Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Separable-fastener or required component thereof – Including member having distinct formations and mating...
Patent
1989-06-28
1991-09-24
Brittain, James R.
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Separable-fastener or required component thereof
Including member having distinct formations and mating...
24453, 24687, 24691, A44B 1700
Patent
active
050502794
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA
This application incorporates by reference U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,577,376, 4,646,399, and 4,409,706.
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to snap fasteners intended to connect together two or more members with which the fastener is associated.
2. Background of Invention
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,577,376, 4,646,399 and 4,409,706 disclose snap fasteners which represent substantial improvements over the conventional DOT.RTM. fastener, or any other commercially available snap fasteners. These improved fasteners essentially comprise a stud connected to one part and a grommet-like receiver connected to the other part, for example a fabric layer. The design of the stud is such that the receiver and stud may be snapped together and cannot be seperated unless a particular edge of the receiver is lifted relative to the stud. Experimentation has shown that several improvements in refining the design are desirable to make a more universally acceptable product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The snap fastener herein disclosed has a stud so designed that it will accept the receiver with either side "facing down" and wherein the receiver may be of various thicknesses (as when mounted on various numbers of fabric layers) and yet will lock the parts together with an audible and tactile snapping action. This is accomplished in one embodiment by a redesign of the receiver seats beneath the locking shoulder and retaining lobe. Both seats are substantially "opened up" as compared with the seats in U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,399 and the receiver seat beneath the locking shoulder is generally concave with a radius of curvature substantially greater than the radius of curvature of the confronting surface of a receiver whereby the stud will accommodate receivers of varying thickness or profile.
In another embodiment the stud has receiver seats capable of having multiple receivers mounted thereon. This has particular utility when it is desired to overlap the margins of two covers. For example in bringing together the edges of boat covers it may be desired to place the marginal edges over common studs.
In another improvment in the stud design, the base of the stud is provided with means for resisting rotation of the stud on the member, to which it is secured. Furthermore, the base of the stud may be configured to serve an orienting function not only in mounting the stud on the member to which it is to be permanently secured, but also in automatic handling machines during stud manufacture or application.
As disclosed herein, adapter means are shown permitting mounting of the stud on a cylindrical surface such as an awning frame or a stanchion and yet the stud will not rotate out of position thereon under conventional loading.
In a further improvement, the receiver is designed to have an inside diameter and profile independent of the attachment of the receiver to the fabric material upon which it is to be mounted, and also wherein the receiver may have a wear surface at its inside diameter different than the characteristics of the material of which the remainder of the receiver is fabricated. In this connection, the strength of the receiver i.e., distortion resistance, may be substantially improved without fabricating the entire receiver of different or stronger materials.
Details of the fastener design giving rise to these desirable advantages are more fully disclosed hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top or plan view of a snap fastener stud embodying the invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the stud looking in the direction of arrow 2 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the stud of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the stud of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a side elevation similar to FIG. 3 and showing a receiver mounted thereon with an exaggerated outline of receivers of varying thickness in relation to the stud;
FIG. 7 is a side elevation similar to FIG. 3 but showing five planes extending from the center of curvature of the
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Burton Ralph M.
Chandrupatla Tirupathi R.
Nemazi John E.
Brittain James R.
Snap Fast Industries
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