GB2582278A

GB2582278A - Improvements in or relating to fastening devices

Info

Publication number: GB2582278A
Application number: GB1903109.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mone Michelle
Original assignee: Mgm Media
Current assignee: Mgm Media
Priority date: 2019-03-07
Filing date: 2019-03-07
Publication date: 2020-09-23
Also published as: GB201903109D0

Abstract

A releasable fastening device comprising a first member 2 having a first part 6 of a locking portion 9, and a second member 4 having a corresponding second part of the locking portion 8. The second member is configured to receive at least a portion of the first member, such that the first part 6 of the locking portion of the first member engages and locks with the second part of the locking portion of the second member. The first and/or second member has a disengagement portion (64, see figure 3 for disengagement mechanism), the disengagement portion being configured to provide a pivot point 65 between the first and second members to allow disengagement and unlocking of the first and second members. The fastener is held closed by engagement of surfaces 18, 20 under tension and does not release under compression. The fastener is well suited to use in a long line (figure 6) instead of a zipper and might be of particular use in the front fastening of a bra (figure 7).

Description

Improvements in or relating to fastening devices

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a releasable fastening device and particularly, but not exclusively, a releasable fastening device for a garment, such as a bra. The present invention also relates to a releasable fastening system comprising two or more releasable fastening devices and a method of manufacturing a releasable fastening device.

Background to the invention

Fastening devices, such as zips, hook and eye fasteners, snap fit buttons, hook and loop fasteners, can be used to connect two items together, such as two pieces of material or fabric. However, there are disadvantages with such known fastening devices.

For example, snap fit buttons can be cumbersome to fasten, which is time consuming and frustrating for the user. They are also often uncomfortable 20 when included on some types of garment.

Zips, and the like, must be fastened and unfastened in a specific order. This is cumbersome in some applications, such as when used as a fastener in a bra, as the head of the zip is normally located at a lower region of the bra, which can be difficult for the wearer of the bra to observe when attempting to fasten the zipper. Furthermore, zips can be prone to splitting under tension, and can snag fabric or the wearer's skin. In some cases, the zip can also get jammed due to tension. Moreover, zips can often become unfastened unintentionally.

Hook and eye fasteners are known to be cumbersome to fasten and unfasten. Furthermore, hook and eye fasteners usually require an overlap between the two materials to be connected, when fastened. Therefore, hook and eye fasteners often require the presence of excess material which would not otherwise be necessary.

Hook and loop fasteners are easily pulled apart. Such fasteners are also noisy, are prone to misalignment and can be uncomfortable to wear when included in certain garments.

All of the fastener types described above are typically visible when included in a garment, and in the case of undergarments such as bras, are visible due to their tendency to protrude against the outer clothing worn by the wearer.

The present inventor has appreciated the shortcomings in known fastening devices.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a releasable fastening device comprising: a first member having a first part of a locking portion; and a second member having a corresponding second part of the locking portion, wherein the second member is configured to receive at least a portion of the first member, such that the first part of the locking portion of the first member engages and locks with the second part of the locking portion of the second member, and wherein the first and/or second member has a disengagement portion, the disengagement portion being configured to provide a pivot point between the first and second members to allow disengagement and unlocking of the first and second members.

It should be understood that in the engaged and locked state, when the first and second members are engaged and locked together, that the first and second members cannot be pulled apart. That is, the disengagement of the first and second members from each other can be carried out by way of the disengagement portion, and not by pulling the first and second members apart. It should be understood that, when the first part of the locking portion of the first member engages and locks with the second part of the locking portion of the second member, the first and second members cannot be pulled apart. The method of locking and engaging the first and second members is different from the method of their disengagement.

The releasable fastening device may be operable by hand, fingers, fingertips, by using the thumb and forefinger, and/or by using the thumb, forefinger and middle fingers of each hand.

The releasable fastening device may be for use in, or on, a fastening system, a garment, a garment fastener, a garment clip, a garment buckle, clothing, jewellery, a fastener, a clip, a buckle, a connector, a connection device or mechanism, a bra, footwear, shoes, boots, jackets, coats, sweatshirts, toys, playthings, fencing, temporary fencing, walls, temporary walls, furnishings, blinds, curtains, shirts, bags, trousers, bedding, sails, a nursing bra, a nursing bra clip, a maternity bra, a maternity bra clip, a top, a sports top, a sports bra, bottoms, sports bottoms, sports trousers, or the like. The releasable fastening device may be for use as at least part of a front-fastening device of a bra, or the like. The releasable fastening device may be for use as at least part of a rear-fastening device of a bra, or the like. The releasable fastening device may be for use as at least part of a side-fastening device of a bra. The releasable fastening device may be used to fasten together any two materials to which the releasable fastening device can be attached.

The releasable fastening device may have a longitudinal, lateral and vertical axis. The longitudinal, lateral and vertical axes may be orthogonally arranged. The length of each part of the releasable fastening device is measured along the longitudinal axis. The width of each part of the releasable fastening device is measured along the lateral axis. The thickness of each part of the releasable fastening device is measured along the vertical axis.

The locking portion may be configured to prevent the disengagement of the first and second members substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The first part of the locking portion may be engageable with the second part thereof substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The first part of the locking portion may be engageable with the second part thereof substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis during the engagement process. The disengagement and unlocking of the first and second members may be carried out by rotating the first member relative to the second member, or the second member relative to the first member about the pivot point. The direction of rotation, or pivoting, may be about the vertical axis.

The locking portion may be configured such that at least one dimension of the first part of the locking portion is substantially unchanged when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member. The locking portion may be configured such that the dimensions of the first part of the locking portion are substantially unchanged when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member.

The locking portion may be configured such that at least one dimension of the second part of the locking portion is substantially unchanged when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member. The locking portion may be configured such that the dimensions of the second part of the locking portion are substantially unchanged when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member.

The locking portion may be configured such that the length, width and/or thickness of the second member is unchanged when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member. The locking portion may be configured such that the length, width and/or thickness of the first member is unchanged when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member.

At least a part of the first part and at least a part of the second part of the locking portion may be configured to fit together in an interference fit. At least a part of the first part of the locking portion may be configured to engage and lock with at least a part of the second part of the locking portion in an interference fit. At least a part of the second part of the locking portion may be configured to snap-fit into engagement with the first part of the locking portion when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member. At least a part of the first part of the locking portion may be configured to snap-fit into engagement with at least a part of the second part of the locking portion when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member. At least a part of the first part of the locking portion may be configured to snap-fit into engagement with at least 3.0 a part of the second part of the locking portion when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member, and at least a part of the second part of the locking portion may be configured to snap-fit into engagement with at least a part of the first part of the locking portion when the first member is locked with the second member.

The first and second members may be arranged to prevent movement of the first member relative to the second member in the direction of the vertical axis when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member. The locking portion may be configured to prevent movement of zo the first member relative to the second member in the direction of the vertical axis when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member.

At least a part of the first part of the locking portion and at least a part of the second part of the locking portion may be configured to fit together in an interference fit in the direction of the vertical axis, such that the locking portion is configured to prevent movement of the first member relative to the second member in the direction of the vertical axis when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member.

The first part of the locking portion may include one or more at least partially elongate members. The first part of the locking portion may include one or more at least partially elongate members that extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The first part of the locking portion of the first member may include one or more protruding members. The one or more protruding members may be arranged to protrude in the direction of the lateral axis. The first part of the locking portion of the first member may include a head portion and a neck portion. The one or more protruding members may be arranged to extend beyond a sidewall of the neck portion. The one or more protruding members may be male members. The one or more protruding members may be pin members, protrusions, L-shaped members, J-shaped members, D-shaped members and/or hook-shaped members, or the like. The second part of the locking portion may include a correspondingly-shaped receiving section configured to receive at least a part of the first part of the locking portion.

The second part of the locking portion of the second member may include one or more protruding member receiving portions. The one or more protruding member receiving portions may be configured to receive the one or more protruding members. The one or more protruding member receiving portions may be correspondingly-shaped to the one or more protruding members. The one or more protruding member receiving portions may be female members.

The head portion and the neck portion may be arranged substantially along the longitudinal axis of the locking portion. The head portion may be arranged to be adjacent to the neck portion.

The first part of the locking portion may include one or more locking members. The one or more locking members of the first part of the locking portion may be located on the head portion thereof. The one or more locking members of the first part of the locking portion may be located on the one or more protruding members thereof. The one or more locking members may have one or more planar surfaces. The locking members may be one or more pins, hooks, sockets, apertures, or the like. The one or more locking members may have one or more planar surfaces located on the one or more protruding members of the first part of the locking portion. At least a part of the locking member may be arranged to protrude beyond, or overhang, at least a part of the neck portion. The direction of the protrusion or the overhang may be along the lateral axis.

