Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Article holder attachable to apparel or body – Key ring holder
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-03
2001-06-12
Sandy, Robert J. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Article holder attachable to apparel or body
Key ring holder
C024S598600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243922
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to fasteners, specifically to a removable clasping fastener for reversibly linking two objects.
2. Description of Prior Art
Various fasteners have been developed which serve to reversibly attach items such as keys to a holder or central containment device, such as a key ring. Often the ring itself will allow removal of the item, such as in the case of a split-ring. In other configurations, an intermediary fastener is used to attach the item to the holder. The following is a discussion of these fasteners and their drawbacks:
All of the aforementioned fasteners are substantially produced by bending metal wire. This fabrication technology is relatively slow and expensive since each piece must be produced individually and features, such as depressions, cuts, and detents, must be done in separate steps. Because metal cannot be internally colored, colored devices in these geometries must be produced in a separate coating or anodizing step; this coating can chip or wear with time, leaving the device less than aesthetically pleasing and open to corrosive attack. Depending upon the type of metal used and the cross-sectional size of the wire, it may be possible to over-strain the fastener during use, resulting in permanent deformation. One device, depicted by RAWLINGS in U.S. Pat. No. 2,209,475 (1940), is unsuitable for directly attaching the object to the containment device and therefore must use an intermediary device, such as a chain and split-ring. Because the opening loop of all of these devices is essentially two-sided, all of these designs may unexpectedly open upon the application of the torsional or twisting force commonly seen during normal usage.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,342,078 to JONES (1944) avoids some of the problems encountered with metal wire by using a die-blanked and bent sheet metal geometry. Furthermore, this design teaches the use of three interdigitating arms in the opening loop to resist torsional forces. Although not made using wire, this device nevertheless requires at least two steps for production. Likewise, the use of metal is problematic for other reasons, such as the need for coating, potential for corrosion and deformation, and high tooling costs, as delineated above. The interdigitating 3-arm geometry provides improved torsional resistance; however, the two arms on one side of the loop are not connected except at the base and therefore might be prone to separation or permanent deformation under high loads. Finally, the non-opening loop of this fastener is substantially flat and narrow and therefore the potential arises during compression for this loop to pinch the key or other object to be attached, particularly when this fastener is small in size relative to the object.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are as follows: To provide an improved fastener, firstly, with the ability to be produced quickly and in large quantity from a variety of materials including thermoplastic or thermoset resins, sintered metal particles, or cast metals. Fillers can be used to enhance color, wear, lubricity, stiffness, flexibility, and other properties. Moreover, it is also be possible to use two compatible over-molded materials to enhance performance and/or appearance. Also, the use of high-volume production technology, such as injection molding, allows use of various ancillary features, such as stops, snaps, channels, detents and ridges, and allows application of molded-in images including alpha-numeric characters. Secondly, the fastener has good stiffness, support, and resistance to twisting forces. Thirdly, the possibility of overstressing is reduced during opening and assists in preventing pinching of the attached object.
Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1333655 (1920-03-01), Davis
patent: 1388100 (1921-09-01), Davis
patent: 1419408 (1922-06-01), Polhemus
patent: 1751458 (1930-03-01), Valkenburg
patent: 2209475 (1940-07-01), Rawlings
patent: 2342078 (1944-02-01), Jones
patent: 2840898 (1958-07-01), Yeo
patent: 3545049 (1970-12-01), Brueggeman
patent: 3599298 (1971-08-01), Anderson
patent: 3604066 (1971-09-01), Moon
patent: 3657909 (1972-04-01), Bozwell
patent: 3882573 (1975-05-01), Thomas, Jr.
patent: 4191038 (1980-03-01), Vaughn
patent: 5813262 (1998-09-01), Crumley
Dexterity, Inc.
Sandy Robert J.
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