Snap fastener

Abstract

A male snap component is provided which is particularly useful for replacing an existing male snap component of a snap fastener which has been pulled free from a panel within which is was supported. The male snap component comprises a head, a shank extending from the head and an anchor threadably supported on the shank at a location spaced from the head. The anchor has a plurality of gripping fingers extending in a longitudinal direction of the shank from the anchor towards the head at an outward incline away from the shank in a relaxed position for engaging an opposite side of the panel as the head when inserted through a bore formed in the panel where the previous male snap component was located. The fingers flex inwardly to permit insertion of the anchor through the bore from an accessible side of the panel. Subsequent rotation of the shank clamps the panel between the head and anchor.

1 . A male snap component for mating with a female snap component of a snap fastener in which the female snap component comprises a socket with an annular periphery which is movable from a relaxed position to a flexed position in which the annular periphery has a greater circumference than the relaxed position and in which the annular periphery is urged under tension back to the relaxed position, the male snap component comprising: 
 a head having an annular sidewall with a main portion of circumference approximately equal to the circumference of the annular periphery of the female snap component in the relaxed position;    a shank extending from the head; and    an anchor threadably supported on the shank at a location spaced from the head and having a plurality of gripping fingers extending in a longitudinal direction of the shank from the anchor towards the head.    
     
     
         2 . The male snap component according to  claim 1  wherein the fingers are spaced circumferentially about shank.  
     
     
         3 . The male snap component according to  claim 1  wherein the fingers project towards the head at an outward incline away from the shank.  
     
     
         4 . The male snap component according to  claim 1  wherein the fingers are flexible between an inserting position adjacent the shank and an anchoring position spaced outwardly from the shank.  
     
     
         5 . The male snap component according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a spacer supported about the shank adjacent the head which is arranged to centre the shank in a bore within which the shank is inserted.  
     
     
         6 . The male snap component according to  claim 5  wherein the spacer comprises a collar threadably supported on the shank.  
     
     
         7 . The male snap component according to  claim 5  wherein the spacer comprises a collar formed about the shank adjacent the head.  
     
     
         8 . The male snap component according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a stop member on the shank opposite the head, the anchor being supported on the shank between the head and the stop member.  
     
     
         9 . The male snap component according to  claim 8  wherein the stop member comprises a collar arranged to be secured about the shank.  
     
     
         10 . The male snap component according to  claim 9  wherein the collar is formed of resilient material which is fit snugly on the shank.  
     
     
         11 . The male snap component according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a washer formed of nylon supported about the shank between the head and the anchor.  
     
     
         12 . The male snap component according to  claim 1  wherein the head includes a flared upper portion extending from the main portion opposite the shank, the flared upper portion having a greater circumference than the main portion.  
     
     
         13 . A method of replacing an existing male snap component of a snap fastener supported in a bore extending through a panel structure which is arranged to mate with a female snap component in which the female snap component comprises a socket with an annular periphery which is movable from a relaxed position to a flexed position in which the annular periphery has a greater circumference than the relaxed position and in which the annular periphery is urged under tension back to the relaxed position, said method comprising: 
 removing the existing male snap component from the bore in the panel structure;    providing a replacement male snap component comprising a head having an annular sidewall with a main portion of circumference approximately equal to the circumference of the annular periphery of the female snap component in the relaxed position, a shank extending from the head, and an anchor threadably supported on the shank at a location spaced from the head, the anchor having a plurality of gripping fingers extending in a longitudinal direction of the shank from the anchor towards the head at an outward incline away from the shank in a relaxed position;    inserting the shank of the replacement male snap component into the bore in the panel by flexing the fingers inwardly towards the shank until the head and anchor are located on opposing sides of the panel structure;    engaging the fingers with the panel structure; and    rotating the shank relative to the anchor until the panel structure is clamped between the head and anchor.    
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13  including enlarging a diameter of the bore in the panel structure.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein the bore has a diameter which is greater than a diameter of the shank and which is less than a diameter of the fingers in the relaxed position.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 13  including providing a spacer about the shank adjacent the head which is arranged to centre the shank within the bore.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 13  including providing a washer about the shank between the head and the anchor.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 13  including providing a stop member on the shank opposite the head so as to locate the anchor between the head and the stop member.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 13  including flexing the fingers adjacent the shank upon insertion into the bore.