The one or more protruding members may include a corner portion, a chamfered portion and/or a chamfered corner portion.

The one or more locking members of the first part of the locking portion may be configured to engage with one or more corresponding locking members of the second part of the locking portion. The one or more locking members of the first part of the locking portion may be configured to oppose and/or abut the one or more corresponding locking members of the second part of the locking portion when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member.

The one or more protruding members of the first part of the locking portion may include one or more overhanging surfaces located adjacent to one or more sidewalls of the neck portion. The one or more overhanging surfaces may be arranged substantially perpendicularly to one or more sidewalls of the neck portion. The one or more sidewalls of the neck portion may be substantially planar surfaces. The, or each, overhanging surface may be a substantially planar surface. The one or more sidewalls of the neck portion located adjacent to the overhanging surface may be substantially planar surfaces.

The first part of the locking portion may include one or more first guide members. The one or more first guide members may be configured to slidably engage with one or more corresponding second guide members of the second part of the locking portion. The, or each, first guide member may include a first guide surface formed by one or more sidewalls of the head portion and/or one or more sidewalls of the neck portion. The first guide surface may be a substantially planar surface. The first guide surface may include a sloped, or angled, planar surface. The first guide surface may include an angled portion relative to the longitudinal axis. The first guide surface may include a corner portion, a chamfered portion and/or a chamfered corner portion. The first guide surface may include a substantially planar portion and a chamfered portion. The first guide surface may be formed by one or more sidewalls of the neck portion located adjacent to one or more sidewalls of the head portion. One or more of the sidewalls of the head portion and one or more sidewalls of the neck portion may be arranged to be substantially coplanar. The first guide member may be configured to oppose and/or abut a corresponding second guide member when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member. The first guide surface may be arranged to oppose and/or abut a corresponding second guide surface of the second part of the locking portion of the second member. The first guide surface may be complementary in shape to the second guide surface.

The first part of the locking portion may be configured to engage with and open, move apart, widen, and/or spread at least a portion of the second part of the locking portion during engagement therebetween. The first part 30 of the locking portion may comprise one or more engagement members configured to engage with and open, move apart, widen, and/or spread at least a portion of the second part of the locking portion. The engagement members may comprise one or more engagement surfaces for engaging corresponding engagement surfaces of at least a portion of the second part of the locking portion. At least one of the engagement surfaces of the first part of the locking portion may be located on the head portion of the first part of the locking portion. At least one of the engagement surfaces of the first part of the locking portion may be arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. At least one of the engagement surfaces of the first part of the locking portion may be a substantially sloped portion, chamfered corner portion and/or chamfered portion of the head portion. At least one of the engagement surfaces of the first part of the locking portion may be located on a sidewall of the head portion.

The first part of the locking portion may include one or more abutment members. The one or more abutment members may be configured to oppose and/or abut one or more corresponding abutment members of the second part of the locking portion during use. At least one of the abutment members of the first part of the locking portion may be formed by at least a portion of the top surface of the head portion. The, or each, abutment member may have a planar surface portion. The, or each, abutment member may include one or more abutment surfaces configured to oppose and/or abut a corresponding abutment surface of an abutment member.

One or more of the engagement members of the first part of the locking portion may be configured to oppose and/or abut one or more surfaces of the second part of the locking portion when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member. That is, at least one of the engagement members of the first part of the locking portion may also be abutment members.

The first part of the locking portion may have one or more shoulder portions. The shoulder portion may have a sloping, angled, inclined, and/or ledge portion.

At least one shoulder portion of the first part of the locking portion may be configured to engage and/or abut with a corresponding shoulder portion of the second part of the locking portion during use. The one or more shoulder portions may include an engagement member configured to engage with a corresponding engagement member of a shoulder portion of the second part of the locking portion during use. The engagement member of the shoulder portion of the first part of the locking portion may include an engagement surface. The engagement surface of the shoulder portion of the first part of the locking portion may be formed by a planar portion of the shoulder portion. The engagement surface of the shoulder portion of the first part of the locking portion may be formed by a surface that is arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the locking portion.

The second part of the locking portion may include one or more channel, recess, and/or groove, portions. The channel, recess and/or groove, portions may be configured to receive at least a part of the first part of the locking portion therein. The channel, recess and/or groove, portions may be at least partially complementary in shape to the one or more protruding members of the first part of the locking portion of the first member. The channel, recess and/or groove portions may be generally V-shaped, U-shaped, and/or C-shaped portions. The channel, recess, and/or groove, portions may be elongate. The channel, recess, and/or groove, portions may extend along the vertical axis.

The second part of the locking portion and/or the first part of the locking portion may include one or more cantilever members. The second part of the locking portion may include two or more opposing wall portions. At least a part of the two or more wall portions may be arranged to define a first member receiving portion for receiving at least a portion of the first member therein. At least one of the wall portions of the second part of the locking portion may be a cantilever member.

Two or more of the wall portions of the second part of the locking portion may be arranged to be offset in the direction of the lateral axis. Two or more of the wall portions of the second part of the locking portion may be arranged to be spaced apart in the direction of the lateral axis. Two or more of the wall portions of the second part of the locking portion may be arranged to be spaced apart in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Two or more of the wall portions of the second part of the locking portion may be arranged to be offset in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Two or zo more of the wall portions of the second part of the locking portion may be arranged to be offset in the direction of the lateral axis and arranged to be offset in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Two or more of the wall portions of the second part of the locking portion may be linked by a curved, at least partially undulating, and/or a stepped wall portion therebetween.

At least one dimension of the first member receiving portion may substantially match a corresponding dimension of the first member. The width of the first member through at least part of its cross section may 30 substantially match the corresponding width of the second member through at least part of its cross section. The thickness of the first member through at least part of its cross section may substantially match the corresponding thickness of the second member through at least part of its cross section.

The second part of the locking portion may comprise one or more protruding members. The one or more protruding members may include one or more locking members configured to engage with the corresponding locking members of the first part of the locking portion when the first member is locked to the second member. The one or more protruding members may include one or more locking members configured to oppose and/or abut the corresponding locking members of the first part of the locking portion when the first member is locked to the second member. The one or more protruding members of the second part of the locking portion may be one or more substantially hook-shaped portions, one or more protrusions, sockets, apertures, pins, or the like, located on a wall portion of the second part of the locking portion. The one or more locking members of the protruding members of the second part of the locking portion may have one or more planar surfaces. The one or more locking members of the protruding members of the second part of the locking portion may have one or more planar surfaces arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.

The, or each, wall portion of the second part of the locking portion may include one or more substantially planar surfaces. The, or each wall portion may include one or more surfaces arranged to engage with one or more corresponding surfaces of the first part of the locking portion of the first member. The, or each wall portion may include one or more surfaces arranged to oppose and/or abut one or more corresponding surfaces of the first part of the locking portion of the first member, when the first member is locked with the second member.

The second part of the locking portion may include one or more second 5 guide members. The one or more second guide members may be configured to slidably engage with the corresponding first guide members of the first part of the locking portion. The second guide member of the second part of the locking portion may include one or second guide surfaces configured to slidably engage with the first guide surfaces of the first part of the locking portion. The second guide surfaces may be one or more planar surfaces. The second guide member may be complementary in shape to the first guide member of the first part of the locking portion. The second guide surface may be a planar surface arranged substantially along the longitudinal axis.

The second part of the locking portion may include one or more engagement members configured to engage with the corresponding engagement members of the first part of the locking portion. The, or each, engagement member of the second part of the locking portion may comprise one or more engagement surfaces. The one or more engagement surfaces of the second pad of the locking portion may be configured to engage with the corresponding engagement surfaces of the first part of the locking portion. The one or more engagement surfaces of the second part of the locking portion may be one or more planar surfaces.

The one or more engagement surfaces of the second part of the locking portion may be a sloped and/or chamfered surface.

The second part of the locking portion may include one or more abutment members configured to engage with the one or more corresponding abutment members of the first part of the locking portion when the first and second members are locked together. The one or more abutment members of the second part of the locking portion may be configured to oppose and/or abut the one or more abutment members of the first part of the locking portion when the first and second members are locked together.

The second part of the locking portion may comprise one or more shoulder portions. The, or each shoulder portion may be one or more sloping, angled, and/or inclined portions. The one or more shoulder portions of the second part of the locking portion may be configured to engage with one or more surfaces of the first part of the locking portion. The one or more shoulder portions of the second part of the locking portion may be configured to engage with the corresponding shoulder portion of the first part of the locking portion. The shoulder portion of the second part of the locking portion may include one or more engagement members configured to engage with the corresponding engagement members of the shoulder portion of the first part of the locking portion. The engagement member may include an engagement surface configured to engage with the corresponding engagement surface of the first part of the locking portion.

The engagement surface may be a planar surface. The engagement surface may be a planar surface located perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.

One or more surfaces of the first part of the locking portion may be arranged to oppose and/or abut one or more surfaces of the second part of the locking portion when the first part of the locking member is engaged and locked with the second part of the locking portion. One or more planar surfaces of the first part of the locking portion may be arranged to oppose and/or abut one or more planar surfaces of the second part of the locking portion when the first part of the locking member is locked with the second part of the locking portion.

One or more surfaces of the first part of the locking portion may be arranged to be engageable with one or more surfaces of the second part of the locking portion, when the first part of the locking portion engages with the second part of the locking portion. One or more surfaces of the first part of the locking portion may be arranged to be slidably engageable with one or more surfaces of the second part of the locking portion, when the first part of the locking portion engages the second part of the locking portion.

At least one surface of the head portion may be arranged to be engageable with at least a part of the one or more sidewalls of the protruding member of the wall portion. At least a part of the head portion may be arranged to be slidably engageable with at least a part of the one or more sidewalls of the protruding member of the wall portion.

At least a part of the one or more sidewalls of the head portion may be engageable with the one or more sidewalls of the wall portion. At least a part of the one or more sidewalls of the head portion may be slidably engageable with the one or more sidewalls of the wall portion. At least a part of the one or more sidewalls of the neck portion may be engageable with the one or more sidewalls of the wall portion. At least a part of the one or more sidewalls of the neck portion may be slidably engageable with the one or more sidewalls of the wall portion. At least a part of the one or more sidewalls of the head portion may be arranged to oppose and/or abut one or more of the sidewalls of the wall portion. At least a part of the one or more sidewalls of the neck portion may be arranged to oppose and/or abut one or more of the sidewalls of the wall portion.

The disengagement portion may include a first portion and a second portion. At least a part of the first portion may be located on a sidewall of the head portion. At least a part of the first portion may be located on a sidewall of the neck portion. At least a part of the first portion may be located on a sidewall of the head portion and a sidewall of the neck portion. At least a part of the first portion may be located adjacent to the shoulder portion of the first part of the locking portion. At least a part of the first portion may be located at an opposing end of the first part of the locking portion to the protruding member thereof.

At least a part of the second portion may be located adjacent to the neck portion of the first part of the locking portion. At least a part of the second portion may be located at an opposing end of the first part of the locking portion than the first portion of the disengagement portion. At least a part of the second portion may be located at an opposing end of the first part of the locking portion than the first portion of the disengagement portion in the direction of the lateral axis. At least a part of the second portion may be located adjacent to at least one abutment member of the first part of the locking portion. At least a part of the second portion may be located opposite the protruding member of the first part of the locking portion. At least a part of the second portion may be located opposite the protruding member of the first part of the locking portion in the direction of the longitudinal axis. At least a part of the second portion may be located at one or more sloped sidewalls of the first part of the locking portion. At least a part of the second portion may be located at one or more sloped sidewalls of the first part of the locking portion, the one or more sidewalls being located adjacent to at least one sidewall of the neck portion.

The first part of the locking portion may be configured to function as a lever during the disengagement process.

At least a part of the guide member of the first part of the locking portion may include the first portion of the disengagement portion. That is, at least a part of the guide member may be configured for use during the disengagement process. At least a part of the second part of the locking portion may include one or more disengagement portions. The guide member of the first part of the locking portion may include a corner portion, a chamfered portion, and/or a chamfered corner portion. The corner portion, chamfered portion and/or chamfered corner portion of the guide member of the first part of the locking portion may be at least a part of the first portion of the disengagement portion. The corner portion, chamfered portion and/or the chamfered corner portion of the first part of the locking portion may be configured to slidably engage with the guide member of the second part of the locking portion during the disengagement process.

The first member may include one or more first disengagement portions configured to engage with one or more corresponding disengagement 20 portions of the second member.

The first member may include one or more second disengagement portions configured to engage with one or more corresponding disengagement portions of the second member.

The one or more disengagement portions may include one or more disengagement surfaces. The, or each, first disengagement portion may include one or more first disengagement surfaces configured to engage with one or more corresponding disengagement surfaces of the second member.

The, or each, second disengagement portion may include one or more second disengagement surfaces configured to engage with one or more corresponding disengagement surfaces of the second member.

The one or more disengagement surfaces may be planar surfaces, sloped surfaces, chamfered portions, chamfered corner portions, and/or corner portions. At least two of the disengagement surfaces may be joined to form one or more edge portions.

At least a part of the one or more protruding members of the second part of the locking portion may be a disengagement portion. The one or more protruding members of the second part of the locking portion may include one or more disengagement surfaces.

At least one of the first disengagement portions may include one or more fulcrums configured to engage with a part of the second part of the locking portion and provide leverage during the disengagement process. At least one of the second disengagement portions may include one or more fulcrums configured to engage with a part of the second part of the locking portion and provide leverage during the disengagement process.

The one or more fulcrums may be one or more edge portions, corner portions, curved portions, and/or elliptical portions, or the like. The one or more fulcrums of the first disengagement portion may be located on the head portion. The one or more fulcrums of the first disengagement portion may be located on a chamfered portion, a corner portion and/or a chamfered corner portion of the head portion. The one or more fulcrums of the first disengagement portion may be located at an end portion, and/or a corner portion, of the first part of the locking portion. The one or more fulcrums of the second disengagement portion may be located at a central, or middle, region of the first part of the locking portion. The one or more fulcrums of the second disengagement portion may be located opposite the protruding member of the first part of the locking portion. The one or more fulcrums of the second disengagement portion may be located opposite the protruding member of the first part of the locking portion in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The one or more fulcrums of the second disengagement portion may be located at a sidewall portion of the first part of the locking portion. The sidewall being located adjacent to the neck portion. The one or more fulcrums of the second disengagement portion may be located substantially opposite the locking member of the second part of the locking portion. The one or more fulcrums of the second disengagement portion may be located substantially opposite the protruding member of the second part of the locking portion. The one or more fulcrums of the second disengagement portion may be located substantially opposite a sloped, angled, chamfered, and/or planar portion of the protruding member of the second part of the second part of the locking portion.

The one or more fulcrums may be located substantially opposite the locking member of the first part of the locking portion. The one or more fulcrums may be located substantially opposite the locking member of the second part of the locking portion.

At least one of the fulcrums may be located substantially opposite the protruding member of the second part of the locking portion and at least one of the fulcrums may be located substantially opposite the guide member of the second part of the locking portion.

At least one of the disengagement surfaces may be arranged as a first planar surface and a second planar surface. The surfaces may be joined by one or more inflection points. At least one of the disengagement surfaces may be joined by one or more inflection points, and the locking portion may be configured such that the one or more inflection points make contact with a part of the second part of the locking portion during the disengagement process. The one or more inflection points may be fulcrum points, the fulcrum points being configured to permit the first member to lever against the second member during the disengagement process. The one or more inflection points may be configured to allow at least one of the first disengagement portions of the first part of the locking portion to engage with a corresponding disengagement portion of the second part of the locking portion. The one or more inflection points may be configured to allow at least one first disengagement portion of the first part of the locking portion to engage with a corresponding second disengagement portion of the second part of the locking portion to open, move apart, widen or spread the second part of the locking portion. The one or more inflection points may be configured to allow at least one of the second disengagement portions of the first part of the locking portion to engage with a corresponding disengagement portion of the second part of the locking portion.

At least a portion of the second part of the locking portion may be configured to open, move apart, widen or spread during the disengagement process. The first part of the locking portion may be configured to open, move apart, widen or spread at least a portion of the second part of the locking portion during the disengagement process. At least a portion of the second part of the locking portion may be configured to close and return to its initial position after the first part of the locking portion has been disengaged therefrom. At least a portion of the second part of the locking portion may be biased between a first member receiving state, and a first member engaging/disengaging state. At least a portion of the second part of the locking portion may be resilient.

The disengagement portion may be arranged to provide the pivot point at the point where at least one abutment member of the first part of the locking portion and at least one abutment member of the second part of the locking portion meet. The disengagement portion may be arranged to provide the pivot point at the point where an abutment member of the second part of the locking portion and an engagement member of the second part of the locking portion meet.

