Abstract: A riveting multi-directional closure includes a female part releasably engagable with a male part. The female part and the male part of the closure may each be riveted to a piece of the garment or article in any orientation without adversely affecting the efficacy of the closure. Embodiments of the closure include a hybrid of plastic and metal components, and a pair of complementary magnets, providing fast, sturdy, and secure attachment to the article, as well as comfort and ease of manipulation to a user. The female part and the male part include a plate with prongs for piercing the article, and a slot ring for receiving the prongs. The closure is attachable to the article by sandwiching the article between the plate and the slot ring and riveting the prongs within the slot ring.

Abstract: An ultra-slim fastener for a garment includes male and female parts engagable by inclining the male part while inserting a foot into a cavity of the female part, and pivoting the parts to a co-planar orientation. The female has a roof thickness, and the foot may be offset by at least the roof thickness. The male and female may include flanges which have a symmetrical appearance when engaged. The male and female may include a plurality of protrusions distributed throughout a weld region for welding the parts to a garment piece. Features of the fastener improve tensile strength, increase flexibility, and improve comfort.

Abstract: An ultra-slim fastener for a garment includes male and female parts engagable by inclining the male part while inserting a foot into a cavity of the female part, and pivoting the parts to a co-planar orientation. The female has a roof thickness, and the foot may be offset by at least the roof thickness. The male part may include a weld joint including alternating welded regions and non-welded regions. The male and female may include a plurality of protrusions distributed throughout a weld region for welding the parts to a garment piece. Features of the fastener improve tensile strength, increase flexibility, and improve comfort.

Abstract: An ultra-slim fastener for a garment includes male and female parts engagable by inclining the male part while inserting a foot into a cavity of the female part, and pivoting the parts to a co-planar orientation. The female has a roof thickness, and the foot may be offset by at least the roof thickness. The male and female may include flanges which have a symmetrical appearance when engaged. The male and female may include a plurality of protrusions distributed throughout a weld region for welding the parts to a garment piece. Features of the fastener improve tensile strength, increase flexibility, and improve comfort.

Abstract: A fastener system includes a fastener or nail for mounting objects on a surface and a corresponding plug for filling a hole left when the nail is removed from the surface. The nail and plug are formed of an engineering plastic, and may be formed from recycled materials. In embodiments, the nail and plug are joined by an arm which is easily broken away. In embodiments, the fastener and plug each have a plurality of flanges which provide strength and grip the surface.

Abstract: An underwire for a brassiere comprises an elongate, substantially u-shaped body having a chest-engaging portion and a breast-engaging portion. The underwire is constructed from a unitary piece of plastic material. The chest-engaging portion and the breast-engaging portion are connected together along their lengths in a dogleg-shaped configuration, with, in an embodiment, an angle of between 110° and 140° with respect to each other. The breast-engaging portion has a shorter length dimension than the chest-engaging portion and thereby leaves a substantially flat chest-engaging portion at each end of the elongate body. In embodiments, these flat ends of the chest-engaging portion are rounded or thinned compared to the remainder of the chest-engaging portion. The configuration provides good support to the wearer's breast, increases comfort, and is less likely to injure than other configurations.

Abstract: A fastener system includes a fastener or nail for mounting objects on a surface and a corresponding plug for filling a hole left when the nail is removed from the surface. The nail and plug are formed of an engineering plastic, and may be formed from recycled materials. In embodiments, the nail and plug are joined by an arm which is easily broken away. In embodiments, the fastener and plug each have a plurality of flanges which provide strength and grip the surface.

Abstract: A flexible fastener includes a plurality of arrays of studs engaged with complimentary arrays of rings. The studs of each array are connected to diagonally adjacent studs via arms adjoining the stem of the stud. Interstitial recesses defined by the arms and stems are sized and configured to engage with the heads of studs on an engaging fastener piece. In embodiments, the fastener provides high tensile strength, continuous adjustment in two directions, and improved comfort when used in a garment. In some embodiments the fastener includes features which ensure alignment between pieces.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fastener (100, 400, 700, 1000, 1300) for clothing or lingerie. The fastener comprises a front element (200, 500, 800, 1100, 1400) having at least one seat cavity (201) and a back element (300, 600, 900, 1200, 1500) having at least one bump (301) for location in the seat cavity. The front element and back element each comprise magnets (235, 329) to assist in the location of the bump in the seat cavity. The front and back elements additionally comprise a plurality of complementary catch faces (203, 205, 211, 213, 501, 303, 305, 311, 313, 601) which secure the engagement of the front and back elements and are operable to prevent inadvertent release of the back element from the front element when the back element is subjected to forces in any of a plurality of disparate directions.

Abstract: A multi-directional closure for securing two pieces together includes a male part and a female part. The male part has a central, main protuberance and a plurality of outer protuberances. The female part has a seat cavity including a plurality of inwardly depending catch faces. The female part further includes a plurality of outwardly depending catch faces. In embodiments, the male part and the female part may each be provided with a magnet to align the main protuberance with the seat cavity. The closure is capable of withstanding high levels of radial forces in all radial directions without being disconnected. This allows for easier use of the closure and also greatly facilitates manufacture of items using the closure.

Abstract: A link or slide for a garment strap includes mutually parallel longitudinal bars and a pair of opposing transverse bars each forming a juncture with ends of the longitudinal bars. The transverse bars curve forward from the junctures away from the rear of the longitudinal bars, reducing potential discomfort to an active wearer. In embodiments, the link is formed of resilient material and the link thickness tapers to a minimum at the junctures, forming flexible zones which provide added comfort. In additional embodiments, the longitudinal bars have angled edges adjoining slots through which the garment strap passes. The angled edges resist undesirable motion of the strap, especially while the wearer is exercising.

Abstract: An ultra-slim fastener for a bra includes male and female parts mounted on fabric pieces. The male part has a planar body having a downwardly depending leg terminating in an outwardly projecting foot extending parallel to the body. The female part has a substantially planar frame defining a cavity for reception of the foot. The cavity is roofed in towards the innermost end of the frame only, thereby defining an open mouth towards the outermost frame end. In embodiments, a fabric strip forms a backing for the frame and the bottom of the cavity is closed off. The second piece further includes an overlay mounted partially above the frame and on the fabric strip, sandwiching the frame between the overlay and the fabric strip. Embodiments are provided for use with reversible garments. Such a fastener will be very thin yet very strong.

Abstract: An underwire for a brassiere comprises an elongate, substantially u-shaped body having a chest-engaging portion and a breast-engaging portion. The underwire is constructed from a unitary piece of plastic material. The chest-engaging portion and the breast-engaging portion are connected together along their lengths in a dogleg-shaped configuration, with, in an embodiment, an angle of between 110° and 140° with respect to each other. The breast-engaging portion has a shorter length dimension than the chest-engaging portion and thereby leaves a substantially flat chest-engaging portion at each end of the elongate body. In embodiments, these flat ends of the chest-engaging portion are rounded or thinned compared to the remainder of the chest-engaging portion. The configuration provides good support to the wearer's breast, increases comfort, and is less likely to injure than other configurations.