U.S. patent number 3,922,455 [Application Number 05/401,084] was granted by the patent office on 1975-11-25 for linear element with grafted nibs and method therefor.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ingrip Fasteners, Inc.. Invention is credited to George C. Brumlik.
United States Patent |
3,922,455 |
Brumlik |
November 25, 1975 |
Linear element with grafted nibs and method therefor
Abstract
Linear elements such as filaments having grafted nibs are
disclosed. The grafted nibs are generally fibrils and/or scales
which can be flexible or rigid. The nibs can be randomly grafted
onto the linear element or they can be inclined or oriented in one
direction so as to offer relatively little resistance to
penetration into a material and greater resistance to pulling out.
The linear element with grafted nibs can be twisted or spun into a
yarn or it can be used as a yarn component. The linear element with
grafted nibs or a yarn thereof can be used as a non-slip thread, as
laces, and the like or they can be a component of woven and
non-woven articles. Also disclosed is a method for making the
linear elements having a plurality of nibs physically bonded
thereto. A substantially linear element such as a thread, a wire, a
monofilament, a yarn, a ribbon or the like is contacted with a
static or agitated mass of nibs thereby causing same to become
physically bonded to the linear element. If desired, the linear
element with nibs bonded thereto can be cut into discrete lengths
which can be used as gripping elements in the manufacture of a
multi-element self-gripping device for example.
Inventors: |
Brumlik; George C. (Montclair,
NJ) |
Assignee: |
Ingrip Fasteners, Inc.
(Montclair, NJ)
|
Family
ID: |
26945134 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/401,084 |
Filed: |
September 26, 1973 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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256068 |
May 23, 1972 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
428/85; 428/86;
428/372; 24/449; 428/100; 428/400 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B
18/0015 (20130101); Y10T 24/2767 (20150115); Y10T
428/2927 (20150115); Y10T 428/2978 (20150115); Y10T
428/23914 (20150401); Y10T 428/24017 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
A44B
18/00 (20060101); A44B 017/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;161/55,59,64,67,69,75,172,174-176,179,180,48,53 ;24/DIG.18,204
;2/DIG.6 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Van Balen; William J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Burgess, Dinklage & Sprung
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation application of my application
Ser. No. 256,068 filed May 23, 1973, now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Self-gripping device comprising a multiplicity of gripping
elements stiffly attached in an upright fashion to a base and
distributed over substantially the entire surface area thereof,
said gripping elements comprising discrete lengths of a linear
member having physically bonded thereto in relatively thick
profusion a plurality of scales rounded at one end and bonded at
the other end to said linear member with the ronded ends pointing
down towards said base, said scales being bonded to said linear
member in overlapping relation to one another so as to
substantially completely cover said linear member, said gripping
elements being adapted to penetrate and become lodged in a
receiving material.
Description
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to linear elements having grafted nibs in
relatively thick profusion and to a method for making same.
Most commercially available fibers, filaments and yarns are
smoothly continuous and lack lateral projections. This smoothness
imparts a lack of ability to resist motion within a medium of which
they are a part or through which they pass. The smooth nature of
commercial fibers, filaments and yarns including those made from
plastics, metal and glass makes possible relative motion in both
the forward and rearward directions along the longitudinal axis.
This smoothness also limits the effect of space which a fiber,
filament or yarn can occupy within a woven or non-woven
article.
SUMMARY
The present invention provides linear elements which overcome the
disadvantages of smooth fibers and filaments and which provide
advantages and capabilities not possessed by conventional fibers
and filaments.
The linear element of the invention comprises a substantially
linear element such as a thread, a wire, a monofilament, a yarn, a
ribbon or the like having physically bonded thereto in relatively
thick profusion a plurality of nibs such as fibrils and/or
scales.
According to the method of the present invention a substantially
linear element is contacted with a static or agitated mass of nibs
thereby causing same to become physically bonded thereto. The nibs
can be randomly bonded to the linear element or they can be
oriented in one direction. The linear element with nibs bonded
thereto can be cut into discrete lengths and in a preferred
embodiment these lengths are used as gripping elements to form
multi-element self-gripping devices which are also a part of the
present invention.
