Abstract:
A reinforcing eyelet for a hole, comprising two annular metal plates ( 3, 23, 43; 5, 25, 45 ) capable of being fastened, in use, the one opposed to the other on a substrate (T). An annular pad ( 12, 32, 52 ) placed adjacent to a first ( 5, 23, 45 ) of the two annular metal plates and intended to make contact, in use, with the substrate (T) in order to improve its bond to the reinforcing eyelet; The outer edge ( 15, 33, 53 ) of the said first annular metal plate ( 5, 23, 45 ) being folded over part of the annular pad ( 12, 32, 52 ) in order to hold it and conceal it from view in the fastened condition of the reinforcing eyelet.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a reinforcing eyelet for a hole. 
         [0002]    The invention has been developed with particular regard, although not exclusively, to a reinforcing eyelet for a hole comprising two annular metal plates capable of being fastened together in use, the one opposed to the other on a substrate (T). 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In the most typical applications, metal reinforcing eyelets consist of a tubular body with a tubular shank and a flat flange, which is opposed to a washer. The tubular shank is intended to cut, for example, a fabric by making a hole of a size equal to its diameter. The tubular shank is then peened on to the washer that is placed on the other side of the fabric, which is thus pinched between the flange and the washer. Types of reinforcing eyelets also exist in which both elements comprise two respective tubular bodies, capable of being inserted one into the other and reciprocally deformable to fasten the reinforcing eyelet on to the substrate. 
         [0004]    Metal reinforcing eyelets have applications on a wide variety of materials. However, their use on fine or delicate fabrics, such as elasticated or thin fabrics, is limited by poor retention of the fabric, which can easily slip out of the grip between the flange and washer. The problem stems from the fact that the two essentially flat portions of the eyelet, i.e. the flange of the tubular body and the washer that it opposed to it, are generally two thin metal plates between which it is difficult to grip a thin fabric well without damaging it or without creating wrinkles or creases that are unacceptable from an aesthetic point of view. 
         [0005]    To solve this problem, it has been thought to interpose, between the fabric and one of the two flat portions of the eye, a felt or rubber disc that improves the friction between the fabric and the reinforcing eyelet. However, this solution is not entirely satisfactory from an aesthetic point of view, because the disc is visible and this reduces the desirability and value of the metal reinforcing eyelet. For this same reason, no consideration is given to the alternative of eyelets made from plastic material, since this is clearly of little interest and rarely used on valuable garments and products of a certain level. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The aim of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art, and particularly to provide a reinforcing eyelet for a hole that provides optimal grip even for fine, delicate or elasticated fabrics and is also aesthetically pleasing once applied. A further aim is to provide a reinforcing eyelet for a hole that is inexpensive to produce and easy to apply, as well as being reliable and durable in use. 
         [0007]    In order to achieve the aims indicated above, the present invention relates to a reinforcing eyelet of the type indicated above in the preamble, further comprising an annular pad placed adjacent to a first of the two annular metal plates and intended to make contact, in use, with the substrate in order to improve its bond to the reinforcing eyelet. The outer edge of the said first annular metal plate is folded over part of the annular pad in order to hold it and conceal it from view in the fastened condition of the reinforcing eyelet. 
         [0008]    A reinforcing eyelet of this type is aesthetically pleasing to the eye because all its visible parts are made of metal. The annular pad serves to keep the substrate fastened between the two annular metal plates of the reinforcing eyelet, even when the substrate is very fine, delicate or elasticated. 
         [0009]    According to an advantageous embodiment, the annular pad has at least one protruding portion with respect to the outer edge of the said first annular metal plate. The protruding portion of the annular pad is therefore more internal with respect to the folded outer edge of the annular metal plate that holds it. Thanks to the differentiated thickness, the annular pad adequately compresses even a very fine substrate, which is thus retained securely thanks to the greater friction exerted upon it. 
