SNAP FASTENER AND SNAP STRAP FASTENER FOR CLOTHING

Abstract

An easy to engage and disengage snap fastener for clothing, made of a semi rigid plastic material but also of a more flexible vinyl or rubber like material or a combination of both materials, and an easy to engage and disengage snap strap fastener made preferably of a semi rigid plastic material but also of a more flexible vinyl or rubber like material or a combination of both materials and a strip of thermoplastic yarn web or fabric, said snap strap fastener could be adjustable in some applications. The male fastener part is substantially spherical in shape and the female fastener part, of thin walled construction, is substantially oval or elliptic in its base portion and substantially circular in its upper portion, also engaging portion. The inner diameter of the upper circular portion of the female part fastener is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the male fastener part, said upper portion of the female fastener part flexes open, upon downward pressure being applied to the male fastener part against the female fastener part, thus allowing the male fastener part to engage and fasten in place.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to snap fasteners for clothing and snap trap fasteners for clothing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Snap fasteners comprise a variety of fasteners, most commonly press button fasteners, mostly of metallic construction, some of plastic construction, lately not so often used in clothing. One of the proposed uses of the snap fastener is to replace regular buttons in a polo shirt, which commonly has three buttons, which could be replaced with the snap fastener of the present invention, increasing the ease for fastening said polo shirt collar.

Strap fasteners comprise a variety of fasteners being one of the most widely used the hook and loop fastener. One of the hook and loop applications is as a fastener in a men's bathing suit fly, which has a weak holding power and requires an additional fastener around the waist, most commonly a cord and lace fastener, to secure the bathing suit around the waist. The snap strap fastener of the present invention could be used to fasten a men's bathing suit fly. Another suggested use of the snap strap fastener could be as an adjustable snap strap fastener for a jacket cuff. Still another application could be as an adjustable snap strap fastener for shoes or athletic shoes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an easy to use snap fastener as a replacement of buttons in a shirt, could be a polo shirt, providing a faster and simpler way to fasten the collar of a polo shirt.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an easy to engage and disengage snap strap fastener to simplify the way in which a men's bathing suit fly fastens, replacing the commonly used hook and loop fastener which requires an additional fastener for the waist, commonly a cord and lace.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable snap strap fastener for fastening jacket sleeve cuffs, replacing the hook and loop fastener.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable snap strap fastener for some shoes, being this invention's snap strap fastener less bulky and cumbersome than the hook and loop fastener for shoes.

The snap fastener of the present invention includes a male fastener part and a female fastener part. One embodiment of the male fastener part is substantially spherical. Another embodiment of the male fastener part is formed by two circular truncated cones joined at the larger diameter base. One embodiment of the female fastener part is substantially oval or elliptical in its base portion, with its upper portion opening of a substantially circular shape, more particularly a truncated elliptical cone. The circular opening of the upper portion comprises preferably at least two substantially semi oval notches, on opposite sides. Another embodiment of the female fastener part is a truncated circular cone. Said circular cone, has its upper portion opening substantially circular in shape. This circular opening comprises at least four semicircular notches on opposite sides. Both embodiments of the female fastener part are made of a thin walled construction, preferably of a semi rigid plastic material but they may also be made of a more flexible, vinyl or rubber like material or a combination of both materials, and act as a flexible socket.

The inner diameter of the upper portion circular opening of the female fastener part is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the substantially spherical male fastener part, whereas upon applying pressure over the male fastener part with one person's finger against the upper portion opening of the female fastener part, said female fastener part flexes thus allowing the male fastener to fall inside said female fastener, forming a fastened bond, resisting lateral pulling forces, releasable upon applying an upward force, hence disengaging the fastener.

Another aspect of the present invention is a plurality of spaced apart male fastener parts, in a single row, attached to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web or fabric.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention a plurality of male fastener parts, in a double row, attached to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web or fabric.

It is still another aspect of the present invention a plurality of female fastener parts, in a single row, attached to a thermoplastic yarn web or fabric.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention plurality of female fastener parts, in a double row, attached to a thermoplastic yarn web or fabric.

The spaced apart male fasteners, and female fasteners, attached to a thermoplastic yarn web or fabric, constitutes a snap trap fastener, used in some applications to replace a hook and loop fastener, for a male's bathing suit fly, jacket sleeve cuffs, some shoes.

One method of manufacturing for the single male fastener part, is by injection molding, preferably in one piece. It might be required to do it in two parts to be joined subsequently by ultrasonic or laser welding means. Also for the female fastener by injection molding, most likely in one piece. Another manufacturing method for the snap strap fastener is to over mold by injection molding, a plurality of spaced apart male fasteners, preferably of polyamide (PA) material, onto a strip of thermoplastic yarn web or fabric also preferably of polyamide material. Also to over mold by injection molding a plurality of spaced apart female fasteners, preferably of polyamide, onto a strip of thermoplastic yarn web or fabric, also preferably of polyamide (PA) material. An additional method of manufacturing the snap strap fastener is to separately mold the male fastener part, by injection molding, with a pin on the base section of said male fastener and also mold by injection molding a small semi spherical cap, (not shown). Subsequently assemble a plurality of male fasteners to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web of fabric, which had previously had by mechanical means, a series of holes punched to it, assemble the caps on opposite sides of the thermoplastic yarn web and join them by ultrasonic welding means. The same method could be used for the female fastener, to separately mold by injection molding the female fastener with two pins on opposite sides of it and also mold by injection molding two small semi spherical caps (not shown). Subsequently assemble a plurality of female fasteners onto a strip of thermoplastic yarn web, which had previously had by mechanical means, a series of holes punched to it, assemble the caps on opposite sides of the thermoplastic yarn web and join them by ultrasonic welding means. An alternative to the ultrasonic welding may be laser welding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the female fastener part. FIG. 1B is a plan view of the same embodiment of the female fastener part. FIG. 1C is a side view of the same embodiment of the female fastener part.

FIG. 2A is a plan view of a second embodiment of the female fastener part. FIG. 2B is a side view of the same embodiment of the female fastener part.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the female fastener part. FIG. 3B is a plan view of the same embodiment of the female fastener part. FIG. 3C is a side view of the same embodiment of the female fastener part.

FIG. 4A is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the female part fastener. FIG. 4B is a side view of the same embodiment of the female part fastener.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the male fastener part. FIG. 5B is a plan view of the same embodiment of the male fastener part. FIG. 5C is a side view of the same male fastener part. FIG. 5D is a bottom up view of the same embodiment of the male fastener part. FIG. 5E is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A shown in FIG. 5B.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the male fastener part. FIG. 6B is a plan view of the same embodiment of the male fastener part. FIG. 6C is a side view of the same male fastener part. FIG. 6D is a bottom up view of the same embodiment of the male fastener part. FIG. 6E is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B shown in FIG. 6B.

FIG. 7A is a plan view of a third embodiment of the male fastener part. FIG. 7B is a side view of the same male fastener part. FIG. 7C is a bottom up view of the same embodiment of the male fastener part. FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the male fastener part. FIG. 8B is a side view of the same male fastener part. FIG. 8C is a bottom up view of the same embodiment of the male fastener part. FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D shown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a side view of one embodiment of the snap fastener assembly. FIG. 9B is a side view of another embodiment of the snap fastener assembly.

FIG. 10 is a side view of one embodiment of the snap strap fastener assembly, illustrating the attachment to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web.

FIG. 11A is a plan view of one embodiment of the male fastener part of the snap strap fastener.

FIG. 11B is a plan view of one embodiment of the female fastener part of the snap strap fastener.

FIG. 12A is a plan view of another embodiment of the male fastener part of the snap strap fastener. FIG. 12B is a plan view of another embodiment of the female fastener part of the snap strap fastener.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention herein makes reference to the accompanying schematic diagrams, which show the exemplary embodiments by way of illustration and its best mode. While this exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not limitation.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide a female fastener part 10 and a male fastener part 60 that may engage to one another to form a snap fastener 100, in a releasable bond, shown in FIG. 9A.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1A-C, the female fastener part 10 comprises of a base portion 12 and an upper portion 14, said base portion 12 is broader than the upper portion 14. According to one embodiment the base portion 12 is elliptical and the upper portion 14 is substantially circular. The female fastener part 10 includes a side wall 16, extending from the base portion 12 to the upper portion 14. The side wall is preferably made of semi rigid plastic material, but said side wall may also be made of a more flexible vinyl or rubber like material, or in some embodiments a combination of both materials. The upper portion 14 of the female fastener part 10 includes preferably two notches 18 on opposite sides, of semi elliptical shape, but it should be understood that in other embodiments the notches could have different shapes or may not be necessary at all. Said notches 18 are for additional flexibility to facilitate the female fastener part 10 to engage with the male fastener part in a fastened bond. The base portion 12 includes two half rings 20 on opposite sides, as means of attaching the female fastener part 10 to a garment, by stitching, for example to a polo shirt.

