US20130091671A1 - Front Release Buckle - Google Patents
Front Release Buckle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130091671A1 US20130091671A1 US13/806,155 US201013806155A US2013091671A1 US 20130091671 A1 US20130091671 A1 US 20130091671A1 US 201013806155 A US201013806155 A US 201013806155A US 2013091671 A1 US2013091671 A1 US 2013091671A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- plug
- socket
- leg
- engaging portion
- manipulation
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
- A44B—BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
- A44B11/00—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts
- A44B11/25—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts with two or more separable parts
- A44B11/26—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts with two or more separable parts with push-button fastenings
- A44B11/263—Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts with two or more separable parts with push-button fastenings with a push-button acting perpendicularly to the main plane of the buckle
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
- Y10T24/45—Separable-fastener or required component thereof [e.g., projection and cavity to complete interlock]
- Y10T24/45225—Separable-fastener or required component thereof [e.g., projection and cavity to complete interlock] including member having distinct formations and mating member selectively interlocking therewith
- Y10T24/45471—Projection having movable connection between components thereof or variable configuration
- Y10T24/45524—Projection having movable connection between components thereof or variable configuration including resiliently biased projection component or surface segment
- Y10T24/45545—Projection having movable connection between components thereof or variable configuration including resiliently biased projection component or surface segment forming total external surface of projection
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a front release buckle in which a top part is manipulated for releasing an engagement.
- Such a buckle is required to be easily handled for coupling and releasing and not to cause an accidental release when the buckle is not intended to be released.
- a front release buckle in which a top part is manipulated for releasing an engagement has been used.
- Patent Literature 1 discloses a flat buckle in which a locking lug (i.e., a convex engaging portion of a plug) projects in a thickness direction of the buckle.
- a locking lug i.e., a convex engaging portion of a plug
- Patent Literature 2 discloses a flat buckle in which a first convex portion to be engaged with a socket is provided at an end of a plug and projects in a thickness direction of the buckle.
- Patent Literature 1 Japanese Patent No. 3248104
- an object of the invention is to provide a front release buckle with a reduced thickness.
- a front release buckle includes a plug; and a socket into which the plug is inserted for engagement, in which the plug includes: a base; a leg that projects from the base; and an engaging portion that is formed to the leg, the socket includes: a body having an insertion opening; a housing space that is defined inside the body and capable of housing the leg inserted through the insertion opening; an engaged portion that is formed on the body and engageable with the engaging portion; and a manipulation portion that disengages an engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion, the plug and the socket are formed to be flat, the leg is flat and flexible in a thickness direction, the engaging portion and the engaged portion are engaged with each other in the thickness direction, and the engaging portion projects in a width direction of the leg and is formed within the thickness of the leg.
- the thickness of the socket housing the plug and the engaging portion is reducible. Accordingly, the thickness of the buckle does not become large but is reducible.
- a position where the buckle is attached in the rucksack is not limited because of the small thickness of the buckle.
- the buckle becomes less noticeable and is not caught to cause no adverse effects on a whole design of the rucksack or the like.
- the manipulation portion and the engaging portion are positioned in a manner capable of contacting with each other, the manipulation portion is positioned in the thickness direction of the leg to face the leg and has flexibility in the thickness direction, and the manipulation portion includes a projection projecting inward of the socket.
- the projection is pressed onto the leg by flexing the manipulation portion toward the engaging portion. At this time, since the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion is released, the leg can be pushed out toward the insertion opening of the socket.
- the engaging portion includes inclined portions respectively having inclined surfaces near the manipulation portion, and the manipulation portion is flexed toward the engaging portion to cause the projection to press the inclined surfaces.
- the projection is pressed onto the inclined surface by flexing the manipulation portion toward the engaging portion.
- the projection is flexed toward the engaging portion while sliding on the inclined surface, the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion is released while the engaging portion is pushed out toward the insertion opening of the socket.
- the plug is separated and pushed out from the socket. Accordingly, the plug can be reliably separated from the socket by only pressing the manipulation portion.
- an angle of each of the inclined surfaces is 15 degrees.
- the front release buckle further includes a pair of holders that position and hold the plug projecting from the base and the socket.
- the leg diagonally projects in a manner to approach the manipulation portion as the leg extends in an insertion direction.
- the leg projecting from the base is closer to the manipulation portion than the holders are, when the manipulation portion is pressed, the engaging portion can be pressed with a slight flexure of the manipulation portion. Accordingly, even when the thickness of the front release buckle is reduced, the plug can be separated and pushed out from the socket by pressing the manipulation portion. Consequently, the thickness of the front release buckle can be further reduced.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an overall structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a side elevation showing the overall structure according to the above exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 3 is a front view showing the overall structure according to the above exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of a plug according to the above exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the plug according to the above exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 6 is a plan view of a socket according to the above exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the socket according to the above exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 8 is a front view of the socket according to the above exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a manipulation portion of the socket according to the above exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an engagement between the plug and the socket according to the above exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the plug and the socket are being engaged according to the above exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 12 shows a state in which an engaging portion is pushed out by flexure of the manipulation portion in the above exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a plug according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a plug according to still another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a plug according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a plug according to a still further exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- FIGS. 1 to 12 show an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- FIGS. 1 to 3 An overall structure of a front release buckle will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 .
- FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the overall structure according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a side elevation showing the overall structure according to the above exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 3 is a front view showing the overall structure according to the above exemplary embodiment.
- a front release buckle 1 includes a plug 10 and a socket 20 into which the plug 10 is inserted for engagement.
- the front release buckle 1 is used to couple and separate ends of a string member such as a belt.
- the front release buckle 1 includes the plug 10 integrally formed of a synthetic resin and the socket 20 also integrally formed of a synthetic resin.
- the plug 10 and the socket 20 may be formed of other materials such as metal instead of a synthetic resin according to other molding methods (e.g., rapid manufacturing and casting) instead of an injection molding.
- a structure of the plug will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 .
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of the plug according to the above exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the plug according to the above exemplary embodiment.
- an entirety of the plug 10 is integrally formed of a synthetic resin by injection molding.
- the plug 10 includes a base 11 having a pair of legs 12 , an engaging portion 14 formed in each of the legs 12 , and a belt attachment 19 into which a belt or the like is inserted.
- the legs 12 extend in parallel to each other in a length direction of the base 11 (an insertion direction of the plug 10 to the socket 20 , i.e., in a vertical direction in FIG. 1 ) from both sides of the base 11 in a width direction (a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the plug 10 to the socket 20 and a thickness direction of the socket 20 , i.e., a horizontal direction in FIG. 1 ).
- a portion from the middle to the tip end of each of the legs 12 is elastically deformable in a thickness direction (i.e., a direction orthogonal to the width direction and the insertion direction described above).
- the pair of legs 12 are inclined in such a manner to approach a manipulation portion 27 A as the legs 12 extend in the insertion direction, so that an entirety of the legs 12 can receive a force for elastic deformation in the thickness direction.
- the engaging portion 14 is formed as a projection extending from the tip end of each of the legs 12 in the width direction.
- the tip end of each of the legs 12 is T-shaped in a plan view.
- the engaging portion 14 formed at the tip end of each of the legs 12 is formed to have a thickness (i.e., height) that does not exceed a height of each of the legs 12 .
- the engaging portion 14 includes an inclined portion 14 B that is formed at the tip end of each of the legs 12 , and a connecting inclined portion 14 D that connects the inclined portions 14 B in the width direction.
- this connecting inclined portion 14 D With this connecting inclined portion 14 D, the pair of legs 12 are restricted from being deformed in the width direction by an external force. Further, when the pair of legs 12 are elastically deformed in the thickness direction, this connecting inclined portion 14 D allows the pair of legs 12 to be deformed by the same volume.
- the inclined portion 14 B includes an inclined surface 14 A that is gradually inclined so that the thickness of the engaging portion 14 becomes smaller toward the tip end of each of the legs 12 in the insertion direction.
- the connecting inclined portion 14 D includes a connecting inclined surface 14 C.
- a pair of holders 16 are provided at outer sides of the pair of legs 12 .
- the pair of holders 16 are rod-like members that are disposed on the base 11 apart from each other in the width direction of the base 11 and extend in the insertion direction.
- a tip end of each of the pair of holders 16 is spaced apart from the engaging portion 14 .
- a thickness of each of the holders 16 is formed to be smaller than the thickness of the base 11 and larger than thickness of each of the legs 12 .
- Each of the holders 16 includes a projecting holder 16 A that is provided along an outer side of the each of the holders 16 in the width direction.
- the engaging portion 14 and the holders 16 are guided by undulations (described later) formed on an inner side of the socket 20 so that the plug 10 is guided to an appropriate position during an insertion operation.
- the belt attachment 19 is formed in a middle area of the base 11 .
- the belt attachment 19 includes: a belt attachment hole 19 A that is provided in the middle of the inside of the belt attachment 19 and into which an end of the belt is inserted; a first bar 19 B that extends in the width direction of the plug 10 in a manner to bridge over the plug 10 between the ends of the plug 10 (i.e., the ends of the base 11 ); and a second bar 19 C that is formed in the middle of the belt attachment hole 19 A in a manner to bridge over the belt attachment hole 19 A.
- the second bar 19 C divides the belt attachment hole 19 A into an insertion-direction front hole 19 D and an insertion-direction rear hole 19 E.
- a structure of the socket will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 6 to 8 .
- FIG. 6 is a plan view of the socket according to the above exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the socket according to the above exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 8 is a front view showing the socket according to the above exemplary embodiment.
- an entirety of the socket 20 is integrally formed of a synthetic resin by injection molding.
- the socket 20 includes: a hollow cylindrical body 21 having an insertion opening 22 ; a housing space 23 being formed in the body 21 and capable of housing the legs 12 of the plug 10 to be inserted through the insertion opening 22 ; an engaged portion 24 being formed in the body 21 and engageable with the engaging portion 14 ; a manipulation opening 27 being formed in the center in a plan view of the body 21 ; an opening 28 being formed at a position corresponding to the engaging portion when the socket is engaged with the plug; and a belt attachment 29 into which a belt (not shown) is inserted.
- the engaged portion 24 is a wedge-shaped member having an inclined surface facing the insertion opening 22 and being formed inside the housing space 23 at two positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction.
- the engaged portions 24 are formed on an inner side of a top surface of the body 21 and project into the housing space 23 .
- a thickness of the engaged portion 24 is formed to be smaller than a thickness of the housing space 23 and corresponds to the thickness of the engaging portion 14 formed to each of the pair of legs 12 .
- a guide surface 25 is formed inside the housing space 23 to guide the engaging portion 14 to the engaged portion 24 for engagement.
- a plurality of pairs of grooves 26 are formed in the insertion direction from an end of the insertion opening 22 .
- convex portions (not shown) formed on a bottom surface of each of the legs 12 mates with the grooves 26 , where the grooves 26 serve as a guide to lead the engaging portions 14 formed at the tip ends of the legs 12 to the engaged portions 24 .
- FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the manipulation portion of the socket according to the above exemplary embodiment.
- the manipulation opening 27 is formed in the center of the body 21 in a plan view.
- the manipulation opening 27 communicates with the housing space 23 inside the body 21 .
- the manipulation opening 27 is formed at a position where the connecting inclined portion 14 D that connects the legs 12 inserted from the insertion opening 22 is exposed.
- the manipulation portion 27 A is a flexible member that is elastically deformable in the thickness of the socket by being pressed, the manipulation portion 27 A being provided to the manipulation opening 27 .
- the manipulation portion 27 A is positioned to face the legs 12 and is configured to be contacted with the connecting inclined portion 14 D by being elastically deformed.
- the manipulation portion 27 A includes a projection 27 B that is positioned to be contacted with the connecting inclined portion 14 D and projects inward in the thickness direction of the socket and a thick portion 27 C that corresponds to the projection 27 B and projects outward in the thickness direction.
- FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the engagement between the plug and the socket according to the above exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the plug and the socket are being engaged according to the above exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the engaging portion is pushed out by flexure of the manipulation portion in the above exemplary embodiment.
- the thickness of the buckle is not increased but can be reduced. Accordingly, for instance, when the front release buckle 1 having a small thickness is used in a rucksack or the like, a position where the buckle is attached in the rucksack is not limited because of the small thickness of the buckle. Moreover, because of the small thickness of the buckle 1 , the buckle is unnoticeable to cause no adverse effects on a whole design of the rucksack or the like.
- the manipulation portion 27 A is flexed toward the engaging portion 14 , whereby the projection 27 B presses the connecting inclined surface 14 C.
- the projection 27 B is flexed toward the engaging portion 14 while sliding on the connecting inclined surface 14 C, the engagement between the engaging portion 14 and the engaged portion 24 is released while the engaging portion 14 is pushed out toward the insertion opening 22 of the socket 20 .
- the manipulation portion 27 A is pressed, the plug 10 is separated and pushed out from the socket 20 .
- the plug 10 can be reliably separated from the socket 20 by only pressing the manipulation portion 27 A.
- the projection 27 B can slide smoothly on the connecting inclined surface 14 C. Accordingly, when the manipulation portion 27 A is pressed, the plug 10 is separated and smoothly pushed out from the socket 20 . Thus, the plug 10 can be more reliably separated from the socket 20 by only pressing the manipulation portion 27 A.
- the engagement between the engaging portion 14 and the engaged portion 24 can be reliably made. Moreover, for instance, when a twisting stress is applied on the plug 10 and the socket 20 , the plug 10 and the socket 20 are not displaced, so that the engagement between the engaging portion 14 and the engaged portion 24 can be reliably maintained without any possibility of being released, whereby a function as a buckle is achievable.
- the front release buckle 1 of the exemplary embodiment since the legs 12 projecting from the base 11 are closer to the manipulation portion 27 A than the holders 16 are, a slight flexure of the manipulation portion 27 A when being pressed is required for pressing the engaging portion 14 . Accordingly, even when the thickness of the front release buckle 1 is reduced, the plug 10 can be separated and pushed out from the socket 20 by pressing the manipulation portion 27 A. Consequently, the thickness of the front release buckle 1 can be further reduced.
- the structure of the pair of legs 12 is not limited to the structure that the pair of legs 12 are connected with each other through the connecting inclined portion 14 D as described in the above exemplary embodiment.
- the pair of legs 12 may be configured to be independent without being connected with each other. In such a case, it is preferable to increase a width of the projection 27 B so as to press the inclined surface 14 A.
- the engaging portion 14 may not be the projection extending outward in the width direction of the legs 12 from the tip end of each of the legs 12 , but, as shown in FIG. 14 , may be a projection extending inward in the width direction, in which the inclined portion 14 B may be provided on a side opposite to the tip end of each of the legs 12 in the insertion direction.
