阅读说明：本技术 工具带 (Tool belt ) 是由 卡尔·海涅马克 米卡埃尔·阿维德松 于 2018-11-19 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种工具带(1),包括带条(2)和带扣(3),其中,带扣(3)包括凸形部件(5)和凹形部件(7)。凸形部件(5)包括闩锁板(27),而凹形部分(7)包括用于接收闩锁板(27)的凹形接口(9)。闩锁板(27)附接到带条(2)的第一端(2a),而凹形部件(7)附接到带条(2)的第二端(2b),并且凹形部件(7)包括锁定机构(15)以及长度调节机构(17),该锁定机构适于将闩锁板(27)连接到凹形接口(9)或将闩锁板从凹形接口分开,该长度调节机构适于调节带条(2)的长度。(A tool belt (1) comprising a strap (2) and a buckle (3), wherein the buckle (3) comprises a male part (5) and a female part (7). The male part (5) comprises a latch plate (27) and the female part (7) comprises a female interface (9) for receiving the latch plate (27). The latch plate (27) is attached to the first end (2a) of the strap (2) and the female part (7) is attached to the second end (2b) of the strap (2), and the female part (7) comprises a locking mechanism (15) adapted to connect or disconnect the latch plate (27) to or from the female interface (9) and a length adjustment mechanism (17) adapted to adjust the length of the strap (2).)

1. A tool belt (1) comprising a strap (2) and a buckle (3),

wherein the buckle (3) comprises a male part (5) and a female part (7), the male part (5) comprising a latch plate (27) and the female part (7) comprising a female interface (9) for receiving the latch plate (27),

wherein the male part (5) is attached to a first end (2a) of the strap (2) and the female part (7) is attached to a second end (2b) of the strap (2),

wherein the female part (7) comprises a locking mechanism (15) adapted to connect or disconnect the latch plate (27) to or from the female interface (9), and a length adjustment mechanism (17) adapted to adjust the length of the strap (2).

2. The tool belt (1) according to claim 1, wherein the female interface (9) is provided at one end of the female part (7) and the length adjustment mechanism (17) is provided at the opposite end of the female part (7).

3. Tool belt (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking mechanism (13) is a snap-lock comprising a latch-locking portion (33) arranged inside the female part (7),

wherein the latch locking portion (33) comprises a connection ramp (37); and is

Wherein the latch plate (27) is configured to be connected to the female interface (9) in the following manner: when the latch plate (27) is moved onto the connection ramp (37), the connection ramp (37) is thereby pressed in a latch release direction (39) which is transverse to the insertion axis (d) of the latch plate (27) into the female interface (9), and the connection ramp (37) snaps back into a latch locking direction opposite to the latch release direction (39).

4. The tool belt (1) according to claim 3, wherein the latch plate (27) comprises an opening (31), wherein the opening (31) is adapted to engage with the connecting ramp (37) of the latch locking portion (33).

5. Tool belt (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the latch locking portion (33) is divided into two independently movable portions (33a, 33b), wherein each movable portion (33a, 33b) is configured to be actuated by a respective latch release actuator.

6. The tool belt (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the female part (7) further comprises a latch release mechanism (35),

wherein the latch release mechanism (35) comprises two latch release actuators (47) configured to release the latch plate (27) from the female interface (9),

wherein the latch release actuators (47) extend outwardly through respective openings (49) in opposite side walls (19') of the female component (7).

7. Tool belt (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the latch release mechanism (35) is resilient and integrally formed from one single piece of material together with the latch locking portion according to claim 3.

8. Tool belt (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein each of the two latch release actuators (47) and/or the latch locking portion (33) comprises a release ramp (46, 53),

wherein the latch plate (27) is configured to be separated from the female interface (9) in the following manner: when the two latch release actuators (47) are simultaneously pressed towards each other, the release ramp (46, 53) thereby presses the latch locking portion (33) in the latch release direction (39) transverse to the insertion axis (d) of the latch plate (27) into the female interface (9).

9. Tool belt (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the male part (5) is fixedly connected to the first end (2a) of the strap (2).

