Patent GB-1093773-A (GB)
Title: Detachable fastener
IPC: A44B1/36
Filed: 1965-07-30
Abstract: 1,093,773. Buttons; ear-rings. E. S. LARUE. July 30, 1965 [July 31, 1964], No. 32806/65. Heading A3H. [Also in Divisions E2 and H2] A detachable fastener comprises a male element having a pair of spring legs 43, 44 normally maintained in spaced relation by the resilient spring force thereof and being displaceable relative to each other against such resilient force and a female element provided with a pair of elongated slots 32, 39 having first edges 30, 37 extending generally lengthwise thereof and oriented relative to each other so as to displace said legs laterally against such resilient force as the legs move inwardly along said slot to releasably engage said male element with said female element one of the said first edges 30 having a sharply defined notch 34 adjacent its inner end and the other of said first edges 37 having a gradually defined recess adjacent its inner end communicating with the associated slot along a cam portion 42 provided by the edge, the notch and recess being adapted to have said legs displaced into seating relation therein under such resilient force to releasably engage said male and female elements upon movement of said legs along said first edges into adjacency with the inner ends thereof said notch being cooperative with the leg therein to limit relative displacements between said male and female elements in directions generally lengthwise of said slots and co-operative means provided by said male and female elements to limit relative displacements therebetween in directions substantially normal to the general plane of said female element said male element being removable from such condition of releasable engagement by application of a torque thereto in an angular direction tending to rotate the same about the longitudinal axis of the leg seated within said recess and of a magnitude sufficient to displace from said notch and into the associated slot, the leg of the male element seated within said notch. In the construction shown, underlying the slots, is the main part of an opening 21, the opening also including passages 24, 25 which are substantially aligned with the slots and which receive feet 45, 46 of the male element, the feet and the wall portions of the passages over and underlying the feet constituting the co-operative means which limit relative displacements between the elements substantially normal to the general plane of said female element. The edges 30 and 37 are inclined towards each other so that the legs are forced towards each other as they move along the edges to the inner ends of the slots and during this movement the feet engage walls 26, 27 of the passages which tend to force the feet outwardly so that when leg 43 is in the notch 34 and the leg 44 is at the closed end of its slot the engagement of the feet with the walls and the resilience of the male element tends to hold the male element in such position. The construction shown is used as a two-part button and the ends of the feet are pointed to assist in penetrating the material. The two elements can however be used as part of an earring, the ornamental part being carried by the female element and an arm carrying a screw clamp being attached to the female element by the male element, the arm being gripped between a member carried by an eye in the base member of the male element and the rear surface of the female element. The female element can consist of two segments each having one of the slots and one of the passages attached to a base and the male element can have an additional bend in its legs and be used to secure a watch strap to a watch case. The fastener can also be used as an electrical connector by making the legs and the part of the female element engaged by the legs of conductive material.