GB2054720A - A fastener for attachment to a web - Google Patents

Abstract

Fasteners for attaching to a web of flexible material, include a female element 16 in the form of a ring having a central opening defined by a generally axially extending surface 27 and a flat outturned rim surface 25. A male element 14 has a plug portion 18 which is of complementary shape to that of the opening of the female element and an outturned rim 20 extending around the plug, with a flat surface 23 adapted to lie against the outturned surface 25 of the female element. The male element can be inserted through the opening in the female element, when the latter has been placed on the fabric 30, and can be passed through the female element and turned around so that the fabric is clamped between the outturned rims 23, 25 on the plug and on the female element. The aperture of the female element can be oval or formed with two parallel sides joined by arcuate ones with the male element shaped complementarily. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A fastener for attachment to a web The present invention relates to a fastener for attachment to a web of flexible material such as fabric. The fastener was developed primarily for fastening loops, poles and stakes onto a flexible web to provide a connector suitable for use in a tent. However, as will become later apparent, the fastener of the invention is one of broad applicability and has many other uses.

Heretofore, it was ordinarily necessary in fastening a member on the fabric to penetrate the material in some way, such as by sewing a loop onto the canvas, or by piercing the canvas and placing washer-like members on each side of the canvas on a support member. Fasteners which do not penetrate the fabric ordinariiy provide a weak connection which is easy to pull apart.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a fastener for attachment to a web of flexible material, such fastener comprising a female element including a collar having a central opening formed by a generally axially extending surface and an outwardly extending surface surrounding said opening, a male element having a plug portion and a rim extending around said plug, said plug having a complementary shape to that of said opening and said rim having a face adapted to overlie the outwardly extending surface of the female element, whereby said female element can be placed against said web on a first side of the web and said male element can be placed on the opposite side of the web and pushed through said opening, distorting said web, and brought back to lie adjacent the female element, with the web engaged between the outwardly extending surface of the collar and said face of the rim.

Such a fastener does not require penetration of the fabric in any manner so that the fabric is not weakened. Strain on either the fabric or the fastener actually increases the gripping power.

Using a fastener of the present invention for canvas or the like, the strain is distributed over a large area of the canvas so that maximum strerigth is attained. The fastener can be easily inserted or removed without marring the fabric so that it may be moved from one location to another without leaving any evidence of its use behind.

The fastener can be applied to fabric without the use of tools and with only simple hand pressure and is re-usable.

The construction of the invention is one which is adapted to carry a multiplicity of different attachments.

It will be appreciated that the fastener of the invention is simple to attach so that it can be put on by the user rather than the tent manufacturer; thus lowering production cost. The fastener can be used for securing two or more sheets of a flexible material together in a positive manner.

In order that the invention will more readily be understood, the following description is given, merely by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fastener embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view, similar to Figure 2, showing the motion of the parts during the first stage 1 5 of assembling the fastener on to a piece of canvas; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the position of the parts just prior to final assembly; Figure 5 is a perspective view showing how the female element may be modified to hold a loop; Figure 6 is another embodiment of the female element showing an arch element having a pole holder and hold-down loop formed integrally therewith;; Figure 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the female element showing a pole holder and loop formed 25 on the element proper; Figure 8 is a sectional view showing how the fastener of the present invention can be employed to lock a-plurality of sheets together; Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a loop formed on the male element:: Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a modified female element wherein it is not necessary to flex the female element in order to assemble the parts; Figure 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; Figure 12 is an enlarged perspective view, partly in section, of the embodiment of Figure 11; Figure 1 3 is another exploded view of a fastener embodying the present invention; Figure 14 is a plan view of the structure shown in Figure 13; Figure 1 5 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 14; and Figure 1 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the female element of the fastener of the present iiivenrion.

