Immobilized and aligned closure systems

• US 6,502,285 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2001
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: O'Donnell Kiely, LLC
• Original Assignee: Alice Mary Kiely
• Inventors: Kiely, Alice Mary
• Primary Examiner(s): Sandy, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JACKSON, ANDRE L
• Application Number:
  US09/811,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20020129470A1
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 243/99, 244/33, 244/34, 244/24, 244/18, 244/19, 244/29, 244/15, 245/75, 245/76, 245/87
• 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. An immobile and aligned 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 self-locking sliding zipper head, situated on one of said two elongated coupling elements and said two rows or chains for locking and closing and alternately unlocking and opening said two elongated coupling elements and said two rows or chains along their length, said self-locking sliding zipper head comprises means for arresting a) lateral movement of said self-locking sliding zipper head perpendicular to said rows or chains, b) anterior-posterior movement of said self-locking sliding zipper head on said rows or chains, and c) vertical movement of said self-locking sliding zipper head along said rows or chains, said self-locking sliding zipper head comprises a locking projection and means for solely providing an immobile and aligned coupling socket for instant, initial coupling of said closure system, said initial coupling being the first attachment of said two elongated coupling elements and said two rows or chains to each other at an initiating end of said two rows or chains for operation of said closure system, said self-locking sliding zipper head being a sole arresting member and comprising means for solely providing said immobile and aligned coupling socket for initial coupling and operation of said closure system, wherein said immobile and aligned closure system comprises a minimum number of components and means for providing a safety, laterally coupled, immobile and aligned closure system adapted for releasing a garment or article of manufacture under a predetermined pressure resulting in less injury to a wearer, and

(c) a male interlocking member, situated on the other of said two rows or chains for initially coupling and uncoupling with said self-locking sliding zipper head and said closure system, whereby a self-locking sliding zipper head can solely provide an initial coupling socket for instant snap-lock lateral and traditional coupling of a slide fastener.

2. The immobile and aligned closure system of claim 1 wherein said closure system is adapted for operating with three main components comprising a) two interlocking elongated coupling elements adapted to directly couple each other, and b) a self-locking sliding zipper head being adapted to align and arrest said lateral, anterior-posterior and vertical movement of said self-locking sliding zipper for providing an immobile aligned socket for dependable initial coupling.

3. The immobile and aligned closure system of claim 1 wherein said safety laterally coupled immobile and aligned closure system comprises a predetermined pressure release for releasing a garment or article of manufacture when a wearer is caught in a dangerous circumstance for freeing said wearer from said garment or article resulting in less injury to said wearer, wherein said safety laterally coupled immobile and aligned closure system is a magnetically coupled closure system.

4. The immobile and aligned closure system of claim 1 wherein said self-locking sliding zipper head comprises a dead person'"'"'s lock having a locking projection and means for providing an aligned and immobile socket for dependable lateral and traditional initial coupling of said closure system, said dead person'"'"'s lock maintains said self-locking sliding zipper head in a locked position until it is purposely unlocked, wherein an interlocking site is adapted to be placed anywhere on a male or female member.

5. The immobile and aligned closure system of claim 1, further including a socket member on one of said two rows or chains for coupling and uncoupling said closure system and for operation of said closure system.

6. The immobile and aligned closure system of claim 1, further including a wide male interlocking member, said wide male interlocking member being wider than said self-locking sliding zipper head, said wide male interlocking member is adapted for initially coupling and uncoupling said closure system, said wide male interlocking member being situated within a housing in an intergarment plate at the initiating end of said closure system when coupled, said housing comprises means for using a plurality of coupling methods for initially coupling said closure system, said wide male interlocking member comprises more surface area for holding and easier guiding of said wide male interlocking member into a socket for coupling, said wide male interlocking member being easier to couple than a more narrow interlocking member.

7. The immobile and aligned closure system of claim 1, further including means for releasably installing said closure system, without any of the components of said closure system hindering its installation.

8. The immobile and aligned closure system of claim 1, further including encompassing molding on said self-locking sliding zipper head and a socket member, said encompassing molding is adapted to encompass another member of said closure system, said encompassing molding is adapted for providing a) a unified and aligned entrance for instant coupling, b) means for providing an aesthetic appearance, c) a guiding entrance for coupling, d) a differentiated entrance having wide and narrower portions allowing for lateral coupling with a differentiated male interlocking member having wide and narrow portions, e) means for softly coating touchable areas for the comfort of the user, f) means for eliminating movement in a fabric elongated coupling element during initial coupling, since components are located on a fabric elongated coupling element, which can move.

