Abstract:
A multi-point buckle including a buckle body, one or more attachment tongues and a floating latch, wherein during operation the buckle body is not subjected to tensile or compressive forces. Conventional straps can be attached to the body and the tongues. In a preferred embodiment, the tongues are inserted into the body, wherein locking prongs on the tongues attach to latch surfaces on the floating latch. When a pulling force is exerted on the tongues only a tensile force is transferred between the tongues and the floating latch. The buckle body is not subjected to any type of tensile or compressive forces. A preferred embodiment of the tongue includes a webbing lock. When used with a conventional strap, a webbing lock allows for ease of adjustment and also creates a wedging action on the strap when a pulling force is exerted. When placed under force the webbing lock provides a greater ability to hold the tongue in a substantially fixed position relative to the strap.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a three-point buckle, and more particularly to a buckle with a floating Jatch, where the buckle is adapted to receive two tongues and may be used with a multi-point restraint system. Two alternate embodiments of the present invention also relate to a three-point buckle with a floating latch, where the buckle is similarly adapted to receive two tongues and may be used with a multi-point restraint system. The present invention additionally provides for a ladder lock and a webbing lock feature on the tongues to facilitate grasping of a strap used with the multi-point restraint system.  
           [0003]    [0003] 2 . Discussion of the Related Art  
           [0004]    A number of conventional buckle designs are known in the prior art. These designs generally suffer from problems and deficiencies relating to operability and reliability. Also, such conventional buckles are often expensive and difficult to manufacture and assemble. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 shows an isometric exploded view of a first embodiment of the three-point buckle assembly of the present invention;  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the first embodiment of the buckle body top cover;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 shows an isometric section view of the first embodiment of the buckle body with the top cover removed;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of the first embodiment of the buckle body bottom cover;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 5 shows an isometric section view of the first embodiment of the buckle body to illustrate the configuration of the buckle body cross-bar onto which a strap can be attached;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of the first embodiment of the release button from the top;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 7 shows an isometric view of the first embodiment of the release button from the bottom;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 8 shows an isometric section view of the first embodiment of the release button to illustrate the latch members;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 9 shows an isometric view of the first embodiment of a tongue from above;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of the first embodiment of a tongue from below;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 11 shows a section view of the first embodiment of the three-point buckle assembly with the top cover of the buckle body member removed, an isometric section view of the release button, and one tongue member, to illustrate assembly of the components;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 12 shows a section view of the first embodiment of the three-point buckle assembly showing the release button resting on the spring member of the buckle body;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 13 shows an isometric exploded view of the second embodiment of the three-point buckle assembly of the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 14 shows an isometric view of the second embodiment of the buckle body top cover;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 15 shows an isometric view of the second embodiment of the buckle body bottom cover;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 16 shows an isometric section view of the second embodiment of the buckle body with the top cover removed;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 17 shows an isometric section view of the second embodiment of the buckle body to illustrate the configuration of the buckle body cross-bar onto which a strap can be attached;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 18 shows an isometric view of the second embodiment of the release button from the top;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 19 shows an isometric view of the second embodiment of the release button from the bottom;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 20 shows an isometric view of the second embodiment of a tongue from above;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 21 shows an isometric view of the second embodiment of a tongue from below;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 22 shows a section view of the second embodiment of the three-point buckle assembly with the top cover of the buckle body member removed, an isometric section view of the release button. and one tongue member, to illustrate assembly of the components;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 23 shows an isometric exploded view of the third embodiment of the three-point buckle assembly of the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 24 shows an isometric view of the third embodiment of the buckle body top cover;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 25 shows an isometric section view of the third embodiment of the buckle body with the top cover removed;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 26 shows an isometric view of the third embodiment of the buckle body bottom cover;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 27 shows an isometric section view of the third embodiment of the buckle body to illustrate the configuration of the buckle body ladder-lock onto which a strap can be attached;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 28 shows an isometric view of the third embodiment of the release button from the top;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 29 shows an isometric view of the third embodiment of the release button from the bottom;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 30 shows an isometric section view of the third embodiment of the release button;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 31 shows an isometric view of the third embodiment of the tongue from above;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 32 shows an isometric view of the third embodiment of the tongue from below;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 33 shows a section view of the third embodiment of the three-point buckle assembly with the top cover of the buckle body member removed, an isometric section view of the release button, and one tongue member, to illustrate assembly of the components;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 34 shows an isometric exploded view of the fourth embodiment of a tongue and a webbing lock assembly of the present invention;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 35 shows an isometric view of the fourth embodiment of the tongue of FIG. 34;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 36 shows an isometric view of the fourth embodiment of the tongue of FIG. 34 from the bottom;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 37 shows an isometric view of the webbing lock;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 38 shows an isometric view of the webbing lock from the back; and  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 39 shows an isometric section view of the fourth embodiment of the tongue and a webbing lock; 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0045]    Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the drawings.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 1 shows an isometric exploded view of the first embodiment of the three-point buckle assembly  10 . The three-point buckle assembly  10  preferably includes the following components; a buckle body  20 , a release button  30  and two mirror image tongues  40 .  
         [0047]    Each of the components will now be explained in detail.  
         [0048]    FIGS.  2 - 5  show isometric views of the first embodiment of the buckle body  20 . The buckle body  20  includes a top cover  2100 , a bottom cover  2200 , a spring member  2300 , a crossbar  2400 , a top opening  2500  for access to release button  30 , and side openings  2601  and  2602  for insertion of tongues  40 . The buckle body  20 , along with top cover  2100  and the bottom cover  2200 , functions as a housing for release button  30  and tongues  40  as shown in FIG. 11 (only one tongue  40  is shown). The buckle body  20  may be constructed from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, Nylon, acetal, polypropylene, metals, or like materials with similar desired properties. Preferably, the buckle body  20  is constructed of acetal.  
         [0049]    FIGS.  6 - 8  show views of the first embodiment of the release button  30 . The release button  30  includes a contoured top surface  3100 , a flat bottom surface  3200 , two side latch walls  3301  and  3302 , two side latches  3303  and  3304 , four tongue restraining latches  3401 ,  3402 ,  3403  and  3404 , four ramps  3405 ,  3406 ,  3407  and  3408 , four latch walls  3409 ,  3410 ,  3411  and  3412 , and two reinforcement ribs  3501  and  3502 . The release button  30  may be constructed from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, Nylon, acetal, polypropylene, metals, or like materials with similar desired properties. Preferably, the release button  30  is constructed of Nylon.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIGS. 9 and 10 show isometric views of the first embodiment of the tongue  40 . The tongue  40  includes three ribs  4101 ,  4102  and  4103 , two arms  4201  and  4202 , and two locking prongs  4301  and  4302 . The tongue  40  may be constructed from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, Nylon, acetal, polypropylene, metals, or like materials with similar desired properties. Preferably, the tongue  40  is constructed of Nylon.  
         [0051]    The construction and operation of the first embodiment of the three-point buckle assembly will now be described in detail.  
         [0052]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 12 , for assembly and operation, first the release button  30  is snap fit into the buckle body  20 . The snap fit is accomplished by means of physically pushing the release button  30  through top opening  2500  in the buckle body  20  (in the direction shown in FIG. 1), whereby side latches  3303  and  3304  elastically deform the top opening  2500 . Once inserted into the buckle body  20 , the top opening  2500  returns to its original shape and the latch walls  3301  and  3302  prevent the release button  30  from being removed from the buckle body  20 . Once inside the buckle body  20 , the bottom surface  3200  of the release button  30  rests on the top of spring  2300 . As shown in FIG. 12, the spring  2300  acts as a pivoting mechanism to allow the release button to “rock” back and forth as a tongue  40  is inserted.  
         [0053]    After insertion of the release button  30  into the buckle body  20 , as shown in FIG. 11, a tongue  40  can be inserted into the buckle body  20  through the side opening  2602  (hidden) as shown in FIG. 2. As the tongue  40  is inserted into buckle body  20 , the locking prongs  4301  and  4302  on arms  4201  and  4202 , respectively, slide on ramps  3407  and  3406 , respectively, of release button  30 , at which time the release button  30  pivots towards the respective tongue  40  being inserted. As the tongue  40  is further inserted, the locking prongs  4301  and  4302  engage latch walls  3410  and  3409 , respectively, of release button  30 . Thus the tongue  40  is locked into place by means of the mating engagement with release button  30 . It can be appreciated that the other mirror image tongue  40  can be engaged with release button  30  through opening  2601  of buckle body  20 , by means of an identical mirror operation as described above.  
         [0054]    In order to release tongue  40  from engagement with release button  30 , the release button  30  is simply depressed against the upwards bias of spring  2300 , whereby the tongue  40  can simply be pulled out through the respective opening  2601  or  2602  of buckle body  20 .  
         [0055]    In operation, a conventional strap (not shown) can be attached to cross-bar  2400  of buckle body  20 , which has the release button  30  pre-inserted. Similarly, a conventional strap (not shown) can be attached to rib  4102  of each of the respective tongues  40 . As shown in FIG. 11, each of tongues  40  can be inserted into buckle body  20  through the respective openings  2601  or  2602  to engage with the respective latch walls of the release button  30 . For releasing the tongues  40 , as mentioned above, the release button is simply depressed against the upwards bias of spring  2300 , and the tongues  40  can be pulled out of the respective openings  2601  or  2602  of the buckle body  20 .  
         [0056]    It will be appreciated that the three-point buckle design of the present invention only places a tensile force on the prongs  4301  and  4302  of the tongue  40 , and the latch members  3403  and  3402  of the release button, respectively. Similarly, for the other mirror tongue  40 , the prongs  4301  and  4302  of the tongue  40 , and the latch members  3401  and  3404  of the release button  30 , respectively, are only placed under a tensile force. Thus the buckle body  20  is not subjected to any type of tensile or compressive forces during operation, as compared to conventional buckle designs.  
         [0057]    Next, the second embodiment of the three-point buckle assembly of the present invention will be described in detail.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 13 shows an isometric exploded view of the second embodiment of the three-point buckle assembly  50 . The three-point buckle assembly  50  preferably includes the following components; a buckle body  60 , a release button  70 , and two mirror image tongues  80 .  
         [0059]    Each of the components will now be explained in detail.  
         [0060]    FIGS.  14 - 17  show isometric views of the second embodiment of the buckle body  60 . The buckle body  60  includes a top cover  6100 , a bottom cover  6200 , an opening  6300  for access to release button  70 , two cross-bars  6401  and  6402 , four locking ribs  6501 ,  6502 ,  6503  and  6504 , locking rib end walls  6505  and  6506 , and two openings  6601  and  6602  for insertion of release button  70  and tongues  80 . The buckle body  60 , along with top cover  6100  and the bottom cover  6200 , functions as a housing for release button  70  and tongues  80  as shown in FIG. 22 (only one tongue  80  is shown). The buckle body  60  may be constructed from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, Nylon, acetal, polypropylene, metals, or like materials with similar desired properties. Preferably, the buckle body  60  is constructed of acetal.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIGS. 18 and 19 show views of the second embodiment of the release button  70 . The release button  70  includes a contoured top surface  7100 , a flat bottom surface  7200 , two arms  7301  and  7302 , four tongue restraining latches  7401 ,  7402 ,  7403  and  7404 , four latch top surfaces  7405 ,  7406 ,  7407  and  7408 , four latch walls  7409 ,  7410 ,  7411 , and  7412 , two ramps  7413  and  7414 , a rib  7500 , a spring  7501 , three inner walls  7601 ,  7602  and  7603 , cavity  7700 , and cavity end surfaces  7801  and  7802  (hidden). The release button  70  may be constructed from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, Nylon, acetal, polypropylene, metals, or like materials with similar desired properties. Preferably, the release button  70  is constructed of Nylon.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIGS. 20 and 21 show isometric views of the second embodiment of the tongue  80 . The tongue  80  includes three ribs  8101 ,  8102  and  8103 , two arms  8201  and  8202 , and two locking prongs  8301  and  8302 . The tongue  80  may be constructed from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, Nylon, acetal, polypropylene, metals, or like materials with similar desired properties. Preferably, the tongue  80  is constructed of Nylon.  
         [0063]    The construction and operation of the second embodiment of the three-point buckle assembly will now be described in detail.  
         [0064]    Referring to FIGS.  14 - 22 , for assembly and operation, first the release button  70  is snap fit into the buckle body  60 . The snap fit is accomplished by means of physically pushing the release button  70  through opening  6601  (opening  6602  can be used as well) in the buckle body  60 , whereby the cavity  7700  of release button  70  travels on inclined locking rib  6502  till the cavity end surface  7802  (hidden) of the release button  70  engages locking rib end wall  6506  of inclined locking rib  6502 . During insertion, the top and bottom surfaces  6100  and  6200  of buckle body  60  flex to allow release button  70  to be inserted into buckle body  60 . Similarly, the opposite locking rib end wall  6505  of the inclined locking rib  6501  prevents the release button from being removed from the buckle body  70 . The locking ribs  6503  and  6504  simply maintain the release button  70  at the required position within the buckle body  70 . Once inside the buckle body  70 , the bottom surface  7200  of the release button  70  rests flatly on the inside surface of bottom cover  6200  of buckle body  60 .  
         [0065]    After insertion of the release button  70  into the buckle body  60 , as shown in FIG. 22, a tongue  80  can be inserted into the buckle body  60  through the side opening  6602  (hidden) as shown in FIG. 14. As the tongue  80  is inserted into buckle body  60 , the locking prongs  8301  and  8302  on arms  8201  and  8202 , respectively, slide on ramp  7414  of release button  70 . As the tongue  80  is further inserted, the locking prongs  8301  and  8302  engage latch walls  7410  and  7409  of release button  70 , respectively. Thus the tongue  80  is locked into place by means of the mating engagement with release button  70 . It can be appreciated that the other mirror tongue  80  can be engaged with release button  70  through opening  6601  of buckle body  60 , by means of an identical mirror operation as described above.  
         [0066]    In order to release tongue  80  from engagement with release button  70 , the release button  70  is simply depressed. As shown in FIG. 19, spring  7501  mounted on rib  7500  acts on release button  70  to bias top surface  7100  through opening  6300  in buckle body  60 .  
         [0067]    In operation, a conventional strap (not shown) can be attached to cross-bars  6401  and  6402  of buckle body  60 , which has the release button  70  pre-inserted. Similarly, a conventional strap (not shown) can be attached to rib  8102  of each of the respective tongues  80 . As shown in FIG. 22, each of tongues  80  can be inserted into buckle body  60  through the respective openings  6601  or  6602 , to engage with the respective latch walls of the release button  70 . For releasing the tongues  80 , as mentioned above, the release button is simply depressed against the upwards bias of the spring  7501 , and the tongues  80  can be pulled out of the respective openings  6601  or  6602  of the buckle body  60 .  
         [0068]    It will be appreciated that the three-point buckle design of the present invention only places a tensile force on the prongs  8301  and  8302  of the tongue  80 , and the latch members  7403  and  7402  of the release button, respectively. Similarly, for the other mirror tongue  80 , the prongs  8301  and  8302  of the tongue  80 , and the latch members  7401  and  7404  of the release button  70 , respectively, are only placed under a tensile force. Thus the buckle body  60  is not subjected to any type of tensile or compressive forces during operation, as compared to conventional buckle designs.  
         [0069]    Next, the third embodiment of the three-point buckle assembly of the present invention will be described in detail.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 23 shows an isometric exploded view of the third embodiment of the three-point buckle assembly  90 . The three-point buckle assembly  90  preferably includes the following components; a buckle body  91 , a release button  93  and two mirror image tongues  92  (only one tongue  92  shown).  
         [0071]    Each of the components will now be explained in detail.  
         [0072]    FIGS.  24 - 27  show isometric views of the third embodiment of the buckle body  91 . The buckle body  91  includes a top cover  9100 , a bottom cover  9101 , side openings  9102  and  9103  for insertion of tongues  92 , two indentations  9104  and  9105 , two guide tracks  9106  and  9107 , a top opening  9108  for access to release button  93 , a cross-bar  9109 , a strap bar  9110  and teeth  9111 . The buckle body  91 , along with top cover  9100  and the bottom cover  9101 , functions as a housing for release button  93  and tongues  92  as shown in FIG. 33 (only one tongue  92  is shown). The buckle body  91  may be constructed from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, Nylon, acetal, polypropylene, metals, or like materials with similar desired properties. Preferably, the buckle body  91  is constructed of high-impact acetal.  
         [0073]    FIGS.  28 - 30  show views of the third embodiment of the release button  93 . The release button  93  includes a contoured top surface  9300 , a flat bottom surface  9319 , two tongue release springs  9301  and  9302 , two release button biasing springs  9303  and  9304 , two ramp surfaces  9305  and  9306 , four reinforcement indents ( 9307 - 9310 ), four tongue retaining latches ( 93119314 ), and four reinforcement ribs ( 9315 - 9318 ). The contoured top surface  9300  of release button  93  can be provided with various textures, logos, or contours. A tooling insert may be used to facilitate manufacture of the contoured top surface  9300  of the release button  93 . The release button  93  may be constructed from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, Nylon, acetal, polypropylene, metals, or like materials with similar desired properties. Preferably, the release button  93  is constructed of acetal.  
         [0074]    [0074]FIGS. 31 and 32 show isometric views of the third embodiment of the tongue  92 . The tongue  92  includes two arms  9200  and  9201 , two locking prongs  9202  and  9203 , three ribs  9204 ,  9205  and  9206 , teeth  9207 , a tongue release spring mating surface  9208 , a recess  9209 , and two channels  9210  and  9211 . The tongue  92  may be constructed from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, Nylon, acetal, polypropylene, metals, or like materials with similar desired properties. Preferably, the tongue  92  is constructed of Nylon.  
         [0075]    The construction and operation of the third embodiment of the three-point buckle assembly will now be described in detail.  
         [0076]    Referring to FIGS.  23 - 33 , for assembly and operation, first the release button  93  is slid into the buckle body  91  through one of the buckle body side openings  9102  or  9103  (see arrow shown in FIG. 23). During insertion, the top and bottom surfaces  9100  and  9101  of buckle body  91  as well as the release button biasing springs  9303  and  9304  flex to allow release button  93  to be inserted into buckle body  91 . Once inserted, the release button biasing springs  9303  and  9304  bias the top surface  9300  of release button  93  through top opening  9108  of buckle body  91 . After insertion of the release button  93  into the buckle body  91 , as shown in FIG. 33, a tongue  92  can be inserted into the buckle body  91  through the side opening  9102  or  9103 . The tongue  92  is guided into opening  9102  or  9103  of buckle body  91  by means of the sliding engagement between channels  9210  and  9211  on tongue  92  and guide tracks  9106  and  9107  on buckle body  91 , respectively. As the tongue  92  is inserted into buckle body  91 , the locking prongs  9202  and  9203  on arms  9200  and  9201 , respectively, slide on ramp surfaces  9305  or  9306 , respectively, of release button  93 . As the tongue  92  is further inserted, as shown in FIG. 33, the tongue release spring mating surface  9208  on each respective tongue is slid between the respective tongue release springs  9301  or  9302 , and the respective ramp surfaces  9305  or  9306  on release button  93 . As the tongue  92  is fully inserted into buckle body  91 , the respective indentations  9104  or  9105  on buckle body  91  come into mating engagement with the recess  9209  on tongue  92 . At this point, the locking prongs  9202  and  9203  on tongue  92  engage the respective tongue retaining latches ( 9311 - 9314 ) on the release button  93 . Thus the tongue  92  is locked into place by means of the mating engagement with release button  93 . It can be appreciated that the other mirror image tongue  92  can be engaged with release button  93 , by means of an identical mirror operation as described above.  
