Device for attaching objects to fabric

• US 6,295,703 B1
• Filed: 09/07/1999
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Clip It 2, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Clip It 2, Inc.
• Inventors: Knowles, Michael J., Adams, Kathy S., Gee, Jack II, Kornhauser, Mark L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brittain, James R.
• Application Number:
  US09/390,905
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 224/194, 224/271, 224/272, 244/59, 241/144, 241/140.5, 241/149, 241/141.2, 24/31, 244/62, 40/15
• US Class Current: 24/459
• CPC Class Codes: A41F 1/00 Fastening devices specially adapted for garments for pairing socks A41B11/002; for fur garments A41D5/006
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3694 Ornamental type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3698 Fabric embracing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44034 Dissociable gripping members

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus which facilitates attachment of objects to fabrics of various thicknesses while minimizing damage to the underlying fabric. A device is provided which includes a backing member formed from a flexible, resilient material which is shaped to surround and engage a majority of the periphery of an object to be attached to fabric. The backing member has an inner peripheral wall and an outer peripheral wall opposite the inner peripheral wall. At least one continuous discontinuity passes through both the inner and the outer peripheral walls allowing the backing member to expand in order to receive objects of various size. Another aspect of the present invention provides a tensioning device which serves to bias the backing member into contact with the fabric and the object.

Claims

1. A device for attaching an object to fabric, comprising:

a backing member formed from flexible, resilient material, and shaped to surround and engage a majority of the periphery of an object to be attached to fabric with at least a portion of fabric interposed between the backing member and an object to be received therein;

an inner peripheral wall on said backing member for contacting at least a portion of fabric when said object is pressed into said backing member, and an outer peripheral wall on said backing member opposite said inner peripheral wall, and having a partial indentation for receiving a tensioning device therein;

at least one continuous discontinuity through said inner and said outer peripheral walls for allowing said backing member to expand for receiving objects of various sizes;

a tensioning device receivable in said partial indentation for biasing said backing member into contact with fabric and an object when fabric and object are received by said backing member; and

said backing member having a peripheral dimension such that when an object and said backing member are aligned on opposite sides of fabric and pressed together, the fabric is held in place by compression between said backing member and an object and fabric when received therein.

2. A device according to claim 1, further comprising retaining members which are substantially “

L”

shaped extending from said outer wall to form a trough for retaining said tensioning device in cooperation with said outer wall of said backing member.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein said tensioning device is a flexible “

O”

ring.

5. A device for attaching an object to fabric according to claim 1, further comprising an object shaped for being retained in contact with said backing member as a result of compression between said backing member and said object.

3. A device according to claim, wherein said “

L”

shaped retaining members extend from said outer wall in a manner such that said troughs alternate between a position in which the opening of said trough faces toward the direction of insertion of said object and the direction opposite the direction of insertion of said object.

6. A device for attaching an object to fabric, comprising:

a backing member formed from flexible, resilient material, and shaped to surround a majority of the periphery of an object to be attached to fabric with at least a portion of fabric interposed between the backing member and an object to be received therein;

said backing member having a generally an annular shape, defined by an inner wall, and an outer peripheral wall, the backing member having a height sufficient for receiving and holding an object therein, the inner wall having a convex partial indentation for engaging an object to be received therein, and the outer peripheral wall further comprising a partial indentation for receiving a tensioning device;

a tensioning device receivable in said partial indentation for biasing said backing member into contact with fabric and an object when received therein; and

at least one continuous discontinuity coextensive through said inner wall and said outer peripheral wall which define said annual shape, for allowing said backing member to expand for receiving objects of various sizes in said backing member when an object and said backing member are aligned on opposite sides of fabric and pressed together for holding at least a portion of fabric in place between said backing member and an object, when fabric and an object are received in said backing member.

7. A device according to claim 6 further comprising retaining members for holding said tensioning device, which extend from said outer wall of said backing member, and said retaining members being generally “

L”

shaped and forming a trough for retaining said tensioning device in cooperation with said outer wall of said backing member.

9. A device for attaching an object to fabric according to claim 6, further comprising an object shaped for being retained in contact with said backing member as a result of compression between said backing member and said object.

10. A device according to claim 6 wherein said tensioning device is a flexible “

O”

ring.

8. A device according to claim wherein said “

L”

shaped retaining members extend from said outer wall in a manner such that said trough alternates between a position in which the opening of said trough faces toward the direction of insertion of said object and the direction opposite the direction of insertion of said object.