US3908235A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Removable snap fastener
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-12-02
•
Granted: 1975-09-30
•
Expires: 1994-12-02
Abstract
Abstract A one-piece, resilient snap-fastener, preferably molded of plastic, having an elongated, generally cylindrical shank which is split longitudinally for a portion of its length, forming upper and lower fingers. The lower finger is smooth from end to end, while the upper finger has one or more laterally projecting catches adapted to engage the marginal edge of an opening in a member through which the shank of the fastener is inserted. The fastener is also provided with a longitudinally extending slot in the upper finger, which includes an inclined ramp terminating in a shoulder. A removal tool is provided, which may be inserted into the said slot, said tool having a hook on its outer end. As the tool is inserted into the slot, it slides over the inclined ramp, causing the free end of the upper finger to be depressed, so as to release the catch. The hook on the tool engages the shoulder at the end of the inclined ramp, and the released snapfastener can then be removed from the opening with the tool.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory Alan Telliard
- 👤 David Michael Hamilton
- 👤 Gary Edward Chaplin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:54
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16B; F16B21/00; F16B21/06; F16B21/08; F16B21/086; B; B25; B25B; B25B31/00; B25B31/005; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S411/00; Y10S411/913
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A releasable snap-fastener for securing two members together, at least one of said members having a hole provided through which the fastener is inserted, said snap-fastener comprising an elongated, resilient shank having a diametral slot formed in one end thereof and extending for a substantial portion of the length thereof, said slot dividing said shank into two parallel fingers, one of said fingers being smooth-sided, and the other finger having a catch formed thereon which is adapted to engage the marginal edge of said hole in said one member, said other finger being bent toward said one finger when the shank is inserted through said hole, and said catch springing laterally outward to engage the marginal edge of said one member when the shank is inserted all the way into said hole; said other finger having a longitudinally extending groove formed in the outer side thereof, with an inclined ramp adjacent said catch, said groove extending from one end of said snap-fastener to the other and being adapted to receive a long, slender release tool which may be inserted endwise into the slot from the front end of the fastener, said tool being adapted to slidingly engage said inclined ramp and thereby cam said other finger downwardly, so that said catch is disengaged from said member, allowing the fastener to be withdrawn from said hole.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
A releasable snap-fastener for securing two members together, at least one of said members having a hole provided through which the fastener is inserted, said snap-fastener comprising an elongated, resilient shank having a diametral slot formed in one end thereof and extending for a substantial portion of the length thereof, said slot dividing said shank into two parallel fingers, one of said fingers being smooth-sided, and the other finger having a catch formed thereon which is adapted to engage the marginal edge of said hole in said one member, said other finger being bent toward said one finger when the shank is inserted through said hole, and said catch springing laterally outward to engage the marginal edge of said one member when the shank is inserted all the way into said hole; said other finger having a longitudinally extending groove formed in the outer side thereof, with an inclined ramp adjacent said catch, said groove extending from one end of said snap-fastener to the other and being adapted to receive a long, slender release tool which may be inserted endwise into the slot from the front end of the fastener, said tool being adapted to slidingly engage said inclined ramp and thereby cam said other finger downwardly, so that said catch is disengaged from said member, allowing the fastener to be withdrawn from said hole.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
In combination, a releasable snap-fastener as defined in claim 1, and a release tool therefor, said release tool having a long, slender shank with a finger-grip head at one end thereof, the other end of said shank being insertable endwise into said groove from the front end of the fastener.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein said inclined ramp terminates in a shoulder, and said release tool has a hook on said other end thereof which engages said shoulder so that the released fastener can be withdrawn from its hole by the release tool.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein the other of said members has at least one snap-fastener shank molded integrally therewith, said snap-fastener shank being insertable into said hole in said one member to join said members together.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
91 words
A snap-fastener as set forth in claim 1, wherein said two members are sheet-like members with matching holes provided therein which are registered with respect to one another, and wherein said shank has a head formed on the other end thereof, said head bearing against the outer surface of one member and said catch engages the opposite surface of the other member; said groove extending through said head so that said release tool can be inserted endwise into the slot from the head end of the fastener to release the same.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A snap-fastener as set forth in claim 1, wherein said catch is a conical protuberance on the side of said other finger opposite said diametral slot, said conical protuberance terminating in a shoulder which engages the surface of said one member around a portion of the margin of said hole.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |