Buckle
The buckle of the present invention has a first connection means including two spaced-apart parallel slots for semi-permanently attaching the buckle ( 10 ) to a length of webbing in a well-known manner. It has a second connection means, which includes a first aperture ( 34 ) and a passageway ( 36 ) leading into the first aperture, through which a captive loop of webbing may be guided to locate it within the first aperture. The buckle also includes a second aperture ( 40 ), defined by parallel arms ( 27, 28 ), which is open in a direction opposite to that of the first aperture, for securing the captive loop in the buckle. When a captive loop of webbing ( 52 ) is secured in position, the buckle ( 10 ) cannot be shaken loose from the captive loop, but may be easily released when required by simply reversing the fastening procedure.
1. A buckle comprising a main body portion, a grip portion and a securing portion for securing a captive loop of webbing or the like, said buckle having a front and a back portion with an opening therebetween, all of which are integrally formed therewith, wherein:
said main body portion includes a first rectilinear elongate closed-ended slot and a second elongate closed-ended slot bent at an angle at its center point so as to form a substantially flattened V-shape, said first and second elongated slots being defined by two transverse bars integrally formed with said main body portion, said slots extending laterally of the buckle and being disposed in spaced, substantially parallel, relative to each other, wherein the respective ends of said slots are equidistant, said slots adapted to ensure the connection of the buckle to a free-ended length of webbing when this free length is threaded in succession through the first and the second slot;
the grip portion is integrally formed with said main body portion and opposite to said securing portion;
the securing portion includes a first arm having the proximal end attached to and extending from the main body in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the buckle so as to define a first aperture therewith, the said first aperture having a first and narrower opening facing in said first direction at the distal end of said first arm, said first opening being a passageway inclined at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the buckle which is adapted to guide a captive loop of webbing into said first aperture which has an enlarging width starting from said first opening; and
a second arm which extends from said first arm in a second direction, substantially opposite to said first direction, so as to define a second aperture therewith, the said second aperture having a second opening facing in said second direction and adapted to lock said loop after the buckle has been twisted in order to bring said second arm in front of both the front and back portions of the captive loop, with said first arm remaining within the loop.
2. The buckle of claim 1 , wherein the buckle is bent along a transverse bend line substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the buckle at an acute angle.
3. The buckle of claim 1 , wherein the grip portion comprises a substantially planar extension which is trapezium-shaped and defines a plurality of perforations.