The overall shape of the female part 10 is more particularly a truncated elliptical cone, it has a thin wall and is “hollow”.

Turning now to FIGS. 2A-B, a second embodiment of the female fastener part according to the invention correspond to the snap strap fastener, and has similar reference numerals (increased by 100) referring to similar parts.

According to another embodiment, as can be seen in FIGS. 2A-B, the female fastener part 110 comprises a base portion 112 and an upper portion 114. The base portion 112 is elliptical and the upper portion 114 is substantially circular. The female fastener part 110 includes a side wall 116, extending from the base portion 112 to the upper portion 114. The side wall is preferably made of semi rigid plastic material but said side wall may also be made of a more flexible vinyl or rubber like material, or in some embodiments a combination of both materials. The upper portion 114 of the female fastener part 110 includes preferably two notches 118 on opposite sides, of semi elliptical shape, but it should be understood that in other embodiments the notches could have different shapes or may not be necessary at all. Said notches 118 are for additional flexibility to facilitate the female fastener part 110 to engage with the male fastener part in a fastened bond. Said base portion includes two semicircular flanges 122 on opposite sides. The two semicircular flanges have each a perpendicular pin 124, as means for attaching the female part 110 to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web or fabric.

The overall shape of the female part 110 is more particularly a truncated elliptical cone, it has a thin wall and is “hollow”.

According to third embodiment, as can be seen in FIGS. 3A-C, the female fastener part 30 comprises a base portion 32 substantially circular and an upper portion 34 also substantially circular. The female fastener part 30 includes a side wall 36, extending from the base portion 32 to the upper portion 34. The side wall 36 is preferably made of semi rigid plastic material, but said side wall may also be made of a more flexible vinyl or rubber like material, or in some embodiments a combination of both. The upper portion 34 includes preferably four notches 38 on opposite sides, of semicircular shape, but it should be understood that in other embodiments the notches could have different shapes or may not be necessary at all. Said notches 38 are for additional flexibility to facilitate the female fastener part 30 to engage with the male fastener part in a fastened bond. The base portion 32 includes two half rings 40 on opposite sides, as means for attaching the female fastener part to a fabric material of a garment, by stitching, for example to a polo shirt.

The overall shape of the female part 30 is more particularly a truncated circular cone, it has a thin wall and is “hollow”.

Turning now to FIGS. 4A-B, a fourth embodiment of the female fastener part according to the invention correspond to the snap strap fastener, and has similar reference numerals (increased by 100) referring to similar parts.

According to another embodiment, as can be seen in FIGS. 4A-B, the female fastener part 130 comprises a base portion 132, substantially circular, and an upper portion 134 also substantially circular. The female fastener part 130 includes a side wall 136, extending from the base portion 132 to the upper portion 134. The side wall is preferably made of semi rigid plastic material, but said side wall may also be made of a more flexible vinyl or rubber like material, or in some embodiments a combination of both materials. The upper portion 134 includes preferably four notches 138 on opposite sides, of semicircular shape, but it should be understood that in other embodiments the notches could have different shapes or may not be necessary at all. Said notches 138 are for additional flexibility to facilitate the female fastener part 130 to engage with the male fastener part in a fastened bond. Said base portion 132 has two semicircular flanges 142 on opposite sides. The two flanges have each a perpendicular pin 144, as means for attaching the female part to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web or fabric.

The overall shape of the female part 130 is more particularly a truncated circular cone, it has a thin wall and is “hollow”.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-E, one of the embodiments of the male fastener part 60 is substantially spherical in shape. Said male fastener part may have an oblate shape in other embodiments (not shown). The male fastener part 60 comprises a base portion 62 and an upper portion 64, both portions are flattened. As seen in FIG. 6D, the base portion 62 of said male fastener part 60 includes two elongated semicircular loops 66 on opposite sides, as means of attachment to a fabric material, for example to a polo shirt, but it should be understood that in certain embodiments said elongated semicircular loops may not be necessary. Said male fastener part is preferably made of a semi rigid plastic material. As can be seen in in FIG. 5E the upper portion 64 has preferably an empty core 68, substantially cylindrical in shape, extending from the upper portion 64 towards the base portion 62, without reaching it.

A second embodiment of the male fastener part 80, as can be seen in FIGS. 6A-E, is substantially two truncated circular cones joined together at the larger diameter side. The male fastener part 80 comprises a base portion 82 and an upper portion 84. The base portion 82 includes two elongated semicircular loops 86, on opposite sides, as means of attachment to a fabric material, for example to a polo shirt, but it should be understood that in certain embodiments said elongated semicircular loops may not be necessary. Said male fastener part is preferably made of a semi rigid plastic material. As can be seen in FIG. 6E the upper portion 84 has preferably an empty core 88, substantially cylindrical, extending from the upper portion 84 towards the base portion 82, without reaching it.

Turning now to FIGS. 7A-D and FIGS. 8A-D, a third and fourth embodiments of the male fastener part according to the invention, correspond to the snap strap fastener, and has similar reference numerals (increased by 100) referring to similar parts.

A third embodiment of the male fastener part 160, as can be seen in FIGS. 7A-D, is substantially spherical. Said male fastener part may have an oblate shape in other embodiments (not shown). Said male fastener part 160 comprises a base portion 162 and an upper portion 164, both portions are flattened. The base portion 162 includes a perpendicular pin 170, as means for attaching the male part 160 to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web or fabric. Said male fastener part is preferably made of a semi rigid plastic material. As can be seen in FIG. 7D the upper portion 164 has preferably an empty core 168, substantially cylindrical, extending from the upper portion 164 towards the base portion 162, without reaching it.

A fourth embodiment of the male fastener part 180, as can be seen in FIGS. 8A-D, is substantially two truncated circular cones joined together at the larger diameter side. The male fastener part 180 comprises a base portion 182 and an upper portion 184. The base portion 182 includes a perpendicular pin 190, as means for attaching the male part 180 to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web or fabric. Said male fastener part is preferably made of a semi rigid plastic material. As can be seen in FIG. 8D the top section has preferably an empty core 188, substantially cylindrical, extending perpendicularly from the upper portion 184 towards the base section 182, without reaching it.

The inner diameter of the upper portion circular opening of said female fastener part 130 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the substantially spherical male fastener part 160, whereas upon applying pressure over said male fastener part with one person's finger against the upper portion opening of the female fastener part, said female fastener part flexes, thus allowing the male fastener to engage inside said female fastener, forming a releasable fastened bond.

As shown in FIG. 9A, a side view of one embodiment of the snap fastener assembly 100, comprising the embodiment of female fastener part 10 engaged with the embodiment of the male fastener part 60. As shown in FIG. 9B, a side view of another embodiment of the snap fastener assembly 200, comprising the embodiment of the female fastener part 30 engaged with the embodiment of the male fastener part 80.

As shown in FIG. 10, there is a side view of one embodiment of the snap strap fastener assembly 300, comprised of a plurality of female fastener parts 30, attached to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web or fabric 310, engaged with a plurality of male fastener parts 60, attached to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web or fabric 310.

FIG. 11A illustrates one embodiment of the male fastener part of the snap strap fastener 330, attached to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web 310, in a single row. FIG. 11B illustrates one embodiment of the female part of the snap strap fastener 340, attached to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web 310, in a single row.

FIG. 12A illustrates another embodiment of the male fastener part of the snap strap fastener 360, attached to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web 310, in a double row. FIG. 12B illustrates the embodiment of the female fastener part of the snap trap fastener 380, attached to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web 310, in a double row.

Claims

1. A snap fastener for an article of clothing, said fastener comprising:

a) A female fastener part comprising a base portion and an upper portion.

b) A male fastener comprising a base portion and an upper portion.

2. A female fastener part as in claim 1, wherein the base portion is substantially elliptical in shape and the upper portion is substantially circular in shape. Wherein said female fastener part has a truncated elliptical cone shape and is hollow.

