6367results about "Snap fasteners" patented technology

A wearable modular interface strap device for supporting multiple module units comprising a flexible strap with a plurality of electrically connected nodes acting as docking points to serial bus interface and mechanically connect removable modules, with the strap being 10 mechanically lockable in a loop by a clasp containing hub and host circuitry to enable network communication between modules and to a universal connector plug for recharging and data-exchange. Said strap containing a plurality of electrical wires between control circuitry and nodes and arranged to be wearable as a wristband, alternatively as a wrist device that when opened forms a curved handset with audio input and outputs at alternate ends, or arranged in a necklace configuration. Said device capable of supporting interchangeable modules such as displays, control devices, rechargeable batteries, a module with removable earpiece units, and a plurality of functional modules suitable for communication, data storage, location and environment sensing.

A device and technique for a sutureless wound closure, which limits the risks of rupture and scarring, is described. The device includes a one-piece surgical fastener generally shaped in a curve along the width of the surgical fastener. The fastener includes a tissue insertion tongue with a plurality of tissue attachment points for fixing the fastener to skin tissue. The fastener also includes a clasp for engaging an identical surgical fastener. The surgical fastener can also be a two-piece structure including a male connecting strap and a female connector. Both pieces include a tissue-connecting mechanism for fixing to skin tissue. The female connector includes an engagement clasp for securing the male connecting strap to the female connector.

A one-piece or two-piece knotless suture anchor assembly for the attachment or reattachment or repair of tissue to a bone mass. The assembly allows for an endoscopic or open surgical procedure to take place without the requirement of tying a knot for reattachment of tissue to bone mass. In one embodiment, a spike member is inserted through tissue and then inserted into a dowel-like hollow anchoring sleeve which has been inserted into a bone mass. The spike member is securely fastened or attached to the anchoring sleeve with a ratcheting mechanism thereby pulling or adhering (attaching) the tissue to the bone mass.

Floor panels (1, 1′, 1″) are shown, which are provided with a mechanical locking system on long and short edges (5a, 5b, 4a, 4b) allowing installation with vertical folding and where the long edge (5a, 5b) locking system prevents separation of the short edges (4a, 4b) during the folding action.

Mounting systems for mounting solar panels to a surface are disclosed and can include panel clamp assemblies and rail clamp assemblies. Panel clamp assemblies can comprise a panel clamp having a base and arms extending from edges of the base, the base having an aperture, a rail clamp having a central portion with an aperture and two flexible tabs extending from the central portion on opposing sides of the aperture and a fastener threaded through the apertures such that that flexible tabs contact a head of the fastener and the arms extend in an opposite direction from the flexible tabs. Rail clamp assemblies can comprise a base member having a bottom and two side walls, the bottom having at least one aperture and each side wall having an elongated aperture, two clamping members and a fastener, wherein the side walls of the base member are positioned such that the opening is of sufficient size to receive the rail.

A fabricated microstructure comprising at least one protrusion capable of providing an adhesive force at a surface of between about 60 and 2,000 nano-Newtons. A stalk supports the protrusion at an oblique angle relative to a supporting surface. The microstructure can adhere to different surfaces.

An improved method and apparatus is provided to secure a suture relative to body tissue. When a predetermined minimum force is being transmitted between a suture retainer and the body tissue, the suture is gripped with the suture retainer by plastically deforming material of the suture retainer. One or more bends may be formed in suture by the suture retainer to increase the holding action between the suture retainer and the suture. The bends in the suture may be formed by wrapping the suture around a portion of the suture retainer. During movement of the suture retainer toward the body tissue, the bends may be moved along the suture. One or more bends may be formed in the suture by bending a tubular member through which the suture extends. The tubular member may be maintained in a bent condition by a C-shaped holder member. Alternatively, the tubular member may be maintained in a bent condition by members which are latched together.

A fastening system has a first fastening member and a second fastening member. The first member has a retaining element and a substrate element. The retaining element includes a proximal edge and a distal edge and is attached to the substrate element along a line of attachment. The second fastening member has an inboard portion, an outboard portion, and an elongated opening disposed between the inboard and outboard portions. The elongated opening is configured such that at least part of the retaining element is capable of passing through the elongated opening when the retaining element is in a first orientation and when the retaining element is in a second orientation.

