Strap assembly and fastening unit thereof

A fastening unit includes a base, a fixing seat, two shaft seats, a main body, an engaging member, and an abutting member. The fixing seat and the two shaft seats are disposed on the base. The main body is detachably disposed on the two shaft seats. The engaging member is connected to the side of the main body that is away from the two shaft seats. The abutting member protrudes from the bottom surface of the main body. When the fastening unit is in a closed state, the engaging member engages with the fixing seat. As a result, the bottom surface faces the base, and the abutting member is adjacent to the base. When the fastening unit is transferred from the closed state to an opened state, the engaging member disengages from the fixing seat, and the main body pivots relative to the two shaft seats.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority of Taiwan Patent Application No. 103142542, filed on Dec. 8, 2014, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a strap assembly and an element thereof, and more particularly to a strap assembly with an adjustable length, and the fastening unit thereof.

Description of the Related Art

Many strap assembles are available on the market for hanging objects such as a badge, an electric device, etc. For example, Taiwan Utility Patent No. M225899 discloses a strap assembly for gripping a badge. The length of the strap assembly is adjusted via an adjusting ring, and the strap assembly includes two separable fasteners to improve safety in the use of the strap assembly.

However, the adjusting ring and the fasteners are two different structures, which cause an increase in the weight of the strap assembly and makes the assembly process of the strap assembly very complicated. In addition, while the strap assembly is being used, the neck of the user may be constricted by the adjusting ring and the user may feel uncomfortable. Moreover, while the adjusting ring of the strap assembly can be used to adjust the length of the strap, the surplus portion of the strap is exposed by the adjusting ring. If the surplus portion of the strap is dragged by other elements in the environment, an accident may occur to the user.

SUMMARY

Due to the drawbacks in the prior art, the aspect of the disclosure is to provide a fastening unit connected to a strap. The fastening unit is used to adjust the length of the strap. Besides, by using two separable elements to fix the strap, the safety of the user is also guaranteed.

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the strap assembly includes a base, a fixing seat, two shaft seats, a main body, an engaging member, and an abutting member. The fixing seat is positioned on the base. The two shaft seats are arranged side by side and disposed on the base in such a way that the two shaft seats are spaced apart from each other in a second direction. Each of the two shaft seats is spaced from the fixing seat along a first direction by a distance, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. The main body is detachably positioned on the two shaft seats. The engaging member is connected to the side of the main body that is away from the two shaft seats. The abutting member is projected from a bottom surface of the main body. When the fastening unit is in a closed state, the engaging member engages with the fixing seat, and the bottom surface faces the base such that the abutting member is positioned adjacent to the base. When the fastening unit is transferred from the closed state to an opened state, the engaging member disengages from the fixing seat, and the main body pivots relative to the two shaft seats

In the embodiment, the engaging member includes an elastic compression portion and an engaging portion. The elastic compression portion is connected to the main body. The engaging portion is connected to the main body via the elastic compression portion and is configured to engage with the fixing seat. When the fastening unit is transferred from the closed state to an opened state, the elastic compression portion is deformed so as to facilitate the disengagement of the elastic compression portion from the fixing seat.

In the embodiment, the elastic compression portion includes an extending segment enabling the engaging portion to have a degree of freedom in the first direction and/or a degree of freedom in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions.

In the embodiment, the elastic compression portion further includes a flexible segment. The flexible segment connects the extending segment to the engaging portion and is configured to provide flexibility to the engaging portion in the first direction.

In the embodiment, each of the two shaft seats comprises a shaft hole and a guiding groove connecting the shaft hole. Each of the guiding grooves is formed at the side of the corresponding shaft seat that is away from the fixing seat. In addition, the fastening unit includes two shafts. The two shafts are respectively formed at two sides of the main body and pivotably disposed on the two shaft holes of the two shaft seats. When the main body is pulled by an external force along a direction away from the fixing seat, the two shafts leave the shaft holes via the guiding grooves.

In the embodiment, a channel penetrates the fixing seat along the first direction, and the channel enables a strap to pass through. In the embodiment, a through hole is formed on the fixing seat at the side of the channel that is away from the base. When the fastening unit is in the closed state, the engaging member is connected to the fixing seat via the through hole.

In the embodiment, a through passage is formed at the side of the main body that is opposite to the side of the main body at which the engaging member is connected, and the through passage enables a strap to pass through.

Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a strap assembly which includes a fastening assembly of any above-mentioned embodiment. A through passage is formed at the side of the main body that is opposite to the side where the engaging member is connected. A channel penetrates the fixing seat along the first direction. The first end of the strap is fixed on the through passage, and the second end of the strap passes through the channel and the interspace between the two shaft seats in order. When the fastening unit is in the closed state, the second end of the strap is abutted by the abutting member so as to position the strap on the base.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, a multi-view auto-stereoscopic display of the present invention will be explained with reference to embodiments thereof. It should be appreciated that these embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention to any specific environment, application or particular implementation described in these embodiments. Therefore, the description of these embodiments is only for the purpose of illustration rather than to limit the present invention. Furthermore, the attached drawings may be drawn in a slightly simplified or exaggerated way for ease of understanding; the numbers, shapes and dimensional scales of elements depicted may not be exactly the same as those in practical implementation and are not intended to limit the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 1, a strap assembly1is provided and includes a strap100, a fastening unit200, a positioning member300, a gripping member400, and an adjusting ring500in accordance with some embodiments. A first end101of the strap100is fixed on the fastening unit200, and a second end102of the strap100is passed through the fastening unit200. The strap100is also passed through the positioning member300and the gripping member400. The gripping member400is configured to grasp an object, such as an electronic device or a badge. The positioning member300is configured to limit movements of the gripping member400.

Referring toFIG. 2, the structural features of the fastening unit200is described below. The fastening unit200includes a second structure230and a first structure210which is pivotably connected to the second structure230in a detachable manner.

In a first embodiment, the second structure230includes a base231, a fixing seat232, and two shaft seats235. The base231has a number of sides, such as first side2311, second side2312, third side2313, and fourth side2314. The first side2311is opposite the second side2312, and the third and fourth sides2313and2314are connected between the first and second sides2311and2312.

In the first embodiment, the fixing seat232extends from the first side2311of the base231upwardly (Z axis direction), in which a channel233is arranged adjacent to the first side2311and penetrates the fixing seat232along a first direction (Y axis direction). Additionally, a through hole2321is formed on the fixing seat232at the side of the channel233that is away from the base231. The through hole2321penetrates the fixing seat232along the first direction (Y axis).

In the first embodiment, two shaft seats235are arranged respectively adjacent to the third and fourth sides2313/2314and is extended from the base231upwardly (Z axis direction). Along the first direction (Y axis direction), the two shaft seats235are spaced apart from the fixing seat232. Additionally, along a second direction (X axis direction), which is perpendicular to the first direction (Y axis direction), the two shaft seats235are arranged spaced apart from each other. Each of the shaft seats235includes a shaft hole2351and a guiding groove2353. The shaft hole2351is formed at a distal end of the shaft seat235. The guiding groove2353communicates the shaft hole2351and is formed at the side of the corresponding shaft seat235that is away from the fixing seat232. In addition, as shown inFIG. 2, the shaft holes2351of the two shaft seats235align with a rotating axis C, where the rotating axis C is perpendicular to the first direction (Y axis direction).

In the first embodiment, the first structure210includes a main body211, an engaging member213, two shafts217, and an abutting member219. The main body211has a front lateral edge2112and a rear lateral edge2114. As shown inFIG. 2, the width of a portion of the main body211that is near to the front lateral edge2112gradually decreases. As a result, the width of the front lateral edge2112of the main body211is smaller than the width of the rear lateral edge2114of the main body211. Moreover, in the vicinity of the rear lateral edge2114of the main body211, the two shafts217are respectively formed at two sides of the main body211relative to the shaft holes2351of the two shaft seats235. While assembling the first structure210and the second structure230, each of the two shafts217of the first structure210passes through the guiding grooves2353of the two shaft seats235and sits in the shaft holes2351, so that the first structure217is able to pivot about the rotating axis C relative to the second structure230.

In the first embodiment, in the vicinity of the rear lateral edge2114of the main body211, a through passage212penetrates a top surface2116and a bottom surface2118of the main body211. The through passage212allows a strap to pass (FIG. 1) through and letting the strap to be fixed on the first structure210. Specifically, the main body211has a recessed portion2111and a cylindrical structure2113. The recessed portion211is formed at the rear lateral edge2114of the main body211, and the cylindrical structure2113is disposed in the recessed portion2111. The through passage212is located between the cylindrical structure2113and the inner wall of the recessed portion2111that is away from the rear lateral edge2114. The first end101(FIG. 1) of the strap100passes through the through passage212and is fixed on the cylindrical structure2113.

