U.S. patent number 3,586,220 [Application Number 04/784,605] was granted by the patent office on 1971-06-22 for strip fastener for holders.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Cobbs Manufacturing Company. Invention is credited to Adolph Reinsberg.
United States Patent |
3,586,220 |
Reinsberg |
June 22, 1971 |
STRIP FASTENER FOR HOLDERS
Abstract
A pressure sensitive fastener is disclosed herein having a first
strip and a second strip formed from a single extruded sheet of
resilient and flexible plastic composition having a plurality of
elongated ribs projecting outwardly in fixed parallel relationship
from the surface of each strip. The strips being adapted to be
pressed into interlocking releasable engagement whereby the ribs of
both strips are intermeshed in gripping relationship. The strips
are secured at one end to the opposite ends of a holder so that
when the strips are fastened together, the holder is retained on a
supporting structure.
Inventors: |
Reinsberg; Adolph (Miami,
FL) |
Assignee: |
Cobbs Manufacturing Company
(Des Moines, IA)
|
Family
ID: |
25132975 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/784,605 |
Filed: |
December 18, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/221; 40/665;
24/584.1; 24/DIG.39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B
18/0053 (20130101); A44C 5/0015 (20130101); Y10T
24/45152 (20150115); Y10S 24/39 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A44B
18/00 (20060101); A44C 5/00 (20060101); A44c
005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;24/201.2,204 ;40/21B
;224/28--28.9 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,176,188 |
|
Nov 1958 |
|
FR |
|
1,313,692 |
|
Nov 1952 |
|
FR |
|
119,102 |
|
Sep 1918 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Forlenza; Gerald M.
Assistant Examiner: Werner; Frank E.
Claims
What I claim is:
1. An enclosure for sheet material adapted to be retained on a
supporting structure comprising:
a holder having an interior cavity for storing the sheet
material;
strap means integrally secured to opposite ends of said holder and
adapted to encircle the supporting structure so as to be retained
thereon;
said strap means comprising a pair of elongated strips of resilient
and flexible plasticlike composition, each strip having a plurality
of rib elements projecting outwardly from one side thereof in
spaced-apart relationship whereby said strips are adapted to be
pressed together to interlock said rib elements in releasable
securement;
each of said rib elements terminates in a substantially enlarged
bead extending along the length thereof;
each of said rib elements includes a root portion integrally formed
with a base layer common to all of said rib elements associated
with a selected strip;
said root portion being formed with parallel sidewalls extending
between said base layer and said bead;
said bead being relatively wedge-shaped in cross section having a
tip and diverging surfaces extending therefrom to define a pair of
side lobes on opposite sides of said bead wherein the height of
said wedge-shaped bead and the width of said bead being less than
the distance between opposing root portions of adjacent ones of
said ribs; and
the separation of said interlocked rib elements is effected by
lateral displacement of said strips with respect to each other
whereby said beads are forced out of communication with each other
on both of said strips
2. An enclosure for sheet material adapted to be retained on a
supporting structure comprising:
a holder having an interior cavity for storing the sheet
material;
strap means integrally secured to opposite ends of said holder and
adapted to encircle the supporting structure so as to be retained
thereon;
a first and a second extruded, elongated, resilient and flexible
strip;
each of said strips being provided with a plurality of integrally
formed ribs arranged in fixed parallel spaced-apart relationship on
one side thereof across the width of each of said strips along the
entire length thereof;
each rib of said plurality terminating in a substantially thickened
or enlarged bead extending along the length thereof;
each of said ribs includes a root portion integrally formed with a
base layer common to all of said ribs associated with each one of
said first and said second members respectively;
said root portion formed with parallel sidewalls extending between
said base layer and said bead;
said bead being relatively wedge-shaped in cross section having a
tip and diverging surfaces extending therefrom to define a pair of
side lobes on opposite sides of said bead, wherein the height of
said wedge-shaped bead and the width of said bead being less than
the distance between opposing root portions of adjacent ones of
said ribs;
said first strip and said second strips being adapted to be
manually pressed together so that said beads of one strip
releasably lock with said beads of the other strips; and
wherein
the separation of said locked strips is effected by lateral
dislodgement of said strips with respect to each other whereby said
beads are slidably urged out of communication with each other on
both of said strips.
3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein
the length of said sidewalls is at least twice the vertical depth
dimension of said thickened portion so that a substantial gap
surrounds said thickened portion when said thickened portions are
pressed between adjacent ribs.
4. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein
the area between adjacent ones of said ribs constitutes a
receptacle for insertably receiving said beads carried by the other
of said strips; and wherein
said receptacle is substantially formed as a rectangle in cross
section having dimensions substantially greater than the dimensions
of said bead so as to permit lateral sliding disengagement of said
strips when said strips are moved in opposite directions
respectively.
5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein
the height of said root portion is 0.050 of an inch and the height
of said bead is 0.015 of an inch with a width of 0.042 inches.
6. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein
said bead is defined between a pair of edges extending along the
opposite sides thereof;
each of said edges being in communication with the opposite
sidewalls of said root portions respectively by a flat surface
normal to its associated sidewall; and
said pair of edges being in communication via a shaped surface
constituting the top of said bead.
7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein
said shaped surface is characterized by a pair of converging
surfaces extending from each of said edges to merge together in a
point.
8. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein
said shaped surface is characterized by a rounded surface extending
between said opposite edges.
9. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein
said bead is substantially arrow-shaped in cross section having
opposite parallel edges separated by said root portion and said
opposite edges being in communication with the opposite sidewalls
of said root portion so as to define a pair of barbs.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of fasteners and, more
particularly, to a novel fastener of the strip or tape type whereby
a pair of closure members carried on an article may be simply
pressed together to effect a releasable connection therebetween to
retain the article on a support or base.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Man's improved technology has wrought tremendous advantages in many
fields, but little has been done in the field of fabricating simple
and inexpensive releasable fasteners having a variety of uses and
applications. Fasteners are presently being fabricated by
conventional methods and to standards which have been in use for
many years. For this reason, a tremendous amount of expense and
labor goes into the creation of fasteners, whether it be for
commercial use or for industrial purposes. Improvement in fastener
techniques which are permitted by modern technological approach and
conceptual improvement can readily reduce the cost of fabricating
such devices and make them more durable by the use of modern
materials such as plastics.
Conventional strip or tape fasteners take the form of tacky,
adhesive tapes or in more recent years, a tapelike two member
fastener known in the trade by the trademark VELCRO. The Velcro
fastener is sometimes referred to as a hook and pile tape wherein
the pile member consists of a group of relatively fine fibers and
the mating hook member consists of spaced, upstanding hook element
which when the fastening members are pressed together, the fibers
are held together by the hooks and considerable force is required
to disconnect the members.
However, disadvantages and problems have been encountered when
employing such conventional tapes which stem largely from the fact
that tacky substances employed with adhesive tapes sometimes cause
irritation when used in connection with articles located near the
surface of a person's skin and generally lack the capability to be
used repeatedly without the adhesive losing its holding strength.
The hook and pile type fasteners are considered to be relatively
expensive to manufacture since two separate members must be
produced to effect a releasable fastener and secondly, oftentimes
the skin of a user is extremely sensitive to the fine fibers and
upstanding hook elements. Also, the hook and pile tape may readily
become inadvertently attached to each other or caught on other
materials during the course of securing garments or the like and
also, considerable pressure must be employed to securely fix the
members together to effect positive fastening.
Another attempt to provide a suitable pressure closable fastener is
disclosed in U.S. Letters Pat. No. 3,325,084 which shows an
interlocking relationship between pressed together ribs in such a
manner that spaces or voids between adjacent ones of the ribs are
avoided. When pressed together, the fastener construction is solid
and in fact, the adjacent ribs are compressed so that internal
expandable forces are encountered during use that have a tendency
to forcibly urge the ribs away from each other resulting in an
undesired separation of the closure elements. Once a single rib
commences to leave its mating groove, the next rib in the series
initiates a similar separation from its mating groove and so forth
along the length of the strip. Such a separation is difficult to
avoid since the configuration of the groove is identical to the
configuration of the rib so that complete conformity and matching
results when the rib is pressed into the groove.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a novel type of band or strip pressure sensitive
fastener can be fabricated from a single specially configured sheet
which, when cut into strips, will provide both members to comprise
a releasable fastener having positive fastening characteristics.
Plastic materials are currently being used in modern technology for
numerous products because of the many advantageous features and
benefits which are inherent in the employment of such materials.
Fabrication from such materials greatly reduces the cost of
fastener manufacturing, increases the versatility of fastener
applications, and is suitable for mass production techniques.
Particular application for this novel fastener is found in the soft
goods trade as well as in many industrial applications. In the soft
goods field, particular use has been found in utilizing the strip
fastener for hair-do protection nets, dresses, children's clothes,
men's caps, shoes and so forth, and for industrial use, in such
fields as upholstery, carpeting and the like. The fastener of the
present invention is adapted to be pressed together in locking
relationship in the most convenient position to effect fastening
since it is not necessary to line up male and female members such
as is necessitated by snaps or other types of fastening devices or
to select the nearest buckle opening in a strap and buckle
fastening arrangement.
The strip fastener of the present invention, in general, includes
an elongated first and second member composed of a plasticlike
material which provides resiliency and semiflexibility to the
fastener and which members are identical in contour and
composition. Each of the members are provided with a plurality of
integrally formed ribs arranged in fixed parallel spaced
relationship across the width of the members along the entire
member length. Each rib of the plurality of particularly formed to
terminate in a substantially enlarged bead or thickened headcap
which extends along the length of the rib. Therefore, a semirigid
fastener can be effected by pressing the first member and the
second member together so that the enlarged beads of each member
releasably lock with each other between the spaced-apart ribs. The
strip fastener may be easily secured to various articles of
merchandise by either sewing, stapling or high-speed bar tacking,
for example.
In one form of the invention, a certificate holder is provided by
heat sealing the peripheral edge marginal regions together of a
pair of plastic sheets and securing a length of the strip fastener
to the opposite ends thereof. The holder may be retained onto a
supporting structure, such as an automobile steering column, sun
visor or the like by wrapping the strip fasteners around the
structure and securing the opposing ends together by employing
finger pressure.
Inasmuch as the strip fastener of the present invention lends
itself to fabrication from various plasticlike materials, modern
forming techniques, such as molding and especially profile
extrusion, may be employed to manufacture the members which
comprise the fastener. A single sheet or layer may be profile
extruded employing the conventional slot-die method whereby the
forcing of plastic material through a suitably shaped orifice under
compressive forces is effected to produce a single ribbed sheet.
The ribbed sheet may now be severed or cut into individual strips
which form the mating members of the strip fastener.
Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to
provide a novel strip fastener which is semirigid and wherein the
fastener members to be joined are identical in shape and material
and which may be fabricated from a single extruded or molded
sheet.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel strip
fastener of the class described wherein fine adjustment of the
fastener closure members can be effected so as to size or fit in a
manner more precisely achieved than can be effected by employing
such conventional fasteners as zippers, buttons, snaps or the
like.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel
strip fastener which may be fabricated from plasticlike materials,
particularly silicone, wherein the closure members are of identical
shape and composition and which has the ability to effect positive
closure upon the application of pressure to join the closure
members.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel
strip fastener which may be composed of solid flexible material
such as plastic, synthetic rubber, rubber or the like wherein a
pair of closure members which are identically configured may be
pressure locked into closing relationship so that the closure
members may be readily assembled and disassembled repeatedly
without damaging the closure members or effecting wear thereon.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a
novel strip fastener which may be fabricated from a suitable
plastic material by modern forming techniques such as profile
extrusion or pressure molding so that the fastener may be
fabricated by employing mass production techniques.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel
strip fastener composed of plastic material which includes a simple
interlocking mechanism for releasably securing a pair of closure
members which lends itself to a variety of applications and usages
wherein the fastener may be secured to other fabrics or materials
by sewing, stapling, high-speed bar tacking or the like. In
particular, the invention lends itself to a variety of fastener
applications as employed in the soft goods or merchandising
field.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a
novel strip fastener having separable closure members having
identical material composition and configuration which is easy to
manufacture, convenient to assemble and disassemble and which is of
sufficient rigidity to be secured on various materials.
Another object of the present invention resides in providing a
novel holder for sheet materials such as certificates utilizing a
pair of alternately ribbed and grooved closure strips carried on
opposite ends of the holder and adapted to encircle a supporting
structure in interlocking relationship to retain the holder on the
structure.
Another object of this invention is to provide a novel holder
having strip fastener closures having one set of opposing ends
fixedly secured to opposite ends of the holder and another set of
opposing ends adapted to be releasably connected together.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of the present invention which are believed to be
novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The
invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation,
together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be
understood by reference to the following description, taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the novel certificate holder
incorporating the strip fastener means of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the holder shown in FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the holder shown in
FIG. 2 as taken in the direction of arrows 3-3 thereof;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a profile extrusion apparatus
illustrating a sheet or layer being continuously extruded therefrom
from which closure members forming the strip fastener of the
present invention may be made;
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, greatly enlarged, of the novel
strip fastener of the present invention illustrating a portion of
the closure members locked together and a portion thereof
illustrated in an intermediate position prior to assembly or
disassembly of the closure members and still a further portion of
the closure members shown as being completely separated;
FIG. 6 is an elevational view of a typically spaced rib formation
employed in the configuration of FIG. 5 and showing dimensional
characteristics of a successful embodiment; and
FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged sectional views of a strip fastener in
accordance with the present invention illustrating the heads of the
closure members thereof having a modified configuration from that
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a novel holder is illustrated in the
direction of arrow 10 which is particularly suitable for enclosing
and protecting a sheet of material such as an auto registration
certificate. However, it is to be understood that the holder may be
used to hold or retain other subject matter for other purposes. For
clarification, the showing of a sheet such as a certificate has
been omitted.