The linear element with grafted nibs offers numerous advantages
including an increase in bulk, resistance to motion due to the
ability of the linear elements to interlock and if desired a
preferential resistance to motion in one direction. Another
advantage of the present invention resides in the fact that the
linear element and grafted nibs can exist in an almost endless
variety of combinations with respect to material, relative size,
and shape, combinations of shapes, etc.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIGS. 1a-i are side elevational views broken away showing segments
of linear elements having fibrils and scales physically bonded
thereto according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view illustrating three ways in which
nibs can be physically bonded to a linear element.
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view illustrating a further way in
which the nib can be physically bonded to a linear element;
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating one embodiment of the
method of the invention wherein a linear element is coated with an
adhesive and thereafter contacted with a mass of nibs.
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating one way in which nibs
can be biased or oriented after being physically bonded to a linear
element.
FIGS. 6a and b are also diagrammatic views illustrating two further
ways in which nibs can be biased or oriented after being physically
bonded to a linear element.
FIGS. 7a-h are side elevational views illustrating several
embodiments for the nibs in the form of scales which can be
physically bonded to a linear element.
FIGS. 8a-m are side elevational views illustrating several
embodiments for the nibs in the form of fibrils that can be
physically bonded to a linear element.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a self-gripping device of
the invention utilizing a linear element with grafted nibs of the
invention cut into discrete lengths and attached in an upright
fashion to a base.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a self-gripping device
of the invention wherein discrete linear elements with grafted nibs
are flocked onto a base.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a self-gripping device of the
invention wherein discrete linear elements with grafted nibs are
tufted into a base.
FIG. 12 is a side elevational view illustrating embodiments of the
self-gripping device of the invention wherein a protective layer is
utilized therewith or a hybrid gripping surface is provided.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a further embodiment of
a self-gripping device of the invention.
FIGS. 14a and b are side elevational views of nibs that can be
utilized in the invention illustrating properties thereof and
bonding sites.
FIGS. 15a-c are cross-sectional views illustrating several ways in
which the nibs can be laterally oriented with respect to the linear
element.
FIGS. 16a-f are side elevational views illustrating various ways in
which an adhesive pattern can be applied to a linear element to
provide a pre-determined pattern for physically bonding nibs
thereto.
FIGS. 17a-c are side elevational views illustrating various ways in
which an adhesive can be selectively applied to a nib to
predetermine its bonding site with respect to a linear element.
FIGS. 18a-c are diagrammatic views illustrating various ways in
which a linear element with grafted nibs can be utilized as a
component of non-woven and woven materials and yarn;
FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic view demonstrating one way in which
linear elements with grafted nibs of the invention interlock with
each other and the conventionally smooth filaments.
FIG. 20 is a side view in elevation of a multi-element device with
a plurality of the pile elements of FIG. 8c attached upright to a
base.
DESCRIPTION
The term "nibs" is used herein to generically describe scales,
fibrils, piles, globules and the like or similar projecting or
protruding bodies that can be pointed and/or rounded and/or
uniformly or irregularly shaped. The edges of these bodies may be
blunt or sharp and if pointed they may be blunt or sharp.
Referring now to the drawing, linear elements 50 are shown in FIG.
1 and include a linear member 52 having physically bonded thereto
nibs 54 such as the fibrils illustrated in FIGS. 1 a-c or the
scales illustrated in FIGS. 1 d-i.
The linear members 52 can be made of metal, plastic or glass, or
composites of any of these, and can be in the form of a wire or
monofilaments as shown in FIGS. 1 a-c, h and i, a ribbon as shown
in FIGS. 1 d-f or yarn 56 as shown in FIG. 1 g. The nibs 54 can be
readily bonded to the member 52 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 c and f
or they can be oriented in one direction so as to lay nearly flat
against member 52 as illustrated in FIG. 1 a and d or they can be
oriented so as to be inclined or biased at any angle desired as
illustrated in FIGS. 1 b, e, g, h, and i.
The nibs 54 in addition to being oriented longitudinally can also
be oriented laterally with respect to the linear member 52 as
illustrated in FIGS. 15 a-c. The dotted lines surrounding the views
in FIG. 15 demonstrate several ways in which the grafted nibs can
greatly increase bulk without unduly increasing weight.
Referring now to FIG. 4, the elements 50 can be conveniently made
in a continuous fashion by passing a substantially continuous
linear member 52 through a mass of nibs 54, and in this
illustration the nibs 54 become physically bonded to member 54 by
reason of the adhesive coating 58 applied to the member 52 by
passing same through an adhesive band as shown before coated member
52 contacts the mass of nibs 54.
As the member 52 exits from the mass of nibs 54, the nibs 54 have
become physically bonded thereto by means of the adhesive coating
58. As illustrated in FIG. 4, nibs 54 can be randomly bonded to the
coated member 52. If desired, the member 52 with nibs 54 bonded
thereto can be post-treated by being passed through a variable
opening or gates which will orient the nibs 54 in one direction.
FIGS. 5 and 6 a-b illustrate several suitable arrangements for
orienting the nibs 54 utilizing pairs of gate members 60 or a
variable iris 60'. The pairs of gate members 60 and the iris 60'
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 can be used to obtain any desired
configuration in orienting the nibs 54. For example, the gates 60
or iris 60' can be periodically closed against member 52 or
repositioned or modulated with respect to member 52 to either
orient and/or to remove nibs therefrom at spaced intervals or to
create any desired oriented configuration as illustrated, for
example, in FIG. 6b and in the several views shown in FIGS. 1 and
15.
By removing nibs at spaced intervals and orienting the nibs that
remain inbetween and thereafter cutting the linear element,
corresponding members having biased nibs 54 attached at one end can
be obtained. Such a gripping element can be readily flocked onto a
base in a statistical arrangement as shown in FIG. 10 and described
in greated detail herein.
A unique feature of the present invention resides in the fact that
there is control over all elements of the invention making it
possible to produce an almost endless variety of linear members
with grafted nibs. For example, there is control over the selection
of the material, of construction, configuration, and or shape of
the linear member 52 and the nibs 54. There is also control over
the pattern in which the nibs 54 become physically bonded to the
member 52 as well as control over the site on the nibs 54 at which
they become bonded to the linear member 52. In addition, as
discussed above, there is control over the angular inclination of
the nibs 54 with respect to the member 52, both in the longitudinal
and lateral directions as well as the angular orientation of the
nibs 54 with respect to themselves.
In FIG. 14 a, for example, a nib 54 in the form of a longitudinal
scale is indicated as having bonding sites for attaching to the
linear member 52 at its end a, on its flat face b or anywhere on
its edge c. FIG. 17 illustrates how these bonding sites can be
predetermined for the nibs 54 by selectively applying an adhesive
coating 58 at any desired location on the nib 54 be it on the flat
face, near the end or anywhere on the edge as illustrated in FIGS.
17 a-c, respectively.
FIG. 14 b shows a nib 54 in the form of a fibril having bonding
sites at its ends a or anywhere inbetween for example at b as
shown. Thus the bonding site for fibrils can be predetermined by
the selective application of an adhesive in a manner similar to
that shown for the scale-like nibs shown in FIG. 17.
FIG. 16 illustrates several ways in which the pattern in which the
nibs 54 become bonded to the linear member 52 can be controlled by
the selective application of an adhesive to the linear member 52.
For example, an adhesive 58 can be selectively applied in a random
or uniform pattern to the member 52 using known printing, masking
or similar techniques in the form of strips, spots, spirals,
lengthwise stripes or a combination of lengthwise and lateral
strips as illustrated in FIGS. 16 a-f, respectively. In addition,
in FIG. 16 d the adhesive pattern can be formed from a combination
of helixes rotating in the same or opposite directions and they can
be further controlled to be in or out of phase to any controlled
degree.
Referring again to FIG. 4, the mass of nibs 54 can be static or
agitated, that is, kept in a constant state of motion. This can be
accomplished using flocking, electrostatic, pneumatic, and similar
means. For example, a vertical column can be used containing a
fluidized bed of nibs 54 and the linear member 52 passed upwards
through the fluidized bed. The nibs can be attached for example at
their ends parallel to each other using any of these
techniques.
FIG. 2 illustrates nibs 54 in the form of scales secured at 57 at
several sites on the nib 54 to the member 52 as well as to each
other in an overlapping relationship. FIG. 3 illustrates a nib 54
in the form of a scale fused at 57 to the linear member 52.
As shown in several views of FIG. 1, the nibs 54 can be smaller
than, equal to or larger than the diameter of the linear member 52.
According to the invention, the nibs 54 are spaced randomly or
uniformly in relatively thick profusion on the linear member 52. By
this it is meant that for a given use or application of the linear
element of the invention, there are sufficient numbers of grafted
nibs to enable the linear element to function in the manner
described herein. Thus the nibs are spaced in thick profusion
relative to the manner in which the linear elements are used.
FIGS. 7 a-h illustrate various shapes for the nibs 54 in the shape
of scales while FIGS. 8 a-m illustrate various shapes for the nibs
in the form of fibrils. As noted above, there is complete control
over the shape and characteristics of the nibs utilized and in this
regard it should be noted that the grafted nibs bonded to a
particular element may be all of the same type or may be a mixture
of different kinds of nibs. The majority of the nibs shown in FIGS.
7 and 8 are self-explanatory and with respect to the nib shown in
FIG. 7 e it can be added that the particular shape shown is
aerodynamic and such nibs will thus orient themselves when
pneumatically contacted and bonded to a linear member. This is
known as a canoeing effect that can be used to advantage in a
flocking process. FIGS. 8 g and h illustrate that the fibrils
themselves can be composite and functional in shape.
In FIGS. 8 c, i, j, k and l the particular configurations shown are
also pile self-gripping elements having at least one bridge or
connecting portion 80 which is capable of entering into
self-gripping engagement with a gripping element. These pile
elements can also have one or more gripping detents 82 and/or one
or more windows 84, and are especially useful by themselves for
flocking on a surface to form a highly functional multi-element
pile in addition to being grafted to a linear element as described
herein. The bridge 80 can be part of an open structure (FIG. 8c and
k) or it can be a window 84 (FIG. 8 j) or it can cross a
longitudinal loop dividing it into a plurality of windows 84 (FIG.
8 i) or it can be a crossing or meeting point (FIG. 8 l).
These pile elements can also be attached upright, for example by
flocking using known techniques, to a base or surface to form a
multi-element device. That is, in the case of the U-shaped element
of FIG. 8c having gripping detents at the ends thereof, half will
be flocked with the gripping ends down and the other half with the
ends up as shown in FIG. 20. The same is true for the configuration
of FIG. 8 j having a gripping detent at the end of a lateral
element joined to a closed loop. The symmetrical elements of FIGS.
8 k and l can have gripping detents at one or both ends and can
also be assembled into a self-gripping device. The longitudinal
loop pile of FIG. 8 i is symmetrical, non-irritating and is capable
of engaging gripping elements at various levels.
Referring again to FIG. 4, any suitable type of adhesive or
adhesive composition may be used to form the coating 58 shown in
FIG. 4 or the selective applications illustrated in FIGS. 16 and
17. Suitable adhesives include hot melted adhesives, solvent
activated adhesives, catalyzed room and elevated temperature
hardening polymer adhesives, air hardening adhesives and the
like.
Because the nibs and the linear element are initially formed
independently of each other, a desirable molecular or crystalline
orientation (e.g. axial or biaxial) can be obtained in either the
nibs or the linear element or in both. For example, the linear
element can be made of fiber forming linear polymers such as
polyolefins, polyester, polyamides, and the like, and axially
oriented while the nibs can be cut from axially oriented linear
elements made from metals, plastics, glass or composite
materials.
As noted in FIG. 3, it is possible to do away with an adhesive
coating or selective application and simply heat the linear member
52 so that the nibs 54 will fuse to it and bond upon contact. To
accomplish this the linear member and/or nibs must be made from a
material capable of fusing or sealing upon the application of heat.
Such materials include glass, plastics and metal. The linear member
may be heated and/or the nibs heated to cause fusion or sealing
upon contact. Heating can be accomplished by passing electrical
current through a conducting linear member, by means of
electromagnetic induction or by applying a secondary or external
heat source.
Also shown in FIG. 3 are nibs 54 which can be formed from molten
globules of metals, glass, and plastics. The globules can attach
themselves to a heated linear element 52 and can remain generally
spherical or they can be distorted while still pasty and soft to
form elongated or tear drop shapes as shown by passing the linear
element with globules attached through a viscous fluid or through a
mass of metal shot sand or the like or by directing a blast of gas
thereagainst.
In addition to the electrostatic and pneumatic means mentioned
above for agitating a mass of nibs, electromagnetic, ultrasonic,
vibratory, and electrical techniques may also be employed depending
on the nature of the linear member and/or the nibs.
In addition to or in place of gate member 60 shown in FIGS. 5 and
6, it is also possible to use a comb-like device or variable iris
(60' in FIG. 6 b) to conform or orient the nibs.
