WO2007091025A1

WO2007091025A1 - Fastening

Info

Publication number: WO2007091025A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/000353
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raymond David Pitman
Original assignee: Raymond David Pitman
Priority date: 2006-02-09
Filing date: 2007-02-02
Publication date: 2007-08-16
Also published as: GB2435070A; GB0602621D0

Abstract

A fastening for a brassiere or similar garment comprises a first component (1) and a second component (2), each component being adapted for attachment to a back panel, wing or strap of the garment. The first component (1) is intended in use to lie against the body of the wearer of the garment and comprises a thin generally flat plastic first plate (3) which has a plurality of generally D-shaped recesses formed between its outer side (5) and its inner side (4) which lies against the body of the wearer in use. The nose portion (12) of the recess flares downwardly and outwardly. The second component (2) comprises a second thin generally flat plastic plate (7) which is formed with a complementary D-shaped connecting element (11) such that the plates can be connected together in use.

Description

Fastening

The invention relates to a fastening intended primarily for a brassiere or similar garment.

The typical fastening for the two rear panels or wings of a brassiere comprises two or more rows of metal eyes embedded in one panel and corresponding hooks attached to the other panel. These metal elements can easily assume positions where they dig into the body of the wearer to cause discomfort.

It has been proposed to replace the metal hooks and eyes with a pair of interconnecting plastic plates. EP-A-1348349 describes an adjustable fastener which includes a male part and a female part both of which are made of soft pliable, sewable plastic. The female fastener part has three spaced apart openings, each opening having a broad and a narrow portion. The male fastener has a base with an upstanding riser with a flange on the end of the riser. The flange is dimensioned to fit into the broad portion of each opening in the female part and the riser is dimensioned to fit snugly into the narrow portion of each opening in the female part. The riser and narrow portion of each opening are both rectilinear. The openings face the back of the wearer in use so that the male part is located between the back of the wearer and the female part.

In the present invention, recesses formed in a first component face away from the wearer of the garment and a connecting protrusion on a second component is shaped to form a close fit in any one of the recesses to provide a connection which is reliable and easy to establish and release.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a fastening suitable for a brassiere or similar garment, the fastening comprising a first component and a second component, each component being adapted for attachment to a back panel, wing or strap of the garment; wherein the first component is intended in use to lie against the body of the wearer of the garment and comprises: a plastic first plate which has an inner side and an outer side; the inner side being intended to face the body of the wearer in use and being substantially flat; wherein the second component comprises a second plastic plate which has an outer side and an inner side adapted to at least partially overlie the outer side of the first plate in use; wherein the outer side of the first plate is formed with a plurality of connecting recesses and wherein the inner side of the second plate is formed with at least one connecting protrusion adapted to be releasably received and retained selectively in any one of the connecting recesses; and wherein each connecting recess has a generally D-shaped profile having a nose portion which flares downwardly and outwardly and wherein the connecting protrusion has a complimentary profile with a nose portion shaped to fit closely into nose portion of the recess.

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fastening from above;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the fastening from below;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a modified fastening from below; Figure 4 is an underplan view of a component of a fastening;

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the component of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an underplan view of a component of a fastening;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the component of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a plan view of a fastening with the components coupled; Figure 9 is a vertical x-seςtion through the components of Figure 8 on the line AA;

Figure 10 is a view similar to that of Figure 9 but with the components shown separated;

Figure 11 is an underplan view of a component of fastening; Figure 12 is an enlarged section taken on the line BB in Figure 8; Figure 13 is an enlarged section taken on the line CC in Figure 8;

Figure 14 is an enlarged section taken on the line DD in Figure 8;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a second embodiment from above;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the second embodiment from below; Figure 17 is a plan view of a further fastening with the components coupled;

Figure 18 is a vertical X-section through the components of Figure 17 on the line EE;

Figure 19 is a view similar to that of Figure 18 but with the components separated; and

Figure 20 is an underplan view of a first component of the fastening.

