Magneto-Mechanical Closure Device for Fastening to an Associated Assembly

Abstract

A closure device for connecting two assemblies to each other includes a first closure part, which is associated to a first one of the assemblies and includes a first magnetic element, and a second closure part which includes a second magnetic element. The first closure part and the second closure part can be attached to each other along a closing direction by magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element, are mechanically and/or magnetically held at each other in a closed position, and can be separated from each other for opening the closure device. A connecting part includes a fastening device for fastening the second closure part to the connecting part and an integration portion for fixing the connecting part to a second one of the assemblies.

Claims

1. A closure device for connecting two assemblies to each other, comprising a first closure part, which is associated to a first one of the assemblies and includes a first magnetic element, and a second closure part, which includes a second magnetic element, wherein the first closure part and the second closure part can be attached to each other along a closing direction by magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element, are mechanically and/or magnetically held at each other in a closed position, and can be separated from each other for opening the closure device, and wherein a connecting part, which includes a fastening device for fastening the second closure part to the connecting part and an integration portion for fixing the connecting part to a second one of the assemblies.

2. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein the integration portion is configured for sewing, welding or gluing to the second one of the assemblies.

3. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein the second closure part can be fastened to the connecting part when the connecting part is connected to the second one of the assemblies.

4. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device is configured to produce a positive and/or non-positive connection with the second closure part.

5. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device includes at least one form-fit element for producing a positive connection.

6. The closure device according to claim 5, wherein the fastening device includes two form-fit elements, between which the second closure part is held in a fastened position.

7. The closure device according to claim 5, wherein the second closure part can be connected to the at least one form-fit element along a fastening direction.

8. The closure device according to claim 7, wherein in the fastened position the second closure part is fixed by at least one latching element along the fastening direction.

9. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device is configured to produce a bayonet connection with the second closure part.

10. The closure device according to claim 9, wherein the fastening device includes an opening into which the second closure part can be inserted for fastening to the connecting part, and in which the second closure part can be rotated about an axis of rotation to produce the bayonet connection.

11. The closure device according to claim 10, wherein the fastening device includes at least one engagement element protruding into the opening to produce the bayonet connection with the second closure part.

12. The closure device according to claim 11, wherein the fastening device includes a shell surface extended around the opening, on which the at least one engagement element is arranged.

13. The closure device according to claim 11, wherein the second closure part includes at least one engagement opening in which the at least one engagement element engages with the bayonet connection made.

14. The closure device according to claim 1, wherein the second closure part has a body and a receiving opening arranged in the body for receiving the second magnetic element, wherein the receiving opening is closed by the connecting part in a position of the second closure part fastened to the connecting part.

15. An arrangement, comprising a closure device according to claim 1, wherein the first closure part is connected to the first one of the assemblies and the integration portion is sewn, welded or glued to the second one of the assemblies.

16. The arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the arrangement is a textile arrangement.

17. The arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the arrangement is a shoe, a garment, a bag, a backpack or a suitcase.

18. A closure device for connecting two assemblies to each other, comprising a first closure part, which is associated to a first one of the assemblies and includes a first magnetic element, and a second closure part, which is associated to a second one of the assemblies (5, 6) and includes a second magnetic element, wherein the first closure part and the second closure part can be attached to each other along a closing direction by magnetic attraction between the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element, are mechanically and/or magnetically held at each other in a closed position, and can be separated from each other for opening the closure device, and wherein a fastening device for fastening the second closure part to the second one of the assemblies, wherein the fastening device is configured to produce a bayonet connection with the second closure part.

19. The closure device according to claim 18, wherein the fastening device includes an opening into which the second closure part can be inserted for fastening to the connecting part, and in which the second closure part can be rotated about an axis of rotation o produce the bayonet connection.

20. The closure device according to claim 19, wherein the fastening device includes at least one engagement element protruding into the opening to produce the bayonet connection with the second closure part.

