Systems and methods for a side-loading strap buckle

A tensioning device includes a first slot located on a first end of the tensioning device, the first slot being closed on all four sides. The tensioning device further includes a second slot and a third slot, the third slot located on a second end of the tensioning device, the second end opposite the first end, the second slot located between the first and third slot, the second and the third slot being having an open side on one of four sides and closed on three of four sides. The tensioning device further includes a lever arm, the lever arm located on the second end of the tensioning device.

BACKGROUND

Strap buckles have been in common use for many years. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 1,234,818 (1917), which describes a buckle mounted on a strap. The user threads the end of the strap around the object being secured, through the buckle past a movable member, and then back the other direction through the buckle past an adjacent, fixed member. This action holds the strap in position within the buckle, forming a loop around the object being secured. Tension is added by pulling on the strap end. Some newer devices utilize fixed buckle members oriented such that they pinch the strap to maintain tension. The end of the strap is pulled to increase tension, but the buckle member orientation prevents movement of the strap in the opposite direction. Other devices employ spring-loaded cams or ratchets to maintain tension on a strap.

In spite of their widespread use, these devices share common problems, namely: (a) the user must locate the end of the strap and then thread it all the way through the buckle in a first direction, and some devices require the user to thread it back again through the buckle in the opposite direction, (b)—tension can be difficult to release because the release mechanism is typically located along the centerline of the strap, and thus offers little leverage for this purpose, (c)—even after tension is released, the strap must be fully withdrawn in one or both directions from the buckle before the strap can be removed from the object being secured.

It would therefore be advantageous to provide a buckle that allows loading the strap onto the buckle without having to thread the entire strap in one or both directions through the buckle. It would be further advantageous to provide a buckle that offers an easy to release structure. It would be further advantageous to provide a buckle that allows for ease of removal of the buckle.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one embodiment, an improved Side-Loading Strap Buckle System is disclosed, which (A)—allows loading of the strap onto the side of the buckle, (B)—has a leveraged release structure, (C)—allows unloading of the strap from the side of the buckle, and in one alternative, (D)—incorporates an elastomer section for improved holding and release of the object being secured. In another embodiment, two side-loading buckles are provided, which allow use on a loop of strap without the need to permanently attach either buckle to the strap.

In one embodiment, a tensioning device includes a first slot located on a first end of the tensioning device, the first slot being closed on all four sides. The tensioning device further includes a second slot and a third slot, the third slot located on a second end of the tensioning device, the second end opposite the first end, the second slot located between the first and third slot, the second and the third slot being having an open side on one of four sides and closed on three of four sides. The tensioning device further includes a lever arm, the lever arm located on the second end of the tensioning device. Optionally, the tensioning device includes a raised area, located adjacent to the second and third slots, such that the second and third slots are raised in relation to the first slot. In one alternative, the open side of the second and the third slot are on the same side of the one of four sides. In another alternative, the first, second, and third slot are shaped to receive a flat strap. Optionally, the flat strap is standard size. Alternatively, the flat strap is made of nylon webbing. In another alternative, the tensioning device includes a first retention tab proximate to the second slot, the retention tab narrowing the width of the open side of the second slot. In yet another alternative, the tensioning device includes a second retention tab proximate to the third slot, the second retention tab narrowing the width of the open side of the third slot. Optionally, the first, second, and third slot are all arranged parallel to each other.