Referring to the drawings, each fastening comprises a first component 1 and a second component 2. The first component 1 is intended in use to lie against the body of the wearer of the garment and comprises a first thin generally flat moulded plastic plate 3 which has an inner side 4 and an outer side 5. The inner side 4 is intended to face the body of the wearer in use and is substantially flat or smoothly contoured. A fabric layer 6 is bonded to the flat inner side 4 to form a soft, cushioning and breathable layer between the plastic plate 3 and the body of the wearer. This layer 6 may be made of any soft fibrous woven or non- woven material, or a knitted fabric such as a plush, or other suitable material. The layer has been omitted from most of the figures for clarity and is only shown in Figs 3 and 16.

The second component 2 comprises a second thin generally flat moulded plastic plate 7 which has an outer side 8 and an inner side 9.

The first and second components have flat $r smoothly contoured surfaces to lie flat against the wearer for comfort and to provide a smooth outer face to lie inconspicuously under clothing. In the embodiment of Figures 1 - 14, the first plate 3 is formed with three connecting recesses 10 extending from its outer side 5 to its inner side 4 and the second plate 7 is formed with a single complementary connecting protrusion 11 on its inner side 9. Any number of recesses may be provided, but three provides for useful adjustability without making the first plate over large. Similarly, the second plate can be provided with more than one protrusion if required.

As shown, the recesses 10 extend completely through the plate 3 and this is preferred for ease of manufacture. It would be possible, however, for recesses to extend only part way through the plate 3.

Each recess has a generally pointed D shaped outline with a more or less pointed or parabolically shaped front or nose portion 12 having an apex 14 and being symmetrical about the central line of the fastening. The recess extends completely through the depth βf the plate and defines a recess wall 15 surrounding the recess. The rear portion 16 of the recess is generally rectangular and is formed with a rear wall 17 included at an angle of about 20° to the plane of the component. The side walls 18 of the recess, extend from the outer ends of the rear wall 17 to the apex 14. In the front or nose portion 12, the side walls are not perpendicular to the plane of the component but are inclined downwardly and outwardly such that the recess flares downwardly and outwardly in this portion. The angle and between the side wall 18 and the perpendicular to the plane of the component increases towards the apex 14 as best seen in Figs 12 to 14 such that the flaring of the recess also increases towards the apex. In Figure 12, the angle is about 46°, in Figure 13 about 32° and in Figure 14 about 14°.

The shape of the nose 12 is parabolic rather than part-circular to prevent rotation of the protrusion 11 in the recess 10. Jf desired the nose could be triangular, preferably with a rounded tip to avoid possible injury. The connecting protrusion 11 on the second component has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the recesses and is rather similar to the shape of the hot plate of a pressing iron. The protrusion is again generally D shaped in plan with a rear section 20 and a nose portion 21. The nose portion of the protrusion is shorter than the nose portion 12 of the recess and fits closely into the front part of the nose portion of the recess. The side wall 22 of the nose portion 21 of the protrusion flares in the same manner as the nose portion of the recess to establish a close fit with the side wall 22 of the nose portion 21 of the protrusion 11 bearing against the side walls 18 of the nose portion 12 of the recess 10. The nose portion of the protrusion is slightly chamfered to avoid sharp edges and points which could injure the user. The rear wall 20 of the protrusion is inclined to the plane of the component at an angle of about 20°. The inclined rear walls 17, 20 assist in guiding the protrusion 11 into the recess 10.

When the first and second components are coupled together as shown for example in Fig. 8, the connecting protrusion 11 is selectively received in one of the connecting recesses 10 and is retained therein through the elasticity of the garment. In this position, the second component 2 wijl at least partially overlie the outer side 5 of the first component 1. The outer surface of the plate 3 and the inner surface of the plate 4 lie flat against one another. The outer side 8 of the second component is also substantially flat so there are no parts protruding. The lower face 23 of the protrusion lies flush with the rear face 4 of the plate 3. To release the protrusion it is only necessary to overcome the elasticity of the garment.

