U.S. patent application number 11/877877 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-30 for apparatus and method for fastening by capturing protruding members in corresponding flexible openings.
Invention is credited to Wayne WITTIG.
Application Number | 20090106953 11/877877 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40580986 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090106953 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WITTIG; Wayne |
April 30, 2009 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FASTENING BY CAPTURING PROTRUDING MEMBERS
IN CORRESPONDING FLEXIBLE OPENINGS
Abstract
A fastener having protruding members on a first surface that are
positioned for alignment with and capture by corresponding flexible
openings in an elastic substrate of a second surface so that the
first surface and the second surface may be detachably fastened
together.
Inventors: |
WITTIG; Wayne; (Arlington,
VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YOUNG & THOMPSON
209 Madison Street, Suite 500
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
40580986 |
Appl. No.: |
11/877877 |
Filed: |
October 24, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/442 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B 18/0057 20130101;
B65D 33/24 20130101; B65D 2313/02 20130101; Y10T 24/27 20150115;
A44B 18/0049 20130101; A44B 18/0065 20130101; A44B 18/0003
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/442 |
International
Class: |
A44B 18/00 20060101
A44B018/00 |
Claims
1. A fastener, comprising: a first zone (10), having a first
substrate (5) and protruding members (60) extending upward from the
first substrate, the protruding members each having a head portion
(65) with a maximum first width (d) and a basal necking portion
(SO) with a maximum second width (e) and connecting said head
portion to said first substrate; and a second zone (20), having a
second substrate with an elastic layer (100) having flexible
openings (70) adapted to flex between a flexing width (f) and a
resting width (g) wherein, the maximum first width (d) is greater
than the resting width (g) and at most equal to the flexing width
(f) and the protruding members are arranged to align with the
openings so that, in an engaged configuration, each of the
protruding members penetrates through one of the flexible openings
to be engaged by the elastic layer of the flexible openings at the
basal necking portion of the protruding members thereby to
detachably fasten the first zone to the second zone.
2. The fastener according to claim 1, further comprising: a third
zone (30) between the first zone (10) and the second zone (20), and
connecting an end of the first substrate with an end of the second
substrate, wherein, the third zone is free of flexible openings and
protruding members, and the third zone comprises a flexible
material to permit the protruding members of the first zone to
engage with the flexible openings of the second zone.
3. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the head portion (65)
of the protruding members (60) is spherical with a diameter equal
to the maximum first width.
4. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the head portion (65)
of the protruding members (60) has a rounded end portion opposite
the necking portion (80)
5. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the head portion (65)
of the protruding members (60) has a pointed end portion opposite
the necking portion (80)
6. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the substrate and the
protruding members of the first zone are formed from a common,
thermoformable material.
7. A product, comprising: a first surface area; a second surface
area; and a fastener having a first zone (10) comprising a
substrate (5) and a protruding member (60) extending upward from
the substrate, the protruding member having a head portion (65)
with a maximum first width (d) and a basal necking portion (80)
connecting said head portion to said substrate with a maximum
second width (e), and a second zone (20), comprising an elastic
layer (100) having a flexible opening (70) adapted to flex between
a flexing width (f) and a resting width (g), the first zone located
within the first surface area, the second zone located within the
second surface area, the fastener operable to fasten the first area
to the second area by detachably coupling the protruding member
with the flexible opening wherein the elastic layer of the flexible
opening disengageably closes around the basal necking portion of
the protruding member.
8. A container, comprising: an opening; and a closure affixed to
the container and configured to close the opening of the container,
the closure having a first zone (10) comprising a substrate (5) and
protruding members (60) extending upward from the substrate, the
protruding members each having a head portion (65) with a maximum
first width (d) and a basal necking portion (80) connecting said
head portion to said substrate with a maximum second width (e), and
a second zone (20), comprising an elastic layer (100) having
flexible openings (70) adapted to flex between a flexing width (f)
and a resting width (g), the closure operable to fasten the first
area to the second area by detachably coupling the protruding
members with the flexible openings wherein the elastic layer of the
flexible openings disengageably closes around the basal necking
portion of the protruding members.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a fastener having protruding
members that are held by corresponding flexible openings that
releasably capture said members by flexibly grasping a necking base
portion of the protruding members, and products using such a
fastener. The invention also relates to a method for removably
fastening two surfaces together using the aforementioned
fastener.
[0002] Many products are in use having inter-engaging protruding
members, inter-engaging hooks and loops, and inter-engaging
flexible troughs.
[0003] A problem with the mechanisms mentioned above is if any of
them are exposed, to sand, dirt, grit, and other particulate
contaminants, they either perform less well or fail to perform
altogether.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention, which
has been devised to overcome this problem, to provide a versatile
fastening mechanism that is effective even when exposed to
particulate contaminants such as dirt, sand, and grit.
[0005] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a plurality of protruding members, having basal necking portions,
adapted to be removably engaged with a plurality of flexible
openings that open from one side of the substrate through to an
opposite side, the elastic material of the flexible openings
configured so that the head portion of the protruding members may
penetrate through to the opposite side, wherein elastic material
forming the flexible openings grasp and hold the basal necking
portions of the protruding members.
[0006] Accordingly, the invention has no place for contaminants
like dirt or sand to collect and interfere with the mechanism of
the fastener. The mechanism is an elastic material forming the
flexible openings; thereby dirt and sand cannot prevent the
openings from engaging with the protruding members. Instead,
contaminants tend to fall through the flexible openings, or else be
pushed out by the protruding members when the protruding members
are operationally engaged with the flexible openings and brushed
away from the basal necking portions of the protruding members by
the flexible material upon engagement and disengagement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the
invention in the plan view.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the first embodiment of the
invention in cross-section.
[0009] FIG. 3 is an enlargement of the detailing a flexible opening
of the second zone.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the first embodiment
illustrating the protruding members of the first zone engaged with
the flexible openings of the second zone.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the
invention in the plan view
[0012] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment of
the invention in cross-section.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the second embodiment
illustrating the protruding members of the first zone engaged with
the flexible openings of the second zone.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of the
invention.
[0015] In this embodiment, the fastener 1 includes a substrate 5
that is spread across three zones: a first zone 10 at a first end
40, a second zone 20 at an opposite second end 50, and a third zone
30. The first and second zones 10,20 are separated by the third
zone 30 which is flexible in bending.
[0016] The first zone includes a plurality of protruding members 60
arranged across the surface of the first, zone, 10.
[0017] Preferably, the head portion of the protruding members has a
rounded end portion opposite the basal necking portion.
Additionally, the head portion may have a spherical shape.
[0018] The second zone includes a plurality of flexible openings 70
arranged across the surface of the second zone 20 symmetrically to
the arrangement of the protruding members 60.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 1 in
cross-section. Each protruding member 60 includes a basal necking
portion 80 connecting a head portion 65 having maximum width d to
the substrate 5 at a 90 degree angle from the surface of the
substrate 5. Each protruding member has a maximum width indicated
by d on FIG. 1. The necking portion of the protruding member 80 has
a maximum width indicated by e on FIG. 2.
[0020] Width d is greater than width e.
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates details of a flexible opening 70. The
substrate of the second zone includes an outer layer 90 sandwiching
an inner layer 100. This inner layer 100 is composed of a flexible
elastic material capable of stretching in a resilient manner.
[0022] A first opening in the outer layer 90 has a maximum width f
both above and below the flexible inner layer 100. Inner layer 100
has a second opening of width g centered within the first opening
of width f.
[0023] The minimum width of g is less than that of f and d, while
the maximum width of g is less or equal to the maximum width of
f.
[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the first embodiment where
the protruding members 60 of the first zone 10 are in engagement
with the flexible openings 70 of the second zone 20. The substrate
5 of the third zone 30 bends so that all the protruding members 60
may fit through the flexible elastic material of the inner layer
100 through top side of the second zone 20 through to the bottom
side of second zone 20, held snugly in place by the flexible
elastic material of inner layer 100.
[0025] The protruding members 60 of the first zone 10 are engaged
with the flexible openings 70 of the second zone 20 by bending the
fastener at the third zone 30, aligning the protruding members 60
with the top side of corresponding flexible openings 70, and
applying a force directed from the top side to the opposite bottom
side so that the flexible openings 70 expand from width f to width
g to allow passage of the protruding members 60 through to the
bottom side of the second zone.
[0026] Disengagement of the first zone 10 and the second zone 20 is
accomplished by applying force directed to pull the zones apart
sufficient to cause the flexible openings 70 expand from width f to
width d to allow passage of the protruding members 60 through to
the top side of the second zone.
[0027] Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS.
5-7. In this embodiment, the first zone 10 and the second zone 20
are not connected with each other by a third zone. FIG. 5
illustrates the two zones in the plan view. FIG. 6 illustrates the
two zones in a cross-section.
[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates the two zones in engagement with each
other. As with the first embodiment described above, the protruding
members 60 align with corresponding flexible openings 70 a top side
of the second zone to be forced through the flexible inner layer
100 so that the substrate side of the head portions rest against
the flexible elastic material on the bottom side of the second
zone.
[0029] Disengagement of the fastener in the second embodiment is
accomplished in the identical manner as with the first
embodiment.
[0030] In one embodiment, the first zone is part of one surface of
an opening portion of a flexible container (e.g., a plastic bag)
and removably engages with the second zone attached to a second
surface of the opening portion so that when engaged, the opening of
the flexible container is closed. The protruding members in this
embodiment range from 1/64 inch to 1/32 inch. The container can be
sealed when the protruding members of and the flexible openings are
fully engaged. The protruding members and the substrate of the
first zone, for example, may be formed from a common,
thermoformable material. Further, the container itself may be
formed from this same thermoformable material.
[0031] In one embodiment, the protruding members of the first zone
are placed along the circumferential surface of a wheel, such that
protruding members are arranged all along the circumferential
surface of this "protrusion gear" such that each protruding member
is points perpendicularly to the circumferential surface of the
wheel. This protrusion gear is attached to a drive shaft and is
configured to couple with a second zone on a continuous belt or
strap, so that the belt may be driven by the shaft and protrusion
gear. The material for the belt is a flexible composite or rubber,
while the wheel and the protruding members of the protrusion gear,
is composed of a hard material such as rigid plastic, brass or
steel.
[0032] In one embodiment, the protruding members may be anchored to
a surface of a pouch-like container, and the flexible openings
fashioned within a closing flap, so that the flap closes the
container when the flexible openings engage the flexible openings.
So that the protruding members and the flexible openings may be
easily manipulated by hand, the head portions of the flexible
openings may have maximum widths of 1/8 inch to 3/4 inch. A
non-exclusive list of applications of this embodiment include a
purse, a pack, or a handbag. The protrusions in such an embodiment
may be composed of, for example, metal such as brass or a molded
polymer that may be colored appropriately.
[0033] In one embodiment, the first zone is anchored to a first
section of a garment, and the second zone is constructed in a
second section of a garment that is removably attached to the first
section. In this embodiment the dimensions of the invention would
be similar to that of the pouch-like container, above, e.g. 1/8
inch to 3/4 inch so as to be easily manipulated by hand. In
addition, the protruding members and or the flexible openings may
have colored surfaces appropriate to the garment. A non-exclusive
list of applications of this embodiment include a shoe buckle,
skirt, trousers or slacks closure, and hat or helmet closure. As
with the pouch, above, the protrusions may be composed of a metal
such as brass or a molded polymer.
[0034] In one embodiment, the first zone and second zone are
attached with the third zone as in the first embodiment, and the
protruding members are constructed of sturdy, rigid plastic formed
by injection-molding or else welded to the substrate of like
material, the protruding members having a maximum width having a
range e.g. 1/4 inch to 11/2 inch. This embodiment would serve as a
dirt and sand resistant clamp to bind one object to another. This
clamp may have either a continuous section of flexible openings in
the second zone, or multiple fields of flexible openings (e.g. zone
2.1, zone 2.2, zone 2.3, etc.) spaced intermittently on the
substrate. In this configuration, the clamp can be re-usably
employed as a binder for multiple items (e.g. planks, pipes, paper,
etc.).
[0035] In one embodiment, the substrate comprises a material with
conductive properties for use with electronic circuits. The
protruding members are constructed with maximum widths ranging from
several millimeters to a few micrometers in order to make flexible
connections of electronic circuits. These circuits can be used in
applications where electronic modules are required to be mounted
and dismounted from platforms, such as unmanned vehicles.
[0036] The invention would also include a method for detachable
fastening a first surface to a second surface, including the steps
of aligning protruding members with flexible openings in an elastic
material, and the step of forcing the protruding members, the
flexible openings permitting the head portions to pass through from
a first side of the second surface to an opposite second side, and
the elastic material contracting around the basal necking portions
of the protruding members to detachably fasten the first surface to
the second surface.
[0037] While the present invention has been described with
reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to
be restricted by those embodiments but only by the appended claims.
It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or
modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit
of the present invention.
* * * * *