Turning now to the drawings by reference characters, there is shown in Figures 1-4 a preferred embodiment of the invention which is provided with a loop element and is particularly adapted for use as a tent fastener. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the male element generally designated 14 mates with a female element generally designated 1 6. In this embodiment of the invention, the female element must be somewhat flexible as is later explained in detail. The male element 14 has a flat plug portion 1 8 which terminates in cylindrical surface 20. A lip or rim 22 is formed at the outer edge of the cylindrical portion 20 and which has a flat surface 23.The female element 16 includes a collar 24 of a soft, flexible plastic and has a flat surface 25 which mates with flat surface 23 and its inner surface 27 mates with surface 20. In this embodiment of the invention, a loop 26 is formed integrally with the collar 24. The male element can also have a hook 28 formed thereon which is useful inside a tent for hanging articles or for fastening to another layer of fabric.

The method of assembly of the clip of the present invention is best seen with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The female element 1 6 is placed adjacent to a sheet, such as tent fabric 30. The ring element 24 is then compressed by finger pressure in the direction shown by arrows so that the round element 24 is distorted to an ellipse.

The male element 14 is now passed through the elliptical opening in the manner shown in Figure 3, i.e. from the position shown in solid lines to the position shown in dot-dash lines. Now the element 14 is rotated one quarter turn and pressure on the ring 24 released so that the parts are now in a position shown in Figure 4. The male element 14 is then pushed against the collar 24 so that the parts now assume the position shown in Figure 2.

The fabric 30 is engaged between the flat surfaces 23 and 25 and these surfaces are parallel to the plane of the main body of canvas 30 as well as between the surfaces 20 and 27 which are at right angles thereto, so either the female or male elements or the fabric can be pulled or twisted without disengaging the elements. It is thus apparent that the element has been snapped on to the fabric without puncturing the fabric in any manner and without seriously distorting it. Also since the gripping area is in the form of a large circle, the maximum strength of the fabric is utilized.

In Figure 5 another embodiment of the female element is shown wherein the female element consists of a ring-like member 32 which is enlarged at one edge as at 34 with a hole 36 in the enlarged portion. This is useful as a tent holddown since a rope 38 can be passed through the hole 36. The hole 36 could be made larger and elongated to provide a hand grip.

In Figure 6 still another embodiment of the female element is shown wherein a ring 40 has an arch-shape loop 42 formed integrally therewith and wherein the element 42 has a hollow cylinder 44 and a loop 46 moulded near the centre. In assembling the element, the loop 42 has sufficient flexibility so that the parts 44 and 46 can be temporarily bent to one side for the insertion of the male element as is shown in phantom. The relationship of the parts is such that the entire female element, including the members 42, 44 and 46, can be easily moulded from a single piece of plastic in a simple two piece mould. This is possible since 44 is parallel to the inside walls of 40 and the other extremity of 46 lies within an imaginary extension of the inside walis of 40.This embodiment serves both as a pole holder and a tie down at the edge of a tent and the pole holder can be bent to a desired angle.

In Figure 7 still another embodiment of the female element is shown wherein a ring 48 has an extension 50 moulded on one side thereof which has a hole 52 at the terminal end and a hollow cylinder 54 between the ring and the hole.

Extension 50 preferably has a thin cross-section at 51 so the pole holding the cylinder can be bent to a desired angle. This female element is particularly advantageous for use around the edges of a tent having arch-shaped poles since the terminal ends of the poles can be placed in the cylinder 54 and the hole 52 used for a tie-down rope. More than one cylinder can be formed on the extension 50, or more than one extension can be formed on the ring 48, so that two or more poles can be fastened.

In some instances, one merely wishes to fasten two or more sheets together, in which case it is not necessary to provide either the male or female elements with loops or similar attachments. This utilization of the invention is shown in Figure 8 wherein a first sheet of fabric 56 is fastened to a second sheet 58. The female element 60 and the male element 62 are merely used to hold the two sheets together. The two sheets are firmly attached yet can be detached at any time.

In some instances, it is desired to provide the male element with a large loop in which case the structure shown in Figure 9 can be employed.

Here the male element 64 is provided with a Ushaped member generally designated 68 which has straight side members 70 and 72 connected by the central arch 74. Slot 66 permits the element to be moulded in a simple mould. The loop 68 has sufficient flexibility so that the parts can be assembled in the same manner as in Figure 3 and 4.

In the embodiments of the invention heretofore described, at least the female element must be moulded of a relatively soft, yieldable plastic such as polypropylene. Since the male element is not subjected to any distortion, it can be made of a hard plastic or even metal but preferably both parts of the fastener are moulded from a yieldable plastic.

In Figures 1 0, 11 and 12 other embodiments of the invention are shown where neither element is subjected to any distortion so that both parts of the fastener can be made of a hard plastic or even metal.

In accordance with the embodiment of Figure 10 the female element 76 is formed with two slots 78 which are directly opposed to each other.

The male element 14 is as previously described and as can be seen in the drawings, the rim 22 can be passed through slots 78 to assemble the fastener.

In accordance with the embodiment shown in Figures 11 and 12, the male element, generally designated 72, has a plug portion 74 of generally rectangular configuration having straight side walls, and preferably has rounded end portions 76.

A flat rim 78 is provided which may have the same rectangular configuration. The female element, generally designated 80, has an opening 82 which is complementary to the plug 74. The member 80 may be provided with one or more holes 84 or other fastening means as heretofore described. In this embodiment of the invention, the female element is not distorted in any manner but the element 72 is merely turned sideways as is shown in phantom in Figure 11 for insertion through the female element. After insertion, it is turned back 900 on two axes (spin and pitch), so that the plug 74 lies in the opening 82 with one or more sheets of canvas 86 gripped between the male element 72 and the female element 80, grasping the canvas 86 between the two portions of the fastener as is shown in Figure 12.

Referring now to Figures 13, 14 and 15, a similar structure is shown wherein the male element 124 is in the form of an elliptical ring 125 with a rim 127 having an edge 128 at one side thereof. Opposite the rim 1 27 can be placed the inwardly turned lugs 129 which can support a loop 131 or other fastening device. The female element, which is generally designated 132, consists essentially of a ring 133 of oval shape having a central elliptical opening 135 with edge 136 which is complementary to the plug 125. It will be understood, of course, that the plug 1 25 does not form a tight fit in the opening 135 since room must be left for the fabric or other material which is gripped by the fastener.Thus, the rim 133 has a lip 137 formed at the periphery thereof, the inner dimensions of the lip 137 being of such size that it forms a loose fit with the rim 127. The female element 132 may have one or more lugs for holding a fastening element.

Typically two lugs are provided, namely 139 and 141, on opposite sides of the female element so that a rope or similar fastening element 144 can pass between the lugs. The device is used as was described in conjunction with Figure 12 wherein the male element is turned at an angle, passed through the elongated female element and turned back to firmly grip the fabric.

The relationship of the parts and gripping relationship is clearly shown in the sectional view of Figure 1 5. Here it will be seen that a piece of fabric 143 is firmly gripped between the two elements. The fabric surrounds both sides of the rim 133 and both sides of the rim 127 and is stretched taut across the opening of the male element. Since the gripping surfaces are substantially parallel throughout the peripheries of both elements, a strong attachment is made with a minimum of strain on the fabric.

The loops 131 and 144 are useful for attaching the fastener to other objects. A typical application of the fastener would be as part of a tent structure.

Thus, 143 might be the fabric of the tent and the fastener serves to fasten the fastener, and thus the fabric, to the poles of the tent while the fastener 131 could extend inside the tent where it would be handy for hanging various articles.

In Figure 1 6 another embodiment of the female element is shown which might be suitable for use as a tie-down for a tarpaulin or the like. The structure is substantially that shown in Figure 13 having an oval ring 145 and an outer rim 147. For use as a tie-down, a single lug 149 would frequently be sufficient.

Many variations can be made in the structure shown without departing from the spirit of this invention. For instance, the male element of Figures 1 3-1 5 is shown as hollow but this is only for the saving of material and it might be solid as is shown in Figure 12. Further, although the elliptical structure shown in Figures 13-1 6 is preferred because of its pleasing appearance, good grasp on the material, and freedom from tearing, this particular shape is not necessary and the plug and mating opening might be rectangular or of other elongated shapes which would permit the entire male element to pass through the female element and be reversed upon itself to coming into gripping arrangement.

One particularly useful embodiment of the present invention is that shown in Figure 16 which is particularly adapted for use in holding tarpaulins on trucks, haystacks, or the like wherein the female element has only a single fastening lug. For such a structure, the male element might have no lugs at all.

It is apparent from the description of the present invention that the elements need not be flexible. Thus, they can be cast or otherwise fabricated from stiff, hard plastic or even metal.

However, they can be fabricated of a yieldable plastic such as polyethylene in many applications.

Although in each instance, some form of fastening element has been shown on either or both of the male and female elements, this is not necessary and the fastener of the present invention could be used merely for holding two sheets of fabric or the like together.

Claims (15)

1. A fastener for attachment to a web of flexible material, such fastener comprising a female element including a collar having a central opening formed by a generally axially extending surface and an outwardly extending surface surrounding said opening, a male element having a plug portion and a rim extending around said plug, said plug having a complementary shape to that of said opening and said rim having a face adapted to overlie the outwardly extending surface of the female element, whereby said female element can be placed against said web on a first side of the web and said male element can be placed on the opposite side of the web and pushed through said opening, distorting said web, and brought back to lie adjacent the female element, with the web engaged between the outwardly extending surface of the collar and said face of the rim.

2. A fastener according to claim 1, wherein the outwardly extending surface of said collar and said face on said rim are substantially perpendicular to the axially extending surface of said opening.

3. A fastener according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said opening is round and said collar is flexible, whereby said collar can be distorted by pressure on opposite sides to form an ellipse to permit said plug to pass therethrough.

4. A fastener according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said plug has relatively long sides and relatively short ends, whereby said male element can be turned endwise and passed through said opening.

5. A fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein said female element has a loop formed integrally therewith, said loop bridging opposite sides of said collar

6. A fastener according to claim 5, wherein said loop has at least one hollow cylinder formed integrally with the centre of the loop, said cylinder being aligned with said opening.

7. A fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein said female element has an arm extending outwardly from said coliar, with at least one hollow cylinder and a hole formed on said arm.

8. A fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein said male element has a hook formed thereon.

9. A fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein said female element has slots formed on opposite sides of said collar permitting said rim of said male element to pass through said slots.

10. A fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein said female element has at least one enlarged edge with a hole therein.

11. A fastener for attachment to a web of flexible material, such fastener comprising a female element including a collar having a generally axially extending surface forming a central opening of elongate shape and a flat outturned rim surface surrounding said side wall perpendicular thereto, a male element having a plug portion which is of complementary shape to that of the central opening of the female element and having an outturned rim extending around said plug, said outturned rim having a flat face adapted to overlie the flat outturned rim surface of the female element, the shape and dimensions of the male element being such that it can be turned in one position, passed through the collar of the female element without distorting either the male or female element, and turned back against the female element, whereupon said rims of the male and female element overlie in flat parallel arrangement, whereby a web of flexible material, such as fabric, can be grasped between the male and female elements, completely around the peripheries of both elements.

12. A fastener for attachment to a web of flexible material, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A fastener according to claim 12, modified substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8, Figure 9 or Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A fastener for attaching to a web of flexible material substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 11 and 12 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A fastener for attaching to a web of flexible material substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 13, 14 and 1 5 of the accompanying drawings.

1 6. A fastener according to claim 15, modified substantially as herein before described, with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 6 of the accompanying drawings.