Patent Publication Number: US-2023140240-A1

Title: Belt Buckle System

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application No. 17/151,360 entitled “Belt Buckle System” filed on Jan. 18, 2021, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Pat. Application Serial No. 62/963,083 entitled “Belt Buckle System” filed on Jan. 19, 2020, each of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional belt buckles or belt adjustment systems are limited in their ability to conform to a particular user’s waist size. Belt adjustment systems conventionally secure a belt about a user’s waist by relying on a series of spaced holes punched through an end of a belt. A hook of a belt buckle can be inserted through a hole to capture the end of the belt to secure the belt in a loop of a particular size. The spacing between each of the holes as well as the overall number of holes can vary for adjustment of belt size but is generally limited by the minimal material that must remain between the holes. 
     Conventional belt adjustment systems are limited to setting the size of the belt loop to discrete sizes based upon the spacing of the holes in the belt. If a user desires to set the belt to a loop size that is positioned between the holes in the belt, the user has to manually create an additional hole in the belt, which can be difficult and unattractive if not performed well. Alternately, the user must use the next smaller or next larger belt loop size relative to the desired size, which can be uncomfortable for the user. 
     To deal with these drawbacks, there are pinless belt buckle systems that use a ratcheting belt buckle that is removably attached to a belt. The buckle includes a clamp that clamps onto one end of the belt. There is a need for improved pinless buckle systems. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed is an improved belt buckle system that removably clamps onto a belt with a secure clamping mechanism. 
     Other features and advantages should be apparent from the following description of various embodiments, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other aspects will now be described in detail with reference to the following drawings. 
         FIG.  1    shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a belt system; 
         FIG.  2    shows a perspective, side view of a belt buckle of the belt system. 
         FIG.  3    shows a bottom view of the belt buckle. 
         FIG.  4    shows a bottom view of the belt buckle. 
         FIG.  5    shows a side view of the buckle with threaded retainer members. 
         FIG.  6    shows an alternate embodiment of a belt buckle  110 . 
         FIGS.  7  through  10    shows a clamp mechanism of the belt buckle of  FIG.  6   . 
         FIGS.  11 - 14    shows various views of an alternate embodiment of a belt buckle. 
         FIG.  15    shows an exploded view of the belt buckle of  FIGS.  11 - 14   . 
         FIGS.  16 - 28    show other embodiments of a buckle. 
         FIGS.  29  and  30    illustrate an embodiment of a buckle in which a accessory ring is employed to advantage. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before the present subject matter is further described, it is to be understood that this subject matter described herein is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may of course vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Unless defined otherwise, all technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one skilled in the art to which this subject matter belongs. 
       FIG.  1    shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a belt system  100  that may be worn with a pair of pants, shorts, trousers, skirts or other articles of clothing. The system  100  can also be used with other items such as watch straps, purse straps, guitar straps or animal collars or other articles that may include a buckle system that is adjusted for size or where a number of size variations would be desirable. Some figures include exemplary numerical dimensions. It should be appreciated that the dimensions are for example only and are not intended to be limiting. The belt buckle system can be configured with dimensions outside of the ranges and values shown. 
     The belt system  100  includes an elongated belt  105  and a buckle  110  disposed on a first end of the belt  105 . The buckle  110  is removably attached to the belt such as by using a clamp on the buckle  110 . The belt buckle  110  is a pinless buckle in that it does not use a pin to secure itself to the belt  105  when the belt is looped around a user’s waist. The belt buckle  105  has a front face that faces away from a user or a user’s torso when the belt is worn around the user’s waist. That is, the belt buckle  105  sits flat against the user’s waist or torso such that the buckle will be positioned over the region of the user’s pants where a button is typically located on the user’s pants. The belt has a first end that attaches to the buckle and a second end that can be looped to also removably engage the buckle. The belt can have a series of teeth or other engagement members that engage a pawl or ratchet mechanism of the buckle. 
