Field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar

Abstract

A field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar includes at least one buckle part having a pair of lateral lugs extending therefrom. Each lateral lug has at least one aperture provided therein. The reinstallable cross bar includes a securing portion and a retaining portion. When the reinstallable cross bar is inserted through an aperture in a first lateral lug, it is prevented from passing therethrough by the retaining portion and the securing portion is operable to securely, but releasably, engage an aperture in the second lateral lug.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar, where the buckle comprises at least one buckle part having a pair of lateral lugs extending therefrom and each lateral lug has at least one aperture provided therein and where the reinstallable cross bar includes a securing portion and a retaining portion, such that when the reinstallable cross bar is inserted through an aperture in a first lateral lug it is prevented from passing therethrough by the retaining portion and the securing portion is operable to securely, but releasably, engage an aperture in the second lateral lug. 
     
     
         2 . The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar according to  claim 1 , where the aperture in the second lateral lug has a depth and the securing portion has a substantially corresponding length. 
     
     
         3 . The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar according to  claim 1 , wherein the securing portion is a self tapping threaded end. 
     
     
         4 . The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar according to  claim 3 , wherein the self tapping threaded end cuts into side walls of the aperture in the second lateral lug as it is received therein by the application of rotational force. 
     
     
         5 . The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar according to  claim 1 , wherein the securing portion is magnetised to a first polarity and the aperture in the second lateral lug is magnetised to a second polarity such that the securing portion is retained within the second lateral lug through magnetic forces. 
     
     
         6 . The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar according to  claim 1 , wherein the securing portion takes the form of a notch and the aperture in the second lateral lug incorporates a spring loaded latch, the spring loaded latch biased to engage the notch when the securing portion is received within the second lateral lug. 
     
     
         7 . The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar according to  claim 1 , wherein the securing portion takes the form of a bolt stud adapted to be securely received within a nut positioned adjacent the aperture in the second lateral lug in such a manner as to ensure at least a portion of the cross bar is securely retained within the second lateral lug. 
     
     
         8 . The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar according to  claim 1 , wherein the retaining portion incorporates a depressed slot to facilitate the imparting of rotational force to the securing portion. 
     
     
         9 . The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinstallable cross bar, when received within the apertures, is sufficiently spaced from the buckle part to allow at least a portion of a capturing loop to be received therethrough. 
     
     
         10 . The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar according to  claim 1 , further comprising a shaft portion interposed between the retaining portion and the securing portion, the shaft portion having a smooth surface. 
     
     
         11 . The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar according to  claim 1 , wherein the aperture in the first lateral lug has a matching shape and dimension to the shape and dimension of the retaining portion so as to ensure that the retaining portion is flush with an outer surface of the first lateral lug when received therein. 
     
     
         12 . The field replaceable buckle with reinstallable cross bar according to  claim 1  wherein the reinstallable cross bar is made from stainless steel.