Immobilized and aligned closure systems

• US 20020129470A1
• Filed: 03/16/2001
• Published: 09/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: O'Donnell Kiely, LLC
• Original Assignee: Alice Mary Kiely
• Inventors: Kiely, Alice Mary
• Granted Patent: US 6,502,285 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 24/433
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 19/38 Means at the end of stringer by which the slider can be freed from one stringer, e.g. stringers can be completely separated from each other
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2561 Slider having specific configuration, construction, adaptation, or material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2593 including complementary, aligning means attached to ends of interlocking surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2595 having specific mounting connection or reinforcing structure at connection

Abstract

An immobile and aligned closure system with nine embodiments comprises two elongated coupling elements (62, 62L) and (76, 76I), a self-locking slider (40, 42, 42S, 42D), a socket member (50), and a male interlocking plug member (60, 60D, 61, 84). A locking member on the slider aligns and arrests the movement of the slider, so as to couple the closure system dependably, traditionally or laterally, without movement in the slider. Embodiments include a dead person'"'"'s locking pull tab (42L, 43L), a locking tab holder (44), a locking pull tab (40T), additional molding (40M, 40E 42M), locking flanges (42R, 42F, 42), and a releasable, interlocking rigid buckle for instantly coupling the closure system. Safety features, separable and non-separable applications, weather resistant zippers, two-way zippers, double zippers, hidden zippers, reversible zippers, coiled and profile zippers, magnetically coupled zippers, disposable zippers, a zipper having a minimum of components, a spring-lock assembly, and a easy method of installing immobile and aligned closure systems are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A slider for a slide fastener comprising:

a. a slider body capable of opening, closing and operating a slide fastener comprising two rows or chains of interengaging and locking members, and

b. a locking device on said slider body, capable of arresting the movement of said slider body in a first direction perpendicular to said rows or chains for providing an immobile socket, for accurate, and dependable coupling of said slide fastener, without movement in said slider body.

2. The slider for a slide fastener of claim 1, further including means for arresting movement of said slider body in directions along said rows or chains, and in directions perpendicular to said rows or chains and said first direction, for providing an immobile socket, for accurate, and dependable coupling of said slide fastener.

3. The slider for a slide fastener of claim 1, further including aligning means for aligning said slider in a predetermined location, for providing an immobile and aligned socket, for accurate and dependable coupling of said slide fastener.

4. The slider for a slide fastener of claim 1 wherein said slider body is a self-locking slider.

5. The slider for a slide fastener of claim 1 wherein said locking means has a locking projection for aligning said slider body with one of said two rows or chains, said locking means includes gravity and friction for arresting movement of said slider body, and for providing a unified and arrested socket for coupling said slide fastener.

6. The slider for a slide fastener of claim 1, further including a molding on said slider body comprising a) a unified, immobile and aligned entrance, b) means for providing an aesthetic appearance, c)a guiding entrance for coupling, d) a differentiated entrance for coupling, e) encompassing molding for eliminating movement in said rows or chains and for providing a single socket entrance, f) bridging molding, g) molding to provide a smooth interior for coupling from the top, h) the female half of a snap-lock interlocking buckle, for coupling said closure system with a male half-buckle.

7. A closure system, comprising:

(a) two elongated coupling elements, each having an inner edge and an opposite outer edge, said two elongated coupling elements being affixable to respective lengths of material, said two elongated coupling elements each having a row or chain of interengaging and locking members mounted on and along said inner edge, said two elongated coupling elements being lockable to each other for coupling and closing and alternately uncoupling and opening said two elongated coupling elements,

(b) a single arresting member, slidably connected to one of said two elongated coupling elements for coupling and uncoupling said two elongated coupling elements along their lengths, said single arresting member having arresting means for arresting the movement of said single arresting member in a first direction perpendicular to said rows or chains for providing an immobile socket for coupling said closure system, so as to couple said closure system dependably without movement in said single arresting member,

(c) a socket member, and

(d) a male interlocking member, situated on the other of said two elongated coupling elements, said male interlocking member being arranged to mate, couple, and uncouple said two elongated coupling elements, for operation of said closure system.

8. The closure system of claim 7, further including aligning means for aligning said single arresting member in a predetermined location, for providing an aligned, immobile, and unified socket for instant and dependable coupling of said closure system.

9. The closure system of claim 7, further including means for operating a separable slide fastener.

10. The closure system of claim 7, further including means for operating a non-separable slide fastener.

11. The closure system of claim 7, further including means for arresting movement of said single arresting member in directions along said rows or chains, and in directions perpendicular to said rows or chains and said first direction, for movement-free coupling and means for arresting unintentional movement.

12. The closure system of claim 7, further including molding on said two elongated coupling elements, comprising a) a unified, immobile and aligned socket b) an aesthetic appearance, c) a guiding entrance for coupling, d) a differentiated entrance for coupling e) encompassing molding for arresting movement in said two elongated coupling elements and said rows or chains and for providing a single socket entrance, f) bridging molding, g) enhancing material to provide a soft touch, h) a rigid, snap-lock releasably interlocking buckle for instantly initially coupling said two elongated coupling elements and said closure system.

13. The closure system of claim 7, further including rigid, intergarment plates on said two elongated coupling elements for dependable coupling, said intergarment plates comprising a) a plurality of holders for holding a plurality of lengths of material, b) means for gripping said plurality of material for immobilizing and adjusting said material, c) means for releasing said closure system, d) housing for members comprising 1)a socket member having a larger size than the width of said single arresting slider, 2) a spring-lock assembly and 3)a male interlocking member having a size larger than said single arresting member, and e) a male half of a rigid releasably interlocking buckle, for coupling with a female half-buckle.

14. The closure system of claim 7, further including means for installing said closure system comprising, a) releasably locking components for installing and reinstalling said closure system without hindrance of having to sew around bulky components and to correct inaccurate installation and mishap, b) means for providing permanent installation after said closure system has been inspected, c) means for installing said closure system in a factory, d) means for installing said closure system in the home, e) means for temporary use for display or packaging, and f) a plurality of tools, and instructions.

15. The closure system of claim 7, further including means for providing a weather resistant closure system, comprising a) a water resistant additive, b) a laminated and pressure sealed closure system, c) an overlapping material on said rows or chains to seal out moisture, and d) means for manufacturing said closure system to seal out water under additional pressure, such as for under water, and space applications.

16. The closure system of claim 7, further including a plurality of single arresting members for operation of said closure system.

17. The closure system of claim 7, further including a plurality of safety features comprising a) interlocking zipper teeth that release from each other under predetermined pressure, b) reflective, lit, and glow-in-the-dark material for the user'"'"'s safety, c) a separable zipper adapted to separate under pressure to free a user, and d) magnetic coupling of said closure system.

18. The closure system of claim 7, further including means for coupling and uncoupling said closure system comprising a) means for initially coupling said closure system in said first direction perpendicular to said rows or chains and coupling said closure system along its length in a direction along said rows or chains for operation of said closure system b) a releasable, rigid interlocking female half-buckle comprising said single arresting member, slidably connected to said one of said two elongated coupling elements adapted to couple with a male half-buckle, situated on the other of said two elongated coupling elements for initially coupling said closure system, and for closing said closure system along its length, c) a releasably interlocking socket for coupling with a resilient releasably interlocking male plug member d) a releasably interlocking socket adapted to couple with a non-resilient releasably interlocking male plug member e) a releasably interlocking socket having a resilient hinged member to couple with a male plug member comprising a locking recess, f) a male plug member comprising a resiliently interlocking shoulder flange adapted to couple with a releasably interlocking socket having a corresponding shoulder void comprising retaining surfaces g) a spring-lock assembly for operating said closure system, h) means for instant, audible, snap-lock, coupling of said closure system, i)a guiding rail member, situated on said male interlocking member for interacting with a guiding track in said socket member for dependable coupling, j) means for providing a single hand release mechanism for uncoupling said closure system, k) means for providing a single finger release mechanism for uncoupling said closure system, l) means for providing a two handed release mechanism for uncoupling said closure system, m) means for said single arresting member to automatically uncouple said closure system, n) a plurality of male interlocking plug members each comprising a strap holder adapted to couple with a single socket member for providing dependable configurations for harnesses o) means for uncoupling said closure system with momentum, p) means for operating said closure system.

19. The closure system of claim 7, further including means for coupling and uncoupling said slide fastener in a direction along said rows or chains.

20. The closure system of claim 7 wherein said single arresting member has a locking projection for aligning and arresting the movement of said single arresting member, and for providing a unified and arrested socket for coupling said closure system.

21. The closure system of claim 7, further including a dead person'"'"'s lock on said single arresting member, comprising a) means for arresting movement of said single arresting member in directions along said rows or chains, and in directions perpendicular to said rows or chains and said first direction for providing an aligned and immobile socket, b) a combined slider lock and a slider pull tab, c) means for arresting unintentional movement of said single arresting member, d) a plurality of designs for comfortable operation of said closure system and for an aesthetic appearance, and e) means for holding material and novelties.

22. A closure system, comprising:

(a) two elongated coupling elements, each having an inner edge and an opposite outer edge, said two elongated coupling elements being affixable to respective lengths of material, said two elongated coupling elements each having a row of interengaging and locking members or chains mounted on and along said inner edge, said two elongated coupling elements being lockable to each other for coupling and closing and alternately uncoupling and opening said two elongated coupling elements to each other,

(b) a plurality of movement-arresting members situated on one of said two elongated coupling elements, including a first movement-arresting member slidably connected to said one of said two elongated coupling elements for coupling and uncoupling said two elongated coupling elements along their lengths,

(c) aligning means for immovably aligning said first movement-arresting member, said aligning means including arresting means for arresting movement of said first movement-arresting member in a first direction perpendicular to said two elongated coupling elements and said rows or chains for providing an immobile and aligned socket, so as to couple said closure system without movement in said first movement-arresting member and for operating said closure system,

(d) a male interlocking member, situated on the other of said two elongated coupling elements, and arranged to mate with, interlock with, and secure itself to said aligning means, for mating, coupling, and uncoupling said two elongated coupling elements along their length and for operation of said arresting means, and

(e) installing means for releasably installing said closure system comprising a) releasably locking components for installing, uninstalling, and reinstalling said closure system without hindrance of having to sew around bulky components and to correct inaccurate installation and mishap, b)means for providing permanent installation after said closure system has been inspected, c) means for installing said closure system in a factory, d) means for installing said closure system in the home, and e) a plurality of tools, instructions, and methods for installation, f) means for installing a plurality of safety and weather resistant materials.

24. A method of providing a closure system of claim 23, further including aligning means for providing an aligned socket having an aligned entrance for instant and dependable coupling of said closure system

25. A method of providing a closure system of claim 23, further including a socket member situated on said one of said two elongated coupling elements.

26. A method of providing a closure system of claim 23, further including a male interlocking member, situated on the other of said two elongated coupling elements, and arranged to mate with, interlock with, and secure itself to said one of said two elongate coupling elements for coupling, and uncoupling said two elongated coupling elements along their length and for operation of said closure system.

27. The method of providing a closure system of claim 23, further including a molding on said two elongated coupling elements, comprising a) a unified, immobile, and aligned entrance b) an aesthetic appearance, c) a guiding entrance for coupling, d) a differentiated entrance for coupling, e) encompassing molding, f)bridging molding, g) enhancing material to provide a soft touch, h) a suitable shape of said molding for the convenience of the user, i) a rigid, snap-lock releasably interlocking buckle for initially coupling said two elongated coupling elements and for coupling said closure system along its length.

23. A method of providing a closure system comprising:

(a) providing two elongated coupling elements, each having an inner edge and an opposite outer edge, said two elongated coupling elements being affixable to respective lengths of material, said two elongated coupling elements each having a row or chains of interengaging and locking members mounted on and along said inner edge, said two elongated coupling elements being lockable to each other for coupling and closing and alternately uncoupling and opening said two elongated coupling elements to each other,

(b) providing a single arresting member, slidably connected to one of said two elongated coupling elements for coupling and uncoupling said two elongated coupling elements along their lengths, said single arresting member having arresting means for arresting movement of said single arresting member, for providing an immobile socket for coupling said closure system, so as to couple said closure system dependably without movement in said single arresting member,

(c) pulling said single arresting member in a first direction along said one of said two elongated coupling elements to one end thereof,

(d) immobilizing said single arresting member,

(e) coupling said one of said two elongated coupling elements to the other of said two elongated coupling elements through said immobile socket,

(f) pulling said single arresting member in a second direction along said two elongated coupling elements closing said closure system along its length,

(g) pulling said single arresting member in said first direction along said two elongated coupling elements to said one end thereof, and

(h) unlocking said closure system.