Load spreading belt with buckle closure
First Claim
1. A belt comprising:
- an elongated strap having first and second ends and front and rear surfaces;
a locking catch attached to the front surface of the strap adjacent the first end of said strap;
a catch receiver for engaging the locking catch attached to the rear surface of the strap adjacent the second end of said strap such that the ends of the strap are adapted to overlap, with said locking catch in mating engagement with said catch receiver in a latching area;
a buckle having a body and a door movably mounted on said body for movement between open and closed positions, said body having a base, a top and a rear plate, and a pair of posts extending between said base and top and spaced from said rear plate and defining a passage between said rear plate and said posts sized to accept the first end of the strap and locking catch therein for retaining the body of the buckle on said first end of the strap;
said posts and door defining a slot therebetween when the door is in the closed position for receiving the second end of the strap and catch receiver therein for mating engagement with the locking catch in the latching area between said posts.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A load spreading belt includes a buckle closure and an elongated flexible strap having a pair of ends. A pad of locking catches is mounted on one end of the strap and a pad of catch receivers is mounted on another end of the strap. When the strap encircles a load to be retained in position, the ends of the strap overlap such that the locking catches and catch receivers are in mating engagement. The buckle includes a top and a base. A rear plate and a pair of posts spaced from the rear plate, extend between the top and the base and define a passage therebetween. One end of the strap extends through the passage with the locking catches extending outwardly on either side of each post to removably retain the buckle on the strap. In one embodiment a door is hingedly attached to the base of the buckle and closes around the strap ends when the locking catches and catch receivers are in mating engagement. In another embodiment the top and base of the buckle include recesses, and a door is frictionally engaged and retained in the recesses when positioned over the strap. The buckle provides constant clamping force in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the strap thus securing the strap ends in overlapping position without a concentration of forces at a single point or line contact.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A belt comprising:
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an elongated strap having first and second ends and front and rear surfaces; a locking catch attached to the front surface of the strap adjacent the first end of said strap; a catch receiver for engaging the locking catch attached to the rear surface of the strap adjacent the second end of said strap such that the ends of the strap are adapted to overlap, with said locking catch in mating engagement with said catch receiver in a latching area; a buckle having a body and a door movably mounted on said body for movement between open and closed positions, said body having a base, a top and a rear plate, and a pair of posts extending between said base and top and spaced from said rear plate and defining a passage between said rear plate and said posts sized to accept the first end of the strap and locking catch therein for retaining the body of the buckle on said first end of the strap;
said posts and door defining a slot therebetween when the door is in the closed position for receiving the second end of the strap and catch receiver therein for mating engagement with the locking catch in the latching area between said posts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification