Patent ID: 6295700
Filing Date: 2001-10-02
Classification: A44B,Y10T

Abstract:
A buckle for maintaining tension in a serpentine article with a main structure and a cam, the buckle comprising:(a) the main structure comprising a coupling portion and an interior chamber, the surface of which interior chamber defines a curvilinear guide surface, which curvilinear guide surface comprises at least one first load bearing portion, which first load bearing portion is located within the interior chamber,wherein the curvilinear surface is adapted to guide the serpentine article (1) from an insertion point adapted to receive the serpentine article from a tension-bearing direction, (2) between the cam and the first load bearing portions, (3) through the interior chamber, and (4) out at an exit point leading to a release direction, and(b) the cam rotably coupled to the main structure comprising at least one second load bearing portion,wherein the cam rotates about an axis of rotation between closed and open positions such that, when the cam is in the closed position, at least one second load bearing portion of the cam is so juxtaposed to a corresponding first load bearing portion that a serpentine article passing between the cam and the first load bearing portions is pinched between the first load bearing portions and the corresponding second load bearing portions;wherein a tensile force on the serpentine article in the tension-bearing direction acts to further rotate the cam to increase the pinching force on the serpentine article;wherein a tensile force on the serpentine article in the release direction acts to further counterrotate the cam to release the pinching force on the serpentine article; andwherein a tensile force in the tension-bearing direction is adapted to apply a force vector substantially orthogonal to a said first load bearing portion located proximal to the insertion point.