CONJOINING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A conjoining assembly for removably connecting a plurality of items such as, but not limited to clothing articles, to one another including at least two securing members removably attachable to one another. Each securing member includes a base and a retainer structured for connection to one another concurrent to the base and retainer of each securing member cooperatively disposed in retaining relation to a different one of the plurality of items. The removable connection of the securing members may include a snap-action connection between the bases, without the use of conventional or customized tools, concurrent to retention of the different ones of the plurality of items.

Claims

1. A conjoining assembly structured to removably connect a plurality of articles to one another, said conjoining assembly comprising: at least two securing members each structured for attachment to a different one of the plurality of articles, each of said at least two securing members comprising a base and a retainer; each of said retainers connected to a corresponding one of said bases in retaining relation to a different one of the plurality of articles, a connecting assembly disposed on said base of each of said at least two securing members; said connecting assembly structured to define a removable snap-action connection between said bases, and said removable snap-action connection comprising said at least two securing members removably connected to one another concurrent to said retention of different ones of the plurality articles on each of said at least two securing members.

2. The conjoining assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said at least two securing members comprises an attachment assembly formed on said base and said retainer; said attachment assembly structured to define a snap-action attachment of said base and said retainer to one another.

3. The conjoining assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said attachment assembly of each of said at least two securing members is structured to define a manually applied, snap-action connection of corresponding ones of said base and said retainer to one another, without the use of tools.

4. The conjoining assembly as recited in claim 1 further comprising an attachment assembly disposed on each of said at least two securing members; said attachment assembly structured to define a manually applied connection of corresponding ones of said base and said retainer to one another, without the use of tools.

5. The conjoining assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said attachment assembly comprises an attachment finger and an aperture formed on different ones of said retainer and said base, said attachment finger and said aperture cooperatively structured and dimensioned to define said snap-action attachment of said base and said retainer.

6. The conjoining assembly as recited in claim 5 further comprising a locking member having a flexible construction, said locking member at least partially defining a peripheral boundary of said aperture and disposed in fixed engagement with said attachment finger, subsequent to passage of a distal end of said attachment finger through said aperture.

7. The conjoining assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein said locking member is disposable into and out of a closed orientation, said locking member disposed in said closed orientation subsequent to passage of said distal end through said aperture, to at least partially define a fixed, manually applied, snap-action attachment with said attachment finger.

8. The conjoining assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said distal end of said attachment finger includes a greater transverse dimension than that of said locking member, when said locking member is in said closed orientation.

9. The conjoining assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said retaining relation comprises said base and said retainer of a common one of said at least two securing members disposed in a substantially sandwiching relation to a retained one of the plurality of articles.

10. The conjoining assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said connecting assembly comprises a male connecting segment and a female connecting segment each formed on a different one of said bases of said at least two securing members, said male and female connecting segments cooperatively dimensioned and configured to define a removable, manually applied, snap-action connection between said at least two securing members.

11. A conjoining assembly for removably connecting a plurality of articles to one another, said conjoining assembly comprising: a plurality of at least two securing members each including a base and a retainer, a connecting assembly comprising each base of said at least two securing members including a different connecting segment formed thereon; said different connecting segments cooperatively structured for removable snap-action connection of said at least two securing members, an attachment assembly disposed on each of said at least two securing members; said attachment assembly structured for a snap-action attachment of said base and said retainer of a common one of said at least two securing members, said base and said retainer of each of said at least two securing members cooperatively disposed in retaining, sandwiching relation to a different one of the plurality of articles, and said removable snap-action connection comprising said at least two securing members removably connected to one another concurrent to said retention of different ones of the plurality articles on each of said at least two securing members

12. The conjoining assembly as recited in claim 11 wherein said attachment assembly comprises an attachment finger formed on said retainer and a flexible locking member formed on said base, said locking member normally biased into and movable into and out of a closed orientation.

13. The conjoining assembly as recited in claim 12 wherein said base of each of said at least two securing members includes an aperture dimensioned to receive said attachment finger therethrough; said locking member disposed along and at least partially defining an outer peripheral boundary of said aperture and movably and fixedly engaging said attachment finger, concurrent to passage of said attachment finger through said aperture.

