Eight-Point Snap Charm Structure for Interchangeable Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional snap fasteners lack aesthetic appeal and versatility in design, limiting their use in fashion and decorative applications.
Innovation Solution
A snap charm system featuring a male stud with an eight-armed star head and a female receiver shaped as an eight-pointed star, allowing for interchangeable and aesthetically pleasing attachments to various objects such as bracelets, straps, and accessories, using materials like metal, hard plastic, soft plastic, or rubbery materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If conventional snap fasteners are used, then functional fastening is achieved, but aesthetic appeal and design versatility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The snap fastener is divided into separate components: a stud with a decorative head and a receiver. The head can be designed in various shapes (e.g., eight-pointed star) while the receiver remains functional, allowing aesthetic and functional parts to be optimized independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate different head designs and shapes. The eight-pointed star pattern with alternating long and short arms provides a standardized connection mechanism that works with various decorative configurations, enabling one receiver to mate with multiple different heads.
2Shape
If a decorative head design is added to the snap fastener, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The decorative head is segmented into eight distinct arms extending from a central body, with alternating long and short arms. This segmentation allows for aesthetic design while maintaining a relatively simple geometric construction that is easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The head features asymmetric arm lengths with four long arms and four short arms arranged in an alternating pattern. This asymmetry creates visual interest and aesthetic appeal while the regular alternating pattern maintains manufacturing simplicity through repetitive molding or forming processes.
3Ease of operation
If the receiver is made of soft deformable material, then ease of attachment is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver is made from soft, deformable material (such as rubber or soft plastic) that changes its physical state during attachment. The material deforms elastically to accommodate the insertion of the stud arms and then springs back to create a secure fit, reducing the need for high manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver exhibits different material properties in different regions: the overall structure is soft and deformable for ease of attachment, while specific areas maintain sufficient rigidity to provide proper geometric alignment and secure engagement with the stud arms.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosed subject matter relates to a snap charm comprising a detachable stud and a detachable charm, with a stud head being formed of eight arms extending from the stud body in the shape of an eight-pointed star, the stud and charm each having a connecting means which matingly engage and allow for the anchoring of a variety of charms to objects such as a bracelet, flip-flop, sandal strap, or a strap for a backpack.