"Attachment for a buckle or a plate for belts"

[0001 ] This invention relates to an attachment for a buckle or a plate, preferably for belts intended for clothing, provided with a quick release system.

[0002] In the sector of belts intended for clothing, for example made of hide, leather, fabric or any other material, the buckle, provided with a tongue, or the plate, provided with a tooth, is the terminal part of the belt that allows its fastening.

[0003] In the case of the buckle with tongue, the -end of the belt (provided with adjustment holes) is made to pass inside a frame portion and is secured by means of the tongue, which is inserted into one of the adjustment holes made in the belt. Also, many buckles are provided with a loop through which the excess portion of belt is made to pass once it has been engaged at the right length. While, in the case of the plate, the end of the belt is directly, secured directly by means of a tooth provided under the plate, a tooth that is inserted into one of the holes in the belt.

[0004] With the buckles of the prior art, removing the belt worn requires some time: the end of the belt (provided with holes) must be pulled out of the loops in which it is inserted (both those of the pants or skirt and any that may be present on the buckle itself) , the tongue must be disengaged from the hole in the belt, the ends the belt must be slid out from the frame portion and the entire belt must be pulled out of the loops in which it is inserted (those of the pants or skirt) .

[0005] In special situations, such as when passing through a metal detector, present at airports, police stations, courts, prisons, banks etc., the belt is a cause of discomfort because the presence of buckles or fixed metal plates makes it necessary to remove the belt itself to pass through the metal detector.

[0006] In these situations, the need is felt for a buckle or a plate, for fastening a belt, that can be easily and quickly removed and put back on in such situations of particular urgency.

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to resolve the problems of the known art, taking into account the needs of the industry.

[0008] In particular, the purpose of this invention is to provide an attachment for a buckle or a plate for belts provided with a quick release system.

[0009] The innovative system according to this invention allows obtaining this result without removing the belt, with all the inconvenience that follows, but by only removing the metal accessory (buckle or plate) , without the aid of any tools, while keeping the belt on.

[0010] This purpose is achieved by an attachment for a buckle or a plate according to claim 1, by a buckle according to claim 8, by a plate according to claim 9 and by a belt according to claim 10. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0011] The characteristics and advantages of the attachment provided with quick release system, of the buckle, the plate and the belt according to this invention will be apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, in accordance with the accompanying figures, in which:

[0012] - Figures 1A, IB, 1C and ID show respectively a top view, a bottom view, a rear view and a side view of a component, and in particular of a lever, of an attachment for buckles and plates, according to this invention, in an embodiment variant;

[0013] - Figure 2 is a top view of a component, and in particular with a lever, of an attachment for buckles and belts, according to this invention, in a further embodiment variant;

[0014] - Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show an axonometric front view, an axonometric rear view and a side view of an attachment for buckles and plates, according to this invention, in an embodiment variant, in closed configuration;

[0015] - Figures 4A, 4B and 4C show respectively an axonometric front view, an axonometric rear view and a side view of the attachment of Figure 3, in closed configuration;

[0016] - Figures 5, 6 and 7 show a top view of an attachment for buckles and plates, according to this invention, in further embodiment variants;

[0017] - Figures 8A and 8B show respectively a top view and an axonometric rear view of an attachment provided with loop, according to this invention, in an embodiment variant, in closed configuration;

[0018] - Figures 9, 10 and 11 show a top view of an attachment provided with loop, according to this invention, in further embodiment variants;

[0019] - Figures 12A and 12B show respectively an axonometric rear view and a top view of a buckle provided with attachment, according to this invention, in an embodiment variant, in open configuration;

[0020] - Figure 13 shows a top view of a buckle provided with attachment, according to this invention, in a further embodiment variant;

[0021] - Figures 14A, 14B and 14C show respectively an axonometric rear view, an axonometric bottom view and a side view of a plate provided with attachment, according to this invention, in an embodiment variant, in closed configuration;

[0022] - Figure 15 shows an axonometric rear view of a plate provided with attachment, according to this invention, in a further embodiment variant.

[0023] With reference to the accompanying figures, and in particular to Figures 3A and 4A, an attachment is represented, indicated with reference number 1, for a buckle or a plate, preferably for belts, provided with a quick release system.

[0024] The attachment 1 comprises a base 2 to which is rotatably fixed a lever 3. In particular, the lever 3 is fixed to the base 2 by means of at least one pin 9 or equivalent means, housed, at the same time, in a hole 29 provided in the base 2 and in a corresponding hole 39 provided in the lever 3.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4A, the base 2 is provided with a base body 21 provided, in correspondence of an inner portion, with a seat 23, suitable to house a terminal portion of the belt, and an abutment wall 22, against which the terminal end of the belt rests.

[0026] As shown in Figures IB and ID, the lever 3 comprises a lever body 31 provided, in correspondence of an inner rear portion, with at least one tooth 32 suitable to compress and/or affect the end of the belt. Preferably, the lever 3 is provided with a serration 32' .

[0027] Preferably, as shown in Figure IB, the lever 3 is provided, in correspondence of an inner portion of the lever body 31, with a seat 33, suitable to house a terminal portion of the belt.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4A, once the lever 3 is rotatably fixed to the base 2, the attachment 1 is provided with an open configuration (shown in Figures 4A to 4C) and a closed configuration (shown in Figures 3A to 3C) .

[0029] When the attachment 1 is in the open configuration, between the base 2 and the lever 3 is defined a passage P for the terminal portion of the belt, which can be inserted or removed from the attachment 1.

[0030] The rotation of the lever 3 determines the transition from the open configuration to the closed configuration of the attachment 1.

[0031 ] When the attachment 1 is in closed configuration, the lever 3 compresses the terminal portion of the belt against the base 2, the serration 32' prevents this terminal portion from sliding out from the attachment 1, and the terminal portion of the belt remains firmly fixed to the attachment 1.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1A, IB and ID, the lever 3 comprises, in correspondence of an anterior or front portion, at least one tab 35. [0033] As shown in Figure 3A, once the lever 3 is fixed to the base 2 and the attachment 1 is in closed configuration, the tab 35 protrudes, externally, with respect to the base 2. Preferably, the tab 35 protrudes horizontally and frontally with respect to the base 2.

[0034] Advantageously, the tab 35 provided on the lever 3 allows manually opening the attachment 1 simply and quickly, without the need for any tools (such as a screwdriver or other lever element) .

[0035] The tab 35 provided on the lever 3 is suitable to provide a point of support for the user's fingers and thus a grip for manually opening the attachment 1.

[0036] Figure 3C shows a side view of the attachment 1 in closed configuration. The attachment 1 has a substantially U-shaped section, wherein the front portion of the attachment 1 is rounded. The front portion is rounded in such a way that the tab 35 protrudes frontally horizontally starting from a rounded portion. This constructive choice improves the support point for the user's fingers, which slides comfortably along the rounded -front portion towards the tab 35, without encountering sharp edges.

[0037] Preferably, the attachment 1 has a slightly triangular U-shaped section. In particular, the rear portion (provided with passage P for the insertion of the terminal portion of the belt) is the base -of the triangle, and the rounded front portion (in correspondence of which is provided the tab 35) is the vertex of the triangle. This constructive choice further improves the support point for the user's fingers, which slide along the rounded front portion and are directed (by a slight descent) towards the tab 35.

[0038] Preferably, the tab 35 is provided, on the side facing the base 2, with a trail or groove (not shown in the figures) suitable to provide a point of support for the user's fingernails. Preferably, the groove is provided in correspondence of the end of the rounded front portion. This constructive choice still further enhances the user's grip as the fingers slide along the rounded front portion and grip in the groove of the tab 35.

[0039] In a variant, the tab 35 extends for the entire length of the body 31 of the lever 3.

[0040] As shown in Figures 6 and 11, the tab 35 extends partially with respect to the length of the body 31 of the lever 3.

[0041 ] As shown in Figures 6, 11, 13 and 15, the lever 3 comprises only one tab 35.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 14, the lever 3 comprises two tabs 35, preferably side by side.

[0043] For example, the tab 35 has a substantially rectangular or trapezoidal shape (Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15), or a substantially semi- circular shape (Figures 5, 6, 10) .

[0044] Preferably, the tab 35 has rounded or bevelled edges .

[0045] The tab 35 protrudes at least 1 mm (Figure 7) from the base 2. Preferably, the tab 35 protrudes at least 2 mm (Figure 1) from the, base 2.

[0046] The tab 35 has a thickness of at least 1 mm (Figure ID) .

