Patent ID: 6398604
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
A combination of strap and buckle adapted to couple a heel strap to a foot pocket and at the same time to adjustably tighten said strap around a diver's heel, wherein:said strap is formed on its one surface a plurality of first locking teeth arranged intermittently in a longitudinal direction of said strap, each of said first locking teeth extending in a transverse direction of said strap so as to leave transversely opposite side edge portions of said strap free from any tooth; said buckle comprises a sheath-shaped first coupling member and a second coupling member releasably engaged with said first coupling member and having front and rear ends, wherein said second coupling member comprises an insert portion formed adjacent said front end so as to be releasably engaged with said first coupling member and a holding frame mechanism formed adjacent said rear end within which said strap is draped around so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of said strap; said holding frame mechanism includes a movable locking piece pivotally supported by said holding frame mechanism, wherein said movable locking-piece has a second locking tooth normally biased by springs to bear against said first locking tooth and thereby to prevent said strap from moving in a direction in which said strap is slackened and pivotally moved upward away from said first locking tooth against the biasing effect of said springs, allowing said strap to move in a direction in which said strap is tightened, as said strap is pulled in the direction in which said strap is tightened; and in the vicinity of said rear end, said holding frame mechanism presents an inverted U-shaped section defined by a top portion and a pair of lateral portions depending from transversely opposite side edges of said top portion wherein a pin around which said strap is draped extends between said pair of lateral portions below said top portion and a lower surface of said top portion has transversely opposite side edge portions bears against said strap disposed between said lower surface and said pin so that the transversely opposite side edge portions of said strap extending outside said first locking teeth may slidably move and transversely middle zone of said lower surface of said top portion is hollowed out upward by a dimension deeper than a height of said first locking teeth so that said first locking teeth can move in the longitudinal direction of said strap.