In the first embodiment, the engaging member213includes an extending segment214, a flexible segment215, and an abutting portion216. The extending segment214is connected to the front lateral edge2112of the main body211. The extending segment214extends away from the main body211and connects to a side of the flexible segment215. The flexible segment215has an elliptical shape, and the other side of the flexible segment215is connected to the engaging portion216. Furthermore, the extending segment214and the flexible segment215together form an elastic compression portion which enables the engaging portion216to have a degree of freedom to displace. In addition, the abutting member219is formed on the bottom surface2118of the main body211, and has a width in a direction parallel to the front lateral edge2112or the rear lateral edge2114. The flexible segment215may have an X-shape, a funnel-shape, or any other shape which is capable of deforming. It should not be limited to the ring-shaped structure exemplified in the aforementioned embodiments.

Referring toFIGS. 3A and 3B, a method for adjusting the length of the strap100of the strap assembly1is described below.

As shown inFIG. 3A, before the length of the strap100is adjusted, the fastening unit200is in a closed state, in which the first end101of the strap100is fixed on the first structure210. The second end102of the strap100passes through an interspace between the two shaft seats235via the channel233. The second end102of the strap100is fixed by the abutting member219of the first structure210. Specifically, as the fastening unit200is in the closed state, the engaging portion216of the first structure210is limited by the through hole2321of the second structure230. The shafts217of the first structure210are not allowed to pivot about the rotating axis C relative to the two shaft seats235of the second structure230. Meanwhile, the strap100is abutted by the abutting member219and is not allowed to slide relative to the second structure230.

To adjust the length of the strap100, as shown inFIG. 3A, a force F1is applied to the engaging member213of the first structure210along the first direction (Y axis direction) to allow the engaging portion216to be released from the through hole2321. It should be noted that, while the engaging portion216is being released from the through hole2321, the extending segment214and the flexible segment215are compressed and deformed by the force F1. At the same time, the extending segment214enables the engaging portion216to have a degree of freedom of along the first direction (Y axis direction) and/or a degree of freedom along the third direction (Z axis direction). In addition, the flexible segment215enables the engaging portion216to have a degree of freedom along the first direction (Y axis direction). As a result, the engaging portion216is movable along the first direction (Y axis direction) and/or the third direction (Z axis direction).

The movement of the engaging portion216is facilitated by the deformation of the extending segment214and the flexible segment215in the embodiments, nonetheless, the disclosure should not be limited those depicted above. In some other non-illustrated embodiments, the extending segment and the flexible segment of the engaging member are omitted. The main body is compressed therefore deformed, as a result, the engaging portion moves along the first direction (Y axis direction) and/or the third direction (Z axis direction).

After the engaging portion216is released from the through hole2321(seeFIG. 3B), the first structure210is rotated about the rotating axis C, so that the abutting member219is moved away from the base231. At the same time, since the second end102of the strap100is not abutted by the abutting member219, the second end102of the strap100is allowed to be freely displacing relative to the second structure230, so that the length of the strap100can be adjusted to have a wanted length. Additionally, the surplus portion of the second end102of the strap100may be received in the adjusting ring500. After the length of the strap100is adjusted, the first structure210can be rotated about the rotating axis C, the abutting member219will then be approaching the base231Finally, the engaging portion216is engaged within the through hole2321, as shown inFIG. 3A, thereby limiting the slidable displacement of the second end102of the strap100.

While wearing the strap assembly, a user may be injured when the fastening unit is accidentally dragged by an external force. However, as shown inFIG. 4, when the strap assembly1is dragged by an external force F2, the first structure210is detached from the second structure230to avoid injury. Specifically, when the strap assembly1is dragged by the external force, the first structure210is pulled by a force F2in a direction away from the fixing seat232, and the shafts217of the first structure210are detached from the shaft holes2351via the guiding grooves2353of the shaft seats245. Therefore, injury to the user due to the use of the strap assembly1may be avoided.

FIG. 5shows a side view of the fastening unit200aof a second embodiment. The equivalent elements shown inFIG. 2are provided with the same reference numbers here, and the features of similar elements are not reiterated in the interest of brevity. The fastening unit200aincludes a first structure210aand a second structure230a.

In the second embodiment, the second structure230aincludes the base231, a fixing seat232a, and two shaft seats235. The fixing seat232aextends from the first side2311of the base231upwardly. A channel233ais arranged adjacent to the first side2311of the base231and penetrates the fixing seat232aalong a first direction (Y axis).

In the second embodiment, the first structure210aincludes a main body211a, an engaging member213a, and two shafts217. The main body211ahas a front lateral edge2112aand a rear lateral edge2114a. In the vicinity of the rear lateral edge2114aof the main body211a, a through passage212apenetrates the upper and lower surfaces to enable the strap100to be fixed on the first structure210a. The two shafts217are respectively formed at the two sides of the main body211arelative to the shaft holes2351of the two shaft seats235. The engaging member213aincludes an extending segment214aand an engaging portion216a. The extending segment214ais connected to the front lateral edge2112aof the main body211aand extends downwardly in such a way that the extending segment214ais perpendicular to the main body211and terminates at its distal end. The engaging portion216ais connected to the distal end of the extending segment214aand extends along a direction opposite to the first direction (Y axis direction). The extending segment214ais configured as an elastic compression portion which enables the engaging portion216ato have a degree of freedom to displace.

