BUCKLE FOR WEIGHTLIFTING BELT

BACKGROUND

During exercise, such as weightlifting or bench pressing, a person may wear a belt to provide lower back and core support. The weightlifting belt reduces the risk of injury when performing strenuous exercise, such as weightlifting. For example, a person who performs a squat may wear a weightlifting or powerlifting belt to reduce the risk of injury to their lumbar area or their lower back.

Weightlifting belts may be of a variety of widths, but may generally be wider than belts that are typically worn in beltloops of a pant. The length of the weightlifting belt may be any suitable length, and in some cases, may depend on the girth of the wearer. Regardless of the length and width of the weightlifting belt, it is desirable for the belt to be worn taught across the wearer's waist and/or abdomen. A belt that is loose may not provide an optimum level of support to the wearer. As a result, it is desirable to wear a weightlifting belt with a near precise tightness.

Buckles are used for wearing a weightlifting belt. The buckles generally engage spaced holes in the weightlifting belt to hold the weightlifting belt wrapped around the user of the weightlifting belt. The weightlifting belts typically have a spatial distance between holes (e.g., spatial periodicity) that allows for a reasonable, but imperfect fit of the weightlifting belt. In other words, conventionally, weightlifting belts are worn with lengths that increment according to the distance between the holes formed on the weightlifting belt. Thus, conventional weightlifting belts and/or buckles may not allow a perfect fit, if that perfect fit corresponds to an intermediary distance between any two belt positions, as defined by the holes disposed on the weightlifting belt.

Additionally, conventional buckles may be flimsy and may unbuckle during use. In some cases, the buckles may snag other items and come unbuckled. Furthermore, due to requirements of ruggedness, conventional weightlifting buckles may be relatively expensive and may be constructed with more expensive materials that provide for a relatively high level of ruggedness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same reference numbers in different figures indicate similar or identical items.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example buckle in an open state, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of the buckle of FIG. 1 in a closed state, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a bottom perspective view of the buckle of FIG. 1 in the open state, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a bottom view of the buckle of FIG. 1 in the closed state, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a photograph showing a prototype body of the buckle of FIG. 1, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a photograph showing a prototype buckle holding a weightlifting belt, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method for forming the buckle of FIG. 1, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a semitransparent view of an example wedge with a spring biased end element of the buckle of FIG. 1, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a semitransparent view of an example latching mechanism of the buckle of FIG. 1, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a semitransparent view of an example edge element with a spring biased attachment to a body of the buckle of FIG. 1, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates a semitransparent view of the buckle of FIG. 1 with a spring latching mechanism, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of this disclosure include a buckle for a weightlifting or powerlifting belt. The buckle may be used to hold two ends of the weightlifting belt in a manner such that the weightlifting belt is held in a wrapped orientation around a user of the weightlifting belt. In other words, the buckle, as disclosed herein, may allow for a weightlifting belt to be held in a substantially oval and/or circular shape, snugly around a user of the weightlifting belt. The weightlifting belt may be of any suitable type (e.g., 10 mm belt, 13 mm belt, etc.) and material of construct (e.g., leather, polymer, etc.).

The buckle, as disclosed herein, may allow for a more precise and/or snug fit for a user of weightlifting belts than conventional buckles. The buckle, as disclosed herein, may allow for a wrapped length that is intermediary between the holes disposed on the weightlifting belt. In other words, the buckle can be adjusted to provide a more precise fit than conventional buckles for weightlifting belts.

In some examples, the buckle for a weightlifting belt may include an adjustment mechanism that allows for the user of the buckle to adjust the fit of the belt to a precision that is less than the distance between the holes on the weightlifting belt. The adjustment mechanism may, in some cases, be a worm screw seated in a corresponding set of threads that allows for fine adjustment of the tightness of the weightlifting belt. “fine adjustment,” as used herein, refers to the adjustment of the tightness of the weightlifting or other belt that is at a level that is more precise or granular than what merely fixedly engaging the holes disposed on the weightlifting belt would allow. Although the adjustment mechanism discussed in this disclosure is the worm screw, it should be understood that the disclosure contemplates other fine adjustment mechanisms, such as ratcheting mechanisms, sliding mechanisms, clamping mechanisms, or the like.

In some cases, the buckle includes a car attached to a body, where the car can move relative to the body. The car engages the holes disposed on the weightlifting belt. Because the car, which holds one end of the weightlifting belt, can move relative to the rest of the buckle, including the body, the movement of the car can be used for fine adjustments of the snugness or tightness of the weightlifting belt. A user may be able to adjust the relative position of the car, and therefore control the snugness of the weightlifting belt, by rotating the worm screw disposed between the body and the car of the buckle. Threads that engage the worm screw may be disposed in one or both of the body and/or the car.

The buckle, as disclosed herein, has a sleek and compact design that minimizes material usage and minimizes snag points that may catch surrounding objects (e.g., exercise equipment) and unbuckle. By using less material, the buckle is cost effective, without unneeded parts or bulk. The sleek design allows the belt to conform more closely to the contour of the weightlifting belt that it holds, resulting in an aesthetic look compared to conventional buckles. Additionally, the buckle is easily fabricated due to its compact design, further leading to cost-effective manufacture.

The buckle, as disclosed herein, due to its compact and durable design, may be fabricated and/or manufactured from a wide variety of materials. Unlike conventional buckles for weightlifting belts, the novel buckle disclosed here need not be manufactured only from metals. Because of its robust design, the buckle may be fabricated from any variety of metals, as well, as any variety of plastics or other polymeric materials. Additionally, the ability to use nonconventional materials allows for the use of any variety of fabrication mechanisms. Conventional buckles are made substantially from metal, where parts of the conventional buckle is machined. The Buckle, as disclosed herein, may be fabricated from conventional materials, but may also be fabricated from more cost-effective plastics and/or other polymeric materials using lower cost fabrication techniques, such as injection molding and/or 3D printing.

The buckle, as disclosed herein, may be fabricated in any suitable manner, including machining, molding, casting, 3D printing, or the like. As 3D printing technology becomes more ubiquitous, the disclosure further contemplates the design of the buckle disclosed herein being sold to consumers, who in turn may 3D print the buckle in their own homes or gyms.

In some cases, the buckle may also include a magnet disposed on a lever of the buckle that allows for an extra-secure buckling of the buckle. The magnet may engage with a wedge of the buckle, if the wedge is constructed from a magnetic material, such as iron, steel, cobalt, nickel, chromium, or the like. Alternatively, another magnet may be disposed on the wedge to magnetically engage the magnet disposed on the lever of the buckle. In this way, there is an additional force (e.g., a magnetic force) that cooperates with the latching mechanism of the lever and wedge to keep the buckle from unbuckling, such as from snagging another object.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example buckle 100 in an open state, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure. The buckle includes a wedge 102 and a lever 104. In an open state of the buckle 100, the length of the wedge is not substantially parallel with the length of the lever 104. The buckle 100 further includes a body 106 and side elements 108. The lever 104 may be rotatably coupled to the wedge 102 via rotatable joints 110. Similarly, the side elements 108 may be rotatably coupled to the lever 104 via rotatable joints 112. The side elements 108 may further be rotatably coupled to an end element 114 of the body 106 via rotatable joints 116. The buckle 100 may also include a body support element 127 coupled to the body 106 on a distal end of the body 106 from the end element 114. In some cases, the body support element 127 may be a separate component that is attached to the body 106 by any suitable mechanism, such as screws, bolts, clips, or the like. In other cases, the body support element may be integrally formed with the body 106.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of the buckle 100 of FIG. 1 in a closed state, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure. With reference to both FIGS. 1 and 2, when the buckle 100 is in the closed state, as depicted in FIG. 2, an end of the wedge 102 abuts the end element 114 of the body 106. The closed state of the buckle is characterized by the relative positions of the lever 104 and the wedge 102 when in a buckled state. In a closed state, the length of the lever 104 and the length of the wedge 102 may be substantially parallel and/or in alignment with each other.

The buckle 100 may further include a fastener plate 118 that is fixedly disposed on the wedge 102 of the buckle 100. The fastener plate 118 may have edges 120 therein that define holes 122. The fastener plate 118 may have any suitable number of holes 122 formed therein. For example, as shown, the fastener plate 118 may have four holes 112 therein. In other cases, the fastener plate 118 may include two holes or six holes. The holes 122 in the fastener plate may correspond roughly to holes of the weightlifting belt. For example, a typical weightlifting belt may have two sets of holes along the length of the weightlifting belt. The holes 122, as defined by the edges 122 of the fastener plate 118, may be spaced in a manner that corresponds with the spacing of the holes on the weightlifting belt. The fastener plate 118 may be attached to one end of the weightlifting belt using any suitable mechanism, such as a screw and nut through the holes 122, hexagonal bolts, other fasteners, or the like. In other cases, the fastener plate 118 may be attached to the body 106, holding one end of the weightlifting belt, by a threaded insert. In still other cases, the fastener plate 118 may be attached to the body 106, holding one end of the weightlifting belt, by machine threading into the body 106.

The buckle 100 may further include a car 124 that is movably coupled to the body 106 of the buckle 100. The car 124 may be configured to move along rails 126 of the body 106. In other words, the rails 126 of the body 106 may serve as guides along which the car may be able to move. A user of the buckle 100 may move the car 124 relative to the body 106 for fine adjustment of the effective length of the weightlifting belt to control the snugness thereof. In other words, by moving the car 124 relative to the body 106, a user can adjust the tightness of the weightlifting belt with a granularity that is more precise than the granularity possible by the spacing of the holes on the weightlifting belt alone.

The car 124 may include one or more legs 128, which protrude from a bottom surface of the car 124. The legs 128 are configured to fit within the holes of the weightlifting belt to hold the weightlifting belt to the buckle 100. The car 124 may have any suitable number of legs 128. In some cases, the car 124 may have four legs 128. In other cases, the car 124 may have one, two, three, six, or eight legs 128. The legs 128 may be spaced from one another with a spacing that corresponds to the spacing of holes on the weightlifting belt that is to be held by the buckle 100. For example, the weightlifting belt may have holes that are 1 inch apart. In that case, the legs 128 of the car 124 may also be spaced substantially 1 inch apart. In some cases, the weightlifting belt may have holes that are disposed as pairs along the length of the weightlifting belt. In this case, in some embodiments, the car 124 may have four legs 128, which together engage two sets of holes running along the length of the weightlifting belt.

In some cases, the legs 128, as disposed on the car 124, may include feet 130. The feet 130 may enable the corresponding legs 128 to not slip out of the holes on the weightlifting belt. Thus, the feet 130 enable the legs 128 to more reliably hold onto the weightlifting belt. In some cases, the all of the legs 128 of the car 124 may have feet 130. In other cases, one some of the legs 128 may have feet 130. In yet other cases, none of the legs 128 may have feet 130.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the edge elements 108 may, in some cases, have a first portion 200 adjacent to the lever 104 and a second portion 202 proximal to the end element 114 of the body 106. In some cases, the second portion 202 may be relatively wider than the first portion 200. This difference in width between the first portion 200 and second portion 202 may be to accommodate the lever 104, when the buckle 100 is in a closed state. The design with the two portions 200, 202 of the edge elements 108 provide a compact and sleek design, where the buckle 100 has a flush front surface in a closed state, without additional edges. This design is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also minimizes the possibility of snagging on other objects.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a bottom perspective view of the buckle 100 of FIG. 1 in the open state, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure. As shown, the buckle 100 may include a worm screw 300 disposed between the body support element 127 and the car 124. The worm screw 300 may have any suitable thread pitch and/or thread density. The worm screw 300 may mesh with threads 302 disposed in the body 106, the car 124, or both the body 106 and the car 124. The worm screw 300 may be accessed via a window defined by edge 304 within a bottom side of the car 124. In other words, a user of the buckle 100 may rotate the worm screw 300, such as by using their thumb, through the opening in the car 124 defined by the edge 304. Although the opening is shown as an oval window, it should be understood that the window may be of any suitable size and/or shape. For example, in other cases, the window may be a square window or a hexagonal window.

