Belt buckle

Abstract

A buckle having an adjustable loop end forming a primary plane with opposing side walls. The adjustable loop end has a central bar positioned between a first strap opening and a second strap opening. A protrusion extends from a lower surface of the fixed loop end.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A buckle comprising:
 a fixed loop end forming a primary plane,
 at least one opening extending through the fixed loop end along a portion of a lateral axis of the primary plane, wherein said opening is configured to receive a belt or strap; and 
 a protrusion extending from the bottom surface of the fixed loop such that the protrusion is orthogonal to the primary plane of the fixed loop end,
 wherein the buckle is configured such that the belt or strap is woven through the opening and around an exterior surface of the protrusion, 
 wherein the exterior surface of the protrusion is configured to minimize friction between the exterior surface of the protrusion and the belt or strap. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The buckle of  claim 1  comprising an adjustable loop end connected to the fixed loop end. 
     
     
         3 . The buckle of  claim 2  wherein the fixed loop end and the adjustable loop end are fixedly connected as one contiguous piece. 
     
     
         4 . The buckle of  claim 1  wherein the protrusion extends across at least a portion of the lateral axis of the lower surface of the fixed loop end. 
     
     
         5 . The buckle of  claim 1  wherein the protrusion extends along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis of the lower surface of the fixed loop end. 
     
     
         6 . The buckle of  claim 1  wherein the protrusion has a rounded bottom edge. 
     
     
         7 . The buckle of  claim 2  further comprising a scalloped lip along a leading edge of the lower surface of the adjustable loop end. 
     
     
         8 . A buckle comprising:
 an adjustable loop end forming a primary plane;
 a first strap or belt opening extending through the adjustable loop end along a portion of a lateral axis of the primary plane; 
 a second strap or belt opening extending through the adjustable loop end along a portion of the lateral axis of the primary plane; 
 a central bar positioned between the first strap or belt opening and second strap or belt openings along the lateral axis of the primary plane,
 wherein, the adjustable loop end is configured to receive a first strap, 
 
   a fixed loop end connected to the adjustable loop end,
 at least one opening extending through the fixed loop end along a portion of a lateral axis of the primary plane, wherein said opening is configured to receive a second strap; and 
 a protrusion extending from the bottom surface of the fixed loop such that the protrusion is orthogonal to the primary plane of the fixed loop end,
 wherein the buckle is configured such that the second strap is woven through the opening and around an exterior surface of the protrusion, 
 wherein, when the buckle is in tension, the adjustable loop end defines a first force vector, and the fixed loop end defines an opposing second force vector, 
 wherein, the protrusion is configured to adjust the direction of the second force vector such that the buckle lays substantially flat against a user. 
 
   
     
     
         9 . The buckle of  claim 8  wherein the fixed loop end and the adjustable loop end are fixedly connected as one contiguous piece. 
     
     
         10 . The buckle of  claim 8  wherein the protrusion extends across at least a portion of the lateral axis of the lower surface of the fixed loop end. 
     
     
         11 . The buckle of  claim 8  wherein the protrusion extends along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis of the lower surface of the fixed loop end. 
     
     
         12 . The buckle of  claim 8  wherein the protrusion has a rounded bottom edge. 
     
     
         13 . The buckle of  claim 8  further comprising a scalloped lip along a leading edge of the lower surface of the adjustable loop end.