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(11) | EP 0 522 857 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Closure for progressively engageable elongate fasteners |
| (57) A closure (24) is provided for use with a progressively engageable elongate fastener
or fasteners, such as a slide fastener or fasteners, of the kind having elongated
components (2; 3) which have an at least substantially fluid resistant connection.
The closure seals over the ends of the connected components (2; 3) so that items connected
by the fastener or fasteners are rendered substantially fluid resistant at the ends
of the components. The closure comprises two opposed imperforate pads (25; 26) which
sealingly engage with those regions of the items in front of and behind the ends of
the components and define a housing which encloses the ends. A fastening (31) secures
the pads together. Adjacent ends of successive fasteners extending in line or at angles
to one another may be closed over by the closure. The closure is applicable to fasteners
connecting items of clothing and to various other articles requiring a substantially
fluid resistant connection between them. |
[0001] This invention relates to a closure for progressively engageable elongate fasteners and includes within its scope both slide fasteners and fasteners that are generally similar but lack slides.
[0002] A conventional slide fastener comprises two elongated flexible components having teeth which can be caused to be interengaged, and subsequently to be parted, by means of a slide pulled along the components. In such a fastener the engaged teeth will allow liquids and gases to pass through them.
[0003] For some uses it is desirable for a slide or other such progressively engageable elongate fastener to be fluid-resistant, or at least substantially so. Fasteners have been proposed in which their elongated components when engaged do provide at least a substantially fluid-resistant interengagement. For example, in addition to the elongated flexible components of a fastener having longitudinally spaced mating formations such as teeth, which restrain the components from relative longitudinal movement, they have complementary longitudinally extensive formations, such as a rib and groove, which interengage to provide the fluid-resistant connection. Such a fastener is the subject of our British patent No. 2 201 193.
[0004] There are applications of progressively engageable elongate fasteners in which a circular or other closed figure connection is required between items which together form, or assist in forming, an envelope-like body or structure, as for example the trousers and jackets of a protective suit, parts of weatherproof coverings and tent-like structures. In other arrangements two or more fasteners may be provided in succession to connect items together. Whilst a substantially fluid resistant interengagement can be provided, if desired, along the fasteners in applications of these kinds a problem arises in achieving fluid resistance at the ends of the interengaged components, whether at the opposite ends of a fastener where a single fastener provides a closed figure connection between items, or at adjacent ends of successive fasteners. Clothing or structures which are intended to be resistant to liquid and/or gas penetration have their effectiveness impaired by the pervious regions, however small, at the ends of the closed components.
[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a closure adapted for use with a progressively engageable elongate fastener or fasteners of the kind comprising, or each comprising, elongated components which are caused to be progressively connected together, and subsequently parted, and have longitudinally spaced mating formations which interengage and complementary longitudinally extensive formations which interengage to render the fastener at least substantially fluid resistant, which closure is characterised in that it comprises first and second opposed pads of which the first is imperforate and adapted to be sealingly engaged with items connected by the fastener or fasteners in the region behind adjacent ends of the connected components of the fastener or successive fasteners, and the second pad is adapted to be sealingly engaged with said items in the region in front of said adjacent ends, the pads having releasably engageable fastening means whereby they can be secured together at said regions and being of such form that when so secured they define together a housing which encloses said adjacent ends, thereby rendering said regions of the connected items at least substantially fluid resistant.
[0007] The closure may be used with an existing progressively engageable elongate fastener or fasteners already applied to items so as to improve the fluid resistance of the connection between the items provided by the fastener or fasteners.
[0008] Alternatively the closure may be provided in combination with a progressively engageable elongate fastener or fasteners to be applied as original equipment to items to be connected.
[0009] According to a second aspect of the invention therefore there is provided a fastener system comprising at least one progressively engageable elongate fastener comprising elongated components which are caused to be progressively connected together, and subsequently parted, and have longitudinally spaced mating formations which interengage and complementary longitudinally extensive formations which interengage to render the fastener at least substantially fluid resistant, characterised in that the fastener is provided in combination with a closure in accordance with the first aspect of the invention herein set forth of which the first pad is adapted to be sealingly engaged with items connected by the fastener or fasteners in the region behind adjacent ends of the connected components of the fastener or successively arranged fasteners, the second pad is adapted to be sealingly engaged with said items in the region in front of said adjacent ends, and the housing which the pads define when secured together by the fastening means at said regions is of a form to enclose said adjacent ends of the connected components of the fastener or successive fasteners to render said regions of the connected items at least substantially fluid resistant.
