GB2499203A - Buckle with magnetically secured ornamental plate - Google Patents

Abstract

A buckle comprises a base 1 and a face 2; the face 2 is held in place over at least part of the base 1 by magnetic portions 5, 6; the base 1 preferably includes three parallel members to allow attachment to a belt and the face 2 may slide into a groove 4 on the base 1; hook and loop fastener may be included on a belt to be used with the buckle (fig 2).

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

KERRI TYRELL FOR A BUCKLE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a buckle, more particularly but not exclusively for use on a belt.

Background

Perhaps due to increasingly low hung trousers or pants, sometimes there is increased use of belts in fashion and/or clothing generally.

Belts may be fabric or leather and tied around a user's waist, typically passed through loops in the trousers.

To insert these belts into the loops can often be a fiddly task, that is ill-suited to those with limited manual dexterity or children.

As a consequence such users are prohibited from changing belts as frequently as may be desired. For example a user may wish to change their belt or buckle aesthetics, such as in order to complement, coordinate or counterpoint other items of their clothing.

This restrains choice, and a user's wish to be fashionable or aesthetically pleasing. Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem, including the following:

Chinese patent application CN 101 933 674 (XUHUA) provides a belt provided with a magnetic agraffe. A magnetic block is arranged at the inner surface of an outer end

head of the belt, and correspondingly attracted magnetic strips are arranged at a joint of the middle of the belt and the outer end head. When the belt is utilized, a belt head at the outer end of the worn belt can be tightly adhered to the belt through the attraction of the magnetic block and the magnetic strips, thereby avoiding the phenomenon that the belt head cannot be fixed and is exposed outside clothes at random after the belt is worn; and because the belt can be optionally shrunk according to the size of the human body, the belt head is always adhered to the belt, thereby being beneficial to civilized intercourse and social intercourse phenomenon and having excellent practical effect.

United Kingdom patent application GB 2 471 866 (SAVARY et al) discloses: (a) a clasp comprising of two sides opposite, wherein both ends contain a magnet and each is an independent part and engaged on each end. (b) each terminal contains a permanent magnet housed inside each end. (c). Side A includes a permanent hood feature and a recessed magnet which is inserted to the Side B which has a recessed feature with a protruding magnet which makes two male-female engagements. The male and female arrangement surrounds the magnets and then the male-female arrangement of the magnets themselves making the connection between the two ends particularly strong.

Chinese utility model CN 201 223 033 (JIANCHENG) discloses a belt head provided with a movable sign board. The belt head comprises a belt head body and a connection device installed at one end of the belt head body; a groove is formed on the outer side wall of the belt head body; a magnet is embedded inside the bottom part of the groove; a sign board attracting the magnet is embedded inside the upper part of the groove; and the sign board is movably connected with the belt head body through attraction of the magnet. The utility model can effectively meet the demand of a golf player, and has the advantages of simple structure, novel style and convenient use.

Granted United States patent US 6 598 271 (NIRE) discloses a clasp comprising a pair of basic bodies provided on mutually opposed surfaces thereof with a pair of magnets and recess and projection cooperating with each other to serve as lock means, respectively, said basic bodies adapted to be detachably coupled together as said projection is engaged with said recess and said magnets attract each other so

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that at least sliding shift of said basic bodies from each other in horizontal direction is restricted by engagement of said projection and recess.

Granted United States patent US 6 434 801 (GRUNBERGER) discloses a magnetic closure for items of clothing and the like, comprising a magnetic body which can be accommodated in a seat which is closed hermetically and is formed by two plate-like elements mutually coupled at least in a region which peripherally surrounds said magnetic body and is strictly adjacent to said magnetic body, said coupled plate-like elements being applicable to at least one of a couple of flaps to be joined, said plate like elements being constituted by sheets of calendered plastics which form a thin layer, one of said plate like elements, which is to be arranged facing an opposite flap, having, at a region corresponding to the seat of said magnetic body, a lower thickness with respect to regions thereof adjacent to said magnetic body, to increase the magnetic flux of said magnetic body.

Chinese utility model CN 2 287 815 (WU) relates to an improved waistband, particularly a waistband capable of being replaced of various buckles and changed of various colours, which comprises a base band, two metal supports, a positioning device, a plurality of column-shaped strips, a plurality of semicolumn-shaped strips and a cloth band, the cloth on the surface of the column-shaped strips is dyed with n kinds of colours, and the number n is between 2 and 6 and is an integer; the cloth band is provided with a plurality of colour bands with the same colour as the column-shaped strips which needs rotating by hands to get a combination of a plurality of colours; two holes are arranged on the base band of the end where the buckle is arranged to facilitate the replacement a V-shaped buckle and a hook-shaped buckle, so the purpose of one belt being capable of being matched harmoniously with garments in various styles and colours is achieved. The utility model has the advantages of low production cost and simple process.

In contrast the present invention provides a simple means to change the look or aesthetics of their belt, quick and suitable for even those with limited manual dexterity.

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Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a buckle having: two sides, a front and an end, surrounding a base; wherein a magnetic portion maintains an independently provided face in place over at least part of the base.

According to a second aspect of the present invention the face may be introduced into the buckle laterally or slid into place.

This allows a secondary, auxiliary or lateral fastening means to be provided, whereby the face is not able to displace from the buckle transversely, for example wherein the sides extend over the base.

Typically therefore the face will be decorative, at least in part, wherein in this way a user is inclined to wish to be able to alternate or change the faces as and when required or desired.

In some embodiments the face is furthermore disposed to firmly close over or onto the base and consequently used to prevent movement of elements with respect to the base, or face, wherein said elements are otherwise free to move in respect of the top.

For example in some embodiments in use a fabric, leather or other material belt may be threaded through the base, in particular the belt passing through the base and being returned, doubled or folded back; so that when the face is placed over the top, or between the sides the belt is clamped, or held against a part of the buckle or base.

In preferred embodiments this part will be a spur between lacunae, in order that at least parallel spurs, prongs or members are created.

In embodiments in use, the buckle is included on a belt wherein said belt additionally provides or is provided with further fastening mechanisms.

In some embodiments for example the belt may have hook and loop sections such as VELCRO (Trade Mark), said sections combining, or catching onto fabric, to cause the belt tail to be fastened, thereby providing an additional fastener to embodiments

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of the buckle where the belt is passed through the buckle or a part of the buckle and returned.

Therefore in such embodiments the belt is passed around a waist in use, through the buckle and returned back around the waist, with its loose tail is fastened to itself; wherein the faces also minimises movement in a first direction of the tail away from or towards the buckle by typically clamping the returned belt, and the face minimising movement perpendicular to the first direction or away from the body.

At least a section of the buckle is formed in ferromagnetic material, in order that a magnetic contact may be maintained and established. Said section may be minimal in some embodiments in order to ensure a precise closure or fasten.

In addition or the alternative being minimal or effectively placed this section is envisaged to ensure that the face may be easily detached or displaced from the buckle with a small sliding movement.

For example the portion and/or section may be disposed at distal point(s) of the buckle and/or face, in order that a connection between the face and buckle is only made when the face is fully inserted or in place on the buckle. In this way the magnetic section acts as a catch.

In further embodiments there may be included a further catch, such as a mechanical catch, for example wherein lips are provided over which connection may be made, or male and female parts that connect in use.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

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Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an exploded preferred embodiment of the buckle and face;

And

Figures 2 show the preferred embodiment in use.

Detailed Description of Figures

The pictured and preferred embodiment includes the following:

Metal square belt buckle body (1)

Ornamental face (2)

Slide (3)

Groove (4)

Magnetic strip (5) and/or attracting magnetic metal strip (6)

Buckle bar (7)

The pictured and preferred embodiment of the buckle has an opening at one end, wherein this end has a flat surface. Lying in use along on top of this surface is the thin magnetic strip.

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All around the buckle to its inner side is the groove, which the slider of the face slides into. When the face is fully inserted into the groove, the magnetic strip will magnetise or attract to an underside of the face.

This will have an attracting magnetic metal strip which will keep the face securely in place.

This in summary provides a simple way to change an ornamental face plate and keep it in place without removing the buckle. This is achieved by simply sliding on and off the face.

Children and anyone with manual dexterity problems will find this a simple and easier way of changing an ornamental face plate, simply by aligning the grooves and sliding on.

Regardless of the material used for the face plate it always remains secure. To remove face plate requires one step only:

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Claims (7)

Claims

1. A buckle having: two sides, a front and an end, surrounding a base; wherein a magnetic portion in use maintains an independently provided face in place over at least part of the base

2. A buckle according to claim 1 wherein there is provided three parallel members for looped return passage of a belt.

3. A buckle according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the face acts to maintain a belt in position.

4. A buckle according to claims 1, 2 or 3 in use on a belt.

5. A belt including a buckle according to claims 1, 2 or 3.

6. A method of forming a belt with a buckle according to claims 1, 2 or 3 and hook and loop portions.

7. A face which may be introduced into the buckle of according to claim 1, 2 or 3, laterally or slid into place.

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INTELLECTUAL

PROPERTY OFFICE

Application No: GB1202113.5 Examiner: Dr David Palmer

Claims searched: 1-7 Date of search: 21 June 2012

Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17

Documents considered to be relevant:

Category

Relevant to claims

Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance

X

1,3-6

US 2010/075073 A1

(O'BYRNE) See whole document especially the figures.

X

1,4-7

GB 2400783 A

(HUNG) See whole document especially the figures.

X

1,4-7

US 2008/295297 A1

(SU) See whole document especially the figures.

X

1,4-6

FR 2938161 A1

(OUTREQUTN et al) 14.05.10 (See the figures and WPT Abstract Accession No. 2010-F14540 [34]).

X

1,4-6

CN 201223033 Y

(JIANCHENG) 22.04.09 (See the figures and WPI Abstract Accession No. 2009-H86340 [31]).

X

1,2, 4-6

KR 20090012513 U (LEE) 08-12-09 (See the figures and WPI Abstract Accession No. 2010-A94034 [11]).

Categories:

X

Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive

A

Document indicating technological background and/or state

step

of the art.

Y

Document indicating lack of inventive step if

P

Document published on or after the declared priority date but

combined with one or more other documents of

before the filing date of this invention.

same category.

&

Member of the same patent family

E

Patent document published on or after, but with priority date

earlier than, the filing date of this application.

Field of Search:

Search of GB, EP, WO & US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKC :

Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk

INTELLECTUAL

PROPERTY OFFICE 10

International Classification:

Subclass

Subgroup

Valid From

A44B

0011/00

01/01/2006

Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk