Device For Rapid Attachment

Abstract

A quick-action fastener including a hollow body provided with a longitudinal hole, a lateral window and an elongate slot all communicating with each other, a flexible element thicker, when unstretched, than said slot but thinner than the window, and anchoring means for anchoring one end of the flexible element within the body.

Description

This invention concerns improvements in quick-action fasteners.

There are known a large number of types of fasteners for use with flexible, and optionally elastic, bands or tapes, formed for example by hooks, snap hooks, plain rings, broken rings, pins and the like, none of which are, however, wholly satisfactory or versatile enough.

The quick-action fastening device according to one nonlimiting and purely exemplary aspect of this invention includes a body and at least one flexible element having at least one strand, the said body having at least one main hole, at least one main window which communicates with said at least one main hole and at least one main slot which extends from the main window to one end of the main hole and communicates with the latter, the maximum cross section of the flexible element being less than that of the main window and the minimum cross section of the flexible element being slightly more than the width of the said slot, and mounting means for connecting one end portion of the flexible element to said body, the other end portion of which is connectable to any desired object.

It is possible to use widely different flexible elements such as, for example, bands, cords, cables, laces, wires, ribbons, webbing, elastic tapes and altogether any other flexible, and optionally elastic, bands.

The invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are, respectively, an axial cross section and a perspective view of an embodiment of a body of a quick-action fastener,

FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of the body of FIG. 1, but showing the flexible member in the form of a single strand, two different embodiments of mounting a flexible element therein,

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of the same embodiment showing a body with a flexible element connected thereto,

FIG. 6 is an axial cross section of the body of FIG. 1 showing a flexible member with two strands mounted therein,

FIGS. 7 and 8 are side elevations, partly in section, showing the attachment to a wall of a fastener in accordance with the preceding Figures,

FIG. 9 is an axial cross section of a modification, showing a moulded integral body with one end of a flexible member attached thereto,

FIG. 10 is a view in perspective of a quick-action fastener comprising a flexible element and two bodies, each fixed to one end of the element and formed as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5,

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a quick-action fastener comprising a flexible element, a body fixed to one end of the flexible element, the other end of which is firmly attached to an object,

FIGS. 12 and 13 are perspective views, showing a handle formed by a flexible element, the ends of which are drawn in and secured to respective bodies,

FIGS. 14 and 15 are a perspective view and an axial cross section, respectively, and not on the same scale, of a further embodiment of a moulded fastener incorporating one end of a flexible element,

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a modification of the body intended to form a tag at the end of a flexible element,

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a shoe or boot equipped with a quick-action fastener the flexible element of which is formed by a lace,

FIG. 18 is a cross section of another embodiment of a body showing the manner of connection with one end of the flexible element,

FIG. 19 is a partial side elevation of a flexible element to be connected with the body of the embodiment shown in FIG. 18,

FIG. 20 is an axial cross section of a modification of the body,

FIG. 21 is a partial side elevation of a flexible element to be connected with the modification shown in FIG. 20,

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a modification of the body,

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of another modification of the body and the attached flexible element,

FIGS. 24 and 25 are axial cross sections of yet further embodiments of the body,

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fastener comprising a flexible element provided at each end with a body and with an intermediate body,

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a quick-action fastener,

FIG. 28 is a side elevation in partial broken-away view, of a modification of the body with its attached flexible element,

FIG. 29 is an axial cross section of a further embodiment of the body,

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the body with a flexible element formed by a belt,

FIG. 31 is a side elevation of a fastener comprising a flexible element equipped at one end with a body and at the other end with a button,

FIG. 32 is a side elevation of another embodiment of the body,

FIG. 33 is an axial cross section of yet another embodiment of the body construction,

FIG. 34 is a view in perspective of a fastener, comprising a flexible element equipped at each end with a body,

FIG. 35 is a view in perspective of a modification, showing a two-part body,

FIG. 36 is a view in perspective of an auxiliary member suitable for use together with the body shown in FIG. 35,

FIG. 37 is a side elevation of yet another modification of the body,

FIG. 38 is a partial view in perspective of a further modification of the body,

FIG. 39 is a partial vertical cross section of part of a body,

FIGS. 40 and 41 are partial vertical cross sections of modifications of the embodiment of FIG. 39, whereby the length of the flexible element consisting of two strands can be altered,

FIGS. 42 and 43 are, respectively, a vertical cross section and an end elevation of a construction of the body for adjusting the length of a cooperating flexible element with enlarged portions,

FIG. 44 is a plan view, partially broken away, of a modification of the body, permitting the adjustment in length of a cooperating flexible element with enlarged parts,

FIGS. 45 and 46 are respective partial cross-sectional views of modifications of the body permitting the adjustment in length of its flexible element,

FIGS. 47, 48, 49, 50, 51 and 52 are respective partial vertical cross sections of various embodiments of the body, permitting the adjustment in length of their respective multistrand flexible elements,

FIG. 53 is a vertical cross section of a modification of a body for regulating the length of its flexible element having wider portions,

FIG. 54 is an end elevation of the modification shown in FIG. 53,

FIGS. 55 and 56 are respectively views in perspective of two modifications of the body,

FIGS. 57 and 58 are respective side elevations in broken away view, of two embodiments of an externally threaded body,

FIG. 59 is a partial side elevation of another embodiment of the body,

FIGS. 60 and 61 are respectively broken away side elevation and section of two embodiments of the body,

FIGS. 62 and 63 are respectively, a plan view and a partially broken away elevation of two further embodiments of the body,

FIG. 64 is an end view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 63,

FIGS. 65 and 66 are, respectively, a plan view and an end view of yet another embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 67 is a cross section of another embodiment of the body,

FIG. 68 is a partial vertical cross section of another embodiment of the body,

FIG. 69 is a front elevation of a threaded button suitable for use with the embodiment shown in FIG. 68,

FIG. 70 is a partial cross section of another embodiment of the body,

FIGS. 71 and 72 are respective front elevations of threaded buttons suitable for use with the embodiments of the bodies illustrated in FIGS. 68 and 70,

FIGS. 73 and 74 are elevations of buttons suitable for use with the embodiments of bodies shown in FIGS. 68 and 70,

FIG. 75 is a side elevation, partially broken-away, of a modification of a body provided with a threaded button, permitting the adjustment of the length of an elastic flexible element,

FIGS. 76 and 77 are respective front elevations of threaded buttons suitable for use with the embodiment of the body shown in FIG. 75, and

FIG. 78 is a vertical cross section of a threaded button suitable for use with the embodiment of the body shown in FIG. 75.

In all Figures, the same reference numerals indicate similar parts. Thus, the body of the quick-action fastener is always designated 1, a main hole 2, a main window 3 and a main slot 4. Reference numeral 5 indicates a single strand flexible element and the two strands of a flexible element are marked 6 and 7, respectively. In all cases, the cross section of a flexible element associated with a body 1 is smaller than that of the main window 3 and the smallest cross section of the or any or each strand of a flexible element is slightly larger than the width of the main slot 4.

The body 1 may have any generally desired form, either cylindrical and externally smooth (FIGS. 1 to 18, 20, 24 to 29, 31 to 37, 39 to 46, 53, 54, 62 to 68, 70 and 75), or a parallelopipedal shape (FIGS. 22, 30), or cylindrical with external thread 8 (FIGS. 57 to 61), or any other shape (FIGS. 23, 38, 47 to 52, 55 and 56).

Moreover, the body 1 may be formed of one piece (FIGS. 1 to 18, 20, 22, 23, 26, 27, 29 to 31, 34, 38 to 45, 47 to 68 and 75) or from several parts (FIGS. 24, 25, 28, 32, 33, 35 to 37, and 46).

The main hole 2 of the body 1 may be provided with an internal thread 9 (FIGS. 28, 47 to 52, 60, 61, 63, 64, 68, 70 and 75).

Furthermore, the body 1 may be provided with a fastening element, for example a hook 12 (FIG. 28), or a ring 13 (FIG. 60) or any other suitable fastening element.

Additionally, over the whole length of the body 1 a slot 14, separate from the partial main slot 4, may be formed (FIGS. 37, 62 to 67).

The body 1 may also have a second window 15, similar to the window 3 and a slot 16 similar to the main slot 4 and possibly opposite the latter (FIGS. 26 and 65 to 67).

The means for mounting the flexible element associated with a body 1 in certain embodiments enable the rigid fixing of this flexible element and in other embodiments the mounting means are such as to permit its length to be adjusted relative to the body 1. These mounting means may be formed as follows:

1. By an annular shoulder 17, arranged inside the main hole 2 and coaxial therewith (FIG. 1), and defining a central passage through which may pass the end of an associated flexible member 5 to be fixed to the body 1 through the said end being folded back on itself (FIG. 3). Alternatively, the said end may be tied or wound by threads 18 (FIGS. 24, 28, 29), or equipped with a tightly fitting ferrule 19 (FIG. 18), or knotted into a knot 20 (FIGS. 4, 33). This annular shoulder 17 also makes it possible to attach to a body 1 a knotted end 21 of a two-strand element with strands 6 and 7 (FIG. 6). This annular shoulder 17 also permits the adjustment in length relative to a body 1 of an elastic element 5 with a single strand (FIG. 39), and with at least two strands 6 and 7 (FIG. 40), by arranging that the cross section of the elastic element, when extended to its maximum length, is substantially equal to the diameter of the central passage of the shoulder 17.

2. By a shoulder formed by an abutment 22 projecting into the interior of the main hole 2, partly blocking the body 1, and permitting the fixing of a flexible element 5 by one folded back end onto which is fitted a ferrule 19 (FIGS. 18 and 19).

3. By a shoulder formed by a flange 23 turned inwardly at one open end of the main hole 2 (which may be a blind hole) of a body 1, and permitting the fixing of a flexible element 5 by means of one folded over end onto which is fitted a ferrule 19 (FIGS. 20 and 21).

4. By the choice of a bore size of the main hole 2 in the body 1 to be such that the end of a flexible element 5, folded back on itself, and optionally provided with a ferrule 19, can be pushed or forced into this bore (FIGS. 22 and 23) and thereby fixed therein.

5. By a shoulder which is coaxial with the main hole 2 of the body 1, integral with a detachable part 24 fixable to the body 1 by threaded interengagement (FIG. 28) and acting in the same manner as the shoulder 17, described above.

6. By a lateral slot 25 (FIGS. 42 to 45), provided in the body 1 and in two parallel, spaced-apart transverse partitions 26 and 27 in the body in association with an auxiliary window 28 opposite the main window 3 and into which the slot 25 leads, so as to permit the insertion of and the adjustment in length of an associated flexible element 5. The element 5 may be elastic and includes enlarged parts 29, spaced at regular intervals along its length. In FIG. 45, there is shown a mounting 30 in the form of a button 31 for anchoring one end of the flexible element.

7. By a slot 25 provided in the body 1 in a transverse partition 26 inside the main hole 2 and in the base and the skirt of a cap 32 (FIG. 46). The cap 32 is mounted in a peripheral groove of the body 1, there being an auxiliary window 28 which is located opposite the main window 3 in the body 1, and which communicates with the slot 25, so as to permit the insertion and adjustment in length of a flexible element 5, which may be elastic, and which comprises enlarged portions 29, regularly spaced along its length. Clearly, the ability of the cap 32 to rotate prevents, by offsetting the parts of the slot 25 relative to each other, the accidental breaking away or removal of the flexible element from the body 1.

8. By an annular shoulder such as 17, cooperating with a threaded button or plug 33 (FIG. 47), threadedly engaged with a thread 9 in the body 1, there being an eccentric hole 34 in the plug 33. The flexible element 5 is blocked by locking between the faces opposite the shoulder 17 and the plug 33 when the latter is screwed in. The flexible element 5 may be released and adjusted in length by unscrewing the plug 33. The element 5 may be of single strand or multiple strand construction.

9. By an annular shoulder 17 cooperating with a threaded plug 33 which is screwed into the thread 9 of the body 1 and has a pair of substantially parallel holes 35 and 36 (FIG. 48), adapted respectively to receive the two strands 6 and 7 of a flexible element which is locked between the surfaces opposite the shoulder 17 and the plug 33 and may be adjusted in length by unscrewing the plug 33.

10. By an annular shoulder 17 cooperating with a threaded plug 33 (FIG. 49), in which the plug 33 is screwed into the thread 9 of the body 1 and has a peripheral axially extending groove 37 adapted to receive a flexible element 5 which is locked and adjustable as described in the preceding paragraph.

11. By an annular shoulder 17 cooperating with a threaded plug 33 (FIG. 50), wherein the plug 33 is screwed into the thread 9 of the body 1 and has two lateral grooves 38 and 39 for receiving respective strands 6, 7 of a flexible element which is locked and adjusted in length exactly as in the three preceding examples.

12. By an annular shoulder 17 cooperating with an externally threaded plug 40 which is screwed into the thread 9 of the body 1 which has an axial bore and a substantially conical gripping member 41 with a slotted resilient wall. The flexible element 5 is locked and adjusted in position by screwing and unscrewing the plug 40, the outer surface of the gripping member 41 being in contact with a center passage of the shoulder 17.

13. By a substantially conical gripping member 42 having a resilient wall which forms an extension of the body 1 along the axis of the main hole; the member 42 cooperates with a cap 43 which is screwed on to the external thread 8 of the body 1. The cap 43 includes an annular shoulder 44 and a central passage 45 in its base to enable the flexible element 5 to be locked and adjusted in position by screwing down and unscrewing the cap 43, the central aperture of the annular shoulder 44 being in frictional contact with the outer surface of the gripping member 42.

14. By two parallel, spaced-apart threaded plugs 33 (FIGS. 68-74), each screwed into the internal thread 9 of the body 1. Each plug 33 has at least one eccentric hole 34 (FIGS. 68 and 69), which are not aligned axially with each other; or a radial groove 37 (FIGS. 70 and 71); or several radial grooves such as 38 and 39 (FIGS. 73 and 74) to enable a flexible element 5 (which may have one or several strands) to be locked and adjusted in length by screwing in and unscrewing one of the threaded plugs 33. Alternatively, a threaded plug 46 (FIG. 72) may be used, the plug 46 having a radial slot 47 and an outer, unthreaded portion 48 of larger diameter, permitting it to be screwed in and to be unscrewed by hand. Similar and self-explanatory plug and groove combinations are shown in FIGS. 75 to 78.

15. By radially spaced passages 49, 50 (FIG. 41) provided in a wall blocking the main hole 2 of the body 1 and each adapted to receive at least one strand 6, 7 of a flexible element which is in this case elastic and which can, as described above, be adjusted in length relative to the body 1, and locked in position, by stretching and releasing the strands.

16. By a single threaded plug 33 which is screwed into the thread 9 of the body 1 and has either a center passage 51 (FIGS. 75, 76), or several passages 35 and 36 (FIG. 48), or one radial slot 37 (FIG. 77), or several radial slots 38 and 39 (FIGS. 73, 74). The passages 51, 35, 36 and the slots 37, 38, 39 each receive at least one strand of an elastic, flexible element, and each elastic strand can, when fully stretched, slide under friction in the passage of the slot in which it is located and can be locked in the required position by releasing the tension.

17. By a deformable part 52 (FIG. 16) of the body 1 which in this case is made of metal. This part 52 forms a tag and has serrations or teeth 53 adapted to penetrate into the flexible element 5 after the latter has been introduced into the part 52 which is then deformed for locking.

18. By incorporating the end of a flexible element 5 into the body 1 during the moulding of the latter (FIGS. 9 and 15).

A utilization of the quick-action fastener shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Firstly, the axis of the body 1 is brought into substantial alignment with that of a flexible element, then the body 1, with the flexible element 5 mounted therein with one end thereof secured, is inserted into an opening 54 of a wall 55, then the body 1 is rotated through 90.degree. while the flexible element is forced through the slot 4 to enter the window 3; at this moment the direction of the flexible element is perpendicular to the axis of the body 1 which forms an abutment against the wall 55.

Obviously, the quick-action fastening device according to the present invention may be mounted to any rigid or flexible object equipped with at least one passage such as 54. For example, the body 1 may be anchored at an angle defined by two bars of integral construction.

FIG. 17 shows by way of example the use of a quick-action fastener in conjunction with tying the lace 5 of a shoe 56. The lace 5 takes the place of the flexible element and can be tied in the shoe by threading it successively through the eyelets. In the transverse locking position, loss of the lace 5 from the eyelets of the shoe or boot is prevented.