- the engaging portion 14 is not necessarily formed in an L-shape. As shown in FIG. 15 , the engaging portion 14 may be provided by a single body.
- the legs 12 are not necessarily formed in a pair. As shown in FIG. 16 , the legs 12 may be provided by three legs.
- the invention is usable as a front release buckle that connects a belt and is provided with a pair of lock arms.
Abstract
A front release buckle of the invention includes a plug and a socket. The plug includes: a base; a leg that projects from the base; and an engaging portion formed to the leg. The socket includes: a body having an insertion opening; a housing space that is defined inside the body and capable of housing the leg inserted through the insertion opening; an engaged portion that is formed on the body and engageable with the engaging portion; and a manipulation portion that disengages an engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion. The plug and the socket are formed to be flat. The leg is flat and flexible in a thickness direction. The engaging portion and the engaged portion are engaged with each other in the thickness direction. The engaging portion projects in a width direction of the leg and is formed within the thickness of the leg.
Description
- The present invention relates to a front release buckle in which a top part is manipulated for releasing an engagement.
- There has been typically used a buckle that detachably engages a plug with a socket in order to couple a string member such as a belt in various applications such as clothes, bags, shoes and packages.
- Such a buckle is required to be easily handled for coupling and releasing and not to cause an accidental release when the buckle is not intended to be released. As a product responding to such needs, a front release buckle in which a top part is manipulated for releasing an engagement has been used.
- There has been known a front release buckle in which a plug and a socket are engaged to each other to be locked.
- For instance, Patent Literature 1 discloses a flat buckle in which a locking lug (i.e., a convex engaging portion of a plug) projects in a thickness direction of the buckle.
- Patent Literature 2 discloses a flat buckle in which a first convex portion to be engaged with a socket is provided at an end of a plug and projects in a thickness direction of the buckle.
- Patent Literature 1 Japanese Patent No. 3248104
- Patent Literature 2 JP-A-2006-204619
- In the buckle disclosed in Patent Literatures 1 and 2, since the locking lug projects in the thickness direction of the buckle, the thickness of the buckle becomes large. Accordingly, for instance, when such a buckle is used in a rucksack and the like, due to a large thickness of the buckle, a position where the buckle is attached in the rucksack may be limited, or a whole design of the rucksack may be adversely affected.
- Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a front release buckle with a reduced thickness.
- A front release buckle according to an aspect of the invention includes a plug; and a socket into which the plug is inserted for engagement, in which the plug includes: a base; a leg that projects from the base; and an engaging portion that is formed to the leg, the socket includes: a body having an insertion opening; a housing space that is defined inside the body and capable of housing the leg inserted through the insertion opening; an engaged portion that is formed on the body and engageable with the engaging portion; and a manipulation portion that disengages an engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion, the plug and the socket are formed to be flat, the leg is flat and flexible in a thickness direction, the engaging portion and the engaged portion are engaged with each other in the thickness direction, and the engaging portion projects in a width direction of the leg and is formed within the thickness of the leg.
- In the above aspect of the invention, since the engaging portion of the plug projects in the width direction, not in the thickness direction, the thickness of the socket housing the plug and the engaging portion is reducible. Accordingly, the thickness of the buckle does not become large but is reducible. For instance, when a front release buckle having such a small thickness is used in a rucksack or the like, a position where the buckle is attached in the rucksack is not limited because of the small thickness of the buckle. Moreover, because of the small thickness of the buckle, the buckle becomes less noticeable and is not caught to cause no adverse effects on a whole design of the rucksack or the like.
- In the above aspect of the invention, it is desirable that, in an engagement between the plug and the socket, the manipulation portion and the engaging portion are positioned in a manner capable of contacting with each other, the manipulation portion is positioned in the thickness direction of the leg to face the leg and has flexibility in the thickness direction, and the manipulation portion includes a projection projecting inward of the socket.
- With this arrangement, the projection is pressed onto the leg by flexing the manipulation portion toward the engaging portion. At this time, since the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion is released, the leg can be pushed out toward the insertion opening of the socket.
- In the above aspect of the invention, it is desirable that the engaging portion includes inclined portions respectively having inclined surfaces near the manipulation portion, and the manipulation portion is flexed toward the engaging portion to cause the projection to press the inclined surfaces.
- With this arrangement, the projection is pressed onto the inclined surface by flexing the manipulation portion toward the engaging portion. At this time, since the projection is flexed toward the engaging portion while sliding on the inclined surface, the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion is released while the engaging portion is pushed out toward the insertion opening of the socket. Thus, when the manipulation portion is pressed, the plug is separated and pushed out from the socket. Accordingly, the plug can be reliably separated from the socket by only pressing the manipulation portion.
- In the above aspect of the invention, it is desirable that an angle of each of the inclined surfaces is 15 degrees.
- With this arrangement, since the angle of each of the inclined surfaces is 15 degrees, the projection can smoothly slide on the inclined surfaces. Accordingly, when the manipulation portion is pressed, the plug is separated and smoothly pushed out from the socket. Consequently, the plug can be more reliably separated from the socket by only pressing the manipulation portion.
- In the above aspect of the invention, it is desirable that the front release buckle further includes a pair of holders that position and hold the plug projecting from the base and the socket.
- With this arrangement, since the pair of the holders to position and hold the plug and the socket are provided, the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion can be reliably made. Moreover, for instance, when a twisting stress is applied on the plug and the socket, the plug and the socket are not displaced, so that the engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion can be reliably maintained without any possibility of being released, whereby a function as a buckle is achievable.
- In the above aspect of the invention, it is desirable that the leg diagonally projects in a manner to approach the manipulation portion as the leg extends in an insertion direction.
- With this arrangement, since the leg projecting from the base is closer to the manipulation portion than the holders are, when the manipulation portion is pressed, the engaging portion can be pressed with a slight flexure of the manipulation portion. Accordingly, even when the thickness of the front release buckle is reduced, the plug can be separated and pushed out from the socket by pressing the manipulation portion. Consequently, the thickness of the front release buckle can be further reduced.
-
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an overall structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 2 is a side elevation showing the overall structure according to the above exemplary embodiment. -
FIG. 3 is a front view showing the overall structure according to the above exemplary embodiment. -
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a plug according to the above exemplary embodiment. -
FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the plug according to the above exemplary embodiment. -
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a socket according to the above exemplary embodiment. -
FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the socket according to the above exemplary embodiment. -
FIG. 8 is a front view of the socket according to the above exemplary embodiment. -
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a manipulation portion of the socket according to the above exemplary embodiment. -
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an engagement between the plug and the socket according to the above exemplary embodiment. -
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the plug and the socket are being engaged according to the above exemplary embodiment. -
FIG. 12 shows a state in which an engaging portion is pushed out by flexure of the manipulation portion in the above exemplary embodiment. -
FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a plug according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a plug according to still another exemplary embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a plug according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a plug according to a still further exemplary embodiment of the invention. - An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.
-
FIGS. 1 to 12 show an exemplary embodiment of the invention. - An overall structure of a front release buckle will be described below with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 3 . -
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the overall structure according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention.FIG. 2 is a side elevation showing the overall structure according to the above exemplary embodiment.FIG. 3 is a front view showing the overall structure according to the above exemplary embodiment. - As shown in
FIGS. 1 to 3 , a front release buckle 1 according to this exemplary embodiment includes aplug 10 and asocket 20 into which theplug 10 is inserted for engagement. - As shown in the figures, the front release buckle 1 according to this exemplary embodiment is used to couple and separate ends of a string member such as a belt. The front release buckle 1 includes the
plug 10 integrally formed of a synthetic resin and thesocket 20 also integrally formed of a synthetic resin. - The
plug 10 and thesocket 20 may be formed of other materials such as metal instead of a synthetic resin according to other molding methods (e.g., rapid manufacturing and casting) instead of an injection molding. - A structure of the plug will be described with reference to
FIGS. 4 and 5 . -
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the plug according to the above exemplary embodiment.FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the plug according to the above exemplary embodiment. - In
FIGS. 4 and 5 , an entirety of theplug 10 is integrally formed of a synthetic resin by injection molding. Theplug 10 includes a base 11 having a pair oflegs 12, an engagingportion 14 formed in each of thelegs 12, and abelt attachment 19 into which a belt or the like is inserted. - The
legs 12 extend in parallel to each other in a length direction of the base 11 (an insertion direction of theplug 10 to thesocket 20, i.e., in a vertical direction inFIG. 1 ) from both sides of the base 11 in a width direction (a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of theplug 10 to thesocket 20 and a thickness direction of thesocket 20, i.e., a horizontal direction inFIG. 1 ). A portion from the middle to the tip end of each of thelegs 12 is elastically deformable in a thickness direction (i.e., a direction orthogonal to the width direction and the insertion direction described above). - The pair of
legs 12 are inclined in such a manner to approach amanipulation portion 27A as thelegs 12 extend in the insertion direction, so that an entirety of thelegs 12 can receive a force for elastic deformation in the thickness direction. - The engaging
portion 14 is formed as a projection extending from the tip end of each of thelegs 12 in the width direction. The tip end of each of thelegs 12 is T-shaped in a plan view. The engagingportion 14 formed at the tip end of each of thelegs 12 is formed to have a thickness (i.e., height) that does not exceed a height of each of thelegs 12. - The engaging
portion 14 includes aninclined portion 14B that is formed at the tip end of each of thelegs 12, and a connectinginclined portion 14D that connects theinclined portions 14B in the width direction. With this connectinginclined portion 14D, the pair oflegs 12 are restricted from being deformed in the width direction by an external force. Further, when the pair oflegs 12 are elastically deformed in the thickness direction, this connectinginclined portion 14D allows the pair oflegs 12 to be deformed by the same volume. - The
inclined portion 14B includes aninclined surface 14A that is gradually inclined so that the thickness of the engagingportion 14 becomes smaller toward the tip end of each of thelegs 12 in the insertion direction. The connectinginclined portion 14D includes a connectinginclined surface 14C. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , a pair ofholders 16 are provided at outer sides of the pair oflegs 12. The pair ofholders 16 are rod-like members that are disposed on the base 11 apart from each other in the width direction of thebase 11 and extend in the insertion direction. A tip end of each of the pair ofholders 16 is spaced apart from the engagingportion 14. A thickness of each of theholders 16 is formed to be smaller than the thickness of thebase 11 and larger than thickness of each of thelegs 12. - Each of the
holders 16 includes a projectingholder 16A that is provided along an outer side of the each of theholders 16 in the width direction. - The engaging
portion 14 and theholders 16 are guided by undulations (described later) formed on an inner side of thesocket 20 so that theplug 10 is guided to an appropriate position during an insertion operation. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , thebelt attachment 19 is formed in a middle area of thebase 11. Thebelt attachment 19 includes: abelt attachment hole 19A that is provided in the middle of the inside of thebelt attachment 19 and into which an end of the belt is inserted; afirst bar 19B that extends in the width direction of theplug 10 in a manner to bridge over theplug 10 between the ends of the plug 10 (i.e., the ends of the base 11); and asecond bar 19C that is formed in the middle of thebelt attachment hole 19A in a manner to bridge over thebelt attachment hole 19A. Thesecond bar 19C divides thebelt attachment hole 19A into an insertion-directionfront hole 19D and an insertion-directionrear hole 19E. - With this arrangement, when a belt (not shown) is inserted into the
belt attachment hole 19A and wound around thesecond bar 19C to be contacted with thefirst bar 19B, the belt can be engaged and fixed to the plug while a length of the belt can be adjusted. - A structure of the socket will be described with reference to
FIGS. 1 and 6 to 8. -
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the socket according to the above exemplary embodiment.FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the socket according to the above exemplary embodiment.FIG. 8 is a front view showing the socket according to the above exemplary embodiment. - In
FIGS. 1 and 6 to 8, an entirety of thesocket 20 is integrally formed of a synthetic resin by injection molding. Thesocket 20 includes: a hollowcylindrical body 21 having aninsertion opening 22; ahousing space 23 being formed in thebody 21 and capable of housing thelegs 12 of theplug 10 to be inserted through theinsertion opening 22; an engagedportion 24 being formed in thebody 21 and engageable with the engagingportion 14; amanipulation opening 27 being formed in the center in a plan view of thebody 21; anopening 28 being formed at a position corresponding to the engaging portion when the socket is engaged with the plug; and abelt attachment 29 into which a belt (not shown) is inserted. - The engaged
portion 24 is a wedge-shaped member having an inclined surface facing theinsertion opening 22 and being formed inside thehousing space 23 at two positions spaced apart from each other in the width direction. The engagedportions 24 are formed on an inner side of a top surface of thebody 21 and project into thehousing space 23. - A thickness of the engaged
portion 24 is formed to be smaller than a thickness of thehousing space 23 and corresponds to the thickness of the engagingportion 14 formed to each of the pair oflegs 12. - A
guide surface 25 is formed inside thehousing space 23 to guide the engagingportion 14 to the engagedportion 24 for engagement. - On the
guide surface 25, a plurality of pairs ofgrooves 26 are formed in the insertion direction from an end of theinsertion opening 22. When thelegs 12 andholders 16 are inserted from theinsertion opening 22, convex portions (not shown) formed on a bottom surface of each of thelegs 12 mates with thegrooves 26, where thegrooves 26 serve as a guide to lead the engagingportions 14 formed at the tip ends of thelegs 12 to the engagedportions 24. - A structure of the manipulation portion of the socket will be described with reference to
FIG. 9 . -
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the manipulation portion of the socket according to the above exemplary embodiment. - As shown in
FIG. 9 , in order to release the engagement of the engagingportion 14 and the engagedportion 24, themanipulation opening 27 is formed in the center of thebody 21 in a plan view. Themanipulation opening 27 communicates with thehousing space 23 inside thebody 21. - The
manipulation opening 27 is formed at a position where the connectinginclined portion 14D that connects thelegs 12 inserted from theinsertion opening 22 is exposed. - The
manipulation portion 27A is a flexible member that is elastically deformable in the thickness of the socket by being pressed, themanipulation portion 27A being provided to themanipulation opening 27. Themanipulation portion 27A is positioned to face thelegs 12 and is configured to be contacted with the connectinginclined portion 14D by being elastically deformed. Themanipulation portion 27A includes aprojection 27B that is positioned to be contacted with the connectinginclined portion 14D and projects inward in the thickness direction of the socket and athick portion 27C that corresponds to theprojection 27B and projects outward in the thickness direction. - With reference to
FIGS. 9 to 12 , a state where the plug and the socket are being engaged, a state where the plug and the socket have been engaged and a state where the engagement between the plug and socket is released will be described. -
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the engagement between the plug and the socket according to the above exemplary embodiment.FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the plug and the socket are being engaged according to the above exemplary embodiment.FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which the engaging portion is pushed out by flexure of the manipulation portion in the above exemplary embodiment. - As shown in
FIGS. 9 and 11 , when a pair of engagingportions 14, which are located at the tip ends of thelegs 12 inserted through theinsertion opening 22, are guided by the guide surfaces 25 to reach the engagedportions 24, the pair oflegs 12 are elastically deformed to be respectively engaged with the engagedportions 24. - On the other hand, as shown in
FIGS. 10 and 12 , by pressing the connectinginclined portion 14D, theprojection 27B elastically deforms thelegs 12 in the thickness direction while sliding on the connectinginclined surface 14C. With this operation, the engagement between the engagingportions 14 and the engagedportions 24 is released and theplug 10 is pushed out toward theinsertion opening 22. - In the above exemplary embodiment, the following advantages are attainable.
- In the front release buckle 1 according to the exemplary embodiment, since the engaging
portion 14 of theplug 10 projects not in the thickness direction but in the width direction, the thickness of the buckle is not increased but can be reduced. Accordingly, for instance, when the front release buckle 1 having a small thickness is used in a rucksack or the like, a position where the buckle is attached in the rucksack is not limited because of the small thickness of the buckle. Moreover, because of the small thickness of the buckle 1, the buckle is unnoticeable to cause no adverse effects on a whole design of the rucksack or the like. - In the front release buckle 1 of the exemplary embodiment, the
manipulation portion 27A is flexed toward the engagingportion 14, whereby theprojection 27B presses the connectinginclined surface 14C. At this time, since theprojection 27B is flexed toward the engagingportion 14 while sliding on the connectinginclined surface 14C, the engagement between the engagingportion 14 and the engagedportion 24 is released while the engagingportion 14 is pushed out toward theinsertion opening 22 of thesocket 20. Accordingly, when themanipulation portion 27A is pressed, theplug 10 is separated and pushed out from thesocket 20. Thus, theplug 10 can be reliably separated from thesocket 20 by only pressing themanipulation portion 27A. - In the front release buckle 1 of the exemplary embodiment, since an angle of the connecting
inclined surface 14C is 15 degrees, theprojection 27B can slide smoothly on the connectinginclined surface 14C. Accordingly, when themanipulation portion 27A is pressed, theplug 10 is separated and smoothly pushed out from thesocket 20. Thus, theplug 10 can be more reliably separated from thesocket 20 by only pressing themanipulation portion 27A. - In the front release buckle 1 of the exemplary embodiment, since the pair of the
holders 16 to position and hold theplug 10 and thesocket 20 are provided, the engagement between the engagingportion 14 and the engagedportion 24 can be reliably made. Moreover, for instance, when a twisting stress is applied on theplug 10 and thesocket 20, theplug 10 and thesocket 20 are not displaced, so that the engagement between the engagingportion 14 and the engagedportion 24 can be reliably maintained without any possibility of being released, whereby a function as a buckle is achievable. - In the front release buckle 1 of the exemplary embodiment, since the
legs 12 projecting from the base 11 are closer to themanipulation portion 27A than theholders 16 are, a slight flexure of themanipulation portion 27A when being pressed is required for pressing the engagingportion 14. Accordingly, even when the thickness of the front release buckle 1 is reduced, theplug 10 can be separated and pushed out from thesocket 20 by pressing themanipulation portion 27A. Consequently, the thickness of the front release buckle 1 can be further reduced. - It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the above arrangements of the exemplary embodiments but encompasses the following modifications.
- The structure of the pair of
legs 12 is not limited to the structure that the pair oflegs 12 are connected with each other through the connectinginclined portion 14D as described in the above exemplary embodiment. However, as shown inFIG. 13 , the pair oflegs 12 may be configured to be independent without being connected with each other. In such a case, it is preferable to increase a width of theprojection 27B so as to press theinclined surface 14A. - The engaging
portion 14 may not be the projection extending outward in the width direction of thelegs 12 from the tip end of each of thelegs 12, but, as shown inFIG. 14 , may be a projection extending inward in the width direction, in which theinclined portion 14B may be provided on a side opposite to the tip end of each of thelegs 12 in the insertion direction. - Further, the engaging
portion 14 is not necessarily formed in an L-shape. As shown inFIG. 15 , the engagingportion 14 may be provided by a single body. - Moreover, the
legs 12 are not necessarily formed in a pair. As shown inFIG. 16 , thelegs 12 may be provided by three legs. - The invention is usable as a front release buckle that connects a belt and is provided with a pair of lock arms.
-
- 1: front release buckle
- 10: plug
- 11: base
- 12: leg(s)
- 14: engaging portion(s)
- 14A: inclined surface(s)
- 14B: inclined portion(s)
- 16: holder(s)
- 20: socket
- 21: body
- 22: insertion opening
- 23: housing space
- 24: engaged portion(s)
- 27A: manipulation portion
- 27B: projection
Claims (6)
1. A front release buckle comprising:
a plug; and
a socket into which the plug is inserted for engagement, wherein the plug comprises:
a base;
a leg that projects from the base; and
an engaging portion that is formed to the leg,
the socket comprises: a body having an insertion opening; a housing space that is defined inside the body and capable of housing the leg inserted through the insertion opening; an engaged portion that is formed on the body and engageable with the engaging portion; and a manipulation portion that disengages an engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion,
the plug and the socket are formed to be flat,
the leg is flat and flexible in a thickness direction,
the engaging portion and the engaged portion are engaged with each other in the thickness direction, and
the engaging portion projects in a width direction of the leg and is formed within the thickness of the leg.
2. The front release buckle according to claim 1 , wherein
in an engagement between the plug and the socket, the manipulation portion and the engaging portion are positioned in a manner capable of contacting with each other,
the manipulation portion is positioned in the thickness direction of the leg to face the leg and has flexibility in the thickness direction, and
the manipulation portion comprises a projection projecting inward of the socket.
3. The front release buckle according to claim 1 , wherein
the engaging portion comprises inclined portions respectively having inclined surfaces near the manipulation portion, and
the manipulation portion is flexed toward the engaging portion to cause the projection to press the inclined surfaces.
4. The front release buckle according to claim 3 , wherein
an angle of each of the inclined surfaces is 15 degrees.
5. The front release buckle according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a pair of holders that position and hold the plug projecting from the base and the socket.
6. The front release buckle according to claim 5 , wherein
the leg diagonally projects in a manner to approach the manipulation portion as the leg extends in an insertion direction.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2010/060777 WO2011161801A1 (en) | 2010-06-24 | 2010-06-24 | Front release buckle |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20130091671A1 true US20130091671A1 (en) | 2013-04-18 |
Family
ID=45371014
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/806,155 Abandoned US20130091671A1 (en) | 2010-06-24 | 2010-06-24 | Front Release Buckle |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20130091671A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5552534B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN102946752B (en) |
DE (1) | DE112010005689B4 (en) |
TW (1) | TWI527526B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2011161801A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10292458B2 (en) | 2016-06-02 | 2019-05-21 | Ykk Corporation | Buckle |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2014150812A (en) * | 2013-02-05 | 2014-08-25 | Kamikawa Seisakusho:Kk | Connector |
JP6462510B2 (en) * | 2015-06-26 | 2019-01-30 | Ykk株式会社 | buckle |
DE112021007645T5 (en) * | 2021-05-10 | 2024-02-15 | Ykk Corporation | Plug and buckle |
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US5953798A (en) * | 1997-08-19 | 1999-09-21 | Ykk Corporation | Buckle |
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US20030110605A1 (en) * | 2001-12-17 | 2003-06-19 | Yasutaka Nishida | Three point release buckle assembly |
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JPH0725043Y2 (en) * | 1987-04-03 | 1995-06-07 | ワイケイケイ株式会社 | Belt fixture |
JPH0542729Y2 (en) * | 1988-09-13 | 1993-10-27 | ||
JPH03248104A (en) | 1990-02-27 | 1991-11-06 | Omron Corp | Optical waveguide lens |
JPH06118U (en) * | 1992-06-15 | 1994-01-11 | 吉田工業株式会社 | buckle |
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TW409509U (en) * | 1999-09-13 | 2000-10-21 | Taiwan Ind Fastener Corp | Improved fastening structure |
JP4528642B2 (en) * | 2005-01-28 | 2010-08-18 | Ykk株式会社 | buckle |
-
2010
- 2010-06-24 DE DE112010005689.7T patent/DE112010005689B4/en active Active
- 2010-06-24 JP JP2012521233A patent/JP5552534B2/en active Active
- 2010-06-24 CN CN201080067643.8A patent/CN102946752B/en active Active
- 2010-06-24 WO PCT/JP2010/060777 patent/WO2011161801A1/en active Application Filing
- 2010-06-24 US US13/806,155 patent/US20130091671A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2010-12-09 TW TW099143059A patent/TWI527526B/en active
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US4928364A (en) * | 1988-06-22 | 1990-05-29 | Nifco, Inc. | Buckle |
US5551131A (en) * | 1994-12-15 | 1996-09-03 | National Molding Corp. | Buckle which is releasable by depression of a hinged member and having improved locking capability |
US5953798A (en) * | 1997-08-19 | 1999-09-21 | Ykk Corporation | Buckle |
US5855057A (en) * | 1997-12-29 | 1999-01-05 | National Molding Corp. | Buckle assembly |
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Cited By (1)
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US10292458B2 (en) | 2016-06-02 | 2019-05-21 | Ykk Corporation | Buckle |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN102946752B (en) | 2015-06-10 |
TW201200057A (en) | 2012-01-01 |
JPWO2011161801A1 (en) | 2013-08-19 |
JP5552534B2 (en) | 2014-07-16 |
CN102946752A (en) | 2013-02-27 |
DE112010005689T5 (en) | 2013-05-29 |
DE112010005689B4 (en) | 2021-08-12 |
TWI527526B (en) | 2016-04-01 |
WO2011161801A1 (en) | 2011-12-29 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: YKK CORPORATION, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:NISHIDA, YASUTAKA;HARADA, TAKESHI;REEL/FRAME:029515/0027 Effective date: 20121030 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |