Strap adjustment assembly

• US 4,903,378 A
• Filed: 04/22/1985
• Issued: 02/27/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: YKK Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nippon Notion Kogyo Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Kasai, Kazumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Brittain, James R.
• Application Number:
  US06/726,165
• Time in Patent Office: 1,772 Days
• Field of Search: 24/163 R, 24/171, 24/181, 24/616, 24/194-197, 262/242
• US Class Current: 24/196
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/10 sliding wedge
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/266 with at least one push-button acting parallel to the main plane of the buckle and perpendicularly to the direction of the fastening action
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4019 Sliding part or wedge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4084 Looped strap

Abstract

A strap adjustment assembly generally comprises an open or hollow connector frame integrally molded of synthetic resin and a strap retainer integrally molded of synthetic resin and assembled in the hollow connector frame. The hollow connector frame includes a grip base having a strap bearing surface, a pair of spaced legs extending from the grip base and having a pair of oblong slots, respectively, and a connecting bar joining the legs remotely from the grip base by a distance. The strap retainer includes a central strap engagement portion, and a pair of arms extending from the central strap engagement portion and being non-rotatably loosely fitted in the slots, respectively. The central strap engagement portion has a strap pressing surface for frictionally pressing a strap end portion against the strap bearing surface. The strap pressing surface is transversely spaced from the arms at least by said distance. The connector frame and the strap retainer are simultaneously molded in an assembled condition.

Claims

1. A strap adjustment assembly comprising:

(a) a molded connector frame of synthetic resin including

(1) a grip base having a flat strap bearing surface;

(2) a pair of spaced legs extending integrally from opposite ends of said grip base and having a pair of transversely aligned slots, respectively, spaced from said flat strap bearing surface of said grip base by a distance, said slots having an oblong shape, and

(3) a connecting bar extending integrally between said legs remotely from said grip base; and

(b) a strap retainer of molded synthetic resin including

(1) a central strap engagement portion, and

(2) a pair of arms extending integrally from opposite ends of said central strap engagement portion and loosely fitted in said slots, respectively, said arms being disposed out of coaxial alignment with said central strap engagement portion and toward said connecting bar, said central strap engagement portion having a flat strap pressing surface extending parallel to said flat strap-bearing surface for frictionally pressing a strap end portion against said flat strap-bearing surface, said flat strap pressing surface being transversely spaced from said arms, at least by said distance, each of said arms having an elliptical cross section and being prevented from rotating in the respective oblong slots, said grip base, said legs, said connecting bar and said strap retainer being disposed in a plane lying substantially in the middle of the thickness of said strap adjusting assembly, said connector frame and said strap retainer having been molded in an assembled condition with said arms in said slots.

2. A strap adjustment assembly comprising:

(a) a molded connector frame of synthetic resin including

(1) a grip base having a flat strap bearing surface;

(2) a pair of spaced legs extending integrally from opposite ends of said grip base and having a pair of transversely aligned slots, respectively, spaced from said flat strap bearing surface of said grip base by a distance, said slots having an oblong shape, and

(3) a connecting bar extending integrally between said legs remotely from said grip base; and

(b) a strap retainer of molded synthetic resin including

(1) a central strap engagement portion, and

(2) a pair of arms extending integrally from opposite ends of said central strap engagement portion and loosely fitted in said slots, respectively, said central strap engagement portion having a flat strap pressing surface extending parallel to said flat strap-bearing surface for frictionally pressing a strap end portion against said flat strap-bearing surface, said flat strap pressing surface being transversely spaced from said arms, at least by said distance, each of said arms having an elliptical cross section and being prevented from rotating in the respective oblong slots, said grip base, said legs, said connecting bar and said strap retainer being disposed in a plane lying substantially in the middle of the thickness of said strap adjusting assembly, said connector frame and said strap retainer having been molded in an assembled condition with said arms in said slots.

3. A strap adjustment assembly comprising:

(a) a molded connector frame of synthetic resin including

(1) a grip base having a flat strap bearing surface;

(2) a pair of spaced legs extending integrally from opposite ends of said grip base and having a pair of transversely aligned slots, respectively, spaced from said flat strap bearing surface of said grip base by a distance, said slots having an oblong shape, and

(3) a connecting bar extending integrally between said legs remotely from said grip base; and

(b) a strap retainer of molded synthetic resin including

(1) a central strap engagement portion, and

(2) a pair of arms extending integrally from opposite ends of said central strap engagement portion and loosely fitted in said slots, respectively, said arms being disposed out of coaxial alignment with said central strap engagement portion and toward said connecting bar, said central strap engagement portion having a flat strap pressing surface extending parallel to said flat strap-bearing surface for frictionally pressing a strap end portion against said flat strap-bearing surface, said flat strap pressing surface being transversely spaced from said arms, at least by said distance, each of said arms having an elliptical cross section and being prevented from rotating in the respective oblong slots, said grip base, said legs, said connecting bar and said strap retainer being disposed in a plane lying substantially in the middle of the thickness of said strap adjusting assembly.