Patent Publication Number: US-2003229978-A1

Title: Snap release device

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED R &amp; D  
     [0001] This invention was not made by an agency of the United States Government nor under contract with an agency of the United States Government. 
    
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] This invention relates generally to hand-held devices for unsnapping or releasing a variety of metal or plastic snaps, and specifically to a hand-held tool for unsnapping the snaps found on canopies or tarps used to cover vehicles such as boats.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] Commercially available snap fasteners typically include a round snap base that is attached to a surface by a rivet, screw, or other means, and a snap head that is detachably held to the snap base by a resilient, expandable ring provided within the snap head. The snap head is often part of or attached to a covering material such as a canopy or tarp. The snap base is usually mounted on some portion of the surface of the item to be covered by the canopy or tarp. The canopy or tarp is secured to the item to be covered by placing the snap head against the snap base and pressing down until the snap head fully engages the snap base.  
       [0004] While snap fasteners provide a convenient way to attach a covering to the surface of an item such as a boat, the covering itself may be susceptible to excessive wear and damage at the point or points where the snap head is attached to the fabric of the covering. When unsnapping the snap fastener, the individual often simply grabs the cloth or plastic of the canopy or tarp near the snap head and pulls on the cloth or fabric to release the snap fastener. Unsnapping a snap fastener in this manner almost always weakens the material of the covering, and ultimately results in a torn or otherwise damaged covering. Once this type of damage has occurred, the covering is basically useless and must be replaced.  
       [0005] Matters are further complicated if snap fasteners are exposed to certain environmental conditions, such as rain or saltwater, that cause the snap fasteners to rust or pit. Once the snap heads and snap bases have rusted, releasing or unsnapping the snap fasteners by hand often becomes extremely difficult. Furthermore, using a screwdriver or other tool to release a rusted snap fastener may result in permanent damage to the surface to which the snap base is attached.  
       [0006] Thus, there is a need for a hand-held device that can effectively open or release snap fasteners without damaging the covering material, the surface to which the snap base is attached, or the snap fasteners themselves.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] The present invention provides a hand-held tool for opening snap fasteners. A preferred embodiment of this invention includes a wedge-shaped unsnapping element that is compatible with snap fasteners of various sizes. The unsnapping element further includes two notched plates. Each notched plate is attached at an angle to one of two arms, each arm having a grip at the end opposite the end to which the notched plate is attached. The two arms are held together by a hinge, and a spring, or other resistance-providing device, located near the hinge provides sufficient force to keep the two notched plates together when the device is in the closed position. The user of the device simply places the unsnapping element between the head and base of a closed snap fastener and squeezes the grips together. The two notched plates separate and the closed snap fastener is easily opened.  
       [0008] Further advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0009]FIG. 1A is a side view of the snap release device of the present invention in the closed position.  
     [0010]FIG. 1B is a side view of the snap release device of the present invention in the open position.  
     [0011]FIG. 2 is a top view of the snap release device of the present invention depicting the preferred shape of the unsnapping element.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0012] As best shown by FIGS. 1A and 1B, and according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, snap release device  10  comprises unsnapping element  12 , first arm  20 , second arm  22 , spring  26 , first grip  28  and second grip  30 . First arm  20  and second arm  22  both include a front portion and a rear portion. Unsnapping element  12  further comprises first notched plate  14  and second notched plate  16 . Preferably, first notched plate  14  is attached to the front portion of first arm  20  at an inner angle of about 135°, and second notched plate  16  is attached to the front portion of second arm  22  at an inner angle of about 135° (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). When snap release device  10  is in the closed position, first notched plate  14  is held near to or against second notched plate  16  by the force created by spring  26 . Together, the two notched plates form unsnapping element  12 . In the context of this invention, the term “spring” refers to an actual spring, or to any other type of device, member, or structure that provides the force or resistance necessary to keep first notched plate  14  and second notched plate  16  in close proximity to one another when snap release device  10  is not being used. Additionally, “in close proximity” means “very near to” or “in contact with”. The angle of unsnapping element  12  relative to the first and second arms makes this invention easier for the user to operate because when properly used, unsnapping element  12  is positioned roughly parallel to the surface to which snap base  36  has been attached.  
     [0013] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, first arm  20  further comprises a portion of hinge  24  and second arm  22  further comprises the remaining portion of hinge  24 . When snap release device  10  is properly assembled, hinge  24  permits the rear portions of first arm  20  and second arm  22  to be brought together, thereby causing first notched plate  14  to separate from second notched plate  16 . In a preferred embodiment, first grip  28  is located at the end of first arm  20  opposite first notched plate  14 . Likewise, second grip  30  is located at the end of second arm  22  opposite second notched plate  16 . As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, both first grip  28  and second grip  30  are arc-shaped and may be covered or fitted with a non-slip material such as plastic, rubber, or other similar material to provide the user of snap release device  10  with more control over the device. In an alternate embodiment, first grip  28  and second grip  30  are not arc-shaped, but rather are straight extensions of first arm  20  and second arm  22 .  
     [0014] Snap release device  10  may be used to release closed snaps or fasteners of varying sizes. In the context of this invention, the term “release” means open, unsnap, release, or separate. Snap release device  10  may also be manufactured to have different dimensions for specific applications. As shown in FIG. 2, notch  18 , which is formed by first notched plate  14  and second notched plate  16 , preferably tapers inward such that the outermost edge of notch  18  is wider than innermost edge of the notch. The tapered or wedge shape of the notch helps guide unsnapping element  12  into position, and also makes snap release device  10  compatible with a variety of snap fasteners.  
     [0015] With snap release device  10  in the closed position, the user of the device simply approaches closed snap fastener  32 , and with one hand or both hands around first grip  28  and second grip  30 , places unsnapping element  12  between snap head  34  and snap base  36 , and firmly squeezes first grip  28  and second grip  30  together. First notched plate  14  separates from second notched plate  16 , and snap fastener  32  opens. When used properly, snap release device  10  causes no damage to the covering material, the surface to which the snap base is attached, or the snap fastener itself.  
     [0016] While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplification of preferred embodiments. Numerous other variations of the present invention are possible, and it is not intended herein to mention all of the possible equivalent forms or ramifications of this invention.