Adjustable buckle for a respriator mask

Abstract

An adjustable buckle located around a resilience strap for a respirator including a resilient strap material having a particular length, width and thickness. An adjustable buckle is molded around the strap at a particular position and formed of two interlocking members each located at an end position of the strap and having at least one portion that interlocks with a corresponding portion of the other member. This provide for locking and unlocking of the members with each other. At least one of the interlocking members includes a plurality of such portions that interlocks with the corresponding portion of the other member. The plurality of portions are spaced from each other along the length of the strap so that an individual one of the plurality of portions may be interlocked with the corresponding portion of the other member to adjust the length of the strap.

1 . An adjustable buckle located around a resilience strap for a respirator including the following:
 a. a resilient strap material having a particular length, width and thickness;   b. an adjustable buckle molded around the strap at a particular position;   c. the adjustable buckle formed of two interlocking members each member located at an end position of the strap and having at least one portion that interlocks with a corresponding portion of the other member to provide for locking and unlocking of the members with each other;   d. at least one of the interlocking members including a plurality of portions that interlocks with the corresponding portion of the other member; and   e. the plurality of portions that interlock with the corresponding portion of the other member are spaced from each other along the length of the strap so that an individual one of the plurality of portions may be interlocked with the corresponding portion of the other member to adjust the length of the strap.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable buckle of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of portions that interlock with the corresponding portion of the other member spaced from each other along the length of the strap are formed as one continuous structure molded around the strap. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable buckle of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of portions that interlock with the corresponding portion of the other member spaced from each other along the length of the strap are formed as discontinuous structures each molded around the strap and separated by a short section of strap material between each structure. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable buckle of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of portions that interlock with the corresponding portion of the other member is at least three in number. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable buckle of  claim 1  wherein both of the interlocking members include a plurality of portions that interlocks with the corresponding portion of the other member.