US3267542A

US3267542A - Slide buckle

Info

Publication number: US3267542A
Application number: US416652A
Authority: US
Inventors: Sussman Adalberto Steinberg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-12-17
Filing date: 1964-12-07
Publication date: 1966-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 1983-08-23
Also published as: AT277810B; GB1097675A

Description

w 3, was A. s. ISUSSMAN 3%?542 SLIDE BUCKLE Filed Dec. 7, 1964 6/ INVENTOR.

l clal begga Stem (79B SM SSMQH M gent United States Patent 3,267,542 SLIDE BUCKLE Adalberto Steinberg Sussman, Via Frassinetti 25,

Milan, Italy Filed Dec. 7, 1964, Ser. No. 416,652

Claims priority, application Italy, Dec. 17, 1963,

7 (Jlaims. (Cl. 24-194) This application is a continuation-in-part of the copending application filed on February 1, 1963, now Patent No. 3,197,834.

This invention .relates to improvements in buckle structure having movable frame for belt in general.

In this copending application a sliding frame buckle has been described comprising a movable frame provided with side bars, a first end bar and a second end bar connecting said side bars, a cross bar intermediate said end bars and having a lip portion upwardly projecting therefrom, said side bars having their edges in the form of relative guide Ways, a constrained frame provided with side rods, an end rod near said second end bar and connecting said side rods and adapted to be fastened to a clothing portion supporting means on the ends of said side rods opposite to said end rod, a roller member near said first end bar and supported by said supporting means and extending transverse to said rods, said movable frame having a width exceeding the width of said constrained frame, said relative guideways having lateraly bent wall portions outwardly shielding said side rods and surrounding at least a part of each thereof and slidably receiving said side rods thereby to allow said movable frame to slide with said relative guideways thereof along said side rods from an end position to another end position thereof, said cross-bar being arranged intermediate said end rod and said roller member to leave a first passage for a strap portion between said cross-bar and said roller member in an intermediate position of said movable frame and to clamp said strap portion between said roller member and said crossbar with said lip portion thereof in an end position of said movable frame when said strap portion is pulled in a direction directed from said end rod towards said roller member.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improvements in certain parts of the sliding frame, buckle structure claimed in the above said copending application.

These and still other objects are attained by the buckle structure for belts according to the present invention, comprising a first substantially rectangular frame, with respect to which there is slidably mounted a second substantially rectangular frame, one of said substantially rectangular frames being provided with a platelike crossmember and at least a substantially rectangular window for receiving the corresponding belt portion being provided by one of said substantially rectangular frames, said buckle structure being characterized in that said second frame has a width which is greater than the width of said first frame at least in one portion thereof and in that said first frame is provided at one of its ends with an end rim having an inclined plane like surface for engagement with the corresponding belt portion in cooperation with an edge provided by said plate-like cross-member of said second frame, said first frame being further provided with an end piece with means for positive fastening thereof onto a belt or the like.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred non-limiting embodiments of a buckle structure according to the present invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows the buckle according to this invention in a perspective view, after assembly;

FIG. 2 shows the same component parts of the buckle in a perspective view, before assembly;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section of the buckle fixed on a belt;

FIG. 4 shows the stationary or inner frame of the buckle according to a modified embodiment, in a perspective view;

FIG. 5 shows the stationary or inner frame of the buckle according to another modified embodiment with related fastening hook member, in a perspective view;

FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 show a further embodiment of the buckle in perspective view in assembled and disassembled conditions, respectively.

Referring now to the above figures, the buckle according to the present invention comprises a first substantially quadrangular constrained frame 1 made of a single piece, obtained by punching or blanking sheet metal. One end rim of said constrained frame 1 is folded over according to a transverse rim member or rib 2 presenting a substantially inclined plane surface upwardly extending, whilst on the opposite end rim or end rod member 3 and end portion or end piece 4 is connected to said end rod member 3 by two leg portions 5. The end portion 4 is provided with a dimple 6 which, as will be better seen further, serves as a fastening means for the attachment of the buckle to the belt or the like.

The end rod member 3 and the transverse rim member 2 connect the

side rod members

10 and 1d of the frame 1.

The frame 1 is inserted during the assembly stage in a second movable frame 7, made again of a single piece obtained by punching or blanking sheet metal and pre senting a cross bar member 8, defiining two

windows

9 and 10.

The aforesaid cross bar 8 has side tongues or

lips

11 and 12, adapted to be folded upwardly. The front end rim or end bar member 13 of the frame 7 is slightly depressed to ease sliding and assembly, whilst the rear end rim or bar member 14 is raised so as to build a loop portion for the belt terminal. The remaining two side rims or

bar members

15 and 16 of the frame 7 have inwardly folded edges so as to form slide guides for the frame 1.

The

side bar members

15 and 16 have

front ends

15a and 16a, respectively, connected with the front end bar member 13. The

side bar members

15 and 16 have also rear ends 15b and 1612, respectively, connected with the rear bar member 14.