A user of the buckle 100 may rotate the worm screw 300 to move the car 124 to adjust the distance between the car 124 and the fastener plate 118. It is the control of the distance between the car 124 and the fastener plate 118 that allows for fine adjustments to the snugness of the weightlifting belt, as worn by the user. It should be understood that the distance that the car 124 can move relative to the fastener plate 118 is any suitable distance. In some cases, the allowed movement of the car 124 may be at least the distance between holes on the weightlifting belt. In other cases, the allowed movement of the car 124 may be at least half the distance between holes on the weightlifting belt. In some cases, the car 124 may be able to move at least 1 inch relative to the body 106 and/or the fastener plate 118. In other cases, the car 124 may be able to move at least 0.5 inches relative to the body 106 and/or the fastener plate 118. In some cases, the car 124 may be able to move at least 0.25 inches relative to the body 106 and/or the fastener plate 118.

Although a particular mechanism, namely the worm screw 300, is shown to provide fine adjustments to the weightlifting belt worn with the buckle 100, it should be understood that the disclosure contemplates other mechanisms for fine adjustment of the snugness of the weightlifting belt. For example, other mechanisms my be sliders with brakes or slots to move the car 124 relative to the rest of the buckle 100. In other cases, a rachet, a zipper, and/or a clasp mechanism may be used to adjust the car 124 relative to the fastener plate 118.

The parts of the buckle 100, such as the wedge 102, lever 104, body 106, edge elements 108, car 124, worm screw 300, or the like, may be fabricated from any suitable materials. In some cases, the parts of the buckle 100 may all be fabricated from the same material and in other cases, the parts may be fabricated from different materials. The parts, as discussed herein, may be fabricated from any variety of metals (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, steel, etc.), ceramics, polymers, and/or composite materials. Due to the robust and sleek design of the buckle 100, a variety of lower-cost polymeric materials may be used to fabricate some or all of the parts of the buckle 100. In some cases, the parts of the buckle 100 may be made from metals that are cast and/or machined. In other cases, parts of the buckle 100 may be fabricated from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polylactic Acid (PLA), Nylon, High density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyoxymethylene (POM), Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR), Polypropylene (PP), High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS), other thermoplastics, combinations thereof, or the like. When using thermoplastics, compression molding, injections molding, and/or 3D printing may be used to fabricate the parts of the buckle 100. In some cases, the fasteners used for the joints 110, 112, 116 may be constructed from a different material than the other parts of the buckle 100.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a bottom view of the buckle 100 of FIG. 1 in the closed state, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure. As shown, in some cases, the lever 104 may have a magnet 400 attached thereon. This magnet may interact with the fastener plate 118 and/or the wedge 102 to provide a stronger hold to prevent unbuckling, when the buckle 100 is in a buckled or closed state. In some cases, another magnet (not shown) may be disposed on the fastener plate 118 and/or wedge 102, to provide magnetic coupling thereto, resulting in a magnetic force supplementing the buckle force of the lever 104 and wedge 102. It should be understood that the magnet 400 is optional. In other cases, a magnet may be mounted to the body 106 and the lever 104. In still other cases, a magnet may be mounted on the lever 104 and the wedge 102.

In one example, the magnet 400 may be integrated within the wedge 102. For example, the magnet 400 may be placed within the wedge 102 in one or more cavities formed within the wedge 102. A ferroelectric material (e.g., a piece of steel or iron) or another magnet may be disposed on or in the lever 104 to selectively magnetically couple with the magnet 400 embedded within the wedge 102. This selective coupling, such as when the buckle 100 is in the closed position, allows for enhanced security in keeping the buckle latched and preventing undesired unlatching. In still other cases, the magnet 400 may be disposed inside the buckle 100 and a reciprocal ferromagnetic and/or magnet element may be disposed in or on the wedge 102. The magnet 400 may be of any suitable type, geometry, and/or strength. The magnet 400 may be of the type of neodymium, samarium cobalt, alnico, combinations thereof, or the like.

FIG. 5 is a photograph 500 showing a prototype body 106 of the buckle 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure. As shown, the body 106 includes the rails 126, along which the car 124 can slide. As discussed herein, the end of the body 106 distal to the end element 114 may be mechanically coupled to the body support element 127. In other cases, the body support element 127 may be integrally formed with the body 106. The car 124 position relative to the body 106 is controllable by the position of the worm screw 300 within the threads 302 formed within the body 106. In other words, a user can rotate the worm screw 300 relative to the threads 302 to move the car 124 relative to the fastener plate 118. This provides fine control of the snugness of the weightlifting belt.

FIG. 6 is a photograph 600 showing a prototype buckle holding a weightlifting belt, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure. The prototype buckle in this photograph is printed on a 3D printer using ABS and/or PLA. As shown, the fastener plate of the buckle is attached to one end of the weightlifting belt and the car with its legs are attached to the other end of the weightlifting belt. It can be seen that when latched, the weightlifting belt may have a slight overlap. In practice, the weightlifting belt may have a slight overlap or a slight gap, without substantially changing the function thereof. Therefore, the buckle 100 is configured to wrap the weightlifting belt in an overlapping manner of or in a manner that leaves a gap.

It should be understood that weightlifting belts come in different configurations (e.g., length, width, thickness, hole configuration, hole spacing, material types, etc.) and the disclosure herein contemplates minor variations in the buckle 100 to accommodate different types of weightlifting belts. It should also be understood that the improvements in the buckle 100, as disclosed herein, provide for a more perfect fit of the weightlifting belt on a person's torso. The fit of the weightlifting belt, in light of the technological and design advances disclosed herein, is not limited to the spacing of the holes in the weightlifting belt. Rather, the fit of the weightlifting belt can be modified using the fine adjustments on the buckle 100 (e.g., the worm screw 300).

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method 700 for forming the buckle 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure. The method 700 may be performed in any suitable location, such as a factory, a home, a gym, or the like. In some cases, the processes of method 700 may be performed in multiple locations. For example, the parts of the buckle 100 may be fabricated in a manufacturing location and come as a kit and the user of the buckle 100 may perform relatively minor assembly, such as in their home or gym, to fabricate the buckle 100. In other cases, a user of the buckle 100 may purchase the buckle design, as disclosed herein, and 3D print or otherwise fabricate the buckle 100 at home.

At block 702, the lever 104 of the buckle 100 is formed. Although shown with a certain shape and size, it will be understood that the lever 104 may be fabricated with any suitable size and/or shape. The lever 104 may be fabricated from any suitable material, such as any variety of metals (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, steel, etc.), ceramics, polymers, and/or composite materials. In some cases, the lever 104 may be made from metals that are cast and/or machined. Due to the robust and sleek design of the buckle 100, a variety of lower-cost polymeric materials may be used to fabricate the lever 104. In some cases, the lever 104 may be fabricated from ABS, PLA, Nylon, HDPE, POM, TPR, PP, HIPS, other thermoplastics, combinations thereof, or the like. When using thermoplastics, compression molding, injections molding, and/or 3D printing may be used to fabricate the lever 104.

At block 704, the wedge 102 of the buckle 100 is formed. Although shown with a certain shape and size, it will be understood that the wedge 102 may be fabricated with any suitable size and/or shape. The wedge 102 may be fabricated from any suitable material, such as any variety of metals (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, steel, etc.), ceramics, polymers, and/or composite materials. In some cases, the wedge 104 may be made from metals that are cast and/or machined. Due to the robust and sleek design of the buckle 100, a variety of lower-cost polymeric materials may be used to fabricate the wedge 102. In some cases, the wedge 102 may be fabricated from ABS, PLA, Nylon, HDPE, POM, TPR, PP, HIPS, other thermoplastics, combinations thereof, or the like. When using thermoplastics, compression molding, injections molding, and/or 3D printing may be used to fabricate the wedge 102.

At block 706, the car 124 of the buckle 100 is formed. Although shown with a certain shape and size, it will be understood that the car 124 may be fabricated with any suitable size and/or shape. In some cases, the car 124 may include threads that mesh with the worm screw 300. The car 124 may be fabricated from any suitable material, such as any variety of metals (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, steel, etc.), ceramics, polymers, and/or composite materials. In some cases, the car 124 may be made from metals that are cast and/or machined. Due to the robust and sleek design of the buckle 100, a variety of lower-cost polymeric materials may be used to fabricate the car 124. In some cases, the car 124 may be fabricated from ABS, PLA, Nylon, HDPE, POM, TPR, PP, HIPS, other thermoplastics, combinations thereof, or the like. When using thermoplastics, compression molding, injections molding, and/or 3D printing may be used to fabricate the car 124.

At block 708, the worm screw 300 of the buckle 100 is formed. Although shown with a certain shape and size, it will be understood that the worm screw 300 may be fabricated with any suitable size, shape, thread pitch, thread density, thread shape, and/or thread protrusion. The worm screw 300 may be fabricated from any suitable material, such as any variety of metals (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, steel, etc.), ceramics, polymers, and/or composite materials. In some cases, the worm screw 300 may be made from metals that are cast and/or machined. Due to the robust and sleek design of the buckle 100, a variety of lower-cost polymeric materials may be used to fabricate the worm screw 300. In some cases, the worm screw 300 may be fabricated from ABS, PLA, Nylon, HDPE, POM, TPR, PP, HIPS, other thermoplastics, combinations thereof, or the like. When using thermoplastics, compression molding, injections molding, and/or 3D printing may be used to fabricate the worm screw 300.

At block 710, the edge elements 108 of the buckle 100 are formed. Although shown with a certain shape and size, it will be understood that the edge elements 108 may be fabricated with any suitable size and/or shape. The edge elements 108 may be fabricated from any suitable material, such as any variety of metals (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, steel, etc.), ceramics, polymers, and/or composite materials. In some cases, the edge elements 108 may be made from metals that are cast and/or machined. Due to the robust and sleek design of the buckle 100, a variety of lower-cost polymeric materials may be used to fabricate the edge elements 108. In some cases, the edge elements 108 may be fabricated from ABS, PLA, Nylon, HDPE, POM, TPR, PP, HIPS, other thermoplastics, combinations thereof, or the like. When using thermoplastics, compression molding, injections molding, and/or 3D printing may be used to fabricate the edge elements 108.

At block 712, the body 106 of the buckle 100 is formed. Although shown with a certain shape and size, it will be understood that the body 106 may be fabricated with any suitable size, shape, thread pitch, thread density, thread shape, and/or thread protrusion. The body 106 may have threads 302 formed therein to mesh with the threads of the worm screw 300. The threads 302 of the body 106 may be of any suitable type, corresponding to the threads of the worm screw 300. The body 106 may be fabricated from any suitable material, such as any variety of metals (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, steel, etc.), ceramics, polymers, and/or composite materials. In some cases, the body 106 may be made from metals that are cast and/or machined. Due to the robust and sleek design of the buckle 100, a variety of lower-cost polymeric materials may be used to fabricate the body 106. In some cases, the body 106 may be fabricated from ABS, PLA, Nylon, HDPE, POM, TPR, PP, HIPS, other thermoplastics, combinations thereof, or the like. When using thermoplastics, compression molding, injections molding, and/or 3D printing may be used to fabricate the body 106.

At block 714, the car 124 is assembled onto the body 106 via the worm screw 300. The car may move along the rail 126 of the body 106. The worm screw 300 may be disposed between the car and the body, such that the thread of the worm screw mesh with threads on one or both of the body 106 and/or the car 124.

At block 716, the side elements 108 are assembled onto the body 106. In other words, the joints 116 are formed. In some cases, the fasteners used for the joints 110, 112, 116 may be constructed from a different material than the other parts of the buckle 100.

At block 718, the lever 104 is assembled onto the wedge 102 and the side elements 108. Thus, the joints 110, 116 are formed. In some cases, the fasteners used for the joints 110, 112, 116 may be constructed from a different material than the other parts of the buckle 100.

In some cases, the buckle 100 may be formed primarily with plastic-like materials. In these cases, epoxies, paints, or other finished may be disposed on the buckle after formation. In other cases, the buckle 100 may be formed primarily from metal, where in some cases, a finish or coating may be provided on the metal surfaces of the buckle 100. For example, a coating may be provided for the purposes of reducing corrosion or oxidation of the surfaces of the buckle 100. Other coatings may be used to prevent or reduce the appearance of fingerprints or other oils, dirt, or grime on the surfaces of the buckle 100. Any suitable process may be used to provide the coating on the surfaces of the buckle, such as physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), dip coating, sol-gel coating, electroplating, electroless plating, or the like.

It should be noted that some of the operations of method 700 may be performed out of the order presented, with additional elements, and/or without some elements. Some of the operations of method 700 may further take place substantially concurrently and, therefore, may conclude in an order different from the order of operations shown above.

FIG. 8 illustrates a semitransparent view of an example wedge 800 with a spring biased abutment element 804 of the buckle of FIG. 1, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure. The wedge 800 may be an example of and/or a variation to the wedge 102, as described herein. Wedge 800 includes a body element 802 and the abutment element 804. The abutment element 804 may include an insert portion 806 and an end surface 808 configured to abut the end element 114 of the body 106. A portion 810 of the insert portion 806 may be slidably disposed within the body element 802 of the wedge 800. The abutment element 804 may further include a slide guide 812 that surrounds a post 814 of the body element 802, to positionally hold the abutment element 804 in place within the body element 802.

The wedge 800 may further have one or more springs 816 disposed within cavities defined by edges 818 within the body element 802. These springs 816 may positionally bias the abutment element 804 relative to the body element 802. Due to the springs 816, the abutment element 804 may be pushed in or pull out relative to the body element 802 from a quiescent point of the springs 816. In this way, during the latching process, the spring-biased abutment element 804 allows for a small change in the overall dimensions of the wedge 800. Due to this allowed dimensional change during the latching process, a snug or tight latch may be achieved, where the lever 104 does not unbuckle easily when latched. Put another way, the abutment element 804 may be pushed into the body element 802 during the latching process to allow for an overall longer length of the wedge 800, rather than a shorter length of the wedge 800, to be latched. The longer length of the wedge 800, relative to the case where the abutment element 804 is not present, provides a more snug fit of the wedge 800 to the body 106 and the lever 102, when latched. The snug fit allows for a more secure and reliable latching as compared to a less snug fit of the wedge 800.

It should be understood that the abutment element 804 spring-biased action may be achieved in other ways. For example, the springs may be in different positions or various other types of springs may be used. In other cases, other spring like materials may be used to provide dimensional variability to the wedge 800, such as a block of rubber or other compressible material.

FIG. 9 illustrates a semitransparent view of an example latching mechanism 900 of the buckle 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure. The latching mechanism 900 may provide a secure latch between a lever 902 and a wedge 904. Lever 902 may be an example of and/or variation of lever 104 and wedge 904 may be an example of and/or a variation of the wedge 102, as disclosed herein. The lever 902 may include a slot 906 therein, as defined by edges 908. The wedge 904 may include a cavity 910 defined by edges 912. The wedge 904 may include another cavity, defined by edges 914, within which a magnet 916 is disposed. The magnet 916 may be of any suitable type, geometry, and/or strength. The magnet 916 may be of any magnet type of neodymium, samarium cobalt, alnico, combinations thereof, or the like. In some cases, the magnet 916 may be wedged into the cavity 914. In other cases, the magnet 916 may be held within cavity 914 using epoxy, glue, and/or fasteners.

A latch element 918 may be slidably disposed within the slot 906 of the lever 902. In some cases, the latch element 918 may include and/or be constructed of a ferroelectric and/or magnetic material (e.g., iron, nickel, cobalt, chromium, etc.). During the action of latching the lever 902 to the wedge 904, the latch element 918 may slide within the slot 906, according to the edge of the wedge 904. When the buckle 100 is buckled, having the lever 902 buckled to the wedge 904, the latch element 918 is slidably disposed in both the slot 906 of the lever 902 and the cavity 910 of the wedge 904. In this condition, the latch element 918 may be attracted to the magnet 916 by way of magnetic attractive force, causing the latch element 918 to move to a latched position, providing a barrier to unlatching the lever 902 from the wedge 904. Thus, during exercise, the latch element 918 magnetically held against edges 912 at a point within the cavity 910 that is most proximal to the magnet 916 prevents movements in the wearer's torso from accidentally unlatching the lever 902 from the wedge 904. When the wearer wishes to unbuckle the buckle 100, the wearer may slide the latch element 918 away from the magnet 916, against the force of the magnet 916, to a position that allows the wearer to unlatch the lever 902 from the wedge 904.

FIG. 10 illustrates a semitransparent view of an example edge element 1000 with a spring biased attachment to a body 106 of the buckle 100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure. The edge element 1000 may be an example of and/or a variation of the edge element 108, as disclosed herein. The edge element 1000 may include an elongated element 1002, a bent element 1004, and a swivel element 1006. The swivel element 1006 may rotate in a limited range of angles relative to the bent element 1004 at a joint 1008. The swivel element may include a protrusion 1010 for joining the edge element 1000 to the end element 114. A leaf spring 1012 may provide a spring bias at a quiescent point between the bent element 1004 and the swivel element 1006. Movement away from the quiescent point results in a rotational movement of the swivel element 1006 to the bent element 1004 around the joint 1008. This rotational action allows for a snug fit between the wedge 102 and the lever 104.

FIG. 11 illustrates a semitransparent view of a buckle 1100 with a spring latching mechanism, in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure. The buckle 1100 may be an example of and/or a variation of the buckle 100, as disclosed herein. The buckle 1100 may include a lever 1102 rotatably coupled to a wedge 1104 via joint 1106. It should be understood that the lever 1102 and the wedge 1104 may be an implementation of and/or a variation of lever 104 and wedge 102, respectively, as disclosed herein. An axle 1108 may extend along the joint 1106, within the wedge 1104, from one side of the wedge 1104 to another side of the wedge 1104. A spring 1110 may be coupled to the axle 1108 on one end and to any fixed element within the wedge 1104 on the other end. The joint 1106 may have a compressible material 1112 disposed on its edge. This compressible material 1112 may allow for a slight movement of the lever 1102 to the wedge 1104 during the latching process. Again, this slight play in movement between the lever 1102 and the wedge 1104 allows for a snug fit between the wedge 102 and the lever 104, when in a latched state. Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the claims.

The disclosure is described above with reference to block and flow diagrams of system(s), methods, apparatuses, and/or buckles according to example embodiments of the disclosure. It will be understood that one or more blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flow diagrams, respectively, can be implemented by one or more different entities on one or more different equipment. Likewise, some blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams may not necessarily need to be performed in the order presented, or may not necessarily need to be performed at all, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure set forth herein will be apparent having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

BUCKLE FOR WEIGHTLIFTING BELT

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