Buckle assembly

Abstract

A buckle assembly includes a first housing and a second housing removably connected to the first housing. Each of the first and second housings may include a main body connected to an outwardly bowed strap bar through outwardly angled lateral walls, such that a strap channel is formed between the main body, the outwardly bowed strap bar and the outwardly angled lateral walls. The strap bar may provide a strap clearance area between a strap secured to the strap bar and a body to which the buckle assembly is secured.

1 . A buckle assembly comprising:
 a first housing; and   a second housing removably connected to said first housing,   each of said first and second housings comprising a main body connected to an outwardly bowed strap bar through outwardly angled lateral walls, a strap channel being formed between said main body, said outwardly bowed strap bar and said outwardly angled lateral walls.   
   
   
       2 . The buckle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an axial cross-section of said outwardly bowed strap bar is tear-shaped. 
   
   
       3 . The buckle assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said axial cross-sectional shape includes a curved portion connected to a reduced tail portion through an intermediate portion. 
   
   
       4 . The buckle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said outwardly bowed strap bar provides a strap clearance area between a strap secured to said outwardly bowed strap bar and a body of a wearer. 
   
   
       5 . The buckle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first housing comprises release buttons and said second housing comprises large button openings, and wherein said release buttons are received and removably retained within said button openings. 
   
   
       6 . The buckle assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said release buttons are set within said button openings deeper than a maximum width of either said first and second housings. 
   
   
       7 . The buckle assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said large button openings protect against inadvertent engagement of said release buttons. 
   
   
       8 . The buckle assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising straps secured around said outwardly bowed strap bars. 
   
   
       9 . A buckle assembly comprising:
 a first housing; and   a second housing removably connected to said first housing,   each of said first and second housings comprising a main body connected to a strap bar through lateral walls, a strap channel being formed between said main body, said strap bar and said lateral walls, said strap bar providing a strap clearance area between a strap secured to said strap bar and a body to which the buckle assembly is secured.   
   
   
       10 . The buckle assembly of  claim 9 , wherein an axial cross-section of said strap bar is tear-shaped. 
   
   
       11 . The buckle assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said axial cross-sectional shape includes a curved portion connected to a reduced tail portion through an intermediate portion. 
   
   
       12 . The buckle assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said first housing comprises release buttons and said second housing comprises large button openings, and wherein said release buttons are received and removably retained within said button openings. 
   
   
       13 . The buckle assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said release buttons are set within said button openings deeper than a maximum width of either said first and second housings. 
   
   
       14 . The buckle assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said large button openings protect against inadvertent engagement of said release buttons. 
   
   
       15 . A buckle assembly, the buckle assembly comprising:
 a male buckle housing comprising release buttons; and   a female buckle housing removably connected to said male buckle housing, said female buckle housing comprising button openings that receive and removably retain said release buttons,   each of said male and female housings comprising a main body connected to an outwardly bowed strap bar through outwardly angled lateral walls, a strap channel being formed between said main body, said outwardly bowed strap bar and said outwardly angled lateral walls, an axial cross-section of said outwardly bowed strap bar being tear-shaped having a curved portion connected to a reduced tail portion through an intermediate portion, said outwardly bowed strap bar providing a strap clearance area between a strap secured to said outwardly bowed strap bar and a body of a wearer.   
   
   
       16 . The buckle assembly of  claim 15 , wherein said release buttons are set within said button openings deeper than a maximum width of either said male and female housings. 
   
   
       17 . The buckle assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said button openings protect against inadvertent engagement of said release buttons. 
   
   
       18 . The buckle assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising straps secured around said outwardly bowed strap bars. 
   
   
       19 . The buckle assembly of  claim 15 , wherein said straps are secured around said outwardly bowed strap bars in a V-shape.