Snap-type fastener arrangement
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsScott K. Hutsenpiller, Pamela J. Stafford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A snap-type fastener arrangement includes various elements. For example, the snap-type fastener arrangement includes a socket component and a stud component. The stud component is insertable into the socket component to releasably couple two items together. The snap-type fastener includes a construction having a relatively low profile that does not extensively protrude outward from the underlying article to which the snap-type fastener is attached. The socket component includes a portion for securing the socket component to a textile layer and a central portion that extends through the textile layer. The stud component may be inserted into a socket aperture in the central portion of the socket in order to mate the two components.
Claims20
A method of manufacturing a snap-type fastener arrangement, which includes a socket component that releasably mates with a stud component by releasably inserting into a socket aperture of the socket component, the method comprising:
- forming the socket component from a base layer of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material and a top layer of the TPU material applied over the base layer, the base layer and the top layer each having a center aperture that align to collectively form the socket aperture, the socket component including:
- a stud-insertion side that faces in a direction from which the stud component advances when the stud component is inserted into the socket aperture,
- a stud-exit side that faces opposite the stud-insertion side,
- a central portion forming a periphery around the socket aperture, the central portion comprising the top layer and a first portion of the base layer of the TPU material, and
- an attachment base that radially extends outward from the central portion and that includes a first surface on the stud-insertion side and a second surface on the stud-exit side, the attachment base comprising a second portion of the base layer of the TPU material;
- bonding the second surface of the attachment base to a first textile layer;
- and
- attaching a stud-attachment base of the stud component to a second textile layer, the stud component including an extension member that extends from the stud-attachment base and is insertable into the socket aperture.
A method of manufacturing a snap-type fastener arrangement, which includes a socket component that releasably mates with a stud component by releasably inserting into a socket aperture of the socket component, the method comprising:
- forming the socket component from a base layer of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material and a top layer of the TPU material applied over the base layer, the base layer and the top layer each having a center aperture that align to collectively form the socket aperture, the socket component including:
- a stud-insertion side that faces in a direction from which the stud component advances when the stud component is inserted into the socket aperture,
- a stud-exit side that faces opposite the stud-insertion side,
- a central portion forming a periphery around the socket aperture, the central portion comprising the top layer and a first portion of the base layer of the TPU material, and
- an attachment base that radially extends outward from the central portion and that includes a first surface on the stud-insertion side and a second surface on the stud-exit side, the attachment base comprising a second portion of the base layer of the TPU material;
- bonding the second surface of the attachment base to a first textile layer;
- bonding the first surface of the attachment base to a second textile layer;
- and
- attaching a stud-attachment base of the stud component to a third textile layer, the stud component including an extension member that extends from the stud-attachment base and is insertable into the socket aperture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.