How George de Mestral Invented Velcro
A 1952 patent describing the creation of a hook-and-loop fastener by weaving synthetic loops into fabric and cutting them to create tiny, grippy hooks.
Original patent title: “Velvet type fabric and method of producing same”
A 1952 patent describing the creation of a hook-and-loop fastener by weaving synthetic loops into fabric and cutting them to create tiny, grippy hooks. Granted to Velcro SA in 1955 with 2 claims and 299 forward citations, and it is now in the public domain.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent describes a manufacturing process for creating a fabric with a specialized surface. It involves weaving standard warp and weft threads together with auxiliary threads made of synthetic resin. These auxiliary threads are formed into loops on the surface of the fabric and heat-treated to lock their shape. Finally, the loops are cut near their ends to create flexible, material-engaging hooks that can latch onto a corresponding loop-filled surface.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover fasteners made from non-synthetic materials like natural cotton or wool.
- Does not cover the specific 'loop' side of the fastener, only the method of creating the 'hook' side.
- Does not cover adhesive-backed fasteners that do not rely on the woven loop-and-hook mechanism.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The innovation lies in using synthetic resin to create loops that hold their shape under heat, allowing them to be cut into hooks that act like tiny, repeatable springs.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Velcro brand fasteners
NASA space suit closures
Blood pressure cuff straps
Cable management ties
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent introduced the world to the hook-and-loop fastener, a mechanism that replaced buttons, zippers, and laces in countless applications. It is a foundational patent for the modern fastening industry, enabling everything from space suits to children's sneakers.
Filed
October 15, 1952
Granted
September 13, 1955
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Velcro Companies remains the primary entity managing the legacy of this invention. Many textile manufacturers now produce generic hook-and-loop fasteners since the original patents have long since expired.
Market impact
This patent created an entirely new category of fastening technology. By providing a reliable, reusable, and easy-to-operate closure, it became a standard component in aerospace, medical, and apparel industries, effectively standardizing the 'hook and loop' interface globally.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent describes a manufacturing process for creating a fabric with a specialized surface. It involves weaving standard warp and weft threads together with auxiliary threads made of synthetic resin. These auxiliary threads are formed into loops on the surface of the fabric and heat-treated to lock their shape. Finally, the loops are cut near their ends to create flexible, material-engaging hooks that can latch onto a corresponding loop-filled surface.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in using synthetic resin to create loops that hold their shape under heat, allowing them to be cut into hooks that act like tiny, repeatable springs.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover fasteners made from non-synthetic materials like natural cotton or wool.
- Does not cover the specific 'loop' side of the fastener, only the method of creating the 'hook' side.
- Does not cover adhesive-backed fasteners that do not rely on the woven loop-and-hook mechanism.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
This patent is in the public domain
See the Freedom to Build guide — what is free to use, what is not, and how to cite this patent.
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
40/40
Highly cited
Claim breadth
1/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$48K – $154K
Midpoint $96K · expired or expiring · industry ×1.6
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Patent Claims
1 independent claim · 0 dependent
Claims are the legal boundaries of the patent. An independent claim stands alone. A dependent claim adds limitations to its parent, narrowing — but not broadening — the scope.
The original legal language
Original claims
2 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
De, M. G. (1955). How George de Mestral Invented Velcro (U.S. Patent No. 2,717,437). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2717437/velcro-hook-and-loop
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How George de Mestral Invented Velcro cover?
A 1952 patent describing the creation of a hook-and-loop fastener by weaving synthetic loops into fabric and cutting them to create tiny, grippy hooks.
Who owns patent US 2717437?
Velcro SA owns this patent, granted in 1955.
When does this patent expire?
This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.
What is patent US 2717437 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 299 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent introduced the world to the hook-and-loop fastener, a mechanism that replaced buttons, zippers, and laces in countless applications. It is a foundational patent for the modern fastening industry, enabling everything from space suits to children's sneakers.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover fasteners made from non-synthetic materials like natural cotton or wool.
Patent monitoring