Closure System
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorLaura Tempesta
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A closure or fastener is provided for apparel, shoes, equipment, and other applications. The closure may have a female component having a receiving area and a male component having a locking portion. Either or both the male component and female component may have a notched appearance to provide additional flexibility and comfort to the closure. Flanges on the male components and the female components may facilitate off-registration engagement of the closure system. Textures present or absent in the closure system may permit or prevent sliding by the male components and female components when the closure is engaged.
Claims18
A closure comprising:
- a male component comprising a first flange and a plurality of male projections arranged along a first line, each male projection comprising a stem having a first base and a first head, connecting with the flange at the first base of the stem, and a locking portion, having a second base and a second head, the second base being wider than the stem and the second head, connecting with the first head at the second base, each male projection having a notch along the first line extending from the second head of the locking portion through the stem to the first base;
- and
- a female component comprising a second flange and a plurality of female projections arranged along a second line, each female projection comprising a first female stem and a second female stem arranged on opposite sides of the second line forming a receiving area to fit the locking portion, the first female stem further comprising a first hooked portion and the second female stem comprising a second hooked portion, the first hooked portion and the second hooked portion facing each other to fit the locking portion.
A fastener comprising:
- a male component comprising a first flange and a plurality of projections arranged along a first line, each projection comprising a stem having a first base and a first head, connecting with the flange at the first base of the stem, and a locking portion, having a second base and a second head, the second base being wider than the stem and the second head, connecting with the first head at the second base, each projection having a notch along the first line extending from the second head of the locking portion through the stem to the first base;
- and
- a female component comprising a second flange and a pair of rails comprising a first rail and a second rail arranged on opposite sides of a second line, the pair of rails each having a hooked portion extending towards each other forming a receiving area for the locking portion of the male component.
A fastener comprising:
- a male track comprising a first flange and a first rail arranged along a first line, the first rail extending substantially the length of the first line and having a first base and a first head, connecting with the flange at the first base of the first rail, the first rail having a plurality of first notches perpendicular to the first line and through the first rail to the first flange and a plurality of second notches perpendicular to the first notches, along the first line, and through the first rail to the first flange, and a locking portion, having a second base and a second head, the second base being wider than the first base and the second head, connecting with the first head at the second base;
- and
- a female track comprising a second flange and a pair of rails comprising a second rail and a third rail arranged on opposite sides of a second line, the pair of rails having a pair of hooked projections extending towards each other forming a receiving area for the locking portion of the first rail.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.