U.S. patent application number 10/255904 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-25 for removable fastener.
Invention is credited to Gillis, Robert E..
Application Number | 20040055120 10/255904 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31993487 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040055120 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gillis, Robert E. |
March 25, 2004 |
REMOVABLE FASTENER
Abstract
A fastener is provided for removably engaging and holding
sections of material, such as a tarp, without piercing the
material. One piece of the fastener is a base with one end
providing a contact surface for a support structure, and the other
forming a substantially elliptical flange. The second piece is a
frame having an opening that substantially defines a first ellipse
having a first orientation, and a second ellipse having a second
orientation. The second elliptical opening is partially occluded at
its opposite ends. A section of material to be engaged and held is
placed over the elliptical flange. The second piece is oriented to
align the first elliptical opening and the elliptical flange, and
is inserted over the elliptical flange and section of material to
be held. The second piece is then rotated to align the second
elliptical opening and elliptical flange. In this position, the
occlusions of the second elliptical opening and the ends of the
elliptical flange prevent disengagement of the two pieces and hold
the section of material therebetween without piercing it.
Inventors: |
Gillis, Robert E.; (Menlo
Park, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOWNSEND AND TOWNSEND AND CREW, LLP
TWO EMBARCADERO CENTER
EIGHTH FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO
CA
94111-3834
US
|
Family ID: |
31993487 |
Appl. No.: |
10/255904 |
Filed: |
September 25, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/459 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/44034 20150115;
Y10T 24/45 20150115; E04H 15/64 20130101; Y10T 24/1397 20150115;
Y10T 24/4522 20150115; Y10T 24/4578 20150115; Y10T 24/45225
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/459 |
International
Class: |
A44B 021/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A removable fastener for holding a material, comprising: a base
having a first surface and having a geometrically-shaped protrusion
spaced from said first surface; a frame having a
geometrically-shaped opening, said geometrically-shaped protrusion
being freely moveable at least partially through said opening when
said base and frame are in a first orientation and said
geometrically-shaped protrusion being blocked from passing through
said opening when said base and frame are in a second orientation
in which said frame and base are engaged; whereby a section of
material may be removably engaged and held between said frame and
base without piercing said material.
2. The removable fastener of claim 1 wherein said base includes a
shaft for accommodating a fastener to affix said first surface of
said base to a support structure.
3. The removable fastener of claim 1 wherein said first surface of
said base includes a spike for a fixing said base to a support
structure.
4. The removable fastener of claim 1 wherein said
geometrically-shaped protrusion comprises a substantially
elliptical protrusion.
5. Th removable fastener of claim 1 wherein said substantially
elliptical protrusion comprises a flange.
6. The removable fastener of claim 1 wherein said frame includes
connecting means.
7. The removable fastener of claim 1 wherein said
geometrically-shaped opening substantially defines a first ellipse
having a first orientation.
8. The removable fastener of claim 7 wherein said
geometrically-shaped opening substantially defines a second ellipse
having a second orientation.
9. The removable fastener of claim 8 wherein said
geometrically-shaped openings substantially defining said first and
second ellipses are substantially concentric.
10. The removable fastener of claim 8 wherein said
geometrically-shaped opening substantially defining said second
ellipse has a partial occlusion to block said geometrically-shaped
protrusion from passing through said opening when said
geometrically-shaped protrusion is substantially aligned with said
geometrically-shaped opening substantially defining said second
ellipse.
11. The removable fastener of claim 10 wherein said partial
occlusion is located substantially at opposite elongate ends of
said geometrically-shaped opening substantially defining said
second ellipse.
12. The removable fastener of claim 10 wherein said
geometrically-shaped protrusion comprises a substantially
elliptical flange.
13. A removable fastener for holding material, comprising: a base
having a first surface and a second surface comprising a
substantially elliptical flange spaced apart from said first
surface; a frame having an outer frame section surrounding an
interior opening, said opening substantially defining a first
ellipse having a first orientation and a second ellipse having a
second orientation, said second ellipse having a partial occlusion
at opposite elongate ends thereof; said substantially elliptical
flange being free to pass' through said interior opening when said
base and frame are in a first orientation wherein said
substantially elliptical flange and said opening substantially
defining a first ellipse are aligned, and said substantially
elliptical flange being blocked from passing through said interior
opening when said base and frame are in a second orientation
wherein said substantially elliptical flange and said opening
substantially defining a second ellipse are aligned, said base and
frame being removably engaged in said second orientation; whereby a
section of material may be removably engaged and held between said
base and said frame without piercing said material when said frame
and base are in said second orientation.
