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US20040221432A1 - Buckle - Google Patents

Buckle Download PDF

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Publication number
US20040221432A1
US20040221432A1 US10/804,074 US80407404A US2004221432A1 US 20040221432 A1 US20040221432 A1 US 20040221432A1 US 80407404 A US80407404 A US 80407404A US 2004221432 A1 US2004221432 A1 US 2004221432A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
female member
engaging
male member
buckle
slit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/804,074
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Mikio Nezu
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nifco Inc
Original Assignee
Nifco Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nifco Inc filed Critical Nifco Inc
Assigned to NIFCO, INC. reassignment NIFCO, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: NEZU, MIKIO
Publication of US20040221432A1 publication Critical patent/US20040221432A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
    • A44B—BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
    • A44B11/00—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts
    • A44B11/25—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts with two or more separable parts
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
    • A44B—BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
    • A44B11/00—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts
    • A44B11/25—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts with two or more separable parts
    • A44B11/26—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts with two or more separable parts with push-button fastenings
    • A44B11/263—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts with two or more separable parts with push-button fastenings with a push-button acting perpendicularly to the main plane of the buckle
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
    • Y10T24/45—Separable-fastener or required component thereof [e.g., projection and cavity to complete interlock]
    • Y10T24/45225—Separable-fastener or required component thereof [e.g., projection and cavity to complete interlock] including member having distinct formations and mating member selectively interlocking therewith
    • Y10T24/45471—Projection having movable connection between components thereof or variable configuration
    • Y10T24/45524—Projection having movable connection between components thereof or variable configuration including resiliently biased projection component or surface segment

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a buckle including a female member and a male member for detachably connecting string members. More particularly, the present invention relates to a buckle capable of being released from an engaged state with a load, i.e. pulling-out force, larger than a predetermined level, so that an excessive load is not applied to a body part such as a neck and arm.
  • a string member includes a belt, band, cord and other similar members.
  • a buckle includes a female member and a male member, and is used for, for example, putting on and taking off a string member suspending a card case with various cards or a portable device from a neck; putting on and taking off a string member for attaching a small article such as eyeglasses to a head portion; or detachably connecting string members at an opening portion of a cloth.
  • a string member connected in a loop shape with the female member and the male member is caught in an object, an excessive load may be directly or indirectly applied to a body part, thereby causing a dangerous situation. Therefore, the female member needs to engage the male member such that the engagement therebetween is not released improperly with a force below a predetermined level, while the engagement is released with a pulling-out force greater than a predetermined level.
  • the female member and the male member when the female member and the male member receive a predetermined pulling-out force, the female member is released from the male member through breaking, or through a process same as that of a normal operation of releasing the female member from the male member against the engaging force.
  • breaking is effective in avoiding danger, the buckle can not be used again.
  • the buckle while the buckle can be used again, it is difficult to control a variation in the pulling-out force while maintaining a predetermined engaging force.
  • FIGS. 7 ( a ) and 7 ( b ) show a buckle disclosed in Japanese Utility Model No. 3086720 as an example.
  • the buckle neck strap
  • the female member 50 has engaging portions 53
  • the male member 55 has engaging portions 57 .
  • the engaging portions 53 are released from the engaging portions 57 with a pulling-out force greater than a specific level.
  • the female member 50 in the buckle, from a rear side toward a front side thereof, includes a base portion 51 with an attaching hole 51 a , an intermediate portion provided with the engaging portions 53 , and a forward end portion 52 defining a frame-like entrance 50 a .
  • the end portion 60 a of the string member 60 passes through the attaching hole 51 a , and is attached to the base portion 51 .
  • the engaging portions 53 are formed in concave-shape openings communicating to both outer sides from an inside of the female member 50 .
  • the male member 55 includes the base portion 56 provided with an attaching hole 56 a on a rear side and a pair of the engaging portions 57 projecting from the base portion 56 .
  • the engaging portions 57 are formed on forward end sides of elastic leg portions 57 a with narrow widths projecting from the base portion 56 .
  • the engaging portion 57 includes an engaging side inclined surface portion 57 b gradually increasing a projection height outwardly from the leg portion 57 a , and a guiding side inclined surface portion 57 c gradually decreasing a projecting height from a peak of the inclined surface portion 57 b.
  • the engaging portions 57 are formed in symmetrical shapes corresponding to the openings of the engaging portions 53 .
  • the inclined surface portion 57 b has an angle or an inclination ⁇ with respect to the leg portion 57 a , so that the engagement is released with a pulling-out force greater than a specific level.
  • the pulling-out force for releasing the engagement varies greatly depending on an ambient temperature (for example, at the room temperatures of 30° C. and ⁇ 10° C.), or a speed and a direction of pulling the string member 60 attached to the male member 55 while the female member 50 is fixed.
  • the pulling-out force for disengagement is lowered relatively quickly.
  • a buckle in order to attain the above objects, according to a first aspect of the invention, includes a female member and a male member.
  • the female member and the male member include attaching portions to be attached to end portions of string members.
  • the female member and the male member also include an engaging portion and a portion to be engaged.
  • the engaging portion engages the portion to be engaged when they approach to each other, and is disengaged from the portion to be engaged when the engaging portion is pulled away from the portion to be engaged with a force greater than a specific level.
  • One of the female member and the male member is formed of a resin material having hardness lower than that of the other.
  • a buckle includes a female member and a male member.
  • the female member and the male member include attaching portions to be attached to end portions of string members.
  • the female member and the male member also include an engaging portion and a portion to be engaged.
  • the engaging portion engages the portion to be engaged when they approach to each other, and is disengaged from the portion to be engaged when the engaging portion is pulled away from the portion to be engaged with a force greater than a specific level.
  • One of a corresponding portion including the portion to be engaged and a corresponding portion including the engaging portion is formed of a resin having hardness lower than that of the other.
  • the female member and the male member are molded resin products.
  • the male member is inserted into the female member to connect to each other in use, and the engagement is released with a load (pulling-out force) greater than a specific level in a separating direction to elastically release the engagement similar to a conventional buckle.
  • a load pulling-out force
  • the pulling-out force is not varied according to an individual product, temperature change or direction of the pulling-out load. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a direct or indirect excessive load applied to a body part and a dangerous situation due to the load when the string member is caught with an article in use.
  • the buckle includes the female member and the male member wherein the female member and the male member are engaged when they approach to each other, while the engagement is released when they are pulled in a separating direction.
  • One of the female member and the male member is made of a resin material having hardness lower than that of the other.
  • one of a corresponding portion including the engaging portion and a corresponding portion including the portion to be engaged is formed of a resin portion having hardness lower than that of the other.
  • the soft resin material or the soft resin portion is exclusively deformed to thereby release the engagement.
  • the pulling-out force is greatly fluctuated according to a temperature change and the like, so that the product is easy to break.
  • the soft material and the soft material portion can maintain an elastic characteristic or bending property even at a low temperature as compared with the hard material and hard material portion, thereby effectively solving the problems described above.
  • the female member and the male member have specific simplified shapes, so that molds thereof are simplified. Further, the portion to be engaged of the female member uses a part of a slit partitioning an engagement releasing operation portion, and the engaging portion of the male member is formed at an insertion portion to be inserted into the female member, so that both of them are easily deformed elastically, thereby preventing breakage such as a crack due to an excessive load upon engagement and disengagement.
  • a long groove and a guiding projection are provided for restricting a movement in a width direction within the female member when the insertion portion of the male member is inserted into or extracted from the female member, so that the fluctuation of the pulling-out force in the pulling-out direction can be reduced.
  • the soft resin material and the soft resin portion are formed of a selected thermoplastic elastomer.
  • the thermoplastic elastomer has rubber elasticity at a room temperature and is softened at a high temperature.
  • the TPE includes polyolefin type (TPO), urethane type (TPU), polyester type (TPEE), polyamide type (TPAE), ionomer (IO), and the like.
  • TPO polyolefin type
  • TPU urethane type
  • TPEE polyester type
  • TPAE polyamide type
  • IO ionomer
  • the TPE is more expensive than a hard plastic such as polyacetal (POM), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC) and the like used for a buckle material as a linear member and an engineering plastic.
  • the TPE is used for only one of the female member and male member or only one of the corresponding portion including the engaging portion and the corresponding portion including the portion to be engaged, so that the engaging force and pulling-out force are balanced while reducing the production cost.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a female member and a male member of a buckle according to the present invention
  • FIGS. 2 ( a ) and 2 ( b ) are views showing the buckle in a test that a pulling-out force for releasing an engagement between the female member and the male member is determined, wherein FIG. 2( a ) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 2( b ) is a sectional view thereof;
  • FIGS. 3 ( a ) to 3 ( d ) are views showing the female member of the buckle, wherein FIG. 3( a ) is a plan view thereof, FIG. 3( b ) is a bottom view thereof, FIG. 3( c ) is a side sectional view thereof, and FIG. 3( d ) is a sectional view taken along line 3 ( d )- 3 ( d ) in FIG. 3( c );
  • FIGS. 4 ( a ) to 4 ( d ) are views showing the male member of the buckle, wherein FIG. 4( a ) is a plan view thereof, FIG. 4( b ) is a side view thereof viewed from a direction 4 ( b ) in FIG. 4( a ), FIG. 4( c ) is a bottom view thereof, and FIG. 4( d ) is a sectional view taken along line 4 ( d )- 4 ( d ) in FIG. 4( a );
  • FIGS. 5 ( a ) and 5 ( b ) are views showing a modified example of the female member, wherein FIG. 5( a ) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 5( b ) is a sectional view thereof;
  • FIGS. 6 ( a ) and 6 ( b ) are views showing a modified example of the male member, wherein FIG. 6( a ) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 6( b ) is a sectional view thereof; and
  • FIGS. 7 ( a ) and 7 ( b ) are views showing a conventional buckle, wherein FIG. 7( a ) is a perspective view thereof, and FIG. 7( b ) is a plan view thereof.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a male member and a female member of a buckle.
  • FIGS. 2 ( a ) and 2 ( b ) are views showing the buckle in use, wherein FIG. 2( a ) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 2( b ) is a middle sectional view thereof.
  • FIGS. 3 ( a ) to 3 ( d ) are views showing the female member of the buckle, wherein FIG. 3( a ) is a plan view thereof, FIG. 3( b ) is a bottom view thereof, FIG. 3( c ) is a middle sectional view thereof, and FIG.
  • FIGS. 4 ( a ) to 4 ( d ) are views showing the male member of the buckle, wherein FIG. 4( a ) is a plan view thereof, FIG. 4( b ) is a side view thereof viewed from a direction 4 ( b ) in FIG. 4( a ), FIG. 4( c ) is a bottom view thereof, and FIG. 4( d ) is a sectional view taken along line 4 ( d )- 4 ( d ) in FIG. 4( a ).
  • FIGS. 4 ( a ) is a plan view thereof
  • FIG. 4( b ) is a side view thereof viewed from a direction 4 ( b ) in FIG. 4( a )
  • FIG. 4( c ) is a bottom view thereof
  • FIG. 4( d ) is a sectional view taken along line 4 ( d )- 4 ( d ) in FIG. 4( a ).
  • FIGS. 6 ( a ) and 6 ( b ) are views showing a modified example of the female member, wherein FIG. 5( a ) is a plan view thereof corresponding to FIG. 3( a ), and FIG. 5( b ) is a sectional view thereof corresponding to FIG. 3( c ).
  • FIGS. 6 ( a ) and 6 ( b ) are views showing a modified example of the male member, wherein FIG. 6( a ) is a plan view thereof corresponding to FIG. 4( a ), and FIG. 6( b ) is a sectional view thereof corresponding to FIG. 4( b ).
  • a buckle is designed as a personal item for, for example, putting on and taking off a string member for hanging a card case from a neck portion; putting on and taking off a string member for fixing a small article to a head portion; or tying together or loosening up string members attached to an opening portion of a cloth.
  • the buckle is formed of a female member 1 and a male member 2 with a real size smaller than those shown in the drawings.
  • the buckle of the invention has features similar to those of a conventional buckle. That is, the female member 1 and the male member 2 include a portion to be engaged and an engaging portion, respectively. When the female member 1 and the male member 2 come close to each other, the female member 1 and the male member 2 engage. When the female member 1 and the male member 2 are pulled in a separating direction, the engagement is released. Also, the female member 1 and the male member 2 are formed of molded resin products.
  • the buckle of the invention has features different from those of the conventional buckle. That is, one of the female member 1 and the male member 2 is made of a hard resin such as polyacetal as in the conventional buckle. The other of the female member 1 and the male member 2 is made of a soft resin material having hardness lower than that of the hard resin.
  • the female member 1 and the male member 2 are formed in specific shapes.
  • the female member 1 is made of the hard resin material and the male member 2 is made of the soft resin material, or the female member 1 is made of the soft resin material and the male member 2 is made of the hard resin material.
  • the hard resin material is the same as that of the conventional buckle, and it is preferable that the soft resin material is a thermoplastic elastomer.
  • the female member 1 has a substantially flat cylindrical shape communicating in a front to rear direction, and an inner space is formed with an upper wall 10 a , a lower wall 10 b and sidewalls 10 c .
  • a slit 11 with a substantially U-shape is provided in the upper wall 10 a and extends at both sides and a front side.
  • the slit 11 forms an engagement releasing operation portion 12
  • a U-shape intermediate slit portion 11 a with a concave shape is provided at the front side as a portion to be engaged.
  • the operation portion 12 includes a thin wall hinge portion 14 under a groove portion 13 with a concave section provided between both ends of the U-shape, so that the operation portion 12 is elastically bend around the hinge portion 14 in a vertical direction.
  • a front side portion 12 b of an upper surface of the operation portion 12 projects upward higher than a portion 12 a between the groove portion 13 and an approximately intermediate portion in the front and rear direction, so that it is easy to disengage the buckle using the front side portion 12 b .
  • an inclined guiding surface 15 slightly expanding an opening height toward the outer side is formed on an inner entrance side of the upper wall 10 a .
  • a lower wall 10 b is provided with a rear side attaching hole 16 and a guiding projection 17 at a position on a slightly front side than an intermediate portion in the front to rear direction and at an intermediate position in the left to right direction.
  • the attaching hole 16 partitions a rear side portion 16 a of the lower wall 10 b .
  • reference numeral 18 represents concave portions provided at both sides of the lower wall 10 b .
  • the sidewalls 10 c have small cut portions on the entrance side to form concave portions 19 depressed toward the rear side viewed from the entrance side.
  • the male member 2 has a size corresponding to the female 1 , and includes an attaching portion 20 for attaching a string member 3 , an inserting base portion 21 and an insertion portion 22 to be inserted into the female member 1 from the rear side to the front side.
  • the attaching portion 20 is provided with an attaching hole 24 passing therethrough vertically.
  • the attaching portion 20 is formed in a frame shape with the attaching hole 24 and a rear side portion 20 a .
  • a stopping portion 23 projecting upwardly is formed between the attaching portion 20 and the inserting base portion 21 .
  • the stopping portion 23 has a shape corresponding to an end surface of the upper wall 10 a at an insertion side thereof in the female member 1 , so that the male member 2 is inserted into the female member 2 by a specific distance.
  • the inserting base portion 21 has a width substantially same as that of the female member 1 at the entrance side.
  • the inserting base portion 21 fits the concave portions 19 on both sides of the female member 1 .
  • the insertion portion 22 includes a long groove 25 disposed at an intermediate portion in the width direction and extending from the front end to substantially an intermediate position in the front to rear direction; a substantially U-shaped slit 26 passing through vertically; an elastically engaging portion 27 partitioned by the slit 26 ; and small projections 29 disposed on the upper surface at both sides.
  • the long groove 25 corresponds to the guiding projection 17 , and has a width slightly larger than that of the guiding projection 17 .
  • the slit 26 is disposed at both sides of the insertion portion and adjacent to the inserting base portion 21 for partitioning the engaging portion 27 .
  • the engaging portion 27 has a slightly thin thickness at a lower surface 28 thereof, and is vertically bendable around portions 27 c positioned between both ends of the slit 26 due to the long groove 25 and the slit 26 (refer to FIG. 4( c )).
  • the engaging portion 27 is provided with a convex shape engaging claw 27 a for engaging the intermediate slit portion 11 a as the portion to be engaged.
  • the engaging claw 27 a of the elastic engaging portion 27 is formed on a summit of the inclining portion 27 b gradually extending upward toward the intermediate slit portion of the slit 26 from the front side (with a width slightly smaller than that of the intermediate slit portion).
  • the small projections 29 are provided for easy sliding, reinforcement, and preventing vertical wobbling, and may be omitted.
  • FIGS. 5 ( a ), 5 ( b ) and 6 ( a ), 6 ( b ) are views showing a modified embodiment, wherein the female member 1 and the male member 2 have portions formed of a soft resin (dotted portions) with a two material molding. As shown in FIGS. 5 ( a ) and 5 ( b ), as compared with the female member 1 shown in FIGS.
  • the upper wall 10 a has a portion made of a soft resin, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer (hereinafter referred to as TPE) at the engagement releasing operation portion 12 including the thin-walled hinge portion 14 and the front side portion 10 d from the intermediate slit portion 11 a of the slit 11 , i.e. the corresponding portion including the intermediate slit portion 11 a as the portion to be engaged.
  • TPE thermoplastic elastomer
  • the other portion of the female member is made of a hard resin, i.e. polyacetal (hereinafter referred to as POM).
  • the elastic engaging portion 27 partitioned by the slit 26 and a portion of the engaging portion 27 up to the rear end are formed of the soft resin (TPE), and the other portion of the male member is made of the hard resin (POM).
  • the female member 1 shown in FIGS. 5 ( a ) and 5 ( b ) is used in combination with, for example, the male member 2 entirely made of the hard resin (POM and the like).
  • the male member 2 as shown in FIGS. 6 ( a ) and 6 ( b ) is used in combination with, for example, the female member 1 entirely made of the hard resin (POM and the like). Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a manufacturing cost since the hard resin material (POM and the like) is less expensive than the soft resin material (TPE and the like).
  • both the female member 1 and male member 2 , or both the corresponding portions including the engaging portion 27 and the intermediate slit portion 11 a are made of the soft resin material (TPE and the like), it is difficult to maintain the engaging force at a predetermined level and maintain the pulling-out force at a lower value.
  • the female member 1 and the male member 2 as described above are attached to the corresponding portions 3 a , 3 b of the string members 3 . That is, similar to FIG. 2( b ), the corresponding end portion 3 a of the string member 3 is inserted into the rear opening of the female member 1 and folded back through the attaching hole 16 , so that the rear side portion 16 a is sandwiched between a corresponding portion of the string member 3 and the end portion 3 a . The sandwiched portion between the corresponding portion of the string member 3 and the end portion 3 a is sewed or welded to fix.
  • the end portion 3 b of the string member 3 is inserted into the attaching hole 24 of the male member 2 from above and folded back, so that the rear side portion 20 a is sandwiched between the corresponding portion of the string member 3 and the end portion 3 b .
  • the sandwiched portion between the corresponding portion of the string member 3 and the end portion 3 b is sewed or welded to fix.
  • the female member 1 and the male member 2 are attached to both end portions 3 a , 3 b of a single string member 3 to suspend a portable device from a body part such as a neck.
  • the female member 1 and the male member 2 are attached to free ends 3 a of two string members 3 , so that the string members 3 open or close an opening portion of a cloth.
  • the present invention is applicable to either mode.
  • FIGS. 2 ( a ) and 2 ( b ) are views showing a state that the buckle described above is in use.
