The present application is based on, and claims priority from, International Application Number PCT/EP2007/051579 filed Feb. 19, 2007, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a buckle assembly, and more particularly, to a side-release buckle assembly that may be used with helmets, backpacks, and the like.
Buckle assemblies are used in various applications. Various helmets, such as bicycle helmets, utilize buckle assemblies to ensure a secure and proper fit with respect to a wearer's head. Typically, each buckle assembly includes a male buckle housing that is configured to mate with a female buckle housing. Each buckle member is connected to a separate web or strap that a wearer can adjust.
Some buckle assemblies include ratchet members that allow a wearer to adjust the helmet straps for a more comfortable fit. The wearer typically adjusts the web or strap for a large adjustment, while the wearer engages the ratchet member for a finer adjustment.
One such type of ratchet buckle is a top-release ratchet buckle assembly. That is, the engagement button for the ratchet member is located on top of one of the buckle housings. Top-release ratchet buckle assemblies are typically bulky. Moreover, pushing a button towards a wearer's face, as one does with a top-release ratchet buckle assembly, is not natural, and may prove uncomfortable for a wearer. Additionally, because the engagement button is exposed on the top side of the assembly, the engagement button is susceptible to inadvertent engagement by the user, or an object. As such, the button may be accidentally engaged, thereby inadvertently releasing the buckle.
To overcome the drawbacks of top-release ratchet buckle assemblies, side-release ratchet buckle assemblies were developed. A typical side-release ratchet buckle includes two parts: a ratchet strap and a buckle housing. The buckle housing has an integrally formed button. Typically, the button is integrally connected to a plastic spring within the buckle housing that compresses the button into the ratchet strap to lock the ratchet strap within the buckle housing. In order to disengage the ratchet strap, the button is engaged, which then disengages the ratchet strap. After the button is released, the plastic spring forces the button back into a locking relationship with the ratchet strap.
While the two piece design of the side-release ratchet buckle assembly is efficient to manufacture, the plastic spring is susceptible to cold-flowing if it is left in the flex position. That is, changes in pressure and temperature may warp the plastic spring, thereby reducing its ability to function properly. Cold-flowing may occur if the buckle is not latched all the way together, thereby forcing the plastic spring into a stressed position.
Additionally, it has been found that the conventional side-release ratchet buckle assembly does not operate smoothly and easily. The spring force direction within the assembly is angled within the buckle housing. Motion from the button is not directly transferred to the spring, and vice versa. That is, movement of the button in one direction causes the spring to move in a direction that is angled with respect to the movement of the button, and vice versa. Thus, when a wearer engages the button, the button, in turn, exerts an angled force into the button, thereby wasting movement and energy.
Thus, a need exists for a more efficient side-release buckle assembly. A need exists for a buckle assembly that is not susceptible to cold flowing. A need also exists for a buckle assembly that operates smoothly and easily with little wasted motion or energy.
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a buckle assembly that includes a main buckle housing, a button, a metal coil spring, and a ratchet strap.
The main housing may include a base integrally formed with first and second lateral walls, which are in turn integrally formed with a top wall. A strap passage is formed through a length of the main housing and a button passage is formed through the first lateral wall.
The button may include an engagement wall connected to a locking shelf and a spring securing member, such as a flat wall portion into which a portion of the spring is biased, a post, clasp, barb, recessed area, or the like. The button is received and retained in the main housing through the button passage. The locking shelf may include two spaced-apart latches.
The metal coil spring includes a first end secured to the spring securing member and a second end biased into an interior of the second lateral wall. The spring exerts equal and opposite forces into the button and the main housing. Movement of the button is directly transferred to the spring, and vice versa. That is, linear movement of the button in one direction directly and linearly compresses the spring in that direction, while linear decompression of the spring in the opposite direction directly moves the button in the same linear direction.
The ratchet strap may include two tracks of teeth spaced apart from one another by a gap. The ratchet strap is positioned within the strap passage. The ratchet strap is moveable through the strap passage in a first direction, and when the button is pressed, the ratchet strap is moveable through the ratchet strap in a second direction, which is opposite of the first direction.
