46 50 and first and second ends 48 52 are positioned within one of the notches 58 in the textured surface 60 of shank 40 as seen in fig2 the engagement between notch surfaces 62 64 and first and second ends 48 52 respectively prevents removal of shank 40 from shank acceptor 42 to eliminate the possibility of sharp tip 44 contacting a person wearing sock 36 female member 26 includes a back wall 66 for covering shank 40 and enclosing it within female member 26 tongues 46 50 are configured to have partial memory of their original non displaced position the placing of shank 40 between tongues 46 50 causes displacement of tongues 46 50 which results in ends 48 52 exerting recoil pressure against shank 40 as ends 48 52 are located at diametrically opposed sides of shank 40 the tongues 46 50 pinch shank 40 therebetween in addition to facilitating a secure engagement between shank 40 and tongues 46 50 this pinching allows shanks with different diameters to be utilized independently with the same female member 26 the attachment of members 28 30 to a wall of sock 38 is identical to the attachment of members 24 26 to a wall of sock 36 shank 68 extends from male component 28 and after its sharp tip 70 punctures the wall of sock 38 it is placed between the ends 72 74 of tongues 76 78 the engagement between notch surfaces 80 82 and first and second ends 72 74 respectively prevents removal of shank 68 from the shank acceptor 84 a back wall 86 covers sharp tip 70 of shank 68 as mentioned previously.