Snap Fastener Patents (Class 24/324)
  • Patent number: 10881163
    Abstract: A chinstrap connector (10) for a safety helmet (100) has a receptacle for attaching a chinstrap (201) to the chinstrap connector and a stud (12) for attachment of the chinstrap connector to the helmet. The stud is formed by at least two spaced stud retainers (13a, 13b) protruding from a body of the chinstrap connector. The body has a through-hole (14) that opens in the space between the stud retainers and a pin (15) which is placeable through the through-hole into the space to restrict a movement of the stud retainers toward each other. The invention helps facilitating the attachment of a chinstrap to a safety helmet and allows for retrofitting a safety helmet with a chinstrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Peter L. Axelsson
  • Patent number: 10420401
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a collar attachment comprising a disk having a first collar band loop integrally formed with the disk along a first arcuate perimeter portion of the disk and a second collar band loop integrally formed with the disk along a second arcuate perimeter portion of the disk that is opposite the first arcuate perimeter portion of the disk; a keyhole in the disk; friction attachment means formed in an underside of the disk and configured to receive at least a first tab of an attached device and to snugly hold the first tab against the underside of the disk after rotation of the attached device in the keyhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: MARS, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Steven Eidelman, David Isbister, Todd Pelman, Stephen Senatore, Gadi Amit, Inbal Etgar, Solene Bourgeois
  • Patent number: 9827480
    Abstract: A latching device configured to secure a first piece of material to a second piece of material. For example, the first piece of material is a boat tarp and the second piece of material is a boat hull. The latching device includes a locking buckle and clasp assembly. The locking buckle has a main body portion and a release mechanism. The release mechanism has locking pawls with claw members. The locking pawls engage the clasp assembly to releasably retain the locking buckle on the clasp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Home Team Sports, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce James Mitchell, Jr., Joseph Albert Simon
  • Patent number: 9624045
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable gathering device (wire stacker) (12) for processing electrical or optical lines (8), such as wires, cables, line bundles, optical fibers etc. comprising a platform (2) which can be tilted downwards which has an accommodating region (2a) for accommodating one or more lines (8) after a processing step, characterized in that the platform (2) has a removal region (2b) adjoining the accommodating region (2a), wherein lines (8) located in the accommodating region (2a) can be brought into the removal region (2b) by tilting the platform (2) downwards, from which the lines (8) can be removed and wherein the lines (8) are retained in the removal region (2b) by retaining means (2d) in the tilted position of the platform (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Schleuniger Holding AG
    Inventor: Thomas Wortmann
  • Patent number: 9616196
    Abstract: A hemodialysis catheter assembly adapted for use in a subcutaneous tunneling procedure incorporates a mechanism for securing the catheter hub member to the elongated catheter, and to provide the requisite fluid communication between fluid passages within the hub and the catheter lumens within the catheter. The catheter hub member may be connected to the elongated catheter after implantation of the catheter via a subcutaneous tunneling procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Brett Haarala, Richard Braga, Robert Frechette, Kurt Haggstrom
  • Patent number: 9591894
    Abstract: A latching device secures a strap to a piece of sports equipment. The latching device includes a buckle and a base. The buckle has a main body portion. The main body portion has an integrally formed collet and has a first slot and a second slot. The first and second slots each having a plurality of teeth shaped members that are configured to secure the strap to the buckle. The base is attached to the piece of sports equipment. The base has a first shaft and an annular ring. The first shaft has a first end and a second end. A ball shaped member is attached to the first end of the first shaft. The annular ring is formed on a periphery of the base surrounding the first shaft. The ball shaped member is releasably received in the collet to releasably engage the buckle with the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: HOME TEAM SPORTS, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce James Mitchell, Jr., Joseph Albert Simon
  • Patent number: 9541108
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for installing attachments on handles. The invention includes first and second pieces with curved sections that form a generally cylindrical volume around the handle. The first and second pieces are rotatably connected about a hinge axis and may be moved to and from a locked position around handle. A flap having a toothed surface is connected to an end of the second piece, and a tooth extending from an end of the first piece can engage the toothed surface to inhibit inadvertent release of the apparatus from the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventor: Julie Beth Penrod
  • Patent number: 9486028
    Abstract: A buckle assembly for a chin strap of a helmet has a metal part connected to a non-marring part. The metal part includes a metal plate with an outer perimeter, end portions and a center portion, and a slot in each end portion and a snap member fixed to the center portion. The non-marring part includes a tray with end and side walls. The end and side walls together defining an inner perimeter corresponding to and receiving the outer perimeter of the metal plate. A shelf extends side-to-side on an inner surface of each end wall, a plurality of locking tabs are on an inner surface of each side wall and at least one intermediate portion is connected to the inside surface of each side wall. The metal plate rests on the shelves and on the intermediate portion(s) and is being locked in the tray by the locking tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: KRANOS IP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Louis Anthony VanHoutin, Norman M. Halpin, Cortney Warmouth, Robert Erb, Vincent R. Long
  • Patent number: 9474337
    Abstract: A female component of a press stud including a monolithic body made by hot forming and defining a housing seat for a retaining member housed in the housing seat and intended to lock a corresponding male component in position selectively during use. A locking lip, integral with the monolithic body, extends from the housing seat and is deformed so as to partially close the housing seat in order to secure the retaining member therein. In order to produce the female component, the monolithic body is hot formed, and the locking lip is deformed after the introduction of the retaining member into the housing seat, by hot or cold crimping, upsetting or deformation in general.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: RIRI S.A.
    Inventor: Ernesto Violato
  • Patent number: 9439470
    Abstract: A helmet assembly including a mandible bracket configured to connect a mandible to a helmet, at least one strap connected to the mandible bracket and configured to extend from the mandible bracket to a rear portion of a helmet. The assembly includes at least one strap guide having a strap engaging portion connected to the strap along a length of the strap for connecting the strap to a helmet, and a fastener engaging portion configured to connect to a fastener attached to a helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Revision Military S.a.r.L.
    Inventors: Michael James McGinn, Dominic Giroux Bernier, Stéphane Lebel, Edward Robert Hall
  • Patent number: 9291178
    Abstract: A bracket assembly is provided with a shell, a pivotal first curved member on one end of a recessed shell bottom, a pivotal second curved member on the other end of the shell bottom, a link including a slot, a first pin driven through the first curved member and the slot to fasten the first curved member and the link together, and a third hole at an other end, a cylindrical first actuation member, a cylindrical second actuation member, a second pin for fastening the first actuation member and the link together; a biasing member biased between the first stop member and the first actuation member; and a knob at a cap. A retaining device is also provided so that the sliding tube can slide in a transverse channel of retaining device, thereby adjusting length of the sliding tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Chin-Chin Chang
  • Patent number: 9144270
    Abstract: A latching device configured to secure a strap to a piece of sports equipment or other wearable equipment. The latching device includes a locking buckle and clasp assembly. The locking buckle has a main body portion and a release mechanism. The release mechanism has locking pawls with claw members. The locking pawls engage the clasp assembly to releasably retain the locking buckle on the clasp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Home Team Sports, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce James Mitchell, Jr., Joseph Albert Simon
  • Patent number: 9125446
    Abstract: A helmet including a protective head covering and a chin strap. The helmet includes an anchor protruding from the protective head covering and including an enlarged anchor head. The helmet includes a buckle coupled to the chin strap, and selectably coupleable to the anchor. The buckle includes a housing including a pair of strap slits. The buckle includes a cavity disposed in the housing and sized to contain the enlarged anchor head. The buckle includes a retaining slot having a retaining region sized to securely couple to the enlarged anchor head. The helmet includes a securement member disposed about the retaining slot. The helmet includes a second anchor and a second buckle; wherein the second anchor and the second buckle minor the anchor and the buckle disposed on the second side region of the protective head covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Inventor: James D. Wegener
  • Patent number: 8813317
    Abstract: A latching device secures a strap to a piece of sports equipment. The latching device includes a buckle and a base. The buckle has a main body portion. The main body portion has an integrally formed collet and has a first slot and a second slot. The first and second slots each having a plurality of teeth shaped members that are configured to secure the strap to the buckle. The base is attached to the piece of sports equipment. The base has a first shaft and an annular ring. The first shaft has a first end and a second end. A ball shaped member is attached to the first end of the first shaft. The annular ring is formed on a periphery of the base surrounding the first shaft. The ball shaped member is releasably received in the collet to releasably engage the buckle with the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Home Team Sports, LLC.
    Inventors: Bruce James Mitchell, Jr., Joseph Albert Simon
  • Patent number: 8667651
    Abstract: A combined diving utensil has a buckling assembly, a seesaw and a fastening element. The buckling assembly includes a male buckle and a female buckle. Of which, one end of the female buckle is provided with an opening, and the other end provided with a mating joint. One end of the male buckle is provided with a threading portion, and the other end provided with an extension coupled with the mating joint. A plurality of ribs are set on one surface of the fastening element, which is set on the threading portion of the male buckle. A stopper is set close to the end of the fastening element. The seesaw is provided with a thrust rib plate, which is mated with a plurality of ribs on the fastening element and pivoted on the female buckle via the fulcrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Ching-Wen Wang
  • Publication number: 20130185902
    Abstract: In a cam lock buckle a slide mechanism holds a movable member so that the movable member can slide between a first position at which a shaft is located close to a first end of an elongated hole and a second position at which the shaft is located close to a second end of the elongated hole. A gap defined between a holding portion and a bottom portion when the movable member is slid to the second position is narrower than a gap defined between the holding portion and the bottom portion when the movable member is slid to the first position. One of the holding portion and the bottom portion facing the holding portion is provided with a concave groove and the other of the holding portion and the bottom portion is provided with a convex tread that pushes a part of the belt into the concave groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20110291451
    Abstract: A safety belt buckle (B?) for a seat is disclosed. The seat (S?) has a crotch pad (P?) in the seating area, which coincides with an attachment region between the safety belt buckle and the seat (S?) so that the crotch pad (P?) is positioned between the safety belt buckle (B?) and a person positioned in the seat (S?) and held in place in the seat (S?) by means of the belt buckle (B?), with both the crotch pad (P?) and the buckle (B?) between the legs (L) of said person. The safety belt buckle (B?) has a body (11) with a surface (12) which in use faces the crotch pad (P?). The body (11) has an attachment means (13) for attachment of the buckle (B?) to the crotch pad (P?) of the seat (S?). A safety belt assembly having such buckle (B?) is also disclosed, as well as a vehicle seat (B?), preferably a child seat, having such safety belt assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: HOLMBERGS CHILDSAFTEY HOLDING AB
    Inventor: Johan Westman
  • Patent number: 8056151
    Abstract: A chin strap assembly for a protective sports helmet features a buckle that comprises a body portion, an attachment portion, a first side rail, and a second side rail. The body portion has a first strap opening and a second strap opening formed therethrough. The body portion has a first end segment and a second end segment. The attachment portion is adapted to interact with a fastener on the helmet. The first and second side rails are opposed and extend between the first and second end segments, and have a generally arcuate shape. First and second lateral holes are positioned internal to the first and second side rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Riddell, Inc.
