Grommet reinforcement device

• US 5,222,988 A
• Filed: 08/19/1991
• Issued: 06/29/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Riley A. Joseph
• Original Assignee: Riley A. Joseph
• Inventors: Riley, A. Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Sipos, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cuda, Carmine
• Application Number:
  US07/746,743
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 16/2, 24/713.6, 24/714.6, 24/714.8, 411/339
• US Class Current: 16/2.1
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 13/0088 by separable snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3742 having eyelet type directing means

Abstract

Device for attaching a fastener to a tarpaulin or tent material which reinforces the area of attachment. The device is comprised of two body pieces with generally circular surfaces. A first body piece has an annular groove and concentrically disposed post adapted to fit into a socket and protrusion of the other body piece.

Claims

1. A device for reinforcing a grommet and a fabric sheet surrounding said grommet, said device comprising:

(a) a first body piece comprising a generally bowl-shaped member having a circular surface with an annular groove formed therein and a concentrically disposed solid, tapered post extending perpendicular to the plane of said circular surface;

(b) a second body piece comprising a generally bowl-shaped member having a circular surface and an annular protrusion extending from said circular surface adapted to fit into said annular groove of said first body piece, a tubular, tapered socket centrally disposed for receiving said solid post of said first body piece, and a radially projecting member having a central opening formed therethrough whereby when said first and second body pieces are placed on opposing sides of said grommet in said fabric sheet and squeezed together, said concentrically disposed tapered post engages said tapered socket through said grommet with said post and socket creating a friction fit while said annular protrusion squeezes said fabric sheet surrounding said grommet into said annular groove and sandwiching said fabric surrounding said grommet between said first and second body pieces.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said first body piece has a radially projecting member having an opening formed therein.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said second body piece has a radially projecting member having a central opening formed therein.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said second body piece has an outwardly projecting tubular member, said socket being a bore formed in said outwardly projecting member.

5. A device for attaching a fastener to a fabric sheet, said device comprising:

(a) a first bowl-shaped body having a base and vertically sloping arcuate sidewalls terminating in an outer edge, a groove formed proximate said outer edge and a centrally disposed, solid tapered post projecting normally from said base;

(b) a second bowl-shaped body having a base and upwardly sloping arcuate sidewalls and a tapered protrusion adapted to fit into said groove of said first body, a socket projecting normally from said base and centrally disposed for receiving said solid post of said first body therein;

whereby when said first body is placed against a first side of said fabric sheet and said second body is placed opposite said first body against a second side of said sheet with the first and second bodies being squeezed together, said centrally disposed post projects into said centrally disposed socket with a friction fit and said protrusion engages said groove, sandwiching said fabric sheet between said first and second bodies.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said first body has an integrally formed member projecting from said outer edge said member having an opening formed therein.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein said second body has an integrally formed member projecting from said outer edge, said member having an opening formed therein.

8. The device in claim 5 wherein the diameter of said post is slightly larger than the diameter of said socket, whereby a friction fit tight tolerance results.