GB2576474A

GB2576474A - Belt buckle

Info

Publication number: GB2576474A
Application number: GB1806034.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robin Browne Edward
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-04-12
Filing date: 2018-04-12
Publication date: 2020-02-26
Also published as: GB201806034D0

Abstract

A buckle 1 for use with a reversible belt 2, the buckle comprising a clasp 2 for gripping one end of the belt, a frame 3 for receiving the other end of the belt, a prong 4 rotatably connected to the belt-side of the frame for engaging with holes in the belt, characterised in that the prong comprises a first 41 and a second 42 prong portion, the second distal to the first, where the second prong portion is retractable into the first such that in an extended position the second prong portion can abut either side of the frame and in a retracted position the second prong portion can be moved past the frame to the other side. A spring element (7, figure 3) may bias the prong into the extended configuration. The second prong portion might be bowed (421, figure 4) with the inside of the bow resting against the frame in use, and the second prong portion may be rotatable relative to the first so that the curve can be the correct way round when the belt is used with either face outwards. As such the buckle can be reversed without having to compromise on the ergonomics of the prong.

Description

BELT BUCKLE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a buckle suitable for a reversible belt. The present invention further relates to a belt including such a buckle.

Background of the Invention

Reversible belt buckles allow the wearer to use a single belt in one of two configurations. For example, a reversible belt for use with a reversible belt buckle may have a different colour or pattern on each side. The user can use the reversible belt buckle with the belt in order to choose which colour or pattern to wear as the front side of the belt, while still having an operational buckle for connection with the distal end of the belt.

Prior art reversible belt buckles generally include a first portion and a second portion, the second portion being rotatably connected to the first portion. The first portion is connected to the belt itself, typically via screws which clamp the material at one end of the belt. The second portion is connected to the frame of the buckle. When a user wishes to reverse the belt, for example to show a different colour as the front side of the belt, the user may rotate the second portion relative to the first portion, thereby rotating the belt, whilst allowing the operational portion of the buckle to remain in the same orientation. The rotatable mechanism of such prior art designs does allow for the wearer to use a single belt in one of two configurations, but the mechanism can be unwieldy, and may not present a particularly streamlined appearance.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a buckle for a reversible belt, the buckle comprising: a clasp for gripping a first end of the belt; a frame for receiving, in use, a second end of the belt; and a prong, rotatably connected to a nearside of the frame, for inserting, in use, into one of a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes in the second end of the belt; wherein the prong comprises a first prong portion at a frame end of the prong and a second prong portion at a distal end of the prong, the second prong portion being retractably connected to the first prong portion such that, in an extended position, the second prong portion rests adjacent one or other surface of a far side of the frame and, in a retracted position, the second prong portion is moveable through the frame between the two surfaces of the far side of the frame.

In use, the clasp of the buckle is secured to the first end of the reversible belt. The user may then insert the second end of the reversible belt through the buckle frame, and insert the buckle prong into one of the plurality of longitudinally spaced holes on the belt. The particular hole can be chosen according to the desired length of the belt. When the user wishes to reverse the belt, so that the other surface of the belt is outermost, the user can simply rotate the entire belt and buckle, retract the second prong portion relative to the first prong portion, and move the prong through the frame such that the prong rests adjacent the new outermost surface of the frame.

In comparison to prior art designs, the buckle according to this aspect of the invention is mechanically simple. There are fewer movable parts on the buckle, which allows it to be long lasting and less liable to breakage. Moreover, the mechanically simple design allows for a streamlined and aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Preferably, a single portion of the clasp is both secured to the frame and arranged to grip the first end of the belt. As already discussed, in many prior art designs, the clasp comprises two portions which are rotatably connected to one another. When the user wishes to reverse the belt so that the other surface of the belt is outermost, the user rotates the two clasp portions. This keeps one portion of the clasp and the frame in the same orientation, but moves the second portion of the clasp to a new configuration in which the opposite surface of the second portion of the clasp is outermost. In comparison, the buckle according to the invention is mechanically simple and allows for a streamlined, aesthetically pleasing design.

In a preferred embodiment, the far side of the frame includes a roller located on the frame. The roller is in the form of a tube, rotatably mounted on the frame, and facilitates insertion of the second end of the belt into the frame, because the roller is able to roll around the frame to minimise friction between the far side of the frame and the second end of the belt. In this embodiment, when the second prong portion is in the extended position, the second prong portion rests against the roller of the far side of the frame.