Each end of a flexible element consisting of at least one strand can be secured to a respective body 1 (FIGS. 10, 26, 34).

Alternatively, a body 1 can be secured to one end of a flexible element, the other end of which is fixed to any object 57 (FIG. 11), for example, a button 58 (FIG. 31).

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, it is possible to use a flexible element formed by a flexible belt which may be narrower at each end. This construction is particularly suitable for forming a removable handle 59 for parcels such as 60 or for other objects.

In FIG. 30, the body is a rectangular parallelepiped and the flexible element is in the form of a flat belt 61 which is elastic and is articulated to the body 1 by a rivet 62.

As shown in FIG. 26, it is possible to mount on a flexible element, secured to the body 1 at one or both ends at least one intermediate body with two main slots 4 and 16 and two main windows 3 and 15. Each of these intermediate bodies forms an additional fastening

FIG. 36 shows a cylindrical part 74 which is adapted to be introduced into the part 70 and has one window 75 and one slot 76, arranged in a bayonet-type arrangement. Rotation of the part 74 in the part 70 causes the flexible element to be locked in the window 75 when the slot 76 is covered by the wall of the part 70.

FIG. 37 shows a modification in which the body 1 is formed by a tubular element 77 which is slotted at 14 throughout its length, and by two tubular members 78 and 79, slotted over their whole lengths at 80 and 81, respectively. The slot 81 and the member 79 are covered by the wall of the tubular element 77, while the slot 80 of the member 78 acts as main slot 4 and as main window 3 together with the inner edge of the member 79. Such slots 14 are shown also on the bodies 1 of the embodiments of FIGS. 62 to 67.

FIGS. 53 and 54 show an embodiment in which the flexible, and optionally elastic, element 5 has projecting parts 82 of triangular cross section regularly spaced along its length, and the body 1 has two rectangular passages 83 and 84 which, in one position, permit the free sliding movement of the flexible element 5 and in another position, offset from the first position by an angle of 90.degree., block the flexible element 5 by engaging two of its projecting parts 82.

In cases where the flexible element 5 has projecting or enlarged parts 29 (FIGS. 42, 44, 45, 46) or 82 (FIGS. 53, 54), the main slot 4 has an enlarged part, permitting the passage of the projecting portions 29 and 82 for locking the flexible element on the body 1.

The body 1 can be formed with an integral hook (FIGS. 23 and 55) or with an integral eyelet (FIG. 56). Different examples of external threading are shown in FIGS. 57 and 59, respectively.

In FIG. 25, the flexible element 5 is threaded through a sleeve through which passes a grubscrew for locking the element 25.

Claims

I claim:

1. A quick fastener comprising a body and at least one flexible strand element, said body having opposite ends and an internal bore for receiving one end of said flexible strand element, said bore being open at one of the ends of said body, said body having a window therethrough disposed intermediate the ends of the body and communicating with the internal bore, said body having a slot extending from said window to said open end of said body; the maximum cross section of said strand element being less than that of said window and the minimum cross section of said strand element being slightly more than the width of said slot; and mounting means for connecting one end portion of said strand element to said body.

2. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flexible element is also elastically extensible.

3. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is a substantially rigid body.

4. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 in which the body has the general shape of a rectangular parallelopiped.

5. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 in which the body is a unitary structure and includes a hook.

6. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 in which the body is a unitary structure and includes a ring or eyelet.

7. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 in which the mounting means for connecting the said flexible element to said body is constituted by integrally moulding the flexible element and the body.

8. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 in which the mounting means includes a shoulder formed inside said bore, the end of the flexible element to be connected to the body being provided with means for being retained by the said shoulder.

9. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 in which the said mounting means include a shoulder formed by a fixed transverse wall within the bore, at least one passage provided in this wall adapted to receive at least one strand of the flexible element, the end of the flexible element to be connected to the body being provided with means for being retained by the said shoulder.

10. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mounting means includes a tapped thread provided in the bore of the body, there being a threaded plug screwed into said thread, a shoulder on said plug, and at least one passage in said plug through which passes at least one strand of the flexible element the end of which is connected to the body.

11. A quick fastener as in claim 1 wherein said body is cylindrical and wherein said window is disposed midway between said ends.