FIG. 9 illustrates a self-gripping device utilizing a plurality of
upright gripping elements 50, for example, as cut from the linear
member of FIG. 1 h and attached to a base 70.
In FIG. 10, flocked-on gripping elements 50 are attached to a base
member 16 utilizing known techniques and, due to the nature of the
flocking process, approximately half of the gripping elements are
attached lower end down and the remaining elements are attached
upper end down. However, because the gripping means are only
attached adjacent one end of the stem, there is no interference
with the self-gripping capabilities of the device.
In FIG. 11, gripping fibers 50, for example, any of those shown in
FIG. 1, are tufted into or on base 16 using conventional techniques
to form a plurality of gripping tufts 72 which can be uniformly or
randomly arranged on the base 16. Because the individual gripping
fibers 50 in the tufts 72 radiate in several directions,
self-gripping engagement can take place at several angles resulting
in cooperative or additive self-gripping action by the individual
fibers 50 in each tuft 72.
As indicated previously, the nibs 54 are physically bonded to the
member 52 by fusion, sealing or adhesively securing these gripping
members to the member 52. The member 52 may be a monofilament made
of natural or man-made fibers or it may be made of glass or metal
or a composite of any of these materials. It may also be made of a
plastic in the form of a thin rod or it may be a composite
including plastic. It may also be a dimensioned or textured
filament or trunk thread or yarn such as used for sewing, knitting,
weaving and the like. It is also possible to form the member 52 and
later make it rigid by fusion, adhesive coating, etc.
Nibs in the form of fibrils and scales such as shown in FIGS. 7 and
8 may be made of metal in the form of short segments of wire,
particles of foil or small shavings or other forms of fibrils or
scales. They may be additionally made of plastic, glass, ceramics
or a composite of the foregoing. The fibrils may be made from
monofilament which may be stretched and oriented, they may be made
from slit film or may be molded or extruded and cut to obtain any
desired shape or form. The scales such as those shown in FIG. 7 may
be cut from foil, cut from extruded forms, they may be punched,
photo etched or photo formed from sheet materials or an extruded
profile or they may be molded to obtain any desired shape or
texture. The scales or fibrils may be laminated so as to have a
shape which can be used as such or post-altered by mechanically,
physically or chemically treating the fibrils or scales before or
after physically bonding to the stem member 52. The fibrils and
scales may also be twisted into convaluted or spiral forms of any
desired hardness, pitch, convalutions and the like to obtain any
desired geometrical form. This is illustrated in FIG. 7 g'.
It is also within the scope of the present invention to utilize
nibs having particular physical and/or optical properties and two
or more such properties may be combined in a single nib as
suggested in FIGS. 14 a and b by the regions designated A and B.
Thus the nibs may have ferro-magnetic, ferri-magnetic,
antiferro-magnetic or piezoelectric properties. Linear elements
having grafted nibs with properties such as these can thus be
utilized as components in electronic devices.
The nibs used in the invention may also possess or have imparted
thereto physical and/or optical properties such as absorption,
reflection or dispersion of electromagnetic radiation resulting in
patterns of color flourecence, gloss, metallic sheen and other
properties valuable in electronics such as spectroscopy and other
instrumentation.
For example, a nib may have a predetermined pattern printed,
etched, or otherwise formed on its sufrace or edge or even
contained within its body. A magnetizable material such as barium
ferrite can be used in the linear member or the nibs.
Either opposite faces of nibs can contrast or differ in properties
and a flipping back and forth can result in a change which can be
interpreted as a memory unit for a computer or similar signal or
memory device. If the contrasts were in colors the linear element
would be one color when punched or stroked in one direction and the
opposite and different color when punched or stroked in the other
direction.
The linear elements made according to the method of the invention
as illustrated for example in FIG. 4 may be cut into gripping
elements which are suitable for use in multi-element self-gripping
devices as described herein by being attached in an upright fashion
to a base which may be a line, a sheet or a point.
The elements shown in FIG. 1 for example are especially useful in
forming asymmetrical self-gripping devices as are disclosed in
detail in my copending application Ser. No. 171,701 filed Aug. 13,
1971, now abandoned and in forming self-gripping devices having
L-shaped gripping elements according to my copending application
Ser. No. 186,874 filed Oct. 6, 1971, now abandoned.