14. The removable fastener of claim 13 wherein said base is
substantially cylindrical in shape and wherein said first and
second surfaces are located at opposite ends thereof.
15. The removable fastener of claim 13 wherein said partial
occlusion comprises a contiguous portion of said outer frame
section.
16. The removable fastener of claim 15 wherein said substantially
elliptical flange has a lower surface portion adapted to engage
said continguous portion of said outer frame section when said
frame and base are removably engaged.
17. The removable fastener of claim 13 wherein said base includes a
shaft for accommodating a fastener to affix said first surface of
said base to a support structure.
18. The removable fastener of claim 13 wherein said first surface
of said base includes a spike for afixing said base to a support
structure.
19. The removable fastener of claim 13 wherein said frame includes
connecting means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to fasteners for use with
flexible materials, such as tarps, tent material, and the like.
More specifically, the invention relates to fasteners which are
temporary and removable, and even more specifically to fasteners
which engage a material without puncturing it.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Over the years, a number of fasteners have been developed
for engaging and gripping flexible material, such as tent fabric or
a tarp, and connecting it to a structural element, such as a pole.
Many such fasteners have been developed specifically for
constructing shelter structures, such as tents.
[0005] A number of problems have surfaced with known fasteners.
Some such fasteners require piercing the material to be engaged in
order to function properly. Piercing the material to be engaged and
held is undesirable because it tends to weaken the material
structurally, and also tends to increase the risk of leakage. Such
fasteners obviously have drawbacks in applications requiring
protection from the elements and in certain weather conditions,
such as high winds and rain.
[0006] The present inventor has developed a number of fasteners
that do not require piercing the material to be engaged and held.
One such fastener, marketed under the name GripClip.TM., is shown
and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,308,647 and 4,175,305. Other such
fasteners are shown and described in varying degrees of detail in
various tent applications in the inventor's U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,986,519; 4,099,533; 4,265,260; 4,265,259; 4,414,993; 4,809,726;
and 4,944,322.
[0007] The present inventor's previous non-piercing fasteners have
certain common characteristics. Each such fastener comprises two
pieces. Typically, one piece is positioned on one side of a section
of material to be engaged, and the other is positioned on the
opposite side. One of the pieces is then tipped and urged
completely through an opening in the other piece, with the material
between them. The two pieces are sized and shaped such that by
turning, twisting, or otherwise positioning the first piece the two
pieces become temporarily "locked" together with the material
engaged between them. By reversing the process the material can be
released. At least one of the pieces is provided with structure to
fasten to a pole or other structural element via a length of cord
or the like.
[0008] Although the present inventor's non-piercing fasteners are
completely suitable for the applications for which they were
designed, and to which they have been put, they do have certain
structural characteristics that may limit their use in some
applications. For example, the inventor's previous fasteners
require the ability for one piece of the fastener to be tipped and
then inserted completely through an opening or the like in a second
piece of the fastener in order to engage and hold the material.
This presents no difficulty when applied to tent structures, for
example, because the area behind the second piece is typically open
and unrestricted, permitting free movement of the first piece
completely through the opening in the second. However, in some
applications, such open and unrestricted space may not be available
or may not exist. One example would be in a construction
application, such as a roofing application. In that application, it
may be desirable for the second piece of the fastener to be secured
to a rigid structure, such as the roof, at least temporarily. In
that application, there may be insufficient open space to permit
the first piece of the fastener to be inserted completely through
the second piece in order to engage and hold the material.
[0009] Thus, there is a need for a fastener embodying the positive
characteristics of prior fasteners, such as the ability to engage
and hold flexible material without piercing it, while also
overcoming certain structural and other limitations of previous
fasteners. The present invention provides such a fastener.
[0010] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a fastener that can engage and hold a section of flexible
material without piercing the material.
[0011] It is also an object of the invention to provide such a
fastener that can engage and hold the material in applications
where there is insufficient space to insert a first piece
completely through a second piece of the fastener.
[0012] It is a further object of the invention to provide such a
fastener which is suitable for fastening to a rigid structure,
either temporarily or permanently, without impairing the ability of
the fastener to engage and hold a section of material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention provides the foregoing and other
advantages, which will become clear from a consideration of the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,
together with the drawings. In summary, the invention comprises a
removable fastener for holding a section of material. The fastener
has a base with a first surface, which may abut a support stucture,
and a geometrically-shaped protrusion, which may comprise a
substantially elliptical flange, and which is spaced from the first
surface. The fastener also has a frame with a geometrically-shaped
opening, which may be a first substantially elliptical opening
having a first orientation. The protrusion is free to pass at least
partially through the opening when the base and frame are in a
first orientation wherein the protrusion and the opening are
aligned. However, when the base and frame are in a second
orientation in which the protrusion and opening are not aligned,
the protrusion is blocked from passing through the opening. Thus,
the frame and base may be removably coupled together. When a
section of material is placed between the frame and base, the frame
and base removably hold the material therebetween without piercing
the material.
