JP7799854B2 - fastener - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to fasteners, particularly metal fasteners for fastening snap buttons or washers to fabric such as clothing.

Metal fasteners for attaching snap buttons, washers, decorative buttons, etc. to fabric such as clothing are well known. For example, Figures 11 to 13 of International Publication No. 2016/088182 (Patent Document 1) describe a fastener 320 for attaching a female snap button 310 to fabric 70. Such a fastener comprises a disk portion and a post portion protruding from the center of the disk portion. When attaching a snap button to fabric, for example, as shown in Figures 12 and 13 of Patent Document 1, the post portion of the fastener is pierced through the fabric, and then the post portion is tightened against the snap button. This secures the snap button to the fabric.

When attached to fabric, the front side of the disc portion of the fastener is visible to the user, and the back side is in contact with the fabric. Decorations such as letters, figures, symbols, logos, etc. can be engraved or printed on the surface of the disc portion that is visible to the user. Decorations that include letters, etc. require orientation (up and down) when attaching the fastener to clothing, etc.

As shown in Figure 11 of Patent Document 1, conventional metal fasteners are generally composed of two parts: a fastener body comprising a post portion and a disk core, and a cap that is attached to the fastener body so as to cover the core. The fastener body is also called an eyelet, and the cap is also called a shell. When decoration is required for the fastener, the decoration is applied to the surface of the cap, and the cap is then attached to the fastener body. Because conventional fasteners are composed of two parts, there are limits to how light the fastener can be and how thin the disk portion can be, and manufacturing costs are high.

Attempts have also been made to manufacture fasteners from a single piece that substantially corresponds to the fastener body without using a cap. However, this can result in distortion of the decoration during the manufacture, processing, or attachment of such fasteners to the fabric.

Fasteners made of two parts also have decorations that cannot be seen from the back side of the disc, so when using the fastener to fasten a snap button or washer to fabric, a marking such as a notch is sometimes machined into the cap to allow the worker to visually confirm the orientation of the fastener's decoration. Furthermore, with conventional fasteners, for example, the fastener may rotate relative to the fabric after being attached for an extended period of time. This can cause problems such as the snap button or other fastener becoming detached from the fabric and the decoration on the fastener becoming misaligned. For this reason, a stopper is sometimes machined into the fastener. However, providing such a marking or stopper requires time and cost.

International Publication No. 2016/088182

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and one of its objectives is to provide a metal fastener consisting of a single piece including decoration that is not affected by processing or installation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fastener that allows the decoration to be seen from the back side of the disc portion and does not require markings or anti-rotation processing for orienting the decoration.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides a metal fastener for fixing a snap button or washer to fabric, the fastener consisting of a single component, the fastener comprising a disk portion, a post portion extending from the disk portion to the back side of the disk portion, and a peripheral portion curving from the radially outer end of the disk portion to the front side or back side of the disk portion, the disk portion including a decorative portion, the decorative portion being located in a range that is at least 15% radially outward from the post portion and at least 30% radially inward from the radially outermost end of the fastener, relative to the radial distance between the post portion and the radially outermost end of the fastener.

The fastener of the present invention is made of metal and consists of a single part. This allows for a lighter fastener and a thinner disc portion, reducing manufacturing costs. Materials for the fastener include, but are not limited to, aluminum, aluminum alloys, copper, and copper alloys. The disc portion, post portion, and peripheral portion of the fastener are integrally formed. The decorative portion of the present invention consists of letters, figures, symbols, logos, etc., and is, for example, engraved on the surface of the disc portion, but may also be printed. Examples of engraving include applying a convex die to the surface of the disc portion, receiving this convex die with a concave die from the backside, and laser engraving. Examples of printing include inkjet printing and pad printing.

In the present invention, the range in which the decorative portion is provided on the disc portion is set as follows: That is, the range is 15% or more radially outward from the post portion and 30% or more radially inward from the radially outermost end of the fastener, relative to the radial distance (100%) between the post portion and the radially outermost end of the fastener. In one embodiment of the present invention, the post portion is cylindrical, and the distance is the radial distance between the inner circumference of the post portion and the radially outermost end of the fastener. In particular, the distance can be the radial distance between the inner circumference of the post portion and the radially outermost end of the fastener before attachment to the fabric. That is, when the post portion is cylindrical, the range in which the decorative portion is provided on the disc portion can be 15% or more radially outward from the inner circumference of the post portion and 30% or more radially inward from the radially outermost end of the fastener, relative to the radial distance (100%) between the inner circumference of the post portion (preferably the post portion before attachment to the fabric) and the radially outermost end of the fastener. By providing the decorative portion in this range, the decorative portion is substantially prevented from being distorted by the processing or attachment of the fastener. The inner circumference of the cylindrical post portion is basically the base end of the inner circumferential surface of the post portion, i.e., the boundary between the inner circumferential surface of the post portion and the disk portion, but if the base end of the post portion expands in diameter toward the disk portion and connects to it, it can be the base end of the inner circumferential surface of the post portion (the post body) of approximately the same diameter (see inner circumferential base end 12d in Figure 4).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the decorative portion includes a decorative recess recessed from the surface of the disc portion and a decorative protrusion corresponding to the decorative recess and protruding from the back surface of the disc portion. In this embodiment, the decorative portion is engraved on the surface of the disc portion, with the letters, figures, symbols, logos, etc. that make up the decorative portion being recessed as a decorative recess on the surface of the disc portion and protruding as a decorative protrusion on the back surface. When fastening a snap button or washer to fabric using a fastener, such decorative protrusions can be seen by the worker from the back side of the disc portion, particularly before placing the fabric, making it easy to orient the decorative portion. Furthermore, when the fastener is attached to the fabric, the decorative protrusion protruding from the back surface of the disc portion is pressed against the fabric, thereby functioning as a rotation stopper for the fabric.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the maximum height of the peripheral edge from the surface of the disc portion is 5% to 15% of the diameter of the fastener. Because the surface of the disc portion is exposed to the outside during storage, transportation, installation, use, and other stages after the fastener is manufactured, the decorative portion is susceptible to contact with external objects and being damaged. This can be alleviated by setting the maximum height of the peripheral edge from the surface of the disc portion to 5% to 15% of the diameter of the fastener. In other words, a peripheral edge with such a height is likely to come into contact with external objects before the decorative portion, thereby protecting the decorative portion.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral edge is folded radially inward from the radially outer end of the disc portion toward the surface of the disc portion, and the radially inner end of the peripheral edge defines a circumferential shape that is a distorted circle. In this embodiment, the circumferential shape described by the radially inner end of the peripheral edge on the surface of the disc portion of the fastener is intentionally made a distorted circle. The inner periphery of the peripheral edge, which forms such a distorted circle, combined with the perfectly circular outer periphery of the peripheral edge, can give users a vintage, antique, or well-worn look. This makes the fastener of this embodiment particularly suitable for jeans and other items.

In this invention, the decorative portion of the disc portion is located at a distance of at least 15% radially outward from the post portion and at least 30% radially inward from the radially outermost end of the fastener, relative to the radial distance between the post portion and the radially outermost end of the fastener. This effectively prevents the decorative portion from being distorted by the processing or installation of the fastener. Furthermore, if the decorative portion is processed to include a decorative protrusion that protrudes from the back surface of the disc portion, the worker can view it from the back surface of the disc portion when using the fastener to fasten a snap button or washer to fabric, making it easy to orient the decorative portion. Furthermore, the decorative protrusion can function as a stopper for preventing the fastener from rotating relative to the fabric.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a fastener according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the fastener of FIG. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the fastener of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but enlarged to include the decorative portion and other details. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the box C in FIG. 4, and conveniently shows the unevenness of the decorative portion. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a female snap button is attached to a fabric using a fastener. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the washer is attached to the fabric using the fastener. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows the step of curling the peripheral edge of the fastener. FIG. 9 is a top view showing a modified example of the fastener according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10A is a top view and FIG. 10B is a side cross-sectional view showing a fastener according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11A is a top view and FIG. 11B is a side cross-sectional view showing a fastener according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12A is a top view and FIG. 12B is a side cross-sectional view showing a fastener according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13A is a top view and FIG. 13B is a side cross-sectional view showing a fastener according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The following describes several embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments.

First Embodiment : FIGS. 1 to 3 show top, bottom, and side cross-sectional views of a fastener 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the top and bottom of the fastener 10 will be determined based on the paper dimensions of FIGS. 3 to 5 unless otherwise specified. The fastener 10 is made of metal and is a single component. It includes a disk portion 11, a cylindrical post portion 12 extending concentrically downward from the center of the disk portion 11, and a peripheral edge portion 13 that curves upward and folds back from the radially outer end 11c of the disk portion 11. The disk portion 11 has an upward-facing surface 11a and a downward-facing back surface 11b. In this embodiment, the front surface 11a and the back surface 11b of the disk portion 11 are substantially horizontal. The post portion 12 protrudes toward the back surface 11b of the disk portion 11, with its upper and lower ends open. The peripheral edge portion 13 curves upward, then radially inward, and then downward from the radially outer end 11c of the disk portion 11, forming a C-shaped cross section. In the first embodiment, the radially outer end 11c of the disk portion 11 is the radially outermost end of the fastener 10, i.e., the radially outermost end. The radially outer end 11c of the disk portion 11 is also the base end of the peripheral edge portion 13, and can also be said to be the boundary between the disk portion 11 and the peripheral edge portion 13. One end of the peripheral edge portion 13 is continuous with the disk portion 11 while sharing a boundary with the disk portion 11, and the other end serves as a terminal end 13a (see FIG. 4 ) that is close to the surface 11a of the disk portion 11 with a small gap therebetween.

The disc portion 11 includes a decorative portion 14 engraved with letters, figures, symbols, logos, etc. Referring to Figure 1, in this embodiment, the decorative portion 14 is divided into a DESIGN portion, which is a string of six alphabetic characters, "DESIGN," arranged in an arc, and a LOGO portion, which is located on the opposite side of the center of the disc portion 11 from the DESIGN portion, and which is a string of four alphabetic characters, "LOGO," arranged in an arc. The decorative portion 14 on the surface 11a of the disc portion 11 shown in Figure 1 is the side that is visible to the user after the fastener 10 is attached to fabric such as clothing. On the surface 11a of the disc portion 11, the peripheral portion 13 surrounds the decorative portion 14 radially outward without concealing it. As can be seen in Figure 2, the decorative portion 14 appears inverted on the back surface 11b of the disc portion 11, with each letter and number appearing inverted.

The decorative portion 14 is provided in the next range 14e relative to the disc portion 11. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3, enlarged to include the range 14e of the decorative portion 14. Referring to Figure 4, the post portion 12 before attachment to the substrate fa, fb (see Figures 6 and 7) comprises a post body 12a with a substantially constant inner and outer diameter, and a post base end 12b whose inner and outer diameters gradually increase from the upper end of the post body 12a to the disc portion 11, connecting to the disc portion 11. The cross section of the thickness of the post body 12a is linear, while the cross section of the thickness of the post base end 12b is curved. Reference numeral 12d in Figure 4 indicates the upper end of the inner circumferential surface 12c of the post body 12a (hereinafter referred to as the "inner circumferential base end"). The inner circumferential base end 12d of the post body 12a is the inner periphery of the post portion 12, which serves as the basis for the spacing E described below in the first embodiment.

The range 14e where the decorative portion 14 is provided on the disc portion 11 is at least 15% radially outward from the inner circumferential base end 12d of the post portion 12 and at least 30% radially inward from the radially outermost end 11c of the fastener 10, relative to the radial distance E between the inner circumferential base end 12d of the post portion 12 and the radially outermost end 11c of the fastener 10 before attachment to the substrate fa, fb (see Figures 6 and 7). This range 14e is a maximum of 55% of distance E. By providing the decorative portion 14 in this range 14e, the decorative portion 14 will not be distorted when the post portion 12 and peripheral portion 13 of the fastener 10 are processed, or when the post portion 12 is crimped when attached to the substrate fa, fb of the fastener 10 (see Figures 6 and 7).

Referring to Figure 4, the maximum height H of the peripheral edge 13 from the surface 11a of the disc portion 11 is set to 5% to 15% of the diameter D of the fastener 10. The peripheral edge 13 with such a maximum height H can protect the decorative portion 14 by coming into contact with an external object first when the object is about to come into contact with the decorative portion 14 provided in the above-mentioned range 14e.

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of box C in Figure 4, and conveniently shows the unevenness of the decorative portion 14. In manufacturing the fastener 10, the decorative portion 14 is formed by pressing a convex die (not shown) corresponding to a character string or the like against the disc portion 11 from the surface 11a. The decorative portion 14, i.e., the DESIGN portion and the LOGO portion, includes a decorative recess 14a recessed downward from the surface 11a of the disc portion 11, and a decorative protrusion 14b corresponding to the decorative recess 14a and protruding downward from the back surface 11b of the disc portion 11. Because the decorative recess 14a and decorative protrusion 14b are slight unevennesses, they are not shown in Figures 3 and 4. The decorative protrusions 14b can be seen by the worker from the back surface 11b of the disk portion 11 when fastening a female snap button 20 (see FIG. 6) or a washer 30 (see FIG. 7) to the fabrics fa and fb using the fastener 10, particularly before placing the fabrics fa and fb, making it easy to orient the decorative portion 14. Furthermore, when the fastener 10 is attached to the fabrics fa and fb, the decorative protrusions 14b protruding from the back surface 11b of the disk portion 11 are pressed against the fabrics fa and fb, so they can function as a stopper for preventing the fastener 10 from rotating relative to the fabrics fa and fb. The depth of the decorative recesses 14a from the surface 11a of the disk portion 11 and the protruding height of the decorative protrusions 14b from the back surface 11b are both 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm, more preferably 0.15 mm to 0.25 mm.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a female snap button 20 attached to fabric fa using fastener 10. After penetrating fabric fa, the post portion 12 of fastener 10 is crimped against the female snap button 20, thereby securing the female snap button 20 together with fastener 10 to fabric fa. Reference numeral 21 in Figure 6 denotes an annular or C-shaped spring of the female snap button 20. The female snap button 20 is attached to and detached from a male snap button (not shown). Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a washer 30 attached to fabric fb using fastener 10. In this case, too, the post portion 12 of fastener 10 is crimped against the washer 30 after penetrating fabric fb, thereby securing the washer 30 together with fastener 10 to fabric fb.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the process of curling the peripheral edge 13 of the fastener 10. The peripheral edge 13 is first bent almost perpendicular to the disc portion 11, and then curled by the concave cavity 101 of the upper punch 100. During this process, the fastener 10 is held by the holding portion 111 of the lower die 110. The end 13a of the peripheral edge 13 curled in this manner is close to the surface 11a of the disc portion 11, with a small gap between them. This gap is set to, for example, 0.2 mm or less. This prevents the end 13a from injuring the user's fingers or catching on clothing.

Figure 9 is a top view showing a modified version of the fastener 10 according to the first embodiment described above. This modified fastener 10a is identical to fastener 10, except that the circumferential shape defined by the terminal end 13b, which is the radially inner end of the peripheral edge 13, is a distorted circle. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for the disk portion 11, post portion 12, and peripheral edge 13 (excluding terminal end 13b). Referring to Figure 1, the circumferential shape defined by terminal end 13a of peripheral edge 13 is a perfect circle. In contrast, in fastener 10a, terminal end 13b of peripheral edge 13 forms a distorted circle. This type of processing can be intentionally achieved by adjusting the degree of concavity of the cavity 101 of the upper punch 100 shown in Figure 8. The inner periphery of peripheral edge 13, which is distorted by terminal end 13b, combined with the perfect circular outer periphery of peripheral edge 13, can impart a vintage or antique feel to users.

Second Embodiment FIG. 10 is a top view (a) and a side cross-sectional view (b) illustrating a fastener 40 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The fastener 40 includes a disk portion 41, a cylindrical post portion 42 extending from the disk portion 41 toward its rear surface, and a peripheral portion 43 curving from a radially outer end 41c of the disk portion 41 toward the rear surface. Although not shown, the fastener 40 includes a decorative portion substantially similar to that of the fastener 10 of the first embodiment. The disk portion 41 includes a central portion 41d that is convexly curved downward, and an outer peripheral portion 41e that extends slightly downward from the radially outer end of the central portion 41d to the radially outer end 41c of the disk portion 41. In this embodiment, the radially outer end 41c of the disk portion 41 is the boundary between the disk portion 41 and the peripheral portion 43 and is the radially outermost end of the fastener 40. The peripheral edge portion 43 is folded downward and radially inward from the radially outer end 41c of the disk portion 41. In the second embodiment, the base end of the post portion 42, i.e., the boundary with the disk portion 41, is the reference for the interval E at which the decorative portion is provided.

Third Embodiment FIG. 11 is a top view (a) and a side cross-sectional view (b) illustrating a fastener 50 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The fastener 50 includes a disk portion 51, a cylindrical post portion 52 extending from the disk portion 51 toward its rear surface, and a peripheral portion 53 curving from a radially outer end 51c of the disk portion 51 toward the rear surface. Although not shown, the fastener 50 includes a decorative portion substantially similar to that of the fastener 10 of the first embodiment. The disk portion 51 includes a substantially horizontal central portion 51d and a peripheral portion 51e that extends slightly downward from the radially outer end of the central portion 51d toward the radially outer end 51c of the disk portion 51. In this embodiment, the radially outer end 51c of the disk portion 51 is the boundary between the disk portion 51 and the peripheral portion 53 and is also the radially outermost end of the fastener 50. The peripheral edge 53 is curved downward, then radially inward, and then upward from the radially outer end 51c of the disk portion 51, forming a C-shaped cross section. In the third embodiment, the base end of the substantially uniform diameter portion of the post portion 52 serves as the reference for the interval E at which the decorative portion is provided.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 12 is a top view (a) and a side cross-sectional view (b) illustrating a fastener 60 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fastener 60 includes a disk portion 61, a cylindrical post portion 62 extending from the disk portion 61 toward its rear surface, and a peripheral edge portion 63 that curves radially outward from a radially outer end 61c of the disk portion 61, then toward the rear surface, and then radially inward, forming a C-shaped cross section. Although not shown, the fastener 60 includes a decorative portion substantially similar to that of the fastener 10 of the first embodiment. The disk portion 61 includes a horizontal portion 61d that extends horizontally radially outward from the boundary with the post portion 62, and an inclined portion 61e that extends obliquely and upward radially outward from the radially outer end of the horizontal portion 61d. In this embodiment, the radially outer end 61c of the inclined portion 61e is the radially outer end 61c of the disk portion 61. In this embodiment, the peripheral edge 63 bulges radially outward from the radially outer end 61c of the disc portion 61, and the radially outer end 63a of the peripheral edge 63 corresponds to the radially outermost end 63a of the fastener 60. In the fourth embodiment, the base end of the substantially uniform diameter portion of the post portion 62 serves as the reference for the spacing E at which the decorative portion is provided. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the maximum height of the peripheral edge 63 from the surface of the disc portion 61 corresponds to the maximum height from the surface of the horizontal portion 61d of the disc portion 61, and this height substantially coincides with the vertical length of the inclined portion 61e from the surface of the horizontal portion 61d. The maximum height of the peripheral edge 63 is set to 5% to 15% of the diameter of the fastener 60. As a result, the peripheral edge 63 and inclined portion 61e of the disc portion 61 serve to protect the decorative portion from external objects, etc., in a manner similar to the peripheral edge 13 of the fastener 10 of the first embodiment.

Fifth Embodiment FIG. 13 is a top view (a) and a side cross-sectional view (b) illustrating a fastener 70 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The fastener 70 includes a disk portion 71, a cylindrical post portion 72 extending from the disk portion 71 toward its rear surface, and a peripheral edge portion 73 that is curved back from the radially outer end 71c of the disk portion 71 toward the radially inner side of the rear surface. Although not shown, the fastener 70 includes a decorative portion substantially similar to that of the fastener 10 of the first embodiment. The disk portion 71 includes a horizontal portion 71d that extends horizontally radially outward from the boundary with the post portion 72, and a peripheral portion 71e that extends radially outward from the radially outer end of the horizontal portion 71d and gradually decreases radially outward to the radially outer end 71c. The radially outer end 71c of the peripheral portion 71e is the radially outer end 71c of the disk portion 71 and is also the boundary with the peripheral edge portion 73. In this embodiment, the radially outer end 71c of the disk portion 71 is the radially outermost end of the fastener 70. In the fifth embodiment, the outer periphery of the post portion 72, which serves as the reference for the range E in which the decorative portion is provided, is the base end of the portion of the post portion 72 that has approximately the same diameter.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the fastener 70 has a size and material thickness that is suitable for practical use in ordinary clothing, bags, etc., specifically, a diameter of less than 30 mm, and the metal thickness of at least the disc portion 71 is approximately 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm.

10, 10a, 40, 50, 60, 70 Fastener 11, 41, 51, 61, 71 Disc portion 11a Surface of disc portion 11b Back surface of disc portion 11c, 41c, 51c, 61c, 71c Radially outer end of disc portion 11c, 41c, 51c, 63a, 71c Radially outermost end of fastener 12, 42, 52, 62, 72 Post portion 13, 43, 53, 63, 73 Peripheral edge portion 14 Decorative portion 14a Decorative recess 14b Decorative protrusion 20 Female snap button 30 Washer

Claims (6)

A metal fastener (10, 10a, 40, 50, 60, 70) for fixing a snap button (20) or a washer (30) to a fabric (fa, fb),
The fastener (10, 10a, 40, 50, 60, 70) is made of a single part,
The fastener (10, 10a, 40, 50, 60, 70) comprises a disk portion (11, 41, 51, 61, 71), a post portion (12, 42, 52, 62, 72) extending from the disk portion (11, 41, 51, 61, 71) toward the back surface (11b) of the disk portion (11, 41, 51, 61, 71), and a peripheral portion (13, 43, 53, 63, 73) curved from a radially outer end (11c, 41c, 51c, 61c, 71c) of the disk portion (11, 41, 51, 61, 71) toward the front surface (11a) or the back surface (11b) of the disk portion (11, 41, 51, 61, 71),
The disc portion (11, 41, 51, 61, 71) includes a decorative portion (14),
The decorative portion (14) is provided in a range (14e) that is 15% or more away from the post portion (12, 42, 52, 62, 72) radially outward and 30% or more away from the radially outermost end (11c, 41c, 51c, 63a, 71c) of the fastener (10, 10a, 40, 50, 60, 70) radially inward, relative to a radial distance (E) between the post portion (12, 42, 52, 62, 72) and the radially outermost end (11c, 41c, 51c, 63a, 71c) of the fastener (10, 10a, 40, 50, 60, 70). A fastener as described in claim 1, wherein the decorative portion (14) includes a decorative recess (14a) recessed from the surface (11a) of the disc portion (11, 41, 51, 61, 71) and a decorative protrusion (14b) corresponding to the decorative recess (14a) and protruding from the back surface (11b) of the disc portion (11, 41, 51, 61, 71). A fastener as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the maximum height of the peripheral portion (13, 63) from the surface (11a) of the disc portion (11, 61) is 5% to 15% of the diameter (D) of the fastener (10, 60). A fastener as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the peripheral edge portion (13) is folded radially inward from the radially outer end (11c) of the disc portion (11) toward the surface (11a) of the disc portion (11), and the radially inner end (13b) of the peripheral edge portion (13) defines a circumferential shape that is a distorted circle. A fastener as described in claim 1, wherein the post portion (12, 42, 52, 62, 72) is cylindrical and the spacing (E) is the radial spacing between the inner circumference of the post portion (12, 42, 52, 62, 72) and the radially outermost end (11c, 41c, 51c, 63a, 71c) of the fastener (10, 10a, 40, 50, 60, 70). A fastener as described in claim 5, wherein the spacing (E) is the radial spacing between the inner circumference of the post portion (12, 42, 52, 62, 72) and the radially outermost end (11c, 41c, 51c, 63a, 71c) of the fastener (10, 10a, 40, 50, 60, 70) before attachment to the fabric (fa, fb).