TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a two piece magnetic buckle for attachment of a wide variety of components either directly, or by way of cords, straps, and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia or elsewhere before the priority date of this application.

It is known to use magnets for aligning components of a buckle assembly. For example, US 9,307,808 describes a two-piece buckle with magnets embedded in each portion. The male portion has a locking leg with a pawl at its end that seats within a corresponding locking groove having an insertion portion and a locking portion having a flange on the female portion when the male and female portions are placed together. The magnets are disposed laterally offset from each other when the locking leg extends through the insertion portion, so that the magnets pull the male and female portions in opposing lateral directions to force the locking leg into the locking portion of the groove, causing the locking pawl to engage the flange and lock the male portion to the female portion.

Another example two-piece buckle employing magnets is described in US 2015/0135486. Again, a male portion has multiple locking legs that project from a lower surface. Fastening the buckle involves first locating the locking legs within corresponding grooves defined in an underlying female portion, before magnets embedded within each portion act to slide the male portion into locking engagement with the female portion.

A disadvantage with such magnetic buckles is that it can be tricky to initially align the male and female members for insertion of the locking legs. This is particularly true when attempting the alignment with only one hand. Furthermore, depending on the material employed, the various projecting pieces, including the locking legs, can be susceptible to breakage, rending the buckle useless once detached or bent. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a magnetic fastening buckle, comprising: a female fastening member comprising a body having a planar upper bearing surface disposed between a pair of flanged edges that extend between a first and second end of the body and wherein the flanged edges extend upwardly from the planar upper bearing surface to form facing U-shaped receiving channels that are convergent toward the second end of the body and wherein a magnet is located between the retaining channels underlying the upper surface; and a male fastening member comprising a second body having a planar lower bearing surface and a pair of side edges extending being a first and second end of the second body and which are convergent toward the second end wherein a second magnet is located between the side edges underlying the lower bearing surface; and wherein fastening of the magnetic fastening buckle comprises laterally sliding the second end of the male fastening member over the first end of the female fastening member such that the respective bearing surfaces bear upon one another and until a portion of each side edge locates within a corresponding U-shaped channel thereby causing the respective bearing surfaces to align and wherein a magnetic attraction between the two magnets causes the male body to be pulled toward the second end of the female fastening member until no further lateral movement is possible due to the wedged configuration of the male fastening member side edges within the corresponding U-shaped receiving channels.

Unfastening of the buckle is achieved by overcoming the magnetic attraction through application of force in an opposite lateral direction and continuing to apply the force until the side edges are freed from the corresponding U-shaped channels, at which point the male and female fastening members can be detached.

In one embodiment a mechanical latching arrangement is provided for preventing movement in the opposite lateral direction.

The mechanical latching arrangement may comprise a locking pin located within the body of the female fastening member and which is configured to project upwardly through the upper bearing surface and into a correspondingly shaped void disposed in the lower bearing surface of the male fastening member which is positioned above the locking pin when the male fastening member has reached the extent of travel within the female fastening member. A release mechanism accessible via a lower surface of the female body may be provided for causing the locking pin to be withdrawn from the void for allowing the buckle to become unfastened. The release mechanism may comprise, for example, a spring loaded push button.

In another embodiment the mechanical latching arrangement comprises a locking pin located within the body of the male fastening member and which is configured to project downwardly through the lower bearing surface and into a correspondingly shaped void disposed in the upper bearing surface of the female fastening member which is positioned below the locking pin when the male fastening member has reached the extent of travel within the female fastening member. A release mechanism may be accessible via an upper surface of the male body for causing the pin to be withdrawn from the void. The release mechanism may, for example, comprise a button connected to the locking pin via a pivot mechanism and wherein depressing the button causes the locking pin to lift out of the void. A second magnet connected to the button and which has the same facing polarity as the underlying magnet may be provided for causing the locking pin to be biased in the lowered position.

In an embodiment the buckle may comprise a slot disposed adjacent the first end of the female fastening member for attachment of a belt, strap or the like.

In an embodiment the body of the male fastening member comprises an internal portion for attachment of a belt, strap or the like.

In another embodiment a slot disposed adjacent the second end of the male fastening member may be provided for attachment of a belt, strap or the like.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the buckle may comprise an attachment surface extending outwardly beyond a first one of the side edges of the female fastening member, and wherein the attachments surface provides an attachment means for attachment of a belt, strap or the like. Correspondingly, the male fastening member may comprise an upper surface which steps upwardly and outwardly from the body so as to extend beyond a second one of the side edges of the male fastening member to form a second attachment means for attachment of a belt, strap or the like and such that the first and second attachments are located on either side of the buckle when fastened. The first and second attachment means may comprise elongate slots.

In accordance with yet another aspect there is provided a magnetic fastening buckle, comprising: a male fastening member comprising side edges that tend to converge toward one end of the body and wherein a magnet is disposed in a lower outer surface between the side edges; and a female fastening member comprising upwardly extending side edges that form facing channels that tend to converge toward one end of the member, the facing channels being shaped correspondingly to an outer portion of the male fastening member side edges and wherein a magnet is embedded within an upper surface between the side edges; wherein fastening of the magnetic fastening buckle comprises laterally sliding the convergent end of the male fastening member over a non-convergent end of the female fastening member such that the respective upper and lower surfaces bear upon one another and until a portion of each side edge locates within a corresponding channel and wherein a magnetic attraction between the two magnets causes the male body to be pulled toward the convergent end of the female fastening member until no further lateral movement is possible.

The features and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, provided by way of example only, together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

Figure l is a front view of a female fastening member of a buckle, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, showing hidden detail;

Figure 2 is an end view of the female fastening member shown in Figure 1, showing hidden detail;

Figure 3 is a sectional view through AA;

Figure 4 is a front view of a male fastening member of a buckle, in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, showing hidden detail;

Figure 5 is an end view of the male fastening member of Figure 4, showing hidden detail;

Figure 6 is a sectional view through BB;

Figures 7a to 7c are front views illustrating fastening of the buckle in accordance with the first embodiment;

Figure 8 is a front view of a female fastening member of a buckle, in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, showing hidden detail;

Figure 9 is an end view of the female fastening member of Figure 8, showing hidden detail; Figure 10 is a sectional view through A’ A’;

Figure 11 is a front view of a male fastening member of a buckle, in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, showing hidden detail;

Figure 12 is an end view of the male fastening member shown in Figure 11, showing hidden detail;

Figure 13 is a sectional view through B’B’;

Figure 14 is a front view of a female fastening member of a buckle, in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, showing hidden detail;

Figure 15 is an end view of the female fastening member of Figure 14, showing hidden detail;

Figure 16 is a sectional view through CC;

Figure 17 is a front view of a male fastening member of a buckle, in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention, showing hidden detail;

Figure 18 is an end view of the male fastening member of Figure 17, showing hidden detail;

Figure 19 is a sectional view through DD;

Figure 20 is a front view of buckle having a male and female fastening member, in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention, showing hidden detail;

Figure 21 is an end view of the buckle of Figure 20, showing hidden detail;

Figure 22 is a front view of the male fastening member of Figure 20, showing partial hidden detail; and

Figures 23a to 23c are front views illustrating fastening of the buckle of Figure 20; Figure 24 illustrates the buckle of Figure 1 used in a fashion belt, in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE

INVENTION

Embodiments described herein relate to a two-piece magnetic buckle. The buckle finds particular application in connecting a sling to a lifting hoist, such as used in hospitals, aged care facilities and the like, for facilitating the raising or lifting of persons(s). One such applicable sling and hoist configuration is described in published PCT Application No. PCT/AU2018/051151 entitled “Lifting Hoist System”. Accordingly, the following embodiments are described in such a context. It will be understood, however, that embodiments are not so limited and may find application in connecting a wide range of components, either directly, or by way of cords, straps, etc. For example, the two-piece magnetic buckle may be used for connecting straps or belts for use with fashion accessories, saddlery, seat belts and crash helmets, among others.

With reference to Figures 1 to 7, there is shown a magnetic fastening buckle 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The magnetic buckle 10 comprises a female fastening member 12 and a male fastening member 14 for attachment to respective lengths of webbing, such as for connecting a patient support belt to a hoist. More specifically, the female fastening member 12 would typically be connected to the hoist, while the male fastening member 14 would be connected to the belt.

Referring now in detail to Figures 1 to 3, the female fastening member 12 comprises a body 20 of irregular hexagonal shape. As shown, a slot 16a is located toward a first end 22 of the body 20 for attachment of a strap (not shown). A pair of longitudinal side edges 24, 26 extend between the first end 22 and a second end 28 of the body 20. The longitudinal side edges 24, 26 are each flanged, extending upwardly from an upper surface 25 to form facing U-shaped channels 30, 32. This is best shown in Figure 3. A bearing surface portion 27 of the upper surface 25 extends between the side edges 24, 26. The bearing surface portion 27 is planar and, in use, forms a smooth upper surface on which the male fastening member 14 is slidingly received, as will be described in subsequent paragraphs. The U-shaped channels 30, 32 are convergent toward the second end 28 of the body 20. As is best shown in Figure 2, the second end 28 ends in an upwardly stepped lip 37 that extends between and closes the U- shaped channels 30, 32 at the second end 28. A first magnet 34 is centrally located between the side edges 24, 26, toward the second end 28. As is best shown in Figure 2, the first magnet 34 underlies the bearing surface portion 27. According to the illustrated embodiment, the first magnet 34 is cylindrical in shape and locates in a correspondingly shaped void disposed within the upper surface portion 27. A thin circular plate 31 locates over the first magnet 34 and is seated within a correspondingly shaped adjacent recess for retention of the first magnet 34. As shown, once seated in place, an upper surface of the circular plate 31 sits flush with the upper surface portion 27.

Turning now to Figures 4 through 6, the male fastening member 14 comprises a body 39 having an inner surface 40 and outer surface 42. The outer surface 42 has two longitudinally extending side edges 44, 46 extending between first and second laterally extending ends 48, 50. The side edges 44, 46 have the same inwardly converging profile (i.e., converging toward the second end 50) as the female fastening member 12. In this regard, in use, each side edge 44, 46 is adapted to be closely received within a corresponding U-shaped channel 30, 32. A distance between the pair of male side edges 44, 46 adjacent the first end 48 is greater than a distance between the U-shaped receiving channels 30,32 of the female fastening member 12 adjacent the second end 28 thereof. According to the illustrated embodiment, the male side edges 44, 46 and U-shaped channels 30, 32 have the same convergent profile, allowing the male fastening member 14 to wedge into the female fastening member 12. A lower outer surface 52 of the male fastening member 14 is completely planar between each side edge 44, 46. As the lower surface 52 travels beyond the side edges 44, 46, (i.e. toward the second end 50) it steps upwardly to form a nose portion 47. As is best shown in Figure 5, a second magnet 54 underlies the lower outer surface 52. Importantly, outwardly facing side of the second magnet 54 has an opposite polarity to the outwardly facing side of the first magnet 34. The second magnet 54 has a corresponding shape to the first magnet 34 and locates within a void disposed in the lower outer surface 52 in much the same manner as the first magnet. A thin circular plate 53 locates over the second magnet 54 and is seated within a correspondingly shaped recess adjacent the outer surface 52 for retention of the second magnet 54. Once seated in place, an upper surface of the circular plate 53 sits flush with the lower outer surface 52. It will be understood that the magnets 34, 54 could alternatively be glued in place, obviating the need for an overlying plate.

