Zipper Pull Latch for Hanging Object

• US 20070124901A1
• Filed: 08/30/2006
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Wild Planet Entertainment Incorporated (Spin Master Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Wild Planet Entertainment Incorporated (Spin Master Corp.)
• Inventors: Cyr, Terry, Sorom, Theodore
• Application Number:
  US11/468,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20070124901A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 24/429
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 19/262 Pull members; Ornamental attachments for sliders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2586 including pull tab attaching means

Abstract

An attachment system is integrated into a hanging ornament (e.g., toy, audio player, aesthetic adornment, etc.) that readily attaches to a specially shaped zipper pull that replaces or mounts to a generally known zipper pull. The wearer then has ready access to the item with reduced likelihood of dropping the item. This allows the user to have very easy access to the toy which hangs from the attachment piece on the exterior of the garment. The system is designed to allow for the toy to be easily attached and detached from the attachment point for ease of use. Furthermore, in many situations it is possible to use the toy without needing to detach it from the garment as the flexible corded attachment piece allows the toy to be handled without removal.

Claims

1. A zipper attachment assembly, comprising:

a zipper pull member attachable to a slider of a zipper and comprising an engaging member at one end connected via a narrow waist to a zipper mounting portion;

a housing;

a receptacle shaped to receive the engaging member of the zipper pull member and comprising opposing first and second spring biased hooking members on respective sides of the receptacle shaped for outward deflection during insertion of the engaging member.

2. The zipper attachment assembly of claim 1, further comprising a spring attached between the first hooking member and a selected one of the housing and the second hooking member.

3. The zipper attachment assembly of claim 2, wherein the first and second hooking members form an obtuse contacting angle with the engaging member, the spring asserting a locking force sufficient to hold a predetermined weight of an object attached to the housing and insufficient to retain locking engagement when a higher tension force is applied.

4. The zipper attachment assembly of claim 2, further comprising a release button communicating externally through the housing to the first hooking member postioned to overcome the spring bias moving the hooking member away from the engaging member when depressed.

5. The zipper attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the engaging member comprises a flat tab portion having left and right locking notches.

6. The zipper attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the engaging member comprises a spherical ball tip.

7. The zipper attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises an external contact surface shaped for adhesive mounting to an object.

8. The zipper attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the zipper mounting portion further comprises a cord.

9. The zipper attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the zipper mounting portion comprises a flat pull tab shaped for permanent mounting to a slider of a zipper.

10. The zipper attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the zipper mounting portion comprises a flat surface having a contact surface shaped for affixing to a zipper pull tab of a zipper.

11. The zipper attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the zipper mounting portion comprises a resilient enclosure having an opening and internal cavity shaped for resilient capture of a zipper pull tab of a zipper.