Including Symmetrical Formations On Opposite Walls For Engaging Mating Elements Patents (Class 24/410)
  • Patent number: 10932531
    Abstract: A fastening device has a first fastening member with a plurality of teeth and a second fastening member with a plurality of sockets which are sequentially engagable in tooth and socket pairs in an engagement direction by relative rotation of the tooth and socket. Each tooth has a first surface and a second surface fixed relative to the first surface. Each socket has a recess defined by a first wall and second wall fixed relative to the first wall. Upon engagement, the first and second surfaces of the tooth abut the respective first and second walls of the recess and prevent relative movement of the tooth in the engagement direction and a portion of the first wall of the socket closely abutting the first surface of the tooth is disposed between the tooth and a portion of the first fastening member and prevents relative separation of the tooth and socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Florin Morar
  • Patent number: 10292462
    Abstract: A fastening device has a first fastening member with a plurality of teeth and a second fastening member with a plurality of sockets which are sequentially engagable in tooth and socket pairs in an engagement direction by relative rotation of the tooth and socket. Each tooth has a first surface and a second surface fixed relative to the first surface. Each socket has a recess defined by a first wall and second wall fixed relative to the first wall. Upon engagement, the first and second surfaces of the tooth abut the respective first and second walls of the recess and prevent relative movement of the tooth in the engagement direction and a portion of the first wall of the socket closely abutting the first surface of the tooth is disposed between the tooth and a portion of the first fastening member and prevents relative separation of the tooth and socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Inventor: Florin Morar
  • Patent number: 10212991
    Abstract: There is provided an element for a fastener chain. The element includes a body portion fixed on a core portion of a tape, a neck portion, a pair of shoulder portions, an engaging head portion, and a pair of groove portions. As viewed in the width direction, at least one of the pair of shoulder portions and the pair of groove portions is configured to be inclined with respect to a reference direction, which is an extending direction of the core portion on which the body portion is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeyoshi Takazawa, Shigeki Annaka, Naoyuki Himi
  • Patent number: 10136707
    Abstract: A fastener element has a central land portion and first and second bulging portions bulging from the central land portion toward the tape front surface side and the tape rear surface side in the element thickness direction. The first and second bulging portions respectively have a bulging end surface facing to the element thickness direction. The bulging end surface has a quadrilateral base end surface which is long in the element length direction and a tapered protrusion end surface protruding from the base end surface in the element width direction. Thus, it is possible to make the fastener element look like a single-sided metal element and to make a slide fastener which is formed by using the fastener elements lighter than a conventional slide fastener having single-sided metal elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi Kojima, Hideki Sato, Kinue Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 9918527
    Abstract: A slide fastener includes first and second rows of slide elements and first and second tapes secured with the respective rows of slide elements. The slide elements of the first row of slide elements are configured to engage with slide elements of the second row of slide elements and each slide element of the first and second rows includes a base, a head, a neck extending between the base and the head, a top surface, a facing surface, and one or more shoulders. A first vertical distance between a lowermost surface of the head and the first end of the first tape is greater than a second vertical distance between a lowermost surface of the base and the first end of the first tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Suguru Ogura
  • Patent number: 9462854
    Abstract: A fastener stringer is provided with a fixing section in which at least one of a first and second half sections is fixed to a fastener tape and a tapered extending section which extends from the fixing section toward the outside of the tape. A first side face and a second side face in the tape length direction in the fixing section have concave surfaces which curve in a concave shape so as to gradually increase from an element surface of a fastener element toward the fastener tape. Accordingly, each fastener element can exhibit an appearance close to a metallic fastener element and a locking mechanism of a slider can be made to function stably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi Kojima, Aya Shigematsu
  • Patent number: 9420853
    Abstract: A slide fastener is provided. Each of a pair of first and second stringers includes a tape and a row of coupling elements mounted on a longitudinal edge of the tape. Each of the coupling elements comprises a first non-connecting portion at an upper side of the tape and a second connecting portion at a lower side of the tape. The second connecting portion comprises a head portion and a body portion. The head portion is engageable with a head portion of opposing coupling element. The body portion is fixed to the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Giovanni La Rocca, Naoyuki Himi, Futoshi Kozato, Kiyoyuki Okuyama
  • Patent number: 9386826
    Abstract: A zipper of the disclosure includes a pair of opposite tapes. A plurality of teeth are positioned at a bonding area of each tape. Each of the plurality of teeth 100 defines a positioning groove, and includes a post located in the positioning groove. A portion of the bonding area of the tape corresponding to each tooth defines at least one positioning hole. The post of each tooth passes through a corresponding positioning hole to fix the tooth on the tape firmly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: SHEN ZHEN HUA SHENG DA ZIPPER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hao Lu
  • Patent number: 9364053
    Abstract: A fastener element includes a coupling head and a pair of leg portions and has a coupling concave portion provided on a first surface of the coupling head and a coupling convex portion projecting from a second surface of the coupling head. An outer margin portion on a first surface side of the coupling head has a first margin portion formed like a ridge line and a pair of second margin portions disposed on both sides of the first margin portion and formed like an inclined surface or a curved surface and one end of each of the second margin portions is arranged on an inside of both end positions of a width direction of the coupling concave portion. Accordingly, the feel of the fastener element can be improved and also the strength of the slide fastener with respect to transverse pulling can stably be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Kosuke Seki
  • Patent number: 9307810
    Abstract: A slide fastener including a pair of first and second stringers each including a tape and a row of coupling elements mounted on one longitudinal edge of the tape; wherein each of the coupling elements includes a first non-connecting portion and a second connecting portion and wherein the second connecting portion includes a head portion and a body portion; and wherein the first non-connecting portion includes an attachment surface to which a decorative element is attached and the attachment surface has a first surface and a second surface lower than the first surface. The decorative element is attached to the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Naoyuki Himi
  • Patent number: 9301579
    Abstract: In a waterproof slide fastener, fastener elements are formed using a synthetic resin which contains a silicone resin or a fluorine-based resin, and a water repellant agent is applied to waterproof tapes and the fastener elements and hence, the waterproof slide fastener can exhibit a water-repellent effect brought about by the waterproof tapes and a water-repellent effect brought about by the fastener elements. Accordingly, it is possible to properly prevent the intrusion of a liquid through a gap formed between the left and right fastener elements and a gap formed between the fastener element and the waterproof tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Fujii, Kiyomasa Segawa
  • Patent number: 9003613
    Abstract: In a slide fastener according to the invention, each fastener element includes an upper half element portion disposed at a first surface side of a fastener tape and a lower half element portion disposed at a second surface side of the fastener tape. The upper half element portion includes a first tape-sandwiching portion, a first head portion of a tapered form, and a thin walled portion which has a downward inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the forefront of the first head portion from the thin walled start portion set on the upper half element portion to the first head portion side. Thereby, the fastener element can be formed lightweight and can make coupling breaking difficult to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi Kojima, Kenji Yuki
  • Patent number: 8832909
    Abstract: A slide fastener for preventing core strings from being caught in a gap between upper and lower flanges, securing the flexibility of the slide fastener when engaged, and improving the designability of the slide fastener. The gap dimension between the upper and lower flanges of a slider in the up-down direction is smaller than the core string dimension in the front-rear direction when the core strings are pressed with the pressure of 5 kgf. Fastener elements are independently disposed in the up-down direction of a tape member when engaged. The fastener element has a design portion disposed at a front side of the tape member, and an engaging portion disposed at a rear side of the tape member so as to engage with adjacent fastener element, and the design portion is disposed distant from the adjacent design portion when engaged and having a hemispherical shape with a curved shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Go Takani
  • Patent number: 8641278
    Abstract: An automatic gripping closure device comprising a first element with hooks comprising a first base band and at least two first hooks originating from the first band and placed in at least one row of first hooks (9), each first hook being delimited by two faces (11, 12) that are mutually opposed and transverse to the direction of the at least one row of first hooks and at least one coupling portion (13, 14) protruding laterally from the stem, preferably at the top of the latter, while extending in a direction transverse to the direction of the row, and a second element with hooks comprising a second base band and at least two second hooks originating from the second band and placed in at least one row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Aplix
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Ducauchuis, Thierry Marche
  • Publication number: 20140020215
    Abstract: In a slide fastener (1) according to the invention, each fastener element (10, 10?, 30, 40) includes an upper half element portion (11, 31, 41) disposed at a first surface side of a fastener tape (2) and a lower half element portion (21) disposed at a second surface side of the fastener tape (2). The upper half element portion (11, 31, 41) includes a first tape-sandwiching portion (12, 32, 42) and a first head portion (13, 13?, 33, 43) of a tapered form that extends from the first tape-sandwiching portion (12, 32, 42). The upper half element portion (11, 31, 41) has a tapered portion (14, 34, 44) that gradually decreases in a dimension between front and rear side surfaces, in the tape length direction, of at least the first tape-sandwiching portion (12, 32, 42) as it goes upward. According to the slide fastener (1) of the invention, each fastener element (10, 10?, 30, 40) can be formed lightweight, and the fastener element (10, 10?, 30, 40) can be given an appearance looking like a metal fastener element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi Kojima, Kenji Yuki
  • Patent number: 8590117
    Abstract: A slide fastener which withstands a predetermined lateral pulling force in a usual usage and is cloven when an excessive lateral pulling force is applied at the time of airbag inflation, wherein the slide fastener in which a plurality of attachment leg portions of coupling teeth, on each of which a coupling head formed to have a relatively large width and the attachment leg portions extending from the coupling head are formed, are attached on a coupling tooth attaching portion of each of a pair of fastener tapes on right and left with a predetermined pitch along a tape longitudinal direction is configured to satisfy a relationship 0.4?(2×H?P)/P?0.1 between a summit height H [mm] of the coupling head formed to have a relatively large width and a pitch P [mm].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Dono, Shunji Akashi, Hiroshi Ishisaka, Naoyuki Himi
  • Patent number: 8539650
    Abstract: A slide fastener where each fastener element includes an upper half element portion disposed at a first surface side of a fastener tape and a lower half element portion disposed at a second surface side of the fastener tape. The upper half element portion includes a first tape-sandwiching portion and a first head portion of a tapered form that extends from the first tape-sandwiching portion. The upper half element portion has a tapered portion that gradually decreases in a dimension between front and rear side surfaces, in the tape length direction, of at least the first tape-sandwiching portion as it goes upward. Each fastener element can be lightweight, and the fastener element can look like a metal fastener element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Masayoshi Kojima, Kenji Yuki
  • Patent number: 8434202
    Abstract: The slide fastener includes elements and a slider, wherein each of the elements includes a horizontal functional section an upper vertical functional section and a lower vertical functional section the slide fastener includes a plurality of fastener units in each of which the elements are arranged to oppositely face each other and the meshing portions are meshed with each other by sliding the slider between the oppositely-positioned elements, whereby the engagement pieces of the oppositely-positioned elements form an engagement portion and the engagement holding pieces of the oppositely-positioned elements in pair form an engagement holding portion, and the plurality of fastener units are constituted in a multilayered structure by engaging the engagement holding portions of a second fastener with the engagement portions of a first fastener such that the engagement holding portions of a new fastener unit are engaged with the engagement portions of a preceding fastener unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventor: Masaki Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20120096686
    Abstract: The slide fastener comprises elements, and a slider, the slide fastener opening and closing a horizontal opening/closing portion and a vertical opening/closing portion with one operation by sliding the slider along the elements. The slide fastener includes a horizontal functional section and a vertical functional section. The horizontal functional section includes element heads which are meshed with and unmeshed from each other, and horizontal fastener tapes. The vertical functional section includes element legs extending vertically to the horizontal direction and bending into a hook-like shape, holding portions which are formed by distal ends of the element legs, and a vertical fastener tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: Masaki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7665193
    Abstract: A metallic double-sided element comprising a coupling head includes: thin flat plate portions; coupling convex portions projecting at a central portion in the right-left direction of the thin flat plate portion; right and left raised portions which are raised in the front surface-rear surface direction from the thin flat plate portion disposed on the right and left sides of each of the coupling convex portions and integrated with the body portion; and a coupling concave portion which is formed surrounded by the coupling convex portion, the right and left raised portions and the body portion, wherein each of the right and left raised portions has a slope portion which is inclined from a front edge toward the body portion such that the slope portion rises thereof, part of each side face of the right and left slope portions is integrated with part of right and left side faces of the coupling convex portion in a face bonding manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Hasegawa, Manami Ohno
  • Patent number: 6115892
    Abstract: A zipper strip for a reclosable package having a transverse zipper is provided. The zipper strip comprises a male interlocking profile and a female interlocking profile. Each profile includes an interlocking member and an integral web which defines a leading flange. The leading flanges are sealed to thermoplastic film material which is used to make the reclosable packages and to each other. One of leading flanges is provided with a perforation along its length so that it can be separated by pulling the profiles apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Art Malin, Lawrence Share, Donald L. Van Erden
  • Patent number: 6092267
    Abstract: A zipper closure including first and second rows of teeth formed on first and second bands. Each tooth has a free end in which a channel is formed. Each channel has a bottom which is convexly curved. The zipper closure includes a slider with a projection for opening and closing the zipper closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: D. Swarovski & Co.
    Inventors: Christian Covi, Werner Steinlechner
  • Patent number: 5511292
    Abstract: The invention relates to a zipper closure comprising a first and second row of teeth formed on a first and second band, each band comprising an edge bead or web, said teeth having free ends, each of which with a channel formed therein, when said zipper closure being closed said free ends of said first row of teeth extending into an area of attachment of said teeth of said second row of teeth and vice versa, whereby said channels receive said edge beads or webs, the zipper closure further comprising a slider with a top cover plate and a bottom cover plate connected by a cross-piece, said slider having a wider front end and a narrower back end, said cross-piece having a front end directed towards said wider front end of said slider and a back end directed towards said narrower back end of said slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: D. Swarovski & Co.
    Inventors: Christian Covi, Werner Steinlechner
  • Patent number: 5394593
    Abstract: A press-formed, metal, coupling element particularly suitable for use in a bidirectionally openable slide fastener which includes a coupling head portion having on its opposite end a protrusion and a corresponding pocket, and a guide groove formed in the front end of the coupling head portion, the guide groove having a width and a depth both reducing progressively from the pocket side toward the protrusion side of the coupling head portion. When the slide fastener is opened and closed, the guide groove in each coupling element slidably receives and guides the front end portion of the opposite coupling element as the protrusion and pocket of these coupling element are brought into and out of mutual engagement with each other. With the provision of the guide groove, the coupling elements are mutually engageable and disengageable with least friction resistance when the slide fastener is opened and closed in either of two reciprocal directions. A simple method of making such coupling element is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K.K.
    Inventor: Toshio Aoki
  • Patent number: 4765038
    Abstract: A watertight slide fastener stringer comprises a series of coupling elements mounted on a watertight stringer tape along a longitudinal edge portion thereof. Each coupling element includes a pair of upper and lower halves or members disposed one on each side of the stringer tape and joined by at least one integral connector extending through the stringer tape. Each of the coupling element members has a coupling portion including a support portion disposed on a thickened sealing member which is disposed on the longitudinal tape edge, a neck portion on the support portion, and a coupling head on the support portion integral with the neck and projecting beyond the thickened sealing member. The support portion and the neck portion jointly define therebetween a pair of recesses opening away from the plane of the stringer tape for receiving therein the coupling heads of mating coupling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K. K.
    Inventor: Kazumi Kasai
  • Patent number: 4651388
    Abstract: A sliding clasp fastener which is provided has a pair of sliders for opening and closing the fastener in the forward direction and in the reverse direction, respectively. The fastener has a series of discrete coupling elements each having means for facilitating engagement of adjacent elements with minimum frictional resistance when the fastener is opened or closed in the reverse direction, such means comprising a pocket having a front end wall sloping at the outside of the pocket and being reinforced by rib means inside the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Horikawa, Akinobu Terasawa
  • Patent number: 4520535
    Abstract: A slide fastener comprises discrete coupling elements each having a pair of upper and lower coupling portions disposed one on each side of the plane of a stringer tape. The upper coupling portion has an arcuate head and a reduced neck integral therewith and complementary in shape thereto, the neck being defined by a pair of recesses. The lower coupling portion has a pair of substantially triangular shoulders extending laterally in opposite directions over the recesses beyond the width of upper and lower legs extending from the neck away from the head. Each shoulder is defined by an angled sidewall blending at one end with the lower leg adjacent to a corresponding one end of the sidewall of the neck and intersecting the opposite end of the neck's sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K. K.
    Inventor: Kazumi Kasai
  • Patent number: 4513482
    Abstract: A fluid-tight slide fastener stringer comprising a support tape made of a fluid-tight soft material, and a row of discrete coupling elements mounted on the tape along an inner longitudinal edge portion thereof. Such tape margin is folded so as to provide therealong a contact portion engageable with a corresponding contact portion of a like companion stringer to effect a fluid-tightness between the two stringers. In order to absorb or reduce undue stress exerted on the individual coupling elements, each coupling element has a slot extending parallel to the general plane of the stringer transversely through the whole width of a coupling head portion and also extending longitudinally of the same coupling element through the coupling head portion into a base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K. K.
    Inventor: Takeo Fukuroi
  • Patent number: 4513483
    Abstract: A coupling element of a slide fastener stringer has a pair of integral upper and lower coupling portions having different shapes and engagable with the lower and upper coupling portions of adjacent coupling elements on a co-operating like stringer. The upper coupling portion has a side surface including a flat abutment surface extending perpendicularly to a stringer tape across the thickness of a longitudinal edge portion of the stringer tape. When lateral pulling forces are applied to the coupled stringers, areas on the abutment surfaces of the interdigitating coupling elements take up such forces and prevent the stringers from separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K. K.
    Inventor: Kazumi Kasai
  • Patent number: 4441235
    Abstract: A slide fastener bottom end stop comprises three members combinable into a functionally integral body upon being threaded through a slider. A first member which is mounted on a first bead and substantially identical in shape and size with a fastener element engages a lowermost element on a second bead. A second member which is mounted on the first bead a given distance below the first member has protuberances extending obliquely upwardly towards the second bead. A third member which is mounted on the second bead one interelement distance below the lowermost element has tongues extending obliquely downwardly towards the first bead for smooth engagement with the protuberances of the second member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K. K.
    Inventor: Masahiro Kusayama
  • Patent number: 4418449
    Abstract: A slide fastener has a pair of tapes along confronting edges of which are provided respective rows of coupling elements in a ladder configuration with individual members being affixed together by a continuous textile strand, as one-arm rungs of the ladder. Each coupling member is molded unitarily and unbent, and comprises an upper portion and a lower portion separated by a plane parallel to a slide fastener plane. The head of each coupling member lies above this plane and is mushroom-shaped to have a neck reaching inwardly toward the respective edge of the tape. Flush with this plane but on the lower half of the coupling member are a pair of ledges which function to absorb forces transverse to this plane. The connecting yarn is embedded in the upper half which can be provided for connection to the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Optilon W. Erich Heilmann GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Heimberger, Helmut Wulz