The pivot point may be movable or translatable between the first and second members during the disengagement and unlocking of the first and 15 second members.

The disengagement portion may be arranged to provide the pivot point at a corner portion of the neck portion of the first part of the locking portion, the corner portion being located between a sidewall of the neck portion and a sloped sidewall portion of the first part of the locking portion. The corner portion of the neck portion may be located substantially opposite at least a part of the guide member of the first part of the locking portion. The disengagement portion may be arranged to provide the pivot point at the sloped sidewall portion of the first part of the locking portion. The sloped sidewall portion may be located substantially opposite the protruding member of the first part of the locking portion. The disengagement portion may be arranged to provide the pivot point at a sidewall portion of the first part of the locking portion, the sidewall portion being located substantially opposite the protruding member of the first part of the locking portion. The disengagement portion may be arranged to provide the pivot point at the inflection/fulcrum point at the sloped sidewall portion of the first pad of the locking portion, the sloped sidewall portion being located opposite the protruding member of the first part of the locking portion.

The disengagement portion may be arranged to provide a translatable pivot point between the first and second members to allow disengagement and unlocking of the first and second members. The disengagement portion may be arranged to provide a first pivot point and second pivot point between the first and second members to allow disengagement and unlocking of the first and second members. The disengagement portion may be arranged to allow translation between the first pivot point and the second pivot point during the disengagement process. The translation between the first pivot point and the second pivot point may be substantially instantaneous. The translation between the first pivot point and the second pivot point may be gradual. In both arrangements, there is a translation of pivot point as the first and second members are rotated relative to one another.

The first member and the second member may be movable relative to each other from: (I) an initial, unengaged and unlocked state, wherein the first member and the second member are not in engagement with each other; to (ii) a first, intermediate state, wherein the first part of the locking portion engages with the second pad of the locking portion; to (iii) a second, locked state, wherein the first member is engaged and 30 locked with the second member; to (iv) a third, intermediate state, wherein the first member is unlocked and disengaged from the second member; to (v) a final state, in which the first member and the second member are not in engagement with each other.

In the first, intermediate state, the one or more engagement members of the first part of the locking portion may engage with the one or more corresponding engagement members of the second part of the locking portion to open the second part of the locking portion.

In the second, locked state, at least a part of the first part of the locking portion may be located in the second part of the locking portion.

In the third, intermediate state, the disengagement portions of the first part of the locking portion may engage with the corresponding disengagement portions of the second part of the locking portion.

The first member may be an at least partially resilient member. The first member may be made from a resilient material. The first member may be made from a plastics material. The first member may be made from a biocompatible material. The first member may be made from a biocompatible plastics material. The first member may be made from a machine-washable material. The first member may be made from a plastics material. The first member may be made from a metal material. The first member may be made from nylon and/or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

The second member may be an at least partially resilient member. The second member may be made from a resilient material. The second member may be made from a plastics material. The second member may be made from a biocompatible material. The second member may be made from a biocompatible plastics material. The second member may be made from a machine-washable material. The second member may be made from a plastics material. The second member may be made from a metal material. The second member may be made from nylon and/or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

The releasable fastening device may be connectable to one or more further releasable fastening devices. The releasable fastening device may be connectable to one or more further releasable fastening devices by way of one or more connectors, connection mechanisms, frangible connectors, flexible connectors, fabric connectors and/or rigid connectors. The releasable fastening device and the one or more further releasable fastening devices may be independently operable. That is, each releasable fastening device may be locked and unlocked independently of the others.

The first member may be connectable to one or more further first members of the further releasable fastening devices.

The second member may be connectable to one or more further second members of the further fastening devices.

The first member may be connectable to the one or more further first members sequentially along the vertical axis. The second member may be connectable to the one or more further second members sequentially along the vertical axis.

The releasable fastening device may be located adjacent to one or more further releasable fastening devices. The first member may be located adjacent to one or more further first members. The second member may 5 be located adjacent to one or more further second members.

The first member and the one or more further first members may be integrally formed. The second member and the one or more further second members may be integrally formed. The first member and the one or more further first members may be separately formed. The second member and the one or more further second members may be separately formed. The first member and the one or more further first members may be continuously formed. The second member and the one or more further second members may be continuously formed.

The releasable fastening device may comprise one or more cover members. The releasable fastening device may comprise one or more first cover members associated with the first member. The releasable fastening device may comprise one or more second cover members zo associated with the second member.

The first member and at least one cover member may be integrally formed. The second member and at least one cover member may be integrally formed. The first member may be a one-piece member and the first cover member may be a one-piece member. The second member may be a one-piece member and the second cover member may be a one-piece member. The cover member may be arranged to substantially encapsulate or surround at least a part of the first member and/or the second member. The first cover member may be arranged to encapsulate, or surround, at least a part of the first member. The second cover member may be arranged to encapsulate, or surround, at least a part of the second member.

The, or each cover member may be a flexible member. The first cover member and/or the second cover member may be a flexible member. The first member and/or the second member may be a rigid member. The cover member may be configured to have a higher degree of flexibility than the first member and/or the second member. The cover member may comprise one or more substantially planar portions. The one or more substantially planar portions of the cover member may be arranged to be adjacent to at least a part of the locking portion. The cover member may be made from a plastics material. The cover member may be made from a biocompatible material. The cover member may be made from a biocompatible plastics material. The cover member may be made from a resilient material. The cover member may be made from a machine washable material. The cover member may be made from a plastics material. The cover member may be made from a metal material. The cover member may be made from a thermoplastic material. The cover member may be made from a thermoplastic elastomer. The cover member may be made from a thermoplastic copolymer.

The first member and/or the second member may comprise one or more cover member connection members. The cover member connection members be one or more protruding members, fins, rods, bars, tabs, and/or elongate members, or the like. The cover member connection members may be located at an opposing end portion of the first member than the locking portion. The cover member connection members may be arranged to be encapsulated by the cover member. The cover member connection members may be encapsulated by a substantially planar portion of the cover member.

The cover member may be connectable to one or more further cover members. The planar portion of the cover member may be connectable to one or more further planar portions of the one or more further cover members. The planar portions of the cover member and the one or more further cover members may be arranged along the vertical axis. The cover member and the one or more further cover members may be integrally formed.

The connection point between the cover member and the one or more further cover members may include a flexible region. The flexible region may include one or more indents, depressions, or the like.

At least a part of the cover member may be connectable to one or more pieces of material that are to be connected together using the releasable fastening device. At least a part of the cover member may be connectable to one or more fabric layers, and/or one or more parts of a garment, or the like. The cover member may be connectable to a part of a garment by way of a stitching technique or the like. The, or each, cover member connection member may be configured to be compatible with one or more stitching techniques, or the like.

The cover member may comprise one or more planar outer surfaces. Substantially all of the outer surfaces of the cover member may be planar.

At least a part of the cover member of the first member and at least a part of the cover member of the second member may be configured to be opposed when the first member is locked to the second member. At least a part of the cover member of the first member and at least a part of the cover member of the second member may be configured not to overlap, or come into contact, when the first member is locked to the second member. At least a part of the cover member of the first member and at least a part of the cover member of the second member may be arranged to be coplanar and spaced apart when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member. At least a part of the cover member of the first member and at least a part of the cover member of the second member may be configured to engage with, and/or be in abutment, when the first member is locked with the second member.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a releasable fastening system comprising two or more releasable fastening devices of the first aspect of the invention.

The two or more releasable fastening devices may be connected together.

The two or more releasable fastening devices may be integrally formed. The two or more releasable fastening devices may be continuously formed. The two or more releasable fastening devices may be separately formed. The system may comprise one or more further releasable fastening devices. The one or more further fastening devices may be connected to at least one of the releasable fastening devices. the two or more releasable fastening devices may be located substantially adjacent to each other. Each releasable fastening device may be located substantially adjacent to another releasable fastening device.

The releasable fastening system may be for use in, or on, a fastening system, a garment, a garment fastener, a garment clip, a garment buckle, clothing, jewellery, a fastener, a clip, a buckle, a connector, a connection device or mechanism, a bra, footwear, shoes, boots, jackets, coats, sweatshirts, toys, playthings, fencing, temporary fencing, walls, temporary walls, furnishings, blinds, curtains, shirts, bags, trousers, bedding, sails, a nursing bra, a nursing bra clip, a maternity bra, a maternity bra clip, a top, a sports top, a sports bra, bottoms, sports bottoms, sports trousers, or the like. The releasable fastening system may be for use as at least part of a front-fastening device of a bra, or the like. The releasable fastening system may be for use as at least part of a rear-fastening device of a bra, or the like. The releasable fastening system may be for use as at least part of a side-fastening device of a bra. The releasable fastening system may be used to fasten together any two materials to which the releasable fastening device can be attached.

Embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first aspect of the present invention or its embodiments. Similarly, embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the second aspect of the present invention or its embodiments.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a garment comprising the releasable fastening device of the first aspect of the invention.

The garment may comprise two or more releasable fastening devices of the first aspect of the invention.

The garment may be clothing, a bra, footwear, shoes, boots, jackets, coats, sweatshirts, or the like, a garment clip, a garment buckle, a clip, a buckle, shirts, bags, trousers, a nursing bra, a nursing bra clip, a maternity bra, a maternity bra clip, a top, a sports top, a sports bra, bottoms, sports bottoms, sports trousers, or the like.

The releasable fastening device may be for use as at least part of a front-fastening device of a bra, or the like. The releasable fastening device may be for use as at least part of a rear-fastening device of a bra, or the like. The releasable fastening device may be for use as at least part of a side-fastening device of a bra. The releasable fastening device may be used to fasten together any two materials to which the releasable fastening device can be attached.

Embodiments of the third aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first and/or second aspects of the present invention or their embodiments. Similarly, embodiments of the first and/or second aspects of the present invention may include one or more features of the third aspect of the present invention or its embodiments.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a garment comprising the releasable fastening system of the second aspect of the invention.

The garment may comprise a plurality of releasable fastening devices of the first aspect of the invention.

The releasable fastening system may be for use as at least part of a front-fastening device of a bra, or the like. The releasable fastening system may be for use as at least part of a rear-fastening device of a bra, or the like. The releasable fastening system may be for use as at least part of a side-fastening device of a bra. The releasable fastening system may be used to fasten together any two materials to which the releasable fastening device can be attached.

Embodiments of the fourth aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first, second and/or third aspects of the present invention or their embodiments. Similarly, embodiments of the first, second, and/or third aspects of the present invention may include one or more features of the fourth aspect of the present invention or its embodiments.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a releasable fastening device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the method comprising the steps of: providing a releasable fastening device comprising: a first member having a first part of a locking portion; and a second member having a corresponding second part of the locking portion, wherein the second member is configured to receive at least a portion of the first member, such that the first part of the locking portion of the first member engages and locks with the second part of the locking portion of the second member, and wherein the first and/or second member has a disengagement portion, the disengagement portion being configured to provide a pivot point between the first and second members to allow disengagement and unlocking of the first and second members.

The step of providing the first member may be carried out using a moulding process. The step of providing the second member may be carried out using a moulding process. The method may comprise the step of providing one or more cover members. The one or more cover members may be provided using a moulding process. The method may comprise the step of over-moulding at least one cover member onto the first member and/or the second member.

Embodiments of the fifth aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first, second, third and/or fourth aspects of the present invention or their embodiments. Similarly, embodiments of the first, second, third and/or fourth aspects of the present invention may include one or more features of the fifth aspect of the present invention or its embodiments.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. la shows a side view of a releasable fastening device according to an aspect of the present invention; Fig. lb shows a detailed view of a part of the releasable fastening device of Fig. la; Fig. 2 shows a side view of the releasable fastening device of Fig. la; Figs. 3a to 3f show a side view of the releasable fastening device of Fig. la; Fig. 4a shows an isometric view of the releasable fastening device of Fig. la, without cover member 80; Fig. 4b shows a releasable fastening system according to an aspect of the present invention; Fig. 5 shows a partial top view of a releasable fastening system according to an aspect of the present invention; Figs. 6a and 6b show a partial isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the releasable fastening system according to an aspect of the present invention; and Figs. 7a and 7b show a garment comprising the releasable fastening device and system according to aspects of the present invention.

Description of preferred embodiments

With reference to Figs. 1 a to 7b a releasable fastening device 1 is shown. With reference to Figs. 7a and 7b, the releasable fastening device 1 can be used as a front fastener on a garment 100, such as a bra (underwear garment or undergarment) 101. Whilst the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 7a and 7b shows the releasable fastening device 1 used as a front fastener of a bra 101, the releasable fastening device 1 could be for use as at least part of a rear-fastening device of a bra 101, or the like. Furthermore, the releasable fastening device 1 could be used as a side-fastening device of a bra 101. It will be appreciated that the releasable fastening device 1 could be used in a wide variety of configurations, on other garments, or in other items.

It should be appreciated that the releasable fastening device 1 can be used to fasten together any two materials to which the releasable fastening device 1 can be attached, and the releasable fastening device 1 can be for use in, or on, a fastening system, a garment 100, a garment fastener, a garment clip, a garment buckle, clothing, jewellery, a fastener, a clip, a buckle, a connector, a connection device or mechanism, a bra 101, footwear, shoes, boots, jackets, coats, sweatshirts, toys, playthings, fencing, temporary fencing, walls, temporary walls, furnishings, blinds, curtains, shirts, bags, trousers, bedding, sails, a nursing bra, a nursing bra clip, a maternity bra, a maternity bra clip, a top, a sports top, a sports bra, bottoms, sports bottoms, sports trousers, or the like.

As shown in Fig. 1 a, the releasable fastening device 1 comprises a first member 2 (on the right of Fig. 1 a) having a first part 6 of a locking portion 9 and a second member 4 (on the left of Fig. la) having a corresponding second part 8 of the locking portion 9. Fig. 1 b shows the locking portion 9 in more detail, and Fig. 2 illustrates the first member 2 and the second member 4 in an engaged and locked state.

In the embodiments illustrated and described here, the second member 4 is configured to receive a portion of the first member 2 therein, such that the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 of the first member 2 engages and locks with the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 of the second member 4.

As described in more detail below, and as best shown in Figs. 3a to 3f, the first member 2 and the second member 4 each have a disengagement portion 64, the disengagement portion 64 being configured to provide two pivot points 65 and 65' between the first and second members 2, 4 to allow disengagement and unlocking of the first and second members 2, 4, as described further below.

As shown in Fig. 2, in the engaged and locked state, when the first and second members 2, 4 are engaged and locked together, the first and second members 2, 4 cannot be pulled apart. That is, the disengagement of the first and second members 2, 4 from each other is carried out by way of the disengagement portion 64, and not by pulling the first and second members 2, 4 apart. Therefore, the method of locking and engaging the first and second members 2, 4 is different from the method of their disengagement. Thus, the releasable fastening device 1 can be used to fasten two items together in a secure manner.

In the embodiments illustrated and described here, the releasable fastening device 1 can be operated by hand. In particular, the user of the releasable fastening device 1 can use the thumb and forefinger of each hand to operate it. It will be appreciated that depending on the size of the releasable fastening device 1, in other embodiments the user may operate the releasable fastening device 1 in other ways.

As shown in Fig. 1 a, the releasable fastening device 1 has a longitudinal axis lx, lateral axis 1y and vertical axis 1z, which are orthogonally arranged to one another, and it will be appreciated that the length, width and thickness of each part of the releasable fastening device 1 is measured relative to the longitudinal, lateral and vertical axes lx, 1y, 1z respectively. Typically, when used as a front fastener in a bra 101, the vertical axis 1z of the releasable fastening device 1 is arranged vertically when the wearer is in a standing position. It will be appreciated that in other uses of the fastening device the vertical axis 1 z need not be arranged in a vertical orientation.

As shown in Fig. 2 the locking portion 9 is configured to prevent the disengagement of the first and second members 2, 4, substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis lx. This is particularly useful when the releasable fastening device 1 is under tension in the direction of the longitudinal axis lx.

The first part 6 of the locking portion 9 is engageable with the second part 8 thereof substantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis lx during the engagement process. When bringing two pieces of material closer together in the direction of the longitudinal axis lx, it is therefore easier to fasten the releasable fastening device 1 in the same direction.

As shown in Figs. 3a to 3f the disengagement and unlocking of the first and second members 2, 4, is carried out by rotating the first member 2 relative to the second member 4 about the pivot points 65, 65' with the direction of rotation, or pivoting, being about the vertical axis 1z. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, one or more pivot points could be used. By rotating the first member 2 relative to the second member 4 in this manner, the user is not required to carry out a cumbersome disengagement process, such as that required to unhook hook and eye type fasteners, or the like. The user can simply rotate the first member 2 relative to the second member 4 in an efficient manner, as illustrated in Figs. 3a to 3f.

At least a part of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 and at least a part of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 are configured to fit together in an interference fit in the direction of the vertical axis 1 z, such that the locking portion 9 is configured to prevent movement of the first member 2 relative to the second member 4 in the direction of the vertical axis 1 z when the first member 2 is engaged and locked with the second member 4.

The first part 6 of the locking portion 9 includes an at least partially elongate head portion 12 and an at least partially elongate neck portion 14 that extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis lx. The first part 6 of the locking portion 9 includes a protruding member 10 arranged to protrude in the direction of the lateral axis 1y and extend beyond a sidewall 14a of the neck portion 14. The protruding member 10 is a male member, and the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 includes a correspondingly-shaped protruding member receiving portion 16 configured to receive the protruding member 10 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9. The protruding member receiving portion 16 is a female member, and thus the first member 2 is a male member and the second member 4 is a female member. It will be appreciated that other male-female arrangements are possible.

As best shown in Fig. 1 b, the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 includes a single locking member 18 located on the protruding member 10 thereof. The locking member 18 has a planar surface 18a configured to engage with a corresponding locking member 20 of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9, and the locking member 18 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 is configured to oppose and abut the corresponding locking member 20 of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 when the first member 2 is engaged and locked with the second member 4. The locking member 20 of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 also has a planar surface 61, which engages and abuts the planar surface 18a of the locking member 18 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9.

The locking member 18 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 is arranged to protrude beyond, or overhang, at least a part of the neck portion 14 in the direction of the lateral axis 1y.

The first part 6 of the locking portion 9 includes a first guide member 22 configured to slidably engage with a corresponding second guide member 24 of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9. The first guide member 22 includes a substantially planar first guide surface 28 formed by a sidewall 26 of the head portion 12 and a sidewall 14a of the neck portion 14.

In the embodiments illustrated and described here, the first guide surface 28 includes a sloped, or angled, planar surface angled relative to the longitudinal axis lx. However, it should be appreciated that the first guide surface 28 may be parallel to the longitudinal axis lx. In the embodiments illustrated and described here the first guide surface 28 also includes a chamfered corner portion 28'.

The first guide member 22 is configured to oppose and/or abut the corresponding second guide member 24 when the first member 2 is engaged and locked with the second member 4, and the first guide surface 28 is arranged to oppose and/or abut the corresponding second guide surface 30 of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 of the second member 4.

In the embodiments illustrated and described here, the first guide surface 28 is complementary in shape to the second guide surface 30. However, it will be appreciated in other embodiments that the first guide surface 28 might have a different shape to the second guide surface 30.

As best shown in Figs. 3a to 3f, the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 is configured to engage with and open, move apart, widen, and/or spread at least a portion of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 during engagement therebetween. In particular, the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 comprises one or more engagement members 32 configured to engage with and open, move apart, widen, and/or spread at least a portion of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9, by engaging with the corresponding engagement members 34 thereof. The second part 8 of the locking portion 9 is configured to then snap-fit against the first part 6 of the locking portion 9.

The engagement members 32 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 comprise one or more engagement surfaces 36 for engaging corresponding engagement surfaces 38 of at least a portion of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9.

At least one of the engagement surfaces 36 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis lx. Furthermore, at least one of the engagement surfaces 36 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 is a substantially chamfered portion 19 of the protruding member 10.

The chamfered corner portion 28' of the first guide surface 28 is also configured to abut an engagement member 34 of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 to prevent relative movement of the first and second parts 6, 8 of the locking portion 9 along the longitudinal axis lx. This prevents the locking members 18, 20 becoming disengaged, and an inadvertent unlocking of the releasable fastening device 1.

The first part 6 of the locking portion 9 includes one or more abutment members 40 configured to oppose and/or abut one or more corresponding abutment members 42 of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 during use. The abutment members 40 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 include one or more abutment surfaces 44 configured to oppose and/or abut a corresponding abutment surface 46 of the abutment members 42 of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9. In the embodiment illustrated and described here, the co-planar sidewalls 26, 14a of the head portion 12 and neck portion 14 are abutment surfaces 44. Furthermore, the chamfered corner portion 28' of the head portion 12 functions as an abutment surface 44. Moreover, a sidewall 14a of the neck portion 14 located adjacent to the protruding member 10 is an abutment surface 44. Additionally, a sidewall 26 of the head portion 12, located adjacent to the locking member 18 thereof, is an abutment surface 44.

It will be appreciated that the planar surfaces 18a, 61 of the locking members 18, 20 are also abutment surfaces 44.

In the embodiments illustrated and described here at least one of the engagement members 32 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 are also abutment members 42, and thus have more than one function during the operation of the releasable fastening device 1.

In the embodiments illustrated and described here, the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 has a shoulder portion 48, including a ledge portion that is an engagement member 50. The shoulder portion 48 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 is configured to engage and/or abut with a corresponding shoulder portion 49 of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9, and particularly an engagement member 52 thereof, during use.

The second part 6 of the locking portion 9 includes an elongate channel, recess, and/or groove, portion 54 along the longitudinal axis lx configured to receive at least a part of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 therein. As shown in Fig. 2, the channel, recess and/or groove, portion 54 is at least partially complementary in shape to the protruding member 10 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9, and is a generally U-shaped portion.

The second part 8 of the locking portion 9 includes a plurality of wall portions 58 arranged to define the protruding member receiving portion 16. As described further below, the wall portions 58 are cantilever members.

Two of the wall portions 58 of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 are arranged to be offset in the direction of the lateral axis ly and longitudinal axis lx and are linked by an undulating wall portion 59 therebetween. Furthermore, two of the wall portions 58 are spaced apart from a third wall portion 58 along the lateral axis 1y. The function of the undulating wall portion 59 is to prevent relative movement of the first and second parts 6, 8 of the locking portion 9 along the longitudinal axis lx once they are in the engaged and locked state.

The second part 8 of the locking portion 9 comprises a protruding member 60. The protruding member 60 includes the locking member 20 configured to engage with the corresponding locking member 18 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 when the first member 2 is locked to the second member 4. As shown in Fig. 1 b, the locking member 20 of the protruding member 60 of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 has a planar surface 61 arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis lx.

The second part 8 of the locking portion 9 includes a second guide member 24 configured to slidably engage with the corresponding first guide member 22 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9, and the second guide member 24 of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 includes a second guide surface 30 configured to slidably engage with the first guide surface 28 and the chamfered corner portion 28' of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9. The second guide surface 30 is a planar surface located on one of the wall portions 58 and arranged substantially along the longitudinal axis lx.

The second part 8 of the locking portion 9 includes engagement members 34 configured to engage with the corresponding engagement members 32 30 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9, each engagement member 34 comprises one or more engagement surfaces 38 configured to engage with the corresponding engagement surfaces 36 of the first pad 6 of the locking portion 9.

One of the engagement surfaces 38 of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 is a planar surface located on the protruding member 60 and arranged substantially along the longitudinal axis lx and adjacent to the locking member 20. One of the engagement surfaces 38 of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 is a sloped and/or chamfered surface located on the protruding member 60, angled relative to the longitudinal axis lx.

The second part 8 of the locking portion 9 includes abutment members 42 configured to engage with and abut and/or oppose the one or more corresponding abutment members 40 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 when the first and second members 2, 4 are locked together.

In the embodiments illustrated and described here, the second guide member 24 is also an abutment member 42 when the first member 2 is 20 engaged and locked with the second member 4.

As best shown in Figs. 3a to 3f the disengagement portion 64 includes a first portion 64a and a second portion 64b. At least a part of the first portion 64a is located on a sidewall 26 of the head portion 12 at an opposing end of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 to the protruding member 10 thereof.

At least a part of the second portion 64b is located adjacent to the neck portion 14 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 at an opposing end thereof than the first portion 64a of the disengagement portion 64, in the direction of the lateral axis 1y. At least a part of the second portion 64b is located adjacent to an abutment member 40 of the first pad 6 of the locking portion 9. At least a part of the second portion 64b is located opposite the protruding member 10 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9. At least a part of the second portion 64b is located opposite the protruding member 10 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 in the direction of the longitudinal axis lx. In the embodiments illustrated and described here, at least a part of the second portion 64b is located at one or more sloped sidewalls 64g of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9.

As best shown in Figs. 3a to 3f the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 is configured to function as a lever during the disengagement process.

At least a part of the guide member 22 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 includes the first portion 64a of the disengagement portion 64.

That is, at least a part of the guide member 22 is configured for use during the disengagement process.

At least a part of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 includes one or more disengagement portions 64. The guide member 22 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 includes a chamfered corner portion 28', which is at least a part of the first portion 64a of the disengagement portion 64 and is configured to slidably engage with the guide member 24 of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 during the disengagement process.

The first disengagement portion 64a includes one or more first disengagement surfaces 64c configured to engage with one or more corresponding disengagement surfaces 64e of the second member 4. The second disengagement portion 64b includes one or more second disengagement surfaces 64d configured to engage with the one or more corresponding disengagement surfaces 64e of the second member 4.

The first disengagement portion 64a includes a first fulcrum 64f configured 5 to engage with a part of the second part 6 of the locking portion 9 and provide leverage during the disengagement process.

At least one of the second disengagement portion 64b includes a second fulcrum 64f' configured to engage with a part of the second part 6 of the locking portion 9 and provide leverage during the disengagement process.

It should be understood that in other embodiments, the one or more fulcrums could be one or more edge portions, corner portions, curved portions, and/or elliptical portions, or the like.

The first fulcrum 64f of the first disengagement portion 64a is located on the chamfered corner portion 28' of the head portion 12.

The second fulcrum 64f of the second disengagement portion 64b is located at a central, or middle, region of the first member 2, and opposite the protruding member 10 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 in the direction of the longitudinal axis lx. The second fulcrum 64f of the second disengagement portion 64b is located at a sloped sidewall portion 65g of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9.

The second fulcrum 64f of the second disengagement portion 64b is located substantially opposite the locking member 20 of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9.

The second disengagement surfaces 64d are arranged as a first planar surface and a second planar surface joined by one or more inflection points and the locking portion 9 is configured such that the one or more inflection points make contact with a part of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 during the disengagement process. In this embodiment, the inflection point is a fulcrum point 64f' configured to permit the first member 2 to lever against the second member 4 during the disengagement process and configured to allow the first disengagement portion 64a of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 to engage with a corresponding disengagement portion 64 of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 to open, move apart, widen or spread the second part 8 of the locking portion 9.

As shown in Fig. 3c, at least a portion of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 is configured to open, move apart, widen or spread during the disengagement process, and at least a portion of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 is configured to close and return to its initial position after the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 has been disengaged therefrom. In the embodiments illustrated and described here, at least a portion of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 is biased between a first member receiving state, shown in Figs. 3a and 3b and a first member engaging/disengaging state, shown in Fig. 3e. At least a portion of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 is resilient.

The disengagement portion 64 is arranged to provide a pivot point 65 at a corner portion of the neck portion 14 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9, the corner portion being located between a sidewall 14a of the neck portion 14 and a sloped sidewall portion 64g of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9. The disengagement portion 64 is also arranged to provide another pivot point 65' at the sloped sidewall portion 64g of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9. The sloped sidewall portion 64g is located substantially opposite the protruding member 10 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9. The disengagement portion 64 is arranged to provide a pivot point 65' at the fulcrum 64f at the sloped sidewall portion 64g of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9.

Therefore, in the embodiments illustrated and described here the disengagement portion 64 is arranged to provide a translatable pivot point between the first and second members 2, 4 to allow disengagement and unlocking of the first and second members 2, 4. In particular, the disengagement portion 64 is arranged to provide a first pivot point 65 and second pivot point 65' between the first and second members 2, 4 to allow disengagement and unlocking thereof. In the embodiments illustrated and described here, the disengagement portion 64 is arranged to allow substantially instantaneous translation between the first pivot point 65 and the second pivot point 65' during the disengagement process as the first and second members 2, 4 are rotated relative to one another.

With reference to Figs. 3a to 3f the first member 2 and the second member zo 4 are movable relative to each other from: (i) an initial, unengaged and unlocked state 90, wherein the first member 2 and the second member 4 are not in engagement with each other; to (ii) a first, intermediate state 91, wherein the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 engages with the second part 8 of the locking portion 9; to (iii) a second, locked state 92, wherein the first member 2 is engaged 30 and locked with the second member 4; to (iv) a third, intermediate state 93, wherein the first member 2 is unlocked and disengaged from the second member 4; to (v) a final state 94, in which the first member 2 and the second member 4 are not in engagement with each other.

In the first, intermediate state 91, the engagement members 32 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 engage with the corresponding engagement 10 members 34 of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 to open the second part 8 of the locking portion 9.

In the second, locked state 92, at least a part of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 is located in the second part 8 of the locking portion 9.

In the third, intermediate state 93, the disengagement portions 64 of the first part 6 of the locking portion 9 engage with the corresponding disengagement portions 64 of the second part 8 of the locking portion 9.

The first member 2 and the second member 4 are at least partially resilient members made from a machine washable, biocompatible plastics material. In the embodiments illustrated and described here, the first member 2 and the second member 4 are made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). However, it should be understood that the first member 2 and/or the second member 4 could be made from other materials, such as nylon, other plastics, and/or a metal material.

As shown in Fig. 4a the releasable fastening device 1 is connectable to one or more further releasable fastening devices 70 by way of one or more 30 frangible connectors 71 to form a releasable fastening system 1 a. The releasable fastening device 1 and the one or more further releasable fastening devices 70 are independently operable and the user can opt to fasten or unfasten the fastening devices in any order. That is, each releasable fastening device 1, 70, may be locked and unlocked independently of the others. This is advantageous in some applications, where the user may wish to fasten the releasable fastening devices 1 that are in close proximity to them first, and tackle the more difficult fasteners at a later stage of the fastening process. Furthermore, the user may not be able to observe all of the fasteners, and may wish to fasten the releasable fastening devices 1, 70 that can be observed, to make the process of fastening the unobservable fasteners easier. This is particularly advantageous when the releasable fastening device 1 is used as a front fastener on a garment, such as a bra.

As shown in Fig. 4b, the first member 2 is connectable to one or more further first members 70a of the further releasable fastening devices 70 and the second member 4 is connectable to one or more further second members 70b of the further fastening devices 70 sequentially along the vertical axis 1z.

The releasable fastening device 1 is located adjacent to one further releasable fastening device 70, although it will be appreciated that in this embodiment, most of the fastening devices 70 are located adjacent to two other fastening devices.

In the embodiments illustrated and described here, the first member 2 and the one or more further first members 70a are integrally formed and are manufactured in a continuous process. Similarly, the second member 4 and the one or more further second members 70b are integrally formed and are manufactured using a continuous manufacturing process.

As shown in Fig. 5, the releasable fastening system 1a comprises a cover member 80. The releasable fastening device 1 comprises a first cover member 84 associated with the first member 2 and a second cover member 86 associated with the second member 4.

In the embodiments illustrated and described here, each further releasable fastening device 70 is at least partially substantially encapsulated by a further cover member 80', the first member 70a of each releasable fastening device 1 is at least partially substantially encapsulated by a first further cover member 84' and the second member 70b of each releasable fastening device 1 being at least partially substantially encapsulated by a second further cover member 86'. In the embodiments illustrated and described here, the cover member 80 and the further cover member 80' are integrally formed and are added to the releasable fastening devices 1, using a continuous manufacturing process, such as over-moulding. It will be appreciated that other manufacturing processes could be used.

Each cover member 80, 80' is a flexible member configured to have a higher degree of flexibility than the first members 2, 70a and the second members 4, 70b. This improves the flexibility of the releasable fastening device 1 and improves the comfort thereof, particularly when included in a garment 100, such as a bra 101.

As shown in Figs. 5, 6a and 6b, each cover member 80, 80' comprises substantially planar portions 82, 82' arranged to be adjacent to at least a part of the locking portion 9. The planar portions 82, 82' of the cover member 80, 80' are useful when attaching the releasable fastening device 1 or system la to an item, as the attachment means for attaching it to the item, such as stitches, can be applied in close proximity to the locking portion 9. For example, the foot of a sewing machine can be placed in close proximity to the locking portion 9 in order to stitch the items (to be attached) close to the locking portion 9. Bringing the items to be fastened in close proximity to the locking portion 9 helps to minimise excess fabric and, at least in some uses, improves the appearance of the items to be fastened. For example, when used as a front fastener of a garment 100, such as a bra 101, the cups of the bra 101 can be located in closer proximity to each other, as shown in Figs. 7a and 7b, which improves the support provided to the wearer of the bra 101.

The cover members 80, 80' are made from a biocompatible plastics material that is machine washable. In the embodiments illustrated and described here, the cover members 80, 80' from a thermoplastic elastomer. However, it should be understood that the cover members 80, 80' could be made from a thermoplastic copolymer, other plastics materials and/or a metal material.

