GB2346653A - Zip with connection to slider - Google Patents

Zip with connection to slider Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2346653A
GB2346653A GB9902864A GB9902864A GB2346653A GB 2346653 A GB2346653 A GB 2346653A GB 9902864 A GB9902864 A GB 9902864A GB 9902864 A GB9902864 A GB 9902864A GB 2346653 A GB2346653 A GB 2346653A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
fastener
zip fastener
fixing point
chains
connecting member
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9902864A
Other versions
GB9902864D0 (en
Inventor
Russell Andrew Edwards
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB9902864A priority Critical patent/GB2346653A/en
Publication of GB9902864D0 publication Critical patent/GB9902864D0/en
Publication of GB2346653A publication Critical patent/GB2346653A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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
    • A44B19/30—Sliders with means for locking in position
    • A44B19/301—Sliders with means for locking in position at the end of their upward travel with any suitable device, e.g. pull member combined with a press-button, a hook, a key-operated lock
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D2400/00—Functions or special features of garments
    • A41D2400/44—Donning facilities

Landscapes

  • Details Of Garments (AREA)
  • Slide Fasteners (AREA)

Abstract

A zip fastener 1, for a garment or the like, has a slider 4. The slider is connected to a fixing point 10 by a member 12. The zip can be opened or closed by pulling the material around the fixing point, and so it can more readily be operated by disabled persons.

Description

A Zip Fastener The present invention relates to a zip fastener and a method of opening or closing a zip fastener, and in particular to a zip fastener which can more readily be done up or opened by disabled persons.
Zip fasteners conventionally provide a compact, and for most people a convenient means by which an opening in a garment, container, bag, covering, etc.. may be opened or closed. Such zippers have a slide with a divider that when moved along opposed chains (which term herein includes transverse metal teeth, longitudinal plastic grooves/tongues, helical plastic members and the like) serves to open and close the zip fastener.
However because of the relatively small size of the divider, and usually also of a tab (which term herein includes any such hold) attached to the divider, it can be difficult for disabled persons with reduced manual dexterity, to operate a zip fastener.
It is known to provide extended or elongate tabs or loops of nylon, leather, wire, etc.. attached to the slider to make it easier for such persons to operate a zip fastener. However these are bulky and either cannot be hidden when not in use, or need to be tucked away inside a garment when not in use.
This is inconvenient, and presents it own difficulties to a disabled person.
It may also not be possible for such prior art devices to be retrofitted to an existing conventional zip fastener or garment.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a more convenient zip fastener for use by a disabled person.
Accordingly, the invention provides a zip fastener comprising two opposed chains of teeth, a slidewith a divider that moves along the length of the chains to open or close the fastener, a fixing point proximate an opening end of the chains, and a connecting member linking the slide to the fixing point, wherein the fastener may be opened or closed by a person holding the fastener on or about the the fixing point and then moving the fixing point and thereby via the connecting member also the slide, along the length of the chains to open or close the fastener.
The chains may be set into an opening in a surrounding material or fabric.
In general, the chains will be manufactured set into a supporting material running the length along one side of each chain.
Often the connecting member will comprise a pull tab on the slide, in which case, the pull tab may be pivotallyattached to the slide.
Preferably, the connecting member comprises a flexible linkage attached at one end to the fixing point. This facilitates any relative movement between the fixing point and the slider. Such a flexible linkage may be attached at the other end to the pull tab.
In one embodiment, the flexible linkage is permanently attached to the pull tab.
Alternatively, the flexible linkage may be removably attached to the tab.
For example, if the pull tab has an eye or hole therein, the flexible linkage may engage removably with the pull tab through the eye.
Preferably, the flexible linkage is elastically deformable. Then, the fixing point is elastically linked to the slider which provides a smoother operation of the fastener.
In one embodiment, the fixing point comprises a button with a head, the connecting member including means by which the connecting member may be affixed to the button beneath the head. If the connecting member includes a loop, this may loop underneath the head of the button to affix the connecting member to the head.
It has been found that in practice, the operation of the zip fastener is easiest when the fixing point is located within 30mm of the opening end of the chains.
Also according to the invention, there is provided a garment made of fabric with an opening therein, the opening being closable by a zip fastener, in which the zip fastener is described above according to the invention.
Usually, the garment will have an edge which is intersected by the opening, the fixing point lying near the edge so that the fastener may be opened or closed by a person holding the fastener on or about the edge and then moving the edge and hence also the fixing point and thereby via the connecting member also the slide along the length of the chains to open or close the fastener.
The invention also provides a method of opening or closing a zip fastener, the zip fastener comprising two opposed chains of teeth, a slide with a divider that moves along the length of the chains to open or close the fastener, a fixing point prozimate an opening end of the chains, and a connecting member linking the slide to the fixing point, wherein the fastener may be opened or closed by a person. i) holding the fastener on or about the fixing point; and then ii) moving the fixing point and thereby via the connecting member also the slide along the length of the chains to open or close the fastener.
The invention will now be described in further detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a zip fastener and a garment according to a first embodiment of the invention, shown in a fully closed position; Figure 2 is aview similar to that of Figure 1, but showing the fastener in being opened; Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, but showing the fastener in being closed; and Figure 3 is a plan view of a zip fastener and a garment according to a second embodiment of the invention, shown in.. a half open position.
Refering first to Figures 1 to 3, a zip fastener (1) comprises two opposed chains of metal teeth (2), (3), a slide (4) with a divider (5) that may be moved along the length of the chains (2), (3) to open or close the fastener (1). The teeth are set into supporting fabric (6), which is itself sewn into an opening (7) in a garment, here a pair of trousers (8). The opening (7) intersects an upper edge (9) of the trousers (8).
The trousers have a conventional button fastener (10) near the upper edge (9).
The button (10) forms a convenient fixing point proximate the opening end of chains (2) (3).
The slide (4) has a conventional tab (11) by which the zip fastener (1) may be opened or closed. The tab (11) is linked to the button (10) by a small elastic loop of material (12) together form a connecting member that links the slide (4) to the button (10).
In use, and as shown most clearly in Figures 2 and 3, the fastener (1) may be opened or closed by a person holding the fastener (1) on or about the button (10) and then moving the button (10) and/or the material of the trouser about the button (10) upwards or downwards. This action thereby via the tab (11) and loop (12) moves also the slide (4) along the length of the chains (2) (3) to open or close the fastener (1).
The invention has several advantages for a disabled person or child, elderly etc.. when using a zip fastener; (a) Easier use of a zip fastener.
(b) A faster use of a zip fastener.
(c) It is hidden from view when not in use because it is small and not bulky.

Claims (19)

  1. Claims 1. A zip fastener, compring two opposed chains of teeth, a slide with a divider that moves along the length of the chains to open or close the fastener, a fixing point proximate an opening end of the chains, and a connecting member linking the slide to the fixing point, wherein the fastener may be opened or closed by a person holding the fastener on or about the fixing point and then moving the fixing point and thereby via the connecting member also the slide along the length of the chains to open or close the fastener.
  2. 2. A zip fastener as claimed in claim 1, in which the chains as set into an opening in a surrounding material or fabric.
  3. 3. A zip fastener as claimed in claim 2, in which connecting member comprises a pull tab on the slide.
  4. 4. A zip fastener as claimed in claim 3, in which the pull tab is pivotally attached to the slide.
  5. 5. A zip fastener as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the connecting member comprises a flexible linkage attached at one end to the fixing point.
  6. 6. A zip fastener as claimed in claim 5, when appendant to claim 3 or 4, in which the flexible linkage is attached at the other end to the pull tab.
  7. 7. A zip fastener as claimed in claim 6, in which the flexible linkage is permanently attached to the pull tab.
  8. 8. A zip fastener as claimed in claim 6, in which the pull tab has a eye, the flexible linkage engaging removable with the pull tab through the eye.
  9. 9. A zip fastener as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, in which the flexible linkage is elasticaly deformable.
  10. 10. A zip fastener as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the fixing point comprises a button with a head, the connecting member including means by which the connecting member may be affixed to the button beneath the head.
  11. 11. A zip fastener as claimed in claim10, in which the connecting member includes a loop which loops underneath the head of the button to affix the connecting member to the head.
  12. 12. A zip fastener as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the fixing point is located within 30mm of the opening end of the chains.
  13. 13. A garment made of fabric with an opening therein, the opening being closable by a zip fastener, in which the zip fastener is as claimed in any preceding claim.
  14. 14. A garment as claimed in claim 13, in which the garment has an edge which is intersected by the opening, the fixing point lying near the edge so that the fastener may be opened or closed by a person holding the fastener on or about the edge and then moving the edge and hence also the fixing point and thereby via the connecting member also the slide along the length of the chains to open or close the fastener.
    15.
  15. 15. A method of opening or closing a zip fastener, the zip fastener comprising two opposed chains of teeth, a slide with a divider that moves along the length of the chains to open or close the fastener, a fixing point proximate an opening end of the chains, and a connecting member linking the slide to the fixing point, wherein the fastener may be opened or closed by a person: i) holding the fastener on or about the fixing point; and then ii) moving the fixing point and thereby via the connecting member also the slide along the length of the chains to open or close the fastener.
  16. 16. A method as claimed in claim 15, in which the zip fastener is set into a garment having an opening which is closable by the zip fastener, the garment having an edge which is intersected by the garment, the fixing point lying near the edge so that the fastener may be opened or closed by a person: iii) holding the fastener on or about the edge; and then iv) moving the edge and hence also the fixing point and thereby via the connecting member also the slide along the length of the chains to open or close the fastener.
  17. 17. A zip fastener substantially as herein described, with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
  18. 18. A garment with a zip fastener substantially as herein decribed, with reference to or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
  19. 19. A method of opening or closing a zip fastener substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB9902864A 1999-02-09 1999-02-09 Zip with connection to slider Withdrawn GB2346653A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9902864A GB2346653A (en) 1999-02-09 1999-02-09 Zip with connection to slider

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9902864A GB2346653A (en) 1999-02-09 1999-02-09 Zip with connection to slider

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9902864D0 GB9902864D0 (en) 1999-03-31
GB2346653A true GB2346653A (en) 2000-08-16

Family

ID=10847398

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9902864A Withdrawn GB2346653A (en) 1999-02-09 1999-02-09 Zip with connection to slider

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2346653A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11013298B2 (en) 2018-07-18 2021-05-25 Nike, Inc. Releasable fastener

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1144678A (en) * 1967-05-20 1969-03-05 Martin Frederick Francis Dixon Sliding clasp fastener in combination with a press stud for securing the slider thereof
GB1534498A (en) * 1976-08-09 1978-12-06 Yoshida Kogyo Kk Slide fastener-operated top hood for trucks

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1144678A (en) * 1967-05-20 1969-03-05 Martin Frederick Francis Dixon Sliding clasp fastener in combination with a press stud for securing the slider thereof
GB1534498A (en) * 1976-08-09 1978-12-06 Yoshida Kogyo Kk Slide fastener-operated top hood for trucks

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11013298B2 (en) 2018-07-18 2021-05-25 Nike, Inc. Releasable fastener

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9902864D0 (en) 1999-03-31

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AT Applications terminated before publication under section 16(1)
AT Applications terminated before publication under section 16(1)

Free format text: ERRATUM: PATENT APPLICATION GB9902864.9 WAS INCORRECTLY ADVERTISED AS TERMINATED BEFORE PUBLICATIONUNDER SECTION 16(1) IN PATENTS AND DESIGNS JOURNAL 5760 DATED 29 SEPTEMBER 1999.

WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)