Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a fastening device for
fastening strings associated with an object thereby holding
the object firmly in position.
Presently, there have been many clasping devices or buckles
for fastening or clasping strings, straps or the like to be used,
for example, with shoes, underwear, trousers~ seaside wear,
neckties or the like. However, these conventional clasping
devices or buckles often inherently have defects such that they
can not be easily released in a handy manner. Moreover,
according to these conventional clasping devices or buckles,
once the objects associated therewith having been fastened
in positicn, the strings or the like are apt to be gradually
rele~sed or loosened due to use of the object.
In view of the defects inherent in the conventional
clasping devices or buckles as described above, the present
invention comprehends a fastening device, which c^an be used
for effectively fastening strings or the like so as to hold
objects associated therewith in position, and the device is
~lso capable of functioning in a handy manner, while substantially
eliminating the above-described defect of a gradual loosening
of the strings or the like due to use of the object.
SU~lMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an essential object of the present invention is
to provide a fastening device for fastening strings or the like
thereby holding an object associated therewith in position and
for unfastening the strings in a handy manner, while eliminating
the drawbacks of gradual string loosening during use of the
object.
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Another object of the present invention is to provide a
fastening device of the above-described type, which is simple
in construction and highly efficient in use.
A further object of the.present invention is to provide
a f astening device of the above-described type, which can be
manufactured at low cost
In accomplishing these and other objects according
to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a fastening
device is so structured that one half thereof is symmetrical
with the other half, and the device comprises a casing haviny a
substantially rectangular cross-section, a pair of block members
which are accommodated inside the casing so that the respective
outer ends of the block members are outwardly biased whereby they
respectively project from the longitudinal sides of the casing
and a resilient spring mem~er, which is interposed between the
block members, thereby outwardly biasing the block members.
The casing has two longitudinal opposing sides. The two
longitudinal edges of each longitudinal side are folded inwardly
at substantially right angles thereby forming four longitudinal
edge portions. Also, the casing has respective open ends at
the respective substantially lateral ends thereof, a plurality of
second apertures, and a central bore through one longitudinal
side thereof, a pair of first apertures through the other longitudina]
side thereof and each positioned on either side of the axis of the
central bore.
Furthermore, on the top face or the one longitudinal side
thereof, respective portions of the casing, each partially defining
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the peripheral boundary of the central bore are peeled
or partially folded downwardly thereb~ providing respective,
engaging portions which engage a string or the like. A
surface of each engaging portion is preferably made frictional.
E`urthermore, each block member has a second opening
through its top face, a first opening through its bottom
face, and a chamber therebetween. The corresponding first
and second apertures communicate via the first and second
openings and the chamber. Also r each block has a cylindrical
bar, which is arranged to be longitudinally extended in the
direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the casing,
a shoulder, having a height sufficient to allow it to be
projected from the central bore of the casing when the
block member is positioned inside the casing, and a round
recessed portion, located on a substantially leading side
wall that faces the opposing block, for receiving the
spring member, which, in cooperation with the other recessed
portion of the other block member, fixes the spring me~:ber
in a position between the two block members. The relative
spacing of the cylindrical bar with respect to the engaging
portion of the casing is determined so that a string wound
around the cylinder bar is normally engaged with the cir-
cumference of the engaging portion when the string is in
a fastened state. Furthermore, the shoulder is provided
with a through passage.
According to the device as described above, one leading
end of the string is first introduced into the chamber,
through the first aperture of the casing and the first
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opening of the block member, and is then wound around the
cylindrical bar. Then, the leading end of the string
is passed through a channel, defined by the space between
the cylindrical bar and the engaging portion and is extended
throu~h the correspon~ing second aperture via the second
opening. A leading end of the other string is similarly
passed through the casing and the other block member as
described above.
By this arrangement, when a user manipulates the
device in a manner such that the end portions of each
bloc~ member, whici. normally project from the respective
open sides of the casing, are inwardly accommodated against
the resilient force of the spring, the strings, each having
been urged towards the engaging portion are released from
the engaged state. Accordingly, the string can be loosened
or further fastened in the drawing direction of the both
end portions of the string.
As is clear from the foreg~ng description, the fastening
device of the present invention allows a user to permit the
strings to be fastened, thereby fixing an object associated
therewith, and allows a user, by a simple manipulation of the
block members, to loosen the strings, thereby freeing an
object associated therewith. However, the fastening device
according to the present invention functions to substantially
prevent accidental or gradual loosening of the strings during
use of the object associated therewith.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects and features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following descrip-
tion taken in conjunction with the preferred embodiment
thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of fastening
devices according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a rear view of the embodiment of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment
of Fig. l;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a block member to be
incorporated in the embodiment of Fig. l;
Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of a first modified
form of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 6 is a cross sectiona' view of a second modified
form of the embodiment shown in Fi~. 3;
Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of a third modified
form of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3;
Figs. 8(a) and 8(b) are typical strings or the like
to be used for the embodiment shown in Fig. 7; and
Fig. 9 i~s a cross sectional view of a fourth modified
form of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3.
