Buckle of the snap closure type having the two parts engageable by snap action identical to one another

Claim 1

A buckle of the snap closure type, said buckle having two identical parts of generally rectangular configuration, each part including securement means at one end thereof for securing the part to one end of a strap or the like; a male member and a female member extending axially from the opposite end of each part in laterally spaced substantially parallel and overlapping relation along opposite sides of said rectangular configuration; said male member of each said part including a flexible arm member having a laterally outwardly projecting portion and said female member of each said part including a laterally disposed opening adapted to receive the laterally projecting portion of the arm member received therein, so that the male member of each part is adapted to be axially telescoped into the female member of the other part, each said female member including an elongated chamber open at least at said opposite end of each part and having said lateral opening in the wall thereof for receiving by snap action the projecting portion carried by said flexible arm member; and an axially extending guide element extending from said opposite end of each part and disposed between said arm member and said female member; each said female part including guide means extending lengthwise of said chamber and complementary to said guide element and spaced inwardly from said laterally disposed opening for cooperative sliding engagement with the guide element of the other part during telescopic association of the parts without interference with the flexible arm member and laterally extending projection of the other part.