Patent GB-763623-A (GB)
Title: Improved buckle for use with parachutes and like harness
IPC: A44B11/25
Filed: 1954-01-05
Abstract: 763,623. Releasable fastenings. AIRCRAFT MATERIALS, Ltd., and GOULD, G. H. March 17, 1955 [Jan. 5, 1954], No. 310/54. Class 44. A buckle comprises a substantially rectangular frame, two opposite limbs 10a, 11a of which are each adapted to receive a loop of a strap, line or like load - supporting member, with a substantially close sliding fit, the frame having at least two parts adapted to be connected together to close the frame, the said parts being capable of relative displacement to open the frame so as to enable the loops to be threaded over the ends of both said. limbs, screw means being provided for maintaining the parts connected. As shown in Fig. 1, the frame has two parts 10, 11 connected by spigot and socket joints 13-16 and the screw means is a turn-buckle screw 12 the ends of which are threaded into sockets 17 and 18 having left-hand and right-hand threads respectively. The sockets 17 and 18 are contained in short projecting limbs 10b, 11b which are arranged parallel to the limbs 10a and 11a on side limbs of the frame. One end of the turnbuckle screw is made longer than the other and it is provided with a transverse hole. The corresponding socket 18 is also provided with a transverse hole 21 and when the two parts 10, 11 are assembled the longer end of the screw 12 is screwed into the socket 18 until the transverse. hole in the screw is just fully showing outside the socket 18. In this position two marks 22, 23 on the limb 11b and screw respectively are in register. The screw 12 is then engaged with the socket 17 and rotation of the screw 12 draws the two parts 10, 11 together until the spigots 13, 15 are fully engaged with the sockets 14, 16 in which position the screw 12 is located centrally of the buckle. The screw 12 can then be locked by inserting a cotter pin through the aligned transverse holes. In a modification, the projecting limbs 10b, 11b can be omitted and the turn-buckle screw can engage threaded holes in the side limbs of the frame. In a further modification the short projecting limbs 10b, 11b each have a male thread and the turn-buckle screw, is of the barrel type with female threads. In this construction the turn-buckle barrel is locked by passing a wire through a central hole in the barrel, and a hole in the frame. The limbs 10a, 11a can be integ al with the side limbs of the frame, as shown, or they can be separate members having a spigot and socket type joint with the side limbs of the frame. One spigot of each of the limbs 10a, 11a has its end riveted over to keep the limb in place. In a further modification of this construction the limbs 10a, 11a can have a detachable spigot and socket joint with each side limb. In another modification of the Fig. 1 construction shown in Fig. 4, instead of using a turn-buckle screw to hold the two parts 10, 11 together a screw 35 can be used which passes through a plain hole in the part 10 and engages a tapped hole in the part 11. In a modification of this construction two screws can be used, each of which passes centrally through one of the spigot and socket joints.