Patent Application
20240122308
Zippers are a common fastening mechanism on many types of products, including on clothing, luggage, purses, and shoes as non-limiting examples. For the most part, zippers are readily accessible, for example, on the front of coats and jackets and the fly of pants and slacks. However, some zippers are used in less readily accessible areas on the back of clothing, such as on the back of women's dresses and the back of costumes.
Accordingly, there is a need for zipper assist devices to aid a user in zipping and unzipping a clothing garment that includes a zipper this is not readily accessible. It would be convenient for the user if that zipper assist device was portable and could be universally applied to many different types of existing zipper structures. It would also be convenient if the piece of clothing had a zipping mechanism that inherently and permanently incorporated a zipper assist device.
The present disclosure relates to a zipper assist zipper tab that has a built-in functionality to enable a user to easily zip a garment both up and down. The built-in functionality of the zipper tab allows for a tether to be readily attached to and separated from the zipper tab. The zipper can be pulled up (zipped) or pulled down (unzipped) by the tether. For instance, a zipper tab with the built-in functionality to attach to the tether may allow for the functionality of assisting a zipper to be pulled up or pulled down that differentiates from the functionalities of existing zipper tabs. The tether cannot be attached to an ordinary zipper tab but requires a direct connection to the zipper tab with the built-in functionality in order to assist in pulling the zipper up and down.
In some embodiments, a removable zipper assist device for attaching to an existing zipper component includes a base member having a first side comprising a receiving slot and a second side comprising an at least one hinge joint and a hinged member having a first leg, a second leg, and a cover portion such that the first leg and the second leg extend perpendicular from the cover portion, the first leg further comprises a key configured to engage with the receiving slot when in a closed position, and the second leg further comprises a hinge such that the at least one hinge joint is configured to attach to the hinged member at the hinge of the second leg. The removable zipper assist device also includes a coupling mechanism attached to an upper edge of the base member positioned between the base member and the hinged member when in the closed position and is designed to couple with a loop in the existing zipper component. Also included is a protrusion portion extending through the base member towards the hinged member such that the protrusion portion is hollow from an outer side of the base member having a first magnetic component and a detachable tether having an elongated flexible element and an attaching mechanism comprising a second magnetic component configured to be coupled to the first magnetic component of the protrusion portion.
In some embodiments, a permanent zipper assist device for replacing an existing zipper tab includes a fastening member, a base member having a front side and a back side such that the back side of the base member comprises a depression having a first magnetic component, and a detachable tether having an elongated flexible element and an attaching mechanism comprising a second magnetic component configured to be coupled to the first magnetic component of the depression in the back side of the base member.
In some embodiments, a zipper assist device includes a base member having a coupling mechanism designed to couple with a zipper component. The zipper assist device also includes a detachable tether having an elongated flexible element and an attaching mechanism. The zipper assist device includes a coupling interface configured to secure the detachable tether to the base member.
These as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description, with reference, where appropriate, to the accompanying drawings.
Example methods and systems are described herein. It should be understood that the words “example,” “exemplary,” and “illustrative” are used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or feature described herein as being an “example,” being “exemplary,” or being “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or features. The exemplary embodiments described herein are not meant to be limiting. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.
Furthermore, the particular arrangements shown in the Figures should not be viewed as limiting. It should be understood that other embodiments may include more or less of each element shown in a given Figure. Further, some of the illustrated elements may be combined or omitted. Yet further, an exemplary embodiment may include elements that are not illustrated in the Figures.
In
The hinged member 104 includes a first leg 112A, a second leg 112B, and a cover portion 114. The first leg 112A and the second leg 112B are positioned at opposing ends of the cover portion 114, and each extend perpendicular from the cover portion 114 toward the base member 102. In some embodiments, the first leg 112A includes a key 116 such that the key 116 is configured to engage with the receiving slot 108 on the base member 102 when the hinged member 104 and the base member 102 are in a closed position. In some embodiments, the second leg 112B includes an at least one hinge 118 such that the at least one hinge joint 110 of the base member 102 is configured to attach to the hinged member 104 at the at least one hinge 118 of the second leg 112B.
In some embodiments, the zipper assist zipper tab 100 further includes a coupling mechanism 120 attached to an upper edge of the base member 102 such that the coupling mechanism 120 is between the base member 102 and the hinged member 104 when the base member 102 and the hinged member 104 are in a closed position. The coupling mechanism 120 can be any protuberant structure, such as a hook, a peg, a holder, a catch, a clasp, a clip, a pin, a buckle, or other coupling mechanism. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism 120 is configured to couple with a loop in a zipper tab 122 attached to a zipper slider 124, as shown in
In some embodiments, the zipper assist zipper tab further includes a protrusion portion 126 extending through the base member 102 toward the hinged member 104. In some embodiments, the protrusion portion 126 is hollow from an outer side of the base member 102, as shown in
In other embodiments, the zipper assist zipper tab further includes an opening through a bottom of the base member 102 that is hollow. This opening can be configured to receive a button closure attached to other components of a zipper assist device such that the button closure can attach to the opening through the bottom of the base member 102 and be secured by a box clasp.
The zipper assist zipper tab 100 is a detachable zipper tab. As such, this zipper tab could be reusable on more than one pieces of clothing. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism 120 of the zipper assist zipper tab 100 could be configured to attach to many different kinds of loops of many different kinds of zipper tabs. For instance, the zipper assist zipper tab 100 could be in an open position. A user could attach the coupling mechanism 120 of the zipper assist zipper tab 100 to a loop in a zipper tab on a first piece of clothing. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism 120 could be a stationary mechanism. In other embodiments, the coupling mechanism 120 could be a hinged mechanism. The hinged member 104 and the base member 102 could then be hinged to a closed position and the zipper assist zipper tab 100 is secure on the zipper tab 122 of the first piece of clothing. The zipper assist zipper tab 100 could be used to zip and unzip the piece of clothing. Then, the hinged member 104 and the base member 102 can be hinged open and the zipper assist zipper tab 100 can be removed from the zipper tab 122 on the first piece of clothing. The zipper assist zipper tab 100 can then be attached to a second piece of clothing by using the coupling mechanism 120 of the zipper assist zipper tab 100 to connect with a second loop on a second zipper tab on the second piece of clothing. In other embodiments, the detachable zipper assist zipper tab 100 could be configured to remain attached to the zipper tab 122 while the first piece of clothing is worn and does not need to be removed after use. Although the specific use case of clothing is mentioned above, the zipper assist zipper tab 100 may be used with luggage, purses, and shoes as non-limiting examples.
In some embodiments, such as shown in
In some embodiments, such as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In some embodiments, a removable zipper assist device or a permanent zipper assist device for attaching to a zipper tab or a zipper slider includes a protrusion portion 302 extending through a base member of the zipper assist device such that the protrusion portion is hollow from an outer side of the base member and a detachable tether having an elongated flexible element and an attaching mechanism 304 configured to couple with the protrusion portion 302. For instance, in some embodiments, such as is shown in
In some embodiments, a removable zipper assist device or a permanent zipper assist device for attaching to a zipper tab or a zipper slider includes a protrusion portion defining a receiving aperture 402 configured to receive a clip 404 such that the clip 404 is configured to couple with the receiving aperture 402 by being inserted into the receiving aperture 402 and securing into place, such as is shown in
In other embodiments, other coupling interfaces are contemplated. For instance, a button closure, a clasping device, a screw, or the like may be used as a coupling interface on any of the embodiments described herein.
In some embodiments, the detachable tether 500 also includes a secondary attaching mechanism 510 having a third magnetic component 512. The third magnetic component 512 can be the same or similar to the first magnetic component on the zipper assist zipper tab such that the second magnetic component 506 can be configured to couple with either the first magnetic component or the third magnetic component 512. The secondary attaching mechanism 510 could further include a recessed portion 514 such that the third magnetic component 512 couples with the recessed portion 514 at an innermost part of the recessed portion 514. The protruded portion 508 may be configured to fit within the recessed portion 514 of the secondary attaching mechanism 510 containing the third magnetic component 512. As such, the second magnetic component 506 and the third magnetic component 512 could be magnetically-coupled with each other, as shown in
In such embodiments, the secondary attaching mechanism 510 is disposed on an opposing end of the elongated flexible element 502 as the attaching mechanism 504. As such, when the second magnetic component 506 and the third magnetic component 512 are coupled together, the elongated flexible element 502 extends from the attaching mechanism 504 to the secondary attaching mechanism 510 in a continuous fashion, such as a loop. In such embodiments, the detachable tether could be worn as an accessory by a user, such as a bracelet or a necklace. The elongated flexible element 502 could be wrapped around a body part of the user, and the second magnetic component 506 and the third magnetic component 512 can secure the elongated flexible element 502 in place.
In some embodiments, the detachable tether 500 comprises a chained material. This material can be a metal, a plastic, a fabric, or the like. In some embodiments, the detachable tether 500 is wearable by a user, such as a necklace, a bracelet, an anklet, a purse strap, a headband, or any other accessory worn by a user. In some embodiments, the detachable tether 500 is wearable by a user when the second magnetic component 506 and the third magnetic component 512 are secured together. In other embodiments, the detachable tether 500 could be attached to something not worn by the user, such as a hook in a closet or the like.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the detachable tether 500 also includes a secondary attaching mechanism 510 having a receiving aperture 516 in which the attaching mechanism 504 could be received. The receiving aperture 516 can be the same or similar to the receiving aperture on the zipper assist zipper tab described in
In such embodiments, the secondary attaching mechanism 510 is disposed on an opposing end of the elongated flexible element 502 as the attaching mechanism 504. As such, when the attaching mechanism 504 and the secondary attaching mechanism 510 are coupled together, the elongated flexible element 502 extends from the attaching mechanism 504 to the secondary attaching mechanism 510 in a continuous fashion, such as a loop.
In some embodiments, the zipper assist zipper tab 600 has a first attaching mechanism of a first magnetic component that is positioned at a first angle within the protrusion portion of the zipper assist zipper tab 600. In such embodiments, a second attaching mechanism of the tether component 604 comprises a second magnetic component that is positioned at a second angle on the tether component 604 such that the first angle and the second angle are configured to be coupled to each other. In some embodiments, because of this angle, the strength of the magnetic connection between the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component is strengthened when zipping and unzipping a zipper.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed concepts, which may be practiced without some or all of these particulars. In other instances, details of known devices and/or processes have been omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. While some concepts will be described in conjunction with specific examples, it will be understood that these examples are not intended to be limiting.
As used herein, “coupled” means associated directly as well as indirectly. For example, a member A may be directly associated with a member B, or may be indirectly associated therewith, e.g., via another member C. It will be understood that not all relationships among the various disclosed elements are necessarily represented.
Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does not require or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbered item, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.
Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “one example” means that one or more feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one implementation. The phrases “one embodiment” or “one example” in various places in the specification may or may not be referring to the same example.
As used herein, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is indeed capable of performing the specified function without any alteration, rather than merely having potential to perform the specified function after further modification. In other words, the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the specified function. As used herein, “configured to” denotes existing characteristics of a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware which enable the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware to perform the specified function without further modification. For purposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware described as being “configured to” perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being “adapted to” and/or as being “operative to” perform that function.
The limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
By the term “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” with reference to amounts or measurement values described herein, it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide. For example, in one embodiment, the term “about” can refer to ±5% of a given value. In other embodiments, the term “about” can refer to a higher or lower value than ±5% of a given value.
Illustrative, non-exhaustive examples, which may or may not be claimed, of the subject matter according the present disclosure are provided below.
The present application claims priority to provisional U.S. Application No. 63/416,134 filed Oct. 14, 2022, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63416134 | Oct 2022 | US |
