Releasable interlocking fastening device for attaching adjacent parts

A releasable interlocking device includes a pair of interactive plates, for fastening to apparel utilizing a system of two interactive pistes which when slid together diagonally utilizes the thickness of the apparel and, stud of a male plate to engage through a single angled flexible vane or lip to snap fit and lock over a solid edge of a female plate without damage to the aforesaid apparel.

The present invention relates generally to fasteners and more particularly to fasteners comprising of two halves which join one material to another without piercing the material to which they are affixed. Such fasteners are well known in the prior art, but not well known in the market place, particularly in the field of sporting events such as running, cycling, dancing and game show events where competitors and participants are required to affix an identification number supplied by the event organiser to their apparel. Such apparel and numbers may comprise of many varied materials including cotton, nylon and, in the case of displaying numbers, a lightweight paper-based material. It is well-known that in this circumstance the traditional, typical fastening method is via a standard pin, or standard safety pin attached to the four corners of a number and pushed through to pierce the participant's apparel twice to secure in place.

With the development of more sophisticated and expensive sports apparel to meet the needs of the modern recreational and elite athlete, coupled with a rising popularity of mass participation sporting events, often highly competitive, the design of the connecting interface between the participant's mandatory identification event number and the participant's apparel has not advanced; safety pins are still the usual method of attaching numbers.

It is well known that there exists a bell for multi-sport which can have an identification number affixed to it such that when the number is facing rearwards it is suitable for the bike leg of the event and when the belt is swivelled 180 degrees around the waist to the front of an athlete's body it can then be suitable for the run leg of a duathlon or a triathlon for example. However, such belts are expensive and only facilitate the connection of a number along the tap edge, not including the bottom edge, rendering inconsistent visibility and recognition of the aforesaid number during an event, especially in windy conditions with the tendency to flap about.

These commonplace connection systems have drawbacks as outlined above. Furthermore, by resorting to safety pins the athlete needs to pierce an expensive skin suit, expensive all in one tri-suit, or charity running vest, or expensive outfit in a dance or game show scenario, for example, and contend with the possible damage to the apparel as a result of holes made with the pin and repetitive holes made over time and the tearing which may take place during detachment. Indeed safety pins constitute a danger for the safety of the athlete, in case of their accidental opening, following, for example, an athlete's fall off the bike or a trip on the run.

The object of the present invention is to provide a system for fastening an event identification number on an athlete's apparel which overcomes the drawbacks manifested with the deployment of devices of known type.

A further object of the present invention is to realise a system for fastening a competition, or participation, event identification number on the apparel worn by an athlete without the need for stitching or other operations which may damage the material of the apparel.

A still further object of the present invention is to compare and contrast the invention with a device as described in EP1634508, which purports to solve the problems manifested above and which will be proven unlikely to be fit for purpose as expounded in the embodiments herein, particularly in regard to allowances being made to securely connect different thicknesses of apparel and the uncertainty of knowing whether or not the fastener has indeed fastened.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention there is provided a releasable interlocking device for fastening a plurality of athletes' apparel utilising a system of interactive plates in which a first part of a fastening system comprises of a female plate featuring a central orifice shaped internally with offset flexible vanes or lips opposing a single non-flexible vane or lip in which a second part of a fastening system comprises of a male plate featuring an integral stud and overlapping domed head or cap on top of the stud which pushes diagonally through a plurality of apparel to the central orifice deforming and engaging the flexible vane or lip of the first female plate and locking the stud head or cap together with a plurality of apparel over the solid vane or lip without piercing, or damage to, the apparel.

In a preferred embodiment a fastening device is formed of two halves, a specially designed male plate and a specially designed female plate, both configured in such a manner that the form of the male plate locks into the orifice of the female plate.

In order to attach an identification number to an athlete's apparel a stud integral with the male plate pushes the fabric on the inside surface of the apparel through a hole in the event identification number (most event numbers have four holes positioned in the four corners). The female plate is then offered up to the stud which penetrates preferably in a diagonal movement an orifice in the female plate which snap fits over the head of the exposed stud, with the apparel tightly sleeved on together with the event identification number, thereby locking the stud of the male plate to the female plate preventing them from separating without being physically released.

Preferably the fastening device allows for the thickness of any modern sports apparel.

A further embodiment of the invention wherby the male and female plates are linked via a hinge and could be any shape or be integrated with a device e.g. a nurses watch or form of identification e.g. for conferences and exhibitions or an object e.g. a poppy, or flower.

InFIG. 1the isometric projection of a female plate1is depicted typically comprising an offset elliptically shaped orifice5awith parallel narrow ledge5btraversing the inside perimeter of the central recess12in the plate until it meets the offset flexible lip6which is characterised by having a more substantial ledge. Featured on the outside surface can be a form of identification, which is typically molded into the surface, or printed on the surface, or molded in relief. It will be appreciated that such a plate inFIG. 1may be of any shape, but according to aspects of the present invention preferably circular with a flat chord segment13across the perimeter.

InFIG. 2molded at right angles to the inside surface of a male plate2and typically positioned in its centre, is a tapered stud3, on the end of which features an overlapping hemi-spherical head4, which may be partly domed. Such a plate may be of any shape.

InFIG. 3an exploded assembly is depicted whereby female plate1is shown positioned inside clothing apparel7. In order to push and lock male plate2into plate1and thus secure the identification number8. Stud3is pushed through a typical hole in the identification number8before being offered up against the aforementioned apparel7. As a result stud3with apparel sleeved over it becomes exposed ready for female plate1to snap-fit over head4to secure the event identification number by locking into orifice5awith offset non-flexible edge5b, by means of offset flexible lip or vanes6molded around the inside surface of the said orifice in a preferred embodiment.

InFIG. 4 (a)the orthographic projection of the preferred embodiment referred to inFIG. 3consists of an orifice Sa. Lip or vanes6which could be separated by a slot equispaced between them to allow greater flexibility of the plastic material when stud head4is offered up to penetrate and glide at an angle consistent with the aforementioned lips or vanes, across the inside surface during assembly. The female plate1includes a planar first surface14and a second surface15. The second surface15may be domed. The central recess12may have a circular opening at the second surface15.

InFIG. 4 (b)stud head4along with apparel7has penetrated plate1and has been guided into position in the direction of the arrow where the aforementioned lips or vanes6have flexed to allow the said stud head past at an angular position of travel in the direction of the arrow, along the length of the major axis of the orifice5a. Lips or vanes6have then flexed back into position together under the hemispherical lipped stud head4to snap-fit and secure apparel7and event identification number8.

InFIG. 5stage one of the three stage assembly sequence features plate2being offered in the direction of the arrow event identification number8. Stage two of the assembly sequence features plate1being offered in the direction of the arrow to locate over stud head4, which has pushed apparel7through the hole in the event identification number8. Stage three of the assembly sequence features stud head4snap-fitted over lip or vanes6in plate1, thereby securing both apparel7and event identification number8.

InFIG. 5aa top plan and cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment is featured whereby the lipped vane of plate10, form a different configuration. Such lip or vane11are molded on the connecting inside face of plate10with the event identification number8and apparel7to facilitate further flex if needed when stud head4is pushed through orifice5a. Further modifications are made to the inside edges of the orifice as shown such that a tapered edge and scalloped top will allow for easy entry and lock-down respectively during assembly thus securing in place the identification event number to a competitor's or participant's apparel as shown inFIG. 5b.

Whereupon inFIG. 5ba top plan and cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment is shown featuring lipped vane11, in a different configuration, flexing to allow stud head4past at an angular position of travel along the length of the major axis of the orifice5ain the direction of the arrow. Lip or vane11then flexes back into position together under the hemispherical lipped stud head4to snap-fit and lock over the solid none flexible edge of plate10securing apparel7and event identification number8.

InFIG. 6an exploded assembly view of an alternative embodiment is depicted whereby the male and female plates,1and2respectively, are permanently connected via a flexible link. Such a method is well-known in the prior art as an integral polymer or live hinge. In the case of the present invention the two parts of the assembly are functional elements which when closed together are designed to snap-fit and lock to apparel, without piercing or damaging the apparel. In the three stepped approach to assembly inFIG. 6, step1shows the apparel7with plate2being offered up for connection in the direction of the arrow. In step2stud head4has pushed apparel7through the of plate1to snap fit. In step3plate1has hinged in a radius about flexible connection18with the flexible lip or vane of plate1snap-fitting over stud head4to snap-lock over apparel7. Plates1and2could be any shape or be integrated with a device e.g. a nurses watch or form of identification e.g. for conferences and exhibitions.

In a third embodiment, as depicted inFIG. 7, there is provided an alternative female plate which features a tapered circular orifice20. When elliptical stud head19is offered up for connection as described inFIG. 3the stud head flexes and deforms locking together the assembly of a participant's or competitor's number8and an athlete's apparel7in place without damage to the aforesaid apparel.

In a further embodiment as depicted inFIG. 8there is provided a plurality of apertures21in both plates1and2providing alternative attaching systems for both plates to their respective materials in the form of permanent connections. Such connections may be stitched, or sewn, or using other such like commonplace methods.

InFIG. 9an exploded view depicts an assembly sequence showing an alternative embodiment wherein plate2features a flat chord segment across the perimeter to give indication for attaching and release also increasing the angle of attaching release of the female plate with no flexible lips or vanes to and from the male plate.

In a further embodiment inFIG. 10three orifices are illustrated for use with any of the previously described figures: orifice1features two shaped flexible lips or vanes with a sculptured divider midway in the diameter; orifice2features a single crescent shaped flexible lip or vane and orifice3features an elliptical shape with no flexible lips or vanes.

In a further embodiment, as depicted inFIG. 11, there is provided an alternative female plate which features a different configuration of tapered circular orifice22consisting of a conjoined small circle blending into a larger circle. Stud head4is smaller than the larger circular orifice and larger than the small orifice. When stud head4is offered up for connection as described inFIG. 3the stud head fits through the larger circular orifice. As the stud is shifted laterally along the major axis of the two circular orifice the stud diameter is smaller than the adjoining intersection point of the two circular orifice w herein the adjoining intersection point locks the stud from laterally shifting along the major axis of the two circles the smaller circular orifice prevents the stud head from removal as described inFIG. 3locking together the assembly of a participant's or competitor's number8and an athlete's apparel7in place without damage to the aforesaid apparel.

Referring now to EP1634508 ‘System for fastening the competition numbers or “bibs” on the garment of an athlete,’ and comparing and contrasting with aspects of the present invention, there is observed no allowance for differences in material thicknesses of an athlete's apparel provided in EP1634508 in the description or claims. Such allowance for material thickness, although small, is essential to provide a snap fit of the two attaching plates and to provide a definite physical or audible indication of connection to the wearer. If this were not the case as in EP1634508 there may be occasions when an athlete would assume a connection has been made only to be disappointed mid-way through a race, for example, when the identification number comes adrift. In all the embodiments of the present invention this allowance is provided for by the flexible plastic-lipped vanes first described inFIG. 3, which adjust by flexing to make allowance for varying thicknesses, folds or creases of typical apparel and participation numbers worn for sporting activities and thus facilitating a positive snap-fit connection, indicating to the athlete audibly, or in a tactile manner, or both that a secure connection has been made.

Furthermore, the disc shaped body5as described in EP1634508 does not have a strengthening function, which is provided for by the elastic vanes6in the present invention. In addition due to the coaxial activity in the shank as described therein EP1634508, the annular head of the shank is made bigger and increases the forces acting upon the fastener by the material and the deformation of the competitor's apparel. It will also be understood that as a result there would be no film indication to the user that the two halves of the fastener had connected securely. In the description the washer with the central hole requires the annular head to lock all the way around the circumference otherwise it would work loose and come apart.

By contrast with EP1634508 the present disclosure includes embodiments having one or more of the following features:1. A single flexible vane or lip opposing a single solid edge or lip within the orifice in plate1, a stud3and a stud head4, as opposed to an annular projection or ring, in plate2.2. An integrated self-locking function which locks plate1, as opposed to an automatic button operation principle.3. Elasticated deformation lip.4. A stud which passes through from the inside surf ace of the assembly.5. Uses the thickness of the apparel to lock plate1to plate2.

The present invention also differs by using the thickness of the apparel to lock plate1to plate2.

For ergonomic reasons the dimensions of plate1are less than the dimensions of plate2. Being a self-locking fastener the present invention has further uses other than attaching sporting identification event numbers without piercing or damaging a participant's or competitor's apparel. These include, dance competitions and game show events.

Referring now to the following patents, by contrast with U.S. Pat. No. 2,981,992 A, FR864346 A, FR1350098 A, NL6611411 A, GB951000 A, WO92/04837 A1 fastening systems the present disclosure includes embodiments having one or more of the following features:1. A single flexible vane or lip opposing a single solid edge or lip in plate1.2. A self-locking function which locks plate2to plate1.3. Elasticated deformation lips which friction-flex.4. A plate2featuring an integral stud mounting which is fanned to engage and interlock diagonally with a plate1.5. A plate1featuring a single chamfer across the perimeter to act as a hinge for angled engagement and facilitates balanced angled release of the plate1against the plate2.6. Elliptical stud head.

The present invention also differs by using the thickness of the apparel to lock plate1to plate2and can secure event numbers and other identification to apparel also a device or object.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.

The foregoing description details certain preferred embodiments of the present invention and describes the best mode contemplated. It will be appreciated, however, that changes may be made in the details of construction and the configuration of components without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the description provided herein is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that defined by the following claims and the full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled.