U.S. patent application number 09/954232 was filed with the patent office on 2002-04-04 for closure for closing strip.
This patent application is currently assigned to Geimuplast Kunststofftechnik GmbH. Invention is credited to Ahlgren, Ove, Lechner, Josef.
Application Number | 20020038498 09/954232 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26007067 |
Filed Date | 2002-04-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020038498 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ahlgren, Ove ; et
al. |
April 4, 2002 |
Closure for closing strip
Abstract
A closure for a closing strip includes a tooth strap (32) and a
closure (1) with a guide for the tooth strap (32). In order to make
it easy to separate the lock between the tooth strap and closure,
the closure (1) has a meshing part (6,7) with a tooth and an
unlocking part (16, 17), by means of which the tooth can be brought
out of the meshed stage (FIG. 6).
Inventors: |
Ahlgren, Ove; (Trollhattan,
SE) ; Lechner, Josef; (Garmisch-Patenkirchen,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Rocco S. Barrese, Esq.
DILWORTH & BARRESE, LLP
333 Earle Ovington Blvd.
Uniondale
NY
11553
US
|
Assignee: |
Geimuplast Kunststofftechnik
GmbH
|
Family ID: |
26007067 |
Appl. No.: |
09/954232 |
Filed: |
September 17, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/591.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16G 3/00 20130101; Y10T
24/45225 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/591.1 |
International
Class: |
A44B 011/25 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 15, 2000 |
DE |
100 45 766.5 |
Oct 18, 2000 |
DE |
100 51 634.3 |
Claims
1. Closure for a closing strip, which includes a tooth strap (32;
69) and a closure (1; 53) with a guide (3) for the tooth strap (32;
69), where the closure (1; 53) has a meshing part (6, 7; 54, 55)
with a tooth (4, 5; 51, 52) and an unlocking part (16, 17; 59, 60),
through which the tooth (4, 5; 51, 52) can be brought out of the
meshed state.
2. Closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the meshing
part (6, 7; 54, 55) is connected to the closure (1; 53) by a joint
(8, 9; 57, 58).
3. Closure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the
unlocking part (16, 17; 59, 60) is connected to the closure (1; 53)
by a joint (18, 19; 61, 62).
4. Closure according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized
in that meshing part (6, 7; 54, 55) can be actuated by pressing the
unlocking part (16, 17; 59, 60).
5. Closure according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized
in that, on the side of the closure (1; 53), opposite the meshing
part (6) and/or the unlocking part (16; 59), a corresponding
meshing part (7) and/or a corresponding unlocking part (17; 60) is
provided.
6. Closure according to claim 5, characterized in that meshing
parts (6, 7; 54, 55) can be actuated by pressing the unlocking
devices (16, 17; 59, 60) toward each other.
7. Closure according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized
in that the meshing part (6, 7) has an oblique surface (22, 23) and
that the unlocking part (16, 17) has a corresponding wedge surface
(20, 21).
8. Closure according to claim 7, characterized in that the oblique
surface (22, 23) is next to the tooth (4, 5).
9. Closure according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that on the
side of the closure (1), which is opposite the meshing part (6), a
corresponding part (7) is provided with a corresponding oblique
surface, according to one of the claims 9 or 10.
10. Closure according to claim 9, characterized in that the teeth
(4, 5) of the meshing parts (6, 7) point in the same direction.
11. Closure according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the
oblique surfaces (22, 23) point away from each other.
12. Closing strip characterized by a tooth strap (32; 69) and a
closure (1; 53) according to one of the foregoing claims.
