Controlled Release Buckle
AssigneeBell Sports, Inc.
InventorEamon Briggs
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a controlled release buckle may comprise a buckle lock configured to engage a strap in a manner preventing the strap from moving in a loosening direction when the buckle lock is in a resting position, and to disengage the strap when the buckle lock is forced into a disengaged position, and a buckle lever configured to move the strap in a tightening direction when the buckle lever is pulled in a first direction, and to engage the strap in a manner preventing the strap from moving in a loosening direction when the buckle lever is pressed in a second direction.
Claims20
A controlled release buckle, comprising:
- a buckle lock configured to engage a strap in a manner preventing the strap from moving in a loosening direction when the buckle lock is in a resting position, and to disengage the strap when the buckle lock is forced into a disengaged position;
- and
- a buckle lever configured to move the strap in a tightening direction when the buckle lever is pulled in a first direction, and to engage the strap in a manner preventing the strap from moving in a loosening direction when the buckle lever is pressed in a second direction.
A shoe, comprising:
- a flap;
- a strap coupled to the flap, wherein the shoe tightens when the strap is adjusted in a tightening direction, and the shoe loosens when the strap is adjusted in a loosening direction;
- and
- a controlled release buckle comprising:
- a buckle lock configured to engage the strap in a manner preventing the strap from moving in the loosening direction when the buckle lock is in a resting position, and to disengage the strap when the buckle lock is pressed into a disengaged position;
- and
- a buckle lever and configured to move the strap in the tightening direction when the buckle lever is pulled in a first direction, and to engage the strap in a manner preventing the strap from moving in the loosening direction when the buckle lock is pressed in a second direction.
A method of controllably releasing a buckle, comprising:
- pressing a buckle lever;
- forcing a buckle lock into a disengaged position relative to a strap;
- allowing the strap to move a controlled distance in a loosening direction;
- engaging the strap with the buckle lever to prevent the strap from moving in the loosening direction;
- releasing the buckle lever and disengaging the buckle lever from the strap;
- engaging the strap with the buckle lock to prevent the strap from moving in the loosening direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.