Quick fastener

Abstract

A quick fastener provides for the securing together of a plurality of thin sheets of material, and is especially well suited for securing together multiple sheets of paper of a document or the like. The present fastener essentially comprises two resilient components, with a first component having a post extending therefrom and the second component having a mating receptacle formed therein. The post includes a bulb on the distal end thereof, with the receptacle having a relief formed therein for accepting the bulb of the post. The post resiliently snaps into the receptacle to secure the two components together. The outer surfaces of the two fastener components are essentially identical and form a symmetrical external configuration when assembled. Each outer surface comprises a low, smoothly rounded shape of a large radius elliptical cross section, to provide ease of stacking documents and the like secured by the present fasteners and to preclude their catching or snagging upon one another or upon another article. One or both components may include release slots along one or more sides or edges thereof, permitting a fingernail, letter opener, etc. to be inserted therein to pry the two components apart. Another embodiment includes a connecting strap securing the two components together, which strap may also serve as a hanger for suspending an article secured by the fastener(s). The various embodiments of the present fastener may be combined as desired, and the fastener components may be colored to match the material with which they are used.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to devices for fastening sheets of material together, and more specifically to various embodiments of a reusable fastener for securing multiple sheets of paper or the like together. The present fastener provides for disassembly, so the document may be revised as required or discarded with the fastener components being retained for reuse.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Clips, clasps, and various fastening devices for holding papers or other thin sheets of material together, are well known. The prior art includes such devices as staples (economical, but not reusable, and requiring a special tool for installation), binder clips (reusable, but not providing positive security for papers retained thereby), paper clips (unsuitable for thicker documents, and not providing positive retention), and various forms of edge binding (costly, requiring specialized equipment, and generally not reusable, except in the form of bulky multiple ring binders and the like). Another problem common to all of the above fastening means, is that they are prone to catching or snagging upon other fasteners when documents are stacked.

[0005] Accordingly, a need will be seen for an inexpensive reusable fastener which obviates all of the above problems. The present fastener essentially comprises two mating snap together components, which are secured to one another through a conventional hole punched through the sheets of the document. A series of the present fasteners may be used along an upper, lower, or lateral margin, if so desired, or a single fastener may be used along one marginal edge or corner of the document as desired. Various embodiments of the present fastener are disclosed herein, with the fastener elements being either separate or permanently joined as a single unitary construction by a connector strap. The connector strap may also be used to hang the document from a suitable hanger (push pin, hook, etc.). Release slots may be formed along the edges of one or both components of the fastener to facilitate removal of the fastener from a document, if so desired.

[0006] A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 947,992 issued on Feb. 1, 1910 to Emil G. Jegge, titled “Rein Button,” describes a threaded fastener having externally symmetrical, round mating components. One component has a threaded stud extending therefrom, with the opposite component having a threaded hole for the stud of the first component. As the two components of the Jegge fastener are threaded together, some means must be provided to prevent them from unscrewing from one another. Accordingly, Jegge provides small V-shaped ridges which cut into the material captured between the two components, with the trailing ends of the ridges having blunt faces to oppose rotational movement in that direction due to the buildup of material against that face. Obviously, unscrewing the two components of the Jegge patent will cause some damage to the material captured therebetween as the blunt faces of the retainers dig into the material captured between the two components. This is unacceptable for documents which must be retained, and accordingly, the present reusable fasteners are devoid of any protrusions which bear against the surface of the material captured between components, and do not damage papers or other sheet material captured therebetween. The mating snap means used to secure the present fastener components together, provides positive locking of the components without requiring protrusions or the like to dig into the material captured therebetween, thus precluding damage to the materials. Also, it should be noted that the Jegge fastener is considerably higher than the low ellipsoid external shapes of the present fasteners.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 2,600,894 issued on Jun. 17, 1952 to Clement S. Marien, titled “Cuff Button,” describes a snap together cufflink assembly, wherein the two buttons swivel relative to their shanks. The two buttons are disposed at opposed distal ends of the mating shank components and are so widely spread that they cannot securely grip a few sheets of thin material therebetween, as can the present fastener. Moreover, the attachment portions of the Marien cufflink, are relatively wide in comparison to the present fastener, and cannot be inserted through a small passage in the sheets.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,010,169 issued on Nov. 28, 1961 to Michael J. Carpinella, titled “Garment Detachable Snap Fasteners,” describes a multiple component fastener in which an anchor component remains permanently imbedded in the two opposing sheets of material. Mating male and female snap portions are removably installed within their respective permanently installed retainers. Accordingly, the Carpinella fastener is not suitable for temporary securing of papers, documents, and other sheet materials together, as at least the two opposing outer sheets require the retainer portion of the fastener to be permanently installed therein; these parts must be discarded, and new ones inserted in the new sheets, when the outer sheet(s) is/are revised. In contrast, the present fasteners do not require any permanently installed components in the material being fastened; the entire assemblies of the present fasteners are removable and reusable.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 3,530,550 issued on Sep. 29, 1970 to Robert L. White, titled “Flexible Clamp,” describes a circular button which engages a mating ring, with the two components being joined by a flexible strap. The White clamp requires that the materials being fastened comprise unbroken sheets, as there are no outer flanges extending from the central mating portions to capture the sheets therebetween. Rather, the clamping action of the White clamp is provided by the material being gripped between the inner and outer circumferential surfaces respectively of the female and male components, which means cannot grip a significant number of sheets of material together, as can the present fasteners.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 3,646,641 issued on Mar. 7, 1972 to Lucas W. Roben, titled “Clamping Connection For Curtains And The Like,” describes a garter type fastener having a solid button which engages a mating receptacle in the opposite portion to capture the fabric or other sheet material therebetween. The Roben fastener is thus more closely related to the White clamp discussed immediately above, than to the present fastener invention.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,240 issued on Aug. 17, 1982 to Karl H. Schiller, titled “Identification Snap,” describes a device having opposed button components, with one having a post extending therefrom and the opposite having a mating hole therethrough. The post component includes an identification marker thereon. The Schiller device differs from the present invention in several respects: (1) the hole through the female component passes completely through the component, whereas the hole in the female component of the present fastener invention is a blind hole; (2) Schiller does not provide any means for easily disassembling his two components, whereas the present fastener invention may include means for easily separating the two components; (3) Schiller does not provide any means for permanently securing the two components of his fastener together, whereas the present fastener components may be permanently joined by a connecting strap; and (4) the Schiller fastener has a relatively steeply sloped periphery which may catch upon other objects, while the external shape of the present fastener comprises a smoothly rounded elliptical configuration.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,719,674 issued on Jan. 19, 1988 to Chan Y. Kit et al., titled “Snap-Type Fastener,” describes a fastener intended for use in clothing or the like, wherein the two fastener components are permanently attached to respective garment portions. The female portion of the fastener includes a passage completely therethrough, as in the Schiller fastener discussed immediately above. Moreover, the Kit et al. fastener does not secure any material therebetween; rather, the two components connect directly to one another without capturing any material therebetween.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,841,604 issued on Jun. 27, 1989 to Robert B. Stevens, titled “Detachable Button,” describes an assembly comprising a thin, flat backing plate having a post which penetrates the material, and a button having a tubular receptacle which snaps onto the post. The backing plate includes a grip for pulling the plate loose from the opposed button, but neither component includes reliefs along opposed edges for prying the components apart, as provided by the present fastener. Moreover, as the Stevens fastener is intended to replace a button, no means is provided for connecting the two components together, as provided by the present fastener invention. It should also be noted that the Stevens button replacement teaches away from the smoothly contoured surfaces of the present fastener, as the button portion of the Stevens fastener must protrude to provide a grip for manipulating the button for fastening and unfastening. The smoothly contoured surfaces of the present fastener greatly reduce or preclude catching upon other objects, unlike the Stevens device.

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,573 issued on Oct. 16, 1990 to Frank L. Breveglieri, titled “Clasp For Retaining Containers,” describes a multiple piece assembly comprising two interconnected female components which receive a separate male component. The two female components are placed upon opposite sides of a thin walled container (paper or plastic bag, etc.), and the male component is inserted through the first of the female components, through the material of the container, and captured by the second female component. The Breveglieri assembly is considerably more complex than the present fastener invention, as it requires three mating components, rather than only two as provided by the present fastener invention. Moreover, Breveglieri does not disclose any means of easily separating the components nor a smoothly contoured exterior for reducing snagging upon other objects, as provided by the present fastener invention.

