Fastener components, and method of making fastener components for securing loop-carrying members are disclosed. The fastener component includes a tubular structure, and a plurality of discrete projections extending from a surface of the tubular structure. Each projection includes a molded stem of resin integral with the surface from which the projection extends, and a loop-engageable head formed at a distal end of the stem to overhang the surface. A majority of the projections are directed away from a common, open longitudinal end of the tubular structure to allow longitudinal overlap of the fastener component with a complementary loop-carrying member received from the longitudinal end, but to resist subsequent removal of the loop-carrying member toward the longitudinal end due to engagement of the projections.
1. A fastener component for securing a loop-carrying member, the fastener component comprising:
a tubular structure having a joint extending longitudinally along the tubular structure; and
a plurality of discrete projections extending from an inner surface of the tubular structure, each projection including a molded stem of resin integral with the inner surface of the tubular structure from which the projection extends, and a loop-engageable head formed at a distal end of the stem to overhang the inner surface,
a molded rib extending longitudinally from the inner surface of the tubular structure,
wherein a majority of the projections are directed away from a common, open longitudinal end of the tubular structure to allow longitudinal overlap of the fastener component with a complementary loop-carrying member received from the common longitudinal end, but to resist subsequent removal of the loop-carrying member toward the common longitudinal end due to engagement of the projections.
2. The fastener component of claim 1 , wherein the tubular structure is configured to be longitudinally bisected by two perpendicular planes intersecting along a center of the tubular structure, with each plane intersecting the tubular structure along two opposite sides of the tubular structure.
3. The fastener component of claim 1 , wherein the projections have a maximum height above the inner surface of less than 0.025 inch (0.635 mm).
4. The fastener component of claim 3 , wherein the projections have a maximum height above the inner surface of less than 0.010 inch (0.254 mm).
5. The fastener component of claim 4 , wherein the projections have a maximum height above the inner surface of less than 0.005 inch (0.127 mm).
6. The fastener component of claim 1 , wherein the projections comprise molded hooks that each extend from the inner surface of the tubular structure to a distal tip.
7. The fastener component of claim 6 , wherein the distal tip is directed toward the inner surface of the tubular structure, to define a re-entrant crook.
8. The fastener component of claim 7 , wherein the tip is spaced from the inner surface of the tubular structure by a distance of between about 0.001 inch to about 0.010 inch (0.0254–0.254 mm).
9. The fastener component of claim 8 , wherein the tip is spaced from the inner surface of the tubular structure by a distance of between about 0.003 inch to about 0.006 inch (0.0.0762–0.152 mm).
10. The fastener component of claim 6 , wherein a back surface of each projection, directed toward the common, open longitudinal end of the tubular structure forms a ramp, free of loop-engaging features.
11. The fastener component of claim 10 , wherein the back surface of the projections defines a ramp angle of greater than about 90 degrees, measured in side view toward the crook of the hook from a point where the stem of the hook raises up from the surface to a point of inflection proximate the distal end of the stem where the stem transitions to from the head to the hook.
12. The fastener component of claim 11 , wherein the ramp angle is between about 90degrees and about 120 degrees.
13. The tubular structure of claim 1 , wherein the tubular structures comprises a cylinder defining two opposite, open ends.
14. The tubular structure of claim 1 , wherein the projections are arranged in rows extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular structure.
15. The fastener component of claim 1 , wherein the projections are arranged in a density of between about 500 to about 2000 hooks/inch 2 (77.5–210.0 hooks/cm 2 ).
16. The fastener component of claim 1 , wherein the rib is formed of an elastomer.
17. The fastener component of claim 1 , wherein the joint comprises an adhesive.
18. The fastener component of claim 17 , wherein the adhesive is flexible.
19. The fastener component of claim 1 , wherein the tubular structure has more than a single joint extending longitudinally along the tubular structure.
20. The fastener component of claim 1 , wherein the joint is contiguous extending longitudinally along the tubular structure.
21. The fastener component of claim 1 , wherein the joint comprises a material from which the tubular structure is made.
22. A seat cushion comprising:
a seat bun formed of a compliant material defining a seating surface, and containing a fastener component comprising
a tubular structure and
a plurality of discrete projections extending from a surface of the tubular structure, each projection including a molded stem of resin integral with the surface from which the projection extends, and a loop-engageable head formed at a distal end of the stem to overhang the surface, wherein a majority of the projections are directed away from a common, open longitudinal end of the tubular structure to allow longitudinal overlap of the fastener component with a complementary loop-carrying member received from the longitudinal end, but to resist subsequent removal of the loop-carrying member toward the longitudinal end due to engagement of the projections, with the common, open longitudinal end of the fastener component disposed at an outer surface of the bun; and
a seat cover extending across the seating surface of the bun, and including a loop-carrying member inserted into the fastener component to secure the seat cover to the seat bun.
23. The seat cushion of claim 22 , wherein the compliant material is a foam.
24. The seat cushion of claim 22 , wherein the loop-carrying member extends from an inner surface of the seat cover.
25. The seat cushion of claim 22 , wherein the loop-carrying member comprises a cylindrical plug extending from the inner surface of the seat cover.
26. A fastener component for securing a loop-carrying member, the fastener component comprising:
a tubular structure having a joint extending longitudinally along of the tubular structure;
a plurality of discrete projections extending from a surface of the tubular structure, each projection including a molded stem of resin integral with the surface from which the projection extends, and a loop-engageable head formed at a distal end of the stem to overhang the surface; and
a molded rib formed of an elastomer extending longitudinally from the surface of the tubular structure,
wherein a majority of the projections are directed away from a common, open longitudinal end of the tubular structure to allow longitudinal overlap of the fastener component with a complementary loop-carrying member received from the longitudinal end, but to resist subsequent removal of the loop-carrying member toward the longitudinal end due to engagement of the projections.