US3620180A - Readily engageable and disengageable fasteners - Google Patents

Abstract

AN EYE TAPE FOR A HOOK-AND-EYE (OR A STUD-AND-EYE) TAPE-FORM FASTENER COMPRISING THE ASSEMBLY OF AN ELONGATE STRIP OF PLIABLE SHEET MATERIAL, SUCH AS THIN SHEET PLASTIC, HAVING ONE OR MORE LONGITUDINAL ROWS OF EYE-LIKE RECESSES OR OPENINGS STAMPED OR OTHERWISE FORMED THEREON FOR THE RECEPTION OF ONE OR MORE OF THE HOOKS OF THE COMPANION HOOK TAPE (OR STUDS OF THE COMPANION STUD TAPE), ON A FABRIC TAPE OR THE LIKE ARRANGED SO AS TO

PROVIDE AN OPEN-FRONT ENVELOPE OR CARRIER FOR SAID PLASTIC EYE STRIP. SAID PLASTIC EYE STRIP IS SUITABLY SECURED TO SAID FABRIC TAPE AS BY SEWING, HEAT SEALING, GLUING, ETC. A LINING STRIP MAY BE INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE PLASTIC EYE STRIP AND THE UNDERLYING PORTION OF THE FABRIC CARRIER TAPE.

Description

G. wALDL-:s 3,620,130

READILY ENGAGEABLE AND DISENGAGEABLE FASTENERS 20, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 72 www l I I I l l l l I I l I -4 I I I I I I I I l I I I I I I Nov. 16,A 1971 Filed oct.

G. WALDES Nov. 16,1971

READILY ENGAGEABLE AND DISENGAGEABLE FASTENERS 3 Sheets-Shoot 3 Filed Oct. 20, 1969 INVENTUR .lul

GIOGE WWLE United States Patent Office Patented Nov. 16, 1971 3,620,180 READILY ENGAGEABLE AND DISENGAGEABLE FASTENERS George Waldes, Plandome, NX., assigner to Waldes Kohinoor, Inc., Long Island City, N.Y. Filed Oct. 20, 1969, Ser. No. 867,597 Int. Cl. A41f 1 00 U.S. Cl. 112-407 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An eye tape for a hook-and-eye (or a stud-and-eye) tape-form fastener comprising the assembly of an elongate strip of pliable sheet material, such as thin sheet plastic, having one or more longitudinal rows of eye-like recesses or openings stamped or otherwise formed thereon for `the reception of one or more of the hooks of the companion hook tape (or studs of the companion stud tape), on a fabric tape or the like arranged so as to provide an open-front envelope or carrier for said plastic eye strip. Said plastic eye strip is suitably secured to said fabric tape as by sewing, heat sealing, gluing, etc. A lining strip may be interposed between the plastic eye strip and the underlying portion of the fabric carrier tape.

This invention relates to improvements in readily engageable and disengageable tape-form fasteners for connecting the ends of closure bands or straps, for connecting the opposite end edges themselves and the opposite edges of openings or plackets to one another, for connecting one longitudinal edge to a fixed edge, etc., of various and sundry articles of commerce, particularly but not exclusively, female garments of the body-encircling type such as brassieres, waist-bands, girdles, corselets and bandeaux; and with regard to its more specific aspects to an improved form of eye tape for hook (or stud)-andeye tape fasteners capable of providing connections and/or closures as aforesaid.

More particularly, as distinguished from the conventional eye tape consisting of a plurality of individual metal eyes or eyelets sewn or riveted to a woven textile or fabric carrier tape, an eye tape according to the invention comprises the assembly of an elongate strip of thin and pliable yet high-strength sheet material having one or more longitudinal rows of eye-like recesses or openings for the reception of the hooks (or studs) of a companion hook (or stud) tape stamped or otherwise provided therein along its length, which strip is assembled at or flush against and thereupon secured along at least one longitudinal edge to a corresponding longitudinal edge or edge portion of a usually woven-fabric carrying tape.

According to the invention, said eye strip may take various structural forms; it may be fashioned from various suitable sheet materials including without limitation plastic, metal, etc., and it may be secured to its carrier tape in a variety of ways, For example, if made of plastic, said eye strip may be secured to its carrier tape by one or more rows of stitches which are sewn through both eye strip and carrier tape along at least one corresponding longitudinal edge of each; or the eye strip may be secured to its carrier tape by known heat-sealing and/ or gluing procedures, for example.

An eye tape according to the present invention may also be so designed and fashioned as to serve either with a hook tape (or a stud tape) whose hooks (or studs) after entering the eyelike recesses or openings of the eye strip, secure to the latter responsive to movement of said hook (or stud) tape in the direction of the length of the eye tape (as with the hook and eye fasteners of the expired Pats. No. 2,237,022, Andrews, dated Apr. 1,

1941, and No. 2,482,640, Spiess, dated Sept. 20, 1949); or alternatively with a hook (or stud) tape which secures to the eye tape responsive to movement of the former transversely of said eye tape (as with the hook-and-eye tape fasteners according to my Pat. No. 3,208,420, dated Sept. 28, 1965).

Various structural forms which an eye tape according to the invention may take are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are broken-away plan views of relatively short length portions of three modified forms of continuous eye tapes according to the invention, with FIGS. 1A, 2A and 3A being vertical sections taken on lines or planes A-A of each, it being explained that each of these forms is designed and fashioned to serve as the eye tape for a hook (or stud)-andeye tape fastener or closure which fastens or engages wiith movement of the hook tape longitudinally of the eye tape;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are similar broken-away plan views of relatively short-lengths portions of t-wo modified forms of continuous eye tapes according to the invention, characterized not alone by the plastic strips components thereof each having but a single row of hook (or stud) receiving openings or recesses but also (and particularly) by the configuration and disposition of said openings as provides for the hooks (or studs) of companion hook tapes being secured by movement of the latter transversely of the eye tape, as with the hook-and-eye tape fasteners of my aforesaid prior Pat. No. 3,208,420; with FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C being sections taken on lines AA, B-B and C-C of IFIG. 5; and

lFIG. 6 is a broken away plan view illustrating a modiiied form of eye tape according to the invention, characterized by the plastic eye strip component thereof being secured to its fabric carrying tape along only one, i.e. the relatively upper, longitudinal edge thereof, as permits its opposite edge portion to be swung outwardly away from its carrying tape; and 6A is a section taken on lines A-A of FIG. 6.

In explanation of the terminology continuous eye tape as used in the foregoing, it is contemplated, in accordance with the now standard practice in the industry, that eye tapes of the invention (and this applies also to the hook tapes or the stud tapes used in conjunction therewith) will be made up and supplied to garment manufacturers (or other ultimate users) in the form of long indeterminate lengths thereof, from which predetermined fastener lengths as required for the particular garments or articles for which they are to serve as closures will be cut olf as needed. The advantages and economies attainable by the use of continuous hook-andeye fastener tapes over the older practice of fastening bands, straps, the edges of opening edges, etc., by means of hook and eye fastener elements individually secured by sewing, not `only in terms of sim-ple and speedy application but also in terms of correct spacing of the hook and eye elements as insures proper registry thereof when applied, will be immediately apparent to workers in the particular art and/ or industry.

Referring now to the several drawing views, an eye tape according to the FIG. 1 form thereof illustratively comprises an elongate, preferably sheet-plastic strip 10 provided with longitudinal rows of hook-receiving stamped-out eyes or eye-like openings such as those designated 11a, 11b, assembled on and secured to a fabric carrying tape 20 to be later described in greater detail. The eye-like `openings of each row thereof are separated by cross webs or rungs designated 12a, 12b, etc., and the rows thereof are in turn separated by a longitudinally extending central web or rail 13 and thus the plastic eye strip 10 may be said to have double ladder-like configuration.

Preferably, the portions designated 14a, 14b, etc. of the edges of said eye-like openings 11a, 11b, etc., against which the hooks of the companion hook tape (or studs of the companion stud tape) are to engage are specially contoured, being shown to have configuration approaching that of key-hole slots. To protect against the hooks of the hook tape hanging up on one or the other points of intersection of the generally key-hole shaped portions 14a, 14b, etc., with the transversely extending edges of the eye-like openings in which said key-hole shaped recesses are formed, said points of intersection are preferably rounded as indicated at 15a, 15b, for example.

While the plastic eye strip 10 has been shown to be provided with two longitudinal rows of hook-receiving eye-like openings 11a, 11b, etc., as aforesaid, it will be understood that one or more than two rows thereof may be provided. Further, while said eye-like openings of the plural rows thereof are shown to be horizontally aligned, as also disposes the hook-engaging edges thereof in horizontal alignment, it is within the purview of the invention to dispose the eye-like openingsof one row in slightly off-set relation to the openings of the other row (or rows) thereof, as in turn will dispose the hook-engaging edges of the corresponding openings of the rows in slightly offset relation, rather than horizontally aligned as illustrated.

The aforementioned woven-fabric carrier tape to which the plastic eye strip 10 is assembled preferably has greater width initially than said plastic eye strip but as -will be seen from a consideration of FIG. 1A, it is so edge-folded as to form an open-front envelope therefor. While the specic manner of folding is optional to a degree, according to the preferred form thereof shown, both longitudinal side edge portions of the tapes are double lapped or folded inwardly on themselves, thus to provide two thicknesses of tape material which overlie the longitudinal side-edge web portions 18a, 18b of the plastic eye strip 10, whereupon the tape and plastic strip are secured by longitudinal rows of stitches 21, 22 which are sewn through the double lapped or folded portions of the tape, said outer-edge web portions 18a, 18h of the plastic strip, and through a strip-form lining 24 interposed between said plastic eye strip 10 and the body portion of the tape extending `between its double-folded side edge portions. Preferably, said interposed lining strip is fashioned from a soft material such as plush, annel or the like, against which the bill of the hook of the companion hook tape or the head of the stud of the companion stud tape will engage when moving into and from the hook-receiving openings of the plastic strip.

lPreferably also, the longitudinally extending centerweb or rail portion 13 of the plastic eye strip 10 is covered by a central, longitudinally extending supplementary fabric tape 25 whose side edge portions are in-folded so as to provide double thickness of tape material extending therealong and said supplementary fabric tape 25 is secured by rows of stitches 26, 27 sewn through both said infolded edge portions, the cross rungs 12a, 12b of the eye strip which extend between the hook-receiving eyelike openings of the rows thereof, the interposed backing strip 24 and finally the body of the woven-fabric carrying tape 20.

The eye tape shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A is identical to that shown in FIGS. l and 1A, with the exception that the cross-webs or rungs (designated 12x, 12y, etc.) which extend transversely between the eye-like hook receiving openings of the same row thereof are slightly bowed relatively forwardly from the plane of the eye strip proper, as makes for fast and sure engagement of the hooks of the companion hook tape therewith.

The modified form of eye tape shown in FIGS. 3 and 3A is again basically the same as that of the FIGS. 1 and 1A form, the difference being that both the hookreceiving eye-like openings 11m, 11n, etc., and the rungs or cross webs 12m, 12u, etc., between the eye-like openings of the rows thereof are much narrower than in the FIG. 1 form. Accordingly, an eye tape according to the FIG. 3 form approaches in function that of an eye tape of the prior art whose cross webs or rungs are provided by threads or filaments woven into or otherwise provided in or on a fabric strip or band.

Assuming that eye tapes according to any one of the FIGS. 1-3 forms are made up as continuous eye tapes but that they have been subsequently cut-apart into a multiplicity of shorter lengths L as required for a particular application, it will be understood that each said length L, by virtue of its having four hook-receiving openings in the sarne longitudinal row or rows thereof, will provide for four steps of adjustment in the length of the fastener provided by said length L and the companion hook (or stud) tape, upon the hooks (or studs) of the latter being received in the appropriate eye strip openings and thereupon moved longitudinally of the tape length, i.e., in the direction indicated by the hook-ended arrow HA, shown in each said gure.

As distinguished therefrom, eye-tapes according to the FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 forms or embodiments of eye-tape now to be described do not as illustrated provide such stepadjusting feature and are further designed for hook engagement therewith responsive to hook-tape movement transversely of said eye-tape, lwhich of course is the same movement as that required for hook and eye connection of the fastener disclosed and claimed in my aforesaid prior Pat. No. 3,208,420.

More particularly, the plastic eye-strip 40 of the FIGS. 4 and 4A form of eye-tape is provided with two rows of horizontally aligned eye-like openings respectively designated 41a, 41b, etc., and 42a, 42b, etc., of which the openings 41a, 41b, etc., of the relatively upper row thereof (as viewed in said gures) are much deeper than the openings 42a, 42b, etc., of the relatively lower row thereof and are separated therefrom by narrow rungs designated 43a, 43b, etc. Also characterizing the FIGS. 4 and 4A form of plastic eye strip is that the webs 44a, 44b, etc., between the hook receiving eye-like openings 41a, 41b, etc., thereof are comparatively much wider than in the prior described forms of eye-tapes employing the plastic eye strip of the invention. The net result of these constructional features is that when one or more of the hooks of the companion hook tape are initially moved in transverse direction towards said eye-like openings 41a, 41b, etc., preliminary to hookingly engaging over said rungs 43a, 43b, etc., in the final movement of said hooks in the direction of the arrow again designated HA, misengagement of the hooks resulting, for example from two hooks trying to move in the same eye-like opening is practically impossible since the substantial width of said cross 'webs 44a, 44h, etc., prevents such taking place.

