Belt buckle

• US 20030106192A1
• Filed: 09/30/2002
• Published: 06/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Batz Corporation
• Original Assignee: Batz Corporation
• Inventors: Schmitz, Hans-Jorg
• Granted Patent: US 6,792,654 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 24/614
• 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 24/45524 including resiliently biased projection component or surface segment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45628 for plural, oppositely shifting, similar interlocking components or segments

Abstract

The invention relates to a belt buckle, comprising two buckle members fastened on belt ends, the first (1) of said members having a receiving compartment (6) in which the second buckle member (2) is axially inserted. Said second buckle member comprises snap-fit members that are adjusted against a spring force and that interact with undercuts in the first buckle member to secure the fitted buckle members (1,2). The inventive belt buckle is further characterized in that the buckle members consist of cast metal and that the snap-fit members are impinged upon by at least one mechanical return spring.

Claims

1. Belt buckle, comprising two buckle members that can be secured to belt ends, of which the first (1) is provided with a receiving chamber (6) for the axial insertion of the second buckle member (2), which contains snap-fit elements (14,15) that are displaceable against spring force and that, to secure the buckle members (1,2) that are inserted in one another, cooperate with undercuts in the first buckle member, characterized in that the buckle members are made of cast metal, and the snap-fit elements (14,15) are under the influence of at least one mechanical return spring.

2. Belt buckle according to claim 1, characterized in that the buckle members (1,2) are made of cast brass.

3. Belt buckle according to claim 1, characterized in that the buckle members (1,2) are made of cast zinc.

4. Belt buckle according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the buckle members (1,2) have a surface that is processed by shot hardening and subsequent galvanization.

5. Belt buckle according to claim 4, characterized in that the buckle members (1,2) have a surface processed by galvanization in a nickel bath.

6. Belt buckle according to claim 4, characterized in that the buckle members (1,2) have a surface processed by galvanization in a brass bath.

7. Belt buckle according to claim 4, characterized in that the buckle members (1,2) have a surface processed by copper plating and subsequent galvanization in a chromium bath.

8. Belt buckle according to claim 1, characterized in that the snap-fit elements (14,15) are supported by at least one compression spring.