GB2066918A

GB2066918A - Fastening device

Info

Publication number: GB2066918A
Application number: GB8041490A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-01-09
Filing date: 1980-12-30
Publication date: 1981-07-15

Abstract

A fastening device particularly for moulded articles such as the soles of shoes, wherein a pin 32 is driven through a spring steel diaphragm 24 clamped between two annular flanged members 20, 22 together defining a casing which covers the pointed end of the pin. The casing is secured together by folding over a lip 25 of flange 22' thereby clamping the diaphragm 24. The casing is embedded in the moulded material. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fastening device This invention relates to a fastening device particutarly but not exclusively for moulded articles and especially useful for the manufacture of footwear, shoes having a moulded sole.

It is known to make shoes or other footwear by moulding the sole as required with spring steel plates having a central aperture from which extend radial slits, embedded in the moulding at intervals around the periphery of the sole. The upper is also formed with holes spaced at intervals around an inturned margin thereof and is secured to the sole by a barbed pin which is driven through the holes in the inturned margin of the upper, into the sole as to pass through the aperture in the spring steel plate whereupon the plate engages behind the barbs on the pin so preventing its subsequent removal.

Continued flexing of the sole, occurring in normal use places a considerable strain on the fastening to the extent that the steel plate fixings or the pins tend to cut into the sole or that the fixings can become dislodged owing to the elasticity of the material from which the sole is moulded, so weakening or loosening the fastening. Consequently, the useful iife of the shoe is limited.

With the object of avoiding this disadvantage, I propose in accordance with the present invention a fastening device in which a resilient diaphragm adapted to engage a pin driven therethrough, is clamped between two annular flanged members together defining a casing which, when in use the pin is inserted, covers the end of the pin.

In the preferred embodiment the diaphragm has a central aperture through which the pin can be driven, there being radial slits extending from the aperture so forming cantilever spring segments which displace to admit the pin and bear thereon to prevent its subsequent removal.

An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a fastening device; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the assembled fastening device shown in Figure 1, and Figures 3 and 3a respectively illustrates how a pin and a barbed pin are held by the featuring device.

Figure 4 is an exploded view of a shoe, illustrating how the fastening device is used in the manufacture of shoes.

The fastening device shown in Figures 1 and 2 is an assembly of three component parts: namely a metal guide bush 20 and metal cup 22 each having an annular flange 20' and 22' and a spring steel diaphragm 24. Around the rim of the flange 22' on the cup 22 is a lip 25 which, with the diaphragm 24 disposed between the two flanges, 20' and 22' is pressed over the rim of flange 20' to clamp the diaphragm 24 and secure the components together in a rigid assembly. At the centre of the diaphragm 24 is an aperture 26 from which extend radial slits 28 defining four cantilever springs 30.

In use a pin 32 is inserted through the guide bush 20 and driven through the aperture 26 in the diaphragm 24 the pointed end 34 of the pin being received within the cup 22 on the other side of the diaphragm. In this position the cantilever springs 30 bear tightly against the pin 32 (as shown in Figure 3) so preventing its subsequent removal. To assist this function the central portion of the diaphragm may be dished so that the cantilever springs 30 are inclined slightly toward the bottom of the cup 22.

When used in the manufacture of footwear having moulded soles and/or heels 40 a plurality of fixing devices 42 are embedded in the material during moulding of the sole. This is achieved by placing the fixing devices on pins or cores in the mould such thatthe pins enter the guide bush 20. After moulding, the moulded parts are separated and the moulding removed or the pins retracted to leave the fixing devices embedded in the moulding with a hole 44 (formed by the pins) communicating with the guide bush 20.

The insole 46 and upper 48 each formed with holes 48, respectively around the periphery of the insole 46 and an inturned margin 50 of the upper, in positions corresponding to the holes 44 in the sole 40, can then be fixed to the sole 40 by driving barbed pins (such as 32) into the fixing devices 42.

The fixing devices 42 afford much firmer attachment of the sole, insole and upper, than was possible heretofore by virtue of the fact that the diaphragm is clamped between metal flanges in a rigid assembly and that in the flanges which are larger and stronger than the conventional spring steel plates afford a firm anchorage in the moulded sole. Further, folding over of the lip 25 and the provision of the cup 22 covering the pointed end 34 of the pin 32 ensures that there are no sharp edges to cut into the moulded sole during flexing thereof in normal use.

If desired and with the object of making the fastening device even more secure, the pin may be barbed such that the diaphragm engages behind the barbs (see Figure 3a) when the pin is inserted so preventing its subsequent removal.

1. A fastening device in which a resilient diaphragm adapted to engage a pin driven therethrough, is clamped between two annular flanged members together defining a casing which, when in use the pin is inserted, covers the end of the pin.

2. Afastening device according to claim 1 wherein the diaphragm has a central aperture through which the pin can be driven, there being radial slits extending from the aperture so forming cantilever spring eiements which displace to admit the pin and bear thereon to prevent its subsequent removal.

3. A fastening device according to claim 2 wherein a central portion of the diaphragm is dished so that the cantilever springs are inclined toward the bottom of the casing.

4. A fastening device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the pin is barbed such that the diaphragm engages behind the barbs when the pin is inserted so preventing its subsequent removal.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Fastening device This invention relates to a fastening device particutarly but not exclusively for moulded articles and especially useful for the manufacture of footwear, shoes having a moulded sole. It is known to make shoes or other footwear by moulding the sole as required with spring steel plates having a central aperture from which extend radial slits, embedded in the moulding at intervals around the periphery of the sole. The upper is also formed with holes spaced at intervals around an inturned margin thereof and is secured to the sole by a barbed pin which is driven through the holes in the inturned margin of the upper, into the sole as to pass through the aperture in the spring steel plate whereupon the plate engages behind the barbs on the pin so preventing its subsequent removal. Continued flexing of the sole, occurring in normal use places a considerable strain on the fastening to the extent that the steel plate fixings or the pins tend to cut into the sole or that the fixings can become dislodged owing to the elasticity of the material from which the sole is moulded, so weakening or loosening the fastening. Consequently, the useful iife of the shoe is limited. With the object of avoiding this disadvantage, I propose in accordance with the present invention a fastening device in which a resilient diaphragm adapted to engage a pin driven therethrough, is clamped between two annular flanged members together defining a casing which, when in use the pin is inserted, covers the end of the pin. In the preferred embodiment the diaphragm has a central aperture through which the pin can be driven, there being radial slits extending from the aperture so forming cantilever spring segments which displace to admit the pin and bear thereon to prevent its subsequent removal. An embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a fastening device; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the assembled fastening device shown in Figure 1, and Figures 3 and 3a respectively illustrates how a pin and a barbed pin are held by the featuring device. Figure 4 is an exploded view of a shoe, illustrating how the fastening device is used in the manufacture of shoes. The fastening device shown in Figures 1 and 2 is an assembly of three component parts: namely a metal guide bush 20 and metal cup 22 each having an annular flange 20' and 22' and a spring steel diaphragm 24. Around the rim of the flange 22' on the cup 22 is a lip 25 which, with the diaphragm 24 disposed between the two flanges, 20' and 22' is pressed over the rim of flange 20' to clamp the diaphragm 24 and secure the components together in a rigid assembly. At the centre of the diaphragm 24 is an aperture 26 from which extend radial slits 28 defining four cantilever springs 30. In use a pin 32 is inserted through the guide bush 20 and driven through the aperture 26 in the diaphragm 24 the pointed end 34 of the pin being received within the cup 22 on the other side of the diaphragm. In this position the cantilever springs 30 bear tightly against the pin 32 (as shown in Figure 3) so preventing its subsequent removal. To assist this function the central portion of the diaphragm may be dished so that the cantilever springs 30 are inclined slightly toward the bottom of the cup 22. When used in the manufacture of footwear having moulded soles and/or heels 40 a plurality of fixing devices 42 are embedded in the material during moulding of the sole. This is achieved by placing the fixing devices on pins or cores in the mould such thatthe pins enter the guide bush 20. After moulding, the moulded parts are separated and the moulding removed or the pins retracted to leave the fixing devices embedded in the moulding with a hole 44 (formed by the pins) communicating with the guide bush 20. The insole 46 and upper 48 each formed with holes 48, respectively around the periphery of the insole 46 and an inturned margin 50 of the upper, in positions corresponding to the holes 44 in the sole 40, can then be fixed to the sole 40 by driving barbed pins (such as 32) into the fixing devices 42. The fixing devices 42 afford much firmer attachment of the sole, insole and upper, than was possible heretofore by virtue of the fact that the diaphragm is clamped between metal flanges in a rigid assembly and that in the flanges which are larger and stronger than the conventional spring steel plates afford a firm anchorage in the moulded sole. Further, folding over of the lip 25 and the provision of the cup 22 covering the pointed end 34 of the pin 32 ensures that there are no sharp edges to cut into the moulded sole during flexing thereof in normal use. If desired and with the object of making the fastening device even more secure, the pin may be barbed such that the diaphragm engages behind the barbs (see Figure 3a) when the pin is inserted so preventing its subsequent removal. CLAIMS

5. Afastening device constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

6. A moulded article embodying a fastening device according to any one of the preceding claims.