3. A female fastener part as in claim 2, wherein the base portion is joined to the upper portion by a side wall, said side wall made preferably of a semi rigid plastic material, but also of a flexible vinyl or rubber like material or a combination of both materials.

4. A female fastener part as in claim 3, wherein the base portion comprises at least two half rings on opposite sides of said base portion. Said half rings as a mean for attaching said female part to an article of clothing, through stitching.

5. A female fastener part as in claim 4, wherein the upper portion comprises at least two semi oval notches, on opposite sides of said upper portion, said semi oval notches to allow for a flexible point of contact with the male fastener part.

6. A female fastener part as in claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises at least two semicircular flanges, said flanges comprising a perpendicular pin each. Said perpendicular pins as a mean for attaching the female fastener part to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web, through ultrasonic welding.

7. A male fastener part as in claim 1, wherein said male fastener part is substantially spherical in shape. Wherein the base and upper portion of said male fastener part are flattened. Said male fastener part made of a semi rigid plastic material.

8. A male fastener part as in claim 7, wherein the base portion comprises at least two elongated half loops on opposite sides, said half loops as a mean for attaching said male part to an article of clothing, through stitching. Wherein said male fastener part upper portion comprises an empty cylindrical core.

9. A male part as in claim 7, wherein the base portion comprises a perpendicular pin, said perpendicular pin as a mean for attaching said male fastener part to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web through ultrasonic welding.

10. A snap fastener for an article of clothing as in claim 1, said fastener comprising:

a) A female fastener part, wherein said female fastener part comprises a circular upper portion, said upper portion having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the male fastener part.

b) A male fastener part, wherein said male fastener part is pressed upon the female fastener part thus engaging with said female fastener part in a releasable fasten position.

11. A male fastener part for an article of clothing as in claim 10, wherein said male fastener part upon being pulled away from the female fastener part releases from said fasten position.

12. A snap strap fastener, said snap strap fastener comprising:

a) A plurality of female fastener parts as in claim 6, wherein each of said plurality of female fastener parts comprises a base portion and an upper portion.

b) A plurality of male fastener parts as in claim 9, wherein each of said plurality of male fastener parts comprises a base portion and an upper portion.

13. A snap strap fastener as in claim 12, said snap strap fastener comprising:

a) A plurality of female fastener parts as in claim 6, preferably made of semi rigid plastic material, but also of a more flexible vinyl or rubber like material, or a combination of both materials, wherein said plurality of female fastener parts is over molded to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web.

b) A plurality of male fastener parts as in claim 9, preferably made of semi rigid plastic material, wherein said plurality of male fastener parts is over molded to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web.

14. A snap strap fastener as in claim 12, said snap strap fastener comprising:

a) A plurality of female fastener parts as in claim 6, wherein the base portion of said plurality of female fastener parts is attached to a strip of thermoplastic yarn by means of ultrasonic welding.

b) A plurality of male fastener parts as in claim 9, wherein the base portion of said plurality of male fastener parts is attached to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web by means of ultrasonic welding.

15. A snap strap fastener as in claim 12, said snap strap fastener comprising:

a) A plurality of female fastener parts as in claim 6, wherein the base portion of said plurality of female fastener parts is attached in a single row to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web.

b) A plurality of male fastener parts as in claim 9, wherein the base portion of said plurality of male fastener parts is attached in a single row to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web.

16. A snap strap fastener as in claim 12, said snap strap fastener comprising:

a) A plurality of female fastener parts as in claim 6, wherein the base portion of said plurality of female fastener parts is attached in a double row to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web.

b) A plurality of male fastener parts as in claim 9, wherein the base portion of said plurality of male fastener parts is attached in a double row to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web.

17. A snap strap fastener as in claim 15, wherein a strip of thermoplastic yarn web comprising a plurality of male fastener parts attached, engages with a strip of thermoplastic yarn web comprising a plurality of female fastener parts attached, upon being pressed to one another, forming a fastened bond, releasable upon being pulled away.

18. A snap strap fastener as in claim 17, wherein the plurality of female fasteners attached to a strip of thermoplastic yarn web, flexes to allow the plurality of male fastener parts to engage in a releasable fastened bond.