GB2483429A

GB2483429A - Slide fastener bottom stop

Info

Publication number: GB2483429A
Application number: GB201014251A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alicia Hitchen
Original assignee: YKK Europe Ltd
Current assignee: YKK Europe Ltd
Priority date: 2010-08-26
Filing date: 2010-08-26
Publication date: 2012-03-14
Anticipated expiration: 2030-08-26
Also published as: GB201014251D0; GB2483429B

Abstract

A slide fastener with an end stop comprising: a pair of tapes having a series of coupling elements along adjacent edges of each of the tapes, the end stop comprising: a first arm secured to one of the tapes; and a second arm secured to the other tape; a clamping or crimping means for securing the tapes together; the second arm being sized to fit between a gap in a side of a slider; and wherein the arms are not attached to each other but are flexibly attached to the clamping means; and wherein the first and second arms are of a length to extend a distance from the clamping means by an amount sufficient to span the length of a slider when the slider is adjacent the clamping means. Also claimed is a slide fastener where the end stop comprises modified coupling elements sized to fit between a gap in a side of a slider.

Description

SLIDE FASTENER BOTTOM STOP

The present invention relates to a slide or zip fastener. More specifically, the present invention relates to a new end stop for a slide or zip fastener, especially a new end stop for a slide fastener for which the ends of the fastener are closed.

Whilst the present invention finds particular application for use with slide fasteners having moulded coupling elements, it can also be used with fasteners having metallic elements which are ôrimped in place on the fastener tape edges.

However, more preferably the slide fastener and bottom stop of the present invention is used with plastics coupling elements. The new end bottom stop of the present invention also finds particular application in slide fasteners where rapid opening and re-closing of the coupling elements is desirable.

One of the problems still encountered with slide or zip fasteners today is that the chain formed by the interdigitation of the couplings elements on almost any slide fastener can be broken by folding the slide fastener back on itself and applying enough pressure or, pushing on the interlocking elements with enough force so that the interdigitation or coupling elements is broken. In most cases this is a very rare event but when it does occur for example by the use of excessive force, the product into which the slide fastener has been attached will in effect become useless.

One method which is often employed to try and restore a slide fastener or slide fastener broken in this manner is to try and force a slider present on the slide fastener over the teeth or coupling elements which have been forced open, and back to the start position of the slide fastener. The slide fastener is then pulled along the coupling elements again in an attempt to force the erroneously opened coupling elements into a cooperating arrangement.

Whilst on an open ended slide fastener (that is, a slide fastener wherein the two tapes are joined together by using a separable bottom stop), this is a relatively

I

straight forward procedure if enough force is applied to pass the slider over the open coupling elements, for a closed end slide fastener (this is where the bottom end of the chain has joined tapes) this approach is not suitable. The reason for this is that when using a slide fastener the coupling elements need to pass around a connecting member in the slider which is often in the form of a diamond shaped protrusion and is present in the centre of the slider in order for the coupling elements to be re-closed. Therefore, the connecting member or diamond of the slider needs to start from a position below the open teeth of the slide fastener if the coupling elements are to be reclosed. The connecting member or diamond can never move below the tail of the slider because it is usually fixed towards the top of the slider. Consequently, in a closed end slide fastener, the bottom or base of the slider can never go below the slide fastener bottom stop because if it did so the slider would fall off the slide fastener. As a result, even when the slider is at the bottom of the slide fastener there will always be coupling elements which will remain separated once the chain has burst thereby preventing the complete re-closure of all of the coupling elements on the zip fastener and consequently affecting the appearance of the zip fastener.

In addition, there is great difficulty associated with trying to feed opened coupling elements into the slider of a slide fastener at the end of the slide fastener for which the tapes are secured. These situations are obviously unsatisfactory for slide fasteners used in a range of applications and especially in situations where the rapid opening and closing of a slide fastener is required.

The present invention therefore seeks to address these problems, by means of an improved end stop, most preferably an improved bottom end stop for a slide fastener which enables the coupling elements to be closed and even more preferably rapidly closed.

Whilst not limited thereto, the present invention finds particular application with slide fasteners having thermoplastics coupling elements.

Also, the present invention relates primarily to a slide fastener with a closed end stop, but is not limited thereto.