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,766 issued on Nov. 20, 1990 to Ming F. Hsiau et al., titled “Button Attachable To Clothes Without Using Thread,” describes an assembly comprising a plate with a sharp pin extending therefrom, and a second plate with a hole formed completely therethrough. The pin and interior of the hole have serrations thereon, to lock the pin permanently in place. The pointed tip of the pin is then cut off from its extension through the hole of the second plate. In contrast, the components of the present fastener invention are both smoothly contoured over their exteriors, and are easily removed from the material to which they are secured for reuse as desired.

[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,938 issued on Dec. 31, 1991 to T. Gordon Hutchinson, titled “Fastening Device,” describes mating components in which one component includes a non-circular hole therethrough. The opposite male component has a circular flange which is forced through the resilient passage, with the passage walls gripping the stud and capturing the flange after insertion. The Hutchinson device is reusable, by distorting the female portion to provide a circular opening for withdrawal of the male portion. However, the Hutchinson device differs from the present invention in that (1) the passage extends completely through the female portion, unlike the present invention; and (2) the two components do not have smoothly contoured external shapes for precluding snagging upon another object, as provided by the present fastener.

[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,246 issued on Jul. 27, 1993 to John M. Benson et al., titled “Apparatus For Securing Shielding Or The Like,” describes various components, including a strap having a receptacle at one end and a barbed pin at the opposite end. The strap is wrapped about the shielding and the pin inserted through the receptacle and into a receptacle in the cabinet to secure the shielding thereto. Another embodiment is devoid of any receptacle, and secures directly to the cabinet receptacle. The Benson et al. fasteners do not provide smoothly contoured external surfaces to preclude snagging upon another article, as provided by the present fasteners, and moreover teach away from the present invention due to their relatively high standing in order to accommodate the thickness of the shielding material which they surround.

[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,309 issued on Feb. 13, 1996 to Galilea F. Velasquez et al., titled “Fastener Assembly,” describes a permanently attached assembly, in which a female backing plate accepts a barbed pin from a male plate placed upon the opposite side of the material. Mating removably attachable components face one another to provide for separation of the material as desired, as by snaps, buttons, etc. The Velasquez et al. components are not removable from the material in which they are installed, as opposed to the present fastener components which are completely removable for reuse. Moreover, the removably attachable components of the Velasquez et al. device secure directly to one another without capturing any material therebetween, whereas the two components of the present fastener assembly capture the material therebetween.

[0020] Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,942 issued on Aug. 24, 1999 to Mervin Fong, titled “Fabric Holder,” describes an assembly having a female portion with a passage formed completely therethrough, and a male portion having a pin for engaging the opposite portion. The two components capture an unbroken sheet of material (e.g., fabric, etc.) therebetween, rather than having the pin pass through a hole in the material, as in the present invention. The Fong assembly is thus more closely related to the devices of the White '550 and Roben '641 U.S. patents, than to the present fastener invention.

[0021] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The present invention comprises a reusable quick fastener for removably securing a plurality of thin sheets of material (e.g., papers, etc.) together. The device comprises a first component having a stud or post extending therefrom, and a mating second component having a receptacle formed therein for the stud of the first component. The stud includes a bulbed distal end with the receptacle having a relief formed therein, for resilient snap together fastening of the two components. The outer surfaces of the two components are identically shaped to have a low, smoothly contoured configuration, in order to preclude their snagging or catching upon another object. Release slots may be provided in opposed edges of at least one of the components, to allow a fingernail, letter opener, etc. to be inserted thereunder to pry the components apart for reuse. The two components may also be secured together by a connecting strap, which also serves as al hanger strap for suspending the article to which the fastener is secured. The present reusable fastener is particularly well suited for securing various documents and similar papers together, as they may be removed easily for making copies of individual sheets of the document, removing and replacing pages for revision, etc.

[0023] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved quick fastener for securing plural thin sheets of material together.

[0024] It is another object of the invention to provide an improved quick fastener which components are completely removable from the material to which they are secured, and which may be reused as desired and which provide for disassembly and revision of the material with which they are used.

[0025] It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved quick fastener having a first component with a stud or post extending therefrom, and a second component with a receptacle therein for removably engaging the post of the first component.

[0026] An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved quick fastener at least one component of which may include one or more release slots for prying the two components apart, and which may include in at least one embodiment a connecting strap between the two components.

[0027] Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved quick fastener which components have low, symmetrical smoothly contoured exteriors, for precluding snagging upon another object and enabling stacked articles secured by the present fasteners to stack and slide smoothly over one another.

[0028] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

[0029] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the components of a first embodiment of the present quick fastener, showing their assembly to a plurality of sheets of material.

[0031] FIG. 2 is an elevation view in section of a second embodiment of the present quick fastener invention, showing the relief slots for easily separating the two components as desired.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the quick fastener embodiment of FIG. 2, showing the procedure for separating the components from one another and from the material secured thereby.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present quick fastener invention, showing the provision of a connecting strap which may be used to hang articles therefrom.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a cross section elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 4, showing further details thereof.

[0035] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] The present invention comprises various embodiments of a quick fastener for removably securing a plurality of thin sheets of material (paper, etc.) together. The present fastener is easily disassembled and reassembled, thereby allowing a paper document to be revised by removing and replacing sheets as desired.

[0037] FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a first embodiment 10 of the present fastener. The fastener 10 of FIG. 1 essentially comprises a first component 12 and a mating second component 14, each formed (molded, etc.) as a single piece to have a unitary, monolithic structure. The radii defining the outer curvatures of the first and second outer surfaces 16 and 18 have respective origins well below the outer edges of the components 12 and 14. Each component 12 and 14 thus has a relatively low, smoothly shaped outer surface, respectively 16 and 18 (as in the embodiment of FIG. 2), which is devoid of any passages therethrough and/or protrusions extending therefrom, in order to preclude the snagging or catching of the components 12 and 14 upon a like fastener assembly 10 or other article when such assemblies are stacked together in a stack of documents or the like.

[0038] Each component 12 and 14 has a contact surface, respectively 20 and 22, disposed opposite their respective outer surfaces 16 and 18 and which face one another when the two components 12 and 14 are removably assembled together. The first face or surface 20 of the first component 12 includes a concentric, smoothly finished, generally cylindrical post 24 extending therefrom and comprising first fastener means for the fastener assembly 10. The opposite second face or surface 22 of the second component 14 includes a smoothly finished, cylindrical receptacle 26 formed therein and comprising a second fastener means for the assembly 10. The two faces 20 and 22 will be seen to be flat and completely devoid of any other protuberances or depressions formed thereon or therein.

[0039] The two fastener means 24 and 26 mate releasibly together to secure the two fastener components 12 and 14 together as desired. The post 24 of the first component 12 and receptacle 26 of the second component 14 are securely fastened together by means of their specific shapes. The post 24 includes a distal end 28 with a bulb or protuberance 30 formed thereon, which engages a relief 32 formed in the distal end 34 of the receptacle 26. The resilient nature of the material used to form the components 12 and 14 (plastic, etc.) enables the bulb 30 and wall of the receptacle 26 to “give” somewhat during assembly and disassembly to allow the components 12 and 14 to be fastened and unfastened, while still holding the two components 12 and 14 securely together during assembly.

[0040] It will be noted that the receptacle 26 of the second component 14 includes a circular projecting rim 36 extending therefrom, or in other words, the depth of the receptacle 26 extends from the lip of the rim 36 rather than from the contact surface 22 of the component 14. This provides two benefits: (a) the total depth of the receptacle 26 extends from the raised lip of the rim 36, rather than from the contact surface 22, thus making the receptacle 26 shallower relative to the contact surface 22 and allowing the overall thickness of the second component 14 to be thinner, as desired; and (b) the rim 36 serves as an insert into the holes H formed in the sheets S of material being secured by the present fastener 10, for proper alignment and registry of those sheets S.