As shown in Fig. 5, the first member 2 and the second member 4 comprise one or more cover member connection members 88, 88'. The cover member connection members 88, 88' are one or more protruding members located at an opposing end portion of the first member 2 and second member 4 than the locking portion 9. The cover member connection members 88, 88' are arranged to be encapsulated by a substantially planar portion 82, 82' of the cover members 88, 88'. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the cover member connection members 88, 88' improve the connection properties between the first and second members 2, 4 and the cover members 84, 86, whilst allowing for attachment to an item. For example, when using a sewing machine to stitch an item to the cover member 80, the cover member connection members 88, 88' tend to move away from the needle of the sewing machine, and thus the connection of the cover member 80 to the item(s) to be fastened is improved.

The connection point between the cover member 80 and the one or more further cover members 80' includes a flexible region 81, which in this embodiment is one or more indents, depressions, or the like, which, without wishing to be bound by theory, improves the flexibility of the releasable fastening device 1.

The cover member 80 is connectable to one or more pieces of material that are to be connected together using the releasable fastening device 1 by way of a stitching technique or the like, and the cover member connecting member 88 is configured to be compatible with one or more stitching techniques, or the like.

The cover member 80 comprises one or more substantially planar outer surfaces. This makes the releasable fastening device 1 more comfortable to wear.

At least a part of the cover member 84 of the first member 2 and at least a part of the cover member 86 of the second member 4 are configured to be opposed when the first member 2 is locked to the second member 4. In the embodiments illustrated and described here, at least a part of the cover member 84 of the first member 2 is configured to engage with and/or abut at least a part of the cover member 86 of the second member 4 when the first member 2 is engaged and locked with the second member 4. At least a part of the cover member 84 of the first member 2 and at least a part of the cover member 86 of the second member 4 are arranged to be coplanar and spaced apart when the first member 2 is engaged and locked with the second member 4. At least a part of the cover member 84 of the first member 2 and at least a part of the cover member 86 of the second member 4 are configured to not to overlap, or come into contact, when the first member 2 is locked to the second member 4. This minimises the footprint of the releasable fastening device 1 and improves the comfort and appearance thereof.

Figs. 6a and 6b show an alternative embodiment of the invention. The primary differences between the embodiment shown in Figs. 6a and 6b, and those embodiments described heretofore are that the second part 8 of the locking portion 9 includes an additional abutment member 42' and the cover member connecting members 88 are arranged in a different arrangement.

Modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A releasable fastening device comprising: a first member having a first part of a locking portion; and a second member having a corresponding second part of the locking portion, wherein the second member is configured to receive at least a portion of the first member, such that the first part of the locking portion of the first member engages and locks with the second part of the locking portion of 10 the second member, and wherein the first and/or second member has a disengagement portion, the disengagement portion being configured to provide a pivot point between the first and second members to allow disengagement and unlocking of the first and second members.
2. The releasable fastening device of claim 1, wherein the first and second members are configured such that disengagement and unlocking of the first and second members is achieved by rotating the first member relative to the second member, or the second member relative to the first member, about the pivot point.
3. The releasable fastening device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least a part of the first part of the locking portion is configured to engage and lock with at least a part of the second part of the locking portion in an interference fit and/or wherein at least a part of the first part of the locking portion is configured to snap-fit into engagement with at least a part of the second part of the locking portion when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member.
4. The releasable fastening device of claim 3, wherein the releasable fastening device comprises a longitudinal, lateral and vertical axis, and wherein at least a part of the first part of the locking portion and at least a part of the second part of the locking portion are configured to fit together in an interference fit in the direction of the vertical axis, such that the locking portion is configured to prevent movement of the first member relative to the second member in the direction of the vertical axis when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member.
5. The releasable fastening device of any preceding claim, wherein the first part of the locking portion of the first member includes one or more protruding members and the second part of the locking portion of the second member includes one or more protruding member receiving portions configured to receive the one or more protruding members of the first part of the locking portion, and wherein the protruding member of the first part of the locking portion comprises one or more locking members configured to engage with, oppose and/or abut one or more corresponding locking members of the protruding member of the second part of the locking portion when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member.
6. The releasable fastening device of any preceding claim, wherein the first part of the locking portion is configured to engage with and open at least a portion of the second part of the locking portion during engagement therebetween.
7. The releasable fastening device of claim 6, wherein the first part of the locking portion comprises one or more engagement members configured to engage with and open at least a portion of the second part of the locking portion.
8. The releasable fastening device of claim 7, wherein one or more of the engagement members of the first part of the locking portion are configured to function as one or more abutment members to oppose and/or abut one or more corresponding abutment members of the second part of the locking portion when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member.
9. The releasable fastening device of any preceding claim, wherein the first part of the locking portion is operable as a lever during the disengagement process.
10. The releasable fastening device of any preceding claim, wherein the first member includes one or more first disengagement portions configured to engage with one or more corresponding disengagement portions of the second member, and wherein the first member includes one or more second disengagement portions configured to engage with one or more corresponding disengagement portions of the second member.
11. The releasable fastening device of claim 10, wherein the first part of the locking portion comprises one or more first guide members configured to slidably engage with one or more corresponding second guide members of the second part of the locking portion, and wherein the, or each, first guide member is configured to oppose and/or abut the, or each, corresponding second guide member when the first member is engaged and locked with the second member, and wherein at least a part of the guide member of the first part of the locking portion includes the first disengagement portion.
12. The releasable fastening device of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the second disengagement portion is located on an opposing section of the first part of the locking portion to the, or each, protruding member of the first part of the locking portion.
13. The releasable fastening device of any of claims 10 to 12, wherein at least one of the first disengagement portions includes one or more fulcrums configured to engage with a part of the second part of the locking portion to provide leverage during the disengagement process.
14. The releasable fastening device of any of claims 10 to 13, wherein at least one of the second disengagement portions includes one or more fulcrums configured to engage with a part of the second part of the locking portion to provide leverage during the disengagement process.
15. The releasable fastening device of any preceding claim, wherein the first part of the locking portion is configured to open at least a portion of the second part of the locking portion during the disengagement process.
16. The releasable fastening device of any preceding claim, wherein the pivot point is movable or translatable between the first and second members during the disengagement and unlocking of the first and second members.
17. The releasable fastening device of any preceding claim, wherein the first member and/or the second member is an at least partially resilient member.
18. The releasable fastening device of any preceding claim, wherein the releasable fastening device comprises one or more cover members arranged to surround at least an outer part of the first member and/or an outer part of the second member, wherein the, or each, cover member is a flexible member.
19. The releasable fastening device of claim 18, wherein the, or each, cover member comprises one or more substantially planar portions arranged to be substantially adjacent to at least a pad of the locking portion.
20. The releasable fastening device of claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the first member and/or the second member comprises one or more cover member connection members, the cover member connection members being arranged to be at least substantially encapsulated by the cover member, and wherein the cover member connection members are one or more protruding members.
21. The releasable fastening device of claim 20, wherein the cover 20 member connection members are arranged to be at least substantially encapsulated by the cover member.
22. A garment comprising a releasable fastening device, the releasable fastening device comprising: a first member having a first part of a locking portion; and a second member having a corresponding second part of the locking portion, wherein the second member is configured to receive at least a portion of the first member, such that the first part of the locking portion of the first member engages and locks with the second part of the locking portion of the second member, and wherein the first and/or second member has a disengagement portion, the disengagement portion being configured to provide a pivot point between the first and second members to allow disengagement and unlocking of the first and second members.
23. A releasable fastening system comprising a first releasable fastening device comprising: a first member having a first part of a locking portion; and a second member having a corresponding second part of the locking portion, wherein the second member is configured to receive at least a portion of the first member, such that the first part of the locking portion of the first member engages and locks with the second part of the locking portion of the second member, and wherein the first and/or second member has a disengagement portion, the disengagement portion being configured to provide a pivot point between the first and second members to allow disengagement and unlocking of the first and second members; and a second releasable fastening device comprising: a first member having a first part of a locking portion; and a second member having a corresponding second part of the locking portion, wherein the second member is configured to receive at least a portion of the first member, such that the first part of the locking portion of the first member engages and locks with the second part of the locking portion of the second member, and wherein the first and/or second member has a disengagement portion, the disengagement portion being configured to provide a pivot point between the first and second members to allow disengagement and unlocking of the first and second members.
24. The releasable fastening system of claim 23, wherein the first releasable fastening device is connected to, and located substantially adjacent to, the second releasable fastening device.
25. A garment comprising the releasable fastening system of claim 23 or claim 24.