Buckle for tensioning the straps of fins or the like, having quick and simple fastening and unfastening means

• US 7,124,476 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2005
• Issued: 10/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HTM Sport S.p.A. (Head Sports Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: HTM Sport S.p.A. (Head Sports Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Vaccaro, Gian Paolo, Garofalo, Giovanni
• Primary Examiner(s): Sandy, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rodriguez, Ruth C.
• Application Number:
  US11/120,998
• Publication Number:
  US 20050246868A1
• Time in Patent Office: 538 Days
• Field of Search: 24/68.SK, 246/56, 24/69.SK, 245/67, 24/70.SK, 24/68.T, 24/68.J, 24/68.CD, 24/70.J, 24/68.E, 242/65.WS, 242/65.B, 242/65.R, 24652-654, 24 71 R- 71 SD, 36/501, 36/505, 441 60- 64, 280/14.21, 280/607, 280/14.22, 280/617, 280/618, 280/623, 280632-634, 292/163, 292/DIG.11, 292/DIG.37, 292/61
• US Class Current: 24/71.0SK
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/1446 characterised by special protection means to prevent damage or accidental loosening of the fastening means
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/125 with strap tightening means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 31/08 Swim fins, flippers or other swimming aids held by, or attachable to, the hands, arms, feet or legs A63B31/18 takes precedence; worn as gloves A63B31/02
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/216 Ski boot and garment fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2183 Ski, boot, and shoe fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4016 Pivoted part or lever
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4077 Looped strap

Abstract

Buckle for tensioning the straps of fins or the like, having quick and simple fastening and unfastening means, comprising a base part designed to be attached to one side of the shoe of the fin, an intermediate lever hinged at one end by hinge pins to the said base part, and a terminal part which carries at one end the means of connection to the fin attachment strap, while its other end is hinged by the pins at a point on the said lever situated between the end hinged to the base part and its free end, characterized in that the lever possesses on its two flanks, near its free end, two elastically flexible wings, each having a tooth and an outwardly projecting pin, while the base is provided, likewise on each flank, in positions corresponding to the said teeth and to the said pins, with means for engaging with the said teeth, and for housing the said pins.

Claims

1. Buckle for tensioning the straps of fins, having quick and simple fastening and unfastening means, comprising a base part designed to be attached to one side of a shoe of the fin, an intermediate lever hinged at one end by hinge pins to said base part, and a terminal part which carries at one end means of connection to a fin attachment strap, while its other end is hinged by pins at a point on said lever situated between the end hinged to the base part and its free end, characterized in that the lever possesses on its two flanks, near its free end, two elastically flexible wings, each having a tooth and an outwardly projecting pin, while the base is provided, likewise on each flank, in positions corresponding to said teeth and to said pins, with means for engaging with said teeth, and for housing said pins.

2. Buckle according to claim 1, in which said means for engaging with said teeth are holes.

3. Buckle according to claim 1, in which said means for engaging with said teeth are short crossbars.

4. Buckle according to claim 1, in which said means for housing said pins are upwardly open recesses.

5. Buckle according to claim 1, in which said teeth have a wedge profile in longitudinal section.

6. Buckle according to claim 1, in which said flexible wings are formed integrally with the flanks of said lever.