10. The tool belt (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second end (2b) of the strap (2) forms a loop around a rod (59) located in the female part (7), the rod (59) being provided at an opposite end with respect to the female interface (9) and being arranged perpendicular to an insertion axis (d) of the latch plate (27) into the female interface (9); and is

Wherein a tape release actuator (61) is arranged for stepless adjustment of the second end (2a) of the tape strip (2).

11. Tool belt (1) according to claim 10, wherein the belt release actuator (61) is movable between: a belt locking position in which the belt release actuator (61) presses the second end (2b) of the belt strap (2) against the rod (59); and a tape release position in which the second end (2b) of the tape strip (2) is free to move around the rod (59).

12. Tool belt (1) according to claim 11, wherein the belt release actuator (61) is resiliently biased towards the belt locking position.

13. Tool belt (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the belt release actuator (61) is configured to be pressed against a bias in a belt release direction, which is transverse to: in this direction, the latch release actuator (47) is configured to be depressed for disengaging the latch plate (27) from the female interface (9).

14. Tool belt (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the belt release actuator (61) is provided with a plurality of toothed projections (73) configured to: these toothed projections engage with the second end (2b) of the strip (2) when in the belt locking position.

15. A tool belt according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the belt release actuator (61) is pivotable between the two positions about an axis substantially parallel to the lever (59), wherein the belt release actuator (61) is configured to: when the first end (2a) of the strap (2) is pulled in a direction away from the female part (7) in the strap-locking position, the strap-release actuator presses the strap (2) to make the strap abut against the rod (59) in a self-locking manner.

16. Tool belt (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the female part (7) comprises a housing enclosing the locking mechanism (15) and the length adjustment mechanism (17), and a cover (23) covering both the locking mechanism (15) and the length adjustment mechanism (17).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to tool belts, and more particularly to tool belts including straps and buckles.

Background

Carpenters and forestry workers often use a tool belt at the waist, or in the form of a harness, or a combination of both, to carry their tools during work in order to make the tools easily accessible and to prevent the tools from falling. These kinds of tool belts may be equipped with buckles in which a device attached to one end of the strap is fitted or coupled to the other end of the strap in front of the user.

The buckle holds the strap tightly around the user and ensures that the tool strap does not become loose by securing the buckle components using a secure locking mechanism to ensure that the buckle components do not separate.

In emergency situations, it is important that the buckle can be opened in a quick and easy manner without the risk of failure, in particular because carpenters and forestry workers carry protective gloves on their hands. Therefore, buckles for tool belts are typically designed with large interface features, such as buttons, levers, pins, etc., which make the user feel that such designed buckles are inconvenient and prevent the user from moving freely.

It is also desirable to have the ability to quickly and easily adjust the length of the belt. This functionality may be useful: for tightening the belt and for situations where the user wants to temporarily loosen the belt during rest when walking to the work place and when sitting down. This function must also be manipulable while wearing gloves.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object to obtain a tool belt comprising a buckle with a smooth design and which does not prevent the user from moving freely and which is also easy to handle by the user when wearing gloves.

This object is at least partly achieved by a tool belt comprising a strap and a buckle, wherein the buckle comprises a male part and a female part. The male component includes a latch plate, and the female component includes a female interface for receiving the latch plate. The male component may be attached to a first end of the strap and the female component may be attached to a second end of the strap. The female component may include a locking mechanism adapted to connect or disconnect the latch plate to or from the female interface and a length adjustment mechanism adapted to adjust a length of the strap.

A smooth design of the buckle can be achieved by arranging both the locking mechanism and the length adjustment mechanism in the female part, which allows for easy operation by the user.

The female interface may be disposed at one end of the female component and the length adjustment mechanism may be disposed at an opposite end of the female component. Optionally, a locking mechanism may be provided at the female interface end.

This makes it easier for the user to distinguish between the two mechanisms, especially when wearing gloves. By placing the different mechanisms on opposite ends of the female part so that the two mechanisms do not influence each other, there is better space for the parts of the respective mechanisms and, thus, a slimmer design of the clasp can be achieved.

