CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[01] The present application claims the benefits of United States Provisional

Application Serial No. 61/346,064 filed May 19, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[02] The present invention relates generally to fabric covers for boats, trailers and other structures that use snap fasteners for securing the cover to the structure. More specifically, the invention pertains to extenders used to connect the cover to the structure after the cover has shrunk or otherwise become distorted so that the permanently affixed fastener components in the cover and on the structure do not align properly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[03] Boat covers, trailer covers and tightly fitted covers for other structures are made often from canvas, vinyl or other fabric-like materials. It is known to fasten the cover to the structure by snap connectors, with one component of the snap connector, such as a male component, permanently affixed to the structure and the other snap component, such as the female snap component, permanently affixed to the cover. Customized covers of this type can be used to provide environmental protection for the structure when exposed to the outdoor elements, and can be made to fit around oddly shaped components of the structures. It is desirable that the cover fit relatively snuggly to the structure for both functional and aesthetic reasons. Functionally, if the cover fits snugly it is less prone to wind damage in that it lies flat and tight against the structure. When the covers are new, covers of this type function well and are easily attached with the cover simply being positioned and the snaps connected.

[04] Covers of this type can be useful for an extended period of time, and if made of quality material may last for many years. However, an inherent feature of some of the materials is that the materials tend to shrink when exposed to environmental elements such as sunlight, precipitation, heating and cooling. Relatively significant shrinkage can occur even while the fabric of the cover and the cover itself are still in very good condition and useful for providing the desired protection of the structure. In some situations, moderate shrinkage is of insignificant impact to the overall usefulness of the cover. However, in other situations, shrinkage can be more problematic, such as if the cover is designed to fit relatively snugly over an irregularly shaped structure having sharp or abrupt curves, corners and edges. In these situations, even moderate shrinkage can be difficult to accommodate. It can become difficult to align the snaps for proper attachment, and if the cover is pulled too tightly over edges, corners and transitions the cover material might become damaged or torn.

[05] To accommodate shrinkage, users sometimes omit connecting some of the snap connectors. This can cause further problems in windy conditions if the cover is lifted and is subjected to wind forces against the few remaining snaps that are connected. If the cover is originally manufactured to accommodate shrinkage, it may be too loose during initial use, and subjected to potential wind damage.

[06] Fabric extenders have been used to accommodate shrinkage of the cover material. A known extender includes male and female snap components on opposite ends and oppositely directed so that one end can be snap connected to the cover and the other end snap connected to the structure. Male and female components are secured to the fabric extender by standard locking snap caps. While such extenders have some functionality in facilitating securing the cover to the structure, the extenders are not without problems. Narrow extenders of fabric tend to deteriorate quickly and retain their functionality for only a limited time. The thin fabric material leaves the snap caps exposed, and the end connected on the underside of the cover may contact the structure on which the cover is installed. Normal movement and flexing of the cover and extender can result in damage or marring of the structure from movement of the cap against the structure surface. Narrow, thin, lightweight extenders provide little gripping area for removal. Accordingly disconnecting the cover from the structure can be difficult. [07] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a snap link extender that is strong, secure, and easy to use without damaging the structure or cover and that has an extended useful life

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[08] A snap link for extending the connection between male and female snap components of a snap fastening assembly is provided as a flexible plastic body with male and female snap components in opposite ends. Portions of the snap components are recessed in the plastic body to minimize marring or damage that might occur in use.

[09] In at least one aspect of a form thereof, a snap link is provided with an elongated flexible plastic body, a first snap holder at one end of the body having a first cavity therein, and a second snap holder at an opposite end of the body from the first snap holder having a second cavity therein. A snap stud is retained by the first snap holder, and a snap socket is retained by the second snap holder.

[10] In another aspect of a form thereof, an extender for connecting male and female snap components in a snap-fastener assembly is provided with a flexible, elongated plastic body having a snap holder at each end and a narrower intermediate connection between the snap holders. A snap stud is held in one of the snap holders, and a snap socket is held in the other of the snap holders.

[11] In a further aspect of the form thereof, a snap link is provided with a resilient flexible plastic body, with opposite ends of the plastic body configured for holding snap components. Male and female snap components are held at the opposite ends of the body. Snap caps secure the male and female snap components to the opposite ends of the body and are recessed in the plastic body.

[12] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[13] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one face of a snap link;

[14] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the face of the snap link opposite the face shown in Fig. 1 ; [15] Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the snap link;

[16] Fig. 4 is a plan view of the face of the snap link as shown in Fig. 1 ;

[17] Fig. 5 is a plan view of the face of the snap link as shown in Fig 2; ;

[18] Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the snap link as shown in Fig. 1 ;

[19] Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the snap link as shown in Fig. 2;

[20] Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of a snap link;

[21] Fig. 9 is a plan view of the second embodiment;

[22] Fig. 10 is an end view of the second embodiment;

[23] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of one face of the second embodiment; and

[24] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the face of the snap link opposite the face shown in Fig. 11.

[25] Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of "including", "comprising" and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[26] Referring now more specifically to the drawings and to Figs. 1-7 in particular, a snap link 100 is shown, which can be used as an extender between male and female snap components of a snap fastening system, such as, for example and not limitation, fastening systems that may be used on boat covers, trailer covers and the like. Snap link 100 includes a flexible plastic body having snap holders 102, 104 and an intermediate body 106 between snap holders 102, 104 joining the snap holders as a monolithic body. One snap holder 102 retains a male snap component or snap stud 108 therein, and the other snap holder 104 retains a female snap component or snap collar or socket 110 therein. Snap stud 108 and snap socket 110 are held in snap holders 102, 104 respectively, by snap caps 112, 114.

[27] Snap link 100 can be made by injection molding processes using a thermoplastic polyester elastomer to provide strength and flexibility in the final structure. A material believed to be suitable is Hytrel® TPC-ET thermoplastic elastomer marketed by E.I du Pont de Nemours and Company. The body of snap link 100 has a so-called dog-bone overall shape in which snap holders 102, 104 are larger portions of the body at opposite ends of snap link 100, and intermediate body 106 is thinner and becomes increasingly narrower from snap holders 102, 104 to a narrow waist along the center of intermediate body 106. The tapering construction provides flexibility in intermediate body 106 so that the snap link can be twisted or bent as necessary to properly align snap stud 108 and snap socket 110 with corresponding snap sockets and snap studs to which they are attached. Accordingly, in use of snap link 100 varying shapes and configurations in an item to which the snap link is connected can be accommodated in that the snap holder ends of snap link 100 can be twisted and reoriented with respect to each other.

[28] Snap holder 102 is configured for receiving snap stud 108 and snap cap

112. Accordingly, snap holder 102 defines a cavity 116 in one face thereof, cavity 116 having a central aperture or hole 118 in the bottom thereof which extends through snap holder 102 from the bottom of cavity 116 to the opposite side of snap holder 102 from the opening to cavity 116. On the face of snap link 100 opposite from the opening to cavity 116, snap holder 102 defines a substantially smooth outer surface 120, and hole 118 opens into surface 120.

[29] Snap holder 104 is configured for receiving snap socket 110 and snap cap

114. Accordingly, snap holder 104 defines a cavity 122 in one face thereof and a cavity 124 in the opposite face thereof, with a common divider 126 defining a hole 128 extending through snap holder 104 between the bottoms of cavities 122, 124.

[30] The constructions of snap stud 108, snap socket 110 and snap caps 116,

118 are known to those skilled in the art and are used widely. In one known construction, snap caps 116, 118 each include a post 130, 132 respectively that can be press fit into an aperture 134 in snap stud 108 or an aperture 136 in snap socket 110 so that, with the snap cap on one side of a body and the snap stud or snap socket on the other side of the body, the two can be secured through a hole in the body. In that way, the snap component of a snap stud or snap socket is securely held to the body by the snap cap. In the exemplary embodiment of snap link 100, snap cap 112 and snap stud 108 are secured to one another through hole 118, with post 130 extending through hole 118 and snap stud 108 secured to the distal end of post 130 via aperture 134 receiving post 130 in an interference fit. Similarly, snap cap 114 and snap socket 110 are secured to one another through hole 128, with post 132 extending through hole 128 and snap socket 110 secured to the distal end of post 132 via aperture 136 receiving post 132 in an interference fit.

[31] Snap caps 112, 114 are recessed in cavities 116, 122, respectively to prevent marring or damage from snap caps 112, 114 contacting a surface of a structure on which snap link 100 is used. Cavities 116, 122 are provided on opposite faces of snap link 100 to receive snap caps 112, 114 from opposite sides of snap link 100, thereby positioning snap stud 108 and snap socket 112 to face in opposite directions from snap link 100. Cavity 124 is provided of a size to accommodate a base portion of snap socket 110, so that snap socket 110 is partly disposed within cavity 124.

[32] An integral loop 138 is provided to facilitate removing or disconnecting the snap link from associated structures. In the exemplary embodiment, loop 138 is provided on snap holder 104 holding snap socket 110. However, it should be understood that a similar loop can be provided on snap holder 102 holding snap stud 108 rather than or in addition to a loop on snap holder 104.

[33] Snap link 100 can be used as an extender to bridge gaps between opposing snap components mounted to hard and soft surfaces. Male snap stud 108 is connected to a female snap socket of the original assembly, and female snap socket 110 is connected to a male snap stud of the original assembly. Removal and disconnection are facilitated by grabbing integral loop 138 to pull or twist the snap link and disconnect the snap link from its connections. [34] A snap link can be provided in different sizes and shapes, including different lengths, to achieve the desired functionality. A second embodiment for a snap link is shown in Figs. 8-12 useful for spanning short gaps between the snap connectors of an original assembly. Snap link 200 includes a flexible plastic body including snap holders 202, 204 and a shorter intermediate body 206 between snap holders 202, 204. One snap holder 202 retains a male snap component or snap stud 208 therein, and the other snap holder 204 retains a female snap component or snap socket 210 therein. Snap stud 208 and snap socket 210 and are held in snap holders 202, 204 by snap caps 212, 214, respectively. Snap holder 202 is configured for receiving snap stud 208 and snap cap 212. Accordingly, snap holder 202 defines a cavity 216 in one face thereof for receiving snap cap 212. On the opposite face of snap link 200, snap holder 202 defines a substantially smooth outer surface 220. Snap holder 204 is configured for receiving snap socket 210 and snap cap 214. Accordingly, snap holder 204 defines a cavity 222 in one face thereof for receiving snap cap 214 and snap socket 210. A loop 238 can be provided on either or both snap holder 202 and/or snap holder 204. Snap stud 208 and snap cap 212 are connected to one another in snap holder 202 similarly to the connection described for snap stud 108 and snap cap 112 in snap holder 102. Snap socket 210 and snap cap 214 are connected to one another in snap holder 204 similarly to the connection described for snap socket 110 and snap cap 114 in snap holder 104.

[35] Snap link 200 operates similarly to snap link 100, while being shorter to accommodate spanning shorter distances between snap components of an original assembly. It should be understood that in some instances it may be advantageous to use a mixture of shorter snap links 200 and longer snap links 100 on different snap connections of the same assembly. Further, advantages may be obtained from first using a shorter snap link 200 to accommodate minor shrinkage in some or all connections and thereafter using a longer snap link 100 after additional distortion has occurred. Further, it should be understood that two or more snap links 100, 200 can be connected together for spanning still longer distances between the snap connectors of an original assembly. [36] Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.

[37] Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.