AU2005100827A4 - Webbing fastener - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION

APPLICANT:

ADDRESS:

INVENTOR:

ADDRESS:

Crossfire Australia Pty Ltd 83 Lascelles Street, Braidwood, NSW, 2622 MALEY, lan James 112 Eric Street, Cottesloe, WA, 6911 ADDRESS FOR

SERVICE:

ASSOCIATED

PROVISIONAL

APPLICATION:

Paul A Grant and Associates PO Box 7460, Fisher, ACT, 2611 2005902262, Filed 5 May 2005 INVENTION TITLE: Webbing Fastener The invention is described in the following statement:- O TITLE: WEBBING FASTENER o TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to fastener elements and means for releasably anchoring or fastening strips of webbing to one another and to other members. The invention also relates to methods for securing the ends of webbing and to fastener means used in such methods.

In this specification, 'webbing' generally refers to an elongate flexible band, strip or tape of woven textile material intended for use where tensile strength and flexibility is desired. However, the invention may also be applicable to non-woven flexible bands, strips or tapes having good tensile strength and rip-stop qualities.

Thus, 'webbing' will be used to indicate both woven and unwoven strips of textile material or sheet in this specification.

The methods and fastener means of the invention are well suited to securing packs and other equipment used by the armed services, by police, rescue and paramilitary personnel, as well as by hikers and the transport industry.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION It is well known to attach the ends of webbing by the use of metal or plastic buckles of various types. Metal buckles are strong but heavy, expensive and prone to corrosion while molded plastic buckles tend to be light, cheap and resistant to degradation but are rather weak. Thus, metal buckles can be readily made stronger than any the webbing but this is most difficult to achieve with plastic buckles. Moreover, light plastic buckles are prone to breakage by being stood upon, and, both metal and plastic buckles are prone to damage if relatively light but hard objects are dropped onto them.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION This invention aims to provide a simple, relatively cheap, but strong webbing fastening means.

O OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION C From one aspect, this invention comprises a hook-like webbing fastener element aformed on the distal end of a first side of an elongate webbing strip and adapted

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for engagement with the periphery of a slot-like aperture, the hook-like element comprising multiple folded or coiled layers of webbing at said distal end forming a substantially rectangular first pad on said first side, the pad having distal and Nproximal end portions, a first transverse seam of stitches securing the layers of the pad together and securing the pad to the distal end of the webbing, said seam being located intermediate of the end portions of the pad so that the end portion of 1io the pad proximal to the seam is separable from the distal portion of the webbing to thereby form a hook-like barb capable of engaging said periphery of said aperture and of being retained therein.

At least one additional transverse seam of stitches may be formed across the pad distally of the first seam so as to compress and stiffen the distal portion of the pad to facilitate its entry into the aperture and to inhibit it being bent sufficiently to be pulled through the aperture after the portion of the pad proximal to the first seam has engaged the periphery of the aperture and tension has been applied between the aperture and the webbing.

The aperture normally forms the second element of the fastener and may comprise either a 'square ring' or a slot formed in a 'fixture' such as a backpack frame or a transportable rigid container. A 'square ring' is typically a ring of generally rectangular shape that has substantially 'square' corners. Such rings are commonly attached to the ends of webbing straps and are therefore to be contrasted to a 'fixture' or body member that is not so free of movement. The aperture will, of course, be as long as is needed to accommodate the webbing and as wide as is necessary to allow entry of the pad or pads. Sloppiness between the pad and the aperture in either dimension of the aperture is undesirable, particularly in width.

A flap of webbing may be formed on the proximal end of the pad so as to extend proximally from the pad, the flap being arranged to abut or engage the periphery of the aperture when the pad is inserted therein. Thus, when the webbing is pulled O away from the aperture after engagement, the flap will be caught between the C proximal portion of the pad and the periphery of the aperture, leaving portion of o the flap extending proximally. This portion of the flap is sufficiently long in its

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proximal extension that, after the pad is inserted into the aperture, it can be 0 5 grasped and pulled to facilitate the withdrawal of the pad from the aperture.

N If desired, a second pad of similar form to the first pad may be formed opposite 00 the first pad on the distal end of the webbing so that the proximal portions of the pads engage opposite sides of the aperture when they are inserted into the 1o aperture and a pulling force is applied to the webbing. While this would allow the Npads to engage a hole in a fixture, the double-pad arrangement allows two square rings to be simultaneously engaged, one with each pad, provided one ring is wider than the other so that it can enter within the other to enable the rings to cross when engaged. A flap of the type indicated may be provided on both of the pads to facilitate their withdrawal from the aperture.

Where a pad is formed on each side of the webbing, they may be secured by separate or common seams. The aperture element of such a fastener may then comprise a slot in a fixture (as previously indicated) such that each pad engages an opposite side of the slot. Alternatively, each pad may be engaged by separate square rings formed on the ends of separate webbing straps or attached as a pair to the end of one webbing strap. Of course, the square ring[s] can be attached direct to a fixture, rather than to a strap and rather than forming a slot in the fixture.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES Having portrayed the nature of the present invention, particular examples of the application of the principles thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and modifications can be made to the example without departing from the scope of the invention as outlined above. In the accompanying drawings: O Figure 1 is a perspective view of the components of a web fastener that 0 Ncomprises the first example, the fastener being uncoupled.

Figures 2A 2D are longitudinal sectional elevations of the fastener of Figure 1 shown in successive stages of coupling.

N Figure 3 is a perspective view of the components of a web fastener that Scomprises the second example, the fastener being uncoupled.

Figures 4A and 4B are longitudinal sectional elevations of the fastener of Figure 3 shown in successive stages of coupling, while Figure 4C is a similar view of the fastener of Figure 3 during de-coupling.

Figure 5A is a sectional elevation of part of a molded backpack frame having integral slots that form portion of the web fasteners of the third example, the webbing component of the fastener also being shown as it is about to enter one of the slots.

Figure 5B is a similar view to that of Figure 5A but where the webbing component is fully engaged with the slot in the backpack frame.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a fastener having a pad on each side of a webbing strip coupled with a pair of crossed rings.

The first example of a fastener 10 formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 1 and Figures 2A 2D. The fastener is formed in two parts: a hook-like part 12 that comprises a length of woven webbing 14 having a proximal portion 16 and a distal portion 18 that has a pad 20 formed thereon; and an aperture-like part 22 that consists of a square metal ring 24 attached by a loop 26 to one end of a second strip of woven webbing 28. Pad is simply formed by coiling the distal end of webbing 14, flattening the coil and sewing it transversely to form a pair of transverse seams 30. In this example, as shown, seams 30 pass through five layers of webbing and the pad is integral with the distal portion of webbing 14.

Seams 30 divide pad 20 into a proximal end portion a and a distal end portion b.

c Because of the number of layers involved portion b is somewhat stiffer than a.

This is desirable. Indeed, it is often preferable to further stiffen portion b by an additional transverse seam located distally of seams 30, as indicated by broken line 32. [Of course, if a seam is formed at line 32, it would pass right through all Nfive layers of pad 20, just like seams oO It is desirable that square ring 24 is a little wider than the width of webbing strips l0 14 and 28 so that there is a little lateral play between the sides of pad 20 and ends 34 of ring 24 and (ii) second webbing strip 28 can lie flat (as shown). Of course, the depth c of ring 24 should be a little greater than the width d of pad so that the pad can be readily passed through ring 28, but there should be a minimum of clearance consistent with the necessity of the passage of pad through ring 24.