9. The immobile and aligned closure system of claim 1, further including a plurality of intergarment plates, situated on respective ends of said two elongated coupling elements and said rows or chains, wherein said plurality of intergarment plates are adapted to comprise a housing for coupling and uncoupling with a wide male interlocking member for operation of said closure system, said housing comprising means for use of a plurality of coupling methods for initially coupling said closure system.

10. The immobile and aligned closure system of claim 1, further including a non-encompassing molding on said self-locking sliding zipper head and a socket member for providing a unified socket entrance through said members for initial coupling of said closure system, said non-encompassing molding extends beyond said self-locking sliding zipper head and said socket member for providing a streamlined and unified aligned guiding socket entrance for coupling.

11. The immobile and aligned closure system of claim 1, further including a shoulder-type flange male interlocking member for releasably coupling with a female half-buckle on said respective edges of said two elongated elements and said rows or chains of interlocking elements, said coupling being an interlocking rigid male and female snap-lock buckle for initial coupling of said elongated coupling elements and said closure system and for operation of said closure system, wherein said shoulder-type male interlocking member is adapted to be uncoupled with momentum.

12. The immobile and aligned closure system of claim 1, further including a rigid, male and female snap-lock interlocking buckle, situated on the respective ends of said two elongated coupling elements and said rows or chains of interengaging and locking members for instant initial coupling and uncoupling of said two elongated coupling elements for operation of said closure system, wherein said rigid, snap-lock buckle comprises softly coated touchable areas for the comfort of the user.

13. The closure system of claim 1, further including means for providing a water resistant closure system.

14. The closure system of claim 1, further including a plurality of safety features on said closure system comprising a) interlocking zipper teeth being releasable from each other under predetermined pressure, b) reflective, lit, and glow-in-the-dark material for the user'"'"'s safety, c) releasable initial coupling members, d) fireman'"'"'s corners, said fireman'"'"'s corners on members of said closure system angle corners of components and are adapted to give way under predetermined pressure for freeing a user from a garment or article of manufacture.

17. The immobile and aligned closure system of claim 13, further including 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 including plurality of tools, and instructions, and e) means for temporary use and for display and packaging.

15. An immobile and aligned 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 self-locking sliding zipper head, slidably connected to one of said two elongated coupling elements for coupling and uncoupling said two elongated coupling elements along their lengths, said self-locking sliding zipper head has a locking projection and is adapted to solely arrest a) lateral movement of said self-locking sliding zipper head perpendicular to said rows or chains, b) anterior-posterior movement of said self-locking sliding zipper head on said rows or chains, and c) vertical movement of said self-locking sliding zipper head along said rows or chains, said self-locking sliding zipper head being a sole arresting member adapted for solely providing said immobile and aligned coupling socket for initial coupling and operation of said closure system, and

(c) a wide interlocking male member, situated on the other of said two elongated coupling elements, said wide interlocking male member being wider than said self-locking sliding zipper head, said wide interlocking male member is adapted for coupling and uncoupling said closure system, said wide interlocking male member being partially situated in a housing in an intergarment plate while coupled, said housing comprising means for use of a plurality of coupling methods for initially coupling said closure system, said intergarment plate being situated at the initiating end of said one of said two elongated coupling elements for operation of said closure system, said wide interlocking male member provides the user more surface area for holding and easier guiding of said wide interlocking male member into said socket for coupling, and

(d) a socket member on one of said two rows or chains for locking with said wide interlocking male member and for operation of said closure system.

16. The immobile and aligned closure system of claim 15, further including a rigid, intergarment plate on one of said two elongated coupling elements for dependable initial coupling of said closure system, said intergarment plate being situated at the initiating end of said one of said two elongated coupling elements for operation of said closure system, said intergarment plate comprising a) a holder for holding a length of material, b) means for gripping said length of material for immobilizing and adjusting said material, c) means for releasing said closure system, d) housing for members comprising 1) a wide interlocking male member being wider than said self-locking sliding zipper head, said wide interlocking male member provides the user more surface area for holding and easier guiding of said wide interlocking male member into a socket for initial coupling, and 2) a spring-lock assembly for operation of said closure system, said housing comprising means for use of a plurality of coupling methods for initially coupling said closure system.

18. The immobile and aligned closure system of claim 15, further including a rigid, male and female snap-lock interlocking buckle, situated on the respective ends of said two elongated coupling elements and said rows or chains of interengaging and locking members for instant initial coupling and uncoupling of said two elongated coupling elements for operation of said closure system, wherein said rigid, snap-lock interlocking buckle comprises means for softly coating touchable areas for the comfort of the user, wherein an interlocking site is adapted for placement anywhere on the male or female members.

19. An immobile and aligned 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 self-locking sliding zipper head, slidably connected to one of said two elongated coupling elements for coupling and uncoupling said two elongated coupling elements along their lengths, said self-locking sliding zipper head has a locking projection and is adapted to solely arrest a) lateral movement of said self-locking sliding zipper head perpendicular to said rows or chains, b) anterior-posterior movement of said self-locking sliding zipper head on said rows or chains, and c) vertical movement of said self-locking sliding zipper head along said rows or chains, said self-locking sliding zipper head being a sole arresting member adapted for solely providing said immobile and aligned coupling socket for initial coupling and operation of said closure system, and

(c) 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 including plurality of tools, and instructions, and e) means for temporary use and for display and packaging.

(d) a male interlocking member, situated on the other of said two rows or chains for coupling and uncoupling with said self-locking sliding zipper head and said closure system for operation of said closure system.

20. A method of providing an immobile and aligned 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 along said lengths,

(b) providing a self-locking sliding zipper head, slidably connected to one of said two elongated coupling elements for coupling and uncoupling said two elongated coupling elements along their lengths, said self-locking sliding zipper head has a locking projection and means for solely arresting a) lateral movement of said self-locking sliding zipper head perpendicular to said rows or chains, b) anterior-posterior movement of said self-locking sliding zipper head on said rows or chains, and c) vertical movement of said self-locking sliding zipper head along said rows or chains, said self-locking sliding zipper head being a sole arresting member adapted for solely providing said immobile and aligned coupling socket for initial coupling and operation of said closure system,

(c) a wide interlocking male member, situated on the other of said two elongated coupling elements, said wide interlocking male member being wider than said self-locking sliding zipper head, said wide male interlocking member is adapted for coupling and uncoupling said closure system, said wide male interlocking member being partially situated in a housing in an intergarment plate while coupled, said housing comprising means for use of a plurality of coupling methods for initially coupling said closure system, said wide male interlocking member provides the user more surface area for holding and easier guiding of said wide male interlocking member into a socket for initial coupling, and

(d) said socket member

(e) unlocking said self-locking sliding zipper head and drawing said self-locking sliding zipper head in a first direction along said one of said two elongated coupling elements to one end thereof,

(f) providing an immobile and arrested initial coupling socket,

(g) initially coupling said two elongated coupling elements,

(h) unlocking and drawing said self-locking sliding zipper head in a second direction along said two elongated coupling elements closing said two elongated coupling elements along their length,

(i) unlocking and drawing said self-locking sliding zipper head in said first direction along said two elongated coupling elements to said one end thereof, and

(j) unlocking said closure system.

21. A method of providing an immobile and aligned closure system of claim 20, further including means for releasably installing said closure system.

22. A method of providing an immobile and aligned closure system of claim 20, further including a rigid, male and female snap-lock interlocking buckle, situated on the respective initiating ends of said two elongated coupling elements and said rows or chains of interengaging and locking members for instant initial coupling and uncoupling of said two elongated coupling elements for operation of said closure system, wherein said rigid, snap-lock buckle comprises softly coated touchable areas for the comfort of the user, wherein an interlocking site is adapted for placement anywhere on the male or female members.

23. A method of providing an immobile and aligned closure system of claim 20, further including a rigid, intergarment plate on one of said two elongated coupling elements for dependable initial coupling of said closure system, said intergarment plate being situated at the initiating end of said one of said two elongated coupling elements for operation of said closure system, said intergarment plate comprising a) a holder for holding a length of material, b) means for gripping said length of material for immobilizing and adjusting said material, c) means for releasing said closure system, d) housing for members comprising 1) a wide male interlocking member being wider than said self-locking sliding zipper head, and 2) a spring-lock assembly for operation of said closure system, said housing comprising means for use of a plurality of coupling methods for initially coupling said closure system.