[0014] According to another feature of the invention, the opening
comprises a second substantially elliptical opening which has a
second orientation from the first substantially elliptical opening.
The second elliptical opening has a partial occlusion, preferably
at opposite elongate ends thereof. According to this feature of the
invention, the protrusion is free to pass through the opening when
the base and frame are in a first orientation in which the
protrusion and first elliptical opening are aligned, but is blocked
from passing through the opening when the frame and base are in a
second orientation in which the protrusion is aligned with the
second elliptical opening. The first and second elliptical openings
may be concentric, and the occlusion may comprise a contiguous
portion of the frame itself.
[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, the first
surface of the base may be provided with facilities to affix the
base to a support structure. For example, the first surface may be
provided with one or more spikes to affix the base to a support
structure.
[0016] According to yet another aspect of the invention, the frame
may be provided with facilities to connect it to other structures,
such as guide lines, tensioning lines, or the other structures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a first portion of a
preferred fastener comprising a base.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the base shown in FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the base shown in FIG.
1.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a second portion of a preferred
fastener comprising a frame.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the frame shown in FIG.
4.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the frame shown in FIG.
4.
[0023] FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing how the base of FIG. 1 is
adapted to be affixed to a support structure.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing how the frame shown in
FIGS. 4-6 and the base shown in FIGS. 1-3 fit together in first and
second orientations.
[0025] FIGS. 9A-9C are a series of perspective views showing how a
fabric is removably engaged and held by the preferred fastener
embodying the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Referring now to the figures, a detailed description of a
presently preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. This
description is intended to be exemplary in nature and not to limit
the scope of the invention, unless expressly indicated
otherwise.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a first portion of a presently
preferred fastener according to the invention comprises a base 10.
Base 10 may be formed in any suitable manner, one suitable manner
being a molding process, another being a machining process, or a
combination of both. Preferably the material selected for base 10
will be resistant to physical damage as well as to the elements.
Many plastics meet these criteria, are moldable, and are suitable
for use.
[0028] In its presently preferred form, base 10 has a substantially
cylindrically-shaped body 15. Body 15 has a first substantially
flat surface 20 at one end, which is adapted to contact a support
structure, as shown in further detail in FIG. 7. A substantially
elliptical flange 25 is formed at the opposite end of body 15 and
preferably extends beyond the boundary of body 15 as shown in FIG.
2. Preferably elliptical flange 25 has a substantially flat top
surface 30 and a bottom surface 32.
[0029] To facilitate affixing base 10 to a support structure, a
through hole or shaft 35 may be provided. If provided, the through
hole 35 preferably extends completely through the base 10 from the
surface 30 to the surface 20. Through hole 35 may be formed in any
suitable manner, including by drilling. Through hole 35 is intended
to accommodate a screw or other fastener, which preferably will
pass through base 10 and into a support structure, as shown in FIG.
7. Preferably the through hole 35 has a countersink or bevel 40 on
the top surface 30 of elliptical flange 25 so that the head of
whatever fastener may be used will be at least flush with or below
the level of the top surface 30 to minimize the risk of piercing
the material to be engaged and held.
[0030] Also preferably provided on the surface 20 are one or more
small, short spikes 45. These small spikes may be integrally formed
or may simply be press fit into the base 10, particularly if it is
made of plastic. The purpose of the spikes is to assist in affixing
the base 10 to a support structure by preventing the base from
rotating on the structure once affixed. To accomplish this, the
spikes 45 should suitably be made of a material that is hard enough
to penetrate the support structure when the base is affixed to it.
For example, in one application where the support structure is
lumber, small metal or plastic spikes have been found suitable. To
prevent rotation of the base 10 on the support structure, the
spikes are preferably spaced from the opening of the through hole
35 in the surface 20.
[0031] In one preferred embodiment, the body 15 is approximately
3/4" high and has a diameter of approximately 11/4". The thickness
of the elliptical flange 25 is approximately 1/8" with a maximum
length of approximately 2" and a maximum width of approximately
11/4", coincident with the diameter of the body 15. However, these
dimensions are merely exemplary and different dimensions, both
absolute and relative, may be necessary or desirable depending upon
the particular intended application for a fastener embodying the
invention. For example, in order to engage and hold larger sections
of material, it may be necessary or desirable to enlarge the body
and the elliptical flange. Additionally, to provide more space or
clearance between a support structure and the material to be held,
it may be necessary or desirable to lengthen the body 15.
[0032] While the body 15 of a preferred base 10 has been described
as being substantially cylindrically-shaped, and the flange 25 as
being substantially elliptically-shaped, it is understood that many
other geometric shapes would also be suitable and still accomplish
the same objective and provide the same advantages. Thus, the
particular selection of shapes is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. For example, any number of other
geometrically-shaped protrusions could be substituted for
elliptical flange 25, including but not limited to circular,
hexagonal or octagonal-shaped protrusions, and even
irregular-shaped protrusions. However, shapes with smooth profiles
and edges are most preferred in order to minimize the possibility
of piercing a section of material to be engaged and held. Moreover,
the particular thickness of the geometrically-shaped protrusion may
be varied from a thin flange to a substantially thicker dimension,
depending upon the depth of the opening of a corresponding frame
element (described in connection with FIGS. 4-6 below), the
thickness of the material to be held, and the desired amount of
"snugness" or "play" between the base 15 and the frame, among other
parameters.
[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, a second portion of a presently
preferred fastener embodying the invention comprises a frame 50.
Frame 50 may be suitably made of the same material as base 10 and
in the same manner. In a presently preferred embodiment, frame 50
has a substantially square outer frame 55 with a first surface 60,
a second opposite surface 65, and exterior sidewalls 67. A
geometrically-shaped opening 70 is formed interior to the outer
frame 55.
[0034] Opening 70 preferably defines a first substantially
elliptical opening 75, which extends completely through the entire
thickness of the frame, and which preferably has a first
orientation. The opening 75 is preferably shaped to correspond to
the shape of the flange 25 of base 15. The opening 75 is preferably
dimensioned to be slightly larger than the flange 25 so that the
flange 25 is free to pass through the opening 75 when it is aligned
with the opening 75. The amount by which the opening 75 is made
larger than the flange 25 depends on the thickness of the material
to be held by the fastener. The opening 75 should be dimensioned
larger than the flange 25 by an amount which will permit the flange
25 and the material surrounding it to pass through the opening
75.
[0035] The opening 70 also preferably defines a second
substantially elliptical opening 80, which preferably has a second
orientation. In a presently preferred embodiment, second elliptical
opening 80 may be oriented such that its longitudinal axis is
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first elliptical
opening 75. Second opening 80 is also preferably shaped to
correspond to the shape of the flange 25 of base 15 and is
preferably dimensioned to be slightly larger than the flange,
substantially the same as described with respect to the first
opening 75. However, unlike first opening 75, at least a portion of
second opening 80 does not extend completely through the frame but
rather has a partial occlusion 85. Partial occlusion 85 is
preferably located near opposite longitudinal ends of second
opening 80. Partial occlusion 85 may be suitably formed either as
an integral part of the frame by molding or machining, or may be
added to partially block the second opening. Partial occlusion 85
prevents flange 25 from passing though opening 70 when flange 75
and second opening 80 are aligned. In that condition, partial
occlusion 85 engages the lower surfaces 32 of the flange 25 and
prevent the flange 25 from passing through the opening 70. In the
presently preferred embodiment, the occlusion 85 blocks only a
portion of the depth of the second opening 80. As a result, when
flange 25 is aligned with the second opening, it can be "seated" in
the frame and prevented from twisting or turning by contact with
the interior sidewalls 90 of the frame itself.
[0036] If desired, the outer frame 55 may be provided with a number
of small through holes 95, for example near opposite corners as
shown. These through holes can be easily formed by drilling or any
other suitable means. The through holes 55 facilitate coupling the
frame to another structure, for example a guide line or tensioning
line. For example, a small section of cord (not shown) may have its
opposite ends fed through holes at opposite corners of the frame.
By knotting each of the ends of the cord, a loop is formed, which
can then be connected to an aforementioned structure in any
suitable fashion. Alternatively, small holes, eyelets, or similar
structures, including an integrally-formed handle, could be
provided in place of through holes.
[0037] In a presently preferred embodiment, the frame has a
thickness of approximately {fraction (7/16)}" and each of the sides
of the frame is approximately 21/2" long. The partial occlusion is
approximately 1/8" thick. The first and second substantially
elliptical openings have a maximum length of about 21/4" and a
maximum width of about 11/2". The partial occlusion at the opposite
longitudinal ends of the second elliptical opening extend into the
opening by about 3/4". However, these dimensions are merely
exemplary and different dimensions, both absolute and relative, may
be necessary or desirable depending upon the particular intended
application for a fastener embodying the invention. For example,
the thickness and exterior dimensions of the frame, the depth and
dimensions of the openings and the thickness of the partial
occlusion may all be varied depending upon a variety of factors and
desired applications, including but not limited to the size and
thickness of the material to be held, the relative size of the base
and its geometric protrusion, e.g., flange, and the degree of
"snugness" or "play" required or desired between the base and the
frame, among other things.
[0038] Although the presently preferred embodiment of the frame is
described as being approximately square with substantially
elliptically-shaped first and second openings, such details are not
intended to limit the scope of the invention, which can be carried
out with frames having numerous other shapes. For example, the
frame itself may be rectangular, round, elliptical, or any number
of other shapes considering the stated objectives and advantages of
the invention. Similarly openings may well take any number of
alternative shapes corresponding to the shape of the flange 25 or
other geometrically-shaped protrusion of the base 10.
[0039] Still further, a single first opening may be employed in
some applications in place of the first and second openings. In
such an alternative embodiment, the functions of the second opening
and partial occlusion thereof would be provided by the top surface
60 of the frame itself, which would engage and prevent the flange
25 or other geometrically-shaped protrusion of the base 10 from
passing through the first opening 75 when the flange 25 and first
opening 75 are not aligned. While such a structure would be simpler
to manufacture, however, it may not necessarily provide the
"seating" characteristic of the second opening, as described
above.
[0040] A preferred method of use of the preferred fastener is shown
in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9A-9C. As shown in FIG. 7, the base 10 is
affixed to a support structure 110 by passing a screw 105 or
similar fastener through through hole 35 and into the support
structure 110 so that surface 20 comes into contact with a
corresponding surface of the support structure. Small spikes 45 on
the surface 20 of the base 10 also enter the support structure and
assist in preventing the base from twisting or turning about screw
105.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 8, the frame 50 and base 10 are first
oriented so that the first opening 70 and the flange 25 are
aligned. The frame 50 is then placed over the base 10 so that the
flange 25 passes through the first opening 70. The frame 50 is then
rotated to a second orientation relative to the frame such that the
flange 25 is aligned with the second opening 75. In this position,
the flange is able to be "seated" in the frame and is prevented
from passing through the opening. The frame and base are removably
coupled. To uncouple the frame and base the operations are simply
reversed.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 9A-9C, the same basic operation is
preferably used to engage and hold a section of material 120
between the frame 50 and base 10. A section of material 120 to be
held is positioned between the base 10 and the frame 50 as shown in
FIG. 9A. As used herein, "material" refers to a wide variety of
flexible fabrics, tarp, plastic sheets, tent materials, flexible
webs and the like. The particular structure and make-up of the
"material" is not important and is not intended to limit the
invention. As shown in FIG. 9B, the frame and base are then
oriented so that the first opening 70 of the frame and the flange
25 of the base are aligned, and the frame is placed over the base
such that the flange 25 and a section of material 120 pass though
the first opening 70. The frame 50 is then rotated to align the
flange 25 with the second opening 75 thereby removably coupling the
frame and base, and engaging and holding the section of material
120 therebetween. In this fashion, the section of material is
engaged and held securely without piercing the material. If further
tension between the frame and base is desired or necessary, the
frame can be connected to a guide or tensioning line as previously
described.
[0043] While the use of a preferred fastener according to the
invention has been described with respect to only a single
fastener, it is understood that a given application may require the
use of numerous fasteners. Thus, for example, in a roofing
application, it may be desirable to affix a number of bases 10 to a
partially-completed roof structure. A tarp or other fabric to be
held on the roof would then be placed in position, and a
corresponding number of frames used to engage and hold the tarp in
locations corresponding to the locations of the bases on the roof.
By removing the frames as previously described, the tarp may be
released from the fasteners and removed from the roof so work can
continue. When it is no longer necessary or desirable to protect
the roof with the tarp, the bases may be easily removed by
unscrewing them from the roof structure, for example. Because
neither the fasteners nor the tarp are damaged as a result of the
fastening and unfastening process, they may be used repeatedly and
without replacement.
[0044] What have been described are exemplary embodiments of a
presently preferred fastener embodying the present invention and an
exemplary method of use thereof. Unless otherwise specifically
indicated, the foregoing descriptions are not intended to limit the
invention, the scope of which is intended to be defined by the
appended claims. Persons skilled in the art will understand and
appreciate that numerous variations may be made to the described
embodiments, including but not limited to changing shapes,
dimensions, and materials, all without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention, and while continuing to meet the
objectives and provide the advantages which characterize the
invention. Such variations are therefore intended to be emcompassed
within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *