Molded surface fasteners and attachment methods
OwnerLeonard Arnold Duffyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Molded surface fasteners are provided which include a fenestrated base structure with sets of at least three undercut segments extending laterally over at least one window, thereby allowing fastening elements of diverse designs to be precisely molded by a set of biparting dies, either as independent attachable products or as an integral part of a product component. Embodiments include fastener portions comprising singular fastening “buttons”, portions with recessed fastening zones, unitary double-sided fasteners, products incorporating multiple fastener types in different locations, and unique self-engaging fasteners. Methods for attaching and assembling various components, utilizing the present fastener types are also provided.
Claims19
A first fastener portion for compressively engaging with a complementary second fastener portion, said first fastener portion comprising:
- a fenestrated base structure having at least one window and a generally planar first surface and;
- at least three first fastening elements associated with each said window, each said fastening element contiguous with said base structure and spaced apart from adjacent said fastening elements associated with each said window and including:
- a stem segment protruding from said first surface of said base structure adjacent to the edge of said window contiguous with an underside spaced away from the effective plane of said first surface and
- extending laterally over a portion of said window, said underside for attaching to complementary second fastening elements associated with said second fastener portion when said first and second fastener portions are compressively engaged;
- whereby, compressively engaging said first fastener portion with said complementary second fastener portion causes at least said second fastening elements to temporarily resiliently deform, so that a plurality of said undersides engage with said complementary second fastening elements when said fastening elements resiliently revert to their original general disposition, thereby engaging and fastening said first and second portions.
A method of attaching a first portion to a complementary second component, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. providing said first portion having at least one designated fastening zone;
- b. providing a plurality of at least three first fastening elements associated with at least one window at said fastening zone, said first fastening elements including undersides extending laterally over portions of each said at least one window and spaced away from said window;
- c. providing said complementary second component with a plurality of resilient complementary second fastening elements, for engaging with said first portion;
- and
- d. compressing at least some of said first fastening elements into said complementary second component, so as to cause at least some of said second fastening elements to resiliently deform and engage with said undersides, thereby attaching said first portion to said second component.
A double-sided fastener portion for compressively engaging with a plurality of complementary second portions, said double-sided portion comprising a fenestrated singular unitary structure having at least one window communicating between a first surface of said structure, and a second surface of said structure opposite said first surface;
- with a plurality of hook-like fastening elements protruding from said first surface, each having an underside extending over said at least one window;
- and a plurality of second hook-like fastening elements protruding from said second surface each having an underside extending over at least one said at least one window.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.