21. The closure device according to claim 20, wherein the fastening device forms a shell surface extended around the opening, on which the at least one engagement element is arranged.

22. The closure device according to claim 20, wherein the second closure part includes at least one engagement opening in which the at least one engagement element engages with the bayonet connection made.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The idea underlying the invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the Figures, in which:

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a view of a first exemplary embodiment of a closure device, in a position in which a second closure part is separated from an associated connecting part;

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a view of the closure device before attachment of a first closure part to the second closure part;

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a view of the closure device in a closed position;

[0049] FIG. 4A shows a top view of the arrangement of FIG. 1;

[0050] FIG. 4B shows a sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 4A;

[0051] FIG. 5A shows a side view of the second closure part on the connecting part;

[0052] FIG. 5B shows a sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 5A, when making the connection of the second closure part with the connecting part;

[0053] FIG. 5C shows the view of FIG. 5B, with the bayonet connection made;

[0054] FIG. 6 shows a view of another exemplary embodiment of a closure device;

[0055] FIG. 7 shows a view of the closure device, when a first closure part is attached to a second closure part;

[0056] FIG. 8 shows a view of the closure device in a closed position;

[0057] FIG. 9A shows a top view of the arrangement of FIG. 6;

[0058] FIG. 9B shows a sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 9A;

[0059] FIG. 10 shows a view of the second closure part before connection to an associated connecting part;

[0060] FIG. 11 shows a view in a position of the second closure part fastened to the connecting part;

[0061] FIG. 12A shows a top view of the arrangement of FIG. 11;

[0062] FIG. 12B shows a sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 12A;

[0063] FIG. 13A shows the top view of FIG. 12A;

[0064] FIG. 13B shows a sectional view along line C-C of FIG. 13A;

[0065] FIG. 14 shows a view of another exemplary embodiment of a closure device, representing a second closure part for fastening to an associated, second assembly;

[0066] FIG. 15 shows a side view of the arrangement of FIG. 14; and

[0067] FIG. 16 shows a top view of the arrangement of FIG. 15.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0068] FIGS. 1 to 5A-5C show a first exemplary embodiment of a closure device 1 which includes a first closure part 2, a second closure part 3 and a connecting part 4. The first closure part 2 is associated to a first assembly 5, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment for example a traction element in the form of a strap or rope for example of a garment or a shoe. The second closure part 3 on the other hand is associated to a second assembly 6, for example to a textile portion, for example of a garment or a shoe, wherein in the operational position the second closure part 3 is fixed to the second assembly 6 via the connecting part 4.

[0069] The closure device 1 is designed as a magneto-mechanical closure device. In the operational position, the second closure part 3 is fixed to the connecting part 4, as can be taken from FIGS. 2 and 3. The first closure part 2 can be attached to the second closure part 3 along a closing direction X and thus can be connected to the second closure part 3, wherein the first closure part 2 and the second closure part 3 each include a magnetic element 24, 34, which on attachment of the closure parts 2, 3 to each other face each other in a magnetically attracting manner and thus magnetically support the attachment.

[0070] In the closed position, shown in FIG. 3, the closure parts 2, 3 are held at each other due to the magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements 24, 34.

[0071] As can be taken from FIGS. 2, 3 and 4A, 4B, the first closure part 2 has a body 20 which on a side facing the second closure part 3 forms a toothing portion 23 in the form of a conical internal toothing. A winding portion 22 in the form of a winding groove is molded to the body 20, on which the traction element 5, for example in the form of a traction cable, can be wound and from which the traction element 5 can also be unwound again. On the body 20, a handle element 21 is firmly arranged, via which a user can grasp the first closure part 2 in order to produce or again release the connection between the closure parts 2, 3 or in order to rotate the first closure part 2 relative to the second closure part 3.