    Inventors: Vittorio Bologna, Thad M. Ide, Nelson Kraemer
  • Patent number: 7475453
    Abstract: A buckle includes a metal component having only a first opening and a second opening. The first opening is defined by a first internal perimeter including a first serrated edge. The second opening is defined by a second internal perimeter including a second serrated edge. The buckle also includes a rust resistant component substantially encasing the metal component. However, the rust resistant component does not encase the first serrated edge or the second serrated edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Melas, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Drake, Larry E. Maddux
  • Patent number: 6955465
    Abstract: A flexible zipper intended for use in a package containing powder or other particulate matter. The zipper is designed to be resistant to clogging of the interlocking profiles with powder. This flexible zipper has first and second profiles that interlock in a closed zipper state to define a space therebetween. The space extends in a longitudinal direction, i.e., along the length of the zipper. The bases of both profiles are provided with apertures for enabling powder or other particulate matter trapped in the space between the profiles to pass into the interior volume of a package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Zdenek Machacek, Michael Lasofsky, Glyn Russell
  • Patent number: 6845548
    Abstract: A buckle assembly for mounting a goggle on a helmet. The goggle is connected with a strap. The buckle assembly includes a first buckle having a main body. The strap is connected at an end of the main body. A buckling portion is formed on the main body. The buckling portion forms a buckling hole and a buckling flange, and a grip portion is connected to another end of the main body. A second buckle includes a main plate and a locating portion, a buckling portion which is formed of catch plates which can be bent inwards and outwards, and a claw is outwardly disposed on each catch plate for catching the buckling flange of the first buckle. A buckle locator includes a base, a locating portion for connecting the locating portion of the second buckle, and allocating portion for connecting the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Lifestyle Metal Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung-Chin Lin
  • Patent number: 6757942
    Abstract: A tape with snap fastener in which fixing strength of a fastener to a tape main body is secured and which is excellent in durability by eliminating a possibility that the fastener may contact directly the tape upon engagement and disengagement and has good external design performance. A base portion is fixed to front and rear surfaces of the tape main body of the male or female synthetic resin snap fastener, and a substantially cylindrical engaging protruding portion projects vertically from the base portion. A ring-like continuous concave groove portion, which has the same center as the base portion and an inner diameter exceeding the inner diameter of the engaging protruding portion, is provided on any one of front and rear surfaces of the base portion. The engaging protruding portion and the continuous concave groove portion have depth reaching the tape main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Shoji Matsui, Hideyuki Matsushima
  • Patent number: 6718559
    Abstract: A device is provided for attachment to the existing snap portions on a helmet such as a motorcycle helmet. Design elements are presented on a display member, and in some embodiments the display member extends across several helmet snap portions. One embodiment incorporates helmet accessories, such as visors, while still providing the outward presentation of the design elements on the display member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Howard Davidson
  • Patent number: 6618913
    Abstract: A ribbon-decoration forming tool for binding a decorative ribbon strip, which defines a plurality of loops, to form a ribbon-decoration, said ribbon-decoration forming tool including: a first flat plate provided with an engagement member, the engagement member having an enlarged portion at the outer end thereof; a second flat plate having a holding portion for holding the engagement member which allows said enlarged portion to protrude outside therefrom; a connecting member connecting said first flat plate and said second flat plate; and a binding portion for binding a ribbon strip to form a ribbon-decoration, wherein the binding portion is defined by the first and second flat plates associated with each other in the relationship such that the enlarged portion protrudes outside from the holding portion, said connecting member and said engagement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Yugen Kaisha Ichiryu
    Inventor: Teruko Notomi
  • Patent number: 6584655
    Abstract: A retention mechanism has a base and a snap ring that are mounted to two components. The snap ring has a hole for attaching a first component. A conical element with a rounded knob protrudes from the snap ring. The base is cylindrical and has a cap with a rounded face and a conical opening that tapers to a cylindrical hole. Both the knob and the base are slit for greater compliance. After the base and snap ring are mounted to their respective components, the snap ring may be removably connected to the base by inserting its knob into the conical opening in the base. The complementary shapes of the snap ring and base allow for significant axial and angular misalignment. The slits allow the snap ring and base to elastically deform. The snap ring and base are disengaged by pulling the snap ring away from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Vermillion Corporation
    Inventors: Walter Wilcox Cardwell, III, Stephen Andrew Stickel, An Tran, Richard P. Manahan, Scott R. Stone, David C. Munkwitz
  • Patent number: 6557218
    Abstract: A snap-type buckle is disclosed including a buckle portion having a front surface and a rear surface and including an upper eyelet and a lower eyelet for receiving a strap, a recess extending through the rear surface, and a plurality of tabs located proximate the rear surface and extending radially inwardly. A button portion is configured for attachment to the strap and includes a step for engagement with the tabs of the recess. An embodiment of the snap-type buckle includes an aperture in the buckle portion to facilitate removal of the button portion from the buckle portion. Another embodiment of the snap-type buckle includes a spring arm extending across the recess proximate the front surface to facilitate removal of the button portion from the buckle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Mississippi Trading, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Kipperman
  • Patent number: 6547317
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle structural component, especially a specialized front wall, comprising a functional part made of molded plastic intended to support functional members of the vehicle and a structural part intended to withstand the various mechanical stresses generated by the use of the vehicle, the structural part consisting of the combination of two rigid assemblies, namely, in the first place, an array of stiffening ribs and, in the second place, metal reinforcements. The functional part and one of the rigid assemblies are made as one piece when molding the plastic functional part, while the other rigid assembly is attached to the first rigid assembly to which it is fixed by snap-fastening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium S.A.
    Inventors: Hugues Cheron, Frederic Copier, Johnny Busolin, Yves Alphand, Fredereic Pierrot
  • Patent number: 6532632
    Abstract: A buckle for receiving a strap member and for snap-fitting to a snap stud located on a helmet, the buckle including a metal member having opposite ends and opposite first and second substantially planar surfaces, with an aperture located between the ends and a slit on either side of the aperture, each of the slits including a plurality of rugous surfaces suitable for frictionally engaging a strap member positionable there through. A metal snap configured to be matingly engagable with the snap stud of the helmet is affixed adjacent to the first surface of the metal member by a fastener connectingly associated with the metal snap and the aperture of the metal member. A plastic material substantially encases the metal member except that at least a portion of the rugous surfaces and a portion of the first surface of the metal member adjacent the metal snap are not encased by the plastic material and remain exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: P. David Halstead
  • Patent number: 6497012
    Abstract: A buckle for receiving a strap member and for snap-fitting to a snap stud located on a helmet. The buckle includes a metal member having opposite ends, with an aperture located between the ends and a slit on either side of the aperture. Each of the slits including a plurality of rugous surfaces suitable for frictionally engaging a strap member positionable there through, and a plastic material substantially encasing the metal member except that at least a portion of the rugous surfaces are not encased by the plastic material and remain exposed, and a region surrounding the aperture of the metal member is not encased and the plastic material located adjacent the aperture defines a barrel configured for receiving and mating in a snap-fit relationship with a snap-stud fastener located on a helmet with which the buckle is to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Southern Impact Research Center, LLC
    Inventors: Thad Ide, P. David Halstead
  • Patent number: 6481066
    Abstract: A buckle for receiving a strap member and for snap-fitting to a snap stud located on a helmet. In a preferred embodiment, the buckle includes a metal member having opposite ends, with an aperture located between the ends and a slit on either side of the aperture. Each of the slits includes a plurality of rugous surfaces suitable for frictionally engaging a strap member positionable there through, and a plastic material substantially encasing the metal member except that at least a portion of the rugous surfaces and the aperture are not encased by the plastic material and remain exposed. A metal snap is affixed to the buckle by a fastener connectingly associated with the metal snap and the aperture, the metal snap being configured to matingly engage a snap stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Southern Impact Research Center, LLC
    Inventors: Thad Ide, P. David Halstead
  • Publication number: 20020148081
    Abstract: A buckle for receiving a strap member and for snap-fitting to a snap stud located on a helmet. The buckle includes a metal member having opposite ends, with an aperture located between the ends and a slit on either side of the aperture. Each of the slits including a plurality of rugous surfaces suitable for frictionally engaging a strap member positionable there through, and a plastic material substantially encasing the metal member except that at least a portion of the rugous surfaces are not encased by the plastic material and remain exposed, and a region surrounding the aperture of the metal member is not encased and the plastic material located adjacent the aperture defines a barrel configured for receiving and mating in a snap-fit relationship with a snap-stud fastener located on a helmet with which the buckle is to be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Thad Ide, P. David Halstead
  • Patent number: 6454503
    Abstract: A three-part fastening element having, as the first part or element, a first sleeve which is slit axially at least once, preferably a number of times, at one of its two ends and is thus radially spreadable and has a cylindrical basic shape and, at both ends, stop regions projecting radially from an approximately uniform cylindrical outer circumferential surface. The second part or element comprising a second sleeve which can be introduced into said first sleeve as a spreading mandrel for the radially spreadable end region of the first sleeve and has a radially projecting collar at its end remote from the spreadable end of the first sleeve. The second part or element intended for fastening a first component, by way of the first sleeve, on a wall provided with an opening for receiving the spreadable end of the first sleeve. The third element comprising a cap with a spreading pin which extends from the latter that is intended for introduction into the spreading mandrel which is the second sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Marko Polic, Günther Weikert
  • Patent number: 6374468
