GB2155531A

GB2155531A - Releasable fastener for a strap

Info

Publication number: GB2155531A
Application number: GB08406123A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cyril Wileman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-03-08
Filing date: 1984-03-08
Publication date: 1985-09-25
Also published as: GB2155531B; GB8406123D0

Abstract

The fastener comprises a base (112) having a bar (113) to which is attached a loop at an end of a belt (111). The opposite end of the belt is passed between a first jaw (116) defined by a base member and a second jaw (117) integrally moulded with the base member and capable of flexing for opening and closing the jaws. A slide (125) is slidable on the base member to hold the jaws in closed position so as to grip the belt. The belt is bent around parallel shoulders (130, 131) on the jaws to improve the grip. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Releasable fastener for a strap This invention relates to a releasable fastener for a strap.

Releasable fasteners are commonly used for connecting straps together and adjusting the length of a strap e.g. for garment belts and braces and for baby harnesses. Such fasteners in the form of clamps are also used for releasably securing braces to a garment. This type of fastener usually comprises metal pressings pivoted together and inherently spring-biased into a clamping position. The pressings define jaws which carry serrated members formed of plastics material and secured to the jaws for providing a firm grip on a garment. Such a fastener is of complicated construction, is expensive to produce and quickly loses its ability to grip firmly.

The present invention provides a releasable fastener which can be of simple and inexpensive construction and can provide a strong grip, which does not weaken with frequent use.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a releasable fastener comprising a base member defining a first jaw, a second jaw secured to the base member and angularly movable between open and closed positions relative to the first jaw, and a slide mounted on the base member for sliding movement between a closing position in which the slide holds the second jaw in the closed position and an open position in which the slide releases the second jaw.

The second jaw is preferably resiliently biased to the open position and the resilience may be inherent in the second jaw. The second jaw may be capable of bending to provide for the angular movement. The base member and the second jaw may be integral parts of a single plastics moulding.

The grip between the jaws may be made particularly effective in a very simple manner by providing co-operating shoulders on the jaws which lie in close parallel relationship in the fully closed position of the second jaw and define a nip. One shoulder may be defined by a rebate formed in the base member and the other shoulder may be defined by the end face of the second jaw.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fastener for use with trouser braces; Figure 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 3 of the fastener of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fastener for use with a belt and shown disassembled; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 6, showing the fastener of Fig. 4; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

The fastener shown in Figs. 1 to 3 is intended for securing a strap 11 of a pair of trousers. The fastener comprises an elongate base 1 2 having an eye 1 3 at one end receiving a loop at the end of the strap 11.

The base is a one-piece plastics moulding shown with a metal insert defining the eye 1 3. The eye may, however be defined by an integral part of the moulding. The base defines a first jaw 1 6 and a second jaw 27 which is thinner in cross-section then the first jaw. The second jaw is angularly movable towards and away from the first jaw by bending of the first jaw, the resilience of the material being such that the second jaw is biased angularly away from the first jaw. The first jaw has a rebate 18 defined by a shoulder 1 9 at the end of the base opposite to the eye 13. The second jaw has an end face 21 which, in the closed position of the jaws, lies close to and parallel to the shoulder 1 9 to define a nip.In this closed position, the gripping surfaces of the jaws converge longitudinally away from the nip.

The shoulder 1 9 is defined by a lateral projection having a surface 20 generally perpendicular to the shoulder and provided with serrations 22.

A slide 25 receives the base 1 2 and is slidable along the base. In the position shown in Fig. 1, the slide is positioned so as not to engage the second jaw 1 7 and the latter is biased away from the first jaw leaving an opening for receiving a part of a waist band.

The slide is slidable over the second jaw 17, so as to move it into the closed position and hold it there with the waist band gripped in the nip between the jaws. The convergence of the jaws and the serrations 22 improve the grip. The closed position is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and the waist band 27 is shown gripped between the jaws in Fig. 2. The slide has a curved upstanding flange 26 to facilitate movement of the slide.

The fastener of Figs. 4 to 6 operates on the same principle, but is intended as a belt adjuster.

The fastener comprises an elongate base 112 defining an eye 11 3 at one end. An end of a belt 111 is looped around the eye.

The base has a longitudinal slot defined between a first jaw 116, a second jaw 11 7 and side walls 118, 11 9 and the opposite end part of the belt extends through the slot so that the base is movable along the belt.

The second jaw is resiliently biased away from the first jaw to an opening position, but the jaws can be closed by a slide 1 25 to grip the belt. The slide is of channel form with inturned marginal edges 126, 127, which engage in grooves 128, 1 29 in the side walls 118, 11 9 to captivate the slide on the base.

A nip is again defined between a shoulder 1 30 on the first jaw and the end face 131 of the second jaw. The second jaw also has a lateral projection 1 32 on its surface facing the first jaw and at the end of the second jaw, so that the projection has a face forming a continuation of the end face 1 31. This projection forms an additional nip with the first jaw, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

The slide may carry a decorative device (not shown) which completely, or substantially, obscures the fastener in use.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A releasable fastener comprising a base member defining a first jaw, a second jaw secured to the base member and angularly movable between open and closed positions relative to the first jaw, and a slide mounted on the base member for sliding movement between a closing position in which the slide holds the second jaw in the closed position and an open position in which the slide releases the second jaw. 2. A releasable fastener according to Claim 1, wherein the second jaw is resiliently biased to the open position. 3. A releasable fastener according to Claim 2, wherein the resilience is inherent in the second jaw. 4. A releasable fastener according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the second jaw is capable of bending to provide for the angular movement. 5. A releasable fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein the base member and the second jaw are integral parts of a single plastics moulding. 6. A releasable fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second jaws each have faces between which a strap extends and is gripped in the closed position, the jaws being provided with shoulders projecting from said faces and lying in close substantially parallel relationship whereby the strap is caused to bend as it passes between the shoulders. 7. A releasable fastener according to Claim 6, wherein the shoulder on the first jaw is defined by a rebate in the base member and the shoulder on the second jaw is defined by an end face thereof. 8. A releasable fastener according to any preceding claim including a decorative device on the slide. 9. A releasable fastener according to any preceding claim wherein the base member is provided with a bar for attachment of a looped end of a strap. 10. A belt and releasable fastener combination, wherein the fastener is constructed according to any one of the preceding claims, and, the belt is fixed adjacent one end to the base member of the fastener, the fastener having a slot through which the belt can extend after passing between the jaws of the fastener. 11. Braces including a releasable fastener according to any preceding claim attached to a strap of the braces, whereby the fastener can be fastened to a waist-band of a garment.

1. A releasable fastener comprising a base member defining a first jaw, a second jaw secured to the base member and angularly movable between open and closed positions relative to the first jaw, and a slide mounted on the base member for sliding movement between a closing position in which the slide holds the second jaw in the closed position and an open position in which the slide releases the second jaw, the first jaw having a rebate defining a shoulder facing the axis of angular movement of the second jaw, the second jaw having an end face defining a shoulder which, in the closed position, lies in close substantially parallel relationship with the shoulder of the first jaw, whereby a strap or garment positioned between the jaws is caused to bend and be trapped in the rebate.

1

2. A releasable fastener constructed substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 or Figs. 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

CLAIMS Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: Claims 1 and 6 and 7 above have been deleted or textually amended. New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows:- Claims 8 to 1 2 above have been renumbered as 6 to 10 and their appendances corrected.