Buckle Bender Tool

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a buckle bender tool that secures a strap in a metal buckle. The buckle bender tool has a main body with a first end and a second end. The tool has a bent edge at a distal end of the first end of the main body. The bent edge forms an acute angle with respect to the main body of the tool. The tool has straight edge at a distal end of the second end of the main body. The buckle bender tool positions a cut-off strap end within a buckle and deforms the buckle to secure the strap therein.

1 . A tool for securing a strap in a metal buckle, wherein the metal buckle having a strap entrance end, a strap exit end, and a deformable retainer with a tab at a distal end and an opening adjacent the tab, the tool comprising:
 a main body having a first end and a second end;   a bent edge at a distal end of the first end of the main body, wherein the bent edge forms an acute angle with respect to the main body of the tool; and   a straight edge at a distal end of the second end of the main body.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the bent edge of the tool bends a cut end of the strap towards the buckle. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the straight edge of the tool bends the deformable retainer of the buckle over the cut end of the strap. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tool has a curved portion extending from the first end to the second end, whereby the curved tool provides clearance for enabling installation of adjacent buckles. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 4 , wherein the tool secures the strap in the metal buckle with the curved portion facing upwards. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 4 , wherein the tool secures the strap in the metal buckle with the curved portion facing downwards. 
     
     
         7 . A method of securing a metal strap to a metal buckle using a buckle bender tool, wherein the metal buckle having a strap entrance end, a strap exit end, and a deformable retainer with a tab at a distal end and an opening adjacent the tab, the method comprising the steps of:
 positioning a bent edge at a first end of the buckle bender tool in the opening in the buckle with the bent edge of the buckle bender tool positioned over a cut off end of the strap;   engaging the cut off end of the strap with the bent edge of the buckle bender tool; pushing the cut off end of the strap downwards with the bent edge of the buckle bender tool until the cut off end of the strap is positioned on the buckle; and   pulling the buckle bender tool to bend the deformable retainer of the buckle 30 degrees over the cut-off end of the strap.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of positioning the second end of the buckle bender tool in the opening of the buckle and over the bent cut-off end of the strap;
 pulling the buckle bender tool to further deform the retainer and position the retainer over the cut-off end of the strap; and   removing the buckle bender tool.