Claims
- 1. An adjustment mechanism for adjusting an adjustable feature on an item, said adjustment mechanism comprising:
a slide body including a top plate and a bottom plate joined by a connection part defining a first channel and a second channel, said slide body further comprising a first connection point for connecting to a pull element, at least one connection point on said bottom plate for connecting to at least one control element, a zipper tape unit comprising a first zipper tape and a second zipper tape, said first zipper tape including a first edge for releasably coupling to a first edge of said second zipper tape, said first zipper tape extending through said first channel of said slide body, and said second zipper tape extending through said second channel of said slide body, and an underlayer positioned with said at least one control element between said underlayer and said zipper tape unit.
- 2. The adjustment mechanism of claim 1 wherein said slide body separates said first and second zipper tapes at a leading edge, and joins said zipper tapes at a trailing edge.
- 3. The adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein said first edge of said first zipper tape comprises a first row of coupling elements for releasably coupling to a second row of coupling elements on said first edge of said second zipper tape.
- 4. The adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein said at least one control element is coupled between said at least one connection point on said bottom plate and an adjustment point on the item.
- 5. The adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein said at least one control element is coupled between said at least one connection point on said bottom plate and at least two adjustment points on the item.
- 6. The adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein at least one control element is coupled to at least two connection points on said bottom plate of said slide body.
- 7. The adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein at least two control elements are is coupled to at least one connection point on said bottom plate of said slide body.
- 8. The adjustment mechanism of claim 1, wherein movement of said slide body between said zipper tapes moves said connection point on said slide body into contact with said control element, and further movement of said slide body between said zipper tapes moves said control element.
- 9. An adjustable item including at least one adjustable characteristic controlled by at least one adjustment mechanism comprising:
a slide body including a top plate, a bottom plate, and a first channel and a second channel, said slide body further comprising a first connection point for connecting to a pull element, at least one connection point on said bottom plate for connecting to at least one control element extending through at least one control element path within said item, and a zipper tape unit comprising a first zipper tape and a second zipper tape, said first zipper tape including a first row of coupling elements, and said second zipper tape comprising a second row of coupling elements, said first zipper tape extending through said first channel of said slide body, and said second zipper tape extending through said second channel of said slide body, wherein said slide body separates said first and second zipper tapes at a leading edge, and joins said zipper tapes at a trailing edge.
- 10. The adjustable item of claim 1, further comprising an underlayer positioned with said at least one control element between an underlayer and said zipper tape unit.
- 11. The adjustable item of claim 10, wherein said item comprises at least a first layer and an underlayer, and wherein said control element path extends between said first layer and said underlayer.
- 12. The adjustable item of claim 9, wherein said at least one control element is coupled between said at least one connection point on said bottom plate and at least one adjustment point on said adjustable item.
- 13. The adjustable item of claim 9, wherein said control element turns on a turn post proximate said control element path.
- 14. The adjustable item of claim 9, wherein the adjustable item is selected from the group consisting of: a jacket, a hat, a pair of pants, a shoe, a mitten, a glove, and a bag.
- 15. The adjustable item of claim 9, wherein said adjustment mechanism of said adjustable item controls a circumference of an opening of said item.
- 16. The adjustable item of claim 9, wherein said adjustment mechanism of said adjustable item controls a length of a portion of said item.
- 17. An adjustment mechanism for adjusting an adjustable feature on an item, said adjustment mechanism comprising:
a slide body having a top plate and a bottom plate joined by a connection part defining a first channel and a second channel, said slide body further comprising a first connection point on a top surface of said top plate for connecting to a pull element, at least one connection point on said bottom plate for connecting to at least one control element, and wherein said control element extends between said connection point and an adjustment point on the item, a zipper tape unit comprising a first zipper tape and a second zipper tape, said first zipper tape including a first row of coupling elements, and said second zipper tape comprising a second row of coupling elements, said first zipper tape extending through said first channel of said slide body, and said second zipper tape extending through said second channel of said slide body, and an underlayer positioned with said control element between said underlayer and said zipper tape unit, wherein said slide body separates said first and second zipper tapes at a leading edge, and joins said zipper tapes at a trailing edge.
- 18. The adjustment mechanism of claim 17, wherein said first connection point for connecting to a pull element is located on a top surface of said top plate, and said pull element comprises a pull tab.
- 19. The adjustment mechanism of claim 17, wherein said slide body comprises a locking means.
- 20. The adjustment mechanism of claim 19, wherein said control element extends through a control element path formed within the item. 0
1. CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS
[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/366,553 filed Mar. 25, 2002, and U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/407,937 filed Sep. 5, 2002, the specifications and drawings of which are both hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Provisional Applications (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60366553 |
Mar 2002 |
US |
|
60407937 |
Sep 2002 |
US |