The holder 10 comprises a pair of flat sheets 11 and 12 having
their peripheral edge marginal regions secured together so as to
provide an enclosed area between their opposing surfaces adapted to
receive and hold an inserted sheet such as the aforementioned auto
registration certificate. In order to display printed indicia or
other characters, a selected one of the sheets, such as front sheet
11, is formed with an enlarged central opening 13 behind which a
sheet or layer 14 of transparent material is carried. The
peripheral edge marginal regions of the transparent layer 14 are
suitably secured or bonded to the edge marginal region of sheet 11
defining the central opening. Preferably, the transparent layer is
carried on the back side of sheet 11, as shown in broken lines in
FIG. 2, so its edges are not exposed exteriorly of the holder.
The pair of sheets 11 and 12 are rectangular in configuration and
include integrally formed attachment portions 15 and 16 located at
the opposite ends of the holder for carrying the strip fastener of
the present invention. The fastener comprises closure members 17
and 18 having one of their ends secured to each of the attachment
portions 15 and 16, respectively. The major length of the closure
members extends freely away from the body of the holder and is
adapted to be wrapped or disposed around a supporting structure,
such as an auto steering column or sun visor on which the holder is
intended to be mounted. Such structure is indicated in broken lines
by numeral 20 in FIG. 1. The free ends of the closure members are
joined together as indicated by numeral 21 to complete the
encirclement of the structure 20.
Surfaces 22 and 23 of the closure members 17 and 18, respectively,
are smooth and void of projections or irregularities; however,
surfaces 24 and 25 of the members are formed with alternate ribs
and grooves as will be more fully described with reference to FIGS.
5--7 inclusive. In order that member surfaces 24 and 25 oppose each
other for securement, the irregular surface 24 of member 17
constitutes a portion of the inside diameter for structure
encirclement while smooth surface 23 of member 18 constitutes the
remaining portion of the inside diameter of the joined closure
members.
In FIG. 2, a corner of the holder is broken away to expose the
opening 13 in front sheet 11 and a portion of the transparent layer
14. A feature of the invention resides in forming the back sheet 12
with an elongated, linear slot 26 through which access to the
storage area between the opposing surfaces of the sheets may be
gained. Sheet material to be held by the holder is inserted or
slipped through the slot 26 and maneuvered into place between the
sheets.
Preferably, the pair of sheets 11 and 12, closure members 17 and 18
and transparent layer 14 are composed of plastic materials so that
joining of the respective components as previously described can be
achieved by employing adequate heat and pressure to assure
bonding.
Referring in detail to FIG. 4, an extruder is shown in the general
direction of arrow 30 as a means by which a sheet or layer,
indicated in the direction of arrow 31, may be formed and from
which the closure members 17 and 18 of the present invention may be
fabricated. It is to be understood from the onset that the closure
members of the strip fastener of the present invention may be
composed of any suitable plastic material such as may be
represented by polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, vinyl, silicone
or any other plasticlike material such as synthetic rubber or the
like, which results in a semirigid and flexible layer or sheet. In
fabrication, preparation of the plastic feed stock is achieved by
compounding and mixing, followed by formation of the sheet or
layer, then drying and conditioning the formed sheet, after which
finishing may take place.
The prepared plastic feed stock is introduced into the extruder 30
by placing the stock in a suitable hopper or chamber (not shown)
and then compressing the material by a hydraulically operated ram
(not shown). The opposite end of the chamber contains a die 32,
preferably of steel composition, having an orifice or slot
indicated by numeral 33 configured after the desired shape.
Inasmuch as the die orifice or opening is the path of least
resistance for the material under pressure, the material in effect,
squirts out of the opening 33 as a continuous sheet 31 having the
same cross-sectional shape as the die opening.
By employing the slot-die method of profile extrusion, dies having
openings of as little as 0.005 inch and width up to 72 inches may
be used, for example. The plastic material emerges from the die in
the form of a hot sheet which must be cooled rapidly when
thermoplastic materials are used. Employing this method, sheet
thickness may vary from 0.005 to 0.250 inches so that a variety of
sheet thicknesses can be produced. Extrusion pressures and speed
may vary considerably depending upon the size and shape of the
sheet sections and the mechanical properties of the material
composition. It is also to be understood that thermal setting
plastics may be employed to produce the present invention as well
as thermoplasts in which case, the extruded sheet is heated to set
up for curing as opposed to subjecting the sheet to cooling as when
thermoplastic composition is employed. Furthermore, any desired
color may be employed depending upon the type and kind of plastic
material utilized.
By employing the profile extrusion method described above, the
continuous sheet 31 is produced from which strips, such as strip
34, may be cut or severed therefrom so that a relatively
inexpensive fastener of the present invention can be constructed.
It is to be particularly noted that the strip 34 in the drawings as
well as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5--8 are greatly enlarged
from the actual size of the strip fastener as actually fabricated.
The enlargement of strip 34 and the versions thereof, are
intentionally enlarged to more clearly illustrate and describe the
present invention.
Each closure member 17 and 18, as illustrated in FIG. 5 comprises,
in general, a base layer 35 having a plurality of ribs 36
integrally formed on one side thereof in space parallel
relationship with respect to adjacent ribs extending across the
width of the strip along its entire length. The fastener comprises
a pair of closure members as illustrated in FIG. 5 by numerals 17
and 18. Each of the elongated ribs of the plurality comprises a rib
leg or web section 37 which projects outwardly above the one side
of the base layer or sheet 35 and that terminates in a thickened
rib cap or bead 38. Each of the ribs is spaced apart from ribs
located on either of its adjacent sides for a specific distance so
as to provide a receptacle or groove or space therebetween capable
of receiving a rib carried by the other closure member. The root of
each rib leg as it is integrally formed with the base layer 35 when
taken in combination with adjacent rib leg roots provides in
cooperation with the rib cap or bead 38 a shaped receptacle or
groove into which the ribs carried on the second closure member may
be received. In other words, when the pair of closure members are
joined, an interlocking relationship is effected that requires
positive disengaging force to separate or strip the closure members
from each other. Inasmuch as the closure members are composed or
resilient and flexible material, the thickened caps of the ribs may
be forced between adjacent ribs of the mating closure member so
that when the beads of one member are compressed to pass the beads
carried by the second member, they are free to expand into the
enlarged receptacle space provided adjacent the rib leg roots and
the sheet or base layer 35. In order to force the ribs of one
closure member into the spaces between the ribs of the second
closure member, it has been found that finger pressure is
sufficient to effect the locking relation of the respective ribs
carried by both closure members.
To close the fastener, the pair of closure members are so arranged
that the elongated ribs of one member are disposed between adjacent
ribs carried by the second closure member whereby positive
compressive force is applied to the closure members to forcibly
urge the thick cap or bead portions of the rib into the receptacles
formed on the opposite closure member between adjacent ribs. To
effect release of the fastener, it is preferred to strip one member
from the other member, such as by pulling one member from one of
its ends. In a typical application or installation, the closure
member 17 may be suitably secured to one piece of fabric or
material while closure member 18 may be suitably fastened to a
second piece of fabric or material which is intended to be
releasably secured to the first-mentioned piece of material.
Inasmuch as the strip fastener is elongated, having a plurality of
individual interlocking elements such as the ribs and receptacles
of the closure members, critical indexing between the closure
members is avoided and made unnecessary. In effect, a single rib on
one closure member and the space provided between two adjacent ribs
on the second closure member will effect an interlocking
relationship between the two members. By repeating this simple
locking feature in the form of an elongated strip, multiple and
identical locking elements are provided so that fine adjustments to
size or fit can be accommodated as well as to provide flexibility
of adjustment.
Each rib 36 includes a rib leg or web section 37 which is of
substantially equal thickness throughout its length from its root
which integrally forms with the layer 35 to its terminating end
formed with a specially designed bead or headcap 38. The cap 38
takes the general form of a wedge which includes a blunt end 39
diverging rearwardly towards the layer 35 and terminating in
opposite side lobes 40 and 41 with elongated straight edges 42 and
43 on either side of the rib leg 37. Between the opposite edges 42
and 43, the cap or bead is crowned with an arcuate curvature.