[0010] According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided an article comprising separably connected items and characterised in that the items are connected together by a fastener system in accordance with the second aspect of the invention herein set forth, the elongated components of the or each fastener being secured to the respective items.
[0011] When the or each progressively engageable fastener is a slide fastener the housing defined by the pads when they are secured together may enclose the slide of the fastener or of at least one of the successive fasteners. Thus the slide is protected and is also held against being moved along the elongated components to part them when the pads are secured together. Inadvertent or accidental parting movement of the slide can therefore be prevented.
[0012] The pads may be of rigid or flexible material. For many uses a suitable plastics material may be preferred in the manufacture of the pads but metal may be used instead. Particularly when the closure is used with a fastener or fasteners connecting items of clothing, it may be desirable for the pads to be made of flexible, preferably resilient, material to reduce the likelihood of their causing discomfort to the wearer. Particularly for that reason it is desirable as well in such a use of the closure that the pads are as small as practicably possible to provide the fluid resistance at the said regions of the items.
[0013] Conveniently each pad has a circumferential sealing ring at which its sealing engagement with the items is made. The sealing ring may be located in a groove in a rim of the pad. A silicon O-ring is suitable. In another form the sealing ring may be of a closed cell, foam material, the cell structure of the material providing an effective barrier to liquid and gas penetration.
[0014] The sealing engagement of the pads extends over the interengaged elongated components of the or each fastener.
[0015] In stating that the sealing engagement is with the items it is to be understood that attachment strips of the elongated components by which they are secured in position for use may be regarded as forming parts of the items. The sealing engagement may, therefore, be at least in part with the attachment strips.
[0016] Each of the pads, or at least the second pad, may be carried by a flap attached to the item which can be manipulated to move the pad, or respective pad, between an out-of-use position in which the pad is clear of the fastener, leaving the elongated components free to be interengaged or parted, and an in-use position opposite the ends of the interengaged components.
[0017] The fastening means for securing the pads together may take various forms. An essential requirement is that the pads should be held securely together to ensure the effectiveness of their enclosure of the regions of the connected items. Preferably whilst being held together they are urged towards one another to assist in their sealing engagement with the items. At least when the closure is used with items of clothing it will normally ,be desirable for the fastening means to be quickly and easily operated; in some cases even when gloves are being worn.
[0018] One convenient form of fastening means has a pivoted lever on the first pad and an aperture in the second pad through which the lever can be inserted and then, by pivoting, made to snap into bearing engagement with a surface of the pad remote from the first pad to urge the two pads towards one another. In another form a fastening of the turn-head type is provided. The turn-head fastening is mounted on the first pad, engages with a slot in the second pad and its head when turned clamps the two pads together.
[0019] Preferably the fastening means provides an audible indication, such as a click, of when it is in its secured condition to assist the user in ensuring that the closure is properly closed for use.
[0020] The pads may have co-operating parts or formations which correctly locate the pads relative to one another to form the housing, to enclose the adjacent ends of the elongated components, and be secured by the fastening means. Pegs and sockets, for example, may co-operate to locate the pads.
[0021] The closure may be used at adjacent ends of the interengaged elongated components of a fastener or successive fasteners whether the ends are in alignment or at an angle to one another. For example, when the closure is used with a fastener which provides a continuous circular connection between a jacket and trousers of a protective suit of clothing, the closure may close off the adjacent ends of the elongated components extending at one level round the garment, as at the waist of the wearer. However, the closure may equally effectively close off the adjacent ends of the elongated components when the fastener follows a devious course. Thus, if say the trousers of a protective suit were to be extended up the front of the wearer to chest height, for example as a bib, but extended only to waist height at the back, the elongated components would follow the devious line of connection between the trousers and jacket and the adjacent ends and closure may be at the top of the front extension of the trousers, where the adjacent ends may meet at an angle to one another.
[0022] An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of adjacent ends of parted elongated components of a slide fastener which provides a fluid-resistant connection between items;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the adjacent ends of the interengaged elongated components and of an open closure in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the closure in Figure 2 closed;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modified form of the closure;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a protective suit of clothing including a slide fastener and closure of the form shown in Figures 1 to 3;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of an open slide fastener of the form shown in Figure 1 but with the adjacent ends of the elongated components at an angle to one another, and showing a modified form of closure for use with that fastener;
Figures 7 and 8 show perspective views of a modification to the closure of Figure 6; and
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a protective suit of clothing including a slide fastener and closure as in Figure 6.
[0023] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a slide fastener 1 is shown which comprises a first elongated component 2 and a second elongated component 3. The first and second components 2 and 3 are of similar forms, being of uniform shapes along their lengths and differing only in the treatment of one end of the second component 3. Each of the components is made of a thermoplastic material, such as polyvinyl chloride, that is both flexible and resilient. Each component has an attachment strip portion 4 extending along one edge of which is an engagement formation 5. The engagement formation 5 is of shallow channel shape having a web 6, proximal side wall 7 to which the attachment strip portion 4 is joined, spaced from the web 6, and a parallel distal side wall 8. The proximal side wall 7 has an inwardly-inclined tapering extension 9 whereas the distal side wall 8 has an inwardly curved lip 10 so that that side is hook-shaped in section. Between the side walls 7, 8, on a central plinth portion 11 of the web 6, is a row of uniformly spaced mating formations 12 in the form of round-edged ribs extending transversely of the web and being slightly inclined inwardly towards the web as they extend towards the proximal side wall 7. The spacing between the mating formations 12 corresponds to the width of the formations. Protruding from the plinth 11 at the ends of the mating formations 12 nearest to the proximal side wall 7 is a bead 13 which extends continuously along the component parallel to the proximal side wall and presents an undercut shoulder 14 projecting towards that side wall. Grooves 15 and 16 with restricted entries are defined in the channel of each engagement formation 5 respectively between the proximal side wall 7, including its tapering extension 9, and the bead 13, and between the distal side wall 8 and the adjacent side of the plinth 11 and ends of the mating formations 12. The first mentioned groove 15 of each component 2, 3 is of complementary shape to, and is able to receive, the distal side wall 8 of the other component, and the second-mentioned groove 16 is of complementary shape to, and is able to receive, the bead 13 of the other component. When these parts of the components are so interengaged the mating formations 12 of the two components intermesh.
[0024] The two components 2, 3 are interengaged by pressing their engaging formations 12 together in directions perpendicular to their webs 6. They are progressively interengaged, and parted, by means of a slide 17.
[0025] The slide 17 has a body 18 with a through passage 19 opening to opposite ends of the body and tapering from one end to the other. At its wider end portion the passage 19 is divided into two parts by a partition, not shown. One part of the passage 19 provides entry for the engagement formation 5 of one elongated component into the slide 17 and the other part of the passage provides entry for the engagement formation of the other elongated component so that one engagement formation is on top of, and in register with, the other. Open-ended slots 19′ at opposite sides of the passage allow for the slide to pass over the attachment strip portions 4. As the slide 17 is drawn along the components with the wider, divided, end of the passage 19 leading, the engagement formations are pressed together into interengagement by the narrower end portion of the passage. When the slide is drawn in the opposite direction, the partition in the passage 19 causes the engagement formations to be forced apart.
[0026] At that end of the engagement formation 5 of the second component 3 from which closing together of the two components is started there is an integral eye 20. That eye 20 is releasably engageable with a peg 21 formed on the first component spaced just beyond the corresponding end of the engagement formation of the first component, for initially locating the two components together in readiness for them to be interengaged by the slide 17. The slide is pre-positioned on the engagement formation of the second component 3 next to the eye 20.
[0027] For use the two components are secured to the respective items 22, 23 which they are to connect together by their attachment strip portions 4. They may be secured to the items, for example, by high frequency or ultra-sonic welding where the material of the items permits, by stitching and/or bonding, or by a sealing tape which is applied between the attachment strip portions and the material of the items and hot-rolled to bond and seal it to the two articles. Other suitable means of securing the components to the items may be employed, if desired.
[0029] If say the fastener is used to provide a continuous circular connection between items, as for example the jacket and trousers of a protective suit of clothing, or if the fastener is used with others arranged in succession to connect items together, there is inevitably a gap, albeit it only small, between the adjacent ends of the fastener, or of the fastener and the next successive fastener.
[0030] A closure 24 to close that gap, so as to resist fluid penetration between the connected items at the gap, is provided, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and in modified form in Figures 6, 7 and 8. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the closure 24 comprises a first pad 25 and a second pad 26 made as mouldings of plastics material which may be rigid or have some degree of flexibility and resilience. Some examples of suitable plastics are polypropylenes, high and low density polyethylenes, acetates and nylons. Others may be used. The environment in which the fastener is to be used, fluids and materials in which the fastener may come into contact may be an important consideration in many cases in deciding upon a suitable plastics.
[0031] The pads 25 and 26 are of similar rectangular shapes of a width corresponding substantially to the width across the fastener from the remote edges of the attachment strip portions 4 of the two components 2, 3 when their engagement formations 5 are interengaged. Each pad 25, 26 has an upstanding rim 27 formed with a continuous groove 28 which accommodates a sealing ring, not shown, of a closed cell, foam plastics material. There are recesses 29 in the rim 27 of the second pad 26 at its opposite ends to fit round the interengaged engagement formations of the components near the adjacent ends of the fastener, or fasteners. The first pad 25 is imperforate. On its side from which the rim 27 projects the first pad has a central integral post 30 on which is pivoted by one end a locking lever 31 having cam profiles 32 adjacent to the post. The locking lever 31 is pivotal between a free position in line with the post 30 and a locking position substantially at right angles to the post. The second pad 26 has a central slot 33 just large enough for the lever in its free position and outer end of the post 30 to be projected through. A hollowed portion 34 of the pad is able to receive the slide 17 of the fastener, or one of the fasteners, in the position the slide occupies at the ends of the components when their engaging formations have been interengaged.
[0032] For use the first pad 25 is secured, as by welding or bonding, to a flap of material, not shown, on one item 22 behind the gap between the adjacent ends of the fastener or fasteners. The second pad 26 is similarly secured to a flap 35 on the same, or other, item 23 in front of the gap. The flaps allow the pads to be moved from positions to one side of the components 2, 3 of the fastener or fasteners to operative positions in which they extend over the components directly opposite one another on opposite sides of the material of the items. When the pads are in their operative positions the locking lever 31 is projected through the slot 33 in the second pad and then snapped over to its locking position to lock the pads together. As the lever is snapped into the locking position its cam profiles 32 bear on the second pad urging it towards the first pad. The pressure exerted by the lever urges the sealing rings of the two pads into tight sealing contact with the material of the items, and with the components of the fastener or fasteners, to seal the regions of the items around the gap between the adjacent ends of the fastener or fasteners. Thus the connection between the items is completely sealed.
[0033] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 the adjacent ends of the fastener or fasteners are in alignment. If the fastener is used to provide a circular closure say between the trousers and jacket of a protective suit, as at the waist of the wearer, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the adjacent ends of the fastener would be so aligned and closed by the closure as described.
[0034] In the modified form of the closure shown in Figure 4, the locking lever 31 is received into a complementary shaped recess 36 in the second pad 26 when it is snapped over into its locking position, so that it is protected by the pad, and less likely to be accidentally released. A hole 37 may be provided in the lever 31 for a cord or tape to secure the lever in the locking position and/or aid its being moved from the one position to the other.
[0035] Formations may be provided on the locking lever and second pad which co-operate as the lever is moved finally into the locking position to give a clicking sound so as to indicate to the user that the pads have been properly and securely closed.
[0036] Instead of the adjacent ends of the fastener or fasteners being aligned they may meet at an angle, as shown in Figure 6. The or each fastener shown in that Figure is of the form described above with a locating peg 21 at the end of the engagement formation 5 of the first component 2 for engagement with an eye 20 of the second component 3. In this instance the two pads 25, 26 of the closure 24 are of similar pentagonal shapes. Each has an upstanding rim 27, as before, accommodating a sealing ring not shown, and recesses 29 to fit round the interengaged engagement formations of the components. Again the first pad 25 is imperforate and has a pivoted locking lever 31 on a post 30. The lever and post are positioned to be within the angle between the adjacent ends of the fastener or fasteners when the pad is located opposite the adjacent ends. The lever 31 projects through a slot 33 in the second pad 3 and cam profiles 32 of the lever bear on the second pad as the lever is swung to its locking position. The pads are thus urged towards one another and seal their sealing rings against the material of the items, and against the components of the fastener or fasteners, around the gap between the adjacent ends of the fastener or fasteners.
[0037] A modification is shown in Figures 7 and 8, which may also be applied to the form of the closure shown in Figures 2 and 3. Here, instead of the locking lever 31, the first pad is provided with a turn-head fastening 38 which engages in a slot 33 in the second pad in a recess 39 into which the head 40 of the fastening can be folded flat, Figure 8, when the head has been turned to its locking position. Formations 41, 42 in the recess 39 and on the head 40 co-operate as the head is finally turned into its locking position to give a clicking sound as an indication to the user that the pads have been properly secured. Co-operating camming formations on the head 40 and in the recess 39 urge the pads towards one another as the head is turned to the locking position.
[0038] Figure 9 shows a protective suit of clothing in which the jacket and trousers are connected by a continuous circular fastener the adjacent ends of which meet at an angle, as described above, and are closed by a closure of the form shown in Figure 6, or as modified by Figures 7 and 8. The adjacent ends are at the top of an extension part 43 of the front of the trousers which extends up to the chest height of the wearer. The fastener thus follows a devious path round the wearer of this suit. An advantage of the extension part 43 and having the adjacent ends of the fastener and the closure at the top of the extension part is that the waist of the wearer of the suit is left free. The wearer may then be able to wear a belt or fasten equipment around his waist with less discomfort than might be possible with a fastener entirely at waist level. Additionally the wearer may have more freedom of movement and, if desired, the trousers can be made to fit more closely about the trunk of the wearer.
[0039] Although particular reference has been made to clothing as an example of uses of a fastener or fasteners with which a closure in accordance with the invention may be used, it will be appreciated that there are other applications for which the use of the closure with a fastener or fasteners is suitable. As just a few examples, the closure may be used with fasteners incorporated into tents, flat-pack buildings, motor car soft tops, protective covers for vehicles, boats and other articles, hold-all bags and luggage.
1. A closure adapted for use with a progressively engageable elongate fastener or fasteners
of the kind comprising, or each comprising, elongated components which are caused
to be progressively connected together, and subsequently parted, and have longitudinally
spaced mating formations which interengage and complementary longitudinally extensive
formations which interengage to render the fastener at least substantially fluid resistant,
which closure is characterised in that it comprises first and second opposed pads
(25; 26) of which the first pad (25) is imperforate and adapted to be sealingly engaged
with items connected by the fastener or fasteners in the region behind adjacent ends
of the connected components of the fastener or successive fasteners, and the second
pad (26) is adapted to be sealingly engaged with said items in the region in front
of said adjacent ends, the pads (25; 26) having releasably engageable fastening means
(31) whereby they can be secured together at said regions and being of such form that
when so secured they define together a housing which encloses said adjacent ends,
thereby rendering said regions of the connected items at least substantially fluid
resistant.
2. A closure according to Claim 1 characterised in that the housing defined by the pads
(25; 26) when they are secured together is shaped to enclose a slide of the fastener,
or of at least one of the fasteners, with which the closure is adapted to be used.
3. A closure according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterised in that each pad (25; 26)
has a circumferential sealing ring at which its sealing engagement with the respective
items is made.
4. A closure according to any preceding claim characterised in that at least the second
pad (26) is carried by a flap (35) adapted to be attached to one of the items to enable
the pad to be moved between out-of-use and in-use positions.
5. A closure according to any preceding claim characterised in that the fastening means
(31) for securing the pads (25; 26) together urge the pads towards one another whilst
they are held together to assist the sealing engagement of the pads with the items.
6. A closure according to Claim 5 characterised in that the fastening means comprises
a pivoted lever (31) on the first pad (25) and an aperture (33) in the second pad
(26) through which the lever can be inserted and then, by pivoting, made to snap into
bearing engagement with a surface of the second pad remote from the first pad to urge
the two pads towards one another.
7. A closure according to Claim 6 characterised in that the lever (31) and second pad
(26) have formations which co-operate as the lever is pivoted finally into its securing
position to give a clicking sound as an indication to the user that the pads (25;
26) have been properly secured together.
8. A closure according to Claim 5 characterised in that the fastening means comprises
a turn-head fastening (38) which is mounted on the first pad (25) and the second pad
(26) has a slot (33) in which the turn-head fastening can be engaged, the head (40)
of the fastening being projected through the slot (33) and turned to bear on a surface
of the second pad (26) remote from the first pad (25) so as to clamp the two pads
together.