The two tracks of teeth are configured to move over the latches in the first direction and prevented from retreating in the second direction unless the button is pressed. Each of the latches may include a securing wall, and each of the teeth may include a ramped surface integrally formed with a securing edge, such as a straight edge. The ramped surfaces slide over the latches in the first direction, and the teeth are blocked from moving in the second direction by the straight edges abutting the securing walls. The ratchet strap is allowed to move in the second direction when the button is pressed, thereby moving the straight edges out of an abutting relationship with the securing walls.
The button may also include a first ledge, and the main housing may also include a second ledge. The button is prevented from ejecting from the main housing by the first ledge abutting the second ledge.
Additionally, the main housing may include a first web engagement member configured to retain a first fabric web, and the ratchet strap may also include a second web engagement member configured to retain a second fabric web.
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a buckle assembly that may include a main housing, a button, a metal coil spring, and a ratchet strap. The button is positioned through a side of the main housing. The metal coil spring is biased between an interior wall of the main housing and the button, wherein movement of the button is directly transferred to the spring, and vice versa. The ratchet strap is moveable through the main housing in a first direction, and when the button is pressed, the ratchet strap is moveable through the main housing in a second direction, which is opposite of the first direction.
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a side-release buckle assembly that may include a main housing, a button, a metal coil spring, and a mating member, such as a ratchet strap or a male buckle housing.
The main housing may include a base integrally formed with first and second lateral walls, which are in turn integrally formed with a top wall. A mating passage is formed through at least a portion of the main housing and a button passage is formed through the first lateral wall.
The button may include an engagement wall connected to a locking shelf and a spring securing member. The button is received in the main housing through the button passage. The locking shelf may include first and second latches spaced apart from one another.
The metal coil spring may include a first end secured to the spring securing member and a second end biased into an interior of the second lateral wall. The spring exerts equal and opposite forces into the button and the main housing, and movement of the button is directly transferred to the spring, and vice versa.
The mating member may include a first row of securing teeth including first and second teeth spaced apart from one another by a gap. The mating member is positioned within the mating passage. The mating member is secured to the button by the first and second teeth securely mating with the first and second latches, respectively. Movement of the button into the main housing dislodges the first and second teeth from the first and second latches, respectively, in order to disconnect the mating member from the main housing.
Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.
The ratchet strap 12 includes a web engagement head 20 integrally formed with an extension beam 22. The web engagement head 20 includes two passages 24 and 26 separated by a crossbeam 28. A web of material, such as a fabric strap, is secured to the web engagement head 20 through the passages 24, 26 and the crossbeam 28. The web of material may be adjusted with respect to the web engagement head 20.
The buckle housing 14 includes a base 30 integrally formed with side walls 32, which are in turn integrally formed with a top wall 34. A button passage 36 is formed through one of the side walls 32 and is configured to receive the button 16 and the spring 18. A web engagement member 38 is formed at one end 39 of the buckle housing 14. The web engagement member 38 includes at least one web passage 40. A web of material, such as a fabric strap, is secured to the web engagement member 38. The web of material may be adjusted with respect to the web engagement member 38. The web engagement member 38 may be the same as the web engagement head 20, or vice versa.
A strap passage 42 is formed underneath the top wail 34 above the web engagement member 38. The strap passage 42 is configured to allow the extension strap 22 of the ratchet strap 12 to pass therethrough. The strap passage 42 passes from the end 39 of the buckle housing 14 to the other end 41. In order to secure the ratchet strap 12 to the buckle housing 14, the extension strap 22 is urged into the strap passage 42 in the direction of arrow A.
The button 16 includes an engagement wall 44 integrally formed with a base 46. The base 46 is, in turn, integrally formed with a ratchet locking shelf 48 and a spring post 50. One end of the spring 18 is positioned around the spring post 50 and abuts the base 46. The other end of the spring 18 abuts an internal wall (not shown) of the buckle housing 14. Thus, the spring 18 exerts forces into both the internal wall of the buckle housing 14 and the button 16. The button 16 and the spring 18 are installed into the button housing 14 in the direction of B, as further explained with respect to
As shown in
While the tracks 52 are shown as sawtooth tracks, the tracks may alternatively include various features configured to securely engage counterpart structures. For example, the tracks 52 may include rectangular, semi-circular, or various other shaped protuberances, barbs, clasps, or the like.
