CA1086027A - Filamentary string fastener - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A fastener e.g. for attaching tags to merchandise formed by an elongated member, such as a filamentary string, is attached to a bidirectional locking housing with longitudinally opposed openings. The elongated member is inserted into either of the opposed openings of the housing, where it is engaged and locked in place by one of two longitudinally extending blocking vanes which are deflectable by said insertion laterally of the said axis and thereafter tending to return to its original position to hold the free end in the channel. The vanes, while being reliable and relatively easily deflected to permit passage of the member, will be strong in a direction required to resist withdrawal of the member since this direction will be along the length of the vane. A guiding instrumentality (e.g. a ramp) is associated with each vane for guiding the free end into the housing. The fastener is mechanically simple; the end of the elongated member being easily insertable in either end of the housing without special directions necessary for the user. The free end of the elongated member is strong yet not so large as to damage merchandise to which it is attached.

Description

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This inyention relates to the fastening of objects, either together or one to another, and more particularly, to the secure, si~plified fastening o~ objects.
Devices which are used to fasten objects typically make use of a strap connected to a locking head. The free end of the strap is threaded through or around the objects ko be fastened and then inserted into the head.
In order to achieve secure fastening and prevent un-authorized tampering, the locking head generally is in the form of an enclosure that houses a locking tang and prevents unauthorized access to it. Sucha housing is typically mechanically complex, and the strap must be inserted in a particular way. This detracts from the efficiency of the fastener. It is necessary to provide instructions for use of the fastener, and the user needs to be certain that the strap is properly inserted into the locking head.
Furthermore, the inserted end of the strap often tends ~ to have a relatively massive configuration in order to achieve ; the desired locking effect. This makes the usual protected

2~ locking head fastener undesirable in use, for example, with control tags for items of merchandise. The massivity of the strap might damage the merchandise or leave an unsightly hole .
~ nother difficulty encountered with protected head fasteners is that the locking tang is a relatively weak member that can become separated from its position of connection to the head.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to achieve the secure fastening of objects without the need for special instructions in the use of the fastener. A related object is -- 1 -- .

~, ~t)8602t~9 to facilitate the prope~ insextion o~ the free end of a strap into its loc~ing he~d, Another related object is to achLeve a locking head fastener that is able to accommodate the free end of its strap in a number of different ways.
Another related object is to achieve a locking head fastener in which the strap can be used bidirectionally.
A further object of the invention is to achieve a fastener in which the strap that is inserted into a locking head does not require such massive proportions to achieve the desired locking effect.
It is still another object of the invention to achieve a fastener with a durable locking mechanism that is not likely to be damaged in use.
Summary of the _vention In accomplishing the foregoing and related objects,the invention provides a fastener in which an elongated member, such as a filamentary strip or a strap, is attached to an apertured housing that serves as a locking head. The apertured housing contains at least one longitudinally extending, laterally deflectable locking mechanism.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the housing is open at opposed ends, and the locking mechanism is formed by two locking vanes, one for each direction o~
in5ertion of the free end of the elongated member. In ~ccordance with a related aspect of th invention, the locking vanes are asymmetric and oppositely positioned.
For one particular embodiment, each locking vane adjoins one of the openings in the housing and is longitudinally attached. For another embodiment the locking vanes are included in a rectangular housing and are positioned on opposite side walls. For still another embodiment of the invention the locking vanes are included in a cylindrical housing and are parallel with each other.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a ramp effect is provided for facilitating the proper insertion of the free end of the elongated member into the apertured housing. The ramp is provided by a separate structure that extends longitudinally along an interior wall of the locking head, or is included as a portion of each locking vane.
The invention is directed to a fastener of one-piece construction comprising a member having a free end with a locking shoulder and housing attached to the member and having a channel therein for receiving the free end of the member along an axis of insertion therefore, the channel containing a deflectable vane which extends longitudinally of the channel and substantially parallel to the axis of insertion of the free end of the member ~0 therein, the vane being deflectable by insertion of the ree end into the channel to permit the said insertion and thereafter the vane tending to return to its original position to engage the locking shoulder and hold the ree end in the channel~
In the fastener described above, the member having the ree end may be a filament, the other end of which is attached to the housing. Thefastener may be of integral plastics moulded construction.
Furthermore,thefastener may include a second vane ;
which extends longitudinally of the channel and is

