US2432841A - Tape for separable fasteners - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 16, 1947.A NfA. WAHL TAPE FOR SEPARABLE FASTENERS Filed June 29, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 mvENmR. NICHOLAS A. WAHL.

www MMA Dec. 16, 1947. N. A. WAHL TAPE FOR .SEPARABLE FASTENERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 vFiled -Juna 29, 1946 EES-,Z

fm1/mma. NDCHOLAS A. WAHL Dec. 16, 19471. N. A. wAHl.

TAPE FOR SEPARABLE FASTENERS Filed June 29, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 f INHVTOR. NICHOLAS A. WAHL.

ma, v

Dec. 16, 1947, N. A. wAHl.

TAPE FOR SEARABLE FASTENERS Filed June 29, 194e s sheets-sheet 4 INVHVTOR. .NICHOLAS A. wAHl.

ec. 16, 1947. A.YwAH|. 2,432,841

TAPE FOR SEPARABLE FASTENERS Filed June 2.9, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN NncHoLAs A. w l.

De.16,1947. N;A WAHL 2,432,841

TAPE Fon SEPARABLE FASTENERS 4 vFiled June 29, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. NICHOLAS A. WAHL Patented 16, 1947.

oFFicE f Nicholas A. Wahl, New York, N. Y., assignor to Wahl Brothers. New York, N. Y., a partnership Application June 29, 1946, Serial No. 680,484

9 claims. l

This invention relates to a. stringer tape for a separable fastener and particularly to ,a tape fashioned in such a way as to provide a track or bead for. guiding' aslider used for separably joini ing and for releasing the stringers.

A number of types of separable fasteners have.

been devised and used Widely. One type comprises. broadly, a linkstringer consisting of a row of individual links or engaging elements secured at regular intervals along the edge of a piece of goods, usually a tape, each link having hooks and eyes or other means to separably engage the eyes and hooks respectively, of a similar row of links secured along the edge of another tape which it is desired to separably join to the first tape. After the rows of links have been assembled in the tapes, the latter are sewn, or otherwise secured, to the goods to'be separably joined. A number of ways have been devised for securing the individual links to the tape in accurately spaced alignment, one way consisting in fashioning the root of each individual link, i. e., the end of the link removed from the end 'provided with a hook and eye, in the form of a split ringso that it may be clamped onto a cordl longitudinally positioned with respect to the'row of links. The fabric portion of the tape'is folded once longitudinally around the cord priorto clamping the individual links onto the cord and the edges of the fabric are left to protrude through the split in the root of the link. Other ways of assembling such engaging elements in a, tape have also been used.

Another type of separable fastener has been devised which comprises, broadly, a coil stringer consisting of a row of lament loops, which constitute the engaging elements, secured in spaced relationship longitudinally along a tape, andV adapted to nestle within and engage in positive inter-locking fashion a row of similar, but oppositely wound, filament loops secured longitudinally along another tape. As in the prior instance, the tapes having the rows of filament loops assembled therein may be sewn or otherwise secured to pieces of fabric or other goods which it is desired to separably join.

The iilament loops just described are prepared conveniently from a wire or plastic filament in the form of an elongated coil, usually of approximately helicoidal form. It has been found that operation of the separable fastener to secure accurate engagement and better holding of the separably Joined stringers may be facilitated by having each loop of the coil deformed slightly so that the separate loops are each somewhat noncircular, e. g., somewhat ovoid or elliptical, in appearance-when viewed in the directional' the longitudinal axis oi the coil. Other irregularities in l lthe individualV loops ofthe coil are frequently provided to promote betterv holding and smoother operation.

The usual method for assembling a coil, such as that described, in a tape has consisted in providing a tape having a number of the warp or longitudinal threads near its center omitted,

placing the tape and coll in parallel longitudinal relationship with the coli over the portion of the tape where there are no warp threads, and then pushing the coilthrough this portion of the tape. In this manner, each Woof thread or cross t'nread passes between the forward edges of two-adjoining convolutlons or loops of the coil .and engages and lies across the inside of the rearward section of a loop. The marginal sections of the tape. having both Warp and Woof threads, are folded together and then usually sewn or otherwise joined along'a line adjacent 4the coil. In this Way, the Woof threads anchor the tape to the coil.

When, however; a pair of stringers, such as the link and coil stringers described, are separably joined with a slider in the usual manner, it is notl uncommon for the protrudin'gedge of the slider, which serves to guide and draw the engaging elements together into interlocking relationship, to slip between two of the links or loops when the Stringer is bent sharply just ahead of the slider and thus to disengage the slider from the Stringer. This is especially likely to occur in the case of separable fasteners having coil stringers. In addition to causing annoyance it is diiiicult to reassemble the slider and Stringer in proper relationship. Largely because of this tendency separable fasteners, particularly those having coil stringers, have not enjoyed the wide usage that their advantages over other types of fasteners justify, ,and it is apparent thatl any method or deviceifor overcoming the difficulty described would be of great value.

An additional disadvantage of separable fasteners having coil stringers as heretofore made has been the tendency o! the coils to turn somewhat after being assembled in a tape so that when two of such coils are separably joined, the portions of the loops of the two coils oiiering best engagement and maximum holding are not presented to each other.

It is therefore, an object 'of the present invent tion to provide an improved separable fastener not subject to certain disadvantages inherent in the heretofore known separablefasteners.

An additional object is to provide a separable fastener in which the stringer is not subject to disengagement from the slider while the stringers are being separably joined.

An additional object is to provide an improved tape for a separable fastener which will prevent disengagement of the stringer from the slider under conditions of usage.

An additional object is to provide an improved tape for a separable fastener.

An additional object is to provide a separable fastener wherein the engaging elements are substantially covered and hidden from view when the stringers are separably joined.

Still other advantages of the invention'will be apparent as the description of the invention proceeds.

These and related objects are accomplished readily and economically by providing a tape such that when a row of engaging elements,v e. g., a row of individual links or the loops of a continuous coil, are assembled therein, the tape will provide a continuous track or bead lying snugly against the outside ofthe row ef elements adjacent to the line of joining of the tape and the elements, and extending an appreciable distance around the elements. When a row of engaging elements is assembled in such a tape and'a pair of such stringers` are separably joined, the projecting edges of the 4slider engage and slide along the continuous track or bead so formed rather than the surfaces of the individual links or loops of the stringer and there is thus no possibility for the projecting edge of the slider to pass between the separate links or loops and for the slider and stringer to become disengaged.

Reference is made to the accompanying drawing wherein, for the sake of clarity, the parts are shown greatly enlarged and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective, partly cut away, of a stringer tapefor a separable fastener embodying the features of the invention and shown, for the sake of clarity, in a partially folded position.

Figure 2 is the same as Figure l showing a different-l construction of the tape.

Figure 3 is an end elevation, partly in section, of the tape of Figure 1.

-Figure 4= is an end elevation, partly in section, of a tape of the invention showing still another arrangement of the parts.

Figure 5 is an end elevation, partly in section, of the tape of Figure 1, in a position to receive a coil, also shown, for assembly therein.

Figure 6 is the same as Figure 5 with the coil moved part way into assembled position.

Figure 7 is an end elevation, partly in section, of a coil Stringer embodying the features of the invention.

