Shear trap hook and loop fastening system

Abstract

 An improvement to touch fastener systems of the type comprising one portion composed of backing material having a hooked surface (14) thereon and another portion composed of backing material having a looped surface (16) thereon. The improvement allows for releasably fastening two components together with the hook and loop materials in shear and is characterized by a planar member (26) having one of the components (14) attached to the end thereof and having outer faces each having one of the portions of the fastening system thereon; and, a U-shaped shear trap channel member (24) having the other of the components attached to the closed end of the U and having inner faces on the sides of the U each having the other of the portions (16) of the fastening system thereon. The shear trap member (24) is adapted to receive the planar member (26) between the inner faces with the portions of the loop fastening portions in engagement; and, is further adapted to have the sides pivoted adjacent the closed end of the U to allow progressive disengagement of the portions of the fastening system.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to releasable touch fastener systems and, more particularly, to an improvement to hook and loop fastening systems of the type comprising one portion composed of backing material having a hooked surface thereon and another portion composed of backing material having a looped surface thereon. The improvement allows for releasably fastening two components together with the hook and loop materials in shear and is characterized by a planar member having one of the components attached to the end thereof and having outer faces each having one of the portions of the fastening system thereon; and, a U-shaped member having the other of the components attached to the closed end of the U and having inner faces on the sides of the U each having the other of the portions of the fastening system thereon, wherein the U-shaped member is adapted to receive the planar member between the inner faces with the portions of the loop fastening portions in engagement and is further adapted to have at least one side pivoted adjacent the closed end of the U to allow progressive disengagement of the portions of the fastening system.

[0002] Hook and loop fastening material as sold by the assignee of the present application under the trademark VELCRO is well-known and well-accepted commercially. The basic concept thereof is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The fastening system, generally indicated as 10, includes a first portion comprising a first strip of flexible backing material 12 having a loop material 14 on one side thereof. The second portion comprises a second flexible backing material 16 having resilient hooks 18 extending from one side thereof. For purposes of simplicity in the drawings, the hooks 18 are shown enlarged and few in number. In actuality, in the commercial product, the hooks 18 are quite small and are many in number. The hooks can either be T-shaped, as shown, or alternatively, J-shaped, or the like.

[0003] Typically, the two portions are attached to two members to be releasably joined as by sewing, ultrasonic welding or adhesive. When the two portions are pushed together in the manner of Figure 2, the hooks 18 catch in the loop material 14 and resist separation. To separate the portions, they are "peeled" apart as indicated by the arrow 20 in Figure 3 such that the hooks 18 and the loop material 14 are progressively separated rather than attempting to separate them all simultaneously. In order to separate the portions, the hooks 18 must be deformed in the area of the projections 22 to release the engagement of the hooks 18 with the loop material 14.

[0004] Turning now to Figure 4, the basic problem to be solved by the present invention is depicted. If there were a rigid U-shaped channel 24 as shown having a bar or plate 26 disposed therein; and, if hook and loop fastening systems 10 were disposed between the bar or plate 26 and the sides of the U-shaped channel 24 and attached thereto as with adhesive, the bar or plate 26 would be maintained within the U-shaped channel 24 by the hook and loop fastening systems 10 being what is referred to as "in shear". That is, in order for the bar or plate 26 to be pulled from the U-shaped channel 24, both the stems 28 and the projections 22 of the hooks 18 would have to be deformed in order to break their grip on the loop material 14. Moreover, as opposed to the progressive disengagement normally employed as depicted in Figure 3, total disengagement would have to be undertaken simultaneously. As a result, hook and loop fastening material operating "in shear" in the manner of Figure 4 is quite strong. For example, in one test it was found that a representative sample took two pounds of force to separate the portions in the progressive manner of Figure 3 whereas twenty pounds of force were required to release the materials in the shear direction. Greater insight can be gained with respect to using such hook and loop fastening materials in shear and, in particular, with the problem of separating rigid members joined by hook and loop fastening material by reference to United States Letters Patent 4,271,566 of Perina and 3,475,810 of Mates.

[0005] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that hook and loop fastening material operated in shear could be employed to support large loads. Unfortunately, without a means for releasing the material other than the shear direction or the use of a separate releasing device as described in the above-referenced Mates patent, such use is often impractical.

[0006] Wherefore it is the object of the present invention to provide a means for using hook and loop fastening systems in shear while allowing progressive disengagement of the components even when rigid materials are employed.

[0007] Accordingly, the present invention provides a trap channel member for use with a touch fastener system having releasably engageable parts, providing greater holding strength in a shear direction then in a peel direction characterized by the trap channel member (30) having opposed inner faces, on the sides (36) of the channel, each having a part of the touch fastener thereon, said trap channel member being able to receive a member having the cooperating other parts of the touch fastener on outer faces thereof between said inner faces with the respective parts in engagement in shear, said trap channel member being adapted to have said inner faces moved outward from one another in a manner to effect progressive disengagement of the parts from one another.

[0008] In the preferred embodiment as shown for heavy duty applications, the shear trap member is a resiliently rigid channel having a back portion and two parallel facing side portions wherein one of the side portions is hingedly attached to the back portion. In one of the embodiments, which provides for maximum ease of separation, the shear trap member has both side portions hingedly attached to the back portion.

[0009] Further in the preferred embodiment, the shear trap member is formed of plastic and the hinged attachment comprises a living hinge. For ease of gripping and effecting release, it is also preferred that the hinged side members include a gripping portion opposite the back side of the channel whereby the side member can be gripped to pull the surface portions out of engagement.

[0010] To increase the holding power and when used in a decorative environment the preferred embodiment includes a locking strip adapted to snap over a portion of the channel in releasable engagement with the side portions to prevent the side portions from separating and allowing the surface portions to become disengaged. Moreover, the locking strip is adapted to cover all of the shear trap members not having the planar member disposed therebetween.

[0011] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a simplified side view of basic hook and loop fastening materials as known in the art.

Figure 2 shows the materials of Figure 1 in their pressed-together or fastened configuration.

Figure 3 is a drawing showing the fastened materials of Figure 2 in the prior art manner of separation thereof.

Figure 4 is a simplified cutaway view through a U-shaped channel having a rigid strip disposed therein and maintained thereon both sided by hook and loop fastening material operating "in shear".

Figure 5 is a simplified drawing corresponding to the drawing of Figure 4 showing the present invention in a first embodiment accomplishing the same results but in a manner which alows release without pulling the hook and loop fastening system through the shear engagement.

Figure 6 shows the fastening system of Figure 5 with one side of the channel pulled away to disengage the hook and loop fastening materials on one side.

Figure 7 shows the apparatus of Figure 6 and how the plate can be pulled from the channel to disengage the other hook and loop fastening portion.

Figure 8 shows the present invention in simplified cross-section according to a second embodiment where both sides of the channel are capable of hinged disengagement.

Figure 9 shows the fastening system of Figure 8 with both sides of the channel disengaged to allow the strip to be easily removed.

Figure 10 is a simplified cross-section showing how the attachment system of the present invention in the first embodiment can be used in a horizontal configuration for mounting a shelf, or the like.

Figure 11 is a simplified side elevation showing a vertical mounting of a shelf support according to the present invention wherein the shear trap channel is attached to a wall.

Figure 12 is a cutaway top view of the mounting system of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a side elevation corresponding to that of Figure 11 showing an alternate method wherein the shear trap channel is attached to the removable shelf.

Figure 14 is a cutaway top view of the apparatus of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a side view of an elongated shear trap channel according to the present invention wherein the side portions have been divided into a plurality of side members which are individually pivotable about the back portion.

Figure 16 is a side view of a portion of an elongated shear trap channel wherein a second living hinge is disposed in the side portions to provide a a pivotable gripping portion therein.

Figure 17 is a top view of the shear trap channel of Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a top view of the shear trap channel of Figures 16 and 17 with the gripping portion pivoted out to its gripping position.

Figures 19 and 20 are respectively a side view and a top view of the shear trap channel of Figure 15 showing the addition of a front locking and decorative strip.

Figure 21 is an end view of an alternate embodiment of the locking strip as employed in a system for fastening airplane seats, and the like, to a floor ridge.

Figure 22 shows an alternative cross-section for the channel in which the channel side converge toward the open end of the channel to engage a bar or plate member of triangular cross-section with hook and loop material therebetween in shear, the channel sides being hinged to the channel back for movement in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 23 shows a further alternative channel cross-section in which the sides are curved to engage a circular bar.

[0012] Turning now to Figures 5-7, the present invention is shown in a first form. The system of the present invention is generally indicated as 30 and is referred to as a "shear trap" system because the heart of the system is the channel 32 which is a releasable trap channel. As described herein, the channel 32 is formed of a resiliently rigid plastic material of a type well known in the art which is capable of having a so-called "living hinge" formed therein. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, for heavy-duty applications, the channel 32 could be formed of, for example, aluminum with pin-type hinges, or the like, used where hinges are described hereinafter.

[0013] Channel 32 has a back portion 34 from which two parallel side portions 36 extend at right angles. In this particular embodiment, one side portion 36 joins the back portion 34 at an area of reduced thickness forming a living hinge at 38. As with the construction previously described with respect to Figure 4, half of conventional hook and loop fastening material 10 is fastened to the bar or plate 26 while the other half is fastened to the side portions 36 of the channel 32.

