Patent ID: 8978213
Filing Date: 2015-03-17
Classification: A44B,A44D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A clamping buckle for belts and straps through which a magnetic field will pass, comprising: a set of at least two first planar magnets, each having a north pole and a south pole at opposed planar faces; a buckle plate having openings formed therein wherein each opening is sized so as to accommodate one planar magnet; a set of at least two second planar magnets, each having a north pole and a south pole at opposed planar faces; and a base plate having openings formed therein wherein each opening is sized so as to accommodate one planar magnet; wherein, when assembled and in its clamping condition, the north poles of the first planar magnets are in facing relation and magnetic attraction to the south poles of the second planar magnets, and vice versa, with a opening for a belt or strap to be positioned therebetween; wherein said buckle plate may be rotationally moved from a first predetermined orientation where said clamping condition exists to a second predetermined orientation where no clamping condition exists, and wherein, in the second predetermined orientation the north poles of said first planar magnets are in facing relation to the north poles of said second planar magnets and the south poles of said first planar magnets are in facing relation to the south poles of said second planar magnets, so that magnetic repulsion exists between said first set of planar magnets and said set of second planar magnets; wherein restraining means is provided on said base plate so as to preclude complete separation of said buckle plate from said base plate, but so as to provide a gap between said buckle plate and said base plate through which a belt or strap may be passed; and wherein slight rotational movement of said buckle plate from said second predetermined orientation will permit a sideways magnetic attraction between north and south poles of the respective first and second planar magnets to become effective, so as to thereby permit continued rotational movement of said buckle plate toward said first predetermined orientation, whereat the north and south poles of the respective first and second sets of planar magnets face each other, and vice versa, whereby the magnetic attraction therebetween will cause the buckle plate to physically move toward said base plate so as to thereby establish a clamping action therebetween against a belt or strap which has been passed through said gap.