Patent Publication Number: US-2023157422-A1

Title: Buckle Assembly

Description:
This is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/217,053 filed Mar. 30, 2021, entitled “BUCKLE ASSEMBLY”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to a buckle assembly, and more particularly to a buckle assembly used in securing a webbing or strap member in position with respect to a garment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Numerous different configurations of buckle assemblies have been employed in securement of straps associated with securement of a garment to a wearer. It is desired in the selection of some buckle assembly configurations, the buckle assembly accommodate certain environmental considerations to which the buckle assembly is exposed during operation of the buckle assembly. 
     In one example, one operational environmental consideration for the buckle assembly is for the buckle assembly to have a compact and relatively low profile relative to the garment to which the buckle assembly is secured. This consideration may arise in use of a protective garment, for example, that is used in operations which places the garment coming in contact with the ground, in contact in areas of high vegetation growth or into contact with close quarters. These considerations arise, for example, where the wearer wears a protective garment which the wearer would have in a combat zone or a police officer would encounter in a law enforcement operation. There is a need for a buckle assembly to remain secured during operations so as to avoid any unwanted disengagement of the buckle assembly which could result in risking movement of the garment from a protective position to an non-protective position relative to the wearer. 
     A low profile configuration of the buckle assembly relative to the garment being secured reduces the risk of the buckle assembly becoming unintentionally disengaged and reduces the opportunity of the buckle assembly catching or snagging onto an environmental object proximate to the user, which may result in hampering the movement of the wearer. 
     There is a need to provide a buckle assembly which operates in a relatively close profile of the garment it secures so as to avoid coming into contact with environmental items which could disengage the buckle assembly and resulting in a protective garment being positioned in a non-optimal protective position. In addition, there is a need to provide a low profile buckle assembly or otherwise compact assembly so as to avoid undesired catching or snagging of the buckle assembly to an item in the wearer&#39;s proximal environment during operations, so as to avoid unnecessary hampering or hindering of movement of the wearer of the garment. 
     SUMMARY 
     A buckle assembly includes a first frame member defining a first slot, which includes a first open end positioned at a first side of the first frame member and which includes a first closed end positioned spaced apart from a second side of the first frame member. The buckle assembly further includes a second frame member defining a second slot, which includes a second open end positioned at a second side of the second frame member and a second closed end positioned spaced apart from a first side of the second frame member, wherein the second frame member is positioned in overlying relationship to the first frame member. The buckle assembly further includes a third frame member is configured to position within a recess defined within the second frame member. 
     A method for securing a buckle assembly includes the steps of positioning one of a strap loop or a portion of a modular load carrying panel positioned between two adjacent slots within the modular load carrying panel, entrapped within a first slot of a first frame member and a second slot of a second frame member. The first frame member and the second frame member are positioned in overlying relationship to one another. The method further includes threading a strap member through two slots defined within a third frame member and further includes applying tension to the strap member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of the buckle assembly in use on a back portion of a garment; 
         FIG.  2    is an enlarged perspective view of the buckle assembly in an assembled position, as seen in  FIG.  1   , without employment of straps with the buckle assembly; 
         FIG.  3    is a bottom perspective exploded view of the buckle assembly of  FIG.  2    with a first embodiment of a pivot member; 
         FIG.  4    is a top perspective exploded view of the buckle assembly of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  5    is an exploded view of the buckle assembly of  FIG.  2   , with a second embodiment of a pivot member; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the buckle assembly of  FIG.  2    with a strap member threaded through a third frame member of the buckle assembly with the third frame member positioned separated from a second frame member of the buckle assembly without tension applied to the first strap; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of the buckle assembly of  FIG.  6    with a first frame member and a second frame member of the buckle assembly rotated relative to one another with a strap loop positioned to be engaged within the first frame member and the second frame member; 
         FIG.  8    is a top plan view of  FIG.  7    with the strap loop positioned engaged within a second slot of the second frame member with the first frame member in an open position relative to the second frame member and the strap member threaded through slots positioned in the third frame member without tension applied to the first strap; 
         FIG.  9    is a top plan view of  FIG.  8    with the first frame member rotated to a closed position such that the first and second frame members are in overlying relationship to one another entrapping the strap loop and the strap member is threaded through the third frame member with strap member under tension; 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  11    is a second embodiment of securement of the buckle assembly to a garment with having the first frame member and the second frame member of the buckle assembly entrap a portion of the garment which is positioned between two adjacent modular load carrying slots of the garment; 
         FIG.  12    is a cross section view of the second embodiment of securement of the buckle assembly along line  12 - 12  of  FIG.  11   ; and 
         FIG.  13    is a method for securing the buckle assembly. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     In referring to  FIG.  1   , an application of use for buckling assembly  10  can be seen. In this example of use, buckling assembly  10  is used in conjunction with ballistic carrier  12 , which utilizes a modular load carrying panel  14  having a pattern of slots  16 . Buckling assembly  10  has one end  18 , in this example, secured to modular load carrying panel  14 , which will be discussed if further detail herein and has a second end  20  secured to strap  22  which, is secured to ballistic carrier  12  (not shown). Buckle assembly  10  is understood to be usable as a buckling mechanism associated with many different items or garments. In the example discussed herein, buckling assembly  10  is used in association with ballistic carrier  12 . 
     In referring to  FIG.  2   , buckle assembly  10  is seen in an assembled and operational configuration, however, without being secured to straps or webbing associated with a garment to which buckle assembly  10  secures. Buckle assembly  10  includes first frame member  24  with second frame member  26  positioned in overlying relationship to first frame member  24 . Third frame member  28  is positioned in overlying relationship with respect to second frame member  26 . With first, second and third frame members  24 ,  26  and  28  in a stacked arrangement, as seen in  FIG.  2   , a compact and relatively low profile for buckle assembly  10  is provided. 
     In referring to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , buckling assembly  10  can be seen in a bottom perspective exploded view and in a top perspective exploded view, respectively. First frame member  24  defines first slot  30 , which includes first open end  32  at first side  34  of first frame member  24  and which includes first closed end  36  positioned spaced apart from second side  38  of first frame member  24 . Second frame member  26  defines second slot  40 , which includes second open end  42  at second side  44  of second frame member  26  and second closed end  46  of second slot  40  positioned spaced apart from first side  48  of second frame member  26 . One of the first or second frame members  24 ,  26  has a pivot member  50  upon which first and second frame members  24 ,  26  are rotatable relative to one another. In this example, pivot member  50  is positioned on second frame member  26 , which will be discussed in further detail herein. Third frame member  28  defines at least two slots  52   a  and  52   b , which extend through third frame member  28 . Third frame member  28  is configured to position within recess  54  defined within second frame member  26 , which will be described in more detail. 
     As earlier mentioned, buckle assembly  10  can be used in many different applications, which in turn, may require the material from which buckle assembly  10  is constructed to vary so as to accommodate the particular application. For example, first frame member  24 , in this example, is constructed of a metal, such as aluminum, or of a plastic. Second frame member  26  is constructed of plastic and third frame member is constructed of a metal such as aluminum. The composition of each frame member is based on the needed strength and flexibility of buckle assembly  10  for the particular application of use for buckle assembly  10 . 
     As mentioned above, pivot member  50 , in this example, is positioned on one of first frame member  24  or second frame member  26 . In referring to  FIG.  3   , pivot member  50  includes pin member  56  which extends from second frame member  26  toward first frame member  24 . First frame member  24  defines circular opening  58  which extends through first frame member  24 , such that diameter dimension D of circular opening  58  is greater than diameter dimension D′ of pin member  56 . With second frame member  26  positioned in overlying relationship with first frame member  24 , pin member  56  extends through circular opening  58  and extends beyond bottom surface  60  of first frame member  24 . Screw  62 , which includes head  64  with threaded shaft  66  extending from head  64 , threaded shaft  66  engages pin member  56 . With pin member  56  extending through circular opening  58  and threaded shaft  66  engaged to pin member  56 , space S, as seen in  FIG.  12   , is provided between head  64 , on the one hand, and pin member  56  and bottom surface  60  of first frame member  24 , on the other hand, which allows user to not only rotate pin member  56  within circular opening  58 , as desired, but also allows some movement of separation between first frame member  24  and second frame member  26 . Diameter dimension D″ of head  64  of screw  62  is greater than diameter dimension D of circular opening  58  of first frame member  24  preventing, in this example, complete separation of first frame member  24  from second frame member  26 . This feature will be further appreciated with respect to threading of buckle assembly  10 . 
     In referring to  FIG.  5   , buckling assembly  10  has a similar configuration of overlying third, second and first frame members  28 ,  26 , and  24  as seen in  FIGS.  3  and  4   . In this example of  FIG.  5   , a different pivot member  50 ′ is shown. Pivot member  50 ′ similarly functions with respect to pivot member  50  of  FIGS.  3  and  4   , permitting rotational movement between first frame member  24  and second frame member  26  of  FIG.  5    and allows and limits separation of first frame member  24  and second frame member  26  from one another. Pivot member  50 ′ includes at least two leg members  68 , in this example, four leg members  68  are shown, which extend from second frame member  26  toward first frame member  24 . The at least two leg members  68  have central axis  70 . In this example, four leg members  68  are shown positioned symmetrically about central axis  70 . 
     Each of the at least two leg members  68  include leg portion  72  and head portion  74  with head portion  74  positioned further from second frame member  26  than leg portion  72 . Each head portion  74  has a beveled surface  76  which has distal end  78  of beveled surface  76  positioned a distance “d” closer to the central axis  70  than a distance “d′” an opposing end  80  of beveled surface  76 , which is positioned closer to the second frame member  26  than distal end  78  is positioned to second frame member  26 . 
     With the at least two leg members  68 , and in this example four leg members  68  inserted through circular opening  58  of first frame member  24 , the at least two leg members  68  are configured such that opposing end  80  of beveled surface  76  of each of the at least two leg members  68  come into contact with an interior surface  82  causing interior surface  82  to apply a force on each of beveled surfaces  76  toward central axis  70 . The application of this force results in the at least two leg members  68  to flex toward central axis  70 . 
     With the opposing end  80  of beveled surface  76  of each of the at least two leg members  68  extending past bottom surface  60  of the first frame member  24 , head portion  74  of each of the at least two leg members  68  extending past bottom surface  60  of first frame member  24 , each of the at least two leg members  68  flex away from central axis  70  positioning each of the head portions  74 , of the at least two leg members  68 , in alignment with the bottom surface  60  of first frame member  24 . With head portions  74  in alignment with bottom surface  60 , head portions  74  block the at least two leg members  68  from passing through circular opening  58  which would permit complete separation of first frame member  24  and second frame member  26 . Pivot member  50 ′ functions similarly to pivot member  50  in that both permit rotation of first and second frame members  24 ,  26  relative to one another and both limit complete separation of first and second frame members  24 ,  26 . 
     With buckle assembly  10  in operation as seen in  FIG.  1   , first, second, and third frame members  24 ,  26 , and  28  are in a stacked overlying relationship to one another providing a relatively low profile with respect to ballistic carrier  14  without providing projections which would be susceptible to snagging or catching onto items in the environment of the wearer. One feature in this example of buckle assembly  10 , which facilitates buckle assembly  10  maintaining a compact configuration and includes resisting undesired rotation of first frame member  24  relative to second frame member  26  during operation. With buckle member  10  in operation, resistance to undesired rotation of first and second frame members  24 ,  26  is provided for, in this example, with second frame member  26 , as seen in  FIG.  3   , having first tab member  84  extending in a direction away from second frame member  26  with first tab member  84  positioned on second side  48  of second frame member  26 . Second frame member  26  has second tab member  86  extending in a direction away from the second frame member  26  with second tab member  86  positioned on second side  44  of second frame member  26 . With second frame member  26  positioned in overlying relationship with first frame member  24 , first tab member  84  is positioned within first notch  88  defined by first frame member  24  and second tab member  86  is positioned within second notch  90  defined by first frame member  24  such that first tab member  84  and second tab member  86  restrict rotational movement of first frame member  24  relative to second frame member  26  about pivot member  50 . 
     Additional features in the present example of buckle assembly  10  facilitate buckle assembly  10  maintaining a compact configuration during operation. Second frame member  26  further defines ledge  92 , as seen in  FIG.  4   , which third frame member  28  contacts with third frame member  28  positioned in overlying relationship with second frame member  26 . Second frame member  26  further includes wall member  94  which extends in a transverse direction  96  relative to ledge  92 . Ledge  92  and wall member  94  provide recess  54  within second frame member  26 . Recess  54  provides space in which third frame member  28  can occupy with third frame  28  positioned in overlying relationship with second frame member  26  with first, second and third frame members  24 ,  26 , and  28  in operation. With buckle assembly  10  in operation, third frame member  28  is positioned within recess  54  maintaining third frame member  28  in a compact relationship with second frame member  26 . With third frame member  28  positioned within recess  54  during operation, further resistance is provided so as to maintain third frame member  28  within recess  54  and from being unintentionally removed from recess  54 . This resistance is accomplished in this example of buckle assembly  10  with second frame member  26  further including overhang tab  98  such that with third frame member  28  positioned within recess  54  overhang tab  98  blocks unintentional removal of third frame member  28  from second frame member  26 , as seen in  FIGS.  2  and  3   . Overhang tab  98  is positioned over third frame member  28  in a blocking relationship inhibiting third frame member  28  from freely moving out of recess  54 . These above discussed features facilitate buckle assembly  10  maintaining a desired compact configuration during operation of buckle assembly  10 . 
     In furtherance of buckling assembly  10  maintaining a compact and relatively low profile, first frame member defines first opening  100 , which extends through first frame member  24 . Second frame member  26  defines second opening  102 , which extends through second frame member  26 . As seen in  FIG.  3   , with second frame member  26  in overlying relationship with first frame member  24 , first opening  100  of first frame member  24  aligns with second opening  102  of second frame member  26 . This pass through arrangement between first and second openings  100 ,  102  allows strap member  22  that is secured through slots  52   a  and  52   b  of third frame member  28  to pass through first and second frame members  24 ,  26  and beneath buckling assembly  10 , as seen in  FIG.  6   . 
     In referring to  FIGS.  6 - 10  and  13   , method  106 , as seen in  FIG.  13   , includes a first embodiment of securing buckle assembly  10  and a second embodiment of securing buckle assembly  10  is shown with respect to  FIGS.  11 - 13   . In the first embodiment of securing buckle assembly  10  into an operational position, the first embodiment of securement buckle assembly  10  is seen in  FIGS.  6 - 10    and with respect to method  106  of  FIG.  13   . In  FIG.  6   , first embodiment of securement includes threading strap member  22  through slots  52   a  and  52   b  of third frame member  28 . Threading strap member  22  further includes placing strap member  22  to extend through first opening  100  of first frame member  24  and through second opening  102  in second frame member  26 . This positions strap member  22  to extend beneath buckle assembly  10 . 
     Strap member portion  22   a  is secured (not shown) to ballistic carrier  12  such as by way of being stitched to ballistic carrier  12 . Strap portion  22   b  is movable relative to ballistic carrier  12 . For example, a portion of strap member portion  22   a  carries a velcro-type material (not shown) on surface  23   a  of strap member portion  22   a  and strap member portion  22   b  carries a mating velcro-type material (not shown) on surface  23   b , such that surfaces  23   a ,  23   b  face one another which allows the wearer to secure  22   a  and  22   b  together at a desired location in applying tension through strap  222  to third frame member  28 . In  FIG.  6    strap member portion  22   a  and  22   b  have not been secured together in a final securement position. At this point, third frame member  28  is outside of recess  54  of second frame member  26 . 
     In  FIGS.  7  and  8   , strap loop  104  is, in this example secured (not shown) to ballistic carrier  12  at a location such that buckle assembly  10  can secure to strap loop  104 . In preparation of securement of buckle assembly  10 , method  106  includes positioning strap loop  104  to be entrapped within first slot  30  of first frame member  24  and second slot  40  of second frame member  26  with first frame member  24  and second frame member  26  positioned, as seen in  FIGS.  9  and  10    in overlying relationship with one another. In  FIG.  8    strap loop  104  is positioned within second slot  40  of second frame member  26 . 
     In  FIGS.  7  and  8   , first and second frame members  24 ,  26  are rotated about pivot member  50 , earlier shown, into an open position and allows strap loop  104  to be inserted into second slot  40  of second frame member  26 . With rotation of first frame member  24  and second frame member  26  strap member  22 , which extends through first opening  100  of first frame member  24  and second opening  102  of second frame member  26  as seen in also  FIG.  3    is partially distorted, as seen in  FIG.  7   , with the rotation of first and second frame members  24 ,  26 . As mentioned earlier, first and second frame members  24 ,  26  rotate about pivot member  50 , which also permits first frame member  24  and second frame member  26  from fully separating from one another with rotation of first and second frame members  24 ,  26 . 
     In referring to  FIGS.  8 - 10   , with strap loop  104  positioned within second slot  40  of second frame member  26 , first and second frame members  24 ,  26  are rotated back into alignment with one another entrapping strap loop  104  within buckle assembly  10 . Positioning of method  106  includes rotating first frame member  24  relative to second frame member  26  into overlying relationship to one another, as seen in  FIGS.  8 - 10   . This rotation is permitted, as discussed earlier, with one of the first or second frame members  24 ,  26  having a pivot member  50  upon which first and second frame members  24 ,  26  are rotatable relative to one another. 
     In this first embodiment of securing buckle assembly  10  of method  106 , the wearer applies tension on strap member  22  to third frame member  28  which positions third frame member  28  into recess  54  defined in second frame member  26 . In applying tension to strap  22 , the wearer moves strap portion  22   b  along strap portion  22   a  until the wearer is comfortable with an adequate tension placed on buckle assembly  10 . The wearer pushes strap portion  22   a  and strap portion  22   b  together such that velcro-like material positioned on surfaces  23   a  and  23   b  engages securing strap portion  22   a  and strap portion  22   b  together in a desired position for securement of the garment for the wearer. In this example, loop strap  104  securement to buckle assembly  10  provides a proximate positioning of buckle assembly  10  on the wearer. With buckle assembly  10  in a proximate position for securement, the final and more micro-positioned securement can be attained with the above-described application of a desired tension applied to buckle assembly  10  through strap member  22 . The desired tension force applied through strap member  22  places third frame member  28  into recess  54  of second frame member  26 . With adequate tension applied for properly securing the garment to the wearer, a desired securement is accomplished with buckle assembly  10  providing a compact and a low profile relative to the garment being secured. 
     In referring to  FIGS.  11 - 13   , a second embodiment of method  106  of securing buckle assembly  10  is shown. The second embodiment of method  106  of securing of buckle assembly  10  is similar to that described above with respect to the first embodiment of method  106  of securing of buckle assembly  10  as seen in  FIGS.  6 - 10    except the second embodiment of securing buckle assembly  10  is without securement of buckle assembly  10  to strap loop  104  of the first embodiment of securing buckle assembly. 
     In this second embodiment of method  106  of securing buckle assembly  10 , instead of securing buckle assembly  10  to strap loop  104 , buckle assembly  10  is secured to modular load carrying panel  14  securing to portion  108  of modular load carrying panel  14  positioned between two adjacent slots  16  within modular load carrying panel  14  entrapped within first slot  30  of first frame member  24  and second slot  40  of second frame member  26 . This entrapment can be seen for example in  FIG.  8   , where first and second frame members  24 ,  26  are rotated into an open position with first open end  32  of first frame member  24  and second open end  42  of second slot  40  are in an open unobstructed condition. In this open position, portion  108  of modular load carrying panel  14 , as seen in  FIG.  11    can be inserted into, for example, second slot  40  of second frame member  26  and first and second frame members  24 ,  26  can be rotated closed with respect to one another as similarly shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9    for loop strap  104 , with utilizing for example pivot member  50 . With first and second frame members  24 ,  26  positioned in overlying relationship to one another, first portion  108  is entrapped within first slot  30  and second slot  40 . Portion  108  as seen in  FIG.  12   , is positioned overlying second frame member  26  which in turn overlies first frame member  24 . Portion  108  extends through first and second slots  30 ,  40  and is entrapped within first and second slots  30 ,  40 . As a result, buckle assembly  10  is secured to modular load carrying panel  14 . The wearer can select one of the portions  108 , as seen in  FIG.  11   , to which to which secure buckle assembly  10  so as to attain a proper fit for the wearer. 
     With portion  108  entrapped within first and second slots  30 ,  40  of first and second frame members  24 ,  26  respectively, buckle assembly  10  is, in this example, positioned in a desired proximate location for that wearer. Buckle assembly  10  is further secured to the wearer with application of tension applied by strap member  22  which passes through first and second openings  100 ,  102  of first and second frame members  24 ,  26  to third frame  28 , as described earlier. With the adequate tension applied by way of strap member  22 , third frame member  28  is positioned within recess  54  of second frame member  26  resulting in a compact and a low profile buckle assembly  10  which provides securement of the garment to the wearer. 
     While various embodiments have been described above, this disclosure is not intended to be limited thereto. Variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments that are still within the scope of the appended claims.