U.S. patent application number 10/885152 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-12 for grommet snap fastening device.
Invention is credited to Howard J. Reiter.
Application Number | 20060005363 10/885152 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35539766 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060005363 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reiter; Howard J. |
January 12, 2006 |
Grommet snap fastening device
Abstract
A grommet snap fastening device for fastening leather, fabrics,
and sheet-like materials including a male component and a female
component. Each of the male and female components include upper and
lower elements. The upper and lower elements of each of the male
and female components are secured to one another, with the leather,
fabrics, or sheet-like materials located between the upper and
lower elements of each component. A flexible annular compression
ring having spring properties is located between the upper and
lower female elements, and a groove is located upon the upper male
element. The male component is detachably secured within the female
component by engagement of the flexible compression ring with the
groove.
Inventors: |
Reiter; Howard J.;
(Woodbridge, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Norman H. Zivin;Cooper & Dunham LLP
1185 Avenue of the Americas
New York
NY
10036
US
|
Family ID: |
35539766 |
Appl. No.: |
10/885152 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/459 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B 17/0017 20130101;
Y10T 24/44034 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/459 |
International
Class: |
A44B 21/00 20060101
A44B021/00 |
Claims
1. A fastening device, comprising: a male component including a
first male element secured to a second male element; a female
component including a first female element secured to a second
female element; a flexible compression ring having spring
properties located between the first and second female elements;
and a groove located on the first male element, wherein a first
sheet of material may be located and held between the first and
second elements of the female component, a second sheet of material
may be located and held between the first and second elements of
the male component; and the male component may be detachably
secured within the female component by engagement of the flexible
compression ring with the groove.
2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: the second male
element includes a shaft and the first male element includes a
hole, and the first male element and the second male element are
joined by an interference fit between the shaft and the hole.
3. The device of claim 1, further comprising: the first female
element includes a body and the second female element includes a
hole, and the first female element and the second female element
are joined by an interference fit between the body and the
hole.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the female component further
comprises an aperture which permits viewing of the male component
when the flexible compression ring is engaged with the groove.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the female component further
comprises a ridge formed on an outer periphery for securing a sheet
of material.
6. A method of detachably securing two sheets of material by a
fastener, comprising the steps of: joining a lower male element and
an upper male element to form a male component with a first sheet
of material located between the lower male element and the upper
male element; joining a lower female element and an upper female
element to form a female component with a second sheet of material
located between the lower female element and the upper female
element; locating an annular compression ring between the lower and
upper female elements of the female component; locating a groove on
the upper male element; and extending the male component into the
annular compression ring until the female and male components
engage at the groove and the compression ring.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is generally directed to a novel
fastening device for fastening leather, fabrics, and sheet-like
materials. In particular, the present invention relates to a
grommet snap fastening device for fastening leather, fabrics, and
sheet-like materials which allows for convenient and simple
operation, verification of secure engagement by sight, and which is
suitable for use in various consumer products.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many devices have been proposed for fastening leather,
fabrics, and sheet-like materials. One widely-used device is a snap
fastener that includes a male element and a female component each
attached to materials desired to be fastened together by joining
the male and female components. The snap fasteners may be
mechanical or magnetic. Mechanical snap fasteners have an
interference fit between the male and female components. Magnetic
snap fasteners use magnetic force to engage the male and female
components.
[0003] Existing snap fasteners may incorporate a flexible ring
which is secured to the female element and which fits around the
male component to secure the fastener. Traditionally, such a
flexible ring is secured within the female component of the
fastener by crimping or bending the female component to form a
socket, or by incorporation of the ring into the female component.
Additionally, the traditional snap fastener configurations
described above do not allow for verification of secure engagement
of the male and female components by sight.
[0004] There remains a need for fastening devices which allow for
convenient operation, ease of construction and assembly,
verification of secure engagement, and which have suitable safety,
ergonomic, and aesthetic properties for incorporation into various
consumer applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is directed to a novel fastening
device comprising a male component including a first or upper male
element secured to a second or lower male element, and a female
component including a first or upper female element secured to a
second or lower female element. A flexible annular compression ring
having spring properties is located between the upper and lower
female elements. A first sheet of material is located between the
upper and lower elements of the male component, and a second sheet
of material is located between the upper and lower elements of the
female component. A groove is located upon the upper male element.
The male component is detachably secured within the female
component by engagement of the flexible compression ring with the
groove. The terms "upper" and "lower" are, of course, merely
relative positions.
