A STRAP BUCKLE AND A METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH A STRAP BUCKLE

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a strap buckle. Also, the invention relates to a strap buckle manufactured according to the method.

Background of the invention

[0002] Buckles for flexible strapping are known in the art for securing goods during transportation and storage. Such a (strap) buckle is for example known from US 3377666: the buckle includes a single piece of wire bent to have (a) a first, generally U-shaped portion including a first distal leg formed from one end of said single piece of wire, a first proximal leg and a bight; (b) a second, generally U-shaped portion including a second distal leg formed from the other end of said single piece of wire, a second proximal leg and a bight; (c) an intermediate wire portion connecting the proximal leg of each U-shaped portion; said two proximal legs and said intermediate wire portion lying in a first plane and having a U-shaped configuration; said two distal legs lying parallel to each other in a second plane; each of said bights extending from said first plane to said second plane.

[0003] A flexible strap is guided at one end around the first distal leg and between the first distal leg and the second proximal leg. Likewise, the flexible strap is guided at the other end around the second distal leg and between the second distal leg and the associated first proximal leg. By tightening the strap (e.g., around goods), on the distal legs and the proximal legs a force is exerted that closes the gap between the first distal leg and the second proximal leg, and between the second distal leg and the first proximal leg, respectively. associated mid-section. As a result the flexible strap is clamped in a fixed position by the buckle. To maintain parallelism and preventing in-plane distortions of the distal legs under load which could result in slippage of the strap, notches are formed on the intermediate wire portions, that block the distal legs from bending toward each other.

[0004] To create the notches a relatively precise process is required however, since a displacement of the notches could allow distortion of one or two of the distal legs.

[0005] Also there is a need to have a strap and buckle arrangement that can be used on securing relatively heavier goods which would require strap tensions above the level that cause slippage in the prior art buckle.

[0006] It is an objective of the invention to mitigate or overcome one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art.

Summary of the invention

[0007] The objective is achieved by a method for manufacturing a strap buckle comprising:

• providing, or creating from wire material, a single piece of wire as elongate wire member;
• stamping the elongate wire member to have end sections which are each parallel to and transversely displaced with respect to a mid-section part, the displacement of each end section in a same first radial direction;
• creating a first flattened longitudinal track on the stamped elongate wire member in a first planar region common to the longitudinal axes of the end sections and the longitudinal axis of the mid-section part;
• creating bends in the elongated wire member such that a buckle is formed having:
  (a) a first, generally U-shaped portion including a first distal leg formed from one end of said single piece of wire, a first proximal leg and a first bight;

  (b) a second, generally U-shaped portion including a second distal leg formed from the other end of said single piece of wire, a second proximal leg and a second bight;

  (c) an intermediate wire portion connecting the proximal leg of each U-shaped portion; said two proximal legs and said intermediate wire portion lying in a first plane of the buckle and having a U-shaped configuration; said two distal legs lying parallel to each other in a second plane of the buckle and substantially parallel to the two proximal legs; each of said bights extending from said first plane to said second plane,

wherein the first flattened track on the first distal leg and on the second distal leg is positioned under such an angle that during operation the strap follows the circumference of the first and second distal legs, is tightened over the first flattened track thereon and contacting the edges of said track.

[0008] Advantageously, the method allows to create the first flattened track in the wire piece well before the bending operation, which simplifies the manufacturing process in comparison to the method of the prior art.

[0009] Moreover, the flattened track improves the mechanical properties of the buckle: strengthening of the wire piece occurs due to the plastic deformation that creates the flattened track. This provides that the buckle is more resistant to elastic bending under the load of the strap.

[0010] In addition, in operation under tension of a flexible strap that is attached at one end to the first distal leg and at the other end to the second distal leg, in the buckle the strap is tightened around the distal legs: the strap is forced against the surface of the flattened track of each distal leg, in which the edges of the track provide distinct points of contact with the strap. At these points the force on the strap is locally increased which advantageously provides that the pressed strap is strongly retained at a fixed position, substantially free of slippage. Due to the reduction of slippage occurring, the operational load on the strap can be increased even further before slippage will occur.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the invention provides a method as described above, wherein the first flattened track is created on the stamped elongate wire member under the first angle being in the first planar region that is common to the longitudinal axes of both the end sections and the longitudinal axis of the mid-section part; and the first flattened tracked of the first distal leg is facing towards the second proximal leg and the first flattened track of the second distal leg is facing towards the first proximal leg.

[0012] Under these circumstances, the first angle is about 90 degrees with respect to first radial direction of the displacement. Here the flattened track improves the mechanical properties of the buckle by providing a contact surface where the strap is clamped: In operation under tension of a flexible strap that is attached at one end to the first distal leg and at the other end to the second distal leg, in the buckle the distal legs are each elastically displaced towards the associated proximal leg. By the tension in the strap the flattened track of each distal leg is forced against the surface of the associated proximal leg, with the strap being pressed between each pair of distal and proximal leg. Due to the flattened track the contact surface between the distal leg and the proximal leg is enlarged which advantageously assists to keep the pressed strap strongly retained at a fixed position, free of slippage. Also, the enlarged contact surface between the distal leg and proximal leg allows that the tension in the strap can be increased which advantageously provides that goods can be strapped under high load.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a method as described above, wherein at least one additional flattened track is created on the stamped elongate wire member under a second angle with the first radial direction, such that during operation the strap follows the circumference of the first and second distal legs and is tightened over the second flattened track thereon.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a method as described above, wherein the at least one additional flattened track is created under the second angle being in a second planar region opposite the first planar region and common to the longitudinal axes of both the end-sections and the longitudinal axis of the mid-section part; the creation of the second flattened track providing that the first flattened track of the first distal leg is facing towards a second flattened track of the second proximal leg and the first flattened track of the second distal leg is facing towards a second flattened track of the first proximal leg.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a method as described above, wherein the first flattened track and/or the at least one additional flattened track is created on the wire material before creating the elongate wire member from the wire material.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a method as described above, wherein the first flattened track and/or the at least one additional flattened track is created by plastic deformation of the elongate wire member.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a method as described above, wherein the method comprises creating a surface structure or roughness on the first and/or at least one additional flattened tracks.

[0018] According to the invention embodiments are provided in which an at least one additional flattened track is created in a direction under a secondary angle opposite to direction under the first angle. As the at least one additional flattened track provides edges that are forced against the tightened strap additional points of contact are created that counteract slippage of the strap over the surface of the distal leg(s).

[0019] Accordingly, by having two flattened surfaces where between the strap is pressed advantageously the contact surface is increased which allows a further increase of the operational load on the strap before slippage of the strap will occur. As a result, the tension in the strap can be increased even further.

[0020] According to an aspect the invention provides a buckle manufactured from a single piece of wire having:

(a) a first, generally U-shaped portion including a first distal leg formed from one end of said single piece of wire, a first proximal leg and a first bight;

(b) a second, generally U-shaped portion including a second distal leg formed from the other end of said single piece of wire, a second proximal leg and a second bight;

(c) an intermediate wire portion connecting the proximal leg of each U-shaped portion;

said two proximal legs and said intermediate wire portion lying in a first plane of the buckle and having a U-shaped configuration; said two distal legs lying parallel to each other in a second plane of the buckle and substantially parallel to the two proximal legs; each of said bights extending from said first plane to said second plane of the buckle,

wherein at least first flattened tracks are provided on the first and second distal legs, wherein the first flattened track on the first distal leg and on the second distal leg is positioned under such a first angle that during operation a flexible strap installed on the buckle follows the circumference of the first and second distal legs and is tightened over the first flattened track thereon.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a buckle as described above, wherein the first angle of the first flattened track of the first distal leg is such that the first flattened track is facing towards the second proximal leg and the first flattened track of the second distal leg is facing towards the first proximal leg.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a buckle as described above, wherein the buckle is configured that in operation, under tension of a flexible strap attached at one end to the first distal leg and attached at the other end to the second distal leg, the first flattened track of the first distal leg is forced against the second proximal leg and the first flattened track of the second distal leg is forced against the first proximal leg, in such a manner that the strap is clamped between the first flattened track of the first distal leg and the second proximal leg and between first flattened track of the second distal leg and the first proximal leg.

[0023] Advantageous embodiments are further defined by the dependent claims.

Brief description of drawings

[0024] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to drawings in which illustrative embodiments thereof are shown. The drawings are intended exclusively for illustrative purposes and not as a restriction of the inventive concept. The scope of the invention is only limited by the definitions presented in the appended claims.

Figure 1 schematically shows a wire piece for forming a buckle;

Figure 2 schematically shows a first step for forming the buckle according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 schematically shows a top view of a buckle manufactured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 schematically shows a bottom view of the buckle of Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a detailed cross-section of a portion of the buckle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention

Figure 6 schematically shows a side view of the buckle of Figures 3 and 4;

Figure 7 schematically shows the side view of the buckle of Figure 5 with an unloaded strap;

Figure 8A, 8B schematically shows the side view of the buckle with loaded strap and a detail thereof;

Figure 9 shows a detailed cross-section of a portion of the buckle in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of embodiments

[0025] Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are schematic in nature and therefore not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings, identical or similar elements are indicated by the same reference sign.

[0026] Figure 1 schematically shows a wire piece 1 for forming a buckle. According to an embodiment, the buckle is made from a single elongated wire piece of metal.

[0027] The material and diameter of the wire piece 1 can be chosen based on a desired strength of the buckle that is fabricated. For example, the wire piece can be a steel wire piece with a diameter of about 8 mm.

[0028] Figure 2 schematically shows a first step for forming the buckle according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0029] In a first step of the manufacturing process, the wire piece 1 is stamped. End sections 2, 3 of the wire piece are created that are each parallel to and that are transversely displaced with respect to a mid-section part 4. The end sections 2, 3 are displaced over a similar distance 20 in a first radial direction R with respect to the mid-section part 4.

[0030] Further, a first (relatively) flattened longitudinal track 5 is created on the stamped elongate wire member under a first angle with the first radial direction R in a first planar region that is common to the longitudinal axes A2; A3 of both the end sections 2, 3 and the longitudinal axis A1 of the mid-section part 4. The first track 5 may be created by stamping or by machining. The first track 5 may extend along at least the end sections 2, 3 or along the end sections and the mid-section part 4.

[0031] The width of the first track 5 may about 1 mm or more in the example of a wire piece with 8 mm diameter.

[0032] It is noted that according to some embodiments, the flattened longitudinal track may be created on the wire before the wire piece is fabricated from the wire.

[0033] In Figure 2, the first planar region is depicted in top view.

[0034] Figure 3 schematically shows a top view of a buckle manufactured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 schematically shows a bottom view of the buckle of Figure 3. Figure 6 schematically shows a side view of the buckle of Figures 3 and 4.

[0035] After the first step(s) of the process as illustrated with reference to Figure 2, the wire piece is subjected to a bending process to form a buckle 10.

[0036] The buckle 10 consists of a substantially quadrilateral loop in which a first, generally U-shaped portion of the wire piece has a first distal leg 12 formed from one end section 2 of the single piece of wire, a first proximal leg 14 formed from a portion of the mid-section part 4 and a first bight 15 interconnecting the first distal leg and the first proximal leg.

[0037] A second, generally U-shaped portion of the wire piece has a second distal leg 13 formed from the other end section 3 of the wire piece, a second proximal leg 16 formed from another portion of the mid-section part 4 and a second bight 17 interconnecting the second distal leg and the second proximal leg.

[0038] Finally, the buckle has an intermediate wire portion 18 that connects the proximal legs 14, 16 of each U-shaped portion, thus also forming a U-shape 14, 18, 16.

[0039] Figure 5 shows a detailed cross-section of a portion of the buckle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. According to this embodiment the first flattened track is under an oblique first angle with the radial direction of the displacement. Due to this orientation, the first flattened track 5 on the second distal leg 13 will not be facing towards the surface of the first proximal leg 14 (and the first distal leg 12 will not be facing towards the surface of the second proximal leg 16, but not shown here). However, a strap 22 that is tightened will forced against the circumference of the distal leg where the edges 5a, 5b of the track 5 will form local protrusions. It is observed that such protrusions will act as points of contact on the strap that will block movement of the tensioned strap along the circumference. As a result, the friction is increased what will allow to increase the operational load of the strap and the buckle to higher value before slippage will occur.

[0040] As will be shown in more detail with reference to Figure 6, the two proximal legs 14, 16 and the intermediate wire portion 18 form a U-shape with the proximal legs parallel to each other and are in a first plane P1 of the buckle 10. The two distal legs 12, 13 are parallel to each other in a second plane P2 of the buckle 10 above the first plane. The two distal legs 12, 13 are substantially parallel to the two proximal legs 14, 16 while the first distal leg 12 is above the second proximal leg 16 and the second distal leg 13 is above the first proximal leg 14. Between each distal leg 12; 13 and each associated proximal leg 16; 14 a gap 20 is present under unloaded conditions (no load on the buckle).

[0041] The bending process to create the buckle 10 is configured in such a manner that the flattened track 5 (indicated by dashed lines) on the first and second distal legs 12, 13 in the second plane P2 is substantially facing towards the proximal legs in the first plane P1.

[0042] Figure 7 schematically shows the side view of the buckle of Figure 5 with an unloaded strap.

[0043] A flexible strap is attached to the buckle 10 at one end to the first distal leg 12 and at another end to the second distal leg 13. One end 22 of the strap runs around the first distal leg 12 by means of a first loop 23. The incoming and outgoing parts of the strap end 22 are guided around the inward portion of the second proximal leg 16 in outward direction X1. Likewise, the other end 24 of the strap runs around the second distal leg 13 by means of a second loop 25. The incoming and outgoing parts of the strap end 24 are guided around the inward portion of the second proximal leg 14 in outward direction X2 opposite to direction X1.

[0044] Figure 8A schematically shows the side view of the buckle with loaded strap. Figure 8B shows a detail of the arrangement of the strap on the distal leg.

[0045] Upon tightening the strap by a strapping force F1, a clamping force F2 is exerted on the distal legs 12; 13 in a manner that the flattened track 5 of the first distal leg 12 is forced against the surface of the second proximal leg 16 and the flattened track 5 of the second distal leg 13 is forced against the surface of the first proximal leg 14. The flattened tracks 5 are configured to enlarge the contact surfaces between the distal and proximal legs, which provide that slippage is relatively reduced and, if required, larger clamping forces F2 and larger strapping forces F1 can be applied.

[0046] Figure 9 shows a detailed cross-section of a portion of a buckle 11 in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. According to this embodiment, a second flattened track 6 is created on the stamped wire piece at an opposite side facing away from the first flattened track 5. Within the buckle 11, the first flattened track 5 on the distal leg 12; 13 is facing the second flattened track 6 on the associated proximal leg 16; 14. As will be clear from the cross-section shown in Figure 8, the arrangement of the first and second flattened tracks 5, 6 is such that under loaded conditions the strap is pressed between the first and second flattened tracks. As a result, the slippage of the strap will be reduced further and even larger clamping forces F2 and larger strapping forces F1 can be applied in this embodiment.

[0047] The second flattened track 6 may extend along at least the end sections 2, 3 or along the end sections and the mid-section part 4. The width of the second track 6 is comparable to the width of the first track 5.

[0048] It is noted that additional to the first and second flattened tracks more additional flattened tracks may be created on the stamped wire piece.

[0049] Optionally, the flattened track/tracks 5, 6 can be provided with a coating or a surface structure to create a roughness on the surface of the tracks. The coating may be created by a chemical (dry or wet) or electrochemical process. The surface structure may be created by either a mechanical process, a chemical (dry or wet) or electrochemical process. Such processes are known to the skilled in the art.

[0050] In a further embodiment, the surface structure comprises ripple marks (not shown) extending in longitudinal direction.

[0051] The invention has been described with reference to some embodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to the person skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a strap buckle comprising:

(i)

- providing, or creating from wire material, a single piece of wire as elongate wire member;

(ii)

- creating bends in the elongated wire member such that a buckle is formed having:

(a) a first, generally U-shaped portion including a first distal leg (12) formed from one end (2) of said single piece of wire, a first proximal leg (14) and a first bight (15),

(b) a second, generally U-shaped portion including a second distal leg (13) formed from the other end (3) of said single piece of wire, a second proximal leg (16) and a second bight (17);

(c) an intermediate wire portion (18) connecting the proximal leg (14, 16) of each U-shaped portion said two proximal legs (14, 16) and said intermediate wire portion (18) lying in a first plane of the buckle and having a U-shaped configuration; said two distal legs (12, 13) lying parallel to each other in a second plane of the buckle and substantially parallel to the two proximal legs; each of said bights (15, 17) extending from said first plane to said second plane characterised in that between steps (i) and (ii):

- the elongate wire member is stamped to have end sections which are each parallel to and transversely displaced with respect to a mid-section part, the displacement of each end section being in a same first radial direction;

- a first flattened longitudinal track (5) is created on the stamped elongate wire member in a first planar region common to the longitudinal axes of the end sections and the longitudinal axis of the mid-section part;

and further characterised in that during step (ii) a buckle is formed wherein:

- the first flattened track (5) on the first distal leg (12) and on the second distal leg (13) is positioned under such an angle that during subsequent use the strap (22) will follow the circumference of the first (12) and second (13) distal legs, will be tightened over the first flattened track (5) thereon and will be contacting the edges of said track (5).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first flattened track (5) is created on the stamped elongate wire member under a first angle being in the first planar region that is common to the longitudinal axes (A2, A3) of both the end sections (2, 3) and the longitudinal axis (A1) of the mid-section part (4); and the first flattened track (5) of the first distal leg (12) is facing towards the second proximal leg (16) and the first flattened track (5) of the second distal leg (13) is facing towards the first proximal leg (14).

