Patent Application
20120084950
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of fastening devices and more specifically relates to snaps, to an integrated rockably released leverage pressure snap fastening system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Snaps are a fastening device used to hold devices to objects however conventional snaps are often difficult to fasten and unfasten due to inherent frictional forces. As a result an individual may have to exert an unnecessary amount of force to unfasten a snap which may lead to broken nails or further injury to the user. Snaps may be used to affix a canvas cover to a vehicle, these too by way of example, may become especially rigid and difficult to unfasten resulting from exposure to the elements. Further, a risk of using too much force when unsnapping a snap fastener may lead to damage to the cover. Struggling with snaps also may waste a user's time. Thus a need exists for an ergonomic snap that is easy to be fastened and unfastened repeatedly.
Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 777,043 to McLean; 3,414,949 to Andrews; and 4,608,734 to Schiller. This prior art is representative of fastening button snaps. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.
Ideally, a snap device/assembly should operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for an ergonomic snap that may easily be fastened and unfastened repeatedly and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known fastening art, the present invention provides a novel snap device. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a snap with integrated leverage for facilitating the snapping and un-snapping of the snap device.
The present invention discloses an integrated rockably released leverage snap fastening system which may provide a user with an ergonomic snap assembly for quick and virtually effortless fastening and unfastening. The snap assembly comprises a female snap, a rockable surface plate, and at least one rivet (integrated or no-integrated) for securing the assembly into an integrated rockably released leverage snap. The integrated rockably released leverage snap may then be positioned on a male snap creating a class 1 lever system. In this manner, the male snap provides (is) a fulcrum and the female snap provides (is) the lever. To provide greater integrated leverage, the rockable surface plate of the integrated rockably released leverage snap may comprise an elongated, concave surface permitting a user to rock his or her thumb in a downward motion from the center of the integrated rockably released leverage snap to unfasten the female portion from the male snap(s).
The snap of the present invention preferably comprises at least two different embodiments. The first embodiment is half-moon shaped. This may allow a person to grab and pull or push the snap from virtually any direction. In this particular embodiment the integrated leverage snap top may replace a current snap top, while still retaining the current bottom if it is permanently affixed, such as on a car or boat or other such object. The tops are designed to fit a standard snap base. The user may replace or install the entire snap, both top and bottom if desired.
In another preferred embodiment, integrated leverage snap may be in the shape of an oblong ellipse. Utilizing the ellipse's additional surface area and concave shape; each end may be gently sloped upwards, allowing for a user's thumb to press against the flat middle and rock in either direction. This simple motion will release the snap. In this embodiment, both the male snap and rockable lever snap assembly must be installed for proper use. In other embodiments the system may comprise substantially circular-shaped snaps.
Furthermore, in appreciation of the various services and needs of snaps, the integrated leverage snap may be available in various sizes to accommodate user preferences and needs. The exact dimensions, materials used for construction and method of operation of integrated leverage snap may vary upon manufacturing.
The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as an integrated leverage snap system. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, integrated rockably released leverage snap fastening system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.
The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to an integrated rockably released leverage snap fastening system 100 and more particularly to an improved fastening method and device for snappably securing at least one item in place.
Integrated rockably released leverage snap fastening system 100 may generally comprise male snap 310 and rockable lever snap assembly 200 wherein rockable lever snap assembly 200 may comprise female snap 320, rockable surface plate 330, and at least one rivet 350, (rivet 350 may be integrated as shown in
Upon placement of female snap 320 on male snap 310, a class 1 lever system is created wherein male snap 310 may comprise a fulcrum and pivot point to which female snap 320 friction and effort required to remove by user 110 is reduced by the present levering system. Friction may be minimized when female snap 320 is rotated on male snap 310 because of less contact surface area existing between both parts in contact. As a result, the effort applied by user 140 to unfasten snap is substantially reduced, however in-contact use the system provides suitable friction means to retain an object such as a tarpaulin 120 in place. Furthermore, to provide greater integrated leverage, rockable surface plate 330 of integrated rockably released leverage snap 340 may comprise an elongated shape with a concave surface providing user 110 with greater surface area to rock via digit 145 in a downward motion from the center of integrated rockably released leverage snap 340 to unfasten female snap 320 from male snap 310. In a class 1 lever system of the present invention, female snap 320 may comprise leverage multiplying means to frictionally reduce the force by which user 110 need apply to unfasten integrated rockably released leverage snap 340.
Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in
Referring to
Referring now to
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Integrated rockably released leverage snap fastening system 100 may comprise male snap 310 comprising a fulcrum and rockable lever snap assembly 200 comprising female snap 320, rockable surface plate 330, and at least one rivet 350 (that may be a stud integral with female portion or separated from the female portion depending on manufacturing preference); wherein female snap 320 and rockable surface plate 330 may be secured together by at least one rivet 350; wherein male snap 310 and rockable lever snap assembly 200 jointly create a class 1 lever system; and wherein male snap 310 and integrated rockably released leverage snap 340 may used to secure an item in place. In alternative embodiments, male snap 310 may have concave shape similar to rockable surface plate 330 and may be sold together with rockable lever snap assembly 200 as kit 499. In alternative embodiments, rockable lever snap assembly 200 may be designed for pre-affixed male snap snaps 160 such as those already installed on boat 110 or vehicle 115.
Referring now to
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.
The present application is related to and claims priority from prior provisional application Ser. No. 61/246,182, filed Dec. 2, 2009 which application is incorporated herein by reference.
