GB2548823A - Buckle - Google Patents

Abstract

A buckle comprising a base element 16 comprising a hook 17; and a detachable element 12 comprising a fastening arrangement 13-14 for adjustable fastening of a strap thereinto and a pivot edge 15; where the hook is arranged to detachably receive the pivot edge such that the detachable element is held against the hook by tension in the strap and the detachable element is rotatable in the hook between open and closed positions (figs. 3-4); and further comprising a holding means 19, preferably a magnet, to hold the detachable element in the closed position. Preferably the buckle comprises first and second base and first and second detachable elements such that the spacing between them can be adjusted. Preferably there are two hooks on the detachable element (fig. 2) and the strap passes between them. In one embodiment the strap is a shoelace and the detachable element comprises eyelets therefor (figs. 8-9). Also claimed is a method of use.

Description

Busklle

The present disclosure relates to a buckle, and more particularly to a buckle for securing straps such as belt like elements, leather bars, laces, bind straps, ribbons and the like. A method of operating a buckle is also disclosed,

Buckles are used for securing various kinds of straps. Straps can be used in association with clothing, for example flat straps such as belts and other belt like elements like leather bars in footwear. Flat straps can be used for holding up trousers and other pieces of clothing, fastening together parts of footwear or clothing, wrapping around a coat or another clothing, and for other fastening and/or decorative purposes. Straps and buckles can also be used for adjustable fastening, e.g. adjusting tightness of e.g. footwear, trousers, gloves, hats, bags, rucksacks and other wearable items and other items such as luggage and so on. A buckle can be used to adjustably and detachably connect an end or another part of a strap to another part of the strap, to another strap or a member such as a quarter of a footwear, a bag, luggage and so forth. Straps and buckles can also be used for decorative purposes.

An example of buckle styles enabling adjustable and detachable connection of a flat strap to another element is a frame style buckle. In a frame style buckle a part of the flat strap extends into and typically through a frame fixed to one end of the flat strap. The frame may also be attached by a strap or directly to an article such as e.g. to one side of a bag or luggage. A male member such as s prong, tongue or another pin like element attached to the frame can be inserted into an appropriate hole or slot in the flat strap. A pulling force in the strap then tightens the free end of the prong against a part of the frame, thus preventing the strap from sliding out of the frame.

The buckling and unbuckling of a flat strap, e.g. a belt, is typically performed In several stages and typically requires use of both hands. That is, when buckling the free end of the flat strap has to first be threaded through the frame, tightened to suitable tightness, and then the prong needs to be fitted into the closest opening in the strap to tighten the buckle into its final position. There are occasions where users wish to have a buckle that is simpler and faster to operate. In a particular use case, there is a desire for quicker fastening and unfastening of buckles for articles of footwear such as e,g. shoes, sandals and boots. At the same time users might wish to convey the appearance of lacing with a bow or the like,

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a buckie, comprising a base element comprising a hook member, and a detachable element comprising a fastening arrangement for adjustable fastening of a strap into the detachable element and a pivott edge. The hook member is arranged to detachably receive the pivot edge such that the detachable element is held against the hook member by pull in the strap and the detachable element is rotatable in the hook member between an opened position and a closed position relative to the base eiement. A holding member is provided for releasable fastening of the detachable element to the base element in the closed position.

According to another aspect there is provided a method for fastening a strap by a buckle comprising a base element and a detachable eiement. The method comprises threading the strap into the detachable element and fastening the strap to the detachable element using a fastening arrangement configured for adjustable fastening of the strap into the detachable element, placing a pivot edge of the detachable element against a hook member of the base element, the hook member being arranged to detachably receive the pivot edge such that the frame eiement is held against the hook member by puli in the strap, rotating the detachable eiement held in the hook member from an opened position to a closed position relative to the base element, and releasably fastening the detachable element to the base element in the closed position.

In accordance with a more detailed aspect, the buckle comprises a frame style buckle, the detachable element comprises a frame element of the buckle, and the fastening arrangement is configured for releasable and adjustable fastening of a flat strap threaded into the frame element. The frame element may comprise a prong or tongue for said releasable and adjustable fastening of the flat strap relative to the frame eiement. The flat strap may comprise a belt like element. The buckle may comprise a belt buckle.

According ίο an aspect the fastening arrangement of the detachable element comprises eyelets for receiving a shoelace. The base element may be attached to an article of footwear. A first and second base elements and respective first and second detachable elements may be provided, wherein the strap is arranged to extend between the first and second detachable elements such that the spacing between the first and second detachable elements can be adjusted by the strap, such as a shoelace.

The detachable element may comprise a frame providing the pivot edge, the frame being at least partially covered by material matching an article the base elements is attached to,

According to one detailed aspect the hook member comprises at least two hooks arranged to receive corresponding pivot edge parts of the detachable element, The at least two hooks can be spaced apart for enabling a strap to extend between the hooks into the detachable element.

The pivot edge of the detachable element may comprise a rounded outer surface and the hook member comprise a curved inner surface arranged to engage with the rounded outer surface of the pivot part. This can facilitate smooth rotation between the detachable element and the base eiement.

The holding member may comprise at least one magnet.

The detachable element may comprise at least one guide for aligning the detachable element relative to the base element.

The buckle may be for use in footwear, luggage, a bag, headwear or clothing.

Various exemplifying embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the attached drawings. Steps and elements explained herein may be reordered, omitted, and combined to form different embodiments and any step indicated as performed may be caused to be performed by another device or module, in the drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 show examples of components for a buckle;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a buckle comprising the components of Figures 1 and 2 in an open position;

Figure 4 shows a side view of a buckle according to an embodiment;

Figure 5 shows a view of a frame element with a fiat strap attached thereto;

Figures 6 and 7 show views of a buckle in a closed position where a Hats strap is secured in a desired position;

Figures 8 and 9A, B and C show examples of buckies for footwear, bags, luggage or the like; and

Figure 10 is a flowchart for fastening a strap by a buckle in accordance with an embodiment.

In the following certain detailed examples of a frame style buckle and use thereof on flats straps are described first with reference to Figures 1 to 7. It is noted that although in the examples of Figures 1 to 7 the fiat strap can comprises a belt like element such as a belt for holding of trousers ore.g, a beit like member of footwear these are only a non-limiting examples. Rather, a frame style buckle according to the invention can be used, in addition to beits and footwear, in association with any flat strap such as a flat webbing or lace, for fastening, holding, adjustment and/or decorative purposes for bags, luggage, hats, and so on.

Figures 1 and 2 show two separate components of a buckle that are adapted for releasable attachment to each other. More particularly, a base element 16 and a detachable frame element 12 forming in combination a frame style buckle are shown. A buckle assembly 10 is provided where an edge of the frame element is received in and held by hook-like brackets of the base element such that the frame element can rotate between two operational positions relative to the base element. The buckle arrangement being shown in open position in Figures 3 and 4, and in dosed position and with a flat strap threaded there through in Figures 6 and 7.

The frame element 12 provides an opening 11 through which a free end 22 of a flat strap 20 can the threaded, as shown e.g. in Figure 6, The frame element comprises a bar 14 extending across the opening 11 for pivotally holding a prong 13. The prong provides a fastening member for reieasable and adjustable fastening of the flat strap to the frame element. As shown in Figure 6, the prong 13 can be inserted through an appropriate opening 23 where after puli in fhe fiat strap (indicated by arrow 24} tightens the free end of the prong 13 against a side bar 25 of the frame eiement. it shaii be appreciated that in some frame style buckies there is no bar extending across the frame opening 11. Instead, the prong can be arranged to pivot about one of the side bars, e.g. the bar at the end of the frame fixed fo the flat strap. Further, the fastening of the fiat strap such relative to the frame can be provided by other means than a prong, for example by a tongue, a toothed element gripping into the flat strap, a clip, a hook and loop fastener often colloquially called Velcro or a friction based arrangement. in accordance with the herein disclosed principles the frame element 12 and the base element 18 are arranged to be fixed detachably relative to each other. To provide this the base element 16 comprises a hook member 17 providing a bracket that is arranged to detachably receive an end part 15 of the frame element 12. The end part 15 is accommodated in the hook member 17 such that the frame element 12 is held against and within the hook member by pull 24 in the load bearing or tightened part 21 of the belt 20. The end part 15 of the frame element is formed to enable rotation thereof in the correspondingly formed hook member 17, and is thus termed in the following as pivot edge. The hook member and the therein received pivot edge of the frame element can thus provide pivot axis and arrangement for the frame element enabling the frame element to rotate between an opened position (Figures 3, 4) and a closed position (Figures 6, 7) relative to the base element. A holding member for releasable fastening of the frame element 12 to the base element 16 in the dosed position is also provided. According to the example of Figure 4 this is provided by at least one magnet 19. In the example the base element 16 Is manufactured from magnetic material such as metal and thus the magnet 19 fixed underneath the frame element 12 fastens to the base element in the closed position.

According to a possibility the frame element may be made from nonmagnetic material, e.g. hard plastic, aluminium or the like, According to an embodiment the base element and the frame may both be made from nonmagnetic material. In such case the frame element may be provided with a piece of metallic material for securing to the magnet 19. According to a possibility the frame element 12 is made of metallic material and an appropriate magnet is provided in the base element. Magnets can also be provided in both the frame element and the base element.

According to an embodiment the holding member for releasable fastening of the frame element to the base element may comprise a mechanical member such as a clip, popper or the like. The mechanical holding arrangement can be provided instead of a magnet based arrangement, or in addition thereto.

The hook member can comprise two hooks arranged and aligned as shown in the figures such that the hooks 17 provide a pivot axis for the frame element 12. The hooks 17 can be spaced (the spacing being denoted by 18) from each other for enabling the fiat strap to extend there between. More than two hooks may aiso be provided.

The pivot part of the edge 15 of the frame element 12 can comprise a round outer surface. The respective hook 17 can comprise a co-operative curved inner surface arranged to engage with the round surface of the pivot part of the frame element to facilitate smooth rotational movement between the frame element and the base element.

The end part of the frame element on the side of the hook member can be formed to enable easy positioning and alignment of the frame element 12 into the hook member and the base element so that the frame element can easily be positioned correctly between the hooks 17 of the base element 16, and becomes correctly aligned relative to the base element. In the shown example the guide is provided such that the end of the frame element has a raised area 25 configured to fit and guide the end of the frame element between the hooks 17. The pivot portions of the pivot end can be of thinner construction such that they can be accommodated within the hooks. At the same time the spacing between the hooks is so narrow that the raised portion 25 cannot enter the space.

Figure 5 shows the frame element 12 with a fiat strap 20 fixed therein. At this stage the frame element is ready for fast attachment to the base element and subsequent tightening and securing to the final tightness and position. in the shown example the pivot is provided about one of the side bars of the frame element 12. According to a possibility a pivot edge is provided by a separate bar arranged to be received by the hooked member. For example, a bar extending across the opening of the frame element or further back from the end side bar 25 of the frame element can be provided.

The two part buckle construction enables fast tightening and loosening of a flats strap with visual appearance of a normal buckle type fastening with a frame style buckle. The disclosed buckle construction enables easy and fast assembly of the frame element with the free end of the flat strap attached thereto at stage where the flat strap attached to buckle is not too tight to handle. The final tightening can then be provided after the pivot part of the frame element has been placed in the hook member and the so tightened belt and buckle can be secured in a closed position by simply pressing the free end of the frame element down. If the user wants to, he/she can use the buckle in the normal manner by keeping it constantly in the closed position and threading the fiat strap through the frame part. In the closed position the buckle provides strong resistance against opening and pull in the strap.

The above described frame style buckle can be used in connection with footwear. Figure 8 shows another example of a buckle 30 that is particularly suited for use in association with articles of footwear. The buckle 30 comprises a base element 32 that is secured to a quarter 31 of a shoe for example by stitching and a detachable element 34. The detachable element can provide a facing of the footwear,

The base element 32 can comprise two hooks 33 as described above with the belt example. However, a lesser or larger number of hooks is also possible.

The detachable element 34 Is provided with eyelets 38 through which a strap in the form of a shoelace 37 is threaded. The shoelace can be adjusted to an appropriate length and tied to that length by a bow 38. Instead of a bow, another solution to prevent the laces to loosen out can be provided. For example, a spring loaded lace detaining member can be used.

The detachable element 34 provides pivot edge parts 35 that can be placed in the corresponding hooks 33 in the manner explained above. The pull in the shoelace 37 will hold the detachable element in the hooks, and the user can then tighten and fasten the buckle by pressing the detachable element 34 into dosed position against the base element 32. A magnet 52, or another holding member, is provided for releasable fastening of the detachable element in the closed position. When unfastening the buckle, the use can simply lift the other edge 51 up, and remove the pivot edge 35 from the hooks 33.

The detachable facing element 34 can be provided with formation 50 for assisting in alignment thereof with the base element 32 and the hooks 33.

Figure 8 shows first and second elements 34 and 39 providing facings of the footwear. A strap in the form of a lace 37 is arranged to extend between the two elements such that the spacing between the first and second elements, and thus the tightness of the footwear, can be adjusted and set by the bow 38. In the example the facing element 34 is detachable whereas the counterpart facing element 39 can be fixedly secured, e.g. stitched to the respective quarter of the footwear, it is also possible to provide a symmetrical design where two detachable elements are adjustably connected by a shoelace, and both quarters are provided with a base element 31 comprising hooks 33.

The shown embodiment enables the wearer of the footwear to tie the laces to his/hers liking, and then use the buckle for quick fastening/unfastening. The detachable elements can be designed such that the footwear appears as being laced whereas the fastening and unfastening does not require tying and untying the lace.

Figures 9A to G shows another example for a buckle for footwear giving appearance of lacing. A base element 42 of the buckle is secured to a quarter 41 as above. The base element comprises a hook member (not shown) for receiving a pivot edge 45 of the detachable element 44 proving a facing (see Figure 9A). A frame member 48 providing the pivot edge 45 can arranged on the underside of the detachable element 44 such that it is invisible when the detachable element is facing the wearer (Figure 9B) and the buckle 40 is in the closed position (Figure 9C), The detachable element comprises eyelets 48 for shoelaces which can be tied as in the example of Figure 8,

The frame member 48 providing the pivot edge 45 can further comprise guides 49 for easy aligning and maintaining correct positioning of the detachable element relative to the footwear.

The outer face of the detachable element 44 can be covered by material that matches the footwear, thus enhancing the neat appearance of a lacing. The frame member can be made relatively thin/fine, the advantage of this being that the facings can be in the same material as the rest of the shoe effectively making the complete buckle invisible when in the closed position,

Steps for fastening a strap, e.g, a flat strap such as a belt by a frame style buckle or another strap e.g. shoelace or the like are shown in the flowchart of Figure 10. A strap is threaded at 80 into a detachable element of the buckle and then fastened at 81 to the detachable element by means of a fastening member configured for adjustable fastening of the strap relative to the detachable element, A pivot edge of the detachable element is placed at 82 within a hook member providing at least one bracket at a base element of the buckle. The base element can detachably receive the pivot edge such that the detachable element is held against and within the hook member by pull in the strap. At this stage the detachable element is still in an opened position.

The final tightening of the strap and locking of the buckle is provided by turning the detachable element at 83 into a closed position relative to the base element about a pivot provided by the co-operation of the pivot edge and the hook member. The detachable element is releasably fastened at 84 to the base element in the closed position by means of an appropriate holding member, for example by means of at least one magnet and/or a clip and/or hook and loop fastener, or the like.

Unfastening of the buckle cam be done in opposite order, i.e. by opening the buckle by lifting the other edge up from the engagement with the base element and the holding member and removing the pivot edge from the hook member.

The foregoing description provides by way of exempiary and non-limiting examples a full and informative description of exemplary embodiments of the invention. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. All such and similar modifications of the teachings of this invention will still fall within the spirit and scope of this invention.

Claims (22)

Claims

1. A buckle, comprising: a base element comprising a hook member, and a detachable element comprising a fastening arrangementforadjustable fastening of a strap into the detachable element, and a pivot edge. wherein the hook member is arranged to detachably receive the pivot edge such that the detachable element is held against the hook member by pull in the strap and the detachable element is rotatable in the hook member between an opened position and a closed position relative to the base element, and a holding member for releasable fastening of the detachable element to the base element in the dosed position.

2. A buckle according to claim 1, wherein the buckle comprises a frame style buckle, the detachable element comprises a frame element, and the fastening arrangement is configured for releasable and adjustable fastening of a flat strap threaded into the frame element.

3. A buckle according to claim 2, wherein the frame element comprises a prong or tongue for said releasable and adjustable fastening of the flat strap relative to the frame element.

4. A buckle according to any preceding claim, wherein the strap comprises a belt like element, and the buckle comprises a frame style buckle.

5. A buckle according to claim 1, wherein the fastening arrangement of the detachable element comprises eyelets for receiving a shoelace.

6. A buckle according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the base element is attached to an article of footwear.

7. A buckle according to ciaim 8, comprising a first and second base elements and respective first and second detachable elements, wherein the strap is arranged to extend between the first and second detachable elements such that the spacing between the first and second detachable elements can be adjusted by the strap,

8. A buckle according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the detachable element comprises a frame providing the pivot edge, the frame being at least partially covered by material matching an article the base elements is attached to.

9. A buckle according to any preceding claim, wherein the hook member comprises at least two hooks arranged to receive a corresponding pivot edge of the detachable element.

10. A buckle according to claim 8, wherein the at least two hooks are spaced apart for enabling the strap to extend between the hooks into the detachable element.

11. A buckle according to any preceding claim, wherein the pivot edge of the detachable element comprises a rounded outer surface and the hook member comprises a curved inner surface arranged to engage with the rounded outer surface of the pivot part to facilitate smooth rotation between the detachable element and the base element.

12. A buckle according to any preceding claim, wherein the holding member comprises at least one magnet.

13. A buckle according to any preceding claim, wherein the detachable element comprises at least one guide for aligning the detachable element relative to the base element.

14. A buckle according to any preceding claim, wherein the buckle is for use in footwear, luggage, a bag, headwear or clothing.

15. A method for fastening a strap by a buckle comprising a base element and a detachable element, the method comprising: threading the strap into the detachable element and fastening the strap to the detachable element using a fastening arrangement configured for adjustable fastening of the strap into the detachable element, placing a pivot edge of the detachable element against a hook member of the base element, the hook member being arranged to detachably receive the pivot edge such that the frame element is held against the hook member by pull in the strap, rotating the detachable element held in the hook member from an opened position to a closed position relative to the base element, and reieasably fastening the detachable element to the base element in the closed position.

18. A method according to claim 15, comprising placing at least two pivot edges within respective hooks of the base eiement.

17. A method according to claim 18, comprising guiding the strap between the hooks into the frame eiement.

18. A method according to any of claims 15 to 17, comprising fastening the detachable eiement to the base element by at least one magnet.

19. A method according to any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the buckle comprises a frame style buckle and the detachable element comprises a frame element, the method comprising adjustable fastening of a flat strap into the frame element, placing the frame eiement with the flat strap fastened therein within the hook member and turning the frame element with the flat strap to the dosed position.

20. A method according to any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the base element is attached to an article of footwear and the fastening arrangement of the detachable element comprises eyelets, the method comprising adjusting tightness of laces threated thought the eyelets before placing the pivot edge into the hook member.

21. A method according to claim 20, comprising threading the laces through eyelets of a first and second detachable elements, adjusting the spacing between the first and second detachable elements, and placing the first and second detachable elements into the hook members of the respective base elements attached to the article of footwear,

22. A buckle or a part thereof, constructed and arranged substantially as described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.