Bite buckle

A strap assembly, comprising:

• a strap having a free end and a second end;
• and
• a self-activating friction buckle comprising:
• a base anchored to the second of the strap, the base defining at least a portion of a strap routing passage for routing a free end of the strap through the self-activating frication buckle, the at least the portion of the strap routing passage extending from a first side to a second side of the base, wherein the base defines a first clamping region;
• and
• a slider coupled to the base by a prismatic joint and configured for longitudinal translation between an open position and a closed position, wherein the slider comprises a transverse portion positioned such that, when the slider moves toward the closed position, the transverse portion at least partially overlies the first opening to reduce an aperture of the strap routing passage, wherein the slider comprises a second clamping region, wherein the aperture is defined between the first clamping region and the second clamping region, wherein the slider is adapted to translate toward the closed position in response to a longitudinal force applied to the slider by the strap when the strap is routed through the strap routing passage and is under tension to clamp the strap between the first clamping region and the second clamping region.

A method of clamping a strap with a self-activating friction buckle, comprising:

• routing a free end of the strap through a strap routing passage of the buckle;
• pulling the free end to increase tension in the strap;
• and
• using the strap tension to translate a slider relative to a base of the buckle so that a transverse plate of the slider reduces an aperture of the strap routing passage and clamps the strap between first and second clamping zones, whereby the strap tension maintains the clamping.