In one embodiment, a tensioning system includes a tensioning device, including a first slot located on a first end of the tensioning device, the first slot being closed on all four sides. The tensioning device further includes a second slot and a third slot, the third slot located on a second end of the tensioning device, the second end opposite the first end, the second slot located between the first and third slot, the second and the third slot being having an open side on one of four sides and closed on three of four sides. The tensioning device further includes a lever arm, the lever arm located on the second end of the tensioning device. The tensioning system further includes a first strap having a first end oriented and anchored in the first slot. Optionally, the tensioning system includes a raised area, located adjacent to the second and third slots, such that the second and third slots are raised in relation to the first slot. Alternatively, the second and third slot are arranged parallel to each other and the first slot is arranged such that an end of the first slot closest to the open side of the second slot is closer to the second slot than an end of the first slot furthest from the open side of the second slot. In one alternative, the open side of the second and the third slot are on the same side of the one of four sides. In another alternative, the first, second, and third slot are shaped to receive a flat strap. Optionally, the first slot is at a one to ten degree angle to the second slot. Alternatively, the first slot is at a four degree angle to the second slot. Optionally, the system further includes a carabiner gate oriented to close the open end of the second slot.

In one embodiment, a method of using a tensioning system includes providing a tensioning system. The tensioning system includes a tensioning device, including a first slot located on a first end of the tensioning device, the first slot being closed on all four sides. The tensioning device further includes a second slot and a third slot, the third slot located on a second end of the tensioning device, the second end opposite the first end, the second slot located between the first and third slot, the second and the third slot being having an open side on one of four sides and closed on three of four sides. The tensioning device further includes a lever arm, the lever arm located on the second end of the tensioning device. The tensioning system further includes a first strap having a first end oriented and anchored in the first slot. The method further includes looping the first strap. The method further includes wrapping the first strap around an object. The method further includes placing the first strap on the second and third slot of the tensioning device from the open side of the second and third slot. The method further includes tensioning the first strap around the object by pulling on the strap. Optionally, the method further includes lifting the lever arm to release the tension on the first strap. Optionally, the method further includes removing the first strap from tensioning device by sliding the first strap through the open side of the second and third slot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the embodiments of the systems and methods for a side-loading strap buckle system (the “device”). In many embodiments, the side-loading strap buckle system includes a variety of slots for receiving and tensioning a strap. In many embodiments, the device includes a first slot to which a strap may be affixed. In many configurations, this is a permanently attached strap. In many embodiments, the device further includes a first and second side load slot. These side load slots are open on one side, such that a strap may be easily slid onto the device and tensioned. The side load slots are located in a raise portion of the device in comparison to the first slot. Additionally, the device may include a lever arm that allows the user to release the tension of the device on the strap. The lever arm, in combination with the raised slot area, provides for release by rotation of the device, such that the edge of the device is moved away from the strap, allowing it to slide more freely.

A side-loading strap buckle system is disclosed which constitutes a strap tensioning system. In one embodiment as shown inFIGS. 1-3, the device100has a slot105for attachment to a strap110. A raised area120is adjacent to a second slot130and a third slot140. Release lever190is positioned below and to the side of slots130and140.

In use, the strap110is passed around the object to be secured. A loop170is formed at a convenient spot along the strap110. Loop170is then inserted into the device100at slots130and140. Retention tab160assures that loop170stays within slots130and140as strap110is pulled in the direction of the release lever190to tighten the strap. To release tension from the system as shown inFIGS. 4-5, the user pulls release lever190upwards in direction410, and then removes the loop of strap170from the device100in direction510. Edge141typically rests on strap110and provides tension against the surface under the device100. By pulling up on the release lever190, edge141is pulled off of strap110and it is easier to release strap110. Due the arrangement of raised area120, pressure is primarily put on the strap110at edge141until the pressure is released via lever arm190.

In many embodiments, raised area120is formed via making bends in the device100that coincide with slot130and140such that the area between them is raised. This forms an approximate half hexagonal shape for the device100. InFIG. 1, bends191,192provide for the formation of the raised area120.

In another embodiment as shown inFIG. 6, strap610has is made of elastic material and a hook620mounted at the distal end of the elastic material. Strap170A has a hook620mounted at its distal end. This arrangement serves as a side-loading, adjustable-length replacement for a bungee cord. Release lever190allows for the slow, controlled release of tension from the system, in contrast with common bungee cords, which are dangerous because of their uncontrolled, explosive release.

