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(11) | EP 1 129 637 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Hook |
| (57) A hook or similar fastening element, comprising a composite body (11) which is constituted
by a hook-shaped structural supporting frame which is coupled to an external covering
(13) which is also shaped. |
[0002] It is known that fastening hooks have long been used successfully in various fields, such as clothing, footwear, et cetera, and are appreciated because of their easy and quick engagement and disengagement.
[0003] Currently, conventional hooks or similar fastening elements (for example of the type commonly known as "blok") are provided by means of a single element made of metallic or plastic material.
[0004] If said hooks are made of metallic material, they are usually rather tough but have severe constraints from the manufacturing point of view which limit their embodiments as regards their aesthetic aspect.
[0005] In the second case, in which the body of the hook is made of plastic material, greater aesthetic freedom can be achieved, but at the price of a rather low overall mechanical strength which often depends on the aesthetic choices.
[0006] Moreover, if the hook is made of plastic material, the upper and lower strength limits usually make it necessary to increase its dimensions to levels which are often unacceptable.
[0007] The aim of the present invention is to provide a hook whose structure solves the above-noted drawbacks of conventional commercially available hooks, particularly by ensuring at the same time extreme aesthetic, styling and formal freedom and excellent mechanical strength, thus allowing to produce even very small hooks.
[0008] Within this aim, an important object of the present invention is to provide a hook whose structure allows mass-production, including automated mass-production.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a hook whose structure allows considerable flexibility in application in terms of type of item for which it is intended.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a hook whose structure can be manufactured with known equipment and technologies at competitive costs.
[0011] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a hook or similar fastening element, characterized in that it comprises a composite body which is constituted by a hook-shaped structural supporting frame which is coupled to an external covering which is also shaped.
[0012] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the description of four embodiments thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hook having the structure according to the invention in a first embodiment;
Figures 2, 3 and 4 are three partially sectional views of the hook of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a detail of the hook of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a hook having the structure according to the invention, in a second embodiment;
Figure 7 is a view of the hook of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a detail of the hook of Figure 6;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a hook having the structure according to the invention, in a third embodiment;
Figure 10 is a view of the hook of Figure 9;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of a detail of the hook of Figure 9;
Figure 12 is a perspective view of a hook having the structure according to the invention, in a fourth embodiment;
Figure 13 is a view of the hook of Figure 12;
Figure 14 is a perspective view of a detail of the hook of Figure 12.
[0013] With particular reference to Figures 1 to 5, a hook having the structure according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 in a first embodiment.
[0014] The hook 10 comprises a composite body 11 which is constituted by a hook-shaped structural supporting frame 12 which is coupled to an outer covering 13 which is also shaped.
[0015] More specifically, the frame 12 has a first portion 14 which forms a bracket for anchoring to the item to which it is to be applied, which is not shown, and continues with a second longitudinally elongated arc-shaped portion 15 which forms the hook.
[0016] In this case, the first portion 14 also has two holes 16 suitable for the insertion of the anchoring elements, which are not shown and are commonly commercially available.
[0017] In this embodiment, the frame 12 is made of metallic material, but in other cases it can be made of tough plastic material.
[0018] Also in this embodiment, the frame 12 has no covering at the region where it rests against the item, which in this case lies at the side of the first portion 14 that is arranged opposite the free end of the second portion 15.
[0019] The covering 13, in this case, is made of injection-molded plastics, but in other cases it can be made of plastics or similar material which is dry-coupled to the frame 12.
[0020] Since the covering 13 is provided by injection-molding, the body 11 has two openings 17 (which might be omitted in other cases) which ensure the retention of the frame 12 as an insert arranged between the two elements that constitute the mold and the extraction of the hook 10 from said mold.
[0021] The body 11 is shaped, more specifically at the outer covering 13, so as to form a plurality of teeth 18 which are adapted to ensure firmer anchoring to the surfaces to be locked.
[0022] With particular reference to Figures 6 to 8, a hook according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 100 in a second embodiment.
[0023] The hook 100, like the hook 10, comprises a composite body 101 which is constituted by a hook-shaped structural supporting frame 102 which is coupled to an outer covering 103 which is also shaped.
[0024] The frame 102, more specifically, has a first portion 104 which forms a bracket for anchoring to the item to which it is to be applied, which is not shown, and continues with a second longitudinally elongated arc-shaped portion 105 which forms the hook.
[0025] The first portion 104, in this case, has a hole 106 which is suitable for the insertion of the anchoring elements, which are not shown and are commonly commercially available.
[0026] Also in this embodiment, the frame 12 is made of metallic material and has no covering at the region where it rests against the item, which in this case is located at the side of the first portion 104 that lies opposite the free end of the second portion 105.
[0028] Since the covering 103 is provided by injection-molding, the body 101 has two openings 107 (which may be omitted in other cases) which ensure the retention of the frame 102 as an insert arranged between the two elements that constitute the mold and the extraction of the hook 100 from the mold.
[0029] The body 101 is contoured, more specifically at the outer covering 103, so as to form a tooth 108 which is adapted to ensure firmer anchoring to the surfaces to be locked.
[0030] With particular reference to Figures 9 to 11, a hook according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 200 in a third embodiment.
[0031] The hook 200, like the hook 10, comprises a composite body 201 which is constituted by a hook-shaped structural supporting frame 202 which is coupled to an outer covering 203 which is also shaped.
[0032] More specifically, the frame 202 has a first portion 204 which forms a bracket for anchoring to the item to which it is to be applied, which is not shown, and continues with a second longitudinally elongated ark-shaped portion 205 which forms the hook.
[0033] The hook 200 differs from the preceding ones in that the first portion 204 is perimetrically provided with a flange 206 which is adapted to be connected by sewing to the item to which it is to be applied.
[0034] Reference is made to the above-described embodiments for further constructive details of this embodiment.
[0035] With particular reference to Figures 12 to 14, a hook having the structure according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 300 in a fourth embodiment.
[0036] The hook 300, like the hook 10, comprises a composite body 301 constituted by a hook-shaped structural supporting frame 302 which is coupled to an outer covering 303 which is also shaped.
[0037] More specifically, the frame 302 has a first portion 304 which forms a bracket for anchoring to the item to which it is to be applied, which is not shown, and continues with a second longitudinally elongated arc-shaped portion 305 which forms the hook.
[0038] The hook 300 differs from the preceding ones in that the covering 303, made of rigid plastics, is contoured at the second portion 305 so as to form a closed slot 306 for engagement with complementary connection means which are not shown.
[0039] Reference is made to what has been described for the above-described embodiments for further constructive details related to this embodiment.
[0040] In practice it has been observed that the present invention has achieved the intended aim and objects.
[0041] It should in fact be noted that the composite structure of the hook according to the invention allows maximum formal freedom while ensuring high overall structural strength.
[0042] Because of this, it should be noted that hooks having the structure according to the invention can, when required, also be produced with rather compact dimensions and volumes without compromising their mechanical characteristics.
[0043] It should also be noted that the hooks having the structure according to the invention are highly flexible from the point of view of application, since there are substantially no limits to the items to which they can be applied.
[0044] It should also be noted that the hooks having the structure according to the invention can be mass-produced even with automated processes.
[0045] The present invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept.
[0048] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. PD2000U000015, from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.
[0049] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.
1. A hook or similar fastening element, characterized in that it comprises a composite body which is constituted by a hook-shaped structural supporting
frame which is coupled to an external covering which is also shaped.
2. The hook according to claim 1, characterized in that said frame has a portion which forms a bracket for anchoring to the item to which
it is to be applied which continues with a second longitudinally elongated arc-shaped
portion which forms the hook.
3. The hook according to claim 1, characterized in that said first portion has one or more holes which are suitable for the insertion of
anchoring means.
4. The hook according to claim 1, characterized in that said first portion is perimetrically provided with a flange which is adapted to be
connected by sewing to the item to which it is to be applied.
5. The hook according to claim 1, characterized in that said covering is shaped, at said second portion, so as to form a slot which is closed
for engagement with complementary connection means.
6. The hook according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said frame is made of metallic material.
7. The hook according to claim 1, characterized in that said frame is made of plastics.
8. The hook according to claim 1, characterized in that said frame has no covering in the region for resting against the item to which the
hook is applied.
9. The hook according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said covering is made of injection-molded plastics.
10. The hook according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said covering has one or more openings through which said frame is visible.
11. The hook according to claim 1, characterized in that said covering is made of plastics and is dry-coupled to the frame.
12. The hook according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said body has one or more grip teeth.