U.S. patent application number 14/611478 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-04 for field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sea to Summit Pty Ltd. Invention is credited to Paramjeet Singh.
Application Number | 20150150341 14/611478 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50028589 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150150341 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Singh; Paramjeet |
June 4, 2015 |
FIELD REPLACEABLE BUCKLE WITH REINSTALLABLE CROSS BAR
Abstract
A field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar includes
at least one buckle part having a pair of lateral lugs extending
therefrom. Each lateral lug has at least one aperture provided
therein. The reinstallable cross bar includes a securing portion
and a retaining portion. When the reinstallable cross bar is
inserted through an aperture in a first lateral lug, it is
prevented from passing therethrough by the retaining portion and
the securing portion is operable to securely, but releasably,
engage an aperture in the second lateral lug.
Inventors: |
Singh; Paramjeet; (East
Perth, AU) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sea to Summit Pty Ltd |
East Perth |
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AU |
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|
Family ID: |
50028589 |
Appl. No.: |
14/611478 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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PCT/AU2012/000911 |
Aug 2, 2012 |
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14611478 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
24/303 ; 24/163R;
24/197 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B 11/006 20130101;
Y10T 24/32 20150115; Y10T 24/40 20150115; A44D 2203/00 20130101;
Y10T 24/4086 20150115 |
International
Class: |
A44B 11/00 20060101
A44B011/00 |
Claims
1. A field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar, where
the buckle comprises at least one buckle part having a pair of
lateral lugs extending therefrom and each lateral lug has at least
one aperture provided therein and where the reinstallable cross bar
includes a securing portion and a retaining portion, such that when
the reinstallable cross bar is inserted through an aperture in a
first lateral lug it is prevented from passing therethrough by the
retaining portion and the securing portion is operable to securely,
but releasably, engage an aperture in the second lateral lug.
2. The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar
according to claim 1, where the aperture in the second lateral lug
has a depth and the securing portion has a substantially
corresponding length.
3. The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar
according to claim 1, wherein the securing portion is a self
tapping threaded end.
4. The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar
according to claim 3, wherein the self tapping threaded end cuts
into side walls of the aperture in the second lateral lug as it is
received therein by the application of rotational force.
5. The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar
according to claim 1, wherein the securing portion is magnetised to
a first polarity and the aperture in the second lateral lug is
magnetised to a second polarity such that the securing portion is
retained within the second lateral lug through magnetic forces.
6. The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar
according to claim 1, wherein the securing portion takes the form
of a notch and the aperture in the second lateral lug incorporates
a spring loaded latch, the spring loaded latch biased to engage the
notch when the securing portion is received within the second
lateral lug.
7. The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar
according to claim 1, wherein the securing portion takes the form
of a bolt stud adapted to be securely received within a nut
positioned adjacent the aperture in the second lateral lug in such
a manner as to ensure at least a portion of the cross bar is
securely retained within the second lateral lug.
8. The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar
according to claim 1, wherein the retaining portion incorporates a
depressed slot to facilitate the imparting of rotational force to
the securing portion.
9. The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar
according to claim 1, wherein the reinstallable cross bar, when
received within the apertures, is sufficiently spaced from the
buckle part to allow at least a portion of a capturing loop to be
received therethrough.
10. The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar
according to claim 1, further comprising a shaft portion interposed
between the retaining portion and the securing portion, the shaft
portion having a smooth surface.
11. The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar
according to claim 1, wherein the aperture in the first lateral lug
has a matching shape and dimension to the shape and dimension of
the retaining portion so as to ensure that the retaining portion is
flush with an outer surface of the first lateral lug when received
therein.
12. The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar
according to claim 1 wherein the reinstallable cross bar is made
from stainless steel.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a field replaceable cross bar for
buckles. The invention is particularly suited to side release
buckles consisting of one male and one female component which are
releasably lockable together, and where webbing is looped around a
single cross bar provided in the proximate end of at least one of
the components.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The following discussion of the background to the invention
is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present
invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is
not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material
referred to was published, known or part of the common general
knowledge in any jurisdiction as at the priority date of the
application.
[0003] A side release buckle as described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,794,316 assigned to National Moulding Corp. is an example of a
fastening device common to the art. The most common use of this
type of buckle is to fasten together two entities by way of webbing
or straps. In such a configuration, the buckle typically consists
of two components--a female socket part and a male plug part.
Furthermore, each of these parts typically consists of two
sections: [0004] an engaging section at a distal end; and [0005] an
attachment section at a proximal end; and
[0006] The engaging section typically incorporates the mating
component to allow the two parts to securely connect in a
releasable manner. The attachment section generally comprises a
slot and cross bar arrangement for attaching the webbing or
strap.
[0007] In some configurations, the webbing or strap is threaded
through a slot to form a loop around a cross bar and then fixed on
to itself through stitching or other form of securing mechanism
(for example, a rivet). The portion of the webbing or strap that
encapsulates the cross bar is hereafter referred to as the
capturing loop.
[0008] A similar capturing loop is formed in buckles that commonly
employ what is known in the art as a ladder lock configuration.
Such buckles comprise a single component and is fixedly attached to
one entity by means of a capturing loop formed around one cross
bar. The buckle is then adjustably attached to a second entity by
way of webbing alone. This adjustable attachment is achieved by
virtue of the path the webbing takes as it is threaded around one
or more other components of the buckle.
[0009] There are two problems with these structures. Firstly,
during production of side release buckles of the first
configuration type, the minimum width of the sewing foot of the
sewing machine does not allow the stitching to be executed very
close to the captured cross bar. This leaves the capturing loop
loose around the cross bar. The freedom of movement resulting from
this loose fitting is not desirable in some applications where the
webbing must remain proud and resist twisting away from the plane
of the webbing.
[0010] The second problem with these structures is that these
buckles, whether of the first or second configuration described,
are typically formed from moulded plastic. This plastic is prone to
break with extended use or in the case of accidental impact. When
broken, as the cross bar forms an integral part of a mating
component, there is no way to fix the buckle connection unless the
stitching or other securing mechanism is reversed and the webbing
re-threaded about the replacement buckle. This often cannot be
achieved in a field situation or without the aid of specialised
machines or tools.
[0011] This problem is further exacerbated when it is considered
that such buckles are extensively used in equipment for outdoor and
adventure sports and the whole article can be rendered useless or
sub-par if a buckle does not work properly. This can also have
serious consequences for the user.
[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar and
thus overcome the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY
[0013] Throughout this document, unless otherwise indicated to the
contrary, the terms "comprising", "consisting of", and the like,
are to be construed as non-exhaustive, or in other words, as
meaning "including, but not limited to".
[0014] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention
there is a field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar
for a buckle, where the buckle comprises at least one buckle part
having a pair of lateral lugs extending therefrom and each lateral
lug has at least one aperture provided therein and where the
reinstallable cross bar includes a securing portion and a retaining
portion, such that when the reinstallable cross bar is inserted
through an aperture in a first lateral lug it is prevented from
passing therethrough by the retaining portion and the securing
portion is operable to securely, but releasably, engage an aperture
in the second lateral lug.
[0015] Preferably, the aperture in the second lateral lug has a
depth and the securing portion has a substantially corresponding
length.
[0016] The securing portion may take the form of a self tapping
threaded end. The self tapping threaded end ideally cuts into side
walls of the aperture in the second lateral lug as it is received
therein by the application of rotational force.
[0017] Alternatively: [0018] the securing portion is magnetised to
a first polarity and the aperture in the second lateral lug is
magnetised to a second polarity such that the securing portion is
retained within the second lateral lug through magnetic forces.
