Patent ID: 6668434
Filing Date: 2003-12-30
Classification: A44B,Y10T

Abstract:
A buckle, comprising:a first outer plate made of steel; a second outer plate made of steel; at least one intermediate plate made of plastic and sandwiched between the first outer plate and the second outer plate; opposing first and second pawls pivotally mounted between the first outer plate and the second outer plate, wherein the pawls have respective latching portions disposed between the first outer plate and the second outer plate and extending toward one another, and respective force receiving portions projecting outward beyond a perimeter defined by the first outer plate and the second outer plate and extending away from one another; first and second springs interconnected between the at least one intermediate plate and respective pawls in a manner that biases the latching portions of the pawls to pivot toward one another; a catch having a strap supporting portion that is sized and configured for connection to a strap, and a distal portion that is sized and configured for insertion between the pawls and engagement between the latching portions in such a manner that both force receiving portions must be moved toward the strap supporting portion to free the distal portion from between the pawls; and further comprising a buckle slide having opposite ends slidably retained between the first outer plate and the second outer plate for sliding movement in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the buckle slide, and an intermediate portion disposed inside relative openings in the at least one intermediate plate and each said other plate.