device connected to the release trigger.

7. The buckle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a step-down gearing acts between the buckle or the buckles and the release trigger.

8. The buckle assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the step-down gearing has a guide path which runs spaced apart with respect to an axis of rotation and is rotatable about the axis of rotation and is intended for a tension cable which is connected to the release trigger.

9. The buckle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one counter locking bar is movable from the locking position thereof into the unlocking position thereof by manual actuation of the buckle and also by a transmission part which is actuable by the release trigger, and the transmission part has a clearance for the manual actuation of the counter locking bar.

10. The buckle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the locking bar or the locking surface has at least one oblique surface, and the oblique surface assists the movement of the locking bar from the locking position thereof into the unlocking position thereof when the first buckle component is pulled off from the further buckle component.

11. The buckle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmission line comprises a Bowden cable.

12. The buckle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the counter locking bar has at least one supporting surface and, in the locking position thereof, the supporting surface blocks the at least one of the locking bars in the locking position thereof.

13. The buckle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second buckle component has at least one elastic restoring element which prestresses the counter locking bar in a direction of the locking position thereof.

14. The buckle assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second buckle component has at least one elastic restoring element which prestresses the counter locking bar in a direction of the locking position thereof.

15. The buckle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the counter locking bar is displaceable back and forth or is pivotable back and forth between the locking position thereof and the unlocking position thereof.

16. The buckle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step-down gearing is arranged in a coupling device connected to the release trigger.

17. The buckle assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein a blocking device acts on the step-down gearing, the blocking device, in a blocking position thereof, blocks the step-down gearing in a restoring direction and, in a release position thereof, releases the step-down gearing in the restoring direction in order to restore the at least one counter locking bar into the locking position thereof.

18. The buckle assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the blocking device is arranged as ratchet on the step-down gearing.