Improved press stud

Abstract

A press stud (1), with elastic snap action, for connecting edges (2a, 2b) of a stratiform material comprises: at least one base element (8) with flange (10); at least two coupling partners (3, 4), one of which comprises at least one body (5) with a covering surface (6m) provided with a bulge (7); the other coupling partner (4) comprising a cap (12) with at least one component half-shell (13; 14), defining a covering surface (6f) of a receiving cavity (15) intended to receive the covering surface ( 6m) of the first coupling partner (3); means (11; 22) suitable for clamping one or each coupling partner (3, 4) to a relative edge (2a, 2b) of stratiform material; and means (16) with elastic snap action operatively interposed, between the first and second coupling partners (3, 4), in such a way as to retain the body (5) and the cavity (15) in a condition connected to each other. Either the first or second constraining means (11, 22) comprise a disk (17) with female screw (18), which is constrained to at least one of the two coupling partners (3; 4); and a screw (19), engageable with the female screw (18), which is borne either by the same coupling partner (3; 4), or, vice versa, by the other coupling partner (4; 3) of the press stud (1).

Description

[0001] IMPROVED PRESS STUD

[0002] Technical field

[0003] This invention relates to the technology concerning press studs, with elastic snap action, and in particular relates to an improved press stud.

[0004] Background art

[0005] In the prior art for the sector there are already press studs, which are devised in such a way as to basically comprise two separate coupling partners, which are anchored to corresponding separate superposed edges of fabric, and which, under the pressing action applied to the stud with the fingers, are suitable for penetrating each other, then remaining spontaneously joined together with the edges in a closed configuration, until a pulling action in the opposite direction is applied on one of the partners, causing disengagement and consequent separation of the edges.

[0006] Irrespective of the specific embodiment of the various prior art types of such studs, the joining of the two partners is obtained by means of shape coupling between appropriately shaped complementary covering surfaces: of a body of one of the partners, and of a cavity of the other partner.

[0007] Elastic snap action means are provided to keep the connection in a stable self-retaining condition, until they are disengaged by an external force.

[0008] The constraining of the individual partners to the respective edge of the fabric is obtained due to the construction of each partner with at least two component parts - preferably metal - which, once placed in front of the two faces of an edge of fabric, are joined to each other by a permanent plastic deformation which produces the clamping that cannot be undone of the fabric of which the edge consists interposed between the two component parts of each partner .

[0009] To obtain those operating specifications, in the prior art for the sector there is already a first type of metal stud - particularly light and therefore suitable for use either on heavy or light fabrics - in which all of the component parts of the two coupling partners are metal sheets suitably shaped by drawing and assembled and joined monolithically by means of local joints, made with interference fit moulding of certain specific zones of the components of each coupling partner.

[0010] The retaining means with elastic snap action are made by associating - with the partner provided with the receiving cavity for receiving the body of the other partner - an elastic forked spring, whose prongs are suitable first for stretching apart when the body enters the cavity and then for closing again, tightening around a collar borne by said body, which thereby remains retained inside the receiving cavity.

[0011] A second type of such light metal studs, also in the prior art of the technology for the sector, has retaining means with elastic snap action, in the form of a ring of elastomeric material which is housed in a circumferential groove inside the receiving cavity. As a result of the transit of the body of one of the partners in the entry cavity of the other partner, the elastomeric ring is circumferentially compressed, then re-expands around the collar of the body, preventing its spontaneous extraction from the cavity. The prior art solutions referred to above have the fundamental disadvantage caused by the fact that studs made in that way, once fitted on the fabric for which they are intended, cannot be removed from it, unless by breaking them, meaning that they cannot be re-used.

[0012] To overcome that disadvantage a known solution, in the name of this same Applicant and described in document IT201800002658U1 involves generating the action of clamping of the edges of fabric by the respective component parts of each coupling partner, by means of the action of screws and female screws made on the component parts of said partners.

[0013] The disadvantages of the prior art linked to the fixing in placed that cannot be undone are solved, but with the disadvantage of having some increase in the weight of the stud, due to the fact that in order to have a mass of material suitable for holding the female screw the relative component part has to be made heavier; all of that also has a negative impact on the stud making technology and its application to the materials for which it is intended.

[0014] Disclosure of invention

[0015] The aim of this invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art .

[0016] Accordingly, the invention achieves that aim by means of a stud as defined in the accompanying claims. Brief description of drawings

[0017] The features and advantages of the invention will be very apparent from the detailed description of several example, non-limiting embodiments of the invention, explained in the description below with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a view of a first example of a press stud according to the invention in which two coupling partners are shown detached and in cross-section;

[0018] - Figure 2 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the partners of Figure 1;

[0019] - Figure 3 is a three-dimensional perspective view of a component of the invention;

[0020] - Figure 4 is an exploded view, in cross-section, of one of the coupling partners of Figure 1;

[0021] - Figure 5 is a view of the coupling partners of the stud, applied to respective edges of fabric;

[0022] - Figure 6 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the coupling partners, as in the preceding Figures 1-5, seen from different viewpoints;

[0023] - Figure 7 is a view of a component - shown in crosssection and in two different operating conditions - of a second example of a press stud according to the invention;

[0024] - Figure 8 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the component of Figure 7, seen from two different viewpoints ;

[0025] - Figure 9 is a cross-section of another component

[0026] - shown in cross-section and in two different assembly conditions - of the second example of a stud of Figure 7;

[0027] - Figure 10 is an overall view, in cross-section, and complete of the second example of a press stud, some of whose component parts are shown in Figures 7-9;

[0028] - Figure 11 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the stud set of Figure 10, seen from two different viewpoints ;

[0029] - Figure 12 is a cross-section and exploded view of a component of a third example of a press stud according to the invention;

[0030] - Figure 13 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the component of Figure 12, seen from two different viewpoints ;

[0031] - Figure 14 is a cross-section of another component

[0032] - shown exploded - of the third example of a stud;

[0033] - Figure 15 is an overall view, in cross-section, and complete of the third example of a press stud, shown with the relative coupling partners separate and separated;

[0034] - Figure 16 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the stud set of Figures 10-15;

[0035] - Figure 17 is a view of a component - shown in cross-section and in two different operating conditions - of a fourth example of a press stud according to the invention;

[0036] - Figure 18 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the component of Figure 17, seen from two different viewpoints ;

[0037] - Figure 19 is a cross-section of another component of the fourth example of a stud of Figure 17;

[0038] - Figure 20 is an overall view, in cross-section, and complete of the fourth example of a press stud, some of whose component parts are shown in Figures 17-19;

[0039] - Figure 21 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the stud set of the fourth example seen from two different viewpoints;

[0040] - Figure 22 is a cross-section and exploded view of a fifth example of a press stud according to the invention;

[0041] - Figure 23 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the example of Figure 22, seen from two different viewpoints ; - Figure 24 is a cross-section of a component of the fifth example of a stud;

[0042] - Figure 25 is an overall view, in cross-section, and complete, of the fifth example of a press stud;

[0043] - Figure 26 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the stud set of Figures 22-25;

[0044] - Figure 27 is a view of a component - shown in cross-section and in two different operating conditions - of a sixth example of a press stud according to the invention;

[0045] - Figure 28 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the example of Figure 27, seen from two different viewpoints ;

[0046] - Figure 29 is an exploded view of the sixth example of a stud;

[0047] - Figure 30 is an overall view of the sixth example of a stud, assembled, of Figure 29;

[0048] - Figure 31 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the stud of the sixth example, seen from two different viewpoints.

[0049] Preferred embodiments of the invention

[0050] With reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, the numeral (1) identifies in its entirety an improved press stud (1) with elastic snap action, for connecting edges (2a,2b) of a stratiform material, that is to say, edges of a generic material which, understood to be indicative and not limiting, may be regarded for example as a fabric made of wool, silk, cotton, or a mixture, or of equivalent materials, including plastic, and hides used for clothes, upholstery, clothing and relative accessories, in general.

[0051] Figures 1 to 6 show a first example of such a stud (1), which has a composite structure , and which substantially comprises, in particular, at least one base element (8), two coupling partners (3,4), elastic snap action means (16), suitable for operating with said coupling partners (3,4); and clamping means (11,22) for clamping components of the stud (1) to the stratiform material.

[0052] More specifically, the base element (8) is made in the form of an annular, flat plate with a flange (10), having a circular outline, at the centre of which there is a protuberance (28) with a wall (23) equidistant from the flange (10).

[0053] A first coupling partner (3) basically comprises a hollow body (5), with a wall preferably made of thin sheet metal, slightly elongate, as well as having a covering surface (6m) provided with a bulge (7), protruding transversally to the longitudinal extension of the body (5) itself.

[0054] The second coupling partner (4) comprises a cap (12) with two opposite half-shells (13,14) placed in contact with each other.

[0055] One half-shell (13) is provided with a top wall (29), which may be either flat or convex, (as shown in Figure 1). The other half-shell (14) in contrast is shaped in such a way as to define a central cavity (15), intended to receive the first coupling partner (3), and delimited by surrounding walls, which are provided with their own covering surface (6f) with geometric extension shaped to match the covering surface (6m) of the first partner (3).

[0056] The stud (1) also comprises means (11;22) suitable for clamping each coupling partner (3,4) to a relative edge (2a,2b), of two superposed edges of stratiform material, which the stud (1) is intended to join as a result of the coupling, with subsequent elastic retention of the two coupling partners (3,4) of which it is composed.

[0057] The constraining means (11,22) comprise, respectively a disk (17) with female screw (18) and a screw (19) engageable in the female screw (18).

[0058] The disk (17) - made of suitable material, for example of plastic or metal material - may be made in such a way as to have a ready-formed said female screw (18); or, if a lag thread is used for the screw (19), the female screw (18) of the disk (17) may be created the first time the screw (19) is screwed in.

[0059] Regarding the connection of the disk (17) to the body (5) of the first coupling partner (3), or to the cap (12) of the second coupling partner (4), Figures 4 and 5 clearly show that by adopting perimetric edges with suitable length for the body (5) and the cap (12) it is possible to bend the edges and fold them over themselves, permanently and in such a way as to create - inside the coupling partner - a circumferential stop which fixes the disk (17) to the partner which receives it, and which towards the outside of the coupling partner (3,4), creates a sort of annular flange (9) opposable to the flange (10) borne by the base element (8) of the first partner (3), or borne, in an equivalent way, by one of the half-shells (14) of the second coupling partner (4).

[0060] Figures 7-11 show an alternative embodiment of the stud (1) wherein elements that are the same as or functionally similar to those already described in Figures 1 to 6 are identified with the same reference numbers.

[0061] In this second solution, the connecting means (11,22) which in the first solution were separate, are as one here and serve coupling partners (3,4) with simplified structure obtained by eliminating some component parts, vice versa present in Figures 1 and 6.

[0062] Such a solution, clearly shown in Figure 10, is a hybrid in the sense that it contains the distinctive features of each of the coupling partners (3,4). In addition to the obvious advantage of allowing studs (1) to be made with parts which are removable, even during use, such a solution allows the further advantage of simplifying the structure for fixing the stud to the edges (2a,2b) of the stratiform material, halving their components. Moreover, it also has the further advantage of having only one type of stud (1) which - containing the distinctive features of both of the partners (3,4) - is significantly distinguished by having features of universality which make it perfectly reversible and so that the order in which the edges of the stratiform material (2a,2b) are superposed does not matter.

[0063] Briefly, and in other words, a same stud (1) for example allows either of the following: male fastening, or female fastening, both being obtainable with a single form of construction of the stud (1).

[0064] Regarding the form of construction of the means (16) with elastic snap action with which the first and the second embodiments described above are equipped, Figures 1-11 show how said means preferably comprise a serpentine spring (24) with prongs (25), which can be elastically stretched apart, suitable for engaging with a corresponding collar (21) made in the shape of the body (5) of the first coupling partner (3).

[0065] Figures 12 16 illustrate a third embodiment of the stud (1) wherein elements substantially the same as those already described have identical reference numbers.

[0066] The third embodiment of the stud differs from the preceding embodiments mainly in that it has means (16) with elastic snap action which are in the form of an elastomeric ring (26) which - in a condition in which the two coupling partners (3,4) are coupled - is intended to interact, with suitable geometric interference, with a corresponding circumferential groove (27), made on either one or the other of said coupling partners (3,4).

[0067] Figures 17-21 show a fourth solution of the invention wherein the component parts of the stud of the third solution are combined in such a way as to generate a resulting hybrid stud (1), of the universal and perfectly reversible type.

