GB2332703A

GB2332703A - Plug and socket buckle assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2332703A
Application number: GB9826670A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Anscher
Original assignee: National Molding Corp
Current assignee: National Molding Corp
Priority date: 1997-12-29
Filing date: 1998-12-03
Publication date: 1999-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 2018-12-03
Also published as: JP3248104B2; IT1304154B1; JP2000197507A; GB2332703B; GB9826670D0; ITMI982660A1; DE19859029A1

Abstract

A plug portion 210 for a plug and socket buckle assembly comprises a flexible plate 211 with at least one aperture 212 and a locking lug 208 protruding below the free end. The socket portion 120 has an integral flexible release button 121 with a downwardly projecting tip 122 and at least one projection 129, 130 which engages aperture(s) 212 when the plug portion 210 is inserted. An integral flexible tongue 126 has means 127 for engaging the locking lug 208. Downward pressure on the release button 121 causes it to bend the plate 211 to disengage the aperture(s) 212 from the projection(s) 129, 130. Further pressure on the button 221 causes the tip 122 of the release button 121 to bend the flexible tongue 126 and release the locking lug 208 from the flexible tongue.

Description

2332703 PLUG AND SOCKET TYPE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a novel buckle assembly. In particular, the invention relates to a plug and socket type buckle assembly for use on various articles such as luggage and clothing.

2. The Prior Art

Plug and socket type buckles are useful for connecting two ends of a strap together on various articles such as luggage and outerwear. These types of buckles have a plug member connected to one end of a strap and a socket member connected to an end of a second strap. The straps are connected by locking the plug into the socket. Typically these plug and socket type buckles have a way of easily releasing the plug from the socket, such as by a center push button on the socket.

one example of this type of device is shown in United States Patent No. 4,866,819 to Kasai. In this device, the plug side of the buckle has a thin plate portion with two resilient locking legs. A locking lug is disposed on the underside of each locking leg. When the plug is inserted into the socket,. the lugs on each locking leg engage a retaining surface in the socket member and lock the plug and socket together. A release button is located on the socket, which pushes the lugs free of the retaining surface to release the plug from the socket. Various other types of plug and socket type buckles are disclosed in United States Patents Nos. 4,802,262, 4,999, 886 and 4,864,700 all to Kasai.

These buckles enable the user to easily lock and unlock two straps together. However, they all suffer from the drawback of insufficient strength under high degrees of tension. since the lugs are located on only one side of the locking legs, excessive angular pressure on the buckle from a strap being pulled can cause the buckle to inadvertently release.

Another drawback of the prior art devices is that they only lock when the pieces are in one particular orientation. Turning either the plug or the socket 180 degrees will prevent locking of the device. This feature can be inconvenient, especially if a user is rushed or is attempting to lock the buckle in unlit conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a plug and socket type buckle that does not inadvertently release even under high amounts of tension from all angles.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a plug and socket type buckle that can be locked in any orientation.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a plug and socket type buckle that is simple to lock and release.

These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by a plug and socket-type buckle assembly in which the plug portion comprises a base and a flexible plate integrally formed therewith. A locking lug extends across the free end of the plate and protrudes below one of the flat surfaces of the plate. There is at least one and preferably 2 apertures in the plate of the plug.

The socket portion comprises a top part and a bottom part integrally molded together to define a cavity for receiving the plug portion. The top part has a integrally molded flexible release button with a downwardly projecting tip.

There is at least one projecting ledge disposed on the inside surface of the top part for engaging the apertures when the plug portion is inserted in the socket portion.

The locking lug on the bottom surface of the plug engages a flexible tongue on the bottom surface of the socket portion to lock the lug into the socket portion. plate may be bifurcated, or it may be a single unitary plate.

Downward pressure on the release button when the plug portion is inserted in the socket portion disengages the apertures from the projecting ledge. Further pressure on the release button causes the tip of the release button to bend the flexible tongue and release the locking lug from the flexible tongue to remove the plug portion from the socket portion.

The flexible plate on the plug element is preferably bifurcated down the middle into two segments. Each segment has a locking lug extending across one surface of its free end, and has an aperture on each segment. In this situation, the top part of the socket portion has two projecting ledges, with one projecting ledge contacting an aperture on each segment of the flexible plate when the plug portion is inserted into the socket portion. The projecting ledges are disposed on either side of the release button.