In addition, the present invention primarily seeks to address the problem of slide fasteners in which some or all of the coupling elements have burst open and it is desired to re-interdigitate all of the coupling elements in the slide fastener.

Slide fasteners exist that are designed to be opened more quickly than can be managed by a slider. There are two main examples of this type of slide fastener.

The first is referred to herein as a top open' slide fastener which is designed to allow a slider to overcome a stop at the end of a slide fastener, usually a top stop, when additional pulling force is applied to the slider. In such circumstances the slider pulls over the top stop and consequently no longer holds to the coupling elements or teeth. Once the slider is free of the coupling elements, it is then possible to disengage the coupling elements along the length of the slide fastener and the slide fastener can therefore be effectively ripped open.

A similar situation is encountered when a slide fastener has an emergency bursting facility'. This feature may be provided on a slide fastener by means of a gap or weak point in the coupled chain which can be opened when the teeth or coupling elements are pushed out of the plane of the slide fastener. Once the slide fastener has been opened in this manner, in order to re-close the slide fastener it is necessary to return the slider to a start position. One may try to force the slider back to the beginning of the slide fastener but unfortunately this is difficult and requires some strength to be achieved. In addition, if this action is taken it often leads to the teeth or coupling elements being damaged resulting in either a reduced life for the slide fastener or a slide fastener which is no longer aesthetically pleasing.

An alternative approach is to move the slider to the end of the slide fastener, and thereby release it from one of the two tapes. The slider may then be returned to the start point of the coupling elements on the tape and re-threaded onto the tape which was previously released.

However a problem exists with slide fasteners which are opened in this way. The reason for this is due to the fact that it is necessary to return the slider to a starting position of the coupling elements. Therefore it is usual for these slide fasteners to be open ended, that is, the tapes of the slide fastener are not attached to each other independently of the teeth. If the ends of the tapes are attached to each other then the slider must be forced back down the teeth and there is then the problem that the teeth need to be above the connecting means or diamond in the slider if all of the coupling elements or teeth are to be reinterdigitated.

For some sliders and size and shapes of teeth, (particularly plastic and metal teeth) it is just not possible to force the slider back along the teeth, without damaging the teeth and reducing the potential life of the slide fastener.

Therefore, currently available slide fasteners do not meet the requirements of applications where repeated rapid opening and reclosing of the coupling elements is required.

In US 2,573,059 there is described a non-separable slide fastener having a releasing or quick disassembly top stop. The slide fastener comprises a pair of stringers consisting of beaded tapes with slide fastener elements clamped to the beaded edge of the tapes such that the elements are able to interlock by movement of a slider therealong. Also described is a releasing end stop secured to the top of the stringers whereby movement of the slider beyond the end stop enables the stringers to be stripped apart and the slider returned to the opposite end of the tapes. The fastener elements may then be rejoined by means of a pivotally connected bottom stop comprising pins or casing members which are joined to the bottom stop in combination with an automated closure mechanism involving laterally engaging extensions which engage a bottom edge of the slider.

In US 2,573,059 the bottom stop mechanism is complicated and more laboured and still prone to damage through continued and rapid use.

For this reason, the inventors have developed a new bottom stop which seeks to overcome the drawbacks of existing bottom stops and provide a means for the rapid opening and closing of slide fasteners.

Therefore according to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a slide fastener with an end stop suitable for use with a slider comprising: a pair of tapes and coupling elements wherein a series of coupling elements are secured along adjacent edges of each of the tapes to an end point, and wherein the end stop comprises: a first arm secured to one of the tapes; and a second arm secured to the other tape; and a clamping or crimping means for securing the tapes together wherein the second arm is so sized to be able to fit between a gap located in a side of the slider; and wherein the arms are not attached to each other; and wherein there is an area of flexibility between the one or more arms and the clamping or crimping means; and wherein the first and second arms are of a length to extend a distance from the clamping or crimping means by an amount sufficient to span the length of the slider when the slider is adjacent the clamping or crimping means.

In addition, also in accordance with the present invention there is provided a slide fastener with an end stop suitable for use with a slider comprising: a pair of tapes and coupling elements wherein a series of coupling elements are secured along adjacent edges of each of the tapes to an end point, and wherein the end stop comprises: a clamping or crimping means for securing the tapes together and further wherein a region of the coupling elements adjacent the end point and clamping means is modified and so sized to be able to fit between a gap located in a side of the slider; and wherein between the modified region of the coupling elements and the clamping or closure means there is provided a flexible area; and wherein the modified region of coupling elements extend a distance from the clamping or crimping means sufficient to span the length of the slider when the slider is adjacent the closure means.

According to the first aspect of the present invention the first and second arms of the slide fastener may comprise first and second pins respectively. One or both of the pins may themselves be segmented into two or more parts or the pins may each comprise a unitary component. In addition, when the pins are themselves segmented the segments may interconnect with the segments on an adjacent pin or coupling elements on an adjacent tape to thereby improve the strength of the bottom stop. The pins or the segments of the pins are connected to the tape edges.

Alternatively, the first and second arms may comprise a first segment of the coupling elements and a second segment of coupling elements respectively.

In yet a further embodiment of the invention the second arm of the slide fastener may be comprised of tape material. That is, there are no coupling elements or pins present and the tape material used to form the slide fastener comprises the second arm. When the tape material alone is used to form the second arm of the slide fastener the tape material may be coated and/or reinforced.

In all embodiments of the slide fastener of the present invention the distance between the clamping means and the end point is equal to the length of the slider.

In addition, the flexible area or the area of flexibility in the embodiments of the slide fastener may be comprised of tape or coated or reinforced tape only.

Furthermore, the clamping means of the slide fastener of the present invention forms a closed end stop and is provided to cover adjacent edges of the tapes.

The clamping means preferably comprises a box, which is a known feature in the field of slide fasteners. In this case the clamping means or box of the end stop extends proud of the tape surface on at least one side of the fastener tapes. The box may be comprised of metal or plastic material. Alternatively, the clamping means may comprise a crimping means. However, either feature ensure that one end of the slide fastener is securely closed and can not be opened.

A further feature of the slide fastener of the present invention is that the first pin is longer than the second pin. Furthermore the second pin is thinner than the first pin. In addition, the second pin preferably interconnects with one or more coupling elements on the tape.

It is also preferred that when the modified region comprises coupling elements, these coupling elements are thinner than the coupling elements in the remainder of the zip fastener. This ensures that the modified region is able to fit into the gap formed by the wings of the slider.

Therefore according to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a slide fastener as described herein with reference to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Other preferred features and aspects of the invention will be apparent from the

following description and the accompanying claims

The invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a first frontal view of a slide fastener in the closed position according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a second rear view of a slide fastener in Figure 1 in the closed position according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figures 3a to 3c illustrate a series of steps depicting the closing a slide fastener with an end stop according to the present invention; Figures 4a to 4c illustrate various views of a first pin used in the end stop of the present invention.

Figures 5a to 5d illustrate various views of a second pin used in the end stop of the present invention.

Figures 6a and 6b illustrate views of a second embodiment of a slide fastener according to the present invention.

In Figures 1 and 2 there is illustrated a front and rear view respectively of a first embodiment of a slide fastener comprising an extended end stop according a first aspect of the present invention.

The slide fastener 10 comprises a pair of stringers 14a, 14b comprised of coupling elements 12a, 12b. A series of coupling elements are secured along adjacent edges of each of the tapes 16a, 16b and which end at an end point 19 as is well known. A slider 20 is indicated in dotted outline to improve the clarity of the illustration.

In this embodiment of the invention the extended bottom stop comprises two pins 22 and 24 and a closure means in the form of box 26. One of the pins 22 is longer than the second pin 24. The longest pin 22 is located on the tape I 6b which preferably retains the slider when it is returned to the end of the slide fastener at the box 26 of the bottom stop whilst the second pin 24 is located on the tape 16a which does not retain the slider when the slide fastener is opened.

However, a feature of the present invention is that both of the pins 22, 24 are longer than the distance from the base of the slider 30 to a connecting portion or diamond 25 located inside the slider.

Another feature of the present invention is that when the slider is returned to the end stop and rests against the closure means or box 26 of the end stop, the free pin 24 and hence tape is re-threaded onto the slider by inserting the tape into a gap or slot located in the side of the slider, rather than from the top which is the normal method when trying to reattach a slider, For this to occur, it is necessary for the second pin 24 of the bottom stop located on the side of the tape slide fastener to be inserted to be of a size to enable the pin to slide between the rails formed by the top and bottom wings of a slider. The shape of the second pin therefore preferably matches the shape of the rails on the slider.