[0072] The second closure part 3 has a body 20 to which a toothing portion 33 is molded on a side facing the first closure part 2, which circumferentially surrounds a pin portion 32. Within the pin portion 32, the magnetic element 34 associated to the second closure part 3 is received in a receiving opening 301.

[0073] In the closed position of the closure device 1, the toothing portions 23, 33 of the closure parts 2, 3 are in meshing engagement with each other, and the pin portion 32 of the second closure part 3 engages into the first closure part 2 for rotational support. The toothing portions 23, 33 here, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, are shaped such that the first closure part 2 can be rotated in a winding direction relative to the second closure part 3 while the toothing portions 23, 33 slide over each other, for example in order to wind the traction element 5 onto the winding portion 22 of the first closure part 2. A reverse rotation, however, is blocked by the meshing engagement so that the traction element 5 can be tensioned, but cannot easily be released, in any case not without separating the closure parts 2, 3 from each other.

[0074] For opening the closure device 1, the first closure part 2 can be removed from the second closure part 3 against the closing direction X, against the force of magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements 24, 34.

[0075] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the second closure part 3 is fixed to the associated assembly 6 via the connecting part 4. The connecting part 4 here can be fabricated as a simple, inexpensive component, for example from plastic material, and in particular does not include any magnetic elements.

[0076] The connecting part 4 forms an integration portion 42 which extends in a planar manner and for example can be flexibly deformable. Via the integration portion 42, the connecting part 4 can be fixed to the assembly 6, for example by sewing, welding or gluing.

[0077] As this can be taken from FIG. 1 in a synopsis with FIG. 4B, the connecting part 4 forms a cylindrical collar with a shell surface 40 molded thereto, which surrounds an opening 400. For fastening the second closure part 3 to the connecting part 4, the body 30 of the second closure part 3 can be inserted into the opening 400 so that a fastening device 41 within the collar interacts with the body 30 of the second closure part 3 and in this way creates an attachment between the second closure part 3 and the connecting part 4.

[0078] The actuating device 41 is formed by engagement elements 410 in the form of protrusions inwardly protruding into the opening 400. On attachment of the second closure part 3 to the connecting part 4, the engagement elements 410 come into engagement with engagement openings 31 on the body 30 of the second closure part 3 so that a connection between the second closure part 3 and the connecting part 4 thereby is made.

[0079] The engagement elements 410 and the engagement openings 31 are designed to produce a bayonet connection. On insertion of the second closure part 3 into the opening 400, the engagement elements 410 initially come into engagement with axially open fitting portions 310 of the engagement openings 31, as can be taken from FIG. 1 in a synopsis with FIG. 5B. When the engagement elements 410 have been inserted into the fitting portions 310, the second closure part 3 can be rotated relative to the connecting part 4 about an axis of rotation D in a fastening direction U so that the engagement elements 410 run into locking portions 311 of the engagement openings 31, which adjoin the fitting portions 310 in the fastening direction U, as can be taken from FIG. 1 in a synopsis with FIGS. 5B and 5C.

[0080] FIG. 5C shows the locked position with the bayonet connection made, in which the engagement elements 410 rest in the locking portions 311 and thereby positively connect the second closure part 3 to the connecting part 4.

[0081] Within the locking portions 311 arresting elements 312 in the form of protruding latching noses are molded, which in the fastened position with the bayonet connection made are in engagement with associated arresting openings 411 on the engagement elements 410, as can be taken from FIG. 5C. Thus, in the fastened position with respect to the connecting part 4, the second closure part 3 is secured against being released.

[0082] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the second closure part 3 in the operational position is connected to the associated assembly 6, for example to a textile portion of a garment or the like, via the connecting part 4. The second closure part 3 can also be released again from the connecting part 4, in that the bayonet connection is eliminated by releasing the engagement elements 410 from the engagement openings 31. This for example allows a maintenance, renewal or repair of the closure device 1 by exchange or restoration of the second closure part 3. Moreover, this provides for simple recycling in that the second closure part 3 can easily be reused by being released from the connecting part 4.

[0083] FIGS. 6 to 13A, 13B show another exemplary embodiment of the closure device 1 which includes a first closure part 2, a second closure part 3 and a connecting part 4. Again, the second closure part 3 can be fastened to an associated assembly via the connecting part 4, wherein in the operational position the closure parts 2, 3 can be connected to each other so as to create a connection between assemblies associated to each other.

[0084] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the first closure part 2 has a body 20 in the form of a rigid element to which an engagement element 25 is molded at one end. A force introduction element 26 in the form of a bracket is pivotally articulated to the body 20 about a force introduction axis 260. An actuating element 27 in the form of a tab is arranged on the body 20 and can be actuated by a user to release the closure parts 2, 3 from each other by the user grasping the actuating element 27 and thereby pulling the closure parts 2, 3 away from each other.

[0085] Via the force introduction element 26, for example a connection of the first closure part 2 to an associated assembly in the form of a belt or the like can be produced.

[0086] The second closure part 3 has a body 30 to which a rigid engagement element 35 is molded, which forms an arresting portion 350 in the form of an undercut on a rigid portion 351. Transversely offset and parallel to the engagement element 35, a blocking element 36 is molded to the body 30.

[0087] The first closure part 2 and the second closure part 3 each include a magnetic element 24, 34, as can be taken from the sectional view of FIG. 9B.

[0088] For closing the closure device 1, the closure parts 2, 3 can be attached to each other along a closing direction X, as this is shown in the transition from FIG. 7 towards FIG. 8.

[0089] In a closed position of the closure device 1, the engagement element 25 of the first closure part 2 is in positive engagement with the engagement element 35 of the second closure part 3, wherein the engagement is secured by the blocking element 36 on the body 30 of the second closure part 3.

[0090] Due to the fact that the force introduction axis 260 is located between an abutment surface 352 on the engagement element 35, which the engagement element 25 faces in the closed position, and a perpendicular plane A pointing through the center of gravity of the magnetic element 34, a stable hold of the closure parts 2, 3 at each other is obtained in the closed position, in that in the closed position the closure parts 2, 3 are magnetically drawn towards each other by the magnetic elements 24, 34 and the engagement between the engagement elements 25, 35 also is secured by the blocking element 36.

[0091] In the closed position, a securing lug 28 on the body 20 of the first closure part 2 is in engagement with an associated securing opening 300 on the body 30 of the second closure part 3 so as to secure the transverse position of the closure parts 2, 3 relative to each other.

[0092] By pulling on the actuating element 27, a user can lift the first closure part 2 from the second closure part 3 and thereby eliminate the blockage by the blocking element 36. By pulling on the actuating element 27, the closure parts 2, 3 thus can be released from each other in a simple way.

[0093] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the connecting part 4 includes a fastening device 41 which is designed to produce a positive connection with the second closure part 3.

[0094] The fastening device 41 includes two form-fit elements 412 extended parallel to each other, between which the body 30 of the second closure part 3 can be pushed along a fastening direction U perpendicular to the closing direction X, as can be taken from FIG. 6 in a synopsis with FIGS. 10 to 13A, 13B. In the fastened position, the body 30 rests between the form-fit elements 412 and is in contact with a stop element 413 via a front edge so that the body 30 takes a defined position between the form-fit elements 412 along the fastening direction U. The position of the body 30 relative to the connecting part 4 here is secured via a latching element 414 which is deflected on insertion of the body 30 and in the fastened position is in engagement with a rear edge of the body 30 so that the hold of the second closure part 3 on the connecting part 4 thereby is secured along the fastening direction U.

[0095] By releasing the latching of the latching element 414, the connection of the second closure part 3 can be released from the connecting part 4 by pushing the second closure part 3 out of engagement with the form-fit elements 412 against the fastening direction U.

[0096] The connection via the form-fit elements 412 in the fastened position can be such that in case of excessive load, for example when a breakaway force is applied to the second closure part 3, which exceeds a limit force, the second closure part 3 can get out of engagement with the form-fit elements 412 in a vertical direction. In this way, an emergency release can be provided in case of excessive load.

[0097] In yet another exemplary embodiment, which is shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, a closure device 1 includes closure parts 2, 3, identically as described above with reference to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5A-5C. The closure parts 2, 3 in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 14 to 16 and FIGS. 1 to 5A-5C are identical in functional and constructional terms, wherein the closure part 2 is not shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 for a simplified overview.

[0098] In contrast to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5A-5C, a separate connecting part 4 is not provided in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 14 to 16, but a fastening device 41 is integrated into a housing part of an associated, second assembly 6 so that the second closure part 3 can directly be fastened to the second assembly 6 via the fastening device 41.

[0099] As has been described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5A-5C, the fastening device 41 includes engagement elements 410 which are arranged within an opening 400 formed in the housing part of the assembly 6 and protrude inwardly into the opening 400. By insertion into the opening 400, the engagement elements 410 can be brought into engagement with the engagement openings 31 on the body 30 of the closure part 3 to produce a bayonet connection, in order to thereby produce a form fit between the engagement elements 410 and the body 30 of the closure part 3, as has been described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5A-5C.

[0100] In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 14 to 16, the closure part 3 thus is directly fixed to the associated, second assembly 6 via the bayonet connection. In so far, there is not provided a connecting part 4 separate from the second assembly 6, but the fastening device 41 is directly integrated into the second assembly 6, for example into a housing part of the second assembly 6.

[0101] In addition, reference is made to the explanations concerning the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5A-5C.

[0102] The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, but can also be realized in a different way.

[0103] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the second closure part can be released from the connecting part, which provides for a maintenance, renewal or restoration of the second closure part due to the fact that the second closure part can be released from the connecting part and can be exchanged or repaired.

[0104] The releasable connection also provides for simple recycling in that the second closure part or at least parts of the second closure part, for example the magnetic element of the second closure part, can be reused.

[0105] The connecting part can be manufactured easily and at low cost and can also be adapted to the associated assembly.

[0106] Due to the fact that the second closure part is not directly fixed to the associated assembly, but indirectly via the connecting part, an integration of the closure device is possible also into assemblies in which a direct attachment of the second closure part to an associated assembly is not easily possible.

[0107] The connecting part for example can be fabricated jointly with the associated assembly, in that the connecting part is fixed to the assembly during manufacture or possibly is also fabricated integrally with the second assembly. The second closure part is fixed to the connecting part only subsequently, so that an impairment of the second closure part, for example by action of heat on the magnetic element of the second closure part, is avoided during the manufacture of the assembly.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0108] 1 closure device [0109] 2 closure part [0110] 20 body [0111] 21 handle element [0112] 22 winding portion [0113] 23 toothing portion [0114] 24 magnetic element [0115] 25 engagement element [0116] 26 force introduction element [0117] 260 force introduction axis [0118] 27 actuating element [0119] 28 securing lug [0120] 3 closure part [0121] 30 body [0122] 300 securing opening [0123] 301 receiving opening [0124] 31 engagement opening [0125] 310 fitting portion [0126] 311 locking portion [0127] 312 arresting element [0128] 32 pin [0129] 33 toothing portion [0130] 34 magnetic element [0131] 35 engagement element [0132] 350 arresting portion (undercut) [0133] 351 rigid portion [0134] 352 abutment surface [0135] 4 connecting part [0136] 40 shell surface [0137] 400 opening [0138] 41 fastening device [0139] 410 engagement element [0140] 411 arresting opening [0141] 412 form-fit elements [0142] 413 stop element [0143] 414 latching element [0144] 42 integration portion [0145] 5,6 assembly [0146] A axis [0147] D axis of rotation [0148] M center [0149] X closing direction [0150] U fastening direction