Hidden buckle

Abstract

A fastening system, of the type having a female piece provided with a housing and an opening for the housing, and a male piece capable of being received within the female piece, both pieces being provided with complementary latching mechanisms with a device to control the opening of the fastening system. The fastening system includes a flexible sheath capable of housing the fastening system, and the control device can be actuated from the outside through the flexible sheath. The invention encompasses various articles which incorporate the fastening system, such as garments, including trousers, jackets, coats, shoes, as well as bags, including backpacks, for example.

1 . A fastening system comprising: 
 a female piece provided with a housing, the housing having an exterior opening;    a male piece having a size and shape for being received within the female piece;    said female and male pieces being provided with complementary latching mechanisms and a device to control opening of the fastening system;    a flexible sheath comprising a textile material, said sheath capable of housing the fastening system, the control device being actuatable from outside through the flexible sheath.    
   
   
       2 . A fastening system according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the female piece is housed within the flexible sheath;    the flexible sheath is provided with an opening on a side of the opening of the female piece.    
   
   
       3 . A fastening system according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the female piece is attached inside the flexible sheath.    
   
   
       4 . A fastening system according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the flexible sheath is made of an elastic material.    
   
   
       5 . A fastening system according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the complementary latching mechanisms of the male and female pieces are snap mechanisms.    
   
   
       6 . A fastening system according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the device to control the opening is a lever fastener or a snap fastener, said lever or snap fastener being elastically biased in a fastening position.    
   
   
       7 . A fastening system according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 each male piece and female piece is attached to one end of a strap made of an inextensible material.    
   
   
       8 . A fastening system according to  claim 7 , wherein: 
 at least one male piece and female piece is adjustably attached in position on the strap.    
   
   
       9 . A fastening system according to  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the male piece is adjustably attached in position on the strap.    
   
   
       10 . A fastening system according to  claim 1 , in combination with a garment, said garment including a fastening/tightening strap, said fastening/tightening strap being provided with the fastening system.  
   
   
       11 . A fastening system according to  claim 1 , in combination with a bag, said bag including a fastening/tightening strap, said fastening/tightening strap being provided with the fastening system.  
   
   
       12 . A garment comprising: 
 at least one garment portion for covering a body part;    a fastening/tightening strap provided with a fastening system for fastening and tightening the garment portion relative to the body part;    said fastening system comprising: 
 a female piece provided with a housing, the housing having an exterior opening;  
 a male piece having a size and shape for being received within the female piece;  
 said female and male pieces being provided with complementary latching mechanisms and a device to control opening of the fastening system;  
 a flexible sheath comprising a textile material, said sheath capable of housing the fastening system, the control device being actuatable from outside through the flexible sheath.  
   
   
   
       13 . A garment according to  claim 12 , wherein: 
 said garment portion comprises a pair of shorts;    said fastening/tightening strap is a belt adapted to extend around a wearer's waist.    
   
   
       14 . A bag comprising: 
 a fastening/tightening strap provided with a fastening system for fastening and tightening the strap;    said fastening system comprising: 
 a female piece provided with a housing, the housing having an exterior opening;  
 a male piece having a size and shape for being received within the female piece;  
 said female and male pieces being provided with complementary latching mechanisms and a device to control opening of the fastening system;  
 a flexible sheath comprising a textile material, said sheath capable of housing the fastening system, the control device being actuatable from outside through the flexible sheath.  
   
   
   
       15 . A bag according to  claim 14 , wherein: 
 the bag is a backpack and said strap is affixed to the backpack and adapted to extend around a wearer's waist.