As clearly illustrated in FIG. 2, the assembling is carried out by placing first the frame 1 between the

guides

15 and 16 of the frame 7 and raising then the

tongues

11 and 12 of the cross plate 8 in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

In FIG. 3 there is represented in a longitudinal sec tion the buckle fixed onto a belt 17, on which it is fastened by a rivet 18 which is caused to pass through the belt and riveted so as to be locked into the dimple 6 of the end portion 4.

In the same FIG. 3 there is also represented by a dotted line a portion 19 of the belt.

In FIG. 4 the inner or stationary frame 1a is represented according to a modified embodiment having at the end rim 3a a shaped end portion 4a, obtained by folding downwardly the side portions thereof thereby, obtaining a substantially C-shaped cross-section, whilst the opposite end rim 2a has a configuration like that of the end rim 2 of the frame 1.

In FIG. 5 there is illustrated the inner frame 1b, ac-

cording to another modified embodiment provided at the end rim 3b with an end portion 412 wherein an eye let is formed, whilst the opposite end rim 2]) is shaped like in the previous embodiments.

The eyelet of the end portion 4b is adapted for engagement with a hook member 20 which is attached to a portion 17b of the belt or the like.

The operation of the buckle is as follows:

After assembling both frames by placing the one into the other, the

tongues

11 and 12 of the frame 7 are raised and then the buckle is attached to the belt or the like.

Such attachment is made, as mentioned, by means of a rivet 18 placed in the female or dimple member 6 by passing through the belt 17 and subsequently riveted.

Should the frame 1a shown in FIG. 4 be utilized, then the fastening occurs by winding or enveloping the end portion 4a directly around the belt so as to close up on the latter, the edges of said end portion having, as mentioned, for the purpose, a substantially C-shaped section, which may be provided with small teeth to anchor in the leather. Such modified embodiment is particularly suitable for belts with small cross-section, for which the rivet drilling might lead to excessive weakening. The locking of the belt is obtained by the engagement of the portion 19 of the belt (see FIG. 3) with the relief or ridge 2 of the frame 1 in cooperation with the cross bar or plate 8 (and related tongues 11 and 12) of the frame 7. In fact, when the belt is about to be tensioned, the portion 19 acts on the end rim 13 of the frame 7 so as to cause a sliding of the latter relative to the frame 1 in the unstringing sense. Such portion 19 remains, therefore, clamped between the relief or ridge 2 and the cross bar 8, causing the locking of the lacing, which locking proves particularly effective also for the special shaping of the engaged sections.

It is to be noted that upon the clamping a dual locking effect takes place due to the fact that the cross bar 3 i.e. the frame 1 is in turn displaced relative to the frame 7, since, as it is fastened to the section of the belt fixed on the shoe or the like, there is a counteraction of such section as against the traction exerted by the portion 19 of the belt.

As it can be seen from FIG. 3 the portion 19 of the belt is caused to pass also underneath the frame rim 14 acting as loop.

There is further the possibility of making the attachment end portion (4, 4a, 4b) of the buckle slightly flexible by successive hammering stages in the manufacturing process. Such hammering may be obtained by inserting in the dies some punches which hammer the portion to be made flexible thus imparting the metal portion a sort of rolling or forging action.

The flexibility of the attachment end portion allows to avoid that a possible bending is transmitted from the attachment end portion to the remaining frame portions (1, 1a, 1b) which, having to slide into the frame 7 should remain straight.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 has the loop portion 103 integral with the inner or stationary frame 100, which is provided with the relief end rim portion or ridge 102 similar to those of the other embodiments, while the movable frame 101 is without such loop portion, but is otherwise similar to the movable frames of the other embodiments. The stationary frame has claws 104 for clamping it on the belt or strap by bonding the claws inwardly. The claws are provided with teeth for this purpose.

As it can be seen, the buckle according to this invention is of very easy application and it can be very quickly and economically manufactured by mass production processes.

The invention as specified is susceptible to several changes and modifications within the scope of the invention.

So for example the application of the buckle can be arranged by providing a hole in the attachment end portion 4 for the passage of a common rivet which is subsequently headed. Whatever materials and dimensions could be practically used depending upon requirements.

I claim:

1. A sliding frame buckle structure, comprising a movable frame having side bar members, each of said side bar members having a front end and a rear end, a front end bar member connecting said front ends of said side bars, a cross-bar member intermediate said front end bar member and said rear ends of said side bar members and having at least a lip portion upwardly projecting therefrom, said side bar member having their edges in the form of relative guide ways, a constrained frame having a longitudinal extension and provided with side .rod members, an end rod member near said rear ends of said side bar members and connecting said side rod members, an end piece connected with said end rod member and having fastening means for fastening said end piece on a clothing portion, a transverse rim member connecting the ends of said side rod members distant from said end rod member, said transverse rim member having an upwardly projecting smooth surface, said movable frame having a width exceeding the width of said constrained frame over the entire longitudinal extension thereof, said relative guideways having laterally bent wall portions outwardly shielding said side rod members and surrounding a substantial part of each and slidably receiving said side rod members thereby to allow said movable frame to slide with said relative guideways thereof along said side rod members from an end position to another end position thereof, said cross-bar member being arranged intermediate said end rod member and said transverse rim member to leave a first passage for a strap portion between said cross-bar member and said transverse rim member in an intermediate position of said movable frame and to clamp said strap portion between said transverse rim member and said cross-bar member with said lip portion thereof in an end position of said movable frame when said strap portion is pulled in a direction directed from said end rod towards said transverse rim member.

2. A buckle structure according to claim 1, wherein said end piece has a flexible portion between said end rod member and said fastening means.

3. A buckle structure according to claim 1, wherein said fastening means comprise a dimple defining a depression in said end piece for housing a rivet head.

4. A buckle structure according to claim 1, wherein said fastening means comprise bent walls of said end piece defining a C-shaped cross section thereof to be clamped on a clothing portion.

5. A buckle structure according to claim 1, wherein said fastening means comprise an eyelet in said end piece and a hook member fixed on the clothing portion.

5 6. A buckle structure according to claim 1, wherein said fastening means are claw members and wherein said 577 089 end piece has a loop portion integral therewith. 6 7. A buckle structure according to claim 1, wherein 925766 said smooth surface has an inclined plane portion facing 5 said lip portion. ggggg References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS White 24l94 Holtz et a1. 24163 X FOREIGN PATENTS WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

cross 24 163 10 DONLEY I. STOCKING, Examiner.

E. SIMONSEN. Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A SLIDING FRAME BUCKLE STRUCTURE, COMPRISING A MOVABLE FRAME HAVING SIDE BAR MEMBERS, EACH OF SAID SIDE BAR MEMBERS HAVING A FRONT END AND A REAR END, A FRONT END BAR MEMBER CONNECTING SAID FRONT ENDS OF SAID SIDE BARS, A CROSS-BAR MEMBER INTERMEDIATE SAID FRONT END BAR MEMBER AND SAID REAR ENDS OF SAID SIDE BAR MEMBERS AND HAVING AT LEAST A LIP PORTION UPWARDLY PROJECTING THEREFROM, SAID SIDE BAR MEMBERS HAVING THEIR EDGES IN THE FORM OF RELATIVE GUIDE WAYS, A CONSTRAINED FRAME HAVING A LONGITUDINAL EXTENSION AND PROVIDED WITH SIDE ROD MEMBERS, AN END ROD MEMBER NEAR SAID REAR ENDS OF SAID SIDE BAR MEMBERS AND CONNECTING SAID SIDE ROD MEMBERS, AN END PIECE CONNECTED WITH SAID END ROD MEMBER AND HAVING FASTENING MEANS FOR FASTENING SAID END PIECE ON A CLOTHING PORTION, A TRAVERSE RIM MEMBER CONNECTING THE ENDS OF SAID SIDE ROD MEMBERS DISTANT FROM SAID END ROD MEMBER, SAID TRANSVERSE RIM MEMBER HAVING AN UPWARDLY PROJECTING SMOOTH SURFACE, SAID MOVABLE FRAME HAVING A WIDTH EXCEEDING THE WIDTH OF SAID CONSTRAINED FRAME OVER THE ENTIRE LONGITUDINAL EXTENSION THEREOF, SAID RELATIVE GUIDEWAYS HAVING LATERALLY BENT WALL PORTIONS OUTWARDLY SHIELDING SAID SIDE ROD MEMBERS AND SURROUNDING A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF EACH AND SLIDABLY RECEIVING SAID SIDE ROD MEMBERS THEREBY TO ALLOW SAID MOVABLE FRAME TO SLIDE WITH SAID RELATIVE GUIDEWAYS THEREOF ALONG SAID SIDE ROD MEMBERS FROM AN END POSITION TO ANOTHER END POSITION THEREOF, SAID CROSS-BAR MENBER BEING ARRANGED INTERMEDIATE SAID END ROD MEMBER AND SAID TRANSVERSE RIM MEMBER TO LEAVE A FIRST PASSAGE FOR STRAP PORTION BETWEEN SAID CROSS-BAR MEMBER AND SAID TRANSVERSE RIM MEMBER IN AN INTERMEDIATE POSITION OF SAID MOVABLE FRAME AND TO CLAMP SAID STRAP PORTION BETWEEN SAID TRANSVERSE RIM MEMBER AND SAID CROSS-BAR MEMBER WITH SAID LIP PORTION THEREOF IN AN END POSITION OF SAID MOVABLE FRAME WHEN SAID STRAP PORTION IS PULLED IN A DIRECTION DIRECTED FROM SAID END ROD TOWARDS SAID TRANSVERSE RIM MEMBER.