[0014] In its closed position as shown in Figure 5, the system 30 of the present invention operates in shear in the same manner as the channel 24 of Figure 4. To release the system 30, however, the side portion 36 connected by the living hinge 38 is pulled progressively out of engagement as indicated by the arrow 40 in Figure 6. The bar or plate 26 can then be disengaged from the other hook and loop fastening system 10 attached to the other side portion 36 and can be pulled away as indicated by the arrow 42 of Figure 7. In order to provide a grip for the pivoting disengagement of the one side portion 36, it is convenient to provide a gripping lip 44 along the outer edge thereof.

[0015] It should be noted in passing at this point that, in the drawings herein, the hook-containing portion of the fastening system 10 is shown mounted to the side portions 36 while the loop-containing portion is attached to the removable bar or plate 26. This could, of course, be reversed or, if desired, they could be mounted in alternate configurations such that the plate or bar 26 would only be fastenably receivable within the channel 32 in one direction.

[0016] Turning now to Figures 8 and 9, the fastening system 30ʹ is shown in an alternate embodiment wherein both side portions 36 are connected to the back portion 34 by living hinges 38. Since both side portions 36 are pivotable to the position of Figure 9, gripping lips 44 are also provided on both side portions 36. By having both side portion 36 pivotable, the channel 32ʹ is more easily releasable from engagement with the fastening materials on the bar or plate 26. Several more specific examples of the use of the present invention will now be described.

[0017] Figure 10 shows a side view of a shelf 45 being releasably attached to a wall panel 46 by the system 30 of the present invention according to the embodiment of Figures 5-7 mounted in a horizontal position. It will be appreciated that having only the outer side portion 36 of the channel 32 pivotable is preferred in this configuration. The non-hinged side portion 36 is attached to the wall panel 46 with adhesive, screws, or the like. To attach the shelf 44 to the wall, the vertical portion 48 having the loop material 14 thereon is inserted into the channel 32 in the direction of arrow 50 and then the outer (i.e. hinged) side portion 36 is pressed into engagement as indicated by the arrow 52 so as to place the fastening system 30 in its closed position as previously shown in Figure 5. The shelf 45 can, of course, be removed by simply releasing the outer side member 36 and then pulling the vertical portion 48 from engagement with the inner side member 36.

[0018] For vertical use, the double-opening configuration of Figure 8 and 9 is preferred. This is shown in two possible configurations in Figures 11-14. In the embodiment of Figures 11 and 12, a horizontal shelf 54 is attached to a perpendicularly oriented vertical member 56 configured in the manner of the plate or bar 26 of Figures 8 and 9. The releasable trap channel 32 is vertically mounted to the wall panel 46 and the vertical member 56 is releasably gripped therein to hold the shelf 54 to the wall.

[0019] In the embodiment of Figures 13 and 14, the vertical member 56ʹ extending from the horizontal shelf 54 is parallel to the wall panel 46 and has the releasable trap channel 32 mounted thereto. A mounting plate 58 is attached to the wall panel 46 and has a vertical bar 60 extending perpendicularly therefrom, which acts in the manner of the bar or plate 26 previously described.

[0020] Several additional variations and modifications of the present invention will now be described with respect to Figures 15-21. Turning first to Figure 15, where the shear trap channel 32 is of any length, it is preferred that the side portions 36 be subdivided as by slits 62 so as to form a plurality of contiguous side members 64. The providing of individually releasable side members 64 serves two purposes. For one, it makes release of the side portions 36 easier. More importantly, however, if, for example, an elongated trap channel is used for attaching a plurality of shelves, or the like, to a wall vertically one above the other, the separate side members 64 allow individual brackets for shelves to be added or removed without requiring that all be released.

[0021] Another modification to the basic structure is shown in Figures 16-18. For larger loading applications, the force required to move the side portions 36 (whether subdivided into side members 64 or not) out of engagement may still be quite large. In order to provide a firmer grip in these instances, it is preferred that the side portions 36 be provided with a second longitudinal living hinge 66 to divide the side portions 36 into a back segment 68 and a front segment 70. The hook and loop material attached to the side portion is only provided in the back portion as best seen in Figure 17. To remove the side portion 36 from engagement, the front segment 70 is rotated back to the position of Figure 18 wherein a first grip can be obtained so as to pull the back segment from engagement.

[0022] The next modification to be considered is shown in Figures 19 and 20 and comprises the locking/decorative strip 72. Strip 72 comprises a decorative front panel 74 having ears 75 extending backwards therefrom which are adapted to snap around the side portions 36 (and in particular the gripping lips 44). The strip 72 prevents the side portions 36 from moving outward and, therefore, locks the trap channel 32 in its engaged position. As best seen in Figure 19, the strip 72 is adapted to cover the front of the trap channel 32 except in those areas where a component such as the shelf bracket 76 is extending outward from therebetween. In this regard, it is in a decorative manner to cover the edges of the side portions 36 and the hook and loop fastening materials within. If desired, a decorative design could be put on the front panel to add to the decorative effect. The locking strip could in an alternative embodiment be formed integrally with one of the channel side portions.

[0023] An alternate embodiment of the locking strip concept is shown in Figure 21 wherein it is employed to retain an airplane seat frame 77 (which, although not instantly apparent from the drawing, is attached to the trap channel 32ʹ therein) firmly attached to the floor 79 of the airplane (not shown) until it is time for seat reconfiguration. Mounting ridge 81 extending upward from the floor 79 performs the function of the bar or plate 26 previously referred to. The locking strip 72 in this instance is pressed down over the side portions 36 to lock them firmly in place.

[0024] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this invention has wide application and is susceptible to many variations without departing from the basic hinged hook and loop separable fastener shear trap support system concept of the invention. An example of the variations referred to is the freedom with which the hinged channel member carrying hook or loop material on its interior parallel surfaces may be adapted to be part of the support structure or to be part of the supported structure with the cooperating member carrying an opposed exterior surface, the other of the hook or loop material being the other of the supported structure or the support structure.

[0025] It will also be appreciated that interior faces of the hinged channel may be widely spaced apart and that the cooperating member might be, for example, a wall or floor panel dimensioned from hook or loop material attached to opposed edges thereof to engage the other of the hook or loop material on said interior faces. Indeed, for example, without departing from the inventive concept, the hinged shear channel arrangement might comprise two such hinged channels disposed at right angles to bound within their interior walls a rectangle to engage the four sides of a similarly sized rectangular element.

[0026] Further the channel members may be co-extrusions comprising materials of different properties (e.g. durometer) one of which forms the hinge(s) and the other(s) the remainder of the channel members.

[0027] A touch fastener, as used in this application, comprises a first planar backing material part having a surface carrying hooks, mushrooms, balls on stems, pigtails, or the like, capable of engaging loops, hooks, mushrooms, balls on stems, pigtails, or the like, carried by a second planar backing material part to releasably fasten components together wherein the fastening strength in shear (i.e. against forces applied in the plane of the fastener) substantially exceeds the fastening strength resisting peeling separation of the fastener by the application of force normal to the plane thereof. Terms herein referring to hook and loop fastening systems and parts thereof shall be construed to include other types of touch fasteners in which the fastening strength in shear (i.e. against forces applied in the plane of the fastener) substantially exceeds the fastening strength resisting peeling separation of the fastener by the application of force normal to the plane thereof.

Claims

1. A trap channel member for use with a touch fastener system having releasably engageable parts, providing greater holding strength in a shear direction then in a peel direction CHARACTERIZED by:
  the trap channel member (30) having opposed inner faces, on the sides (36) of the channel, each having a part of the touch fastener thereon, said trap channel member being able to receive a member having the cooperating other parts of the touch fastener on outer faces thereof between said inner faces with the respective parts in engagement in shear, said trap channel member being adapted to have said inner faces moved outward from one another in a manner to effect progressive disengagement of the parts from one another.

2. A trap channel member according to claim 1 characterized in that:
  said trap channel member comprises a resiliently rigid channel member having a back portion and two parallel facing side portions wherein one of the side portions is hingedly attached to said back portion.

3. A trap channel member according to claim 2 characterized in that:
  said back portion is adapted for mounting to a surface.

4. A trap channel member according to claim 2 characterized in that:
  one of said side portions is adapted for mounting to a surface.

5. A trap channel member according to claim 2, 3, or 4 characterized in that:
  said trap channel member has both side portions hingedly attached to said back portion.

6. A trap channel member according to any preceding claim in that:
  said hinged side portion is subdivided into a plurality of side members which are each individually pivotable about said hinged attachment to said back portion.

7. A trap channel member according to any preceding claim characterized in that:
  said trap channel member is formed of plastic and said hinged attachment comprises a living hinge.

8. A trap channel member according to claim 7 characterized in that:
  said side portion attached to said back portion by said living hinge includes a gripping portion whereby said side portion can be gripped to pull the surface portions out of engagement.

9. A trap channel member according to claim 8 characterized by:
  a second living hinge disposed longitudinally in said side portion to divide it into a back segment and a front segment which includes said gripping portion and is pivotable to a position wherein it can be more firmly gripped.

10. A trap channel member according to any preceding claim characterized by:
  a locking strip adapted to snap over a portion of said trap channel in releasable engagement with said side portions to prevent said side portions from separating and allowing the portions of the fastening system to become disengaged.

11. A fastening system CHARACTERIZED by:

(a) a trap channel member according to any preceding claim, and

(b) a planar one of said members having opposed outer faces each having the cooperating other parts of the touch fastener thereon.

Drawing