14. The conjoining assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said locking member is disposed in said closed orientation in fixed engagement with said attachment finger subsequent to passage thereof through said aperture, said passage of said distal end at least partially defining a fixed, snap-action attachment of said retainer and said base of a common one of said at least two securing members.

15. The conjoining assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said locking member is disposed in said closed orientation in fixed engagement with a distal end of said attachment finger subsequent to passage thereof through said aperture, said passage of said distal end at least partially defining a fixed, snap-action attachment of said retainer and said base of a common one of said at least two securing members.

16. The conjoining assembly as recited in claim 15 wherein said fixed engagement of said locking member comprises a periphery of said locking member biased in abutting engagement with an undercut portion of said distal end.

17. The conjoining assembly as recited in claim 15 wherein said distal end of said attachment finger includes a greater transverse dimension than that of said locking member, when said locking member is in said closed orientation.

18. The conjoining assembly as recited in claim 17 wherein said fixed engagement of said locking member comprises a periphery of said locking member biased in abutting engagement with a recessed, undercut portion of said distal end.

19. The conjoining assembly as recited in claim 11 wherein said retaining relation comprises said base and said retainer of a common one of said at least two securing members disposed in a substantially sandwiching relation to a retained one of the plurality of articles.

20. The conjoining assembly as recited in claim 11 wherein said connecting assembly comprises a male connecting segment and a female connecting segment each formed on a different one of said bases of said at least two securing members, said male and female connecting segments cooperatively dimensioned and configured to define a removable, manually applied, snap-action connection between said at least two securing members.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a conjoining assembly of the present invention represented in an attached, conjoining position.

[0023] FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional view of the conjoining assembly of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective, exploded sectional view in partial cutaway of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective, sectional view in partial cutaway of the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 in an operatively connected, conjoining orientation.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a combination view in perspective of different portions of the conjoining assembly of the present invention being manually attached to articles or other items to be conjoined.

[0027] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0028] The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which illustrative 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 fully convey the scope of the invention.

[0029] As represented, the conjoining assembly of the present invention is generally indicated as 10 and comprises a plurality of at least two securing members 12 and 14. As perhaps represented in greater detail in the exploded view of FIG. 2, each of the at least two securing members 12 and 14 include a base 16 and 16′ and a retainer 18 and 18′. In addition, each of the retainers 18 and 18′ include a head portion or member 20 and 20′ which may be formed into a substantially disk-like configuration. In cooperation therewith, each base 16 and 16′ is at least partially dimensioned and configured to facilitate attachment of the corresponding retainers 18 and 18′ thereto.

[0030] As represented in the operative, conjoined and/or interconnected position of FIG. 1, each retainer 18, 18′ is attached to a corresponding one of the bases 16, 16′ prior to (FIG. 3) and concurrent to (FIGS. 1 and 4) the bases 16 and 16′ being connected to one another. As will also be described in greater detail the operative, conjoined position of the at least two securing members 12 and 14 is accomplished concurrent to the retaining of different articles, items, etc. 100 and 102.

[0031] As further emphasized herein, the articles or items 100 and 102 to be removably connected to one another may vary such as, but not limited to, articles of clothing comprised of different ones of a pair of socks, stockings, etc. However, in the alternative, the article of clothing could be a shirt, blouse, pants, etc. wherein different portions of the same garment may be considered “different articles” being removably connected to one another, such as when an individual “buttons-up” a shirt. It is further emphasized that the articles or items 100, 102 which may be removably connected to one another not be limited to garments or articles of clothing. The versatility of the conjoining assembly 10 of the present invention is evident by it being operable for removable connection or attachment of a variety of different articles, items, devices, etc. to one another with little or no structural or operative modification to the conjoining assembly 10.

[0032] Therefore, in order to facilitate the effective and efficient removable conjoining of at least two articles 100, 102, each of the securing members 12 and 14 include a connecting assembly generally indicated as 24. Each connecting assembly including a connecting segment 26 or 26′. While the connecting segments 26 and 26′ are cooperatively structured they are also cooperatively dimensioned and configured to facilitate a removable connection therebetween as represented in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. Accordingly, the connecting segment 26 may be referred to as a male connecting segment and the connecting segment 26′ may be cooperatively dimensioned and configured to define a female connecting segment. When operatively connected, as represented in FIGS. 1 and 4, the male connecting segment 26 is disposed at least partially within the interior 27 of the female connecting segment 26′. Further each of the connecting segments 26 and 26′ include peripheral lips or ridges as at 29 and 29′.

[0033] In order to facilitate a firm, reliable but yet removable connection to one another the peripheral lip 29 is disposed exteriorly of the interior 28 of the male connecting segment 26 and is cooperatively disposed and dimensioned to be disposed in substantially abutting, confronting relation to the interior peripheral lip or flange 29′, as represented in FIGS. 1 and 4. However the connection between the male connecting segment 26 and the female connecting segment 26′ of the connecting assembly 24 is purposely intended to be removable such that the articles or devices 100 and 102 retained on the different securing members 12 and 14 may be separated for independent or cooperative use, as normally and practically applied. Such removable connection of the male and female connecting segments 26 and 26′ is facilitated by at least one or both of the male connecting segment 26 and female connecting segment 26′ being at least partially flexible, so as to be forced in an inwardly or outwardly collapsed and/or expanded orientation.

[0034] The result of such cooperative flexible structuring will facilitate male connecting segment 26 being manually forced into the interior 27 of the female connecting segment 26′ to accomplish the removable operative conjoined attachment, as represented in FIGS. 1 and 4. Further, this described cooperative structuring and configuring between the connecting segments 26 and 26′ provides for a snap-action removable connection therebetween due in part to the cooperative configurations of the peripheral lips or plans is 29 and 29′ as well as the at least minimal flexibility of one or both of the male and female connecting segments 26 and 26′. As will be explained in greater detail with primary reference to FIG. 5, the removable, snap action connection between the bases 16 and 16′ may be accomplished manually, thereby eliminating the need or necessity of any type of connecting tools, instruments, devices, etc.

[0035] In order to accomplish the intended operative, conjoined position of the at least two securing members 12 and 14, while independently retaining different articles or items 100 and 102, each of the securing members 12 and 14 include an attachment assembly generally indicated as 40 and 40′ on different ones of the at least two securing members 12 and 14. In more specific terms, the attachment assembly 40 and 40′ each comprise a attachment finger 42 formed on connected to and extending outwardly from an inner surface 21 of the head or body 20 and 20′ of each retainer 18,18′. Each attachment finger 42 may have an at least minimally elongated configuration such that when fixedly connected to a corresponding one of the bases 16 and/or 16′ there is sufficient spacing between the inner surfaces 17 and 21, respectively of the bases 16 and 16′ and the body 20 and 20′ of the retainers 18,18′. As a result, different ones of a plurality of articles or devices 100 and 102 are retained in sandwiched relation therebetween.

[0036] Structural details of each attachment finger 42 also includes an enlarged distal end 44 cooperatively structured and dimensioned to accomplish a fixed, snap-action attachment with a locking member 46, also defining a portion of the connecting assembly 40 and 40′. The locking member 46 is formed of a flexible material and more specifically comprises a flexible, biased construction. In addition, each locking member 46 may have a continuous or closed annular configuration or in the alternative may have a segmented configuration, wherein either embodiment is disposed in at least partially surrounding relation to an aperture 48 formed in the base 16, 16′. The aperture 48 is disposed and dimensioned to receive passage of at least a portion of the attachment finger 42, specifically including the enlarged distal end 44. As represented, the locking member 46 extends along an at least partially defines a peripheral border of the aperture 48.

[0037] Therefore, the distal end 44 of each attachment fingers 42 has an enlarged diameter or other appropriate transfers dimension, which is greater than that of the “closed” or contracted orientation of the locking member 46 and/or aperture 48 when the locking member 46 is in the closed orientation. Accordingly, due to the flexible, biased structuring of the locking member 46, passage of the enlarged distal end 44 through the aperture 48 will force the locking member 46 outwardly into an “open” or expanded orientation (not shown for purposes of clarity) as the distal end 44 of each attachment finger 42 comes into movable engagement with interior portions of the corresponding locking member 46. As indicated the locking member 46 as a flexible, biased construction which serves to normally bias it into the closed orientation as represented in FIGS. 1 and 4. As a result, after the enlarged distal end 44 passes through the aperture 48 and beyond the locking member 46, the locking member 46 will “snap-back” into its normally biased position and into the closed orientation. As a result, the locking member 46 will lock and fixedly engage and maintain the distal end 44 of the corresponding attachment finger 42 into attachment with the corresponding base 16 and 16′.

[0038] The fixed, snap-action attachment between the attachment finger 42 and the locking member 46 is further facilitated by the relative, cooperative dimensioning and configuring therebetween. In more specific terms, the “enlarged” dimension of the distal end 44 can be defined as having a dimension or transverse dimension which is greater than that of the locking member 46 and aperture 48, when the locking member 46 is in its closed or contracted orientation as represented in FIGS. 1 and 4. Further, the locking member 46 includes an inwardly converging or slanted configuration as represented throughout the Figures. As such, when the locking member 46 “snaps-back” into the closed orientation, the outer peripheral portion thereof as at 46′ is disposed into abutting, locking engagement with a recessed or undercut area 44′ of the distal end 44. Therefore, the attachment between the attachment finger 42 and the corresponding locking member 46 can be accurately described as a snap-action attachment. Such a fixed, snap-action attachment may be accomplished by a manually applied force as will be explained in greater detail with reference to at least FIG. 5.

[0039] As also represented throughout the Figures, each of the retainers 16 and 16′ are fixedly connected by the snap-action attachment to corresponding ones of the bases 18 and 18′ after first disposing the respective attachment fingers 42 into and through the articles or devices 100 and 102 being retained. As also set forth herein, the retained articles or items 100 and 102 are effectively “sandwiched” between the inner surfaces 21 and 17 of the fixedly interconnected retainers 18, 18′ and bases 16, 16′. Thereafter and as represented in at least FIGS. 3 and 4, the at least two securing members 12 and 14 are removably connected to one another by the aforementioned snap-action connection as the male connecting segment 26 passes into the interior 27 of the female connecting segment 26′. When so connected, it is noted that the enlarged distal ends 44 of the respective attachment fingers 42 are disposed in substantially aligned relation to one another as they are positioned within the interiors 27 and 28 of the female and male connecting segments 26′ and 26 respectively.

[0040] With reference to FIG. 5 it is clearly represented that the fixed, snap action attachment between corresponding ones of the bases 16 and 16′ and the retainers 18 and 18′ and the removable snap-action connection between the bases 16 and 16′ of conjoined ones of the at least two securing members 12 and 14 may be accomplished manually, without the use of tools, instruments or any type of connecting devices. More specifically, these manually applied-snap action connections and attachments may be accomplished by a user manipulating the fingers of one or both hands 200, to exert a squeezing, pushing, clamping, etc. force on corresponding ones of the bases 16, 16′ and retainers 18, 18′ of the different securing members 12 and 14. Such manually applied forces may be schematically indicated by directional arrow 300. This will result in the respective attachment fingers 42 penetrating through the respective articles or items 100 and 102 and the clamping and/or sandwiching of the articles 100 and 102 between the inner surfaces 17 and 21 of the bases and retainers 16, 16′ and 18, 18′ of the at least two securing members 12 and 14.

[0041] Thereafter, removable, snap action connection of the bases 16,16′ of the at least two securing members 12 and 14 is accomplished by exerting a manually applied squeezing, pushing, clamping, etc. force on each of the at least two securing members 12 and 14, as schematically indicated in FIG. 3 by directional arrows 400.

[0042] Therefore, uniquely advantageous structural and operative features of the conjoining assembly 10 is the ability to assemble the bases 16, 16′ and the retainers 18 and 18′ each of a plurality of at least two securing members 12 and 14, manually into the aforementioned snap-action attachment. Similarly, once assembled, each of the at least two securing members 12 and 14 can be removably and manually disposed into a snap-action connection, as demonstrated at least in FIG. 5. The conjoining assembly 10 of the present invention thereby enables a “double-snap” action assembly and securement of the at least two securing members 12 and 14 into the operative, conjoined position of at least FIGS. 1 and 4.

[0043] Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.