The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 20, 1999
Filed:
Jun. 02, 1997
Sheila M Klein, Seattle, WA (US);
Cascade Designs, Inc., Seattle, WA (US);
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a fluid resistant structure to be incorporated with conventional fastening systems such as slide fasteners. Two sheaths are attached or incorporated into a closable structure, in overlapping fashion, at or near the opening of the structure. Each sheath has associated therewith a semi-rigid bead portion at its mesial portion. The length of the bead portions is generally longer than the chord length of the opening so that a slight, to pronounced, arch or bow of the beads is formed. When the structure is closed, one bead is manipulated over and laterally adjacent to the other bead, thereby forming a lateral compression abutment between the two beads. The lateral abutment is maintained due in part to the arch or bow formed by the difference between the bead length versus the chord length. Variations of the invention include having the upper sheath extend over the fastening elements, having the lower sheath extend over the fastening elements, and having both sheaths extend over the fastening elements. In addition, various geometries of beads can be used and include beads having cylindrical, triangular, and square cross-sections.