Patent Publication Number: US-6711790-B2

Title: Buckle device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a buckle device for releasably fastening together a first, second and third strap. More specifically, the present invention relates to a three way buckle device for releasably fastening together a first, second and third strap. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Buckles are used in child car seats and other types of child seats in order to safely secure a young child in the car seat or any other type of child seat. Typically, such buckles fasten together three straps with the center strap extending from the car seat or other anchor point to between the child&#39;s legs. The other straps are side straps which extend from the car seat or other anchor points around the shoulders of the child and releasably attach to the buckle so that the three straps securely hold the child within the car seat or the like. In this way, the center strap is permanently and adjustably secured to the three way buckle while the other two straps are readily releasable from the buckle. 
     Many different designs for three way buckles have been proposed. However, many of the prior art proposals are relatively complex and thus comparatively costly to manufacture. 
     The three way buckle according to the present invention is simple in design and provides an extremely reliable means for securely fastening the three straps together. Furthermore, the buckle according to the present invention enables the simultaneous release of both side straps. Also, because the release button, according to the present invention, is molded as a separate molding from the socket, the mold required for producing the socket is greatly simplified and the production of correctly molded sockets is enhanced. 
     Therefore, it is a primary feature of the present invention to provide a three way buckle that overcomes the problems associated with the prior art arrangements and which make a considerable contribution to the art of manufacturing buckles. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a three way buckle which simultaneously releases two of the straps from the buckle. 
     A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a three way buckle which has a separately molded release button. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a three way buckle which is simple in construction and thus of relatively low cost. 
     Other features and advantages of the buckle according to the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art by a consideration of the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention contained herein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a buckle device for releasably fastening together a first, second and third strap. The device includes a first plug which is attached to the first strap and a second plug which is attached to the second strap. A socket is attached to the third strap and a release button is molded separately from the socket. The button cooperates with the socket such that when the button is disposed in a first disposition relative to the socket, the first and second plugs are secured relative to the socket. However, when the button is disposed in a second disposition relative to the socket, the first and second plugs are released from the socket. The first plug includes an attaching portion for attaching the first plug to the first strap and a tongue projecting from the attaching portion for insertion into the socket. The tongue defines an opening and a first and a second slide are disposed spaced and parallel relative to each other so that the tongue is disposed between the first and second slide. The second plug includes a further attaching portion for attaching the second plug to the second strap. A further tongue projects from the further attaching portion for insertion into the socket, the further tongue defining a further opening. A first and a second rail are disposed spaced and parallel relative to each other so that the further tongue is disposed between the first and second rail. The socket defines a first and a second hole, the first hole slidably receiving therein the tongue of the first plug and the second hole slidably receives therein the further tongue of the second plug. The socket defines a catch which engages the opening when the tongue is inserted into the first hole such that the first plug is secured relative to the socket. Also, the socket defines a further catch which engages the further opening when the further tongue is inserted into the second hole such that the second plug is secured relative to the socket. The arrangement is such that when the button is disposed in the first disposition, the tongue and further tongue are secured within the socket and when the button is disposed in the second disposition thereof, the button deflects the tongue and the further tongue away from the catch and further catch respectively so that the opening disengages from the catch and the further opening disengages from the further catch such that the first and second plugs are released from the socket. 
     In a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the plugs and the socket are fabricated from plastics material. 
     Furthermore, the socket further defines an aperture for the slidable reception therein of the button. More specifically, the aperture is of oval shaped configuration and the aperture is equidistantly spaced from the first and the second hole. Additionally, the socket includes an upstanding rim which surrounds the aperture. Moreover, the socket includes an attachment eye for attachment to the third strap. Also, the socket includes a partition which is disposed between the first hole and the second hole for partitioning the first hole from the second hole. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the socket includes a first support for supporting the catch and a second support for supporting the further catch. The second support is disposed opposite to the first support within the aperture. Moreover, the partition is disposed between the first hole and the second hole for partitioning the first hole from the second hole, the partition being disposed between the first and second supports. 
     The button includes a first depending leg which cooperates with the tongue and the further tongue so that when the button is disposed in the second disposition thereof, the first leg deflects the tongue and the further tongue so that the catch disengages from the opening and the further catch disengages from the further opening. 
     Also, a second depending leg cooperates with the tongue and the further tongue so that when the button is disposed in the second disposition thereof, the second leg deflects the tongue and the further tongue so that the catch disengages from the opening and the further catch disengages from the further opening. The second leg is disposed opposite to the first leg. 
     The button further includes a ridge which extends outwardly from the first leg for retaining the button relative to the socket. Also, a further ridge extends outwardly from the second leg for retaining the button relative to the socket, the further ridge being disposed opposite to the ridge. 
     More specifically, the first leg includes a first and a second member, the first member cooperating with the tongue and the second member cooperating with the further tongue. The second leg includes a first and a second portion, the first portion cooperating with the tongue and the second portion cooperating with the further tongue. 
     The partition is disposed between the first hole and the second hole for partitioning the first hole from the second hole, the arrangement being such that the partition is disposed between the first member and the second member, the partition also being disposed between the first portion and the second portion. 
     More particularly, the first leg defines a slot which is disposed between the first and second members, the slot receiving therein the partition. Also, the second leg defines a further slot which is disposed between the first and second portions, the further slot receiving therein the partition such that the button rides upon and is guided by the partition. 
     The tongue has a proximal and a distal end, the proximal end extending from the attaching portion. Also, the opening extends through the tongue, the opening having a leading edge. The tongue includes a guide disposed between the distal end of the tongue and the leading edge of the opening. The arrangement is such that when the first plug is inserted into the first hole, the guide slides against the catch until the catch reaches the leading edge of the opening whereat, the catch enters the opening for retaining the tongue within the first hole of the socket. 
     Additionally, the further tongue has a first and a second end, the first end of the further tongue extending from the further attaching portion. The further opening extends through the further tongue, the further opening having a front edge. The further tongue includes a further guide which is disposed between the second end of the further tongue and the front edge of the further opening. The arrangement is such that when the second plug is inserted into the second hole, the further guide slides against the further catch until the further catch reaches the front edge of the further opening whereat, the further catch enters the further opening for retaining the further tongue within the second hole of the socket. 
     The slides are of L-shaped cross sectional configuration and the socket includes a first and second protrusion which cooperate with the slides for guiding the tongue into the first hole. Also, the rails are of L-shaped cross sectional configuration and the socket includes a first and second rib which cooperate with the rails for guiding the further tongue into the second hole. 
     Also, the plugs are interchangeable relative to the holes and depression of the button to the second disposition thereof simultaneously releases both plugs from the socket. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like features. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a buckle device according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 2 but shows the release button depressed; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of one of the plugs removed from the socket; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the other plug removed from the socket; 
     FIG. 6 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 1 but with the button removed; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of the button; 
     FIG. 8 is a view taken on the line  8 — 8  of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line  9 — 9  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line  10 — 10  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line  11 — 11  of FIG. 5; and 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line  12 — 12  of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the various views of the drawings. 
     Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a buckle device generally designated  10  according to the present invention for releasably fastening together a first, second and third strap  11 ,  12 , and  13  respectively. The device  10  includes a first plug generally designated  14  which is attached to the first strap  11  and a second plug generally designated  16  which is attached to the second strap  12 . A socket generally designated  18  is attached to the third strap  13  and a release button generally designated  20  is molded separately from the socket  18  and cooperates with the socket  18 . 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line  2 — 2  of FIG.  1 . As shown in FIG. 2, the arrangement is such that when the button  20  is disposed in a first disposition relative to the socket  18  as shown in FIG. 2, the first and second plugs  14  and  16  respectively are secured relative to the socket  18 . 
     FIG. 3 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 2 but shows the release button  20  depressed. As shown in FIG. 3, when the button  20  is disposed in a depressed second disposition relative to the socket  18 , the first and second plugs  14  and  16  respectively are released from the socket  18  as indicated by the arrows  17  and  19  respectively. The first plug  14  includes an attaching portion  22  for attaching the first plug  14  to the first strap  11  and a tongue  24  projecting from the attaching portion  22  for insertion into the socket  18 . The tongue  24  defines an opening  26 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the straps or webbing can be connected to the plugs in any number of ways, and one such way is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the plug  14  removed from the socket  18 . As shown in FIG. 4, the plug  14  includes a first and a second slide  28  and  30  respectively which are disposed spaced and parallel relative to each other so that the tongue  24  is disposed between the first and second slide  28  and  30 . 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the plug  16  removed from the socket  18 . As shown in FIG. 5, the second plug  16  includes a further attaching portion  32  for attaching the second plug  16  to the second strap  12 . A further tongue  34  projects from the further attaching portion  32  for insertion into the socket  18 , the further tongue  34  defining a further opening  36 . A first and a second rail  38  and  40  respectively are disposed spaced and parallel relative to each other so that the further tongue  34  is disposed between the first and second rail  38  and  40 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the socket  18  defines a first and a second hole  42  and  44  respectively, the first hole  42  slidably receiving therein the tongue  24  of the first plug  14 . The second hole  44  slidably receives therein the further tongue  34  of the second plug  16 . The socket  18  defines a catch  46  which engages the opening  26  when the tongue  24  is inserted into the first hole  42  such that the first plug  14  is secured relative to the socket  18 . Also, the socket  18  defines a further catch  48  which engages the further opening  36  when the further tongue  34  is inserted into the second hole  44  such that the second plug  16  is secured relative to the socket  18 . The arrangement is such that when the button  20  is disposed in the first disposition, as shown in FIG. 2, the tongue and further tongue  24  and  34  respectively are secured within the socket  18  and when the button  20  is disposed in the second disposition thereof, as shown in FIG. 3, the button  20  deflects the tongue  24  and the further tongue  34  away from the catch  46  and further catch  48  respectively as indicated by the arrows  35  and  37  respectively so that the opening  26  disengages from the catch  46  and the further opening  36  disengages from the further catch  48  as shown in FIG. 3 such that the first and second plugs  14  and  16  are released from the socket  18 . 
     In a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the plugs  14  and  16  and the socket  18  are fabricated from plastics material. 
     Furthermore, the socket  18  further defines an aperture  50 , as shown in FIG. 2 for the slidable reception therein of the button  20 . 
     Also, the aperture  50  is of oval shaped configuration as shown in FIG.  1  and the aperture  50  is equidistantly spaced from the first and the second hole  42  and  44  respectively. 
     Additionally, the socket  18  includes an upstanding rim  52  which surrounds the aperture  50 . 
     Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the socket  18  includes an attachment eye  54  for attachment to the third strap  13 . 
     FIG. 6 is a similar view to that shown in FIG. 1 but with the button  20  removed. As shown in FIG. 6, the socket  18  includes a partition  56  disposed between the first hole  42  and the second hole  44  for partitioning the first hole  42  from the second hole  44 . 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the socket  18  includes a first support  58  for supporting the catch  46  and a second support  60  for supporting the further catch  48 , the second support  60  being disposed opposite to the first support  58  within the aperture  50 . Moreover, the partition  56  is disposed between the first hole  42  and the second hole  44  for partitioning the first hole  42  from the second hole  44 , the partition  56  being disposed between the first and second supports  58  and  60  respectively. 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of the button  20 . As shown in FIG. 7, the button  20  includes a first depending leg generally designated  62  which cooperates with the tongue  24  and the further tongue  34  as shown in FIG. 2, so that when the button  20  is disposed in the second disposition thereof, as shown in FIG. 3, the first leg  62  deflects the tongue  24  and the further tongue  34  so that the catch  46  disengages from the opening  26  and the further catch  48  disengages from the further opening  36 . 
     FIG. 8 is a view taken on the line  8 — 8  of FIG.  7 . As shown in FIG. 8, a second depending leg generally designated  64  cooperates with the tongue  24  and the further tongue  34  so that when the button  20  is disposed in the second disposition thereof, the second leg  64  deflects the tongue  24  and the further tongue  34  so that the catch  46  disengages from the opening  26  and the further catch  48  disengages from the further opening  36  as shown in FIG.  3 . The second leg  64  is disposed opposite to the first leg  62 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that within the scope of the present invention, the guiding legs or pegs  62  and  64  may be slightly modified for fit and function. For example, the legs  62  and  64  may be provided with extra material to minimize movement between the associated plug and socket when the plug is connected to the socket. 
     The button  20  further includes a ridge  66  which extends outwardly from the first leg  62  for retaining the button  20  within the aperture  50  and relative to the socket  18 . Also, a further ridge  68  extends outwardly from the second leg  64  for retaining the button  20  within the aperture  50  and relative to the socket  18 . 
     More specifically, the first leg  62  includes a first and a second member  70  and  72  respectively, the first member  70  cooperating with the tongue  24  and the second member  72  cooperating with the further tongue  34 . The second leg  64  includes a first and a second portion  74  and  76  respectively, the first portion  74  cooperating with the tongue  24  and the second portion  76  cooperating with the further tongue  34  as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. 
     The partition  56  is disposed between the first hole  42  and the second hole  44  for partitioning the first hole  42  from the second hole  44 , the arrangement being such that the partition  56  is disposed between the first member and the second member  70  and  72  respectively, the partition  56  also being disposed between the first portion and the second portion  74  and  76  respectively. 
     More particularly, the first leg  62  defines a slot  78  which is disposed between the first and second members  70  and  72  respectively, the slot  78  receiving therein the partition  56  as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Also, the second leg  64  defines a further slot  80  which is disposed between the first and second portions  74  and  76  respectively, the further slot  80  receiving therein the partition  56  such that the button  20  rides upon and is guided by the partition  56 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4, the tongue  24  has a proximal and a distal end  82  and  84  respectively, the proximal end  82  extending from the attaching portion  22 . Also, the opening  26  extends through the tongue  24 , the opening  26  having a leading edge  86 . The tongue  24  includes a guide  88  disposed between the distal end  84  of the tongue  24  and the leading edge  86  of the opening  26 . The arrangement is such that when the first plug  14  is inserted into the first hole  42 , the guide  88  slides against the catch  46  until the catch  46  reaches the leading edge  86  of the opening  26  whereat, the catch  46  enters the opening  26  for retaining the tongue  24  within the first hole  42  of the socket  18  as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5, the further tongue  34  has a first and a second end  90  and  92  respectively, the first end  90  of the further tongue  34  extending from the further attaching portion  32 . The further opening  36  extends through the further tongue  34 , the further opening  36  having a front edge  94 . The further tongue  34  includes a further guide  96  which is disposed between the second end  92  of the further tongue  34  and the front edge  94  of the further opening  36 . The arrangement is such that when the second plug  16  is inserted into the second hole  44 , the further guide  96  slides against the further catch  48  until the further catch  48  reaches the front edge  94  of the further opening  36  whereat, the further catch  48  enters the further opening  36  for retaining the further tongue  34  within the second hole  44  of the socket  18  as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line  9 — 9  of FIG.  4 . As shown in FIG. 9, the slides  28  and  30  respectively are of L-shaped cross sectional configuration. 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line  10 — 10  of FIG.  1 . As shown in FIG. 10, the socket  18  includes a first and second protrusion  98  and  100  respectively which cooperate with the L-shaped slides  28  and  30  respectively for guiding the tongue  24  into the first hole  42 . 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line  11 — 11  of FIG.  5 . As shown in FIG. 11, the rails  38  and  40  respectively are of L-shaped cross sectional configuration. 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line  12 — 12  of FIG.  1 . As shown in FIG. 12, the socket  18  includes a first and second rib  102  and  104  respectively which cooperate with the rails  38  and  40  respectively for guiding the further tongue  34  into the second hole  44 . 
     Also, the plugs  14  and  16  are interchangeable relative to the holes  42  and  44  and depression of the button  20  to the second disposition thereof simultaneously releases both plugs  14  and  16  from the socket  18 . 
     In operation of the device according to the present invention, the third strap  13  is adjustably secured through the attaching eye  54  and the first plug  14  is fastened to the first strap  11  by means of the attaching portion  22  as is well known in the art so that the length of the first strap  11  is adjusted to the correct dimension. The same procedure is carried out with regard to attaching the second strap  12  to the further attaching portion  32 . 
     When the plugs  14  and  16  are inserted into the holes  42  and  44  respectively, the tongues  24  and  34  flex until the catch and further catch  46  and  48  engage the opening and further opening  26  and  36  respectively so that the plugs  14  and  16  are securely and reliably anchored within the socket  18 . However, in order to release the plugs  14  and  16  from the socket  18 , the button  20  is depressed so that the leg and further leg  62  and  64  respectively urge the tongue and further tongue  24  and  34  out of engagement with the catch and further catch  46  and  48  so that the plugs are released from the socket. Such flexing of the tongue and further tongue  24  and  34  is permitted because the plugs  14  and  16  are positively located by means of the L-shaped slides  28  and  30  and the L-shaped rails  38  and  40 . 
     Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art. 
     Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.