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EP-4740779-A1 - BUCKLE

EP4740779A1EP 4740779 A1EP4740779 A1EP 4740779A1EP-4740779-A1

Abstract

The buckle (424) includes a body (434) having a top face (436), a bottom face (438), a first longitudinal end (440) and a second longitudinal end (442). The first longitudinal end (440) has a first transverse width and the second longitudinal end (442) has a second transverse width greater than the first transverse width. The buckle further includes a first opening (444) through the body (434), a second opening (446) through the body (434), and a bar (448) between the first opening (444) and the second opening (446). The buckle (424) may further include a vertical wall (480) and/or a retainer (458) to secure a flexible length to the buckle (424) once connected to the buckle (424).

Inventors

  • MAH, Jason
  • FAYLE, THOMAS
  • ROSE, GORDON

Assignees

  • Amer Sports Canada Inc.

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20251029

Claims (14)

  1. A buckle (24, 124, 224, 324, 424) comprising: - a body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) having a top face (36, 436) a bottom face (38, 438) a first longitudinal end (40, 140, 240, 440) and a second longitudinal end (42, 142, 242), the first longitudinal end (40, 140, 440) having a first transverse width and the second longitudinal end (42, 142, 442) having a second transverse width greater than the first transverse width, characterized in that the buckle comprises - a first opening (44, 444) through the body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434); - a second opening (46, 446) through the body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434); - a bar (48, 448) between the first opening (44, 444) and the second opening (46, 446).
  2. The buckle (24, 124, 224, 324, 424) of claim 1, wherein the bottom face (38, 438) is concave at least from the first opening (44, 444) to the second longitudinal end (42, 142, 242).
  3. The buckle (24, 124, 224, 324, 424) of claim 2, wherein the body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) comprises a vertical wall (480) extending downwardly at the first longitudinal end (40, 140, 440).
  4. The buckle (24, 124, 224, 324, 424) of claim 3, wherein the body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) comprises: a first retention arm (160-1, 460-1) on a first transverse side of the body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) at the second longitudinal end (42, 142, 442), the first retention arm (160-1, 460-1) extending downwardly and inwardly towards a second transverse side of the body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434); and a second retention arm (160-2, 460-2) on the second transverse side of the body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) at the second longitudinal end (42, 142, 242), the second retention arm (160-2, 460-2) extending downwardly and inwardly towards the first transverse side of the body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434).
  5. The buckle (24, 124, 224, 324, 424) of claim 1 further comprising a clip (360) on a bottom face (38, 438) of the body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434).
  6. The buckle (24, 124, 224, 324, 424) of claim 1, wherein the body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) is integrally formed as a single unitary body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434).
  7. The buckle (24, 124, 224, 324, 424) of claim 1, wherein a first longitudinal end (40, 140, 440) of a flexible length extending along the bottom face (38, 438) of the buckle (24, 124, 224, 324, 424) and secured to the bar (48, 448); and a second longitudinal end (42, 142, 442) of the flexible length or a different flexible length, the second longitudinal end (42, 142, 442) having a loop (32), receiving the buckle (24, 124, 224, 324, 424) and wrapping about the first longitudinal end (40, 140, 440) below the buckle (24, 124, 224, 324, 424).
  8. The buckle (24, 124, 224, 324, 424) of claim 7, wherein, wherein the flexible length comprises the second longitudinal end (42, 142, 242).
  9. The buckle (24, 124, 224, 324, 424) of claim 8, wherein the bottom face (38, 438) is concave at least from the first opening (44, 444) to the second longitudinal end (42, 142, 242).
  10. The buckle (24, 124, 224, 324, 424) of claim 9, wherein the body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) comprises a vertical wall (480) extending downwardly at the first longitudinal end (40, 140, 440).
  11. The buckle (24, 124, 224, 324, 424) of claim 10, wherein the body comprises: a first retention arm (160-1, 460-1) on a first transverse side of the body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) at the second longitudinal end (42, 142, 242), the first retention arm (160-1, 460-1) extending downwardly and inwardly towards a second transverse side of the body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434); and a second retention arm (160-2, 460-2) on the second transverse side of the body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) at the second longitudinal end (42, 142, 242), the second retention arm (160-2, 460-2) extending downwardly and inwardly towards the first transverse side of the body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434).
  12. The buckle (24, 124, 224, 324, 424) of claim 9, wherein the body comprises: a first retention arm (160-1, 460-1) on a first transverse side of the body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) at the second longitudinal end (42, 142, 242), the first retention arm (160-1, 460-1) extending downwardly and inwardly towards a second transverse side of the body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434); and a second retention arm (160-2, 460-2) on the second transverse side of the body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) at the second longitudinal end (42, 142, 242), the second retention arm (160-2, 460-2) extending downwardly and inwardly towards the first transverse side of the body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434).
  13. The buckle (24, 124, 224, 324, 424) of claim 8, wherein the body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434) is integrally formed as a single unitary body (34, 134, 234, 334, 434).
  14. The buckle (24, 124, 224, 324, 424) of claim 12, wherein the flexible length comprises the second longitudinal end (42, 142, 242).

Description

BACKGROUND Buckles are frequently used to releasably connect the end portions of flexible lengths such as straps, bands, cords, ropes, cables and the like. In some circumstances, a buckle may be used to releasably connect the end portions of a single flexible length so as to form a loop, such as for a waist belt, a harness or the like. In some circumstances, a buckle may be used to releasably connect the end portions of different flexible lengths to form a longer overall flexible length. Many buckles are designed with objectives that may work against one another. On one hand, it is desirable for the buckle to quickly and easily attach and detach the end portions. On the other hand, the buckle should reliably and securely connect the end portions with little chance of accidental disconnection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a top view illustrating portions of an example connection system in a disconnected state.Figure 2 is a sectional view of the connection system of Figure 1 during connection.Figure 3 is a sectional view of the connection system of Figure 1 later during connection.Figure 4 is a top view illustrating portions of the connection system of Figure 1 in a connected state.Figure 5 is a sectional view of the connection system of Figure 4 in the connected state.Figure 6 is a top view illustrating portions of an example connection system in a disconnected state.Figure 7 is a sectional view of the connection system of Figure 6 during connection.Figure 8 is a sectional view of the connection system of Figure 6 later during connection.Figure 9 is a top view illustrating portions of the connection system of Figure 6 in a connected state.Figure 10 is a sectional view of the connection system of Figure 4 in the connected state.Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the connection system of Figure 6 in the connected state.Figure 12 is a top view illustrating portions of an example connection system in a disconnected state.Figure 13 is a sectional view of the connection system of Figure 1 during connection.Figure 14 is a sectional view of the connection system of Figure 12 later during connection.Figure 15 is a top view illustrating portions of the connection system of Figure 12 in the connected state.Figure 16 is a sectional view of the connection system of Figure 15 taken along line 16-16 and in the connected state.Figure 17 is a sectional view of the connection system of Figure 15 taken along line 17-17 and in the connected state.Figure 18 is a top view illustrating portions of an example connection system in a disconnected state.Figure 19 is a sectional view of the connection system of Figure 18 during connection.Figure 20 is a sectional view of the connection system of Figure 18 later during connection.Figure 21 is a top view illustrating portions of the connection system of Figure 18 in a connected state.Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of the connection system of Figure 21 in the connected state.Figure 23 is a perspective view of an example buckle.Figure 24 is a front view of the example buckle of Figure 23.Figure 25 is a rear view of the example buckle of Figure 23.Figure 26 is a top view of the example buckle of Figure 23.Figure 27 is a bottom view of the example buckle of Figure 23.Figure 28 is a right side view of the example buckle of Figure 23.Figure 29 is a left side view of the example buckle of Figure 23.Figure 30 is a top view illustrating portions of an example connection system including the example buckle of Figure 23 and in a disconnected state.Figure 31 is a top view of the example connection system of Figure 30 during connection.Figure 32 is a side view of the example connection system of Figure 31 during connection.Figure 33 is a top view of the example connection system of Figure 30 in a connected state.Figure 34 is a side view of the example connection system of Figure 33 in the connected state.Figure 35 is a front perspective view illustrating portions of an example harness including the example connection systems of Figure 33.Figure 36 is a front perspective view illustrating portions of an example harness including the example connection systems of Figure 33. Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examples and/or implementations consistent with the description; however, the description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES Disclosed are various example buckles that address the competing objectives of (1) providing a quick, easy and intuitive connection and disconnection and (2) providing a secure and robust connection less susceptible to accidental disconnection. The example buckles achieve these objectives with a one-piece, single unit buckle that may b