When the engagement wall 44 of the button 16 is further pressed in the direction of arrow B, the ledge 60 moves away from the ledge 62 in the direction of arrow B. However, the force exerted by the spring 18 moves the button 16 back in the direction of arrow B′ when the button 16 is no longer pressed. The button 16 is prevented from ejecting from the buckle housing 14 by the ledge 60 moving back into an abutting relationship with the ledge 62.
In order to adjust the ratchet strap 12 within the buckle housing 14 in the direction of arrow A′, the engagement wall 44 of the button 16 is pressed in the direction of arrow B. Consequently, the ratchet locking shelf 48 moves into the buckle housing 14 in the direction of arrow B, and the wails 80 of the latching members 70 lose contact with the straight edges 58 of the teeth 54. Thus, the ratchet strap 12 is no longer securely locked to the button 16. A user may then pull the ratchet strap 12 through the buckle housing 14 in the direction of arrow A′.
Because the ratchet strap 12 includes the sawtooth tracks 52, the ratchet strap 12 may be moved into the buckle housing 14 in the direction of arrow A without pressing the button 16. Instead, the ramped surfaces 56 of the teeth 54 slide over the latching members 70, thereby forcing the ratchet locking shelf 48 in the direction of arrow B, and compressing the spring 18 as each set of teeth 54 pass over the latching members 70. However, as one set of teeth 54 moves over the latching members 70 in the direction of arrow A, the spring 18 forces the button 16 back in the direction of arrow B′, thereby snapably moving the straight edges 58 of the teeth 54 into a locking abutment with the walls 80 of the latching members 70. This movement may emit a clicking sound as each set of teeth 54 securely engages the latching members 70. The abutment of the walls 80 of the latching members 70 and straight edges 58 of each set of teeth 54 prevents the ratchet strap 12 from retreating in the direction of arrow A′, unless the button 16 is pushed in the direction of arrow B. Engagement of the button 16 in the direction of arrow B, however, dislodges the teeth 54 from the latching members 70. In this way, the ratchet strap 12 may be adjusted in the directions of A and A′ to provide a tighter or looser fit. The ratchet strap 12 secures to the button 16 of the buckle housing 14 such that it may be urged in the direction of arrow A without pressing the button 16, but, retreats in the direction of arrow A′ only when the button 16 is pressed in the direction of arrow B.
As shown in
The same locking movement between the teeth 54 and latching members 70 may be used in a buckle assembly that does not include a ratchet strap. For example, instead of a ratchet strap, the buckle assembly 10 may include a mating member such as a male buckle housing having one set of teeth extending outwardly therefrom. The teeth are configured to engage the latching members 70. In order to connect the male housing to the buckle housing 14, the teeth of the male housing are urged into the strap passage 42 and lock onto the latching members 70 as described above. In order to disconnect, the button 16 is pushed, thereby disengaging the teeth 54 from the latching members 70, as described above, and the male housing may be removed from the buckle housing 14.
Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a more efficient and easy-to-use side-release buckle assembly. Embodiments of the present invention, which may be used as a buckle for a chin strap on a helmet, provide a side-release buckle assembly that is less susceptible to inadvertent disengagement as compared to top-release buckle assemblies. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention provide a natural, side release buckle assembly in which a user pushes a button on a side of the housing toward a center of the housing. Further, movement between the spring within the buckle housing and the button is direct, smooth, and immediate. Additionally, because the spring is metal, it is not susceptible to cold-flowing as compared to plastic spring members.
While various spatial terms, such as front, rear, upper, bottom, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, and the like may used to describe embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that a front portion is a rear portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.
Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP2007/051579 | 2/19/2007 | WO | 00 | 10/4/2009 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2008/101543 | 8/28/2008 | WO | A |
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1786943 | Gammell | Dec 1930 | A |
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4844214 | Castelli et al. | Jul 1989 | A |
4916779 | Terada et al. | Apr 1990 | A |
5490685 | Kitayama et al. | Feb 1996 | A |
6108821 | Malsoute | Aug 2000 | A |
7089603 | Ketterer et al. | Aug 2006 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country |
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10110030 | Sep 2002 | DE |
202005013696 | Dec 2005 | DE |
0345014 | Dec 1989 | EP |
2778068 | Nov 1999 | FR |
Entry |
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ISR for PCT/EP2007/051579 mailed Nov. 16, 2007. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20100011542 A1 | Jan 2010 | US |