Safety buckle

Abstract

A safety buckle comprises a substantially flat elongated body having a first distal end opposite a first distal end, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The first and second distal ends are angled towards the bottom surface to form an approximately obtuse angle with the bottom surface. A substantially elongated cut-out is centrally disposed within the elongated body. The cut-out defines a pair of substantially parallel rails that axially extend between the first and send distal ends. A locking member is disposed within the cut-out. The locking member is slidably coupled to the rails, and slidable between a first position and a second position. When used with a safety strap, the locking member is moved from an “unlocked position” to a “locked” position when tension is applied to the strap. In the locked position, the locking member engages a bottom or clamping surface of the second distal end of the buckle body to apply pressure to the strap and secure it in place.

1 . A safety buckle comprising: 
 a substantially flat elongated buckle body having a first distal end opposite a first distal end, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the first and second distal ends are angled towards the bottom surface to form an approximately obtuse angle with the bottom surface;    a substantially elongated cut-out centrally disposed within the buckle body, wherein the cut-out define a pair of substantially parallel rails that axially extend between the first and send distal ends; and    a locking member disposed within the cut-out, wherein the locking member is slidably coupled to the rails, the locking member being slidable between a first position spaced apart from the second distal end, and a second position proximate the second distal end.    
   
   
       2 . The safety buckle of  claim 1 , wherein the locking member comprises a member body having a first leg, a second leg, and a pair of slots disposed at opposite ends of the member body, the slots being engaged by the rails such that the locking member is slidable along the rails.  
   
   
       3 . The safety buckle of  claim 2 , wherein the member body comprised a substantially U-shaped cross-section.  
   
   
       4 . The safety buckle of  claim 2 , wherein the member body comprised a substantially V-shaped cross-section, and wherein the angular dimensions of the second leg correspond with the angular dimensions of the second distal end.  
   
   
       5 . The safety buckle of  claim 2 , wherein the safety buckle may be used in combination with a belt strap having a first end and a second end, the first end being secured to the first distal end of the buckle body, the second end being received by the cut-out and wrapped around the locking member such that it passes between the second leg of the locking member and the second distal end of the buckle body.  
   
   
       6 . The safety buckle of  claim 5 , wherein the locking member is moved from the first position to the second position when tension is applied to the belt strap, and wherein the second leg engages a bottom surface of the second distal end to apply pressure to the belt strap and secure it within the safety buckle.  
   
   
       7 . The safety buckle of  claim 5 , wherein the angled configuration of the second distal end applies pressure on the belt strap and promotes frictional forces that prevent the belt strap from loosening or “slipping out” from the safety buckle when tension is not applied to the strap.  
   
   
       8 . A safety belt comprising: 
 a buckle comprising: 
 a substantially flat elongated body having a first distal end opposite a first distal end, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the first and second distal ends are angled towards the bottom surface to form an approximately obtuse angle with the bottom surface;  
 a substantially elongated cut-out centrally disposed within the elongated body, wherein the cut-out define a pair of substantially parallel rails that axially extend between the first and send distal ends; and  
 a locking member disposed within the cut-out, wherein the locking member is slidably coupled to the rails, the locking member being slidable between a first position spaced apart from the second distal end, and a second position proximate the second distal end; and  
 a belt strap having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the strap is secured to the first distal end of the body, and the second end of the belt strap is received by the cut-out and engaged by the locking member to adjustably fasten the belt.  
   
   
   
       9 . The safety belt of  claim 8 , wherein the locking member comprises a member body having a first leg, a second leg, and a pair of slots disposed at opposite ends of the member body, the slots being engaged by the rails such that the locking member is slidable along the rails.  
   
   
       10 . The safety belt of  claim 9 , wherein the member body comprised a substantially U-shaped cross-section.  
   
   
       11 . The safety belt of  claim 9 , wherein the member body comprised a substantially V-shaped cross-section, and wherein the angular dimensions of the second leg correspond with the angular dimensions of the second distal end.  
   
   
       12 . The safety belt of  claim 9 , wherein the second end of the belt strap is wrapped around the locking member such that it passes between the second leg of the locking member and the second distal end of the buckle body.  
   
   
       13 . The safety belt of  claim 12 , wherein the locking member is moved from the first position to the second position when tension is applied to the belt strap, and wherein the second leg engages a bottom surface of the second distal end to apply pressure to the belt strap and secure it within the safety buckle.  
   
   
       14 . The safety belt of  claim 12 , wherein the angled configuration of the second distal end applies pressure on the belt strap and promotes frictional forces that prevent the belt strap from loosening or “slipping out” from the safety buckle when tension is not applied to the strap.