Patent ID: 12232576

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS.1to17illustrate different embodiments of an adjustment system1that is configured to adjust the length of a strap2. The adjustment system1comprises a strap2having a smaller thickness than a width that is itself smaller than a length.

The adjustment system1comprises an adjustment buckle3configured to perform adjustment of the strap2. The strap2slides inside the adjustment buckle3so as to define its effective length.

The adjustment buckle3defines at least one channel for passage of the strap2. The channel has a width that is greater than or equal to the width of the strap2. The channel has a height that is strictly greater than the thickness of the strap2. The width of the channel is measured in the same direction as the width of the strap2and the height of the channel is measured in the same direction as the thickness of the strap. These two precautions result in sliding of the strap2not being hampered in the adjustment phases where the strap2has to slide inside the adjustment buckle3. In advantageous manner, the length of the channel is at least equal to once the width of the strap2, more preferentially at least 1.5 times the width of the strap2and even more preferentially at least twice the width of the strap2. The more the length of the channel is increased, the more the friction against the walls of the channel is increased which makes loosening more complicated.

The channel imposes a deformation of the strap for the latter to form a loop. The channel can impose an angular deformation equal to 180°, for example the channel is substantially in the form of a U-shape. As an alternative, the channel imposes an angular deformation of more than 180°. The channel can then be of any shape. The strap and the channel define several contact points. The contact points define two or at least two deformation points between which the strap makes a U-turn, i.e. the strap extending from the first strand to the second strand, it changes direction to return to its point of entry in the adjustment buckle or substantially to its point of entry in the adjustment buckle.

The strap2enters and exits the adjustment buckle3via the same face, preferably the face designed to be in contact with the user. The channel is defined at least partly by a body4, a partitioning wall5and a cover6. The strap2passes round the partitioning wall5to define the loop.

Outside the body4, the two strands of the strap2join up and place themselves on one another so that one of the strands is jammed between the body4and the other strand. Preferably, the two strands are jammed between the body and the user.

In order to inhibit maladjustment of the length of the strap when the tension in the strap decreases, it is advantageous for the cover to form an obstacle to enlargement of the loop. The obstacle is facing the strap between the deformation points of the partitioning wall that impose deformation of the strap over at least 180°. The obstacle is located facing the strap in the direction of measurement of the thickness of the strap. As it is located facing the strap, the obstacle prevents the loop from enlarging. The strap can deform slightly, but the variations of size will greatly limit the loss of adjustment or even result in similar to-and-fro movements of the strap strand. As an alternative or as a complement, an obstacle can be present in the extension of the first strand, i.e. in the direction that extends the first strand inside the body4.

In the embodiments illustrated inFIGS.1to14, the body4defines a first through hole4aand a second through hole4bthat each link a top face and a bottom face. The holes pass through the body in a direction Z that defines the direction of the thickness of the body4. The body4also defines the partitioning wall5. The partitioning wall5separates first through hole4aand second through hole4bin a first direction X perpendicular to a second direction Z that links the top face to the bottom face. Depending on the embodiments, the cover6is fitted movable or immovable with respect to the body4.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS.15to17, the partitioning wall5is fitted fixedly on the cover6and the assembly is fitted removably with respect to the body4. The body4defines the through hole and the partitioning wall5divides the through hole into first through hole4aand second through hole4b. The assembly formed by the cover6and the partitioning wall5defines a slot for passage of the strap. The slot forms a part of the channel.

The strap2is inserted in the adjustment buckle3via the bottom face and makes a loop2cinside the body4passing round the partitioning wall5. The partitioning wall5divides the strap2into a first strand2aand a second strand2bthat are arranged on one another at the entry and exit of the adjustment buckle3. The intimate contact between the two strands2a/2bwhen the strap2is tensioned jams the second strand2bagainst the body4thereby enabling adjustment of the strap2to be preserved when the strap2is tensioned.

The adjustment system1also comprises a cover6fixed to the body4and fitted facing the partitioning wall5in second direction Z. The cover6and the partitioning wall5are separated by a greater distance than the thickness of the strap2so as to allow sliding of the strap2between the partitioning wall5and the cover6. The cover6and the partitioning wall5define a slot designed to receive the strap2. The height of the slot is greater than the thickness of the strap2so as not to hamper sliding of the strap2in the adjustment system1during the adjustment phases of the strap2in one direction or the other.

However, the cover6limits the possible movements of the strands of the strap2forming the loop2cwhen at least one of the strands of the strap2is not tensioned. It was observed that when the strap2is pressed against a user's body, the user's movements induce a displacement of at least one strand of the strap2with respect to the adjustment buckle3. These multiple displacements have the effect of making the strap2slide and move in one direction and then in the other. However, as the movements take place, a flexible loop2cof the strap2eventually forms around the partitioning wall5resulting in loss of adjustment of the strap2.

In order to limit the amplitude of the loop2cof the strap2, it is advantageous to fit a cover6that is at least facing the partitioning wall5so as to form an obstacle to movement of loop2cof the strap2in second direction Z. The obstacle prevents the strap2from forming a loop2chaving too great an amplitude. In preferred manner, the minimum separating distance between the cover6and the partitioning wall5is less than five times the thickness of the strap2, preferentially less than three times the thickness of the strap2and even more preferentially less than twice the thickness of the strap2. The smaller the separating distance, the more difficult it is for the strap2to become maladjusted.

In a particular embodiment, the minimum separating distance between the cover6and the partitioning wall5, i.e. the height of the slot, is comprised between 1.1 and 1.5 times the thickness of the strap2, preferentially between 1.1 and 1.3 times the thickness of the strap2.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS.1to9, the partitioning wall5is formed by a single wall. The single wall defines at least two contact points with the strap2to impose deformation of the strap and follow the shape of channel. In another embodiment illustrated inFIGS.10to14, the partitioning wall5is formed by several parts, preferably two parts. The two parts of the partitioning wall5respectively come into contact with the two strands2a,2bof the strap.

It is advantageous to avoid forming a cover6that presses against the strap2as this always places a strain on the same portion of the strap2when adjustment of the latter is very seldom performed. For example, when the strap2is used for adjustment of a leg loop, the adjustment of the strap2is seldom modified as the length of the leg loop is adjusted to match the user's morphology. An accentuated strain in the strap2will result in the latter ageing more quickly. Having a cover6separated from the partitioning wall by a greater distance than the thickness of the strap enables the strap2to be adjusted more easily to the right length.

The side walls that delineate first through hole4aand second through hole4bcan be of any shape. In one configuration, the partitioning wall5can extend from the top face to the bottom face, i.e. over the whole thickness of the body4to separate the two through holes4aand4b. In another configuration, the partitioning wall5only extends over a part of the thickness of the body4and the two through holes4aand4bcan join one another in the top face or in the bottom face. The different illustrated embodiments show configurations where the partitioning wall5does not extend up to the bottom face of the body4.

The partitioning wall5can be of any cross-section in a longitudinal cutting plane of the strap2.FIGS.4,9and14illustrate three different configurations of the adjustment system1in a longitudinal cutting plane. In the three illustrated embodiments, the cross-section is substantially triangular. The edges can be broken or rounded to allow the strap2to slide more easily. It is advantageous for the partitioning wall5not to extend over the whole thickness of the body4so that the two strands of the strap2join together and form the loop2cof the strap2with a radius of curvature that is less than ten times the thickness of the strap.

In an advantageous embodiment, the body4is made from polymer material. It is also preferable for the cover6to be made from polymer material. In the illustrated embodiments, the partitioning wall5is installed fixedly on the body4. It is however possible for the partitioning wall5to be installed movably on the body4to be able to adjust the cross-section of first through hole4aand/or of second through hole4b.

In preferential manner, the separating distance between the partitioning wall5and the opposite side wall of the body4to define a channel for passage of a strand2aof the strap2is larger than the thickness of the strap2. Preferentially, the separating distance is at least 50% larger than the thickness, even more preferentially at least twice as large as the thickness. Such a distance enables the strap2to slide more easily during the adjustment phases.

