US2903774A - Buckles - Google Patents

Description

F. B. HARLEY BUCKLES Sept. 15, 1959.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 28, 1953 FRANK I3. HARLEY Unite States Claims priority, application Great Britain December 24, 1952 11 Claims. (Cl. 24-470) This invention relates to releasable coupling devices for connecting a strap, tape or the like to another part (for example to another strap or to the opposite end of the same strap).

One aspect of the invention is concerned with buckles of the type comprising a body affording a main anchorage for connection to the part to be connected to the strap, a gripping edge extending transversely to the direction of the applied load and an auxiliary anchorage lying parallel to the-gripping edge in a regionbetween it and the main anchorage and movable towards and away from the gripping edge. In such a buckle the strap (assuming the buckle lies horizontally) is passed under the gripping edge and the auxiliary anchoring edge and back over the auxiliary anchoring edge and under the gripping edge.

An objectof the present invention is to provide an improved form of such buckle which is particularly suitable for use Where very high loads are to'be applied, for instance in safety belts, and the lashing of equipment in aircraft.

In a buckle of this type according to one aspect of the present invention the gripping edge affords a concave or hollowed out surface, and means are provided for mounting the auxiliary anchorage in the region between the main anchorage and the gripping edge parallel to the latter and opposed to and movable towards and away from the said concave surface, so that a portion of a strap passed round the auxiliary anchorage, with its free end portion gripped between its standing portion and the gripping edge, will be pressed into the concave surface, so that the latter partially embraces the said portion of the strap wrapped round a surface of the auxiliary anchorage.

The auxiliary anchorage may be afforded by a bar of oblong section having a pair of approximately parallel faces and an intervening curved (e.g. semi-cylindrical) face at one end round which the strap is wrapped, and at the opposite end two. rounded corner edges one of which presses the strapinto the hollow of the gripping edge.

The auxiliary anchorage may have at its ends projections fitting into slots in the body of the buckle.

In one form of the invention the auxiliary anchorage is afforded by a bar acted on by cams connected to a release member to draw it away from the gripping edge. For example the auxiliary anchorage may have at its ends a pair of trunnions extending through slots in the body, and eccentric pins projecting beyond the trunnions and acted on by the cams which are arranged also to tilt the auxiliary anchorage about the axes of the trunnions. The cams may be carried by the release member which is arranged so as to tend to tilt the whole buckle in such direction 'as to straighten the strap where it is wrapped round the gripping edge, and at the same time, through the cams, to rock the auxiliary anchorage in the opposite direction. i

A further aspect of the invention is concerned with an improved form of quick-release latch of the type comatenr ice prising a body portion for releasably retaining a subsidiary portion comprising a flat apertured member, such as a plate with a hole in it, in which the body portion has in it a deep flat recess to receive the apertured memher, a bolt to extend through the apertured member in a direction substantially at right angles to it, and manually-operated means arranged to retract the bolt against the action of a spring. Such a release latch is particularly useful for securing safety belts or the like in aircraft, in which case the latch may be connected to or be integral with a buckle of the type described above.

In such an application it is important that although the latch should be readily releasable it should engage positively, and there should be no possibility of the user supposing that it is positively engaged when in fact it is only held in place by friction.

In such a construction, as hitherto proposed, the face of the bolt has been inclined to form a ramp enabling it to be thrust back by insertion of the plate, and then to spring forward into the hole in the plate. With such an arrangement there is a possibility that if the plate is partially inserted so that the hole does not register with the bolt and the bolt does not spring forward into it, the plate may none the less be gripped between the end of the bolt and the opposed part of the body and be thereby held in position provided no substantial tension is exerted on the latch. If, however, the latch is called upon to withstand any load it will come apart and hence completely fail to serve its purpose. An object of the invention is to reduce or remove this possibility.

Thus according to one form of the present invention the latch includes also a catch arranged to hold the bolt in its retracted position but to be released by insertion 'of the apertured member. The end of the bolt will then be made square, without any inclined surface or ramp.

The invention may be carried into practice in various ways but two specific embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of one form of buckle embodying the present invention,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the buckle of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a sectional side elevation on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, and showing a strap passed through the buckle,

Figure 4 is a part sectional side elevation of a buckle with a modified form of release latch,

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the buckle of Figure 4 with certain parts removed,

Figure 6 is a side elevation similar to Figure 5 showing the rocking anchorage in two positions, and

Figure 7 is an exploded view of certain parts of the buckle included in both embodiments. 'In each of the embodiments to be described the buckle comprises a body formed by two parallel side members 10 interconnected at each end by two parallel cross members forming a main anchorage 11 and a gripping edge 12. The main anchorage 11 is in the form of a block which has in it a deep flat recess 13 to take the part to which the strap is connected. The quick-release latch by which this part is secured will be described below.

An auxiliary anchorage 14 lies parallel to, and spaced slightly from the gripping edge 12, between it and the mainanchorage 11. As is shown clearly in Figures 4 and 7 the auxiliary anchorage comprises a bar of substantially oblong section comprising a pair of flat parallel sides 15 connected by a semi-cylindrical surface 16 at their upper ends, and having a pair of rounded corner edges 17 and 18 at the other end. This bar has at its ends cylindrical trunnions 19 which are received in open slots 20 in the side members 10.

The cylindrical trunnions 19 merge with the outer, or

upper, semi-cylindrical edge 16 of the auxiliary anchorage so that when the buckle is in use, rotation of the auxiliary anchorage about its trunnions causes the rounded edge 17 to press the strap towards and against a surface of the gripping edge. In accordance with the invention this surface is hollowed out or formed with a rounded groove 21 to receive the strap.

The auxiliary anchorage 14 is held into the open ended slots 20, and its rotation in them is controlled, by a release member 22 in the form of a strip bent to U-shape, The ends 23 of the limbs 24 of the U are pivoted by screws 25 to opposite points 25 on the outside of the side members between the slots and the main anchorage block 11. The limbs 24 extend along the sides 10 of the body, whilst the base 26 of the U extends across the end of the body beyond the gripping edge 12. The base is provided with an integral tab 27 to facilitate its manual operation. Alternatively the tab may be replaced by a short length of webbing sewn round the base 26 of the U.

The auxiliary anchorage 14 is held in its slots by two pins 28 which extend from its ends into corresponding holes 29 in the side limbs 24 of the U-shaped release member 22. These pins 28 extend from substantially the centre point of the auxiliary anchorages oblong sectional ends and are thus situated eccentrically below the trunnions 19, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

As is shown in Figure 7, the bottoms of the slots 20 in thebody have inclined surfaces 30 upon which the pins 28 can ride up as the trunnions rock about their axes. The rotation of the release member 22 about its pivots causes the auxiliary anchorage 14 to rise slightly in its slots 20, and, by virtue of the eccentric position of the pins 28 in relation to the trunnions 19, the latter are rotated. In this way a slight upward rotation of the release member 22 causes the rounded edge 17 of the auxiliary anchorage to be withdrawnfrom the hollow 21 of the gripping edge 12, thus freeing the strap. Two extremepositions of the auxiliary anchorage are shown in Figure 6.

Thus the operation of the buckle is as follows. As is shown in Figure 3, the free end of a strap 31 is passed under the gripping edge 12 and the auxiliary anchorage 14, passed back over the auxiliary anchorage and under the gripping edge so that both the free end of the strap 32, and a standing part-33 of it bear against thegripping edge 12, with the free end between the gripping edge and the standingpart.

The free end of the strap can be pulled through the buckle until the required-tension is obtained in the stand ing part. The tension in thestanding-part of the strap causes the auxiliary anchorage 14 to turn so that the rounded edge 17 presses the strap into the hollow 21 of the gripping edge 12, thus holding it firmly against slip. Any increase in the load on the strap Will tend to turn the auixilary anchorage even further so increasing the grip.

The strap can be instantly slackened or released by raising the 'U-shaped release member 22, which withdraws the auxiliary anchorage 14 from the gripping edge 12,"thus-removing the grip on the strap.

The main anchorage 11, as has already been described has a deep fiat recess 13 in its end remote from the buckle. This recess receives a flatplate 34 of-generally triangular shape with rounded corners. The plate and recess 'form the cooperating portions ofa quick release latch.

As is shown in Figures 1 and 2 the plate 34 has in it a slot 35 for receiving the end of a belt 36 which is securely fastened by being passed round and stitched. Where the buckle and latch are employed on asafety belt for aircraftand the like, the end secured to the slot 35 may be of the same belt as is secured to the buckle. i

The plate 34 has in it a-hole 37 toreceive a bolt 38 4 which passes through a bore 39 in the block. The bolt is surrounded by a spring 40 which biasses it downwards to the latched position, as is shown in Figure 3.

An operating member 41 is screwed to the upper end of the bolt 38 so as to turn with it about its axis, and is formed with a helical cam surface 42 cooperating with surfaces on the body, so that as it is turned by means of its handle 43, it is forced away from the plate 34 and retracts the bolt 38 with it.

A small bore 44 is formed in the block in a direction parallel to the direction of insertion of the plate 34 and perpendicular to the axis of the bolt 38, to receive a catch in the form of an L shaped pin '45, having a long limb 46, and a short limb 47. The long limb is received in the bore 44 so that its end projects into a shallow hole (not shown) in the bolt 38 when the latter is retracted, to keep it retracted. Alternatively it may engage under a shoulder formed on the bolt. The short limb '47 projects down into the recess 13 in such a position as to be engaged by the end 48 of the plate 34 as it is inserted, when it reaches the fully home position in which the bolt 38 can enter the hole 37 in it. At this point the plate will retract the L-shaped pin 45, and allow the bolt 38 to be projected by its spring 40 into the engaged position. 'A small wire spring 49 is arranged behind theL-shaped 'pin 45, to urge it toward the bolt 38.

Thus when a tension is applied to the belt instantaneous disconnection 'can be effected by retracting the bolt so that the plate member 'is free to be withdrawn from the block. The catch then snaps home and holds the bolt retracted.

The latch can be recngaged by inserting the plate into the body. As the plate is pushed fully home the catch will be retracted and the bolt will snap forward "to its eng ged position. If however, the user should fail to insert the plate fully home'the bolt will be held retracted bythecatch and the plate will not be gripped but will be-complete'ly loose, so that the weight of the belt will cause the latch to fall apart and it will be obvious to the user that it is not engaged and cannot be relied on. In some cases it is just possible that the 'plate may be withdrawn without retracting the bolt far enough to permit engagement of the catch. The only effect of this will be that the'plate cannot then be reinserted without again operating the'operating'member to retract-the bolt.

In an alternative construction shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 the bolt 38 protrudes from the top of'the block and has a pin 50 passing through it diametrically to afforda fulcrum for a control leverwhich comprises a plate 51 forked at one end to pass under the pin 50 on either side of 'the 'bolt 38 and bent to swan-neck form to retain it in place and afford end surfaces about which it'can rock..

*WhatIclaim as my Letters Patent is:

.1. A releasable buckle for connecting a strap to another partcomprising a body having an axis of symmetry extending in the general direction of the applied load on'the strap, said body affording a main anchorage for connection to the part to be connected to the strap andhaving-an integral cross member transverse to said axis providing a'gripping-edge with a concave surface spaced from the main anchorage, a release member pivotally-mounted'on the body on a transverse axis lying between said gripping edge and said main anchorage, andan auxiliary anchoragehaving an edge parallel with thegripping edge and pivotally mounted on the release-member on a transverse axis lying between the pivotal axis thereof and said gripping edge, whereby said edge of the auxiliary-anchorage is capable of movement'in or out of the concave surface'of the gripping edge and when the strap is passed under the gripping edge around the auxiliary anchorage and back under the gripping edge between the gripping edge and the standing end ofthe strap, tensionapplied-to the standing invention and desire to secure by d and of the strap will tend to move the auxiliary anchorage so that its edge and hence the strap move further into the concave surface of the gripping edge, while pivoting of the release member with respect to the body will move the auxiliary anchorage so that its edge moves out of the concave surface to release the strap.

2. A buckle as claimed in claim 1 in which the release member comprises a part adapted for manual operation whereby pivoting of the release member to free the auxiliary anchorage causes rotation of the auxiliary anchorage in such a direction as to straighten the strap where it is Wrapped around the gripping edge and thereby aid in disengaging the strap from the buckle.

3. A releasable buckle for comrecting a strap to another part comprising a body having spaced side portions connected at their ends and end portions afiording both a main anchorage for connection to the part to be connected to the strap and a gripping edge spaced from the main anchorage and extending transversely to the direction of the applied load with a concave surface extending along it, guides formed in the sides of said body at opposite points and a release member pivotally mounted on the body adjacent to but spaced from said guides, and an auxiliary anchorage having an edge parallel with the gripping edge and having a pair of trunnions mounted for sliding and rotational movement in said guides, the auxiliary anchorage being pivotally mounted on the release member eccentrically of the trunnions; whereby when the strap is passed under the gripping edge around the auxiliary anchorage and back under the gripping edge between the gripping edge and the standing end of the strap, tension applied to the standing end of the strap will tend to move the auxiliary anchorage so that its edge and hence the strap move fur ther into the concave surface of the gripping edge, whereupon manual pivoting of the release member with respect to the body will cause the auxiliary anchorage to rotate about its trunnions to move its edge away from the gripping edge to release the strap.

4. A buckle as claimed in claim 3 in which the trunnion guides extend off at an angle to the direction of the applied load and the trunnions are olfset laterally therein whereby pivoting of the release member changes the attitude of the Whole buckle in such a direction as to tend to straighten the strap where it is wrapped around the gripping edge.

5. A buckle as claimed in claim 4 in which the plane of movement of the axis of the trunnions is at a substantial angle to the perpendicular to the plane containing the pivotal axes of the release member and of the auxiliary anchorage.

6. A buckle as claimed in claim 3 in which the plane of movement of the axis of the trunnions is at a substantial angle to the perpendicular to the plane containing the pivotal axes of the release member and of the auxiliary anchorage.

7. A releasable buckle for connecting a strap to another part comprising a body affording a main anchorage for connection to the part to be connected to the strap and having parallel arms supporting a gripping edge spaced from the main anchorage, the gripping edge having a concave surface facing the main anchorage; and an auxiliary anchorage mounted on trunnions in grooves formed in the arms extending at a substantial angle to the direction of tension on the strap with an edge parallel with the gripping edge to move as the auxiliary anchorage rotates about its trunnions in a direction having a substantial component radially of the curved surface, in which when the strap is passed under the gripping edge around the auxiliary anchorage and back under the gripping edge between the gripping edge and the standing end of the strap, tension applied to the standing end of the strap will tend to move the auxiliary anchorage so that its edge and hence the strap move further into the concave surface of the gripping edge, while rotation of the auxiliary anchorage about its trunnions will cause the edge of the auxiliary anchorage to move away from the curved surface of the gripping edge with a substantial radial component and will release the strap, and move ment of the auxiliary anchorage along the grooves accompanying such rotation will also cause the edge of the auxiliary anchorage to move away from the curved surface of the gripping edge with a substantial radial component and will release the strap.

8. A buckle as claimed in claim 7 in which the auxiliary anchorage has a cross-section which is generally rectangular but is semi-circular at the top and in which the trunnions project from its ends with half their cylindrical surfaces forming a smooth continuation of the semi-circular part of the cross-section of the anchorage, the edge which cooperates with the curved surface of the gripping edge being constituted by one of the lower corners of the rectangular section, which is in consequence spaced from the axis of the trunnions.

9. A buckle as claimed in claim 8 in which the curved surface of the gripping edge is substantially symmetrical about a plane parallel with the plane containing the strap when it is under tension and is flat (the tension plane).

10. A buckle as claimed in claim 9 in which the plane of symmetry of the curved surface of the gripping edge is spaced from the tension plane and the trunnion grooves are spaced from the plane of symmetry of the curved surface of the gripping edge on the side remote from the tension plane.

11. A releasable buckle for connecting a strap to another part comprising a body having an axis of symmetry extending lengthwise thereof affording adjacent to an end a main anchorage for connection to the part to be connected to the strap and having parallel arms rigidly supporting a transverse strap engaging member provided with a gripping edge spaced from the main anchorage, the gripping edge having a concave surface facing the main anchorage; a release member pivoted to said arms and an auxiliary anchorage provided with a strap engaging edge parallel with said gripping edge, auxiliary anchorage having trunnions at its ends mounted in grooves formed in the arms and extending at a substantial angle to the direction of tension on the strap, said auxiliary anchorage having pivots eccentric with respect to said trunnions engaging holes in said release member, said pivots also engaging notches in said grooves, whereby said auxiliary anchorage is constrained to rotate about its trunnions in a direction having a substantial component radially of the curved surface until stopped by said pivots engaging said notches; whereby when the strap is passed under the gripping edge around the auxiliary anchorage and back under the gripping edge between the gripping edge and the standing end of the strap, tension applied to the standing end of the strap tends to move the auxiliary anchorage and the portion of the encircling strap adjacent to said strap engaging edge further into engagement with the concave surface of the gripping edge, and rotation of the auxiliary anchor-age about its trunnions until said pivots engage in said notches and stop further rotation, whereupon rotation of the auxiliary anchorage in the opposite direction will cause the edge of the auxiliary anchorage to move away from the curved surface of the gripping edge with a substantial radial component in the direction to release the strap, while movement of the auxiliary anchorage along the grooves will also cause the edge of the auxiliary anchorage to move away from the curved surface of the gripping edge with a substantial radial component and will release the strap, in which the auxiliary anchorage has a cross-section which is generally rectangular but is semi-circular at the top and in which the trunnions project from its ends with half their cylindrical surfaces forming a smooth continuation of the semi-circular part of the cross-section of the anchorage,

the edge which cooperates with the curved surface of the gripping edge being constituted by one of the lower corners of the rectangular section, which is in consequence spaced from the axis of the trunnions, the auxiliary anchorage being positioned, when the strap is gripped, with the two sides of its rectangular cross-section which join the semi-circular top side lying substantially parallel with the axis of the trunnion grooves.

Ryther Feb. 19, 1918 Clark Apr. 4, 1939 8 Lethern et a1 Sept. 9, 1941 Griswold, June 27, 1950 Smith Oct. 24, 1950 Miller Feb. 20, 1951 'Elsner, Apr. '1, 1951 Harley Apr. 21, 19531 Davis May 1, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Sept. 18, 1924 Austria Apr. 21, 1927 Great Britain May l0, 1950 Great Britain Apr. 25, 1951 UL m

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