The manner in parts 12 and 22 of fastener 10 are coupled together is illustrated in the stages of Figures 2A to 2D. First, ring 24 is turned at right angles to webbing 28 and distal end portion a is entered into ring 24, and/or ring 24 is moved over portion a. This movement is continued, bringing portion a and seams 30 through ring 24 as shown in Figure 2B and, further, until proximal end portion a has completely passed through ring 24. Whereupon, ring 24 is swung downwards and back into line with webbing 28 and the two parts of the fastener are pulled slightly away from one another to enter the distal proximal part of ring 24 between proximal part a of pad 20 and webbing 16, as shown in Figure 2C. In effect, pad forms a hook that engages ring 24.

When coupled fastener 10 is put under tension by pulling outwardly on webbing strips 16 and 28, as shown in Figure 2D, the tension on webbing 16 tends to pull distal portion b of pad 20 through ring 24 with a force indicated by arrow f. This presses the distal end portion b of pad 20 against the distal portion of ring 24 and tends to bend distal portion b into ring 24 bringing distal portion b into forceful contact with the distal portion of ring 24. A number of factors contribute to prevent distal portion b of pad 20 being folded in half and pulled through ring 24 by force f.

O First, the five layers of pad 24 make it so stiff that it is most difficult to bend it Sdouble, the stiffness of portion b being greatly increased if desired by o additional seam at line 32; second, the leverage which generates force f is small in comparison to the tension applied to web 14, being at best the ratio of the diameter of proximal portion of ring 24 to the depth c of ring 24 We have found that fasteners of this type can be easily made to the design illustrated in Figure 1 N such that they are stronger than the webbing itself. This is in sharp contrast to the

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conventional plastic snap fasteners.

lo The second example will now be described with respect to Figure 3 and Figures N4A to 4D, Figure 3 being a perspective view of the fastener 100 of the second example and Figures 4A to 4D illustrating stages in the coupling and un-coupling the fastener 100.

As before, fastener 100 comprises a first part 102 having a hook-like pad 104 formed on the distal end of a first webbing strip 106 and a second part 108 having a square ring 110 secured to a second webbing strip 112. While, as before, pad 104 is integral with strip 106 being formed by folding the distal end of the strip 106, the strip is folded in a zig-zag pattern to form pad 104 rather than being coiled. This allows a different form of pad to be made.

More particularly, as best seen in Figure 3, pad 104 comprises six layers of webbing material folded in zig-zag pattern on one side of strip 106 and secured together by three spaced stitched seams 114, 115 and 116 that run transversely of web 106. This forms a stiff and compact pad. However, the folds of webbing strip 106 are not of the same length, the first fold 118 being shorter than the second 120 (that is, fold 118 does not extend so far in the proximal direction as fold 120. Furthermore, what was the distal extremity of webbing 106 is extended in the proximal direction to form a flap 122 that extends proximally of pad 104 and second fold 120 by a substantial distance. The proximal end of flap 122 is folded over and sewn to form a flattened loop 124 to aid gripping by the fingers of a user.

A second loop 126 is formed in flap 122 intermediate of end loop 124 and second fold 120 so as to project outward or away from strip 106. Finally, flap 122 is secured to second fold 120 by a stitched seam 128.

C As previously noted, Figures 4A to 4D illustrate successive stages in the coupling Sand decoupling of the two parts of fastener 100. The first stage, shown in Figure 4A, is similar to that shown in Figure 2A of the first example. Ring 110 is arranged at right angles to second web 112 so that the entry of the distal end of pad 104 is facilitated. The movement of pad 104 through ring 110 is continued until ring 110 Spasses over intermediate loop 126 of flap 122, as shown in Figure 4B. Tension may then be applied to the coupling 100 by pulling on first and second strips 106 and 112 in opposite directions. This draws ring 110 distally, folding flap 122 lo around its proximal portion until the movement of ring 110 is stopped by first fold 118 of pad 104, and/or by proximal pad seam 114. This position is shown in Figure 4C. To uncouple fastener 100, the tension on its parts is relaxed and flap 122 is gripped by its end loop in one hand while second webbing 112 is held with the other hand. Tension on flap 122 pulls ring 110 out of pad 104 and guides it over outer fold 120 so that it slips easily off pad 122. Figure 4D illustrates the first stage of this uncoupling process.

The third example of a fastener formed in accordance with the present invention is fastener 200 shown in Figures 5A and 5B and relates to the attachment of a webbing strip 202 to a molded plastic pack frame 204 shown in section and diagrammatically. Frame 204 has a back load carrying portion 206 and an integral side edge or flange 208 that has a plurality of slots 210 formed therein for the attachment of multiple webbing strips 202. In this example, a pad 212 is formed on the distal end of strip 202 by coiling and securing with sewn seam 214, as described in the first example. In this case, however, pad 212 only has four layers.

Again pad 212 forms a hook-like attachment to distal end of web 202 and is a snug fit in slot 210.

Figure 5A shows the distal end portion 216 of pad 212 about to enter slot 210 as the first step of securing the fastener 200. Figure 5B shows pad 212 after it has passed through slot 210 and been turned through about 90 degrees so that distal end portion 216 faces downwards. This completes securement of fastener 200. It will be seen that tension on strip 202, in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 5B, presses distal portion 216 against the inside of frame flange 208 and o tends to fold pad 212 on itself. Removal of pad through slot 210 is virtually c impossible because pad 212 is too stiff to fold upon itself and (ii) even if it did, it Swould be too thick to pass through slot 210. However, if desired, pad 212 can easily be made stiffer by giving it extra layers and/or extra transverse seams (eg, as in the first example).

N Again, it is surprising that such a simple and cheap fastener can exhibit such high oO Sstrength.

io The fourth example of the application of the principles of the present invention is a N fastener 300 illustrated in elevational section in Figure 6, fastener 300 being in its coupled state. As in the first example, fastener 300 is used for joining two strips of webbing 302 and 304. In this case, however, two pads 306 and 308 are formed on webbing 302, one on each side thereof; and two square rings 310 and 312 are attached to webbing 304 by separate loops 314 and 316. Though it is not essential, pads 306 and 308 are both formed by folding the distal end of webbing strip 303 and loops 314 and 316 are also formed by folding the proximal end of strip 304, pads 306 and 308 being held in place by at least one common seam 318 and loops 314 and 316 being attached to web 304 by two seams 320.

It will be seen that pad 306 and ring 312 act in essentially the same manner as the 'single-sided' fastener 10 of the first example, as does pad 308 and ring 310.

Little further explanation of the operation of fastener 300 is therefore needed, except to point out that assembly of 'double-sided' fastener 300 is a little more complicated. To ensure smooth assembly, it is important that the width of one ring say ring 310 should be greater than that of the other [312] so that ring 312 will easily pass through ring 310. It is also important to note that the length of loops 314 and 316 should be sufficient to allow rings 310 and 312 to pass over the proximal ends of pads 306 and 308 more or less simultaneously.

Thus to assemble fastener 300, ring 312 is fitted within ring 310 and the two rings are arranged substantially at right angles to webbing 304 so that pads 308 and 308 and pass through both rings. Ring 312 is then swung inwards to abut one side of webbing 302 and to engage pad 306 and ring 310 is then swung inwards o to abut the other side of webbing 302 and to engage pad 308. Tension can then c be applied to webbings 302 and 304 to close the fastener, as illustrated in Figure o 6.

It will be appreciated that it may be more convenient to form webbings 302 and 304 in double thickness. This would allow pad 306 to be formed on the distal end Sof one layer of webbing 302 and pad 308 to be formed on the distal ends of the oO Sother layer. Similarly, loop 310 could be formed on the proximal end of one layer of webbing 304 and loop 312 could be formed on the proximal end of the other lo layer of webbing 304. This would have the advantage of conferring greater Sstrength to the fastener because, as already noted, the webbing is generally the first element of the fasteners of the invention to fail.

Though a number of examples of webbing fasteners have been described, it will be appreciated that many variations and additions to the chosen examples are possible, and that many other examples could be devised, without departing from the scope of the invention as outlined above.