Abstract:
A fastener that consists of two components that snap into engagement with one another and that can be used to hold two or more pieces of material together. Each identical part includes a hole or opening running through it that allows for the parts to be disconnected or disengaged from one another. Thus, the fastener can be reused by re-engaging the multiple parts.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/468,461, entitled “Fastener,” filed on Mar. 28, 2011, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many types of multi-part fasteners are implemented with two or more different parts or components that are configured to mate or interlock with one another and to then be disconnected for reuse. Using different parts to implement a fastener, however, requires that different spare components be available in the event one of the components of the fastener is lost or broken. The use of different components, therefore, increases the complexity and cost of the fastener. While there are fasteners available that use two identical parts to snap together, they are not designed to be releasable and reused. 
         [0003]    There is, therefore, a need for a fastener that addresses the cost and complexity of multi-part fasteners, that is also capable of being released and, therefore, reused. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    A fastener that consists of two identical parts that snap into engagement with one another and which can be used to hold two or more parts together. Each part includes a hole or opening running through it that allows for two connected parts to be disconnected or disengaged from one another. Thus, advantageously, the fastener can be reused by re-engaging the multiple parts. In addition, as the two parts are identical, there need only be one type of replacement part in stock for the fastener. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, a fastener includes a cylindrical body with first and second ends and first and second engaging structures extending from the first end. Each of the first and second engaging structures comprises a first ratchet portion that is ratchedly connectable to a corresponding ratchet portion of another fastener. 
         [0006]    The cylindrical housing may be a hollow piece of material with a lumen running through. A solid cap may be attached to the second end of the cylindrical housing where the solid cap has a diameter larger than a diameter of the cylindrical housing. The cap may have an opening in it where the opening is in line with the lumen of a hollow housing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Various aspects of at least one embodiment of the present invention are discussed below with reference to the accompanying figures. It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the drawings have not necessarily been drawn accurately or to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity or several physical components may be included in one functional block or element. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the drawings to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. The figures are provided for the purposes of illustration and explanation and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the figures: 
           [0008]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views of a fastener part in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is bottom view of the fastener part shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is top view of the fastener part shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is cut-away perspective view of a portion of the fastener part shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 6A-6D  are perspective views of two fastener parts coupled together; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are cut-away views of two fastener parts coupled together; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 8A ,  8 B and  9  show an application of the fastener parts of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  represents operation of a removal tool for separating two fastener parts from one another; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  are perspective views of a fastener part in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of two fasteners as shown  FIGS. 11A and 11B  coupled to one another; and 
           [0018]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  are cut-away views of the two fastener parts of  FIG. 12  coupled together. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/468,461, entitled “Fastener,” filed on Mar. 28, 2011, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
         [0020]    In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that these embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and structures may not have been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0021]    Prior to explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0022]    It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a part  100 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, includes an extension rim  102 , or cap, connected to a hollow cylindrical body  104 . The extension rim or cap may be integral with the body  104  or a separate part that is attached to the body  104 . Two identical prongs  106 A,  106 B, or engaging structures, extend from the cylindrical body  104  and are in opposition to one another. An opening  105  runs through the cylindrical body  104  with a corresponding hole in the extension rim  102 . Each prong  106 A,  106 B includes two longitudinal rows of teeth  108 , i.e., a ratchet portion, disposed about a removal tool guide portion  110 . Each prong  106 A,  106 B includes two orientation surfaces  112 A,  112 B that are used to guide the prongs  106  from one part  100  into a space between the prongs  106  of another part  100  when connected, as will be described in more detail below. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a flange  202  is located at the base of the removal tool guide portion  110 . As will be described below, the flange  202 , located on each prong  106 A,  106 B is used to allow a tool to disengage one part  100  from another. Looking through the opening  105  from the extension rim  102 , in a direction as identified by the arrow  3  in  FIG. 1 , the flanges  202  of each of the prongs  106 A,  106 B can be seen in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0025]    A view of the part  100  from the direction identified by the arrow  4  in  FIG. 1  is shown in  FIG. 4 . Here, the orientation surfaces  112 A,  112 B of each of the prongs  106 A,  106 B can be seen. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , a magnified view of the circle A shown in  FIG. 2 , the rows of teeth  108  have a pitch T of about 0.032 inches and an overhang G of approximately 0.020 inches. Overall, the part  100  has a length of approximately 1.138 inches and the diameter of the body is about 0.50 inches. Of course, these dimensions are exemplary only and not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6A-6D , two parts  100 A,  100 B are shown interconnected with one another. As can be seen, the prongs  106  of the parts  100 A,  100 B are directed towards one another, and by operation of the orientation surfaces  112 A,  112 B, the prongs  106  slide along the opposite set of prongs  106  and the teeth  108  engage in a ratchet mode of operation. Thus, as each part  100 A,  100 B is pushed toward the other, more teeth, i.e., rows of teeth, are engaged. The engaged parts can therefore accommodate a range of thicknesses, in increments of the tooth pitch or space between the teeth, between the two extension rims  102  of the engaged parts  100 . 
         [0028]    In order to disengage two parts  100 A,  100 B from one another, a tool  702 , as shown in  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B is pushed through either one of the two parts  100 A,  100 B. The tool  702 , when inserted through the hole in the extension rim  102  of the part  100 A, will contact the flanges  202  and cause the prongs  106 A,  106 B to spread apart. The tool  702  has a tool tip  704  that is curved and sized to slide along the flange  202 . The tool  702  is guided by the removal tool guide portion  110  that causes the set of prongs  106 A,  106 B of the part  100 A, as well as the prongs of the part  100 B, to widen, thus disengaging its teeth  108  from the teeth  108  of the other part  100 B. In this state, the two parts  100 A,  100 B, with the tool  702  disposed within part  100 A, can be disconnected or separated from one another. When the tool  702  is removed from the part  100 A, as shown in  FIG. 7B , the teeth  108  of the two parts  100 A,  100 B engage once again. When the tool  702  is pressing against the opened prongs  106 A,  106 B, for example, the part  100 A will tend to cling to the tool  702  and can then be removed from its respective opening by withdrawing the tool  702 . 
         [0029]    In one application, four pairs of parts  100  are used to assemble a reel  802  comprising two cardboard flanges  804  surrounding a core  806 , as shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . It should be noted that only one of the cardboard flanges  804  is shown. One part  100  is pushed into the hole, as shown in  FIG. 8B , and is united with the other part already placed in the hole from the opposite side. When the part  100  is inserted in the same hole from each side of the reel  802 , the teeth  108  of each of the parts  100  engage to keep the two cardboard flanges  804  pressed against the core  806 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0030]    Advantageously, the orientation surfaces  112 A,  112 B of each part  100  will slide along the orientation surfaces  112 A,  112 B of the other part  100  to cause one or both of the parts  100  to rotate thus allowing the prongs  106  to align with the opposite space, so that the teeth will engage. This reduces the amount of time it takes to connect the two parts as no visual alignment is necessary in order for the parts to engage. Once the parts  100  are connected, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the stack of two cardboard flanges  804  and the core  806  remain coupled together. 
         [0031]    To remove, i.e., disassemble, the reel  802 , the tool  702  is used to spread the prongs  106  of one part  100 , thereby disconnecting its teeth from the other part  100 , and allowing it to be removed from its hole, as shown in  FIG. 10 . Similar to that which has been described above, the part  100  clings to the tool  702  and, advantageously, once disengaged from the other part, can be removed by pulling back on the tool  702 . Thus, in order to disassemble the reel  802 , one need only insert the tool  702  in one of the parts  100  in order to disengage each pair of parts. 
         [0032]    The removal tool  702 , by its spreading of the prongs  106  of the part  100  in which it is inserted, will also have the prongs of the other part pressed against it. When the tool  702  is withdrawn, the other part  100  (the one in which the tool is not inserted) will remain in place as it is on the other side of, in the example, the reel  802 . 
         [0033]    If the side opposite of the side from which the tool  702  is inserted into the part  100 A, for example, is unrestrained, the tool  702  will particularly push out the part  100 B on the opposite side. This allows for the relatively easy removability of the part  100 B while the part  100 A through which the tool  702  is inserted will cling to the tool  702  allowing it, the part  100 A, to be removed as the tool  702  is withdrawn. 
         [0034]    To facilitate removal of the part  100 , the sides of the prongs  106  are curved toward the center so that when spread by the tool  702  they will not exceed the diameter of the body, for example, 0.5 inches. Advantageously, the dimensions of the holes in the core  806  can be predetermined and made to be just large enough to insert the fastener. 
         [0035]    It should be noted that the types of materials and the number of layers of materials that can be fastened are not limited to two layers of cardboard flanges and a core as this is only set forth as a non-limiting example of an application of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0036]    The part  100  is made from a suitable material such as a plastic, for example, or other similar material. While specific sizes may have been identified for one embodiment of the present invention, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the part may be made of any size that is practical. It will also be understood that the part may be made of many different materials other than plastic, although plastic is advantageous for its ease of fabrication, typically by injection molding, and for its relatively low cost. 
         [0037]    In an another embodiment of the present invention a “single tooth” on each fastener is used for coupling and decoupling. 
         [0038]    Referring now to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , a part  900  includes an extension rim  902 , or cap, connected to a hollow cylindrical body  904 . The extension rim or cap  902  may be integral with the body  904  or a separate part that is attached to the body  904 . Two identical prongs  906 A,  906 B, or engaging structures, extend from the cylindrical body  904  and are in opposition to one another. An opening  905  runs through the cylindrical body  904  with a corresponding hole in the extension rim  902 . Each prong  906 A,  906 B includes a single tooth  908  disposed about a removal tool guide portion  910 . Each prong  906 A,  906 B includes two orientation surfaces  912 A,  912 B that are used to guide the prongs  906  from one part  900 A into a space between the prongs  906  of another part  900 B when connected, as shown in  FIG. 12  and as will be described in more detail below. 
         [0039]    In order to disengage two parts  900 A,  900 B from one another, the tool  702 , as shown in  FIGS. 13A ,  13 B is pushed through either one of the two parts  900 A,  900 B. The tool  702 , when inserted through the hole in the extension rim  902  of the part  900 A, will contact a flange  909  and cause the prongs  906 A,  906 B to spread apart. The tool  702  has a tool tip  704  that is curved and sized to slide along the flange  909 . The tool  702  is guided by the removal tool guide portion  910  that causes the set of prongs  906 A,  906 B of the part  900 A, as well as the prongs of the part  900 B, to widen, thus disengaging its teeth  908  from the teeth  908  of the other part  900 B. In this state, the two parts  900 A,  900 B, with the tool  702  disposed within part  900 A, can be disconnected or separated from one another. When the tool  702  is removed from the part  900 A, as shown in  FIG. 13B , the teeth  908  of the two parts  900 A,  900 B engage once again. The tool  702  can be sized to retain the disengaged part  900 B, in the example, due to the tool  702  pressing against the opened prongs such that the part  900 A can be removed from its respective opening by the tool. 
         [0040]    As a variation of either of the embodiments, the two prongs  106 A,  106 B or  906 A,  906 B, need not be identical in order for the fastener to function. In one embodiment, for example, only one of the prongs may have the flange  202 ,  909  and the other does not. It is expected that as long as one prong includes the flange  202 ,  909  the removal tool, if properly shaped, will be able to spread the prongs and release the fastener. 
         [0041]    Further, if a more permanent connection is desired, or at least one that is not easily removed, then blocking features may be provided within the cylindrical body part  104 ,  904 . These blocking features may include protuberances that extended from the inner wall of the body part lumen and block access of the tool  702 . Still further, the cap  102 ,  902  may be a solid piece, i.e., without a hole to access the lumen of a hollow body part  104 ,  904  or a plug may be glued or welded in place to block the hole. Thus, where the cap  102 ,  902  is solid but the body part  104 ,  904  is hollow, in order to disconnect the two pieces, a hole would have to be drilled in order for the removal tool  702  to be inserted. Still further, the size of the hole in the cap may be made so small than any implement that would fit through the hole would not be large enough to expand the prongs. 
         [0042]    The removal tool  702  may be made of the same material as the part, for example, a suitable plastic or it may be of a metal such as, for example, aluminum. 
         [0043]    Having thus described several features of at least one embodiment of the present invention, it is to be appreciated that various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure and are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only, and the scope of the invention should be determined from proper construction of the appended claims, and their equivalents.