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.
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).
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.
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).