  • the summit end of the engaging portion 27 i.e. the engaging claw 27 a
  • the intermediate slit portion 11 a i.e. the portion to be engaged
  • the inserting base portion 21 is fitted into the concave portion 19
  • the guiding projection 17 is positioned in the long groove 25
  • the stopper portion 23 abuts against the end surface of the upper wall 10 a at the inserting side. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate wobbling between the male and female members and obtain a feeling that the female member 1 and the male member 2 are integrated.
  • the female member 1 is disengaged from the male member 2 by pressing the operating portion 12 downwardly. Also, the female member 1 is disengaged from the male member 2 by applying a load to the female member 1 and the male member 2 in the separating direction through both or one of the string members 30 .
  • the load for releasing the engagement is defined as a pulling-off force.
  • the engaging claw 27 a when the engagement is released with the load in the separating direction, the engaging claw 27 a receives a stress from the corresponding inner end surface partitioning the intermediate slit portion 11 a , and the engaging portion 27 bends downwardly by the stress around the portion 27 c from the engaged state shown in FIG. 2( b ). According to the downward bending of the engaging portion 27 , the engaging claw 27 a is released from the intermediate slit portion 11 a , and the male member 2 slides out of the interior of the female member 1 while pressing the inner surface of the upper wall 1 a of the female member.
  • the pulling-off force for releasing the engagement is almost the same between cases where the load in the separating direction is applied relatively slowly and applied instantaneously excessively, thereby eliminating the fluctuation in the pulling-off force as compared with the conventional buckle. Further, as described later, it is possible to reduce the fluctuation in the pulling-off force according to a use temperature or a direction of the pulling-out force as compared with the conventional buckle. This effect may be attributed to a combination of the following features of the engagement structure.
  • the intermediate slit portion 11 a as the portion to be engaged engages the engaging claw 27 a of the engaging portion 27 at the intermediate portions of the female member 1 and the male member 2 in the front and rear direction.
  • the engaging claw 27 a extends in the width direction, and is disengaged from the intermediate slit portion 11 a through the vertical elastic deformation of the engaging portion 27 .
  • the slit width of the intermediate slit portion 11 a is slightly changed through the elastic deformation of the operating portion 12 .
  • the male member 2 is centered through fitting between the long groove 25 positioned at the intermediate portion of the engaging portion 27 and the guiding projection 17 on the female member side.
  • the buckle is formed according to the following embodiments.
  • an effect of the material of the buckle on the pulling-out force was determined.
  • the female member 1 and the male member 2 were made of polyacetal (POM).
  • the female member 1 was made of POM and the male member 2 was made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).
  • TPE thermoplastic elastomer
  • POM a trade name “DELIN 500P” (hardness D is 80) produced by TORAY DUPONT was used.
  • TPE a trade name “HYTREL 5557M” (hardness D is 55) produced by TORAY DUPONT was used.
  • a number of the female members 1 and a number of the male members 2 were produced with the same mold and the different materials.
  • the pulling-out force for releasing the engagement between the female member 1 and the male member 2 was determined with the following test method.
  • a measured value was an average of ten buckles.
  • a fixing member 5 held the string member 3 attached to the female member 1
  • the string member 3 attached to the male member 2 was pulled in an arrow direction in FIG. 2( b ) at a speed of 100 mm/min to measure the pulling-out force (N).
  • the measurement was conducted after the respective buckles were conditioned at a room temperature for one hour.
  • the female member and the male member were repeatedly engaged and disengaged (by forcibly pulling the string member 30 in the separating direction) hundred times at a room temperature of 20° C.
  • the pulling-out forces (N) for releasing the engagement were compared between the comparison product and the embodiment product.
  • the fixing member 5 held the string member 3 at the female member 1 , and a load was applied to the string member 3 at the male member 1 in a straight direction to measure the pulling-out force. It was found that while the comparison product showed an average of 136.1 N, the embodiment product showed an average of 22.2 N.
