This invention was inspired out of need by a woman living alone. It can be a difficult task dressing when there is no one to help zip up or down hard-to-reach back zippers. In most cases one can zip only halfway up the back from above or below the shoulder unaided. Other zipper helpers were found lacking in length, strength, or ability to attach properly to the zipper. The ZipHer addresses all of these concerns. In addition, this zipper aid is decorative in appearance with faux pearls and brass accoutrements. ZipHer® is a registered trademark of PrimaProductions LLC.
Information relevant to attempts to address these problems can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,283,381, 5,603,542, 5,975,386, 3,951,319, 5,855,401, 6,032,996, 6,112,958, and Patent Application Publication Nos. 20120169076, and 20130069378. However, each one of these references suffers from one or more of the following disadvantages: (a) attachment mechanisms that dislodge with light pulling force, (b) rigid pulling mechanisms that require reaching over the shoulder and down the back, (c) devices that cannot be detached from a zipper that ends mid or upper back, and (d) devices designed only for traditional zippers with a tab hole.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
This invention satisfies the needs above. A novel and decorative zipper pull device is provided for users to dress themselves using garments with hard-to-reach back zippers. With reference to the drawings, and particularly
The present embodiment of the invention uses faux pearl beads for the jewel beads 3 and 9, and brass or brass plated steel for the remaining components. Although certain preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, the spirit and scope of the invention is by no means restricted to what is described above. The available variety of jewels, faux or organic, and metal finishes makes a very large number of permutations and combinations possible, all of which are within the scope of the present invention.
The ZipHer is designed for ease-of-use right out of the package. One is enabled to use the product instinctively as an extension of ones own arm and hand. With reference to the drawings, and particularly
The previously described version of the present invention has many advantages, including (a) the elongated hook will not dislodge from the zipper while pulling the zipper up or down, (b) the ball chain is flexible and reaching over the shoulder and down the back is not needed to pull the zipper up, (c) the elongated hook can easily be detached from a zipper that ends mid or upper back, and (d) the ZipHer is designed to operate the invisible zipper with no visible hole in the pull tab.
In the Description of the Invention above, and the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.
The present application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 61/662,325 filed Jun. 20, 2012.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61662325 | Jun 2012 | US |