Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Processes – Filling preformed cavity
Patent
1997-04-22
2000-03-07
Callo, Laura A.
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Processes
Filling preformed cavity
5274506, 52 63, 528001, 52222, 135 96, 1351203, 135119, 135117, 160382, 160383, 160395, 160380, 160403, 24462, F16B 222, F16B 506, E04H 1564, B63B 1702
Patent
active
060324333
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a fastening device for securing sheets of materials for applications such as construction of canopies or other structures. Fastening means for use in the method are also the subject of the invention.
Canopies, for example, may be used for many applications, for example in the automotive, canvas, building and gardening industries. Canopies may, however, find application in other fields of endeavour.
In the boating area, canopies are individually produced for each boat or launch because of their different shapes and sizes. The effect of this is that such canopies are time consuming and costly to produce.
Another problem arises in that where the canopy consists of several sections, the fastening of these sections together may cause problems. Where a fastening material such as "velcro", for example, is used as the fastening means, the "velcro" may become worn very quickly and therefore the canopy may only be of use for a certain period of time shorter than the durability of the material constituting the section would dictate. In addition, it is desired to fasten the sheets together in a neat and tidy manner. For this reason, "velcro" is also undesirable. That is because it is generally difficult to fasten each sheet along a neat line. As a result, and no matter what the effort expended to provide a neater job, the finished product will still look somewhat untidy.
A construction such as this has been disclosed in Australian patent No. 616995. In that patent, there is disclosed a boat or launch canopy construction which comprises at least two sections. Each section is of a weather protective flexible sheet material which has a longitudinal edge zone arranged to extend generally in the longitudinal direction of the boat or launch when the canopy is erected thereon. Each section has a releasable surface fastening means secured to each edge zone along substantially the length thereof. This fastening means is adapted to interact to secure the edge zones together when the respective surface fastening means are in an overlaying contact. Importantly, the fastening means on one edge zone is wider than that on the other edge zone to enable selective assembly of the sections together with a range of degree of overlap to provide a range of canopy widths.
The surface fastening means in that patent is specifically of a surface fastening material such as "velcro". As noted above, "velcro" is a material that wears easily and it is difficult to obtain a neat securement of the edge zones together when such a fastening material is used.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for securing flexible sections or securing such sections together that is both durable and adjustable. In such a manner, canopy constructions, for example; may be produced and assembled in a range of sizes and styles in a quick and inexpensive manner from a limited stock of parts.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fastening device for adjustably securing a flexible sheet comprising a first fastening component having a recess formed therein, a portion of said flexible sheet being secured in said recess by cooperation of a second fastening component with said first fastening component after location of said portion in a desired position relative to the recess.
Conveniently, the portion of the sheet is accommodated within the recess and then secured therein by securable positioning of the second fastening component within the recess.
The fastening components may be made detachable to achieve adjustment of the flexible sheet portion within the recess though this is not essential. For example, it may be desirable to leave an excess of flexible sheet material in order to allow variable tensioning of the flexible sheet. Alternatively, the sheet may form a section that is to be used for various applications requiring various sizes of sections to be constituted by the flexible sheet. Sections for use in canopies fall into this category. Therefore, the fastening device
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