SLIDE FASTENER CHAIN LINK

Abstract

The invention involves a zipper chain link and zipper chain assembly. The individual links include an engagement hub having at least one protuberance and at least one concavity on each of opposite side surfaces of the zipper chain link. The protuberance and the concavity are arranged on each of the opposite sides of the chain link to interdigitate with adjacently positioned zipper chain teeth to interlock the zipper chain when a pull member is moved in a first direction and separate the zipper chain when the pull member is moved in a second direction.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

In accordance with 37 C.F.R. 1.76, a claim of priority is included in an Application Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, the present invention claims the benefit of the priority of Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 202321046394, entitled “ZIPPER TOOTH” filed Jul. 10, 2023; the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to slide fasteners, e.g. zippers, and more particularly to a slide fastener chain link structure that provides superior interlocking with like constructed chain links and allows bending an interconnected chain to severe angles without interference.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Zippers are ubiquitous and have long been used to fasten or otherwise secure items such as jackets, luggage, pockets, and other types of products. A typical zipper may include a slider configured with two face-to-face rows of elements or teeth or interlocking spirals. The rows of elements are typically connected to a tape or the like, and, as the slider is moved along the tape in one direction, the two rows of teeth may pass through the slider and the teeth may be interlocked, resulting in a combined zipper chain. As the slider is moved along the tape in the opposite direction, the rows of teeth separate. In this way, as is well known, an item configured with the zipper may be fastened or unfastened. Conventionally, the tapes are made of a fabric or substrate such as cotton or polyester or nylon. The interlocking elements (e.g., teeth or a coil) may be made up of many things, including brass, steel, stainless steel, or plastic.

One drawback to the standard designs is the ease at which the zipper chain teeth separate under a load. A typical zipper tooth only includes an appendage on one side of the chain tooth with a cavity on the opposite side. Thus, when interlocked, the teeth are easily separated by bending the zipper chain so that space is increased between the portions of the teeth that are engaged.

An additional drawback relates to the failure of the single appendage or rounding of the corners of that appendage, either of which allows the zipper chain to separate.

Finally, there are ergonomic needs that a zipper chain must satisfy in order to achieve acceptance by the end user. The zipper chain system must be easily and quickly assembled using minimal hardware and requiring a minimal number of tools. Further, the zipper chain system should not require excessive strength to engage or disengage the chain. Moreover, the system must assemble together in such a way so as not to detract from the aesthetic appearance of the assembled zipper chain.

Thus, the present invention provides a zipper chain link and assembly which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. The zipper chain structure of the present invention not only provides for relative ease in the opening and closure of a zipper chain, it also permits a lightweight overall structure that can withstand large loads for longer periods without failure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the invention involves a zipper chain link and zipper chain assembly. The individual links include an engagement hub having at least one protuberance and at least one concavity on each of opposite side surfaces of the zipper chain link. The protuberance and the concavity are arranged on each of the opposite sides of the chain link to interdigitate with adjacently positioned zipper chain teeth to interlock the zipper chain when a pull member is moved in a first direction and separate the zipper chain when the pull member is moved in a second direction.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a zipper chain tooth and zipper chain assembly.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a zipper chain tooth that includes a protuberance and a concavity positioned on each side of the zipper chain tooth.

It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide a zipper chain tooth that includes a protuberance and a concavity positioned on each side of the zipper chain tooth and arranged to interdigitate with adjacently positioned zipper teeth on both sides of each zipper tooth.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a zipper tooth that includes a datum surface for securing the zipper chain links to have an even advancing surface from tooth to tooth.

Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification, include exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating both sides of a zipper chain link;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view illustrating both sides of a zipper chain link;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B illustrating the zipper chain links in an interdigitated (closed) arrangement;

FIG. 4 is a top front perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 5 is a top right perspective view of the zipper tooth;

FIG. 6 is a top front view of the zipper tooth;

FIG. 7A is a section view taken along lines 7A-7A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7B is a front view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 showing the concavities in broken lines;

FIG. 8A is a side view of the zipper chain link illustrating the preferred profile of the protuberance and the concavity; and

FIG. 8B is a section view taken along lines 8B-8B of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-8B, a zipper chain link 100 and zipper chain assembly 102 are illustrated. The zipper chain link 100 includes a chain link body 10, the chain link body including a first side surface 12, a second side surface 14 positioned opposite to the first side surface 12, and a contoured perimeter surface 24. The first and second side surfaces 12, 14 are preferably formed to be substantially flat, although the surfaces may include decorative markings or indicia without departing from the scope of the invention. The first and second side surfaces 12, 14 may also include radii on the corners and may include imperfections from processing the small components, which are typical in the art of zipper chains. The chain link body 10 includes a first clamp arm 16 and a second clamp arm 18, the clamp arms deformable to engage a zipper tape 26 for positioning a plurality of the zipper chain links 100 in a longitudinal spaced apart arrangement, see FIG. 3 illustrating a zipper chain assembly 102. The chain link body 10 includes an engagement hub 20 for interdigitating with adjacently positioned zipper chain links 100 to retain the zipper chain assembly 102 in a closed position with respect to a second zipper chain assembly. To provide the interlocking engagement between the zipper chain links 100, the first side surface 12 of the engagement hub 20 has a first protuberance 28 and a first concavity 30, while the second side surface 14 of the engagement hub 20 includes a second protuberance 32 and a second concavity 34. Thus, in this manner, the protuberances are positioned to interdigitate with concavities of adjacently positioned zipper chain links 100, therefore providing both a female to male connection and a male to female type connection on each side of each zipper chain link 100. This connection has been tested to show increased resistance to separation of the zipper chain when force is applied perpendicularly to the zipper chain. This construction has also shown considerable resistance to separation when the chain is bent, when compared to the prior art having an indention on one side and a projection on the opposite side of the chain link. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first protuberance 28 and the first concavity 30 are positioned on opposite sides of a longitudinal centerline 36 of the chain link body 10 and in alignment with a transverse alignment line 38 for balancing any load applied to the zipper chain link in use. Thus, the first protuberance 28 is positioned opposite the second concavity 34, whereby the metal displaced to form the second concavity is used to form the first protuberance and the second protuberance 32 is positioned opposite the first concavity 30 such that the metal displaced to form the first concavity is used to form the second protuberance. The metal displacement may be accomplished by rolling the metal through contoured rollers, or alternatively by punch press or the like. In this manner, the zipper chain assembly 102 resists separation. In at least one embodiment, the engagement hub side surfaces 40 are parallel to the longitudinal centerline 36. This construction provides clearance around the perimeter of the engagement hub 20 which allows the zipper chain assembly 102 to be bent to more severe angles without separating the teeth when engaged.

Still referring generally to the figures, in at least one embodiment a first clamp arm 16 and a second clamp arm 18 each include a clamp jaw surface 42, the clamp jaw surfaces 42 are positioned in a diverging arrangement before the zipper chain link 100 is secured to the zipper tape 26 and wherein the clamp jaw surfaces 42 are positioned parallel when attached to the zipper tape 26 and adjacent an outer surface of the zipper tape 26. In some embodiments, the first clamp arm 16 and the second clamp arm 18 each include a keyway 44 for securing the zipper chain link 100 to a key 50 on the zipper tape 26. The key 50 may be formed from woven cloth or from polymer, such as plastic or even metal, without departing from the scope of the invention. In these embodiments, a plurality of the zipper chain links 100 are secured to the zipper tape key 50, wherein the first clamp arm 16 and the second clamp arm 18 and their respective keyways 44 secure each of the zipper chain links 100 to the zipper tape key 50. In still yet other embodiments, the zipper chain link 100 includes a datum surface 22 for establishing the position of the zipper chain link 100 with respect to a zipper tape edge 48. In these embodiments, a plurality of the zipper chain links 100 are secured to the zipper tape edge 48, the zipper tape edge 48 in contact with the datum surface 22 and wherein the first clamp arm 16 and the second clamp arm 18 each include a clamp jaw surface 42, the clamp jaw surfaces 42 positioned in a diverging arrangement before either zipper chain link 100 is secured to the zipper tape 26, and wherein the clamp jaw surfaces 42 are positioned parallel when attached to the zipper tape 26.

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention, which are obvious to those skilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A zipper chain link (100) comprising: a chain link body (10), the chain link body including a first side surface (12), a second side surface (14) positioned opposite to the first side surface (12), and a contoured perimeter surface (24), the chain link body (10) having a first clamp arm (16) and a second clamp arm (18), the clamp arms deformable to engage a zipper tape (26) for positioning a plurality of the zipper chain links (100) in a longitudinal spaced apart arrangement, the chain link body (10) including an engagement hub (20), the first side surface (12) of the engagement hub (20) having a first protuberance (28) and a first concavity (30), the second side surface (14) of the engagement hub (20) including a second protuberance (32) and a second concavity (34), the protuberances positioned to interdigitate with concavities of adjacently positioned zipper chain links (100).

2. The zipper chain link (100) of claim 1 wherein the first protuberance (28) and the first concavity (30) are positioned on opposite sides of a longitudinal centerline (36) and in alignment with a transverse alignment line (38), for balancing the load applied to the zipper chain link (100) in use.

3. The zipper chain link (100) of claim 2 wherein the first protuberance (28) is positioned opposite the second concavity (34), whereby the metal displaced to form the second concavity is used to form the first protuberance.

4. The zipper chain link (100) of claim 2 wherein the second protuberance (32) is positioned opposite the first concavity (30), whereby the metal displaced to form the first concavity is used to form the second protuberance.

5. The zipper chain link (100) of claim 2 wherein the engagement hub side surfaces (40) are parallel to the longitudinal centerline (36).

6. The zipper chain link (100) of claim 1 wherein the first clamp arm (16) and the second clamp arm (18) each include a clamp jaw surface (42), the clamp jaw surfaces (42) positioned in a diverging arrangement before either zipper chain link (100) is secured to the zipper tape (26) and wherein the clamp jaw surfaces (42) are positioned parallel when attached to the zipper tape (26).

7. The zipper chain link (100) of claim 1 wherein the first clamp arm (16) and the second clamp arm (18) each include a keyway (44) for securing the zipper chain link (100) to a key (50) on the zipper tape (26).

8. The zipper chain link (100) of claim 1 wherein the zipper chain link (100) includes a datum surface (22) for establishing the position of the zipper chain link (100) with respect to a zipper tape edge (48).

9. The zipper chain link (100) of claim 8 wherein a plurality of the zipper chain links (100) are secured to the zipper tape edge (48), the zipper tape edge in contact with the datum surface (22) and wherein the first clamp arm (16) and the second clamp arm (18) each include a clamp jaw surface (42), the clamp jaw surfaces (42) positioned in a diverging arrangement before either zipper chain link (100) is secured to the zipper tape (26) and wherein the clamp jaw surfaces (42) are positioned parallel when attached to the zipper tape (26).

10. The zipper chain link (100) of claim 7 wherein a plurality of the zipper chain links (100) are secured to the zipper tape key (50), and wherein the first clamp arm (16) and the second clamp arm (18) and their respective keyways (44) secure each of the zipper chain links (100) to the zipper tape key (50).