The present invention relates generally to fastening devices and systems using the fastening devices. More particularly, the present invention provides fastening devices that secure opposing sides of an article selected for securing allowing secure engagement and reliability against unintended separation and breakage.
Industrial applications of fastening devices include the use of thread or string, including shoe laces. Unfortunately, during use, particularly during rough sports play or hard work activities, these conventional fastening devices are often broken, shred, or become unreliable, or even dangerous to users.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved fastening device that provides an improved reliability and use. Further, there is also a need to improve a method of using a fastening device where the installation and application of a fastening device allows an adaptive use to a variety of alternative engagements with articles requiring fastening.
In response, it is now recognized that there is a need for a higher performance fastening system that adapts to a user's needs and is durable and tough in use.
In one embodiment, a fastening device for connecting two identified openings can include an elongated main body member defining a longitudinal axis, the main body member having a first end portion and a second end portion at opposite ends of the longitudinal axis; first and second tip end members located at the first end portion and second end portion of the body, respectively, the first and second tip end members each adapted to fit through one of the identified openings; and a first deformable interference portion located between the main body member and the first tip end member, and a second deformable interference portion located between the main body and the second tip end member. In this embodiment, the first and second deformable interference portions are each normally located in a rest state wherein the first and second deformable interference portions define an outer dimension that prevents their passage through one of the identified openings, and the first and second deformable interference portions are each deformable to a stretched state that permits their passage through one of the identified openings.
In another embodiment, a fastening device for connecting two identified openings can include an elongated main body member defining a longitudinal axis, the main body member having a first end portion and a second end portion at opposite ends of the longitudinal axis; and a first tip end portion located at the first end portion of the main body member and a second tip end portion located at the second end portion of the main body member, the first and second tip end portions each having an outer dimension configured to pass through one of the identified openings. In this embodiment, in a relaxed state, the first and second tip end portions extend substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the first and second tip end portions are each elastically pivotable with respect to the main body member about the longitudinal axis to permit passage of the respective tip end portion through one of the identified openings.
In another embodiment, a method for connecting two identified openings can include: providing a fastening device including an elongated main body member defining a longitudinal axis, and first and second tip end members located at opposite ends of the longitudinal axis; inserting the first tip end member through one of the identified openings; pulling on the first tip end member, thereby pulling a first deformable interference portion through the one of the identified openings; inserting the second tip end member through the other of the identified openings; and pulling on the second tip end member, thereby pulling a second deformable interference portion through the other of the identified openings; whereby the first and second deformable interference portions retain the fastening device in the two identified openings.
In another embodiment, a method of connecting two identified openings can include: providing a fastening device including an elongated main body member defining a longitudinal axis, and first and second tip end portions located at opposite ends of the longitudinal axis, the first and second tip end portions extending substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis; inserting the first tip end portion through one of the identified openings; flexing the first tip end portion with respect to the main body member, thereby permitting passage of the first tip end portion through the one of the identified openings; relaxing the first tip end portion; inserting the second tip end portion through the other of the identified openings; flexing the second tip end portion with respect to the main body member, thereby permitting passage of the second tip end portion through the other of the identified openings; and relaxing the second tip end portion; whereby when the first and second tip end portions are in the relaxed state, they engage the two identified openings with the main body member between the two identified openings.
The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements.
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. The word “couple,” “interfit,” “connect” and similar terms do not necessarily denote direct and immediate connections, but also include connections through intermediate elements or devices. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional (up/down, etc.) or motional (forward/back, bend/fold, push/pull, etc.) terms may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope in any manner. It will also be understood that other embodiments may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention, and that the detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and that elements may be differently positioned, or otherwise noted as in the appended claims without requirements of the written description being required thereto.
Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments of the present invention; however, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent.
Referring now to
Each main body 4 can include a plurality of operative openings 6 and at least one pin member 7, preferably having a respective tail 8. It is noted that for openings 6 and pin members 7, tails 8 have cooperative interference fitting geometry, including respective sizes. Tails 8 may be excluded, or pin members 7 and tails 8 may be formed in different shapes, as well as openings 6 wherein the interfitting geometry may be enhanced. For a non-limiting example, tails 8 are shown as larger in outer dimension than pins 7 so that, following passage through an opening 6, the outer surfaces of tails 8 may positively contact formed inner flat surfaces of openings 6 in a manner preventing easy disassembly under stress and tension. According to alternative embodiments, the components 1A and 1B can be a single monolithic member.
It will be understood, that holes 6 and pins 7, and tails 8 may be formed in a generally circular manner (as shown) but that there is no restriction thereto. For example, hole 6 may be triangular, as may pin 7 while tails 8 may remain semi-circular. In this way, it will be understood that geometric interference fitting may use adaptive and alternative geometries without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
In this way it will be understood that openings 6 can include, optionally, a central passage 10 having the same diameter as pins 7, and a sloped or angled opening 9 with sloped side walls to ease insertion of tails 8, and a secure wall 11 arrangement, shown here with a flat surface for parallel engagement with the underside surface of tails 8. In this way the openings 6 and pins 7 provide an interoperability and secure interference fitting to secure respective fastening devices 1A, 1B together.
Referring now specifically to
Referring now particularly to
It will be understood that the fastening system 100 and the respective fastening devices 1 A, 1B may be alternatively referred to as means for fastening or fastening means, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
It will be further understood, that the present fastening system 100 may be shown with two-rows of openings 6, but may alternatively be shown with only a single-row of openings 6 e.g., a narrower main body 4. It will be also understood that either one or both of the main body 4 and tip end 5 may be formed of silicone, a resilient material, or may additionally include a stiffening member therein. For example, the tip end 5 may be stiffened with a molded pin located therein. This may help with the insertion of the tip end 5 through the eyelet openings 3 and/or aid the rotation of tip end 5 relative to main body 4. It will also be understood that the main body 4 may be made with any type of opening and pin geometry without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. It will also be understood that components 1A and 1B can be found as a unitary, monolithic component.
Referring now to
Toggle anchor system 19 can include a toggle neck 20 spacing, a toggle anchor system 21, shown molded into main body 4A, and an opposed tip end 5A, as shown.
Toggle anchor system 21 may be in any convenient shape sufficient to secure flexible toggle neck 20 to main body 4A and to allow a flexibility F during a use thereof. It is envisioned, but not required, that toggle anchor system 21 be co-molded with flexible main body 4A, but may alternatively be secured thereto in a non-removable manner without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
As noted with the earlier embodiment, tip end 5A may be flexible F to allow interfitting as noted in
As noted in
During a use, as for example in replacing the images in
It will additionally be understood, that any suitable material to perform the functions herein may be used, without limitation thereto. For example, the toggle system 19 may be thermoplastic, high density or mid-density plastic (all flexible), rigid metal, wood, or any other suitable material for such a toggle. Additionally, the tip end 5A may be reinforced with an internal rigid member that may be slightly flexible (e.g., HDPE, etc.) or fully rigid (e.g., metal, plastic etc.).
As mentioned before, embodiments can comprise an elongated unitary or one-piece body having respective first and second ends. Each end can terminate in a tip portion which has a cross-section that permits the tip to be inserted through the eyelet for which it is intended. The tip can be of a length suitable for grasping with the fingers. According to an embodiment, interposed between, and connecting the tip portion and the elongate body can be a resilient, deformable region that circumscribes and defines an opening. The deformable region may have a circular shape and define a substantially circular opening, but according to embodiments, it is arc-shaped and defines an arc-shaped opening. The convex side of the arc can be oriented toward the body, while the concave side can be oriented toward the tip portion.
In use, the tip may be inserted through an eyelet, and then grasped and pulled so as to apply tension substantially along the long axis of the device. This tension can cause the deformable region, and the opening it defines, to stretch along the long axis of the device. The tension and resulting deformation can cause the sides of the deformable region to move toward the axis, reducing the effective cross-section of the deformable region until it can pass through the eyelet. Upon release of the tension, the deformable region rebounds to its relaxed state, in which it no longer can fit through the eyelet. The process is repeated with the second end portion of the device, by pulling it through a second eyelet of the article to be fastened, or through an eyelet of a second article which the practitioner wishes to attach to the first article.
The fastening tension provided by an installed device of the invention is borne by the central body of the device. At the eyelets, this tension is created by an outward-directed force applied axially to the deformable regions, at the point where contact is made with the surface of the article immediately surrounding the eyelets. According to embodiments, this outward force does not cause a reduction in cross-section of the deformable region, however, and the device resists being pulled through the eyelet. In embodiments, where the deformable region and the opening it defines are arc-shaped, the deformable region can be particularly resistant to compression because the inner portion of the arc, adjacent to the tip, is situated within the radius of the outer portion of the arc, where it physically blocks the deformation required for a reduction in cross-section. Although resistant to being pulled through the eyelet in the inward direction, the device can readily be removed by pulling on the tip in the outward direction, thereby reversing the installation process.
For ease and economics of manufacture, embodiments of the invention can be molded from a single elastomeric material. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, synthetic rubbers, silicone rubbers and polyurethanes. In devices having such monolithic construction, the desired amount of stretch or rigidity in any particular portion of the device will be obtained by varying the thickness of that portion. In alternative embodiments, strengthening or stiffening elements may be inserted, laminated, or molded into the elastomer. Such elements include, but are not limited to, monofilament, spun, or woven fiber reinforcement materials, rigid or semi-rigid inserts, and elastomeric inserts or layers having a different modulus and/or elasticity. The devices may also be formed directly from two or more different materials, for example by bi-injection or two-shot injection molding, so as to have the desired distribution of physical properties along the length of the device. Embodiments may be made by 3D printing or additive manufacturing.
Referring now to
It will be appreciated that the arc shape of the deformable region shown in the drawings represents only one of numerous equivalent embodiments. The openings 34 and 34a defined by the deformable regions may likewise be of any geometric shape. In embodiments, the inner portions 36 and 36a of the deformable regions are so situated as to interfere with the inward deformation of the outer portions 35 and 35a, thereby preventing a reduction in cross-section. This function requires only that the inner portions occupy the space into which the outer portions collapse upon application of tension, as described below. It will be appreciated that this is a matter of relative location, and that the invention is not limited to any particular geometric shapes for the inner and outer portions of the deformable region. Thus the inner portion 36 can have a generally convex shape, and the outer portion 35 can have a complimentary, generally concave shape. For example a convex inner portion 36 may have the shape of a wedge, with the concave outer portion 35 having a complimentary V-shape. Portion 36 may take the form of a rectangular block, and portion 35 may feature a complimentary rectangular cavity. Other combinations of shapes will readily occur to those of skill in the art. According to embodiments, the openings 34, 34A can be omitted.
Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various modifications and variations can be made in the presently disclosed system without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/493,108 filed Sep. 22, 2014, which claims priority to the following patent applications: U.S. Application No. 61/880,204 filed Sep. 20, 2013; U.S. Application No. 61/884,840 filed Sep. 30, 2013; and U.S. Application No. 61/899,445 filed Nov. 4, 2013. The entire contents of each of the foregoing applications is incorporated herein by reference. The entire contents of each of the following applications is incorporated herein by reference: U.S. application Ser. No. 29/412,658 filed Feb. 6, 2012, issued as D686,909 on Jul. 30, 2013; U.S. Application No. 29/468,991 filed Oct. 4, 2013; U.S. application Ser. No. 29/468,997 filed Oct. 4, 2013; U.S. application Ser. No. 29/468,999 filed Oct. 4, 2013; U.S. application Ser. No. 13/367,362 filed Feb. 6, 2012; and PCT International Application No. PCT/US2012/041713 filed Jun. 8, 2012.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61899445 | Nov 2013 | US | |
61884840 | Sep 2013 | US | |
61880204 | Sep 2013 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14493108 | Sep 2014 | US |
Child | 15363806 | US |