FIG. 4 also illustrates that said plastic eye strip 40 is assembled and secured to its carrying tape 46 (and lining 48) in such relative transverse disposition of one to the other that the portions of the openings 42a, 42b, etc., disposed immediately below the aforesaid narrowwidth rungs 43a, 4311 are uncovered. Such permits the use of spring hooks on the hook tape which by being free to snap over said rungs (which they do) function to secure the hooks to the eye-tape without any requirement for securement in response to elastic tension forces being applied to either or both the hook and eye tapes making up the fastener.

The provision of said openings 42a, 42b, etc., of the lower row thereof in the plastic eye-strip 40 also renders said strip substantially more pliable or flexible along transverse lines than if its longitudinal lower edge portions were left imperforate or devoid of said openings. Of course, should greater pliability be required or considered desirable, the plastic eye tape 40 may be transversely scored throughout its full length, as is shown in FIG. 5B which illustrates such scoring for pliability applied to the continuous longitudinal side-edge web of the FIG. form of eye-tape next to be described in detail.

In said FIGS. 5 and 5A embodiment of eye tape, the plastic eye strip component 50v thereof is shown as being made up of a lseries of longitudinally' spaced-apart, upright modified Y formations designated 51a, 51b, etc., which are connected in fixed spaced-apart relationship and are also closed at their upper, wider ends by a continuous, longitudinally extending edge-web 52 (which corresponds generally to the edge-web 18a of the FIG. 1 plastic eye strip), with each two adjacent formations being `further connected by longitudinally aligned shortlength edge-web portions designated 53a, 53b, etc., which in total provide an opposite albeit discontinuous edge web.

It will be understood that said series of Y formations 51a, 51b, etc., being delineated by narrow-width strips or bands of plastic, provide a series of eye-like openings 54a, 54h, etc. for the reception of one or more of the hooks of a companion hook tape (or the studs of a cornpanion stud tape), which are substantially wider at their corresponding one end, i.e., their upper ends, than at their opposite ends, which latter are defined by converging hook (or stud)-engaging edge portions 55a, 55h, etc. Such configuration of the eye-like openings 54a, 54b provides for ready initial entry of the one or more of the hooks (or studs) of the companion hook (or stud) tape thereinto, followed by controlled and guided movement of said hook or hooks into the narrow-width ends of said eye-like openings when the hook (or stud) tape is tensioned or moved a limited distance in the direction of the hook-ended arrow HA.

The aforesaid plastic eye-strip 50 is assembled on a fabric carrying tape 56 following which the longitudinal side-edge portions of the tape are double-lapped or folded over on both the continuous and discontinuous longitudinal edge webs of said strip and the assembly including the lining or backing which is interposed between tape and plastic eye strip if used is secured as in sewing, heatsealing or gluing.

Further, as forecast in the foregoing, the continuous longitudinal edge-web S2 of the plastic eye strip 50` may be transversely scored (as shown in FIG. 5B) thus to add pliability to the strips. While the discontinuous edgeweb defining portions 53a, 53h, etc., are not shown to be so scored in FIG. 5C because the relatively short length of said portions makes for inherent moderate pliability of the relatively lower-edge portion of the strip 50, they may also be transversely scored for added pliability should the particular application of eye-tape require same.

Turning now to the FIGS. 6 and 6A embodiment of eye-tape 60, it will be seen therefrom that such has much in common with said described FIGS. 5-5C form thereof in that its plastic eye-strip component comprises a running series of upright, longitudinally-spaced apart, eye-defining formations 61a, 61b, etc., connected in their upright and spaced apart relationship by a continuous longitudinally extending edge web 62 which also serves to close the eyelike openings 64a, 64b, etc., defined by said formations at their upper ends. However, in contrast to the FIGS. S-SC embodiment, said eye-defining formations 61a, 61b, etc., have general U-shape and they are neither connected one to another at their relatively lower ends nor are they sewn or otherwise secured to the fabric carrying tape 66 of the assembly at their said lower ends. Instead the plastic eye strip 60 is secured to its fabric carrying tape 66, only along one i.e. its relatively upper longitudinal edge, which longitudinal side edge as defined by its aforesaid continuous side-edge web 62. Such in practical effect provides that the lower unsecured edge portion of the plastic edge strip may be swung away from or outwardly of its fabric carrying tape 66, in much the same manner as the usually metal eye portion of a ladys stocking supporter is free to swing away from its companion button-or-stud carrying tape.

As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the separate lining or backing strip preferably used in the prior described embodiments may be dispensed with, and its function served by providing the fabric carrying tape 66 with the extra width necessary therefor and in folding its relatively lower side edge so that it extends as a substantially full-width inner ply 66a disposed between the rear face of the plastic eye strip 60 and the body portion proper of the tape 66.

It will be understood that except for the feature of the lower edge portion of its plastic edge strip 60 being free to swing away or outwardly from its carrying tape 66, the eye-tape according to FIGS. 6 and 6A embodiment performs in substantially the manner as the FIGS. 5-5C form of eye-tape yet it may be fabricated much more economically, since only one row of stitching is required to secure the plastic eye strip to its fabric tape, and the cost factor involved in providing and properly relating a separate lining strip during the assembly operation is done away with.

Without further analysis, it will be appreciated that the invention provides an eye-tape for a hook-and-eye (or a stud-and-eye) tape-form fastener that is practical, economical and effective to a high degree.

Accordingly, I make the following claims for said invention:

1. In a hook (or stud)andeye tape-form fastener, an eye tape comprising the assembly of an elongate ladderform strip of thin, pliable sheet plastic having at least one row of hook (or stud) receiving eye-like openings provided therein, a colinear woven-fabric carrier tape providing an open-front envelope therefor, and means permanently securing said ladder-form plastic strip and fabric carrier tape together in overlying-underlying relationship, corresponding edges of said eye-like openings being so specially formed and/or configured in part as to provide hook (or stud)engaging rungs.

2. An eye tape according to claim 1, wherein said corresponding hook-engaging edges extend transversely across the said elongate plastic strip.

3. An eye-tape according to claim 1, wherein said corresponding hook-engaging edges are disposed lengthwise of the plastic strip.

4. An eye tape according to claim 1, wherein said thin plastic eye-strip is provided with plural rows of eye-like openings, and wherein said rows are separated one from the other by a relatively narrow-width longitudinal sheetplastic web and said web is covered by a narrow strip of woven fabric superimposed thereon and secured to said fabric tape and any intervening portions of said eye-strip.

5. An eye-tape according to claim 1, wherein said woven fabric carrier tape is edge-lapped over at least one longitudinal side-edge portion of the sheet plastic eyestrip, and said eye-strip-to-carrier tape securing means is effective between said edge-lapped portion of said carrier tape, said carrier-tape proper and the edge portion of said plastic eye-strip lapped by said carrier tape as aforesaid.

6. An eye-tape according to claim 3, wherein two rows of eye-like openings are provided, the openings of the rows being horizontally aligned and being separated by narrow-width rung-like webs which extend in the direction of the length of the eye tape and over which the hooks of the companion hook tape are adapted to snap.

7. An eye-tape according to claim 1, wherein said plastic eye strip comprises a running series of upright, longitudinally spaced apart open-top formations defining hook-receiving eye-like openings which are connected and closed at their relatively upper ends by a continuous sideedge web, and wherein each two adjacent formations of the longitudinal series thereof are connected at their opposite ends by longitudinal edge-web portions which together define a discontinuous edge web for the closed ends of said formations.

8. An eye-tape according to claim 1, wherein said plastic eye-strip comprises a running series of upright,

longitudinally spaced-apart generally U-shaped formations which are connected at their relatively upper ends only and are moreover closed by a continuous edge web, said plastic eye-stripto-fabric carrier tape securing means being effective only between said continuous edge web and said carrier tape, whereby the opposite edge portion of the plastic eye-strip being unsecured may swing forwardly from the plane of the fabric carrier tape about its aforesaid secured edge.

9. An eye-tape according to claim 1, wherein a lining strip of softer material than that of said carrier tape is interposed between said plastic eye-strip and the carrier tape and is also secured by the aforesaid securing means.

10. An eye-tape according to claim 8, wherein said carrier tape has extra width and is folded over on itself to form a ply which extends as a liner between said plastic eye-strip and the carrier-tape proper.

11. In a hook (or stud)andeye tape-form fastener, an eye tape comprising the assembly of an elongate ladderform strip of thin pliable sheet plastic having at least one row of hook (or stud) receiving eye-like openings provided therein and being separated one from the other by cross-web portions providing transverse hook-engaging edges, a colinear woven-fabric carrier tape providing an open-front envelope for said thin plastic strip, and means permanently securing said ladder-form plastic strip and said fabric carrier tape together in overlying-underlying relationship, said hook-engaging edges on said cross-Web portions being bowed forwardly from the plane of said plastic strip proper.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,854,125 4/1932 Faber 24-206 R X 2,397,801 4/ 1946 Mitchell 2265 UX 2,482,846 9/1949 Fox 24-206 R 2,746,412 5/1956 Roseman 2-265 X 2,802,215 8/1957 Alfandre 112-407 3,208,420 9/1965 Waldes 112-407 ALFRED R. GUEST, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 2-265

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