     In an example embodiment, the belt  105  is coupled to a holster that is sized and shaped to hold a firearm, such as a pistol or gun. 
       FIG.  2    shows a perspective, side view of the belt buckle  110 .  FIGS.  3  and  4    show bottom views of the belt buckle  110 . The belt buckle  110  has a front face that can be formed by a door  205  or other type of movable portion. The door  205  is movable relative to a body  207  of the belt buckle such that the door  205  can be opened (such as in a pivoting manner) relative to the body to expose an internal chamber, as described in more detail below. A belt loop structure  225  is attached to a main body of the buckle  110  such as at one or more attachment locations  230 . In an embodiment, the belt loop structure  225  can pivot or rotate about an axis that intersects the attachment location  230 . In addition, as described more fully below, at least one threaded member, such as a threaded screw, extends through the belt loop structure  225  and the main body of the buckle  110  to secure the belt loop structure  225  to the main body. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the buckle  110  has a bridge  350  that forms or at least partially defines an opening through which the opposite end of the belt can be threaded when worn by a user. A movable latch  310  or other pinless member is configures to move towards and engage with a portion of the opposite end region of the belt when the opposite region is positioned through the opening formed by the bridge  350  for securing the belt to the buckle in a desired position. In an embodiment, the latch  310  secures to a tooth, teeth, series of teeth  109  ( FIG.  1   ), or other engagement portion formed within a row of engagement portions on the belt such as located on the second end or end region of the belt that loops into the buckle. The teeth can be located on a side of the belt that faces the movable latch when the belt is looped through the buckle. The latch  310  can be biased toward a latching engagement with the tooth or teeth of the belt such as by using a biasing member, which can be, for example, a magnet, a spring, or other device. In an embodiment described below, the buckle includes two or more biasing members such as both a spring and a magnet system. 
     As mentioned above with reference to  FIG.  2   , at least one threaded member, such as a threaded screw, extends through the belt loop structure  225  and the main body of the buckle  110  to secure the belt loop structure  225  to the main body. A threaded member such as a threaded screw can also be used to secure other portions of the buckle  110  to one another. For example, a threaded screw can be used to secure the bridge  350  to the main body of the buckle. This is different and more secure than using a non-threaded pin to secure the buckle portions to one another. A non-threaded pin has a tendency to loosen from the buckle such that the buckle can become unstable or fall apart at some point during use. 
       FIG.  5    shows a side view of the belt buckle. One or more threaded members, such as threaded screws  905 , secure portions of the belt buckle to one another. For example, threaded screws  905  secure the bridge  350  and/or the belt loop structure  225  to the main body of the belt buckle. In this regard, one or more aligned, threaded openings or passageways can extend through the bridge  350  and the main body. A screw  905  can be threadedly positioned in the aligned passageways to secure the components of the buckle to one another via the screw  905 . It should be appreciated that threaded screws can be used to secure other portions of the buckle to one another. In addition, the threaded screw can have various types of heads, such as Allen heads, for attaching to a drive member, such as an Allen wrench. 
     The threaded screw  905  is an elongated body such a cylindrical body having a head on a proximal end and threads on an external surface of a distal region of the body or over the entire body. The head portion of the screw may be enlarged in diameter relative to a remainder portion of the screw or may have the same diameter as the remainder portion of the screw. The screw  905  is an externally threaded fastener capable of being inserted into holes in any portion of the buckle for securing a first component of the buckle to any other component or components of the buckle. The screw is capable of mating with a preformed internal thread or forming its own thread within the respective hole, and of being tightened or released by torqueing the head. In an example embodiment, the screw has a diameter in the head and/or body portion of 3 mm. In another embodiment, the screw has a diameter of 1-2 mm or 1-3 mm. 
     It should be appreciated that threaded screws are much more secure than pins or other types of non-threaded structures. The threaded screws can withstand forces that the buckle undergoes during use. The buckle can experience high levels of torque and linear forces, which can cause the buckle to come apart or otherwise malfunction. The threaded screws  905  eliminate or greatly reduce the likelihood that the belt buckle will come apart as a result of such forces. 
       FIG.  6    shows an alternate embodiment of a belt buckle  110 . The belt buckle  110  of  FIG.  6    has an alternate clamping mechanism  117  that is configured to clamp onto the belt to secure it to the buckle  110 . The buckles shown in  FIGS.  1  and  6    can have any of the features described with respect to either of the buckles. 
       FIGS.  7 - 10    show the clamp mechanism  117  of the buckle of  FIG.  6   . The clamp mechanism  117  is formed of a main body  600  that defines a slot-shaped mouth or opening  605  that communicates with a belt passageway sized to receive an end or end region of the belt. As mentioned, the clamp mechanism can clamp onto the end of the belt to keep it retained within the buckle. One or more threaded bores  610  are positioned through the body  600  and communicate with the belt passageway of the opening  605 . A threaded screw  615  can be threadedly positioned into each bore  610  such that an end of the screw  615  inserts into the belt passageway in a manner that can engage or otherwise contact the belt when the belt is positioned in the passageway. The type of screw can vary. In an embodiment, the screw is an Allen screw with a distal end that is pointed or otherwise shaped to increase the likelihood that the distal end of the screw can insert into or otherwise engage the belt. 
     A clamp door  148  is movably attached to the body  600  such that the door  148  can rotate between an open position (as shown in  FIGS.  7 - 10   ) and a closed position (as shown in  FIG.  10   ). As shown in  FIG.  9   , a set of retainer members, such as teeth  705  ( FIG.  9   ), are positioned on an inner surface of the door  148  such that the teeth  705  engage a belt when the belt is positioned in the passageway so as to grip against or otherwise retain the belt in position. That is, the teeth press against or partially insert into the belt so as to grip or otherwise retain the belt in position within the clamp mechanism. 
     The screw(s)  615  can be tightened so that the ends of the screws  615  press against, insert into, or otherwise engage the belt when the belt is positioned in the passageway to retain the belt in position within the clamp mechanism  117 . In this manner, the screw(s)  615  act as an additional retaining feature (in addition to the teeth  705 ) that increases the likelihood that the clamp mechanism will retain the belt within the buckle even when external forces are applied to the belt that might otherwise release the belt from the buckle. 
     In a method of manufacture, one or more of the components of the buckle are provided. The components are assembled in a manner that forms the shape pf the buckle. One or more of the components can be drilled or tapped with appropriately sized holes, openings, or passageways that are sized and shaped to receive a corresponding screw. One or more of the holes, openings, or passageways can be threaded. An appropriately sized screw can then be inserted into a corresponding opening and threadedly retained in the opening to secure one or more components of the buckle to other components of the buckle. The clamp mechanism is formed and can be attached to the other components to form the buckle. 
     With reference now to the side view of  FIG.  2   , the body  207  of the buckle  110  is shaped such that a cavity or cut out  215  is formed on the side of the body  207 . The cut out  215  is such that a region of the body  207  is thinner relative to an adjacent region, with the region being thinner along a dimension or direction normal to a wearer’s body when the belt is worn around the wearer’s waist. That is, the direction is a direction along the line of sight of a person that is facing the wearer and looking toward the front side of the wearer. In this manner, the body of the buckle is so dimensioned so that the wearer’s pants button does not contribute to or cause the belt buckle to protrude any further outward from the wearer’s pants if the wearer’s pants did not have a button in the region of the buckle when the buckle is worn. The cut out is so dimensioned relative to a wearer’s pant button so that the pant button fits within the cut out. 
     The cut out  215  is sized and shaped to form a gap in the body of the buckle in which the wearer’s pants button can be positioned when the belt is worn. In this manner, the buckle can be positioned atop the button without the button contributing to the overall size of the buckle or pushing the buckle outward away from the user’s body. The button therefore does not interfere with the belt buckle and does not result in the buckle being pushed outward from the user’s body when the belt is worn around the waist.  FIG.  2    shows one side view of the belt buckle. It should be appreciated that the opposite side view of the belt buckle also has a cutout  215  similar to the cutout  215  shown in  FIG.  2   . The cut out  215  is located along the length of the belt buckle with the length being the longitudinal direction of the belt member. The cutout  215  extends along only a portion of the entire length of the belt buckle such that the belt buckle has a thickness that is greater where the cavity or cutout  215  is not located relative to whether cavity or cutout  215  is located. 
       FIGS.  11 - 14    shows various views of an alternate embodiment of a belt buckle  1105 . The buckles shown in  FIGS.  1 ,  6 , and  11    can have any of the features described with respect to any of the buckles described herein.  FIG.  11    shows a front, perspective view of the buckle  1105  while  FIG.  12    shows a rear, perspective view of the buckle  1105 .  FIG.  13    shows a front view of the buckle  1105  and  FIG.  14    shows a side view of the buckle  1105 .  FIG.  15    shows an exploded view of the belt buckle of  FIGS.  11 - 14   . 
     The belt buckle  1105  has a main body  1107  that defines or otherwise forms a front face  1110  of the belt buckle. A belt loop assembly  1125  is attached to the main body of  1107  the buckle  1105  such as at one or more attachment locations  1130 . The belt loop assembly  1125  includes a belt loop  1129  that defines an opening through which an end of the belt can be positioned when in use. In an embodiment, the belt loop assembly  1125  can pivot or rotate about an axis that intersects the attachment location  1130 . In addition, as described above with respect to the previous embodiment, at least one threaded member, such as a threaded screw  1506  ( FIG.  15   ), extends through the belt loop assembly  1125  and the main body  1107  of the buckle  1110  to secure the belt loop assembly  1125  to the main body  1107 . The belt loop assembly  1125  can also include a clamping mechanism (such as the mechanism described herein) that is configured to clamp onto the belt to secure it to the buckle  1110 . 
     With reference still to  FIGS.  11 - 14   , the buckle  1110  has a bridge  1150  that forms or at least partially defines an opening through which an opposite end of the belt can be inserted when worn by a user. A movable latch  1210  ( FIGS.  12  and  15   ) with a pawl or tongue  1220  ( FIGS.  12  and  15   ) or other engagement member is configured to move towards (such as via rotation) and engage with a portion of the opposite end region of the belt when the opposite end region is positioned through the opening formed by the bridge  350  for securing the belt to the buckle in a desired position. In an embodiment, the tongue  1220  of the latch  1210  secures to a tooth, teeth, or series of teeth or other engagement portion formed within a row of engagement portions on the belt, such as in a ratcheting manner. In this regard, the latch  1210  rotates about or with an elongated body  1510  ( FIG.  15   ). The elongated body  1510  defines an axis of rotation about which the latch  1210  rotates relative to the main body  1107 . At least a portion of the latch  1210  can include an actuator, such as a tab  1137  by which a user can manually rotate the latch  1210  toward a disengaged state, as described more fully below. The elongated body  1510  can be tubular, cylindrical, pin-like, etc. or can be any portion or combination thereof. 
     The latch  1210  can be biased toward an engaged state such that the tongue  1220  is in a latching engagement with the belt (such as teeth of the belt). In this regard, the latch can be coupled with one or more biasing members, which can be, for example, a magnet, a spring, or a combination thereof. In an example embodiment, the latch  1210  is coupled to both a spring  1515  ( FIG.  15   ) and a magnet that collectively generate a biasing force that biases and/or secures the latch  1210  toward the engaged state, with the engaged state being a default state. As mentioned, the latch  1210  includes a tab  1137  that can be actuated by a user to rotate the latch  1210  from the engaged state to a disengaged state. In the disengaged state, the tongue  1220  does not engage the belt (or the teeth of the belt) such that the belt can slide freely relative to the belt buckle. When in the engaged state, the tongue engages the belt (or teeth of the belt) so that the belt is locked in position relative to the buckle. 
     As mentioned, the latch  1210  may include a magnet or magnet assembly. As shown in  FIG.  15   , the magnet assembly can include a magnetic member  1513  coupled to the latch  1210  and can further include a corresponding element  1514 , such as a metal element, coupled to another portion of the buckle (or vice versa) such as to a portion of the bridge  1150 . The magnetic member  1513  and the corresponding element  1514  can magnetically attract one another to bias the latch toward the engaged position or engaged state. The latch  1210  is also coupled to a spring  1515  ( FIG.  15   ) that also biases the latch  1210  toward the engaged state. In this manner, the magnet assembly and the spring  1515  collectively bias the latch  1210  toward the engaged state and/or secure the latch in the engaged dtates. The user can transition the latch  1210  away from the engaged state and toward the unengaged state by rotating the latch  1210  using the tab  1137  in order overcome the biasing forces of the spring and the magnetic assembly. 
     Duty Belt Embodiment 
       FIG.  16    shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a buckle  1605  attached to a first end of a belt  105 .  FIG.  17    shows a front view of the buckle  1605 .  FIG.  18    shows a rear view of the buckle  1605 . The buckle  1605  includes a pair of actuators  1610 , such as buttons, that can be actuated to cause at least one mechanically coupled engagement member, such as a latch member, to moveably retract relative to the buckle, as described more fully below. In an example embodiment, the buckle  1605  includes two actuators  1610 , wherein a single actuator  1610  is each positioned on opposite sides of the buckle  1605 . In this manner, a user can actuate the actuators  1610  by placing a thumb and forefinger on opposite sides of the buckle  1605 . It should be appreciated that the actuators  1610  can be positioned on various locations of the buckle. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuators  1610  each comprise or otherwise include a button that can be depressed relative to the buckle  1605  for actuation. In an embodiment, the actuators  1610  are elongated pins that are co-axially aligned and positioned within an elongated shaft in the buckle  1605 . In another embodiment, the actuators are elongated pins that are parallel and offset from one another so that they are not co-axial. 
     The buckle  1605  can be attached to the belt  105  in any of a variety of manners. For example, the buckle  1605  can be attached to the belt  105  using screws and/or a clamping member of the type described herein. 
     With reference to  FIG.  19   , the buckle  1605  includes a front member  1905  such as a frame attached to a base member  1910  that forms another frame to collectively form the buckle  1605 . The front member  1905  has a portion that is raised relative to the base member  1910  to define a space therebetween that is defined to receive therein a second end of the belt  105 . The front member  1905  also defines an opening that is size and shape to receive the second end of the belt  105  there through such that the belt  105  can be positioned between the base member  1910  and the front member  1905 , as described more fully below. 
       FIG.  20    shows another view of the buckle  1605  and further shows how at least a portion of the front member  1905  is raised relative to the base member  1910 . As mentioned, at least one latch member  2005  with a latch portion is positioned to extend upwardly from the base member  1910  into the space between the base member  1910  and the front member  1905 . The latch member(s) are positioned in a mechanical relationship within the elongated shaft in which the respective actuators are positioned. The latch member  2005  is biased to be in the extended position shown in  FIG.  20   . The actuator  1610  can be actuated, such as by pressing and depressing the actuator  1610  to cause the latch member  2005  to at least partially retract into the base member such that it does not engage or otherwise interfere with a belt positioned in the space between the base member  1910  and front member  1905 , as shown in  FIG.  21   . As mentioned, the system can include more than one actuator  1610  with at least one latch member  2005  coupled to each actuator  1610 . 
       FIG.  22    shows the buckle  1605  and the belt  105 . As mentioned, the belt  105  includes a series of teeth or other engagement members  2205  on a second and region of the belt  105 . For example, the engagement members  2205  can be a series of inclined teeth into which the latch member(s)  2005  (or pawl) can extend when in the extended position. The engagement members  2205  and the teeth collectively govern motion or restraint of motion between the second end region of the belt and the buckle, such as to lock or unlock the buckle relative to the belt in a desired loop size. 
     The engagement members  2205  are positioned such that they can engage the latch members  2005  of the buckle  1605  when the belt  105  is looped into the buckle  1605  such as through the opening between the front member  1905  and the base member  1910 . In this manner, the latch members  2005  engage with the teeth such as in a ratcheting manner to secure the buckle and the belt member and a desired position. A user can press on or otherwise actuate the actuators to release the latch members  2005  from engagement with the teeth and thereby resize the size of the loop defined by the belt. 
       FIG.  23    shows the buckle  1605  with the front member  1905  removed from the base member  1910 . The latch members  2005  are visible and in the extended position such that they protrude outwardly from the base member  1910 . As mentioned, each of the latch members  2005  is mechanically coupled to at least one actuator  1610 . The actuator  1610  can be actuated, such as by pressing on the actuator  1610  to cause the respective latch member  2005  retract from the extended position shown in  FIG.  23    to a retracted position wherein the respective latch member  2005  is at least partially retracted into the base member  1910 . 
     The base member  1910  can include an internal mechanism that biases the latch members  2005  into the extended position until the actuators  1610  are actuated (such as by pressing on the actuators relative to the base member) to retract the latch members  2005 . In this regard, an internal biasing mechanism, such as spring, can be provided to bias latch members  2005  toward the extended positions. 
       FIG.  24    shows the base member  1910  with the actuator  1610  removed therefrom such that the latch member  2005  is not restrained by the actuator  1610 . The actuator  1610  is an elongated member that slidably positions inside an elongated opening or hollow shaft  2410  of the base member  1910 . The shaft  2410  intersects with a recession, pocket, or cavity  2415  in the base member  1910  in which latch member  2005  is rotatably positioned. As shown in  FIG.  25   , a biasing member, such as a spring  2510  is positioned beneath the latch member  2005  to bias the latch member  2005  toward the extended position. The latch member  2005  is configured to rotate relative to the base member  1910  about an axis, pin or shaft (e.g., pin  2720  shown in  FIG.  27   ) positioned inside the base member  1910 . 
     When the actuator  1610  is positioned inside the base member  1910 , a portion  2520  of the actuator restrains the latch member  2005  in the extended position and prevents the latch member  2005  from fully rotating to the position of the latch member  2005   b  shown in  FIG.  25   . Rather, the portion  2520  of the actuator  1610  interferes and restrains with the latch member  2005  to keep it in the position of the latch member  2005   a  shown in  FIG.  25   . 
       FIG.  26    shows an example embodiment of the actuator  1610  which is in the form of an elongated pin. A button portion  2610  of the actuator is the portion that protrudes out of the base member  1910  in the assembled buckle. A remainder of the actuator  1610  is an elongated body that is slidably positioned inside the shaft  2410  ( FIG.  24   ) of the base member  1910 . The actuator  1610  has an inclined (flat or curved) surface (which forms the portion  2520 ) that slidably engages the latch member  2005  (such as a seat  2515  of the latch member) as the actuator  1610  is pressed into the base member  1910 . The inclined surface gradually engages or pushes against the latch member  2005  to overcome the biasing force of the spring  2510  to thereby gradually depress or retract the latch member  2005  into the base member  1910  as the actuator is pressed into the base member  1910 . In this manner, depression or pushing of the actuator retracts the latch member into the base member  1910  and disengages the latch member from the ratchet teeth of the belt. This permits the belt to be slidably moved or released from the buckle. A spring or other biasing member can be positioned inside the base member  19102  to bias the button portion  2610  of the actuator outwardly from the base member. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the buckle includes only a single actuator that is coupled to a single latch member. 