[0047] In the embodiment variant of Figure 2, the lever 3 is also provided, in correspondence of an anterior or front portion, with a recess 36 suitable to house the tongue 41 of a buckle 4. The lever 3, provided with recess 36, is suitable to be secured to a base 2 (shown in Figure 8A) also provided with a recess 26 suitable to house the tongue 41 of a buckle 4.

[0048] The embodiment variant of Figure 1 shows a lever 3 without · recess 36, and suitable to be coupled to a plate 5.

[0049] In the embodiment variant of Figure 8, 9, 10 and 11, the lever 3 is also provided, in correspondence of an upper portion, with a belt loop 27 suitable to define a passage P' for the insertion of an opposite terminal portion of the belt, a portion provided with holes for the adjustment of the belt itself.

[0050] The base 2 is suitable to allow the coupling of the attachment 1 to a buckle 4 or to a plate 5. In particular, the base 2 is coupled to the buckle 4 or to the plate 5 by means of at least one pin or equivalent means, housed, at the same time, in a hole 29' provided in the base 2 and in a corresponding hole provided in the buckle 4 or in the plate 5.

[0051 ] Figures 12 and 13 show a buckle 4 to which is applied an attachment 1 according to this invention. The buckle 4 comprises a frame or sub-frame 42, which can have various shapes (for example circular, rectangular, etc.) and a tongue 41 suitable to be inserted into one of the holes made in the belt.

[0052] This invention also covers a buckle 4, comprising a sub-frame 42, preferably a tongue 41, and an attachment 1 provided with a lever 3 with at least one tab 35.

[0053] Figures 14 and 15 show a plate 5 to which is applied an attachment 1 according to this invention. The plate 5 comprises a shield 52, which can have various shapes (for example circular, rectangular, etc.) and a tooth or pin 51 suitable to be inserted into one of the holes made in the belt. [0054] This invention also covers a plate 5, comprising a shield 52, a tooth 51 and an attachment 1 provided with a lever 3 with at least one tab 35.

[0055] A buckle or a plaque provided with attachment according to this invention can be detached and removed from the belt (and likewise put back and reattached to the belt) in a very short time: after freeing the end of the belt (with holes) from the tongue 41 of the buckle 4 or from the tooth 51 of the plate 5, by applying pressure on the tab 35 of the lever 3, it is easy to obtain the opening of the attachment 1 and the consequent release of the other end of the belt (without adjustment .holes ) ; at this point the buckle 4 or the plate 5 can be removed, leaving the entire belt in position (fixed by means of the loops of the pants or of the skirt in which it is inserted) .

[0056] Preferably, the attachment, the buckle and the plate are made of metal, metal alloys or plastic, for example by casting or moulding.

[0057] Preferably, in the case of attachment, buckle and plate made of metal or metal alloys, once formed they are subjected to electroplating or chemical treatments in order to obtain finishes such as chrome-plating, nickel- plating, burnishing or similar.

[0058] This invention also covers a belt provided with a buGkle 4 with attachment 1 provided with lever 3 with at least one tab 35, or provided with a plate 5 with attachment 1 with lever 3 with at least one tab 35.

[0059] The belt is for example made from hide, leather, fabric or any other material.

[0060] A belt with buckle or plate with attachment provided with a quick release system, which is to say with a lever with tab, is particularly convenient in particularly urgent situations. For example in case of passage through a metal detector, it is not necessary to pull out the entire belt (generally made of hide, leather, fabric or other non-metallic material), which can be kept on, but it is sufficient to remove the buckle or plate (normally made of metal) and place it in the appropriate containers for the infrared control together with the hand luggage.

[0061 ] Innovatively , an attachment for buckles or plates for belts, provided with a quick release system according to this invention, allows being able to easily and quickly detach the buckle or the plate from the belt.

[0062] Advantageously, an attachment provided with a quick release system according to this invention, can be opened manually, and without the need for any tools (such as a screwdriver or other lever element) that could also damage the belt, buckle or plate.

[0063] Advantageously, a buckle or a plate provided with a quick release system according to this invention, can be removed from (and put back on) the belt quickly and easily .

[0064] Advantageously, a belt with buckle or plate with attachment provided with a quick release system according to this invention, is particularly convenient in situations of urgency.

[0065] It is clear that one skilled in the art may make changes to what is described above, all contained within the scope of protection defined by the following claims.