One-piece connecting or fastening apparatus inexpensively and simply manufactured

Abstract

A one-piece connecting apparatus that allows an object to be quickly and detachably interconnected and is inexpensive and simple to manufacture. The one-piece connecting apparatus is formed entirely of a single piece of material such as formed metal and provides reliable construction. The one-piece female connector structure is adapted for cooperation with an associated male connector structure for interconnecting objects. The female structure is formed from a single material and includes a member folded into separate planes. A first planar wall is interconnected and substantially parallel with a second planar wall, such that the first wall and the second wall respectively cooperate to define a receptacle therebetween. The first wall has an aperture therein communicating with the receptacle and extending to a peripheral edge of the first wall, and the first wall has an entrance that opens at its peripheral edge. A cam portion is formed with the member and extends into the receptacle, with the cam portion being laterally offset to one side of the aperture to inhibit movement out of the receptacle by the associated male connector structure.

1 . A one-piece female connector structure adapted for cooperation with an associated male connector structure for interconnecting objects, said female structure being formed from a single material and comprising: 
 a member folded into separate planes with a first planar wall interconnected and substantially parallel with a second planar wall, said first wall and said second wall respectively cooperating to define a receptacle therebetween;    said first wall having an aperture therein communicating with the receptacle and extending to a peripheral edge of said first wall and having an entrance which opens at said peripheral edge; and    a cam portion formed with said member and extending into the receptacle, said cam portion being laterally offset to one side of the aperture.    
   
   
       2 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said member comprises a suitable metal material.  
   
   
       3 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said member is folded approximately 180 degrees into said separate planes.  
   
   
       4 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said aperture defines a seat opposite said entrance.  
   
   
       5 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said aperture defines a seat opposite said entrance, said first wall including a guide edge extending along one side of said aperture from said seat to said entrance opposite said cam portion.  
   
   
       6 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said second wall of said member is further extended and folded into a third planar wall residing in a third plane separate from said first and second planar walls, said third planar wall being provided for securing the structure for use by a user.  
   
   
       7 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said second wall of said member is further extended and folded into a third planar wall residing in a third plane separate from said first and second planar walls, said third planar wall being provided as a hanger loop for mounting on a user's belt for use.  
   
   
       8 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said cam portion is formed with the folded first wall of said member, said cam portion residing on said first wall inclined from the plane of said first wall into the receptacle and toward the plane of the second wall.  
   
   
       9 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said cam portion is formed with the folded second wall of said member, said cam portion residing on said second wall inclined from the plane of said second wall into the receptacle and toward the plane of the first wall.  
   
   
       10 . An article comprising: 
 a member having a flat generally rectangular shape including first and second opposed long sides and third and fourth opposed short sides;    a generally V shaped cut-out disposed on a peripheral edge of one of the third or fourth opposed short sides; and    a cam portion laterally offset along one of the first or second long sides for providing a retaining structure to cooperate with the generally V shaped cut-out.    
   
   
       11 . The article according to  claim 10 , wherein the cam portion is wholly disposed to one side of a horizontal mid line of the member opposite the generally V shaped cut-out.  
   
   
       12 . The article according to  claim 10 , further comprising a second member having a flat generally rectangular shape and including two opposed long sides and two opposed short sides, wherein one of said short sides of the second member is coupled to one of said third or fourth short sides of the member opposite the generally V shaped cut-out.  
   
   
       13 . The article according to  claim 12 , wherein said article comprises a suitable metal material.  
   
   
       14 . The article according to  claim 11 , wherein the member is folded approximately 180 degrees at the horizontal mid line creating two separate planes which cooperate with each other to define a receptacle therebetween and wherein the cam portion extends into the receptacle.  
   
   
       15 . The article according to  claim 12 , wherein the second member is folded to create a third plane cooperating with the member to form a clip portion.  
   
   
       16 . The article according to  claim 12 , further comprising a small circular shaped cut-out located generally at each of the four corners of the member wherein the circular cut-outs align in groups of two when the member is folded.  
   
   
       17 . The article according to  claim 12 , wherein the second member is narrower than the member.  
   
   
       18 . The article according to  claim 12 , wherein the member tapers along the first and second long sides from the third and fourth short sides toward the horizontal mid line.  
   
   
       19 . A one-piece female connector structure adapted for cooperation with an associated male connector structure for interconnecting objects, said female structure being formed from a single material and comprising: 
 a member folded approximately 180 degrees into separate planes with a first planar wall interconnected and substantially parallel with a second planar wall, said first wall and said second wall respectively cooperating to define a receptacle therebetween;    said first wall having an aperture therein communicating with the receptacle and extending to a peripheral edge of said first wall and having an entrance which opens at said peripheral edge;    said second wall of said member being further extended and folded approximately 180 degrees into a third planar wall residing in a third plane separate from said first and second planar walls, said third planar wall being provided for securing the structure for use by a user; and    a cam portion formed with said member and extending into the receptacle, said cam portion being laterally offset to one side of the aperture.    
   
   
       20 . The structure of  claim 19 , wherein said third planar wall is provided as a hanger loop for mounting on a user's belt for use.