Description
[0001] The invention concerns a closure for a closing strip, which
includes a tooth strap and a closure with a guide for the tooth
strap. The closure and/or the tooth strap are preferably made of
plastic. The tooth strap includes at least one row of teeth. It is
guided in the guide of the closure in such a manner that the row of
teeth is guided past a tooth of the closure. In this regard, teeth
in the row of teeth and/or the tooth of the closure can be shaped
in such a manner that relative movement of the row of teeth is
possible, compared to the tooth in one direction, namely the
closing direction, while this relative motion is blocked in the
other direction (opening direction) by hooking the tooth of the
closure with the tooth of the row of teeth. For this purpose, the
teeth in the row of teeth and/or the tooth on the closure may be
designed asymmetrically, for example, in the form of a triangular
cross section with one oblique flank and one essentially vertical,
possibly even undercut, flank.
[0002] The problem to be solved by the invention is to suggest a
closure for a closing strip of the type indicated in the beginning,
of releasing this locking in a simple manner.
[0003] In accordance with the invention, this problem is solved by
the characteristics of claim 1. The closure has a meshing part on
which the tooth is provided, and an unlocking part through which
the tooth can be retracted from meshing. By operating the unlocking
part, the tooth is moved away from the row of teeth of the tooth
strap and brought out of meshing, as a result of which the locking
of the closing strip can be released.
[0004] Advantageous further development are described in the
subclaims.
[0005] Preferably, the meshing part is connected to the closure by
means of a joint. This joint can be created by forming the meshing
part on the closure. If necessary, in the area on which it is
formed, a depression in the material may be provided. The
attachment is preferably designed and dimensioned in such a manner
that the meshing part again returns to its original position after
a deformation or operation. The joint is therefore preferably
designed as an elastic joint.
[0006] A further advantageous development is characterized in
connecting the unlocking part with the closure by means of a joint.
This joint is preferably designed in a similar or identical manner
as the joint by which the meshing part is connected to the closure,
so that reference can be made to the description given there. In
particular, this involves preferably an elastic joint.
[0007] Preferably, the meshing part can be operated by pressing on
the unlocking part. The tooth of the meshing part is therefore
preferably capable of being brought out of meshing by the exertion
of pressure on the unlocking part. This simplifies the
unlocking.
[0008] According to a further advantageous development, on the side
of the closure that is opposite the meshing part, a further
preferably corresponding meshing part is provided. Furthermore, on
the side of the closure that is opposite the unlocking part,
preferably a further, preferably corresponding, unlocking part is
provided. It is advantageous if the locking part is designed
symmetrically with respect to the meshing part and/or the unlocking
part.
[0009] A further advantageous further development is characterized
by making it possible to actuate the unlocking parts placed on
opposite sides of the closure by pressure on each unlocking part
directed against the other. As a result, it becomes substantially
easier to unlock them.
[0010] The teeth of the meshing parts may point in the same
direction. It is, however, also possible for the teeth of the
meshing parts to point away from each other. Other arrangements can
also be imagined.
[0011] According to a further advantageous further development, the
meshing part has an oblique surface. The unlocking part has a
corresponding wedge surface. Through the interaction of the wedge
surface and the oblique surface, the meshing part can be activated
and, as a result, the tooth of the meshing part can be brought out
of contact.
[0012] It is advantageous if the oblique surface lies next to the
tooth.
[0013] On the opposite side of the closure, it is preferable to
provide a corresponding meshing part with a corresponding oblique
surface. The teeth of the meshing parts preferably point in the
same direction. The oblique surfaces preferably point away from
each other.
[0014] According to a further advantageous development, the main
part is connected to the unlocking part by a connecting part. Upon
activation of the unlocking part, the meshing part is actuated
through the action of the connection part.
[0015] Preferably, on the opposite side of the closure, a
corresponding meshing part is provided. The teeth of the meshing
parts preferably point away from each other.
[0016] The invention concerns further a closing strip, which
includes a closure and a tooth strap, or consists of a closure and
a tooth strap.
[0017] According to the invention, this closing strip includes a
closure in accordance with the invention.
[0018] Sample embodiments of the invention are explained in detail
below, on the basis of the attached drawing. In the drawing, the
following is shown
[0019] FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a closure for a closing strip
in a front view,
[0020] FIG. 2 a side view of the closure according to FIG. 1,
[0021] FIG. 3 a section across the line III-III in FIG. 1,
[0022] FIG. 4 a front view of the tooth strap belonging to the
closure according to FIGS. 1 through 3,
[0023] FIG. 5 a side view of the tooth strap according to FIG.
4,
[0024] FIG. 6 the closing strip, consisting of a closure according
to FIGS. 1 through 3 and a tooth strap according to FIGS. 4 and 5,
in assembled condition,
[0025] FIG. 7 a section along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6,
[0026] FIG. 8 a front view of the closing strip according to FIGS.
6 and 7 in a position where the tooth strap is being inserted into
the closure,
[0027] FIG. 9 a side view of the closing strip according to FIG.
8,
[0028] FIG. 10 a front view of the closing strip according to FIGS.
8 and 9, after partial tensioning,
[0029] FIG. 11 a front view of a second embodiment of a
closure,
[0030] FIG. 12 a side view of the closure according to FIG. 11,
[0031] FIG. 13 a section along the line XIII-XIII in FIG. 11,
[0032] FIG. 14 a section along the line XIV-XIV in FIG. 11,
[0033] FIG. 15 the detail "A" from FIG. 14 in enlarged
representation,
[0034] FIG. 16 a front view of the tooth strap belonging to the
closure according to FIGS. 11 through 15,
[0035] FIG. 17 a side view of the tooth strap according to FIG.
16,
[0036] FIG. 18 a section along the line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 16,
[0037] FIG. 19 the detail "B" from FIG. 16 in enlarged
representation,
[0038] FIG. 20 the detail "C" from FIG. 18 in enlarged
representation,
[0039] FIG. 21 a rear view of the tooth strap according to FIGS. 16
and 17,
[0040] FIG. 22 the detail "D" from FIG. 21 in an enlarged
representation,
[0041] FIG. 23 a front view of the closing strip, consisting of the
closure according to FIGS. 11 through 15 and the tooth strap
according to FIGS. 16 through 22, in assembled condition,
[0042] FIG. 24 a side view of the closing strip according to FIG.
23, and
[0043] FIG. 25 a cross-section through the closing strip according
to FIGS. 23 and 24 in the area of the closure.
[0044] In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 10, on one
end of the closure 1, which is represented in the FIGS. 1 through
3, there is provided an opening 2, through which a fastening strip
(not shown in the drawing) can be inserted and fastened to the
closure 1. The closure 1 is provided at its other end with a guide
3 for the tooth strap. A first tooth 4 and a second tooth 5 extend
into the guide 3, which are at a distance from each other and which
point in the same direction. The teeth 4 and 5 are in the outside
area of the guide 3. Each is placed in the end area of a meshing
part 6, 7. The meshing parts 6, 7 are connected each through a
joint 8, 9 with the closure 1, namely an elastic joint that is
formed by being molded on to each of the meshing parts 6, 7 on the
closure 1. After an elastic separation of the ends of the meshing
parts 6, 7, on which the teeth 4, 5 are located, the meshing parts
6, 7 again resume their original position.
[0045] As can be seen in FIGS. 1 through 3, the closure 1 includes
a base plate 10. On the end of the closure 1 opposite the opening 2
or the base plate 10, two end walls 11, 12 are present, which leave
a gap 13 open. The end walls 11, 12 are connected to extensions 14,
15, which are directed toward the other end of the closure 1, and
on whose ends the meshing parts 6, 7 with the teeth 4, 5 are
located. The extensions 14, 15 also leave the gap 13 free
between.
[0046] The end walls 11, 12 are, in their outer regions, connected
to unlocking parts 16, 17. The unlocking parts 16, 17 are connected
to the closure 1 in the outer end region of the end walls 11, 12,
each through a joint 18, 19, where these joints 18, 19 are formed
by molding the unlocking parts 16, 17 on the closure 1 in the
outermost end region of the end walls 11, 12.
