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Fastener

a technology of mechanical fasteners and clips, which is applied in the direction of hats, travelling carriers, travelling articles, etc., can solve the problems of short mean time to failure (mttf), large flex of springs, and many conventional clips that lack adequate gripping force to remain secur

Inactive Publication Date: 2015-12-10
SMITH ROBERT ERIC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a curved fastener that can be used with a tape measure, portable electronic device, or other items. The center line of the fastener is a spiral or parabola. This design improves the functionality and ease of use of the fastener.

Problems solved by technology

But such springs are subjected to a large degree of flex during use.
As a result of repeated stresses from such flexing, such clips can have a short mean time to failure (MTTF).
In addition, many conventional clips lack adequate gripping force to remain secure.
Moreover, if the gripping force is too strong, the clip may tear clothing at the point of attachment (for instance a pocket or waistband on a pair of trousers) when external forces are applied.
For at least these reasons, conventional clips are not always suitable for their intended purpose.

Method used

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Experimental program
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Effect test

first embodiment

[0026]FIG. 1 is top view of a curved fastener, according to the invention. As shown therein, a curved fastener 105 includes a mounting hole 115. The shape of the curved fastener 105 creates a channel 110. A centerline 120 of the curved fastener 105 forms a two-dimensional spiral that winds around the mounting hole 115 and terminates at the tail section 125. The mounting hole 115 is preferably disposed at or near a center point of the spiral formed by the centerline 120.

second embodiment

[0027]FIG. 2 is top view of a curved fastener, according to the invention. As shown therein, a curved fastener 205 includes a mounting hole 215. The shape of the curved fastener 205 creates a channel 210. A centerline 220 of the curved fastener 205 forms a two-dimensional spiral that winds around the mounting hole 215 and terminates at the tail section 225. The mounting hole 215 is preferably disposed at or near a center point of the spiral formed by the centerline 220.

[0028]Alternative embodiments do not include the channels 110, 210 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, although such channels may be preferable.

[0029]Two-dimensional spirals can be described using polar coordinates. Moving from the center of the spiral outwards, the radius (r) of any point on the spiral track of the center line 120 increases as a function of an angle (θ) from a fixed direction. The type of spiral formed by the center line may vary, according to design choice. For example, in the embodiments il...

third embodiment

[0031]FIG. 3 is top view of a curved fastener, according to the invention. As shown therein, a curved fastener 305 is formed from a sheet 315 along cut line 310. The cut line 310 terminates in rip-stop features 320. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, a center line 325 of the curved fastener 305 approximates a parabola. Parabolas can be described with reference to a quadratic function in a Cartesian coordinate system, e.g., y=f(x)=ax2+bx+c, where a, b, and c are constants, and where a≈0. Selection of constants a, b, and c will determine the shape of the parabola. The center line 325 only approximates a parabola, however, because the center line 325 terminates in a straight line tail section 330.

[0032]FIG. 4 is perspective view of curved fastener 105, according to the first embodiment of the invention.

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Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a curved fastener that may be assembled to a tape measure, portable electronic device, medallion, or other item. A center line of the curved fastener may be or approximate a two-dimensional spiral or a parabola.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001](1) Field of Invention[0002]The invention relates generally to the field of mechanical fasteners. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the invention relates to curved fastener that may be used, for example, to at least temporarily affix a hand tool, portable electronic device, medallion, or other item to an article of clothing.[0003](2) Description of Related Art[0004]Many types of fasteners are known for temporarily attaching items to an article of clothing. Spring-action clips, for instance, are widely used to secure tape measures, smart phones cases, and the like to a belt or to a waistband on a pair of trousers.[0005]Conventional clips have many disadvantages, however. For example, some clips use torsion springs to apply a gripping force. But such springs are subjected to a large degree of flex during use. As a result of repeated stresses from such flexing, such clips can have a short mean time to failure (MTTF). In addition, many conventional clips lack ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A45F5/02
CPCY10T24/13A45F5/02
Inventor SMITH, ROBERT ERIC
Owner SMITH ROBERT ERIC