       FIGS.  27  and  28    show views of another embodiment of a buckle  2705 , which includes a front member  2705  attachable to a base member  2710 .  FIG.  27    shows an exploded view and  FIG.  28    shows a partially assembled view. A pair of elongated actuators  2715   a  and  2715   b  are slidably positioned into respective internal shafts of the base member  2710  in a manner similar to the embodiment of buckle  1605  described above. The actuators  2715  and internal shafts each extend along a respective long axis with the long axis of one actuator  2715  being parallel and offset from one another rather than co-axial. In the prior embodiment of buckle  1605 , the actuators  1610  were co-axial when positioned inside the buckle  1605 . As discussed in the previous embodiment, each actuator  2715  interacts with a respective latch member  2005 . Each latch member  2005  has a latch portion that protrudes or extends outward from the buckle. Each latch member  2005  also includes an attachment portion (which is at an opposite end to the latch portion) such as an opening through which a pin  2720  extends to retain the latch member  2005  within the base member  2710  in a rotatable or pivoting manner such that the latch member  2005  can rotate about the pin  2720 . The pin  2720  is positioned inside the assembled buckle and through the opening of the attachment portion of the latch member  2005  so that the latch member  2005  can rotate about the pin  2720 . As mentioned in the previous embodiment, the buckle can include a plurality of springs  2510  (for the latch members  2005 ) and springs  2725  (for the actuators  2715 ) to bias the latch members  2005  and actuators  2715  in a desired manner. The springs  2510  bias the latch members  2005  toward the extended position while the springs  2725  bias the actuators  2715  with the pin portions extending outward of the buckle. The user can then push the actuators inwardly toward the buckle such that the inclined surfaces of the actuators mechanically engage and push the latch members toward the retracted position. In this regard, the inclined surfaces gradually push against the latch members to gradually retract the latch members by overcoming the spring force of the springs  2510 . Thus, the latch members gradually retracts as the actuators are pushed into the buckle. The buckle can also include a plurality of screws or other retaining members to secure the buckle in an assembled state. 
       FIGS.  29  and  30    illustrate another embodiment of the buckle  2705  in which a support ring  3000  is employed to advantage. Referring particularly to  FIG.  29   , the ring  3000  is secured to the buckle  2705  via the pin  2720 , which has a length suitable to secure the base member  2710 , the ring  3000  and the buckle  2705  together. In use, the ring  300  is secured to the buckle  2705  and sized to receive straps, belts, hooks, or any other item or accessory desired to be secured to the buckle. For example, the buckle  2705 , including the pin  2720  and the ring  3000 , can be formed of a size and material to allow a user to hook or otherwise engage a support member (e.g., a strap, a rope, a chain, loop, etc.) that is capable of holding the user’s weight in cases where they would propel from helicopter, building, mountain or any other structure or in instances where a safety mechanism is needed fall protection. It should be understood that the ring  3000  can be used with any belt embodiment disclosed herein or otherwise and is not intended to be limited to the buckle disclosed in  FIGS.  29  and  30   . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS.  29  and  30   , the ring  3000  is a curved or “D” shaped ring; however, it should be understood that other configurations and shapes may be used. For example, the ring  3000 , instead of being D-shaped, can be square, circular, oval, have multiple curves, such as S-shaped, triangular or any combination thereof. In addition, while the embodiment illustrates a single ring  3000 , multiple rings may be secured to the buckle  2705 , either directly via the pin  2720  or indirectly to another ring  3000 . In addition, while the ring  3000  is illustrated to be rotationally secured to the pin  2720 , it should be understood that it may be otherwise secured, such as non-rotationally secured or to any other portion of the buckle 
     While this specification contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of an invention that is claimed or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination. Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Only a few examples and implementations are disclosed. Variations, modifications and enhancements to the described examples and implementations and other implementations may be made based on what is disclosed. 
     Although embodiments of various methods and devices are described herein in detail with reference to certain versions, it should be appreciated that other versions, embodiments, methods of use, and combinations thereof are also possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.