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least a second flattened track (6) is created on the stamped elongate wire member under an associated angle with the first radial direction, such that during subsequent use the strap (22) will follow the circumference of the first (12) and second (13) distal legs and will be tightened over the second flattened track (6) thereon.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the at least second flattened track (6) is created under the associated angle being in an associated planar region opposite the first planar region and common to the longitudinal axes (A2, A3) of both the end-sections (2, 3) and the longitudinal axis (A1) of the mid-section part (4); the creation of the second flattened tracl (6) providing that the first flattened track (5) of the first distal leg (12) is facing towards a second flattened track (6) of the second proximal leg (16) and the first flattened track (5) of the second distal leg (13) is facing towards a second flattened track (6) of the first proximal leg (14).

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1-4, wherein the first flattened track (5) and/or the at least second flattened track (6) is created on the wire material before creating the elongate wire member from the wire material.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1-4, wherein the first flattened track (5) and/or the at least second flattened track (6) is created by plastic deformation of the elongate wire member.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, comprising creating a surface structure or roughness on the first and/or the at least second flattened tracks (5, 6).

8. A buckle manufactured from a single piece of wire having:

(a) a first, generally U-shaped portion including a first distal leg (12) formed from one end of said single piece of wire, a first proximal leg (14) and a first bight (15);

(b) a second, generally U-shaped portion including a second distal leg (13) formed from the other end of said single piece of wire, a second proximal leg (16) and a second bight(17);

(c) an intermediate wire portion (18) connecting the proximal leg of each U-shaped portion

said two proximal legs (14, 16) and said intermediate wire portion (18) lying in a first plane of the buckle and having a U-shaped configuration; said two distal legs (12, 13) lying parallel to each other in a second plane of the buckle and substantially parallel to the two proximal legs; each of said bights (15, 17) extending from said first plane to said second plane of the buckle

characterised in that at least first flattened tracks (5) are provided on the first and second distal legs (12, 13) wherein the first flattened track on the first distal leg (12) and on the second distal leg (13) is positioned under such a first angle that during use a flexible strap (22), installed on the buckle, follows the circumference of the first and second distal legs (12, 13) and is tightened over the first flattened track (5) thereon.

9. The buckle according to claim 8, wherein the first angle of the first flattened track (5) of the first distal leg (12) is such that the first flattened track is facing towards the second proximal leg (16) and the first flattened track (5) of the second distal leg (13) is facing towards the first proximal leg (14).

10. The buckle according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the buckle is configured that in use, under tension of the flexible strap (22) attached at one end to the first distal leg (12) and attached at the other end to the second distal leg (13), the first flattened track (5) of the first distal leg (12) is forced against the second proximal leg (16) and the first flattened track (5) of the second distal leg (13) is forced against the first proximal leg (14), in such a manner that the strap (22) is clamped between the first flattened track (5) of the first distal leg (12) and the second proximal leg (16) and between first flattened track (5) of the second distal leg (13) and the first proximal leg (14).

Ansprüche

1. Verfahren zum Herstellen einer Riemenschnalle, das Folgendes umfasst:

(i) Bereitstellen oder Erzeugen eines einzelnen Drahtstücks als längliches Drahtelement aus Drahtmaterial;

(ii) Erzeugen von Biegungen in dem länglichen Drahtelement, so dass eine Schnalle gebildet wird, die Folgendes aufweist:

(a) einen ersten, im Allgemeinen U-förmigen Teil, der einen ersten distalen Schenkel (12), der aus einem Ende (2) des besagten einzelnen Drahtstücks gebildet ist, einen ersten proximalen Schenkel (14) und eine erste Biegung (15) enthält,

(b) einen zweiten, im Allgemeinen U-förmigen Teil, der einen zweiten distalen Schenkel (13), der aus dem anderen Ende (3) des besagten einzelnen Drahtstücks gebildet ist, einen zweiten proximalen Schenkel (16) und eine zweite Biegung (17) enthält;

(c) ein Drahtzwischenstück (18), das den proximalen Schenkel (14, 16) jedes U-förmigen Teils verbindet;

wobei die beiden proximalen Schenkel (14, 16) und das besagte Drahtzwischenstück (18) in einer ersten Ebene der Schnalle liegen und eine U-förmige Konfiguration aufweisen; wobei die beiden distalen Schenkel (12, 13) parallel zueinander in einer zweiten Ebene der Schnalle und im Wesentlichen parallel zu den zwei proximalen Schenkeln liegen; wobei sich jede der besagten Biegungen (15, 17) von der besagten ersten Ebene zu der besagten zweiten Ebene erstreckt,

gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass zwischen den Schritten (i) und (ii):

- das längliche Drahtelement so gestanzt ist, dass es Endabschnitte aufweist, die jeweils parallel zu einem Mittelteil und quer zu diesem verschoben sind, wobei die Verschiebung jedes Endabschnitts in einer gleichen ersten radialen Richtung erfolgt;

- eine erste abgeflachte Längsspur (5) auf dem gestanzten länglichen Drahtelement in einem ersten ebenen Bereich erzeugt wird, der den Längsachsen der Endabschnitte und der Längsachse des Mittelteils gemeinsam ist;
und ferner gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass während des Schritts (ii) eine Schnalle gebildet wird, wobei:

- die erste abgeflachte Spur (5) auf dem ersten distalen Schenkel (12) und auf dem zweiten distalen Schenkel (13) unter einem solchen Winkel angeordnet ist, dass der Riemen (22) bei der späteren Verwendung dem Umfang des ersten (12) und zweiten (13) distalen Schenkels folgen wird, über der ersten abgeflachten Spur (5) darauf festgezogen wird und die Kanten der besagten Spur (5) berühren wird.

2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die erste abgeflachte Spur (5) auf dem gestanzten länglichen Drahtelement unter einem ersten Winkel erzeugt wird, der in dem ersten ebenen Bereich liegt, der den Längsachsen (A2, A3) von beiden Endabschnitten (2, 3) und der Längsachse (A1) des Mittelteils (4) gemeinsam ist; und die erste abgeflachte Spur (5) des ersten distalen Schenkels (12) dem zweiten proximalen Schenkel (16) zugewandt ist und die erste abgeflachte Spur (5) des zweiten distalen Schenkels (13) dem ersten proximalen Schenkel (14) zugewandt ist.

3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei mindestens eine zweite abgeflachte Spur (6) auf dem gestanzten länglichen Drahtelement unter einem mit der ersten radialen Richtung assoziierten Winkel erzeugt wird, so dass der Riemen (22) bei der späteren Verwendung dem Umfang des ersten (12) und zweiten (13) distalen Schenkels folgen wird und über der zweiten abgeflachten Spur (6) darauf festgezogen wird.

4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3, wobei die mindestens zweite abgeflachte Spur (6) unter dem assoziierten Winkel in einem assoziierten ebenen Bereich erzeugt wird, der dem ersten ebenen Bereich gegenüberliegt und den Längsachsen (A2, A3) der beiden Endabschnitte (2, 3) und der Längsachse (A1) des Mittelteils (4) gemeinsam ist;
wobei die Erzeugung der zweiten abgeflachten Spur (6) ermöglicht, dass die erste abgeflachte Spur (5) des ersten distalen Schenkels (12) einer zweiten abgeflachten Spur (6) des zweiten proximalen Schenkels (16) zugewandt ist und die erste abgeflachte Spur (5) des zweiten distalen Schenkels (13) einer zweiten abgeflachten Spur (6) des ersten proximalen Schenkels (14) zugewandt ist.

5. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 - 4, wobei die erste abgeflachte Spur (5) und/oder die mindestens zweite abgeflachte Spur (6) auf dem Drahtmaterial erzeugt werden, bevor das längliche Drahtelement aus dem Drahtmaterial erzeugt wird.

6. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 1 - 4, wobei die erste abgeflachte Spur (5) und/oder die mindestens zweite abgeflachte Spur (6) durch plastische Verformung des länglichen Drahtelements erzeugt werden.

7. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 6, das das Erzeugen einer Oberflächenstruktur oder Rauheit auf der ersten und/oder der mindestens zweiten abgeflachten Spur (5, 6) umfasst.

8. Schnalle, die aus einem einzelnen Drahtstück hergestellt wird, die Folgendes aufweist:

(a) einen ersten, im Allgemeinen U-förmigen Teil, der einen ersten distalen Schenkel (12), der aus einem Ende des besagten einzelnen Drahtstücks gebildet ist, einen ersten proximalen Schenkel (14) und eine erste Biegung (15) enthält;

(b) einen zweiten, im Allgemeinen U-förmigen Teil, der einen zweiten distalen Schenkel (13), der aus dem anderen Ende des besagten einzelnen Drahtstücks gebildet ist, einen zweiten proximalen Schenkel (16) und eine zweite Biegung (17) enthält;

(c) ein Drahtzwischenstück (18), das den proximalen Schenkel jedes U-förmigen Teils verbindet;

wobei die beiden proximalen Schenkel (14, 16) und das besagte Drahtzwischenstück (18) in einer ersten Ebene der Schnalle liegen und eine U-förmige Konfiguration aufweisen; wobei die beiden distalen Schenkel (12, 13) parallel zueinander in einer zweiten Ebene der Schnalle und im Wesentlichen parallel zu den zwei proximalen Schenkeln liegen; wobei sich jede der besagten Biegungen (15, 17) von der besagten ersten Ebene zu der besagten zweiten Ebene der Schnalle erstreckt.

gekennzeichnet dadurch, dass mindestens erste abgeflachte Spuren (5) auf dem ersten und dem zweiten distalen Schenkel (12, 13) vorgesehen sind, wobei die erste abgeflachte Spur auf dem ersten distalen Schenkel (12) und auf dem zweiten distalen Schenkel (13) unter einem solchen ersten Winkel angeordnet ist, dass bei der Verwendung ein flexibler Riemen (22), der an der Schnalle installiert ist, dem Umfang des ersten und des zweiten distalen Schenkels (12, 13) folgt und über der ersten abgeflachten Spur (5) darauf festgezogen wird.

9. Schnalle nach Anspruch 8, wobei der erste Winkel der ersten abgeflachten Spur (5) des ersten distalen Schenkels (12) derart ist, dass die erste abgeflachte Spur dem zweiten proximalen Schenkel (16) zugewandt ist und die erste abgeflachte Spur (5) des zweiten distalen Schenkels (13) dem ersten proximalen Schenkel (14) zugewandt ist.

10. Schnalle nach Anspruch 8 oder Anspruch 9, wobei die Schnalle so konfiguriert ist, dass im Gebrauch unter Spannung des flexiblen Riemens (22), der mit einem Ende an dem ersten distalen Schenkel (12) angebracht ist und mit dem anderen Ende an dem zweiten distalen Schenkel (13) angebracht ist, die erste abgeflachte Spur (5) des ersten distalen Schenkels (12) gegen den zweiten proximalen Schenkel (16) gedrückt wird und die erste abgeflachte Spur (5) des zweiten distalen Schenkels (13) gegen den ersten proximalen Schenkel (14) gedrückt wird, derart, dass der Riemen (22) zwischen der ersten abgeflachten Spur (5) des ersten distalen Schenkels (12) und dem zweiten proximalen Schenkel (16) und zwischen der ersten abgeflachten Spur (5) des zweiten distalen Schenkels (13) und dem ersten proximalen Schenkel (14) eingeklemmt wird.

Revendications

1. Procédé pour fabriquer une boucle de sangle comprenant :

(i) fournir, ou créer à partir d'un matériau de fil, une pièce unique de fil en tant qu'élément de fil allongé ;

(ii) créer des courbures dans l'élément de fil allongé de telle sorte qu'une boucle est formée ayant :

(a) une première portion, généralement en forme de U, incluant une première jambe distale (12) formée à partir d'une extrémité (2) de ladite pièce unique de fil, une première jambe proximale (14) et une première courbe (15),

(b) une deuxième portion, généralement en forme de U, incluant une deuxième jambe distale (13) formée à partir de l'autre extrémité (3) de ladite pièce unique de fil, une deuxième jambe proximale (16) et une deuxième courbe (17) ;

(c) une portion de fil intermédiaire (18) connectant la jambe proximale (14, 16) de chaque portion en forme de U

lesdites deux jambes proximales (14, 16) et ladite portion de fil intermédiaire (18) se trouvant dans un premier plan de la boucle et ayant une configuration en forme de U ; lesdites deux jambes distales (12, 13) se trouvant parallèles l'une à l'autre dans un deuxième plan de la boucle et sensiblement parallèles aux deux jambes proximales ; chacune desdites courbes (15, 17) s'étendant à partir dudit premier plan audit deuxième plan,

caractérisé en ce qu'entre les étapes (i) et (ii) :

- l'élément de fil allongé est embouti pour avoir les sections d'extrémité qui sont chacune parallèles à et déplacées transversalement par rapport à une partie de section médiane, le déplacement de chaque section d'extrémité étant dans une même première direction radiale ;

- une première piste longitudinale aplatie (5) est créée sur l'élément de fil allongé embouti dans une première région plane commune aux axes longitudinaux des sections d'extrémité et à l'axe longitudinal de la partie de section médiane ; et caractérisé en outre en ce que pendant l'étape (ii) une boucle est formée où :

- la première piste aplatie (5) sur la première jambe distale (12) et sur la deuxième jambe distale (13) est positionnée sous un angle tel que pendant une utilisation successive la sangle (22) suivra la circonférence des première (12) et deuxième (13) jambes distales, sera serrée sur la première piste aplatie (5) sur cela et sera en contact avec les bords de ladite piste (5).

2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, où la première piste aplatie (5) est créée sur l'élément de fil allongé embouti sous un premier angle étant dans la première région plane qui est commune aux axes longitudinaux (A2, A3) des sections d'extrémité (2, 3) aussi bien que de l'axe longitudinal (A1) de la partie de section médiane (4) ; et la première piste aplatie (5) de la première jambe distale (12) est tournée vers la deuxième jambe proximale (16) et la première piste aplatie (5) de la deuxième jambe distale (13) est tournée vers la première jambe proximale (14).

3. Procédé selon la revendication 1, où au moins une deuxième piste aplatie (6) est créée sur l'élément de fil allongé embouti sous un angle associé avec la première direction radiale, de telle sorte que pendant l'utilisation successive la sangle (22) suivra la circonférence des première (12) et deuxième (13) jambes distales et sera serrée sur la deuxième piste aplatie (6) sur cela.

4. Procédé selon la revendication 3, où l'au moins deuxième piste aplatie (6) est créée sous l'angle associé étant dans une région plane associée opposée à la première région plane et commune aux axes longitudinaux (A2, A3) des sections d'extrémité (2, 3) aussi bien que de l'axe longitudinal (A1) de la partie de section médiane (4) ;
la création de la deuxième piste aplatie (6) prévoyant que la première piste aplatie (5) de la première jambe distale (12) soit tournée vers une deuxième piste aplatie (6) de la deuxième jambe proximale (16) et que la première piste aplatie (5) de la deuxième jambe distale (13) soit tournée vers une deuxième piste aplatie (6) de la première jambe proximale (14).

5. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes 1 à 4, où la première piste aplatie (5) et/ou l'au moins deuxième piste aplatie (6) est créée sur le matériau de fil avant de créer l'élément de fil allongé à partir du matériau de fil.

6. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes 1 à 4, où la première piste aplatie (5) et/ou l'au moins deuxième piste aplatie (6) est créée par déformation plastique de l'élément de fil allongé.

7. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, comprenant la création d'une structure de surface ou rugosité sur la première et/ou l'au moins deuxième piste aplatie (5, 6).

8. Boucle fabriquée à partir d'une pièce unique de fil ayant :

(a) une première portion, généralement en forme de U, incluant une première jambe distale (12) formée à partir d'une extrémité de ladite pièce unique de fil, une première jambe proximale (14) et une première courbe (15) ;

(b) une deuxième portion, généralement en forme de U, incluant une deuxième jambe distale (13) formée à partir de l'autre extrémité de ladite pièce unique de fil, une deuxième jambe proximale (16) et une deuxième courbe (17) ;

(c) une portion de fil intermédiaire (18) connectant la jambe proximale de chaque portion en forme de U

lesdites deux jambes proximales (14, 16) et ladite portion de fil intermédiaire (18) se trouvant dans un premier plan de la boucle et ayant une configuration en forme de U ; lesdites deux jambes distales (12, 13) se trouvant parallèles l'une à l'autre dans un deuxième plan de la boucle et sensiblement parallèles aux deux jambes proximales ; chacune desdites courbes (15, 17) s'étendant à partir dudit premier plan audit deuxième plan de la sangle,

caractérisée en ce qu'au moins des premières pistes aplaties (5) sont prévues sur les première et deuxième jambes distales (12, 13) où la première piste aplatie sur la première jambe distale (12) et sur la deuxième jambe distale (13) est positionnée sous un premier angle tel que pendant l'utilisation une sangle flexible (22), installée sur la boucle, suit la circonférence des première et deuxième jambes distales (12, 13) et est serrée sur la première piste aplatie (5) sur cela.

9. Boucle selon la revendication 8, où le premier angle de la première piste aplatie (5) de la première jambe distale (12) est tel que la première piste aplatie est tournée vers la deuxième jambe proximale (16) et la première piste aplatie (5) de la deuxième jambe distale (13) est tournée vers la première jambe proximale (14).

10. Boucle selon la revendication 8 ou la revendication 9, où la boucle est configurée pour qu'en utilisation, sous tension de la sangle flexible (22) attachée à une extrémité à la première jambe distale (12) et attachée à l'autre extrémité à la deuxième jambe distale (13), la première piste aplatie (5) de la première jambe distale (12) est forcée contre la deuxième jambe proximale (16) et la première piste aplatie (5) de la deuxième jambe distale (13) est forcée contre la première jambe proximale (14), de telle sorte que la sangle (22) est fixée entre la première piste aplatie (5) de la première jambe distale (12) et la deuxième jambe proximale (16) et entre la première piste aplatie (5) de la deuxième jambe distale (13) et la première jambe proximale (14).

Drawing