Patent GB-1028347-A (GB)
Title: Buckle type fastener for safety belt
IPC: A44B11/25
Filed: 1963-02-21
Abstract: 1,028,347. Buckle fasteners. E. GRANIER. Feb. 21, 1963 [March 2, 1962, Dec. 22, 1962], No. 7022/63. Heading E2A. A quick release buckle type fastener includes two parts adapted to be connected respectively to two strap end portions, one part comprising a housing containing a latch capable of angular displacement about a transverse axis, the latch having a portion or portions for co-operation with means provided by the other part, to retain the two parts in engagement, spring means within the housing so arranged that the latch is normally maintained in a latching position in which a surface or surfaces are inclined towards an open end of the housing so that on insertion of the second part the pressure exerted by its leading edge will cause bodily angular displacement to the latch to permit the second part to move to a position in the housing in which the latch is returned to latching position by its spring means to engage the retaining means and release means operable from outside the housing for turning the latch to permit disengagement of the two parts. In the construction shown in Fig. 1 the housing is in two parts 1, 2 each of which is of channel shape in cross section, the top part 2 fitting over the bottom part 1 and its edges being crimped under the bottom part to hold the two parts together. A plate 6 having an aperture 8 to receive one end portion of the strap is recived between the two parts and is held in position by stamped out bosses 9, 9<SP>1</SP> which enter holes in the plate 6. The spring means 5 which biases the latch 4 to its latching position is positioned between the plate 6 and the bottom part 1 the bosses 9 passing through holes in the spring means. The spring means 5 has two fingers 5a which engage flats at the ends of the latch 4 to retain it in the latching position. The release means for the latch is a stem screwed into the latch and passing through an opening 15 in the housing top part 2, a knob 16 being screwed on to its upper end. The other part 11 of the fastener has a slot 13 through which one of the strap end portions is threaded and it has two hooks 12 which are engaged by the latch 4; during the engagement of the two fastener parts the hooks engage on single said surface 4a of the latch and pivot the latch until they move beyond the latch which is then returned to its initial position by the spring means 5 to enable the hooks to engage its arcuate surface. During the engaging movement the part 11 compresses a spring 10 attached to the plate 6 so that when the latch is rotated to the releasing position by the knob 16 the spring partly ejects the buckle part 11. In a second construction Fig. 4 the housing also comprises two parts as above but instead of the plate 6 the bottom part of the housing is provided with a slot 28 which in conjunction with a slidable bar 30 grips one end portion of the strap. The spring means 37 is secured between the top part of the housing and the plate 32, pins 35 on the plate passing through holes 36 in the spring means. The plate 32 is secured to the bottom part of the housing by pins 32a which engage holes 27 in the housing bottom part. The spring means 37 has two fingers 37a which engage flats 34b of the latch on each side of a central release means 26 for the latch the release means projecting through an aperture 40b in the top part of the housing. The other part 41 of the fastener has a slot 43 for receiving one end portion of the strap and has two apertures 44 which are engaged by the latch. The latch has two offset surfaces 34a which are engaged by the other part 41 when it is inserted into the housing to pivot the latch against the pressure of the spring means 37. The other fastener 41 is partially ejected when the latch is moved to releasing position by a bar 39 which is loaded by two springs 38 which bear on projections of the plate 32. A number of alternative methodsof releasing the latch are described.