US3431604A

US3431604A - Overshoe fasteners

Info

Publication number: US3431604A
Application number: US702150A
Authority: US
Inventors: George G Everts
Original assignee: GEORGE G EVERTS
Current assignee: GEORGE G EVERTS
Priority date: 1967-12-26
Filing date: 1967-12-26
Publication date: 1969-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 1986-03-11

Description

March 1969 G. G. EVERTS 3,43

OVERSHOE FASTENERS Filed Dec. 26, 1967 INVENTOR. 6 2 5 4. EVE? United States Patent 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An improved clasp construction for overshoes which will not open accidentally even when walking in deep mud or water, yet it can be easily opened when desired, the clasp including a male and female member which interlock together.

This invention relates generally to clasp constructions for overshoes.

A principal object of the present invention is to pro vide an improved overshoe fastener construction having self-contained means to prevent being accidentally opened, and which have self-contained means to open easily when so desired.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an overshoe fastener construction which will permit a wearer to walk in deep mud or water without the fear of the fasteners becoming disengaged and thus possibly even loosing the shoe from the foot.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an overshoe fastener which requires no precise or detailed maneuver to open, and which can be readily opened by a persons hand even when wearing a glove.

Still another object is to provide an improved overshoe fastener construction which will in no way impair the normal use of the overshoes.

Other objects are to provide improved overshoe fasteners which are simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification together with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the male and female members of the present invention shown in separated relationship;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2'--2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing a slightly modified construction thereof and;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation view thereof shown in fastened position.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, and more particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2, thereof, the reference numeral 10 represents a pair of overshoe fasteners, according to the present invention, wherein there is a male member 11 and a female member 12 which are engageable together. Each of the members are securable to an overshoe (not shown) by means of a cord 13 that is threaded through each of the

members

11 and 12.

The male member 11 comprises a generally flat element made either from rigid plastic or metal, as preferred, the member 11 having a body portion 14 that is fiat upon its

uppper side

15 and 16 comprising the bottom side thereof, the under side having a plurality of downwardly extending prongs 17 arranged in a longitudinally extending row. At one end of the body 14, there is a tubular portion 18 having a central opening 19 extending therethrough for purpose of receiving the cord 13, thus providing a means for securement to an overshoe. At the opposite end of the body 14, there is a thumb 3,431,604 Patented Mar. 11, 1969 lift 20 providing a convenient means for grasping the male member and lifting the same when desiring to disengage it from the female member.

The female member 12 comprises a channel configurated body having a flat intermediate wall 21 having a plurality of openings 22 therethrough arranged in a row and for the punpose of receiving the projection 17 of the male member, the intermediate wall 21 having upstanding side walls 23 upon opposite longitudinal sides, the side walls 23 being arched so to form snap means to fold over the edges 24 of the male member 11 when the two are engaged, as is indicated by the phantom lines in FIGURE 2 of the drawing. The female member additionally includes a tubular portion 25 at one end for purpose of receiving the cord 13.

In operative use, the male member is snapped downwardly between the side walls 23 of the female member with the prongs 17 becoming engaged within the openings 22 of the female member. The members are now firmly secured together and cannot be accidentally opened up. Should however a person disengage the same, he need only to lift upwardly upon the finger lift 20 thus forcing the edges 24 of the male member upwardly and flexing sidewardly out the converging side walls 23 of the female member, thus allowing the male member to pass thereby to effect a disengagement.

In a modified construction shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawing, the male member 31 and female member 32 are generally similar to the

members

11 and 12 except that both have an arcuate body along a longitudinal direction as is shown at 33 and 34 respectively. The side edges 35 of the male member are additionally provided with sidewardly extending prongs or teeth 36 which are receivable within grooves 37 of the opposite side walls 38 of the female member. Otherwise the

members

31 and 32 also include the prongs 39 receivable within openings 40 the tubular portions 41 and 42 having

openings

43 and 44 respectively for receiving cord 13, and the male member includes the thumb-lift 45 as above described.

It will be noted additionally that the construction shown in FIGURE 3 may likewise be made either of rigid plastic or sheet metal. While the construction shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 has been shown made in plastic, the construction shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 is accordingly shown made in metal wherein the prongs 39 are accordingly struck out from the body 33- in a conventional manner known in the production of sheet metal goods.

I claim:

1. In an overshoe fastener assembly, the combination of a male member and a female member, said members being selectively interconnectable with one another, said members having self contained means to prevent accidental disengagement with each other, said members having self contained means whereby disengagement wilfully may be easily accomplished without precise manipulation, and which accordingly may be accomplished even by a hand wearing a glove, said male member comprising an element having a relatively flat body which is flat upon its upper and lower sides, said lower side of said body having a plurality of downwardly extending prongs, said prongs being arranged in a row, a tubular portion at one end of said body having a transverse opening extending therethrough for purpose of receiving an overshoe cord, and the opposite end of said body having a thumb lift.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said female member comprises a generally arcuate configurated element having an intermediate wall with a plurality of openings therethrough arranged in a row for purpose of receiving said prongs of said male member, a pair of opposite, longitudinal side walls, said side Walls being arcuate for snap engagement with said male member, and a transversely extending tubular portion at one end of said body, said tubular portion having an opening extending therethrough for receiving said overshoe cord.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein the opposite longitudinal edges of said male member includes a plurality of spaced apart teeth, and said female member having said side walls thereof provided with corresponding grooves for receiving said teeth.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 448,893 3/1891 Thompson. 3,263,292 8/1966 Fekete.

DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner.