FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for connecting two materials. More particularly, the present invention relates to a zipper that is configured with an axially bisected slider, including a left-hand side (LHS) and a right-hand side (RHS). Even more particularly, the LHS slider and RHS slider can be configured to attach to a zipper chain without a need for an insertion pin or other traditional mechanism used to insert one side of the zipper chain into the slider.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
Most zippers are used to connect two materials, including two pieces of fabric, together. To do this, zippers typically require a slider that is connected to a first piece of fabric, leaving the second piece of fabric free to be inserted into the slider through insertion pin. Once the second piece of fabric is inserted into the slider, the zipper can be “zipped,” or pulled up (or in any direction that closes the zipper), thereby connecting the two materials. Unfortunately, this typical configuration can be difficult for young children, older adults, and others who lack manual dexterity.
FIG. 1 is a face-down view of an example of the prior-art. In this drawing, the zipper system includes a top tape 1 (also called right-hand tape), and a bottom tape 13 (also called left-hand tape). Top tape 1 is connected to the first piece of fabric (not shown), while bottom tape 13 is connected to the second piece of fabric (not shown). The connections can be with thread, glue, or any other known method, including being woven integrally into their respective pieces of fabric.
Chain or zipper teeth 6 are in two halves, with each half in fixed contact with each of top tape 1 and bottom tape 13, respectively. The zipper shown in FIG. 1 includes slider 3 that is slidably coupled to one half of chain 6, and thereby coupled to the first piece of fabric. When moved to an extreme lower position, slider 3 is stopped by bottom stop 7. ?
FIG. 2 is a close-up view of one end of a zipper system. When in use, insertion pin 10 is inserted through slider 3 and into retainer box 11 in a way that aligns each half of the zipper chain so that when slider 3 is moved, the two halves of chain 6 are forced together to connect the first piece of fabric to the second piece of fabric.
In both FIGS. 1 and 2, to move slider 3 along chain 6, a user can grasp pull tab (also called a puller) 4, which is connected to slider 3, and is configured to be pulled in one direction or another, colloquially called “up” (the direction in which slider 3 is moved to connect the two halves of chain 6) and “down” (the direction in which slider 3 is moved to separate the connected halves of chain 6).
When the zipper is fully zipped up, slider 3 is found at the end of the zipper chain, and is stopped by top stop 2.
FIGS. 3 and 4 display a perspective view of slider 3 with pull tab 6. FIG. 3 includes slider 3, which is a single piece, with a top piece 21 that includes a hinge connection 23 for pull tab 6, and a bottom 22 connected to top 21. Bottom 22 is typically connected by a physical connection within the interior of slider 3. Slider 3 further includes slider gap 24, which allows slider 3 to slide up and down a zipper chain, but is constrained by the width of the zipper chain which is typically wider than the slider gap 24.
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of slider 3, that includes bottom piece 22, top piece 21, pull tab 6, and slider gap 24.
In both FIGS. 3 and 4, one can see that lower opening 204 is unitary, and is configured to allow inclusion of a both halves of a chain to sit side by side, with one half of the chain inserted using an insertion pin.
FIG. 5 displays the same slider as in FIGS. 3 and 4, and shows upper opening 205. As can be seen in FIG. 5, upper opening 205 is in two halves to accommodate each half of a chain.
FIG.6 shows an upper and lower exploded view of slider 3. As can be seen in this FIG. 6, top piece 301 and bottom piece 302 are unified by splitter 303, situated between and in contact with both top piece 301 and bottom piece 302. As is shown in FIG. 6, splitter 303 is roughly wedge shaped and extends only a portion of the way from one end of splitter 303 to the other end of splitter 303 such that one end of the slider includes two openings, each opening configured to receive a half a zipper chain; the other end of splitter 303 includes a single opening configured to allow the joined halves of the zipper chain to pass through when physically connected to form a single zipper chain.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of slider 3, from the top, showing top 701, bottom 702, gap 703, and lower opening 704.
As discussed above, users with limited manual dexterity may have trouble using existing zippers. They may have trouble inserting an insertion pin into a slider, or they may have trouble manipulating the pull tab. Thus, a need exists to provide a zipper apparatus that works with many of the existing components of current zippers, but allows for easier use by those with limited manual dexterity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention provide a solution for combining two pieces of material that are appropriate for being combined by a zipper. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention that are shown in the drawings are summarized below. These and other embodiments are more fully described in the Detailed Description section. It is to be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the forms described in this Summary of the Invention or in the Detailed Description. One skilled in the art can recognize that numerous modifications, equivalents, and alternative constructions exist, each that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the claims.
Generally, embodiments of the present invention include a system configured to provide a user with the ability to combine to materials together using zipper teeth. In one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprises a left-hand side slider including a left-hand side splitter and configured to slide along a left-hand side zipper chain; a right-hand side slider including a right-hand side splitter and configured to slide along a right-hand side zipper chain; the left-hand side slider and right-hand side slider configured to be in contact with each other such that the left-hand side splitter and right-hand side splitter are capable of acting as a single splitter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The structure and the technical means adopted by the present invention to achieve the above and other objects can best be understood by referring to the following detailed description of certain embodiments and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a view of a prior-art embodiment of components of a zipper.
FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of a prior-art embodiment of components of a zipper.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective face-up view of a prior-art embodiment of a zipper slider with a pull tab.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective face-down view of a prior-art embodiment of a zipper slider with a pull tab.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective face-up view of a prior-art embodiment of a zipper slider with a pull tab.
FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective exploded view of a prior-art embodiment of a zipper.
FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a prior-art embodiment of a slider.
FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the invention, including a top and bottom view of left and right parts of a split slider with a left and right zipper chain.
FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention including left-hand zipper slider and a right-hand zipper slider.
FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention including a left-hand, or female slider holder, and a right-hand, or male slider holder.
FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of the invention including a male and female slider holder paired with a right and left side slider part.
FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of the invention including a bottom-front and top-front view of a slider joined to a slider-holder.
FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the invention including a front view of a left-hand slider holder connected to the top of a left-hand slider that is slidably connected to a left-hand zipper chain, and a right-hand slider holder connected to the top of a right-hand slider that is slidably connected to a right-hand zipper chain.
FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of the invention including a front view of a left-hand slider and left-hand slider holder connected to a right-hand slider and right-hand slider holder.
FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of the invention including a left-hand slider holder and a right-hand slider holder, and a slot and tab assembly for joining the two pieces together.
FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of the invention displaying the relationship between a left-hand and right-hand slider holder and a left-hand and right-hand slider, respectively.
FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment of the invention including a joined left-hand slider holder and right-hand slider holder.
FIG. 18 illustrates an embodiment of the invention including a slider-holder assembly including a slot and tab configuration.
FIG. 19 illustrates an embodiment of the invention displaying the relationship between a slider holder and its respective slider part.
FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of the invention including a slider assembly with an asymmetric configuration, including splitter asymmetrically divided between each slider piece.
FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment of the invention including a slider assembly with an asymmetric configuration, including a splitter and an external support member.
FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment of the invention including a left-hand slider holder and right-hand slider holder, and a push-button spring activated locking pin mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
For the purposes of the present invention, LHS is synonymous with “left hand” and “left-hand,” and RHS is synonymous with “right hand” and “right-hand.”
FIG. 8 displays both a top and bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention that includes LHS slider 801, RHS slider 802, LHS tape 803, RHS tape 804, LHS bottom stop 805, RHS bottom stop 806. In this embodiment, LHS slider 801 is slidably coupled to LHS zipper teeth 807, and can extend as far as LHS bottom stop 805, which prevents LHS slider 801 from sliding off LHS tape 803. Likewise, RHS slider 802 is slidably coupled to RHS zipper teeth 808, and can extend as far as RHS bottom stop 806, which prevents RHS slider 802 from sliding off RHS tape 804. In one embodiment, LHS slider 801 includes a LHS pull tab loop 809. In another embodiment, RHS slider 802 includes a RHS pull tab loop 810. In yet another embodiment, both RHS and LHS sliders include a pull tab loop.
In an embodiment, LHS slider 801 includes left-hand contact face 811, which is configured to be in contact with right-hand contact face 812 on RHS slider 802. Once in contact along their respective contact faces, LHS slider 801 and RHS slider 802 are configured to act as a traditional zipper slider, that is, a single or unitary slider, and is capable of zipping up, combining zipper chains 807 and 808, and unzipping, or disconnecting, the combined zipper chains back into separate zipper chain 807 and 808.
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of both an LHS slider and an RHS slider, according to an embodiment. LHS slider includes LHS top piece 901, LHS bottom piece 903, both held together by LHS, or left-hand, splitter 905. In an embodiment, RHS slider includes RHS top piece 902, RHS bottom piece 904, and RHS splitter 906. In an embodiment, LHS top piece 901 is fixedly connected to LHS bottom piece 903 by LHS splitter 905; RHS top piece 902 is fixedly connected to RHS bottom piece 904 by RHS splitter 906. In an embodiment, LHS splitter 905 is formed as part of the LHS top piece 901, and RHS splitter 906 is formed as part of RHS top piece 902. In an embodiment, LHS splitter 905 can be formed as part of LHS bottom piece 903, and RHS splitter 906 can be formed as part of RHS bottom piece 904. In another embodiment, LHS splitter 905 and RHS splitter 906 are formed individually and attached to its respective bottom or top piece.
Regardless of how LHS splitter 905 and RHS splitter 906 are formed, when each is in contact with the other, they act as a single traditional splitter. In an embodiment, LHS splitter 905 is shaped as one half of a substantially wedge-shaped splitter, while RHS splitter 906 is shaped as the other half of a substantially wedge-shaped splitter.
FIG. 10 displays an embodiment of the invention including female slider holder 1001, male slider holder 1002, and the combined slider holder 903 where male slider holder 1002 is inserted into female slider holder 1001, creating a single slider holder. In this embodiment, male slider 1002 includes insertion tab 1004, and is configured to be inserted into slot 1005.
FIG. 11 displays an embodiment in which female slider holder 1101, also called RHS slider holder 1101, is configured to be attached to the upper face 1113 of RHS slider 1111, and male slider holder 1102, also called LHS slider holder 1102, is configured to be attached to the upper face 1114 of LHS slider 1112. In another embodiment, female slider holder 1101 is manufactured as part of RHS slider 1111, and male slider holder 1102 is manufactured as part of LHS slider 1112, rather than being manufactured individually and then attached afterwards. In an embodiment, insertion tab 1104 is configured to be inserted into slot 1105 such that, when insertion tab 1104 is inserted into slot 1005, RHS slider 1111 and LHS slider 1112 are placed in communication in a way that allows them to function as a single slider.
FIG. 12 displays a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in which female slider holder 1201 is connected to RHS slider 1211, and male slider holder 1202 is connected to LHS slider 1212. In an embodiment, male slider 1202 is connected to female slider holder 1201, allowing RHS slider 1201 and LHS slider 1202 to function as a unitary or single slider. One skilled in the art will understand that female slider holder 1201 can also be called LHS slider holder, and male slider holder 1202 can also be called RHS slider holder.
FIG. 13 is an embodiment of the invention showing a top view of the zipper mechanism. In this embodiment, LHS slider 1301 is coupled to LHS zipper teeth 1303, and RHS slider 1302 is coupled to RHS zipper teeth 1304. To fully zip the zipper from top to bottom, in this embodiment, both LHS slider 1301 and RHS slider 1302 are positioned in contact with LHS stopper 1305 and RHS stopper 1306. Next, insertion tab 1308 is inserted into slot 1307, forming a single slider capable, when moved, of attaching LHS zipper teeth 1203 to RHS zipper teeth 1304.
FIG. 14 is an embodiment of the invention showing LHS slider 1401 and RHS slider 1402 connected together to form single slider 1499. In this figure, single slider 1499 has been slid partially along zipper teeth 1403 and 1404, forcing them together to join the two sides.
FIG. 15 is an embodiment of the invention showing a method of attaching LHS slider holder 1501 to RHS slider holder 1502 to form unitary slider holder 1503. In this embodiment, LHS slider holder 1501 include substantially u-shaped left-hand cut-out area 1505, also called slot 1505, configured to receive right-hand tab 1506. In addition, RHS slider holder 1502 includes a substantially u-shaped right-hand cut-out area 1508 configured to receive left-hand tab 1507 such that, when placed together, allows for formation of a unit that functions as a single slider. In one embodiment, LHS slider holder 1501 and RHS slider holder 1502 are formed separately from the LHS slider and the RHS slider, as is shown in 13D. In another embodiment, LHS slider holder 1501 and RHS slider holder 1502 are formed integrally with the LHS and RHS slider, forming a single LHS piece and a single RHS piece. In an embodiment, the left-hand cut-out area forms left-hand tab 1507, and right-hand cut-out area forms right-hand tab 1506.
FIG. 16 displays an embodiment of the invention showing the relationship between LHS slider holder 1601 and RHS slider 1603, and also the relationship between RHS slider holder 1602 and RHS slider 1604, according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 17 displays a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention showing LHS slider holder connected to LHS slider 1703, locked in place with RHS slider holder 1702, which is connected to RHS slider 1704. In this embodiment, LHS slider holder 1701 couples with RHS slider holder 1702 to form a single slider holder 1703. In this embodiment, insertion tab 17606 inserts into slot 1705, thus locking together the two halves.
FIG. 18 displays an embodiment of the invention that includes LHS slider holder 1801 configured to couple with RHS slider holder 1802 to form a single slider holder 1805. In this embodiment, insertion tab 1804 inserts into slot 1803, thus locking together the two halves to form unitary piece 1805, according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, slot 1804 is internal to LHS slider holder 1801 and is substantially rectangular in cross section; insertion tab 1804 is external to RHS slider holder 1803, and is also substantially rectangular in cross section such that insertion tab 1804 is configured to fit into slot 1803.
FIG. 19 displays LHS slider holder 1901 and its relationship to LHS slider 1903, along with RHS slider holder 1902 and its relationship to RHS slider 1904, according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, each slider holder is attached to its respective slider through some kind of adhesive, magnet, weld, or any other practicable way of connecting a slider holder to a slider. In an embodiment a slider holder and its respective slider are manufactured in such a way that the slider holder and slider form a unitary piece.
FIG. 20 displays a perspective view of an embodiment in which LHS slider holder 2001 and RHS slider holder 2002 are not equally sized, and are symmetric in neither their shape nor their function. In an embodiment, the LHS slider and slider holder need not be symmetric with the RHS slider and RHS slider holder, as long as the two sides, acting together, preserve the zipper functionality. In an embodiment, LHS slider includes LHS top piece 2003 and LHS bottom piece 2005, along with LHS splitter 2007 situated between and serving as a connection between, LHS top piece 2003 and LHS bottom piece 2005. RHS slider includes RHS top piece 2004 and RHS bottom piece 2006, along with RHS splitter located between, and serving as a connection between, RHS top piece 2004 and RHS bottom piece 2006.
FIG. 21 displays a perspective exploded view of an embodiment, including LHS slider 2101 and RHS slider 2102. In an embodiment, LHS slider 2101 includes LHS top piece 2103 and LHS bottom piece 2105, connected by LHS support member 2107, which is located external to LHS top piece 2103 and LHS bottom piece 2105, and which extends externally from LHS slider 2101 substantially parallel to a plane that is parallel to both LHS top piece 2103 and LHS bottom piece 2105. In an embodiment, LHS support member 2107 is configured to work in concert with LHS top piece 2103 and LHS bottom piece 2105 to help guide LHS zipper chain through LHS slider 2001.
In an embodiment, RHS slider 2102 includes RHS top piece 2104 and RHA bottom piece 2106, and RHS splitter 2110 located substantially between RHS top piece 2104 and RHS bottom piece 2106, which can serve as a connection between RHS top piece 2104 and RHS bottom piece 2106. In an embodiment RHS splitter 2110 is substantially wedge shaped, and no LHS splitter exists. In an embodiment, RHS slider 2102 includes RHS support member 2108, which is located external to RHS top piece 2104 and RHS bottom piece 2106, and which extends externally from RHS slider 2102 parallel to a plane that is parallel to both RHS bottom piece 2104 and RHS top piece 2106. In an embodiment, RHS support member 2108 is configured to work in concert with RHS top piece 2104 and RHS bottom piece 2106 to help guide RHS zipper chain through RHS slider 2002. One skilled in the art will understand that both RHS and LHS support members may be configured in any way operable to allow a slider to slide along a zipper chain.
FIG. 22 displays a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, in which LHS slider holder 2201 is configured to couple with RHS slider holder 2202 by inserting tab 2204 into slot 2203. In one embodiment, tab 2204 includes a push button spring activated locking pin, 2206, which, when inserted into slot 2213, can extend through, and lock into, pin hold 2205, thus securing the two pieces together to create single slider holder 2207. As in other embodiments, the LHS and RHS slider holders can be manufactured and attached to their respective LHS and RHS sliders, or can be manufactured as a single piece, so that LHS slider holder is formed as part of an LHS slider, and the RHS slider holder is formed as a part of RHS slider. This provides for two pieces to manufacture, rather than four.
A variety of locking mechanisms to hold together the LHS slider holder and the RHS slider holder have been shown. In practice, many different types of connection can be used. For example, in some embodiments, the locking mechanism is a magnet to hold the two pieces together (see FIG. 10, 1005 and 1006). In another embodiment, a magnet is used as part of tab and slot mechanism to help hold the LHS and RHS pieces together. In some embodiments, the LHS and RHS slider holder are found on a front side of LHS and RHS slider, respectively. In other embodiments, the LHS and RHS slider holders are found on the back side of the LHS and RHS slider, respectively. In some embodiments, the LHS slider holder can be located on the RHS slider, and the RHS slider holder can be located on the LHS slider.
One skilled in the art will understand that, for the purposes of the present invention, the various components described herein can be constructed from any practicable material, including nylon, aluminum, and others. In addition, one skilled in the art will understand that the slider holder can be any size, providing certain advantages when the slider holder is made larger, such as make the slider holder easier to grasp. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the slider holder can be of any size and shape appropriate for grasping and manipulating.
One skilled in the art will understand that the terms LHS slider is synonymous with the term left-hand slider and left-hand side slider, RHS slider is synonymous with the term right-hand slider and right-hand side slider, LHS slider holder is synonymous with the term left-hand slider holder and left-hand side slider holder, and RHS slider holder is synonymous with the term right-hand slider holder and right-hand side slider holder.
Although specific features of the invention are shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the invention. The words “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and “with,” as used herein, are to be interpreted broadly and comprehensively. Moreover, any embodiments disclosed in the subject application are not to be taken as the only possible embodiments.
Patent Grant
10420400
