Adjustable Fastener

Abstract

A fastener comprises a length of non-elastic material having a first end and a second end; at least two apertures positioned along the length of said material; one or more fastening objects proximate said first end; said one or more fastening objects having at least a first profile and a second profile, wherein said first profile has a dimension sized to permit passage through said apertures and said second profile has a dimension sized to prohibit passage through said apertures. The fastener can bundle hair, or can be worn as a bracelet, choker or anklet.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 62/296,192 filed on Feb. 17, 2016, entitled “Adjustable Fastener.”

BACKGROUND

The embodiments described herein are generally directed to the field of fasteners, and more specifically for fasteners used to style hair.

Known fasteners for bundling hair typically utilize an elastic loop that can be twisted to form additional loops for holding hair in a particular arrangement, such as a ponytail. The user feeds the hair through the initial loop, pulls the elastic loop outwardly, twists the elastic to form a second loop, passes the hair to be captured though the second loop, and repeats this process until arriving at a suitable amount of tension on the ponytail in order to maintain it in place. Such arrangements however are difficult to use since they are not sized for an individual's particular needs. Further, the repeated twisting and tension placed on the elastic during use tends to degrade the fastener quickly. The repeated twisting and pulling requires significant finger control and strength not always present with users having impaired dexterity. Finally, the amount of required tension to maintain the hair in the desired position differs from individual to individual and cannot be customized with precision using said known fasteners.

From the above, it is therefore seen that there exists a need in the art to overcome the deficiencies and limitations described above.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the embodiments described herein comprise a length of non-elastic material comprising a first end and a second end; at least two apertures positioned along the length of said material; one or more fastening objects proximate to said first end; said one or more fastening objects having at least a first profile and a second profile, wherein said first profile has a dimension sized to permit passage through said apertures and said second profile has a dimension sized to prohibit passage through said apertures. In another aspect, said non-elastic material comprises fabrics, such as silk. Said apertures can be positioned proximate to said second end, along the entire length, or along less that the entire length of said fastener. It is another object to use said fastener for a method of bundling delicate materials such as hair together, by creating a loop by passing at least one fastening object through an aperture; passing said hair bundle through said loop; pulling said fastening object until said fastener has secured said hair bundle to a desired tension. The remaining length of said fastener is then wrapped about said hair bundle and secured by passing said fastening object through a second aperture positioned close to the position of said fastening object. The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided because said fastener is made of non-elastic fabric which prevents pulling, creasing, and breakage of hair or other delicate materials and has multiple apertures to provide superior adjustability and versatility of use as a headband, hair tie, anklet or bracelet.

Another embodiment is a method of fastening an accessory to a body comprising: providing a fastener comprising a length of non-elastic material; at least a first end and a second end, and at least two apertures positioned along the length of said material; one or more fastening objects proximate said first end, said one or more fastening objects having at least a first profile and a second profile, wherein said first profile has a dimension sized to permit passage through said apertures and said second profile has a dimension sized to prohibit passage through said apertures; creating a loop by passing at least one fastening object through an aperture; positioning a portion of the body in the loop, either while creating the loop or after creating the loop, pulling said fastening object until said loop has secured said material to a desired tension. The remaining length of the non-elastic material is wrapped about the portion of the body to fix the fastening object in a tensioned position, and the fastening object in its tensioned position is passed through an aperture positioned close to the tensioned position of said fastening object to secure the fastener in position about the portion of the body.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques described herein. Other embodiments are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed apparatus and methods.

The recitation herein of desirable objects which are met by various embodiments is not meant to imply or suggest that any or all of these objects are present as essential features, either individually or collectively, in the most general embodiment or in any of its more specific embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a fastener according to the one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 2 is an end view of a fastening object as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a fastening object as shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 4 is a view of a fastener as shown in FIG. 1 wrapped around objects to be held together.

FIG. 5 is a view of the fastening object securing the fastener.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a fastener according to another embodiment described herein.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a fastener according to another embodiment described herein.

FIG. 8A depicts a second shape of an aperture applied in embodiments of the fastener.

FIG. 8B depicts a third shape of an aperture that can be used in embodiments of the fastener.

FIG. 8C depicts a fourth shape of an aperture applied in embodiments of the fastener.

FIG. 8D depicts a fifth shape of an aperture that can be employed in embodiments of the fastener.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a short fastener which can be used for children.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of an embodiment of a fastener which can be used for adults.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the fastener according to the embodiment showed in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a first end view of the fastener according to the embodiment showed in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a second end view of the fastener according to the embodiment showed in FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a fastener of which the fastening object passed through the aperture located at the farthest and opposite end of the fastener.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a fastener of which the fastening object passed through the aperture located near the fastening object.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the accompanying figures, the fastener is a device that is used to secure delicate elongated objects, such as hair, into bundles. It may also provide an aesthetically pleasing piece of apparel such as a bracelet or anklet or choker or necklace.

Referring to FIG. 1, the fastener 100 comprises a length of non-elastic material 101 with at least a first end 103 and a second end 105. At least two apertures 107 are positioned proximate said second end 105. A fastening object 109 is positioned proximate said first end 103.

The length of non-elastic material 101 may be chosen from a variety of suitable materials. Those materials have certain surface characteristics. The surfaces of the materials are not very smooth or slippery so that they may hold hair into bundles without easily slipping from hair. On the other hand, the surfaces may not be so sticky that they make the fastener hard to be removed from hair. In embodiments, the coefficient of friction of the length of non-elastic material 101 may range from about 0.1 to about 0.9, or about 0.2 to about 0.7, or about 0.3 to about 0.6, relative to glass as measured in accordance with ASTM-D1894. Preferably the length of non-elastic material 101 is made of silk, although it will be appreciated that other non-elastic materials, such as certain polyesters, rayon, satin with similar flexibility and feel can be utilized. Moreover, certain synthetic materials, such as polymers which can be coated or otherwise treated such that they would not be too smooth and not too sticky, also may be used to make the length of non-elastic material 101.

The dimensions of the length of non-elastic material 101 are a matter of choice. It will be appreciated that the longer the length of non-elastic material 101 the more versatile the fastener is, and the greater the number of adjacent bundles that can be created. In embodiments, the fastener has a length in a range of about 5 cm to about 120 cm, or about 10 cm to about 80 cm, or about 20 cm to about 60 cm. In embodiments, the fastener has a width in range of about 5 mm to about 90 mm, or about 10 mm to about 60 mm, or about 15 mm to about 30 mm. In embodiments, the fastener has a thickness in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm, or about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, or about 1 mm to about 3 mm. The long fastener 900, shown in FIG. 10, is often configured to be used by adults and teens. The short fastener 800, shown in FIG. 9, comprises a length of non-elastic material 801, and is often configured to be used with children, or for use in connection with smaller gatherings of hair, such as a half pony tail.

In FIG. 1, the length of non-elastic material 101 comprises two ends, a first end 103 and a second end 105. As will be discussed further, the fastener of the embodiments disclosed herein can in the alternative comprise more than two ends.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fastener of one embodiment further comprises at least two apertures 107, or openings. The shape of the opening is not limited to the circle showed in FIG. 1. It may be an oval, rectangle, square, buttonhole, or any opening known in the art. FIGS. 8A-8D depict non-limiting examples of suitable shapes of the apertures.

As is shown in FIG. 1, said apertures 107 are positioned at least proximate said second end 105 in the preferred embodiment, however it will be appreciated that said apertures 107 can be positioned along the entire length of non-elastic material 101 or along a portion of said length of non-elastic material 101. As will be discussed further herein, the number and position of apertures 107 can also impact the versatility of said fastener and the number of adjacent bundles that can be created.

In embodiments, the fastener 100 further comprises at least one fastening object 109. Referring to FIG. 1, said fastening object 109 is positioned proximate said first end 103 of said length of non-elastic material 101. The fastening object 109 can be a separate object, such as a stone or bead or toggle or button or other object as is known in the art. The fastening object may be formed from a natural material, a synthetic material, or a combination of a natural material and a synthetic material. Such a separate object is attached to said length of non-elastic material 101 by securing means 108 such as a hook and loop, or by thread, adhesive, or by a combination of such methods as is known in the art. Said fastening object can also comprise a knot or other configuration of fabric, made from a portion of the length of non-elastic material 101 or from a separate material tied, glued, sewn or otherwise affixed to said length of non-elastic material 101 as is known in the art. As shown in FIG. 2, said fastening object 109 comprises a first profile 111 with a dimension (d₁) sized to permit passage through said apertures and a second profile 113 with a dimension (d₂) sized to prohibit passage through apertures. In this way the length of non-elastic material is capable of being secured in position once the desired tension is obtained and the remaining length of material has been wrapped around the bundle, as will be more fully described below. In embodiments, d₁ may be in the range of about 0.2 cm to about 2 cm, or about 0.4 cm to about 1.5 cm, or about 0.6 cm to 1.0 cm. In embodiments, d₂ may be in the range of about 0.2 cm to 4 cm, or about 0.5 cm to about 3 cm, or about 0.7 cm to about 2 cm.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 depict how the fastener is used to bundle objects 115 such as hair together. As shown in FIG. 4, an initial loop is created by passing the fastening object 109 through an aperture 107 positioned along said length of non-elastic material 101. Bundles of objects 115 such as hair are then passed through said initial loop. The fastening object 109 is further pulled until the fastener has secured said bundled objects 115 to a desired tension. The remaining length of said non-elastic material is wrapped around said bundled objects 115 until the remaining length is exhausted, at which point the fastening object 109 reaches its tensioned position, shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the fastening object 109 is then passed through an aperture 117 positioned adjacent the tensioned position of said fastening object 109 to secure the fastener in place about the bundled objects. It will be appreciated that if the aperture 107 positioned closest to the tensioned position of said fastening object 109 is the same aperture utilized to create the initial loop, then the fastening object 109 must be passed through said aperture in the same direction as it was when the initial loop was created so as to avoid releasing the fastener from the bundled objects 115.

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the initial loop is created by passing the fastening object 109 through an aperture 107 which is located at the farther, opposite end of the fastener. The initial loop is created in such a way that it is the biggest loop that can be made. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the initial loop is created by passing the fastening object 109 through an aperture 107 which is located near the fastening object. The loop created in this way is the smallest loop that can be made. In other embodiments, loops of intermediate size can be made.

Alternate embodiments of the fastener are possible within the scope of the disclosure. For example, FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of the fastener 200 having apertures 207 positioned along the length of non-elastic material 201 and fastening object 209 at said first end 203 and fastening object 219 at said second end 205. In such a configuration, the fastener can be used to create more than one initial loop and therefore more than one bundle of objects, such as hair, can be secured. Fastening object 209 can pass through aperture 217 to create the initial loop and a first set of bundled objects would be passed through this loop. The fastening object 209 is then pulled to a desired tension. The remaining length of non-elastic material 201 between aperture 217 and first end 203 is then wrapped around said first bundle of objects, thereby fixing the tensioned position of said fastening object 209. At this point fastening object 209 is passed through the closest aperture adjacent said tensioned position to secure the fastener in place about the first set of bundled objects. Fastening object 219 can pass through aperture 227 to create an initial loop and a second set of bundled objects would be passed through this loop. The fastening object 219 is then pulled to a desired tension. The remaining length of non-elastic material 201 between aperture 227 and second end 205 is then wrapped around said second bundle of objects, thereby fixing the tensioned position of said fastening object 219. At this point fastening object 219 is passed through the closest aperture adjacent said tensioned position to secure the fastener in place about the second set of bundled objects. It will be appreciated that the number and position of apertures in this embodiment is a matter of design choice and the scope of the description is not limited to the number and position of apertures as shown in the figures.

FIG. 7 depicts another embodiment of the fastener 300 having a length of non-elastic material 301 with a first end 303 and a second end 305 and a third end 315. The overall shape of the fastener is a Y-shape. In this embodiment, multiple initial loops may be formed through which multiple bundles may be passed prior to fixing the fastening object 309 in its tensioned position and passing said fastening object 309 through the closest adjacent aperture 307 or 317 to secure the fastener about the multiple bundles of objects. It will be appreciated that the fastener may comprise various combinations of numbers of ends and fastening objects and apertures, depending on the particular effect desired in securing bundles of hair or other objects.

FIGS. 8A-8D show various configurations for apertures. FIG. 8A depicts an oval-shaped aperture 407. FIG. 8B shows an eye-shaped aperture 507 with a pair of opposite, pointed ends. In FIG. 8C, a rectangular aperture 607 is shown. FIG. 8D shows the opposite rows of stitching 710 on each side of a narrow slot-shaped aperture 707 that resembles a button hole. FIG. 8D is illustrated with an enlarged slot width for purposes of clarity and understanding.

FIGS. 10-13 show various views of an elongated embodiment of a fastener 900 that uses slot-type apertures 907 and a spherical fastening object 909. The length of non-elastic material 901 in this embodiment includes a tapered section 912 proximate the fastening object 909. FIG. 11 shows the small thickness of the fastener 900 (relative to the width, which is shown in FIG. 10). FIG. 12 shows an end view of the fastener 900 from the end that has a fastening object 909. FIG. 13 shows a view from the opposite end.

Among the advantages the fastener provides over the prior art, its non-elastic fabric prevents the pulling, creasing and breakage of hair and its multiple apertures provide superior adjustability and versatility of use not only as a hair tie, but a headband, bracelet, necklace or anklet. The uses of the fastener are not limited to accessories, but may also be used to secure any elongated objects together.

While the apparatus and method have been described in detail herein in accordance with certain preferred embodiments thereof, many modifications and changes therein may be effected by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments.

Claims

1. A fastener, comprising:

a length of non-elastic material having a first end and a second end;

at least two apertures positioned along the length of said material;

one or more fastening objects proximate said first end;

said one or more fastening objects having at least a first profile and a second profile,

wherein said first profile has a dimension sized to permit passage through said apertures and said second profile has a dimension sized to prohibit passage through said apertures.

2. The fastener of claim 1, wherein said non-elastic material comprises fabric.

3. The fastener of claim 2, wherein said non-elastic material comprises silk.

4. The fastener of claim 1, wherein said at least two apertures are positioned proximate to said second end.

5. The fastener of claim 4, wherein said at least two apertures are positioned along less than the entire length of said fastener.

6. The fastener of claim 4, wherein said at least two apertures are positioned along the entire length of said fastener.

7. The fastener of claim 1, wherein said one or more fastening objects is cylindrical with a circular first profile and a rectangular second profile.

8. The fastener of claim 1, wherein said one or more fastening objects comprises stones.

9. The fastener of claim 1, wherein said non-elastic material further comprises a third end, and wherein said apertures are positioned proximate said second end and said third end.

10. The fastener of claim 1, wherein said one or more fastening objects are proximate said first end and said second end.

11. A method of bundling hair together, comprising:

bundling a portion of hair together;

providing a fastener comprising a length of non-elastic material; at least a first end and a second end, and at least two apertures positioned along the length of said material; one or more fastening objects proximate said first end, said one or more fastening objects having at least a first profile and a second profile, wherein said first profile has a dimension sized to permit passage through said apertures and said second profile has a dimension sized to prohibit passage through said apertures;

creating a loop by passing at least one fastening object through an aperture;

passing said bundle of hair through said loop;

pulling said fastening object until said loop has secured said material to a desired tension;

wrapping the remaining length of said non-elastic material about said bundle of hair to fix said fastening object in a tensioned position; and

passing said fastening object in its tensioned position through an aperture positioned close to the tensioned position of said fastening object to secure said fastener in position about the bundled hair.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the loop is created by passing the fastening object through an aperture located proximate the fastening object.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the loop is created by passing the fastening object through an aperture located proximate the second end of the fastener.

14. A method of fastening an accessory to a body, comprising:

providing a fastener comprising a length of non-elastic material; at least a first end and a second end, and at least two apertures positioned along the length of said material; one or more fastening objects proximate said first end, said one or more fastening objects having at least a first profile and a second profile, wherein said first profile has a dimension sized to permit passage through said apertures and said second profile has a dimension sized to prohibit passage through said apertures;

creating a loop by passing at least one fastening object through an aperture;

positioning a portion of the body in the loop, either while creating the loop or after creating the loop,

pulling said fastening object until said loop has secured said material to a desired tension;

wrapping the remaining length of said non-elastic material about the portion of the body to fix said fastening object in a tensioned position; and

passing said fastening object in its tensioned position through an aperture positioned close to the tensioned position of said fastening object to secure said fastener in position about the portion of the body.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the portion of the body comprises a bundle of hair, a wrist, an ankle or a neck.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the loop is created by passing the fastening object through an aperture located proximate the fastening object.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the loop is created by passing the fastening object through an aperture located proximate the second end of the fastener.