US2249409A - Buckle - Google Patents

Description

July 15, 1941.

' P. w. WHITE 2,249,409

BUCKLE Filed Oct. 2,1959

I In I 4 bum Patented July 15, 1941 BUCKLE Paul W. White, Waterbury, Conn, assignor to I Parva Products Company, Chicago, poration of Delaware 111., a ool'- Application October 2, 1939, Serial N 'zemcz 8 Claims.

This invention relates to a buckle and has special reference to a slide buckle adapted to be mounted on a strap, band or the like for securing articles together or for the support of garments or other objects. 7

More particularly, this invention has reference to a slide buckle for association with a strap comprising a pair of frames disposed in a faceto-face relation for longitudinally slidable engagement there-between in which the frames have spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting the side bars for defining openings therethrough to receive the strap, one of the cross bars normally being loosely held in position with respect to one of the frames by the cooperation of both of the frames and one cross bar of one of the frames having an inclined surface cooperating with the loosely held cross bar to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon relative movement of the frames in one direction. V

The device of the present invention may be adapted for use in various connections and, as a matter of fact, the construction may be employed with slight variations not departing from the spirit of this invention almost universally where detachable connections are desired. Hereafter and in the drawing the device will be described and shown in its association with a strap of .a belt although it is readily understood that the buckle may be employed with a strap for skates, books and the like, for attachment to lingerie, for encircling the leg as a hose supporter, for use as a suspender or for detachable engagement with garments of various characters. It is,

of course, to be understood that various other uses may be mentioned and that this invention is not to be limited to any single specific use.

The buckle contemplated herein is so constructed and arranged as to provide an effective gripping or clamping of the strap between the strap and the strap-engaging cooperating faces of relatively movable members of a slide buckle and particularly in that type of slide buckle presenting an inclined strap-engaging face, a locked engagement is obtained which is difficult and inconvenient to release. It is desirable, therefore, to clamp a strap in a fixed adjusted position so that the lock efiected therebyis readily released when desired to adjust the strap within the buckle to a loosened condition. The present invention contemplates an effective locking or clamping of the strap in a locked position to be readily releasable therefrom whendesired.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a buckle having relatively slidable frame members of the character indicated above in which the construction is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, is durable, and is simple in construction', in threading, and in manipulation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a buckle having relatively slidable frame mem-I will hereinafter be more particularly pointed out and, for a more complete understanding of the characteristic features of this invention, reference may now be had to the following description when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which latter:

Figure 1 is a front View of a buckle incorporating the features of this invention as shown in its relation with a belt strap shown fragmen tarily; V

Fig. 2' is an enlarged central sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, a portion of the strap being shown in .dotted lines as being clamped in an adjusted position within the frames'of the buckle;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the frames of the buckle in a changed position with thestr-ap loosely threaded there'through; and

Fig. 4 isa sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, the roller being shown in full lines. V I

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the construction therein shown as embodyin the features of this invention comprises a pair of frame members in and ll,t he frame member l being substantially rectangular in shape and having spaced side bars l2 and I3 connected by spaced cross bars l4 and 5 to define a strap opening. The frame II is likewise substantially rectangular in shape and has spaced side bars I6 and I! connected by spaced cross bars l8 and I9 forming an opening.

The side bars l2 and I3 of the frame l0 comprise opposed channels, ledges and 2|, as shown more particularly in Fig. 4, extending in a direction inwardly toward each other from one edge of the side bars I 2 and I3, respectively, and ledges 22 and 23 extending in a direction inwardly toward each other from the other edge of the side bars I2 and I3, respectively, The opposed channels thus formed receive the side bars I6 and ll of the frame H for directin longitudinal movements of the frames.

The cross bar I4 of the frame I0 is preferably inclined and has an extending portion bent back upon itself from the material of the opening of the frame H! to overlie the inclined portion and to present an inclined strap-engaging face 24.

The cross bar l3 of the frame isfolded back upon itself to provide a smooth rounded edge I facing the opening to the frame, the rounded edge presenting a strap-engaging face. The side bars l6 and I1 are each provided with an extension 21, the extensions being preferably formed integrally with the side bars. tensions 21 slidably engage in their longitudinal movement the opposed channels formed by the side bars l2 and I3 of the frame II).

In order to prevent angular displacement of the frame H with respect to its normal longitudinal movement, the ledges 22 and 23 are provided with angularly extending flanges 29 and 30, respectively, the flanges 29 and 30 overlying the sides of the extensions 21 to form a guideway therefor. The frame together withits extensions 2! lies wholly within the confines of the frame I9 even during the relative longitudinal movement thereof in both directions.

In order to present a gripping bar which may effectively clamp the strap in a fixed adjusted position without marring the strap, a cross bar 3| in the form of a roller is connected between the side bars l3 and I! of frame H in the opening between the cross bars l8 and I9. The roller is disposed closely adjacent the cross bar IE! to form a strap opening between the roller and the cross bar l3. As shown more particularly in Fig. 4, the cross bar or roller 3| is provided with reduced extensions 32 and 33 on opposite ends thereof to be received in notches 34 and 35, respectively, of the arms I6 and I! of frame The notches 34 and 35 open into one side edge of the respective side bars so: that the roller- 3| loosely held in position with respect to the frame II by the cooperation of both of the frames, the ledges 20 and 2| preventing displacement in one direction and the notches 34 and 35 preventing displacement in the opposite direction and in both sidewise directions. In other words, the roller is loosely engaged in the notches and prevented from displacement therefrom by the ledges 20 and 2 I.

In the, position shown in Fig. 2, the frame II- is moved in one direction with respectto the frame ID to clamp a strap 36 between the strapengaging roller 3| and the strap-engaging inclined face 24 of the cross bar M, the free end of the strap being threaded through the opening.

in the frame II and between the roller 3| and strap-engaging face 24 through the opening in The exthe frame Ill. The strap is shown in a disengaged position between the strap-engaging faces in Fig. 3, the frame being moved in an opposite longitudinal direction to separate the roller of the frame II from the inclined strap-engaging portion 24 of the cross bar l4.

When tension is had on the strap 36 the smooth rounded portion of the folded cross bar |8 is engaged by the strap clue to the tortuous path of the strap through the openings in the frames and the strap pulls the frame II in one direction relative to the frame In which is held against movement by the other end of the strap engaging the cross bar l5. Due to the tortuous path of the strap the smooth rounded portion of the cross bar l3 presents sufficient friction to effect relative movement of the frames.

When the strap moves the frames to the position thereof shown in Fig. 2, the thickness of the strap is compressed in direct proportion to the amount of tension applied to the strap, one of the strap-engaging cross bars being inclined and the other strap-engaging cross bar being held in a direction of movement converging with respect to the inclined face. Ordinarily, a wedging action thus produced locks the frames so that it is somewhat difficult to break the lock and release the strap. In the present invention the cross baris looselymounted or loosely held in position with respect to one of the frames by the cooperation of both of the frames and the cross bar thus loosely mounted is preferably in the form of a roller. While the above construction effectively locks the frames and effectively clamps the strap therebetween, a breaking of the lock to release the strap is readily accomplished and further the well-rounded surface of the roller and the flat surface of the inclined strap-engaging cross bar 24 prevents marring of the strap.

In order to facilitate the correct threading of the strap through the openings of the frames l0 and II it is desirable that the space between the end of the cross bar I8 and the strap-engaging face 24 of the cross bar I4 be in effect obstructed so that the strap cannot be threaded therebetween. The present construction contemplates theprovision of the opposed channels varying in depth over the length thereof. so that as the extensions 21 ride along one wall of the channels during relative longitudinal movement of the frames, the frame I I will be tilted with respect to the frame ||l so that the cross bar |8 will follow substantially the inclination of the strap-engaging face 24. The space between the end of the frame II and the inclined strap-engaging face 24 will, in effect, be obstructed by being smaller than the thickness of the strap during the positions of relative longitudinal movement of the frames so as to prevent the strap from being threaded therebetween. The movement of the frames to effect a relative tilting therebetween is shown in Figs. 2, and 3.

While but a single embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various. modifications thereof may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and, therefore, the same is only to be limited by the scope of the prior art and the appended claims. 7

I claim: I

1. A slideibuckle for association with a strap, comprising a pair of frames disposed in a faceto-face relation for longitudinally slidable enbar of one of said frames co-operating with said loosely held cross bar to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon relative movement of said frames in one direction.

2. A slide buckle for association with a strap, comprising a pair of frames disposed in a faceto-face relation for longitudinally slidable engagement therebetween, said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars for defining openings therethrough to receive the strap, one of said cross bars comprising a roller normally loosely held in position with respect to one of said frames by the co-operation of both of said frames, means for directing longitudinal movement of" said frames, one cross bar of one of said frames having an inclined surface co-operating with said roller to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon relative movement of said frames in one direction.

3. A slide buckle for association with a strap, comprising a pair of frames disposed in a faceto-face relation for longitudinally slidable engagement therebetween, said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars for defining openings therethrough to receive the strap, the side bars of one of said frames having notches and one of said cross bars of said notched frame comprising a roller normally loosely held in position in said notches by the co-operation of both of said frames, means for directing longitudinal movement of said frames, one cross bar of one of said frames having an inclined surface co-operating with said loosely held roller to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon relative movement of said frames in one direction.

4. A slide buckle for association with a strap, comprising a pair of frames disposed in a faceto-face relation for longitudinally slidable engagement therebetween, said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars for defining openings therethrough to receive the strap, the side bars of one of said frames having notches and one of said cross bars of said notched frame comprising a roller having reduced ends normally loosely held in position in said notches by the co-operation of both of said frames, means for directing longitudinal movement of said frames, one cross bar of one of said frames having an inclined surface co-operating with said loosely held roller to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon relative movement of said frames in one direction.

5. A slide buckle for association with a strap, comprising a pair of frames disposed in a faceto-face relation for longitudinally slidable engagement therebetween, one of said frames having a peripheral flange directed inwardly thereof to confine the other frame therein, said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars for defining openings therethrough to receive the strap, the side bars of one of said frames having notches and one of said cross bars of said notched frame comprising a roller, the ends of which are normally loosely held in position in said notches by the peripheral flange of the other of said frames, one cross bar of one of said frames having an inclined surface co-operating with said loosely held roller to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon relative movement of said frames in one direction;

6. A slide buckle for association with a strap,

comprising a pair of frames disposed in a face-,

to-face relation for longitudinally slidable engagement therebetween, said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bar-s connecting said side bars for defining openings therethrough to receive the strap, opposed channels formed on the side bars of one of said frames for receiving the side bars of the other of said frames for directing relative longitudinal movements of said frames, side bars of the other of said frames having notches and one of said cross bars of said notched frame comprising a roller, the ends of which are normally loosely held in position in said notches by one side of the channels of the other of said frames, one cross bar of one of said frames having an inclined surface co-operating with said loosely held roller to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon relative movement of said frames in one direction.

7. A slide buckle for association with a strap,

comprising a pair of frames disposed in a faceto-face relation for longitudinally slidable engagement therebetween, said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars for defining openings therethrough to receive the strap, one cross bar of one of said frames being folded back upon itself to provide a rounded edge and the other of said cross bars comprising a roller normally loosely held in position with respect to said frame .by the co-operation of both of'said frames, 'means for directing longitudinal movement of said frames, one cross bar of one of said frames cooperating with said loosely held roller to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions upon relative movement of said frames in one direction.

8. A slide buckle for association with a strap,

comprising a pair of frames disposed in a faceto-face relation for longitudinally slidable engagement therebetween, said frames having spaced side bars and spaced cross bars connecting said side bars for defining openings therethrough to receive the strap, side bars of one of said frames having notches, one cross bar of said notched frame being folded back upon itself to provide a rounded edge and the other of said cross bars comprising a roller. normally loosely held in position in said notches by the co-operation of both of said frames, means for directing longitudinal movement of said frames, one cross bar of one of said frames having an inclined surface co-operating with said loosely held cross bar to clamp the strap threaded therebetween in adjusted positions uponrelative movement of said frames in one direction.

PAUL W. WHITE.

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