Fastening arrangement

A fastening arrangement for fastening a flexible element to a rigid element is provided. The fastening arrangement comprising a first closure element and a second closure element, which each consist of a plug part, a housing part and a catch. Each closure element is closed in that the plug part is put together with the housing part in a closing direction until snapping into place in a closed position, so that the plug part and the housing part are held at each other against the closing direction. Each housing part is formed such that by means of a relative movement of the housing part relative to the plug part in an opening direction, which differs from the closing direction, the plug part is pushed out of the catch and the closure element hence can be opened.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a National Phase Patent Application of International Patent Application Number PCT/EP2011/051475 filed on Feb. 2, 2011 which claims priority of German Patent Application Number 10 2010 006 827.6, filed on Feb. 3, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a fastening arrangement for fastening a flexible element to a rigid element.

Such fastening arrangement includes a first closure element and a second closure element, which each consist of a plug part, a housing part and a catch. Each closure element is closed in that the plug part and the housing part are put together in a closing direction until snapping into place in a closed position and in the closed position are then held at each other by the catch against the closing direction. Each housing part is formed such that by means of a relative movement of the housing part relative to the plug part in an opening direction, which differs from the closing direction, the plug part is pushed out of the catch and the closure element hence can be opened. The plug part of the first closure element and the plug part of the second closure element are firmly arranged on the one of the rigid element and the flexible element, and the housing part of the first closure element and the housing part of the second closure element is firmly arranged on the other one of the rigid element and the flexible element.

The flexible element to be fastened by means of the fastening arrangement for example can constitute a floor mat which is to be arranged and to be fastened on a vehicle floor realizing a rigid element.

A floor mat conventionally is fastened on a vehicle floor by two pushbutton-like fastening means, so that the floor mat is secured against slipping. The pushbutton-like fastening means are closed by pressing and opened again by pulling. With such type of fastening it can occur, however, that the user inserts the floor mat carelessly and the fastening means do not or at least not completely get in engagement. It can also occur that e.g. in case of a crash or a strong foot movement the mat is torn out of the fastening means. In the worst case, both can lead to the fact that a floor mat for a driver seat slips under the accelerator or brake pedal of the vehicle and blocks the accelerator or brake pedal, so that the vehicle no longer is controllable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object underlying the present invention to create a fastening arrangement which provides for a rather safe fastening of a flexible element to a rigid element by means of a plurality of closure elements and for a simple release of the flexible element from the rigid element.

Each closure element consists of a plug part and a housing part and a catch between plug and housing. Each closure element is closed in that the plug is put together with the housing part in a closing direction until snapping into place in a closed position. Plug and housing then are inseparable opposite to the closing direction (the locking engagement hence can only be released by destroying the locking engagement by a movement opposite to the closing direction; alternatively, the locking engagement possibly can also be designed such that releasing opposite to the closing direction is possible without destruction by applying a (misuse) force). The housing part is formed such that by means of a relative movement of the housing part relative to the plug part in an opening direction, which differs from the closing direction, the plug part is laterally pushed out of the catch and hence can be opened.

Furthermore, the at least two plug parts of at least two closure elements are firmly arranged on the one of the rigid element and the flexible element and the housing parts are firmly arranged on the other one of the rigid element and the flexible element.

The housings are arranged such that the opening directions of the two closure elements are directed against each other with at least one direction component. In addition, the opening directions are arranged such that on opening the flexible element is bent between the two housing parts. In the non-bent condition of the flexible element, the housing parts are spaced such that they lie opposite the plug parts arranged on the rigid element and snap into place with the same by moving in the closing direction. In the bent condition, the plug parts are laterally shifted out of the catch.

In the present case, the fact that the closing direction differs from the opening direction in particular can mean that the closing direction and the opening direction are not directed parallel and not antiparallel either (i.e. not opposite to each other). The opening direction for example can be directed vertical or at an oblique angle to the closing direction.

In the present case, direction component is understood to be a vector component of the opening direction in the case of a vector splitting of the vector of the opening direction. The fact that the opening directions of the two closure elements are directed against each other with at least one direction component then should mean that the opening direction of the first closure element has a direction (vector) component which is directed antiparallel to a direction (vector) component of the opening direction of the second closure element.

