Belt buckle

Abstract

A buckle and method of assembly is disclosed. The buckle may include one or more plugs attached to the adjustable loop end to secure the central bar in place during use. Alternatively, each end of the buckle may a plurality of overlapping tabs that guide the ends of the buckle for fastening and aid in the stability of the buckle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A buckle comprising:
 an adjustable loop end forming a primary plane with a pair of opposing side walls;   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 the second strap or belt opening along the lateral axis of the primary plane with opposing terminal ends; and   one or more plugs attached to the adjustable loop end and positioned along the lateral axis of the primary plane,
 wherein, when the one or more plugs are attached to the adjustable loop end, the one or more plugs are operable to secure the central bar in place during use, 
 wherein removal of the one or more plugs are necessary to allow the central bar to be removed from the adjustable loop end. 
   
     
     
         2 . The buckle of  claim 1  comprising a first slot recessed into an interior surface of one of the opposing side walls wherein a bottom edge of the first slot is longer than a top edge of the first slot, and a second slot recessed into an interior surface of one of the opposing side walls wherein a bottom edge of the second slot is longer than a top edge of the second slot, wherein the terminal ends of the central bar rests inside the first and second slots. 
     
     
         3 . The buckle of  claim 1  comprising:
 a fixed loop end removably attached to the adjustable loop end, 
 wherein the adjustable loop end further comprises two opposing locking pins coupled to a spring, wherein the locking pins are spring loaded to extend outwardly beyond an exterior surface of the adjustable loop end, and wherein the spring is disposed within a well within a portion of the adjustable loop end, 
 wherein the fixed loop end comprises corresponding pin casings, each of said pin casings being operable to receive the locking pins on one end, and each of said pin casings further comprising a plunger disposed on an opposite end, and 
 wherein the plungers are operable to push the locking pins out of the pin casings. 
 
     
     
         4 . The buckle of  claim 3  wherein the adjustable loop end is configured to form a male counterpart and the fixed loop end is configured to form a female counterpart, wherein the fixed loop end comprises side walls having an interior and exterior surface, wherein the interior surface of the side walls are configured to compress the locking pins of the adjustable loop end inward towards the spring as the male counterpart is inserted into female counterpart. 
     
     
         5 . The buckle of  claim 1  wherein the adjustable loop end further comprises an open cavity disposed along the lateral axis of the primary plane, wherein the one or more plugs are configured to occupy a portion of the open cavity. 
     
     
         6 . A method of assembling a belt buckle comprising the steps of:
 providing an adjustable loop end, wherein the adjustable loop end forms a primary plane with a pair of opposing side walls, the adjustable loop end further comprising 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 first slot recessed into an interior surface of one of the opposing side walls, and a second slot recessed into an interior surface of the opposing side wall,   providing a central bar comprising opposing terminal ends configured to engage the side walls of the adjustable loop end, wherein the terminal ends of the central bar rests inside the first and second slots,   providing one or more plugs,   inserting the central bar into the adjustable loop end through an open cavity in the adjustable loop end such that the terminal ends of the central bar are guided into the first and second slots without deforming the central bar, and   attaching the one or more plugs to the adjustable loop end such that the one or more plugs occupy a portion of the open cavity and are operable to secure the central bar in place during use.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising the step of removing the one or more plugs and replacing the central bar. 
     
     
         8 . A buckle comprising:
 a first end and a second end,   wherein the first end comprises, a pair of opposing side walls,   a first strap or belt opening extending through the first end;   a second strap or belt opening extending through the first end; and
 a central bar positioned between the first strap or belt opening and the second strap or belt opening with opposing terminal ends, and 
   wherein the first end comprises at least two secondary tabs positioned along a perimeter of the first end and at least one primary tab positioned along a perimeter of the first end, wherein the at least two secondary tabs of the first end are vertically offset from the at least one primary tab of the first end, and   wherein the second end comprises at least two secondary tabs along a perimeter of the second end and at least one primary tab positioned along a perimeter of the second end, wherein the at least two secondary tabs of the second end are vertically offset from the at least one primary tab of the second end,   wherein the first end is removably attached to the second end,   wherein the at least two secondary tabs and the at least one primary tab of the first end and the at least two secondary tabs and the at least one primary tab of the second end are configured to be nested together and do not interfere with the attachment or removal of the first end to the second end, and   wherein the at least one primary tab of the first end overlaps with the at least one primary tab of the second end when the first end is attached to the second end, and wherein the at least two secondary tabs of the first end overlap with the at least two secondary tabs of the second end when the first end is attached to the second end.   
     
     
         9 . The buckle of  claim 8  comprising one or more plugs attached to the first end, wherein the one or more plugs are operable to secure the central bar in place during use, wherein removal of the one or more plugs is necessary to allow the central bar to be removed from the first end, 
     
     
         10 . The buckle of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more plugs are attached to the first end with a fastener. 
     
     
         11 . The buckle of  claim 8 , comprising a first slot recessed into an interior surface of one of the opposing side walls wherein a bottom edge of the first slot is longer than a top edge of the first slot, and a second slot recessed into an interior surface of one of the opposing side walls wherein a bottom edge of the second slot is longer than a top edge of the second slot, wherein the terminal ends of the central bar rest inside the first and second slots. 
     
     
         12 . The buckle of  claim 8 , wherein the first end further comprises two opposing locking pins coupled together by a spring, wherein the pins are spring loaded to extend outwardly beyond an exterior surface of the first end, and wherein the spring is disposed within a well within a portion of the first end, and
 wherein the second end comprises two corresponding pin casings operable to receive the locking pins on one end and having a plunger disposed on an opposing end,   wherein the plungers are operable to push the locking pins out of the pin casings.   
     
     
         13 . The buckle of  claim 12 , wherein the first end is configured to form a male counterpart and the second end is configured to form a female counterpart, wherein the second end comprises side walls having an interior and exterior surface, wherein the interior surface of the side walls are configured to compress the pins of the first end inward towards the spring as the male counterpart is inserted into the female counterpart.