Device for adjusting the fit and appearance of an article of apparel or hair and method of assembly

Abstract

An apparatus for fastening objects comprises a flexibly deformable wire having a length extending between first and second opposed wire end surfaces and an elastically deformable tube having a length extending between first and second opposed tube end edges, the tube surrounding the wire along the length of the wire between the first and second end surfaces of the wire. The apparatus further comprises a cover having a length extending between first and second opposed distal cover ends wherein the cover surrounds the tube wherein the length of the wire, the length of the tube and the length of the cover are substantially equal to each other and wherein the wire, tube and cover are all securedly coupled to each other along a coupling distance extending from each of the first and second ends thereof so as to form a unitary fastening body having a common length.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for fastening objects comprising:
 a flexibly deformable wire having a length extending between first and second opposed wire end surfaces;   an elastically deformable tube having a length extending between first and second opposed tube end edges, said tube surrounding said wire along said length of said wire between said first and second end surfaces of said wire;   a cover having a length extending between first and second opposed distal cover ends wherein said cover surrounds said tube; and   wherein said length of said wire, said length of said tube and said length of said cover are substantially equal to each other, and   wherein said wire, tube and cover are all securedly coupled to each other along a coupling distance extending from each of said first and second ends thereof so as to form a unitary fastening body having a common length.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said tube comprises a polymer tube. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said tube comprises a heat shrink tube wherein said tube is secured around said wire when heat is applied thereto. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said wire is formed of a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, stainless steel and aluminum. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said wire is formed of a metal selected from the group consisting of copper, stainless steel and aluminum. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said wire has a thickness between 20-22 gauge. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said wire is formed of two wire strands having a thickness of 27 gauge. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said cover is selected from a group comprising: sleeve, sheath, wrap, tube, braided cord. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said cover is freely movable relative to said tube along the length between said coupling distance at each of said first and second ends thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said wire, tube and cover are all securedly coupled to each other with a crimp secured therearound. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said wire, tube and cover are all securedly coupled to each other by melting said cover and tube to each other and said wire along said coupling distance. 
     
     
         12 . A method for forming a fastener comprising:
 providing a flexibly deformable wire having a length extending between first and second opposed wire end surfaces;   locating an elastically deformable tube having a length extending between first and second opposed tube end edges around said wire, said tube surrounding said wire along said length of said wire between said first and second end surfaces of said wire;   locating a cover having a length extending between first and second opposed distal cover ends around said tube,   wherein said length of said wire, said length of said tube and said length of said cover are substantially equal to each other; and   securedly coupling each of said wire, said tube and said cover to each other along a coupling distance extending from each of said first and second ends thereof so as to form a unitary fastening body having a common length.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said tube is heat shrunk around said wire. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said wire, said tube and said cover are securedly coupled to each other by melting said cover and tube to each other and said wire along said coupling distance.