9. A closure according to Claim 8 characterised in that the head of the turn-head fastening
(38) and the second pad (26) have formations (42; 41) which co-operate as the head
(40) is turned finally into its securing position to give a clicking sound as an indication
to the user that the pads have been properly secured together.
10. A fastener system comprising at least one progressively engageable elongate fastener
(1) comprising elongated components (2; 3) which are caused to be progressively connected
together, and subsequently parted, and have longitudinally spaced mating formations
(12) which interengage and complementary longitudinally extensive formations (8, 15;
13, 16) which interengage to render the fastener at least substantially fluid resistant,
characterised in that the fastener is provided in combination with a closure (24)
according to any preceding claim of which the first pad (25) is adapted to be sealingly
engaged with items connected by the fastener (1) in the region behind adjacent ends
of the connected components (2; 3) of the fastener, the second pad (26) is adapted
to be sealingly engaged with said items in the region in front of said adjacent ends,
and the housing which the pads (25; 26) define when secured together by the fastening
means (31) at said regions is of a form to enclose said adjacent ends of the connected
components (2; 3) of the fastener thereby to render said regions of the connected
items at least substantially fluid resistant.
11. A fastener system according to Claim 10 characterised in that the or each fastener
(1) is a slide fastener having a slide (17), by which the elongated components (2;
3) of the fastener (1) are caused to be progressively connected together and subsequently
parted, and the housing defined by the pads (25; 26) of the closure (24) when secured
together is shaped to enclose the slide (17) of the fastener, or of at least one of
the fasteners.
12. A fastener system according to Claim 10 or Claim 11 characterised in that there is
one said fastener (1) opposite ends of the elongated components (2; 3) of which are
intended to be disposed adjacent to one another at least when the components are connected
together, and the housing which the pads (25; 26) of the closure (24) define when
secured together is of a form to enclose said opposite ends of the connected components.
13. A fastener system according to Claim 10 or Claim 11 characterised in that there are
two of said fasteners (1) intended to be successively disposed in use with ends of
the connected components (2; 3) of the one fastener aligned with adjacent ends of
the connected components (2; 3) of the other fastener, and the housing which the pads
(25; 26) of the closure (24) define when secured together is of a form to enclose
the aligned adjacent ends of the connected components of the two fasteners.
14. A fastener system according to Claim 10 or Claim 11 characterised in that there are
at least two of said fasteners (1) intended to be successively disposed in use with
ends of the connected components (2; 3) of one of the fasteners at an angle to the
adjacent ends of the connected components (2; 3) of the other fastener, and the housing
which the pads (25; 26) of the closure (24) define when secured together is of a form
to enclose the adjacent ends of the connected components of the;two fasteners.
15. A fastener system according to any of Claims 10 to 14 characterised in that the complementary
longitudinally extensive formations (8, 15; 13, 16) of the elongated components (2;
3) of the or each fastener (1) are made of a flexible and resilient material and comprise
in respect of the one component (15;16) a longitudinally extensive groove and in respect
of the other component (8; 13) a longitudinally extensive projection which engages
in the groove.
16. A fastener system according to Claim 15 characterised in that the longitudinally extensive
projection (8; 13) is hook-shaped in section and the longitudinally extensive groove
(15; 16) is of complementary shape in cross-section having a restricted entry for
the insertion of the projection.
17. A fastener system according to Claim 15 or Claim 16 characterised in that the elongated
components (2; 3) of the or each fastener (1) are similar each having a longitudinally
extensive groove (15; 16) and a longitudinally extensive projection (8; 13) as set
forth, the projection of each component being engagable in the groove of each other
component.
18. A fastener system according to Claim 17 characterised in that each of the elongated
components (2; 3) has two of the longitudinally extensive grooves (15; 16) and two
of the longitudinally extensive projections (8; 13), there being one each of the grooves
and projections at opposite sides of the longitudinally spaced mating formations (12)
of the component.
19. A fastener system according to any of Claims 10 to 18 characterised in that each elongated
component (2; 3) of the or each fastener (1) has an attachment strip (4) extending
along one side thereof for securement of the component to an item.
20. An article comprising separably connected items (22; 23) characterised in that the
items (22; 23) are connected together by a fastener system as claimed in any of Claims
10 to 19 the elongated components (2; 3) of the or each fastener (1) being secured
to the respective items.