[0019] the securing portion takes the form of a notch and the
aperture in the second lateral lug incorporates a spring loaded
latch, the spring loaded latch biased to engage the notch when the
securing portion is received within the second lateral lug [0020]
the securing portion takes the form of a bolt stud adapted to be
securely received within a nut positioned adjacent the aperture in
the second lateral lug in such a manner as to ensure at least a
portion of the cross bar is securely retained within the second
lateral lug.
[0021] The retaining portion may incorporate a depressed slot to
facilitate the imparting of rotational force to the securing
portion.
[0022] Preferably, when received within the apertures, the
reinstallable cross bar is sufficiently spaced from the buckle part
to allow at least a portion of a capturing loop to be received
therethrough.
[0023] The reinstallable cross bar may further comprise a shaft
portion interposed between the retaining portion and the securing
portion, the shaft portion having a smooth surface.
[0024] In an alternate configuration, the aperture in the first
lateral lug has a matching shape and dimension to the shape and
dimension of the retaining portion so as to ensure that the
retaining portion is flush with an outer surface of the first
lateral lug when received therein.
[0025] The reinstallable cross bar may be made from stainless
steel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The invention will now be described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0027] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a buckle incorporating the
present invention.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the buckle shown in FIG. 1 as
installed in capturing loops and as engaged.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention there
is a buckle 1 comprising a male prong part 2 and a female socket
part 3. Each of the male prong part 2 and female socket part 3 also
incorporates a cross bar 4.
[0030] The male prong part 2 and female prong part 3 are moulded
from Polyoxymethylene.
[0031] The male prong part 2 consists of two lateral prongs 12 and
a central spine 13. The lateral prongs 12 have a spring
cantilevered stem portion 14 terminating in a bulbous end 15. The
bulbous end 15 contains a shoulder with a "U"-shaped engaging
surface 16. The "U"-shaped engaging surface 16 locks against a
similar "U"-shaped wall surface 17 on a lateral aperture 10 of the
female socket part 3. This locking arrangement is primarily a
result of the dimensional overlap caused when the male prong part 2
is inserted into the female socket part 3.
[0032] The central spine 13 is located between the two lateral
prongs 12. Provided within the central spine 13 are longitudinal
channels 18. The longitudinal channels 18 are disposed on opposite
faces 19 to correspond to central ribs 8 contained inside cavity 6
of the female socket part 3. To elaborate, the central ribs 8 slide
inside the longitudinal channels 18 when the male prong part 2 is
inserted into the female socket part 3. This ensures a symmetrical
engagement in a straight line between the male prong part 2 and
female prong part 3.
[0033] The female socket part 3 consists of a cavity 6 in the main
body 5. The cavity 6 has an engaging opening 7 at its distal end 6
in a well known configuration. The cavity 6 contains two central
ribs 8 on opposing inside faces 9. The cavity 6 also has lateral
apertures 10, in the form of two secondary openings, on side walls
30.
[0034] A pair of lateral lugs 11 are provided in the respective
proximal ends 31, 32 of male plug part 2 and female socket part 3.
Each pair of lateral lugs 11 are designed to accommodate a buckle
pin which acts as a single cross bar 4 for a capturing loop 20 of
the webbing 21.
[0035] To accommodate the cross bar, one of the lateral lugs 11a
has a through countersunk hole 22 provided therein. The countersunk
hole 22 is sized to fit a screw head 23 of the cross bar 4. The
other lateral lug 11b contains an opposing hole 24 sized to enable
a self tapping threaded end 25 of the cross bar 4 to cut threads in
the walls of the hole and thus allow the cross bar 4 to be securely
retained in the lateral lugs 11. When so secured, the cross bar 4
bridges the pair of lateral lugs 11.
[0036] The position of the through countersunk hole 22 and the
opposing hole 24 in their respective lateral lugs 11 is
sufficiently spaced from the operative portions 5, 18 of their
respective part 2, 3 so as to create a slot 29 between such
operative portions 5, 18 and the cross bar 4 when received therein.
Furthermore, the slot 29 must be of sufficient width to allow the
webbing 21 to be threaded therethrough and around the cross bar 4
so as to create the capturing loop 20.