The plurality of ribs 36 are separated in parallel spaced
relationship from each other for a distance greater than the
cross-sectional width of the wedge-shaped cap 38 so that when a rib
associated with the second closure member, such as indicated by
numeral 17, is forcibly urged between adjacent ribs associated with
strip 18, a substantially loose but interlocked connection is made
which permits the wedge-shaped cap 38 associated with member 17 to
freely move within the receptacle space separating adjacent ribs
carried by the strip 18. As is indicated in broken lines, the depth
of the receptacle provided between the adjacent ribs as well as the
width of the receptacle of strip 18 permits the interlocking rib
carried by strip 17 to freely move therein. Such freedom is
sometimes desirable in those instances where either through choice
of materials or the particular application to which the strip
fastener is being applied, the interlocking elements may work
themselves loose, such as may be encountered in fastener
applications where various stresses and strains may be carried into
the fastener by the supporting fabric or material to which the
closure members are attached.
To illustrate the relative size and distance relationship between
the various elements of each closure member, the following
dimensions are given for purposes of example in connection with
FIG. 6, and it is to be understood that these dimensions may be
changed substantially without departing from the spirit and scope
of the present invention. Each closure member comprising the strip
fastener may be 31/2 inches long and perhaps 1/2 inch wide. The
thickness of the layer 35 may be in the order of 0.015 inch and the
width of the wedge head 38 may be 0.042 inches with a distance
between centers of adjacent ribs being approximately 0.090 inches.
The distance from the bottom flat surface of the layer 35 to the
terminus of the rib leg including the cap may be in the order of
0.050 inches and the total height of the closure member from one
side of the strip to the blunt nose 39 of the rib may be in the
order of 0.065 inches. The radius of the arcuate curvature may be
about 0.018 inches. From the foregoing dimensions, it can be
appreciated that the strip fastener of the present invention may be
made very small and compact and that the profile extruding process
briefly described above is ideally suited to the manufacture of
such fasteners.
Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG.
7 in which the wedge cap has been modified to provide an arrow or
triangular configuration as indicated by numeral 50. The apex 51
slopes rearwardly to terminate in opposite straight edges 52 and
53. The tapered configuration assists in forcing the wedge heads of
the ribs past the ribs carried on the opposing strip. However, the
flat undersurface of the heads resist disassembly. FIG. 8
illustrates another embodiment modified to the extent that barbs 54
and 55 are formed in cap 38 so that separation of opposing ribs is
resisted to prevent inadvertent unlocking.
Although profile extrusion employing the die-slot method is
preferred, other forming processes and techniques may be employed
such as pressure molding, for example. In addition to employing
these relatively inexpensive techniques for manufacturing the
fastener, added economies are attributed to the fastener of the
present invention since the two closure members are identical in
shape and form so that once the sheets have been formed, no further
alteration, modification, assembly or processing is required other
than the step of cutting the closure members to overall dimension
and size.
The materials used are available in all colors to match high style
materials used in the manufacture of wearing apparel accessories.
This feature is not easily achieved in many other kinds of
fasteners, even those used for the above. The material in this
invention can be in fine pastel colors, such as pink, orchid,
yellow and so forth, or in deeper colors such as jewel tones and
ordinary black and white.
The fastener of this type is easy to separate by laterally
displacing the strips with respect to each other, which is the
normal way a user would disengage it. Yet it is difficult to lift
directly off or disengage in other ways than by sliding the ribs
out of their grooves as the strips are moved in opposite
directions. Disengaging by lifting or pulling longitudinally is
surprisingly difficult because the fastener is almost always fitted
flat against a person if used for wearing apparel, laid flat on a
cushion if used for upholstering, or fitted flat against supporting
structure such as an auto steering column. The invention is not
intended for heave duty fastening such as for machinery,
appliances, metals, wood or durable goods of any kind. On the
contrary, it is intended primarily for soft goods. Flexibility of
fitting effects economies in the manufacture of clothing, headwear,
and women's and children's wearing apparel. A headwear
manufacturer, in many instances, instead of making a different size
to fit each person may manufacture one size which is adjustable by
means of the present strip fastener to fit all head sizes.
As a holder for storing sheet material, such as a certificate, the
strip fastener may be placed around supporting structure so as to
encircle the structure and to be carried thereon. Other forms of
sheet material may be displayed in the holder such as advertising
subject matter or the like. The entire holder and strap means may
be fabricated from plastic materials and all joints or securement
for assembly purposes may be readily achieved by heat-sealing
techniques.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been
shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art
that changes and modifications may be made without departing from
this invention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in
the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications
as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.
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