US 12,376,628 B2Granted

Apparel fastener

AssigneeNIKE, Inc.

InventorsAndrew Owenson, Andrew A. Owings, Kyle Schepke

Life of this patent

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Abstract

This disclosure relates to a fastener that can be used with various apparel and that can be easier to operate and can be less likely to create discomfort to a wearer. In at least some examples, the fastener includes a hook, which can be connected to a first portion of the article, and a receiver, which can be connected to a second portion of the article. The hook can be releasably connected to the receiver to selectively secure the first portion of the article to the second portion of the article. The receiver can include various elements, and in one example, the receiver includes a slot that can receive, at various angles and orientations, a bend of the hook. In addition, receiver can include a cross bar (e.g., anchor bar) that mates with the bend of the hook to retain the hook in a secure position.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A support garment comprising:

a first textile portion and a second textile portion;
a fastener for releasably connecting the first textile portion to the second textile portion, the fastener comprising a receiver that is connected to the first textile portion and a hook that is connected to the second textile portion;
a length of the first portion being slidably adjustable relative to the receiver;
the receiver comprising a slot for receiving a portion of the hook and an anchor bar for fitting with the hook, the anchor bar comprising a side of the slot;
the slot comprising a first width that is farther away from anchor bar and a second width that is closer to the anchor bar, the second width being smaller than the first width;
the anchor bar comprising, in a transverse cross section, a third width;
and
the hook comprising:
a bend comprising hook throat and a gape providing a passageway to the hook throat;
and
the hook throat comprising a fourth width that is greater than the third width and the gape comprising a fifth width that is less than the third width.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/217,974Filed 3 Jul 2023 · us provisional application
Priority: 5 Jul 2022
Published: US 2024/0008560 A111 Jan 2024
Granted: 5 Aug 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

A41C 3/0028
Brassieres: with size and configuration adjustment means
A41C 3/04
Brassieres: for nursing mothers
A41F 1/006
Fastening devices specially adapted for garments: brassiére fasteners
A44B 11/2588
Fastening by superposing one part on top of the other: combined with one buckle element rotating or pivoting