[0047] The unlocking parts 16, 17 run parallel to the longitudinal
direction of the closure 1 and the base plate 10. They lie opposite
each other and are--like the meshing parts 6, 7 with the teeth 4,
5--symmetrical to one another. On the end of the unlocking parts
16, 17 nearer the cut-out 2, wedge-shaped surfaces 20, 21 pointing
inwards are provided, which, in the starting positions shown in
FIGS. 1 through 3, are at a distance from corresponding oblique
surfaces 22, 23, next to the teeth 4, 5, as can be seen especially
in FIGS. 1 and 3.
[0048] On the ends facing cut-out 2, the extensions 14, 15 each
have a slot 24, 25 running in the longitudinal direction of the
closure 1, through which the meshing parts 6, 7 are separated from
the guide segments 26, 27. The inner edges of the guide segments
26, 27 point inward into the guide 3, in the manner shown in FIG.
3, forming openings 28, 29 for guide rails 30, 31 of the tooth
strap 32.
[0049] The tooth strap 32 represented in FIGS. 4 and 5 is provided
on one end with a cut-out 33, which serves to accept and fasten a
belt or strip (not represented in the drawing). It includes two
parallel rows of teeth 34, 35, whose distance from each other
corresponds to the distance of the teeth 4, 5 of the closure 1. In
the same way, the distance of the rails 30, 31, which run parallel
to each other and inside the tooth rows 34, 35, corresponds to the
distance of the openings 28, 29 of the closure 1.
[0050] The tooth strap 32 has an insertion part 36 on its end
opposite the cut-out 33, to which a grip flap is attached. The
width b of the insertion part 36 is less than the width B of the
gap 13 of the closure 1. The length of the insertion guide part 36
is greater than the length of the gap 13. As a result, it is
assured that the insertion part 36 can be laid into the closure 1
as represented in FIG. 8. Subsequently, the handle flap 37 can be
pulled in the direction of the arrow 38, as a result of which the
teeth in the tooth rows 34, 35 mesh with the teeth 4, 5 of the
closure 1, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 10. During this movement, the
tooth strap 32 is guided by the guide rails 30, 31 into the
openings 28, 29.
[0051] The teeth of the tooth strap 34, 35 are asymmetrical. The
flanks of the teeth that face the end with the cut-out 33 are
substantially perpendicular to the base surface of the tooth strap
32, while the flanks directed toward the opposite end are oblique.
The teeth 4, 5 of the closure 1 are shaped accordingly. As a result
of this, the tooth strap 32 can be pulled in the direction of the
arrow 38 through the guide 3 of the closure 1. When a tooth of the
tooth rows 34, 35 passes, the meshing parts 6, 7 are pushed aside
elastically. If, after the end of the movement in the direction of
the arrow 38, an attempt is made to move the tooth strap 32 in the
opposite direction, then the teeth 4, 5 of the closure 1 hooks
against one of the teeth 34, 35 of the tooth strap 32.
[0052] In order to release this hooked condition, the releasing
parts 16, 17 are pressed together. As a result, the wedge surfaces
20, 21 move toward each other. As soon as the wedge surfaces 20, 21
reach the oblique surfaces 22, 23 of the teeth 4, 5, these begin to
move downward, therefore, away from the level of the base plate 10.
This movement is made possible by the elasticity of the meshing
parts 6, 7 and through their elastic joints 8, 9. When the teeth 4,
5 have been moved a sufficient distance away from the base plate 10
of the closure 1, the hooking between the teeth 4, 5 and the teeth
of the tooth rows 34, 35 is released and the tooth strap 32 can be
pulled out of the guide 3 in the direction opposite that of arrow
38.
[0053] Outside of the tooth rows 34, 35 on the tooth strap 32,
there are provided oblique surfaces 39, 40, which correspond to the
corresponding oblique surfaces 41, 42 of the unlocking parts 16,
17.
[0054] FIGS. 11 through 25 show a second embodiment. Those parts
that correspond to the first embodiment are assigned the same
reference symbols. In this embodiment, the teeth 51, 52 are placed
in the center of the guide 3 of the closure 53. They are at the
ends of the meshing parts 54, 55, which run in the longitudinal
direction 56 of the closure 53, and which are molded on to the
meshing part 53 [sic], forming elastic joints 57, 58.
[0055] The meshing parts 54, 55 with the teeth 51, 52 lie in the
longitudinal direction 56 of the closure 53. The teeth 51, 52 point
away from each other. They include, in the manner shown in FIG. 11,
a first flank, which is substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction 56, and through which the hooking occurs,
and a flank running obliquely to the longitudinal direction 56. The
teeth 51, 52 protrude in the manner shown in FIG. 14 from the base
place 10 into the interior of the guide 3.
[0056] Two unlocking parts 59, 60 are placed on the sides of the
closure, which are connected through elastic joints 61, 62 to the
closure 53. The elastic joints 61, 62 are formed by being cast onto
the closure 53. Furthermore, gaps 63, 64 are provided in order to
improve the joint function. The unlocking parts 59, 60 are
symmetrical around the longitudinal axis 56 of the closure 1. Each
one is bent outward.
[0057] The unlocking parts 59, 60 are connected in their forward
end region to connecting parts 65, 66, the other end of each of
which is connected to the associated guide piece 54, 55, in the
area of the teeth 51, 52. The teeth 51, 52 are shown in FIG. 11 in
the locked position. If they are to be unlocked, the unlocking
pieces 59, 60 are pressed together, so that they move toward each
other. Through the action of the connecting parts 65, 66, as a
result, the meshing parts 54, 55, and with them the teeth 51, 52,
are each moved in the direction of the central axis 56. The
distance of the teeth from the central axis 56 decreases so that
the lock is released.
[0058] In the area of the end of the guide 3 guide protrusions 67,
68 are provided at the end, which run parallel to each other and
parallel to the longitudinal axis 56, and which are at a distance
from each other. The guide protrusions 67, 68 extend into the guide
3. They are on both sides of the teeth 51, 52.
[0059] The tooth belt 69 belonging to the closure according to
FIGS. 11 through 15 is represented in FIGS. 16 through 22. It has
two rows of teeth 70, 71, which run parallel to the longitudinal
axis 72 and are directed inward, that is, pointing at each other.
The rows of teeth 70, 71 are located on both sides of a
longitudinal slot 73 in the middle of the tooth strap 69.
[0060] On the back side of the tooth strap 69, in the area of the
rows of teeth 70, 71, a protrusion 74 is provided. On both sides of
the protrusion 74, also on the back of the tooth strap 69,
longitudinal slots 75, 76 are located. The longitudinal slots 75,
76 correspond to the guide rails 67, 68 in the closure 53, both in
their profile shape and their distance.
[0061] In order to achieve the connection between the tooth strap
69 and the closure 53, the tooth strap 69, with its insertion part
36, is laid into the gap between the guide rails 67, 68, as
represented in FIG. 23. Through a subsequent relative movement
between the tooth strap 69 and the closure 53, hooking is achieved
between the teeth 51, 52 and each of the teeth of the rows of teeth
70, 71. The flanks of the teeth of the rows of teeth 70, 71 are
directed in a corresponding manner to the teeth 51, 52 by turns
essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 72 of the tooth
strap 69 and in a direction oblique to this lengthwise axis 72.
During the above-mentioned relative movement, the tooth strap 69 is
guided in the guide 3 of the closure 53 by the guide rails 67, 68,
which extend into the longitudinal slots 75, 76 in the manner shown
in FIG. 25.
* * * * *