[0041] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention, designated as fastener 50. FIG. 2 also clearly illustrates the assembly of the two components together to secure a plurality of sheets S of material therebetween, and the symmetrical nature of the external surfaces 56 and 58 of the two components 52 and 54 when they are assembled together about a plurality of sheets S of material. Most of the structural details of the fastener 50 are identical to those of the fastener 10 of, FIG. 1, i.e., contact faces 20, 22 of FIG. 1 and 60, 62 of FIG. 2; first and second fastener means 24, 26 of FIG. 1 and 64, 66 of FIG. 2; and their respective components 28 through 36 of FIG. 1 and 68 through 76 of FIG. 2.

[0042] The fastener 50 also includes means for easily separating the two components 52 and 54. The outer peripheries 78 and 80 defining the two components 52, 54 each include at least one release slot, respectively 82 and 84, formed therein. The slots 82 and/or 84 provide space for the insertion of a fingernail, letter opener, knife blade, etc. between the periphery 78 or 80 of the respective component 50 or 52 and the adjacent sheet material S, whereupon the component 50 or 52 may be pried or levered from its connection to its opposite member. FIG. 4 illustrates this operation clearly, with a letter opener L inserted into the release slot 84 of the upper or second component 54 to pry the second component 54 from its connection with the underlying first component (not shown, but having a relationship as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings). The removed second component 54 is shown in broken lines in FIG. 3.

[0043] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate yet another embodiment of the present quick fastener, designated as fastener 100. The fastener 100 is essentially similar to the fastener 10 of FIG. 1 and fastener 50 of FIGS. 2 and 3, comprising components 102 through 126 analogous to respective components 12 through 36 of the fastener 10 of FIG. 1 and 52 through 76 of the fastener 50 of FIGS. 2 and 3. (However, it will be seen that the facing surfaces 110 and 112 of the two components 102 and 104 are concave, and do not contact one another in normal operation. The fasteners 10 of FIG. 1 and 100 of FIGS. 2 and 3 may be configured in al like manner, if so desired, or alternatively the fastener 100 of FIGS. 4 and 5 may be configured to have flat contact surfaces, as in the case of the other fasteners of FIGS. 1 and 2.)

[0044] It will be noted that the outer peripheries 128, 130 of the two components 102, 104 are connected by a flexible interconnecting link 132, with the components 102, 104 and their interconnecting link comprising a single, unitary, monolithic structure. The interconnecting link 132 serves at least two purposes: (a) it holds the two fastener components 102 and 104 together, to prevent the separation or loss of either component from the other; and (b) it serves as a hanging strap for hanging an assembled document comprising a plurality of sheets S of paper or the like, from a convenient or suitable pin P, peg, or other suitable support means, as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The fastener 100 may be provided with release slots, as in the fastener 50 of FIGS. 2 and 3, for convenient separation of the two components 102 and 104.

[0045] In summary, the present quick fastener in its various embodiments provides a most useful means of quickly and easily securing a plurality of thin sheets of paper or other material together, as in the assembly of documents and the like. The present fastener is easily used and does not require any form of tools for its installation or removal (although a letter opener or the like may facilitate removal). Perhaps one of the most important properties of the present fastener is its capability of reuse, unlike staples and many other similar devices.

[0046] The present quick fastener invention may be produced with the post and receptacle mating attachment means having different depths, thereby allowing the fastener to be used to secure documents of different thicknesses and page counts. As noted further above, the present quick fastener is preferably formed of a resilient, pliable plastic material in order to allow the bulbed end of the post and walls of the receptacle to distend for assembly and disassembly of the mating components. This also provides the necessary flexibility for the interconnecting link, if used.

[0047] Another advantage provided by such plastic material, is its availability in virtually any color imaginable. Thus, the present quick fastener invention may be provided in a wide variety of colors, in order to coordinate or contrast as desired with the color or colors of a document or the like assembled using the present fastener invention.

[0048] The present quick fastener is easily used, merely by punching one or more concentric holes through the document or other sheets to be assembled. The holes may be formed centrally along an upper margin, for hanging the document by using a fastener 100 as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, or they may be formed as a series along one marginal edge or as a single hole in one corner, as desired. Whenever editing or revision of the document is required, the present fastener (in any of its embodiments) is easily opened and removed from the document, allowing the desired pages to be removed or replaced as required. Once the document has been revised, the fastener is easily replaced to secure the pages together. Thus, the present fastener will prove to be a valuable addition to the office or other operation where the processing of various papers and documents is routinely accomplished.

[0049] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A reusable quick fastener for removably assembling a plurality of thin sheets of material together, comprising:

a first component and a second component;

each said component formed as a single piece having a unitary, monolithic structure;

each said component having a low, smoothly shaped outer surface defined by a large radius arc and devoid of any passages therethrough and protrusions extending therefrom, for precluding snagging upon another article;

each said component further comprising an externally symmetrical assembly when assembled together;

a contact surface disposed upon said first component and said second component, respectively opposite each said outer surface;

said contact surface of said first component having first fastener means extending generally centrally therefrom, and devoid of other protrusions and depressions;

said contact surface of said second component having second fastener means formed generally centrally therewith, and devoid of other protrusions and depressions; and

said first fastener means of said first component removably mating with said second fastener means of said second component for removably securing said first component and said second component together as desired.

2. The quick fastener according to claim 1, including:

an outer periphery defining each said component;

a flexible interconnecting link extending between each respective said outer periphery of said first component and said second component; and

said first component, said second component, and said interconnecting link forming a single, unitary, monolithic structure.

3. The quick fastener according to claim 1, including:

an outer periphery defining each said component; and

at least one release slot formed in at least one said outer periphery, for ease of separating each said component from one another.

4. The quick fastener according to claim 1, wherein:

said first fastener means of said first component comprises a smoothly finished, generally cylindrical post.

5. The quick fastener according to claim 4, including:

a distal end formed upon said post; and

a bulb formed upon said distal end of said post.

6. The quick fastener according to claim 1, wherein:

said second fastener means of said second component comprises a smoothly finished, generally cylindrical receptacle.

7. The quick fastener according to claim 6, including:

a distal end formed within said receptacle; and

a relief formed within said distal end of said receptacle.

8. The quick fastener according to claim 1, wherein:

each said contact surface is formed having a surface configuration selected from surface configurations consisting of flat surfaces and concave surfaces.

9. The quick fastener according to claim 1, wherein:

said second fastener means of said second component includes a projecting rim.

10. The quick fastener according to claim 1, wherein:

each said component is formed of a resilient plastic material.

11. A reusable quick fastener for removably assembling a plurality of thin sheets of material together, comprising:

a first component and a second component;

each said component formed as a single piece having a unitary, monolithic structure;

each said component further comprising an externally symmetrical assembly when assembled together;

an outer periphery defining each said component;

at least one release slot formed in at least one said outer periphery, for ease of separating each said component from one another;

a contact surface disposed upon said first component and said second component, respectively opposite each said outer surface;

said contact surface of said first component having first fastener means extending generally centrally therefrom, and devoid of other protrusions and depressions;

said contact surface of said second component having second fastener means formed generally centrally therewith, and devoid of other protrusions and depressions; and

said first fastener means of said first component removably mating with said second fastener means of said second component for removably securing said first component and said second component together as desired.

12. The quick fastener according to claim 11, including:

an outer periphery defining each said component;

a flexible interconnecting link extending between each respective said outer periphery of said first component and said second component; and

said first component, said second component, and said interconnecting link forming a single, unitary, monolithic structure.

13. The quick fastener according to claim 11, wherein:

each said component has a low, smoothly shaped outer surface defined by a large radius arc and devoid of any passages therethrough and protrusions extending therefrom, for precluding snagging upon another article.

14. The quick fastener according to claim 11, wherein:

said first fastener means of said first component comprises a smoothly finished, generally cylindrical post.

15. The quick fastener according to claim 14, including:

a distal end formed upon said post; and

a bulb formed upon said distal end of said post.

16. The quick fastener according to claim 11, wherein:

said second fastener means of said second component comprises a smoothly finished, generally cylindrical receptacle.

17. The quick fastener according to claim 16, including:

a distal end formed within said receptacle; and

a relief formed within said distal end of said receptacle.

18. The quick fastener according to claim 11, wherein:

each said contact surface is formed having a surface configuration selected from surface configurations consisting of flat surfaces and concave surfaces.

19. The quick fastener according to claim 11, wherein:

said second fastener means of said second component includes a projecting rim.

20. The quick fastener according to claim 11, wherein:

each said component is formed of a resilient plastic material.