Patent GB-698776-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to spring coupling means for incorporation in belts, braces, straps and like bands
Inventor: WOOD HERBERT HOWARD
IPC: A44B11/00
Filed: 1951-08-28
Abstract: 698,776. Buckles; expanding devices for straps etc.; braces. WALKER, Ltd., T., and WALKER, T. May 30, 1952 [Aug., 28, 1951], No. 20216/51. Classes 43 and 141. [Also in Group XXV] Belts, braces, straps and like bands &c. are provided with expansible spring-coupling means which may be associated with or embodied in a buckle or buckle fastening, or in a fastening such as a braces tab, and comprising a rod, or rods, such as 5, Fig. 4, arranged to slide through an opening, or openings, 10 in a looped part of a belt &c. and each surrounded by a coiled compression spring 9 bearing upon a slidable pressure bar or member 7 which is mounted on the spring-carrying rods and arranged to be engaged by the loop portion of the belt &c. As shown, a pair of spring-carrying rods 5 are provided by the two limbs of a single rod 4 bent to U-shape, with the end portions extending through two holes 8 in a longitudinally channelled sheet metal member 7, Fig. 5, and corresponding holes 10 in a looped or reversely folded end part 12 of a strap 3, the extremities of the limbs 5 being bent around the transverse inner bar 2 of a buckle 1 to form a pivotal attachment. A keeper-bar 18 for the free end of the belt may be formed with hinge lugs 19 for attachment to the bar 2 of the buckles. Fig. 7 shows a modification wherein a rectangular buckle frame comprises side bars 22 with inturned ends 24 located within the ends of a sheet-metal sleeve 25 which houses the transverse portion 28 of a U-shaped wire frame 26 with parallel limbs 27 extending through holes 29 in the sleeve to provide the prongs of the buckle. Coiled compression springs 30 on the limbs 27 are retained between the sleeve 25 and a slidable pressure bar 31 which is apertured to fit upon the limbs, the looped end portion of the belt having similar apertures 34 and being folded around the pressure bar and secured by stitches 36 to the main portion of the belt; this arrangement may be applied to a single pronged buckle provided with a complete or unbroken transverse inner bar upon the centre of which the prong is hinged. A U- shaped rod member, Fig. 15 (not shown), with a transverse pressure bar 70 bearing on the ends of a single helical spring 68 mounted on the limbs and yoke may be embodied in a belt or a brace webbing band, the extremities of the limbs 69 which project through the pressure bar and loop of the webbing being bent to form a hinge attachment to a transverse metal loop 72 that is secured to another end 67 of the belt or brace band. Fig. 16 shows a pair of brace tabs 73 each in the form of a looped and stitched piece of leather or other material providing a pocket containing the end portion of a cord 74 provided with a metal sheath 79 which is surrounded by a helical compression spring 80 located between a head 81 integral with the sheath and an apertured pressure member 82 disposed within the pocket. The sheaths 79 may be dispensed with, and headed ferrule secured as stops upon the ends of the cord 74.