The periphery of the plate 3 is formςd with a scalloped, wavy-or other curvilinear shape with rounded cqrners. This makes thq fastening softer to wear. Also, the outer edge regions 24 of the plate 3 are prefςrably formed of a softer plastic than the inner regions 25. Similarly the outer edges of the component 2 may be formed of a softer plastic than its inner regions. This again makes the fastening more comfortable to wear. The outer and inner regions are formed in a single moulding operation. One end of the plate 3 is formed with a stepped region 26 for connection such as by sewing or adhesive to a back panel, wing or strap of a garment. The plate 7 is formed with a pair of open jaws 27, 28 for receiving the other back panel, wing or strap of the garment. The jaws are formed flared as shown for ease of moulding but may be closed, at least partially, after connection to the garment.

In the embodiment of Figures 15 and 16, two rows of recesses 10 are provided and the second plate is correspondingly formed with two connecting protrusions 11.

An embodiment provided with several further modifications is shown in Figures 17 to 20. In this embodiment the inclined rear wall of each recess 10 is omitted and each recess 10 thus has a generally upright or slight undercut rear wall 30. In this embodiment, the rear section 20 of each protrusion on the second component 2 is formed with a step 31 which engages with the rear wall 30 of a recess as the component 2 is moved from the engaged position shown in Figure 18 towards the release position. After this engagement the two components are moved apart in a direction perpendicular to their planes. This engagement during release of the fastening gives the wearer more confidence that the fastening will not release accidentally.

In this embodiment, the first component 1 is shown as formed with a pair of jaws 32, 33 similar to those of the second component. Such jaws 32, 33 may be provided, for example, if the fabric layer 6 is omitted, for connection of the component to a back panel, wing or strap of a garment. In one embodiment (not shown), the fabric layer is omitted and one or both of the components is/are covered at least partially with a flocking layer which can give a soft feel to the components, especially where they bear against the ^kin of the wearer.

Claims

1. A fastening suitable for a brassiere or similar garment, the fastening comprising a first component and a second component, each component being adapted for attachment to a back panel, wing or strap of the garment; wherein the first component is intended in use to lie against the body of the wearer of the garment and comprises: a plastic first plate which has an inner side and an outer side; the inner side being intended to face the body of the wearer in use; wherein the second component comprises a second plastic plate which has an outer side and an inner side adapted to at least partially overlie the outer side of the first plate in use; wherein the outer side of the first plate is foπned with a plurality of connecting recesses and wherein the inner side of the second plate is formed with at least one connecting protrusion adapted to be releasably received and retained selectively in any one of the connecting recesses; and wherein each connecting recess has a generally D-shaped profile having a nose portion which flares downwardly atid outwardly and wherein the connecting protrusion has a complimentary profile with a nose portion shaped to fit closely into the nose portion of the recess.

2. A fastening as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nose portion of the recess is defined by side walls which are inclined by an angle (X to the perpendicular to the plane of the first plate and wherein the angle (X increases towards the apex βf the nose portion.

3. A fastening as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the periphery of the first plate is formed with a curvilinear shape having rounded corners.

4. A fastening as claimed in any preoeding claim, wherein the second plate is formed with a pair of flared jaws for connection to part of a garment.

5. A fastening as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the outer edge regions of the first plate are formed of softer material than the inner regions.

6. A fastening as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the nose portion of the recess is parabolic in shape.

7. A fastening as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rear portion of each recess is formed with an inclined rear wall and each protrusion has a similarly inclined wall such that the inclined walls assist in guiding the protrusion into the recess.

8. A fastening as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein each recess is formed with an upright or slightly undercut rear wall and each protrusion is formed with a step which engages with the rear wall of the recess during release of the fastening.

9. A fastening as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a fabric layer is bonded to the inner side of the first plate.

10. A fastening as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 9, wherein one or both of the first and second components is/are at least partially covered with a flocking layer.