Buckle

{
  "publication_number": "US9907367B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Buckle",
  "abstract": "Provided is a buckle including a plug member and a socket member. The plug member includes a plate extending forward from a lower end of a base and having a first magnet embedded in a middle portion thereof, and a holder protruding from a front end of the plate. The socket member includes an upper plate extending forward from an upper end of a base and having a second magnet embedded in a middle portion thereof, side plates formed on opposite sides of the upper plate, and a accommodation region formed inside the upper plate and the side plates so as to accommodate the plate therein. The upper plate has a holder aperture formed therein so that the holder is seated in the holder aperture when the plug member and the socket member are coupled to each other.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A buckle comprising: a plug member including a plate extending forward from a lower end of a base and having a first magnet embedded in a middle portion thereof, and a holder protruding from a front end of the plate; and a socket member including an upper plate extending forward from an upper end of a base and having a second magnet embedded in a middle portion thereof, side plates disposed on opposite sides of the upper plate, and an accommodation region disposed inside the upper plate and the side plates so as to accommodate the plate therein, the upper plate having a holder aperture disposed therein so that the holder is seated in the holder aperture when the plug member and the socket member are coupled to each other, wherein the plug member and the socket member are separably connected to each other and wherein the plug member has a slot disposed in a contact portion of the plate and the holder, and the socket member has a guide protrusion protruding from a rear end of the upper plate so as to correspond to and be fitted into the slot.",
    "2. The buckle according to claim 1, wherein the upper end of the base of the socket member is disposed lower than an upper surface of the upper plate.",
    "3. The buckle according to claim 1, wherein the first magnet of the plate and the second magnet of the upper plate are attached to face each other at coincident positions when the plug member and the socket member are coupled to each other.",
    "4. The buckle according to claim 1, wherein the plug member has another slot disposed in a contact portion of the base and the plate, and the socket member has a holding protrusion protruding from a front end of the upper plate so as to correspond to and be fitted into the another slot.",
    "5. The buckle according to claim 4, wherein the holding protrusion has a curved or inclined lower surface.",
    "6. The buckle according to claim 1, wherein the slot has an inclined inner corner, and the guide protrusion has an inclined outer corner, which corresponds to the inclined inner corner of the slot.",
    "7. The buckle according to claim 1, wherein each of the plug member and the socket member includes a crossbar and a strap-hooking bar, which are selectively disposed at a rear side of each of the bases of the plug member and the socket member.",
    "8. The buckle according to claim 1, wherein the plug member or the socket member includes an elevating rail holder disposed on a rear end thereof.",
    "9. The buckle according to claim 1, wherein the plug member or the socket member includes a loop disposed on a rear end thereof so as to hold and fix a hose connected to a water bottle.",
    "10. The buckle according to claim 1, wherein the plug member or the socket member has a rear end configured to enable connection of a whistle.",
    "11. The buckle according to claim 1, wherein the plug member or the socket member includes a strap connector disposed on a rear end thereof.",
    "12. A buckle comprising: a plug member including a plate extending forward from a lower end of a base and having a first magnet embedded in a middle portion thereof, and a holder protruding from a front end of the plate; and a socket member including an upper plate extending forward from an upper end of a base and having a second magnet embedded in a middle portion thereof, side plates disposed on opposite sides of the upper plate, and an accommodation region disposed inside the upper plate and the side plates so as to accommodate the plate therein, the upper plate having a holder aperture disposed therein so that the holder is seated in the holder aperture when the plug member and the socket member are coupled to each other, wherein the plug member and the socket member are separably connected to each other, and wherein the plug member has a first slot and a second slot, which are respectively formed in a contact portion of the base and the plate and in a contact portion of the plate and the holder, and the socket member has a holding protrusion and a guide protrusion, which protrude respectively from a front end and a rear end of the upper plate so as to correspond to and be fitted into the first slot and the second slot respectively.",
    "13. The buckle according to claim 12, wherein the holding protrusion has a curved or inclined lower surface, the second slot has an inclined inner corner, and the guide protrusion has an inclined outer corner, which corresponds to the inclined inner corner of the second slot."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Field of the Invention\n\nThe present invention relates to a buckle, and more particularly, to a buckle, which includes a socket member and a plug member separably coupled to each other, each of the socket member and the plug member being mounted on an end of a belt or strap attached to any of various articles, such as, for example, an article of clothing, a bag, a knapsack, or a helmet.\n\nDescription of the Related Art\n\nGenerally, a buckle is a fastening device in which two members are coupled and fixed to each other as described above. Such a buckle is manufactured by integrally molding these constituent members from a plastic material so as to implement elastic coupling therebetween, and thus has widely been used because it is light and is easily fastened.\n\nFIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of a conventional buckle. The conventional buckle includes a plug member 10 and a socket member 20.\n\nAs illustrated in FIG. 1, the plug member 10 includes a pair of lock arms 12, which protrude in a straight line from a base 11 of a body and have elasticity. A fastening portion protrudes outward from the front end of each lock arm 12. The plug member 10 further includes a guide rod 13, which is located between the lock arms 12 and extends a long length in a straight line from the base 11. The socket member 20 defines a chamber 21, which is open from the front end of the socket member 20 so as to accommodate the plug member 10 therein. The socket member 20 is provided in opposite sidewalls thereof with a pair of holes 22 so that the respective lock arms 12 are elastically coupled in the holes 22.",
  "cpc": [
    "A44B 11/2588",
    "A41F 1/002",
    "A44B 11/005",
    "A44D 2203/00",
    "A45C 13/1069",
    "A45C 13/1076",
    "A45F 2003/001",
    "A45F 2003/003",
    "A45F 2003/045",
    "A45F 3/04",
    "A45F 5/021",
    "Y10T 24/32"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A41F 1/00",
    "A44B 11/00",
    "A44B 11/25",
    "A45C 13/10",
    "A45F 3/04",
    "A45F 5/02"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Woojin Plastic Co Ltd"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Jisook Paik",
    "Nan Hee Paik",
    "Ji Hye Paik",
    "Ji Won Son"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2016-10-20",
  "publication_date": "2018-03-06",
  "grant_date": "2018-03-06",
  "priority_date": "2015-11-05",
  "application_number": "US-201615299011-A",
  "family_id": "57189873",
  "cited_by_count": 43,
  "citations": [
    "US3376616A",
    "US5664298A",
    "US20040107547A1",
    "US7496994B1",
    "US20150135486A1",
    "US20140317890A1",
    "US20170127768A1",
    "US20170172262A1"
  ]
}