Ratcheting adjustable tank band and buckle assembly for securing gas cylinders to backpacks

Abstract

A buckle assembly especially for use in securing gas cylinders such as scuba air tanks to a diver's backpack. A ratcheting feature of the buckle eliminates the need to reposition the buckle position to lengthen or shorten the band. The band in a preferred embodiment, is separated into two separate portions, but could be also one continuous element eliminating two separate attachments to the backpack. One belt portion is attached to the buckle at one end and is fixed to the backpack at the other end. The other belt portion contains the teeth at one end for receiving the buckle and the other end is fixed to the backpack. To secure the tank into the backpack, the tank is placed into the desired position, then the toothed end of the belt is placed into the receiving end of the buckle. The buckle is open to its longest position. The band end containing the teeth is slid into the ratchet portion of the buckle until it is tight. A spring beneath the ratchet member keeps the edge of the ratchet engaged with the teeth on the band. The buckle is then moved over center to the locked position, tightening and securing the end of the attached band beneath it. The pivot position of the over-center tightening action is calculated to provide the correct tightening force to secure the tank in place without the possibility of loosening or slipping.

1 . The combination comprising:
 at least one scuba diver's compressed air cylinder;   a backpack for holding said at least one cylinder on a scuba diver's body; and   a buckle assembly for securing said at least one cylinder to said backpack, said assembly having first and second strap bands and a buckle receiving respective first ends of said bands in tightened engagement around said at least one cylinder, respective opposed second ends of said bands being affixed to said backpack;   one of said first ends of said bands being affixed to said buckle and the other of said first ends of said bands having a plurality of sequential grooved teeth, said buckle having a ratchet lever for engaging said teeth.   
   
   
       2 . The combination recited in  claim 1  wherein said buckle further comprises a spring for biasing said ratchet lever into forceful engagement with said teeth. 
   
   
       3 . The combination recited in  claim 1  wherein said ratchet lever is configured for selective elevation about a pin to disengage said lever from said teeth for releasing said at least one cylinder from said backpack. 
   
   
       4 . The combination recited in  claim 1  wherein said buckle further comprises a cam-shaped cover for closure of said buckle, said cover positioned for both covering said ratchet lever and tightening said band affixed to said buckle around said at least one cylinder upon closure of said buckle. 
   
   
       5 . The combination recited in  claim 1  wherein said first and second strap bands are made of a material which resists stretching under tension even when wet. 
   
   
       6 . The combination comprising:
 a compressed gas container;   a backpack for holding said container on a person's body; and   a buckle assembly for securing said container to said backpack, said assembly having at least one strap band affixed to said backpack and a buckle receiving respective opposed ends of said at least one strap in tightened engagement around said container, one of said respective opposed ends of said at least one strap band being affixed to said buckle and another of said respective opposed ends having a plurality of sequential grooved teeth, said buckle having a ratchet lever for engaging said teeth.   
   
   
       7 . The combination recited in  claim 6  wherein said buckle further comprises a spring for biasing said ratchet lever into forceful engagement with said teeth. 
   
   
       8 . The combination recited in  claim 6  wherein said ratchet lever is configured for selective elevation about a pin to disengage said lever from said teeth for releasing said container from said backpack. 
   
   
       9 . The combination recited in  claim 6  wherein said buckle further comprises a cam-shaped cover for closure of said buckle, said cover positioned for both covering said ratchet lever and tightening said band affixed to said buckle around said container upon closure of said buckle. 
   
   
       10 . The combination recited in  claim 6  wherein said at least one strap band is made of a material which resists stretching under tension even when wet.