US3122810A

US3122810A - Fastening device

Info

Publication number: US3122810A
Application number: US195586A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles T Lawrence; Norman W Mac-Fee; David G Rae
Original assignee: Talon Inc
Current assignee: Talon Inc
Priority date: 1962-05-17
Filing date: 1962-05-17
Publication date: 1964-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 1981-03-03

Description

March. 3,. 1954 c. T. LAWRENCE ETAL 3,122,810

FASTENING DEVICE Filed May 17, 1962 INVENTORS 0mm ES 7'. LAWRfA/CE NORM/4N W M/ICFEE BY DAV/D 6. R145 tates llitc atent ice 3,122,8ltl FASTENENG DEVICE Charles T. Lawrence, Saegertown, and Norman W. Mac- Fee, Conneaut Lake, 92., and David G. Rae, Westmount, Quebec, Canada, assignors to Talon, Inc, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed May 17, 1952, Ser. No. 195,586 6 Claims. (Cl. 24-267) This invention relates to fastening devices particularly adaptable for shoes and the like of the type disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,969,573 to Clive B. Forrester, dated January 31, 1961.

In such a fastening device, there is provided generally a resilient wire member bent to substantially V-shape so as to provide a pair of spaced-apart arm-like portions integrally connected together at one end by a transversely extending trunnion portion. There is hingedly attached to this trunnion, a bearing-like portion arranged at one end of a manipulating or actuating member. Between the manipulating member and the resilient arm portion there is arranged an adjustable yoke-like member having one end thereof pivotally attached to the inner side of the manipulating member intermediate the length thereof. (3n the opposite end of this rigid member there is arranged a pair of spaced-apart hook-like portions which slidably engage the arm-like portions of the wire member whereby the arm-like portions are moved toward or away from one another upon movement of the manipulating member.

While the fastening device disclosed in the aforesaid Forrester patent has proven to be practical and functions satisfactorily, it consists of a muitiplicity of parts which are difficult and expensive to fabricate and assemble.

Accordin ly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide an improved fastening device of the type disclosed in the aforesaid Forrester patent consisting of a number of parts which may be easily and inexpensively fabricated and assembled.

Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide an improved fastening device of the type disclosed in the aforesaid Forrester application consisting of a minimum number of parts which may be easily and inexpensively fabricated and assembled.

it is another object of this invention to provide a fastening device of the type disclosed having new and novel means arranged therewith for securely locking the assembly in its closed position and a fastening device which may be easily and quickly assembled in the shoe or other artiele with which i is to be used.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved fastening device of the type described in which the yoke-like member can be easily and quickly adjusted relative to the manipulating member.

it is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved fastening device of the type described which is strong and rugged in its construction and efficient and effective in its use.

Various other objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent in the course of the following specification, and will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, there is shown for the purpose of illustration, several embodiments which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a shoe having the improved fastener device of the present invention incorporated therewith showing it in. its fully closed or locked position,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the shoe similar to FIG. 1 but showing the fastening device in its fully open position,

FIG. 3 is a side view of the shoe as shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a sectional View taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the improved fastening device of my invention consists of a relatively stiff resilient wire member 2 made of spring steel or some other suitable material which is bent to substantially U-shape so as to provide a pair of spaced-apart arm portions 3 and d integrally connected together at the lower end thereof by means of a transversely extending trunnion portion 5.

Each of the arm portions 3 and 4 of the wire member 2 are preferably reversely bent, as at 6, so as to provide armlike portions 7 and S which are spaced from the respective arms 3 and 4. On the free end of each of these arm-like portions 7 and 8, there is formed a hook-

like portion

9 and 10, respectively, which detachably engage and cooperate with the wire member 2 at the lower ends of the respective arms 3 and 4 thereof adjacent the transversely extending portion 5 at each side thereof to form in cooperation with the respective arms 3 and 4 a closed looplike portion, as more clearly shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings for the purpose of attaching the assembly to a shoe.

There is provided an elongated plate-like manipulating member 12 having journal portion 13 arranged at one end thereof which is pivotally connected to the transverse trunnion portion 5 of the wire member 2. The opposed marginal edges of this manipulating member 12 are curled over as at 14. At one end of the manipulating member 12 there is arranged in these curled edges, a series of opposed spaced-apart notches 15. Centrally of this manipulating member, there is provided a pair of opposed liplike locking portions 16 which are extensions of the curled marginal edges 14. The opposed inner edges of each of these lip-like portions are arcuated and bent outwardly, as at 17, so as to provide arcuated beveled edge or cam surfaces therealong for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

A substantially U-shaped inter-connecting member if: is provided which is formed preferably from a length of relatively stiff resilient wire so as to provide a loop portion 19 at one end thereof which is disposed around the arm portions 3 and 4- 0f the wire member 2 encircling the same and which slidably engage these arm portions to close the fastener in a manner to be described. 0n the opposite end of this member 18 there is provided on the ends of the leg portions 2%, a pair of outwardly extending fun er-like portions 21 which cooperate with the notches 15 in the curled edges 14- in the manipulating member 12 so as to permit selective adjustment of the finger-like portions 21 therealong.

The fastening device is assembled in the shoe in the following manner. There is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings a shoe having the usual front instep opening, side instep or flap portions 29 and 3b to either side of the opening and an inner tongue T.

The edges of these flap portions 29 and 3t bordering the opening are preferably folded upon themselves so as to provide longitudinally extending slots or opem'ngs 22, respectively, between the folds of the flaps which slots extend throughout the length of the opening and the flap portions, as more clearly shown'in FIGS. 2 and 5 of the drawings.

In assembling the fastening device in the shoe, the armlike portions 7 and 8 are inserted into the upper end of the respective slots 22 in the flap portions of the shoe and moved therethrough until the extreme outer ends thereof carrying the respective hook like

portions

9 and 10 extend beyond the lower ends of the respective slots. The hook-

like portions

9 and 10 are then moved to position between the arm portions 3 and 4 of the wire member so that these hook-shaped portions are disposed around and engage the lower portions of the arm portions adjacent the transverse portion 5. As a result, it will be seen that each of the arm-like members 7 and 8 in cooperation with the respective arm portions 3 and 4 form a closed loop-like portion at each side of the shoe opening so as to attach securely the fastening device to the shoe. To remove the assembly from the shoe, the reverse procedure is followed.

The operation of our improved fastening device will now be described. It will be assumed that the fastening 'device is in its fully open position, as shown in PEG. 2

of the drawings. In order to close the fastener the manipulating member 12 grasped and moved toward the opening in the shoe and the tongue T about its pivotal connection with the transverse portion 5 of the wire member 2. In its movement to such position, it will be understood that the loop-like portion 19 of the member 18 slides along the arm portions 3 and 4 thereby drawing them together with the reversely bent portions 7 and 8 toward one another and the center of the shoe opening against the resilient action thereof, thereby gradually moving the arm portions 3 and 4 together with the marginal edges of flap portions 29 and 3% toward one another over the shoe opening.

When the manipulating member 12 has been moved to its fully closed position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 of the drawings, it will be seen that this member is sub- 7 stantially parallel to the arm portions 3 and 4 of the wire member 2. As the manipulating member reaches its fully closed position the leg portions 20 of the member 18 moves into position between the arcuated lip-like portions 16 so as to hold the manipulating member securely in its closed or locked position, as more clearly shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. That is to say, this member 18 is moved into engagement with the lip-like portion 16 by a snapping action due to the resilient characteristics of the leg portions 20.

As a result of our invention it will be seen that there is provided a simple and inexpensive fastening device which can be easily and conveniently fabricated and which is efiicient and effective in its use.

While we have shown and described an embodiment which our invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this embodiment is merely for the purpose of illustration and description, and that other forms may be devised within the scope of our invention as defined in the appended claims.

What We claim as our invention is:

1. In a fastening device of the class described,

a plate-like member,

means arranged with said plate-like member for attaching it to the article with which the device is to be used,

the opposed longitudinal marginal edges of said platelike member being curled over toward one another, there being a series of opposed spaced-apart notches arranged in said curled edges,

an interconnecting member having an attaching portion arranged on one end thereof and a pair of laterally extending. portions arranged on the opposite end thereof which extend in opposite directions and which cooperate with the notches in 7 said plate-like member so as to permit selective adjustment of said wire member relative to said platelike member, and

means for locking said interconnecting member relative to said plate-like member in a position substantially parallel thereto so as to prevent unintentional movement relative to the same comprising a pair of opposed lip-like portions with one arranged adjacent the end of each of said series of notches, each of said lip-like portions being a curled over extension of the respective marginal edge portion which is bent inwardly so as to be disposed substantially parallel to the body portion of said plate-like member, the inner edge portion of each of said lip-like portions being constructed and arranged so as to cooperate with outer sides of said interconnecting member in the opening and closing of the device.

2. In a fastening device of the class described,

a plate-like member,

means arranged with said plate-like member for at taching it to the article with which the device is to be used,

the opposed longitudinal marginal edges of said platelike member being curled over toward one another,

there being a series of opposed spaced-apart notches arranged in said curled edges,

an interconnecting memberrhaving an attaching portion arranged on one end thereof and a pair of laterally extending portions arranged on the opposite end thereof which extend in opposite directions and which cooperate with the notches in said plate-like member so as to permit selective adjustment of said wire member relative to said plate-like member, and

means for locking said interconnecting member relative to said plate-like member in a position substantially parallel thereto so as to prevent unintentional movement relative to the same comprising a pair of opposed lip-like portions with one arranged adjacent the end of each of said series of notches, each of said lip-like portions being a curled over extension of the respective marginal edge portion which is bent inwardly so as to be disposed substantially parallel to the body portion of said platel'ike member with the extreme inner edge portion of each being arcuated and bent outwardly'so as to provide a beveled edge cam portion with which said interconnecting member cooperates centrally of said plate-like member in the opening and closing of the device.

3. In a fastening device of the class described,

a plate-like member,

a resilient substantially U-shaped' wire member deformed so as to provide a loop attachment portion and a pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel elongated leg portions,

a laterally extending portion arranged on the outer end of each of said leg portions which extend in 0pposite directions and :which cooperate with the notches in said manipulating member so as to permit selective adjustment of said wire member relative to said plate-like member, and

means for locking said resilient wire member relative to said plate-like member in a position substantially parallel thereto so as to prevent unintentional movement relative to the same comprising a pair of op posed lip-like portions with one arranged adjacent the end of each of said series of notches, each of said lip-like portions being a curled over extension of the respective marginal edge portion which is bent inwardly so as to be disposed substantially parallel to the body portion ofsaid plate-like member with the extreme inner edge portion of each being arcuated and bent outwardly so as to provide a beveled edge cam portion with which the respective leg portions of said resilient wire member cooperate centrally of said plate-like member in the opening and closing of the device.

4. In a fastening device of the class described, a resilient wire member bent to substantially V-shaped so as to provide a pair of spaced-apart arm portions interconnected at one end by a transverse trunnion portion,

means arranged at the end of each of said arm portions for attaching the same to the edges of an opening to be closed,

a plate-like manipulating member having one end thereof pivotally attached to the transverse portion or" said wire member,

the opposed longitudinal marginal edges of said manipulating member being curled over toward one another,

an interconnecting member having an attaching portion arranged on one end thereof and a pair of laterally extending portions arranged on the other end of each of said leg portions which cooperate with o posed notches in said manipulating member so as to permit selective adjustment of the interconnecting member relative to said manipulating member, and

means for locking said interconnecting member relative to said plate-like member in a position substantially parallel thereto so as to prevent unintentional movement relative to the same comprising a pair of opposed lip-like portions with one arranged adjacent the end of each of said series of notches, each of said lip-like portions being a curled over extension of the respective marginal edge portion which is bent inwardly so as to be disposed substantially parallel to the body portion of said plate-like member with the extreme inner edge portion of each being arcuated and bent outwardly so as to provide a beveled edge cam portion with which said interconnecting member cooperates centrally of said plate-like member in its opening and closing movement.

