Abstract: A female snap assembly includes a cage and an engagement member. The cage defines a receiving region, and the engagement member is within the receiving region. The engagement member includes a base, an inner engagement wall extending from base, and an outer engagement wall extending from the base. In some examples, the engagement member defines a channel between the inner engagement wall and the outer engagement wall. In various examples, the inner engagement wall defines at least one notch extending through the inner engagement wall.

Abstract: A female snap assembly includes a cage and an engagement member. The cage defines a receiving region, and the engagement member is within the receiving region. The engagement member includes a base, an inner engagement wall extending from base, and an outer engagement wall extending from the base. In some examples, the engagement member defines a channel between the inner engagement wall and the outer engagement wall. In various examples, the inner engagement wall defines at least one notch extending through the inner engagement wall.

Abstract: Various implementations include a slide fastener that has a blocking element on one stringer that prevents engagement compatibility with standard elements on the other stringer. For example, at least one blocking element is coupled to a first stringer, and first and second blocking coupling elements are coupled to a second stringer. The contour of the blocking element and the contour of the blocking coupling elements are different from the contour of the standard elements on the stringers such that the standard elements do not engage with the blocking element or the blocking coupling elements in an alternating arrangement. However, the contour of the blocking element and contour of the blocking coupling elements allow for the engagement of the blocking element with the blocking coupling elements in an alternating arrangement.

Abstract: Various implementations include a slide fastener with head to head sliders that prevents the sliders from moving apart from each other unintentionally and prevents liquid from flowing through the slide fastener. The slide fastener includes first and second sliders that are slidably coupled to a pair of interlocking stringers. The slide fastener also includes slider covers that are each coupled to a respective slider. The slider covers engage each other when the sliders are pulled together. In some implementations, the engagement of the slider covers prevents unintentional separation and/or prevents liquid from flowing out of or into a cavity defined by an inner side of the slider covers that extends around facing front faces of the sliders on one side of the interlocking stringers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an illuminated marker device including: an inner surface; an outer surface, the outer surface including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being translucent; and a post, the post extending from the inner surface away from the outer surface. Also disclosed is an illuminated marker device including: an inner surface; an outer surface, the outer surface including a graphics portion and a background portion, a one of the graphics portion and the background portion including a photoluminescent material; and a post, the post extending from the inner surface away from the outer surface.

Abstract: A cap and washer fastener assembly includes a cap with an upper surface and a lower surface with a post extending from the lower surface. The assembly also includes a washer with an upper surface, a lower surface, and a hole. The assembly includes an assembled configuration wherein the post of the cap is inserted into the hole of the washer and a portion of the post is permanently deformed within the cavity. In the assembled configuration, a substrate layer is disposed between the cap and the washer. The cap and washer are configured so they are prevented from rotating relative to one another and relative to the substrate when in the assembled configuration.

Abstract: Open-ended slide fastener assemblies with improved operability. In some examples, the slide fastener assemblies are watertight and/or airtight. The slide fastener assemblies include one or more sliders and box and pin mechanisms integrated with the slide fastener. The pin mechanism need not be inserted into the box at the same time it is inserted into the slider, permitting the slide fastener to be operated even when it is not visible or easily accessible.

Abstract: A fastening device includes a base including a top surface; a first fastening field extending from the top surface of the base and including a plurality of first fastening elements, each of the first fastening elements including a fastening feature, the fastening feature of at least some of the first fastening elements extending in a first direction; and a second fastening field extending from the top surface of the base and comprising a plurality of second fastening elements, each of the second fastening elements including a fastening feature, the fastening features of all of the second fastening elements extending in a second direction that is angled with respect to the first direction, the second fastening field divided from the first fastening field by a dividing line.

Abstract: Systems and methods for introducing hook fastening elements into a mold traveling along a mold assembly line are disclosed. The system can be configured to cut hook fastening tape into strips having a predetermined length based on information received from the mold assembly line, and to drop the cut strips directly into the mold at the appropriate intervals as the mold travels along the mold assembly line. Also disclosed is a system for facilitating the continuous feeding of hook fastening tape through the system.

Abstract: Energy absorbing fabrics that are generally flat and that have a controllable and significant elongation distance. The fabrics are comprised of elongation yarns, such as partially oriented yarns (POY), and binder yarns, where the elongation yarns and the binder yarns have various weave-in percentages depending on the desired amount of elongation. In certain embodiments, because they are generally flat, the energy absorbing fabrics are suitable for use in retractors. Also provided are processes of manufacturing generally flat, energy absorbing fabrics.

Abstract: Systems and methods for joining two or more pieces of hook fastener tape. In some embodiments, the two or more pieces of tape are spliced together using ultrasonic welding. At least one of the splicing components used to splice the tapes together may be configured so that the component influences the profile of a connecting portion along which the two tapes are welded together. In some cases, at least one of the splicing components may be configured to minimize deformation of the tapes as they are welded together.

Abstract: Slide fastener closing tools and methods of using same. In one embodiment, the slide fastener closing tool is configured to help open or close a slide fastener on an article, such as but not limited to seat, while maintaining a predetermined alignment of the tool relative to the slide fastener. Maintaining the alignment between the tool and the slide fastener reduces the likelihood that the elements of the fastener tape are damaged during opening and closing of the slide fastener. In one embodiment, the tool includes a guide plate configured to help maintain such alignment.

Abstract: A top stop made of a flexible material that cooperates with at least a portion of a slider body. The top stop comprises a body having a fin that extends upwardly from the body and that includes a contour that generally conforms to a leading edge of the slider body. In some versions, the top stop comprises a gap that is configured to snuggly receive a connecting neck of the slider body in such a way that water is prevented from penetrating the slider body. In some embodiments, the top stop includes two extensions, at least one of which has one or more sliding surfaces that are configured so that the slider assembly produces an audible noise when the connecting neck is snuggly received within the gap and the assembly is in the locked position.

Abstract: Energy absorbing fabrics that are generally flat and that have a controllable and significant elongation distance. The fabrics are comprised of elongation yarns, such as partially oriented yarns (POY), and binder yarns, where the elongation yarns and the binder yarns have various weave-in percentages depending on the desired amount of elongation. In certain embodiments, because they are generally flat, the energy absorbing fabrics are suitable for use in retractors. Also provided are processes of manufacturing generally flat, energy absorbing fabrics.

Abstract: Slide fastener closing tools and methods of using same. In one embodiment, the slide fastener closing tool is configured to help open or close a slide fastener on an article, such as but not limited to seat, while maintaining a predetermined alignment of the tool relative to the slide fastener. Maintaining the alignment between the tool and the slide fastener reduces the likelihood that the elements of the fastener tape are damaged during opening and closing of the slide fastener. In one embodiment, the tool includes a guide plate configured to help maintain such alignment.

Abstract: A button or fastener member is provided wherein aluminum or an aluminum alloy is used as raw material, a first copper plating layer is formed directly over the entire surface of said raw material, and a second copper plating layer is formed directly on top of the first copper plating layer, with the aforementioned second copper plating layer being thicker than the aforementioned first copper plating layer.

Abstract: A semi-automatic slider assembly having a slider body, a lock pin, and a pull tab. When the pull tab is in a first orientation, the lock pin engages with elements of the tape and the slider assembly is in a locked configuration that prevents the slider assembly from moving along the tape. When the pull tab is in a second orientation, the lock pin does not engage with the elements of the tape and the slider assembly is in an unlocked configuration so that the assembly is permitted to move along the tape. The slider body has a recess for receiving a portion of the lock pin, and the lock pin has an opening that reduces interference when the pull tab is in the second orientation.

Abstract: Fabric structures having elongation yarns and ground yarns that form a sheath are provided, with the structure having two connection segments and at least one expansion segment in between the connection segments. Heat treatment of the one or more expansion segments shrinks the length of the elongation yarns during manufacture. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the elongation yarns and unfolds the gathered sheath. The elongation yarns absorb energy as the fabric structure elongates. In some embodiments, the fabric structure has more than one expansion segment so that the deployment force of the structure is not constant. In some embodiments, the fabric structure includes a band in some portions.

Abstract: Energy absorbing webbings that are generally flat and that have a controllable elongation distance are provided. The webbings are comprised of elongation yarns, such as partially oriented yarns (POY), and ground yarns. In certain embodiments, because they are generally flat, the energy absorbing webbings are suitable for use in retractors. Also provided are processes of manufacturing generally flat, energy absorbing webbings. In certain embodiments, the webbings are subjected to heat using first and second set of rollers with various feed ratios.

Abstract: A hose cover for a high pressure hose is disclosed. The hose cover includes an outer sheath and an inner sheath disposed within the outer sheath. The inner and outer sheaths have a woven construction, each have a plurality of warp threads, and a weft thread that is interwoven between the warp threads. The weft thread is woven between the warp threads of the inner and outer sheaths in a pattern such that weft thread is shared between the inner and outer sheath and the inner and outer sheaths are interwoven together.