Abstract:
The new buckle is made of two pieces which work with laminated strap webbing or open weave strap webbing. Web engagements within the buckle prevent the web from sliding through in any direction, or allow the belting to move in only one direction. Bases of side extensions of the inner plate have locking lugs. Moveable rounded side portions of the outer plate have locking tabs which engage the lugs to prevent movement out or into the locking position. Locking and unlocking the buckle requires squeezing rounded sides together while pushing or pulling on the outer plate. Teeth extend inward from the outer locking plate. Angled through-holes in the lower plate receive the teeth and hold the locking teeth in engaged position when the buckle is locked. Locking teeth angularly mounted in recesses in the upper plate are deflected when the webbing strap is pulled in a tightening direction. The teeth in cooperation with the holes in the bottom plate prevent reverse movement of the webbing strap when the buckle parts are locked together.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/147,399, filed Aug. 6, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Web strapping is widely used to tie down and secure cargo and loads. Web strapping is also used to secure attachments to bases and to secure occupants in place. Webbing straps are also used as belts for clothing. 
     Needs exists for better, less expensive and easier to make and use buckles which rapidly and securely grip and hold the web strapping, which permit tightening of the web strapping while in the engaged position, and which rapidly and easily release the web strapping when disengaged. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The buckle of the present invention provides for the needs of the prior art. The new buckle is made of two pieces which preferably are injection molded. The buckles may be made in different sizes and may be used in multiple applications. The buckles work with laminated strap webbing or open weave strap webbing. The buckles allow the webbing to pass through the buckle and allow the users to engage or disengage the locking. The web engagements within the buckle can prevent the web from sliding through in any direction, or can be configured to allow the belting to move in only one direction. 
     The buckle parts are moldable in multiple materials and are low in cost. 
     The outer buckle plate is elongated in the strap direction. The flat top of the plate has extensions which extend over the webbing to maintain the flatness of the webbing within the buckle. Two curvilinear cutouts at opposite sides of the flat plate allow flexing, springing or bridging of the major side portions of the upper buckle member. Thin upper edge portions act as springs. Curved inward extending tops rigidify the rounded sides which are pressed inward to relatively move the two-buckle parts into engaged or disengaged position. 
     Four guide legs extend downward from the flat top near the corners to slide within alignment openings in the sides of the inner plate. Inward extending keeper tabs at lower ends of the legs ride over and engage ledges within the guide openings to snap the members together and to prevent separation of the buckle members once the buckle members have been snapped together. 
     Alignment projections on the sides of the inner buckle member fit within openings in the sides of the outer buckle member. Opposite central side recesses in the inner member or base plate receive and allow inward movement of the major side portions of the outer member. Curved lateral outer edges of the inner plate prevent overtravel of the movable side portions. 
     Bases of the side extensions of the inner plate have locking lugs which extend toward the central opening. The movable rounded side portions of the outer plate have locking tabs which engage the lugs to prevent movement out of the locking position when the locking tabs are engaged with bottoms of the locking lugs, and which prevent movement into the locking position when the locking tabs are positioned above the tops of the locking lugs. Locking and unlocking the buckle requires squeezing rounded sides together while pushing or pulling on the outer plate. Alternatively, bottoms of the locking tabs are chamfered so that they automatically override the locking lugs when the two plates are pressed together to lock the buckle. 
     Teeth extend inward from the outer locking plate. Angled through-holes in the lower plate receive the teeth and hold the locking teeth in engaged position when the buckle is locked. 
     In one embodiment, the locking teeth are angularly mounted in recesses in the upper plate so that the teeth may be deflected when the webbing strap is pulled in a tightening direction, and so that the teeth in cooperation with the holes in the bottom plate prevent reverse movement of the webbing strap when the buckle parts are locked together. 
     The lower plate has at one end an extension with a transversely elongated opening for receiving a loop in a fixed end of the webbing strap. The loop is stitched, bonded, welded or interwoven to the strap near its fixed end. The loop-receiving end of the inner plate also has an upper rectangular guide which passes the free end of the webbing strap out of the buckle. The opposite end of the inner plate has a rectangular guide extending from the plate for guiding the free end of the webbing strap as it enters the buckle. 
