CA1042851A - Fastener attaching device - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure A fastener attaching device for dispensing fastener attachment members for recoupling detached buttons to clothing, etc. includes a body, a needle supported at the front of the body and having a bore and a slot extending into the bore, an ejector moveable into and out of the bore, an actuator link coupled to the ejector, and a trigger pivotally coupled to the body and adapted to rotate the actuator link about a first pivot point to reciprocate the ejector.
The actuator link is pivotally coupled to a second link which in turn is pivotally coupled to the body so that upon the drawing of the trigger towards the body the first pivot point moves towards the ejector as the actuator link pivots about the first pivot point.

Description

~L04~ 351 The present invention is directed to a new and improved fastener attaching device particularly suited for use in consumer applications such as to recouple detached buttons to clothing, etc.
The device of the present invention is simple to use, even for a first time user, contains comparatively few parts which lends itself to economical construction but yet provides a substantial mechanical advantage over comparative prior art devices used for similar purposes.
Over the last few years a substantial commercial and industrial business has been developed using plastic fastener attachment members to couple tickets to merchandise and the like, pairs of shoes, articles, together as well as ~- - `
layers of material together. Examples of such fastener attach-ment members are to be found in U.S. Patents 3,444,597 (Arnold R. Bone, 20 May 1969), and 3,103,666 (Arnold R.
Bone, 17 September 1963).
Devices for dispensing such fastener attachment members -in primarily commercial applications are shown in the following representative U.S. Patents 3,103,666, 3,659,769 (Arnold R. Bone, 2 May 1972), 3,734,375 (Arnold R. Bone et al, 22 May 1973), and 3,735,908 (Arnold R. Bone et al, 29 May 1973).
During the last few years consumer applications have been developed using decorative fastener attachment members for coupling bu~tons to a coat, suit, etc., and for ornamental purposes. See for example, U.S. Design Patent D213418 (Francis G. Merser, 4 March 1969). A
consumer type of device for dispensing the button type of fastener attachment members is shown in U.S.
Patent 3,470,834 (A,R. Bone, 7 Octo~er, 1969).

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1~)4Z~351 In this patent as well as in other similar consumer devices stemming therefrom a pushlng motion is used to cause the plunger to push the fastener attachment member through the insertion needle and accordingly little lf any mechanical advantage is obtained.
While these consumer oriented fastener attachment devices (push type) have proven most successful and a large market has developed, numbers of individuals did express a desire and need for a new and improved fastener attachment device which could be used conveniently by even a wider group of potential users than those currently using the aforementioned push type fastener attaching device.
Others have also worked in this field and have ;~
attempted to provide a fastener attaching device avoiding a pusher motion. An example of this type of construction is to be found in U.S. Patent 3,650,452 (Eugene W. Finke, 21 March 1972). In this device there is disclosed a trigger mechanism which provides a camming surface to rotate an actuator link about a fixed pivot point with the ejectar slidably moveable in a slot at the top of the link.
With this type of construction there are several dis-advantages in that (1) the ejector has an upward motion applied to it which drives it against its supporting guide as the actuator link pivots and thus the device loses efficiency and the trigger is more difficult to operate than one would ideally like; (2) because of the amount of link motion required the device housing takes on a box-like appearance and is thus difficult to impart a streamlined appearance, and; (3) because of the aforementioned friction ;
effects special emphasis must be placed on the selection and on the use of friction resistant plastics so that premature

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wear of the guides is avoided. Others haye designed comparable units to that shown in U.S. Patent 3,650,451 (Norman W.
Weiland, 21 March 1972) with the slot being in the means for holding the ejector rather than in the link~
Another proposal for a fastener attachment apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,652,004 tBattista Lozio, 28 March 1972). While this construction might be acceptable in certain cases such as in commercial applications, the position of the trigger is quite awkward for use since the user would have to twist or rotate his or her wrist 90 to use it. In addition this construction also takes on a box-like appearance, mechanical advantage is lost bec~se of the pivot position and an intermediate pivotal link is needed for coupling to the member supporting the ejector or stem.
In view of the above prior art it became quite apparent that there was an unsatisfied need for a device that would be easier to manipulate, more resistant to wear and would also provide a mechanical advantage not obtained with the push type fastener attachment device of the prior art.
While this order for a new device might seem easy to satisfy to be competitive in the consumer field, construction and material costs are an ever present factor and accordingly there was a need for a new improved fastener attachment device construction which would meet the needs of the consumer yet be sufficiently inexpensive to produce to be sa~able for such use.
In view of the foregoing it is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved fastener attachment apparatus which is simple in design as well as inexpensive to construct and provides a substantial mechanical advantage over the prior art devices used for similar purposes.

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It ls a further ob~jcct of 'he.inventioll to pro~ide a new and improved device ~Ihlch lends itselr to construction usinr, moldable parts for relatively inexpensive mass produc- -' tion. , , The present invention accordingly provides an i-nproved fastener attachment dispensing a~paratus in which an e~ector or plunger is supported ~or reciprocatin~ motion, a drive lever ls coupled to the e~ector and pivotally supported - intermediate its ends so that the plvot point floats with ' re~pect to the body of the apparatu~ and moves towards the e,Jector durinF~ its motion in one direction.
The inventlon also provides an attachin~ device of a type includinF, a casing with an actuator pivotally attached to,the casin~, a needle proJecting from the casin~ ~rith a central bore and a top slot that opens ~nto ihe bore, ana a plunger that is slidable within the bore to ~ush a portion Or a fastener at'tachment member or the like through the bore and the slot Or the needle. The actuato.7 operates a lever pivotally coupled intermediate its ends to a link at a point which rloats with respect to the caslng and moves towards the plunger as it moves into the bore Or the needle. The link is in turn plvotally coupleq to tne casing. ~ first ~ ,' end Or the lever ls coupled to the plun~er to reciprocat'e ' ~' lt, and a second end Or the lever is slidable upon a camming sùrrace or the actuator. Means are included ror ~inearly uldlng the rlrst end or the lever, and re8ilient blasln~
means are coupled to the casing and thc lever ror urg1n~ lts second end agalnst the ca~ng s~4ce.

iE3~ ' '' i~42851 The inventlon further provides ~ fastener attachment apparatus whlch includes a body, a tubular guide member extending outwardly from the body, a bore extending length-wise of the guide member, an elongated slot in the guide member communicating with the bore, and e~ector guidably :
supported for reclprocatinF~ lnto and out Or the bore. A
drlve lever coupled to the e~ector ls plvotally supported :
lntermediate its end~ so that its polnt Or coupling floats wlth respect to the body and moves towards the e~ector as 1~ the e~ector ls moved lnto the bore.

Brlef Descri~tion of the Drawln~s Flg. 1 is a top vlew of the device according to the lnvention;
Flg. 2 ls a side vlew taken along slightly off-center line 2-2 ln Fig. l; .
Flg. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the trigger ~ .
compressed;
Flg. 4 is a slde view taken along slightly off-center line 4-4 in Fig. 1;

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1~4ZI~Sl Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 axe sectio~al Yiews taken along lines 5-5 and 6-6 in Fig. l;
Figs. 7-9 are sidel end and opposite end views of the actuator link; and Figs. 10 and 11 are top and side views of the indexing wheel holder.

Summary-of the Disclosure The present disclosure is directed to a new and improved fastener attaching device which because of its construction is well suited for use in consumer applications such as the reattaching of buttons which have separated from clothing.
The fastener attaching device includes a cam actuated mechanism for ejecting fastener attachment members via a needle bore and which in the preferred embodiment includes an actuator link pivotally supported at one end in a guide in a manner to achieve reciprocating motion thereof and which engages a movable cam surface at another portion thereof to impart a reciprocating motion to an ejector supported in a manner so as to be able to force a portion of a fastener attachment member through the bore of a reedle.
More particularly the actuator link or lever is pivotally coupled to the body of the device so that the actuator link in effect floats and moves upwardly in a path generated by the point at which it is coupled to the coupling link as it is rotated about said point thus shortening the amount of cam motion to affect ejector reciprocation.
Resilient biasing means is also provided in the preferred embodiment to urge one end of the actuator link which acts as a cam follower against a cam surface provided by a squeezeable trigger pivotally coupled to the body of the device.

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Detailed Description of the Disclosure Reference should now be had to Figs. 1-11 for a detailed description of the disclosure. The fastener attaching device as shown comprises a casing or ~ody 20 which in its most preferred form includes right and left side sections 20-1 and 20-2 both of which among other parts used herein are preferably molded o~f a rigid plastic although obviously other materials such as metal (e.g. zinc) may be used but at a much greater cost and weight disadvantage. The -sections are coupled together along line 20-3, i.e., using an adhesive or by ultrasonic or other techniques for welding the sections together.
At the front of the body there is provided a bore 21 open at the top in which there is supported a tubular guide member or needle 22 of the type shown in U.S. Patent