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routed along a line which extends longitudinally of the channel and substantially parallel to the axis of insertion of the free end of the member therein, the second vane being deflectable by the said insertion laterally of the said axis to permit the said insertion and thereafter the second vane tending to return to its original position to hold the free end in the channel. The first and second vanes of such a fastener may be parallel to each other.
The housing may have longitudinally extending side walls and the first and second vanes may be oppositely mounted on the side walls. In addition, the channel may extend through the housing between two openings and the vane, or each vane, and be laterally deflectable by the free end of the member regardless of which of the said two openings the free end is inserted into. A guiding instrumentality may be associated with the vane, or each vane, for guiding the free end into the housing. The guiding instrumentality, or each guiding instrumentality, may comprise a ramp. Such a ramp, or each ramp, may be mounted on an interior wall of the housing opposite the vane or vanes. Lastly, the fastener may include a protective band guarding the housing to resist compression thereof.
According to another broad aspect of the invention there i9 provided a ~astener in the form of an elongate member having a free end and a housing connected to the member, the housing having a channel for receiving the free end, characterized in that the channel contains at least one locking vane rooted in the wall portion of the channel and extending substantially parallel with the direction of insertion of the elongate member, that the locking vane ~ - 3a -. . . ~

6~;2;7 projects into the channel, that the locking vane is elastically deflectable at insertion of the elongate member into the housing, and that the locking vane may assume its original position when the elongate member is in the locked position in the housing.
Brief Description of the Dra n~s Other aspects of the invention will become apparent after considering several illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fastener in accordance with the invention being used for attaching a tag to an item;
Figure lA is a side and sectional view showing the relationship between the free end of the fastener and its associated locking head;
Figure lB is an end view of the locking head in Figure lA
showing the free end of the fastener in the process of being inserted;
Figure lC is a sectional view of the locking head of Figure lA with the free end of the fastener inserted into locking position;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of an alternative fastener in accordance with the invention being used to bundle a group of items; ' Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view of the locking head oE the fastener of Figure 2;

- 3b -Figure 3A is a partially broken away perspective view showing the relationship between the free end and locking head of an alternati~e e~bodiment of the fastener of Figure l;
Figure 3B is an end view of the locking head of Figure 3A showing the ~ree end of the fastener in the process of being inserted.
Figure 3C is a side and sectional view showing the free end of the fastener of Figure 3A completely inserted into position in its lockinghead;
Figures4A and 4B are end views of an alternative locking head for the fastener of Figure 3A; and Figures 5A and 5B are side and end views of a further alternative locking head for the fastener of Figure 3A.
Detailed Description Turning to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a fastener 10 pursuant to the invention being used to fasten a tag 50 to an item 60, such as an item of merchandise. It will be understood that the fastener 10 can be used in a wide variety of other ways, for example, in the bundling of objects.
The fastener 10 includes an apertured housing 11 in the form of a cylindrical locking head with longitudinally opposed circular openings Cl and C2. ,An elongated member in the form of a filamentary string or tie 15 is centrally attached to the housing 11 and has a free end of tongue 16 that is inserted into one of the circular openings Cl and C2, and irremovably locked in the housing 11.
In the use of the fastener 10 with the tag 50, the ton~ue 16 of the tie 15 is successively inserted through an opening 51 of the tag 50, through the object 60, and into either of the ~0~60;Z~7 locking head circular openingS Cl or C2. It is the bidirectional locking capability o~ the head 11 that gives increased versatility to the fastener 10 o~ Figure 1. Thus, unlike conventional fasteners with protected locking heads, the fastener 10 may be used without regard to the direction of insertion of the tongue 16 into the head 11.
As is demonstrated in detail below, the tongue 16 of the tie 15 has a region of relatively reduced cross section and the locking head 11 contains at least one flexible member which is deflected by, and ~hereafter engages the tongue over its region of reduced cross section.
The particular tag 50 of Figure 1 has a preformed hole 51 and is of the type sold and marketed under the trade name "MERITAG", but it will be understood that the fastener 10 may be used with any type control ticket, including those without apertures that require the tongue to be driv~ through the ticket stock.
Details of the locking head 11 and its relationship to the tongue 16 of the tie 15 are set forth in Figure lA.
~0 The tongue 16 has a tip 16a, a locking region 16r of reduced cross section and a stop 16s. There is a weakened region between the stop 16s and the locking region 16r to permit severance of the tie when excess force is appl~ied.
The head 11 contains a first locking vane 12-1 which is dispo5ed to produce a locking effect when the tongue 16 i9 inserted into the associated opening 01. A second locking vane 12-2 is disposed to produce a locking effect when the tongue 16 is inserted into the opposite opening 02.
The locking ~7anes 12-1 and 12-2 extend longitudinally within the housing 11 and are diagonally and diametrically opposed. Each has a ramp 12r- beginning at the respective openings 01 and 02, to assist in guiding the tip 16a of the tongue 16 as it is inserted into the locking head 11 rom ~366~Z~

either l~ngitudinal ~irection, Within the locking head 11, the vanes 12~ d 12-2 haye locking shoulders 12s. Each engages the ~nte~ior edge 16e o~ the tip 16a, depending upon the direction of insertion of the tongue 16.
Regardless of the direction of insertion of the tongue 16, the :tip 16a is guided by the nearest ramp 12r and causes the vanes 12-1 and 12-2 to deflect laterally from their equilibrium positions, as indicated by Figure lB. When, as shown in Figure lC, the tongue ]6 is inserted to the point that the interior edge 16e of the tip 16a clears the nearest shoulder 12s, the associated vane 12-1 returns, by virtue of its resiliency, to its equilibrium position.
The longitudinal positioning of the vanes 12-1 and 12-2 gives them additional strength about their pivot positions.
When the tongue 16 is in its locked position as shown in Figure lC, the region 16r extends along the vane 12-1 and the extent of insertion is controlled by the ball stop 16s.
In a tested embodiment of the invention the fastener 10 was fabricated of a nylon resin, but other materials may be used as well. It is to be noted that not only does the stop 16s limit the extent to which the tongue 16 can be inserted into the locking head 11, it also prevents tampering after locking engagement has taken place. In addition, the device is simple to manufacture and the size of the tongue is such that only small holes are made when it is pushed through an item to be tagged.
Another embodiment of the invention is the fastener 20 of Figure 2 which is particularly suitable for the bundling of items 70. The fastener 20 is constituted by a rectangular locking head 21 with opposed rectangular openings Rl~and R2.

36~U27 An elongated mem~er in the form o~ a band or strap 25 is centrally attached to the locking head 21 and has a ~ree end or tongue 26 that ls inserted ~hrough the openin~ Rl and R2 where it is irremo~ably locked in position.
As in the case of fastener 10 of Figure 1, the head 21 of the fastener 20 has a bidirectional locking capability.
This is achieved, as indicated by the cross-sectional view of Figure 2A by the inclusion within the locking head 21 of locking vanes 22-1 and 22-2 on opposite lateral side walls.
Each of the vanes 21-1 and 22-2 extend the approximate height of the locking head 21 and have ramp surfaces 22r. The strap 25 has successive regions 25r of reduced cross section between successive pairs of spurs 25s. In Figure 2, the spurs on the band 25 beyond the opening R2 have been omitted for simplicity.
When the strap 25 is inserted into the lockin~ head 21 through the opening R2 the spurs 25s engage the ramp portions - of the locking vanes 22-1 and 22-2 and cause them to be deflected. The locking vane 22-1 associated with the particular direction of insertion shown in Figure 2A, successively engages the spurs 25s in locking position because of their perpendicular back edges. Alternatively, when the strap 25 should be inserted into the locking head 21 in the opposite direction through the opposed opening Rl, the other vane 22-2 will lockingly engage the spurs of the strap.
A further embodiment of the fastener of Figure 1 is illustrated in Figure 3A by the locking head 31 and associated tongue 36. The locking hPad 31 employs a ramp 31r on the interior wall of the locking head 31, opposite which two locking vanes 32-1 and 32-2 are centrally positioned and extend only over a part o~ the locking head length. The associated tongue 36 has an end ~ormed by a cone 36a, -. . -~36~'~7 ~ollowed by a xegion 36r O~ xeduced diametex corresponding to that of F~gure lA, followed by a cylindrical stop 36s.
Beyond the stop 36s is a ball 36b. As in the case o~ fastener 10 of Figuxe 1 the embodiment of Figure 3A permits bidirectional locking. When the cone 36a of the tongue is inserted into either opening Cl or C2 of the head 31, as shown in Figure 3B, the ramp 31r tends to guide the cone 36a into position between the two vanes 32-1 and 32-2, which are forced apart. When the tongue 36 is fully inserted as shown in Figure 3C, the region 36r is between the vane 32-1 and 32-2, which have returned to their equilibrium positions, with the locking edge 36e of the cone in contact with the locking shoulders 32b of the vanes. When the tongue is inserted in the opposite direction, the locking edge 36e of the cone is in contact with the locking shoulder 32a. The cylinder 36s serves the same role as the stop 16s of Figure 1. The ball 36b is included to facilitate the grasp of the free end 36 of the device by the user.
Still another embodiment of the invention is shown by Figures 4A and 4B. For this embodiment a ramp 41r is employed corresponding to the ramp 31r of Figure 3A, opposite which there is a single locking vane 42. When the end 46a of the tongue is inserted into either opening of the housing 41 it is guided to one side or the other of the vane 42 and causes it to deflect upon further insertion, allowing the end 46a to pass beyond the locking edge of the vane, which thereafter returns to its equilibrium position and the tongue is locked in place.

