[0001] The present patent application relates to a buckle for sandals provided with an interchangeable
camouflage cover.
[0002] The model of buckle according to the present invention was designed to convert a
functional component, such as the fastening buckle of sandal straps, into a decorative
element, thanks to the introduction of a cover for the total camouflage of the body
and the tongue of the buckle.
[0003] To tell the truth, some models of buckle provided with a collapsible covering plate
to conceive the buckle tongue already exist on the market. The plate, however, is
firmly fixed to the frame of the buckle, usually by means of one or more pivoting
pins that allow for turning over the cover, but not for removing it.
[0004] This means that the buckle must be used as it is sold, since the user cannot exchange
the cover with another cover from a different buckle, or apply covers with different
shape and/or dimensions and/or colours on the same model of buckle.
[0005] The model according to the present invention consists in a buckle of the type comprising
a body composed of an external bearing frame, which features a central transversal
bar designed to be applied on the sandal upper by means of traditional fixing means,
such as screws, rivets, stitching or gluing.
[0006] The transversal bar features a central peg suitable for being inserted in one of
the holes for fixing and adjustment provided on the sandal strap, which is inserted
through the buckle in such a way to pass over the bar, which remains hidden under
the strap, which in turn remains firmly fixed to the buckle thanks to the fixing peg.
[0007] The peculiarity of the model of buckle according to the present invention is represented
by the fact that the buckle is provided with an interchangeable cover, suitable for
being engaged, by simply pushing it, over the external frame of the buckle, which
remains completely hidden under the camouflage cover.
[0008] In order to adjust the strap the user will only have to push the cover of the underlying
buckle slightly to disengage it and comfortably adjust the strap.
[0009] For major clarity the description of the buckle according to the present invention
continues with reference to the enclosed drawings, which are intended for purposes
of illustration and not in a limiting sense, whereby:
- Figure 1 shows a sandal with a pair of buckles according to the present invention,
the first one without the camouflage cover in non-fastened position with respect to
the strap, the second one complete with cover and fastened to the strap.
- Figure 2 is the same as Figure 1, with the only difference that both straps are fastened;
- Figure 3 is a cross-section with a transversal plane of the buckle according to the
present invention.
[0010] With reference to the above figure, the buckle (1) comprises a body preferably made
of moulded plastic material, made up of an external bearing frame (2) with circular
profile, which features a transversal bar (3) provided with a pair of holes (3a) on
which two rivets (4) are applied to fix the buckle (1) to the upper (T) of the sandal,
as shown in Figure 1.
[0011] A peg (5) projects from the centre of the transversal bar (3) and is inserted into
one of the holes (F) for fixing and adjustment drilled on the strap (C) of the sandal,
which is inserted through the buckle (1) in such a way to pass over the bar (3), which
therefore remains hidden under the strap (C), as shown in Figure 2.
[0012] The model of buckle (1) according to the present invention is characterised by the
fact that it is provided with an interchangeable cover (6) capable of being engaged,
by pushing it, over the external frame (2) of the buckle (1), which remains completely
hidden under the cover (6), which in this case has a circular shape.
[0013] In the preferred embodiment shown in the enclosed drawings the profile of the cover
(6) is exactly identical to the external frame (2), to which is fixed under pressure
thanks to the suitable shape of the lower edge (6a) of the cover (6), as shown in
Figure 3.
[0014] However, it is understood that, always in the scope of the present invention, the
camouflage cover can feature - for pure ornamental reasons - different shapes of the
external frame (2), as long as the cover (6) is provided with fixing means type to
fix it to the frame (2) under pressure. The fixing means can be an annular groove
suitable for embracing and fastening the frame (2), or an annular series of elastic
teeth capable of fastening the frame (2), which in turn can have any shape - as long
as compatible with the function of the buckle - such as square, rectangular, elliptical,
etc.
1. Buckle for sandals provided with a collapsible camouflage cover, of the type comprising
a body composed of an external bearing frame (2), which features a central transversal
bar (3), from which a peg (5) centrally projects and is inserted in one of the holes
(F) for fixing and adjustment provided on the sandal strap (C), the buckle being characterised
by the fact that it is provided with an interchangeable camouflage cover (6) with
fixing means that are engaged to the external frame (2) under pressure.
2. Buckle according to the previous claim, characterised by the fact that the fixing
means provided on the interchangeable cover (6) are represented by the edge (6a) of
the cover, with suitable shape.
3. Buckle according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the fixing means provided
on the interchangeable cover (6) are represented by an annular groove capable of embracing
and fastening the frame (2).
4. Buckle according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the fixing means provided
on the interchangeable cover (6) are represented by an annular series of elastic teeth
suitable for fastening the frame (2).
5. Buckle according to the previous claims, characterised by the fact that the interchangeable
cover (6) features the same shape and dimensions as the external frame (2) to which
it must be fastened.