Fastener and base using said fastener

Claim 2

A fastening element comprising: (a) a substrate having first and second surfaces on opposite sides thereof, and (b) a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having (i) a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, (ii) a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge larger than said top locking ridge, (iii) a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and (iv) a peripherally-extending locking recess larger than said upper recess and disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface.

Claim 3

A fastener comprising first and second fastening elements constructed as in claim 1 and adapted to fasten to each other with top locking ridges of said first element being locked to bottom locking ridges of the second element.

Claim 4

The fastener of claim 2 further comprising a base member having said first fastening element attached thereto, and a lower ground support having said second fastening element attached thereto to secure said base member to said lower ground support such that said fasteners will totally sever apart when said base member is subject to a lateral force greater than an injury-potential threshold lateral force.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 2 wherein said second surface is secured to an athletic contact device.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 2 wherein each of said prongs includes a peripherally-extending substrate ridge disposed between said lower recess and said first surface.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 5 wherein each of said prongs is rotationally symmetric and each of said prongs includes a tapered head portion.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 6 wherein said bottom locking ridge of each of said prongs is tapered downwardly and outwardly.

Claim 9

A fastening element comprising: a first substrate, having first and second surfaces and a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge larger than said top locking ridge, a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and a peripherally-extending lower recess larger than said upper recess and disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface, and wherein the prongs of said first substrate are adapted to be severably fastened to like prongs of a severable article.

Claim 10

A fastening element comprising: a first substrate, having first and second surfaces and a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge larger than said top locking ridge, a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and a peripherally-extending lower recess larger than said upper recess and disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface, and wherein the prongs of said first substrate are adapted to be severably fastened to like prongs of a severable article.

Claim 11

The fastener of claim 8 wherein said first substrate includes a plurality of back prongs projecting from said second surface, each back prong having a peripherally-extending locking edge and a peripherally-extending recessed portion and adapted to be mounted to a face of a support with said second surface conforming to the face and each back prong locking edge locking its back prong in a hole in said face.

Claim 12

The invention of claim 9 further comprising a support element having a face, said first substrate being mounted to said face of said support element with each back prong locked in a hole in said face by its locking edge.

Claim 13

The invention of claim 10 wherein said article is an athletic contact device and includes a plurality of resilient connecting prongs so constructed and arranged so as to lockingly engage the connecting prongs projecting from said first surface.

Claim 14

A base member having a first fastening element attached thereto, a lower ground support having a second fastening element attached thereto, each said first and said second fastening elements including: a substrate with first and second surfaces, and a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge larger than said top locking ridge, a peripherally-extending upper recess disposted between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and a peripherally-extending lower recess larger than said upper recess and disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface, and wherein said first fastening element and second fastening element are attachable together upon cooperative engagement of said prongs to secure said base member to said lower ground support.

Claim 15

A base member having a first fastening element attached thereto, a lower ground support having a second fastening element attached thereto, each said first and said second fastening elements including: a substrate with first and second surfaces, and a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge larger than said top locking ridge, a peripherally-extending upper recess disposted between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and a peripherally-extending lower recess larger than said upper recess and disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface, and wherein said first fastening element and second fastening element are attachable together upon cooperative engagement of said prongs to secure said base member to said lower ground support.

Claim 16

The invention of claim 12 wherein said base member has a lower surface with a peripheral portion slanted up and inwardly and said ground support has a peripheral portion slanted up and inwardly for mating with said peripheral portion of said base member.

Claim 17

An athletic contact device for minimizing the possibility of injury to a participating athlete, said device having a first fastening element attached thereto, said first fastening element including: (a) a substrate with first and second surfaces, said first surface being planar, and (b) a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having (i) a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, (ii) a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, (iii) a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and (iv) a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface, said lower recess being larger than said upper recess and said bottom ridge being larger than said top ridge and wherein said athletic contact device is adapted to be severably fastened to a support by complete engagement of said first fastening element to a second fastening element on said support such that the resilience of said connecting prongs allows slight movement and springing back of said athletic contact device relative to the support under relatively low force and severance of the connecting between said athletic contact device and the support upon a participant applying relatively high force above an injury-potential threshold force.

