Sliding Buckle with Locking Feature

Abstract

A buckle having a frame and sliding element captures a web, cord, or other flexible element by limiting the distance between cross members of the frame and sliding element. The limited distance cinches or grabs the flexible element, keeping the flexible element from slipping. The flexible element may be wrapped around the cross member of the sliding element such that the sliding element may apply additional force against the flexible element as tension is applied to the flexible element. As such, the buckle grabs the flexible element tighter as tension is applied. The cross members of the sliding element and frame may move with respect to each other to ‘lock’ the buckle in place such that the buckle may not loosen even after tension may be removed.

Description

BACKGROUND

Buckles have been used for centuries for joining flexible webs and cords. Buckles are used in countless applications, from holding a pair of pants with a belt, to clasping pockets on a backpack, joining elements of a tent, or countless other applications.

SUMMARY

A buckle having a frame and sliding element captures a web, cord, or other flexible element by limiting the distance between cross members of the frame and sliding element. The limited distance cinches or grabs the flexible element, keeping the flexible element from slipping. The flexible element may be wrapped around the cross member of the sliding element such that the sliding element may apply additional force against the flexible element as tension is applied to the flexible element. As such, the buckle grabs the flexible element tighter as tension is applied. The cross members of the sliding element and frame may move with respect to each other to ‘lock’ the buckle in place such that the buckle may not loosen even after tension may be removed.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings,

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are diagrams showing a buckle 100.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are diagrams showing a buckle 200.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are diagrams showing a buckle 300.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are diagrams showing a buckle 400.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are diagrams showing a buckle 500.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are diagrams showing a buckle 600.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Sliding Buckle with Locking Feature

A sliding buckle may have a frame and a sliding element and may adjust and hold a flexible element in a tension direction. The flexible element may be a flat web, belt, cord, rope, or other flexible element.

The frame and sliding element may each have cross members that may be constrained to limit the distance between the cross members. In many versions, this constrained distance may operate to create a ‘lock’ feature that restricts the frame and sliding element from loosening the flexible element, even when the tension on the flexible element has been removed.

The cross members may be configured so that additional tension on the flexible element causes the buckle to cinch down and hold the flexible element with additional force. The routing of the webbing pulls the sliding element's cross member against the frame's cross member as tension is applied to the flexible member. Many versions may be configured so that this cinching process may cause the sliding element to ‘lock’ against the frame as the two cross members overlap each other and the flexible element is constrained or captured between the two cross members.

The configuration of the cross members and the routing of the flexible element may be such that there may be a tension portion of the flexible element and a loose portion exiting the buckle in the direction of the tension force. When force may be applied to the loose element, such as by grasping and pulling on the loose element, the flexible element may cause the sliding element to become ‘unlocked’ by sliding away from the direction of tension and releasing the flexible element.

The ‘locking’ feature of the buckle may be enhanced by adding protrusions, reliefs, or other features between the two cross members. Such features may cause the flexible element to be deformed or otherwise flexed in a manner that grabs the flexible element tighter than a set of smooth faces.

The buckle may have many different designs where the distance between the cross member of the frame and the cross member of the sliding element may be limited or constrained. The constraint may prevent the two cross members from spreading apart, and the distance between the cross members may help hold the web, cord, or other flexible member when tension may be applied.

The distance between the cross members may add friction or resistance of the sliding element when the web may be captured between the cross members. The resistance may operate as a ‘lock’ to keep the sliding element from moving, even when the tension on the flexible element may be removed or slackened.

The ‘locking’ feature may become useful in applications where the tension on the flexible element may vary. Conventional buckles using various cross member configurations may become loose when the flexible element may be slackened. When tension may be re-applied to a conventional buckle, the flexible element may pull or slip.

With the ‘locking’ feature of claimed buckle, the sliding element may be held in place with respect to the frame. When the flexible element is slackened and then tension is re-applied, the ‘locking’ feature may keep the flexible element from slipping during the period of slackness.

The ‘locking’ feature may be created by constraining the distance between the frame's cross member and the sliding element's cross member. The amount of resistance created by capturing the flexible element may be varied from very slight to quite strong. Versions with stronger ‘locking’ may have various protrusions, recesses, variations, or other mechanical features that may bend, distort, or otherwise mechanically interact with the flexible element.

