Fastener assembly with mechanical end seals

• US 5,900,303 A
• Filed: 09/30/1997
• Issued: 05/04/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aplix Incorporated (Aplix)
• Original Assignee: Aplix Incorporated (Aplix)
• Inventors: Billarant, Patrick J.
• Primary Examiner(s): THOMAS, ALEXANDER S
• Application Number:
  US08/940,622
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: 428/99, 428/100, 428/120, 428/900, 24/442, 24/443
• US Class Current: 428/100
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 18/0076 Adaptations for being fixed to a moulded article during moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 44/1261 Avoiding impregnation of a preformed part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/90 Magnetic feature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/27 including readily dissociable fastener having numerous, protruding, unitary filaments randomly interlocking with, and simultaneously moving towards, mating structure [e.g., hook-loop type fastener]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24008 including fastener for attaching to external surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24017 Hook or barb
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24182 Inward from edge of web or sheet

Abstract

A fastener assembly for being molded into a foamed structure. The fastener assembly includes a base having first and second opposed major surfaces, first and second opposed ends, and first and second opposed side edges. A multiplicity of attachment members are carried by the base and extend outwardly from the first major surface of the base for mating with complementary attachment members. First and second spaced-apart end seals are attached to respective first and second opposed ends of the base for preventing intrusion of liquid foam past the ends of the base and onto the attachment members during molding of the structure. Each of the end seals defines a solid mass within which the attachment members are embedded. A multiplicity of spaced-apart anchors are carried by the base, and extend outwardly from the second major surface of the base for permanently attaching the fastener assembly to the foamed structure.

Claims

1. A fastener assembly adapted for being molded into a foamed structure using a mold having a curved mold recess and curved side walls, said fastener assembly comprising:

(a) a base having first and second opposed major surfaces, first and second opposed ends, and first and second straight longitudinal side edges;

(b) a multiplicity of attachment members carried by the base and extending outwardly from the first major surface of the base for mating with complementary attachment members, and said attachment members extending outwardly into the curved mold recess during the molding process;

(c) first and second spaced-apart end seals attached to respective first and second opposed ends of the base and extending outwardly from said first major surface and into the curved mold recess during the molding process for preventing intrusion of liquid foam past the ends of the base and onto the attachment members during formation of the structure, each of said end seals comprising a solid mass molded onto the first major surface of the base;

(d) first and second flexible side edge sealing flanges carried by the base and projecting outwardly from the second major surface beyond respective straight side edges of the base;

(e) the length of said base being sufficiently short and said side edge sealing flanges being sufficiently flexible such that said side edge sealing flanges engage the curved side walls of the mold and form a foam-tight seal between the straight side edges of the base and the mold to prevent intrusion of liquid foam past the straight side edges of the base onto the attachment members during molding of the foamed structure; and

(f) a multiplicity of spaced-apart anchors carried by the base and extending outwardly from the second major surface of the base for permanently attaching the fastener assembly to the foamed structure.

2. A fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein said base includes opposed longitudinally-extending marginal areas adjacent the opposed side edges and devoid of attachment members.

3. A fastener assembly according to claim 2, wherein said first and second end seals are located between the marginal areas of the base.

4. A fastener assembly according to claim 3, wherein the opposed marginal areas extend the entire length of the base.

5. A fastener assembly according to claim 4, and including first and second magnetically-attractableside edge sealing members located in respective opposed marginal areas of said base for being attracted to magnets positioned in the mold in which the foamed structure is molded to form a foam-tight seal between the side edges of the base and the mold to prevent intrusion of liquid foam past the side edges of the base onto the attachment members of the base during molding of the structure.

6. A fastener assembly according to claim 5, wherein said first and second side edge sealing members comprise respective flexible strips including a magnetically attractable powder, and extending continuously the entire length of the base from the first opposed end to the second opposed end.

7. A fastening assembly according to claim 1, wherein said base, said attachment members and said anchors are integrally molded of thermoplastic material, and said attachment members comprise a plurality of spaced-apart rows of hook-like projections extending along at least a portion of the length and across at least a portion of the width of the base.

8. A fastening assembly according to claim 1, wherein said base is elongate and said first and second opposed side edges extend longitudinally between the first and second opposed ends.

9. A fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first and second end seals are formed of an elastomeric material.

10. A fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first and second end seals are formed of plastic.

11. A fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second side edge sealing flanges diverge as they project outwardly to form an inwardly deformable seal against opposed side walls of the mold.

12. A fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said end seals comprise a solid mass within which said attachment members are embedded.

13. A fastener assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first and second end seals are molded onto the base in areas devoid of attachment members.