[0068] Figures 22-26 show a fifth solution in which both of the coupling partners (3 and 4) are made with a solid body, of plastic material and are preferably set up with a ready-formed female screw (18) in a way suitable for accommodating a screw (19) shaped to match it.

[0069] Such a solution is particularly useful for facilitating and speeding up assembly of the two coupling partners (3,4).

[0070] In fact, in the case in which one or the other of the two coupling partners (3,4) has a relatively deep central cavity (15), if use is made of the device of having, on one side a ready-formed female screw (18) and on another side a central cavity (15) sized to have a diameter quite close to the diameter of the screw (14), fitting of the stud (1) is greatly facilitated due to the fact that the screw (19) is correctly guided by said central cavity (15) so that it can automatically reach optimum aligning and coupling conditions with the female screw (18) intended to receive it.

[0071] Figures 27 to 30 show a sixth example of a stud (1), with hybrid structure, universal and reversible.

[0072] For the cases in Figures 22-31, what was already said concerning the references numbers and terminology adopted for all of the other figures again applies.

[0073] As regards the materials used to make the stud (1), in all of the example embodiments described, manyvariants are possible and it shall be understood that they even include the use of plastic materials with suitable resilience, in order to also implement in the materials themselves the intrinsic functions of elastic resilience possessed by the means (16) with elastic snap action described above. The invention fulfils the stated aims of the invention and is also distinguished by the fact that it has a relatively simple structure, is reliable in use and is inexpensive.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Press stud (1), with elastic snap action, for connecting edges (2a,2b) of a stratiform material comprising at least one base element (8) with flange (10); at least two coupling partners (3,4), one of which comprises at least one body (5) with a covering surface (6m) provided with a bulge (7); the other coupling partner (4) comprising a cap (12) with at least one component half-shell (13;14), defining a covering surface (6f) of a receiving cavity (15) intended to receive the covering surface (6m) of the first coupling partner (3); means (11;22) suitable for clamping one or each coupling partner (3,4) to a relative said edge (2a,2b) of stratiform material; and means (16) with elastic snap action, operatively interposed, between said first and second coupling partners (3,4), in such a way as to retain said body (5) and said cavity (15) in a condition connected to each other, wherein either first or second said constraining means (11, 22) comprise a female screw (18), which is constrained to at least one of the two coupling partners (3;4); and a screw (19), engageable with said female screw (18), which is borne either by the same coupling partner (3;4), or, vice versa, by the other coupling partner (4;3) of said press stud (1); wherein said stud (1) is characterised in that said female screw (18) is borne by at least one disk (17).

2. Stud (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said first coupling partner (3) is provided with a flange (9) opposable to the flange (10) of the base element(8).

3. Stud (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said base element (8) is integrated in one of the component half-shells (13,14) of the second coupling partner (4).

4. Stud (1), according to claim 1, characterised in that said at least one disk (17) with female screw (18) is fixed to the first coupling partner (3).

5. Stud (1), according to claim 1, characterised in that said at least one disk (17) with female screw (18) is fixed to one of the component half-shells (13) of the second coupling partner (4).

6. Stud (1), according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterised in that there is a single said disk (17) with female screw (18), being positioned between the body (5) with covering surface (6m) provided with the bulge (7) of the first coupling partner (3) and an opposite half-shell (14) of the second coupling partner (4), a single screw (19), passing through the receiving cavity (15) for receiving the first partner (3), engaging in said female screw (18), said stud (1) being reversible during use, regardless of the order in which said edges (2a,2b) are superposed on each other.

7. Stud (1), according to claim 1, characterised in that said means (16) with elastic snap action comprise a spring (24) with prongs (25) which can be elastically stretched apart suitable for engaging with a collar (21) of the body (5) of said first coupling partner (3).

8. Stud (1), according to claim 1, characterised in that said means (16) with elastic snap action are in the form of an elastomeric ring (26) suitable for interacting with geometric interference of predetermined extent with a corresponding circumferential groove (27) made on either one or the other of said coupling partners (3,4).

9. Stud (1), according to claim 1, characterised in that said means (16) with elastic snap action are implemented in a constituent material with suitable intrinsic deformability with which said body (5) of said first partner (3) is made.

10. Stud (1), according to claim 9, characterised in that said constituent material is of the metal type.

11. Stud (1), according to claim 9, characterised in that said constituent material is of the plastic type, being implemented in at least one of said coupling partners (3,4).

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