Buckling device

A buckling device for fastening a belt is provided. The buckling device comprises a first portion, a second portion, an elastic portion and at least one push portion. The elastic portion is disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The second portion engages with the belt and the belt is fastened. The at least one push portion is integrally formed with the elastic portion and is exposed from the first portion and the second portion. The at least one push portion is adapted to be pushed inwards by an external force to force the elastic portion to extrude outwards so that the second portion is forced to move outwards to release the belt.

This application claims the benefit from the priorities of Taiwan Utility Model Application No. 098222723 filed on Dec. 4, 2009, and Taiwan Utility Model Application No. 099200227 filed on Jan. 7, 2010, and the disclosures of the latter are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a buckling device, and more particularly, to a buckling device for fastening a belt.

2. Descriptions of the Related Art

When partaking in underwater activities, users must always wear masks and flippers. The mask may be a pair of swimming goggles, a pair of diving glasses or another kind of device for covering the facial contours of the users. Generally, both the mask and the flippers are provided with a buckling device and a belt so that the belt length can be adjusted according to the figure of each user. The belt is then fastened by the buckling device around the body of the user.

In references toFIGS. 1A to 1C, a conventional buckling device1comprises a body11, a snap-fitting element12, a resilient element13, a first pivot17and a second pivot16. The snap-fitting element12comprises an engaging end15and an opposite end14. The opposite end14comes into contact with the resilient element13, while the engaging end15engages with a belt (not shown) wound around the second pivot16. When the user lifts the snap-fitting element12upwards, the opposite end14rotates inwards about the first pivot17to abut against the resilient element13(i.e., the snap-fitting element12shown inFIG. 1Crotates counterclockwise) so that the resilient element13is deformed outwards to generate a pre-pressing elastic restoring force. Also, the engaging end15tilts outwards to disengage from the belt of the mask, the flipper or the like. Then, the belt length can be adjusted according to the figure of the user to attach the mask, the flipper or the like to the user's body firmly and properly.

However, because the resilient element13is integrally formed with the body11, the resilient element13needs to have sufficient strength, which tends to result in an insufficient flexibility of the material when the user applies a force to the opposite end14. Consequently, the snap-fitting element12cannot be pulled outwards promptly by the user, so the user has to apply a great force when adjusting the belt. As a consequence, an excessive force is often applied by the user when directly pulling the snap-fitting element12, thereby causing material fatigue or even fractures in the resilient element13.

FIG. 2AtoFIG. 2Cdepict another conventional buckling device2. The buckling device2comprises a body21, a snap-fitting element22and two push portions24. The body21comprises a pivot26, around which a belt (not shown) of a mask, a flipper or the like is adapted to be wound. The snap-fitting element22comprises a snap-fitting protrusion23and an engaging end25. The two push portions24are disposed, opposite each other, on two sides (as shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B) of the snap-fitting element22along an axial direction of the pivot26. The engaging end25is disposed on a side of the snap-fitting element22adjacent to the pivot26to abut against a belt (not shown) that is wound around the pivot26. The snap-fitting protrusion23of the snap-fitting element22is snap-fitted with a hole of the body21so that the snap-fitting element22can obtain a resilient force. When the two push portions24simultaneously receive an inwards push force, the two edges of the snap-fitting element22are directly pushed by the push portions24to arch outwards so that a gap between the engaging end25and the belt of the mask, the flipper or the like is increased. Then, the length of the belt can be adjusted according to the figure of the user, and the belt can be wound around the user to attach the mask or the flippers to fit the user's body comfortably. Once the user releases the push portions24, the snap-fitting element22returns to its original position by virtue of the resilient force of the snap-fitting protrusion23. The push portions24also return to their original positions by means of a spring disposed between the push portions24.

Similar to the aforesaid buckling device1, as the snap-fitting protrusion23is integrally formed with the snap-fitting element22, a sufficient strength and stiffness are required to engage with the belt. However, because the material of the snap-fitting protrusion23is too stiff, the snap-fitting protrusion23is also not flexible enough, making it difficult for the snap-fitting element22to arch outwards promptly when being pushed by the user and, therefore, leads to poor pushing tactility of the push portions24when the user adjusts the belt. As a consequence, an excessive force is often applied by the user when pushing the push portions24, thereby also causing material fatigue or even fracture of the snap-fitting protrusion23. Moreover, when the snap-fitting element22is directly pushed by the push portions24to arch outwards, violent friction occurs between the snap-fitting element22and the push portions24, making them liable to wear. As a result of the wear, the engaging end25will fail to deliver a sufficient engagement force when engaging with the belt and cannot be securely pressed against the belt. Even worse, the belt may fall off during use, which would endanger the life of the user.

In view of this, an urgent need exists in the art to provide a buckling device which has good pushing tactility and is less liable to fatigue, fracture and wear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a buckling device that is simple to assemble, has good pushing tactility and is less liable to fatigue, fracture and wear.

To achieve the aforesaid objective, a buckling device disclosed in the present invention is adapted to fasten a belt. The buckling device comprises a first portion, a second portion, an elastic portion and at least one push portion. The elastic portion is disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The second portion engages with the belt to fasten the belt. The at least one push portion is integrally formed with the elastic portion and exposed from the first portion and the second portion. The at least one push portion is adapted to be pushed inwards by an external force to force the elastic portion to extrude outwards so that the second portion is forced to move outwards to release the belt.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown inFIGS. 3A to 3D, a buckling device3according to the first embodiment of the present invention is adapted to fasten a belt4. The buckling device3comprises a first portion31, a second portion32, an elastic portion33and at least one push portion37. A pivot36of the buckling device3is fastened with the first portion31, and the belt4is wound around the pivot36. The elastic portion33is disposed between the first portion31and the second portion32. The second portion32presses the belt4against the pivot36for purposes of fastening the belt4.

It should be noted that in the present invention, the push portion37is integrally formed with the elastic portion33and exposed from the first portion31and the second portion32. When the push portion37is pushed inwards by an external force to force the elastic portion33to deform and extrude outwards, the elastic portion33is adapted to force the second portion32to move outwards to release the belt4and disengage the second portion32from the belt4, thereby allowing the user to adjust the belt4to a suitable length correspondingly.

More specifically, the second portion32of the buckling device3has an engaging end322and an opposite end323that is opposite the engaging end322. The opposite end323is fastened with the first portion31so that when no force is exerted on the push portion37of the buckling device3, the engaging end322is adapted to engage with and fasten the belt4. The engaging end322of the second portion32has a first protrusion321, while the opposite end323has a snap-fitting protrusion323a. The first portion31has a snap-fitting hole313corresponding to the snap-fitting protrusion323a, while the snap-fitting protrusion323aof the opposite end323is adapted to be snap-fitted with the snap-fitting hole313to fixedly connect the first portion31and the second portion32. Thereby, when the second portion32abuts against the elastic portion33, the first protrusion321engages with a plurality of second protrusions41of the belt4to fasten the belt4. Preferably, both the second protrusions41of the belt4and the first protrusion321are disposed parallel to the pivot36to facilitate adjustment of the length of the belt4by the user. Moreover, the snap-fitting protrusion323acan be pivotally attached to other objects (e.g., masks or flippers) so that the buckling device3, with the snap-fitting protrusion323aas a pivot, can rotate with respect to other objects (e.g., masks or flippers).

As shown inFIGS. 3A and 3C, the buckling device3according to this embodiment of the present invention comprises two push portions37, which are disposed on two sides of the second portion32and parallel to the axial direction of the pivot36. The push portions37protrude from two openings315of the first portion31respectively to be exposed from the first portion31and the second portion32. Now, a detailed process of adjusting the length of the belt4by using the buckling device3of the present invention will be described with references to bothFIGS. 3B and 3D.

When pushed inwards simultaneously by a push force exerted by the user, the two push portions37will press and deform the elastic portion33so that it protrudes outwards. The protruded elastic portion33further pushes the engaging end322of the second portion32outwards to deform the second portion32so that the engaging end322rotates outwards with respect to the first portion31(i.e., the second portion32shown inFIG. 3Drotates counterclockwise). Thereby, a gap between the first protrusion321disposed on the engaging end322and the belt4is enlarged to release the second protrusion41of the belt4. Then, the user can properly adjust the length of the belt4as needed to fasten a mask, a flipper or the like (not shown) to the body of the user.

Furthermore, when the second portion32is deformed to rotate the engaging end322outwards to release the second protrusion41, an elastic restoring force is accumulated in each of the elastic portion33, the push portions37integrally formed with the elastic portion33and the second portion32. After the user has completed the adjustment of the length of the belt4and removed the push force exerted on the push portions37, the elastic restoring force of the elastic portion33will be released to restore the protruded elastic portion33into its original shape. Then, the outward pushing action exerted on the second portion32by the elastic portion33disappears, and the elastic restoring force of the second portion32is released to restore the second portion32into its original shape. Correspondingly, the engaging end322rotates inwards with the movement of the second portion32(i.e., the second portion32shown inFIG. 3Drotates clockwise) to return back to its original position so that the first protrusion321disposed on the engaging end322engages with one of the second protrusions41of the belt4anew to re-fasten the belt4.

Similar to the buckling device3of the first embodiment, a buckling device5according to the second embodiment of the present invention is adapted to fasten a belt6, as shown inFIGS. 4A to 4D. Similar to the first embodiment, the buckling device5comprises a first portion51, a second portion52, an elastic portion53and at least one push portion57. A pivot56of the buckling device5is fastened with the first portion51, while the belt6is wound around the pivot56. The elastic portion53is disposed between the first portion51and the second portion52, while the second portion52presses the belt6against the pivot56for purposes of fastening the belt6. As shown inFIGS. 4A and 4C, the buckling device5, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, comprises two push portions57, which are disposed on two sides of the second portion52and parallel to the axial direction of the pivot56. The push portions57are integrally formed with the elastic portion53and exposed from the first portion51and the second portion52. The push portions57protrude from two openings515of the first portion51respectively to be exposed from the first portion51and the second portion52.

However, unlike the buckling device3of the first embodiment, the buckling device5of the second embodiment further has the first portion51and the second portion52integrally formed. With such a design, the cost of assembling the first portion51and the second portion52is saved for the buckling device5of the second embodiment. Because the first portion51and the second portion52of the buckling device5of the second embodiment are integrally formed, the first portion51does not need to be formed with the snap-fitting hole313of the first embodiment for snap-fitting with a snap-fitting protrusion523aof the opposite end523. The snap-fitting protrusion523aof the second embodiment is only used to be pivotally fastened with other objects (e.g., masks or flippers) so that the buckling device5can, with the snap-fitting protrusion523aas a pivot, rotate with respect to other objects (e.g., masks or flippers).

When pushed inwards simultaneously by push force exerted by the user, the two push portions57will deform and press the elastic portion53so that it protrude outwards. The protruded elastic portion53further pushes the engaging end522of the second portion52outwards to deform the second portion52so that the engaging end522rotates outwards with respect to the first portion51(i.e., the second portion52shown inFIG. 4Drotates counterclockwise). Thereby, a gap between the first protrusion521disposed on the engaging end522and the belt6is enlarged to release the second protrusion61of the belt6. Then, the user can properly adjust the length of the belt6as needed to fasten a mask, a flipper or the like (not shown) to the body of the user.

Furthermore, when the second portion52is deformed to rotate the engaging end522outwards to release the second protrusion61, an elastic restoring force accumulate in each of the elastic portions53, the push portions57integrally formed with the elastic portions53and the second portion52. After the user has completed the adjustment of the length of the belt6and removed the push force exerted on the push portions57, the elastic restoring force of the elastic portion53will be released to restore the protruded elastic portion53into its original shape. Then, the outward pushing action exerted on the second portion52by the elastic portion53disappears, and the elastic restoring force of the second portion52is released to restore the second portion52into its original shape. Correspondingly, the engaging end522rotates inwards with the movement of the second portion52(i.e., the second portion52shown inFIG. 4Drotates clockwise) to return back to an original position so that the first protrusion521disposed on the engaging end522engages with one of the second protrusions61of the belt6anew to re-fasten the belt6.

To adjust the extent of elasticity and deformation of the elastic portion of the aforesaid embodiment, as shown inFIG. 5, an elastic portion73may be formed with a hollow portion73ain the middle portion thereof to make the elastic portion73easier to be deformed. When the push portions77are pushed inwards simultaneously by a push force exerted by the user, the elastic portion73is deformed and protrudes outwards to a certain extent, so that it can more easily push out the engaging ends322,522of the second portions32,52.

In the aforesaid embodiments, the elastic portion and the push portions integrally formed with the elastic portion may both be made of a first material which has a Shore hardness substantially between A10 to A95, and the elastic portion has a coefficient of elasticity smaller than that of the first portion and lower than 20 Gpa; i.e., the elastic portion and the push portions have better flexibility than the first portion. The first material of the elastic portion and the push portions is preferably selected form the group consisting of silicone, Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR), Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Natural Rubber, Synthetic Rubber and a combination thereof. The material of the first portion may be selected from the group consisting of Polycarbonate (PC), Alkylbenzene sulfonate (ABS), Polyoxymethylene (POM), Polypropylene (PP), Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR), Nylon, Polyethylene (PE), Polyurethane (PU) and a combination thereof.

However, the elastic portion and the push portions described above may also be made of materials of different hardness. The elastic portion and the push portions may be made of the softer first material or the harder second material. For example, as shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B, an elastic portion83is made of the harder second material, while push portions87are made of the softer first material. In such a case, the second material of the elastic portion83is made of a high hardness silicone, while the elastic portion83is insert molded into the push portions87, fastened with the push portions87through gluing or by other fastening means. For example, as shown inFIGS. 7A and 7B, in contrast, the elastic portion83is made of the softer first material, while the push portions87are made of the harder second material; in such a case, the second material is selected from the group consisting of Polyethylene (PE), Polycarbonate (PC), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polyoxymethylene (POM), Polypropylene (PP), Nylon, glass, high hardness silicone and a combination thereof, and the push portions87are insert molded into the elastic portion83. For example, as shown in bothFIGS. 8A and 8B, in a case where the elastic portion83is made of the softer first material and the push portions87are made of the harder second material, the push portions87may also be fastened with the elastic portion83through snap-fitting, inserting or gluing. Through the aforesaid variations in materials of the elastic portion83and the push portions87, the tactility and deformation of the elastic portion83when the push portions87are pushed by the user to force the elastic portion83to protrude outwards can be greatly varied and adjusted depending on the requirements of users and the buckling device design.

Furthermore, because the elastic portion of the present invention is made of a material with good flexibility, it can be easily integrally formed with a soft portion of an object which is to be fastened by the belt. For example, the elastic portion may extend from a skirt portion of a mask and be integrally formed with the skirt portion. Alternatively, the elastic portion of the present invention may extend from a side edge of a flipper and be integrally formed with the side edge. The mask may be a pair of swimming goggles, diving glasses or another kind of device for covering the facial contours of the user, and are not merely limited thereto.

According to the above description, because the elastic portion of the buckling device of the present invention is made of a soft material with high flexibility, shortcomings such as elastic fatigue or fatigue fractures are eliminated and users can push the push portions and the elastic portion easily with a small force to operate the buckling device. The buckling device of the present invention also avoids the problems of the conventional buckling device that the conventional buckling device has poor pushing tactility and the user tends to apply an overlarge pushing force because only a portion of a hard component or only a metallic elastic component such as a spring is used as an elastic storage structure, and that further causes fatigue or fracture of the hard component that is used as the elastic storage structure. As a result, the device is not as fragile nor as prone to fractures, thereby, the buckling device of this invention obtains a prolonged service life. Moreover, by having push portions formed integrally with the elastic portion, the push portions can return back to the original position without need of a spring disposed therebetween. It should be noted that the positions, deformation directions, and materials of the elastic portion and the push portions, as well as the kinds of components that are integrally formed described in the aforesaid embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and those of ordinary skill in the art can proceed with other examples based on the same concepts as the present invention.