FR3103686A1 - Device intended to ensure the connection of straps, objects or parts of clothing - Google Patents

Abstract

Device intended to ensure the connection of straps, objects or parts of clothing Device (1) intended to ensure the connection of straps, objects or parts of clothing characterized in that the latter comprises: - a part ( 3) deformable female comprising a reception zone, - a rigid male part (2) intended to be inserted at least in part into the reception zone of the female part (3), the male part (2) then being integral of the female part (3) when said male part (2) is inserted into said female part (3), and in that the female part (3) comprises at least one deformable zone (5) so that a deformation of said at least one deformable zone (5) makes it possible to disengage the male part (2) from the female part (3). Figure for abstract: Figure 1

Description

Device intended to ensure the connection of straps, objects or parts of clothing

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a device intended to ensure the connection of straps, objects or parts of clothing. In particular, the invention relates to such devices composed of two parts which can be fitted one inside the other.

Technical background

Devices intended to ensure the connection of straps, objects or parts of clothing are widely used in the textile industry, leather goods and sports equipment of all kinds.

For example, backpacks and satchels are often equipped with this type of device to close the flap.

These devices can have various geometric shapes. On the other hand, they generally comprise a male part and a female part defining a cavity intended to receive the male part. Once the male part is engaged in the female part, the assembly makes it possible to connect straps, objects or clothing.

Although these devices can fulfill their function, they are not without drawbacks.

In these devices, the male part is partially inserted inside the female part. According to a known version, the most widespread, the female part comprises lateral openings in which flexible lateral tabs of the male part engage to make the assembly integral.

In order to separate the male part from the female part, a user exerts pressure on the flexible side tabs of the male part. The flexible side legs of the male part approach each other and come out of the side openings of the female part. The male part then disengages from the female part.

This type of connection device has several drawbacks. It is common for the user, especially when it is a child, to get his fingers stuck between the male part and the female part when they move relative to each other during the dissociation. In addition to an unpleasant feeling, the user can be injured in the most severe cases.

Another disadvantage of these devices is that depending on the dimensions of the parts, it can be difficult to act on the side tabs of the male part. By way of example, when the device is small, it is difficult for the fingers of an adult to deform the side tabs of the male part because the side openings of the female part are particularly small to allow the passage of the finger .

According to another known version of these devices, the female part has side openings. The male part is inserted into the female part so that the side tabs surround the female part and fit into the side openings from the outside and not from the inside like the version previously described.

A disadvantage of these devices lies in their low mechanical strength. Indeed, the flexible side tabs of the male part are often subject to breakage due to their reduced thickness which makes it possible to confer the flexibility necessary for their use.

The invention aims to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks.

For this purpose, a device intended to ensure the connection of straps, objects or parts of clothing is proposed in the first place, in which the latter comprises:

- a deformable female part comprising a reception area,

- a rigid male part intended to be inserted at least partially into the reception area of the female part, the male part then being integral with the female part when said male part is inserted into said female part,

and in which the female part comprises at least one mobile zone such that movement of said at least one mobile zone makes it possible to disengage the male part from the female part

This device advantageously makes it possible not to get your fingers caught between the male part and the female part when they move relative to each other during the separation. No unpleasant sensation is felt and the risk of injury is non-existent. Another advantage is that whatever the dimensions of the device, disengagement is easy to achieve. Another advantage is that because the male part is rigid and therefore does not include any flexible part, the mechanical resistance to tensile stresses is significantly increased.

Various additional features may be provided singly or in combination:

- device in which:

• the female part comprises a body defining two separate lateral cavities separated from each other by a clearance space,
• the male part comprises two lateral insertion pins, each lateral insertion pin being intended to be inserted into a lateral cavity;

- each side cavity of the female part is delimited by an upper wall, a lower wall, an outer side wall and an inner side wall and in which the side insertion pins of the male part are adapted to cooperate with the side wall interior of each lateral cavity of the female part so that during the insertion of the said lateral insertion pins into the lateral cavities, the said lateral cavities approach each other;

- the female part comprises two side uprights extending substantially in a longitudinal direction of the device in the extension of the side cavities, said side uprights being interconnected by an end edge and together defining a hole for receiving straps, objects or garment part, and wherein said side uprights and/or the end edge are capable of elastically deforming to allow the side cavities to move during the insertion of the male part into the female part, and to allowing said side cavities to return to an initial position when the male part is disengaged from the female part;

- the lateral insertion pins are connected by a stiffening wall intended to stiffen the male part so that the lateral insertion pins remain immobile during insertion into the female part;

- each side cavity has a groove made in the inner side wall, said groove extending laterally along a transverse axis of the device from the reception area to the clearance space located between the side cavities and in which the grooves are able to allow passage of the stiffening wall of the male part;

- each lateral insertion pin comprises a hook and each lateral cavity comprises an attachment zone in the form of a reservation made in the inner side wall, the shape of the reservation being substantially a counter-imprint of the hook, device in which the hook being in contact with the inner side wall during the insertion of the female part into the male part;

- the side cavities are interconnected by a secondary return spring, said secondary return spring being capable of returning said side cavities to their initial position when the latter are moved from said initial position;

- the female part has an inlet edge through which the male part is inserted and a distal end opposite the inlet edge where the side cavities are interconnected by the secondary return spring;

- the secondary return spring is substantially semi-circular in shape;

- the female part comprises a receiving hole for straps, objects or part of the garment, said receiving hole being bordered by a flexible end edge capable of deforming elastically;

- the end edge comprises a zone of weakening such that the end edge has, at the level of said zone of weakening, a thickness measured in a longitudinal direction of the device less than a thickness of the rest of the end edge measured along said longitudinal axis;

- the female part has an inlet edge through which the male part is inserted and a distal end where the side cavities are not connected to each other;

- the female part comprises a receiving hole for straps, objects or part of the garment, said receiving hole being bordered by a flexible end edge, the thickness of which measured along the transverse axis is substantially constant.

Brief description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which will follow for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device of Figure 1 showing a male part and a female part located at a distance from each other;

Figure 3 is a sectional view along section plane III-III of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is another sectional view of the device of Figures 1 to 2 when the male part is about to enter the female part;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the device according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the female part of a device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or analogous functions will be designated by the same references.

In the remainder of the description, the longitudinal, transverse and vertical orientations indicated by the trihedron “X,Y,Z” of the figures will be adopted in a non-limiting manner – and without reference to terrestrial gravity. The triad defines the XY, XZ, and YZ planes.

In the figures, there is shown a device 1 intended to ensure the connection of straps, objects or part of clothing (not shown in the drawings).

The device 1 comprises a male part 2 and a female part 3. The female part 3 has a reception area 4 intended to accommodate the male part 2. The male part 2 can thus be partially inserted into the female part 3. The male part 2 and the female part 3 are then integral. The mechanism for joining the male and female parts 2, 3 will be described later.

Advantageously the female part 3 is deformable. It comprises two mobile zones 5 . Pressure oriented along the Y axis, on these mobile zones 5 makes it possible to disengage the male part 2 from the female part 3. The male 2 piece is rigid. This means that the male part 2 does not deform during its insertion into the female part 3. Unlike known devices, a rigid male part 2, that is to say which does not deform, gives device 1 a significantly improved mechanical strength.

The female part 3 comprises a body 6 which defines two lateral cavities 7. The side cavities 7 are distinct and separated from each other by a clearance space 8. The clearance space 8 arranged between the side cavities 7 advantageously allows the side cavities 7 to approach each other.

The male part 2 includes two side insertion pins 9. Each side insertion pin 9 is intended to be inserted into a side cavity 7, as can be seen in detail in Figures 3 and 4.

The body 6 of the female part 3 comprises an upper wall 10, a lower wall 11, an outer side wall 12 and an inner side wall 13 . These walls 10, 11, 12, 13 geometrically define the side cavities 7. As illustrated in Figure 4, when the male part 2 is inserted into the female part 3, the side insertion pins 9 come into contact with the inner side walls 13 of each side cavity 7 via an entry edge 14.

As can be understood by observing FIG. 4, when the male part 2 is inserted into the female part 3, each side insertion pin 9 comes into contact with the inner side wall 13 of each side cavity 7. As the male part 2 is inserted into the female part 3 and each side insertion pin 9 slides along an inner side wall 13, the side cavities 7 approach each other. reducing the surface of the clearance space 8.

In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the female part 3 comprises two side uprights 27. The lateral uprights 27 extend substantially in a longitudinal direction of the device 1, in the extension of the lateral cavities 7. The side uprights 27 are interconnected by an end edge 18. The side uprights 27, the end edge 18 and the side cavities 7 together define a hole 17 for receiving straps, objects or part of the garment.

1 ^er embodiment

In the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the end edge 18 has a substantially straight shape. Thus the end edge 18 deforms little or not at all in the first embodiment. When the side cavities 7 approach (or move away) from each other, the side uprights 27 deform elastically. Insofar as the deformation of the side uprights 27 is in the elastic range, said side uprights 27 make it possible to return the side cavities 7 to their initial position after having been moved away from said initial position.

Advantageously the side cavities 7 are interconnected by a secondary return spring 15 . The secondary return spring 15 improves the return to the initial position of the cavities 7 on the sides. The initial position corresponds to the position of the side cavities 7 visible in the drawings.

The side cavities 7 extend from the inlet edge 14 through which the male part 2 is inserted to a distal end 16 where said side cavities 7 are interconnected by the first return spring 15. By positioning the secondary return spring 15 at this distal end 16, it does not extend into the space 8 of travel which makes it possible not to hinder the movement of the lateral cavities 7 while giving said space 8 of travel sufficient area.

Advantageously, the secondary return spring 15 is of substantially semi-circular shape. It thus has a concave shape whose concavity is turned towards the space 8 of travel. The semi-circular shape of the secondary return spring 15 has several advantages, it makes it possible on the one hand to circumvent the space 8 of travel and on the other hand confers in a cramped space sufficient stiffness to bring the cavities 7 back to their initial position. lateral after deformation.

In order to lighten the device 1 according to the first embodiment, the female part 3 has recesses 19 of material.

2 ^th embodiment

In the second embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, the end edge 18 is deformable and has for this purpose a substantially curved shape. When the side cavities 7 approach (or move away) from each other, the side uprights 27 and the end edge 18 deform elastically. The deformation of the lateral uprights 27 and of the end edge 18 is in the elastic range and makes it possible to return the lateral cavities 7 to their initial position after having been moved away from said initial position.

Advantageously, the end edge 18 includes a zone 28 of weakening. A thickness of the end edge at the level of this zone 28 of weakening is measured substantially along the axis X and is less than a thickness of the end edge 18 measured along this same axis X outside the zone 28 of weakening. In FIG. 5, the weakening zone 28 has a substantially semi-circular shape. The zone 28 of weakening advantageously makes it possible to make the edge 18 of the end more flexible.

The side cavities 7 are interconnected by a secondary return spring 15. The secondary return spring 15 improves the return to the initial position of the cavities 7 on the sides. The initial position corresponds to the position of the side cavities 7 visible in the drawings.

The combined efforts of the secondary return spring 15 and the end edge 18 advantageously make it possible to better hold the male part 2 and the female part 3 together, by making the movement of the side cavities 7 more difficult. Another advantage is to allow a frank ejection of the male part 2. Indeed, when a user presses on the mobile zones 5, the male part 2 is ejected with a higher initial speed.

The secondary return spring 15 of the second embodiment is identical to that of the first embodiment.

3 ^th embodiment

In the third embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the end edge 18 is deformable and has for this purpose a substantially curved shape. When the side cavities 7 approach (or move away) from each other, the side uprights 27 and the end edge 18 deform elastically. The deformation of the lateral uprights 27 and of the end edge 18 is in the elastic range and makes it possible to return the lateral cavities 7 to their initial position after having been moved away from said initial position.

In this embodiment, the end edge 18 has no weakening zone. In addition, the side cavities 7 are not connected by a secondary return spring 15 . Because it does not include a weakening zone, the end edge 18 is made more rigid, which makes it possible to compensate for the absence of a secondary return spring 15 and to have properties identical to the first and second embodiments.

4 ^th embodiment

In the fourth embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the end edge 18 is deformable and has for this purpose a substantially curved shape. When the side cavities 7 approach (or move away) from each other, the side uprights 27 and the end edge 18 deform elastically. The deformation of the lateral uprights 27 and of the end edge 18 is in the elastic range and makes it possible to return the lateral cavities 7 to their initial position after having been moved away from said initial position.

Advantageously, the end edge 18 includes a zone 28 of weakening. A thickness of the end edge at the level of this zone 28 of weakening is measured substantially along the axis X and is less than a thickness of the end edge 18 measured along this same axis X outside the zone 28 of weakening. In FIG. 7, the weakening zone 28 has a substantially semi-circular shape. The zone 28 of weakening advantageously makes it possible to make the edge 18 of the end more flexible.

The side cavities 7 are interconnected by a secondary return spring 15. The secondary return spring 15 improves the return to the initial position of the cavities 7 on the sides. The initial position corresponds to the position of the side cavities 7 visible in the drawings.

The combined efforts of the secondary return spring 15 and the end edge 18 advantageously make it possible to better hold the male part 2 and the female part 3 together, by making the movement of the side cavities 7 more difficult. Another advantage is to allow a frank ejection of the male part 2. Indeed, when a user presses on the mobile zones 5, the male part 2 is ejected with a higher initial speed.

The secondary return spring 15 of the fourth embodiment differs from that of the first and second embodiments in that it has a more flared shape and a different shape. In the fourth embodiment, the secondary return spring 15 has substantially a triangular shape, one vertex of which is open to the space 8 of movement.

The characteristics which will be described in the following apply to all the embodiments.

It is also possible to provide lateral projections 20 in the reception hole 17. These lateral projections 20 oriented along the Y axis, make it possible to attach straps and clothing. They can be arranged on all embodiments, but are only visible in the drawings in the first embodiment. In order to allow the displacement of the lateral cavities 7, the lateral projections 20 are separated from each other by a second space 21 of clearance.

The male part 2 advantageously comprises a stiffening wall 22 . The stiffening wall 22 connects the side insertion pins 9 together. The stiffening wall 22 makes it possible to keep the lateral insertion pins 9 stationary at all times and especially during insertion into the lateral cavities 7 of the female part 3. By remaining stationary, that is to say by keeping the distance which separates the lateral insertion pins 9 constant, the lateral cavities 7 can approach each other during the insertion of the part 2 male in female 3 piece. Otherwise, that is to say if the side insertion pins 9 were deformable, the movement of the side cavities 7 could not be done correctly.

Each side cavity 7 has a groove 23 formed in the inner side wall 13 . The grooves 23 allow the passage of the stiffening wall 22 in the female part 3.

Each lateral insertion pin 9 comprises a hook 24. Each lateral cavity 7 comprises an attachment zone 25 in the form of a reservation made in the inner side wall 13. The shape of the reservation is substantially a counterpart of the hook 24. The hook 24 makes it possible to secure the male part 2 and the female part 3. The attachment zone 25 is advantageously arranged in the inner side wall 13 in order to concentrate the forces in the center of the device 1. This gives the device 1 good resistance to mechanical stress. It should also be noted that the arrangement of the attachment zones 25, under a tensile force, implies that the side cavities 7 tend to move away from each other, which gives the device a better hold. mechanical.

In order to allow the passage of the stiffening wall 22, the groove 23 extends laterally from the reception area 4 to the clearance space 8 and longitudinally from the entry edge 14 over a distance allowing the hooks 24 of the side insertion pins 9 to reach the attachment zones 25.

Advantageously, the female part 3 comprises slots 26 connecting the reception hole to the reception zone 4 located inside the side cavities 7. These slots 26 make it possible to remove a foreign body from the female part 3 and which would prevent the joining of the male part and the female part.

During the insertion of the male part 2 into the female part 3, the hooks 24 move along the inner side wall 13 and in contact with the latter. The lateral cavities 7 approach each other as the male part 2 progresses into the female part 3. When the hooks 24 arrive at the height of the attachment zones 25, they engage inside the reservations and the side cavities 7 are immediately returned with force to their initial position. The male part 2 and the female part 3 are then integral. In order to separate the male and female parts 2, 3, a user presses on the outer side walls 12 of the female part 3, which brings the side cavities 7 closer to each other by reducing the surface of the space 8 of deflection. The distance between the side insertion pins 9 remaining constant, the hooks 24 come out of the attachment zones 25 and slide along the inner side wall 13. There then occurs an ejection of the male part 2. This is due to a sudden release of the stresses which occurs at the moment when the hooks 24 come out of the attachment zones 25.

Claims (14)

Device (1) intended to ensure the connection of straps, objects or parts of clothing, characterized in that the latter comprises:
- a deformable female part (3) comprising a reception zone (4),
- a rigid male part (2) intended to be inserted at least in part in the reception area (4) of the female part (3), the male part (2) then being integral with the female part (3) when said male part (2) is inserted into said female part (3),
and in that the female part (3) comprises at least one movable zone (5) such that movement of said at least one movable zone (5) makes it possible to disengage the male part (2) from the part ( 3) female. Device (1) according to claim 1, in which:
- the female part (3) comprises a body (6) defining two distinct lateral cavities (7) separated from each other by a clearance space (8),
- the male part (2) comprises two lateral insertion pins (9), each lateral insertion pin (9) being intended to be inserted into a lateral cavity (7). Device (1) according to Claim 2, in which each lateral cavity (7) of the female part (3) is delimited by an upper wall (10), a lower wall (11), an outer lateral wall (12) and a inner side wall (13) and in which the side insertion pins (9) of the male part (2) are capable of cooperating with the inner side wall (13) of each side cavity (7) of the part (3 ) female so that during the insertion of said pins (9) side insertion in the cavities (7) side, said cavities (7) side approach one another. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 2 or 3, in which the female part (3) comprises two lateral uprights (27) extending substantially in a longitudinal direction of the device (1) in the extension of the cavities (7 ) lateral, said lateral uprights (27) being interconnected by an end edge (18) and together defining a hole (17) for receiving straps, objects or part of the garment, and in which said uprights (27) sides and/or the end edge (18) are able to deform elastically to allow the side cavities (7) to move during the insertion of the male part (2) into the female part (3), and to allow said lateral cavities (7) to return to an initial position when the male part (2) is disengaged from the female part (3). Device (1) according to any one of Claims 2 or 4, in which the lateral insertion pins (9) are connected by a stiffening wall (22) intended to stiffen the male part (2) so that the pins (9) side insertion remain stationary during insertion into the part (3) female. Device (1) according to Claim 5, in which each lateral cavity (7) comprises a groove (23) made in the inner side wall (13), the said groove (23) extending laterally along a transverse axis of the device (1 ) from the reception zone (4) to the clearance space (8) located between the lateral cavities (7) and in which the grooves (23) are able to allow the passage of the wall (22) of stiffening of the male part (2). Device (1) according to Claim 3 to 6, in which each lateral insertion pin (9) comprises a hook (24) and each lateral cavity (7) comprises an attachment zone (25) in the form of a recess made in the interior side wall (13), the shape of the reservation being substantially a counterpart of the hook (24), device (1) in which the hook (24) being in contact with the interior side wall (13) of the during the insertion of the female part (3) into the male part (2). Device (1) according to any one of Claims 2 to 7, in which the lateral cavities (7) are interconnected by a secondary return spring (15), the said secondary return spring (15) being able to return initial position said cavities (7) side when they are moved from said initial position. Device (1) according to Claim 8, in which the female part (3) comprises an entry edge (14) through which the male part (2) is inserted and a distal end (16) opposite the edge (14) of the entry where the cavities (7) side are interconnected by the spring (15) secondary return. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 8 or 9, in which the secondary return spring (15) is of substantially semi-circular shape. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the female part (3) comprises a hole (17) for receiving straps, objects or part of clothing, said receiving hole (17) being bordered by a flexible end edge (18) able to deform elastically. Device (1) according to Claim 11, in which the end edge (18) comprises a zone (28) of weakening such that the end edge (18) has at the level of the said zone (28) of weakening, a thickness measured along a longitudinal direction of the device (1) less than a thickness of the rest of the end edge (18) measured along said longitudinal axis. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 2 to 7, in which the female part (3) has an entry edge (14) through which the male part (2) is inserted and a distal end (16) where the side cavities (7) are not interconnected. Device (1) according to Claim 13, in which the female part (3) comprises a hole (17) for receiving straps, objects or part of clothing, the said receiving hole (17) being bordered by an edge (18 ) flexible end, a thickness measured along the transverse axis is substantially constant.