GB2045335A

GB2045335A - Releasable Garment Fasteners

Info

Publication number: GB2045335A
Application number: GB8005250A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: HINDERBERGER B
Current assignee: HINDERBERGER B
Priority date: 1979-02-17
Filing date: 1980-02-15
Publication date: 1980-10-29
Also published as: ES248474U; FR2448873B1; FR2448873A1; ES248474Y; GB2045335B; IT8019633A0; IT1129603B

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastener of button or stud form which combines a magnetic arrangement with a mechanical latching arrangement. The fastener comprises a closing device (1), engageable with a fastening device (2), each of which is provided with a magnetic arrangement or is formed of a magnetic material. The closing device has an access opening (8) through which at least part of the fastening device can pass, and provision is made for lateral movement of the fastening device relative to the closing device; when any force is applied to the fastener the latter is provided with a hook type action to prevent opening. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements In or Relating To Fasteners The invention relates to fasteners and particularly button-shaped fasteners which comprise a magnetic arrangement and a fastening arrangement.

Of the known fasteners the best known is a button fastener with a button hole and a button, its main application being as a fastening element on garments. The drawback of this form of fastener is that the button holes become badly worn. With some types of material such as synthetic and fine-threaded materials or fur coats, it is difficult if not impossible to replace a worn button-hole.

Similarly, press stud fasteners are known but they cannot withstand unlimited tensile loads and require to be buttoned up very accurately.

Also known are fasteners which cling by magnetic action. On the one side they comprise a magnetic part which interacts with a magnetisable material on the other side of the fastener. Fasterners of this kind are very versatile in their application, and easy to handle.

It is easy to fix the fastener to the chosen object which will normally be a garment. It is especially suitable for fur or leather coats and the like because it does not include a button hole.

This fastener, however, has the disadvantage of being incapable of withstanding substantiai pulls.

This is why it has been proposed already to use a mechanical magnetic fastener. This known fastener is of band form and taking advantage of its hook effect exerts a mechanical action of fastening in one direction. Due to this effect the fastener can withstand high tensile loads in this direction only. Thus apart from the impractical form of the fastener, it has the drawback of absorbing the loads in one direction only.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic fastener of simple design which is capable of taking up considerable tensile stresses in all directions without being opened unintentionally.

According to the present invention there is provided a fastener comprising a closing device arranged to be secured to one member and a fastening device arranged to be secured to another member the closing device having an access opening through which at least part of the fastening device can pass from one side with play, and being of such a configuration as to enable relative lateral movement between said part of the fastening device and the closing device, each of the closing devices and the fastening device having magnetic properties.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a cross-section through one embodiment of a fastener according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows the fastener of Fig. 1 in plan; Fig. 3 shows a modification of the closing device; Fig. 4 is a cross-section through another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 is a view from underneath of the fastener of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a fastener similar to that of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 shows a fastener resembling that of Fig.

1; Flg. 8 is a cross-section through a further embodiment; Fig. 9 shows the closing device of Fig. 8 in underneath plan; and Fig. 10 is a cross-section through another embodiment.

The fastener shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a closing device 1, and a fastening device including a magnetic device 2, and a mushroomshaped projection 3 with a stud 4. The magnetic device 2 includes a cup shaped depression 5 in which an egg-shaped enlarged part 6 on a lower section of the projection 3 is freely pivoted.

Communicating with the cup shaped depression 5 is a bore 7 in which the stud 4, which widens out towards the lower end and is made of nonmagnetisable material, is controlled without play, the bore 7 opening conically towards the lower face of the magnetic device 2. The closing device 1, which may be of dish- or pan-form has an embrasure or access opening 8 in its central region. Its recess diameter is great enough to enable a cap 9 of the mushroom shaped projection 3 to slide through the opening 8 with a slight lateral play.

The stud 4 shown in Fig. 1 projects from the underside of the magnetic device, and has two deflectable lugs 10 and 1 These lugs serve for the fastening of the magnetic device 2, including the stud 4 and the mushroom shaped projection 3, to the garment leaving a suitable space therebetween. Instead of using a stud with lugs, the stud may have a hole at its end so that it may be sewn on to the garment.

The fixing of the closing device 1 is similar to the above. Again, spacers in the form of deflectable lugs 13 as shown in Fig. 3, or cams 14 as shown in Fig. 1 with holes suitable for fastening to the garment 16, may be arranged on the closing device 1.

As indicated, the diameters of the closing device 1 and the magnetic device 2 are such that a play is retained at the lateral edges. This play is essential for the fastener to function efficiently.