In a closed state, the engaging portion216aof the first structure210is received in the channel233aof the second structure230a. The shafts217aof the first structure210aare not allowed to pivot about the rotating axis C relative to the shaft seats235of the second structure230. As a result, the strap (not shown inFIG. 5) is abutted thereby fixed by the abutting member219of the first structure210a.

To adjust the length of the strap100, a force is applied to the engaging member213aof the first structure210aalong the first direction (Y axis direction) to allow the engaging portion216ato be released from the channel233a. It should be noted that, while the engaging portion216ais being disengage from the channel233a, the extending segment214ais compressed and deformed by the force. At the same time, the extending segment214aenables the engaging portion216ato have a degree of freedom along the first direction (Y axis direction). As a result, the engaging portion216ais movable along the first direction (Y axis direction). The operation of adjustment of the length of the strap is similar to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-4and is not described in the interest of brevity.

FIG. 6shows a side view of the fastening unit200bof a third embodiment. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 6, similar elements which are shown inFIG. 2are provided with the same reference numbers, and the features of similar elements are not reiterated in the interest of brevity. The fastening unit200bincludes a first structure210band a second structure230b.

In the third embodiment, the second structure230bincludes the base231b, a fixing seat232b, and two shaft seats235. The fixing seat232bextends upwardly (Z axis direction) from the first side2311of the base231. A channel233bis arranged adjacent to the first side2311and penetrates the fixing seat232balong a first direction (along the Y axis). A through hole2321bis formed on the fixing seat232bat the side of the channel233bthat is away from the base231b, and the through hole2321bpenetrates the fixing seat232balong the first direction (Y axis). In addition, a recess2323bis formed at the top end of the fixing seat232b.

In the third embodiment, the first structure210bincludes a main body211b, an engaging member213b, two shafts217, and an abutting member219. The main body211bhas a front lateral edge2112band a rear lateral edge2114b. In the vicinity of the rear lateral edge2114bof the main body211b, a through passage212bpenetrates the upper and lower surfaces to enable the strap100to be fixed on the first structure210a. The two shafts217are respectively formed at two sides of the main body211brelative to the shaft holes2351of the two shaft seats235. The engaging member213bincludes an extending segment214ban engaging portion216b, and a projection2131b. As shown inFIG. 6, the extending segment214bhas a U-shaped cross section and is arranged adjacent to the front lateral edge2112band is positioned on the bottom surface of the main body211b. The engaging portion216band the projection2131bare respectively arranged corresponding to the through hole2321band the recess2323band are formed on the extending segment214b, in which the engaging portion216band the projection2131bextend along a direction opposite to the first direction (Y axis direction). The extending segment214bis configured as an elastic compression portion which enables the engaging portion216band the projection2131bto have a degree of freedom to displace.

As the fastening unit200bis in a closed state, the engaging portion216bof the first structure210bis received in the through hole2321bof the second structure230b, and the projection2131bof the first structure210bis in the recess2323bof the second structure230b. Since the engaging portion216bis limited by the through hole2321b, the shafts217of the first structure210bare not allowed to pivot about the rotating axis C relative to the shaft seats235of the second structure230b. As a result, the strap (not shown inFIG. 6) which passes through the channel233bis abutted by the abutting member219of the first structure210b.

To adjust the length of the strap100, a force is applied to the projection2131bof the first structure210balong the first direction (Y axis direction) to allow the engaging portion216bto be released from the through hole2321b. It should be noted that, while the engaging portion216bis being disengaged from the through hole2321b, the extending segment214bis compressed and deformed by the force. At the same time, the extending segment214aenables the engaging portion216bto have a degree of freedom along the first direction (Y axis direction) and/or along the third direction (Z axis direction). As a result, the engaging portion216bis movable along the first direction (Y axis direction) and/or the third direction (Z axis direction). The remaining operations to adjust the length of the strap are similar to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-4and are not described for brevity.

The strap assembly of the disclosure can not only be used to adjust the length of the strap but also protect the personal safety of the user. Due to the decrease of the number of elements, compared with the conventional strap assembly, the cost of the strap assembly of the disclosure is reduced, and the process for manufacturing it can be simplified. Additionally, since the surplus portion of the strap can be limited by adjusting the ring, the user may feel more comfort, and accidents can be prevented as well.