     The present invention provides a low cost, readily assemblable and easily usable buckle to selectively permit and prevent webbing straps from sliding through the buckle. 
     These and further and other objects and features of the invention are apparent in the disclosure, which includes the above and ongoing written specification, with the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a webbing strap with a locking buckle of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the two-part two-position locking buckle. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the outer buckle plate or top cover part of the two-part buckle. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a bottom view of the top cover part. 
     FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the inner buckle plate or buckle base, which is the second part of the buckle. 
     FIG. 6 is a detail of connection of a fixed end of the webbing strap to the buckle base. 
     FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the base. 
     FIG. 8 is an inverted perspective view of the two parts of the buckle immediately prior to assembly. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the assembled buckle parts showing the disengaged position. 
     FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing the engaged locking position of the buckle. 
     FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the buckle showing the locking position. 
     FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the upper buckle cover showing the one way teeth in the engaged position. 
     FIG. 13 is across-sectional view showing the locking teeth extending through the guide-deflecting holes. 
     FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of locking teeth extending in opposite directions to prevent any movement of the web. 
     FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional detail showing the buckle teeth in an unlocked position. 
     FIG. 15B is a perspective view of the two-part two-position locking buckle. 
     FIG. 15C is a cross-sectional view of the buckle showing the locking position with the locking teeth extending in opposite directions to prevent any movement of the web. 
     FIG. 15D is a perspective view of the outer buckle plate or top cover part of the two-part buckle. 
     FIG. 16 is a plan view of the preferred buckle. 
     FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the buckle shown in FIG.  16 . 
     FIG. 18 is a prospective bottom view showing the buckle in the unlocked position. 
     FIG. 19 is a prospective view of a preferred embodiment of the base showing the ramps and locks for holding the other cover in unlocked position. 
     FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional prospective detail of the buckle taking along line  20   20  in FIG. 16 showing the buckle in web-gripping, locked condition. 
     FIG. 21 is a detail of the buckle lock and: ramp showing the outer plate and inner buckle in closed, web-locking position. 
     FIG. 22 is a top prospective view of the buckle showing the buckle in open, web-releasing position. 
     FIG. 23 is a top prospective view of the buckle showing the buckle in closed, web-locking condition. 
     FIG. 24 is a schematic representation showing the inward pressing movement on the outer buckle cover to change positions. 
     FIG. 25 is a prospective view of the inner portion of the buckle. 
     FIG. 26 is a prospective view of the assembled buckle. 
     FIG. 27 is an overall view showing the buckle mounted on a web belting. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in FIG. 1, a webbing strap  1  has a fixed end  3  and a free end  5 . The free end extends through a locking buckle  10  and is tightened by pulling in the direction shown by arrow  7 . 
     In FIG. 2 the locking buckle  10  has an outer buckle plate  12 , which may also be called a top or cover, and an inner buckle plate  14 , which may be also called a base. The base  14  has a mounting extension  16  with a transverse elongated opening for receiving a loop and mounting the fixed end  3  of the webbing strap. A guide  18  uniformly extends from the base  14  for receiving and guiding the free end  5  of the webbing strap. 
     As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the outer buckle plate  12  or cover has a flat upper portion  24  with cutout areas  26  and spring areas  28 , which allow inward movement of the major curved side portions  30 . The flat curved edge portion retains rigidity of the side portion  30 . The outer buckle plate  12  also has downward extensions  32  with inward extending retaining tabs  34 , which cooperate with ledges on the inner plate to hold the two parts together. Large recesses  36  in the opposite sides of the outer buckle plate  12  have position locking tabs  38  extending into the recesses for cooperating with lugs on the inner buckle plate to lock the two plates in web disengaging position or web engaging and holding position. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, inner edges of the openings  36  and the locking tabs  38  are recessed from the curved inner surface  40  of the movable sides  30 . The recessing  42  allows for relative movement of the buckle numbers without disengaging. The bottom surfaces of the locking tabs are chamfered  44  to assist movement into the engaged or locking position. Inner edges  46  of the retaining tabs  34  are chamfered to aid in the overriding and snap fitting of the buckle parts during assembly. 
     Locking teeth  48  extend inward from the flat part  24  of the outer buckle plate  12  to engage openings in the webbing. 
     As shown in FIGS. 5-8, the inner buckle plate  14  or base has a curved outer edge  50  that limits inward deflection of the movable sides  30  of the upper buckle plate. 
     Angled through-holes  52  guide and position the locking teeth from the outer buckle plate when the two members are moved into and held in engaged position. A retaining area  54  receives the retaining extension  32 , and the ledges  56  cooperate with retaining tabs  34  to limit the opening travel of the two parts once the parts have been snapped together. 
     Guides  58  have inner edges  60  which guide the end surfaces of the movable sides  30  of the upper plate  12 . Inward extending position locking lugs  62  cooperate with the locking tabs  38  on the sides  30  of the outer buckle plate to hold the two plates in the locked position or to release the two plates for movement in the disengaged condition. As shown at the right hand side of FIG. 6, the inner buckle plate  14  has the strap-holding extension  16  with a shelf portion  64  and a transverse elongated opening  66 , which receives the loop  68  on the fixed end  3  of the webbing strap. The opposite end  18  of the inner buckle plate  14  serves as a guide for the free end of the strap. 
     As shown in the inverted view of FIG. 8, the two parts, the outer buckle plate  12  and the inner buckle plate  14  are aligned before being snapped together. The snapping together occurs by the tabs  34  overriding and then engaging the ledges  56 . When snapped together the locking buckle is in the disengaged position. Engaging the locking buckle requires squeezing the opposite curved sides  30  inward and passing the locking tabs  38  inside of the locking lugs  62 , while the buckle parts are pressed together. After sides  30  are released, the locking tabs  38  spring outward with the sides  30  to engage bottoms of the lugs  62 . 
     FIG. 9 shows the outer buckle plate and inner buckle plate after they have been snapped together. The buckle plates are in the disengaged position. 
     FIG. 10 shows the outer buckle plate and inner buckle plate in the engaged position, with the locking tabs  38  held by the locking tabs  62 . 
     FIG. 11 shows the angled through holes  52  for receiving the teeth  48  after they have extended through the webbing, and holding the teeth in locked position. The angled through locking holes  52  have a sloped surface  72  and an angular opposite surface  74 , which capture the teeth  48  and prevent their being withdrawn through the webbing. 
     In an embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, locking teeth  78  are mounted at angles within, openings  80  in the outer plate  12 . The locking teeth  78  extend into the angled through-holes  52 . The angled sides  74  of the through holes allow flexure and ratcheting movement of the teeth  78  and when the web is pulled in a tightening direction shown by the arrows  80  in FIG. 12, but prevent webbing movement in the reverse direction shown by arrows  82 . 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the slopes of the teeth  78  alternate so that the teeth cross each other from a side view, as shown in FIG. 14, and prevent the webbing strap from moving through the buckle in either direction. 
     FIG. 15A shows the locking prongs as they extend inward from the flat part  24  of the outer buckle plate  12  as they are angularly turned by the sloping surfaces  72  of the holes  52  in inner member  14 . 
     In FIG. 15A the outer member  12  is shown raised which withdraws the teeth  48  into the openings  52  and allows passage of the webbing through the buckle beneath the holes  52 . In the bottom view shown in FIG. 15B, the web-locking prongs or teeth  48  are shown extended from the holes  52  in the inner member  14 . That is the locking condition of the teeth, which engages openings in the webbing and prevents movement of the webbing at least in the reverse direction through the buckle. 
     FIG. 15C is a cross-section of the buckle showing the prongs  48  extended through the openings in the inner plate to engage the webbing. 
     FIG. 15D shows a prospective view of the buckle which can be used as an adjusting buckle for straps connected to sporting gear such as backpacks and equipment supporting belts for example. 
     A preferred buckle is generally indicated by the numerals  100  in FIG.  16 . The buckle  100  comprises an inner member  102  and an outer member  104 . The inner member has a rim  106  around which one end of a webbing belt is secured. That end passes through opening  108 . The free end of the webbing belt passes sequentially over shelf  110 , under the inner and outer members  102  and  104  and over the shelf  112  near the belt and mounting ledge  106 . The cover  104  has a flat outer face  114  and movable outer side elements  116 , which are squeezed inward to change the state of the buckle. The central portions  118  are lifted upward by ramps  120  as the flexible sides  116  of the cover  104  are squeezed inward. Leaf springs  122  urge the outer member  104  to the upward, belt-releasing position. 
     FIG. 17 shows a bottom view of the assembled buckle. The bottom plate  102  has a flat central portion  124  on the opposite side of which the webbing belt passes as the free end passes successively over shelf  110 , flat central portion  124  and shelf portion  112 . 
     Central portion  126  of the inner member  102  has openings  128  with sloping surfaces which direct the locking tabs  130  into engagement with the webbing belt. 
     The projecting surfaces  132  of the inner buckle member  104  support the ramps  120  as shown in FIG. 16. A bridge  134  extends between the extensions  132  and supports the base of the cantilevered spring  122  so that it may pivot within the opening  136  when the flexible sides  116  are squeezed to move the latching members  118  inward. 
     FIG. 18 shows a perspective view from the bottom of the buckle in the unlocked, web-releasing position. The central member  124  of the base has been removed for clarity. 
     FIG. 19 is a top view of the preferred buckle showing the opening  138  through which the free end of the webbing enters the buckle. Ends  140  of the buckle inner member are raised so that inner walls  142  guide the end edges  144  of the outer buckle member  104  as shown in FIGS. 16 and 20. 
     FIG. 20 shows the flexible sides  116  and the springs  122  that urge the outer member upward after the sides have been squeezed inward and lifted by the associated ramps. 
     FIG. 21 is a detail of the flexible latches  122  and the ramps  120  on the inner buckle member  102  and the collecting of portions of the outer buckle member  104 . 
     Inward extending bars  146  with curved engaging portions  148  slide upward on ramps  120  as the central portion  118  of the outer member is squeezed inward in the direction of arrows  150 . The latch  122 , which flexes in the directions of the arrow  152 , urges the central portion  118  upward as contact of the inner edge  154  moves along the sloped surface  156 , and as the curved surface  158  contacts the inner surface  160  of the central member  118 . The resilient members  122  tend to fold the cover plate  104  upward. 
     The latching member  122  may fit within a recess in the bottom of the central portion  118 , holding the member  118  inward. Further inward movement on the members  118  lifts the members on the ramps  120  and disengages the latch, allowing the members  116  to spring outward so that the outer member may be pushed inward on the inner member into latching condition. The webbing strap pulling on the pins extending at an angle through the holes in the inner member tends to keep the buckle locked. Additional latches are provided between the inner and outer members. 
     As shown in FIG. 22, the upper surface  114  of the outer member  104  is formed with opening  162 . Outer portions  164  of the openings form thin flexible members  166  in the outer walls  168  of the outer members  104 . Position-locking tabs  170  are extended from the inner member and slide within recesses  172  and outer walls  168  of the outer member. The recesses have inward extensions  174  which cooperate with extending lugs  176  on position-locking tabs  170  to hold the inner and outer members in locked condition or in unlocked condition as shown in FIG.  22 . 
     As shown in FIG. 26, the locking tabs  170  are mounted on outward extensions  178  of the inner member  104 . The curved outer walls  180  of the inner member are spaced inward from the curved walls  168  of the outer member so that the entire central portion of the outer wall  168  may be squeezed inward to allow the inward extensions  174  to be positioned inward of the lugs  176  when the cover is moved between belt-locking and belt-releasing positions. 
     The buckle is made of two pieces. It can be different sizes and has multiple applications. The buckle works with laminated strap-webbing or open weave strap-webbing, and allows the webbing to pass through the buckle. It allows the user to engage or disengage the locking means. When the engaging means are engaged, they can prevent webbing from sliding or be configured to allow belting to move in only one direction. The buckle is moldable in multiple materials and is low cost. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention.