U.S. patent application number 13/271347 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-06 for press-stud.
Invention is credited to Ernesto Violato.
Application Number | 20120304427 13/271347 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43737827 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120304427 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Violato; Ernesto |
December 6, 2012 |
Press-stud
Abstract
A press-stud comprises a female element having a seat in which
is accommodated a resiliently deformable anchoring member (22)
which is to anchor a male element in a closed configuration of the
stud. The anchoring member is a ring having a flattened
cross-section with an inner edge (24) on which are defined
substantially freely bending arcuate lips (29) which project in a
cantilevered manner from a support wall of the female element (10)
by not more than one third of the width of the flattened
cross-section of the anchoring ring (22). Preferably, the
press-stud has an overall height, in the closed configuration,
which does not exceed 2.5 mm, and a ratio between the diameter and
the height which is greater than 3.5.
Inventors: |
Violato; Ernesto; (Piove di
Sacco (PD), IT) |
Family ID: |
43737827 |
Appl. No.: |
13/271347 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/662 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/45775 20150115;
A44B 17/0011 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/662 |
International
Class: |
A44B 17/00 20060101
A44B017/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 13, 2010 |
IT |
BO2010A000611 |
Claims
1. A press-stud, comprising a female element having a seat for
accommodating a resiliently deformable anchoring member which is to
anchor a male element in a closed configuration of the stud,
wherein the anchoring member is a ring having a flattened
cross-section (22, 72) with an inner edge (24, 74) on which are
defined substantially freely bending arcuate lips (29) which
project in a cantilevered manner from a support wall (18, 68) of
the female element (10, 60) by not more than one third of the width
of the flattened cross-section of the anchoring ring (22, 72).
2. A press-stud according to claim 1, wherein the lips are defined
by notches (28, 78) having a width much smaller than the length of
the circumference of the inner edge (24, 74) of the flattened
ring.
3. A press-stud according to claim 2, wherein the depth of the
notches (28, 78) is substantially equal to the cantilevered
projection of the lips (29) from the support wall (18, 68).
4. A press-stud according to claim 2, wherein the notches (28, 78)
are substantially U-shaped.
5. A press-stud according to claim 2, comprising at least three
notches (28, 78).
6. A press-stud according to claim 2, wherein the notches (28, 78)
are equidistant along the circumference of the inner edge (24, 74)
of the flattened ring.
7. A press-stud according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring ring
(22, 72) is held in the female element by an annular covering strip
(30, 80).
8. A press-stud according to claim 1, having an overall height in
an axial direction (Z-Z) of insertion of the male element (40) into
the female element (10, 60), in the closed configuration, which
does not exceed 2.5 mm.
9. A press-stud according to claim 1, wherein the ratio between the
diameter and the height in an axial direction (Z-Z) of insertion of
the male element (40) into the female element (10, 60), in the
closed configuration, is greater than 3.5.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of
press-studs.
[0002] The invention has been developed with particular regard to a
press-stud comprising a female element having a seat for
accommodating a resiliently deformable anchoring member which is to
anchor a male element in a closed configuration of the stud.
[0003] Various press-studs of the type indicated above are known
for satisfying the most varied market requirements. Press-studs are
all the more appreciated the better their hold while closed and the
ease with which they can be opened. In addition, the best
press-studs are very strong and maintain their coupling and
uncoupling characteristics for a long time, even after a very large
number of opening and closing cycles.
[0004] Press-studs of the most common type have a male element
comprising a head which engages in the accommodating seat of the
female element where it is locked by a spring in the form of a
split ring. An improved model of a press-stud, developed by the
present applicant and illustrated in the patent EP 0855865,
comprises a special spring which permits the use of a male element
having a substantially flat head, which is appreciated from the
aesthetic point of view.
[0005] The object of the present invention is to improve the
press-studs of the prior art, in particular by reducing the axial
space requirement thereof as much as possible while at the same
time ensuring optimum functionalities of good hold while closed,
easy opening and strength over time. A further object of the
invention is to provide a simple and economical press-stud.
[0006] In order to achieve the objects indicated above, the
invention relates to a press-stud having the features indicated in
the claims which follow.
[0007] The press-stud described here comprises a female element
having a seat for accommodating a resiliently deformable anchoring
member which is to anchor a male element in a closed configuration
of the stud, wherein the anchoring member is a ring having a
flattened cross-section. The ring has an inner edge on which are
defined substantially freely bending arcuate lips which project in
a cantilevered manner from a support wall of the female element,
preferably by not more than one third of the width of the flattened
cross-section of the anchoring ring.
[0008] The lips are preferably defined by notches having a width
which is much smaller than the length of the circumference of the
inner edge of the flattened ring. Preferably, the depth of the
notches is substantially equal to the cantilevered projection of
the lips from the support wall.
[0009] Preferably, the notches are substantially U-shaped, and even
more preferably they are three in number, although they could be
smaller in number, for example two, or larger in number, for
example four or five. The notches are preferably equidistant along
the circumference of the inner edge of the flattened ring.
[0010] In the press-stud described, the anchoring ring is
preferably held in the female element by an annular covering strip.
Preferably, the overall height of the press-stud described, in an
axial direction of insertion of the male element into the female
element, in the closed configuration of the press-stud, does not
exceed 2.5 mm. Preferably, in the stud described, the ratio between
the diameter and the height in an axial direction of insertion of
the male element into the female element, in the closed
configuration, is greater than 3.5.
[0011] Further features and advantages will emerge from the
following detailed description with reference to the appended
drawings which are given by way of non-limiting example and in
which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the female
element of a press-stud according to the present invention,
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-section through a male element of the
press-stud according to the present invention,
[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross-section through the female element of FIG.
1, and
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-section through another embodiment of the
female element of a press-stud according to the present
invention.
[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, a press-stud according to
one embodiment of the present invention comprises a female element
10 having a base plate 12 with a central hole 14 of axis Z-Z which
is to receive a connecting member, for example a nail or rivet or
another functionally similar element, for connecting the female
element 10 to a substrate, for example a piece of fabric, cloth,
leather, plastics material or other materials of various types.
[0017] The base plate 12 has an inclined peripheral edge 16 which
continues in a flat manner to form a low annular step which defines
a substantially plane annular support wall 18 having a circular
peripheral edge 20 for containing an annular spring or resilient
member 22 having a substantially rectangular flattened
cross-section. The resilient member 22 can rest flat on the annular
support wall 18 via a lower face 22a thereof, which is likewise
substantially plane, in such a manner that the inner edge 24 of the
resilient member 22 projects in a cantilevered manner from the
annular support wall 18 towards the inside of the female element
10. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the cantilevered projection of the
inner edge 24 of the resilient member 22 is very small, and
preferably does not exceed approximately one third, and even more
preferably approximately one quarter, of the width of the flattened
cross-section of the annular member.
[0018] The outer edge 26 of the resilient member 22 is disposed
alongside or in the vicinity of the circular edge 20, so that the
resilient member 22 is substantially centred axially in the female
element 10, preferably with some small degree of clearance.
[0019] Radial notches or incuts 28, which are preferably
equidistant and even more preferably three in number, are
preferably formed on the inner edge 24 of the resilient member 22.
The notches 28 preferably have a U-shape in plan and a very small
size compared with the overall dimensions of the resilient member
22. As can in fact be seen in FIG. 1, the notches extend radially
over a length which corresponds substantially to, or is slightly
less than, the extent to which the inner edge 24 of the resilient
member 22 projects in a cantilevered manner from the annular
support wall 18. The width of the notches 28 is likewise very small
compared with the overall circumference of the inner edge 24 of the
resilient member, which is thus configured as a series of arcuate
elongate lips 29, which are preferably three in number, although
this does constitute a limitation. This configuration of the
resilient member 22 promotes a good snap hold of the press-stud,
and at the same time permits a considerable reduction in the axial
dimensions, that is to say, in the direction of the axis Z-Z of the
stud, because the bending excursion of the resilient member 22 in
the direction Z-Z upon insertion of the male element of the stud is
small in magnitude.
[0020] An annular cap 30 partially covers the upper face 22b of the
resilient member 22 in order to hold it in position inside the
female element 10. To that end, the annular cap 30 has an outer
skirt 32 which wraps round the circular edge 20, being bent
underneath it.
[0021] Overall, the female element 10 is very compact in the axial
direction Z-Z, that is to say, the direction of insertion of a male
element 40, which is illustrated in a preferred although
non-limiting form in FIG. 2. The male element 40 is produced
substantially using a single piece of bent sheet-metal which
comprises an outer annular flange 42 from which projects a lateral
wall 41 which is knurled, that is to say, shaped with an annular
depression 43 which is to cooperate actively with the lips 29 of
the resilient member 22 of the female element 10. The lateral wall
41 is terminated by a rounded end 44 which is connected by a small
link 46 to an inner wall 48 which ends in a base 50. Formed in the
base 50 is a central opening 52 which is to receive a connecting
member, for example a nail or rivet or another functionally similar
element, for connecting the male element 40 to a substrate, for
example a piece of fabric, cloth, leather, plastics material or
other materials of various types, to be connected to the
corresponding substrate to which, as stated above, the female
element 10 of the press-stud according to the invention is
secured.
[0022] Another embodiment of a female element 60 of the present
invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. Analogously to the female
element described above, the female element 60 likewise has a base
plate 62 having a central hole 64 which is to receive a connecting
member, for example a nail or rivet or another functionally similar
element, for connecting the female element 60 to a substrate as
mentioned above. Here too, an annular portion 66 of the base plate
62 is bent slightly to form a low substantially flat annular step
68 having a circular edge 70 for containing an annular spring or
resilient member 72 which is entirely analogous to the annular
spring 22 described above.
[0023] In particular, the annular spring or resilient member 72
rests flat on the annular step 68 with its substantially plane
lower face 72a, so that its inner edge 74 projects in a
cantilevered manner beyond the step, as described above, while its
preferably circular outer edge 76 is disposed substantially
alongside the circular edge 70 with play or in the vicinity
thereof. Radial notches or incuts 78, which are preferably
equidistant and even more preferably three in number and which
correspond to the notches 28 described above and have a similar
function and features, are preferably formed on the inner edge 74
of the annular spring 72.
[0024] Unlike the female element 10 described above, the female
element 60 does not have a separate cap for holding the resilient
member 72 inside it but, instead, the circular edge 70 is extended
and bent over the resilient member 72 to form an annular rim 80 for
containing the resilient member 72. In particular, the annular rim
80 is disposed alongside the upper face 72b of the resilient member
72, but without compressing or crushing it.
[0025] A press-stud produced in accordance with the invention
permits minimization of the axial space requirement along the axis
Z-Z, as well as of its weight. This is particularly advantageous
when used for light-weight garments, for example of silk, or in
cases where the thickness of the stud could prove troublesome, such
as in the case of closures for purses, wallets, pillow-cases, etc.,
but of course the uses of such a stud are varied and are not
limited to those given by way of example.
[0026] In order to produce a press-stud having reduced axial
dimensions, while ensuring its correct functioning, solid strength
and excellent snap hold, with the aim of manufacturing the metal
component parts thereof by the deformation of pieces of
sheet-metal, rather than by the far more expensive methods of
turning or die-casting, it has been found that the optimum
thickness of the sheet-metal is preferably from 0.3 to 0.4 mm,
while the overall height of the knurled male element 40 in the
direction of the axis Z-Z is preferably from 1.9 to 2.0 mm. Those
features provide for an overall size of the press-stud according to
the present invention, in the closed configuration with the male
element connected to the female element, of preferably
approximately from 2.3 to 2.5 mm, which, to the applicant's
knowledge, is smaller than the axial space requirement of any known
type of press-stud having a metal body.
[0027] In order to reduce even further the axial dimensions of the
press-stud of the present invention, with all of the other features
remaining the same, it is possible to use a spring or resilient
member which is likewise composed of sheet-metal having high-grade
flexibility characteristics, for example piano wire. Thus, the
cross-section of the resilient member of the present invention,
which is always characterized by being flattened, may have an
extremely small thickness in the axial direction Z-Z of
approximately a few tenths of a millimetre. In the case of a
resilient member of plastics material, its dimension in the axial
direction Z-Z may in any case be less than 1.0 mm, adopting the
configuration features of the present invention.
[0028] The press-stud of the present invention is also
characterized in that, as clearly visible in the appended Figures,
the ratio between the overall diameter and its height is preferably
greater than 3.5.
[0029] The system for securing the male and female elements to the
respective substrates could be of a type other than that
illustrated and could be obtained, for example, by stitching or, in
order to reduce the space requirement even further, also by
adhesive bonding. In such cases, it is not necessary for the male
and female elements of the press-stud to have the hole and the
central opening indicated by the reference numerals 14, 64 and 52,
respectively, and shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0030] The materials used may also be of a type other than that
illustrated because it is not necessary to use sheet-metal for the
production of the press-stud of this invention, it also being
possible to use plastics materials or materials of another type,
alone or in combination with metal materials. Naturally, the
principle of the invention remaining the same, the forms of
embodiment and details of construction may be varied widely with
respect to those described and illustrated, without thereby
departing from the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *