Shock absorbing buckle

Abstract

A buckle has a strap attaching structure which has at least one shock absorbing flexible portion attached to the strap attaching structure. The shock absorbing flexible portion can be a flexible fin, which extends longitudinally along the strap attaching structure. The free end of the fin extends away from the strap attaching structure. The strap is wrapped around the strap attaching structure and the flexible portion. When a force is exerted against the strap attaching structure by pulling on the strap, the strap presses against the flexible portion and causes it to bend, thus decelerating the load caused by the strap and absorbing the initial force on the buckle.

1 . A buckle comprising: 
 at least one body portion;    at least one strap attaching structure connected to the body portion; and    at least one flexible shock absorbing portion connected to the at least one strap attaching structure.    
   
   
       2 . The buckle according to  claim 1 , wherein the strap attaching structure comprises at least one transverse bar and wherein said at least one flexible shock absorbing portion comprises at least one flexible fin attached to the transverse bar and extending longitudinally along the transverse bar.  
   
   
       3 . The buckle according to  claim 2 , wherein the fin is integrally molded with the transverse bar.  
   
   
       4 . The buckle according to  claim 1 , wherein the buckle has two body portions releasably connected to each other, and wherein each body portion has a strap attaching structure with a flexible shock absorbing portion attached thereto.  
   
   
       5 . The buckle according to  claim 2 , wherein the fin is disposed at an angle from the transverse bar, such that tension on a strap wrapped around the transverse bar causes the fin to flex in a direction toward the tension.  
   
   
       6 . The buckle according to  claim 1 , wherein the strap attaching structure comprises a flexible ring-shaped section connected to the body, and wherein said flexible portion is connected to said ring shaped section at an area distal from said body, such that force from a strap wrapped around said ring-shaped section causes the ring-shaped section and the flexible portion to flex and absorb forces from the strap.  
   
   
       7 . The buckle according to  claim 2 , wherein the fin is connected to the buckle along a single longitudinal edge, and wherein the fin has free side edges.  
   
   
       8 . The buckle according to  claim 4 , wherein the buckle is a side-release buckle.  
   
   
       9 . The buckle according to  claim 4 , wherein the strap attaching structures comprise transverse bars connected to each of the two body portions, and wherein the flexible portions comprise flexible fins extending longitudinally along each bar.  
   
   
       10 . A buckle comprising: 
 a male portion having a connecting section and at least one strap attaching bar disposed at an end opposite the connecting section;    a female portion having an open body for receiving the connecting section of the male portion, said female portion having a flexible strap-retaining ring connected to an end opposite the open body;    a flexible fin disposed along the strap retaining bar and along said strap retaining ring, for absorbing forces created by tension on straps connected to said ring and said bars.    
   
   
       11 . The buckle of  claim 10 , further comprising an additional strap retaining bar on said male portion, wherein a strap is threaded around said additional strap retaining bar and rests against said strap retaining bar having the fin, such that pulling on the strap causes the fin to flex and absorb forces of the strap.