Claim 18

An athletic contact device for minimizing the possibility of injury to a participating athlete, said device having a first fastening element attached thereto, said first fastening element including: (a) a substrate with first and second surfaces, said first surface being planar, and (b) a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having (i) a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, (ii) a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, (iii) a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and (iv) a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface, said lower recess being larger than said upper recess and said bottom ridge being larger than said top ridge and wherein said athletic contact device is adapted to be severably fastened to a support by complete engagement of said first fastening element to a second fastening element on said support such that the resilience of said connecting prongs allows slight movement and springing back of said athletic contact device relative to the support under relatively low force and severance of the connecting between said athletic contact device and the support upon a participant applying relatively high force above an injury-potential threshold force.

Claim 19

The invention of claim 14 further comprising: a lower ground support having a second fastening element, and wherein said first fastening element is fastened to said second fastening element so as to severably fasten said athletic contact device to said lower ground support.

Claim 20

The invention of claim 14 wherein said first fastening element is a unisex element adapted to fasten to a like-constructed element with top locking ridges of each element being locked to bottom locking ridges of the other element.

Claim 21

The invention of claim 16 wherein each of said connecting prongs further includes a peripherally-extending substrate ridge disposed between said lower recess and said substrate.

Claim 22

The invention of claim 14 wherein said athletic contact device is a base member, and further comprising a lower ground support having a second fastening element attached thereto, said second fastening element including: a substrate having first and second surfaces and a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having: a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface, and wherein said first fastening element and second fastening element are attachable to secure said base member to said lower ground support such that said fasteners will totally sever apart when said base member is subject to a lateral force greater than an injury-potential threshold lateral force.

Claim 23

The invention of claim 14 wherein the bottom locking ridges of each of said prongs are tapered downwardly and outwardly.

Claim 24

An athletic contact device having a first fastening element attached thereto, said first fastening element including: (a) a substrate with first and second surfaces, said first surface being planar, and (b) a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having (i) a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, (ii) a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, (iii) a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and (iv) a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface, and wherein said athletic contact device is adapted to the severably fastened to a support by said first fastening element such that the resilience of said connecting prongs allows slight movement of said athletic contact device relative to the support under relatively low force and severance of the connection between said athletic contact device and the support under relatively high force, wherein said athletic contact device is a base member, and further comprising a lower ground support having a second fastening element attached thereto, said second fastening element including: a substrate having first and second surfaces and a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having: a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface and wherein said first fastening element and second fastening element are attachable to secure said base member to said lower ground support such that said fasteners will totally sever apart when said base member is subject to a lateral force greater than an injury-potential threshold lateral force, and wherein, for said first and second fastening elements, said lower recesses are larger than said upper recesses and said bottom ridges are larger than said top ridges.

Claim 25

An athletic contact device having a first fastening element attached thereto, said first fastening element including: (a) a substrate with first and second surfaces, said first surface being planar, and (b) a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having (i) a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, (ii) a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, (iii) a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and (iv) a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface, and wherein said athletic contact device is adapted to the severably fastened to a support by said first fastening element such that the resilience of said connecting prongs allows slight movement of said athletic contact device relative to the support under relatively low force and severance of the connection between said athletic contact device and the support under relatively high force, wherein said athletic contact device is a base member, and further comprising a lower ground support having a second fastening element attached thereto, said second fastening element including: a substrate having first and second surfaces and a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having: a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface and wherein said first fastening element and second fastening element are attachable to secure said base member to said lower ground support such that said fasteners will totally sever apart when said base member is subject to a lateral force greater than an injury-potential threshold lateral force, and wherein, for said first and second fastening elements, said lower recesses are larger than said upper recesses and said bottom ridges are larger than said top ridges.

Claim 26

An athletic contact device having a first fastening element attached thereto, said first fastening element including: (a) a substrate with first and second surfaces, said first surface being planar, and (b) a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having (i) a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, (ii) a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, (iii) a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and (iv) a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface, and wherein said athletic contact device is adapted to be severably fastened to a support by said first fastening element such that the resilience of said connecting prongs allows slight movement of said athletic contact device relative to the support under relatively low force and severance of the connection between said athletic contact device and the support under relatively high force, wherein said athletic contact device is a base member, and further comprising a lower ground support having a second fastening element attached thereto, said second fastening element including: a substrate having first and second surfaces and a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having: a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface and wherein said first fastening element and second fastening element are attachable to secure said base member to said lower ground support such that fasteners will totally sever apart when said base member is subject to a lateral force greater than an injury-potential threshold lateral force, and wherein said first fastening element includes a plurality of back prongs projecting from said second surface, each back prong having a peripherally-extending locking edge and peripherally-extending recessed portion and said first fastener is mounted to a face of said base member with each back prong locking edge locking its back prong in a hole in said face.

Claim 27

An athletic contact device having a first fastening element attached thereto, said first fastening element including: (a) a substrate with first and second surfaces, said first surface being planar, and (b) a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having (i) a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, (ii) a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, (iii) a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and (iv) a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface, and wherein said athletic contact device is adapted to be severably fastened to a support by said first fastening element such that the resilience of said connecting prongs allows slight movement of said athletic contact device relative to the support under relatively low force and severance of the connection between said athletic contact device and the support under relatively high force, wherein said athletic contact device is a base member, and further comprising a lower ground support having a second fastening element attached thereto, said second fastening element including: a substrate having first and second surfaces and a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having: a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface and wherein said first fastening element and second fastening element are attachable to secure said base member to said lower ground support such that fasteners will totally sever apart when said base member is subject to a lateral force greater than an injury-potential threshold lateral force, and wherein said first fastening element includes a plurality of back prongs projecting from said second surface, each back prong having a peripherally-extending locking edge and peripherally-extending recessed portion and said first fastener is mounted to a face of said base member with each back prong locking edge locking its back prong in a hole in said face.

Claim 28

An athletic contact device having a first fastening element attached thereto, said first fastening element including: (a) a substrate with first and second surfaces, said first surface being planar, and (b) a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having (i) a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, (ii) a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, (iii) a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and (iv) a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface, and wherein said athletic contact device is adapted to be severably fastened to a support by said first fastening element such that the resilience of said connecting prongs allows slight movement of said athletic contact device relative to the support under relatively low force and severance of the connection between said athletic contact device and the support under relatively high force, wherein said athletic contact device is a base member, and further comprising a lower ground support having a second fastening element attached thereto, said second fastening element including: a substrate having first and second surfaces and a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having: a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface and wherein said first fastening element and second fastening element are attachable to secure said base member to said lower ground support such that said fasteners will totally sever apart when said base member is subject to a lateral force greater than an injury-potential threshold lateral force, and wherein each of said connecting prongs includes a tapered head portion and is rotationally symmetric.

Claim 29

An athletic contact device having a first fastening element attached thereto, said first fastening element including: (a) a substrate with first and second surfaces, said first surface being planar, and (b) a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having (i) a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, (ii) a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, (iii) a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and (iv) a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface, and wherein said athletic contact device is adapted to be severably fastened to a support by said first fastening element such that the resilience of said connecting prongs allows slight movement of said athletic contact device relative to the support under relatively low force and severance of the connection between said athletic contact device and the support under relatively high force, wherein said athletic contact device is a base member, and further comprising a lower ground support having a second fastening element attached thereto, said second fastening element including: a substrate having first and second surfaces and a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having: a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface and wherein said first fastening element and second fastening element are attachable to secure said base member to said lower ground support such that said fasteners will totally sever apart when said base member is subject to a lateral force greater than an injury-potential threshold lateral force, and wherein each of said connecting prongs includes a tapered head portion and is rotationally symmetric.

Claim 30

An athletic contact device having a first fastening element attached thereto, said first fastening element including: (a) a substrate with first and second surfaces, said first surface being planar, and (b) a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having (i) a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, (ii) a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, (iii) a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and (iv) a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface, and wherein said athletic contact device is adapted to be severably fastened to a support by said first fastening element such that the resilience of said connecting prongs allows slight movement of said athletic contact device relative to the support under relatively low force and severance of the connection between said athletic contact device and the support under relatively high force, wherein said athletic contact device is a base member, and further comprising a lower ground support having a second fastening element attached thereto, said second fastening element including: a substrate having first and second surfaces and a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having: a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface and wherein said first fastening element and second fastening element are attachable to secure said base member to said lower ground support such that said fasteners will totally sever apart when said base member is subject to a lateral force greater than an injury-potential threshold lateral force, and wherein said base member has lower surface with a peripheral portion slanted up and inwardly and said ground support has a peripheral portion slanted up and inwardly for mating with said peripheral portion of said base member.

Claim 31

An athletic contact device having a first fastening element attached thereto, said first fastening element including: (a) a substrate with first and second surfaces, said first surface being planar, and (b) a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having (i) a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, (ii) a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, (iii) a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and (iv) a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface, and wherein said athletic contact device is adapted to be severably fastened to a support by said first fastening element such that the resilience of said connecting prongs allows slight movement of said athletic contact device relative to the support under relatively low force and severance of the connection between said athletic contact device and the support under relatively high force, wherein said athletic contact device is a base member, and further comprising a lower ground support having a second fastening element attached thereto, said second fastening element including: a substrate having first and second surfaces and a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having: a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface and wherein said first fastening element and second fastening element are attachable to secure said base member to said lower ground support such that said fasteners will totally sever apart when said base member is subject to a lateral force greater than an injury-potential threshold lateral force, and wherein said base member has lower surface with a peripheral portion slanted up and inwardly and said ground support has a peripheral portion slanted up and inwardly for mating with said peripheral portion of said base member.

Claim 32

The invention of claim 23 wherein said ground support includes a metallic plate having a rubber edge molding extending around its periphery.

Claim 33

An athletic contact device having a first fastening element attached thereto, said first fastening element including: (a) a substrate with first and second surfaces, said first surface being planar, and (b) a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having (i) a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, (ii) a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, (iii) a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and (iv) a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface, and wherein said athletic contact device is adapted to be severably fastened to a support by said first fastening element such that the resilience of said connecting prongs allows slight movement of said athletic contact device relative to the support under relatively low force and severance of the connection between said athletic contact device and the support under relatively high force, wherein, for each of said first and second fastening elements, said bottom locking ridges are larger than said top locking ridges and said lower recesses are larger than said upper recesses.

Claim 34

An athletic contact device having a first fastening element attached thereto, said first fastening element including: (a) a substrate with first and second surfaces, said first surface being planar, and (b) a plurality of resilient connecting prongs projecting from said first surface, each connecting prong having (i) a peripherally-extending top locking ridge, (ii) a peripherally-extending bottom locking ridge, (iii) a peripherally-extending upper recess disposed between said top locking ridge and said bottom locking ridge, and (iv) a peripherally-extending lower recess disposed between said bottom locking ridge and said first surface, and wherein said athletic contact device is adapted to be severably fastened to a support by said first fastening element such that the resilience of said connecting prongs allows slight movement of said athletic contact device relative to the support under relatively low force and severance of the connection between said athletic contact device and the support under relatively high force, wherein, for each of said first and second fastening elements, said bottom locking ridges are larger than said top locking ridges and said lower recesses are larger than said upper recesses.