Slider-type assembly device

Claim 2

A fastening device, comprising two generally symmetrical fork-shaped strips formed of an elastically deformable material, sliding means cooperating with said strips for coupling and uncoupling said strips, each strip including a base portion, first and second arms of substantially the same length projecting from said base portion, each of said first arms being in the form of a generally flat tongue, each of said second arms including a bead projecting from the outer end thereof toward said first arm and forming a recess between said bead and said base portion, the lateral dimension of said bead being greater in the portion closer to said first arm than the portion connected to said second arm so that when said strips are coupled together, the portions of said beads in engagement intersect the longitudinal midplane of said device at an angle less than 90*, said recess being shaped and dimensioned to receive and accomodate the bead of the other strip when said strips are coupled together.

Claim 3

The fastening device in claim 1, wherein the portions of said beads in engagement intersect the longitudinal midplane of said device at an angle of about 45*.

Claim 4

A fastening device comprising two generally symmetrical fork-shaped strips formed of an elastically deformable material, sliding means cooperating with the said strips for coupling and uncoupling said strips, each strip including a base portion, first and second arms of substantially the same length projecting from said base portion, each of said first arms being in the form of a generally flat tongue, each of said second arms including a terminal bead at the end thereof and an intermediate bead, both beads projecting toward said first arm, aid beads forming a first recess therebetween and a second recess between said intermediate bead and said base portion, the lateral dimension of said beads being greater in the portion closer to said first arm than the portion connected to said second arm so that when said strips are coupled together the portions of said beads in engagement intersect the longitudinal midplane of said device at an angle less than 90*, said first and second recesses being shaped and dimensioned to receive and accomodate said intermediate and terminal beads, respectively, of the other strip when said strips are coupled together.

Claim 5

A fastening device comprising two generally symmetrical fork-shaped strips formed of an elastically deformable material, sliding means cooperating with the said strips for coupling and uncoupling said strips, each strip including a base portion, first and second arms of substantially the same length projecting from said base portion, each of said first arms being in the form of a generally flat tongue, each of said second arms including a terminal bead at the end thereof and an intermediate bead, both beads projecting toward said first arm, aid beads forming a first recess therebetween and a second recess between said intermediate bead and said base portion, the lateral dimension of said beads being greater in the portion closer to said first arm than the portion connected to said second arm so that when said strips are coupled together the portions of said beads in engagement intersect the longitudinal midplane of said device at an angle less than 90*, said first and second recesses being shaped and dimensioned to receive and accomodate said intermediate and terminal beads, respectively, of the other strip when said strips are coupled together.

Claim 6

The fastening device in claim 3, wherein the portions of said beads in engagement intersect the longitudinal midplane of said device at an angle of about 45*.

Claim 7

A fastening device comprising, two generally symmetrical fork-shaped strips formed of an elastically deformable material, sliding means cooperating with the said strips for coupling and uncoupling said strips, each strip including a base portion, first and second arms of substantially the same length projecting from said base portion, each of said first arms being in the form of a generally flat tongue, each of said second arms including a terminal bead at the end thereof and an intermediate bead, both beads projecting toward said first arm, said beads forming a first recess therebetween and a second recess between said intermediate bead and said base portion, said first and second recesses being shaped and dimensioned to receive said intermediate and terminal beads, respectively, of the other strip when said strips are coupled together, said sliding means including a pair of surfaces facing each other capable of coupling and uncoupling said strips by moving back and forth along said strips, said strips extending between said surfaces, at least a portion of each surface gradually changing shape in the direction of said back and forth movement, a finger gradually changing in size projecting from said portion of each of said surfaces and extending along the direction of said back and forth movement, the surfaces and fingers being shaped to contact the strips and urge them toward each other, while the surfaces are moved in one direction, by separating the arms of each strip a sufficient amount so that the second arm of the first strip can be inserted to the limit of travel between the arms of the second strip, the base portion of the second strip being maintained substantially along the plane of symmetry of the strips when coupled while the base of the first strip is disposed at an angle relative to said plane, said surfaces and fingers operating to couple the strips together after the second arm of the first strip has been inserted to its limit of travel by returning the second arm of the second strip to its relaxed position and rotating the first strip toward the plane of symmetry.

Claim 8

A fastening device comprising, two generally symmetrical fork-shaped strips formed of an elastically deformable material, sliding means cooperating with the said strips for coupling and uncoupling said strips, each strip including a base portion, first and second arms of substantially the same length projecting from said base portion, each of said first arms being in the form of a generally flat tongue, each of said second arms including a terminal bead at the end thereof and an intermediate bead, both beads projecting toward said first arm, said beads forming a first recess therebetween and a second recess between said intermediate bead and said base portion, said first and second recesses being shaped and dimensioned to receive said intermediate and terminal beads, respectively, of the other strip when said strips are coupled together, said sliding means including a pair of surfaces facing each other capable of coupling and uncoupling said strips by moving back and forth along said strips, said strips extending between said surfaces, at least a portion of each surface gradually changing shape in the direction of said back and forth movement, a finger gradually changing in size projecting from said portion of each of said surfaces and extending along the direction of said back and forth movement, the surfaces and fingers being shaped to contact the strips and urge them toward each other, while the surfaces are moved in one direction, by separating the arms of each strip a sufficient amount so that the second arm of the first strip can be inserted to the limit of travel between the arms of the second strip, the base portion of the second strip being maintained substantially along the plane of symmetry of the strips when coupled while the base of the first strip is disposed at an angle relative to said plane, said surfaces and fingers operating to couple the strips together after the second arm of the first strip has been inserted to its limit of travel by returning the second arm of the second strip to its relaxed position and rotating the first strip toward the plane of symmetry.

Claim 9

The fastening device in claim 5, wherein the base of each strip is disposed substantially along the plane of symmetry before the strips are contacted by the surfaces, the surfaces rotating the first strip away from the plane while the arms of each strip are being separated and the strips are being urged toward each other.