The locking mechanism may be a snap lock (snap lock) comprising a latch locking portion disposed within the female component, wherein the latch locking portion may comprise a connecting ramp, and wherein the latch plate may be configured to: when the latch plate moves onto the connecting ramp, the latch plate connects to the female interface, thereby pressing the connecting ramp in a latch release direction that is transverse to the insertion axis of the latch plate into the female interface, and the connecting ramp snaps back into a latch locking direction opposite the latch release direction.

Thereby, a simple locking mechanism is provided, having several parts which interact with each other and do not require much space, which contributes to a smooth and compact design of the buckle. It also provides a simple mechanism that can be easily manipulated by the user while wearing gloves. The latch release direction may be substantially perpendicular to the insertion axis.

The latch plate may include an opening, wherein the opening may be adapted to engage with the connecting ramp of the latch locking portion. Optionally, the opening may engage a locking edge of the connecting ramp.

The design of the latch plate thus corresponds to that of the connecting ramp, which gives a simple solution with several parts and takes up little space in the limited area inside the buckle.

The latch locking portion may be divided into two independently movable portions, wherein each movable portion may be configured to be actuated by a respective latch release actuator.

This contributes to the safety aspect, since the user must actuate both latch release actuators simultaneously to release the tool belt from the buckle, and the risk of accidental pressing of one of these belt release actuators, and hence accidental release, can be minimized.

The female component may further include a latch release mechanism, wherein the latch release mechanism may include two latch release actuators configured to release the latch plate from the female interface, wherein the latch release actuators may extend outward through respective openings in opposing sidewalls of the female component.

Since the two latch release actuators extend outwardly through openings in opposite side walls of the female component, these components take up little space inside the female component, which contributes to a compact design of the clasp. The latch release actuator may also be easily identified and accessed by the user, even while the user is wearing gloves.

The latch release portion may be resilient and integrally formed from a single piece of material with the latch locking portion.

Thereby, a simple design with several parts and requiring little space is created, which is cheap to manufacture, easy to replace when damaged or worn and has a high reliability.

Each of the two latch release actuators and/or the latch locking portion may comprise a respective release ramp, wherein the latch plate may be configured to: when the two latch release actuators are simultaneously pressed towards each other, the latch plate separates from the female interface, whereby the release ramp presses the latch locking portion in a latch release direction, which is transverse to the insertion axis of the latch plate into the female interface.

The user can separate the strap from the buckle with a simple manipulation, which can be done while wearing gloves. The release mechanism consists of several simple components that require little space but have high reliability.

The latch plate may be fixedly connected to the first end of the strap.

The second end of the strap may be looped around a rod located in the female component, the rod may be disposed at an opposite end relative to the female interface and arranged perpendicular to an insertion axis of the latch plate into the female component, wherein the strap release actuator may be arranged for stepless adjustment of the second end of the strap.

Thus, the tool belt can enter and exit straight from one side of the buckle rather than the more common rear, which contributes to a slimmer design as it enables the buckle to be closer to the user's body.

The tape release actuator is movable between two positions: a belt locking position in which the belt release actuator presses the second end of the belt strip against the lever, and a belt release position in which the second end of the belt strip is free to move about the lever.

This creates a quick and simple mechanism for adjusting the strap length, which is also easy to manipulate by the user when wearing gloves.

The belt release actuator may be resiliently biased toward the belt locking position.

This allows the user to adjust the length of the strap to the desired tightness in a stepless manner.

The tape release actuator may be configured to be pressed against the bias in a tape release direction, the tape release direction being transverse to: in this orientation, the latch release actuator is configured to be depressed for disengaging the latch plate from the female interface.

This also contributes to the safety aspect, since the belt adjustment mechanism and the belt locking mechanism are actuated by pressing different components in different directions. Thereby, it is easier for the user to separate them from each other, especially when wearing gloves. The belt release direction may also be transverse, or substantially perpendicular, to the insertion axis of the latch plate into the female interface.

The belt release actuator may be provided with a plurality of toothed projections configured to: these castellated projections engage with the second end of the strap when in the strap locking position.

This provides a large area and several contact locations between the tape release actuator and the tape strip, which holds the tape strip in place.