The inner surface 40 of the male fastening member 14 comprises a cavity 60 with an opening extending out the first end 50. A strap retaining bar 55 is located within the cavity 60 for attachment of a strap (not shown). Figures 7a through 7c show the process of fastening the buckle 10. As shown in Figure 7a, the male fastening member 14 is simply brought near the female fastening member 12 such that lower outer surface 52 of the male member 14 (i.e. adjacent the second end 50) locates over and bears upon the upper surface 28 of the female fastening member 12 (adjacent the first end 22). Thereafter, the male fastening member 14 is laterally slid over the female fastening member 12 until a forward portion of each side edge 44, 46 locates at least partially within a corresponding U-shaped channel 30, 32 (specifically, side edge 44 within channel 30 and side edge 46 within channel 32). At or about this point, a magnetic attraction between the first and second magnets 34, 54 causes the male body 20 to be further pulled toward the second end 28 of the female fastening member 12 until no further lateral movement is possible, i.e. due to the wedged configuration of the side edges 44, 46 within the corresponding U-shaped receiving channels 30, 32. As shown in Figure 7c, once located in this final fastened position, the first magnet 34 directly underlies the second magnet 54 such that they are in complete registration. It can also be seen from Figure 7c, that a nose portion 47 of the male fastening member 14 projects over the lipped second end 28 of the female fastening member 12. According to an alternative embodiment, the male portion may comprise a face plate that overlies or is formed as part of the outer surface 42 of 39 and which is configured to hide the side edges 24, 26 of the buckle 10 when fastened. This is best shown in Figure 24, which depicts the buckle 10 when used for a fashion belt. The face plate may take on different shapes and sizes depending on the desired look and use.

Unfastening of the buckle 10 is achieved by overcoming the magnetic attraction through application of force in an opposite lateral direction and continuing to apply the force until the side edges 44, 46 are freed from the corresponding U-shaped channels 30, 32, at which point the male and female fastening members 12, 14 can be detached. Thus, in the same manner as for the fastening step, unfastening is simply carried out by laterally sliding the male member 14 over the female member 12 (i.e. through movement in a single plane).

It will be understood that the male and female fastening member bodies 20, 39 may be formed of any suitable material, depending on the desired application. For the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, the bodies are each formed from die-case titanium, making the buckle 10 both lightweight and strong for holding heavy loads. In an alternative embodiment, such as for use in fastening straps of a safety helmet, the bodies 20, 39 could be made from injected moulded plastic with the magnets 34, 54 moulded in. In yet another example embodiment, the bodies 20, 39 could be cast (e.g. by a lost wax casting process) in a range of different alloys. It will also be understood that the male fastening member 14 may include a slot adjacent its second end (i.e. in much the same configuration as the female fastening member 12) for attachment of a strap, thus obviating the need for an internal housing as previously described.

Turning now to Figures 8 through 13 there is shown an alternative embodiment of a buckle 10” in accordance with the invention. The main difference with respect to the previously described embodiment is the addition of a mechanical latching arrangement, as well as the modified strap retention design for the male fastening member 14’.

The mechanical latching arrangement is provided for preventing rearward lateral movement of the male fastening member 14’ once fully fastened to the female fastening member 12’. According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 8 through 13, the mechanical latching arrangement comprises a locking pin 70 located within a housing 71 disposed in the body 20’ of the female fastening member 12’ and which is configured to project upwardly through the upper bearing surface 28’ and into a correspondingly shaped void 72 disposed in the lower bearing surface 52’ of the male fastening member 14’. The void 72 is located such that it overlies the locking pin 70 when the male fastening member 14’ has reached the extent of travel within the female fastening member 12’. The locking pin 70 may be spring loaded and biased to project above the upper bearing surface 28’ . In this instance, connecting the buckle 10’ would involve placing the lower surface 52’ over the locking pin 70 and then pressing down so as to depress the locking pin 70, before laterally sliding the male fastening member 14’ into the female fastening member 12’ (i.e. in the same manner as described with reference to Figures 7a through 7c). Once fully fastened, with the locking pin void 72 located over the locking pin 70, the spring bias would force the locking pin 70 upwardly into the void 72, thereby preventing lateral movement of the male fastening member 14’ relative to the female fastening member 12’. The locking pin may comprise any suitable release mechanism for withdrawing it from the void 72. For example, the locking pin 70 may comprise a double action push button or twist release mechanism that interacts with the spring, causing it to compress and in turn allowing the locking pin 70 to be drawn down completely into the housing 71. Unfastening then follows the same procedure as previously described for the earlier embodiment. It can also be seen from Figures 11 through 13, that the male fastening member 14’ incorporates a different strap securement point to that of the earlier embodiment. In this case, a slot 74 is provided in a nose portion 73 which, when fastened, extends beyond the female fastening member lip 37 for attachment of a strap, thus obviating the need for an internal cavity.

An alternative mechanical latching arrangement is illustrated in Figures 14 to 19. In this instance, the mechanical latching arrangement is mostly incorporated into the male fastening member 14” and comprises a locking pin 80 housed within its body 40”. The locking pin 80 is configured to project downwardly through the lower bearing surface 52” and into a correspondingly shaped void 81 disposed in the upper bearing surface 27” of the female fastening member 12” which is located such that it underlies the locking pin 80 when the male fastening member 14” has reached the extent of travel within the female fastening member 12”. A release mechanism accessible via an upper surface of the male body 40” comprises a button 82 which connects to the locking pin 80 via a pivot mechanism 84, such that depressing the button 82 causes the locking pin 80 to be withdrawn from the void 81 for allowing the buckle to become unfastened. According to the illustrated embodiment, a third magnet 85 is connected underneath the button 82 and faces the underlying second magnet 54. The third magnet 85 has the same facing polarity as the underlying second magnet 54, thus causing the locking pin to be biased in the lowered engaged position.

Yet another alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 20 through 23. The lateral sliding connectivity of the male and female fastening members 92, 90 is much the same as that for the previously described embodiments. Accordingly, the female fastening member 90 comprises a pair of side edges 92, 94 that extend between a first end 96 and second end 98 of the body 91. The side edges are flanged so at to form facing U-shaped channels 100, 102 that are convergent toward the second end 98. Correspondingly, the male fastening member 92 comprises a pair of convergent side edges 104, 106 for sliding receipt into the U-shaped channels 100, 102.

The main difference in relation to the embodiment shown in Figures 20 to 23 is the location and configuration of the attachment points. As shown, the female fastening member 90 includes an attachment point adjacent side edge 92 (in this case a longitudinally extending slot 93 for attachment to a strap or the like, though it will be understood that any suitable shaped slot or other attachment means could be applied). The male fastening member 92 includes an upper face 110 having a strap retaining portion 112 that steps forwardly of the right side edge 106. As is best shown in Figure 21, a channel is defined between the outwardly stepped retaining portion 112 and right side edge 106 that allows the right side edge 106 to slide freely into the corresponding U-shaped channel 102 in the female fastening member 90. Furthermore, the strap retaining portion 112 includes an attachment point (again taking the form of an elongate slot 114 suited for attachment to webbing). Magnets 116, 118 are incorporated into the bodies of the male and female fastening members 90, 92 in the same manner as described for the preceding embodiments, with the same resultant function. The buckle arrangement depicted in Figures 20 to 23 may be suitable for use when there is not an excess of webbing/strap (or degree of stretching) available for connecting the buckle ends. In this instance, the buckle members 90, 92 can be slid together without needing to tension the webbing. In addition, the sideways attachment facilitates single handed operation (e.g. making it advantageous for use with crash helmet straps and the like).

One or more of the following advantages may arise from the embodiments as afore- described:

Sturdy design Simple construction

- Magnetic coupling design facilitates one handed operation

- Fastening and unfastening carried out by lateral movement in a single plane

While a number of preferred embodiments have been described, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

In the foregoing description of certain embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes other technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "upper" and "lower", "above" and "below" and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

In this specification, the word “comprising” is to be understood in its “open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limited to its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of’. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words “comprise", "comprised" and "comprises" where they appear.

The preceding description is provided in relation to several embodiments which may share common characteristics and features. It is to be understood that one or more features of any one embodiment may be combinable with one or more features of the other embodiments. In addition, any single feature or combination of features in any of the embodiments may constitute additional embodiments.

Furthermore, the inventions have described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the inventions. Also, the various embodiments described above may be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments, e.g., aspects of one embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment to realize yet other embodiments. Further, each independent feature or component of any given assembly may constitute an additional embodiment.