US3785013A

US3785013A - Fastener

Info

Publication number: US3785013A
Application number: US00141130A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Nugent
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-05-02
Filing date: 1971-09-01
Publication date: 1974-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-15

Abstract

A two-dimensional object is one which has substantially no depth relative to its length and width, e.g., a sheet of paper or a fabric sample. A fastener therefor, comprising a substantially two-dimensional row of hook-like clasping means is attached to a two-dimensional object, and may be releasably engaged with a matted surface for hinging relationship of the substantially twodimensional article therewith. The fastening locus, i.e., the locus defined by the engagement of discrete ones of the hook-like fastening means with the material of the matted surface, is substantially one-dimensional, as is the hinging locus.

Description

States Patent [1 91 11110 Nugent I 1 FASTENER 221 Filed: Sept. 1, 1971 21 Appl.N0.: 141,130

[52] US. Cl 24/204, 281/21, l6/DIG. 13, 40/102 [51] Int. Cl A441) 17/00 [58] Field of Search 24/204; 16/DIG. 13, 16/122, 128; 281/17, 16, 15, 21; 402/19; 40/102 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,274,616 9/1966 Russo 24/204 2,882,907 4/1959 Puliafico 24/204 3,077,089 2/1963 Silverman 24/204 3,353,844 1l/l967 Staats 281/17 3,475,810 11/1969 Mates 24/DIG, 18 3,490,449 1/1970 Ewerwahn 24/204 2,153,575 4/1939 Kramer 402/19 Jan. 15, 1974 2,234,401 3/1941 Farkas 402/19 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 452,477 5/1968 Switzerland 28/21 R 1,019,995 11/1957 Germany 402/19 Primary ExaminerBernard A. Gelak Attorney-Douglas S. Johnson 57] ABSTRACT A two-dimensional object is one which has substantially no depth relative to its length and width, e.g., a sheet of paper or a fabric sample. A fastener therefor, comprising a substantially two-dimensional row of hook-like clasping means is attached to a two dimensional object, and may be releasably engaged with a matted surface for hinging relationship of the substantially two-dimensional article therewith. The fastening locus, i.e., the locus defined by the engagement of discrete ones of the hook-like fastening means with the material of the matted surface, is substantially one-dimensional, as is the hinging locus.

3 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Pmmmm 15 1974 3.7851013 SHEET 10F 2 [NVIZNIUR BY H WALTER s. NUGENT.

PATENTEU JAN 15 I974 SHEET 2 BF 2 1 FASTENER This invention relates to a fastener which is particularly adapted for releasably and hingably fastening substantially two-dimensional objects to other means intended therefor. The invention also relates to the combination of such a fastener with means for engaging the same.

In devices such as loose-leaf binders, the pages which are inserted therein are generally pierced with a plurality of holes alongside one edge thereof, through which holes, posts or rings pass so as to secure the pages into the binder. Accountants ledger pages, catalogue pages especially such as those maintained by automotive and electrical dealers and distributors and many other sheet-like articles are, or may be, retained in binders. However, pages which are retained in binders having posts or rings are subject to tearing near the holes pierced therein ifa force is applied along the page away from a post or ring; and, in any event, the binder having the posts or rings must in some way or another be disassembled before pages can be removed or placed therein. Also, particularly in the case of looseleaf binders having rings, as pages are turned in the binder they must very often slide along the ring of the binder, thereby creating further chances of tearing the page and of damaging the periphery of holes punched therein for engagement with the rings of the binder.

Other, somewhat heavier articles are very often desired to be bound or retained against a backing or spine from which they can be removed and with which they can have hinging engagement. Such applications include paper and carpeting samples, poster displays, hardware displays, etc. In these circumstances, while the weight of each article to be hingably releasably retained may be appreciably heavier than that of a single page in a loose-leaf binder, the same principles respecting hingable and releasable engagement are maintained.

The difficulties inherent with the former post and/or ring device for engaging and binding sheet-like articles, booklets, etc., can be overcome by the fastener of the present invention, and by such as a binder also pro vided thereby. The present invention teaches a fastener which has a substantially one-dimensional fastening locus with the means to which it fastens. The fastening is accomplished by an engagement of discrete ones of a substantially two-dimensional row of hook-like clasping means with a matted surface.

A type of fastener has been provided in the past, which comprises two facing surfaces (usually provided on tapes or the like); one of which surfaces has a multiplicity of formed, hook-like protuberances thereon, and the other of which surface is a matted or felted surface having a multiplicity of loops with which the hooks can interengage. Certain types of such fasteners are sold under the trade mark VELCRO." However, such fasteners must rely on the interengagement of two opposing faces or surfaces as discussed above, and the engagement of one article to another using such fasteners is therefore limited to devices having a substantial area which can face or oppose such an area on the other device to which it is intended to be engaged so that the opposing surfaces of the fastener may, themselves, interengage.

