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US 11,259,604 B2Granted
Anti-pinch buckle assembly
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorScott David Kolasa
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A buckle assembly includes a buckle member that is configured to removably connect to a reciprocal buckle member. A retaining guard couples to the buckle member. The retaining guard is configured to reduce a potential of pinching as the buckle member connects to and disconnects from the reciprocal buckle member by providing a barrier where the buckle member and reciprocal buckle member connect.
Claims18
A buckle assembly, comprising:
- a buckle member configured to removably connect to a reciprocal buckle member, the buckle member comprising one or more pegs extending from a surface, and a collar defining an opening configured to receive the reciprocal buckle member;
- and
- a retaining guard that couples to the buckle member, the retaining guard comprising a base and a retaining arch that together define a passage for receiving and retaining the collar of the buckle member, a longitudinal length of the base being greater than a longitudinal length of the retaining arch,
- wherein the retaining guard is configured to reduce a potential of pinching as the buckle member connects to and disconnects from the reciprocal buckle member by providing a barrier where the buckle member and reciprocal buckle member connect,
- wherein the longitudinal lengths are measured in the direction that the reciprocal buckle member is received by the opening,
- wherein the retaining arch comprises lateral beams extending from the base and connected to a crossbeam, wherein the passage is defined between the base, the lateral beams, and the crossbeam, and
- wherein the buckle member comprises a locking protuberance that is retained within a retaining aperture of the retaining guard.
4 more elements
A buckle assembly, comprising:
- a buckle member configured to removably connect to a reciprocal buckle member and comprising a first opening, a second opening, a third opening, and a recessed area, the first and second openings being laterally opposed, and the third opening being configured to receive the reciprocal buckle member;
- and
- a retaining guard comprising a base and a retaining arch that define a passage for receiving and retaining the buckle member, the retaining arch being sized and shaped to at least partially conform to a shape of the recessed area of the buckle member,
- wherein the retaining guard is configured to couple to the buckle member so that the retaining arch is at least partially retained within the recessed area, and
- wherein the retaining guard is configured to reduce a potential of pinching as the buckle member connects to and disconnects from the reciprocal buckle member by providing a barrier where the buckle member and reciprocal buckle member connect.
2 more elements
A buckle assembly, comprising:
- a buckle member configured to removably connect to a reciprocal buckle member, the buckle member comprising lateral walls that connect to a top wall and a lower wall;
- and
- a retaining guard that couples to the buckle member and comprises a base and a retaining arch extending from the base, the retaining arch and the base together defining a passage for receiving and retaining the buckle member,
- wherein the retaining guard further includes a retaining aperture, and the buckle member further includes a locking protuberance, the retaining aperture being configured to receive and retain the locking protuberance,
- wherein the base of the retaining guard is longer than a longitudinal length of the buckle member and laterally extends beyond the lateral walls of the buckle member when the retaining guard and buckle member are coupled, and
- wherein the retaining guard is configured to reduce a potential of pinching as the buckle member connects to and disconnects from the reciprocal buckle member by providing a barrier where the buckle member and reciprocal buckle member connect.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.