[0006] The lower male element and the upper male element may be
joined by an interference fit between a shaft of the lower male
element and a hole of the upper male element, or may screw
together, and the lower female element and the upper female element
may optionally be joined by an interference fit between a body of
the lower female element and a hole in the upper female element, or
may screw together.
[0007] The female component may include an aperture to permit sight
of the male component upon engagement of the flexible compression
ring with the groove, and the female component may include a ridge
formed on an outer periphery for securing the second material.
[0008] The present invention is further directed to a method of
detachably securing two sheets of material using a fastener,
comprising the steps of joining a lower male element and an upper
male element to form a male component, and joining a lower female
element and an upper female element to form a female component. A
first sheet of material is located between the lower male element
and the upper male element, and a second sheet of material is
located between the lower female element and the upper female
element. A compression ring is located between the lower and upper
female elements and a groove is located on the upper male
element.
[0009] The lower male element and the upper male element may be
joined by an interference fit between a shaft of the lower male
element and a hole of the upper male element, and the lower female
element and the upper female element may be joined by an
interference fit between a body of the lower female element and a
hole in the upper female element. The male component is extended
into the female component until the male and female components
engage at the compression ring and the groove.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
invention in an assembled state.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the female component of
the invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the male component of
the male element of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the annular compression ring
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Reference will now be made in detail to a preferred
embodiment of the invention, examples of which are also provided in
the following description. Exemplary embodiments of this invention
are described in detail, although it will be apparent to those
skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not
particularly important to an understanding of the invention may not
be shown for the sake of clarity.
[0016] Furthermore, it should be understood that the invention is
not limited to the precise embodiments described below and that
various changes and modifications thereof may be effected by one
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of
the invention. For example, elements and/or features of different
illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and/or
substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and
appended claims. In addition, improvements and modifications which
may become apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art after
reading this disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims are
deemed within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0017] The present invention is directed to a novel grommet snap
fastening device for fastening leather, fabrics, and sheet-like
materials. The device comprises a male component and a female
component. The male and female components are joined to one another
to complete the fastener and to fasten the leather, fabric, or
sheet-like material. Each of the male and the female components
comprises a subassembly of upper and lower elements.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of grommet
snap fastener 10 in an assembled state. FIGS. 2 and 3 are
cross-sectional views of embodiments of the male and female
elements of the fastener, respectively. FIG. 4 is a perspective
view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3. The structure and
assembly of the components of a preferred embodiment will be
described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0019] The terms "lower" and "upper" as used below in the present
application are used solely for descriptive purposes, and should
not be read or construed as imposing any structural limitations
upon the orientation of the invention.
[0020] Male component 12 comprises lower male element 20 and upper
male element 30. Lower male element 20 includes an approximately
cylindrical shaft 22 and an approximately cylindrical base 24
located coaxially with the shaft 22.
[0021] Upper male element 30 includes an approximately cylindrical
body 31, a flange 38 attached to the body 31, and an approximately
cylindrical hole 32 formed coaxially with the body 31. Chamfer 39
is located upon an edge formed by intersection of a surface of body
31 and an upper surface of upper male element 30. Upper male
element 30 also includes a groove 34 around the circumference of
body 31, the groove having an arcuate cross-section.
[0022] In an alternate embodiment, groove 34 may have a
hemispherical, rectangular, or "v-shaped" cross-section.
Additionally, more than one groove 34 may optionally be
included.
[0023] Male component 12 is formed by attaching lower male element
20 and upper male element 30 by inserting shaft 22 within hole 32.
In a preferred embodiment, shaft 22 and hole 32 are dimensioned to
provide an interference or force fit.
[0024] In alternative embodiments, adhesive, threads, set screws,
or other suitable attachment mechanism may optionally be utilized
independently or in conjunction with the above-described
interference fit to secure lower male element 20 to upper male
element 30.
[0025] Chamfer 39 is formed along an edge formed by intersection of
hole 32 and a lower surface of upper male element 30, to facilitate
alignment and insertion of shaft 22 within hole 32.
[0026] Upon alignment, shaft 22 may be inserted within hole 32 by
use of a set of upper and lower grommet dies, whereby lower male
element 20 and upper male element 30 may each be placed within a
die and force applied to one or both dies to perform the insertion
and interference fit described above.
[0027] In a preferred embodiment, shaft 22 is positioned within an
opening formed in fabric 71 prior to attachment of lower male
component 20 to upper male component 30, such that fabric 71 is
securely held between an upper surface of base 24 and a lower
surface of flange 38.
[0028] Female component 14 includes at least lower female component
40, upper female component 50, and compression ring 60.
[0029] Lower female component 40 includes central element 41,
central hole 44, and flange 46. Ridge 47 is located at an outer
edge of flange 46. Round 42 is located at an edge formed by
intersection of an inner surface of central hole 44 and a lower
surface of flange 46.
[0030] The diameter of central hole 44 may vary along the axis of
central hole 44, such that the diameter may be larger at an
intersection of central hole 44 and a lower surface of flange 46
than at an opposite end of central hole 44.
[0031] Upper female component 50 includes central hole 52 and
flange portion 58. An inner flange 54 is also provided on upper
female component 50, inner flange 54 being sized such that a spring
stop 55 and an inner hole 56 are defined. Notch 59 is formed in
central hole 52 adjacent to a lower surface of upper female
component 50. Chamfer 57 is formed at an intersection of an upper
and an outer surface of upper female component 50.
[0032] In a preferred embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 5,
compression ring 60 is annular or circular, and has an
approximately circular cross-section. Compression ring 60 is
preferably constructed of a material having spring properties, such
as metal or another suitable material having spring properties.
[0033] Compression ring 60 may be formed as a solid ring without a
gap, or alternatively may be formed with a gap to facilitate
expansion and contraction.
[0034] Female component 14 is formed by inserting central element
41 of lower female element 40 within central hole 52 of upper
female component 50, with compression ring 60 being located the
lower and upper female elements. Compression ring 60 is inserted
into upper female element central hole 52, and in contact with
spring stop 55, prior to assembly of lower female component 40 and
upper female component 50.
[0035] In a preferred embodiment, central element 41 and central
hole 52 are dimensioned to provide an interference or force fit. In
an alternative embodiment, adhesive, threads, set screws, or
another suitable attachment mechanism may be optionally utilized,
independently or in conjunction with the above-described
interference fit.
[0036] Insertion of lower female element 40 within central hole 52
is facilitated by notch 59, which facilitates alignment and
positioning of lower female element 40 and upper female component
50 for assembly.
[0037] Upon assembly of female component 14, compression ring 60 is
therefore held in place by a surface of upper female element
central hole 52, a surface of spring stop 55, and an upper surface
of lower female element central element 41.
[0038] In an alternative embodiment, multiple compression rings may
be utilized, and the multiple compression rings may be identical or
may have differing dimensions and/or spring properties.
[0039] Upon alignment, central element 41 of lower female element
40 may be inserted within central hole 52 of upper female component
50 by use of a set of upper and lower grommet dies, whereby each of
the upper and lower female components may each be placed within a
die and force applied to one or both dies to perform the insertion
and interference fit described above.
[0040] In a preferred embodiment, upper female element 58 is
positioned within an opening formed in fabric 70 prior to
attachment with lower female component 40, such that fabric 70 is
securely held by compression between a lower surface of upper
female component flange 58 and an upper surface of lower female
component flange 46.
[0041] In a preferred embodiment, ridge 47 acts to assist
positioning of fabric 70 to upper female component 14. In
alternative embodiments multiple ridges having identical or
dissimilar geometry may be included to assist in affixing female
component 14 to fabric 70.
[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 1, assembled male component 12 and
female component 14 may be fastened by inserting shaft 31 into
central hole 44 such that compression ring 60 is located within
groove 34.
[0043] In a preferred embodiment, upon insertion of shaft 31 into
central hole 44, chamfer 36 contacts compression ring 60 and acts
to expand and guide compression ring 60 over shaft 31 and into
groove 34.
[0044] In a preferred embodiment, upon joining female component 14
and male component 12, an upper surface of upper male element 30 is
visible through upper female element central hole 56. In a
preferred embodiment, the upper surfaces of upper male element 30
and upper female element 50 may be approximately aligned.
[0045] In an alternative embodiment, body 31, groove 34, lower
female element central element 41, and upper female element 58 may
be dimensioned to change the relative positions of the upper
surface of upper male element 30 and upper female element 50 upon
fastening.
[0046] Upon fastening, spring properties of compression ring 60 act
upon the surface of groove 34 to locate and maintain the relative
positions of male component 12 and female component 14, thereby
fastening fabric 71 to fabric 70 securely and conveniently.
[0047] What has been illustrated and described herein is a grommet
snap fastening device. While the invention has been illustrated and
described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, the
present invention is not limited thereto. In particular, the
foregoing specification and embodiments are intended to be
illustrative and are not to be taken as limiting. Thus,
alternatives, such as structural or mechanical equivalents and
modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
reading the foregoing description. Accordingly, such alternatives,
changes, and modifications are to be considered as forming a part
of the present invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *