Buckle with strap securing bar

Abstract

A buckle having a male portion and a female portion. The male portion has two sidewalls, first and second retaining bars and at least one locking arm. There is a slidable strap gripping bar disposed adjacent the first strap retaining bar. The strap gripping bar is adapted to slide between a release position and a gripping position. The female portion comprises a hollow body with an open end and at least one locking slot for receiving the locking arm. When the male portion is inserted into the female portion, the locking arm locks into the locking slot and the female portion pushes the strap gripping bar into a gripping position, which grips a strap threaded through the retaining bars, and prevents the strap from slipping. When the male portion is released from the female portion, the strap gripping bar slides into the release position and allows adjustment of the strap.

1 . A buckle, comprising: 
 a male portion comprising: 
 two sidewalls, first and second retaining bars disposed between said sidewalls;  
 at least one locking arm; and  
 a slidable strap gripping bar disposed between said two side walls and adjacent said first strap retaining bar, said strap gripping bar adapted to slide between a release position and a gripping position; and  
   a female portion comprising: 
 a hollow body with an open end; and  
 at least one locking slot for receiving said at least one locking arm;  
   wherein when said male portion is inserted into said female portion, said locking arm locks into said locking slot and said female portion pushes said strap gripping bar into a gripping position, and wherein if a strap is threaded through said strap retaining bars and said strap gripping bar is in said gripping position, said strap gripping bar grips said strap and prevents said strap from slipping, and wherein when said male portion is released from said female portion, said strap gripping bar slides into the release position and allows adjustment of said strap.    
   
   
       2 . The buckle according to  claim 1 , wherein said strap gripping bar has teeth along a side facing said strap retaining bar, so that when said strap gripping bar is in a gripping position, said teeth grip the strap.  
   
   
       3 . The buckle according to  claim 1 , wherein said strap gripping bar comprises a pushing surface facing away from said strap retaining bars, said pushing surface abutting said female portion when said male and female portion are locked together and allowing the female portion to push the strap gripping bar into the gripping position.  
   
   
       4 . The buckle according to  claim 1 , wherein said strap gripping bar has two ends and has at least one protrusion at each end, and wherein there is at least one aperture in each of said sidewalls, and wherein said at least one protrusion extends through said at least one aperture to connect said strap gripping bar to said male portion.  
   
   
       5 . The buckle according to  claim 4 , wherein there are two protrusions on each end of said strap gripping bar, and two apertures in each of said sidewalls, and wherein said strap gripping bar slides and pivots between the release position and the gripping position.  
   
   
       6 . The buckle according to  claim 1 , wherein there are two locking arms and two locking slots.  
   
   
       7 . The buckle according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one strap retaining bar disposed on said female portion.  
   
   
       8 . The buckle according to  claim 1 , wherein said first strap retaining bar is offset vertically from said second strap retaining bar.  
   
   
       9 . The buckle according to  claim 1 , wherein said strap gripping bar is initially integrally molded with said male portion via locking gates.  
   
   
       10 . The buckle according to  claim 1 , wherein said strap gripping bar is equipped with at least one protrusion along a side facing the first strap retaining bar.  
   
   
       11 . The buckle according to  claim 10 , wherein said first strap retaining bar is equipped with at least one indentation corresponding to the at least one protrusion on the strap gripping bar, so that when said strap gripping bar is pushed against said first strap retaining bar, said at least one protrusion rests in said at least one indentation.  
   
   
       12 . The buckle according to  claim 10 , further comprising a strap threaded through the buckle such that a portion of the strap extends between the strap gripping bar and the first strap retaining bar, and wherein said strap has at least one hole corresponding to the at least one protrusion on the strap gripping bar, and wherein said at least one protrusion extends through the at least one hole in the strap and prevent slippage of the strap.