Bristle-like gripping device

• US 3,981,051 A
• Filed: 04/26/1973
• Issued: 09/21/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: George C. Brumlik
• Original Assignee: George C. Brumlik
• Inventors: Brumlik, George C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gelak, Bernard A.
• Application Number:
  US05/354,814
• Time in Patent Office: 1,244 Days
• Field of Search: 24/204, 85/13, 85/21, 85/5 R
• US Class Current: 24/447
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 18/0015 Male or hook elements A44B18/0007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 411/921 Multiple-pronged nail, spike or tack
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/275 with feature facilitating or causing attachment of filaments to mounting surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2767 having several, repeating, interlocking formations along length of filaments

Abstract

A self-gripping device is disclosed and includes a plurality of thin bristle-like gripping elements attached in close proximity to each other to a base. Each of the gripping elements have self gripping means spaced along the length thereof and they extend substantially perpendicularly from the base with some of the self gripping means biased towards the base. The gripping elements are adapted to penetrate and become lodged in a receiving layer for self gripping engagement therewith.

Claims

1. Self-gripping device comprising a multiplicity of thin, gripping elements having a bristle-like body uniform in cross section attached in close proximity to each other to a base, each of said gripping elements having self-gripping barbs spaced along the length thereof, said notched barbs being nicked in the body of the bristle-like gripping elements, said barbs being defined by adjoining indentations in and protrusions from said bristle-like body, and being disposed at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of said gripping elements and above the longitudinal surface thereof, said gripping elements extending substantially perpendicularly from said base with at least some of said self-gripping barbs pointing towards said base and being adapted to penetrate and become lodged in a receiving layer for self-gripping engagement therewith.

2. Self-gripping device of claim 1 wherein each of said gripping elements is formed of a single length of wire of uniform cross section and said self gripping barbs extend along said gripping element in at least one longitudinal row.

3. Self-gripping device of claim 2 wherein said gripping element is formed with side walls which meet along longitudinal lines of intersection and said self gripping barbs are formed in rows extending along said lines of intersection.

4. Self-gripping device of claim 2 wherein said gripping element is formed of shaped wire having at least one sharp notched edge.

5. Self-gripping device of claim 2 wherein said barbs are defined by generally converging edge portions, a first group of said barbs being biased pointed toward said base and a second group of said barbs being biased pointed away from said base.

6. Self-gripping device of claim 5 in which said barbs are arranged in longitudinal rows with the barbs of said first group and second group being arranged in alternate alignment in each of said rows.

7. Self-gripping device of claim 5 in which said barbs are arranged in longitudinal rows along said gripping element, with the barbs of said first group forming some of said rows, and the barbs of said second group forming alternate rows.

8. Self-gripping device of claim 5 in which said first group of barbs are arranged along one longitudinal half portion of each gripping element and said second group of barbs are arranged along the other longitudinal half portion of each gripping element, said gripping elements extending entirely through said base with said one half of each gripping element extending from one side of said base and said other half extending from the opposite side thereof.

9. Self-gripping device of claim 1 wherein said gripping elements extend from both sides of said base.

10. Self-gripping device of claim 1 wherein said base comprises a narrow strip of material and said gripping elements are attached in a row along an edge of said strip perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis thereof.

11. Self-gripping device of claim 1 wherein said barbs extend along each gripping element in a single longitudinal row and with said rows of barbs all facing in one direction.

12. Self-gripping device of claim 1 wherein said gripping elements are formed by a U-shaped member having a pair of spaced legs extending through said base and forming said gripping elements.

13. A self-gripping device of claim 1 in which said gripping elements are defined by a closed loop terminating in a pair of oppositely extending gripping elements with a portion of said base enclosed in said loop.

14. Self-gripping device of claim 1 wherein said gripping elements define a tetrahedron having a plurality of legs attached to said base and an upstanding leg forming said gripping element.

15. Self-gripping device of claim 1 wherein said base is a sheet.

16. Self-gripping device of claim 1 wherein said base is a strip.

17. Self-gripping device of claim 1 wherein said base is a disc.

18. Self-gripping device of claim 1 in self gripping engagement with a receiving layer.