The present invention, on the other hand, provides for a substantially one-dimensional interengagement between the fastener taught herein and a simple matted surface for engagement therewith. A hingable, releasable fastening of one article to another is thereby achieved.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention therefore provides for a fastener which is primarily intended for use with substantially two-dimensional objects, but which in any event provides a releasable, hingable engagement of an article to another.

This invention further provides a binder suitable for loose-leaf binding of pages, booklets, etc., therein, where each page is releasably and hingably engaged with the spine of the binder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

These and other objects and features of the invention are discussed hereafter, in association with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a composite view showing a first embodiment of a fastener according to this invention as it advances towards a surface engageable therewith;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the hinging arrangement of an article attached to a fastener of this invention relative to another article with which it is engaged;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing another embodiment of the fastener according to this invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing yet another embodiment of the fastener according to this invention;

FIG. 5 is a view of a plurality of sheet-like articles fastened to a surface engageable with fasteners according to this invention; i

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a binder according to this invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a still further embodiment of a fastener according to this invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of yet a further embodiment of a fastener according to this invention; and

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a fastener according to this invention, in association with an article, and engaged to a surface engageable with the fastener.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

In the following discussion, the term surface as it relates to a matted surface engageable with a fastener according to this invention is intended to convey a meaning of something having the sense of depth, as well as the dimensions of length and width. In other words, a reference to a matted surface as it relates to this invention is to one with which the fastener of this invention engages with the effective locus of engagement being, in effect, penetrated into the matted surface. Such matted surfaces may be, while not limited to, loosely felted and woven surfaces, ones comprising a plurality of loops, and surfaces of a generally fibrous nature, which may be slightly penetrated by discrete ones of the hook-like clasping means of the fastener according to this present invention, as discussed hereafter.

It should be noted that an article such as a page of paper intended to be bound into a loose-leaf binder, or

3 otherwise, is essentially a-substantially two-dimensional article. That is, the page has length and width, but no depth; and a sideways projection or view of a page is essentially one-dimensional, i.e., a line having length only. Even such articles as a small magazine catalogue or circular comprising only a few pages may be considered substantially two-dimensional, in that their depth or thickness is usually quite insignificant when compared with either their width or length.

A fastener according to this present invention is shown generally in FIG. 1 at 10. The fastener comprises a body portion in the form of a ribbon 12, and a plurality of hook-like protuberances from the ribbon 12, indicated generally at 14. A general, top-wise view of a fastener according to this invention is shown at 11 in FIG. 2; and the fastener 11 could be any one of the embodiments of the invention as discussed hereafter, because its relationship to and engagement with a matted surface shown generally at 13 is essentially the same irrespective of the specific embodiment of the fastener.

Associated with the fastener 10 of FIG. 1 is a sheetlike article 16, which is conveniently fastened to the ribbon portion 12 of fastener 10 by adhesive 18. The sheet-like article 16 may be a page of paper, a fabric sample, etc., as discussed above.

A matted surface is shown generally at 20 in FIG. 1. The locus of engagement, or the fastening locus, between the fastener 10 and the matted surface 20, is shown by the line 22. As noted, each of the hook-like clasping means 14 comprises a shank 24 and a hook or partial loop 26 at the end thereof. Thus each hook-like clasping means 24,26 may be considered as having a substantially U-shaped portion integrally secured to each shank with one leg integrally secured to its associated stem and the other leg being directed toward one edge of the ribbon. The other legs face in one longitudinal direction. The U-shaped portions have substantially a uniform, constant cross-sectional dimension. The

reference numerals

24 and 26 are used throughout the drawings to illustrate the shank and hook end respectively of each of the hook-like clasping means 14 which are illustrated therein.

The matted surface 20 is as discussed above, and as such, it is at least partially penetratable by each of the hook ends 26. Thus, discrete ones of the hook ends 26 of the hook-like clasping means 14 engage the material of the matted surface, and a substantially onedimensional fastening locus 22 is manifested thereby. The arrow 28 in FIG. 1 is intended to show the direction in which the article 16, together with the fastener 10, is advanced towards the matted surface 20 so as to be engaged therewith. Obviously, to disengage the article or object 16 from the matted surface 20, it is necessary only to apply sufficient force on the object in a direction opposite to that of direction 28 so as to disengage the engaged ones of the hooks 26 from the material of the matted surface 20; it being understood that the engagement between the fastener 10 and the article 16 such as by adhesive 18 is sufficiently strong as to withstand such disengaging force.

