CA2121911A1 - Novelty zipper tag - Google Patents
Novelty zipper tagInfo
- Publication number
- CA2121911A1 CA2121911A1 CA 2121911 CA2121911A CA2121911A1 CA 2121911 A1 CA2121911 A1 CA 2121911A1 CA 2121911 CA2121911 CA 2121911 CA 2121911 A CA2121911 A CA 2121911A CA 2121911 A1 CA2121911 A1 CA 2121911A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tag
- zipper
- producing device
- sound producing
- switch
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
- A44B—BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
- A44B19/00—Slide fasteners
- A44B19/24—Details
- A44B19/26—Sliders
- A44B19/262—Pull members; Ornamental attachments for sliders
Landscapes
- Reverberation, Karaoke And Other Acoustics (AREA)
- Toys (AREA)
Abstract
A zipper tag is fitted with an electronic sound producing device.
The device resides in cut-outs formed in a cardboard stiffener, whereby the device lies in a protected environment. An actuator switch is located in the centre of the tab, where it will be squeezed by a person grasping the tag for operation of the zipper. The device thereby is activated automatically when the person takes hold of the zipper. The sound producer emits pre-recorded voice/music, or simple tone-tunes. The sound lasts for a few seconds, and is switched off automatically by a timer.
The device resides in cut-outs formed in a cardboard stiffener, whereby the device lies in a protected environment. An actuator switch is located in the centre of the tab, where it will be squeezed by a person grasping the tag for operation of the zipper. The device thereby is activated automatically when the person takes hold of the zipper. The sound producer emits pre-recorded voice/music, or simple tone-tunes. The sound lasts for a few seconds, and is switched off automatically by a timer.
Description
NOVELTY ZIPPER TAG
This invention relates to novelty items, and in particular to a zipper tag in combination with a sound producing device.
General Features of the Invention A zipper is incorporated into an article of clothing, for example a jacket.
The clothing is closed by the operation of the zipper, and, as is well-known, the zipper includes a tag, which is adapted to be grasped in the hand, whereby the zipper can be opened and closed.
In the invention, the combination of zipper tag with sound producing device is caused to emit a sound when the zipper is grasped in the hand, and the zipper operated. The invention does not require the person to carry out any kind of switching action, as a separate action when activating the device; in the invention, the device is automatically activated to produce sound purely as a result of the action by the person of grasping the zipper tag, and of holding the tag in the hand, and of operating the zipper.
The apparatus includes a sound producing device, which is electrical in nature, having a battery, loudspeaker, etc. The invention does not require the electrical components to be wired into the zipper tag: rather, the components of the sound producing device may all be manufactured, assemb~ed, wired together, and tested as a unit, before the sound producing device, as a unitary whole item, is assembled into the zipper tag.
In the invention, the sound producing device is finished prior to assembly into the zipper tag, and there is no need for further wiring or electrical SUBST~ E SHEET : ~
adjustment. In fact, the invention permits the sound producing device to be manufactured and finished at an electrical specialist factory, shipped to another factory (even to another country) and there assembled into the zipper tag.
As far as insertion of the sound producing device into the zipper tag is concerned, the workers need to have skill only in the placing of one component into another. The invention permits the sound producing device to be simply dropped into a suitable receptacle in the zipper tag, as a finished unit, and fixed into place. The workers are not required to have any skill in electrical assembly, other than simply fixing the whole sound producing device into the tag.
The sound producing device includes a battery, and the assembly may be such that the battery is replaceable. The sound producing device p~eferably is concealed within the zipper tag, and some complication is needed to provide access for changing the battery, but such a requirement is not too onerous.
The invention permits that the person, in operating the device, need not be conscious of the device being present. Activation of the device takes ptace automatically without any manual or purposeful action by the person, except, as mentioned, the action by the person of taking the zipper tag in the hand, and of operating the zipper.
, ............................................................. ..
The sound producing device in the invention comprises a loudspeaker, an activatorswitch, a battery, and a sound generator and controller, preferably ;
in the form of a chip. Preferably, the chip and the battery are mounted on a circuit board. The loudspeaker and the switch may be physically separate from the circuit board, but attached thereto with electrical wires. -~
SUBSTITU~E SHEE~
WO 94/04054 PCr~CA93/00330 Sound producing devices are available in two basic forms. In the first, the device produces only single-frequency tones, one at a time. This type may be programmed to emit tunes with the correct pitches and rhythms, but without chords or multiple frequencies.
The second type is basically a recorder, in which recordings are stored digitally. In this type, the sounds are recorded into the chip by means of a microphone. The sounds may be voice, or music, or indeed any sound that can be recorded. The recording type is more costly, more complex, and requires more battery capacity, but its performance is much more versatile and sophis~icated.
When the sound is to be a voice message, the message may be pr~
recorded and programmed into the chip at the place where the sound producing device is manufactured. Such universally-applicable messages as Happy Birthday or Don't Drink and Drive can be programmed into the device in this case. Alternatively, the chip may be of the kind in which messages can be recorded, erased, and re-recorded. In this case, the message may be put in by any person who possesses a suitable recording unit. As an example, a shop that sells the jackets having the zippers may record-in the purchaser's own name.
However, even with the re-recordable unit, it is preferred to record the messag;e prior to fixing the device into the zipper tag. But at least the recording can be entered into the device, still without requiring any electrical assembly skills in the part of the workers making the zippers Thus, for exarnple, the re-recordable unit is especially applicable to a sports team, which can record the team's rallying call or slogan, and then sell the jackets, with the zipper tags, to supporters.
SUBSTirL~TE SHEET
2 1 2 1 ~
The invention is particularly suitable for incorporation into the larger skes of zipper tags. Large zipper tags with moulded-on or printed-on designs are known, and these are particularly applicable to the invention. Ii is recognised that the sound producing device may be incorporated into such a tag in such a manner as to be concealed or substantially concealed within the thickness of the tag.
The usefulness for advertising purposes needs little elaboration, particularly when it is borne in mind that large zipper tags are already commonly sold with a badge or the like promoting a commercial product or company.
The visual advertising message of the badge is much enhanced by the presence of the same message in sound.
. ~.~,~,,.
The apparatus includes a timer, by means of which the sound producing device is switched off after a pre-determined period of time, for exampb a few seconds. ~ Where the act of taking in hand the zipper tag, and operating the zipper is effective to automatically activate the sound producing device, the effect would be somewhat negated if the person then had to fumble around with a manual switch in order to turn off the de~ ice Besides, if a switch were to be provided for the purpose of turning off the deviee, there would then be the~ dffliculty of incorporating the switch into the zip~er tag, as this would undoubtedly require the workers who -~
assemble the device to have some electrical assembOy skills. ~ ~ ~
..It would be possible to arrange, for example, that the sound producing device continued to emit sound so long as the person is activating the activator switch, and then for the sound producing device to cease emitting ';
SU~STITUTE SHEET ~ :
21~ 9~
sound when the persl~n released the activator switch. However, it is preferred that the ~ ator switch should function simply as a push-button:
that is to say, when the person presses the activator switch, this action actuates the sound producing device into a cycle, in which the tune or message is replayed for a pre-set time period, and then stops, irrespective of for how long, or how short, the person keeps on pressing the switch.
It is recognised that a simple press-switch does not need to be attach~d into a housing or other means for holding the switch steady during operation of the switch. In fact, a press-switch or squeeze switch can be simply dropped into a suitable recess formed in the tag, and can be expected to be retained thereby securely enough for operation. By contrast, a toggle switch, for example, would require to be mounted in a special housing of some kind.
Detailed Description of Preferred E~nbodiments ~
By way of further explanation of.the invention, exemplary embodiments of ~ -the invention will now be described with reference to the accornpanying drawings, in which:
Fig 1 is a view of a person in the act of grasping the tag of a zipper on a jacket, and of operating the zipper;
Fig 2 is a yiew, shown partly in cut-away, of the tag of Fig 1;
Fig 3 is a cross-section of the tag of Fig 1;
Fig 4 is a pictorial view of a sound producing device, which is included in the tag of Fig 1.
SU~STITUTE SHEET
WO 94/04054 PCr/CA93/0033() 2121~ 11 . 6 ~:
:....
The items shown in the accompanying drawings and described below are examples which embody the invention. It should be noted that the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims, and not necessarily by specific features of exemplary embodiments.
. . .
Fig 1 shows a person wearing a jacket 20, being a jacket of the kind that is fastened at the front with a zipper 21. The zipper includes the usual `
small pull-tab 22, to which is attached a novelty tag 23, which is the main subject of this invention. As shown in Fig 1., in taking the tag 23 in hand, the person grasps the tag 23 between finger and thumb.
Almost invariably, the person naturally places the thumb 25 in the centre of the front of the tag 23, and the fingers 27 behind. Basically the same manner of grasping and holding the tag applies whether the person is zipping up or zipping down. -A sound-producing device 29 is incorporated into the tag 23. As will be explained, when the person grasps the tag 23 in the manner illustrated, he/she activates the device 29, thereby causing the device to emit a sound.
The structure of the tag 23 is shown in plan in Fig 2 and in cross-section in Fig 3. The tag is formed with a sheet of board 30, such as cardboard, which gives a lille general rigidity to the tag. The board 30 is formed with cut-outs 34. These cut-outs in the board are so dimensioned and arranged as to act as receptacles for the components of the sound-producing device 29.
As shown in Fig 4, the sound producing device 29 is a self-contained operational unit; that is to say, the sound producing device can be SlJ~STlTUTE SH~T
.. . , . . ... ~ , 2 1 2 3 ~
7 ~ ;.
manufactured, assembled, and tested as a finished, operating item before being installed into the zipper 21. The sound producing device is so arranged as to require no wiring or other kind of electrical assembly, upon installation into the tag. The pre-manufactured and tested sound producing device 29 is simply dropped, as a unitl into the receptacles formed by the cut-outs 34 in the board 30.
.:
The sound producing device 29 includes a main circuit board 36, on which are affixed a battery 38 and an integrated circuit chip 40. The chip 40 may be of the kind which generates tones (one frequency at a time) in sequence, thereby creating a pre-set tune. Alternatively, the chip 40 may be of the kind in which a recording (from a microphone) is digitised in, and stored in, the chip. The sounds in this case may be voice or music. The single-tone generator chip is rather limited as regards versatility, but has the advantage of simplicity, and of requiring a smaller battery 38 capability than the much rnore complex and powerful voice/music chip.
In combination with other electrical components on the circuit board 36, the chip 40 controis the play-back of the recording upon being activated.
The chip also includes a delay or timer, by means of which the sound may be set to automatically stop after a predetermined delay of, say, a few seconds.
The sound producing device 29 includes also a ioudspeaker 43, and an activator switch 45. These components are not mounted on the main circuit board 36, but are attached thereto by means of the wires 47,49 as shown. The sound producing de~ice 29 therefore is in three portions, a battery/chip portion 50, a loudspeaker portion 52, and a switch portion 54.
The loudspeaker and the switch portions fit into separate cut-outs in the board 30.
. ..
S1~ TU~E $~ ~1~T
WO 94/04054 PCl`/CA93/00330 21~19 l 1 ., .
8 -~
No assembly-wiring of the loudspeaker 43 and switch 45 are required; as mentioned, the components simply drop into the cut-outs 56,58. ~ ~ -The sound producing device 29 as shown in Fig 4, being in three portions 50,52,54, might be thought to be vulnerable to damage from abuse.
However, the device is built into the tag 23 of the zipper, and the portions of the device are housed snugly in the receptacles or cut-outs 34,56,58 therein, with the result that the device is substantially protected and isolated from damage.
For manufacture of the tag 23, the portions 50,52,54 of the sound producing device 29 may simply be placed in the cut-outs 34,56,58. When the tag is sewn up, the portions will be held in place.
The tag includes top and bottom layer of plastic foam 60,62, which sandwich the board 30. The foam tends to snag the components of the sound producing device 29, thereby tending to hold the device against movement.
To complete the tag 23, outer layers of appropriate fabric 63,64 are applied to the top and bottom of the tag, and stitched into place.
As mentioned, the three portions 50,52,54 of the sound producing device 29 are housed in three separate cut-outs 34,56,58 in the lower stfflening board 30. To maintain a good rigidity in the neb 23, these cut-outs preferably should not be joined together; that is to say, a bridge of cardboard should be left uncut between the cut-outs, as shown at 65. The wires 47,49 joining the loudspeaker and switch portions 52,54 to the main board 36 may be run over the bridges 65, the wires being accommodated SUBST~TUTE St~ET
, . ~ , . , . ~ , , WO 94/04054 PCI`/CA93/00330 2 1 2 1 3 1 ~ ~
g .
within the thickness of the foam 60. The wires 47,49 are held in place, to the small extent needed, by the pressure of the foam.
It wilJ be appreciated that the sound producing device as described is activated automatically when a person takes the zipper tag in hand: a person does not have to use a concious action to activate the device.
Simply taking the tag 23 in hand causes the switch 45 to be squeezed enough to operate it. The device 29 can be expected to have a long -reliable seNice life, since it has no moving parts.
., The tag is of a so~t, padded texture, which invites the person to squeeze it. The tag can be made in a form to reflect its novelty nature, for example as a heart or an animal head. The tag 23 need not be permanently attached to the pull-tab 22, by means of the ring 70, but rather may be hooked thereto, whereby the person can transfer the tag 23 to a different garment, if ~esired.
.
....
.. .
SU~S ~ ~TU~ SHEE~
This invention relates to novelty items, and in particular to a zipper tag in combination with a sound producing device.
General Features of the Invention A zipper is incorporated into an article of clothing, for example a jacket.
The clothing is closed by the operation of the zipper, and, as is well-known, the zipper includes a tag, which is adapted to be grasped in the hand, whereby the zipper can be opened and closed.
In the invention, the combination of zipper tag with sound producing device is caused to emit a sound when the zipper is grasped in the hand, and the zipper operated. The invention does not require the person to carry out any kind of switching action, as a separate action when activating the device; in the invention, the device is automatically activated to produce sound purely as a result of the action by the person of grasping the zipper tag, and of holding the tag in the hand, and of operating the zipper.
The apparatus includes a sound producing device, which is electrical in nature, having a battery, loudspeaker, etc. The invention does not require the electrical components to be wired into the zipper tag: rather, the components of the sound producing device may all be manufactured, assemb~ed, wired together, and tested as a unit, before the sound producing device, as a unitary whole item, is assembled into the zipper tag.
In the invention, the sound producing device is finished prior to assembly into the zipper tag, and there is no need for further wiring or electrical SUBST~ E SHEET : ~
adjustment. In fact, the invention permits the sound producing device to be manufactured and finished at an electrical specialist factory, shipped to another factory (even to another country) and there assembled into the zipper tag.
As far as insertion of the sound producing device into the zipper tag is concerned, the workers need to have skill only in the placing of one component into another. The invention permits the sound producing device to be simply dropped into a suitable receptacle in the zipper tag, as a finished unit, and fixed into place. The workers are not required to have any skill in electrical assembly, other than simply fixing the whole sound producing device into the tag.
The sound producing device includes a battery, and the assembly may be such that the battery is replaceable. The sound producing device p~eferably is concealed within the zipper tag, and some complication is needed to provide access for changing the battery, but such a requirement is not too onerous.
The invention permits that the person, in operating the device, need not be conscious of the device being present. Activation of the device takes ptace automatically without any manual or purposeful action by the person, except, as mentioned, the action by the person of taking the zipper tag in the hand, and of operating the zipper.
, ............................................................. ..
The sound producing device in the invention comprises a loudspeaker, an activatorswitch, a battery, and a sound generator and controller, preferably ;
in the form of a chip. Preferably, the chip and the battery are mounted on a circuit board. The loudspeaker and the switch may be physically separate from the circuit board, but attached thereto with electrical wires. -~
SUBSTITU~E SHEE~
WO 94/04054 PCr~CA93/00330 Sound producing devices are available in two basic forms. In the first, the device produces only single-frequency tones, one at a time. This type may be programmed to emit tunes with the correct pitches and rhythms, but without chords or multiple frequencies.
The second type is basically a recorder, in which recordings are stored digitally. In this type, the sounds are recorded into the chip by means of a microphone. The sounds may be voice, or music, or indeed any sound that can be recorded. The recording type is more costly, more complex, and requires more battery capacity, but its performance is much more versatile and sophis~icated.
When the sound is to be a voice message, the message may be pr~
recorded and programmed into the chip at the place where the sound producing device is manufactured. Such universally-applicable messages as Happy Birthday or Don't Drink and Drive can be programmed into the device in this case. Alternatively, the chip may be of the kind in which messages can be recorded, erased, and re-recorded. In this case, the message may be put in by any person who possesses a suitable recording unit. As an example, a shop that sells the jackets having the zippers may record-in the purchaser's own name.
However, even with the re-recordable unit, it is preferred to record the messag;e prior to fixing the device into the zipper tag. But at least the recording can be entered into the device, still without requiring any electrical assembly skills in the part of the workers making the zippers Thus, for exarnple, the re-recordable unit is especially applicable to a sports team, which can record the team's rallying call or slogan, and then sell the jackets, with the zipper tags, to supporters.
SUBSTirL~TE SHEET
2 1 2 1 ~
The invention is particularly suitable for incorporation into the larger skes of zipper tags. Large zipper tags with moulded-on or printed-on designs are known, and these are particularly applicable to the invention. Ii is recognised that the sound producing device may be incorporated into such a tag in such a manner as to be concealed or substantially concealed within the thickness of the tag.
The usefulness for advertising purposes needs little elaboration, particularly when it is borne in mind that large zipper tags are already commonly sold with a badge or the like promoting a commercial product or company.
The visual advertising message of the badge is much enhanced by the presence of the same message in sound.
. ~.~,~,,.
The apparatus includes a timer, by means of which the sound producing device is switched off after a pre-determined period of time, for exampb a few seconds. ~ Where the act of taking in hand the zipper tag, and operating the zipper is effective to automatically activate the sound producing device, the effect would be somewhat negated if the person then had to fumble around with a manual switch in order to turn off the de~ ice Besides, if a switch were to be provided for the purpose of turning off the deviee, there would then be the~ dffliculty of incorporating the switch into the zip~er tag, as this would undoubtedly require the workers who -~
assemble the device to have some electrical assembOy skills. ~ ~ ~
..It would be possible to arrange, for example, that the sound producing device continued to emit sound so long as the person is activating the activator switch, and then for the sound producing device to cease emitting ';
SU~STITUTE SHEET ~ :
21~ 9~
sound when the persl~n released the activator switch. However, it is preferred that the ~ ator switch should function simply as a push-button:
that is to say, when the person presses the activator switch, this action actuates the sound producing device into a cycle, in which the tune or message is replayed for a pre-set time period, and then stops, irrespective of for how long, or how short, the person keeps on pressing the switch.
It is recognised that a simple press-switch does not need to be attach~d into a housing or other means for holding the switch steady during operation of the switch. In fact, a press-switch or squeeze switch can be simply dropped into a suitable recess formed in the tag, and can be expected to be retained thereby securely enough for operation. By contrast, a toggle switch, for example, would require to be mounted in a special housing of some kind.
Detailed Description of Preferred E~nbodiments ~
By way of further explanation of.the invention, exemplary embodiments of ~ -the invention will now be described with reference to the accornpanying drawings, in which:
Fig 1 is a view of a person in the act of grasping the tag of a zipper on a jacket, and of operating the zipper;
Fig 2 is a yiew, shown partly in cut-away, of the tag of Fig 1;
Fig 3 is a cross-section of the tag of Fig 1;
Fig 4 is a pictorial view of a sound producing device, which is included in the tag of Fig 1.
SU~STITUTE SHEET
WO 94/04054 PCr/CA93/0033() 2121~ 11 . 6 ~:
:....
The items shown in the accompanying drawings and described below are examples which embody the invention. It should be noted that the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims, and not necessarily by specific features of exemplary embodiments.
. . .
Fig 1 shows a person wearing a jacket 20, being a jacket of the kind that is fastened at the front with a zipper 21. The zipper includes the usual `
small pull-tab 22, to which is attached a novelty tag 23, which is the main subject of this invention. As shown in Fig 1., in taking the tag 23 in hand, the person grasps the tag 23 between finger and thumb.
Almost invariably, the person naturally places the thumb 25 in the centre of the front of the tag 23, and the fingers 27 behind. Basically the same manner of grasping and holding the tag applies whether the person is zipping up or zipping down. -A sound-producing device 29 is incorporated into the tag 23. As will be explained, when the person grasps the tag 23 in the manner illustrated, he/she activates the device 29, thereby causing the device to emit a sound.
The structure of the tag 23 is shown in plan in Fig 2 and in cross-section in Fig 3. The tag is formed with a sheet of board 30, such as cardboard, which gives a lille general rigidity to the tag. The board 30 is formed with cut-outs 34. These cut-outs in the board are so dimensioned and arranged as to act as receptacles for the components of the sound-producing device 29.
As shown in Fig 4, the sound producing device 29 is a self-contained operational unit; that is to say, the sound producing device can be SlJ~STlTUTE SH~T
.. . , . . ... ~ , 2 1 2 3 ~
7 ~ ;.
manufactured, assembled, and tested as a finished, operating item before being installed into the zipper 21. The sound producing device is so arranged as to require no wiring or other kind of electrical assembly, upon installation into the tag. The pre-manufactured and tested sound producing device 29 is simply dropped, as a unitl into the receptacles formed by the cut-outs 34 in the board 30.
.:
The sound producing device 29 includes a main circuit board 36, on which are affixed a battery 38 and an integrated circuit chip 40. The chip 40 may be of the kind which generates tones (one frequency at a time) in sequence, thereby creating a pre-set tune. Alternatively, the chip 40 may be of the kind in which a recording (from a microphone) is digitised in, and stored in, the chip. The sounds in this case may be voice or music. The single-tone generator chip is rather limited as regards versatility, but has the advantage of simplicity, and of requiring a smaller battery 38 capability than the much rnore complex and powerful voice/music chip.
In combination with other electrical components on the circuit board 36, the chip 40 controis the play-back of the recording upon being activated.
The chip also includes a delay or timer, by means of which the sound may be set to automatically stop after a predetermined delay of, say, a few seconds.
The sound producing device 29 includes also a ioudspeaker 43, and an activator switch 45. These components are not mounted on the main circuit board 36, but are attached thereto by means of the wires 47,49 as shown. The sound producing de~ice 29 therefore is in three portions, a battery/chip portion 50, a loudspeaker portion 52, and a switch portion 54.
The loudspeaker and the switch portions fit into separate cut-outs in the board 30.
. ..
S1~ TU~E $~ ~1~T
WO 94/04054 PCl`/CA93/00330 21~19 l 1 ., .
8 -~
No assembly-wiring of the loudspeaker 43 and switch 45 are required; as mentioned, the components simply drop into the cut-outs 56,58. ~ ~ -The sound producing device 29 as shown in Fig 4, being in three portions 50,52,54, might be thought to be vulnerable to damage from abuse.
However, the device is built into the tag 23 of the zipper, and the portions of the device are housed snugly in the receptacles or cut-outs 34,56,58 therein, with the result that the device is substantially protected and isolated from damage.
For manufacture of the tag 23, the portions 50,52,54 of the sound producing device 29 may simply be placed in the cut-outs 34,56,58. When the tag is sewn up, the portions will be held in place.
The tag includes top and bottom layer of plastic foam 60,62, which sandwich the board 30. The foam tends to snag the components of the sound producing device 29, thereby tending to hold the device against movement.
To complete the tag 23, outer layers of appropriate fabric 63,64 are applied to the top and bottom of the tag, and stitched into place.
As mentioned, the three portions 50,52,54 of the sound producing device 29 are housed in three separate cut-outs 34,56,58 in the lower stfflening board 30. To maintain a good rigidity in the neb 23, these cut-outs preferably should not be joined together; that is to say, a bridge of cardboard should be left uncut between the cut-outs, as shown at 65. The wires 47,49 joining the loudspeaker and switch portions 52,54 to the main board 36 may be run over the bridges 65, the wires being accommodated SUBST~TUTE St~ET
, . ~ , . , . ~ , , WO 94/04054 PCI`/CA93/00330 2 1 2 1 3 1 ~ ~
g .
within the thickness of the foam 60. The wires 47,49 are held in place, to the small extent needed, by the pressure of the foam.
It wilJ be appreciated that the sound producing device as described is activated automatically when a person takes the zipper tag in hand: a person does not have to use a concious action to activate the device.
Simply taking the tag 23 in hand causes the switch 45 to be squeezed enough to operate it. The device 29 can be expected to have a long -reliable seNice life, since it has no moving parts.
., The tag is of a so~t, padded texture, which invites the person to squeeze it. The tag can be made in a form to reflect its novelty nature, for example as a heart or an animal head. The tag 23 need not be permanently attached to the pull-tab 22, by means of the ring 70, but rather may be hooked thereto, whereby the person can transfer the tag 23 to a different garment, if ~esired.
.
....
.. .
SU~S ~ ~TU~ SHEE~
Claims (9)
- CLAIM 1. Novelty apparatus, comprising a zipper tag in combination with a sound producing device, wherein:
the sound producing device includes electrical circuit components, including an activator switch, a battery, a loudspeaker, and an electronic sound processing unit;
the activator switch is of the kind in which electrical switching is effected by a person manually pressing the activator switch;
the sound producing device is positioned within the form and structure of a zipper tag, and is so arranged therein as to lie substantially within the dimensions of the said zipper tag;
the activator switch is so positioned in the zipper tag as to lie in the hand-grip of a person when grasping the zipper tag in order to operate a zipper cooperating with the tag;
the nature of the activator switch is such that the switch is activated by the action of the person in grasping the tag;
whereby the sound producing device is activated automatically by the action of a person in grasping the tag in order to operate the zipper. - CLAIM 2. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a timer means, and the timer means is so arranged as to automatically switch off the sound producing device after a predetermined period.
- CLAIM 3. Apparatus of claim 2, wherein the said period of time, after which the timer automatically switches off the sound producing device, is a few seconds.
- CLAIM 4. Apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus is so arranged that upon activation of the activator switch the sound producing device is activated produce sound for the pre-determined period, irrespective o. the period for which the switch is held activated by the person.
- CLAIM 5. Apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tag is of a padded, cushioned texture.
- CLAIM 6. Apparatus of claim 5, wherein the activator switch is so positioned as to be activated by a person squeezing the tag between thumb and fingers.
- CLAIM 7. Apparatus of claim 5, wherein the tag includes a board: the board is provided with a recess or cut-out; and the sound producing device resides in the said recess or cut-out; whereby the sound producing device lies concealed within the thickness of the tag.
- CLAIM 8. Apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sound producing device includes a loudspeaker portion, a switch portion, and a battery/chip portion, and the board is provided with three separate corresponding cut-outs, and the three portions reside within the cut-outs.
- CLAIM 9. Apparatus of claim 5, wherein the zipper tag includes two layers of foam material, and the sound producing device is sandwiched therebetween.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB929218006A GB9218006D0 (en) | 1992-08-24 | 1992-08-24 | Novelty zipper tag |
| GB9218006.6 | 1992-08-24 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2121911A1 true CA2121911A1 (en) | 1994-03-03 |
Family
ID=10720887
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2121911 Abandoned CA2121911A1 (en) | 1992-08-24 | 1993-08-23 | Novelty zipper tag |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2121911A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB9218006D0 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1994004054A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1733641A1 (en) * | 2005-06-13 | 2006-12-20 | CHANG, Mo-Hsin | Eye-catching zipper head |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3893096A (en) * | 1973-12-19 | 1975-07-01 | Domenick Tucci | Handbag alarm system |
| US4603327A (en) * | 1983-12-12 | 1986-07-29 | Leonard Obie P | Garment with fastener alarm |
| US4755802A (en) * | 1986-05-09 | 1988-07-05 | Felix Urbanczyk | Handbag, briefcase and luggage alarm |
| FR2609641A1 (en) * | 1987-01-14 | 1988-07-22 | Canecaude Emmanuel De | UNUSUAL SOUNDING OBJECT WHEN HANDLED |
| EP0303481A3 (en) * | 1987-08-13 | 1990-12-19 | Danny David Charles Steinberg | Open fastener detection & warning device |
-
1992
- 1992-08-24 GB GB929218006A patent/GB9218006D0/en active Pending
-
1993
- 1993-08-23 CA CA 2121911 patent/CA2121911A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-08-23 WO PCT/CA1993/000330 patent/WO1994004054A2/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1994004054A2 (en) | 1994-03-03 |
| GB9218006D0 (en) | 1992-10-07 |
| WO1994004054A3 (en) | 1994-04-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDC | Correction of dead application (reinstatement) | ||
| FZDE | Dead |