The non-bent condition of the flexible element is understood to be a condition in which the flexible element is in a proper position of normal use. This includes the fact that the flexible element has a curved shape in its position of normal use. The bent condition then corresponds to a condition in which the flexible element is bent out of its curved position of normal use. If the flexible element is designed elastic, the flexible element is relaxed in the non-bent condition, i.e. not tensioned elastically.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the fastening arrangement can be released for separating the flexible element from the rigid element, in that the housing parts of the closure elements of the fastening arrangement each are moved relative to the plug parts of the closure elements in the opening direction associated to a respective closure element. Due to the fact that the opening direction associated to the first closure element is directed other than the opening direction associated to the second closure element, opening of the fastening arrangement (by shifting the housing parts of the closure elements relative to the associated plug parts) only is possible by deforming the flexible element and thus can only be performed in a conscious way, so that unintentional opening is not possible or at least only with difficulty.

The two opening directions of the closure elements for example can be directed towards each other with one direction component. By deforming the flexible element, the housing parts then are moved relative to the plug parts, so that the housing parts are brought out of engagement with the plug parts and the fastening arrangement is opened.

When the flexible element for example is formed by a floor mat of a vehicle, the housing parts can be arranged on the floor mat realizing a flexible element and the plug parts can be arranged on a vehicle floor realizing a rigid element. By lifting the floor mat and thereby moving the housing parts towards each other such that the plug parts slide out of the catch at the housing part, the fastening of the floor mat to the vehicle floor can be released and the floor mat can be removed.

Releasing the flexible element hence can be effected in a simple way, wherein at the same time a safe fastening is ensured in the closed position of the closure elements and the risk of an unintentional release of the flexible element from the rigid element is reduced.

At the same time, the fastening arrangement can also be transferred into its closed position in a simple way, in that the closure elements are closed by attaching the housing part and the plug part to each other in the closing direction and by thereby locking the plug part into place with the catch.

The fastening arrangement with its closure elements can be formed purely mechanically, in that for closing purposes the housing parts and the plug parts must manually be attached to each other and be pressed together. Alternatively, however, transferring the closure elements into their respective closed position can also be supported by providing magnetic means which support closing of the closure elements, in that they produce a force of magnetic attraction between the housing part and the plug part of each closure element.

For this purpose, one magnet each or a magnet on the one hand and a magnetic armature on the other hand in the form of a component made of a ferromagnetic material can be arranged on the plug part and on the housing part of each closure element. To support closing of each closure element, the magnetic means thus realized produce a force of magnetic attraction in closing direction between the plug part and the housing part and in the closed position of the respective closure element oppose each other in an attracting manner.

Advantageously, the catch and the magnetic means can be adjusted to each other such that the force of magnetic attraction is at least so great that for closing purposes the plug part automatically gets into engagement with the catch. When attaching the housing part to the plug part in closing direction, the plug part automatically or almost automatically slides into the associated catch in a magnetically supported way, so that each closure element closes in a simple and haptically pleasant way and no special care must be taken when attaching the housing parts to the plug parts.

In a further advantageous aspect, the magnetic means of the first closure element and of the second closure element can be polarized such that between the plug part of the first closure element and the housing part of second closure element, when the same are moved towards each other (wrongly), a force of magnetic repulsion acts. The magnetic means of the first closure element and the magnetic means of the second closure element thus are polarized inversely. In this way, the housing part of the first closure element can not or at least not easily be attached to the plug part of the second closure element and vice versa the housing part of the second closure element can not or at least only with difficulty be attached to the plug part of the second closure element. When a user wants to close the fastening arrangement in a wrong way, he will notice this force of magnetic repulsion and hence correct the alignment of the rigid element relative to the flexible element for correct attachment and fastening. For example, by suitable polarization of the magnetic means, the floor mats of driver and passenger also can be designed unmistakably.

In an advantageous aspect, the opening direction of the first closure element and the opening direction of the second closure element are directed antiparallel to each other, i.e. point in exactly opposite directions. It is, however, also conceivable and possible that the opening directions are directed obliquely to each other, wherein in each case, however, a direction component of the opening direction of the first closure element is directed opposite to a direction component of the second closure element.