5. In a fastening device of the class described,

a resilient wire member bent to substantially V-shaped so as to provide a pair of spaced-apart arm portions interconnected at one end by a transverse trunnion portion,

means arranged with each of said arm portions for attaching the same to the edges of an opening to be closed,

a plate-like manipulating member having one end thereof pivotally attached to the transverse portion of said wire member,

a resilient substantially U-shaped wire member deformed so as to provide a loop portion at one end thereof which encircles said arm portions and a pair of spaced-apart, substantially parallel, elongated leg portions movable laterally relative to one another,

a laterally extending portion on the outer end of each of said leg portions which extend in opposite directions and which cooperates with the notches in said manipulating member so as to permit selective adjustment of the second wire member relative to said manipulating member, and

means for locking said resilient wire member relative to said plate-like member in a position substantially parallel thereto so as to prevent unintentional movement relative to the same comprising a pair of op posed lip-like portions with one arranged adjacent the en of each of said series of notches, each of said lip-like portions being a curled over extension of the respective marginal edge portion which is bent inwardly so as to be disposed substantially parallel to the body portion of said plate-like member, the inner edge portion of each of said lip-like portions being constructed and arranged so as to cooperate with outer sides of the leg portions of said second wire member in the opening and closing or" the device.

6. In a fastening device of the class described,

'a resilient substantially U-shaped Wire member deformed so as to provide a loop portion at one end thereof which encircles said arm portions and a pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel elongated leg portions movable laterally relative to one another,

means for locking said resilient Wire member relative to said plate-like member in a position substantially parallel thereto so as to prevent unintentional movement relative to the same comprising a pair of opposed lip-like portions with one arranged adjacent the end of each of said series of notches, each of said lip-like portions being a curled over extension of the respective marginal edge portion which is bent inwardly so as to be disposed substantially parallel to the body portion or said plate-like member with the extreme inner edge portion of each being arcuated and bent outwardly so as to provide a beveled edge cam portion with which the respective leg portions of said second resilient wire member cooperate centrally of said plate-like member in its opening and closing movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 552,050 Diffendafer Dec. 24, 1895 1,647,108 Hadley Oct. 25, 1927 2,897,558 Ronci Aug. 4, 1959 2,969,573 Forrester Jan. 31, 1961 2,983,619 Rae May 9, 1961 3,059,351 Hawkins Oct. 23, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 499,615 Great Britain Jan. 26, 1939 111,439 Sweden Aug. 8, 1944

Claims

1. IN A FASTENING DEVICE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, A PLATE-LIKE MEMBER, MEANS ARRANGED WITH SAID PLATE-LIKE MEMBER FOR ATTACHING IT TO THE ARTICLE WITH WHICH THE DEVICE IS TO BE USED, THE OPPOSED LONGITUDINAL MARGINAL EDGES OF SAID PLATELIKE MEMBER BEING CURLED OVER TOWARD ONE ANOTHER, THERE BEING A SERIES OF OPPOSED SPACED-APART NOTCHES ARRANGED IN SAID CURLED EDGES, AN INTERCONNECTING MEMBER HAVING AN ATTACHING PORTION ARRANGED ON ONE END THEREOF AND A PAIR OF LATERALLY EXTENDING PORTIONS ARRANGED ON THE OPPOSITE END THEREOF WHICH EXTEND IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS AND WHICH COOPERATE WITH THE NOTCHES IN SAID PLATE-LIKE MEMBER SO AS TO PERMIT SELECTIVE ADJUSTMENT OF SAID WIRE MEMBER RELATIVE TO SAID PLATELIKE MEMBER, AND