Devices and methods for forming a closure between fabrics and/or other materials

Abstract

Fastening systems include one or more fastening members, sliders, stop blocks and/or top stops. Fastening members described include a variety of inventive features, including structures associated with the head portion, transition portion, and tail portion. Sliders include friction reducing structures and locking features. Stop blocks provide bottom stops for various articles, and serve to anchor a fastening member. Top stops provide a containment structure for limiting slider travel. A variety of methods are also described.

1 . A fastening system, comprising:
 a first fastening member including a first mating surface, the first fastening member having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, wherein the first mating surface extends a first longitudinal length between the first and second longitudinal ends of the first fastening member;   a second fastening member including a second mating surface, the second fastening member having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, wherein the second mating surface extends a second longitudinal length between the first and second longitudinal ends of the second fastening member, and wherein said second mating surface is adapted for being positioned generally opposite said first mating surface for releasably interlocking said first mating surface;   a slider comprising a slider body including an opening end and a closing end, said closing end having a confining portion wherein said first mating surface of said first fastening member is placed into interlocking engagement with said second mating surface of said second fastening member, wherein when said slider is moved in a closing direction the first fastening member and said second fastening member pass within said slider from said opening end to said closing end and said slider places said first mating surface into interlocking engagement with said second mating surface, at least a portion of the slider body including a sloping engagement surface at its closing end;   a stop block comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, wherein the first housing portion is hingedly interconnected to the second housing portion, wherein one of the first and second housing portions is fixedly secured to at least one of the first and second longitudinal ends of one of said first and second fastening members, the stop block having at least a first closed position and a second open position, wherein when the sloping engagement surface of the slider body contacts a receiving surface of at least one of the first and second housing portions of the stop block the slider urges the stop block from the first closed position to the second open position, wherein the stop block releasably secures at least a grasp portion of another of the at least one of the first and second longitudinal ends of one of said first and second fastening members within the stop block when the grasp portion is fed into the stop block in the second open position and the slider is then advanced in the closing direction away from the stop block placing the stop block in the first closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the closing end of the slider body comprises a wedge shape. 
     
     
         3 . The fastening system of  claim 2 , wherein the stop block comprises an internal surface including a plurality of ribbed engaging surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , further comprising a top stop fixedly secured to at least one of the first and second longitudinal ends of one of said first and second fastening members. 
     
     
         5 . The fastening system of  claim 4 , wherein the top stop comprises a mating surface, wherein the slider comprises a tongue and groove portion, and wherein the mating surface of the top stop is adapted to engage the tongue and groove portion of the slider. 
     
     
         6 . The fastening system of  claim 4 , further comprising an electrical wire located within at least one of the first fastening member, the second fastening member, the stop block and the top stop. 
     
     
         7 . A fastening system, comprising:
 a first fastening member including a first mating surface, the first fastening member having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, wherein the first mating surface extends a first longitudinal length between the first and second longitudinal ends of the first fastening member;   a second fastening member including a second mating surface, the second fastening member having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, wherein the second mating surface extends a second longitudinal length between the first and second longitudinal ends of the second fastening member, and wherein said second mating surface is adapted for being positioned generally opposite said first mating surface for releasably interlocking said first mating surface;   a slider comprising a slider body including an opening end and a closing end, said closing end having a confining portion wherein said first mating surface of said first fastening member is placed into interlocking engagement with said second mating surface of said second fastening member, wherein when said slider is moved in a closing direction the first fastening member and said second fastening member pass within said slider from said opening end to said closing end and said slider places said first mating surface into interlocking engagement with said second mating surface;   a stop block fixedly secured to at least one of the first and second longitudinal ends of one of said first and second fastening members, wherein a receiving channel is located within the stop block, and a rotatable brake is located within at least a portion of the receiving channel, wherein the stop block releasably secures at least a grasp portion of another of the at least one of the first and second longitudinal ends of one of said first and second fastening members within the stop block when the grasp portion is fed into the stop block and the rotatable brake engages the grasp portion.   
     
     
         8 . The fastening system of  claim 7 , wherein the rotatable brake comprises a cam. 
     
     
         9 . The fastening system of  claim 7 , wherein the rotatable brake comprises a roller having a rotation axis oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stop block. 
     
     
         10 . The fastening system of  claim 7 , wherein the rotatable brake comprises release mechanism for disengaging the rotatable brake from the grasp portion. 
     
     
         11 . The fastening system of  claim 7 , further comprising a top stop fixedly secured to at least one of the first and second longitudinal ends of one of said first and second fastening members. 
     
     
         12 . A fastening system, comprising:
 a first fastening member including a first mating surface, the first fastening member having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, wherein the first mating surface extends a first longitudinal length between the first and second longitudinal ends of the first fastening member;   a second fastening member including a second mating surface, the second fastening member having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, wherein the second mating surface extends a second longitudinal length between the first and second longitudinal ends of the second fastening member, and wherein said second mating surface is adapted for being positioned generally opposite said first mating surface for releasably interlocking said first mating surface;   a slider comprising a slider body including an opening end and a closing end, said closing end having a confining portion wherein said first mating surface of said first fastening member is placed into interlocking engagement with said second mating surface of said second fastening member, wherein when said slider is moved in a closing direction the first fastening member and said second fastening member pass within said slider from said opening end to said closing end and said slider places said first mating surface into interlocking engagement with said second mating surface;   a stop block comprising a first block member fixedly secured to at least one of the first and second longitudinal ends of one of said first and second fastening members, and a second block member fixedly secured to another of the at least one of the first and second longitudinal ends of one of said first and second fastening members, wherein the first block member releasably engages the second block member to form a connected block member.   
     
     
         13 . The fastening system of  claim 12 , further comprising a top stop fixedly secured to at least one of the first and second longitudinal ends of one of said first and second fastening members. 
     
     
         14 . A fastening system for use with a slider, comprising:
 a first fastening member including a first mating surface, the first fastening member having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, wherein the first mating surface extends a first longitudinal length between the first and second longitudinal ends of the first fastening member;   a second fastening member including a second mating surface, the second fastening member having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, wherein the second mating surface extends a second longitudinal length between the first and second longitudinal ends of the second fastening member, and wherein said second mating surface is adapted for being positioned generally opposite said first mating surface for releasably interlocking with said first mating surface when the slider places the first mating surface into interlocking contact with the second mating surface; and   at least one communication element comprising at least one of an electrical wiring and optical fiber extending along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of at least one of the first fastening member and second fastening member.   
     
     
         15 . The fastening system of  claim 14 , wherein the communication element is located within a material of the at least one of the first fastening member and second fastening member. 
     
     
         16 . The fastening system of  claim 14 , wherein the communication element is located along a surface of a tongue and groove portion of the first mating surface and second mating surface. 
     
     
         17 . A slider for use with a first fastening member and a second fastening member, the first and second fastening members comprising mating surfaces oriented along a longitudinal axis and adapted for releasably interlocking upon translation of the slider longitudinally along a longitudinal length of the first and second fastening members, the slider comprising:
 a slider body comprising a plurality of portions adapted for interconnection using a fastening mechanism.   
     
     
         18 . The slider of  claim 17 , wherein the fastening mechanism interconnects an intermediate portion of the slider body, the intermediate portion separating the mating surfaces upon translation of the slider in an opening direction. 
     
     
         19 . A slider for use with a first fastening member and a second fastening member, the first and second fastening members comprising mating surfaces oriented along a longitudinal axis and adapted for releasably interlocking upon translation of the slider longitudinally along a longitudinal length of the first and second fastening members, the slider comprising:
 a slider body including a roller interconnected to the slider body, the roller located for contacting at least one of the first and second fastening members upon the translation of the slider.   
     
     
         20 . The slider of  claim 19 , wherein the roller comprises a rotational axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         21 . A fastening system, comprising:
 a first fastening member including a head portion having a first mating surface and a backside, the backside of the head portion comprising at least one receptacle;   a second fastening member including a second mating surface, wherein said second mating surface is adapted for being positioned generally opposite said first mating surface for releasably interlocking with said first mating surface when the first mating surface is placed into interlocking contact with the second mating surface; and   at least one insert adapted for insertion within the at least one receptacle.   
     
     
         22 . The fastening system of  claim 21 , wherein the insert is retained within the receptacle by a tongue and groove configuration. 
     
     
         23 . The fastening system of  claim 21 , wherein the insert comprises at least one of a reflector, a fluid conveyance conduit, a wire, a communication element, a bumper, and a decorative insert. 
     
     
         24 . The fastening system of  claim 21 , further comprising a slider for placing the first mating surface into interlocking contact with the second mating surface. 
     
     
         25 . A fastening system, comprising:
 a first fastening member including a head portion having a primary mating surface on a front side and a secondary mating surface on a backside;   a second fastening member including a forked head portion wherein a first interior side of said forked head portion includes a first interior mating surface and an opposing second interior side of said forked head portion includes a second interior mating surface;   wherein said head portion of said first fastening member is adapted for being releasably interlocked in said forked head portion of said second fastening member such that said primary mating surface releasably interlocks with said first interior mating surface, and said secondary mating surface releasably interlocks with said second interior mating surface.   
     
     
         26 . The fastening system of  claim 25 , wherein a void space is formed within the forked head portion of the second fastening member when said first head portion is releasably interlocked within said second fastening member. 
     
     
         27 . The fastening system of  claim 26 , wherein the void space comprises a fluid conduit. 
     
     
         28 . The fastening system of  claim 26 , wherein the void space may be pressure tested. 
     
     
         29 . A slider for use with at least a first fastening member and a second fastening member, the first fastening member including a first mating surface and the second fastening member including a second mating surface, wherein the first and second mating surfaces are oriented along a longitudinal axis and adapted for releasably interlocking upon translation of the slider longitudinally along a longitudinal length of the first and second fastening members, the slider comprising:
 a slider body including an opening end and a closing end, said opening end having an upper portion and a lower portion, and an intermediate portion between the upper and lower portions, the intermediate portion positioned generally at the opening end for locating between the first mating surface of the first fastening member and the second mating surface of the second fastening member when the slider is moved in an opening direction;   a pull tab connected to the intermediate section of the slider body, wherein the pull tab may be rotated from a first position when pulling the slider in the opening direction to a second position when pulling the slider in a closing direction.   
     
     
         30 . The slider of  claim 29 , wherein the pull tab is interconnected to the intermediate portion by a rotatable pin oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first and second mating surfaces. 
     
     
         31 . The slider of  claim 30 , wherein the rotatable pin is substantially circular in cross section. 
     
     
         32 . The slider of  claim 30 , wherein the pin comprises a contacting portion having a non-circular cross-section, wherein the contacting portion contacts at least one of the first and second mating surfaces as the slider is translated along the longitudinal axis of the first and second mating surfaces. 
     
     
         33 . The slider of  claim 32 , wherein the non-circular cross section is substantially wedge shaped. 
     
     
         34 . A slider for use with a first fastening member and a second fastening member, the first and second fastening members comprising mating surfaces oriented along a longitudinal axis and adapted for releasably interlocking upon translation of the slider longitudinally along a longitudinal length of the first and second fastening members, the slider comprising:
 a slider body including an opening end and a closing end, said opening end having an upper portion and a lower portion, and an intermediate portion between the upper and lower portions, the intermediate portion positioned generally at the opening end for locating between the first mating surface of the first fastening member and the second mating surface of the second fastening member when the slider is moved in an opening direction, the intermediate portion having a first side releasably interconnectable to the upper portion and a second side releasably interconnectable to the lower portion, wherein the intermediate portion can be separated from the upper portion and lower portion.   
     
     
         35 . The slider of  claim 34 , wherein the intermediate portion is replaceable with removal from the upper and lower portions, and insertion of a replacement intermediate portion. 
     
     
         36 . A fastening system, comprising:
 a first fastening member including a first head portion having a first mating surface, the first head portion including at least one of a magnet and a ferromagnetic material extending along a longitudinal length of the first mating surface;   a second fastening member including a second head portion having a second mating surface, wherein said second mating surface is adapted for being positioned generally opposite said first mating surface for releasably interlocking with said first mating surface when the first mating surface is placed into interlocking contact with the second mating surface; and   a slider comprising a slider body including an opening end and a closing end, said opening end and said closing end having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein at least one of the upper portion and the lower portion of the opening end include at least one of a slider magnet and a slider ferromagnetic material, and wherein a magnetic force is applied between the first head portion and the at least one of the upper portion and lower portion of the opening end.   
     
     
         37 . The fastening system of  claim 36 , wherein the second head portion comprises at least one of a magnet and a ferromagnetic material. 
     
     
         38 . The fastening system of  claim 36 , wherein the closing end of the slider body does not comprise at least one of a magnet and a ferromagnetic material. 
     
     
         39 . The fastening system of  claim 36 , wherein the first head portion and the second head portion are magnetically attractive. 
     
     
         40 . A multi-layer fastening system, comprising:
 a first fastening member including a first head portion having a first primary mating surface on a front side and a first secondary mating surface on a backside, the first head portion having a first extension including first tertiary mating surface;   a second fastening member including a second head portion having a second primary mating surface on a front side and a second secondary mating surface on a backside, the second head portion having a second extension including second tertiary mating surface, wherein said second tertiary mating surface is adapted to releasably interlock with said first tertiary mating surface of said first fastening member to form an intermediate seal;   a cap member having a first cap mating surface and a spaced apart second cap mating surface, the first cap mating surface adapted to releasably interlock with said first primary mating surface of said first fastening member, and the second cap mating surface adapted to releasably interlock with said second primary mating surface of said second fastening member;   a base member having a first base mating surface and a spaced apart second base mating surface, the first base mating surface adapted to releasably interlock with said first secondary mating surface of said first fastening member, and the second base mating surface adapted to releasably interlock with said second secondary mating surface of said second fastening member;   wherein, upon assembly, the cap member bounds the intermediate seal on a first side and the base member bounds the intermediate seal on a second side.   
     
     
         41 . The fastening system of  claim 40 , wherein, upon assembly, a first void space is formed between the intermediate seal and an interior side of the cap member, and wherein a second void space is formed between the intermediate seal and an interior side of the base member. 
     
     
         42 . The fastening system of  claim 41 , wherein at least one of the first void space and second void space may be pressure tested. 
     
     
         43 . A first fastening member for use in combination with a second fastening member, wherein the first and second fastening members are adapted to releasably interlock, the first fastening member comprising:
 a head portion including a front side and a backside, the front side having a mating surface comprising a plurality of tongue and groove structures, wherein an outermost tongue of the plurality of tongue and groove structures includes a rotational preventer comprising an extension having a sloping terminal surface, wherein a plane extending from the sloping terminal surface intercepts a backside plane at an angle φ, where the backside plane is coplanar with the exterior surface of the backside, and wherein φ is between about 55 to 75 degrees.   
     
     
         44 . The first fastening member of  claim 43 , wherein the head portion is interconnected to a tail portion, and wherein the tail portion comprises a planar surface that is substantially parallel to the backside plane. 
     
     
         45 . The first fastening member of  claim 43 , wherein the head portion is interconnected to the tail portion by a transitional portion, the transitional portion comprising an interior transitional surface, wherein the interior transitional surface is substantially parallel to the sloping terminal surface. 
     
     
         46 . A first fastening member for use in combination with a second fastening member, wherein the first and second fastening members are adapted to releasably interlock, the first fastening member comprising:
 a tail portion comprising a tail upper surface and a tail lower surface, wherein the tail upper surface is substantially parallel to the tail lower surface, and wherein the tail upper surface is spaced apart from the tail lower surface to define a tail thickness T;   a head portion interconnected to the tail portion by a transition portion, the transition portion including an interior transitional surface having a height H, wherein height H is greater than the tail thickness T, the head portion including a front side and a backside, the front side having a mating surface comprising a plurality of tongue and groove structures, wherein the interior transitional surface corresponds to an innermost groove surface of the plurality of tongue and groove structures, wherein an outermost tongue of the plurality of tongue and groove structures includes a sloping terminal surface, wherein a lower tail plane coplanar with the tail lower surface and extending from the tail lower surface through the head portion intercepts the sloping terminal surface at an angle φ, where φ is defined as above the lower tail plane, wherein φ is less than about 90 degrees, and wherein the interior transitional surface is substantially parallel to the sloping terminal surface.   
     
     
         47 . The first fastening member of  claim 46 , wherein the outermost tongue has at least one tip, and wherein a tip plane coplanar with an underside surface of the at least one tip intersects the sloping terminal surface at an angle θ when the tip plane is extended through the outermost tongue, wherein θ is measured below the tip plane, and wherein θ is between about 85 to 95 degrees. 
     
     
         48 . The first fastening member of  claim 46 , wherein φ is between about 55 to 75 degrees. 
     
     
         49 . The first fastening member of  claim 46 , wherein the backside of the head portion comprises a backside surface, and wherein the backside surface is substantially parallel to the lower tail plane. 
     
     
         50 . A fastening system, comprising:
 a first fastening member including a first mating surface, the first fastening member having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, wherein the first mating surface extends a first longitudinal length between the first and second longitudinal ends of the first fastening member;   a second fastening member including a second mating surface, the second fastening member having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, wherein the second mating surface extends a second longitudinal length between the first and second longitudinal ends of the second fastening member, and wherein said second mating surface is adapted for being positioned generally opposite said first mating surface for releasably interlocking said first mating surface;   a slider comprising a slider body including an opening end and a closing end, said closing end having a confining portion wherein said first mating surface of said first fastening member is placed into interlocking engagement with said second mating surface of said second fastening member, wherein when said slider is moved in a closing direction the first fastening member and said second fastening member pass within said slider from said opening end to said closing end and said slider places said first mating surface into interlocking engagement with said second mating surface; and   a closure stop comprising:
 a first end member fixedly secured to the first longitudinal end of said first fastening member; and 
 a second end member fixedly secured to the first longitudinal end of said second fastening member; 
   wherein when the slider is advanced in the closing direction to the first end member and the second end member, the first end member and the second end member combine to form the closure stop, and wherein the slider is prevented from further travel in the closing direction   
     
     
         51 . A fastening system, comprising:
 a first fastening member including a first mating surface, the first fastening member having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, wherein the first mating surface extends a first longitudinal length between the first and second longitudinal ends of the first fastening member;   a second fastening member including a second mating surface, the second fastening member having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, wherein the second mating surface extends a second longitudinal length between the first and second longitudinal ends of the second fastening member, and wherein said second mating surface is adapted for being positioned generally opposite said first mating surface for releasably interlocking said first mating surface;   a slider comprising a slider body including an opening end and a closing end, said closing end having a confining portion wherein said first mating surface of said first fastening member is placed into interlocking engagement with said second mating surface of said second fastening member, wherein when said slider is moved in a closing direction the first fastening member and said second fastening member pass within said slider from said opening end to said closing end and said slider places said first mating surface into interlocking engagement with said second mating surface; and
 a closure stop fixedly secured to the first longitudinal end of said first fastening member, and fixedly secured to the first longitudinal end of said second fastening member; 
 wherein when the slider is advanced in the closing direction to the closure stop, the slider is prevented from further travel in the closing direction. 
   