The strength of such ‘locking’ features may depend on the flexibility, smoothness, bendability, and other mechanical properties of the flexible element. A given buckle may have a strong ‘locking’ sensation with a flexible element that is thicker, but a weaker ‘locking’ sensation with another flexible element that is thinner. Similarly, a design that includes various protrusions, bumps, recesses, and other features between the two cross members may cause the gripping nature of the ‘locking’ feature to be stronger than similar designs without such features.

The ‘locking’ feature is a term used in this application and claims that refers to resistance against moving the sliding element with respect to the frame when the sliding element may be engaged as tension is applied to the flexible element.

While the ‘locking’ feature may be a useful effect of the design, the design may also be considered a failsafe design because when tension may be applied to the flexible element, the buckle may inherently cinch down on the flexible element, even when the ‘locking’ feature had not been engaged. Such an inherent feature allows a user to apply tension using a loose end of the flexible element, which may cinch down on the flexible element and cause the buckle to grab the flexible element prior to ‘locking.’ The feature may also allow tension to be applied on the flexible element and have the buckle grab the flexible element to limit or prevent slipping, even when the buckle is not in the ‘locked’ position.

The routing of the flexible element around the cross members of the frame and sliding element may cause the sliding element to squeeze against the flexible element with a lip or other feature. The lip feature may be a mechanical surface that may squeeze the web, rope, cord, or other flexible element between the lip on the sliding element's cross member and the frame's cross member. The lip may be a surface or feature that may be normal to the tension axis or may otherwise squeeze the flexible membrane in the direction of the tension axis.

The buckle may produce a loose end of the flexible element when tension may be applied. The flexible element may be routed through the cross members and return in the direction of tension, with one portion of the flexible element in tension and the other portion loose or not under tension. In many designs, a user may grasp and pull the loose portion of the flexible element to disengage the ‘locking feature’ and thereby loosen the flexible element. By grasping the pulling the loose end, the buckle may be released.

Some designs may include finger handles that may help a user disengage the buckle. Once a buckle may be engaged and the sliding element's cross member may slide over the frame's cross member, the flexible element may be captured. In such a position, the buckle may be considered ‘locked’ as the flexible element is squeezed between the cross members to some extent. Handles on the sliding element and the frame may then be gripped and squeezed to ‘unlock’ the flexible element and disengage the buckle.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are different views of a buckle 100, showing a frame 102 and sliding element 104. The sliding element 104 may be captured to the frame 102 using an attachment plate 114 and screws 116.

FIG. 1A is a perspective exploded view of buckle 100.

FIG. 1B is a second perspective exploded view of buckle 100.

FIG. 1C is a cutaway view of an assembled buckle 100 with webs 124 and 126 installed.

The frame 102 may have a first cross member 106 and the sliding element 104 may have a second cross member 112. The attachment plate 114 may constrain or restrict the sliding element 104 such that the space between the top of the first cross member 106 and bottom of the second cross member 112 may be limited. The distance between the first cross member 106 and second cross member 112 may capture a flexible element in a ‘locking’ position when the sliding element 104 may be slid in the direction of the tension axis 122.

Additionally, features such as the set of protrusions 108 may provide additional friction or grip of the flexible element, which in the case of buckle 100, would be a web or flat material. The sliding element 104 may also be equipped with protrusions, recesses, or other features to assist in gripping the web or other flexible element.

The sliding element 104 may be captured by the attachment plate 114 and may slide against the guiding face 120 of the frame 102 with the capturing face 130. The sliding element 104 may have a corresponding set of capture faces that may slide against the guiding face 120. The upper surface of the attachment plate 114 may also serve as a guiding face to restrict the movement and to capture the sliding element 104 with respect to the frame 102.

The frame 102 may include a third cross member 110. The third cross member 110 may be an attachment point where a webbing or other flexible member may be wrapped and permanently attached to the frame 102.