The flexible tongue extends into the cavity between the top and bottom plate and forms two shoulders and a tip extending beyond the shoulders. The tip on the flexible tongue contacts the tip of the release button when the -5release button is depressed. Each shoulder engages the one of the locking lugs on each segment of the flexible plate to lock the plug portion into the socket portion.

To add to the stability of the device, there are two guide arms extending out from the base on each side of the flexible plate. The guide arms are made of thicker material than the flexible plate and serve to guide the plug portion into the socket portion for easy locking of the two portions together.

Both the plug portion and socket portion are equipped with transverse bars or other means for securing the ends of a strap or belt to the buckle assembly. The plug and socket portions are each integrally molded in one piece. The buckle assembly can be manufactured from any suitable material, such as acetal, nylon or polypropylene. other materials could also be envisioned.

In an alternative embodiment, the flexible plate is not bifurcated and extends out as a unified flat planar element. The locking lug extends across the entire tip of the flexible plate.

In the alternative embodiment, a ledge is formed on an intermediate portion of the flexible tongue and projects into the cavity. The ledge engages the locking lug on the flexible plate to secure the plug portion into the socket a portion. A transverse bar is formed on the tip of the tongue and also projects into the cavity. When the release button is depressed, the tip of the release button contacts the transverse bar and moves the flexible tongue out of the cavity. This movement first releases the apertures from the projecting ledges on the release button, and then releases the bottom of the locking lug from the ledge on the tongue to thus release the plug portion from the socket portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of the buckle according to the invention; FIG.2 shows a bottom perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view with the socket portion in cross- section of a variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; 0 FIG. 4 shows a bottom perspective view with the socket portion in cross- section of the variation shown in FIG. 3; FIGS. SA-5D show side cross sectional views of the plug portion being inserted and locked into the socket portion of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; and FIGS. 6A-6E show side cross sectional views of the plug portion being released from the socket portion of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows plug portion 210 having a flexible plate 211, side ribs 213, and engagement bars 215 and 216. There is a locking lug 208 disposed only along the bottom edge of plate 211. Flexible plate 211 also has two apertures 212 extending therethrough and arranged near the free end of plate 211.

Socket portion 120 has a transverse bar 125 for attachment of the end of a strap or belt. A release button 121 is integrally formed with the top surface of socket portion 120. Two downwardlyprotruding ledges 129 and 130 are formed with the underside of the top of socket portion 120, on either side of release button 121.

An upwardly-protruding flexible tongue 126 is integrally formed with the bottom side of socket portion 120. Tongue 126 has an integrally formed transverse ledge 127 located at an intermediate section of tongue 126. The free edge of tongue 126 has a transverse arm 128 that protrudes upward into the cavity of socket portion 120. Transverse arm 128 is positioned to contact the downwardly protruding end 122 of release button 121 when release button 121 is pressed downward.

Apertures 212 engage ledges 129 and 130 and locking lug 208 engages lower ledge 127 to lock the plug portion into the socket portion.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the plug portion of the buckle assembly may be bifurcated into two segments 235, as with the first embodiment described above. In this embodiment, socket portion 30 is comprised of a bottom part 33 integrally molded with a top part 34. Socket portion 30 is also equipped with a transverse bar 32 on its end for attachment of a strap or belt.

Top part 34 has a flexible release button 31 integrally formed therewith. Release button 31 has a downwardlyprojecting tip 35. Two shoulder ledges 37 are arranged on either side of release button 31 and extend into the space between top part 34 and bottom part 33.

Bottom part 33 is equipped with a flexible tongue 38 integrally formed therewith. Flexible tongue 38 has two shoulders 39 and a tip 40 that extends into the space between top part 34 and bottom plate 33. When release button 31 is depressed, downwardly-projecting tip 35 contacts tip 40 and moves tongue 38 out of the space between the plates.

9,0 Locking ledges 237 of plug portion 210 engage shoulder portions 39 on the bottom part of socket portion 30, and ledges 37 on the top part of socket portion 30 engage apertures 212 in plug portion 210.

The locking and unlocking of the buckle assembly in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown in detail in FIGS. 5A-5D and 6A6E, respectively.

As flexible plate 211 is inserted into socket portion 120, locking lug 208 slides over ledge 127 on tongue 126. At the same time, ledges 129 and 130 engage apertures 212. At this point, locking lug 208 is securely held within socket portion 120 by ledge 127, and apertures 212 are securely held by ledges 129 and 130.

To release flexible plate 211, release button 121 is depressed, which releases apertures 212 first from ledges 129 and 130, and then releases locking lug 208 from ledge 127 as tongue 126 is depressed by release button 121 as well.

Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the scope of the invention /,;.,F A,

Claims

A buckle assembly comprising:

(a) a plug portion comprising:

(i) a base; (ii) a flexible plate integrally formed with said base and having a top surface, a bottom surface and a free end, said flexible plate having at least one aperture therethrough; (ii) a locking lug disposed along the bottom surface and free end of the flexible plate and protruding below the bottom surface of the flexible plate; and (b) a socket portion adapted for coupling to said plug portion, comprising:

(i) a top part having an outside surface and an inside surface; (ii) a flexible release button integrally formed with said top part and having a downwardly projecting tip; (iii) at least one projecting ledge disposed on the inside surface of said top part for engaging said at least one aperture when said plug portion is inserted in said socket portion; (iv) a bottom part integrally formed with said top part and having an outside surface and an inside surface said top and bottom parts defining a cavity for insertion of said plug portion; and (v) a flexible tongue integrally formed with said bottom part, said tongue having means for engaging said locking lug when said plug portion is inserted in said socket portion, m 20 wherein downward pressure on said release button when said plug portion is inserted in said socket portion disengages said at least one aperture from said at least one projecting ledge, and further downward pressure on said release button bends the flexible tongue and releases the locking lug from the flexible tongue to remove said plug portion from said socket portion.
2. The buckle assembly according to claim 1, wherein said flexible plate is bifurcated into two segments.
3. The buckle assembly according to claim 2, wherein there are two projecting ledges and two apertures, one projecting ledge contacting the locking lug on each of segment of said flexible plate.
4. The buckle assembly according to claim 2, wherein said flexible tongue extends into the cavity and forms two shoulders and a tip extending beyond said shoulders for contacting the tip of the release button, said shoulders forming the means for engaging said locking lug.
5. The buckle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the means for engaging said locking lug comprises a transverse ledge projecting into the cavity at an intermediate portion of said tongue, and further comprising a transverse bar at the tip of said tongue, said second transverse bar projecting into the cavity and contacting the tip of said release button when said release button is depressed.
6. The buckle assembly according to claim 5, wherein the transverse ledge is integrally formed with the release button and extends across an intermediate portion thereof.
7. The buckle assembly according to claim 1, further comprising two guide arms extending out from the base on each side of said flexible plate, said guide arms guiding said plug portion into said socket portion.
8. The buckle assembly according to claim 1, further comprising means on said plug portion and on said socket portion for attaching said plug portion and said socket portion to straps.
9. The buckle assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plug portion is integrally molded in one piece and said socket portion is integrally molded in one piece.

I
10. The buckle assembly according to claim 1, wherein there are two apertures in the flexible plate and two projecting ledges on the socket portion.
11. A plug device for inserting into a socket in a plug and socket type buckle assembly, comprising: a base; a flexible plate integrally formed with said base and having a top surface, a bottom surface and a free end, said flexible plate having at least one aperture therethrough for engagement with a socket; and a locking lug extending across the bottom surface and said free end, said locking lug protruding beyond the bottom surface of the plate and forming an abutting portion adapted to lock the plug portion into a socket.
12. The plug device according to claim 15, wherein said flexible plate is bifurcated into two segments.
13. The plug device according to claim 15, further comprising two guide arms extending out from the base on each side of said flexible plate, said guide arms guiding said plug into said socket.
14. The plug device according to claim 11, wherein there are two apertures in the plate.
15. A buckle assembly substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6 or Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.
16. A plug device substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 5 and 6 or Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings of the accompanying drawings.