[0037] Each cross bar 4 comprises a screw head 23, a self tapping
threaded end 25 and a shaft part 33. The head part 23 is tapered in
a countersunk fashion as would be well known to the person skilled
in the art. Furthermore the head part 23 is dimensioned so as to
fit through countersunk hole 22. This allows the head part 23 to
sit flush and in level with top surface 27 of lateral lug 11b when
the cross bar 4 is properly inserted in through countersunk hole
22.
[0038] The screw head 23 also has a cross-shaped depressed slot 28
provided therein to facilitate removal of the cross bar 4 by way of
a Philips screw driver.
[0039] The self tapping threaded end 25 has a series of threads
which are sufficiently sharp enough to cut threads into side walls
(not shown) of opposing hole 24. In this preferred embodiment, the
threaded end 25 has a length roughly equal to the depth of the
opposing hole 24.
[0040] The shaft part has a smooth external machine finish to
minimise abrasion on the webbing 21.
[0041] Each cross bar 4 is made from stainless steel.
[0042] This embodiment will now be described and further explained
in the context of its intended use.
[0043] A first webbing 21a is obtained and a capturing loop 20
formed therein.
[0044] Simultaneously, or thereafter, a second webbing 21b is
obtained and a capturing loop 20 also formed therein.
[0045] In both cases, the capturing loop 20 is sized and
dimensioned such that there is very little free space provided
therein once a cross bar 4 extends therethrough.
[0046] With the capturing loops 20 formed, each piece of webbing 21
is positioned such that the axis (A-A) of the capturing loop 20
aligns with the countersunk hole 22 and opposing hole 24 of its
respective part 2, 3.
[0047] With respect to each part 2, 3, a cross bar 4 is then
inserted first through the countersunk hole 22 with the self
tapping threaded end 25 leading. Following clearance of the
countersunk hole 22, the self tapping threaded end 25 enters the
capturing loop 20 in line with axis (A-A). The cross bar 4 then
continues to be inserted through the capturing loop 20 until such
time as the self tapping threaded end 25 meets opposing hole 24. At
this position, a Philips head screwdriver must engage the cross
shaped depressed slot 28 to impart rotational force to the cross
bar 4.
[0048] This rotational force allows the sharpened threads of the
self tapping threaded end 25 to cut into the side walls of the
opposing hole 24. This continues until all of the threads of the
self tapping threaded end 25 are received within the opposing hole
24, leaving the capturing loop 20 encapsulating the smooth surface
of the shaft part 33.
[0049] With the webbing 21 now appropriately secured to their
respective parts 2, 3, a secured, releasable buckle 1 is formed as
follows.
[0050] As the bulbous ends 15 of each lateral prong 12 slopes
towards its distal end 34, when the distal end 34 of the male prong
part 2 is inserted into an engaging opening 7 at the distal end 26
of the cavity 6, the bulbous ends 15 engage with the lateral walls
19 of the cavity 6 and cause the lateral prongs 12 to compress and
flex towards the central spine 13. This enables the male prong part
2 to be progressively narrowed while being inserted into the cavity
6.
[0051] When the male prong part 2 has reached its maximum inserted
position within the female socket part 3, the lateral prongs 12 are
no longer constrained by the cavity 6. As a result, the accumulated
flexing force of the lateral prongs 12 is released, causing them to
spring outwards. This movement also sees the bulbous ends 15 snap
into lateral apertures 10 located near the proximal end of the
female socket part 3.
[0052] At this point, the shoulder 16 of the male prong 12 and the
wall surface 17 of the lateral aperture 10 overlap dimensionally
and thereby create a secure mechanical connection between the male
prong part 2 and the female socket part 3.
[0053] The buckle 1 may thereafter be released by applying inward
pressure to the lateral prongs 12 such that they move towards the
central spine 13. As this inward pressure increases, the lateral
prongs 12 will reach a point where the bulbous ends 15 can
disengage from the lateral apertures 10. When so disengaged, the
male prong part 2 can then be removed from the female socket part
3, by applying a separating force to one or both respective
webbings 21.
[0054] Once disengaged, the cross bar 4 may then be removed by
reversing the process described above. This can then allow the
buckle 1 to be replaced as required.
[0055] It should be readily apparent to the person skilled in the
art that the above description illustrates a buckle 1 which can
easily be replaced in the field in the event that the buckle is
rendered useless due to damage to any of its constituent parts.
Similarly, it should be noted by the person skilled in the art that
as the cross bar 4 is not an integral component of either part 2, 3
the technical limitations of sewing machines as described above
becomes irrelevant. Rather the countersunk hole 22 and opposing
hole 24 can be placed anywhere in the lateral lugs 11 provided that
this creates a slot 29 of sufficient size to allow a relevant
portion of the capturing loop 20 to pass therethrough.
[0056] It should also be appreciated by the person skilled in the
art that the above invention is not limited to the embodiment
described. In particular, the following modifications and
improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the
present invention: [0057] The male prong part 2 and female prong
part 3 may also be made of Poly Amide copolymer plastics or resins
but any suitable material known in the art for moulding or
machining side release buckles can be used. [0058] Similarly, the
cross bars 4 may be made from any material known in the art for
moulding or machining bolts, pins or screws. [0059] The buckle 1
may take a form other than the side release buckle described above.
For instance, the buckle 1 may take any other two-part form used to
latch two webbing parts or straps together. In this respect, the
securing mechanism for fixing the webbing parts or straps together
can take any form that incorporates a bar and capturing loop
configuration as would be known to the person skilled in the art.
[0060] It should also be noted that in two part buckle
configurations, only one part need employ a cross bar 4. The other
part may take the form of a double slot arrangement in which the
webbing 21 is simply threaded through these slots. This is a common
arrangement in situations where the buckle 1 is not designed to be
captured at a fixed location along the webbing 21. [0061]
Similarly, the invention may also be employed in single part
buckles employing a ladder lock configuration as described above.
[0062] An end of the webbing 21 not attached to one of the parts 2,
3 may be affixed to an article. Alternatively, the respective ends
of the webbing 21 may each terminate in a capturing loop 20 that
affixes to a respective part 2, 3. [0063] The screw head 23 may be
made in any desired shape. [0064] The screw head 23 may have a
differing shaped depressed slot 28 provided therein to facilitate
removal of the cross bar by way of other standard or customised
screw driving tools. [0065] The male prong part 2 and female socket
part 3 may be adapted such that their respective lateral lugs 11
are able to retain multiple cross bars 4 in the manner described
above. [0066] The cross bar 4 may omit the self tapping threaded
end 25 with other mechanisms for securing the cross bar 4 within
opposing hole 24. For instance, the cross bar 4 and opposing hole
24 may be appropriately magnetised to facilitate secure magnetic
retention of the cross bar 4 within the opposing hole 24. [0067]
Other means of securing the cross bar 4 in the opposing hole 24
include incorporating a spring loaded latch within the buckle, the
latch being operable to engage with a notch provided in the cross
bar 4 when the cross bar is received within the opposing hole 24.
Alternatively, the self-tapping threaded end 25 of the cross bar 4
may be replaced with a bolt stud incorporating threaded components,
such a cross bar 4 may then be adapted to be screwed into a nut on
one or both sides of the opposing hole 24. [0068] While the
capturing loop 20 has been described as being made from webbing,
the capturing loop 20 may be formed from an attachment, or
attachments, to the webbing. Such attachments are many and varied,
but all must have the necessary dimensions to pass through slot 29.
[0069] Alternatively, the attachment may be directly affixed to an
item without any intermediate webbing, the attachment simply acting
as a capturing loop 20 for the item.
[0070] It should be further appreciated by the person skilled in
the art that the above variations and modifications, not being
mutually exclusive, can be combined to form yet further embodiments
that fall within the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *