This invention relates to releasable fastenings and is particularly although not exclusively applicable to releasable fastenings for clothing.

There are many applications where it is required to fasten two or more articles together but with a means for quickly releasing said articles.

In the field of clothing for example, clothing for use in hazardous environments [e.g. firemen's clothing, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD] suits, hazardous materials (hazmet] suits] may need to be removed in a hurry. Sometimes for such clothing hook and loop fasteners (e.g.

Velcro®] are used to provide a quick release function, but these fasteners have the disadvantage that they may be accidentally unfastened, and require unfastening along the whole length of a seam which may be difficult where bulky and inflexible clothing is concerned.

It is known to provide fastenings in which a series of loops on one article is interdigitated with a series of loops on an opposed article and an elongate member such as a rod or a cord passed through the loops to join the two articles together. Such arrangements are shown, for example, in GB831725, US5632071, GB2465973, US2012/0318837, and US2009/0282595. However, in such arrangements the join between the articles comprises an interrupted succession of loops with nothing covering the join where the elongate member passes from one loop to the next, nor between the loop of one article and the opposed article. Such an arrangement in ordinary clothing permits easy passage of air and a draughty join: in EOD suits such an arrangement provides easy access for debris from an explosion.

The applicants have realised that a releasable fastening is required that can allow rapid release, and preferably with a low risk of accidental release, while providing improved protection against draughts or passage of debris. Accordingly, the present invention provides a releasable fastening and clothing as set out in the appended claims, the contents of which are incorporated in this description by reference.

Further details and features of the invention are as set out in the following illustrative but non- limitative description with reference to the drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 shows an EOD suit;

Figs.2 and 3 show a back seam to an EOD suit jacket in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 4 shows schematically a section along a fastening in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 5 shows a close up to a seam from EOD suit trousers in accordance with the invention Fig. 6 shows the front view of an EOD suit jacket of Figs. 2 and 3

The EOD suit of Fig. 1 comprises a jacket 1, trousers 2, armoured front plate 3, and helmet 4. In the event of explosion or fire the EOD suit may need to be removed rapidly. The front plate 3 can be removed relatively rapidly, being loosely mounted with buckles: however the jacket 1 and trousers 2 are conventionally more difficult to remove. In an EOD incorporating fastenings according to the present invention, additional seams may be provided to the jacket 1 and/or trousers 2 that permit their rapid removal. Figs. 2 and 3 show a back seam to jacket 1. Panels 5 and 6 of the jacket back are secured together through a pair of releasable fastenings 7 and 8. The fastening 8 comprises flaps of material 9, 10 secured respectively to the panels 5,6; and a rod 11. The flaps of material 9,10 each have a series of apertures aligned to permit the rod 11 to be threaded between the apertures of each flap 9,10 to secure the flaps 9,10 against separation.

Fig.4 illustrates this schematically by showing a section along the fastenings on the line of the rod 11, where it can be seen that the rod 11 lies alternately on one side of both flaps and then on an opposed side of both flaps. It should be noted that the rod need not be threaded through all apertures, although it may be preferable to do so.

The flaps of material extend along substantially the entire length of the seam although termination portions of the seam may be joined otherwise as mentioned below. The flaps of material may be continuous or may comprise several sections. The flaps of material may comprise any suitably flexible material (e.g. a fabric, a web, or a sheet] but shown for exemplary purposes is a woven tape.

In such an arrangement material covers the join between the fastenings except at the apertures which are largely plugged by the rod 11.

The rod 11 is of a material sufficiently stiff to resist gaping or unravelling under tension in the seam and of a suitable strength to withstand blast damage. Suitable materials include, among others, plastics materials, for example a 4mm diameter Nylon 66 rod, although the choice of material is a matter for optimising in the light of the environment the fastening will be exposed to, with an EOD suit being an extreme environment

Fastening 7 is similar to fastening 8 but comprises a cord rather than a rod. Although cord can be used instead of rod, a rod is preferred as being less likely to gape under tension in the seam. Additionally a cord needs to be firmly secured to prevent accidental removal whereas a rod only requires that the end portions of the rod only be accessible when needed. The invention extends to the use of any elongate member capable of being threaded through the apertures and includes, for example, cords, rods, wires, plastic covered wire coils, and chains. To release the clothing the elongate member is drawn from one end so as to unthread from the apertures and thereby permit the flaps to separate.

Fig 6 shows the front view of the EOD suit showing the rod 11 passing around the collar of the suit and terminating at a handle 12. The strap 11 is secured against flapping by webbing 13 and ring 1 . The handle 12 is secured against accidental release, for example by housing in a pocket or trapped beneath a releasable fastening (not shown]. Conveniently the handle is secured by a hook and eye fastener (e.g. Velcro®] that can torn open in the result of necessity. Advisably the location of the release should be readily evident, for example by making the handle, or the means for securing the handle, in a contrasting colour to the body of the suit jacket.

Similar design considerations apply to making releasable EOD trousers. Fig.5 shows in close up a seam from an EOD suit trousers in accordance with the invention and shows that the rapid release fastening of the invention may form only part of the seam, with part being provided by hook and eye-fasteners which may further function to secure the end of the rods to prevent accidental release. As shown, the end of rod 21 protrudes from flaps of fabric 25, 26 secured respectively to the panels 27,28 of the trousers and is secured against accidental release within hook and eye fastener 29/30.

Other variants to the invention will be evident to the person skilled in the art while still encompassed by the appended claims.