3,470,834 (Arnold R. Bone, 7 October 1969) with the walls of the bore preferably extending about the top curved portion of the needle but not over the needle slot 22-3 to maintain the needle in place.
The open portion of the bore 21 is in line with the slot .. :.! :
22-3 of the needle 22 so that the filament portion 24-1 of attaching member 24 (see Fig. 2) may pass therethrough as the fastener attachment member is dispensed through the bore 22-2 of the needle.
The needle comprises a tip 22-1, a central bore 22-2 in which a transverse portion 24-2 of the attachment member 24 ~
travels with the filament 24-1 and the head 24-3 extending -above the needle. ~ -The attachment member 24 is held within the bore 22-2 as the filament 24-1 extends through the slot 22-3 by using an attachment member having a transverse portion --.

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~4Zt351 24-2 dia~m,eter greater tha~ the dista,nce be,tween the walls of the slot 22-3~ The needle also comprises a rear tip 22-4 beyond its mounting portion in which there is provided a V
shaped cutter 22-5 which may be of the type shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,734,375.
At the rear of the tip 22-4 there is provided an indexing wheel 25 having teeth 25-1 for engaging coupling members 26-1 connecting a plurality of attaching members 24 to a carrier bar 26-2 therefore in order to position and locate one attachment member transverse portion 24-2 at a time in line with the needle bore 22-2 for dispensing through the needle 22.
The members 24 are separated from the coupling members by the cutter 22-5 severing the coupling members as will be clear from the description which follows. The members 24 enter through housing slot 23 as shown in Fig. 2. ,' The indexing wheel has a hub 25-2 which is positioned for rotation in bore 20-4. The indexing wheel is finger rotatable and causes the attachment members, the coupling members and the carrier bar to move through shaped guide slots 20-5 as shown in Fig. 2.
While the above description of the needle attachment member and indexing wheel are described above, those interested in more details may also refer to U.S. Patent 3,470,834 in which a fuller description is provided. -, In order to hold the wheel 25 in place and thus hold the attachment member in location for dispensing through the needle, there is provided a spring-like material member 28 (see Figs. 10 and 11) positioned in a slot 27 and which has a projection 28-1 positionable between the teeth 25-1. The member 28 is held in place by a projection 27-1 forming a part of section 20-1 which fits into a cutout 28-2.

1~4Z851 In order to push the attachment member 24 through the needle and at the same time sever the member 24 from the coupling member 26-1, there is provided an ejector or plunger 29 having a substantially right angled tip 29-1.
The ejector 29 is supported by guide bore 30 and guide rails 31 (see Fig. 4) so that it is securely guided at all times. The ejector tip 29-1 is supported in a hole 33-1 extending through the actuator link 33 and lies against a counter sunk or cutout portion 33-2. It should be understood that the cut out could be widened and the guide walls 31 extended toward top of the hole 33-1 to better guide the ejector.
The actuator link 33 is positioned within the confines of the body 20 sections as well as within the confines of a hollow trigger 36 between walls 36-1 (see Figs. 5 and 6) and is guidably slidable therebetween. ;
The trigger 36 has projections 36-2 which are mounted for pivotal motion or rotation within bores 20-11 and 20-21 so that the trigger lower portion may be squeezed towards the body.
The motion of the trigger 36 is limited in one direction by a trigger stop 37-2 which engages a body stop 42 (see Fig. 2).
The link 33 includes a raised portion 33-4 which as shown in Fig. 6 holds the link 33 snugly between the walls 36-1 for slidable motion. -Actuator link portion 33-8 (see Fig. 7) slidably engages trigger interior surface 36-3 and in effect the link portion 33-8 acts as a cam follower and the surface 36-3 acts as a cam. The actuator link or lever 33 is pivotally coupled to a link 40 which has a hole 40-1 positioned about a post 33-7 and is secured about the post for pivotal ' ' . . ' . , . : . , ! , . . .

1~4Z851 motion by the top of the post slidably engaging one of the walls 36-1. The llnk 40 itself is pivotally coupled via a double sided post 41 projecting therefrom and held in holes 40-2 formed in sections 20-1 and 20-2 (see Fig. 1~.
The top portion of the link 33 is provided with guide projections 33-3 which rides between guides 34 so that rotary motion may be converted to linear or reciprocating motion.
In order to resiliently bias the trigger in the portion as shown in Fig. 2 thus withdrawing the ejector 29 from the needle bore there is provided resilient biasing means such as a spring 38 having a front U shaped portion 38-1 positioned as shown in Fig. 3 in a hole 33-5 and cutout 33-6. The other end of the spring has a hook-shaped end 38-2 positioned about a post 39 which also may include a head.
The actuating mechanism shown comprising the links 33 and 40, the spring 38, trigger cam surface 36-3 and the guide rails combine together to provide the needed amount of linear ejector motion with a shortened trigger stroke by permitting the pivot point of the link 33 to float with link 40 and thus move upwardly upon squeezing the trigger 36.
In Fig. 3 there is shown the position of the trigger, ejector, etc., after squeezing the trigger 36. As may be seen the link 40 has pivoted with both the spring 38 and link 40 having rotated clockwise based upon a comparison of the views in Figs. 2 and 3.
~hile the preferred embodiment is specifically shown s as including an indexing wheel and needle with a knife, it should be obvious that one attachment member at a time (that is detached from the carrier and coupling member) may _ 9 _ 1~)4Z851 be dispensed by inserting it into the needle bore by hand and then actuating the trigger~ It should also be apparent that a further member may be coupled to the actuator link to affect automatic movement of the indexing wheel.
It should also be obvious that the indexing wheel and the knife of the needle may be left out entirely if the attaching members are supplied singularly.
This change would obviously provide a useful but somewhat less convenient device still embodying the invention.
Furthermore, it should also be understood that a separate knife or cutter may be provided apart from the needle or in fact depending upon the material used for the attaching member, a right angled portion of the device body itself may be sufficient to affect separation or rupturing the fastener attachment members from the coupling members.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above among those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the constructions set forth without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that ; -all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings may be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language, may be said to fall therebetween.

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Claims (17)

HE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. In an attaching device including a casing having a pivotally actuatable casing portion, a needle projecting from the casing, the needle having a central bore and a slot open at the top and opening into the bore, and a plunger sidable within the bore to push a portion of a fastener attachment member or the like through the bore and the slot of the needle, the improvement characterized by a lever pivotally coupled intermediate its ends to a link at a point which floats with respect to said casing and moves towards said plunger as it moves into said bore, said link being pivotally coupled to said casing, a first end of said lever being coupled to said plunger to reciprocate it and a second end slidably upon a camming surface of an actuator pivotally coupled to said casing, means for linearly guiding the first end of said lever and resilient biasing means coupled to said casing and said lever for urging the second end of said lever slidably against said camming surface.

2. In an attaching device according to claim 1 characterized by having means for linearly guiding said plunger.

3. In an attaching device according to claim 2 characterized by having means for locating a fastener attachment member for dispensing.

4. In an attaching device according to claim 3 characterized by having indexing wheel means with a plurality of teeth for feeding fastener attachment members one at a time into position for dispensing by said needle.

5. In an attaching device according to claim 2 in which said pivotally actuatable portion comprises a hollow trigger having interior walls for guiding said lever.

6. In an attaching device according to claim 5 in which said casing and said trigger include stop means.

7. In an attaching device according to claim 2 in which the needle has a knife at the rear thereof.

8. A fastener attachment apparatus including a body, a tubular guide member extending outwardly from the body, a bore extending lengthwise of said guide member and an elongated slot in said guide member communicating with said bore, an ejector guidably supported for reciprocating motion into said bore, guide means for guidably supporting said ejector, the improvement comprising a drive lever coupled to said ejector and means for pivotally supporting said lever intermediate its ends so that the point at which it is pivotally coupled to said support means floats with respect to said body and moves towards said ejector as the ejector is moved further into said bore.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which guide means is provided to limit a first end of an ejector motion to reciprocating motion.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 in which said first end is coupled to said ejector.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 in which a rotatable trigger is pivotally coupled to said body and includes a surface for engaging said lever to rotate it.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 in which resilient biasing means is provided to urge said lever against said rotatable trigger surface.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which said lever is pivotally supported by a link which is in turn pivotally coupled to said body.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 including means for positioning a portion of a fastener attachment member one at a time at one end of the bore for pushing through said bore by said ejector.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13 in which means is provided for separating fastener attachment members from coupling members connected to a carrier.

16. In a fastener attachment dispensing apparatus, an ejector guidably supported for reciprocating motion, guide means for supporting the ejector, the improvement comprising a drive lever coupled to said ejector and means for pivotally supporting said lever intermediate its ends so that the point at which it is pivotally coupled to said support means floats with respect to said body and moves towards said ejector as the ejector is moved in one direction.

17. In an apparatus according to claim 16 in which a pivotally coupled cam is provided which has a surface for rotating one end of that lever.