A fastening system that either attaches to existing buttons or attaches directly to an article of clothing are presented. The fastening system has a first portion that attaches to a button hole or a first part of the article and a second portion that attaches to a button or second part of the article. The first portion and second portion detachably attach to each other by a twist-lock, magnetic mechanism, or some other attachment mechanism. Alternatively, the fastening system can be built directly into an article without augmenting an existing button and button-hole fastener.

A flexible closure element for a closure of a medical or orthopedic product or sports product includes a first and second elastic cover layer and a sheet-type stabilizing element therebetween. The sheet-type stabilizing element is slotted over a least half of a length of the stabilizing element on at least one of two longitudinally running edges.

A buckle includes a male member including a base part and a pair of flexible arms extending from the base part, and a female member including an insertion hole formed at one end portion thereof. The pair of flexible arms is inserted in the insertion hole. The base part contacts the one end portion when the male member engages the female member. An outer face portion of each of the pair of flexible arms has a shape curving outwardly at a middle portion thereof relative to an insertion direction of the pair of flexible arms, and the pair of flexible arms is provisionally fastened to the female member when the pair of flexible arm is inserted in the insertion hole.

Various embodiments of a fastening system that either attaches to existing buttons or attaches directly to an article of clothing. In preferred embodiments, the fastening system has a first portion that attaches to a button hole or a first part of the article and a second portion that attaches to a button or second part of the article. The first portion and second portion detachably attach to each other by means of a twist-lock, magnetic mechanism, or some other attachment mechanism. Alternatively, the fastening system can be built directly into an article without augmenting an existing button and button-hole fastener.

A twist-lock button configured to securely fasten two articles together. Such a twist-lock button may have four pieces: a handle, a locking portion, a negative, and a button adapter. The negative attaches to an article by way of the button adapter. The locking portion attaches to the handle and passes through a button hole in the article to join with the negative by twisting 180 degrees, thereby fastening the two portions of the article together between the handle and the negative. This mechanism is more durable than hook and loop fasteners, more reliable than buttons and snaps, and less prone to jamming than zippers. In addition, the twist-lock button is easier to use for people with muscular or motor disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, ALS, stroke recoverees, and amputees.

Embodiments of the present invention may include a clip mounting seat having a clip attachment surface, a peripheral wall and an opening. The peripheral wall extends from the clip attachment surface. The opening opens a part of an outer peripheral edge of the clip attachment surface. The clip attachment surface has an attachment hole, a guide groove and a tongue. The guide groove guides an insertion of a neck portion of the clip from the opening into the attachment hole. The tongue protrudes from an edge of the guide groove towards the attachment hole. The tongue is deflected to permit the neck portion to enter from the opening into the attachment hole. When the neck portion moves from the attachment hole toward the opening, the tongue is deflected by the neck portion in a closing direction.

A one-handed connector apparatus includes a male portion that is receivable in a female portion. The male portion includes a plurality of protuberances that extend from a base and that are receivable in a receptacle formed in the female portion. A compressive force applied to an outboard one of the protuberances deflects the outboard protuberance toward an inboard protuberance and causes the outboard and inboard protuberances to together be elastically deflected from a first position to a second position. In the first position, a set of first latching structures situated on the protuberances are in an interference position with a set of corresponding second latching structures that are situated on the female portion. In the second position, the first latching structures are moved out of the interference position, thereby permitting the male portion to be removed from the female portion.

A jewelry clasp comprises a male member having prong. A distal groove of the prong is configured to glide into a bore slot of a female member. A barrier wall within the bore slot is configured to stop the prong. One or more safety pegs are configured to retract a spring held in place by a housing beam peg and support beam peg as the prong glides into the bore slot.

A latching device secures a strap to a piece of sports equipment. The latching device includes a buckle and a base. The buckle has a main body portion. The main body portion has an integrally formed collet and has a first slot and a second slot. The first and second slots each having a plurality of teeth shaped members that are configured to secure the strap to the buckle. The base is attached to the piece of sports equipment. The base has a first shaft and an annular ring. The first shaft has a first end and a second end. A ball shaped member is attached to the first end of the first shaft. The annular ring is formed on a periphery of the base surrounding the first shaft. The ball shaped member is releasably received in the collet to releasably engage the buckle with the base.