# US 2018/0279723 A1 · Apparatus for fastening straps, method to fasten straps > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0279723 A1 - Document ID: US20180279723A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/471,163 - Filed: 2017-03-28 - Published: 2018-10-04 - Earliest claimed: 2017-03-28 - Inventors: Matthew SWAGGART - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180279723A1 ## CPC - A44B 11/22: Buckle with fixed prong - A44B: BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE (fastenings specially adapted for footwear A43C) ## Abstract Briefly, the invention provides a one-piece buckle having a protuberance extending in a first direction and at least a second protuberance extending in a second direction opposite the first direction. Also provided is a method for fastening two portions of strap having the steps of mating a protuberance on a buckle with a first set of coaxial holes in a first and second strap portion, wherein the protuberance extends in a first direction, and mating at least one protuberance with a second set of coaxial holes in the first and second strap portions, wherein the at least one protuberance extends in a second direction opposite the first direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A buckle for joining two portions of a strap, the buckle comprising: an elongated generally flat frame with a first lateral rib, a second lateral rib and a central rib positioned between the first and second lateral ribs so as to define a void between the first lateral rib and the central rib and a second void between the central lateral rib and the second lateral rib, wherein the void is adapted to reversibly receive the strap; a first protuberance extending in a first direction, the first protuberance supported on a surface of the central rib; and a second protuberance extending in a second direction, the second protuberance supported on a surface of either one of said first lateral rib and second lateral rib, wherein the first direction and the second direction are different. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The buckle of claim 1 further comprising a first strap portion having a series of holes defined within the strap wherein the first protuberance removably engages one hole in said first strap portion and the second protuberance engages a different hole in the first strap portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The buckle of claim 1 further comprising a third protuberance extending in the second direction, the third protuberance supported on a lateral rib such that both lateral ribs feature protuberances. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The buckle of claim 1 further comprising: a first strap portion extending through the voids between the lateral ribs and the central rib, wherein the protuberance of the central rib mates with a first hole through a first strap portion; and a second strap portion extending through the voids between the lateral ribs and the central rib, wherein the protuberance of the central rib mates with a first hole through the second strap portion such that the two strap portions are prevented from moving relative to each other, and wherein the second protuberance mates with a second hole through the first strap portion and a second hole through the second strap portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The buckle of claim 2 further comprising: a first strap portion extending through the voids between the lateral ribs and the central rib, wherein the protuberance of the central rib mates with a first hole through the first strap portion; a second strap portion extending through the voids between the lateral ribs and the central rib, wherein the protuberance of the central rib mates with a first hole through the second strap portion such that the two strap portions are prevented from moving relative to each other, and wherein the second protuberance mates with a second hole through the first strap portion and a second hole through the second strap portion, and wherein the third protuberance mates with a third hole through the first strap portion and a third hole through the second strap portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The buckle of claim 3 wherein the first strap portion is a first end of a strap and the second strap portion is the second end of the strap. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The buckle of claim 3 wherein the first strap portion is a first strap and the second strap portion is a second strap. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The buckle of claim 1 wherein the buckle is one piece. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The buckle of claim 3 further comprising a first strap portion having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the central rib, wherein the protuberance of the central rib mates with a first hole through the first strap portion; and a second strap portion extending through the voids between the lateral ribs and the central rib, wherein the protuberance of the central rib mates with a first hole through the second strap portion such that the two strap portions are prevented from moving relative to each other, and wherein the second and third protuberances mate with second and third holes through the second strap portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The buckle of claim 1 wherein the buckle is made from a metal selected from the group consisting of steel, iron, brass, aluminum, gold, silver, nickel, copper, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The buckle of claim 1 wherein the buckle is made from elastomeric polymer. ### Claim 12 A method for fastening two portions of strap, the method comprising: mating a first protuberance on a buckle with a first set of coaxial holes in a first and second strap portion, wherein the protuberance extends in a first direction; and mating at least one protuberance with a second set of coaxial holes in the first and second strap portions, wherein the at least one protuberance extends in a second direction opposite the first direction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising: mating a second protuberance extending in the second direction with a third set of coaxial holes through the first and second strap portions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein the buckle comprises: an elongated generally flat frame with a first lateral rib, a second lateral rib and a central rib positioned between the first and second lateral ribs so as to define a void between the first lateral rib and the central rib and a second void between the central lateral rib and the second lateral rib, wherein the void is adapted to reversibly receive a strap; a first protuberance extending in a first direction, the first protuberance supported on a surface of the central rib; and a second protuberance extending in a second direction, the second protuberance supported on a surface of either one of said first lateral rib and second lateral rib, wherein the first direction and the second direction are different.