         [0077]    In order to release tongues  92  from engagement with release button  93 , the release button  93  is simply depressed against the upwards bias of release button biasing springs  9303  and  9304 . Once the release button  93  is depressed, the tongue release springs  9301  and  9302  also aid in ejection of tongues  92  by providing an outward biasing force in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of tongues  92 .  
         [0078]    In operation, a conventional strap (not shown) can be attached to strap bar  9110  of buckle body  91 , which has the release button  93  pre-inserted. Similarly, a conventional strap (not shown) can be attached to rib  9206  of each of the respective tongues  92 . As shown in FIG. 33, each of tongues  92  can be inserted into buckle body  91  through the respective openings  9102  or  9103  to engage with the respective tongue retaining latches of the release button  93 . For releasing the tongues  92 , as mentioned above, the release button is simply depressed against the upwards bias of release button biasing springs  9303  and  9304 , and the tongues  92  are released from the respective openings  9102  or  9103  of the buckle body  91 . The teeth  9111  for buckle body  91 , and  9207  for tongues  92  provide a means of preventing unnecessary movements of the respective straps attached to the buckle body  91  and the tongues  92 .  
         [0079]    It will be appreciated that the three-point buckle design of the present invention only places a tensile force on the locking prongs  9202  and  9203  of the tongues  92 , and the tongue retaining latches ( 9311 - 9314 ) of the release button  93 , respectively. Thus the buckle body  91  is not subjected to any type of tensile or compressive forces during operation, as compared to conventional buckle designs.  
         [0080]    Next, a fourth embodiment of the tongue with a webbing lock for the three-point buckle assembly of the present invention will be described in detail.  
         [0081]    [0081]FIG. 34 shows an isometric exploded view of the fourth embodiment of a tongue  95  with a webbing lock  96 . The tongue  95  can be used in place of the tongue  92  of the third embodiment.  
         [0082]    Each of the components will now be explained in detail.  
         [0083]    [0083]FIGS. 35 and 36 show isometric views of the fourth embodiment of the tongue  95 . The tongue  95  includes two arms  9500  and  9501 , two locking prongs  9502  and  9503 , a rib  9504 , two webbing tracks  9505  and  9506 , two channels  9507  and  9508 , and an opening  9509 . The tongue  95  may be constructed from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, Nylon, acetal, polypropylene, metals, or like materials with similar desired properties. Preferably, the tongue  95  is constructed of Nylon.  
         [0084]    [0084]FIGS. 37 and 38 show isometric views of the webbing lock  96 . The webbing lock  96  includes two channels  9601  and  9602 , a cavity  9603  for reducing material for manufacturing, and a top surface  9604 . The webbing lock  96  may be constructed from a variety of materials including, but not limited to, Nylon, acetal, polypropylene, metals, or like materials with similar desired properties. Preferably, the webbing lock  96  is constructed of Nylon.  
         [0085]    The construction and operation of the fourth embodiment of the tongue and the webbing lock will now be described in detail.  
         [0086]    Referring to FIGS.  34  -  39 , for assembly and operation, first the webbing lock  96  is mounted onto tongue  95  by means of the mating engagement between webbing tracks  9505  and  9506  on tongue  95  and channels  9602  and  9601  on webbing lock  96 , respectively. A strap (not shown) is then inserted from the bottom through the opening  9509  of tongue  95 . The strap (not shown) is wrapped around top surface  9604  of webbing lock  96  and re-inserted from the top through opening  9509  of tongue  95 . It can be seen that any “pulling” force on the strap(not shown) will act to wedge the strap between webbing lock  96  and rib  9504  on tongue  95 . Similarly, for adjusting the strap, the webbing lock can be shifted on webbing guides  9505  and  9506  in the direction of the arms  9500  and  9501  of tongue  95 , and the strap can be adjusted as needed. The locking prongs  9502  and  9503  on tongue  95  function as described earlier for the previous embodiments of the three-point buckle assembly.  
         [0087]    While the inventions have been illustrated in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Thus, it is intended that the present inventions cover the modifications and variations of these inventions as would be apparent to those skilled in the art.