Web 124 may be pulled in the direction of tension axis 122. The tension force may cause the second cross member 112 to advance in the tension axis 122, which may capture and compress the web 124 between the first cross member 106 and the second cross member 112. The distance between the first cross member 106 and second cross member 112 may grip the web 124, and the protrusions 108 and 126 may further grip the web 124 and apply additional friction. This friction force or gripping force may ‘lock’ the sliding element 104 in position over the frame 102, thereby preventing the web 124 from becoming loose even when the web 124 is slackened.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are various views of a buckle 200. Buckle 200 has a frame 202 and a sliding element 204. Buckle 200 is arranged such that the sliding faces between the frame 202 and the sliding element 204 are at a slope or angle with respect to the tension axis 218.

FIG. 2A is an exploded view of the buckle 200.

FIG. 2B is a cutaway view of the assembled buckle 200.

FIG. 2C is a cutaway view of the assembled buckle 200 showing the web 226.

FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the assembled buckle 200.

Buckle 200 is also different from buckle 100 in that the sliding element 204 may have a pair of feet 224 which may wrap around a rail on the frame 202. The sliding element 204 may be attached to the frame 202 by placing the feet 224 through an opening 222, then slid in the general direction of the tension axis 218. This attachment feature removes the extra attachment plate and screws shown in buckle 100.

The frame 202 has a first cross member 206 and a third cross member 220. The sliding element 204 has a second cross member 208 which includes a lip 210. The sliding element 204 and frame 202 are captured with respect to each other using the guiding face 214 and capturing face 216 such that the distance between the first cross member 206 and second cross member 208 is limited. This limited distance may create a ‘locking’ feature such that the buckle 200 may grasp and hold a web 226 even when there is little to no tension on the web 226 in the tension axis 218.

When tension may be applied to the web 226 in the tension axis 218, the web 226 may pull on the sliding member 204's second cross member 208. This pulling force may apply a clamping or grasping force between the lip 210 and the frame 202's first cross member 206. This clamping or grasping force may hold the web 226 firmly while under tension.

The same pulling force exerted by the web 226 against the sliding element 204 may cause the sliding element 204 to slide forward, causing the second cross member 208 to overlap the first cross member 206. Because the distance between the first cross member 206 and the second cross member 208 may be constrained, the first cross member 206 and second cross member 208 may apply friction or resistance by squeezing the web 206. The resistance may be a ‘locking’ force that may prevent the sliding element 204 from moving with respect to the frame 202 when tension may be released from the web 226.

The buckle 200 may be ‘locked’ when the second cross member 208 may be overlapping the first cross member 206 such that the web is constrained or held between the two cross members. The buckle 200 may be ‘unlocked’ or released in two manners. In one manner, a user may squeeze the rear of the frame 202 opposite the tension axis 218 and the handle 212 of the sliding element. By squeezing the two parts, the sliding element may be moved away from the tension axis and thereby the web 226 may be released.

A second method for ‘unlocking’ the buckle 200 may be to grasp and pull the loose end 228 of the web 226. The loose end 228 may cause the web 226 to slide between the first cross member 206 and second cross member 208, which may pull the sliding element away from the tension direction, thereby ‘unlocking’ the buckle 200.

A third cross member 220 may be used to permanently attach a web in the opposite direction as the tension axis 218.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C show a buckle 300. Buckle 300 may have a frame 302 and sliding element 304, where the sliding element 304 may slide over the frame 302 during assembly. The basic operations of buckle 300 may be similar to that of buckles 100 and 200.

FIG. 3A illustrates buckle 300 in an exploded view prior to assembling the frame 302 and sliding element 304.

FIG. 3B illustrates buckle 300 in an assembled view.

FIG. 3C illustrates buckle 300 in a cutaway view showing web 320.

The frame 302 may have a first cross member 306, guiding faces 310 and 312, a third cross member 326, and a handle 328. A sliding element 306 may have a second cross member 308, capturing faces 314 and 316, and a handle 318.

The handle 318 on the sliding element 302 may be used with the handle 328 on the frame to squeeze the buckle 300 when in the ‘locked’ position. Once squeezed, the handles 318 and 328 may cause the sliding element 302 to move away from the tension axis 324 and release the web 320.

Similar to buckles 100 and 200, buckle 300 may ‘lock’ by capturing and applying some friction, resistive force, or compression force between the first cross member 306 and the second cross member 308.

The design of the second cross member 306 may have a sharp radius in the direction of the tension axis 324. The sharp radius may cause the web 320 to bend and thereby grip the web 320 tightly, where larger or more generous radii may grip the web 320 less strongly.

Similar to buckles 100 and 200, buckle 300 may have a loose end 322 of the web 320. The buckle 300 may be ‘unlocked’ by grasping and pulling the loose end 322. The buckle 300 may also be ‘unlocked’ by squeezing the handles 318 and 328.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show a buckle 400. Buckle 400 may have a frame 402 and sliding element 404. Buckle 400 may be similar to buckle 300, where the sliding element 404 slides over and captures the frame 402, but the sliding surfaces are curved as opposed to straight. Buckle 400 may be suited for applications where the web or flexible member may be used to secure a round item, such as securing a sleeping bag for example.

FIG. 4A illustrates buckle 400 in an exploded view prior to assembling frame 402 and sliding element 404.

FIG. 4B illustrates buckle 400 in a second exploded view from the bottom.

FIG. 4C illustrates buckle 400 in an assembled, cutaway view showing the flexible element installed.

The frame 402 may have a first cross member 406, a third cross member 418, and a handle 420. The sliding element 404 may have a second cross member 408 and a handle 418. The sliding element 404 may capture the frame 402 with the capturing faces 412, 414, and 416, and may slide with respect to the frame 402 on the frame's guiding faces 410 and 422.

The handle 418 on the sliding element 402 may be used with the handle 420 on the frame to squeeze the buckle 400 when in the ‘locked’ position. Once squeezed, the handles 418 and 420 may cause the sliding element 402 to move away from the tension axis 424 and release the web 420.

Similar to buckles 100, 200, and 300, buckle 400 may ‘lock’ by capturing and applying some friction, resistive force, or compression force between the first cross member 406 and the second cross member 408.

Similar to buckles 100, 200, and 300, buckle 400 may have a loose end 426 of the web 424. The buckle 400 may be ‘unlocked’ by grasping and pulling the loose end 426. The buckle 400 may also be ‘unlocked’ by squeezing the handles 418 and 420.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C show a buckle 500 that has a frame 502, sliding element 504, first cross member 506, second cross member 508, and third cross member 510. Buckle 500 is an example of a buckle that may use a cord, rope, or other round flexible element. Buckle 500 may operate in substantially the same manner as other buckles 100, 200, 300, and 400, yet may use a differently shaped flexible element.

FIG. 5A shows buckle 500 in a perspective exploded view.

FIG. 5B shows buckle 500 in a second perspective exploded view.

FIG. 5C shows buckle 500 in a cross-sectional view with cords 524 and 532 attached.

The sliding element 504 may slide with respect to frame 502 using the capturing faces 514 and 518 of the sliding element 504 and the guiding faces 512 and 516 of the frame 502.

The cord 524 may be installed as shown in FIG. 5C, such that when the cord 524 may be pulled in the tension axis 528, the cord 524 may cause the second cross member 508 to move in the direction of the tension axis 528 and advance over the first cross member 506. The distance 530 between the first cross member 506 and second cross member 508 may squeeze, grip, or otherwise apply friction between the first cross member 506, cord 524, and second cross member 508 that may resist movement of the sliding element 504 with respect to the frame 502.

Like with other examples, the loose end 526 of the flexible element, in this case a cord 524, may be pulled to cause the sliding element 504 to move against the direction of the tension axis 528 and thereby overcome the ‘locking’ feature. In such an action, the cord 524 may be unlocked and slackened.

The cord 523 may be a second cord that may be attached to the third cross member 510. When the cord 524 may be used to wrap around an object, the cord 532 and cord 524 may be the same cord.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate a buckle 600 that may have a frame 602, sliding element 604, first cross member 606, second cross member 608, and third cross member 610. The example of buckle 600 may be one where the frame 602 and sliding element 604 may be formed of stamped metal or other material.

The example of buckle 600 may illustrate an example where the guiding faces 612 and 614 and capturing faces 616 and 618 may not be on planes parallel to the web 624.

FIG. 6A shows buckle 600 in a perspective exploded view.

FIG. 6B shows buckle 600 in a perspective assembled view.

FIG. 6C shows buckle 600 in a perspective cross-section view showing web 624.

The sliding element 604 may slide with respect to frame 502 using the capturing faces 616 and 618 of the sliding element 604 and the guiding faces 612 and 614 of the frame 602.

The web 624 may be installed as shown in FIG. 6C, such that when the web 624 may be pulled in the tension axis 628, the web 624 may cause the second cross member 608 to move in the direction of the tension axis 628 and advance over the first cross member 606. The distance between the first cross member 606 and second cross member 608 may squeeze, grip, or otherwise apply friction between the first cross member 606, cord 624, and second cross member 608 that may resist movement of the sliding element 604 with respect to the frame 602.

Like with other examples, the loose end 626 of the flexible element, in this case web 624, may be pulled to cause the sliding element 604 to move against the direction of the tension axis 628 and thereby overcome the ‘locking’ feature. In such an action, the web 624 may be unlocked and slackened.

The foregoing description of the subject matter has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the subject matter to the precise form disclosed, and other modifications and variations may be possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include other alternative embodiments except insofar as limited by the prior art.

Claims

1. A buckle for adjustable holding of a flexible tension element, said flexible tension element having a thickness, a width, and being tensioned in a tension axis, said buckle comprising: a frame comprising a first cross member, said first cross member being oriented perpendicular to said tension axis;said first cross member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a rear surface;a sliding element comprising a second cross member, said second cross member being oriented perpendicular to said tension axis;said second cross member having an upper surface and a lower surface;said sliding element being constrained to slide with respect to said frame in said tension axis;said sliding element being further constrained such that said lower surface of said second cross member has a maximum distance to said upper surface of said first cross member in a direction perpendicular to said width of said flexible tension element;said sliding element being further constrained such that said lower surface of said second cross member overlaps said upper surface of said first cross member in an overlap distance parallel to said tension axis.

2. The buckle of claim 1, said maximum distance being at least said thickness of said flexible tension element.

3. The buckle of claim 1, said maximum distance being no more than said thickness of said flexible tension element.

4. The buckle of claim 1 further comprising: said upper surface of said first cross member having at least one relief;said lower surface of said second cross member having at least one protrusion;said at least one protrusion being positioned opposite said at least one relief when said first cross member at least partially overlaps said second cross member.

5. The buckle of claim 4, said at least one relief and at least one protrusion being configured to provide a locking mechanism to hold said flexible tension element when said first cross member at least partially overlaps said second cross member.

6. The buckle of claim 1, said frame further comprising a third cross member.

7. The buckle of claim 6, said third cross member being positioned such that when said flexible tension element is wrapped around said third cross member, said sliding element is constrained from being removed from said frame.

8. The buckle of claim 1 further comprising: said first cross member having a rear surface;said second cross member having a lip such that said lip applies force to said flexible tension element against said rear surface when said flexible tension element is pulled in said tension axis.

9. The buckle of claim 1, said frame further comprising a slot in which said sliding element is constrained to slide.

10. The buckle of claim 1, said frame further comprising a pair of guiding faces and said sliding element further comprising a pair of capturing faces in which said sliding element is constrained to slide.

11. The buckle of claim 10, said sliding element comprising two separate elements that are attached to each other to form said capturing faces.

12. The buckle of claim 11, said two separate elements being attached by fasteners.

13. The buckle of claim 11, said two separate elements being attached by a snap fit.

14. The buckle of claim 11, said two separate elements being attached by a permanent attachment.

15. The buckle of claim 10, said sliding element being constrained to slide at an angle to a plane defined by said tension axis and orthogonal to said first cross member.

16. The buckle of claim 10, said sliding element being constrained to slide at least in part in a curved direction.

17. The buckle of claim 1, said flexible tension element being a web.

18. The buckle of claim 1, said flexible tension element being a cord.