Grommet snap fastening device

Abstract

A grommet snap fastening device for fastening leather, fabrics, and sheet-like materials including a male component and a female component. Each of the male and female components include upper and lower elements. The upper and lower elements of each of the male and female components are secured to one another, with the leather, fabrics, or sheet-like materials located between the upper and lower elements of each component. A flexible annular compression ring having spring properties is located between the upper and lower female elements, and a groove is located upon the upper male element. The male component is detachably secured within the female component by engagement of the flexible compression ring with the groove.

1 . A fastening device, comprising: 
 a male component including a first male element secured to a second male element;    a female component including a first female element secured to a second female element;    a flexible compression ring having spring properties located between the first and second female elements; and    a groove located on the first male element, wherein    a first sheet of material may be located and held between the first and second elements of the female component,    a second sheet of material may be located and held between the first and second elements of the male component; and    the male component may be detachably secured within the female component by engagement of the flexible compression ring with the groove.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 the second male element includes a shaft and the first male element includes a hole, and the first male element and the second male element are joined by an interference fit between the shaft and the hole.    
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 the first female element includes a body and the second female element includes a hole, and the first female element and the second female element are joined by an interference fit between the body and the hole.    
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the female component further comprises an aperture which permits viewing of the male component when the flexible compression ring is engaged with the groove.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the female component further comprises a ridge formed on an outer periphery for securing a sheet of material.  
   
   
       6 . A method of detachably securing two sheets of material by a fastener, comprising the steps of: 
 joining a lower male element and an upper male element to form a male component with a first sheet of material located between the lower male element and the upper male element;    joining a lower female element and an upper female element to form a female component with a second sheet of material located between the lower female element and the upper female element;    locating an annular compression ring between the lower and upper female elements of the female component;    locating a groove on the upper male element; and    extending the male component into the annular compression ring until the female and male components engage at the groove and the compression ring.