Device for adjusting and locking a strap

The present invention relates to a device for adjusting and locking a strap. The device includes a base portion, the base portion including a base having a first and a second side and a front and a back. A first sidewall extends away from the first side of the base, the first sidewall defining a window. A second sidewall extends away from the second side of the base, the second sidewall defining a further window. A door portion cooperates with the base portion, the door portion having a first and a second edge. The door portion includes a locking bar having a first and a second end, the locking bar extending between the first and second edges of the door portion. The first end of the locking bar defines a first positioning dial. The second end of the locking bar defines a second positioning dial such that in use of the device, the first positioning dial is movably located within the window. Also, the second positioning dial is movably located within the further window. The window includes a cam surface which cooperates with the first positioning dial. Additionally, the further window has a further cam surface which cooperates with the second positioning dial. The arrangement is such that in use of the device, with the strap disposed between the base and the locking bar, the strap is locked against movement relative to the device when the door portion is disposed in a locking disposition thereof relative to the base portion. The arrangement further being such that the strap is movably adjustable relative to the device when the door portion is pivoted relative to the windows to an adjusting disposition thereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for adjusting and locking a strap. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for adjusting and locking a strap so that the device is selectively maintained in an adjusting and a locking disposition thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The device of the present invention may be used for fastening a chin strap of a bicycle helmet. However, the device can be used with straps that are found in any number of different applications, such as book bags, gym bags, luggage bags, back packs and the like.

There are many known strap fastening devices which allow for adjusting the strap and then holding the strap in place once an adjustment has been made. A common problem with these known devices is that the closing or locking door can be opened to easily, thereby undesirably allowing the strap to move from its intended position. Another common problem with these known devices is that when trying to adjust the strap when the door is in an open position, the door is not adapted to stay in the open position, thereby causing adjustment of the strap to be somewhat cumbersome. The invention addresses these problems and other problems of the known devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for adjusting and locking a strap. The device includes a base having a pair of spaced apart sidewalls, each having a window therein, and a door functionally connected to the base. The door includes a locking bar having a positioning dial on each end thereof. The positioning dials are movably located within the associated windows of the base. The arrangement being such that in use of the device, with the strap disposed between the base and the locking bar, the strap is locked against movement relative to the device when the door is disposed in a locking disposition thereof relative to the base; and, the arrangement further being such that the strap is movably adjustable relative to the device when the door is pivoted relative to the windows to an adjusting disposition thereof.

Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for adjusting and locking a strap so that it is selectively maintained in the locking and the adjusting dispositions thereof.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a device generally designated10according to the present invention for selectively adjusting and locking a strap12. The device10includes a base portion generally designated14, the base portion14including a base16having a first and a second side18and20respectively and a front and a back22and24respectively. A first sidewall26extends away from the first side18of the base16, the first sidewall26defining a window28. A second sidewall30extends away from the second side20of the base16, the second sidewall30defining a further window32. A door portion generally designated34cooperates with the base portion14, the door portion34having a first and a second edge36and38respectively. The door portion34includes a locking bar40having a first and a second end42and44respectively, the locking bar40extending between the first and second edges36and38of the door portion34. The first end42of the locking bar40defines a first positioning dial46. The second end44of the locking bar40defines a second positioning dial48. In use of the device10, the first positioning dial46is movably located within the window28, and the second positioning dial48is movably located within the further window32.

FIG. 2is a side elevational view of the device10shown inFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 2, the window28has a cam surface50which cooperates with the first positioning dial46.

FIG. 3is a perspective view of the base portion14of the device10shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. As shown inFIG. 3, the further window32has a further cam surface52which cooperates with the second positioning dial48shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 4is a side elevational view partially in section of the device10but with the door portion34in the locking disposition thereof. As shown inFIG. 4, the arrangement is such that in use of the device10, with the strap12disposed between the base16and the locking bar40, the strap12is locked against movement relative to the device10when the door portion34is disposed in the locking disposition thereof relative to the base portion14.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the strap12is movably adjustable relative to the device10as indicated by the arrow49when the door portion34is pivoted as indicated by the arrow54relative to the windows28and32to an adjusting disposition thereof.

In a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the base portion14is fabricated from a relatively flexible plastics material.

Also, as shown inFIG. 3, the base16defines a roughened surface56, the roughened surface56reacting with the strap12when the door portion34is disposed in the locking disposition thereof as shown inFIG. 4, so that the strap12is locked between the roughened surface56and the locking bar40as shown inFIG. 4.

FIG. 5is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 3but shows another embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 5, the base16adefines a plurality of teeth58,59and60.

FIG. 6is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 4but shows the teeth58–60shown inFIG. 5reacting with the strap12when the door portion34is disposed in the locking disposition thereof so that the strap12is locked between the teeth58–60and the locking bar40. More particularly, the plurality of teeth58–60are fabricated to be flexible for accommodating varying thicknesses of the strap12. For example, the teeth58–60can be leaf spring elements or spring loaded elements or any other suitable configuration.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 3, the first sidewall26is disposed spaced relative to the second sidewall30.

More specifically, as shown inFIG. 3, the first sidewall26has a first and a second end62and64respectively. Also, the second sidewall30has a first and a second extremity66and68. The first end62of the first sidewall26and the first extremity66of the second sidewall30are spaced a first distance D relative to each other. Additionally, the second end64of the first sidewall26and the second extremity68of the second sidewall30are spaced a second distance d relative to each other. As illustrated, the second distance d is less than the first distance D. Alternatively, D could be equal to d.

FIG. 7is an enlarged view of the window28shown inFIG. 2. As shown inFIG. 7, the window28is of generally triangular shaped configuration. Moreover, the triangular shaped window28has an apex70which is disposed remote relative to the cam surface50.

FIG. 8is an enlarged view of the window32taken on the line8—8shown inFIG. 3but with the door portion (FIG. 1) in the adjusting disposition. As shown inFIG. 8, the triangular shaped further window32has a further apex72which is disposed remote relative to the further cam surface52. As shown inFIG. 7, the first positioning dial46is movably disposed between the apex70and the cam surface50. Also, as shown inFIG. 8, the second positioning dial48is movably disposed between the further apex72and the further cam surface52.

As shown inFIG. 1, the door portion34includes a handle74which extends away from the locking bar40and between the first and second edges36and38respectively of the door portion34for permitting selective pivoting of the locking bar40between the locking and the adjusting dispositions of the device10as indicated by the arrow54.

As shown inFIG. 1, the door portion34includes a first and a second reinforcing rib76and78extending respectively along the first and second edges36and38of the door portion34for reinforcing the door portion34.

As shown inFIG. 7, the first positioning dial46defines a first angled surface80which, in association with the surface50, permits assembly of the first positioning dial46within the window28.

As shown inFIG. 8, the second positioning dial48defines a second angled surface82which, in association with the surface52, also permits assembly of the second positioning dial48within the further window32.

Moreover, as shown inFIG. 7, the first positioning dial46defines a first locking rib84which maintains the first positioning dial46relative to the cam surface50.

FIG. 9is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 7but shows the first locking rib84disposed in the locking disposition whereas inFIG. 7the first locking rib84is in the adjusting disposition. As shown inFIGS. 7 and 9, the arrangement is such that the device10is selectively maintained in the locking disposition thereof as shown inFIG. 9for locking the strap12relative to the device10and for maintaining the first positioning dial46relative to the cam surface50, and such that the device10is maintained in the adjusting disposition thereof as shown inFIG. 7for adjusting the strap12relative to the device10.

FIG. 10is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 8but shows a second locking rib86disposed in the locking disposition whereas inFIG. 8the second locking rib86maintains the second positioning dial48relative to the further cam surface52. The arrangement as shown inFIG. 10is such that the device10is maintained in the locking disposition thereof for locking the strap12relative to the device10and as shown inFIG. 8for maintaining the second positioning dial48relative to the further cam surface52such that the device10is selectively maintained in the adjusting disposition thereof for adjusting the strap12relative to the device10.

As shown inFIG. 9, the cam surface50includes a first portion88which reacts and cooperates with the first locking rib84for maintaining the door portion34in a closed disposition thereof so that the device10is selectively maintained in the locking disposition thereof

Also, as shown inFIG. 7, a second portion90of the cam surface50is provided which reacts and cooperates with the first locking rib84for maintaining the door portion34in an open disposition thereof so that the device10is selectively maintained in the adjusting disposition thereof.

Additionally, as shown inFIG. 10, the further cam surface52includes a first member92which reacts and cooperates with the second locking rib86for selectively maintaining the door portion34in a closed disposition thereof so that the device10is in the locking disposition thereof.

As shown inFIG. 8, a second member94of the further cam surface52is provided which reacts and cooperates with the second locking rib86for selectively maintaining the door portion34in an open disposition thereof so that the device10is in the adjusting disposition thereof.

In the embodiments of the present invention as shown inFIGS. 1–10, the door portion34preferably moves approximately 90 degrees between the open and closed dispositions thereof.

FIG. 11is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 7but shows another embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 11, the cam surface50bdefines an intermediate portion96which is disposed between the first and second portions88band90bfor facilitating pivoting of the door portion34between the closed and open dispositions thereof.

FIG. 12is a similar view to that shown inFIG. 8but shows the embodiment ofFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 12, the further cam surface52bdefines a further intermediate member98which is disposed between the first and second members92band94brespectively for facilitating pivoting of the door portion34between the closed and open dispositions thereof.

In the embodiment of the present invention as shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, the door portion34preferably moves approximately 100 degrees between the open and closed dispositions thereof.

As shown inFIGS. 7 and 9, the cam surface50is disposed within the window28such that an opening100is defined by the window28and the cam surface50for the pivotal reception therein of the first positioning dial46.

Additionally, as shown inFIGS. 8 and 10, the further cam surface52is disposed within the further window32such that a further opening102is defined by the further window32and the further cam surface52for the pivotal reception therein of the second positioning dial48.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device10is used for locking and adjusting a strap12of a bicycle helmet.

FIG. 13is a sectional view taken on the line13—13ofFIG. 7. As shown inFIG. 13, the first locking rib84has a first angled surface80in order to assist in the snap assembly of the door portion34within the window28. Also, the second locking rib86is also provided with the angled surface82for the same purpose. The angled surfaces80and82further enable the movement of the respective positioning dials46and48.

In operation of the device, the device may be used for fastening a chin strap of a bicycle helmet. However, the device can be used with straps that are found in any number of different applications, such as book bags, gym bags, luggage bags, back packs and the like.

To reiterate, there are many known strap fastening devices which allow for adjusting the strap and then holding the strap in place once an adjustment has been made. A common problem with these known devices is that the door can be opened to easily, thereby undesirably allowing the strap to move from its intended position. Another common problem with these known devices is that when trying to adjust the strap when the door is in an open position, the door is not adapted to stay in the open position, thereby causing adjustment of the strap to be somewhat cumbersome. The invention addresses these problems and other problems of the known devices.

More specifically, each embodiment includes a base portion14and a door portion34. The door portion34is adapted to be snap fitted into the base portion14. With reference to the first embodiment, the base portion14is provided with a pair of multi-positioning window openings100and102respectively, one being located opposite the other on opposing sidewalls26and30of the base16of the base portion14. Located in each opening100and102is cam surface50and52respectively, which, in the first embodiment as shown inFIGS. 7–10, generally takes the shape of a triangle. The wall104shown inFIGS. 7 and 9and the further wall106shown inFIGS. 8 and 10respectively define the cam surfaces50and52respectively and are flexible. Opposite the apex108and110of each cam surface50and52respectively as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, is a socket portion112and114respectively formed by the associated opening100and102respectively. The socket portions112and114are provided for the rotatable reception therein of the respective positioning dials46and48. The door portion34is provided with the pair of positioning dials46and48, one on each side of the door portion34. The angled surfaces80and82are provided to enhance assembly of the door portion34to the base portion14and selective movement of the positioning dials46and48. Extending from each positioning dial46and48are the locking ribs84and86respectively. Upon assembly, each positioning dial46and48mates with the associated opening100and102for movement therein. In the open position, each rib84and86is positioned between the second portion90and the second member94of the associated cam surface50and52and a surface defining the opening100and102in the sidewall of the base portion14. In this way, the door portion34will remain open when it is desirable to adjust the strap12. In other words, the door portion34will not close absent a force being applied thereto. When closing the door portion34, the locking ribs84and86are caused to engage the triangular shaped walls104and106defining the cam surfaces50and52. The flexible nature of the walls104and106allows the locking ribs84and86to move from an adjusting position to locking position. The flexible walls104and106act like a spring for urging the locking ribs84and86into the desired position (i.e. open or closed).

In the locking position, as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, each locking rib84and86is positioned between the first portion88and first member92of the associated cam surface and another surface defining the respective opening100and102. In this way, the door portion34will remain closed until a force is applied thereto to open the door portion34. The door portion34is further provided with strengthening ribs76and78shown inFIG. 1, for strengthening the handle74. The bottom surface of the base16is provided with the roughened or toothed surface to provide a further strap holding means. In one embodiment, the teeth58–60can be configured and adapted to flex to better accommodate straps12of varying thicknesses.

The second embodiment shown inFIGS. 11 and 12is functionally quite similar to the first embodiment. The cam surfaces50band52bof the flexible walls104band106bare curved as compared to coming to a point or a somewhat rounded point as shown in the other embodiments. These curved surfaces96and98allow for a stronger or “beefed-up” positioning dial46band48brespectively for providing more strength and stability, and to allow the positioning dials46band48bto rotate within the openings100band102b. Moreover, in regards to movement of the door portion34, the door portion34is generally adapted to move about 90 degrees between the open and closed positions in the embodiments shown inFIGS. 1–10and13and about 100 degrees or so in the second embodiment shown inFIGS. 11 and 12. Although the multi-positioning window openings have been described as accommodating two positions (open and closed), the openings100and102and associated cam surfaces50and52can be adapted and configured to accommodate multiple positions.

With reference to a bike helmet, each device holds two straps coming up from a chin strap, one strap being aligned on top of the other. In the closed position, the device holds the straps and allow the straps to continue upward to diverge around the ears of the user and then separately around the shell of the helmet.