Abstract

A riveting multi-directional closure includes a female part releasably engagable with a male part. The female part and the male part of the closure may each be riveted to a piece of the garment or article in any orientation without adversely affecting the efficacy of the closure. Embodiments of the closure include a hybrid of plastic and metal components, and a pair of complementary magnets, providing fast, sturdy, and secure attachment to the article, as well as comfort and ease of manipulation to a user. The female part and the male part include a plate with prongs for piercing the article, and a slot ring for receiving the prongs. The closure is attachable to the article by sandwiching the article between the plate and the slot ring and riveting the prongs within the slot ring.

IPC Classes  ?

• A44B 17/00 - Press-button or snap fasteners
• A41F 1/00 - Fastening devices specially adapted for garments

Abstract

An ultra-slim fastener for a garment includes male and female parts engagable by inclining the male part while inserting a foot into a cavity of the female part, and pivoting the parts to a co-planar orientation. The female has a roof thickness, and the foot may be offset by at least the roof thickness. The male part may include a weld joint including alternating welded regions and non-welded regions. The male and female may include a plurality of protrusions distributed throughout a weld region for welding the parts to a garment piece. Features of the fastener improve tensile strength, increase flexibility, and improve comfort.

IPC Classes  ?

• A44B 11/22 - Buckle with fixed prong

Abstract

An ultra-slim fastener for a garment includes male and female parts engagable by inclining the male part while inserting a foot into a cavity of the female part, and pivoting the parts to a co-planar orientation. The female has a roof thickness, and the foot may be offset by at least the roof thickness. The male and female may include flanges which have a symmetrical appearance when engaged. The male and female may include a plurality of protrusions distributed throughout a weld region for welding the parts to a garment piece. Features of the fastener improve tensile strength, increase flexibility, and improve comfort.

IPC Classes  ?

• A41F 1/00 - Fastening devices specially adapted for garments

Abstract

A fastener system includes a fastener or nail for mounting objects on a surface and a corresponding plug for filling a hole left when the nail is removed from the surface. The nail and plug are formed of an engineering plastic, and may be formed from recycled materials. In embodiments, the nail and plug are joined by an arm which is easily broken away. In embodiments, the fastener and plug each have a plurality of flanges which provide strength and grip the surface.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16B 15/00 - Nails; Staples
• F16B 13/08 - Dowels or other devices fastened in walls or the like by inserting them in holes made therein for that purpose with parts gripping in the hole or behind the reverse side of the wall after inserting from the front with separate gripping parts moved into their final position in relation to the body of the device without further manual operation

Abstract

A flexible fastener includes a plurality of arrays of studs engaged with complimentary arrays of rings. The studs of each array are connected to diagonally adjacent studs via arms adjoining the stem of the stud. Interstitial recesses defined by the arms and stems are sized and configured to engage with the heads of studs on an engaging fastener piece. In embodiments, the fastener provides high tensile strength, continuous adjustment in two directions, and improved comfort when used in a garment. In some embodiments the fastener includes features which ensure alignment between pieces.

IPC Classes  ?

• A44B 18/00 - Fasteners of the touch-and-close type; Making such fasteners
• A41F 1/00 - Fastening devices specially adapted for garments

Abstract

A multi-directional closure for securing two pieces together includes a male part and a female part. The male part has a central, main protuberance and a plurality of outer protuberances. The female part has a seat cavity including a plurality of inwardly depending catch faces. The female part further includes a plurality of outwardly depending catch faces. In embodiments, the male part and the female part may each be provided with a magnet to align the main protuberance with the seat cavity. The closure is capable of withstanding high levels of radial forces in all radial directions without being disconnected. This allows for easier use of the closure and also greatly facilitates manufacture of items using the closure.

IPC Classes  ?

• A44B 1/00 - Buttons
• A44B 17/00 - Press-button or snap fasteners
• A44B 1/08 - Constructional characteristics
• A44B 1/34 - Buttons adapted for special ways of fastening with shank and counterpiece with snap-action counterpiece

Abstract

An underwire for a brassiere comprises an elongate, substantially u-shaped body having a chest-engaging portion and a breast-engaging portion. The underwire is constructed from a unitary piece of plastic material. The chest-engaging portion and the breast-engaging portion are connected together along their lengths in a dogleg-shaped configuration, with, in an embodiment, an angle of between 110° and 140° with respect to each other. The breast-engaging portion has a shorter length dimension than the chest-engaging portion and thereby leaves a substantially flat chest-engaging portion at each end of the elongate body. In embodiments, these flat ends of the chest-engaging portion are rounded or thinned compared to the remainder of the chest-engaging portion. The configuration provides good support to the wearer's breast, increases comfort, and is less likely to injure than other configurations.

IPC Classes  ?

• A41C 3/12 - Component parts
• A41C 3/00 - Brassières

Abstract

A link or slide for a garment strap includes mutually parallel longitudinal bars and a pair of opposing transverse bars each forming a juncture with ends of the longitudinal bars. The transverse bars curve forward from the junctures away from the rear of the longitudinal bars, reducing potential discomfort to an active wearer. In embodiments, the link is formed of resilient material and the link thickness tapers to a minimum at the junctures, forming flexible zones which provide added comfort. In additional embodiments, the longitudinal bars have angled edges adjoining slots through which the garment strap passes. The angled edges resist undesirable motion of the strap, especially while the wearer is exercising.

IPC Classes  ?

• A44B 11/04 - Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts frictionally engaging surface of straps without movable parts
• A41F 1/00 - Fastening devices specially adapted for garments
• A44B 11/00 - Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts
• A41F 15/02 - Means for retaining the straps in position

Abstract

A fastener for a garment, particularly suited to use in a garment such as a brassiere, includes female and male parts that interlock. The female part is connected to a first garment piece and the male part is connected to a second garment piece. The fastener is an overlapping fastener of the type in which the male piece is engaged with the female piece by inserting a connector plate of a male part into an aperture of a female part at an angle and thereafter pivoting the male part relative the female part thereby snap-fitting the connector plate in place in the aperture. The female part has a socket for receiving a detent of the male part, forming a locking mechanism. Dimensioning the male part to interfere with an edge of the female when coupling creates a second locking mechanism, as the female part resiliently couples to the male.

IPC Classes  ?

• A44B 11/25 - Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts with two or more separable parts
• A41F 1/00 - Fastening devices specially adapted for garments
• A44B 17/00 - Press-button or snap fasteners

Abstract

This invention relates to a fastener (100, 400, 700, 1000, 1300) for clothing or lingerie. The fastener comprises a front element (200, 500, 800, 1100, 1400) having at least one seat cavity (201) and a back element (300, 600, 900, 1200, 1500) having at least one bump (301) for location in the seat cavity. The front element and back element each comprise magnets (235, 329) to assist in the location of the bump in the seat cavity. The front and back elements additionally comprise a plurality of complementary catch faces (203, 205, 211, 213, 501, 303, 305, 311, 313, 601) which secure the engagement of the front and back elements and are operable to prevent inadvertent release of the back element from the front element when the back element is subjected to forces in any of a plurality of disparate directions.

IPC Classes  ?

• A44B 11/25 - Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts with two or more separable parts
• A41F 1/00 - Fastening devices specially adapted for garments
• A41F 1/04 - Corset fasteners
• A45C 13/10 - Arrangement of fasteners

Abstract

A hook and eye fastener for securing two pieces of a garment together includes a hook part for mounting on one of the pieces and an eye part for mounting on of the other of the pieces. The eye part comprises a frame having an open mouth defined by a circumferential lip. The lip has a pair of slots formed therein. The hook part comprises a body and arm. The arm comprises an inner portion connected to the body and an outer portion connected to inner portion. A plurality of ribs are provided along the rear surface of the inner portion and a pair of divider walls are provided along the front surface of the inner portion, nestled below the outer portion. The divider walls project forwardly for location in the slots of the lip. The fastener is relatively slim, easy to use, and capable of withstanding high tensile forces.

IPC Classes  ?

• A44B 13/00 - Hook or eye fasteners
• A41F 1/00 - Fastening devices specially adapted for garments

Abstract

An ultra-slim fastener for a bra includes male and female parts mounted on fabric pieces. The male part has a planar body having a downwardly depending leg terminating in an outwardly projecting foot extending parallel to the body. The female part has a substantially planar frame defining a cavity for reception of the foot. The cavity is roofed in towards the innermost end of the frame only, thereby defining an open mouth towards the outermost frame end. In embodiments, a fabric strip forms a backing for the frame and the bottom of the cavity is closed off. The second piece further includes an overlay mounted partially above the frame and on the fabric strip, sandwiching the frame between the overlay and the fabric strip. Embodiments are provided for use with reversible garments. Such a fastener will be very thin yet very strong.

IPC Classes  ?

• A41F 1/00 - Fastening devices specially adapted for garments
• A44B 13/00 - Hook or eye fasteners

Abstract

A fastener for a garment, particularly suited to use in a garment such as a brassiere, comprises a female part and a male part that interlock together. The female part is connected to a first garment piece and the male part is connected to a second garment piece. The fastener is an overlapping fastener of the type in which the male piece is engaged with the female piece by inserting a connector plate of a male part into an aperture of a female part at an angle and thereafter pivoting the male part relative the female part thereby snap-fitting the connector plate in place in the aperture. The male part has a recess formed therein surrounding the connector plate which provides added stability to the male part and significantly increases its tensile strength characteristic.

IPC Classes  ?

• A41F 1/00 - Fastening devices specially adapted for garments
• A41C 3/02 - Brassières with front closures
• A41F 15/00 - Shoulder or like straps
• A44B 17/00 - Press-button or snap fasteners

Abstract

A thin garment closure includes a male member with a bar having a ball each end and a female member having a trough shaped to receive the bar. The bar is positionable in the trough when the male and female members are in a substantially transverse orientation, and when one member is rotated so that both members are substantially coplanar the closure is closed. The male member has side arms angled inward and connecting the male exterior side and the bar. The length of the bar is shorter than the length of the male exterior side. The trough of the female member has a concave region to receive each ball of the bar. In an embodiment, the concave region is enlarged toward the center of the closure to accommodate movement of the bar under tension. These features improve the tensile strength of the closure.

IPC Classes  ?

• A41F 1/00 - Fastening devices specially adapted for garments
• A44B 11/25 - Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts with two or more separable parts

Abstract

A thin garment closure includes a male member with a bar having a ball on at least one end and a female member having a trough shaped complementary to the bar. The bar is positionable in the trough when the male and female members in a substantially transverse orientation, and when one member is rotated so that both members are substantially coplanar the closure is closed. The male and female members each have a flat surface which contacts the flat surface of the mating member when the closure is closed, enabling a thin and narrow closure. In an embodiment, the trough has sidewalls which guide the bar into position in the trough for improved manipulation of the closure. In another embodiment, a detent resists decoupling of the closure while allowing coupling over a range of insertion angles.

IPC Classes  ?

• A44B 11/25 - Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts with two or more separable parts
• A41F 1/00 - Fastening devices specially adapted for garments

Abstract

A reversible locking garment closure includes male and female members each attached to an end of a garment. The male member has a pin at an acute angle and the female member receives the pin in a corresponding angled channel. The acute angle provides resistance to decoupling the male and female members, and allows the closure to function under high tensile stress. The male and female members are coupled via motion in a plane parallel to the front and rear faces of the closure, allowing the closure to be operable when worn in a reverse orientation. In an embodiment, the closure includes a locking mechanism which resiliently resists decoupling of the male and female members.

IPC Classes  ?

• A41F 1/00 - Fastening devices specially adapted for garments
• A44B 11/25 - Buckles; Similar fasteners for interconnecting straps or the like, e.g. for safety belts with two or more separable parts

Abstract

A brassiere closure for full figured brassieres or orthopedic use includes an easily operable engagement of a single large loop and hook. The loop is positionable into an open position in which the hook may readily engage the loop. When pressure is applied to the loop, the loop assumes a closed position, thereby connecting the two wings of the brassiere. In an embodiment, the loop has a D-shaped ring which is hinged to a base, and the hook is ovate and self-centering. In another embodiment, an integral double spring serves to bias the loop in an open position. In another embodiment, secondary magnetic fasteners are used for additional strength and to assist in aligning the loop and the hook. The size and novel features of the closure make it easily operable, even when located behind the wearer's back.

IPC Classes  ?

• A41F 1/00 - Fastening devices specially adapted for garments