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Locking he~ds ~n accoxdance with the invention are intended to achie~e ta~per-proof locking of their associated tongues. If the head becomes subjected to substantial compressive force, either inadvertently or by design, the tongue may become disengaged from the head.
Thus, if the locking head 31 of Figures 3A and 3C
has a sufficiently thin wall, compressive force applied to it above the ramp 31r may produce a deformation that causes a separation of the vanes 32-1 and 32-2 and permits the unauthorized withdrawal of the tongue 36a from the head 31.
For a locking head of the type shown in Figure 3A, disengagement of the tongue from the head is prevented, as illustrated in Figure 5A, by the use of a protective band 57 shown in side view for an alternative head 51. The cylindrical wall of the head 51 is a thin shell to conserve material and to facilitate manufacture of the mold by which the head is formed. However, the central portion of the head 51 is girded and given transverse rigidity by the enlarged band 57. This limits the extent to which the head 51 can become laterally distended by compressive force applied to the head towards the direction of the stem 55.
As shown in Figure 5B, the band 57 has a relatively thick wall which gives it suitable rigidity and reinforces the head 51 over its entire periphery. In addition, the band 57 includes a projection 57p opposite the ramp 51r and in general alignment with the stem 55. Since it is compressive force applied in the direction of the stem 55 that tends to cause lateral deflection of the head 51, and consequent separation of the vanes 52-1 and 52-2, the position of the projection 57p is maximally positioned to discourage unauthorized ; compression of the head 51 by manual manipulation.

_ g _ 6~3~7 Although the projection 57p in ~igures 5A and 5B is in the for~ of a x~dge, it will be appreciated that other forms may be used as well. For example, the projection 57p may be made pointed to further discourage unauthorized compression of the head 51. Moreover, a protective band of the kind shown in Figures 5A and 5B may be used with other embodiments of the in~ention as well.
While various aspects of the invention have been set forth by the drawings and specification, it is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description is for illustration only and that various changes, as well as the substitution of equivalent constituents shown and de~ribed may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

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Claims (12)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A fastener of one-piece construction comprising a member having a free end with a locking shoulder and housing attached to said member and having a channel therein for receiving the free end of the member along an axis of insertion therefore, the channel containing a deflectable vane which extends longitudinally of the channel and substantially parallel to the axis of insertion of the free end of the member therein, the vane being deflectable by insertion of the free end into the channel to permit the said insertion and thereafter the vane tending to return to its original position to engage the locking shoulder and hold the free end in the channel.

2. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 in which the member having the free end is a filament, the other end of which is attached to the housing.

3. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 which is of integral plastics moulded construction.

4. A fastener as claimed in claim 2 which includes a second vane which extends longitudinally of the channel and is routed along a line which extends longitudinally of the channel and substantially parallel to the axis of insertion of the free end of the member therein, the second vane being deflectable by the said insertion laterally of the said axis to permit the said insertion and thereafter the second vane tending to return to its original position to hold the free end in the channel.

5. A fastener as claimed in claim 4 in which the first and second vanes are parallel to each other.

6. A fastener as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 in which the housing has longitudinally extending side walls and the first and second vanes are oppositely mounted on the side walls.

7. A fastener as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 4 in which the channel extends through the housing between two openings and the vane, or each vane, is laterally deflectable by the free end of the member regardless of which of the said two openings the free end is inserted into.

8. A fastener as claimed in claim 4 in which a guiding instrumentality is associated with the vane, or each vane, for guiding the free end into the housing.

9. A fastener as claimed in claim 8 in which the guiding instrumentality, or each guiding instrumentality, comprises a ramp.

10. A fastener as claimed in claim 9 in which the ramp, or each ramp, is mounted on an interior wall of the housing opposite the vane or vanes.

11. A fastener as claimed in claim 2 or claim 4 which includes a protective band guarding the housing to resist compression thereof.

12. A fastener in the form of an elongate member having a free end and a housing connected to the member, said housing having a channel for receiving the free end, characterized in that the channel contains at least one locking vane rooted in the wall portion of the channel and extending substantially parallel with the direction of insertion of the elongate member, that the locking vane projects into the channel, that the locking vane is elastically deflectable at insertion of the elongate member into the housing, and that the locking vane may assume its original position when the elongate member is in the locked position in the housing.