l4 in a tape and embodying still other features ci the invention. y

Referring now to Figure 1, there is illustrated a tape having two sections herein referred to as marginal sections, shown generally at IIJ and II, composed of warp and woof threads. The two marginal sections, which for better understanding of the invention are shown arranged as in parallel planes, are not co-extensive but the warp threads I4 and I5 along one edge of each, referred to herein as the inner edges of the marginal sections, are spaced from one another. Certain of the Woof threads, I2/ in the marginal section I0 and I6 in the marginal section II, extend in a direction transverse to the warp threads only as far as the edges of the respective marginal sections I0 and II and, after passing around the innermost warp threads I4 and I5, respectively, return to the outer edge of the section. Certain other of thewoof threads I3 are common to both marginal sections of the tape and extend across both marginal sections I0 and II as well as across the space separating the inner edges of the marginal sections. The marginal sections I0 and II are thus connected along their inner edges by lengths of Woof threads I3 which are common to both sections. These particular Woof threads are referred to conveniently as primary tie threads. Although it is preferable that the primary tie threads I3 be spaced in groups, e. g., in pairs, at regular intervals longitudinally along the tape and that the remaining wooi. threads I2 and I8 extend only across the marginal sections IIJ and I I, respectively, as described, thus leaving a series of openings or regions in the tape bounded by the tie threads I3 and by the inner edges of the marginal sections I0 and II, which are free of both warp and Woof threads, this particular construction is by. no means essential to the satisfactory use and functioning of the tape. If desired, all Woof threads may be common to both marginal sections.

In addition to the primary tie threads just described, other tie threads I1 and I8, herein referred to as secondary tie threads, are provided which extend between the two marginal sections I0 and II of the tape from points therein removed from the inner edges of the marginal sections. One convenient way of fabricating a tape having a secondary tie thread I1 of the nature described consists in weaving the secondary tie Figure 8 is a plan view of a separable fastener v having coils assembled in the tape of an invention and showing the coils partly in interlocking relationship and partly in separated relationship, together with a slider for separably joining and releasing the coils.

Fig. 9 is a view taken along the line IX-IX of FigureS. y

Figure 10 is an end elevation, partly in section, of a slider and a pair of individual interlocking links assembled in tapes providing tracks or beads for guiding the slider.

Figure 11 is an end elevation, partly in section, of a, tape of the invention showing yet another method of. construction.

Figure 12 is an end elevation, partly in section, of a. coil stringer consisting of a coil assembled thread as a Warp thread at the proper location for a certain distance in' the marginal section II as shown at 2l, then carrying it across to the other marginal section I0, weaving it as a warp thread in the marginal section I0 for a corresponding distance, as shown at 22, and then carrying it back across to the first. marginal section II, and repeating the process. Generally speaking, two such secondary tie threads, as I'I and I8, are woven into the marginal sections in such manner that they cross from one marginal section along the tape at desired intervals. The relative positions of the various members of Figure 1 are clearly apparent from an inspection of Figure 3. A preferred modiiication of the invention com pri-ses atape as shown the section having heavy ,5 l in Figures 1 and 2 wherein at least some or all of the secondary tie threads I1, I3, I9 and 2l) of Figure Figure 2 and of the warp threads I4 and 23. and I5 and 24o! that portion of each of the respective marginal sections I and I I lying between the inner edges ofthe marginal sections and the points ofA securing `of the secondary-tie threadsto the marginalsections are considerably heavier than the warp threads 25 and 23 of the portions of the marginal section lying beyond vor outside the points of securing of the secondary tie to the marginal sections. lThe reasons for these differences in weight will become apparent from the discussion of Figure 7.

In assembling a row of engaging elements consisting of the loops of a continuous coil in the tape of the invention, the tape is spread out as flatas possible, as in Figure 5, and a coil 33, while held'y longitudinally parallel with the tape, is presented to the side of the tape where it will first encounter the secondary tie threads I1 and I3. The coil 33 is then pushed through the tape, in a direction referred to as theforwarddirection, indicating by the arrow, betweenthe marginal sections, the secondary tie threads I1 and I8 and, later, the primary tie threads I3, entering between the seprate loops of the coil.

The relative positions of the parts in an intermediate stage in the assembly operation. are shown in Figure 6. Here the secondary tie `threads i1 and I8 have passed between adjacent loops of the coil 33 and have engaged and 'lie across the inner surface ofone of the loops at Y the rearward side of the coil, and the primary tie threads i3 have entered part way between the loops of the coil. The forward movement of the coi1 te is continued as far as possible and the marginal portions of the tape. are then drawn tightly together over the rearward side of the coil, as in Figure '1, and sewn longitudinally, as at 34. along a line closely adjacent to'the coil.

. 'I'he relationships between the coilV 33, the marginal sections of thetape, the primary tie threads I3, the secondary tie threads I:1 and I3, and the sewing thread 34 in an assembled separable fastener 'using the tape ofl the invention are shown clearly in Figure '1. Secondary tie threads i8 and primary tie threads I3 engage the inner surface of the rearward segment of each loop of coil and hold theportion of each marginal warp threads 24 and. I5, and 23 and i4,respectively, tightly longitudinally along the outer surface of the coil. The portions of the marginal sections of the tape lying between the inner edges thereof and the points of securing of the secondary tie threads I1 and I8v thereto thus extend for a substantial distance aroundthe outside of the coil from the pointof sewing 34 ofthe sections of the tape and thus form a continuous track or bead along which a slider may move for separably joining and for separating the stringers. Due to the extra heavy nature of the warp threads I4, 23, I5 and 24, as explained previously, a sturdy and rugged track or bead is provided without at the same time having the portions of the marginal sections which are not bound to the coils so heavy as to be cumbersome or unattractive. 'I

An assembled and partially closed separable coll fastener, employing a tape similar to that described and shown in Figure l, is seen in Figure 8 wherein the function' of the bead is somewhat more clearly apparent. It is seen from Figure 8 that there is no chance for the protruding edge 1 and 21 and 23 of threads 3 3 of the slider 33 to pass between adjoining loops of the coll regardless of how sharply the Stringer is bent immediately in front ofthe slider because all the openings between the separate loops through which the protruding edge of the slider might pass are adequately covered by the fabric bead 40. This is clearly apparent from an inspection of Figure 9 wherein is, shown a pair of inter- .locked coils 31 and 33. each assembled in a tape 33, which is constructed lr; accordancewith the invention so as to provide a track or bead along which the protruding edge 35 of the slider 3B moves during joining and separating ofv the stringers 31 and 33.

The utilization of the tape of the invention in the case of separable fasteners having engaging elements consisting of a row of individual links is .illustrated clearly in Figure 10 wherein a pair of such links 4I' and.42 are shown in interlocking relationship. Interlocking of the links is accomplished by means of hooks 44 and cooperating eyes, not shown, formed in the links. The root of each link is formed as a split ring and is clamped around a cord or runner 43 tomaintain proper spacing and alignment of the links. The row of links clamped on the runner is then assembled in a tape, having woven marginal sections with primary and secondary tie threads extending between them as described heretofore, ina manner entirely analogous to that described for assembling a coil in such a tape. The tape forms a continuous bead 45 lying longitudinally along thel rows of links covering the roots of the links and providing a'continuous track held securely against the row of links for the protruding edges 41 of i spaced relationship, as with sewing threads `21 I'l and and 23 of Figure 2 and sewing threads 48 and 49, and and 5i of Figure 11. Any convenient type of stitching may be used in forming such primary or secondary tie threads by sewing, two such types being illustrated at 29 and 30 respectively in Figure 2. `When formed by sewing as just described, or otherwise, the primary tie threads are secured along, and preferably as near as possible to, the inner edges of the marginal sections of the tape so as to hold the edge of the tape tightly against the engaging elements.

It is not essential that all of the tie threads lie in parallel planes. In some instances, as will be hereinafter noted, it is highly desirable that some of the tie threads beformed so as to lie at an angle with respect to the other of the tie threads,

two of such angular primary tie threads 3l and 32 being illustrated clearly in Figure 4. Other ways of forming secondary tie threads and other positions which they may occupy will be apparent to those familiar with the art and the present invention is not limited in these respects.

In the tape of the invention, it is apparent that the length of the tie threads extending between the marginal sections ofthe tape will depend largely upon the dimensions of the coil or row of links to be assembled therein. The primary and secondary tie threads should, when the stringer is assembled, be under tension and hold the bead or track tightly against'the row of engaging elements.