The hinging relationship of an article 16 to a matted surface 13 by way of fastener 11 is shown in FIG. 2. The end 17 of the fastener 11 is shown as slightly penetrating the matted surface 13, and a fastening locus is set up between the fastener 11 and matted surface 13 in the same manner as the fastening locus 22 in FIG. 1.

Also, and in like manner, the hinging locus between the fastener 11 and matted surface 13 is substantially onedimensional, so as to permit the article 16 to assume the positions shown at 16a and 16b, which are nearly apart.

It should be noted that, while the article 16 is shown as having some depth, no relativity as to the dimensions thereof is implied because of the restrictions placed on the drawings by the drawings and reproduction techniques used; and that in any event, the article 16 is a substantially two-dimensional object as discussed above.

It should also be noted that the row of hook-like clasping means 14 is also substantially twodimensional, there being no appreciable front-to-back thickness or depth of each of the shanks 24 thereof, and that the dimensions applicable to the row of hooklike clasping means 14 are therefore only those of length or width. In the latter case, the dimension of length is considered to be that which is taken along the ribbon 12, and of width as being that dimension from the outermost edge of ribbon 12 to the outermost end of the hooks 26. It should also be noted that the plane of the substantially two-dimensional fastener is substantially parallel to the plane of the two-dimensional object 16.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate two further embodiments wherein the plane of the substantially two dimensional row of hook-like clasping means 14 is, in each case, in the plane of the article 16 with which each of the embodiments is associated. Thus, the ribbon portion 19 of fastener 30 of FIG. 3 is shown having a generally U- shaped cross-section with the legs of the U indicated at 32 and 34, and article 16 inserted therebetween. Again, the article 16 is suitably fastened to the inner surfaces of the

legs

32 and 34 of fastener 30 by such means as adhesive so as to overcome the detaching force which may be applied thereto so as to disengage article 16 together with fastener 30 from a suitable, engaging matted surface. It is also noted, that once again, the faster includes a substantially two-dimensional row of hook-like clasping means 14.

The fastener 36 shown in FIG. 4 may be formed together with the article 15 which is intended to be releasably fastened with a suitable engaging means. The article 16 may be such as a sample of sheet plastic material having sufficient strength that the shanks 24 of hook-like clasping means 14 are capable of withstanding compression and tension therealong as the article is engaged and disengaged with a suitable matted surface.

FIG. 5 shows a plurality of articles 16 engaged with a matted surface 38. A further article 14, having fastener 21 associated therewith is shown as being about to be engaged with the matted surface 38, as indicated by arrows 40. Each of the discrete objects 16 is individually engaged with the matted surface 38 by means of its own fastener 21, in the manner discussed above. The details of fastener 21 and the corner of the article 15 being that portion indicated at circle A" in FIG. 5, may be such as those shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 or 7.

FIG. 6 shows a binder having a spine 42 and a matted surface 44 secured thereto.

Covers

46 and 48 serve to protect the articles 16 which are retained therein. One of the articles, shown at 33, has a fastener 31 associated therewith; and it is clearly hingable within the binder as indicated by arrows 35.

FIG. 7 shows yet another form of fastener 51 according to this invention. In this case, the ribbon portion of the fastener is indicated at 50, and it is shown in turn attached to the spine or rear of an article 52. The article 52 may be a small booklet, a catalogue, a merchandise sample, a sheaf of papers, etc. A plurality of hooklike clasping means 17 is shown upstanding from the ribbon backing 50, each of which hook-like clasping means comprises a shank 24 and a hook 26, as before. As before, the fastening and hinging loci are onedimensional and the fastener and article are each essentially two-dimensional. Each of the hook-like clasping means of fastener 51 of FIG. 7 is substantially parallel to the effective plane of the article 52.

FIG. 8 shows still another form of fastener 53 according to this invention. The fastener 53 is not unlike fastener of FIGS. 1 and 2, in that it comprises a plurality of hook-like clasping means 17 which are substantially an extension of portion 55 thereof. The article 54 to which the fastener 53 is attached may be a catalogue, booklet, merchandise sample, etc., as article 52 in FIG. 7 may also be the same. In this case, the hook-like clasping means are at least substantially parallel to the effective plane of article 54; and the fastening and hinging loci of the fastener are one-dimensional, as discussed above.

FIG. 9 illustrates the use of a fastener 57 in association with an article 56; and the fastener 57 is engaged with surface 58. Article 56 may be a flexible sheet of paper which would be flat if laid out upon a table, and which has sufficient strength to stand as shown in FIG. 9 when securely held at its bottom edge. In this case, the fastener 57 is flexible in its sideways direction so that it can assume the configuration shown, or any other configuration as may be desired. A fastener 57 may be used in architectural displays, place cards, etc.; and when the fastener 57 engages with surface 58, the engaging force is sufficient that the planwise configuration of the fastener and article 56 is maintained. In any event, the fastening locus (there being substantially no hinging between article 56 and surface 58, as is clearly intended by the use and planwise configuration of fastener 57) between the fastener 57 and the engaging surface 58 is substantially one-dimensional in a plane defined by it within the depth of the engaging surface 58, because the fastening locus has only length without having height or width.

It should be remarked that, when speaking of the plane of the article to which a fastener according to this invention is attached, the plane is considered to be that which is defined by the article when it is, say, placed on a supporting surface such as a table or floor. Because the article is considered, in each case, to be substantially two-dimensional, the reference to the plane of the article and its relationship to the fastener is relevant only with respect to the portions of the article and the fastener which are in association or juxtaposition.

As indicated above, the object with which any fastener according to this invention is intended to be used may be a sheet-like article such as a piece of paper, or a fabric sample, etc. The material of which the fastener is made is usually a plastic material, and is such that the shanks 24 of the hook-like clasping means have sufficient strength so as generally to withstand the engaging and disengaging force along their length when the fastener is engaged or disengaged with a suitable matted surface. The edge of the article with which the fastener is intended to be associated need not necessarily be straight, although when the edge is not substantially straight, engagement between the fastener and a substantially planar matted surface may be difficult, and a specially shaped matted surface may be required. Uses of the fastener according to this invention in such special purposes as photography, commercial and promotional display apparatus, etc., may therefore be contemplated. A suitable matted engaging surface may include those sold in association with the trade mark VELCRO, as well as loosely felted materials, many types of broadloom, etc.

The use of a plurality of fasteners according to this invention in binders such as one for catalogue pages, photographic diaries, scrap books, etc., can be readily and easily appreciated. The likelihood of damage to a page releasably fastened into a binder with a fastener according to this invention is considerably lessened when compared to the likelihood of damage to a page fastened into a standard, ring binder. It has also been noted that a fastener according to this invention can be used with a plurality of different types of substantially or effectively two-dimensional objects.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In combination, a matted surface having a multiplicity of loop-like elements extending therefrom and to which a plurality of discrete objects is to be hingedly and releasably fastened, and a fastener for at least one such object;

the locus of hinging between said matted surface and said fastener being substantially one-dimensional; said fastener comprising an elongated planar ribbon, a row of shanks integrally extending outwardly along one edge of said ribbon, a U-shaped portion integrally secured to each shank with one leg of said portion integrally secured to its associated stem and the other leg being directed toward said one edge thereby forming hook-like clasping means, said other legs facing in one longitudinal direction, said U-shaped portions having a substantially uniform, constant cross-sectional dimension, said U-shaped portions lying in a single row parallel to said one edge and lying in sub-stantially the same plane with said stems and said ribbon, said hooklike means being releasably hingedly engageable with said matted surface and swingable through a position perpendicular to said matted surface; the fastening interaction between said matted surface and said fastener, and the fastening locus thereof, being by engagement of discrete ones of said hooklike clasping means and said matted material;

said fastening interaction being releasable by the application or sufficient force outwardly along said row of hook-like clasping means away from said matted surface to disengage said discrete ones of said hook-like clasping means from said matted material.

2. The combination of claim 1 where said at least one object is a sheet of pliable material having a single row of said hook-like clasping means at one edge thereof.

3. The combination of claim 2 where said single row of hook-like clasping means is formed integrally with said at least one object.

Claims

1. In combination, a matted surface having a multiplicity of loop-like elements extending therefrom and to which a plurality of discrete objects is to be hingedly and releasably fastened, and a fastener for at least one such object; the locus of hinging between said matted surface and said fastener being substantially one-dimensional; said fastener comprising an elOngated planar ribbon, a row of shanks integrally extending outwardly along one edge of said ribbon, a U-shaped portion integrally secured to each shank with one leg of said portion integrally secured to its associated stem and the other leg being directed toward said one edge thereby forming hook-like clasping means, said other legs all facing in one longitudinal direction, said U-shaped portions having a substantially uniform, constant crosssectional dimension, said U-shaped portions lying in a single row parallel to said one edge and lying in substantially the same plane with said stems and said ribbon, said hook-like means being releasably hingedly engageable with said matted surface and swingable through a position perpendicular to said matted surface; said fastening interaction being releasable by the application or sufficient force outwardly along said row of hook-like clasping means away from said matted surface to disengage said discrete ones of said hook-like clasping means from said matted material.