         [0010]    Advantageously, the reinforcing eyelet of the present invention also comprises two engagement elements or means, respectively associated with the two annular metal plates. These two engagement elements interact with each other in the use of the reinforcing eyelet, namely when the eyelet is fastened on the substrate. The two above-mentioned engagement elements respectively comprise a plurality of protrusions and a backing element for the protrusions. The annular pad forms an integral part of one of the two engagement elements, i.e. of the protrusions or of their backing element. These protrusions locally increase the grip and the pressure exercised on the substrate, and therefore significantly decrease the risk of it being pulled out of the reinforcing eyelet. 
         [0011]    More specifically, the protrusions may be made of metal, produced of a piece with the annular metal plate. In this case, the annular pad mounted on the other annular metal plate acts as a backing, and is capable of deforming—when the reinforcing eyelet is fitted on a substrate—at the points of the protrusions, in order to increase the surface area of contact with the substrate. 
         [0012]    Preferably, these metallic protrusions are obtained by plastic deformation of the annular metal plate during its manufacture by cutting and pressing. In this case, the visible side of the annular metal plate is preferably covered by a cap that conceals from view the depressions otherwise visible on the annular metal plate, at the points of the protrusions. The arrangement of the covering cap is not, however, linked solely to this embodiment, but can also be provided in other variants of the reinforcing eyelet of the present invention, in order to allow a high degree of freedom of customisation of the eyelet in a simple and economical manner. 
         [0013]    Advantageously, the protrusions are essentially conical with a rounded extremity so that they do not pierce or otherwise damage the fabric or substrate to which the eyelet is fixed. 
         [0014]    According to other embodiments of the invention, the protrusions are preferably made from a pliable material and can be formed directly of a piece with the annular pad. These protrusions may match up, on the other component of the reinforcing eyelet, with backing means consisting of another annular pad or the said annular metal plate. These variants are particularly indicated in the case of very small eyelets, in which it can be more complex to create the protrusions directly of a piece with the metal flange. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided by way of non-limiting example, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates the components of an eyelet according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows the assembled components of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  shows a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  shows the assembled components of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  shows a third embodiment of the invention, and 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  shows a variant of the third embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    With reference now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the reference number  1  generically indicates a reinforcing eyelet for a hole H made in a substrate T, which typically, although not exclusively, may be a fabric, especially a fine, delicate and/or elasticated fabric. The reinforcing eyelet  1  comprises a deformable tubular body  2 , preferably made from metal or similar material, which extends along an axis Y-Y and is provided at its extremity with a flange  3 . The flange  3  has a lower face  4  that faces in the same direction as the extension of the tubular body  2 . 
         [0023]    The reinforcing eyelet  1  also comprises a washer  5 , essentially in the form of a disc with a hole  6  and at least one front face  7 , preferably essentially flat. The washer  5  may also have a step  8  against which the tubular body  2  is folded during the application of the eyelet to a substrate, as described in greater detail below. 
         [0024]    On the washer  5  is set an annular pad  12 , preferably in the form of a disc and made from a relatively pliable material, for example plastic, rubber, felt or similar. The annular pad  12  is held against the washer  5  by an edge  15  of the same washer, folded on to a portion of the annular pad  12 . The annular pad  12  and the washer  5  have, in an inner portion  16  of the eyelet, an overall thickness S 12  greater than the thickness S 15  of the folded edge  15 . In other words, the annular pad  12  protrudes in its innermost portion, from the side that is intended to make contact with the substrate T, with respect to the folded edge  15  of the washer  5 . 
         [0025]    From the lower face  4  of the flange  3  extend protrusions  11 ,  11 ′, which in use point in the direction of the substrate T and are preferably distributed regularly on a circumference. The protrusions  11 ,  11 ′ are preferably obtained by plastic deformation of the flange  3 , which is then preferably covered by a covering cap  13  to conceal the depressions at the points of the protrusions  11 ,  11 ′ on the visible face  14  of the flange  3 . Optionally, logos or decorations in general may be imprinted on the covering cap  13 . 
         [0026]    The protrusions  11  are preferably rounded at the tip, but since the tubular element  2  is produced by cutting and pressing of a metal sheet, for example brass, the material could tear, giving rise to protrusions  11 ′ with a perforated or pointed tip. 
         [0027]    For the application of the reinforcing eyelet  1 , the tubular body  2  is inserted in the hole H of the substrate T, if the hole is already made, or is pressed on to the substrate T with pressure such that the extremity  9  of the tubular body  2  cuts the substrate T to create the hole H. 
         [0028]    On the opposite side of the substrate T, from which protrudes the extremity  9  of the tubular body  2 , is then placed the washer  5 , to which is attached the annular pad  12  that comes into contact with the substrate T. The flange  3  and the washer  5  are fastened against each other, in such a manner that the substrate T is gripped between the flange  3  and the annular pad  12 , which preferably but not limitatively is made from a relatively pliable material and deforms overall against the substrate T and locally at the points of the protrusions  11 ,  11 ′ of the flange  3 , as clearly illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0029]    A tool of a type generally known, whether manual, semi-automatic or automatic, is used to peen on to the washer  6  the extremity  9  of the tubular body  2 , which is thus folded outwards, preferably against the step  8  of the washer  5 , causing the reinforcing eyelet to be fastened on to the substrate T. 
         [0030]    In the fitted configuration shown in  FIG. 2 , the protrusions  11  and  11 ′ press the substrate against the pad  12 , which is locally compressed, providing a broad surface area of contact with the substrate. The pad  12  and the protrusions thus maintain the substrate in position and effectively prevent it from slipping even when the substrate is fine, delicate and/or elastic. 
         [0031]    In a second embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a reinforcing eyelet  21  for a hole H made in a substrate T comprises a deformable tubular body  22  provided at its extremity with a flange  23  having a lower face  24  that faces in the same direction as the extension of the tubular body  22 . 
         [0032]    The reinforcing eyelet  21  also comprises a washer  25 , essentially in the form of a disc with a hole  26  and at least one front face  27 , preferably essentially flat. The washer  25  may also have a step  28  against which is folded the tubular body  22  during the application of the eyelet to a substrate, as already described for the washer  5  of the eyelet  1 . 
         [0033]    An annular pad  32 , preferably made from a relatively pliable material such as plastic, rubber or felt, is held fastened to the lower face  24  of the flange  23  by its outer edge  33 , folded on to a portion of the annular pad  32 . The annular pad  32  is provided with protrusions  31 , preferably distributed regularly on a circumference, at which points the overall thickness S 32  of the annular pad and the flange is preferably greater than the thickness S 33  of the folded edge  33 . 
         [0034]    The application of the reinforcing eyelet  21  is entirely similar to that of the eyelet  1  described above: here too, the extremity  29  of the tubular body  22  is inserted into the hole H of the substrate T or used to create the said hole by cutting the substrate T, and then on to it is placed the washer  25  which, together with the flange  23 , provided with the annular pad  32 , compresses the substrate T. The extremity  29  of the tubular body  22  is then peened on to the washer  25  so that the extremity  29  of the tubular body  22  is folded outwards, preferably against the step  28  of the washer  25 . When the reinforcing eyelet  21  is in the fitted configuration, illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the protrusions  31  integral to the annular pad  32  press the substrate T against the washer  25 , maintaining it in position, especially where the substrate is fine, delicate and/or elastic. 
         [0035]    In a third embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a reinforcing eyelet  41  for a hole H made in a substrate T comprises a deformable tubular body  42  provided at its extremity with a flange  43  having a lower face  44  that faces in the same direction as the extension of the tubular body  42 . The illustrated embodiment also shows a cap  54  coupled to the flange, on which may be imprinted symbols, designs, trademarks or any other desired sign. The cap  54  is anchored to the flange  43  by means of its edge  55  folded beneath the outer edge of the flange  43 . 
         [0036]    The reinforcing eyelet  41  also comprises a washer  45 , essentially in the form of a disc with a hole  46  and at least one front face  47 , preferably essentially flat. The washer  45  may also have a step  48  against which the tubular body  42  is folded during the application of the eyelet to a substrate, as already described in the previous embodiments. 
         [0037]    An annular pad  52 , preferably made from a flexible material similar to that of the annular pad  32  of the second embodiment, is placed upon the washer  45  and held against it by an edge  53  of the washer, folded on to a portion of the annular pad  52 . Also on the annular pad  52 , at the points of the protrusions  51 , the overall thickness S 52  of the annular pad  52  and the washer is preferably greater than the thickness S 53  of the folded edge  53 . 
         [0038]    In this configuration, both the cap  54  and the washer  45  have both their respective metal edges  55 ,  53  folded, giving them a greater thickness. To prevent the substrate T being gripped only between these two metal edges, the annular pad  52 , in addition to the protrusions  51 , also has an annular zone  56  with a uniformly increased thickness. Overall, the maximum thickness S 52  reached by the combination of the washer  47  and the annular pad  52  is preferably sufficiently greater than the thickness S 53  of the edge  53  to compensate for the difference between the thickness S 55  of the edge  55  and the thickness S 54  of the overlap of flange and cap. 
         [0039]    To apply the reinforcing eyelet  41 , the extremity  49  of the tubular body  42  is inserted into the hole H of the substrate T, or cuts a portion of the substrate T to create the hole H. On to this is then placed the washer  45 , provided with the annular bearing  52 , which, together with the flange  43 , compresses the substrate T. The extremity  49  of the tubular body  42  is then peened on to the washer  45  and is thus folded outwards, preferably against the step  48  of the washer  45 . 
         [0040]    When the eyelet is in the fitted configuration, the annular zone  56  and particularly the protrusions  51  press the substrate T against the lower face  44  of the flange  43 , maintaining it in position, especially where the substrate T is fine, delicate and/or elastic. 
         [0041]    A variant of this third embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 6 , where the same reference numbers indicate elements, components and parts of components that are identical to those described previously with reference to  FIG. 5 . In this variant, an eyelet  41 ′ is essentially identical to the eyelet  41  described above, except for the presence of a second annular pad  60  of pliable material attached to the tubular body  42 . In particular, the second annular pad  60  is arranged in contact with the flange  43 , from the side facing the tubular body  42 . The second annular pad  60  is preferably held in place by a edge  55 ′ of a covering cap  54 ′ of the flange  43 , but could also be held by a folded outer edge of the said flange  43 , especially where the covering cap  54 ′ is not provided. The second annular pad  60  serves both as a backing element for the protrusions  51  of the annular pad  52  attached to the washer  45  and as an additional element of friction for the substrate T, further enhancing the grip, especially in the case of a fine, delicate and/or elastic substrate. 
         [0042]    The invention as described and illustrated in its various embodiments lends itself to many variants. 
         [0043]    The protrusions  11 ,  11 ′,  31 ,  51  as illustrated in the examples are preferably arranged regularly along the circumference of a circle whose centre passes through the axis of symmetry Y-Y of the eyelets  1 ,  21 ,  41 ,  41 ′. Naturally, other distributions and configurations of the protrusions are possible with respect to the illustrations provided, for example with protrusions that are radially staggered or different in number from those illustrated (the figures show eyelets with eight protrusions each), or that have a different shape from the virtually conical form shown. 
         [0044]    The flanges and the washers of the eyelets may have different shapes from those illustrated, and in particular may be other than circular in shape, even if this is the most common case, and may have visible surfaces other than flat surfaces, for example domed, convex, corrugated, or such like. 
         [0045]    Naturally, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the embodiments and the details of implementation may vary widely with respect to what is described and illustrated here, without departing from the scope of the invention.