As indicated in the foregoing, to facilitate sliding of the strap2, it is advantageous for the partitioning wall5to only extend over a part of the thickness of the body4between the top face and the bottom face.

In an advantageous embodiment illustrated inFIGS.1to9, the cover6is fitted removable with respect to the body4. By using a removably mounted the cover6, it is possible to improve an adjustment buckle3that is already in use. Removal of the cover6facilitates adjustment of the strap2and/or enables the strap2to be made to pass more easily through first through hole4aand second through hole4bof the body4.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS.10to14, the cover6is fitted unremovable from the body4. The cover6can be a rod. In a particular embodiment, the cover6can be formed by several rods. It is advantageous for the body4to define one or more through holes to facilitate installation of the strap along the channel.

Advantageously, the cover6continuously covers first through hole4a, the partitioning wall5and second through hole4bin second direction Z. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS.1to9, the cover6continuously covers first through hole4a, the partitioning wall5and second through hole4bso as to prevent access to the strap2from the top face. The cover6can be devoid of holes. It is also possible to have a cover6provided with one or more holes. The holes each have a cross-section that is smaller than the cross-section of the strap2. The strap2cannot exit via the top face of the adjustment buckle3through the cover6.

In an advantageous embodiment, the cover6transforms first through hole4aand second through hole4bof the body4into non-through holes. The cover6closes off the through holes of the body4to make them blind holes.

In preferential manner illustrated inFIGS.1to3, the cover6is clip-fastened to body4. Installation of a cover6clip-fastened to the body4makes assembly and removal quick and easy without modifying the adjustment of the strap2and more particularly sliding of the latter inside the adjustment buckle3when one strand2aor the other strand of the strap2is pulled on. Removal of the cover6facilitates adjustment of the strap2to the right size. Once the strap2has been adjusted, the cover6can be installed which makes unintentional maladjustment of the strap2more difficult. The cover6can be clip-fastened by means of an elastically deformable foot6binserted in a receptacle of the body4.

It is advantageous to provide an embodiment wherein the cover6is fitted sliding on the body4. The cover6is fitted sliding in a first direction X. The cover6has a hole6afor passage of the strap2. Passage hole6aopens out facing first through hole4aand second through hole4b. In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS.5to9, the cover6covers the top face and the bottom face. The cover6forms a ring in a view in a cutting plane perpendicular to first direction A. In preferred manner, the cover6has a substantially complementary shape to the external profile of the adjustment buckle3.

In the embodiments that are illustrated inFIGS.1to14, the adjustment buckle3has a first fixing means configured to fix a second fixing means in removable manner. The first fixing means and second fixing means together form a fastening clip assembly. In the illustrated configurations, the adjustment buckle3has a flexible tab7that is designed to be inserted in a fastening means8that defines a cavity. The fastening means8defines a slot and the flexible tab7deforms to be inserted in cavity. Once it is in the cavity, the flexible tab7reverts to a rest state and opposes movement in the opposite direction to that of its insertion in the cavity9. In advantageous manner, the fastening means8is fixed to an attachment point, for example a strap.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS.15to17, the cover6is fitted removable with respect to the body4. The cover6defines the partitioning wall5. The partitioning wall5is fitted movable with respect to the body4. The body4defines a through hole and the partitioning wall enables first through hole4aand second through hole4bto be defined when the cover6is fixed to the body4. When the strap2is tensioned, it prevents the body4and the cover6from being disunited. The first strand2apasses through the body and then passes through the cover6to pass round the partitioning wall5. The second strand2bexits the cover6passing round the partitioning wall5and then passes again through the body in the opposite direction to that of the first strand. In the same way as for the other embodiments, the cover6forms the obstacle that opposes enlargement of the loop when the first strand2aor the second strand2bis pushed in the direction of the adjustment buckle.

The adjustment buckle does not comprise any movable part that blocks the strap against the body4, the partitioning wall5or the cover6.