ELASTIC FASTENERS

摘要

Elastic fasteners for fastening, securing or otherwise holding objects together are disclosed. The elastic fasteners include a head, an elastic shaft, and a retainer clip. The retainer clip includes a slot having a width that is smaller than the diameter of the elastic shaft. The end of the elastic shaft may be pulled to thereby stretch the elastic shaft and to decrease its diameter, allowing the retainer clip to be installed on the elastic shaft by inserting the stretched elastic shaft into the slot of the retainer clip. After the retainer clip is installed on the stretched elastic shaft, the end of the elastic shaft may be released to unstretch the elastic shaft and increase its diameter, thereby engaging in the slot of the retainer clip.

主权项

1. A fastener comprising:
a head; an elastic shaft comprising an elastomeric material connected to the head having a first diameter when the elastic shaft is unstretched and a second diameter when the elastic shaft is stretched, wherein the second diameter is less than the first diameter; and a retainer clip comprising a slot having a width that is smaller than the first diameter of the elastic shaft, wherein the slot is structured and arranged to receive the elastic shaft when the elastic shaft is stretched, and to securingly engage the elastic shaft when at least a portion of the elastic shaft is unstretched.