    Abstract: A two-piece retention mechanism has a base and a snap ring that are individually mounted to two separate components that a user desires to releasably join. The snap ring has a round body with a hole for attaching the first component thereto. A conical element with a spherical tip protrudes from the snap ring body. The base has a cylindrical body for mounting to the second component. The body of the base has a cap with a rounded face and a conical opening that tapers down to a cylindrical hole. After the base and snap ring are mounted to their respective components, the snap ring may be removably connected to the base by inserting its spherical tip into the conical opening in the base. The complementary shapes of the snap ring and base allow for significant axial and angular misalignment. The snap ring and base elastically deform and emit an audible “snap” during this sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Vermillion Corporation
    Inventors: Walter Wilcox Cardwell, III, Stephen Andrew Stickel, An Tran
  • Publication number: 20020013982
    Abstract: A snap-type buckle is disclosed including a buckle portion having a front surface and a rear surface and including an upper eyelet and a lower eyelet for receiving a strap, a recess extending through the rear surface, and a plurality of tabs located proximate the rear surface and extending radially inwardly. A button portion is configured for attachment to the strap and includes a step for engagement with the tabs of the recess. An embodiment of the snap-type buckle includes an aperture in the buckle portion to facilitate removal of the button portion from the buckle portion. Another embodiment of the snap-type buckle includes a spring arm extending across the recess proximate the front surface to facilitate removal of the button portion from the buckle portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventor: Eric Kipperman
  • Patent number: 6301719
    Abstract: The present invention relates to attachments for releasably securing a transparent shield to a wire grid face protector and the wire grid face protector to a helmet. The attachments comprise a clip and a bracket. The clip comprises a retaining body adapted to be secured to the wire grid face protector at a predetermined location and on opposed sides of a sight opening of the wire grid face protector. The retaining body has a guide slot adapted to receive an attachment flange of the transparent shield, and an opening formed in an outer wall thereof configured to receive in abutting engagement a resilient, outwardly inclined tongue of the attachment flange. The bracket comprises a body having a groove into which a wire member of the wire grid face protector is releasably and frictionally retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Itech Sport Products Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Goodhand, Garnet Alexander, Hubert Gagnon, Paul Isabelle
  • Patent number: 6299353
    Abstract: The zipper for a reclosable bag includes a male profile and a female profile. The female profile includes first and second legs extending from a planar base, with a space formed therebetween for insertion of a male profile therein. Apertures are formed in the planar base providing communication between the space between the first and second legs and an opposite side of the planar base. This allows the insertion of the male profile into the female element to urge particles or powder lodged in the space to pass through the apertures to the opposite side of the planar base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Duane B. Piechocki, Zdenek Machacek
  • Patent number: 6238157
    Abstract: An attachment connection (18) for securing a vehicle trim component (16) to a vehicle body sheet metal panel (20) includes an attachment projection (22) extending from the trim component with an attachment formation (24) molded in situ thereon from a softer material. An opening (26) in the sheet metal panel (20) includes a cantilevered leaf spring (28) having a terminal end (30) that is engaged with the softer attachment formation (24) upon insertion of the attachment projection into the opening to thereby provide securement of the trim component. The leaf spring (28) has a curved section (32) to provide enhanced spring action thereof and its terminal end (30) preferably has a curved shape that engages the attachment formation (24) on the attachment projection (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph J. Davis, Jr., Timothy F. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6094785
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a snap arrangement comprising snap hooks (208) associated with a first housing (200) that snap over corresponding protrusions (111) in a second housing (100). The snap hooks preferably include an inclined portion (212) such that a finger (504) of a certain width of a removal tool (502) will force them apart to the deflection required for disassembly. Once the tool has been inserted beyond the elbow (213), the snap hook is not deflected any further regardless of the motion of the tool. This enables the tool to continue moving the front housing apart from the rear housing without further deflecting the snap hooks. This ensures that the snap hooks are never overstressed, that the front housing comes completely off of the rear housing every time, and that repeated disassembly will only minimally affect the strength of the snaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Douglas Montgomery, Leonardo Diego Moral
  • Patent number: 6044528
    Abstract: A strap retainer including a base having an integrally formed post projecting therefrom, and a post receiving member, spaced from the base wherein the post receiving member has an opening formed therein for receipt of the post. A member connects the base and the post receiving member and the post generally includes a cylindrical body portion, a generally cylindrical plug portion, each one of which has a diameter greater than the diameter of the opening in the post receiving member. The post includes a neck interposed between the body portion and the plug portion, the neck having a diameter less than the diameter of the post receiving member opening. The plug portion of the post includes a tapered end portion having a longitudinal slot formed therein for enabling deformation of the plug so that the plug portion contracts when the plug is pressed into the post receiving member opening for retention therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Thomas M. Schottin
  • Patent number: 6009604
    Abstract: A front closure for a brassiere has male and female parts which have frame portions through which fabric parts of the respective cups can pass for attaching these cup portions to the closure members. The male member has a bar received in a trough or channel of the female member and is locked in place releasably by a partial rotation of the male member about the axis of the bar. The bar can be inserted at least in part transversely to the channel or trough when the plane of the male member is transverse to the plane of the female member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Inventor: Gerhard Fildan
  • Patent number: 6003212
    Abstract: A pair of shoes fastener for releasably coupling at least one pair of shoes together. The pair of shoes fastener includes a male portion and a female portion that are releasably coupleable together. The male portion has a neck member outwardly extending from the front face thereof and a bulbous end portion extending from the neck member. The female portion has an aperture extending through its top and bottom faces and a pair of axial breaks providing an opening through the front face of the female portion into the aperture. The aperture and the axial breaks define a groove of the female portion. The end and neck members of the male portion are slidably insertable in the groove of the female portion. The male portion is coupled to an inner side of a shoe. The female portion is coupled to an inner side of another shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: Takeo Imahata
  • Patent number: 5933929
    Abstract: A snap button for attachment to a cloth is composed of male and female buttons engageable with each other. Each of the male and female buttons includes a face plate centrally from which a smashable shank projects, a snap body, and a resilient plate. The snap body has a respective one of concave socket and plug portions in which an axial shank-insertion hole, and a peripheral flange extending from a base portion of the plug and socket portions off an inner open end thereof. The resilient plate is adapted to be pierced by the shank so as to clamp the cloth between the face plate and the resilient plate. As a result, the cloth is held not only between the resilient plate and the shank but also between the shank and the snap body, and this clamp structure prevents the cloth from being removed off the each of the male and female buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunori Kawakami, Hirokazu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5831225
    Abstract: A barrier wall (20) separating a passenger compartment from an engine compartment of a motor vehicle has an acoustical barrier assembly (10) mounted thereto. The acoustical barrier assembly (10) includes a sound barrier layer (12) of a molded construction and sound dampening characteristics. At least one fastener (28) is integrally molded as a single piece with the sound barrier layer (12). The fastener (28) includes a plurality of outer spacer ribs (30) that project laterally from a tube (32) and space an inner surface (24) of the sound barrier layer (12) away from the barrier wall (20). A circumferentially extending flange head (34) is integral with the tube (32) and includes a first frusto-conical section (36) and a second inverse frusto-conical section (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Cascade Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael T. Campbell
  • Patent number: 5787956
    Abstract: A car sunshade curtain, attached to a car window, comprising: a pleated curtain; a first and a second support bar on both sides of the pleated curtain, the first support bar being provided with a plurality of fastening devices attachable to the car window and removable from the car window, the second support bar being provided with an eyehole and a suction cup to be attached to the car window after unfolding the pleated curtain; and a buttoning device, being provided with a button and a buckle, the button being insertable into the buckle to be held there, the button and the buckle being separately mounted on the first and the second support bar, respectively, to fasten the first and the second support bar together and thereby fold up the pleated curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Ing-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 5647713
    Abstract: A panel fastener includes separable components formed from two different plastics, one relatively rigid and the other somewhat more flexible and resilient. The two components are formed in a two shot injection molding process and are joined through a ball and socket joint that allows subsequent separation and reconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Yao Ge, David J. Krysiak
  • Patent number: 5630256
    Abstract: A buffer clip for preventing the generation of an uncomfortable sound and wherein an impact force absorbing member does not separate from the clip due to vibration or the like. The buffer clip is inserted and fitted into a mounting hole formed in a concave portion vehicle roof trim near the free end of a sun visor and a clearance for allowing insertion of a user's hand is formed between the sun visor and an outer covering material of the roof trim of the vehicle interior. The force due to impact when the sun visor is raised is absorbed by a soft layer of the buffer clip. For this reason, the roof trim does not resonate and no uncomfortable sound is produced. Further, the soft layer is formed so as to cover a flange of the clip and a catch member of the soft layer engages a catch portion of the flange. Accordingly, there is no possibility that the soft layer can separate from the clip due to vibration or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Nifco, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Kanno
  • Patent number: 5601899
    Abstract: An integral fastener particularly for use in mounting a sheet material to a structural member with a plurality of threaded studs. The integral fastener in one embodiment is connected to the sheet by a web adjacent an aperture in the sheet. The fastener has an opening that defines multiple flaps. To fasten the sheet material to the stud, the stud is inserted through the sheet aperture and the fastener is pressed on the stud so that it extends through the fastener opening, deflecting the flaps, which engage the threads of the stud. In another embodiment, the fastener is formed within the sheet and defines an opening through which the stud passes. In a third embodiment, the stud comprises a T-shaped flange and the fastener has a slotted opening at an acute angle to the plane of the T-shaped flange to retain the fastener on the T-shaped flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Cascade Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael T. Campbell
  • Patent number: 5591938
    Abstract: The member or box includes: a slot under which ribs of the tray may be received and which has passages on one side and an aperture on the other side; a retaining member attached to the slot and which is provided with a fold-down tab and a tooth; fingers resiliently attached to the base portion and provided with teeth inserted through the passages and which may retain a rib; and resilient bridges extending on a higher plane above the base portion and facing the tab. The retaining member is movable between a normal inactive position and an active position in which the tooth is inserted through the aperture, retaining one of the free ends of the rib and the bridges retain the fold-down tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Aparellaje Electrico, S.A.
    Inventor: Juan M. B. Navazo
  • Patent number: 5458267
    Abstract: A sizeable attachment device includes a flexible member (102) and a set of first (108) and second (106) sockets which receive a set of back-to back studs formed from back-to-back pairs (110, 112). In a first attachment mode stud 110 is snap fitted to socket 108. In a second attachment mode stud 110 is snap fitted to socket 106, and stud 112 is snap fitted to socket 108. The sizeable attachment device forms two sizes of loops for receiving belts or holsters having different widths. The sizeable attachment device provides for a clean and good looking attachment when either in the first or second attachment modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Curtis, J. Douglas Boger
  • Patent number: 5411163
    Abstract: Case including a lid and a base provided with a closure having a hook and a counter hook cooperating to close the case. The hook includes a rigid support on the lid to which an elastic component carrying the catch of the hook is mounted. The elastic component deforms upon opening and closing to engage and disengage, respectively, the catch and counter hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Jean-Louis H. Gueret