The elements as shown in FIG. 1 may also be used in other areas,
for example as a component of fibers and fabrics, felts, filters,
packing and insulating materials, porous plastics and as a material
for reinforcing other materials such as plastics, plastic foams and
the like resulting in greatly increased properties of tension and
impact. FIG. 18 a illustrates a linear element with grafted
fibril-like nibs as a component part of a non-woven material while
FIG. 18 b shows a similar linear element incorporated into a woven
material and FIG. 18 c shows such a linear element incorporated
into a twisted yarn. FIG. 19 illustrates the way in which linear
elements of the invention with grafted nibs can interlock with each
other as well as with a smooth filament. This type of interaction
occurs, for example, in the various embodiments shown in FIG. 18.
It is also possible by virtue of the interaction demonstrated in
FIG. 19 to use the linear elements of the invention in waterless or
other techniques of paper manufacture as well as a magnetic binder
component.
A linear member with grafted nibs may also be used in sewing to
produce a material which has different coefficients of friction in
two directions. That is, a thread or lace would pull easier in one
direction as compared to the opposite direction due to the
orientation of the fibrils and/or scales physically bonded to the
linear element. It is obvious that depending on the use for the
elements as shown in FIG. 1 that they can range in size from
extremely small to relatively large. The fibrils and/or scales
attached to the member 52 may be ruffled or may be nearly flattened
against the member 52. It is also possible to inscribe a helical
pattern about the member 52 using a suitable tool to impose same.
It is also understood that any number of fiblrils and/or scales of
any varying size may be used in combination in the same element as
to provide varying properties, etc. Thus a single fibril or scale
may be used to form a somewhat homogeneous element or a hybrid
mixture can be used to cover a single member 52.
FIGS. 18 a-c illustrate various ways in which a linear element with
grafted nibs indicated generally by reference numeral 10 can be
incorporated into various structures with conventionally smooth
filaments and fibers 12. In FIG. 18a the element 10 is shown as a
component of a non-woven structure, in FIG. 18b as a component of a
woven structure, and in FIG. 18c as a component of a yarn.
FIG. 19 is a greatly enlarged view showing one way in which linear
elements with grafted nibs 10 interlock with each other and the
conventially smooth filaments 12.
Referring now to FIGS. 9-13, the self-gripping device of the
invention is shown to include a plurality of upright gripping
elements 50 stiffly attached in thick profusion or in relatively
close proximity to each other to a base such as a sheet or tape 70
shown in FIG. 9 or a disc-like patch or a linear element such as
the filament.
The term generally upright is intended to include gripping elements
inclined at an angle to the base for example from about 25.degree.
up to 90.degree.. In some instances, it is preferred to incline the
entire assembly of all the gripping elements at an angle relative
to the base to promote self-gripping action or for particular
applications for example where the self-gripping device is mounted
on a vertical surface. It should also be noted that a plurality of
gripping elements 50 such as shown in FIG. 9 for example, cooperate
in gripping a receiving material and effectively distribute the
force over a given area thus eliminating concentrations of stress.
Combinations of gripping elements which vary in shape and/or size
may also be utilized in the same device.
In FIG. 9-13, the upper ends of the gripping elements 50 can be
characterized as having a penetrating profile or shape to
facilitate penetration into a receiving material. This may be
accomplished by any of the shapes illustrated in FIG. 1. In
addition, flat stems can be cut at an angle or pointed, rounded or
otherwise shaped. In those instances, where skin irritation is to
be avoided, the upper end of the gripping elements 50 are
preferably rounded.
As indicated above, the self-gripping elements of the device of the
invention are adapted to penetrate and become lodged in a receiving
material. The device of the invention is especially useful with
receiving materials which comprises fibers, yarns, fibrils,
filaments or thin walled cells, webs or sheets.
Thus, the self-gripping device of the invention is particularly
adapted for self-gripping a wide variety of materials such as
woven, non-woven and knitted fabrics, fibers and fiber aggregates,
carpets, carpet-like materials, foamed rubber and plastics, felt,
wood, cork, sponge, animal and artificial fur and hair, feathers,
leather, paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, metal and plastic
mesh, filter sheets, expanded and perforated sheet materials and
composites of any of the foregoing.
The receiving material may also be a thin wall or lamina which is
capable of being penetrated or pierced by the gripping element such
as a sheet per se or an interior cellular wall; also included are
web-like structures having thinned out or localized areas capable
of being self-gripped. For example, such sheets can be a sheet with
densely punched holes relatively close to each other or expanded
sheets such as expanded metal.
Especially suitable receiving materials and structures are
disclosed in my copending applications Ser. Nos. 126,708 and
126,706, both filed Mar. 22, 1971, and Ser. No. 154,589, filed June
18, 1971.
Referring now to FIG. 12, a self-gripping device of the invention
comprising a sheet 16 and upright gripping elements 50 is shown in
self-gripping engagement with a receiving layer 20 which is shown
to be fibrous in nature for purposes of illustration.
In certain applications, it is desirable to utilize a receiving
layer such as that shown in FIG. 12 as a protective layer for the
gripping elements 10 which can be stripped off to prepare the
device for self-gripping engagement. The use of a protective layer
makes it possible to ship and handle the gripping device of the
invention without irritation to the user or premature self-gripping
engagement. The protective layer may have a thickness equal to less
than or greater than the height of the gripping elements 50. Such a
protective layer can be readily utilized with any of the various
embodiments of the invention such as those shown in FIGS. 9 through
13 for example.
It is also possible to use the receiving layer 20 as a component
part of the device of the invention. In this instance the layer 20
is made of a resilient material such as felt, carpets, carpet-like
materials, woven, non-woven and knitted fabrics and fibers, mats
made of monofilaments or staple fibers in parallel, braided or
random orientation, sponge, plastic and rubber foam and the like,
that remains in place over the gripping elements 50 forming what
can be called a hybrid self-gripping surface. The gripping elements
50 in this embodiment can extend below to or beyond the surface of
layer 20. Thus, when the layer 20 is compressed, the elements 50
are exposed and protrude out of the layer 20 and are then capable
of self-gripping engagement with a receiving layer or material or a
similar hybrid self-gripping device.
In FIG. 13, a receiving material 20 described above is attached to
the back of sheet 16 forming another hybrid type of device that can
loop around and self grip itself or be gripped by other
devices.
In general, the gripping elements are sufficiently stiff such that
they resist deflection which would otherwise prevent them from
penetrating and becoming lodged in a receiving layer or material.
It is also necessary that the gripping elements be sufficiently
stiffly attached to the base to enable the gripping elements to
enter into self-gripping engagement. Thus, the gripping elements
can be attached to a base by any suitable technique consistent with
the nature of the gripping element and the base. The base itself
can be fabricated from a wide variety of materials such as metal,
wood, plastics, glass, paper, cardboard, porous, woven and
non-woven materials and the like.
The gripping elements can be attached to the base by inserting the
lower ends in a sheet, patch or strip such as shown in FIG. 9
and/or by mechanically attaching the gripping elements using, hot
melt adhesives, tufting (as in FIG. 11), electrostatic and other
flocking process, fiber laying followed by cutting and bending up,
weaving, knitting, pulling out by needle felting, welding or heat
sealing techniques. The gripping elements 50 may also be attached
to base 16 in a staple-like fashion.
The gripping elements generally range in length from about 0.002 to
about 0.75 inch. It should be noted that extremely small gripping
elements can form the device of the invention and yet be invisible
to the naked eye.
Plastics for the linear member 52 and for the nibs include both
thermosetting and thermoplastic materials such as nylons,
propropylene, polyesters, polyamides, polyacetals, polysulfones,
polycarbonates, polyvinyl chlorides, polyethers, halogenated
polymers, phenolic and melamine resins and the like. The member 52
can have any desired cross-sectional shape such as round, oval,
flat and the like.
FIG. 20 illustrates a multi-element device formed by flocking the
pile element of FIG. 8 c onto a base 16. Because of the nature of
the flocking operation, the pile elements are attached in a
predetermined statistical fashion to the base such that half are
attached with the detents down and half are attached with the
detents up. Similar multi-element devices can be formed utilizing
the pile elements of FIGS. 8 b, i, j, k and l, for example.
The self-gripping devices such as shown in FIGS. 9-13 may be used
in a variety of ways to efficiently and quickly render virtually
any surface or article self-gripping. The device of the invention
can be readily used by individuals and commercial users to render
selected areas of articles or entire articles self-gripping such as
carpets, fabrics, felts, wall cladding materials, panels, tile,
sheets, fibers, decorative trim, and the like. The self-gripping
devices of the invention also find uses per se for example as
conveyor belts and material separators and as a teasel for raising
a nap on a woven or non-woven material.
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