Angled Slide Fastener Elements for Curved Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional slide fasteners face issues when attached to curved surfaces, corners, or edges, as the elements are subjected to undesirable forces, leading to potential damage and difficulty in secure attachment.
Innovation Solution
The slide fasteners are designed with opposing elements that engage at a non-planar angle, typically 90 degrees, featuring angle keeping and engagement surfaces to interlock and enhance cross-strength, allowing secure attachment to curved surfaces and edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional slide fasteners are attached to curved surfaces, corners, or edges, then the elements are subjected to undesirable forces in multiple directions, but this leads to potential damage and difficulty in secure attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The element design transitions from a traditional planar engagement (all elements in one plane) to a three-dimensional non-planar engagement. The first and second elements engage at an angle θ between 60° and 120° relative to each other, creating a立体 interlocking structure that distributes forces across multiple dimensions, thereby preventing damage when attached to curved surfaces or corners
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional slide fasteners are attached to curved surfaces, corners, or edges, then the elements are subjected to undesirable forces in multiple directions, but this makes it difficult to secure attachment
Solution Approach 1:
By configuring elements to engage at angles in three-dimensional space rather than in a single plane, the fastener can conform to curved surfaces and corners while maintaining secure attachment. The angled engagement creates mechanical interlocking that is inherently more resistant to detachment forces
Solution Approach 2:
The element geometry is modified to include specific angular parameters (θ between 60° and 120°) that optimize engagement on non-flat surfaces. This parameter optimization allows the fastener to adapt to various surface geometries while maintaining attachment security
Data Source
AI summary
Slide fasteners configured such that opposing elements engage with one another in a non-planar relationship. The elements may engage one another, for example but not limited to, at an angle between approximately 60 degrees and approximately 179 degrees. In some embodiments, each element includes a head and at least one shoulder with angle keeping surfaces and engagement surfaces that abut corresponding surfaces when engaging with a corresponding element to interlock the heads and shoulders of opposing elements. Slide fasteners of the invention may be well suited for use with curved surfaces, corners, ridge lines, edges, or the like of an article.