One-handed fastener and methods thereof

Abstract

A fastener system is disclosed having a clamping portion and a captured portion, wherein each component is secured to a substrate. The clamping component serves to capture and detach from the captured component upon activation by a force from the same direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fastener, comprising:
 a first component attached to a first substrate; and   a second component attached to a second substrate;   wherein the first component is adapted to reversibly grip the second component when brought into contact thereto upon application of a first force pushing the first component into the second component;   wherein the first component is adapted to detach from the second component upon application of a second force pushing the first component into the second component.   
     
     
         2 . The fastener in  claim 1 , wherein the first component is substantially flat with a rounded outer periphery. 
     
     
         3 . The fastener in  claim 2 , wherein the rounded outer periphery of the first component forms a concave surface which curves toward the direction of its contact with the second component. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener in  claim 3 , wherein the second component is substantially flat with a rounded outer periphery. 
     
     
         5 . The fastener in  claim 4 , wherein the concave surface around the periphery of the first component is adapted to curve around and grip the rounded outer periphery of the second component when brought into contact with each other. 
     
     
         6 . The fastener in  claim 5 , wherein the concave surface around the periphery of the first component is adapted to detach from the rounded outer periphery of the second component upon application of the second force. 
     
     
         7 . The fastener in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of arms extending from the first component, each arm contacting and reversibly gripping the second component. 
     
     
         8 . The fastener in  claim 1 , wherein the first component bends upon application of the first force so that its outer periphery can grip the second component. 
     
     
         9 . The fastener in  claim 1 , further comprising a fastening component that is positioned between the first substrate and the first component. 
     
     
         10 . The fastener in  claim 9 , wherein the fastening component includes a button. 
     
     
         11 . The fastener in  claim 1 , wherein the first substrate includes fabric. 
     
     
         12 . The fastener in  claim 11 , wherein the second substrate includes fabric. 
     
     
         13 . The fastener in  claim 12 , wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are positioned on opposing flanges on a shirt. 
     
     
         14 . A fastener, comprising:
 a first component having a substantially flat surface and a concave gripping edge on its outer periphery, and attached to a first substrate on one flange of a shirt;   a second component attached to a second substrate on a second flange of the shirt;   wherein the first component is adapted to reversibly grip the second component with its concave gripping edge when brought into contact thereto upon application of a first force pushing the first component into the second component;   wherein the first component is adapted to detach from the second component upon application of a second force in the same direction of the first force and pushing the first component into the second component.   
     
     
         15 . The fastener in  claim 14 , further comprising a fastening component that is positioned between the first substrate and the first component. 
     
     
         16 . The fastener in  claim 15 , wherein the fastening component includes a button. 
     
     
         17 . A fastener, comprising:
 a first component having a substantially curved outer surface and a rounded edge on its periphery; and   a second component attached to a second substrate and having a curved outer gripping edge with a concave surface positioned toward a center of the second component;   wherein the first component is adapted to be reversibly gripped by the second component with its concave gripping edge when brought into contact thereto upon application of a first force pushing the first component into the second component;   wherein the first component is adapted to detach from the second component upon application of a second force in the same direction of the first force and pushing the first component into the second component.   
     
     
         18 . The fastener in  claim 17 , further comprising a spring component positioned between the first component and the second component. 
     
     
         19 . The fastener in  claim 18 , wherein the spring component is permanently attached to the second component. 
     
     
         20 . The fastener in  claim 17 , further comprising a fastening component that is positioned between the first substrate and the first component.