The fastening arrangement includes a first closure element and a second closure element. In addition, however, one or more further closure elements can also be provided, which can be formed of the same type as the first closure element and the second closure element. In this case, the opening directions of all closure elements advantageously point towards a common center, so that the closure elements can jointly be opened by an opening force acting on this center or at least directed through the center and the flexible element hence can be released from the rigid element.

The closing direction of the first closure element and the closing direction of the second closure element advantageously are directed parallel to each other and vertical to a plane in which the opening directions of the closure elements extend. By attaching the housing parts and the plug parts to each other along the closing directions directed parallel to each other of the first closure element and of the second closure element, the fastening arrangement then can easily be closed and fastening can be accomplished without having to deform the flexible element from its relaxed, non-bent condition.

In a concrete configuration, the plug parts of the first closure element and of the second closure element can firmly be arranged on the rigid element and the housing parts of the first closure element and of the second closure element can firmly be arranged on the flexible element. What is, however, also conceivable and possible is the kinematically reverse arrangement, in which the plug parts are arranged on the flexible element and the housing parts are arranged on the rigid element. In addition an arrangement is conceivable in which the plug parts and the housing parts in part are arranged on the flexible element and in part on the rigid element.

The catch of each closure element advantageously can be formed by a catch spring arranged on the housing part, with which the associated plug part can latchingly be brought in engagement by attachment along the closing direction. The catch spring of each closure element can include a catch spring protrusion and the plug part of each closure element can include an engaging protrusion, wherein in the closed position of each closure element the catch spring protrusion of the catch spring and the engaging protrusion of the plug part are positively in engagement with each other such that the plug part is held at the housing part against the closing direction.

The catch spring can be formed to extend linearly along the opening direction with a catch spring protrusion extending linearly along the opening direction.

The catch spring can, however, also be formed as ring segment and in the closed position engage around a trunnion of the plug part in a circumferential direction around the closing direction. To provide for opening of the closure element by a relative movement of the housing part relative to the plug part, the catch spring arranged on the housing part then is circumferentially opened through an opening, so that for opening the closure element together with the catch spring arranged thereon the housing part can be moved relative to the plug part along the opening direction, the plug part thereby moves through the opening of the catch spring and gets out of engagement with the catch spring.

The catch spring of the first closure element and the catch spring of the second closure element for example each are arranged in a recess of the associated housing part and non-rotatably held at the housing part. In the closed position in the non-bent condition of the flexible element, the distance between the catch spring of the first closure element and the catch spring of the second closure element corresponds to the distance between the plug part of the first closure element and the plug part of the second closure element, and correspondingly the catch springs and the plug part are latchingly in engagement with each other.

For opening each closure element, the plug part can be shifted in the recess of the housing part by the relative movement of the housing part relative to the plug part, so that the plug part gets out of engagement with the catch spring arranged on the housing part and hence can be removed from the housing part, in order to release the flexible element from the rigid element. Such opening is effected by deforming the flexible element such that the distance between the housing parts or plug parts arranged on the flexible element is varied and hence the plug parts are moved relative to the housing parts.

The fastening arrangement is usable for connecting in principle any type of rigid element with in principle any type of flexible element. For example, the rigid element can be formed by a vehicle floor and the flexible element can be formed by a floor mat which is to be fastened to the vehicle floor. In another aspect, the rigid element for example can, however, also be formed by a helmet, in particular a ski helmet, and the flexible element can be formed by glasses to be attached to the helmet or by a visor. This example catalog should not be understood to be limiting. Fundamentally different possibilities of use for the fastening arrangement also are conceivable.

When the flexible element is formed by glasses or a visor and the rigid element is formed by a helmet, the flexible element in the form of the glasses or the visor can be curved with a first end and with a second end and an edge portion extending between the first end and the second end, via which the flexible element is to be attached to the rigid element in the form of the helmet. In a concrete configuration, the first closure element can be provided at the first end and the second closure element can be provided at the second end, in order to connect the first end and the second end of the flexible element with the rigid element via the closure elements. In addition, a third closure element can be provided, which is arranged on the edge portion between the first end and the second end and provides an additional fastening to the edge portion.

In a development, a display means additionally is provided, which is formed to indicate a position state of the fastening arrangement. In particular, the display means is formed to indicate whether or not the first closure element and/or the second closure element is in the closed position.

By means of such display means it can be indicated to a user that the flexible element is arranged and fastened to the rigid element in a correct, desired way. The user thus receives a feedback on the fact that the fastening operation (i.e. the transfer into the closed position of the closure elements) has been terminated in the desired way. In this way, it can be ensured that it is indicated to a user, if fastening of flexible element (e.g. the floor mat) to the rigid element (e.g. the vehicle floor) has not yet or not yet completely been effected.

In a concrete configuration, the display means can comprise an electronic magnetic field sensor, in particular a reed switch, which upon transfer of the first and/or second closure element into the closed position is actuated due to an interaction with the magnetic means and is connected with a measuring means for evaluating a switching condition of the reed switch. A reed switch is a switching contact which includes contact blades fused into a glass bulb under vacuum or shielding gas, which at the same time form a contact spring and a magnetic armature. Reed switches are known per se, so that the same will not be discussed here in more detail.

Other sensors are also conceivable, for example a Hall sensor.

Such reed switch for example can be arranged in direct vicinity of a magnet arranged on the plug part and detect a change of the magnetic field upon approach of a magnet arranged on the housing part, in order to generate a signal via the measuring means, which indicates the transfer into the closed position.

In another concrete, purely mechanical variant of a display means, the display means can comprise a movable component which upon transfer of the first and/or second closure element into the closed position is actuated due to an interaction with the magnetic means, in order to indicate whether or not the first closure element and/or the second closure element is in the closed position. The movable component for example can be formed by a magnet arranged on the housing part, which is biased with respect to the housing part via a spring. When approaching a magnet of the plug part during transfer of the closure element into the closed position, the magnet of the housing part is magnetically attracted and hence moved, wherein a mark can be provided on the magnet, which indicates the transfer into the closed position.

FIGS. 1 to 3show a first exemplary embodiment of a fastening arrangement for fastening a rigid element in the form of a vehicle floor1with a flexible element in the form of a floor mat2.

The fastening arrangement includes two closure elements3,4which serve for fastening the floor mat2at two points with the vehicle floor1.FIGS. 1A and 1Bshow the fastening arrangement in a closed position, in which the floor mat2is fastened to the vehicle floor1and the closure elements3,4each are closed.FIGS. 2A to 2Cshow the fastening arrangement on opening, in order to be able to release the floor mat2from the vehicle floor1and remove the same from the vehicle floor1.FIGS. 3A and 3Bshow exploded views of an individual closure element3.

The floor mat2is connected with the vehicle floor1via the two closure elements3,4. The closure elements3,4are identically constructed and identical in their mode of operation, but differ in their arrangement, as will yet be explained below.

Each closure element3,4includes the components shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B. The construction and the function of the closure elements3,4will be explained below with reference to the first closure element3shown above inFIGS. 1B and 2B.

The closure element3includes a housing part6aarranged on the floor mat2and a plug part5afirmly arranged on the vehicle floor1. On the housing part6aa catch spring7ais non-rotatably arranged via an insert part15a. The catch spring7ais inserted into a recess12aof the housing part6avia an opening13aand held via the insert part15a, in that the catch spring7acomes to rest against a protrusion16aof the insert part15aand the insert part15acloses the opening13ain the mounted condition. The protrusion16apositively reaches through an opening18acircumferentially opening the catch spring7aand in this way non-rotatably holds the catch spring7ain circumferential direction around the closing direction X.

The catch spring7ais designed in the manner of a ring segment and includes a catch spring protrusion8awhich is formed on an outer edge of the catch spring7apointing out of the recess12aand partly extends around the catch spring7a. The catch spring7ais formed to be latchingly brought in engagement with a trunnion17aof the plug part5a, so that in a closed position the trunnion17awith an engaging protrusion9ais positively in engagement with the catch spring protrusion8aof the catch spring7aand hence is held at the housing part6a.

To transfer the closure element3into its closed position, the housing part6awith the latching element7aarranged thereon is attached to the trunnion17aof the plug part5ain a closing direction X, so that the catch spring7awith its catch spring protrusion8alatchingly gets in engagement with the engaging protrusion9aof the trunnion17a. The catch spring7ais formed elastically resilient in the plane transverse to the closing direction X and thus can escape when it is attached to the trunnion17aand is spread by the same transverse to the closing direction X.

To be able to open the closure element3out of the closed position, the catch spring7ais formed circumferentially open with the opening18a. This opening18ais designed such that in the closed position the catch spring7acircumferentially engages around the trunnion17ato such an extent that the trunnion17ais also held at the catch spring7ain the plane transverse to the closing direction X. Due to the opening18a, the housing part6atogether with the catch spring7acan, however, be moved in an opening direction Y, which is directed vertical to the closing direction X, relative to the plug part5awith the trunnion17a, in order to bring the trunnion17a—by elastically expanding the catch spring7atransverse to the closing direction X—out of engagement with the catch spring7athrough the opening18a. The trunnion17athereby is moved in the recess12aof the housing part6aand, when it has been brought out of engagement with the catch spring7a, can be removed from the recess12a.

At the housing part6aon the one hand and at the plug part5aon the other hand magnetic means are provided in the form of two magnets10a,11a, which oppose each other in a magnetically attracting way when the housing part6ais attached to the plug part5ain closing direction X and thus magnetically support the transfer of the closure element3into the closed position.

A magnet10ahere is arranged on the trunnion17aof the plug part5a, whereas another magnet11ais fastened to the insert part15aof the housing part6a. Together with the catch spring7a, the magnets10a,11acan be adjusted and dimensioned such that when attaching the housing part6ato the plug part5a, the catch spring7alargely automatically gets latchingly in engagement with the trunnion17a, so that the transfer into the closed position can be effected easily and largely automatically.

While the plug part5ais arranged on the vehicle floor1(see e.g.FIG. 1B), the housing part6ais fastened to the floor mat2. For this purpose, as shown for example inFIG. 1B, the housing part6areaches through an opening23of the floor mat2and is latchingly or adhesively connected with a lid14a, wherein both the housing part6aand the lid14ahave edge portions which reach over the edge of the opening23of the floor mat2and thus fix the housing part6aat the floor mat2.

For fastening the floor mat2to the vehicle floor1two closure elements3,4are provided, as is shown inFIGS. 1A to 1Cand2A to2C. Each closure element includes a housing part6a,6band a plug part5a,5b. The housing part6a,6bhere is arranged on the floor mat2and the plug part5a,5bis arranged on the vehicle floor1.

FIGS. 1A to 1Cshow the fastening arrangement with the two closure elements3,4first in their closed position, in which the floor mat2is fastened to the vehicle floor1. In this closed position each closure element3,4is closed, in that the trunnion17a,17bof the plug part5a,5bis latchingly in engagement with the catch spring7a,7bof the housing part6a,6b.

To obtain this closed position, the floor mat2together with the housing parts6a,6barranged thereon has each been attached to the associated plug part5a,5bin a closing direction X (closure element3) or X′ (closure element4). The closing directions X, X′ of the first closure element3and of the second closure element4are directed parallel to each other, and attaching the housing parts6a,6bto the plug parts5a,5bis effected when properly inserting the floor mat2, i.e. substantially with undeformed floor mat2, so that to obtain the closed position the housing parts6a,6btogether with the catch springs7a,7barranged thereon have been brought into a position opposite the plug parts5a,5bwith the trunnions17a,17barranged thereon, and the catch springs7a,7bcan be brought in engagement with the trunnions17a,17b. In the closed position, the distance A1between the trunnions17a,17bof the plug parts5a,5bcorrespondingly is equal to the distance A2between the catch springs7a,7b(this means that the middle axes of the trunnions17a,17bpointing through the center and the middle axes of the catch springs7a,7bpointing through the center have the same distance to each other.

The closure elements3,4are aligned opposite to each other, in that the housing parts6a,6bare arranged and fixed on the floor mat2mirror-symmetrically. Thus, the opening direction Y of the first closure element3, in which the housing part6amust be moved for releasing the trunnion17afrom the catch spring7a, is directed opposite, i.e. antiparallel to the opening direction Y′ of the second closure element4, in which the housing part6bof the second closure element4must be moved for releasing the trunnion17bfrom the catch spring7b. Thus, for opening the fastening arrangement the floor mat2must be deformed, as shown inFIG. 2B, in order to move the housing parts6a,6btowards each other in the respective opening direction Y, Y′ and thereby bring the trunnions17a,17bof the plug parts5a,5bin the recesses12a,12bout of engagement with the catch springs7a,7b.

Opening for example can be effected by pulling against the closing directions X, X′ at a central point of the floor mat2located between the closure elements3,4, in order to effect a deformation of the floor mat2as shown inFIG. 2Band hence effect a displacement of the housing parts6a,6brelative to the plug parts5a,5b. For opening, the distance A2between the catch springs7a,7bthus is reduced, so that this distance A2no longer corresponds to the distance A1between the trunnions17a,17bof the plug parts5a,5b.

When the trunnions17a,17bare brought out of engagement with the catch springs7a,7b, the floor mat2with the housing parts6a,6barranged thereon can be removed from the vehicle floor1against the closing directions X, X′.

With such fastening arrangement, unintentional release is not possible or only with difficulty. In the closed position, the fastening arrangement safely and firmly holds the floor mat2on the vehicle floor1and can be released from the vehicle floor1only by consciously deforming the same as shown inFIG. 2B.

Due to the fact that magnetic means in the form of magnets10a,10b,11a,11beach are provided at the closure elements3,4, transferring into the closed position of the closure elements3,4, i.e. fastening the floor mat2to the vehicle floor1, largely is effected automatically, so that the floor mat2can be fixed at the vehicle floor1in safe and simple way and the risk for a incomplete or incorrect fastening to the vehicle floor1is substantially reduced.

The magnetic means10a,11aof the first closure element3and the magnetic means10b,11bof the second closure element4here can be polarized inversely, so that a wrong attachment for example of the housing part6aof the first closure element3to the plug part5bof the second closure element4becomes difficult due to the fact that between the magnet11aof the housing part6aand the magnet10bof the plug part5ba force of magnetic repulsion exists when approaching the housing part6ato the plug part5b, which is perceptible for a user and hence indicates a wrong attachment.

As shown inFIGS. 1A and 2A, the lids14a,14bof the closure elements3,4can be printed or otherwise be provided with arrows on their side facing away from the vehicle floor1and visible to the outside, which arrows indicate the opening direction Y, Y′ for opening the closure elements3,4.

FIGS. 4 to 12show a further exemplary embodiment of a fastening arrangement for connecting a rigid element in the form of a helmet1and a flexible element in the form of glasses or a visor2.

Fastening the flexible element2to the rigid element1in turn is accomplished via closure elements3,4,19, whose operating principle is similar to the exemplary embodiment described above. Therefore, components of the same function will be provided with the same reference numerals, as far as expedient.

InFIGS. 4 to 6, the helmet1and the glasses2(in the following the term “glasses” will be used throughout, as a synonym for a pair of glasses or a visor) are shown in the non-connected condition. InFIGS. 7 to 9, the glasses2are connected with the helmet1in a closed position.FIG. 10shows the helmet1and the glasses2when releasing the glasses2.

In the fastening arrangement as shown inFIGS. 4 to 12three closure elements3,4,19are provided, which serve to connect the glasses2with the helmet1. For forming the closure elements3,4,19, catch springs7a,7b,7care integrally molded to the helmet1. The housing parts of the closure elements3,4,19are formed by the helmet1itself and thus, are integrally formed with the helmet1. On the glasses2, plug parts5a,5b,5care arranged, which are attached to the catch springs7a,7b,7calong a closing direction X and can latchingly be brought in connection with the same.

The three closure elements3,4,19serve to connect the glasses2with the helmet1at two ends20,21and at an edge portion22between the ends20,21. For this purpose, the plug parts5a,5b,5care arranged at the edge portion22and protrude from the same in direction of the helmet1, wherein the plug parts5a,5bare arranged in the region of the ends20,21of the glasses2, while the plug part5cis formed at the edge portion22centrally between the plug parts5a,5b.

For fastening the glasses2to the helmet1, the glasses2are attached to the helmet1from the opened condition shown inFIGS. 4,5A,5B and6A to6C in the closing direction X, so that the plug parts5a,5b,5clatchingly get in engagement with the catch springs7a,7b,7c.

FIGS. 7,8A,8B and9A to9C show the helmet1with the glasses2attached thereto. In this closed position, as can be taken in particular from the sectional view ofFIG. 9C, the plug parts5a,5b,5care latchingly and positively in engagement with the catch springs7a,7b,7c, so that the glasses2cannot be removed from the helmet1against the closing direction X.

For opening, the plug parts5a,5bof the closure elements3,4can be shifted into a recess12a,12brelative to the catch springs7a,7b(seeFIGS. 8B and 11B) by moving the catch springs7a,7band the plug parts5a,5b, as shown inFIG. 11B, in an opening direction Y (closure element3) and an opening direction Y′ (closure element4), respectively. These opening directions Y, Y′ of the closure elements3,4are obliquely directed to each other and point towards each other with a direction component Y1, Y1′.

Due to the fact that the plug parts5a,5bare moved relative to the catch springs7a,7bof the closure elements3,4in the opening directions Y and Y′, respectively, the plug part5cof the third closure element19also is moved relative to the catch spring7cin an opening direction Y″ and shifted out of the catch spring7c. When the plug parts5a,5bof the closure elements3,4are fully pushed into the recesses12a,12b, the plug part5cof the third closure element19also is pushed out of the associated catch spring7c, so that the glasses2can be removed from the helmet1.

To support the transfer of the glasses2into their closed position at the helmet1, magnetic means27,28in turn can be provided at the closure elements3,4,19, as explained above with reference to the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 3, which produce a force of magnetic attraction between the plug parts5a,5b,5cand the catch springs7a,7b,7cin the closing direction X, so that transferring the plug parts5a,5b,5cinto their position locked into place with the catch springs7a,7b,7clargely can be effected automatically.

The magnetic means27,28are formed in the form of magnets or a magnet on the one hand and of a magnetic armature of a ferromagnetic material on the other hand, and on the one hand are arranged on the edge portion22of the glasses2and on the other hand on the helmet1. One magnet (or magnetic armature) at the edge portion22each is associated to a magnet (or magnetic armature) at the helmet1. The magnetic means27,28effect a force of magnetic attraction in direction of closing of the fastening arrangement.

Due to the fact that the magnetic means27,28are arranged spatially separate from the plug parts5a,5b,5cand the catch springs7a,7b,7c, a thin construction of the glasses2and the helmet1becomes possible.

The number of the pairs of magnets realizing the magnetic means27,28(or of the pairs consisting of one magnet each at the one component and of an associated magnetic armature at the other component) can differ from the number of the closure elements3,4,19.

A fastening arrangement with closure elements3,4,19and spatially separate magnetic means27,28generally can also be used advantageously for forming a surface closure with which two surfaces should be attached to each other. The number of the pairs of magnets (or of the pairs consisting of one magnet each at the one component and of an associated magnetic armature at the other component) can be greater equal to or smaller than the number of the closure elements3,4,19.

The glasses2realizing the flexible element preferably are formed elastic. In the starting position adopted by the glasses2for attachment to the helmet1(seeFIG. 4) the glasses2are relaxed, so that they can easily be attached to the helmet1in the closing direction X and the plug parts5a,5b,5ccan latchingly be brought in engagement with the catch springs7a,7b,7c.

For moving the plug parts5a,5bin the opening directions Y, Y′, the glasses2then must be deformed elastically for the plug parts5a,5bto be pushed into the recesses12a,12b, so that the glasses2are elastically tensioned for opening.

The force required for elastically tensioning the glasses2, which must be applied for opening, effects that an unintentional release of the glasses2is counteracted. When tensioning the glasses2, an elastic restoring force always acts back into the closed position (seeFIG. 8B), so that only by consciously deforming the glasses2and opening in the way shown inFIG. 11Bthe connection of the glasses2with the helmet1can be released.

FIGS. 13 and 14show two exemplary embodiments of a combination of a closure element3with a display means for indicating whether or not the fastening arrangement is in the closed position.

FIGS. 13 and 14each show a view corresponding toFIG. 1C, representing a closure element3for connecting a floor mat2with a vehicle floor1. In addition, a display means is provided, which in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 13is formed by a reed switch23and a measuring means24and in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 14by a movably arranged magnet11a.

In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 13, the reed switch23is arranged in direct vicinity of the magnet10aon the plug part5aof the closure element3. The reed switch23here is formed to distinguish the closed position and an open position with the plug part5aand the housing part6aseparate from each other with reference to the strength and/or the particular shape of the magnetic field between the magnetic means in the form of the magnets10a,11aon the plug part5aon the one hand and on the housing part6aon the other hand.

When transferring the closure element3into the closed position and correspondingly approaching the housing part6awith the magnets11aarranged thereon to the plug part5awith the magnet10aarranged thereon, the reed switch23will switch, which is recorded by the measuring means24and converted into a corresponding signal for indicating that the closed position is reached.

In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 14, the display means is realized purely mechanically. For this purpose, the magnet11ais movably arranged on the housing part6aalong the closing direction X and pretensioned against the housing part6aby a spring25. In an open position, the magnet11ais in an extended position due to the pretension. When the housing part6ais approached to the plug part5afor transferring the closure element3into the closed position, the magnets10a,11aattract each other and the movable magnet11ais retracted into the housing part6ain direction of the magnet10a. By a corresponding mark on a side face26of the magnet11a, for example a color mark, reaching the closed position then can be indicated in a suitable way.

The display means for indicating the position state also can be realized by other means. For example, in the plug part5aa first magnet10aand in the housing part6aa second magnet11acan firmly be arranged, which attract each other. In addition, at the housing part6aa further magnet with reverse polarity then can movably be mounted on the back of the second magnet11a, which is pretensioned with respect to the second magnet11aby a return spring. When reaching the closed position, the magnetic field on the back of the second magnet11ais amplified and the further magnet accordingly is pressed against the return spring more strongly, so that due to the change in position of the further magnet the closed position is indicated.

An indication of the position state by using a suitable display device in principle is not limited to a fastening arrangement as shown here, but can also be provided in any other closure elements and closure devices. Thus, a display means as described here can be used in any closure device as it is known for example from WO 2008/006 357 A2, WO 2009/092 368 A2, WO 2010/006 594 A2, WO 2008/006 354 A2, WO 2008/006 356 A2, WO 2009/010 049 A2 and WO 2009/127 96 A2 WO 2009/127 196 A2, whose contents are included in the present application by reference. In so far, the use of such display device in connection with a closure device, as it is known from these documents, represents an independent inventive idea.

Such closure device for example can generally include a plug part, a housing part and a catch, whereinthe closure device is to be closed by attaching the housing part and the plug part to each other in a closing direction, so that in a closed position the plug part and the housing part are held at each other by the catch against the closing direction, andthe housing part is formed such that by means of a relative movement of the housing part relative to the plug part in an opening direction, which differs from the closing direction, the plug part is pushed out of the catch and the closure element hence can be opened.

In such closure device, a display means is provided for indicating whether or not the first closure element and/or the second closure element is in the closed position.

In addition, magnetic means can be provided to support the closing of the closure device.

For example, the display means also can be used to initiate further measures independent of reaching or releasing the closed position. In a glove box, for example, a glove box light can be switched off when reaching the closed position, or vice versa the glove box light can be switched on when releasing the closed position. By means of the display means, the glove box light thus can be controlled, in order to be actuated safely and reliably in dependence on the actuation of a suitable closure device.

A (general) closure device with a display means for example also can advantageously be employed on a machine housing or on a switch cabinet, in order to indicate correct closing of a machine cover or a switch cabinet door.

By means of such general closure device it is possible to integrate three assemblies, which conventionally are present separate from each other, into one construction unit. The closure device on the one hand performs the function of a mechanical latch, secondly the function of a closing support by using the magnetic means, and thirdly the function of a position indicator by using the display means, on the basis of which further (control) measures (such as in a glove box) can also be initiated.