     
     
         52 . The fastening system of  claim 51 , wherein:
 the slider comprises a slider interior structure that interlocks with said first mating surface of said first fastening member, and interlocks with said second mating surface of said second fastening member; and   wherein the closure stop comprises a mating structure that interlocks with said first mating surface of said first fastening member, and interlocks with said second mating surface of said second fastening member, said mating structure of said closure stop interlocking with said slider interior structure when the slider is advanced in the closing direction to the closure stop.   
     
     
         53 . The fastening system of  claim 52 , wherein the first fastening member, second fastening member, slider, and closure stop form a closure that is one or more of airtight and waterproof. 
     
     
         54 . A slider for use with a first fastening member and a second fastening member, the first and second fastening members comprising mating surfaces oriented along a longitudinal axis and adapted for releasably interlocking upon translation of the slider longitudinally along a longitudinal length of the first and second fastening members, the slider comprising:
 a slider body including at least one rotating member interconnected to an interior surface of the slider body, the at least one rotating member adapted for contacting at least one of the first and second fastening members upon the translation of the slider.   
     
     
         55 . The slider of  claim 54 , wherein the at least one rotating member comprises at least one roller having a rotational axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         56 . The slider of  claim 54 , wherein the at least one rotating member comprises at least one wheel. 
     
     
         57 . A slider for use with a first fastening member and a second fastening member, the first and second fastening members comprising mating surfaces oriented along a longitudinal axis and adapted for releasably interlocking upon translation of the slider longitudinally along a longitudinal length of the first and second fastening members, the slider comprising:
 a slider body including means for rotatably engaging at least one of the first and second fastening members upon the translation of the slider.   
     
     
         58 . The slider of  claim 57 , wherein the means for rotatably engaging comprises one or more of a roller, a wheel, and a spherical bearing. 
     
     
         59 . A fastening system, comprising:
 a first fastening member including a first mating surface;   a second fastening member including a second mating surface, wherein said second mating surface is adapted for being positioned generally opposite said first mating surface for releasably interlocking said first mating surface;   a slider for releasably interlocking the first mating surface with the second mating surface;   a stop block fixedly secured to a first longitudinal end of said first fastening member, the stop block having at least a first grip position and a second release position, wherein when the slider body contacts a receiving surface of the stop block the slider urges the stop block from the first grip position to the second release position, wherein the stop block releasably secures at least a grasp portion of a first longitudinal end of the second fastening member within the stop block when the grasp portion is feed into the stop block in the second release position and the slider is then advanced in the closing direction away from the stop block placing the stop block in the first grip position.   
     
     
         60 . The fastening system of  claim 59 , wherein a closing end of the slider comprises a wedge shape. 
     
     
         61 . The fastening system of  claim 59 , wherein the stop block comprises an internal surface including a plurality of ribbed engaging surfaces. 
     
     
         62 . A slider for use with at least a first fastening member and a second fastening member, the first fastening member including a first mating surface and the second fastening member including a second mating surface, wherein the first and second mating surfaces are oriented along a longitudinal axis and adapted for releasably interlocking upon translation of the slider longitudinally along a longitudinal length of the first and second fastening members, the slider comprising:
 a slider body including an opening end and a closing end, said opening end having an upper portion and a lower portion, and an intermediate portion between the upper and lower portions, the intermediate portion positioned generally at the opening end for locating between the first mating surface of the first fastening member and the second mating surface of the second fastening member when the slider is moved in an opening direction, the slider body prescribing pathways through which the fastening members slide during the opening or closing movement of the slider, wherein the pathway for at least one of the fastening members is straight along the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         63 . A fastening system, comprising:
 a first fastening member including a first mating surface;   a second fastening member including a second mating surface, wherein said second mating surface is adapted for being positioned generally opposite said first mating surface for releasably interlocking said first mating surface;   a slider for releasably interlocking the first mating surface with the second mating surface;   a top stop attached to the second fastening member, the top stop comprising a top stop mating surface for releasably interlocking with the first mating surface of the first fastening member;   wherein the slider places the first mating surface of the first fastening member into mating alignment with the top stop mating surface when the slider is advanced to the top stop.