This invention relates to a novel design of detachable/attachable magnetic buttons that can be used on clothes, accessories, and the like. Specifically, the invention also relates to a contact guiding structure of the button for a smooth detaching/attaching and an improved stability thereof.The magnetic button of the present invention is arranged so that the magnets on the flap and the body have opposite polarities from each other. Each magnet housing is placed around each magnet in order to make one magnet to be placed in that of the corresponding opposite button. Furthermore, to prevent magnets from slipping and to enhance their durability, a barrier is placed between the magnet and the housing. Hence, the stability of the contact portion of the button and the smooth detachment/attachment are more facilitated.

A method of making a hook strip having J-shaped hooks that can be used as a mechanical fastener. The method includes using an initial substrate of material formed as an array of upstanding precursor stems having distal tips at their ends opposite a backing. In addition, a heat source adapted for heating and a mechanism for deforming stem tips is provided. The substrate is positioned relative to the heat source such that a portion of the upstanding stems on the array is heated. Subsequently, the substrate is moved to a position relative to the mechanism for deforming to create a hook strip of J-shaped hooks from the heated portion of the upstanding stems. In addition, an article of manufacture, made in accordance with the method, is provided which includes a hook portion of a hook-and-loop type of mechanical fastener.

Disclosed is a closure system used in combination in any of a variety of applications including clothing, for example as a footwear lacing system comprising a lace attached to a tightening mechanism. The lace extends through a series of guide members positioned along two opposing footwear closure portions. The lace and guides preferably have low friction surfaces to facilitate sliding of the lace along the guide members so that the lace evenly distributes tension across the footwear member. The tightening mechanism allows incremental adjustment of the tension of the lace. The closure system allows a user to quickly loosen the lace and inhibits unintentional and/or accidental loosing of the lace.

A magnetic fastening device with discrete slidable adjustments, comprising first and second sheets, each having a plurality of magnetic section elements with first and second poles disposed in alternating groups defining predetermined abutting patterns. The magnetic section elements are abuttingly disposed in two groups. In one group, the elements' magnetic field is disposed in one direction perpendicular to the sheets. In the other group, the elements' field is disposed in the opposite direction. The groups repeat themselves in an alternating pattern. The movement of the first and second sheets is constrained to keep them in an abutting relationship with respect to each other over a predetermined path over the first and second sheets, thereby permitting the sheets to be slidably movable along a predetermined distance relative to each other in discrete steps that overcome the attraction and repulsion forces of the magnetic section elements upon the application of a pulling force of a predetermined magnitude.

Smoke evacuation apparatus designed to provide safe and efficient filtration and evacuation of smoke plume generated by laser-surgical, electrosurgical, radiosurgical, and electrocautery devices. A filter assembly is removably mounted on a front panel of the apparatus housing and is thus easily accessible from the front side which typically faces the user. The filter assembly at its front is provided with a hose connector to which the suction hose of the system is conveniently attached, and the front of the filter assembly is configured with a symbol, such as a letter or number, that represents an identification of the system supplier or manufacturer, and the hose connector is mounted on that symbol identifier.

A magnetic pole layout method and a magnetizing device for double-wing opposite-attraction soft magnet. A magnetizing conductor is wound on a magnetic conductive tray. A pulse power is fed to the magnetizing conductor to multiple pairs of corresponding first and second magnetizing regions. A magnetizable soft plate is placed on the magnetic conductive tray and magnetized at one time to form multiple pairs of reverse magnetic poles. The magnetized soft plate is then cut into elongated magnet slat in the direction of the formed magnetic poles and then the magnet slat is oppositely folded about a folding line to form a double-wing opposite-attraction soft magnet. The double-wing opposite-attraction soft magnet can ride on a page of a book or a paper along the folding line to clip the page and serve as a bookmark.

In some embodiments, a cam assembly and strap based closure system using a spiral is configured for bringing two sides of an article together. In some embodiments, when the user inserts the strap into the cam assembly and turns a knob, the strap is driven into the cam assembly and the strap pins engage one or more cam spirals. In some embodiments, the system is configured such that strap pins may be engaged at a constant angle which may be self-locking. In some embodiments, the system may be infinitely adjustable and the torque felt by the knob may be constant. In some embodiments, the system may be configured to be a quick release system and may allow rapid insertion of the strap for faster operation.

There is provided an improved tab member for a closure system comprising a tab portion and a slot member. The slot member includes a slit or a loop, with the slot located between an inboard portion and an outboard portion. The tab portion has a tab member having a length, an inner edge, an outer edge and at least one lip portion. The tab member outer edge is passed through the slot of the slot member to engage the fastening device. Once passed through the slot, at least one lip portion of the tab member overlaps or catches the outboard portion of the slot member to prevent the tab member from disengaging from the slot member. The slot member outward portion is retained between the lip portion(s) and the underlying generally flexible tab carrier substrate.