Buckle with strap securing bar

Abstract

A buckle having a male portion and a female portion. The male portion has two sidewalls, first and second retaining bars and at least one locking arm. There is a slidable strap gripping bar disposed adjacent the first strap retaining bar. The strap gripping bar is adapted to slide between a release position and a gripping position. The female portion comprises a hollow body with an open end and at least one locking slot for receiving the locking arm. When the male portion is inserted into the female portion, the locking arm locks into the locking slot and the female portion pushes the strap gripping bar into a gripping position, which grips a strap threaded through the retaining bars, and prevents the strap from slipping. When the male portion is released from the female portion, the strap gripping bar slides into the release position and allows adjustment of the strap.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention relates to a buckle for use in belts, seat belts, backpacks, or other uses. In particular, the invention relates to a buckle with a slidable bar that secures the buckle to a strap to prevent inadvertent slippage of the strap during use. [0003] 2. The Prior Art [0004] In conventional plastic buckles that are used in belt applications, i.e., to secure two straps together, each side of the buckle typically has a bar around which each strap is threaded to attach the strap to the buckle piece. An example of such a buckle is shown in U.S. Design Pat. No. D401,533, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. [0005] One problem encountered with these basic buckles is that the straps often slip out of their initially tensioned state, and cause the belt to loosen unexpectedly. Another problem is that it can often be difficult to loosen the belt when desired, because the straps can sometimes be s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a buckle that prevents inadvertent slippage of the strap, yet allows the user to easily loosen the strap when desired.

[0008] It is another object of the invention to provide such a buckle that is simple to construct and operate.

[0009] These and other objects are accomplished by a buckle having a male portion and a female portion. The male portion comprises two sidewalls, first and second retaining bars disposed between the sidewalls and at least one locking arm. There is a slidable strap gripping bar disposed between the two side walls and adjacent the first strap retaining bar. The strap gripping bar is adapted to slide between a release position and a gripping position. For ease of threading a strap, the first strap retaining bar may be offset vertically from the second strap retaining bar.

[0010] The female portion comprises a hollow body with an open end and at least one locking slot for receiving the at least one locking arm. When the male portion is inserted into the female portion, the locking arm locks into the locking slot and the female portion pushes the strap gripping bar into a gripping position. When a strap is threaded through the strap retaining bars and the strap gripping bar is in the gripping position, the strap gripping bar grips the strap and prevents the strap from slipping. When the male portion is released from the female portion, the strap gripping bar slides into the release position and allows adjustment of the strap.

[0018] In another version of this embodiment, the locking gates are formed such that they can actually be sheared or broken as the parts are ejected from the mold during the molding process, thereby not making it necessary to have these two connection points broken as the male is inserted into the female. After ejection from the mold, the gripping bar floats freely. In this embodiment, the molding gates are submerged under the steel of the mold so as the part ejects, it breaks the gate.

Problems solved by technology

One problem encountered with these basic buckles is that the straps often slip out of their initially tensioned state, and cause the belt to loosen unexpectedly.

Another problem is that it can often be difficult to loosen the belt when desired, because the straps can sometimes be stuck on the bars, especially if the strap retaining bars are spaced close to the buckle body.

While this is an effective way to prevent slippage, it requires extra work on the part of the user to loosen the belt.

Additionally, pivoting the bar may require more dexterity than the user possesses, especially in low light or when the buckle is in motion.

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