Hand tool for fastening snaps

• US 5,150,505 A
• Filed: 11/13/1990
• Issued: 09/29/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David F. Drabek
• Original Assignee: David F. Drabek
• Inventors: Drabek, David F.
• Primary Examiner(s): PARKER JR, ROSCOE
• Application Number:
  US07/612,888
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 7/169, 7/170, 29/278, 29/280, 29/283, 29/270, 81/486, 81/485, 81/488, 24/40
• US Class Current: 29/278
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 25/92 Shoe or collar buttoners; Bodkins; Glove hooks
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 27/00 Hand tools, specially adapted for fitting together or separating parts or objects whether or not involving some deformation, not otherwise provided for machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects B23P19/00
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 33/00 Hand tools not covered by any other group in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53943 Hand gripper for direct push or pull

Abstract

An improved hand tool is presented that is useful to pull or push the base of the female member of a snap fastener provided on a heavy fabric-like covering. By pushing or pulling on the female snap member substantially along the plane of the fabric, the snap member can be positioned over a corresponding male snap member for secure fastening. The tool comprises a handle member, an arm, and a force member, which is further provided with tension and compression notches. The tool thus gives the operator a means to positively grasp the female snap member and efficiently apply tension to the fabric covering so as to stretch the covering into the proper shape without substantial damage to the fabric-like covering.

Claims

1. A hand tool for facilitating the coupling of a male and female snap fastener member, wherein said female snap member is fixedly mounted on a substrate material, said hand tool comprising:

first means to engage in tension said female snap member attached to said substrate material,

said first means comprising a tension notch edge, said tension notch edge being capable of engaging in tension said female snap member attached to said substrate material,

second means to engage in compression said female member of a snap fastener attached to a substrate material,

said second means comprising a compression notch edge, said compression notch edge being capable of engaging in compression said female snap member attached to said substrate material, and

handle means,

said handle means comprising a textured thermoplastic resin material formed about said hand tool so as to allow the exertion of a tensile or compressive force through said first or second means engaging said female snap member attached to said substrate material;

said first and second means being adapted to selectively apply a bi-directional force exerted through said handle means to said female snap member within a plane substantially along the plane of the said substrate material, and

said first and second means engaging said female snap member attached to said substrate material such that tensile or compressive forces exerted through said first and second means creates substantially zero rotational moments about an axis located in the transverse plane of said substrate material.

2. A hand tool for facilitating the coupling of a male and female snap fastener member, wherein said female snap member is fixedly mounted on a substrate material, said hand tool comprising:

a first means for engaging in tension said female snap member attached to said substrate material;

second means for engaging in compression said female snap member attached to said substrate material; and

textured thermoplastic resin handle means formed about said hand tool so as to allow the exertion of a tensile or compressive force through said first or second means for engaging said female snap member attached to said substrate material;

said first and second means being adapted to selectively apply a bi-directional force exerted through said handle means to said female snap member within a plane substantially along the plane of said substrate material.

3. A hand tool for facilitating the coupling of a male and female snap fastener member, wherein said female snap member is fixedly mounted on a substrate material, said hand tool comprising:

first means for engaging in tension and second means for engaging in compression said female member of a snap fastener attached to a substrate material; and

handle means further comprising a textured thermoplastic resin material injection molded about said first and second means;

said first and second means and being combined in a single stamped blank integrated with said handle means and adapted to selectively apply a bi-directional force exerted through said handle means so as to allow the exertion of a tensile or compressive force through said first or second means engaging said female snap member within a plane substantially along the plane of said substrate material.

4. A hand tool for facilitating the coupling of a male and female snap fastener member, wherein said female snap member is fixedly mounted on a substrate material, said hand tool comprising:

first means for engaging in tension said female snap member attached to said substrate material;

second means for engaging in compression said female member of a snap fastener attached to a substrate material; and

handle means further comprising a textured thermoplastic resin material formed about said hand tool;

said first and second means being adapted to selectively apply a bi-directional force exerted through said handle means so as to allow the exertion of tensile or compressive force through said first or second means engaging said female snap member attached to said substrate material within a plane substantially along the plane of said substrate material.

5. A hand tool for facilitating the coupling of a male and female snap fastener member, wherein said female snap member is fixedly mounted on substrate material forming a cover, said hand tool comprising:

first means for releasably engaging a portion of said female snap member attached to said substrate material in tension;

second means for releasably engaging a portion of said female member of a snap fastener attached to a substrate material in compression; and

integral handle means further comprising a textured thermoplastic resin material formed about said hand tool so as to allow the exertion of a tensile or compressive force through said first or second means engaging said female snap member attached to said substrate material;

said first and second means being adapted to selectively apply a bi-directional force exerted through said integral handle means to said female snap member within a plane substantially along the plane of said substrate material; and

said first and second means engaging said female snap member attached to said substrate material such that tensile or compressive forces exerted through said first and second means creates substantially zero rotational moments about an axis located in the transverse plane of said substrate material.