' Although the primary and secondary tie threads are frequently of such length that the trackforming portions of the marginal sections are substantially parallel when spread apart so as to tension the tie threads, one modification of the invention contemplates secondary tie threads longer than the primary tie threads. When a row of engaging elements is assembled in such a tape, it is possible to sew the two marginal sections longitudinally adjacent the row of elements so as to catch the ends of the long secondary tie threads in the seam. This adds considerably to the ability of the finished fastener to withstand a strong lateral-strain. The same effect is obtained in a coil.stringer when the cross section of the iilament is small with respect to the total width of the coil. In this case the secondary tie threads, which must be long enough to permit the coil to pass between the marginal sections of the tape at the points of attachment of the secondary tie threads thereto, are sufllciently long to pass around the filament and be caught in a seam longitudinal of the tape and adjacent the coil. Such an assembly of a coil in a tape having secondary tie threads longer than the primary tie threads is illustrated in Figure 12 wherein the secondary tie threads 52 are longer than the primary tie threads I3 and are caught in the seam formed by sewing with the thread 34.

I claim:

1. A tape for a separable fastener which includes: two longitudinal marginal sections whose4 inner edges are in spaced relationship; primary tie threads extending transversely between the marginal sections, at least one end of each primary tie thread being secured along the inner edge of' a marginal section; and secondary tie threads extending transversely between the marginal sections and secured thereto at points substantially removed from the inner edges of the sections.

2. A tape for a separable fastener which includes: two longitudinal marginal sections of woven fabric whose inner edges are in spaced relationship; primary tie threads extending transversely between the marginal sections, at least one endof each primary tie thread being secured along the inner edge of a marginal section'; and secondary tie threads extending transversely between the marginal sections and secured thereto at points substantially removed from the inner edges of the sections, at least a portion of each marginal section lying between the points of securing thereto of the; primary tie threads and of the secondary tie threads being thicker than the rest of the section.

3. A tape as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least some of the secondary tie threads are heavier i than the primary tie threads.

4. A tape as claimed in claim 1 wherein 'the points of securing of at least some of the tie threads to one marginal section are removed from the inner edge of the section by a distance greater 8 than the distance by which the points of securing of the same tie threads to the other marginal section are removed from the inner edge of the said marginal section.

' 5. A tape for a separable fastener which includes: two longitudinal marginal sections woven of warp and woof threads and having their inner edges in spaced relationship; primary tie threads extending transversely at regular intervals between and secured to the inner edges of the marginal sections; and secondary tie threads extending at regular intervals transversely between the marginal sections and secured thereto at points substantially removed from the inner edges of the marginal sections.

6. A tape as claimed in claim 5 wherein the secondary tie threads are atleast heavier than the primary tie threads.

7. A tape as claimed in claim 5 wherein the secondary tie threads are longer than the primary tie threads.

8. A tape for a separable fastener which in-l cludes: two longitudinal marginal sections woven of warp and woof threads and having their inner edges in spaced relationship; primarytie threads extending transversely at regular intervals between and secured to the inner edges of the marginal sections; and secondary tie threads extending at regular intervals transversely between the marginal sections and secured thereto at points substantially removed from the inner edges of the marginal sections, the warp threads of the portion of each marginal section lying between the points of securing of the primary tie threads and of thel supplementary tie threads to the section being at least heavier than the remaining warp threads in the section.

9. A tape for a separable fastener which includes: two longitudinal marginal sections woven of warp and Woof threads, the warp threads forming the inner edges of the sections being in spaced relationship; woof threads common to both marginal sections and forming primary tie threads extending between the inner edges of the marginal sections; and warp threads substantially removed from the inner edges of the marginal sections woven for a distance longitudinally first in one section and then for a distance longitudinally in the other section and forming secondary tie threads extending between the marginal sections.

NICHOLAS A. WAHL.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED sfrATEs PA'IENTS Name Date Hendley June 6, 1944 Number

Images