The strap release actuator is pivotable between the two positions about an axis substantially parallel to the lever, wherein the strap release actuator is configurable to: when the first end of the strap is pulled in a direction away from the female component in the strap-locking position, the strap release actuator presses the strap against the rod in a self-locking manner.

This self-locking of the strap may cause the tool belt to remain in place when exposed to a load (e.g., the weight of a tool connected to the tool belt).

The female component may include a housing enclosing the locking mechanism and the length adjustment mechanism, and a cover covering both the locking mechanism and the length adjustment mechanism.

This gives the buckle a robust and smooth design, wherein all important parts of the locking mechanism and the length adjustment mechanism are covered by the housing and fixed in place by the cover.

Drawings

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals are used for like elements, and in which:

figure 1 is a diagram showing a forestry worker with an implement belt attached around the waist.

Figure 2A shows a front view of the tool belt and buckle in a disengaged position.

Figure 2B shows a front view of the tool belt and buckle in the connected position.

Figure 3A shows a front view of a cross-section of the buckle in a separated position, with the internal components exposed.

Figure 3B shows a front view of a section of the buckle in the connected position with the internal components exposed.

Figure 4 shows a rear view of the tool belt and buckle.

Figures 5A-5B illustrate perspective views of the locking mechanism of the buckle when the latch plate is connected to the female interface.

Fig. 6A-6C illustrate perspective views of the locking mechanism when the latch plate is disengaged from the female interface.

Fig. 7 shows the tape release actuator in a perspective view.

FIG. 8a shows a cross-sectional view of the strap adjustment mechanism in the locked position, where the cross-section is taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 8B shows a cross-sectional view of the strap adjustment mechanism in an open position, where the cross-section is taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 2B.

Detailed Description

Since forestry workers and carpenters use many tools during their daily work, they often attach their tools to a waist tool belt or harness. The tool belt 1 can be seen in fig. 1.

Fig. 2A to 2B and 4 show a tool belt 1 according to an embodiment, comprising a strap 2 and a buckle 3. The buckle 3 comprises a male part 5 provided with a latch plate 27 and a female part 7 with a female interface 9 for receiving the latch plate 27. The male part 5 is attached to the first end 2a of the strap 2 and the female part 7 is attached to the second end 2b of the strap 2. The female part 7 may comprise: a locking mechanism 15 for connecting or disconnecting the latch plate 27 to the female interface 9, the locking mechanism being arranged at the first longitudinal end 7a of the female part 7; and a length adjustment mechanism 17 (refer to fig. 8a, 8b) for adjusting the length of the tool belt 1, the length adjustment mechanism being arranged at the second longitudinal end 7b of the female part 7.

The female part 7 comprises a housing 19 with two long sides 19', two short sides 19 "and a top surface 20 to accommodate all the components of the locking mechanism 15 and the length adjustment mechanism 17. The housing 19 may be integrally formed. For example, the housing may be molded as a one-piece housing of plastic, but may also be constructed from a single piece of metal. The plastic material gives a lighter buckle 3 for a higher comfort, since the buckle 3 rests tightly against the user's body, while the metal gives a stronger buckle 3 for a more robust handling. The female interface 9 may be a recess or groove in one of the short sides 19 "of the female component 7 for receiving the latch plate 27.

Referring now to fig. 3A to 3B, the housing 19 defines a first space a that accommodates the lock mechanism 15, and a second space B that accommodates the belt-length adjusting mechanism 17. The space A, B may be separated by a partition 21 so that the different mechanisms 15, 17 do not affect each other.

As seen in fig. 4, the female component 7 may also include a cover 23 that keeps all of the important components of the locking mechanism 15 and length adjustment mechanism 17 (fig. 3A) in place inside the housing 19 and protects these components. The cover 23 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the housing 19, having two long sides and two short sides. The cover 23 may be attached to the housing 19 by a fastening device (e.g., a screw 25) that may be easily removed to replace or repair the locking mechanism 15 and/or the length adjustment mechanism 17. The screw 25 can be fastened in a threaded portion 22 arranged inside the housing 19 (see fig. 3A).

Fig. 5A and 5B show the male component 5 and locking mechanism 15, and how the latch plate 27 may be connected to the female interface 9 (fig. 2A) through the use of the locking mechanism 15.

The male part 5 may comprise a latch plate 27, which is made as one piece of metal plate for safety reasons to withstand the forces generated by the tools attached to the tool belt 1 and/or the forces exerted by the user's body on the tool belt 1. The male part 5 may further comprise a clamping portion 29 for attaching the first end 2a of the strap 2 to the male part 5. The clamping portion 29 may have an opening 28 and the first end 2a of the strap 2 may be fixedly connected to the male part 5 by: the first end 2a of the strip 2 is passed through the opening 28 and folded around the grip portion 29, and then the first end 2a of the strip 2 is fixed to another part of the strip 2, for example by stitching. The gripping portion 29 may include a layer of plastic material to help grip the male component 5 during connection or disconnection of the latch plate 27 from the female interface 9. The outer edge of the gripping portion 29 may be provided with ribs 30 to assist handling of the male part 5 when the user is wearing gloves.

The locking mechanism 15 may comprise two parts: a latch locking portion 33 for connecting the latch plate 27 to the female interface 9; and a latch release portion 35 for separating the latch plate 27 from the female interface 9. The two parts 33, 35 may be resilient and integrally formed from a single piece of material (e.g. a plastics material or metal). The lock mechanism 15 can be housed inside the first space a of the housing 19 (see fig. 3A).

The latch locking portion 33 may include a connection ramp 37. In the example shown in fig. 5A and 5B, the connecting ramp portion 37 is composed of two independently movable portions (37a, 37B). The latch plate 27 may include an opening 31 having a shape corresponding to the shape of the connecting ramp 37. When the latch plate 27 moves onto the connecting ramp 37, the latch plate 27 presses the connecting ramp 37 in a latch release direction 39, which is transverse to the insertion direction D, which extends along an insertion axis D (fig. 3A) of the latch plate 5 into the female interface 9. When the front portion of the latch plate 27 has passed the connecting ramp portion 37, the connecting ramp portion 37 snaps back into the opening 31 in the latch locking direction opposite to the latch release direction 39. Since the latch locking portion 33 is of an elastic material, the locking mechanism 15 operates as a snap-lock. When the latch plate 27 has been locked to the female interface, the connecting ramp 37 fits into the opening 31 of the latch plate 27, as seen in fig. 5B. The latch plate 27 is held in place by abutment to the leading edge 43 of the connecting ramp 37 and the insertion stop formed by the leading portion 45 of the latch locking portion 33 defines a stop position in the direction of insertion. Since the connecting ramp 37 consists of two independently movable parts 37a, 37b, the latch plate 27 is connected to the female interface 9 by pressing these two parts 37a, 37b simultaneously in the release direction 39.

Fig. 6A-6C illustrate the male component 5 and locking mechanism 15, and how the latch plate 27 may be separated from the female interface 9 through the use of the latch release portion 35 of the locking mechanism 15. Fig. 6A shows the latch plate 27 connected to the female interface 9 and the latch release actuator 47 not depressed. Fig. 6B shows the movement of the latch release actuator 47 pressed slightly. Fig. 6C shows the latch release actuator 47 fully depressed and the latch plate 5 having been separated from the female interface 9.

The latch release portion 35 may include two latch release actuators 47. In the embodiment shown, these latch release actuators 47 are configured to: when the locking mechanism 15 is positioned within the housing 19, the latch release actuators act as side arms and extend outwardly through openings 49 (fig. 2A) in the opposite long side 19' of the housing 19.

Each latch release actuator 47 may be attached to a respective portion 33a, 33b of the latch locking portion 33 by a respective resilient ring 51, the ring 51 being disposed at one end of the latch release actuator 47 and biasing the respective latch release actuator 47 outwardly through the respective opening 49. A release ramp 53 may be disposed on an opposite end of each latch release actuator 47. The release ramp 53 faces the front 45 of the latch locking portion 33. In the illustrated embodiment, each respective latch locking portion 33a, 33b and latch release actuator 47 includes a respective release ramp 46, 53, but other embodiments may include only the latch locking portion 33a, 33b or only the latch release actuator 47, for example, may include a respective release ramp 46, 53.

To hold the locking mechanism 15 in place inside the housing 19, the housing 19 may have a rod 55 (see fig. 3A) extending from the interior of the housing 19, around which rod 55 the ring 51 of the latch release actuator 47 may be attached; the lever 55 also defines a pivot axis about which the release actuator 47 is rotatable when depressed. The long side 19 "of the housing 19 may include edges 57 (see fig. 3A) that abut corresponding edges 57' on the latch release actuator 47 to further secure the locking mechanism 15 inside the housing 19 and provide an outer end stop position for the latch release actuator 47.

When the latch plate 27 is connected to the female interface 9, the release ramp 53 of the latch release actuator 47 may face the corresponding release ramp 46 on the latch locking portion 33, as seen in fig. 6 a.

When the latch plate 27 is to be released from the female interface 9, the latch release actuators 47 may be simultaneously pressed toward each other in a direction transverse or substantially perpendicular to the insertion axis d (fig. 3A) and the latch release direction 39 (fig. 5A). The release ramp 53 of the latch release actuator 47 is pressed against the release ramp 46 on the locking portion 33 and, thereby, presses the locking portion 33 in a latch release direction 39 which is transverse to the insertion axis d of the latch plate 27 into the female interface 9, as seen in fig. 6B. During this action, the cover 23 supports the locking mechanism 15.

When the latch release actuator 47 is fully depressed towards each other, the two portions 37a, 37b of the connecting ramp 37 on the latch locking portion 33 are pushed away from the opening 31 in the latch plate 27 and the latch plate 27 is separated from the female interface 9, as seen in fig. 6C, and the latch plate can be removed from the female part 7 so that the tool belt 1 can be removed from the user.

Having the latch release actuator 47 on the side of the buckle 3 rather than in front of the buckle 3 minimizes the risk of accidental release that might otherwise occur if the user were to bump into a protruding obstacle. On both sides of the opening 49, the long sides 19 "of the housing 19 are substantially flush with the outer edges of the latch release actuator 47, and thereby prevent the latch release actuator 47 from being exposed to pressure from the sides of the buckle 3.

For greater safety, the latch locking portion 33 is divided into two independently movable parts, and the latch release actuator 47 is arranged to operate on a respective part of the latch locking portion 33. Thus, the latch plate 27 cannot be separated from the female interface 9 with only one of the two latch release actuators 47 depressed. The latch release actuator 47 is designed with a simple interface so that it can be easily manipulated by a gloved user.

Forming the locking mechanism 15 with the latch locking portion 33 and the latch release portion 35 as a one-piece component with a flexible/resilient geometry gives a simple solution with several components and takes up little space in the limited area inside the buckle 3. The locking mechanism 15 is cheap to manufacture and easy to replace.

Referring to fig. 3A, the length adjustment mechanism 17 may be accommodated at the second space B of the housing 19 and opposite to the female interface 9. The second end 2b (fig. 2A) of the strap 2 passes straight through one of the short sides 19 "of the housing 19, forms a loop around the rod 59 (see fig. 3A) and passes out of the housing 19 in the same direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the bar 59 is integrally formed with the housing 19 and defines a pair of tape guide slots 60a, 60b (fig. 1) located in one of the short sides 19 ". A separate rod 59 placed inside the housing 19 and connected to the inside of the housing may also be used. The lever 59 may be arranged perpendicular to the insertion axis d of the latch plate 27 into the female interface 9, and thus along the short side 19 "of the housing 19.

Thus, the strap 2 is made to enter and exit from one short side 19' of the buckle 3 substantially parallel to the insertion axis d, straight, rather than from behind, as is more usual. Such a buckle 3 contributes to a slimmer design since it can be brought closer to the body of the user.

The length adjustment mechanism 17 may comprise a belt release actuator 61 arranged for steplessly adjusting the second end 2b of the belt strip 2. In fig. 7 it can be seen that the tape release actuator 61 comprises a tape engaging portion 67. The belt release actuator 61 may be provided with pivot pins 63 which fit in corresponding recesses 65 arranged on the interior of the housing 19 (see fig. 3A). Thus, the belt release actuator 61 is pivotally suspended in the housing 19 to pivot about a pin 63 about a pivot axis P parallel to the lever 59. When the tape release actuator 61 is attached to the interior of the housing 19, the tape release actuator 61 extends across the housing 19 parallel to the short edge 19 "(see fig. 3A).

The tape release actuator 61 may further comprise an operator interface 66, which may be configured as a push button, and the housing 19 may be provided with an opening corresponding to the shape of the operator interface 66. When the belt release actuator 61 is connected to the inside of the housing 19, the operator interface 66 is accessible by the user from the front side of the buckle 3 (see fig. 2A). The belt release actuator 61 is designed with a simple interface that allows the user to easily find and manipulate while wearing gloves. Operator interface 66 may be provided with ribs 68 to further facilitate operation of the strap release actuator 61 when the user is wearing gloves.

Figures 8A and 8A show the buckle 3 in cross-section taken along a plane defined by the latch release direction 39 and the insertion axis d of the latch plate into the female interface 9 (as shown by line VIII-VIII of figure 2B). As seen in fig. 8A and 8B, the belt release actuator 61 is pivotable between: a strap locking position (fig. 8A) in which the strap release actuator 61 presses the second end 2b of the strap 2 against the lever 59; and a strap release position (fig. 8B) in which the second end 2B of the strap 2 is free to move about the rod 59.

The belt release actuator 61 may be resiliently biased toward the locking position. This allows the user to pull the free end portion of the second end 2b of the strap 2 to the desired tightness/length, after which the strap 2 is held in place by biasing the strap engaging portion 67 against the strap 2. In the embodiment shown in fig. 8A and 8B, the coil spring 69 generates a biasing action that acts on the tape release actuator 61. The coil spring 69 is positioned in a retainer 71 formed in the partition 21 (fig. 3A) of the housing 19 and held in place by the cover 23 (fig. 4). Other resilient members may be used to generate the biasing action instead of the coil spring 69. In the illustrated embodiment, the coil spring 69 is used because it has a simple shape so as to be easily fitted inside a limited space, such as the inside of the buckle 3.

The tape engaging portion 67 may be provided with a tape engaging surface which abuts the second end 2b of the strip 2 in the locked position. The belt engaging surface is provided with a toothed projection 73. These castellated projections 73 penetrate and engage the strip 2 and keep the tool belt 1 taut when exposed to loads (e.g. when working by forestry workers or carpenters). The tooth-shaped projections 73 may be arranged in one, two or more rows. In the illustrated embodiment, the teeth 73 are arranged in two rows, wherein the teeth form a zig-zag pattern. This provides a large area and several contact locations between the tape release actuator 61 and the tape strip 2, thereby holding the tape strip 2 in place.

Fig. 8A shows a cross-sectional view of the belt release actuator 61 in the belt locking position, in which the coil spring 69 urges these toothed projections 73 into engagement with the second end 2b of the strap 2 and thereby urges the belt release actuator 61 towards its position extending from the front side of the buckle 3 (see fig. 1), which makes it easier for the user to find the belt release actuator 61 when needed. Pulling the second end 2b of the strap 2 pivots the strap release actuator 61 in the release direction, while pulling the portion 2b 'of the strap 2 closest to the user's body pivots the strap release actuator 61 in the strap locking direction, thereby engaging the teeth 73 more strongly into the strap 2.

Fig. 8B shows a sectional view of the tape release actuator 61 in the tape release position. The belt release actuator 61 is pivoted by pressing the operator interface 66 of the belt release actuator 61 so that the teeth 73 are moved away from the second end 2b of the belt strip 2 and the tightness/length of the tool belt 1 can be adjusted to the desired position without the tool belt 1 falling.

The operator interface 66 of the belt release actuator 61 may be configured to be depressed against the bias in a direction transverse to the direction of depression of the latch release actuator 47 for separating the latch plate 27 from the female interface 9. Since the two mechanisms operate in different directions, it is easier for a user wearing gloves to separate the two mechanisms from each other.

The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims. For example, the illustrated tape release actuator 61 pivots about a pivot axis. This is not necessary. The length adjustment mechanism may operate in a completely different manner and may include, for example, a belt release actuator configured to translate rather than pivot.