US2580477A - Adjustable fastening device - Google Patents

Description

Patented Jan. 1, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

1 Claim.

My present invention relates to improvements in devices for adjustably fastening two articles together or two pieces of the same article. Devices of similar function are described and claimed in my U. S. Letters Patent 2,437,765, issued March 16, 1948.

In the type of fastener disclosed in said application a slider is attached to one of the parts and a track upon which the slider moves is attached to the other of said parts, the slider having a clamp to hold it at any desired point on the track. My present invention is concerned with improvements both in the track and the slider to the end that my improved device will be better adapted for certain uses, particularly wearing apparel.

In carrying out the present invention I constitute the core of the track of a resilient material of preferably generally circular or oval cross-section and secure it to one of the parts by imbedding it in a fold or loop of fabric of such part so as to be covered thereby, the adjacent folds of the loop being secured together as by a row of stitching. In this manner the track has the same appearance as the rest of the garment or other part to be joined. The cord constituting the core of the track may be formed of any suitable material as for example rubber or metal in the form of a helical spring or otherwise, as will occur to those skilled in the art. In order to facilitate the clamping action the slider is preferably provided with a clamping surface which is suitably roughened or corrugated the better to engage the more rounded and comparatively smooth form of track.

My invention will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken with the annexed drawing in which Figure 1 shows a portion of a skirt containing an illustrative embodiment of my invention.

Figure 2 is a view of the same with the parts in closed position.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a similar view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a view in section along line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 shows an element of the clamp which engages the cord or track.

Figure '7 is a view taken similarly to Figure 4 but showing a different form of core.

As will be seen from the various figures the cord I0, Figure 3, is embedded in a loop of the fabric Il forming either the waistband I 2 or a top ply of same of the garment, such waistband having rows of stitching I3-|3. In order to secure the loop the adjacent folds of the fabric are united by means of a row of stitching I4, between the fabric Il and the cord thus covered.

The slider denoted generally by I5 :is similar in many respects to that described in my Letters Patent referred to. It has a pair of body portions IE-IB of arcuate cross section, Figure 5, united by end portions Ilia, IEb, such arcuate portions extending around and beneath the track formed by cord I0 and fabric II. Each of said body portions is provided with ears or fins I1 in which the clamp or locking element denoted generally by I8 is journalled. `Said element I8 comprises a tab portion I 9 and a cam portion 20. The latter Which is preferably of arcuate shape as best seen at 2|, Fig. 5, instead of bearing directly upon the fabric covered cord Ill, bears upon a shoe 22, the inner surface of Which is preferably corrugated as seen in Figures 4 and 6. The shoe 22 may be held in place by means of the four tabs or protuberances 23-23-23-23 which serve to retain the shoe in place by occupying the cut out spaces or notches between the ears Il and the end portions Ilia- Ilb. For journalling the tab I8 it is provided with trunnions 24 which t in the registering holes of the ears Il as shown. Body portion I6 may be provided with laterally extending arms 25--25 to engage beneath a fold of the fabric 26, Fig. 1, and held in place by a row of stitching 21, or other suitable attaching means may be provided.

In Fig. 7 a helical spring 28 is provided in lieu of the cord Il).

When the tab I9 of the clamp is brought from the position shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the cam 20 is caused to press the shoe 22 against the cord I0 compressing the same so as to produce a strong and effective gripping action.

By having the ends of the cord I0 tapered as at 29 the entry of the clamp upon the track of which cord I0 is the core is facilitated.

Also the improvement comprising shoe 22 is highly useful when other tracks are used, especially that of the prior art consisting of a fabric band having secured thereto spaced wire stop elements, a plurality of which, e. g. four may be engaged by said shoe. In this manner the strength of the fastening may be greatly increased.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that my improved device is useful in various applications cam-like clamp and a gripping shoe; the slider 5 having a pair of downwardly directed elongated parallel body portions with their free edges turned toward and spaced from one another and forming a channel to engage around and slide on a track, and a pair of apertured upwardly directed ns integral With said body portions; the cam-like clamp being pivotally carried by said ns; and said shoe being disposed within said slider and below said clamp and captured free edges.

NOEL STATHAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 318,382 Lushbaugh May 19, 1885 425,567 Drautz Apr. 15, 1890 642,142 Lyon et a1. Jan. 30, 1900 684,656 Watson Oct. 15, 1901 1,656,113 Herman Jan, 10, 1928 1,936,323 Bowen Nov. 21, 1933 1,942,625 Whalan et al. Jan. 9, 1934 Statham Mar. 16, 1948

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