Rotatable multipositional fasteners

Abstract

Rotatable multipositional fasteners, devices, systems and methods having fastener receivers attachable and detachable by male and female parts. Each receiver can receive plural ends of straps, such as zip ties, having greater versatility than existing fastening systems. The multi-positional disposition of adjacent rotatable receivers facilitates the reception by the receivers of straps from multiple angles, elevations, and directions. Greater possibilities of proximity between the straps and the receivers can be due to the multiple possible orientations and flexible movement of the receivers. Proximal positioning creates a more aligned, linear connection between corresponding receivers and straps, resulting in reduced stress on the straps. Each receiver can have a plural openings where the insertion ends of the straps are inserted and fastened. A fastening mechanism in the openings of the housing locks with a strap end to form the fastened closure. Other openings in the housing allow for a strap to pass through both sides of the housing.

Claims

1. A rotatable multi-positional fastening system for fastening a plurality of multi-directional straps, comprising: a first receiver housing having a plurality of side walls, at least one side wall having an opening for receiving a strap end, and another side wall having an outwardly extending male portion; a second receiver housing having a plurality of side walls, at least one side wall having an opening for receiving another strap end, and another side wall having a female slot sized to receive the male portion of the first receiver, the second receiver housing oriented in a different plane than the first receiver housing, wherein the male portion of the first receiver housing is attachable and detachable from the female slot in the second receiver housing, so wherein the first receiver housing and the second receiver housing are initially rotatable to one another, wherein the male portion of the first receiver housing includes a base having a semi-hemispherical shape with a stem portion extending outwardly therefrom, the semi-hemispherical shape for allowing rotation of the first receiver housing to the second receiver housing, when the first receiver housing is attached to the second receiver housing; and a fastener associated with each side wall opening in the first receiver housing and the second receiver housing for respectively fastening the strap end and the another strap end.

2. The rotatable multi-positional fastening system of claim 1, wherein the strap end and the another strap end are ends of a plurality of straps.

3. The rotatable multi-positional fastening system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of straps includes zip ties.

4. The rotatable multi-positional fastening system of claim 1, wherein the strap end and the another strap end are ends of one strap.

5. The rotatable multi-positional fastening system of claim 4, wherein the one strap includes at least one zip tie.

6. The rotatable multi-positional fastening system of claim 1, wherein the first receiver housing and the second receiver housing includes at least one tapered sidewall.

7. The rotatable multi-positional fastening system of claim 1, wherein the first receiver housing and the second receiver housing, each have a generally box shape.

8. The rotatable multi-positional fastening system of claim 1, wherein the female slot in the second receiver housing includes: a bowl shape with a through hole in the bottom of the bowl shape for allowing a portion of the stem portion to pass therethrough and the semi-hemispherical shape being able to rotate in the bowl shape.

9. The rotatable multi-positional fastening system of claim 8, wherein the second receiver includes: an arm with a clamp, wherein the clamp is attachable to wrap about a side groove on the stem portion, the clamp allowing the first receiver housing and the second receiver housing to remain attached to one another, and wherein removing the clamp from the side groove allows the first receiver housing and the second receiver housing to detach from one another.

10. The rotatable multi-positional fastening system of claim 1, wherein the first receiver housing is formed as single molded plastic part, and the second receiver housing is formed as a single molded plastic part.

11. The rotatable multi-positional fastening system of claim 1, wherein the first receiver housing further includes: side openings on opposite side walls so that a strap can pass through both of the openings.

12. The rotatable multi-positional fastening system of claim 11, wherein the first receiver housing further includes: a top opening on the first receiver housing opposite to the sidewall having the male portion extending therefrom.

13. The rotatable multi-positional fastening system of claim 1, wherein the second receiver housing further includes: a second side opening on another side wall perpendicular to the female slot.

14. A rotatable multi-positional fastening system for fastening a plurality of multi-directional straps, comprising: two receivers disposed adjacently to one another, each receiver defined by a housing and at least one opening; a male part and a female part for attaching the two receivers together, wherein the male part includes a base having a semi-hemispherical shape with a stem portion extending outwardly therefrom, the semi-hemispherical shape for allowing rotation of the two receivers relative to one another, when the two receivers are attached together, a fastener for attaching a portion of a strap to the at least one opening in each of the two receivers, wherein, the two receivers are at least initially rotatable with one another.

15. The rotatable multi-positional fastening system of claim 14, wherein the female part includes: a bowl shape with a through hole in the bottom of the bowl shape for allowing a portion of the stem portion to pass therethrough, and the semi-hemispherical shape being able to rotate in the bowl shape.

16. A rotatable multi-positional fastening system for fastening a plurality of multi-directional straps, comprising: receivers disposed adjacently to one another, each receiver defined by a housing and at least one opening; a male portion and a female portion for attaching the receivers together, wherein the male portion has a base with a semi-hemispherical shape and a stem portion extending outwardly therefrom, the semi-hemispherical shape portion for allowing rotation of the receivers to one another, when the receivers are attached together, and wherein the female portion includes a bowl shape with a through hole in the bottom of the bowl shape for allowing a portion of the stem portion to pass therethrough, and the semi-hemispherical shape being able to rotate in the bowl shape, a fastener for attaching a portion of a strap to the at least one opening in each of the receivers, wherein, the receivers are at least initially rotatable with one another.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

(2) First Embodiment

(3) FIG. 1 is an upper front right perspective view of a male fastener of the rotatable multipositional fastener system.

(4) FIG. 2 is a lower front right perspective view of the male fastener of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 3 is an upper rear right perspective view of the male fastener of FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 4 is a lower rear right perspective view of the male fastener of FIG. 1.

(7) FIG. 5 is an upper front right perspective view of the female fastener of the rotatable multipositional fastener system used with the male fastener of FIG. 1.

(8) FIG. 6 is a lower front right perspective view of the female fastener of FIG. 5.

(9) FIG. 7 is an upper right rear perspective view of the female fastener of FIG. 5.

(10) FIG. 8 is a lower right rear perspective view of the female fastener of FIG. 5.

(11) FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the FIG. 3 male fastener to be attached to the FIG. 5 female fastener and straps about to be fastened to the male/female fasteners.

(12) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the male fastener and female fastener of FIG. 9 attached together.

(13) FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the attached male and female attached fasteners of FIG. 10 along arrows 11X.

(14) FIG. 12 is another view of the attached male and female fasteners of FIG. 11 with straps shown in FIG. 9 fastened.

(15) FIG. 13 is another perspective view of an opposite side of the attached male and female fasteners of FIG. 10.

(16) FIG. 14 is a lower left perspective view of the attached male and female fasteners of FIG. 13.

(17) FIG. 15 is another perspective view of the attached male and female fasteners of FIG. 10 with male fastener rotated partially counter-clockwise relative of the female fastener.

(18) Second Embodiment

(19) FIG. 16 is an upper front right perspective view of another male fastener of another rotatable multipositional fastener system.

(20) FIG. 17 is a lower front right perspective view of the male fastener of FIG. 16.

(21) FIG. 18 is an upper rear right perspective view of the male fastener of FIG. 16.

(22) FIG. 19 is a lower rear right perspective view of the male fastener of FIG. 16.

(23) FIG. 20 is an upper front right perspective view of another female fastener of the rotatable multipositional fastener system used with the male fastener of FIG. 16.

(24) FIG. 21 is a lower front right perspective view of the female fastener of FIG. 20.

(25) FIG. 22 is an upper right rear perspective view of the female fastener of FIG. 20.

(26) FIG. 23 is a lower right rear perspective view of the female fastener of FIG. 20.

(27) FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the FIG. 18 male fastener to be attached to the FIG. 20 female fastener and straps about to be fastened to the male/female fasteners.

(28) FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the male fastener and female fastener of FIG. 24 attached together.

(29) FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the attached male and female attached fasteners of FIG. 25 along arrows 26X.

(30) FIG. 27 is another view of the attached male and female fasteners of FIG. 26 with straps shown in FIG. 24 fastened.

(31) FIG. 28 is another perspective view of an opposite side of the attached male and female fasteners of FIG. 25.

(32) FIG. 29 is a right side perspective view of the attached male and female fasteners of FIG. 28.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(33) Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

(34) In the Summary above and in the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification does not include all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

(35) In this section, some embodiments of the invention will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation is used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments.

(36) Other technical advantages may become readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after review of the following figures and description.

(37) It should be understood at the outset that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described below, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.

(38) Unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

(39) U.S. Pat. No. 9,637,291 to Montejo, which is incorporated by reference in its' entirety, is by the same inventor as the subject invention, and shows and describes a multi-positional closure fastener having two receivers that are fastened to one another by a pin so that zip tie straps can have their ends fastened together in receivers that pivot with one another.

(40) However, the receivers are permanently attached to one another, and each receiver can only receive one end of a zip tie strap.

(41) A list of components will now be described. 1 First Embodiment Rotatable Multipositional Fastening System 100 Male Fastener, first receiver housing (with male member/part) 110 box shape 102 top wall 104 first sidewall 105 second sidewall 106 third sidewall 107 fourth sidewall 108 bottom wall 110 semi-hemispherical base 112 cylindrical stem 115 groove about stem 122 top opening 123 latch member 124 catch 126 one side opening 127 latch member 128 catch 129 second side opening with no latch member 200 Female Fastener, Second receiver housing (with female slot) 202 top wall 204 first sidewall 205 second sidewall 206 third sidewall 207 fourth sidewall 208 bottom wall 210 Box shape 220 bowl shape indentation 225 through hole 227 U shaped opening 230 arm 235 clamp end 242 first side opening 243 first latch member 244 first catch 246 second side opening 247 second latch member 248 second catch 250 first strap 260 second strap 270 third strap 280 fourth strap 300 Second Embodiment Rotatable Multipositional Fastening System with Male Fastener and Female Fastener Locking Members 310 Male Fastener 311 Locking Member Ring 312 Protrusions 316 Valleys between protrusions 320 Female Fastener 321 Locking Member Ring 322 Protrusions 326 Valleys between protrusions

First Embodiment

(42) FIG. 1 is an upper front right perspective view of a male fastener 100 of the rotatable multipositional fastener system 1. FIG. 2 is a lower front right perspective view of the male fastener 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an upper rear right perspective view of the male fastener 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a lower rear right perspective view of the male fastener 100 of FIG. 1.

(43) Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the rotatable multipositional fastener system 1 (shown in FIG. 9) can include a first receiver housing (male receiver) 100 that can be a single plastic molded part, that can have a generally box shape 110. The first receiver housing 110 can include a top wall 102, four sidewalls 104, 105, 106 and 107, and a bottom wall 108. Extending downward from the bottom wall 108 can be a semi-hemispherical shaped base 110, with a generally cylindrical stem portion 112 extending therefrom with a ring shaped groove 115 about a mid-portion of the stem portion 112.

(44) FIG. 5 is an upper front right perspective view of the female fastener 200 of the rotatable multipositional fastener system 1 used with the male fastener 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a lower front right perspective view of the female fastener 200 of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is an upper right rear perspective view of the female fastener 200 of FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a lower right rear perspective view of the female fastener 200 of FIG. 5.

(45) Referring to FIGS. 5-8, the rotatable multipositional fastener system 1 (shown in FIG. 9) can include a second receiver housing 200 which can be a female fastener, that can be a single plastic molded part, that can have a generally box shape 210 with a top 202, first sidewall 204, second sidewall 205, third sidewall 206, fourth sidewall 207 and a bottom wall 208.

(46) In the top wall 202 can be bowl shape indentation 220 with a through-hole 225 through the receiver housing 200.

(47) On the first sidewall 204 can be a side opening 242 with a latch member 243. The second sidewall 205 can include a side opening 246 with a second latch member 247.

(48) Extending from the third sidewall 206 can be an arm 230 having a clamp end 235. While not being used, the arm 230 can have a memory that allows the clamp end 235 to angled into the side U shaped opening 227 in the lower sidewall 206 of the housing 200.

(49) FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the FIG. 3 male fastener (first receiver) 100 to be attached to the FIG. 5 female fastener (second receiver) 200 and straps 250, 260, 270, 280 about to be fastened to the male fastener (first receiver) 100 and female fastener (second receiver) 200. The straps 250, 260, 270 and 280 can be elongated straps having parallel ridges with indented spaces between each ridge. A ridge can have a right triangular configuration, and the like. So that the catches in the side and top openings of the receiver housings 100, 200 can lock into the spaces between the raised ridges.

(50) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the male fastener (first receiver) 100 and female fastener (second receiver) 200 of FIG. 9 attached together. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the male fastener (first receiver) 100 attached to the female fastener (second receiver) 200 of FIG. 10 along arrows 11X. FIG. 12 is another view of the attached male and female fasteners 100, 200 of FIG. 11 with straps 250, 260, 270, 280 shown in FIG. 9 fastened.

(51) FIG. 13 is another perspective view of an opposite side of the male fastener (first receiver) 100 attached to the female fastener (second receiver) 200 of FIG. 10. FIG. 14 is a lower left perspective view of the attached male and female fasteners 100, 200 of FIG. 13.

(52) FIG. 15 is another perspective view of the attached male and female fasteners 100, 200 of FIG. 10 with male fastener 100 rotated partially counter-clockwise relative of the female fastener 200.

(53) Referring to FIGS. 9-15, the male stem 112 of the male fastener 100 is positioned into the through-hole opening 225 into the top wall 202 of the female receiver 200 until the semi-hemispherical base 110 extending from the bottom wall 108 of the male fastener 100 rests adjacent to the bowl shaped indentation in the top wall 201 of the female fastener 200. The generally U-shaped clamp end 235 of the arm 230 extends from the sidewall 206 are all molded as part of the female fastener 200. The C shaped clamp 235 can be pushed about the circular groove 115 on the stem 112 which locks the male fastener 100 to the female fastener 200. The C shaped clamp end 235 can be rigid enough to wrap into the circular groove 115 so that the male fastener 100 stays attached to the female fastener 200. However, the C shaped clamp end 235 can be loose enough so that the male fastener 100 and female fastener 200 are still able to rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise relative to one another.

(54) Referring to FIGS. 9-12, one end of a strap 250 can be inserted through an opening 126 of receiver housing 100 and pass out of the opposite side opening 129. A catch 128 having downwardly protruding triangle/wedge portions can lock into some of the parallel grooves on the strap 250 to lock it in place. To remove the strap 250, the user can push up the latch member 127 which lifts the catch 128 allowing the strap 250 to be pulled out of the receiver housing 100. An end of another strap 260 can be inserted into top opening 122 of the receiver housing 100 can similarly locked in place with catch 124. To remove strap 260, the user can push latch member 123 toward the receiver housing 100 which lifts the catch 124 from the grooves in the strap 260 allowing the strap 260 to be pulled out.

(55) One end of strap 270 can be attached similarly in side opening 242 of receiver housing 200 also using a similar catch (not shown) and released with the latch member 244. An end of strap 280 can be similarly attached to opening 246 in the receiver housing 200 and locked in place with catch 248 and released by pushing in latch member 247.

(56) Although the embodiments show some locations of side openings and top openings for locking straps thereto, the other locations of openings on any surface of the receiver housings can be used.

Second Embodiment

(57) FIG. 16 is an upper front right perspective view of another male fastener 310 of another rotatable multipositional fastener system 300 shown in FIGS. 24-29. FIG. 17 is a lower front right perspective view of the male fastener 310 of FIG. 16. FIG. 18 is an upper rear right perspective view of the male fastener 310 of FIG. 16. FIG. 19 is a lower rear right perspective view of the male fastener 310 of FIG. 16.

(58) Referring to FIGS. 16-19, the male fastener 210 is identical to the previous male fastener 100 with the addition of a locking member ring 311 formed on the bottom wall 108 of the receiver housing 310. The locking member ring 311 can include raised protrusions 312 with valleys 316 between the protrusions 312. The raised protrusions can have wedge shapes an upwardly sloping outer surfaces.

(59) FIG. 20 is an upper front right perspective view of another female fastener 320 of the rotatable multipositional fastener system 300 used with the male fastener 310 of FIG. 16. FIG. 21 is a lower front right perspective view of the female fastener 320 of FIG. 20. FIG. 22 is an upper right rear perspective view of the female fastener 320 of FIG. 20. FIG. 23 is a lower right rear perspective view of the female fastener 320 of FIG. 20.

(60) Referring to FIGS. 20-23, the female fastener 320 can be similar to the previous female fastener 200 with the with the addition of a locking member ring 321 formed on the top wall 202 of the receiver housing 320. The locking member ring 321 can include raised protrusions 322 with valleys 326 between the protrusions 322. The raised protrusions can have wedge shapes an upwardly sloping outer surfaces.

(61) FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the FIG. 18 male fastener 310 to be attached to the FIG. 20 female fastener 320 and straps 250, 260, 270, 280 about to be fastened to the male fastener 310 and female fastener 320. FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the male fastener 310 and female fastener 320 of FIG. 24 attached together. FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the attached male fastener 310 attached to the female fastener 320 of FIG. 25 along arrows 26X. FIG. 27 is another view of the attached male and female fasteners 310, 320 of FIG. 26 with straps 250-280 shown in FIG. 24 fastened to the receiver housings 310, 320. FIG. 28 is another perspective view of an opposite side of the attached male fastener 310 and female fastener 320 of FIG. 25. FIG. 29 is a right side perspective view of the attached male fastener 310 and female fastener 320 of FIG. 28.

(62) Referring to FIGS. 24-29, the male fastener 310 can attach the female fastener 320 and fasten with straps similar to the male fastener 100 and the female fastener 300, with the addition of locking ring members 311, 321. The locking ring members 311, 321 can be used for locking the first receiver housing (male fastener) 310 to the second receiver housing (female fastener 320) in a selected rotated position.

(63) The male part ring locking member 311 on the bottom wall of the male fastener 310 can include a ring configuration of raised protrusions 312 and valleys 316 between the raised protrusions 312. The female part ring locking member 321 can be located on a top wall of the female fastener 320 and also have raised protrusions 322 and valleys 326 between the raised protrusions 322.

(64) The first receiver housing 310 and the second receiver housing 320 can be initially oriented and rotated to a selected rotated position, followed by the first ring 311 and the second ring 321 are pushed against each other, and are locked together when the raised protrusions 312 of the first ring 311 are mateable with the valleys 326 of the second ring 321, and the raised protrusions 322 of the second ring 321 are mateable with the valleys 316 of the first ring 311.

(65) The rotatable multipositional fastening system can be configured to help secure an item to a mounting surface, and to bundle multiple items while creating the minimal amount of stress on the straps, the receiver housings, and the items being retained by the straps. The multi-positional closure system can be especially effective for fastening multiple straps that approach a corresponding receiver housing while retaining different items, such as large, complex wiring or tubing systems.

(66) For example, the myriad wiring in an aircraft requires a plurality of straps to guide and securely retain the different types and sizes of wires. The insertion tab for each strap must form closures around the wires at various angles; often twisting, torqueing, looping around corners and channels in the aircraft to reach a proximal receiver and achieve the fastening closure. In order for the wires and strap to reach the receivers, twisting, stretching and looping around corners and channels in the aircraft may be necessary to reach the most proximal receiver.

(67) While a preferred embodiment allows for each receiver housing to be formed from single plastic parts, other suitable materials for the receiver housings can include, without limitation, nylon, polyurethane, pliable polymers, aluminum, metal alloys, rubber, and fibers. The fastening system can be used to bundle wires, hoses, and smaller items. Though in one alternative embodiment, a stainless steel version, of the fastener 100, either naked or coated with a rugged plastic, can be used for exterior applications and hazardous environments.

(68) Although the embodiments show and describe a first receiver housing with a male portion being attachable from a second receiver housing with a female slot opening, the invention can have the first receiver with another side wall having a male portion for being attachable to another receiver housing having a female slot portion. Additionally, the second receiver housing can have a male portion on another side wall for allowing the second receiver housing to be attachable to another receiver housing having another a female slot. The receiving housings can have plural male portions and female portions to allow for receiver housings to be attachable and detachable from one another in stacked arrangements similar to the male/female fasteners.

(69) While the receiver housings are shown in generally square box shapes, the receiver housings can have other geometrical shapes, such as but not limited to rectangular box shaped, pyramid box shape, hexagon box shape, and the like. The receiver housings can have eclectic types of numbers, angles, lengths, widths, and diameters.

(70) While the straps are described for example, as including zip ties, the straps can be other types of bundling fastener straps, such as but not limited to include, a zip tie, a cable tie, a wire guide, and a hose tie. Other types of straps can include but are not limited to straps having parallel ridges from one end to another.

(71) Although specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include some, none, or all of the enumerated advantages.

(72) Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

(73) To aid the Patent Office and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended claims or claim elements to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.

(74) While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.