Patent Publication Number: US-2011061211-A1

Title: Removable buckle

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a female buckle part that can be easily removed from a strap on which it is mounted. In particular, the invention relates to a female buckle part that can be mounted in different orientations on a strap, and which can be easily removed without damage to the buckle or strap. 
     2. The Prior Art 
     Plastic two-piece buckle assemblies are commonly used to releasably connect two objects together, such as ends of a belt or a strap on a piece of luggage. These assemblies generally consist of a male part that is releasably snapped into a female part. Both the male and female parts can have strap retaining bars around which a strap is threaded or sewn to secure the buckle to the respective strap. An example of such a buckle is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,842 to Anscher, which shows a typical side-release type buckle, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,057, which shows an example of a center-push-button type buckle. 
     One disadvantage of these types of buckle is that the buckle cannot be easily removed from the strap, especially when the strap is sewn around the buckle. Removal of the buckle in this way requires either severing the strap or breaking the buckle. 
     There are many applications where a device must be securely attached to another object, but must be also easily removable. One situation is with protective vests, which are commonly worn by the military and law enforcement officers. It is often necessary to attach additional packs or other objects to the vests, so that they can be accessible by the user. However, these other objects must also be easily removable when they are not needed. It is also necessary that the objects be able to be placed on different areas of the vest, depending on the needs of the wearer. The vests are often equipped with many straps in all areas of the vest, which can then be used for attaching the additional packs, such as a tool kit, medicine pouch, flashlight holder, etc. The standard two-piece buckle assembly cannot be used for this application, as the buckle is too difficult to remove and place in a different location. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a buckle assembly in which at least one part of the two-piece buckle can be easily removed from the strap to which it is connected. 
     This object is accomplished by a buckle portion comprising a main buckle body with a hollow cavity, means for securing another buckle portion within the main body, and at least two strap securing bars connected to the main body. At least one of the securing bars has at least one free end that is not connected to the main body, to allow a strap to be releasably attached to the buckle portion by sliding an edge of the strap through a space adjacent the free end of the strap securing bar, and positioning the strap so that the strap is securely fixed between the strap securing bar and main body. In one embodiment, the strap securing bar can be configured so that there is a slot cut through the strap securing bar, thus creating two free ends, so that the strap is threaded through the slot and positioned so that it spans the slot. In an alternative embodiment, the strap securing bar is connected at only one end to the main body. The free end of the strap securing bar can be snapped into a clamp on the main body after a strap has been threaded between the strap securing bar and the main body, thus securing the strap to the buckle portion. In another embodiment, one strap securing bar can have a slot, and the other can have a clamp. 
     The buckle portion can be configured to have two locking slots in the hollow body, to accommodate a typical side-release male buckle portion having two locking legs. Alternatively, the buckle portion can have a center push button mechanism to accommodate a male buckle portion having a single central locking leg. Any suitable locking mechanism can be employed with the buckle portion according to the invention. 
     Preferably, the strap securing bars are disposed opposite one another, with the main body being disposed between the strap securing bars. Each of the strap securing bars can have a slot cut therein or having a clamping arrangement to allow threading of a strap. This way, a strap that is secured to an object on both ends of the strap can still be easily attached to the buckle portion, as the strap is threaded in through the strap securing bars. In the embodiment containing the slots, the slots are preferably disposed in a central area of each strap securing bar, and are disposed at an angle that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the strap securing bar. This allows the strap to be threaded in more easily to the strap securing bars. 
     The main body has a front face, a rear face, two side walls a top opening and a bottom. In one embodiment, the strap securing bars are located adjacent to and run parallel with the top opening and bottom, respectively. The strap securing bars can be disposed so that a distance between the two strap securing bars is greater than a distance between the top opening and the bottom. The strap securing bars can also be configured to be wider than the width of the buckle. Since the buckle body can be somewhat narrow, the spaced-apart configuration of the strap securing bars allows the buckle portion to be attached to two straps that are spaced farther apart than the length of the main body and be attached to straps that are wider than the width of the main body. 
     In another embodiment, the strap securing bars are located adjacent to and run parallel with the side walls. Again, the strap securing bars can be disposed such that a distance between the two strap securing bars is greater than a distance between the side walls, to allow the buckle portion to be attached to straps that are spaced wider than a width of the main body. 
     In another embodiment, there is a securing plate removably inserted between the rear face of the main body and the strap securing bars. This allows the buckle portion to be convertible between orientations. Instead of threading the straps through the strap securing bars, the main body can be placed over a strap and the securing plate is then threaded between the strap securing bars and the rear face of the main body. The buckle portion can then be removed from the strap by sliding the securing plate out from beneath the strap. This securing plate can be used whether the strap securing bars are disposed parallel to the top opening and bottom of the main body, or parallel to the side walls of the main body. The securing plate has a forked end that is wider than the space within the strap securing bars, so that the forked end can be pressed inward to slide the securing plate into position, and then released, so that the forked end is biased outward and holds the securing plate in place on the buckle. 
     In a further embodiment, there are four strap securing bars, one disposed parallel and adjacent to the top opening, two disposed parallel to the side walls, and one disposed parallel to and adjacent the bottom. This way, the buckle can be positioned in any orientation on a set of straps, without needing the additional securing plate. 
     Preferably, the strap securing bars are offset from the main body in a plane located behind the rear wall of the main body. This allows the main body to be positioned above the straps, to allow easier manipulation of the entire buckle assembly. The strap securing bars can be placed either directly under the main body or spaced outwardly from the main body. 
     The buckle portion according to the invention is particularly useful on protective vests that are utilized by the military and law enforcement personnel. These vests can be equipped with a pattern of straps throughout the torso area, such as in an interlocking criss-cross manner. The buckle portions according to the invention can then be placed in any location and any orientation, depending on the needs of the individual user. The buckle portion, in combination with a corresponding male portion that is locked into it, can be used to secure a variety of objects to the vest, such as medical equipment, communications equipment, additional bags for storage, etc. The buckle portion according to the invention creates a very flexible modular arrangement that allows the wearer of the vest to customize the vest to suit his/her needs, in a simple and economical manner. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
       In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: 
         FIG. 1  shows a front view of one embodiment of the female buckle portion according to the invention, with a strap threaded therethrough; 
         FIG. 2  shows a rear view of the buckle; 
         FIG. 3  shows a front view of the buckle; 
         FIG. 4  shows a rear view of the buckle; 
         FIG. 5  shows a side view of the buckle; 
         FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  shows a bottom view as seen from arrows  7  in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  shows a top view as seen from arrows  8  in FIG.  5 ; 
         FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of a male portion being inserted into the female buckle portion; 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of the male fully inserted into the female buckle portion; 
         FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of an securing plate for use with the buckle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  shows a side view of the securing plate; 
         FIG. 13  shows a top view of the securing plate; 
         FIG. 14  shows a side view of the buckle with the securing plate inserted therein; 
         FIG. 15  shows a cross-sectional view of the buckle arrangement of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  shows an exploded view of how the securing plates is inserted into the buckle to secure a strap; 
         FIG. 17  shows a strap secured to the buckle by the securing plate; 
         FIG. 18  shows two buckles mounted on straps on an article of use; 
         FIG. 19  shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of the buckle according to the invention; 
         FIG. 20  shows a side view of the buckle of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  shows a rear view of the buckle of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 22  shows a top view of another embodiment of the buckle portion according to the invention; 
         FIG. 23  shows a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 24  shows a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 25A  shows a front end view of the embodiment of  FIG. 22  in an open position; 
         FIG. 25B  shows the front end view of  FIG. 25B  in a locked position; 
         FIG. 26  shows a top view of another embodiment of the buckle portion according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 27  shows a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 26 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now in detail to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-8  show a female buckle portion  10  according to one embodiment of the invention. Buckle portion  10  has a front face  11 , a rear face  12 , two side walls  13 ,  14 , a hollow cavity and a top opening  15 . Two locking slots  21 ,  22  are disposed in sidewalls  13 ,  14 . Buckle portion  10  is configured to accept a standard male buckle portion, having two locking legs that snap into locking slots  21 ,  22 . Alternatively, in an another embodiment (not shown), buckle portion  10  can be configured as a center-push button buckle, and can be configured to accept a male portion having a central leg that is released by depressing the push button. The mechanical aspects of the release system in buckle portion  10  and its interaction with a corresponding male buckle portion can be configured in any desired way, based on the needs of the manufacturer. 
     Buckle portion  10  can be secured to a strap  30  by two strap securing bars  16 ,  17 . Each of strap securing bars  16 ,  17  has a slit  18 ,  19  therein to facilitate insertion of strap  30 . The width of slits  18 ,  19  can be determined based on the needs of the manufacturer and the type of strap used. Preferably, slits  18 ,  19 , are configured so that they do not run exactly perpendicular to the longitudinal expanse of strap retaining bars  16 ,  17 . This allows straps  30  to be inserted around strap retaining bars  16 ,  17  with less effort. Slits  18 ,  19  are also disposed offset from the center of strap retaining bars  16 ,  17 . 
     To secure buckle portion  10  to a strap  30 , strap  30  is threaded through slits  18 ,  19  until it runs between strap retaining bars  16 ,  17  and rear face  12  of buckle portion  10 . The position of buckle portion  10  can be adjusted by sliding it along strap  30  until a desired position is reached. Preferably, there is very little extra clearance once strap  30  is installed, so that buckle portion  10  remains in its position until moved by the user. 
     Strap securing bars  16 ,  17  are located offset from rear face  12  by a space d, shown in  FIG. 6 , so that strap  20  can fit between strap securing bars  16 ,  17  and the rear face  12  of buckle  10 . Strap securing bars  16 ,  17  are also positioned beyond the ends of buckle portion  10  so that a distance between strap securing bars  16 ,  17  is greater than an overall length of buckle portion  10 . This allows small buckles to be used on articles having more widely spaced strap configurations. The positioning of strap securing bars with respect to buckle portion  10  can be adjusted by the manufacturer based on the intended use. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the bottom of buckle portion  10  can have an aperture  24  therethrough to prevent dust and debris from collecting in the cavity formed in buckle portion  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , buckle portion  10  is configured for use with a male portion  60 , which has a base  61 , a strap securing bar  62  and two locking legs  63 ,  64 . Male portion  60  is snapped into female buckle portion  10  so that locking legs  63 ,  64  snap into locking slots  21 ,  22  of female buckle portion  10 . Pressing locking legs  63 ,  64  inward allows locking legs  63 ,  64  to clear the locking slots and release male portion  60  from female buckle portion  10 . Male portion  60  can be connected via strap securing bar  62  to any useful item, such as a carrying pouch, medical kit, hydration kit, weapon holder, etc. It forms a convenient modular assembly along with buckle portion  10 , as the buckle assembly can be placed in a variety of locations and orientations on an article having several straps. 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-10 , strap  30  is threaded through buckle  10  so that strap  30  runs parallel to a longitudinal expanse of buckle  10 , i.e, in a direction from the top to the bottom of the buckle or vice versa. Strap retaining bars could also be devised so that instead of being positioned adjacent the top and bottom of the buckle, they are positioned adjacent the side walls. This way, strap  30  would run perpendicular to the longitudinal expanse of buckle  10 . Alternatively, the securing plate  40  shown in  FIGS. 11-17  could be used along with buckle  10  to allow for different positioning of buckle  10  on strap  30 . 
     Securing plate  40  comprises a body  41  having a handle portion  42  and a forked end portion  43 . Body  41  is slightly curved, so that the ends are higher than the middle. Securing plate  40  is inserted between rear wall  12  of buckle  10  and strap retaining bars  16 ,  17 , to create a space  45  for strap  30  to run perpendicular to the longitudinal expanse of buckle  10 . 
     Strap  30  is attached to buckle  10  using securing plate  40  by placing buckle  10  on strap  30  (or vice versa) so that rear face  12  of buckle  10  faces strap  30 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . Then, securing plate  40  is placed over strap  30 , and forked end  43  is slid between rear face  12  and strap retaining bars  17  and then  16  until it is fully inserted, as shown in  FIG. 17 . The end of securing plate  40  is forked so that it can be pressed inward to fit though strap retaining bars  16 ,  17  until coming to a final position shown in  FIG. 17 . Here, end  43  is pressed against the sides of strap retaining bar  16  and held in place by the biasing force of forked end  43 . This way, strap  30  is held securely between buckle  10  and securing plate  40 . By having securing plate  40 , buckle  10  can be placed on strap  30  in any orientation, depending on the needs of the user, without having to configure different buckles. 
       FIG. 18  shows buckle  10  installed on an item of use  50 , such as a combat vest, which has a multitude of straps  30 . Straps  30  are permanently sewn into position, so that they do not come loose. Standard buckles having closed strap retaining bars cannot be placed on straps  30  without freeing straps  30 . Buckle  10  can be easily installed on straps  30  by sliding straps  30  through slits  18 ,  19  on strap retaining bars  16 ,  17 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , buckle  10  can be placed on strap  30  so that strap  30  runs perpendicular to a longitudinal expanse of buckle  10 , by using securing plate  40  (as shown by the buckle on the top), or can be placed on strap  30  so that strap  30  runs parallel to a longitudinal expanse of buckle  10 , by threading strap  30  directly through strap retaining bars  16 ,  17 . 
       FIGS. 19-21  show an alternative embodiment of the buckle portion, in which there are four strap securing bars. In this embodiment, buckle portion  110  has strap securing bar  116  with slot  118  opposite the front opening of main body  111 , strap securing bar  117  with slot  119  opposite the rear of the buckle, strap securing bar  122  with slot  124  opposite one of the side walls, and strap securing bar  121  with slot  123  opposite the other side wall. As shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , all of the strap securing bars are disposed offset from the rear wall of the buckle, to allow easier threading of straps. With this embodiment, buckle portion  110  can be placed on a strap in multiple orientations, without requiring a separate adjustment piece. 
     Another embodiment of the buckle portion of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 22-25B . Here, buckle portion  210  comprises a main body  211  with a central opening  212 . Strap securing bars  213 ,  215  are connected at one end  214 ,  216 , respectively to main body  211 . Strap securing bars  213 ,  215  are arranged parallel to the side walls having locking slots  228  (see  FIG. 24 ) but can also be arranged parallel to central opening  212  and the rear of the buckle portion. 
     Strap securing bars  213 ,  215  are mounted underneath main body  211  so that a space  226  exists between strap securing bars  213 ,  215  and the underside of main body  211  (see  FIG. 24 ). Space  226  is dimensioned sufficiently large so as to accommodate a strap threaded between strap securing bars  213 ,  215  and main body  211 . 
     Strap securing bars  215 ,  216  are flexibly mounted to main body  211  so that they can be snapped into spaces  221 ,  222  of clamps  217 ,  218  positioned on the underside of main body  211  (see  FIGS. 25A ,  25 B) to secure the other end of strap securing bars  213 ,  215  to main body  211 . This way, a strap threaded between strap securing bars  215 ,  216  and main body  211  can be securely retained by buckle portion  210 , with no risk of the strap slipping out of buckle portion  210 . Strap securing bars  213 ,  215  can be released from clamps  217 ,  218  by pressing the ends of strap securing bars  213 ,  215  together until they clear clamps  217 ,  218 . 
     Yet another embodiment of the buckle portion is shown in  FIGS. 26-27 . In this embodiment, buckle portion  310  has a strap securing bar  316  with a slot  318  located adjacent the open end  322  of main buckle body  320 . At the other end strap securing bar  315  is connected at one end to arm  314 . Strap securing bar  315  can be snapped into engagement with other arm  313  by pressing downward on bar  315  until plug  319  snaps into a clamp formed by socket  312  (shown in  FIG. 27 ). Bar  315  can be released by pressing outwardly on shoulders  323  and  324  until plug  319  is released from socket  321 . This type of arrangement could also be used in place of strap securing bar  316  with slot  318 , so that two snap-release type securing bars are used on the same buckle. 
     Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.