Releasable securement device

Abstract

A releasable securement device for use with material including a stay portion having a projection surface; and projections that extend from the projection surface at an acute angle, the projections being substantially parallel, pointing in substantially one planar direction, and having a predetermined flexibility. The acute angle and the predetermined flexibility are selected to allow the material to slide past the projections when the material engaged with the projections is pulled in the one planar direction, and are selected to prevent the material from sliding past the projections when the material is pulled opposite the one planar direction, the projections bending and allowing the material to slide past the projections when the material engaged with the projections is pulled opposite the one planar direction and force on the projections exceeds a predetermined force.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 517,038 dated Apr. 12, 2011, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The technical field of this disclosure is fastener devices, particularly, releasable securement devices.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Fastener devices can be used to join articles permanently or semi-permanently. Some semi-permanent fastener devices provide the advantage that the articles can be joined repeatedly without damaging the articles or the fastener devices. Presently available semi-permanent fastener devices include Velcro® hook and loop fasteners available from Velcro USA, and Dual Lock® fasteners with mushroom-shaped heads available from 3M Company.[0004]Unfortunately, problems exist with presently available semi-permanent fastener devices. Present devices require two parts, e.g., a hook part and a loop part for Velcro® hook and ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]Yet another aspect of the invention provides pants for use with a shirt made of material, the pants including a waistband; a stay portion attached inside the waistband, the stay portion having a projection surface away from the waistband; and projections that extend from the projection surface at an acute angle, the projections being substantially parallel, pointing in substantially one planar direction, and having a predetermined flexibility; wherein the acute angle and the predetermined flexibility are selected to allow the material to slide past the projections when the material engaged with the projections is pulled in the one planar direction, and are selected to prevent the material from sliding past the projections when the material is pulled opposite the one planar direction, the projections bending and allowing the material to slide past the projections when the material engaged with the projections is pulled opposite the one planar direction and force on the projections exceeds a predetermined force.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, problems exist with presently available semi-permanent fastener devices.

Further, two-part devices have sharp points and edges which can snag and damage garments being laundered.

Present devices also degrade with use: the hooks and mushrooms become inflexible and break off from wear and tear and repeated use, reducing the fastening strength.

Other problems with presently available semi-permanent fastener devices include: difficulty in separating the two parts, which must be peeled apart and cannot be pulled apart perpendicular to the plane of attachment; and the noise of separation, which can jeopardize security personnel when stealth is required.

In the area of garments, the age old problem is how to keep pants up and shirts down.

Yet, each of these solutions has its drawbacks.

The belt can be unflattering and fail to function well on pear-shaped figures.

Suspenders can be unflattering when worn without a coat.

While the combination of belt and suspenders is highly functional, the combination can be both unflattering and subject to ridicule.

Each of these solutions is also less than effective in maintaining a shirt tucked down in its proper place.

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