EASY RELEASING ZIPPER

Abstract

A fastening device is provided having a first magnetic aligning member comprising a first magnet and a female retention element, wherein the first magnetic aligning member is affixed to a first zipper track comprising a plurality of teeth; a second magnetic aligning member comprising a second magnet and a male retention element, wherein the second magnetic aligning member is affixed to a second zipper track comprising a plurality of teeth; and a sliding member. The sliding member slidably connects to the first zipper track, and lacks a locking pin.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an easy releasing zipper that allows for unlocking of the zipper tracks (i.e., unzipping of the zipper) without having to pull down on a pull tab attached to a sliding member of the zipper.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fastening mechanisms, such as zippers, are known in the art.

Zippers may be found in clothing and garments, including but not limited to: pants, dresses, tops, sweaters and jackets.

Zippers may be separating or non-separating (closed end), depending on whether the zipper needs to separate fully. An example of a separating zipper is a jacket zipper. In a separating zipper, the two zipper tracks are attached to different clothing elements (e.g., left and right sides of a jacket) and are joined only by the interlocking of the zipper's teeth. A separating zipper has a pin and a retainer box at the bottom of the respective zipper tracks. The pin and the box can decouple, allowing the zipper to separate fully into two pieces, thereby separating the clothing elements attached to the zipper tracks. A non-separating or closed end zipper does not separate completely, only partially. An example of such a zipper is in the fly of a pair of pants. In a non-separating zipper, both zipper tracks are connected to a bottom stop and thus do not fully decouple, so that unlocking the zipper's teeth creates only an opening in the clothing.

Zippers may also be one-way or two-way. A two-way zipper comprises two sliding members that can work together or separately to interlock and unlock the zipper teeth; whereas a one-way zipper comprises only a single sliding member.

Generally, to fasten a separating zipper, the user inserts the pin at the bottom (or lower limit) of one zipper track into the retainer box at the bottom (or lower limit) of the other zipper track. This aligns the teeth into an operable interlocking format. Once aligned, the user pulls up on a tab connected to the sliding member along the zipper track. Wedges inside the slider body force the teeth of each track to interact and interlock. In particular, if the teeth are aligned, the hook of each tooth settles into the hollow of an opposing tooth. The user can continue to pull up on the slider body tab and interlock the teeth until the sliding member terminates at the stop located at the top (or upper limit) of each zipper track.

Individuals with limited dexterity or mobility, poor vision as well as other health conditions or disabilities, such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, pervasion developmental disorders, Down's syndrome, ataxia, diabetes with neuropathy, stroke (CVA), paraplegics, Lou Gehrig's disease, Parkinson's, and head injuries may find it especially challenging to not only fasten a separating zipper, but also unfasten it.

There has been advancement in the field of separating zippers for such persons. For example, FIG. 52 of U.S. Pat. No. 9,027,210 shows a separating zipper having self-aligning magnetic bodies 101 and 103 of opposing polarity engaged at the bottom end of the zipper tracks. These magnetic bodies take the place of a traditional retainer box and pin, and make it easier for a disabled person to align the zipper tracks and fasten the zipper, especially if that disabled person is one-handed, since a pin does not have to be inserted into a retainer box. Rather, the two magnetic bodies are brought near each other, attract and engage each other, and align the zipper tracks for proper fastening.

However, to unfasten these self-aligning zippers, the user must pull down on tab 103 (see FIG. 1), which pulls sliding member 102 down the closed zipper tracks (not shown). If the user tries to tug apart the closed zipper tracks to unfasten the zipper, the sliding member locking pin 101 will ensure that the sliding member 102 does not move and that the interlocked teeth along the zipper tracks will remain locked. In particular, tugging causes locking pin 101 to lodge in a gap between two teeth. The locking pin 101, and thus the sliding member 102, is thereby prevented from moving down the closed zipper tracks. Consequently, the zipper tracks will remain closed and not separate. Yet pulling down on tab 103 can be a difficult challenge for disabled persons, especially one-handed persons, and thus, there is a need to make these self-aligning zippers easier to unfasten.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved self-aligning zipper that eliminates the need to pull down on a pull tab connected to a sliding member to unlock and separate the self-aligning zipper. Another object is to provide an improved self-aligning zipper for those with limited dexterity, small children and/or those with disabilities. Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved self-aligning zipper that can more easily be unfastened by one-handed persons. These and other objects of the invention are not to be considered comprehensive and exhaustive, but rather exemplary objects of the present invention.

According to one aspect of the invention, the sliding member or members of a self-aligning zipper lack a locking pin.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of an easy releasing zipper particularly for items of clothing and the like, illustrated only by way of the following non-limitative drawings and examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a prior art sliding member of a self-aligning zipper with a locking pin.

FIG. 2 depicts a sliding member of a self-aligning zipper of the present invention, having no locking pin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a first magnetic aligning member is affixed to one end of a first zipper track. The first magnetic aligning member comprises a first magnet and a female retention element. In an embodiment, the female retention element may be a plastic or metal casing which encapsulates the first magnet and further comprises a groove, a cavity, a hook and/or a notch. A sliding member 202 is slidably connected to the first zipper track (not shown), wherein the first zipper track comprises a plurality of teeth. A top stop may be positioned on the first zipper track at the end opposite to the first magnetic aligning member to prevent the sliding member 202 from detaching from the first zipper track. The first magnetic aligning member also acts as a bottom stop to prevent the sliding member 202 from detaching from the first zipper track.

A second magnetic aligning member is affixed to a second zipper track (not shown). The second magnetic aligning member comprises a second magnet and a male retention element. In an embodiment, the male retention element may a plastic or metal casing which encapsulates the second magnet and further comprises a protruding element that interlocks with the groove, cavity, hook and/or notch present on the female retention element. The second zipper track also comprises a plurality of teeth. A top stop may be positioned on the second zipper track at the end opposite to the second magnetic aligning member.

In an embodiment, the first lower magnetic aligning member and the second lower magnetic aligning member may also be connected through attractive magnetic forces from the first magnet and the second magnet. The first magnet and the second magnet may be disc, grooved or other shaped magnets.

A pull tab 203 is loosely attached to the sliding member 202. The pull tab may be plastic, metal or any combination thereof. Once the first and second magnetic aligning members engage via their female and male retention elements, the zipper tracks are properly pulled together and user can pull up on the tab to interlock the teeth on those zipper tracks, and closes the zipper.

Unlike prior art sliding member shown in FIG. 1, the sliding member of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 lacks a locking pin. Because the sliding member lacks a locking pin, when the user tugs apart the two zipper tracks, the sliding member will move down the zipper tracks, the interlocked teeth will unlock and the zipper tracks will separate, thereby opening the zipper and the garment. Consequently, the user need not pull down on the tab to open the zipper, but merely tug apart the zipper tracks, for example, by tugging apart the garment elements attached to those zipper tracks. This makes unfastening the self-aligning zipper easier for disabled persons, especially one-handed persons, as they do not have to grasp any tab.

In a one-way separating zipper, the single sliding member lacks a locking pin. In a two-way separating zipper, one or both sliding members lack a locking pin.

While preferred embodiments have been described, it is evident that many additional modifications, variations or alternative are apparent to the skilled artisan. The present application intends to embrace all of such modifications, variations or alternative which fall within the broad scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A self-aligning zipper comprising: a first magnetic aligning member comprising a first magnet and a female retention element, wherein the first magnetic aligning member is affixed to a first zipper track comprising a plurality of teeth;a second magnetic aligning member comprising a second magnet and a male retention element, wherein the second magnetic aligning member is affixed to a second zipper track comprising a plurality of teeth;a sliding member slidably connected to the first zipper track, and wherein the sliding member lacks a locking pin;wherein the female retention element comprises a groove to receive the male retention element; andwherein the first magnet of the female retention element and the second magnet of the male retention element may be connected through attractive forces to ensure proper alignment of the first zipper track and the second zipper track.

2. The fastening device of claim 1 wherein the female retention element is selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal and a combination thereof.

3. The fastening device of claim 1 wherein the male retention element is selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal and a combination thereof.

4. The fastening device of claim 1 wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are grooved magnets.

5. An article of manufacture comprising the fastening device of claim 1.