Ladder Lock for Adjustably Interconnecting Lengths of Webbing

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a buckle assembly employing a ladder lock. The ladder lock includes a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal rungs. A set of lateral rungs are centrally positioned and serve to interconnect to longitudinal rungs. A central length of webbing is threaded through the longitudinal rungs, whereby the ladder lock can be freely adjusted along the length of the central webbing. Two lengths of side webbing are threaded through opposite sides of the lateral rungs. Anchor rungs can be included for securing each of the side webbings. In this manner, the two side webbings can be positively secured to the ladder lock, yet side to side adjustments can be achieved via the lateral rungs.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to a buckle or ladder lock. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a ladder lock that can adjustably interconnect lengths of webbing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Buckle and buckle connectors are known in the art as a means for connecting straps or lengths of webbing. These connectors are used in a wide variety of fields and for a wide variety of purposes. By way of example, buckle connectors can be used to secure the belts or straps on clothing or outerwear. They can be used to secure equipment or packs for various military or recreational applications. Buckle connectors are likewise used on animal collars and leashes.

An example of a buckle construction is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,374,691 to Troop. Troop discloses a buckle made up of duplicate and opposite side members. One side includes a bar and a substantially cylindrical attaching bar. The attaching bar is connected to a strap or belt. Rivets are included for forming the belt into a closed loop about the attaching bar. The opposite side includes a transverse bar. A locker is also included. The locker takes the form of a movable cylinder. An end of the belt is threaded about the cylinder.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,591,900 to Brown discloses a belt adjuster that is provided with spaced parallel, offset but fixed bars. A third reciprocating bar is disposed between the fixed bars and cooperates with one of the fixed bars to grip a looped portion of a belt. The cooperating bars are of a noncomplimentary geometry so as to apply two lines of applied gripping pressure.

An example of a strap adjustment assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,378 to Kasai. This assembly includes a hollow connector frame and a strap retainer that is movably mounted on the follow connector frame. The strap retainer includes a central strap engagement portion and a pair of arms that extend from the central strap engagement portion and that are non-rotatably and loosely retained in associated slots.

All of the foregoing buckles achieve their own unique and individual objective. Yet, none of these buckles provide a connector that allows connected straps to be linearly moved along the length of an additional strap. Nor do the buckles of the background art provide a “flow through” connector whereby a buckle can be adjustably positioned along the length of a strap while at the same time providing an adjustable anchor for one or more additional strap. The buckle of the present disclosure is aimed at overcoming these and other shortcomings present in the background art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the advantages of the present disclosure is achieved by providing a ladder lock with both lateral and longitudinal rungs, whereby straps can be interconnected at approximately a 90 degree angle.

Yet another advantage is accomplished by allowing a length of webbing to flow through the ladder lock between opposing edges, whereby the ladder lock can be adjustably positioned along the length of webbing.

Another advantage is attained by permitting a length of webbing to flow through a ladder lock while at the same time providing fixed anchor points for additional webbing.

Still yet another advantage is achieved by joining accessories along a first webbing with the first webbing, in turn, being attached to a second adjustable length of webbing.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the ladder lock of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 1 a-1c illustrate different paths for threading a length of webbing through the rungs of the ladder lock.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an alternative ladder lock of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2 a-2c illustrate different paths for threading a length of webbing through the rungs of the ladder lock.

FIG. 3 is a view of a backpack employing the ladder lock of the present disclosure.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the general views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a buckle assembly employing a ladder lock. The ladder lock includes a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal rungs. A set of lateral rungs are centrally positioned and serve to interconnect to longitudinal rungs. A central length of webbing is threaded through the longitudinal rungs, whereby the ladder lock can be freely adjusted along the length of the central webbing. Two lengths of side webbing are threaded through opposite sides of the lateral rungs. Anchor rungs can be included for securing each of the side webbings. In this manner, the two side webbings can be positively secured to the ladder lock, yet side to side adjustments can be achieved via the lateral rungs. The various features of the present invention, and the manner in which they interrelate, are described in greater detail hereinafter.

FIG. 1 shows the ladder lock (10) of the present disclosure. As noted, lock (10) includes both lateral and longitudinal rungs. The rungs are, in effect, slots formed within the body of the lock (10). The lateral and longitudinal rungs are perpendicular to one another. The first set of longitudinal rungs includes (12), (14), and (16). The second set of longitudinal rungs includes (18), (22) and (24). Each of these sets of rungs is positioned adjacent a side edge of the ladder lock (10). Lateral rungs (26, 28, 32, 34, 36, 38) connect the longitudinal rungs and span the central extend of lock (10). The two central rungs (32) and (38) are anchor rungs and may be enlarged with respect to the remaining rungs.

A length of webbing (20) can be threaded through ladder lock (10). Webbing as used herein is a broad term that is inclusive of straps, belts, or band that may be formed from a variety of materials, such as elastic, cloth, nylon etc. Webbing (20) can come in a variety of standard or non-standard widths (such as one half inch, three quarter inch, one inch, etc.). As noted in FIG. 3, a central extent of webbing (20) is passed through the longitudinal rungs while separate side webbings (20′ and 20″) are anchored via lateral rungs. This allows side webbings (20′ and 20″) to be anchored at any point along the length of the associated webbing. At the same time, central webbing (20) flows through longitudinal rungs such that lock (10) can be adjustably positioned along length of webbing 20. As noted below, this can be achieved via a variety of different threading arrangements.

For example, FIG. 1a shows the path of webbing (20) extending over ladder rung (12), under rung (14) then over rung (16) and (18), then under rung (22) and over rung (24). Arrows a, b, c, d, and e in FIG. 1a show the path of the central webbing (20) over and under the associated rungs. The arrangement allows ladder lock (10) to be moved in either direction along webbing (20). By passing over rung (16) to rung (18), webbing (20) extends over top of the lateral rungs (26), (28), (32), (34), (36), and (38) and thereby covers up the ends of the intersecting straps (20′ and 20″). This makes the ladder lock assembly less visible and obvious to an observer.

FIG. 1 b shows another threading arrangement for web (20). This arrangement allows the ladder lock (10) to be used at the end of webbing (20). To do this the webbing (20) passes under rung (12), over (14), under (16) and (18), over (22), wraps under and around (24) and returns back over the top of the buckle and then under rung (12). The strap can be adjusted to any length with this procedure. This threading arrangement is indicated by arrows f, g, h, i, j, and k in FIG. 1b.

The threading arrangement of the side webbings (20′ and 20″) in shown in FIG. 1c. As noted, webbing 20′ passes under rung (26), over (28), wrapping under and back up and around anchor rung (32), and returning over rung (26). The strap can be adjusted to any length. This is shown by arrows l, m, and n in FIG. 1c. An additional webbing (20″) is likewise threaded into the remaining lateral rungs. Namely, webbing (20″) passes under rung (34), over (36), wrapping under and back up and around (38) and passing back over rung (34). Again the strap can be adjusted to any length desired. This arrangement is shown by arrows o, p, and q in FIG. 1c.

FIG. 2 is a very similar alternate embodiment to FIG. 1 except it lengthened via additional longitudinal rungs. This assembly (40) includes a first set of longitudinal rungs (54), (56), (58), (62) and a second set of longitudinal rungs (64), (66), (68), (72). They are disposed on opposite sides of assembly (40). Lateral rungs (42), (44), (46), (48), and (52) interconnect the longitudinal rungs. Thus, this assembly 40 includes 4 longitudinal rungs on either end and 5 lateral rungs. Assembly (40) may be preferred in some applications.

To assemble ladder lock (40) and its associated webbing or straps the webbing passes under rung (42), over (44), under (46), over (48), and under (52). This is shown by arrows aa, bb, cc, dd, and ee in FIG. 2a. Alternatively the fabric can pass over rung (42), under (44), over (46), under (48), and over (52). This is illustrated by arrows gg, hh, ii, jj, and kk in FIG. 2b. Either arrangement allows the buckle to be adjusted to any position along the length of the webbing or elastic strap. The total length of the strap can be decreased or increased by installing the webbing through the ladder lock passing under rung (42), over (44), under (46), over (48), wrapping under and back around (52) over the top and coming back under rung (42) (again shown in FIG. 2a). This allows the strap length to be adjusted at either end.

In FIG. 2c an adjustable intersecting strap can be joined to the ladder lock assembly (40) by passing under rung (54), over (56), under (58), wrapping under and back up and around (58) between (58) and (62), then folding back over and passing under rung (54). This is shown by arrows ii, mm, nn, and oo in FIG. 2c.

On the opposite side of the ladder lock another adjustable strap can be attached by passing it under (72), over (68), wrap under and back around (66) between (66) and (64), then folding back over and passing under rung (72). This is shown by arrows pp, qq, rr, and ss in FIG. 2c. This completes the assembly of either ladder lock assembly.

FIG. 3 shows two intersecting webbings 20, 20′, and 20″ being interconnected via lock 10. As shown, 20 is connected to 20′ and 20″ at approximately a 90° angle. In accordance with the threading shown in FIGS. 1a and 1c, the lateral web 20 allows assembly 10 to slide from side to side along the length of web 20. However, web sections 20′ and 20″ are each anchored to a side of assembly 10.

The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A buckle assembly comprising: a ladder lock having two ends and two lateral edges, the ladder lock being formed from an impact resistant plastic;a first set of three longitudinal rungs formed adjacent to one end of the ladder lock;a second set of three longitudinal rungs formed adjacent the opposite end of the ladder lock;six lateral rungs extending between the lateral edges and serving to interconnect the first and second set of longitudinal rungs, the six lateral rungs including two enlarged anchor rungs;a central webbing being threaded through the first and second set of longitudinal rugs and over top of the lateral rungs, whereby the ladder lock can be freely positioned anywhere along the length of the central webbing;a first side webbing threaded through the lateral rungs adjacent one of the lateral edges, the first side webbing being anchored to one of the enlarged anchor rungs;a second side webbing threaded through the lateral rungs adjacent the opposite lateral edge, the second side webbing being anchored to the remaining enlarged anchor rung;whereby the first and second side webbings are anchored to the lock but can nonetheless be positioned along the central webbing via the longitudinal rungs.

2. A buckle assembly comprising: a ladder lock having two ends and two lateral edges;a first set of longitudinal rungs formed adjacent to one end of the ladder lock;a second set of longitudinal rungs formed adjacent the opposite end of the ladder lock;a central webbing being threaded through the first and second set of longitudinal rugs, whereby the ladder lock can be freely positioned anywhere along the length of the central webbing.

3. The buckle assembly as described in claim 2 further comprising a series of lateral rungs extending between the lateral edges and serving to interconnect the first and second set of longitudinal rungs.

4. The buckle assembly as described in claim 2 further comprising a first side webbing threaded through the lateral rungs adjacent one of the lateral edges.

5. The buckle assembly as described in claim 3 further comprising a second side webbing threaded through the lateral rungs adjacent the opposite lateral edge.

6. The buckle assembly as described in claim 3 wherein the lateral rungs include two anchor rungs.

7. The buckle assembly as described in claim 6 further comprising first and second side webbings that are each connected to one of the two anchor rungs.

8. The buckle assembly as described in claim 2 wherein the ladder lock is formed entirely from an impact resistant plastic.

9. The buckle assembly as described in claim 2 wherein four rungs are included in each of the first and second sets of longitudinal rungs.

10. The buckle assembly as described in claim 3 wherein five lateral rungs are included.

11. A ladder lock for holding a central strap and side straps, the lock comprising: a set of longitudinal rungs at opposite sides of the lock for adjustably receiving the central strap, whereby the lock can be freely positioned anywhere along the length of the central strap;a set of lateral rugs for adjustably securing the side straps perpendicularly to the central strap.

12. The ladder lock as described in claim 11 wherein the lateral rungs include means for allowing the unlimited adjustment of the side straps.