Patent Application
20080052880
In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, different embodiments, or component parts of the same or different illustrated invention. Additionally, reference to the wording “an embodiment,” or the like, for two or more features, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are related, dissimilar, the same, etc. The use of the term “an embodiment,” or similar wording, is merely a convenient phrase to indicate optional features, which may or may not be part of the invention as claimed.
Each statement of an embodiment is to be considered independent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use of similar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodiment is identified as “another embodiment,” the identified embodiment is independent of any other embodiments characterized by the language “another embodiment.” The independent embodiments are considered to be able to be combined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or art may direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.
Finally, the fact that the wording “an embodiment,” or the like, does not appear at the beginning of every sentence in the specification, such as is the practice of some practitioners, is merely a convenience for the reader's clarity. However, it is the intention of this application to incorporate by reference the phrasing “an embodiment,” and the like, at the beginning of every sentence herein where logically possible and appropriate.
Referring now to the drawings,
Looking specifically at
In another embodiment, a shown in
Specifically looking at
As illustrated in
In another embodiment the visible indicator 310 may include a threaded member 220 that includes only two or three threads; or a proportional amount of threads, such that the user may only rotate the threaded member 220 half a turn, or 180 degrees. In operation, a 180 degree, or half a turn, counterclockwise rotation of the threaded member 220 would unlock the locking slide 110. This unlocking will result in the unlocked side of the elongated tab 230 being most visible. In contrast, from this unlocked position, a simple 180 degree, or half a turn, clockwise rotation of the threaded member 220 would lock the securing locking slide 110. This locking will result in the locked side of elongated tab 230 being most visible.
Advantageously, in one embodiment, a locking slide 110 is simple and easy to use and can be used on all zipper and other sliding mechanisms. In one embodiment, for example on a coat or jacket zipper, an elongated tab 230 will typically rest loosely on the zipper teeth 120 pointed downward with only one side of the elongated tab 230 visible. As described above, the elongated tab 230 will visibly indicate the locked 260 or unlocked 270 status of the secure locking slide 110. Depending on the user's desire, he or she may unlock or lock the locking slide 110 by simply grabbing the elongated tab 230 and rotating and/or twisting the threaded member 220 180 degrees or half a turn. Rotating the threaded member 220 in this manner either locks 260 the flange 240 into the zipper teeth 120 or retracts the flange 240 from the zipper teeth 120, thus allowing the locking slide 110 to move freely along the zipper 120.
It is understood that the above-described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claim rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
For example, although the elongated tab 230 is shown as a rectangular design, the elongated tab 230 may be formed into a variety of shapes and/or designs. For example, the elongated tab 230 may be oval in shape, triangular, or other shapes and/or designs known in the art.
Additionally, although the figures illustrate the locking slide 110 on a zipper 120, the locking slide 110 may be used on a variety of sliding mechanisms. For example the locking slide 110 may be used on plastic sliders and the like.
It is expected that there could be numerous variations of the design of this invention. For example, the locking slide 110 and/or slider housing 130 may include various loops or other ornate designs and/or structures.
Finally, it is envisioned that the components of the secure locking slide 110 may be constructed of a variety of materials. Some non-limiting examples include: metal, steel, ceramic, fiberglass, plastic, and any other material understood in the art.
Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims.
