At a glance
| Patent number | CN215455856U (application CN202121914015) |
| Type | China utility model (实用新型) - protects product shape and structure |
| Original title | Belt buckle (一种皮带扣) |
| Patent owner | Individual |
| Inventors | Shi Changqi |
| Filing date | 2021-08-16 |
| Grant date | 2022-01-11 |
| Status (China) | In force in China until at most 2031-08-16 (if annual fees are paid) |
| Patent family | Chinese filings only - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 0 later documents |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN215455856U) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - a belt buckle comprising a buckle head with an outer frame and a tail clip. The tail clip is fixedly connected to the frame and includes an open slot for inserting the belt end. A screw hole is provided on the slot wall below the open slot, and a locking bolt is arranged in the screw hole to cooperate with the inner wall of the slot to lock the belt end.
Claim 2 - the frame includes a first limiting edge and a second limiting edge spaced apart in the left-right direction. The tail clip is fixed to the middle of the frame, and the slot opening faces the first limiting edge. A friction portion is on the left side of the tail clip, forming a first gap with the first limiting edge, while the right side forms a second gap with the second limiting edge. Claim 3 - the friction part includes a friction bar fixed to the outer frame and friction teeth on its surface. Claim 4 - the friction bar has a fan-shaped cross-section, with multiple friction teeth distributed sequentially along the circumferential direction. Claim 5 - the outer frame includes two supporting sides connecting the first and second limiting edges, with the tail clip fixed to the middle of the supporting sides. Claim 6 - the friction portion is a unitary structure with the tail clip. Claim 7 - the friction portion and tail clip are spaced apart in the left-right direction. Claim 8 - the right side of the tail clip has a rounded corner portion forming the second gap with the second limiting edge. Claim 9 - the outer frame has a rectangular or circular shape. Claim 10 - multiple threaded holes are formed in the slot wall, each provided with a locking bolt.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for US production
This patent was filed only in China and is currently in force in China until at most 2031-08-16 (if annual fees are paid). It has no US or other foreign counterpart. However, making or selling this exact buckle design in China needs the owner’s permission while the patent remains active.
Two points to settle early:
- Other patents may exist. Belt buckles and ratchet or friction-lock mechanisms are widely patented globally by various apparel hardware makers. Even though no foreign patents cite this specific Chinese document, a freedom-to-operate (FTO) review covering the combination of a bolt-clamped tail slot and a directional friction bar is recommended before launching in the US.
- Bolt security and strap compatibility. The locking bolts must remain tight during dynamic waist movement. Testing the bolt thread pitch and slot depth against the specific strap materials you plan to sell is necessary to ensure the belt end does not slip out of the tail clip.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Frame shape | Rectangular or circular per claim 9; custom outlines to be confirmed in design |
| Frame material | Zinc alloy, stainless steel, brass, or aluminum |
| Finish | Electroplating, PVD coating, powder coat, antique wash |
| Strap width | Sized to match the open slot width, set in design |
| Friction bar | Separate piece or unitary with the tail clip per claims 6 and 7 |
| Locking bolts | Number of bolts and threaded holes per claim 10; socket or slotted heads |
| Rounded corners | Chamfer or radius on the tail clip right side per claim 8 |
Things to plan for (US market)
- California Proposition 65 - metal alloys and electroplated finishes must be screened for lead, cadmium, and phthalates if applicable to apparel accessories.
- CPSC 16 CFR 1303 - if the buckle uses paint or surface coatings, it must comply with the ban on lead-containing paint.
- REACH / CPSIA limits - while REACH is European, many US buyers request compliance for nickel release and heavy metals in skin-contact hardware.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - target strap width, frame shape, material preference, and quantity.
- Design - CAD modeling of the outer frame, tail clip slot dimensions, friction tooth angle, and bolt placement.
- Prototype - CNC machined or 3D-printed samples to verify strap insertion, bolt clamping force, and friction grip.
- Pilot run - die-casting or stamping tooling creation; sample batch tested for pull strength and finish durability.
- Production - mass casting or stamping, polishing, plating, tapping threaded holes, and final assembly of bolts and friction bars.
Quantities & timeline
The outer frame and tail clip typically require die-casting molds or progressive stamping dies depending on the chosen metal. The friction rod needs precise machining or a secondary mold if cast separately. Tapping the threaded holes in the slot wall adds a machining step. Certification tests for heavy metals and salt-spray testing for plating take additional time. Send us your strap width, frame shape, material, finish, estimated quantity and target price and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
