Patent Application
20110214261
The invention generally relates to slider assemblies configured to cooperate with the coils of zipper components, the slider assemblies capable of being locked into position with respect to the zipper component.
Items such as backpacks typically include a variety of different straps, buckles and/or harnesses. For example, some backpacks have two shoulder straps and one or more sternum straps, where the one or more sternum straps is approximately perpendicular to the shoulder straps. In some situations, it may be desirable to join straps or harnesses together. For instance, joining two shoulder straps together by means of a sternum strap can help maintain the position of the backpack on a user and thus provide increased comfort. The joining of two straps together can also help better distribute the load of the backpack.
Sliders that attach to the various straps and help facilitate the joining together of two straps, such as two shoulder straps, are known. For instance, sliders that cooperate with piping or a cord on a shoulder strap have been used to facilitate the joining of two straps together on a backpack. Certain types of current sliders firmly grip the piping/cord to prevent displacement of the slider along the shoulder strap, which makes adjusting the position of the slider along the strap difficult. It is often desirable that the slider be capable of moving up and down along the length of the shoulder straps to help adjust the positioning of the sternum strap. With such assemblies, the slider is free to move upward and downward along the length of the piping/cord so that the position of the slider with respect to the strap is adjustable. However, these types of known sliders are not capable of being locked into a desired position. Other types of sliders that cooperate with piping or a cord on a strap are capable of being locked into position, but require the use of a mechanical locking mechanism. Use of a separate mechanical locking mechanism increases production costs, complexity of the component, and makes the component more susceptible to malfunctioning and/or damage.
Thus, there is a need for improved slider assemblies having sliders that are configured to move smoothly along a predetermined path, such as the length of a strap, when sufficient force is applied to the slider, and that are also capable of being locked into position without the use of an external mechanical locking mechanism.
In certain embodiments there is provided a slider assembly comprising a slider with a locking feature that cooperates with a plurality of coils of a standard zipper component. In some embodiments, the locking feature is dimensioned to correspond with the dimensions of the coils of the zipper component, as well as the spacing between the coils of the zipper component, such that the slider moves freely along the length of the zipper component when sufficient force is applied to the slider, but is locked in place when sufficient force is no longer applied to the slider. In certain embodiments, the locking feature is generally M-shaped.
Also provided are methods of making a slider assembly comprising a slider with a locking feature, such slider being configured to cooperate with the coils of a zipper component. In some embodiments, such sliders are formed using injection molding techniques.
A full and enabling disclosure including the best mode of practicing the appended claims and directed to one of ordinary skill in the art is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification. The specification makes reference to the following appended figures, in which use of like reference numerals in different features is intended to illustrate like or analogous components.
As shown in
As shown in
To achieve the properties described above, locking feature 14 comprises an upper spacer portion 18 and a lower engaging portion 16 and at least one angled portion 17 (
When sufficient force is no longer applied to slider 10 in the length direction 29 and lower engaging portion 16 of locking feature 14 is seated between coils 30, the friction generated due to the configuration of at least one angled portion 17 relative to coils 30 restricts movement of locking feature 14 and thus restricts movement of slider 10 in the length direction 29 of zipper component 28. In this way, slider 10 is self-locking and does not require the use of a separate mechanical locking mechanism.
In some embodiments, lower engaging portion 16 and a portion of angled portions 17 are the only portions of locking feature 14 that contact coils 30 when the coils 30 of zipper component 28 are received within channel 20 of slider 10. As shown in
The dimensions of locking feature 14 can be modified depending on the size and shape of the coils 30 of zipper component 28, as well as the amount of space between coils 30, to be used with slider 10. Similarly, the dimensions of locking feature 14 can be modified depending on the desired amount of force that must be applied to slider 10 in order to slide locking feature 14 along coils 30 in the length direction 29 of zipper component 28. For example, to increase the amount of force required to move slider 10 in the length direction 29 along zipper component 28, the slope of angled portions 17 can be increased (i.e., the depth of the M-shape of locking feature 14 is increased) so that there is more friction between angled portion 17 of locking feature 14 and the coils 30. In other embodiments, the dimensions of the locking feature 14 may be adjusted instead of, or in addition to, the shape of the locking feature 14 to vary the amount of force required to move slider 10. Conversely, to decrease the amount of force required to move slider 10 in the length direction 29 of zipper component 28, the slope of angled portions 17 can be decreased (i.e., the depth of the M-shape of locking feature 14 is decreased) so that there is less friction between angled portion 17 of locking feature 14 and the coils 30. Such modifications can be accomplished by changing the tooling used to create locking feature 14.
In some embodiments, slider 10 is made of a relativity strong material having memory that allows slider 10 to revert back to the position into which it was molded. For example, slider 10 may be formed from any suitable polymer, such as acetel or any suitable thermoplastic polymer, although any other suitable material may be used to form slider 10.
Also provided is a method of manufacturing the sliders 10 described above. In some embodiments, slider 10 is formed using injection molding techniques.
Mold 34 also includes slides 38 that move towards one another in a direction perpendicular to the movement of cores 36 such that slides 38 engage cores 36 (
The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustration and disclosure of embodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, it should be understood that the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of example rather than limitation, and does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
For example, any type of slider 10 may be used in embodiments of the invention, including sliders made from various materials. The shape and/or size of slider 10 may be customized to meet customer requirements, including providing a slider 10 where the locking feature 14 is not exposed and/or where the distal portion 12 and/or opening 13 of slider 10 are of a different size and/or shape than the ones described herein. The zipper component 28 may be any type of zipper, including but not limited to water-repellant zippers or non-water-repellant zippers. The zippers may be of any size, including but not limited to traditional No. 5 or No. 10 zippers. Changing the type and size of zipper component 28 may result in changes to the dimensions of the slider 10, such as changing the size and shape of the locking feature 14 so that it is dimensioned to cooperate with the coils 30 of zipper component 28, as described above.
