RECLOSABLE FASTENER RISER/SPACER, AND METHODS OF CONSTRUCTING AND UTILIZING SAME

• US 20060078370A1
• Filed: 09/13/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Argent International, Inc
• Original Assignee: Argent International, Inc
• Inventors: AUTTERSON, CHRISTOPHER S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,390,057 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 403/182
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 18/0053 in which each part has similar elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2708 Combined with diverse fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2725 with feature facilitating, enhancing, or causing attachment of filament mounting surface to support therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/362 Nonaligned axes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/364 Separable intermediate joint

Abstract

A plastic spacer/riser to increase useable height of a reclosable fastening system, such as 3M™ Dual Lock™ or Velcro® hook and loop products. The spacer/riser is adapted to be held in place on an external substrate with hot-melt glue, sonic welds, pressure sensitive adhesives, or screws.

Claims

1. A riser/spacer device for use with a reclosable fastener, comprising:

a spacer member;

a main spacer retainer member surrounding and unitary with said spacer member;

said main spacer retainer member having a first retainer surface adapted to be secured to a first external substrate;

said spacer member having a first spacer surface which is remote from said first retainer surface of said main spacer retainer member; and

said first spacer surface being adapted to be secured to a first portion of said reclosable fastener.

2. A riser/spacer device according to claim 1, wherein:

said main spacer retainer member is provided with a plurality of apertures to permit securement means to pass therethrough when securing said first retainer surface of said main spacer retainer member to said first external substrate.

3. A riser/spacer device according to claim 1, wherein:

said spacer member is partially hollow.

4. A riser/spacer device according to claim 2, wherein:

said spacer member is partially hollow.

5. A riser/spacer device according to claim 1, wherein:

the height of said spacer member is determined by the height or gap to be filled between said first external substrate and a second external substrate.

6. A riser/spacer device according to claim 2, wherein:

the height of said spacer member is determined by the height or gap to be filled between said first external substrate and a second external substrate.

7. A riser/spacer device according to claim 3, wherein:

the height of said spacer member is determined by the height or gap to be filled between said first external substrate and a second external substrate.

8. A riser/spacer device according to claim 4, wherein:

the height of said spacer member is determined by the height or gap to be filled between said first external substrate and a second external substrate.

9. A riser/spacer device according to claim 5, wherein:

said second external substrate being adapted to be secured to a second portion of said reclosable fastener, which second portion of said reclosable fastener selectively closes and mates with said first portion of said reclosable fastener.

10. A riser/spacer device according to claim 6, wherein:

said second external substrate being adapted to be secured to a second portion of said reclosable fastener, which second portion of said reclosable fastener selectively closes and mates with said first portion of said reclosable fastener.

11. A riser/spacer device according to claim 7, wherein:

said second external substrate being adapted to be secured to a second portion of said reclosable fastener, which second portion of said reclosable fastener selectively closes and mates with said first portion of said reclosable fastener.

12. A riser/spacer device according to claim 8, wherein:

said second external substrate being adapted to be secured to a second portion of said reclosable fastener, which second portion of said reclosable fastener selectively closes and mates with said first portion of said reclosable fastener.

13. A riser/spacer device according to claim 1, wherein:

said reclosable fastener comprises a 3M™

Dual Lock™

reclosable fastener.

14. A riser/spacer device according to claim 2, wherein:

said reclosable fastener comprises a 3M™

Dual Lock™

reclosable fastener.

15. A riser/spacer device according to claim 3, wherein:

said reclosable fastener comprises a 3M™

Dual Lock™

reclosable fastener.

16. A riser/spacer device according to claim 4, wherein:

said reclosable fastener comprises a 3M™

Dual Lock™

reclosable fastener.

17. A riser/spacer device according to claim 5, wherein:

said first external substrate comprises a roof of a vehicle; and

said second external substrate comprises a headliner of said vehicle.

18. A riser/spacer device according to claim 6, wherein:

said first external substrate comprises a roof of a vehicle; and

said second external substrate comprises a headliner of said vehicle.

19. A riser/spacer device according to claim 7, wherein:

said first external substrate comprises a roof of a vehicle; and

said second external substrate comprises a headliner of said vehicle.

20. A riser/spacer device according to claim 8, wherein:

said first external substrate comprises a roof of a vehicle; and

said second external substrate comprises a headliner of said vehicle.