Before the description of the present invention
proceeds, it is to be noted that like parts are designated
by like reference numerals throughout several views of
the accompanying drawings.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4, there is shown one
preferred embodiment of a fastening device according to
the present invention. As is evident from Fig. 1 to Fig. 3,
this embodiment is so arranged that the halves are symmetrical
in construction. Therefore, for the sake of brevity,
the characteristic construction of this embodiment is only
described with reference to the one half.
The fastening device of the present invention comprises
a casing or frame member 10, a pair of block members 20,
symmetrically accommodated in the frame member 10, and a
coil-spring 30 interposed between the block members 20
and disposed in a resilient state. More specifically, the
frame member 10 is a casing made of plated metallic plates
or the like and has a substantially square or rectangular
cross section, and has lateral open ends 11. The casing
also has two longitudinal opposing sides 13 and four
longitudinal edge portions 14 formed by folding inwardly
the longitudinal edges of the two longitudinal sides 13.
Also, the frame member 10 has a central bore 18, two second
apertures 12 through a top face, or a longitudinal side 13,
and two first apertures 15 through the bottom face or a
longitudinal side 13 of the casing or the frame member 10.
On the top face of the casing 10, a portion of the frame
member 10 is folded downwardly, thereby providing an engaging
portion 16 for engaging a string or the like. As far as
the engaging portion 16 is concerned, a bar member having
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11~5'~3Zends which are supported by each side wall 13 of the casing 10
could be utilized instead of the structure of the engaging
portion 16 as described above. A surface of the engaging
portion 16 is preferably provided with a substantially
frictional portion which can be formed by recessing the
surface which engages a string 40 or the like when in use.
Each block member 20 has a second opening 21 through its
top face, a first opening 22 through its bottom face which
communicates with the second opening 21 through a chamber
within the member, a cylindrical bar 23 with which the string 40
or the like is tightly engaged therearound. The cylindrical
bar 23 is arranged to be laterally extended across the chamber
while being supported by respective side walls which partially
define the chamber mentioned above. The block member includes
a shoulder 45 at one end portion of the top face, which has a
passage 25 of a rectangular cross section which is transversely
extended in the longitudinal direction with respect to the
longitudinal axis of the block member, and a round recessed
portion 46, which is located on a substantial leading side
wall for receiving one end of spring 30 and which cooperates
with the other recessed portion of the other block member
fixed to the spring 30 when these two are assembled in the
frame member 10. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the block member 20
is substantially square shaped. Each end portion 24 of the
members 20 projects outwardly by a predetermined length when
the block members 20 are accommodated in respective positions
inside the casing 10 with coil-spring 30 being interposed
between the members 20. Moreover, upon assembling of the
member 20 inside the member 10, each cylindrical bar 23
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is arranged to be disposed relatively opposite of each
end portion 24 with engaging portion 16 positioned therebetween
as shown in Fig. 3. As far as,the outer circumferential
configuration of the cylindrical bar 23 is concerned,
a portion abutting the engaging portion 16 is preferably
provided with a skidproof portion by providing the abutting
portion with a number of small recesses, pro,ections, or
ripples~ or the like. As described previously, the spring,
coil or resilient member 30 is disposed in,a space 17
inside the casing lO and is interposed between respective
roundedly recessed portions 46 respectively provided in each
block member 20 in a manner such that each end portion 24
of the paired block members 20 are accommodated inside the
casing lO and are respectively biased toward each free open
end ll.
Accordingly, when the device is assembled in the unit
as shown in Figs. l to 3, a leading end portion 401 of the
string 40 or the like is first threaded through the corresponding
.. .
first aperture 15 and the first opening 22 and into the
chamber 23A communicating with the first opening 22 ~see
Fig. 2 and Fig. 4), and then it is partially wound around
the cylindrical bar 23. Then, the leading end wound around
the cylindrical bar 23 is passed through a channel defined
by the outer circumference of the cylindrical bar 23 and an
outer circumference of the engaging portion 16 and is then,
threaded through the second opening 21 and the second
~aperture 12 before being passed through the passage 25.
As far as the materials for respective members are concerned,
the block member 20 is preferably manufactured by a resin
molding process, and the frame member lO is manufactured
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by a sheet metal working process.
~ eferring now to Fig. 5, there is shown a first modified
embodiment of thefastening device according to the present
invention. Like the former embodiment, this modified
embodiment is also so arranged that one block member 20
is symmetrical with the other block member 20 in respect
to its structional configuration. Therefore, for the sake
of brevity, the characteristic construction of this mod~fied
embodiment is also only detailed with reference to one of
the block members-20. However, as can be seen from both
embodiments as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, this modified embodiment
is only substantially different from the former embodiment in
that the string or the like is arranged to be engaged with
the device in a different manner as will be described hereinbelow.
According to this modified embodiment, the leading end
portion 401 of the string 40 is first introduced into the above-
~escribed chamber via the corresponding first aperture 15 (see
Fig. 2) and the first opening 22 (see Fig. 4) and then is partially
wound around the cylindrical bar 23. The leading end after being
around the cylindrical bar 23 is then passed through the above-
described channel and then is threaded through the corresponding
second aperture 12 via the second opening 21.
According to the above-described embodiments of the
present invention, when a user manipulates the device
in a m~nner such that the end portion 24, which is normally
outwardly projected from the open end 11, is inwardly disposed
against a resilient force, caused either by the resiliency
specific to the string 40 or the combined resiliency specific
to the combination of the string 40 and the resilient member 30,
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the striny 40 which is normally biased towards the engaging
portion 16 and abutting the cylindrical bar 23 is set free
from its engaged state. Accordingly, the string 40 is
in a freely movable state, as long as the above-described
manipuLation is maintained, whereby the string 40 can be
loosened or further fastened in the drawing direction of the
string 40. More specifically, if the string end 401 or
the string 40 is drawn in a direction indicated by an arrow 50
as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the string 40 associated with
an object (not shown) is loosened. On the other hand,
if the string 40 is drawn in the reverse direction relative
to the above-described direction, the string 40 is further
fastened. If the above-described manipulation causing the
inward disposition of the end portion 24 is discontinued,
the block member 20 is outwardly biased by the resilient
force caused by the resilient member 30. Accordingly, the
string 40 is again urged towards the engaging portion 16
and abuts the cylindrical bar 23 thereby fastening the
string 40 in position.
It is to be noted here that the resilient member 30
as described in relation to these embodiments is not
compulsory and thereby can be omitted. If this is the case
and the string 40 is drawn in the direction denoted by
the arrow 50, the string 40 itself is urged towards the engaging
portion 16 and abuts the cylindrical bar 23.
Referring now to Fig. 6, there is shown a second
modified embodiment according to the present invention.
According to this modified embodiment, the engaging portion 16
is omitted and the cylindrical bar 23 is arranged to have
a specific cross sectional shape as shown in Fig. 6, thereby
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causing the string 40 to be positioned in a fastened state
without the inclusion of the engaging portion 16. More
specifically, the cylindrical bar 23 is arranged to have
a radial cross-sectional shape such that its top portion
projects from the central bore 18, resulting in the projected
portion abutting the periphery of the central bore 18 whereby
the periphery of the central bore 18 can seize the string
40 when it is wound around the bar 23 and the frame member 10,
the block members 20, and the cylindrical bar 23 of each
respective block member 20 of the above-described type are
assembled in the unit.
Referring now to Fig. 7, there is shown a third modified
embodiment according to the present invention, wherein
strings 40, each being of the type as shown in Fig. 8(a) or
in Fig. 8(b), are each arranged to be firmly fixed in a
position inside the passage 25 by means of threaded shanks
or screws 55. This embodiment is preferably employed for
use with shoes as the object to be fixed. According to this
embodiment, the leading end 401 of the string is normally
fixed in the position as described above, whereby one can
fix or release an object associated with this device
without being concerned with the leading ends of the string,
which can be quite an annoying matter. In order to effectively
fasten the strings of the above-described type, each of
the leading ends of the strings is specifically threaded
in advance and is.provided with either metallic caps or
plastic caps 56 and 57 as specifically shown in Figs. 8(a)
and 8(b). However, if a more favorable appearance is of no
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concern, the above-described metallic or plastic caps are
not required and the aforementioned fastening can be simply
accomplished by tying both ends 401 of the string.
Referring now t:o Fig. 9, there is shown a fourth
modified embodiment according to the present invention,
wherein the fastening device itself is structured so as
to be longitudinally curvilinear based upon a predetermined
radius of curvature with respect to the bottom face of the
casing. Therefore, the fastening device is curved as shown
in Fig. 9. The radius of curvature is determined with regard
to the specific object that is associated therewith. By
this arrangement as described above, the fastening device
is easily mounted on the object to be associated therewith
without the formation of a crevice or clearance between the
device and the associated object.
As described previously, all of the block members of
the embodiments according to the present invention are made
of a plastic and are manufactured by a resin molding process,
and all of the frame members of the embodiments according to
the present invention are made of a metallic material such
as aluminum, plated iron, stainless steel or the like and
are manufactured by a sheet metal working process.
As is clear from the description in the foregoing,
the fastening device of the present invention allows a user to
utilize strings associated with an object whereby the strings
can be fastened and released in quite an effective manner
with a simple manipulation as described earlier, while excluding
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any undesirable gradual unfastening or loosening of the
strings when an object associated therewith is in use.
Although the present invention has been fully described
by way of example with reference to the accompanying
drawings, it is to be noted herein that various changes
and modifications are apparent to those skilled in the
art. Therefore, unless such changes and modifications
depart from the scope of the present invention, they should
be construed as included therein.
