Closure system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9565903-B2
Application number	US-201414475829-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 3, 2014
Priority date	Jun 6, 2011
Publication date	Feb 14, 2017
Grant date	Feb 14, 2017

Abstract

A closure or fastener is provided for apparel, shoes, equipment, and other applications. The closure may have a female component having a receiving area and a male component having a locking portion. Either or both the male component and female component may have a notched appearance to provide additional flexibility and comfort to the closure. Flanges on the male components and the female components may facilitate off-registration engagement of the closure system. Textures present or absent in the closure system may permit or prevent sliding by the male components and female components when the closure is engaged.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A closure comprising:
a male component comprising a first flange and a plurality of male projections arranged along a first line, each male projection comprising a stem having a first base and a first head, connecting with the flange at the first base of the stem, and a locking portion, having a second base and a second head, the second base being wider than the stem and the second head, connecting with the first head at the second base, each male projection having a notch along the first line extending from the second head of the locking portion through the stem to the first base; and
a female component comprising a second flange and a plurality of female projections arranged along a second line, each female projection comprising a first female stem and a second female stem arranged on opposite sides of the second line forming a receiving area to fit the locking portion, the first female stem further comprising a first hooked portion and the second female stem comprising a second hooked portion, the first hooked portion and the second hooked portion facing each other to fit the locking portion.

2. The closure of claim 1 , the plurality of male projections of the male component being hooked at the second base of the locking portion to fit the receiving area.

3. The closure of claim 1 , wherein the receiving area further comprises an inner surface and the locking portion further comprises an outer surface having a texture that grips the inner surface of the receiving area.

4. The closure of claim 1 , wherein the locking portion further comprises an outer surface and the receiving area further comprises an inner surface having a texture that grips the outer surface of the locking portion.

5. The closure of claim 1 , wherein the locking portion further comprises an outer surface and the receiving area comprises an inner surface which are substantially smooth such that when the locking portion is within the receiving area, the male component and the female component may slide while fastened.

6. A fastener comprising:
a male component comprising a first flange and a plurality of projections arranged along a first line, each projection comprising a stem having a first base and a first head, connecting with the flange at the first base of the stem, and a locking portion, having a second base and a second head, the second base being wider than the stem and the second head, connecting with the first head at the second base, each projection having a notch along the first line extending from the second head of the locking portion through the stem to the first base; and
a female component comprising a second flange and a pair of rails comprising a first rail and a second rail arranged on opposite sides of a second line, the pair of rails each having a hooked portion extending towards each other forming a receiving area for the locking portion of the male component.

7. The fastener of claim 6 , the pair of rails of the female component further comprising a plurality of notches through the pair of rails to the second flange and perpendicular to the second line.

8. The fastener of claim 7 , the plurality of projections of the male component further comprising a notch in each male projection along the first line extending from the second head of the locking portion through the stem to the first base.

9. The fastener of claim 7 , wherein the locking portion further comprises an outer surface and the receiving area comprises an inner surface, the outer surface and the inner surface are substantially smooth such that when the locking portion is within the receiving area, the male component and the female component may slide while fastened.

10. The fastener of claim 6 , wherein the locking portion further comprises an outer surface and the receiving area further comprises an inner surface having a texture that grips the outer surface of the locking portion.

11. The fastener of claim 6 , wherein the receiving area further comprises an inner surface and the locking portion further comprises an outer surface having a texture that grips the inner surface of the receiving area.

12. A fastener comprising:
a male track comprising a first flange and a first rail arranged along a first line, the first rail extending substantially the length of the first line and having a first base and a first head, connecting with the flange at the first base of the first rail, the first rail having a plurality of first notches perpendicular to the first line and through the first rail to the first flange and a plurality of second notches perpendicular to the first notches, along the first line, and through the first rail to the first flange, and a locking portion, having a second base and a second head, the second base being wider than the first base and the second head, connecting with the first head at the second base; and
a female track comprising a second flange and a pair of rails comprising a second rail and a third rail arranged on opposite sides of a second line, the pair of rails having a pair of hooked projections extending towards each other forming a receiving area for the locking portion of the first rail.

13. The fastener of claim 12 , the pair of rails of the female flange further comprising a plurality of notches perpendicular to the second line and through the pair of rails to the second flange.

14. The fastener of claim 12 , the pair of rails of the female track further comprising a plurality of notches perpendicular to the second line and through the pair of rails to the second flange.

15. The fastener of claim 12 , the first rail of the male track further comprising a hooked portion of the second base to fit the receiving area of the female track.

16. The fastener of claim 12 , wherein the receiving area further comprises an inner surface and the locking portion further comprises an outer surface having a texture that grips the inner surface of the receiving area.

17. The fastener of claim 12 , wherein the locking portion further comprises an outer surface and the receiving area further comprises an inner surface having a texture that grips the outer surface of the locking portion.

18. The fastener of claim 12 , wherein the locking portion further comprises an outer surface and the receiving area comprises an inner surface, the outer surface and the inner surface are substantially smooth such that when the locking portion is within the receiving area, the male track and the female track may slide while fastened.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Tempesta Laura

Classifications

• Y10T24/2545

  Dissimilar opposed elements · CPC title

• A44B19/02 Primary

  with a series of separate interlocking members secured to each stringer tape · CPC title

• B65D33/28

  Strings or strip-like closures {, i.e. draw closures} · CPC title

• Y10T24/2536

  having interlocking surface formed from single member with varying cross section · CPC title

• Y10T24/45162

  for garment [e.g., with ribs and grooves interlocking elements] · CPC title