Molded surface fastener

Abstract

A molded surface fastener comprises a substrate sheet and a multiplicity of engaging elements molded in rows on one surface of the substrate sheet. Each of the engaging elements has a stem standing from the one surface of the substrate sheet, and a pair of hooks extending in opposite directions from a distal end of the stem. And a multiplicity of parting guide members stand from the one surface of the substrate sheet, each of which is situated centrally between adjacent engaging elements for parting loops of a companion surface fastener toward the engaging elements.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the InventionThis invention relates to a molded synthetic resin surface fastener in which a substrate sheet and a multiplicity of engaging elements projecting from one surface of the substrate sheet are formed integrally with each other, and more particularly to a molded surface fastener which has adequate engaging strength and rate suitable for use in a joint of industrial materials, such as ceiling materials and wall materials which are subject to peeling forces and which has adequate durability without giving damage to engaging elements of the companion surface fastener during peeling.2. Description of the Related ArtMolded surface fasteners of the described type have greater engaging strength compared to the ordinary knitted or woven surface fasteners and are therefore widely used in joining interior ornamental materials, such as wall materials and ceiling materials. Generally, the individual engaging element of the molded surface fastener ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a molded surface fastener which has engaging elements each in a rational form to improve the rate of engagement with loops and to secure a much higher increased degree of peeling strength and in which a substrate sheet can be prevented from being torn between the engaging elements.

In operation, since each of the loops entering at random between the front and rear engaging elements are parted by the parting guide member so as to come close to the front or rear engaging element, it is possible to secure a reliable engagement of the loops with the engaging elements so that the rate of engagement is increased to obtain a desired engaging force. Further, contrary to the conventional surface fasteners which are easy to be torn between rows of the engaging elements, it is possible to effectively prevent the substrate sheet from being torn since the parting guide members are integrally formed on the substrate sheet between rows of the engaging elements or between the front and rear engaging elements.

In case that the engaging element is in a form of two adjacent conventional hook elements being joined integrally with each other and having hooks facing in the opposite directions, the thickness of the stem of the engaging element of this invention is substantially double the thickness of the conventional hooked members. When a peeling force is exerted on the engaging element with both the front and rear hooks in engagement with the loops, the stem is scarcely subject to bend due to the peeling force while the individual hooks are angularly moved about their bases in a horizontal plane independently without interfering with each other and, at the same time, the upper portion of the hook resiliently deforms in the rising direction. Therefore the loops can be easily removed off the hooks without giving any damage to each other.

Problems solved by technology

However, the rigid engaging element will give an undesirable touch, and it tends to be out of engagement of the companion looped member.

In the case of the thick looped member, the surface fastener not only would become rigid but also would have less engaging elements per unit area on the substrate sheet, thus making it difficult to secure a predetermined degree of engaging strength.

Consequently the density of engaging elements on the substrate sheet surface is necessarily limited to a considerably low degree compared to the density of looped members of the companion surface fastener.

According to this arrangement, if the looped member is raised along the rear surface of the front next engaging element, there is no guarantee that the looped member may come into engagement with the hook of the rear next engaging element.

Further, with this type conventional molded surface fastener, most of the looped members entered between every adjacent pair of rows of hooks remain unengaged with the hooks.

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