Method and Apparatus for Anti-Slip Webbing Adjustment

The invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for webbing retention and adjustment, and in particular to a method and apparatus for increasing friction on a webbing and preventing slippage of the webbing through a body member, like a buckle, with a resilient projecting member biased to engage the webbing wherein the resilient member is movable away from the webbing to ease adjustment of the webbing.

Buckles are well known for fastening one or more free ends of a belt or other strap, widely known as webbing, in countless applications including passenger and cargo restraints, lifejackets, and outerwear that has resulted in tremendous success in the marketplace. Buckles generally include a frame with several transverse members about which one or more end portions of webbing are secured. Typically, a first end portion of webbing is looped around one of the transverse members and secured to itself by means known in the art, and a second end portion of webbing is adjustably threaded between a combination of two or more transverse members that frictionally engage and prevent slippage of the second end portion of webbing. To improve frictional engagement of the webbing, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,349,449 and 4,791,709 disclose variations on a sliding transverse bar that moves in guide slots along inner side portions of the frame and is engageable with the webbing wherein increased tension on the webbing tends to increase friction with the slidable transverse member. To ensure engagement of webbing under a lesser amount of tension, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,163,905 and 5,170,539 disclose variations on a sliding transverse bar that is biased into engagement with the webbing by spring means. A separate transverse bar however has the disadvantage that it tends to bind in the guide slots, which may result in failure of the buckle. Furthermore, separate parts like the slidable transverse bar and spring means require additional manufacture or fabrication steps, must conform with narrow tolerances to ensure reliable operation, and moreover require additional assembly all of which results in increased cost.

Some of the problems discussed above are overcome by U.S. Pat. No. 4,171,555 which discloses, as illustrated in FIG. 5a of the present application, a unitary buckle 1 having first and second transverse members 2 and 3 interconnecting opposing sides 4 and 5 to form a body member having an upper side and a lower side. FIG. 5b illustrates an end portion of the webbing W extended from the lower side of the buckle upward and over the second transverse member 3, back downward between the first and second transverse members, and then between the webbing and a lower surface 6 of the first transverse member. The first transverse 2 member is positioned relative to the second transverse member 3 to form a path along which the webbing is fed to ensure sufficient friction to prevent slippage of the webbing under a tension T. These buckles however require that a minimum amount of tension be applied to the webbing before the webbing is frictionally engaged and prevented from slipping by the first and second transverse members. The webbing therefore has a tendency to slip through the buckle under little or no tension, which may frustrate efforts to secure the webbing. To decrease webbing slippage, FIG. 5c illustrates that the first and second transverse members are configured so that a plane aspect of the buckle is must be oriented at an increased angle relative to the webbing, in comparison to other prior art buckles, before the webbing may be adjusted or loosened between the first and second transverse members. This angle is sometimes referred to as the webbing release angle. Merely increasing the webbing release angle however does not entirely prevent loosening of the webbing, particularly when the webbing is under little or no tension and subject to movement as in the case of an active child loosely restrained by the webbing. In addition, space limitations may impede or prevent orienting the buckle at such an increased webbing release angle, and moreover orienting the buckle at such an increased release angle temporarily increases tension on the webbing, which may cause discomfort and result in injury or damage.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,530 overcomes in part some of the disadvantages discussed above with a unitary strap tensioning device having a spring-loaded clamp. The embodiments disclosed however are made from metal which requires fabrication steps including stamping parts from a metal sheet, subsequent bending of the stamped metal part, and coating of the finished part all of which increase costs. In addition, the disclosed embodiments are not readily formed from a plastic material and therefore do not have many of the advantages of a plastic device. For example, the metal is stressed during fabrication which may have an adverse effect on its strength, and metal is limited to application in non-corrosive environments. The disclosed embodiments also include functional structure with protruding appendages that can not readily be formed in a low profile design, which further limits application to environments where entanglement and snagging of the appendages is not a concern or safety factor.