In a preferred embodiment, the second prong portion is rotatable with respect to the first prong portion. Preferably, the second prong portion comprises a bowed end, such that, when the second prong portion is in the extended position, the bowed end rests adjacent one or other surface of a far side of the frame. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the second prong portion comprises a bowed end, and the second prong portion is rotatable with the respect to the first prong portion such that, in the extended position, an inner surface of the bowed end of the second prong portion rests adjacent a surface of the far side of the frame. This ensures that the front of the belt buckle, in whichever configuration the belt is worn, has a flush, relatively flat appearance.

Preferably, the second prong portion is retractably connected to the first prong portion by means of a spring element. Preferably, the spring element is biased to the extended position. This ensures that the second prong portion remains in the extended position, resting adjacent a surface of the far side of the frame, when the belt is closed. Even more preferably, the spring element is inside the first prong portion. This gives the prong a streamlined, aesthetically pleasing appearance, and also minimises risk of damage to the spring element. Alternatively, the spring element may be inside the second prong portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the length of the first prong portion and the length of the second prong portion are such that only the second prong portion is visible when the buckle is in use and the prong is inserted into one of the plurality of longitudinally spaced holes in the second end of the belt. Thus, the retractable mechanism in the prong is hidden from view when the belt buckle is in use.

Preferably, the clasp is metal. Preferably, the clasp comprises clamping means for gripping the first end of the belt. The clamping means may be screws. The clamping means may or may not be removable by a user so that the buckle can be used with more than one belt.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a reversible belt comprising: a first end; a second end including a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes; and a buckle, the buckle comprising: a clasp for gripping the first end of the belt; a frame for receiving, in use, the second end of the belt; and a prong, rotatably connected to a nearside of the frame, for inserting, in use, into one of the plurality of longitudinally spaced holes in the second end of the belt; wherein the prong comprises a first prong portion at a frame end of the prong and a second prong portion at a distal end of the prong, the second prong portion being retractably connected to the first prong portion such that, in an extended position, the second prong portion rests adjacent one or other surface of a far side of the frame and, in a retracted position, the second prong portion is moveable through the frame between the two surfaces of the far side of the frame.

When the user wishes to reverse the belt, so that the other surface of the belt is outermost, the user can simply rotate the entire belt and buckle, retract the second prong portion relative to the first prong portion, and move the prong through the frame such that the prong rests adjacent the new outermost surface of the frame. The belt and buckle are mechanically simple compared to prior art designs and this allows for a streamlined, and aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Features described in relation to the first aspect of the invention may also be applicable to the second aspect of the invention and features described in relation to the second aspect of the invention may also be applicable to the first aspect of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a buckle according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a top side view of the buckle of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an underside view of the buckle of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the buckle of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a more detailed view of part of Figure 4.

Detailed Description

The Figures illustrate an embodiment of the buckle according to the first aspect of the invention. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the buckle, Figure 2 is a top view of the buckle and Figure 3 is an underside view of the buckle.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the buckle 1 comprises a clasp 2, a frame 3, a prong 4 and a roller 5. The prong 4 comprises first prong member 41 and second prong member 42.

The buckle is intended for use with a reversible belt (not shown). A first end (referred to as the fixed end) of the reversible belt connects with the clasp 2, as will be described further below. A second end (referred to as the adjustable end) of the reversible belt includes a number of longitudinally spaced holes. In use, the adjustable end of the reversible belt is passed through the buckle frame 3 and the prong 4 is inserted into one of the longitudinally spaced holes in the adjustable end of the belt. The particular hole can be chosen according to the desired length of the belt. In this embodiment, the roller 5 on the far side of the frame allows the adjustable end of the belt to pass easily through the frame 3.

The clasp 2 is designed to grip the fixed end of a reversible belt, for example by clamping means in the form of screws 6 (see Figure 3). The clasp 2 is typically made of metal, although any suitable material could be chosen. The screws 6 provide a means to clamp the fixed end of the reversible belt in a fixed position relative to the buckle 1. However, other suitable clamping means, such as rivets, may be used.

The near side of the frame 3 is mounted within a bore in the clasp 2, the bore extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the belt. The frame 3 can therefore rotate relative to the clasp 2. The clasp is U-shaped. This allows a small central portion of the near side of the frame 3 to be exposed outside the clasp 2. The prong 4 is rotatably mounted on this small exposed central portion of the near side of the frame 3. The prong 4 is designed to be inserted, in use, through one of the longitudinally spaced holes in the adjustable end of the belt and rest adjacent the roller on the far side of the frame 3 when the belt is closed.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the buckle of Figure 1 and Figure 5 is a more detailed view of part of Figure 4. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the prong 4 comprises first prong member 41 and second prong member 42. The first prong member 41 is rotatably mounted on the small exposed central portion of the near side of the frame 3. The second prong member 42 is re tractably connected to the first prong member 41 via a spring 7. In this embodiment, the spring 7 is located within the first prong member 41. The spring 7 is biased such that the second prong member 42 is biased to an extended position relative to the first prong member 41. However, a user can push the second prong member 42 into the first prong member 41, thereby compressing the spring 7 and shortening the length of the prong 4.

In this embodiment, the second prong member 42 includes a bowed end 421. The bowed end 421 includes a portion which is angled outward and a further portion which is angled inward. Alternatively, the bowed portion 421 may be curved. The bowed portion ensures that, when the second prong member 42 is in the extended position, the inner surface of the bowed portion 421 rests against the roller 5, so that the belt buckle has a flush, relatively flat appearance. In this embodiment, therefore, the second prong member 42 is rotatable relative to the first prong member 41, such that the inner surface of the bowed end 421 is always closer to the buckle frame, even when 5 the belt is reversed.

When the user wishes to reverse the belt, so that the other surface of the belt is outermost, the user rotates the entire belt and buckle. Before or after, the user pushes the second prong member 42 into the first prong member 41 and rotates the second prong member 42 by 180 degrees relative to first prong member 41. When the prong 4 has been moved through the frame, the user releases the 10 second prong member 42 so that the inner surface of the bowed end 421 of the second prong member again rests adjacent the roller 5, but now on the new outermost surface. This mechanism allows the buckle to be used with a reversible belt in either configuration whilst still allowing a relatively simple mechanism for the user.

Claims

1. A buckle for a reversible belt, the buckle comprising:

a clasp for gripping a first end of the belt;

a frame for receiving, in use, a second end of the belt; and a prong rotatably connected to a nearside of the frame, for inserting, in use, into one of a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes in the second end of the belt;

wherein the prong comprises a first prong portion at a frame end of the prong and a second prong portion at a distal end of the prong, the second prong portion being retractably connected to the first prong portion such that, in an extended position, the second prong portion rests adjacent one or other surface of a far side of the frame and, in a retracted position, the second prong portion is moveable through the frame between the two surfaces of the far side of the frame.

2. A buckle according to claim 1, wherein a single portion of the clasp is both secured to the frame and arranged to grip the first end of the belt.

3. A buckle according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the far side of the frame includes a roller located on the frame.

4. A buckle according to any preceding claim, wherein the second prong portion is rotatable with respect to the first prong portion.

5. A buckle according to any preceding claim, includes a bowed end, and the second prong portion such that, in the extended position, an inner surface of the bowed end of the second prong portion rests adjacent a surface of the far side of the frame.

6. A buckle according to any preceding claim, wherein the second prong portion is retractably connected to the first prong portion by means of a spring element, the spring element being biased to the extended position.

7. A buckle according to claim 5, wherein the spring element is inside the first prong portion.

8. A buckle according to any preceding claim, wherein the length of the first prong portion and the length of the second prong portion are such that only the second prong portion is visible when the buckle is in use and the prong is inserted into one of the plurality of longitudinally spaced holes in the second end of the belt.

9. A buckle according to any preceding claim, wherein the clasp is metal.

10. A buckle according to any preceding claim, wherein the clasp comprises clamping means for gripping the first end of the belt.

11. A reversible belt comprising:

a first end;

a second end including a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes; and a buckle, the buckle comprising:

a clasp for gripping the first end of the belt;

a frame for receiving, in use, the second end of the belt; and a prong, rotatably connected to a nearside of the frame, for inserting, in use, into one of the plurality of longitudinally spaced holes in the second end of the belt;