Another embodiment of a device700shown inFIG. 7has a release lever790on both sides. Device700similarly includes a first slot105and a second slot730and a third slot740. Second slot730and third slot740are typically not open to the side in this arrangement. In another embodiment, device800, as shown inFIG. 8, two buckles800a,800bare connected by hinge means810. In this embodiment, one of the buckles can be mounted from the side anywhere along a length of strap. The strap can then be passed around the object to be secured, mounted to the second buckle, and then tension can be added to the strap from either or both buckles. Hinge means810allows for raising one or the other release lever190, thus releasing tension from both buckles800a,800b. As shown, each buckle800a,800bincludes a first slot805for the attachment of the hinge means810. Hinge means810may be a sewn together strap, a resilient plastic piece, or some other material placed between the buckles800a,800bto hold them together. Additionally, each buckle800a,800bincludes a second and third slot830,840for releasably attaching a strap.

In another embodiment of a device900as shown inFIG. 9, the upper edge of strap retention slot905is angled slightly in relation to slots930and940, as is the inner edge of retention tab960. When tension is applied to the strap system, angled slot905causes the buckle to shift in the direction of arrow901. These angles help retention tab960maintain strap loop170in slots930,940. Device900also includes lever arm990. In the image shown, the raised portion of slots930,940(as in the other embodiments shown in relation toFIGS. 1-8) is not shown, but in many configurations is included.

In still another embodiment, a device1000as shown inFIG. 10, a wire-gate carabiner1061has been added to slot1060, to help prevent premature removal of strap loop170to the side in the event of slack tension in the strap. Device1000further includes slots1005,1030,1040and lever1090. As in the embodiment ofFIG. 9, slot1005is angled in relation to slots1030,1040. In the image shown, the raised portion of slots1030,1040(as in the other embodiments shown in relation toFIGS. 1-8) is not shown, but in many configurations is included.

In many embodiments, the side-loading strap buckle system is designed to work with flat straps. In many configurations, the flat straps are of standard one inch thickness. The slots are typically sized to accommodate these flat straps. However, flat straps come in various sizes, including but not limited to, sizes ranging from a quarter inch in width to two or more inches in width.

Another embodiment of a side-loading strap buckle system is shown inFIG. 11. In this diagram a similar first slot1105is shown in device1100. This slot1105, as before, may receive a flat strap. The flat strap may be permanently affixed to the first slot1105. Similar to the previous embodiments, device1100includes a second slot1130and a third slot1140. Second slot1130and third slot1140are on either side of raised area1120. The orientation of raised area1120makes it easier to attach a looped end of a flat strap, since it may be easily passed over the raised area1120from the side. The raised area1120includes retention tabs1160and1161. The rounded/diagonal shape of the retention tabs (arrow shape) provides for ease of placement of the flat strap, however, the opposite side of the arrow provides a tab for holding the flat strap in place. Release lever1190in device1100takes a somewhat different form as an ergonomic press tab.FIG. 12shows a perspective view of the device1100.

FIG. 13shows a side view of device1100. In this view the side profile of the device is visible. It is of note in this view that bottom edge1320generally sits flat when the device1100is in use. The flat straps generally are trapped at edge1310under the device1100. Since release lever1190tilts upwards, it is convenient for the user to reach under release lever1190and pull upwards to release the flat straps from edge1310as previously discussed.

FIG. 14shows a flat strap1400attached to device1100as previously discussed. In use, flat strap1400could be the approximate length shown or much longer and the length shown is merely exemplary. Flat strap1400also includes loop1410, which may provide for a variety of uses. For instance, if the strap is wrapped around a bundle or other object and tensioned using device1100, loop1410may be used as a handle for carrying. Additionally, loop1410may be used for tightening and a variety of other functions.

While specific embodiments have been described in detail in the foregoing detailed description, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure and the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is understood, therefore, that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the particular examples and implementations disclosed herein but is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope thereof as defined by the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.