For fastening, the cap 9 of the mushroom shaped projection is simply pushed through the opening 8. Since the closing device 1 is formed of magnetisable material, it is attracted by the magnetic device 2, so that the fastener remains closed. Under heavy tensile pulls which are normally applied sideways or from an angle, the closing device 1 and the magnetic device 2 will be displaced relative to each other. At the same time, the mushroom shaped projection 3 is also displaced and canted, and this prevents the cap 9 from slipping back through the opening 8. This means that the fastener holds whatever the direction of pull. The cup shaped depression 5 acts in this kase as a ball bearing for the egg shaped part 6 on the projection 3. In other words, the mushroom shaped projection 3 functions as a "round about hook".To open the fastener, the parts are lightly displaced until the cap 9 accurately aligns with the opening 8. After lifting one part up it is easy to let the cap 9 slip through the opening 8.

Figs. 4 to 6 show other embodiments.

According to Fig. 4, the magnetic device 22 is a flat disc. A lower end of the closing device 21 has an inwardly directed overlapping ring 24 made of a non-magnetisable material. The diameter of the magnetic device 22 is slightly smaller than the free internal diameter of the ring 24. This enables the magnetic device 22 to reach the closing device 21 internally. The lateral play between the magnetic device 22 and the closing device 21 enables movement towards each other when a pull is applied from one side, and the magnetic element may no longer come out through the opening. The fastener is therefore in no danger of opening (see also Fig. 5).

The same solution is shown essentially in Fig.

6, the difference being that the magnetic device 23 looks more modern because of its stepped design.

Similarly to the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2, the upper side of the closing device in Figs. 4 and 6 has cams 14. However, these embodiments may alternatively have lugs as shown in Fig. 3. A pin 25 with a bore 26 on the underside of the magnetic device 23 shown in Fig. 6 serves for sewing, while the magnetic device 22 according to Fig. 4 has deflectable lugs 27.

As shown in Fig. 7, the closing device 1 and the magnetic device 2 have, instead of a hemispherical shape, flat domes of identical form.

This difference increases the holding force and facilitates opening and closing. The required "lateral play" between the closing device 1 and the magnetic device 2 is in this case provided by the stop-free sliding of the two surfaces. A protective hood 28 on the closing device 1 protects the mushroom shaped projection, and acts as a handle-knob for the opening and closing operations.

The fastener according to Figs. 8 and 9 has a closing device 31 and a fastening device 32. One side of the closing device 31 is provided with an overlapping ring or lip 33 which is formed by a corresponding reduction of the diameter of the closing device. The latter is sheath shaped, and at its lower end is provided with lugs 37. The closing device 31 accommodates in its interior a magnetic device 34.

The magnetic device 34 is in surface contact with a step 35 on the closing device 31, which step is formed by a corresponding reduction of the diameter. The magnetic device 34 is fixed to the closing device by being inserted into the device 31 from the open lower end thereof. The operation is completed by bending the lugs 37 inwards so that the magnetic device 34 is safely clamped inside the closing device. The closing device 31 has four lugs 37. Two lugs in juxtaposition clamp the magnetic device 34 and the two remaining lugs serve for fastening the closing device 31 to the garment.

The diameter of the fastening device 32 is slightly smaller than the width of overlapping lip 33. In this manner the fastening device may be inserted into the closing device 31 where it is held firmly by the force of the magnet device 34. It is evident that the fastening device is formed of magnetisable material. A ring 36 may be used as an aid to sew the fastening device 32 to the garment.

When a pull is exerted on the fastener, a relative displacement takes place between the closing device 31 and the fastening device 32 which prevents the fastening device 32 from slipping back through the opening.

The design of the embodiment shown in Fig.

10 corresponds essentially to that of the embodiment according to Figs. 8 and 9. One difference is that the sheath shaped closing device 41 tapers conically upwards towards the side with the opening. With this arrangement the magnetic device 34 may again be fixed with the aid of the lugs 37 which clamp it while inside the closing device 41. Another difference is that the fastening device consists of two parts which may be joined together by say glueing, soldering or the like. The fastening element has a knob-plate 42 of a magnetisable material, asheath ring 43 being fastened to a rear side thereof with the aid of lugs 44. The deflectable lugs 44 serve for the fastening of the fastening device to the garment.

To fasten the fastener the plate 42 is inserted into the cavity of the closing device 41. In order to ensure that sufficient lateral play is available the diameter of the plate 42 is correspondingly smaller than the diameter of the sheath.

The invention provides for the substitution of the separately inserted magnetic device by designing the closing device as a magnet, which also applies to the designing of the fastening device. Alternatively, the closing device may have a lower end which is at least partly closed, and the magnetic device may be inserted into the cavity from above through the overlapping lip, to be fixed to the bottom of the closing device.

The non-magnetisable parts such as the stud 4, the projection 3, the overlapping ring 24 or the closing device 31, 41, may consist of brass, a plastics material or the like.

It is due to the form given to the fastening device and to the closing device that the fastener, exerting its hook effect, holds firmly all round. All that is required in order to close the fastener is to insert the fastening device into the closing device, an action which is facilitated by the magneteffect. Under any lateral strain no matter in which direction it occurs, the fastening device will cant against the closing device so that both are displaced relative to each other even in a direction transverse to the direction of opening. The fastening device, surrounded in this manner by the closing device cannot slip back and the fastener cannot therefore accidentally open.

As one of the two parts-either the closing device or the fastening device-are designed at least in part as a magnet, and at least part of the second device consists of a magnetisable material, it follows that there is provided a combined action of a magnetic fastener and a hook type fastener. This results in a safe, all round holding of the fastener.

The fastening device may be manufactured cheaply in mass production. When the magnet device is fixed to the interior of the closing device or consists at least of part of the closing device the latter also may be manufactured more cheaply. There are many ways by which to fix the magnetic device into the closing device; it may for example be fixed by glueing, welding, or the like.

Closing element of the sheath design with lugs are very cheap to manufacture. Furthermore the magnetic device may easily be assembled with the closing device, it being simply inserted into the sheath from below. Subsequently the deflectable lugs are bent as required to hold the magnetic device safely between the shoulder and the lugs.

In the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2, all that is necessary in order to close the fastener is to push the mushroom shaped projection through the closing device. The two parts will be displaced relative to each other under lateral strain, canting as required. This is promoted not only by the mushroom form of the projection but also by the play between the magnetic device and closing device and occurs in the lateral edge zones of the latter.

The magnetic device and the mushroom shaped projection may form an integral part.

Alternatively the projection may be an individual part which is located on the upper side of the magnetic device. The hook effect is best when two individual parts are used because this enables the stud to move independently of the magnetic device.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention.

Claims

1. A fastener comprising a closing device arranged to be secured to one member and a fastening device arranged to be secured to another member the closing device having an access opening through which at least part of the fastening device, can pass from one side with play, and being of such a configuration as to enable relative lateral movement between said part of the fastening device and the closing device, each of the closing device and the fastening device having magnetic properties.

2. A fastener according to claim 1 wherein the access opening of closing device is defined by an annular lip, a dimension of the fastening device being slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the annular lip.

3. A fastener according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a magnetic device is located inside the closing device or is formed as part of the closing device.

4. A fastener according to claim 3 wherein the closing device is of sheath form, the magnetic device being clamped in a cavity thereof.

5. A fastener according to claim 4, wherein an internal surface of the sheath is provided with a step of reduced diameter towards the access opening end of the sheath, the other end having deflectable lugs which clamp the magnetic device when the latter is inserted through said other end.

6. A fastener according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the fastening device is designed as an annular member which is connected on one side with a knob plate of greater diameter, whereby the knob plate is engageable with the magnetic device in the closing device.

7. A fastener according to claim 6, wherein deflectable lugs are provided at the other side of the annular member.

8. A fastener according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device comprises a magnetic device, and on the latter is arranged a mushroom shaped projection, a cap of which may be pushed with a slight play through the access opening.

9. A fastener according to claim 8, wherein the magnetic device has, on a side thereof facing the closing device, a cup-shaped depression in which an egg-shaped enlarged part on the underside of the mushroom shaped projection is freely pivotal, and a stud connected with said enlarged part is located with play in a bore of the magnetic device.

10. A fastener according to claim 9, wherein the stud serves as a spacer for the magnetic device from said another member to which the magnetic device is to be attached.

11. A fastener according to claim 10, wherein the free end of the stud is provided with deflectable lugs.

12. A fastener according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, at one end remote from the access opening, the closing device is provided with spacers which have deflectable lugs.

13. A fastener according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein, at an end remote from the access opening, the closing device is provided with spacers having the form of cams and including holes.

14. A fastener comprising a magnetic device, a closing device which interacts with the magnetic device, the closing device having a substantial dish-shaped or shelllike configuration, and a fastening device which is so shaped that at least part of an external surface thereof is engageable by the closing device, lateral clearance being provided between the fastening device and the closing device or provision being made for relative sliding; the fastening device being arranged to be accommodated in the closing device in such a manner that the fastening device can be embraced by the closing device with play, in a direction across the direction of the opening, and the fastening device or the closing device being provided with a magnetic part or designed as a magnetic element.

1 5. A fastener substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3, Figs. 4 and 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Figs. 8 and 9, or Fig. 10 of the accompanying drawings.

1 6. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.