  • the comparison product showed the maximum value of about 139 N and the minimum value of about 82 N, while the embodiment product showed the maximum value of about 29.3 N and the minimum value of about 20.4 N. From the result, it was demonstrated that the embodiment product showed the pulling-out force smaller than that of the comparison product, and the pulling-out force was stable during the hundred times repetition with little variation.
  • the pulling-out forces (N) were compared when the comparison product and the embodiment product were tested at temperatures of 25° C. and ⁇ 10° C. (10 degrees below zero).
  • the measuring method was the same as that in the first test.
  • the comparison product showed an average of 136.8 N, while the embodiment product showed an average of 22.7 N.
  • the comparison product showed the maximum value of about 139 N and the minimum value of about 86 N, while the embodiment product showed the maximum value of about 29.3 N and the minimum value of about 20.9 N.
  • the comparison product showed an average of 148 N, and the embodiment product showed an average of 25 N. Also, the comparison product showed the maximum value of about 156 N and the minimum value of about 92 N, while the embodiment product showed the maximum value of about 31 N and the minimum value of about 21 N. From the result, it was demonstrated that the embodiment product showed the pulling-out force smaller than that of the comparison product, and the pulling-out force had small fluctuation due the pulling-out angle (15°).
  • the buckle is formed of the female member and the male member.
  • the female member and the male member approach each other, they are engaged.
  • the female member and the male member are pulled in a separating direction, they are disengaged.
  • the engaging structure shown in the embodiments it is possible to reduce the fluctuation in the pulling-out force for disengaging the male member from the female member due to a variation in a product, a temperature, a pulling-out angle, and the like. Accordingly, the buckle of the invention is excellent in safety for a personal item and has a high commercial value.

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US10/804,074 2003-05-07 2004-03-19 Buckle Abandoned US20040221432A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2003-129628 2003-05-07
JP2003129628A JP3992194B2 (ja) 2003-05-07 2003-05-07 バックル

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US10/804,074 Abandoned US20040221432A1 (en) 2003-05-07 2004-03-19 Buckle

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US (1) US20040221432A1 (zh)
JP (1) JP3992194B2 (zh)
KR (1) KR100511434B1 (zh)
CN (1) CN1550168A (zh)
TW (1) TWI241171B (zh)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080263836A1 (en) * 2006-05-01 2008-10-30 Howell Frank A Quick release buckle
US20090162581A1 (en) * 2007-12-19 2009-06-25 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho Resin Member Fitting Structure and Passenger Compartment Antenna Device
US20130091671A1 (en) * 2010-06-24 2013-04-18 Ykk Corporation Front Release Buckle
CN104470406A (zh) * 2012-07-12 2015-03-25 比约恩婴儿用品公司 安全卡扣设备
US20150135483A1 (en) * 2012-06-06 2015-05-21 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Multi-directional buckle assembly
US20150201713A1 (en) * 2012-08-07 2015-07-23 Nifco Inc. Buckle
WO2015179163A1 (en) * 2014-05-22 2015-11-26 3M Innovative Properties Company Personal protective device strap connecting buckle assembly
US20160000191A1 (en) * 2014-07-07 2016-01-07 Abbas Haider Pull and Release Latch
CN106263304A (zh) * 2015-06-26 2017-01-04 Ykk株式会社 带扣
US10702024B2 (en) 2015-08-20 2020-07-07 3M Innovative Properties Company Buckle for connecting strap and respirator harness including the same
US10716961B2 (en) 2015-08-20 2020-07-21 3M Innovative Properties Company Head band member for wearing respirator mask and head cradle including same
US20240016682A1 (en) * 2022-07-12 2024-01-18 Paul Swearingen Three-point transfer belt
USD1062522S1 (en) * 2022-10-31 2025-02-18 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Buckle
USD1074510S1 (en) * 2024-02-05 2025-05-13 Guangdong Chunteng Industrial Co., Ltd. Buckle
USD1080454S1 (en) * 2022-10-20 2025-06-24 Hangzhou Tianyuan Pet Products Co., Ltd. Buckle
USD1110195S1 (en) 2024-08-29 2026-01-27 Apple Inc. Buckle

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US8312602B2 (en) 2008-11-07 2012-11-20 Jisook Paik Buckle equipped with a whistle
JP5616690B2 (ja) * 2010-06-07 2014-10-29 株式会社ニフコ バックル
TW201333324A (zh) * 2012-02-01 2013-08-16 Taroko Door & Window Technologies Inc 捲軸式紗窗之固定構造
US9510626B2 (en) * 2013-02-01 2016-12-06 3M Innovative Properties Company Sleeve-fit respirator cartridge
JP6358995B2 (ja) * 2015-08-28 2018-07-18 株式会社ニフコ コードロック
JP6211115B2 (ja) * 2016-02-10 2017-10-11 株式会社東海理化電機製作所 バックル装置

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Cited By (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080263836A1 (en) * 2006-05-01 2008-10-30 Howell Frank A Quick release buckle
US7448116B1 (en) * 2006-05-01 2008-11-11 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Quick release buckle
US20090162581A1 (en) * 2007-12-19 2009-06-25 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho Resin Member Fitting Structure and Passenger Compartment Antenna Device
US8420188B2 (en) * 2007-12-19 2013-04-16 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho Resin member fitting structure and passenger compartment antenna device
US20130091671A1 (en) * 2010-06-24 2013-04-18 Ykk Corporation Front Release Buckle
US20150135483A1 (en) * 2012-06-06 2015-05-21 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Multi-directional buckle assembly
US9125458B2 (en) * 2012-06-06 2015-09-08 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Multi-directional buckle assembly
CN104470406A (zh) * 2012-07-12 2015-03-25 比约恩婴儿用品公司 安全卡扣设备
EP2872011A4 (en) * 2012-07-12 2016-03-16 BabyBjörn AB SAFETY BELT DEVICE
CN104470406B (zh) * 2012-07-12 2017-06-16 比约恩婴儿用品公司 安全卡扣设备
US20150201713A1 (en) * 2012-08-07 2015-07-23 Nifco Inc. Buckle
US9578930B2 (en) * 2012-08-07 2017-02-28 Nifco Inc. Buckle
WO2015179163A1 (en) * 2014-05-22 2015-11-26 3M Innovative Properties Company Personal protective device strap connecting buckle assembly
US10765176B2 (en) 2014-05-22 2020-09-08 3M Innovative Properties Company Personal protective device strap connecting buckle assembly
CN106457007A (zh) * 2014-05-22 2017-02-22 3M创新有限公司 连接带扣组件的个人保护装置条带
US20160000191A1 (en) * 2014-07-07 2016-01-07 Abbas Haider Pull and Release Latch
US10104943B2 (en) * 2014-07-07 2018-10-23 Abbas Haider Pull and release latch
CN106263304A (zh) * 2015-06-26 2017-01-04 Ykk株式会社 带扣
US10716961B2 (en) 2015-08-20 2020-07-21 3M Innovative Properties Company Head band member for wearing respirator mask and head cradle including same
US10702024B2 (en) 2015-08-20 2020-07-07 3M Innovative Properties Company Buckle for connecting strap and respirator harness including the same
US20240016682A1 (en) * 2022-07-12 2024-01-18 Paul Swearingen Three-point transfer belt
USD1080454S1 (en) * 2022-10-20 2025-06-24 Hangzhou Tianyuan Pet Products Co., Ltd. Buckle
USD1062522S1 (en) * 2022-10-31 2025-02-18 Illinois Tool Works Inc. Buckle
USD1074510S1 (en) * 2024-02-05 2025-05-13 Guangdong Chunteng Industrial Co., Ltd. Buckle
USD1110195S1 (en) 2024-08-29 2026-01-27 Apple Inc. Buckle

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Publication number Publication date
TWI241171B (en) 2005-10-11
CN1550168A (zh) 2004-12-01
KR20040095616A (ko) 2004-11-15
TW200513205A (en) 2005-04-16
KR100511434B1 (ko) 2005-08-30
JP2004329571A (ja) 2004-11-25
JP3992194B2 (ja) 2007-10-17

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