Co-molded fastening devices

Abstract

Co-molded fastening devices are provided, including a rigid body and, co-molded with and extending from a portion of the body, a resilient element constructed to provide a user of the device with an improved grip on the device or improved comfort.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A co-molded fastening device comprising a rigid body and, co-molded with and extending from a portion of the body, a resilient element constructed to provide a user of the device with an improved grip on the device or improved comfort.  
     
     
         2 . The co-molded fastening device of  claim 1  wherein the fastening device comprises a quick release buckle.  
     
     
         3 . The co-molded fastening device of  claim 2  wherein the quick release buckle comprises a side release buckle.  
     
     
         4 . The co-molded fastening device of  claim 1  wherein the fastening device comprises a cord lock.  
     
     
         5 . The co-molded fastening device of  claim 1  wherein the fastening device is selected from the group consisting of D-ring buckles, loop buckles, triangular buckles, snap hooks, press buckles, slide buckles and step lock buckles, and shoulder pads.  
     
     
         6 . The co-molded fastening device of  claim 1  wherein said resilient element has a hardness of from about 20 to 100 Shore A.  
     
     
         7 . The co-molded fastening device of  claim 2  wherein said quick release buckle comprises a male buckle element and a female buckle element constructed for releasable engagement with the male buckle element, and the resilient element is positioned on the female buckle element.  
     
     
         8 . The co-molded fastening device of  claim 7  wherein the resilient element is positioned so as to prevent a user's skin from being pinched between the male and female buckle elements when they are engaged with each other.  
     
     
         9 . The co-molded fastening device of  claim 1  wherein the body comprises a rigid plastic having a hardness of from about 40 to 90 Shore D.  
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing a co-molded fastening device having a body and a resilient element extending from a surface of the body, comprising 
 introducing a first resin into a first mold cavity of an injection mold with moving plates that are movable between a first position, in which the plates define the first mold cavity, and a second position, in which the plates define a second mold cavity adjacent the first,    moving the plates to the second position, and    injecting a second resin into the second mold cavity.