Patent Application
20120291236
1. Field of the Invention
The instant disclosure relates to a zipper head structure; more particularly, to a zipper head structure that prevents a pull tab of separating from the zipper.
2. Description of Related Art
In modern clothing, buttons or zippers are often used to secure two pieces of fabric together. Compare to buttons, the zippers are sturdier and easier to use. A conventional zipper comprises a zipper head and a tape. The zipper head works with the tape to allow the pulling action. In years to come, zippers are forecasted to be used widely for clothing and other accessories.
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To address the above issues, the inventor proposes the following solution.
The instant disclosure provides a zipper head structure, which can improve the assembling process for reducing manufacturing effort and cost.
The disclosed zipper head structure comprises a slider body, a pull-tab, and a locking hook. The slider body has an assembling surface for disposing an extension and a ridge. The extension is disposed at one end of the slider body, wherein the ridge is disposed near the extension. The pull-tab has a holding portion formed at one end thereon. An opening is formed at the opposite end of the pull-tab away from the holding portion. At one end of the pull-tab wherein the opening is formed, a hinge portion is defined. The pull-tab is disposed onto the assembling surface of the slider body. The extension of the slider body is received by the opening of the pull-tab. The hinge portion is disposed in between the ridge and the extension. The locking hook is disposed on the assembling surface of the slider body.
Based on the above, the zipper head structure of the instant disclosure uses the ridge that formed integrally with the slider body on the assembling surface to confine the hinge portion of the pull-tab in between the extension and the ridge. Thus, the movement of the hinge portion over the assembling surface is controlled accordingly. No stopper is required for the locking hook to restrict the movement of the pull-tab over the slider body. The advantages include reducing the assembling complexity of the zipper head structure, which reduces the manufacturing effort and cost, saves raw material usage, and promotes environmental friendliness, etc.
In order to further appreciate the characteristics and technical contents of the instant disclosure, references are hereunder made to the detailed descriptions and appended drawings in connection with the instant disclosure. However, the appended drawings are merely shown for exemplary purposes, rather than being used to restrict the scope of the instant disclosure.
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The slider body 11 further comprises a slot 113 projected thru the slider body 11 and a joining portion 115 formed on the slider body 11. The slot 113 is formed on one end of the slider body 11 opposite of the joining portion 115. The joining portion 115 extends from the assembling surface 114 to the opposite face (not labeled) of the slider body 11.
A hooking portion 132 is formed by bending one end of the base portion 131 of the locking hook 13. A fixing portion 133 is formed by bending another end of the base portion 131. The hooking portion 132 of the locking hook 13 runs thru the slot 113 of the slider body 11, and the fixing portion 133 is secured to the joining portion 115 of the slider body 11.
Notably, the joining portion 115 of the slider body 11 is concaved, such that the fixing portion 133 of the locking hook 13 can fit to the joining portion 115 for securing to the slider body 11.
In addition, a mouth 134 is formed in between the base portion 131 and the hooking portion 132 of the locking hook 13. The extension 111 of the slider body 11 projects thru the mouth 134 of the locking hook 13. The extension 111 of the slider body 11 abuts one side of the mouth 134, such that when closing the zipper (not shown), the hooking portion 132 of the locking hook 13 is caught by the extension 111 to prevent from disengaging the slot 113 of the slider body 11.
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In use, when closing the zipper (not shown), the holding portion 121 of the pull-tab 12 is first pulled upward relative to the slider body 11. Next, the hinge portion 123 disposed in between the extension 111 and the ridge 112 and over the assembling surface 114 of the slider body 11 is defined as a pivot point. By pulling upward, the pull-tab 12 is rotated, such that the holding portion 121 is at the same end with the joining portion 115. As the zipper is being closed by pulling the pull-tab 12, the hinge portion 123 of the pull-tab 12 abuts to the ridge 112 of the slider body 11. The shape of the ridge 112 is not restricted. Thus, when using the zipper, the integrally formed slider body 11 utilizes the ridge 112 on the assembling surface 114 to confine the movement of the hinge portion 123 of the pull-tab 12 over the assembling surface 114, to keep the pull-tab 12 from separating with the slider body 11.
The disclosed zipper head structure mainly uses the ridge, which is integrally formed with the slider body, to confine the hinge portion of the pull-tab in between the extension and the ridge of the slider body. When pulling the zipper, the ridge of the slider body can effectively confine the movement of the hinge portion over the assembling surface of the slider body. Thereby, the zipper head does not need a stopper to confine the movement of the pull-tab. As a result, the assembling complexity of the zipper head structure is reduced. Accordingly, the manufacturing effort and cost can be saved, along with saving raw material usage, promoting design simplification and environmental friendliness, etc.
The descriptions illustrated supra set forth simply the preferred embodiment of the instant disclosure; however, the characteristics of the instant disclosure are by no means restricted thereto. All changes, alternations, or modifications conveniently considered by those skilled in the art are deemed to be encompassed within the scope of the instant disclosure delineated by the following claims.