In view of the discussion above, there exists a demonstrated need for an advancement in the webbing retention and adjustment art. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for webbing retention and adjustment that overcomes the problems in the prior art.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for anti-slip webbing retention and adjustment that increases friction on the webbing and prevents slippage of the webbing in at least one direction with little or no tension applied to the webbing.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for anti-slip webbing retention and adjustment that eases adjustment of the webbing by reducing friction on the webbing and reducing the webbing release angle required to adjust the webbing.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel method and apparatus for anti-slip webbing adjustment that is economical to manufacture, reliable, and does not require assembly of separate components.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed toward a method and apparatus for webbing retention and adjustment that includes a body member having opposing side members interconnected by at least first and second transverse members. The body member has an upper side and a lower side wherein a lower side portion of the first transverse member forms a webbing contact surface. A resilient projecting member extends upwardly from a lower portion of the body member and includes a front side portion biased toward the second transverse member and engageable with a portion of the webbing between the resilient projecting member and the second transverse member to prevent slippage of the webbing in at least one direction with little or no tension on the webbing. The resilient projecting member is flexible away from the second transverse member to at least partially disengage the webbing to ease adjustment of the webbing by reducing friction on the webbing and reducing the webbing release angle required to adjust the webbing. In one embodiment, a front side portion of the resilient projecting member includes a ledge portion with a lower surface, a lower front face extending from the ledge portion thereof toward the lower side of the body member, and an upper front face extending from the ledge thereof toward the upper side of the body member wherein at least a portion of the front side portion of the resilient projecting member is engageable with the webbing and at least urges the webbing toward the second transverse member to increase friction on he webbing and prevent slippage of the webbing in at least one direction. In another embodiment, a front side portion of the second transverse member includes a ledge with an upper surface, an upper front face extending from the ledge portion thereof toward the upper side of the body member, and a lower front face extending from the ledge thereof toward the lower side of the body member so that the front side portion of the second transverse member at least partially complements the front side portion of the resilient projecting member. In one embodiment, the webbing is prevented from slipping in a first direction and is adjustable in second direction when the resilient projecting member is positioned toward the second transverse member wherein the resilient flexible member is movable away from the second transverse member to ease adjustment of the webbing in the first and second directions. The body member may be configured as unitary plastic buckle with a third transverse member interconnecting the opposing side portions wherein another webbing portion is looped around the third transverse member and secured to itself by stitching or other means known in the art. In another embodiment, the body member is configured as part of a buckle system with mating male and female portions.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent upon consideration of the following Detailed Description of the Invention with the accompanying drawings wherein like structure and steps are referenced by corresponding numerals and indicators.

FIG. 1 is a top view of an apparatus for webbing retention and adjustment according to an embodiment of the present invention that includes a resilient projecting member biased toward a second transverse member.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1 illustrating the resilient projecting member positioned toward the second transverse member to increase friction on the webbing and prevent slippage of the webbing in at least one direction.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the resilient projecting member flexed away from the second transverse member to at least partially disengage the webbing to ease adjustment of the webbing.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention including a buckle system with mating male and female portions.

FIG. 5a is a prior art buckle.

FIG. 5b a sectional view of the prior art buckle along lines 2b--2b of FIG. 5a illustrating a webbing under tension engaged and retained by the buckle.

FIG. 5c is the buckle of FIG. 5b illustrating a plane of the buckle oriented at an increased webbing release angle relative to the webbing to permit adjustment of the tensioned webbing.

FIG. 1 is a top view of an apparatus 10 for webbing retention and adjustment according to one embodiment of the present invention generally comprising a body member having at least two opposing side members 12 and 14 interconnected by a first transverse member 20 and a second transverse 30 member. The first transverse member includes a resilient projecting member 40 biased toward the second transverse member 30 for increasing friction on a webbing to prevent slippage of the webbing in at least one direction, and is manually flexible away from the second transverse member to ease adjustment of the webbing as further discussed below. The resilient projecting member engages the webbing by contacting and urging the webbing at least toward the second transverse member to increase friction on the webbing. The second transverse member cooperates with the resilient projecting member and may also contact and urge the webbing at least toward the resilient projecting member to increase friction on the webbing. FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1 including a first webbing portion W engaged by at least a portion of the resilient projecting member positioned toward the second transverse member to increase friction and prevent slippage of the webbing. The body member has for ease of reference a plane aspect with an upper side 16 and a lower side 18. The first transverse member 20 has a lower side portion that forms a webbing contact surface 22 and an inner side portion 24 that slopes upward from the lower side portion and away from the second transverse member to permit flexing movement of the resilient projecting member 40 over the inner side portion 24 and away from the second transverse body member in the direction of arrow F as illustrated in FIG. 3. The first transverse member 20 includes a front side portion 26 that forms an end portion of the body member including a lip portion 28 to facilitate gripping and orienting the apparatus at a webbing release angle relative to the webbing for adjusting the webbing. The first transverse member 20 may in general be one of several transverse members intermediate the end portion of the body member, and the resilient projecting member may extend from a lower portion of the body member.

In the exemplary embodiment, the resilient projecting member 40 extends upward from a lower portion of the first transverse member 20, and includes a front side portion 42 facing the second transverse member 30. Opposing lateral side portions 43 and 44 of the resilient projecting member are not connected to the opposing sides members 12 and 14 to permit movement of the resilient projecting member 40 toward and away from the second transverse member 30. In one embodiment, a top portion 41 of the resilient projecting member protrudes above the opposing side members to facilitate gripping and flexing the resilient projecting member away from the second transverse member. Increasing the extent that the projecting member protrudes above the opposing side members decreases the force required to flex or move the resilient projecting member. The front side portion 42 of the resilient projecting member is biased toward the second transverse member 30 and includes a surface portion engageable with a portion of the webbing between the resilient projecting member and the second transverse member. The resilient projecting member contacts and urges the webbing toward the second transverse member, and in some embodiments in contact with the second transverse member, to increase friction on the webbing as the webbing loops about the second transverse member 30 and along the lower portion 22 of the first transverse member to prevent slippage of the webbing. The resilient projecting member also prevents slippage of the webbing with little or no tension applied to the webbing. As tension on the webbing is increased in the direction of arrow T, the webbing is more securely engaged by the apparatus when oriented relative to the webbing as in FIG. 2. In one embodiment, the front side portion of the resilient projecting member at least partially complements a surface portion of the second transverse member 30 to form a tortuous path that increases friction on the webbing and prevents slippage of the webbing. One or more barbs or ridges may alternatively or cumulatively be disposed on the front side portion of either or both the resilient projecting member and the second transverse member for further increasing friction on the webbing. In the exemplary embodiment, the front side portion 42 includes a ledge portion having a lower surface 46 facing toward the lower side 18 of the body member, a lower front face 47 extending from the ledge portion toward the lower side 18 of the body member, and a sloping upper front face 48 extending from the ledge toward the upper side 16 of the body member. At least an edge portion 49, formed by an acute angle between the sloping upper front face 48 and a portion of the lower surface 46, engages and urges the webbing at least toward the second transverse member to increase friction on the webbing and prevent slippage of the webbing in the direction indicated by arrow T when the resilient projecting member is positioned toward the second transverse member. The geometry of the front side portion 42 may vary so long as it cooperates with the second transverse member to engage and increase friction on the webbing to prevent slippage of the webbing in at least the direction indicated by arrow T when the resilient projecting member is positioned toward the second transverse member, and to permit at least partial disengagement and decrease of friction on the webbing when the resilient projecting member 40 is flexed away from the second transverse member 30 to ease adjustment of the webbing as discussed below.

The second transverse member includes an upper side portion 31, a front side portion 32 facing the resilient projecting member, and a back side portion 34. In one embodiment, the upper side portion 31 has a contoured upper face to increase the surface area contacting the webbing and a series of striations or grooves 33 to prevent lateral slippage and bunching of the webbing on the second transverse member. Similar grooves, not shown in the drawing, may be disposed on webbing contact surface 22 of the first transverse member discussed above for the same purpose. The upper side portion 31 may also be disposed intermediate the upper and lower sides 16 and 18 of the opposing side members to prevent the webbing from protruding from the body member. The back side portion 34 of the second transverse member includes an upper face that joins the upper side portion 31 and a lower face that joins the front side portion 32. The geometry of the front side portion 32 may vary so long as it cooperates with the resilient projecting member to engage and increase friction on the webbing to prevent slippage of the webbing in at least the direction indicated by arrow T when the resilient projecting member is positioned toward the second transverse member, and permits at least partial disengagement and decrease of friction on the webbing when the resilient projecting member 40 is flexed away from the second transverse member 30 to ease adjustment of the webbing as discussed below. In the exemplary embodiment, the front side portion 32 of the second transverse member includes a ledge portion having an upper surface 36 facing toward the upper side 16 of the body member, an upper front face 37 extending from the ledge portion toward the upper side 16 of the body member, and a sloping lower front face 38 extending from the ledge toward the lower side 18 of the body member. At least an edge portion 39, formed by an acute angle between the sloping lower front face 38, engages and urges a portion of the webbing at least toward the resilient projecting member to increase friction on the webbing and prevent slippage of the webbing in at least the direction of arrow T when the resilient projecting member is positioned toward the second transverse member.

FIG. 3 illustrates an end portion of webbing W extended upward from the lower side 18 of the body member, along the back side portion 34 and over the upper side portion 31 of the second transverse member 30. The resilient projecting member 40 is flexed away from the second transverse member 30, in the direction of arrow F, to ease passage of the webbing downward between the second transverse member and the resilient projecting member. The webbing is then extended along the webbing contact surface 22 between the first transverse member 20 and the webbing W in the direction of arrow P. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, the resilient projecting member 40 is biased toward the second transverse member 30 so that at least a portion of the front side portion 42 of the resilient projecting member contacts and urges a portion of the webbing at least toward the front side portion 32 of the second transverse member 30 to increase friction on the webbing and prevent slippage of the webbing in at least the direction of arrow T. As the resilient projecting member moves toward the second transverse member, a portion of the lower surface 46 of the resilient projecting member applies a downwardly directed force on the webbing toward the upper surface 36 of the second transverse member, the lower face portion 47 of the resilient projecting member applies a lateral force on the webbing toward the sloping lower face portion 38 of the second transverse member, and the sloping upper face portion 48 of the resilient projecting member applies a lateral force on the webbing toward the upper face portion 37 of the second transverse member to increase friction on the webbing and prevent slippage of the webbing. The complementary front side portion of the second transverse member likewise applies corresponding reaction forces on the webbing where the webbing contacts the front side portion of the second transverse member. The resilient projecting member and the second transverse member thereby cooperate to at least partially engage and increase friction on the webbing W to prevent slippage of the webbing in at least the direction of arrow T, although the webbing may be adjusted in the direction of the arrow P without flexing the resilient member 40 away from the second transverse member. Moving the resilient member 40 in the direction of the arrow F eases adjustment of the webbing in the direction of the arrow P by reducing friction on the webbing. The webbing is adjustable in both directions T and P when the resilient projecting member is positioned toward the second transverse member by orienting the plane of the apparatus at an appropriate webbing release angle relative to the webbing, similar to the illustration of FIG. 5c. Flexing the resilient projecting member away from the second body member eases adjustment of the webbing in both directions by reducing friction on the webbing and reducing the webbing release angle required to adjust the webbing. The extent to which the resilient projecting member eases webbing adjustment by reducing friction on the webbing, and accordingly reduces the webbing release angle between the apparatus and the webbing, depends on the extent to which the resilient projecting member is movable away from the second transverse member.

In another embodiment, the resilient projecting member and the second transverse member are configured to engage and increase friction on the webbing to prevent slippage of the webbing W in both directions P and T unless the apparatus is oriented at the webbing release angle relative to the webbing. For example, the edge portions 36 and 46 and edge portions 39 and 49 may be extended, or configured with barbs, to engage and urge portions of the webbing in a more tortuous path between the resilient projecting member and the second transverse member to prevent movement of the webbing in either direction. As discussed above, the resilient projecting member is movable away from the second transverse member to ease adjustment of the webbing by decreasing friction on the webbing and decreasing the webbing release angle. In another embodiment, the resilient projecting member is disposed on its own support member extending from a lower portion of the body member. In another embodiment, the resilient projecting member is positioned so that the second transverse member 30 is disposed between the first transverse member 20 and the resilient projecting member. In this alternative embodiment, a front side portion of the resilient projecting member is biased toward a front side portion of the second transverse member located on what is identified as the back side portion 34 of the second transverse member in FIGS. 2 and 3. Likewise the backside portion of the second transverse member will be on the opposite side indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The embodiments of the apparatus disclosed herein engage and increase overall friction on the webbing to prevent slippage of the webbing in at least one direction even with little or no tension applied to the webbing W. The resilient projecting member eases adjustment of the webbing when the resilient projecting member is moved away from the second transverse member by reducing friction on the webbing and reducing the webbing release angle required to adjust the webbing.

The embodiment of FIG. 1 is a one piece buckle that includes a third transverse member 50 and a fourth transverse member 52 both interconnecting the opposing side portions 12 and 14 of the body member. FIG. 2 illustrates an end portion of webbing W, which may or may not be a part of the webbing retained by the resilient projecting member 40, looped about the third transverse member 50 and secured to itself by threading or other means known in the art. FIGS. 1 and 2 also illustrate that the buckle may have a contoured upper surface 16 to provide comfort and a low profile that prevents inadvertent snagging of the buckle. In addition, the opposing sides are dimensioned to prevent the webbing from protruding above and below the upper and lower sides 16 and 18 to further enhance the functional profile of the buckle. FIG. 4 is partial perspective view of a two part buckle with a female end 56 lockingly engageable with a male end 58 as known in the art. Each mating end 56 and 58 includes outer side portions 13 and 15 illustrated with broken lines. In an alternative embodiment, the first transverse member 20 with the resilient projecting member 40 biased toward the second transverse 30 of FIG. 1 may interconnect the opposing side portions 13 and 15 of one or both of the mating ends 56 and 58. For example, the embodiment of FIG. 4 may be interpositioned between the broken lines along the opposing sides 12 and 14 of FIG. 1 wherein outer side portions 13 are aligned and coupled with opposing sides 12 and outer side portions 15 are aligned and coupled with opposing sides 14 to form a two part buckle incorporating the features of the present invention. The embodiments of the present invention may be comprised of a plastic, metal or other materials formed by molding, casting and other means known in the art. The one piece buckle embodiment is preferably formed of a unitary plastic member, and the two part buckle embodiment is preferable formed of two separate unitary plastic members.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables any one skilled in the art to make and use what is at present considered to be the best mode of the invention, it will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art the existence of variations, combinations, modifications and equivalents within the spirit and scope of the specific exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. The present invention therefore is to be limited not by the specific exemplary embodiments disclosed herein but by all of the embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.