Hook fastening device with magnetically attractable elements

Abstract: This invention relates to hook fastening device with magnetically attractable elements, and the magnetically attractable elements allow the fastener strip be secured to the magnetized recess of a forming mold, or to any corresponding magnetically attractive object. Further, without any adhesives, the magnetically attractable elements are held in a predetermined place, and can be put on during or after the basic strip assembly/fabrication process. According to the invention, magnetically attractable wires (13a-13d) are located between and retained by hook members (11) on the front face of the fastener strip (10). Each hook member (11) is comprised of a shaft (14) and a head (15). Projecting ledges (16a, 16b) of the rear surface of the head(15) protrude beyond the shaft (14), the projecting ledges (16a, 16b) retain the magnetically attractable wires (13a-13d) within the hook layer of the fastener strip (10). The magnetically attractable wires (13a-13d) within the fastener strip allow the fastener strip to be secured to a correspondingly magnetically attractive object.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to hook and loop fastener strips, specifically a hook fastener strip with magnetically attractable elements, which are located between and retained by the hooks on the engagement side of the fastener strip. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various fastener strips, which can be magnetically secured to an object, usually a forming mold, are disclosed in the art. As magnetically attractive elements of these fastener strips, the followings are cited. With respect of use of magnetic particles, there are such magnetic particles that are provided between the fastener backing and the anchor layer, as in U.S. Patent No. 4,563,380, incorporated either in an "encasement" which protects the hooks from fouling, as in U.S. Patent No. 5,393,585, and mixed into the plastic of the hooks or hook base, as in U.S. Patent No. 5,725,928. With respect of use of a magnetic strip or shim, there are such a magnetic strip or shim that is interposed between the fastener layer and he fastener backing, as in U.S. Patent No. 4,673,542, inserted between the fastener backing and an open-mesh layer, as in U.S. Patent No. 5,110,649, incorporated within the fastener backing, as in U.S. Patent No. 5,061,540, and located along the sides of the hook layer, as in U.S. Patent No. 4,931,344. Except for the above instances, A "porous metal layer" either embedded in the fastener layer or backing, or inserted between the hooks and a protective cover, as in U.S. Patent No. 5,945,193 may be used. Further, Metal staples located at each end of the fastener strip, as in U.S. Patent No. 5,500,268 may also be used. All of the above methods, however, have a big disadvantage in that the magnetic element has to be embedded into, molded into, or otherwise incorporated into the body of the fastener strip itself. This results in a needlessly complex manufacturing process, often requiring the use of adhesives to secure the magnetic element to the fastener layer, the backing, protective hook cover, or other fastener strip component. In addition, in these fastener strips, the magnetic element must be incorporated during the basic strip assembly/fabrication process, since the magnetic element is an integral part of the fastener strip itself. The magnetic element cannot be easily applied to the fastener strip after the strip has been assembled. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, several object and subject of the invention are following. The invention provides a quick and easy way to incorporate a magnetic element into a fastener strip. Without any adhesives, the magnetically attractable wires or strips are held in place by the specially shaped hooks. The resultant fastener strip of the invention can be very effectively secured to a correspondingly magnetically attractable object, such as a forming mold. The magnetic elements can be easily placed anywhere on the face of the fastener strip with maximum magnetic holding power operated. The magnetically attractable wires or strips can be put on during or after the basic strip assembly/fabrication process , which adds flexibility to the manufacturing process. Thus, the object or the subject of the invention is to provide a quick and easy way to incorporate a magnetic element into a fastener strip. Above mentioned object and subject of the invention are achieved effectively with this invention having the following features. According to the main aspect of the invention, there is provided a hook fastening device, comprising a hook fastener layer having a plurality of hook members upstanding from a base and a magnetically attractable element located between, and retained by said hook members of said fastener layer, being characterized in that said hook fastening device can be magnetically secured to an object. Alternately, there is provided a hook fastening device, which is comprising a hook fastener layer having a plurality of hook members upstanding from a base, a magnetically attractable element located between said hook members of said fastener layer, and means located on said hook members for retaining said magnetically attractive element within said hook fastener layer. In the invention, the magnetically attractable elements are interposed between and retained by the hooks formed on the surface of the fastener strip, and the magnetically attractable elements allow the fastener strip be secured to the magnetized recess of a forming mold, or to any corresponding magnetically attractive object. Further, With means being located on said hook members for retaining said magnetically attractive element within said hook fastener layer, the magnetically attractive element can be retained within the hook fastener layer formed on the front face of the fastener strip. Further, it is preferable that each of said hook members comprises a shaft and a head, and said magnetically attractable element is retained by projecting ledges located on the rear surface of the head of said hook members. It is preferable that said magnetically attractable element is an elongated wire or an elongated strip, or may be an elongated strip having a plurality of runners connected each other by a connecting member. Furthermore, the hook fastening device of this invention is characterized in that the device comprises an elongated fastening strip, a plurality of said magnetically attractable elements being located between said hook members at opposite edges facing each other along the longitudinal direction of said elongated fastening strip, a plurality of said magnetically attractable elements being substantially evenly distributed over the extent of said elongated fastening strip, or a plurality of said magnetically attractable elements being disposed substantially in the center of said elongated fastening strip along the longitudinal direction thereof. According to the invention, no adhesives are needed for retaining the magnetically attractable elements, because the specially shaped hooks themselves hold the magnetically attractable wires or strips in place. The magnetically attractable element is formed in elongated wire shape or strip shape. A cross-sectional shape of the magnetically attractable elements may be rectangular, circular, square or any other shapes. Further, as said magnetically attractable element, an elongated strip having a plurality of runners connected by a connecting member may also be used. In the elongated fastener strip, a plurality of said magnetically attractable elements can be located between said hook members at opposite edges facing each other along the longitudinal direction of said elongated fastening strip, substantially evenly distributed over the extent of said elongated fastening strip, or disposed near the center of the longitudinal direction of said elongated fastening strip. With adopting the above structure, the magnetic elements can be easily placed anywhere on the face of the fastener strip and the magnetically attractable wires or strips can be put on during or after the basic strip assembly/fabrication process. Therefore, it can provide flexibility to the manufacturing process and the fastener strip of the invention can be secured effectively to the corresponding magnetically attractive object such as a forming mold. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an overall top view of the invention. Fig. 2 is a partial enlarged view of the top view of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a partial enlarged view of an end view of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a top view of a modification. Fig. 5 is an end view of the modification of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a top view of another modification. Fig. 7 is a top view of still another modification. Fig. 8 is an overall and detail-level views of still another modification. Fig. 9 is an overall and detail-level views of still another modification. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is an overall top view of the invention, showing the magnetically attractable wires 13a to 13d located between the hooks of the fastener strip 10. Figure 2 is a partial enlarged view of the top view, which shows the manner in which the wires 13a to 13d are retained by the undersides of the hooks . Figure 3 is an end view, further enlarging the location and retaining condition of the wires 13a to 13d within the hook layer of the fastener strip. Figure 4 is a top view of a modification, wherein magnetically attractable flat strips 17a to 17d are used instead of wires 13a to 13d. Figure 5 is an end view of the modification. Figure 6 is a top view of another modification, wherein the magnetically attractable wires 13a to 13d are distributed differently on the face of the fastener strip 10. Figure 7 is a top view of still another modification, also showing the magnetically attractable wires 13a to 13d distributed differently across the face of the fastener strip 10. Figures 8 and 9 show respectively overall and detail-level views, of still another modifications, wherein a magnetically attractable strip 19a to 19c of greater width than the strips shown 17a to 17d in the Figure 4 and 5, is located between the hooks of the fastener strip 10. As shown in Figure 1, an elongated fastener strip 10 has a plurality of hook members 11 upstanding from a base 12. Hook members 11 can either be molded from the same material as base 12, or can be formed separately and attached to base 12. Elongated magnetically attractable wires 13a to 13d, circular in cross-section, are located between hook members 11, and are retained by the outer edges of the rear surface of the hook members 11. As understood by the Figures 2 and 3 showing the fastener strip 10 in detail, the manner, in which the outer edges of the rear surface of the hook members 11 retain magnetically attractable wires 13a to 13d, is shown. Turning now to the structure of hook members 11, each hook member 11 is comprised of a shaft 14 and a head 15. The outer edges of head 15 protrude beyond the sides of shaft 14, such that projecting ledges 16a and 16b are formed on the outer edges of the rear surface of the head 15. The projecting ledges 16a and 16b serve to retain magnetically attractable wires 13a to 13d within fastener strip 10. Meanwhile, there is the D-7 model molded hook produced by the YKK Corporation of Marietta, Georgia, with such a hook structure. The assembly of fastener strip 10 is briefly described below. It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that there are any number of suitable methods by which to insert magnetically attractable wires 13a to 13d into the spaces between hook members 11. One such method comprises urging magnetically attractable wires 13a to 13d into the space between hook members 11 from the top, i.e., by positioning magnetically attractable wires 13a to 13d over the outer edges of adjacent hook members 11 and applying downward pressure. The resilience of hook members 11 allows hook members 11 to spring apart slightly, permitting magnetically attractable wires 13a to 13d to pass between the outer edges of adjacent hook members 11. After magnetically attractable wires 13a to 13a have passed into the space between hook members 11, hook members 11 spring back, retaining magnetically attractable wires 13a to 13d within. In this manner, magnetically attractable wires 13a to 13d can be snapped into fastener strip 10. As another method, magnetically attractable wires 13a to 13d are threaded into the spaces between hook members 11, starting from the ends of fastener strip 10. Figures 4 and 5 show top and end views, respectively, of a modification wherein elongated magnetically attractable strips. Magnetically attractable wires 17a to 17d of rectangular cross-section, rather than wires of circular cross-section, as in the main embodiment, are located between hook members 11. Other feature parts and other assembly steps are the same as in the main embodiment, so explanations for them are omitted. Figures 6 and 7 show other modifications wherein magnetically attractable wires 13a to 13d are distributed differently across the face of fastener strip 10. In Figure 6, magnetically attractable wires 13a to 13d are distributed more or less evenly across the face of fastener strip 10, rather than being located at the sides of fastener strip 10 as in the main embodiment. In Figure 7, magnetically attractable wires 13a to 13c are disposed in the center of the longitudinal direction of the fastener strip 10. Other feature parts and other assembly steps are the same as in the main embodiment, so explanations for them are omitted. Figures 8 and 9 show still another modification wherein a wide magnetically attractable strip 18 takes the place of multiple magnetically attractable wires or strips. Wide magnetically attractable strip 18 comprises multiple runners 19a to 19c connected at predetermined intervals by a connecting member 20. The connecting member 20 snaps into the space between adjacent columns of hook members 11, rather than into the space between adjacent rows of hook members 11 as in the main embodiment. This modification allows a larger magnetically attractable mass to be snapped into the fastener strip in one step, and avoids having to maintain multiple wires or strips in precise alignment together while attaching them to the fastener strip. Thus the reader will see that this invention provides a very convenient and effective way of incorporating magnetically attractable elements into a fastener strip, so that the fastener strip may be magnetically secured to a forming mold or other corresponding magnetically attractive object. While the above descriptions contain much specificity, these shall not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplification of embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. Examples of just a few of the possible variations follow. The fastener strip can be of any shape, including circular or square-shaped, and not just the rectangular strip shape shown in the various embodiments above. The basic concept of the invention that magnetically attractable elements located between, and retained by, the hooks themselves is applicable to fastener strips having many different shapes. The number of magnetically attractable elements can be different, and they can be located differently on the face of the fastener strip than those locations shown in the main embodiment and modifications. The magnetically attractable elements do not have to be elongated, for example, they can be separate and discrete elements of any size and shape, as long as they are suitably shaped to engage and be retained by the hooks. The "head" of the hook can have a different shape, as long as an aspect of its shape can serve to retain a wire, strip, or other magnetically attractable elements, on the assumption that the head can be engaged with a loop. As just one example, the rear surface of the head can have a different shape, not just the "rounded ledge" shape of the main embodiment. Similarly, the cross-sectional shape of the magnetically attractable elements can be different, not just the cylindrical wires and flat rectangular strips shown in the main embodiment and the modifications above. All that is required is that a surface on the hooks be suitably shaped to retain the magnetically attractable elements, and that the magnetically attractable elements themselves be correspondingly shaped to be retained by the hooks. Not all the hooks on the face of the fastener strip need have a structure that can retain a magnetically attractable element. Only those hooks in the area where the magnetically attractable element is to be located need have such a structure. By snapping a ring-like wide magnetically attractable strip around the hooks in a desired area of the hook layer, sides and ends are formed as perimeter portions of hooks. Further, the wide magnetically attractable strip can be formed to have slots or other openings (round, oblong, rectangular, etc.) which are slightly smaller than the hook heads. The natural resiliency of the hook heads allows them to deform slightly as the wide magnetically attractable strip is urged downward over them. In this manner, the wide magnetically attractable strip can snap into place over the hooks. The magnetically attractable element can comprise various metals or other magnetically attractable materials. In addition, it should be understood that the magnetically attractable element can itself be magnetically attractive, that is, itself be a magnet. This would allow the fastener strip to be secured to metal or other magnetically attractable objects which are not magnets themselves. Consequently, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment or modifications shown, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims: A hook fastening device, comprising: (a) a hook fastener layer, having a plurality of hook members (11) upstanding from a base (12), characterised by comprising (b) a magnetically attractable element (13, 17, 19) located between and retained by said hook members (11) of said fastener layer, wherein said hook fastening device can be magnetically secured to an object. The hook fastening device according to claim 1, being characterized in that said hook members each comprise a shaft and a head. The hook fastening device according to claim 2, being characterized in that said magnetically attractable element is retained by projecting ledges located on a rear surface of said hook members. The hook fastening device according to claim 1, being characterized in that said magnetically attractable element comprises an elongated wire. The hook fastening device according to claim 1, being characterized in that said magnetically attractable element comprises an elongated strip. The hook fastening device according to claim 1, being characterized in that said magnetically attractable element comprises an elongated strip having a plurality of runners connected together by a connecting member. The hook fastening device according to claim 1, being characterized in that said hook fastening device comprises an elongated fastening strip, and a plurality of said magnetically attractable elements are located between said hook members facing each other at opposite edges along said elongated fastening strip. The hook fastening device according to claim 1, being characterized in that said hook fastening device comprises an elongated fastening strip, and a plurality of said magnetically attractable elements are substantially evenly distributed over the extent of said elongated fastening strip. The hook fastening device according to claim 1, being characterized in that said hook fastening device comprises an elongated fastening strip, and a plurality of said magnetically attractable elements are disposed along the center of the longitudinal direction of the said elongated fastening strip. The hook fastening device according to claim 1, characterised by further comprising (c) means for retaining said magnetically attractable element within said fastener layer, said means located on said hook members, wherein said hook fastening device can be magnetically secured to an object. The hook fastening device according to claim 10, being characterized in that said hook members each comprise a shaft and a head. The hook fastening device according to claim 11, being characterized in that said retaining means comprise projecting ledges located on a rear surface of said hook members. The hook fastening device according to claim 10, being characterized in that said magnetically attractable element comprises an elongated wire. The hook fastening device according to claim 10, being characterized in that said magnetically attractable element comprises an elongated strip. The hook fastening device according to claim 10, being characterized in that said magnetically attractable element comprises an elongated strip having a plurality of runners connected together by a connecting member. The hook fastening device according to claim 10, being characterized in that said hook fastening device comprises an elongated fastening strip, and a plurality of said magnetically attractable elements are located between said hook members facing each other at opposite edges along said elongated fastening strip. The hook fastening device according to claim 10, being characterized in that said hook fastening device comprises an elongated fastening strip, and a plurality of said magnetically attractable elements are substantially evenly distributed over the extent of said elongated fastening strip. The hook fastening device according to claim 10, being characterized in that said hook fastening device comprises an elongated fastening strip, and a plurality of said magnetically attractable elements are disposed along the center of the longitudinal direction of the said elongated fastening strip.

Inventors: FUJISAWA NOBUO, GALBREATH JOHN ALEXANDER, GRAHAM CRAIG JAY, MINATO TSUYOSHI, FUJISAWA, NOBUO, GALBREATH, JOHN ALEXANDER, GRAHAM, CRAIG JAY, MINATO, TSUYOSHI
Applicants: YKK CORP, YKK CORPORATION
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A44B18
IPC codes: A44B18