Fastening tool

Provided is a fastener, which has advantages over the prior art in that a retaining force is not dependent upon the biasing force of a spring, the fastener hardly comes out, and is less restricted in size than the prior art. The fastener has another important advantage over the prior art in that it forms no hole in plain cloth. A fitting portion (2) and a base portion (3) are assembled to have a clamping unit (1) opened. A stopper (4) is pushed together with the plain cloth into the inside of the clamping unit (1). This clamping unit (1) is closed to hold the plain cloth between the outer circumference of the stopper (4) and the leading ends of holding means (26 and 36). With slide portions (22) being fully fitted in groove portions (32), retaining pawls (23) are fitted in pawl receivers (33b).

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention is a fastener which is fastened on sheets, such as cloth. It is fastened on the sheet without making a hole, or using a bottom on the sheets.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

When something is fastened on sheets, such as a clothing material, the needle of a safety pin or a pin is typically stuck into the material. This needle must damage the material, even if it is a small amount of damage. For example, if a name plate is fastened with a safety pin on the same position of the clothing everyday, the pin hole will become bigger very quickly. In the case of a delicate material, such as silk, even if it is not repeatedly stuck, when just one sticking needle might make a very tiny hole, it spoils the worth of clothing.

In order to solve this problem, the present inventors disclosed “fastening tools” in the following 2 inventions.

These inventions provide fastening tools which fasten nameplates or on clothes without sticking needles. These fasteners have utility because they achieve “easy fit and less drop-out” which was not achieved by the badge type prior art. Also, these tools do not press on clothes hard and therefore prevent damage to the materials.

However, the holding performance of these tools depends on the resiliency of the springs. Therefore, when the force against resiliency of the spring is set, the fastening tool may drop out. If the spring was stronger to prevent drop-out, not only would the advantage “easy fit” be lost, but a fear that the tool presses on the material too strongly might appear.

A certain size of the fastening tool is required to obtain a length for the spring's expansion and then this length makes sufficient fastening performance. Therefore the minimum sizing of a tool is limited. The shape of the tool has to be slender so a spring could expand and contract therein. The prior arts, such as a safety pin, are applied in many fields because these prior arts can be made in very small sizes. Compared with the prior arts, the abovementioned fastening tools have too many size limitations.

SUBJECT MATTER OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The subject of the present invention is to provide a fastener that has fastening performances that are independent of a spring's resiliency, that does not easily drop out, that is smaller than the prior fastening tools, and that the important subject “no pin hole on clothes” is achieved.

To achieve the subject of the present invention, a fastener comprises a clamping unit which expands and contracts, a stopper which is clamped by said clamping unit, and retaining means so that said clamping unit does not become wider than a clamped width when said clamping unit is contracted and held by said stopper.

Further, in the present invention, said clamping unit has more than two holding means, said clamping unit is positioned on one side of the sheet material, said clamping unit clamps said stopper, which is positioned the other side of sheet material, with said holding means, and a gap between said holding means and said stopper is bigger than the thickness of said sheet material while clamped.

Further, in the present invention, said stopper is button shaped and fits on one side of sheet material, said clamping unit has more than two holding means, said holding means are positioned at the same side as said stopper, and said holding means holds said stopper.

Further, in the present invention, said clamping unit does not become wider than a clamped width while the clamping unit is locked, and has means to release clamping of said clamping unit intentionally.

Further, in the present invention, said means to release comprise moving means to move a portion of said clamping unit to a release position, and resiliency means to flick out said clamping unit toward a release direction when said portion of clamping unit is in a release position.

Further, a fastener of the present invention comprises a clamping unit which expands and contracts, a stopper which is clamped by said clamping unit, said clamping unit has more than two holding means, said holding means holds said stopper when said clamping unit is contracted, retaining means so that said clamping unit does not become wider than a clamped width thereof, and said clamping unit clamps said stopper through sheet material, or said clamping unit clamps said stopper which is installed as a button.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

For example, a clamping unit is made of a flexible resin. A pawl portion and the other portion are formed with the flexible resin as clamping means, and these means are capable of retaining and releasing means are capable of retaining and releasing. The sufficient holding is secured, since the clamping unit does not become wider than a clamped width when the clamping unit is contracted and holds the stopper. Therefore, the fastener does not drop off and it does not need spring like the prior art. Consequently, since the space for a spring is not necessary, the size limitation is removed; the fastener of the present invention can be applied to products of many sizes and/or many materials, and its usage is broadened.

Further, when the clamping unit of this invention clamps sheet material with said stopper and more than two holding means, a gap between the holding means and the stopper is bigger than the thickness of the sheet material. Therefore, stress on the materials is minimized. Even if the holding area, which is where the holding means holds the stopper, is small, the fastener does not lose holding performance because of its structure. Moreover, the amount of material caught is minimized and its wrinkles, which is a big unsolved problem of the prior fastening tools, are dramatically minimized.

Furthermore, a stopper is a button installed on a sheet material and a clamping unit is positioned at the same position. Even with very thick clothes, which are not proper to be clamped by the clamping unit, the clamping unit can clamp easily on an existing button or a newly provided button. The fastener can be used in winter and throughout the year, and then a problem, such as not being able to use a fastener in winter is solved. The fastener can be used in many applications, such as armbands and mobile phone straps, not just name plates; thus, the potential applications where the fastener may be used are broadened. When it is used for clamping sheet material and stopper together, another button can be easily substituted because of its shape, even if the original stopper is lost.

An intentional releasing means of clamping unit is provided and it easily releases the clamping unit. The structure of the clamping unit is designed to have anti drop off means such that the clamping unit is not released unintentionally; however, its operation ability is developed by this releasing means.

Further, the present invention additionally provides resiliency means to flick out the clamping unit toward a release direction as another means to release the clamping unit. Upon this resiliency means acts, the clamping unit is easily released by itself. The fasteners retaining and releasing is much easier than the prior art fasteners.

Further, the present invention provides two optional means, which include: means for the clamping unit to clamp a sheet material and a stopper together and means for the clamping unit to hold a stopper installed as a button on clothes, and either one or both means can be selected. Whereby it is optionally used depending on the thickness of material or purpose, and thus its applications are broadened.

NUMBERS

BEST MODE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A fastener of the present invention is made of resin material which has flexibility by injection molding. For example, resins, such as POM (polyoxymethylene), PA (polyamide), or ABS resin (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) may be suitable.

The first embodiment of a fastener is hereby described.

As shown inFIGS. 1 to 3, the fastener consists of a clamping unit1and a stopper4which is positioned at the opposite side of the clothing. A rotating portion5which is freely rotatable is installed on the clamping unit1. The clamping unit1consists of a fitting portion2and a base portion3. These two portions are fitted together and make the main part of the clamping unit1.

The base portion3consists of a round front portion31and groove portions32on both sides of the front portion31. The fitting portion2is in the shape of the letter “U”, and slide portions22are composed at both sides thererof. These slide portions22slide along groove portions32. The slide portions22have retaining pawls23. The groove portions32have pawl receivers33aand33bwhich receive the retaining pawls23. As mentioned later with regard to how to use the fastener, the pawl receivers33aprovide an open position of clamping unit1, and the pawl receivers33bprovide a closed position of clamping unit1.

Push buttons24are provided on the outer sides of each of the retaining pawls23in order to push the slide portions22into the inside. These push buttons24are also provided to release the retaining pawls23from the pawl receivers33b. The push buttons24are thicker in depth than the retaining pawls23and are retained by the pawl receivers33b.

The outsides of the retaining surfaces25of the retaining pawls23are formed slightly lower than the inside surfaces thereof. Also, the outsides of the receiving surfaces35of pawl receivers33bare formed slightly lower than the inside surfaces thereof. (referFIG. 4) The slopes of the retaining surfaces25and the receiving surfaces35are anti release structures and act against the pressure to separate the fitting portion2from the base portion3, because the pressure moves the retaining pawls23deeper into the pawl receivers33b.

To release the retaining pawls23from the pawl receivers33bwith the push buttons24, the push buttons24have to be pushed over the slopes. The pawl receivers33bhave enough room so that the retaining pawls23can be pushed over.

The fitting portion2and the base portion3have respective holding means26and36in order to hold the stopper4thereto. The shape of the holding means is not necessarily specified as having a certain shape but either holding means are shaped as an arc in this embodiment. Whereby, the stress on the cloth between the stopper4and the holding means is minimized, and the stopper4and cloth are held properly by holding means.

The front portion31of the base portion3has an install hole37to install the rotating portion5. The rotating pivots53of the rotating portion5are installed into the install hole37. An insert hole51is provide to insert a safety pin or other pins.

The stopper4has thread holes41and then the stopper4can be sewed on a cloth. Therefore, even with thick clothes, such as winter wear, this fastener can be fitted on the outside of the clothes.

It is hereby described how to use this fastener.FIGS. 1 and 2are exploded perspective views of an assembled fitting portion2and base portion3. The fitting portion2and the base portion3are also shown assembled inFIG. 4(a). The clamping unit1forms an opening. Then the stopper4is positioned on one side of the clothes100(also referred to herein as “material”), such as the inside102of the clothes, and the clamping unit1is positioned on the other side of the clothes100, which is the outside104of the clothes in this case.

Under the above condition, the stopper4and cloth are pushed into the clamping unit1together. After the stopper4and cloth are stored in the clamping unit1, the fitting portion2and base portion3are pushed toward each other, then the clamping unit1is closed, and the distance between the edges of each holding means26and36become slightly smaller than diameter of the stopper4. A gap between the periphery of stopper4and the edges of each holding means2636, which is bigger than a thickness of cloth, is created. Therefore, the cloth is not pinched actually, but the cloth is held by touching softly either the periphery of stopper4and the edges of each holding means26and36.

As shown inFIG. 4(b), when the slide portion22is moved into the bottom of the groove portion32, the retaining pawls23fit into the pawl receivers22b. As mentioned above, after the retaining pawls23are received, it is not easy to release the fastener when the force to separate the fitting portion2and base portion3is set thereon. The retaining pawls23and pawl receivers33binteract with each other strongly because of the slopes of the retaining surface25and the receiving surface35.

To release the fastener, both push buttons24are pushed into the inside of the fastener, and then the retaining pawls23are released from the pawl receivers33b. Since the cloth acts so as to separate the holding means26and36slightly, the retaining pawls23move against the pawl receivers33aeasily.

As described above, the advantages of the fastener of the present invention include the fastener being easy to fit and being sufficient to prevent unintended drop out after fitting. Since the amount of material, which is caught by the fastener, is less than in the case of the prior fastening tool, the stress onto the material is minimized and then wrinkles are reduced. On the other hand, when you intentionally release the fastener, it is easily released by pushing the push buttons34.

The second embodiment of a fastener is hereby described.

A fastener of this embodiment is developed from the abovementioned clamping unit1. It is configured as a name plate holder.

As shown inFIG. 11andFIG. 12, the clamping unit10of this embodiment consists of a base portion50and a fitting portion6which fits into the base portion50. A rotating portion7is rotatably installed on the base portion50and a hanging portion8which holds a name plate or other similar device and which is installed thereon. These portions are then assembled; the clamping unit10is shown in an opened position inFIG. 13(a), and the clamping unit10is shown in a closed position inFIG. 13(b).

The detail of the each portion is hereby described.

As shown inFIG. 11toFIG. 14, the push buttons52are on both sides of the base portion50and its lower portion has flexible button arms59. As shown inFIG. 14(b), at both sides of its inside upper area, the upper pawl receivers56are respectively formed to receive the fitting portion6, and at both sides of its inside lower area, the lower pawl receivers55are respectively formed to prevent the fitting portion6from dropping off. An install hole57is formed at the front surface of the base portion50to install the rotating portion7. A holding means58is formed at the back surface, which is a protruding arc, to hold the clamping unit10on clothes.

At both sides of the fitting portion6, flexible slide portions61are provided and these have respective pawl portions62, which are half circle/wedge-shaped, at their tip. The outwardly protruding portion of each pawl portion62is the pawl63, and it is received by the upper pawl receiver56of the base portion50to fit the clamping unit10. A holding means68is provided at the back side of the base portion50to be fitted on clothes, and its tip is a concaved arc.

At the rear surface of the rotating portion7, a rotating pivot75, which is a circle that is divided into four parts, is formed to be installed in the install hole57of the base portion50. A bar78is provided on the surface of the rotating portion7to install a hanging part8.

The hanging part8is shaped as the letter “V”. At its upper area, it has a ridge portion81and a grooved portion82to be fitted with each another when the hanging part8is closed. At its lower area, a holding tube83, which has an elliptic section, is adapted to hold a name plate85(ReferFIG. 21). At its top portion, a fitting tube87is provided to be rotatably fitted on the bar78of the rotating portion7.

The function of a clamping unit10is hereby described.

The tip of the slide portions61of the fitting portion6is bent inwardly, and the pawls63can avoid lower pawl receivers55. Then, the fitting portion6is inserted into the base portion50. When the slide portions61are released after passing between both of the lower pawl receivers55, they come back to their original shape. Thereby, the fitting portion6is not dropped off from the base portion because the pawls63are held by the lower pawl receivers55, as shown inFIG. 14(b).

Furthermore, when the fitting portion6is pressed into the base portion50, the slopes64of the pawl portions62contact the slopes54of the upper pawl receivers56. Thereby, the slopes move along each other, and the upper portion on of the slide portion61is bent inwardly. The slide portions61regain their original shape after the bottom of the pawls63pass over the top of the upper pawl receiver56. Whereby, the pawls63are received by the upper pawl receiver56, and the clamping unit10is kept closed.

Regarding to the bottom surface of the pawls63and the top surface of the upper pawl receivers56, the outside is respectively lower than the inside. When pressure to open the clamping unit10is set on, the outside surface of the slide portions61contacts the inside wall of the button arm59, then it can hardly open, and the clamping unit10will not release easily.

The push buttons52are pushed inwardly from both sides to release the clamping unit10. As shown inFIGS. 16 and 17, since the width of the button arms59and the push buttons52are the same or less than the width of the slide portions, these push the pawl portions62together and the upper portion of the slide portions62are bent without obstacle by the upper pawl receivers56. As shown inFIG. 14(a), when the bottom surfaces of pawls63are disengaged from the top surface of the upper pawl receivers56, the slide portion61tends to slide down along the inner surface of the button arm59with its own resiliency, because the outer surface of the slide portion61and the inner surface of the button arm59are inwardly inclined. Therefore, the fitting portion6is forced to slide down. Instantly the clamping unit10is released. When the pawls63contact the lower pawl receivers55, it does not slide down further, and the fitting portion6does not drop off from the base portion50.

According to the above description, the clamping unit10can be reversibly handled, in open and closed positions, as shown inFIGS. 13(a) and (b). So the opening clamping unit10is put near a button (Not shown in the figure) of clothes and the clamping unit10is closed. The button is held by holding means58and holding means68, and then the clamping unit10is easily kept on the clothes with thread of the button. When the clamping unit10is opened, it is easily taken off the clothes.

In the above description, the clamping unit10fits on a button of clothes. The usage is not restricted by the above description. For example, an ordinary button can be put inside of the clothes just like a stopper4of the first embodiment, and the material of clothes can be clamped between the button and the clamping unit10. The holding means58of the base portion50is a protruding arc and the holding means68of the fitting portion6is a concave arc. Thus, a crescent hole is formed. The material can escape from both sides of this crescent hole.

The clamping unit10of the second embodiment is applied to a holder of a name plate85, as shown inFIG. 21. The name plate fits on a button which exists on clothes, fits on a button which is provided on clothes for this name plate, or fits by clamping with a button which is on the inside of clothes. While a name plate85is held on the holding tube83, it can be reversed when the hanging portion8is turned 180 degrees with the rotating portion7.

For another application of this fastener, a strap71for a mobile phone is installed on a bar78of the rotating portion7. It is connected to a mobile phone (not shown), the mobile phone is put into a chest pocket, and the clamping unit10is fitted on a button of a shirt, thereby preventing its drop off. Therefore, accidentally dropping the mobile phone into water, which occurred when using prior clip types, is prevented, and the burden on the neck or shoulders from using a neck strap is solved.

Furthermore, a connecter72is installed on a bar78of the rotating portion7and is connected with an armband73. The armband73is easily fitted on an arm when a button is provided on a sleeve. People who often have to wear armbands, such as workers at a construction site, guards, or press, suffered pin hole damages on their clothes from safety pins. Such suffering is solved instantly by the present invention.

The third embodiment is hereby described.

The above described structure can be applied for a fitting case of a MP3 mobile music device. For example, as shown inFIG. 24, a device90is stored in a case9. The case9consists of a case body91, lid92, and stopper95.

To use the case9, the stopper95is positioned on the inside of the clothes, the case body91and the lid92storing the device90are positioned on the outside of the clothes. Both the top and bottom ends of the stopper95and the material of the clothes are held together by a lower holding means93and an upper holding means94, and then it fits on any place of the clothes.

Prior arts devices used to fit MP3 mobile music devices on a body, use an exclusive arm holder to fit on an arm, or a clip type holder is fitted on the collar. However, the case9can be fitted on any part of the T-shirt, and a user is not annoyed. Therefore, a user can comfortably exercise, such as walking or jogging, while listening to music.

The present invention is not limited the above described embodiments. Any field of art, which substantially is in the scope of the claims of this invention and achieves the effects of this invention, is within the scope of the present invention.

The stopper4is shaped as a button in the above embodiment, but its shape is not so limited and any shape can be used. For example, a stopper can be ball and its clamping unit can be the same shape. Thereby, the stress on the material can be minimized and the size of the fastener can become small. Such structure may be made from precious metals and is possible to apply to and be used as jewelry.

As fastening means, a pawl which is made of flexible material is employed in the above embodiment. However, other methods, such as a hook type or screw may be used. Thereby, these can have many shapes and many usages.

APPLICATIONS

The fastener of the present invention is used to fasten a name plate without damaging clothing, instead of using a safety pin or other fasting tools. It is expected that the fastener will be used, not only for the name plates of students, but will also be widely used in the business fields and apparel markets. Further, it may develop to more kind of usages, such as a fastener of jewelry or a case of mobile music device.