STRAP HARDWARE GLOSSARY

Buckles and Slides

Buckles are used in more applications than a person can count. If web attachment is required, there's a buckle to fit the need. They come in a plethora of shapes and sizes, and most styles are available in both metal and plastic. Slides, which are basically lighter-duty, tongue less buckles used primarily for strap adjustment are grouped often with buckles, as they share similar purposes and properties.

3-bar slide: These plastic or metal slides are useful in applications that require variable-length strap assemblies. The name applies both to single-bar buckles, which have a center bar and two web slots, and to slides with five bars and four slots for webbing.

3-way buckle: This term usually refers to a side or push release buckle with three interlocking pieces instead of two, which are arranged in a "T"-shape.

Adjustable buckle: A single-bar buckle with a depressed center bar.

Cam buckle: A buckle with a spring loaded lid and often, teeth that applies pressure on the webbing by squeezing it toward the base as the load increases an action referred to as "camming." The webbing is threaded between the base and the lid, combining easy adjustment with a high level of security. The flip top lid allows for one-handed release.

Clasp or surcingle: A basic term applied to many buckles, this describes a female/male two-part closure that hooks together. The two pieces usually have to be twisted or angled to open and close.

Ladderlock buckle: Generally a tabbed double-bar buckle with grooves on the center bar closest to the tab. The web slot nearest the tab is often more narrow than the other slot.

Push-release buckle: Any buckle that can be opened by depressing a button, usually a square button in the center of a plastic buckle.

Ratchet buckle: A tensioning device with a series of teeth (engaged by a handle) that allows webbing to be tightened in increments.

Round, oval and square slides: Slides are used primarily to provide a secure hold with easy-adjustment capabilities. They are available with various numbers of center bars and web slots.

Side-release buckles: A family of buckles that are used wherever easy-opening webbing closures are needed. They can be opened with one hand by squeezing tabs on each side of the buckle, and are available as two-and three-way buckles. They're most commonly made from plastic but several metal versions are available. Side-release buckles also are referred to as "squeeze buckles."

Single-and double-bar buckles: A single-bar buckle is a heavier version of a slide with a center bar and two web slots, but no tongue. This style usually is used as an adjuster. A double-bar buckle has three web slots and two center bars; sometimes one of the bars has teeth.

Straplock: Double-and single-bar straplocks suit high-load applications with heavy-duty webbing. Straplocks' rectangular shape and perpendicular dividing bars resemble slides.

Tongueless buckle: Generally a sturdy retaining buckle with a toothed slide, two center bars and three web slots.

Tourniquet buckle: This multi-name buckle (also called a "T-buckle" or an "alligator clip") is a toothed, spring-loaded buckle that provides strong fastening with an almost immediate release. It also is sometimes referred to as a "push-button web-strap buckle" or a "double-bar buckle with tab."

Hooks and Snaps

These connecting pieces come in an almost unending variety, though a few basic shapes and components anchor the family of hooks and snaps. Names vary slightly, depending on the manufacturer, and sometimes overlap styles. Hooks and snaps are close cousins, at least in origin, as a snap is a hook with a tongue. Snaps are available with a number of different retainer, or base, attachments. Retainer variants include round, flat, rectangular, riveted, swivel, or cast-in-one piece with the snap. Snaps also feature a variety of tongue shapes, sizes and attachment methods. Both hooks and snaps can be made of metal or plastic.

Bolt snap: The familiar "pet-leash" snap has a spring-loaded bolt, round hook and sliding thumb lever and is useful for any number of fabric-related applications. This snap is available in many shapes, sizes and materials. Manufacturers often call them by other names, including "spring snap" or "round hook."

Double-J hook: Similar to a lash hook, this usually consists of a simple wire hook doubled in the shape of the letter "J."

Double-end snap: Usually a cast bolt snap with a hook and tongue on both ends, used as a connecting piece between rings.

Lash hook: Families of flat or rounded hooks with a variety of hook ends (rounded, pointed, flat, etc.) that are formed in a "J" shape.

Snap hook: A simple hook with a plain tongue, this hardware is available in a wide variety of strengths both with and without retainers. Interlocking snap hooks feature a tooth on the tongue that provides additional holding strength. Flat snap hooks are flat, rather than rounded, and generally have a riveted plate tongue. Basic wire snap hooks sometimes are called "utility hooks."

Spring snap: Any snap hook with a tongue made of spring steel.

Trigger snap: This term usually refers to a circular hook with a flat push lever or trigger that opens the snap by sliding back half of the hook. Large trigger snaps, often used on large animal lead lines, are sometimes called "panic snaps" because of their easy and almost immediate release.

Rings

These wire and die-cast forms are used as adjustable components and connecting points for webbing, hooks and snaps, or other accessories. They are available in shape-titled varieties of almost any size, welded or non-welded construction, and in various wire widths. Plastic and metal, most commonly steel, are the prevalent construction materials for rings. Some rings, particularly rectangular or oval rings, are sometimes labeled "loops."

D-ring: Webbing usually is threaded across the flat side of a D-ring, while something is hooked or snapped to the rounded side. Some D-rings come with tabs that can be sewn or riveted into webbing, thus preventing the ring from rotating. They also are available with sheet-metal rollers that allow the ring to rotate without chaffing the webbing.

O-ring: O-rings (also called "round rings") commonly are used to join two or more pieces of webbing, or as a receptacle for a hook or snap.

Rectangular, oval and triangular rings: These rings also are named for their shape and used much like O- and D-rings. Square and triangular rings often are used as dividers in applications where webbing meets at angles. Triangular rings also are used to balance weight loads between straps, and sometimes are called "delta rings," after the triangular shape of the Greek letter by that name.

S-ring: S-rings are used in a variety of ways, including as hooks for buttons or cord. They are available in an open shape or in a closed shape, where one of the S-hooks is closed into a ring.