Fastenings

• US 6,698,966 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2001
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ninaclip PLC
• Original Assignee: Ninaclip PLC
• Inventors: Martin, Daniel, Hilton, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh, John B.
• Application Number:
  US09/825,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20010010778A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,064 Days
• Field of Search: 403/321, 403/322--32, 403/326-327, 403/329, 403/330, 403/83, 403/84, 403/107, 246/16, 246/15, 243/23, 243/13, 241/71, 241/94, 246/18, 297/440.1
• US Class Current: 403/321
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 21/08 in which the stud, pin, or spigot has a resilient part F16B21/065, F16B21/125, F16B21/165, F16B37/043 take precedence; wall-dowels F16B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45534 having connected leading edge and separated trailing arms
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/59 Manually releaseable latch type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/591 having operating mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/60 Biased catch or latch

Abstract

A releasable fastener formed of a first, male (2), and second female component (4) is provided. Deformable arms (18) on the male component (2) extend back from the lead edge (14) of the body portion of the male component which is inserted into the female. Wedges (24) on the arms lock in apertures (40) in the second component (4). The gap between the arms (18) and the body portion is closed off by an end cap and grip portions on the arms to prevent trapping of fingers. The fastener is particularly suited to attaching nursery items, such as parasols, to nursery equipment such as pushchairs.

Claims

1. A fastener comprising a first component and a second component, the two components having a first released state and a second engaged state, wherein a portion of the first component is deformed relative to the remainder of the first component during the transition from first to second state, the deformed portion returning towards its original position in the second state to retain the first and second components together, the first component comprising a body portion and one or more dependant arm portions, the body portion having an inserted end and a non-inserted end, the one or more arm portions depending from the inserted end of the body portion inserted into the second component to provide a gap into which the one or more arm portions can be deformed, the gap extending from a lead end adjacent the inserted end of the body portion to a non-lead end, and the first component being provided with a grip portion on each arm portion, the grip portions surrounding the body portion to overhang a non-lead end portion of the gap between the arm portions and the body portion.

2. A fastener according to claim 1 in which the one or more of the arm portions are provided with means which cooperate with the body portion of the first component or a portion depending therefrom, wherein the means comprise one or more pins or lugs which cooperate with one or more recesses or grooves in the first component.

3. A fastener according to claim 2 in which the one or more lugs or pins are free to move within the one or more recesses or grooves during deformation of the one or more arm portions away from the first state position to the second state position and the one or more lugs or pins cooperate or engage with the boundary of the one or more recesses or grooves to restrain undesired movement of the one or more arm portions away from the body portion, beyond the first state position.

4. A fastener according to claim 1 in which the transition from first to second state is effected by sliding the first and second components relative to one another, the relative sliding causing the one or more arm portions to deflect towards the body portion.

5. A fastener according to claim 1 in which the first and second components are lockable together in the second state.

6. A fastener according to claim 1 in which the first or second component are provided as an integral part of nursery equipment.

7. A fastener according to claim 6 in which the nursery equipment is a high chair, pushchair, or playpen.

8. A fastener according to claim 1 in which the transition from second to first state is achieved by one hand of a user.

9. A fastener according to claim 1 wherein the body portion of the first component is provided with an end cap which serves to close off the gap between the one or more arm portions and the body portion when viewed from above, in which the end cap outer limit extends beyond the surface of the dependent arms which opposes the body portion.

10. A fastener according to claim 1 wherein the body portion of the first component is provided with an end cap which serves to close off the gap between the one or more arm portions and the body portion when viewed from above, in which the end cap extends laterally over the gap between the one or more arm portions and the body portion.

11. A fastener according to claim 1 in which the grip portions are curved around a portion of the arm portion on which the grip portion is provided.

12. A fastener comprising a first component and a second component, the two components having a first released state and a second engaged state, wherein a portion of the first component is deformed relative to the remainder of the first component during the transition from first to second state, the deformed portion returning towards its original position in the second state to retain the first and second components together, the first component comprising a body portion and one or more dependant arm portions, the body portion having a lead end and a non-lead end, the one or more arm portions extending from and along side the lead end toward the non-lead end of the body portion, at least a portion of the arm portions and lead end of the body portion are configured to be inserted into the second component, wherein one or more of the arm portions are provided with means which cooperate with the body portion of the first component, wherein the means are selected from one or more pins or tugs which cooperate with one or more recesses or grooves in the first component and one or more recesses or grooves which cooperate with one or more pins or lugs in the first component, in which the one or more pins or tugs cooperate or engage with a boundary portion of the recesses or grooves to restrain a desired movement of the one or more arm portions away from the body portion.

13. A fastener according to claim 12 in which the fastener is provided with a cap which extends laterally over a gap between the one or more arm portions and the body portion.

14. A fastener according to claim 12 in which the one or more pins or lugs are provided on the one or more arm portions and the respective recess or groove is provided on the body portion of the second component.

15. A fastener according to claim 12 in which the means cooperate with the body portion of the first component directly or a portion depending therefrom.

16. A fastener according to claim 12 in which the one or more lugs or pins are free to move within the recess or groove during the deformation of the arm portions during the transition from the first state to the second state.

17. A fastener according to claim 12 which comprises a pair of pins or lugs and a pair of recesses or grooves.