Another feature of the present invention is that the pins 24, 26 are so designed such that they interlock with each other. Furthermore, the shorter pin 26 interconnects with the last coupling element 13 on tape 16a. This reduces the chances of the pins breaking when moved out of alignment with the coupling elements.

This particular arrangement also allows the pins to be made using a mould without a sliding core. However, it will be appreciated that more complicated interlocking structures could be created if more strength were needed in a particular slide fastener.

It can also be seen from Figure 1 that the pins are not connected to the box 26 at the bottom of the tapes. Consequently, when the shorter pin 26 is to be reinserted into the slider, the pin is moved away from the line of closure to an extent to enable the slider to be brought back to the original position. This flexibility in the slide fastener is obtained by using flexible material in the gap between the pin and the box and preferably the fabric material of the tape. A rigid material used on the bottom stop would not allow this. Flexibility in the area between the closure means, box 26 and the base of the pin 24 is therefore a necessary part of this embodiment of the invention. It is also preferred that the first pin 22 is not attached to the box 26.

Therefore, to describe the rapid opening of a slide fastener, when the slider 20 is moved along the coupling elements 12 and over the last coupling element such that the coupling elements are free to be ripped open, the slider 20 is retained on one of the tapes I 6b. Once the coupling elements have been ripped open, the slider can then be returned to the start of the slide fastener by passing along the coupling elements on the open tape 16b until it reaches the end stop and is brought to rest against the closure means or box 26. In so doing, the pin 22 is aligned with the base of the slider 30 and the pin also extends the length of the slider.

In order to re-attach the free tape 16b, the flexibility in the slide fastener allows the second pin 24 to be slid between the wings of the slider and brought into substantial alignment with tape 16a. The second pin 24 also extends substantially along the length of the slider such that as the slider is moved along the slide fastener towards the free coupling elements the coupling elements are gradually drawn into the opening formed at the top of the slider which allows the coupling elements to the move through the channels on either side of the slider and thereby re-close the slide fastener. This series of events can be seen in Figures 3a to 3c respectively. In Figures 3a to 3c the connecting means between the wings of the slider can be seen in dotted outline as a diamond. It can also be seen that the coupling elements pass either side of the connecting means as the slider is drawn along the slider fastener.

Figures 3a, 3b and 3c illustrate the re-closure of the slide fastener using a slider in combination with the first embodiment of the present invention. It can be seen from Figure 3a that as the slider 20 (shown in dotted lines for ease of clarity) is brought to the end point of the coupling elements 19 of the slide fastener, the slider comes to rest against the closure means or box 26. At the same time the second pin 24 is moved out of alignment with the first pin 22 to enable the slider to reach the box 26. The second pin is able to move out of alignment with the first pin due to the flexibility of the slide fastener tapes and the fact that the second pin 24 is not attached to the closure means 26.

In Figure 3b it can be seen that in order to close the slide fastener the second pin 24 is then brought into alignment again with the first pin by movement of the second pin into the channels created in the sides of the slide fastener. Finally in Figure 3c it can be seen that as the slide fastener 20 is moved along the coupling elements that the pins 22 and 24 pass through the channels located in the slide fastener and in so doing the slider moves along the coupling elements and the first coupling element attached to pin 24 with a protrusion 40 is brought into engagement and interconnects with the first coupling element I 2e located on the second tape. As the slider continues to move along the slide fastener the coupling elements pass through the channels in the slider and are again re-interdigitated in-line with the closure of slide fasteners in normal practice.

In Figure 4a there is illustrated a first front side of the first pin 22 as seen in Figure 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A reverse view is illustrated in Figure 4b again of the same pin. In Figure 4c there is illustrated a side view of the pin 22 as viewed from the face of the pin that connects with the second pin 24. From Figure 4c it can be seen that the size of the first pin does not change from one end of the pin to the other and is of substantially a uniform shape along the length of the pin.

In contrast in Figures 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d there are illustrated various views of the second pin according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5a illustrates a first front side of the pin 24. Figure 5b illustrates the rear of reverse side of the pin 24. Figure 5c illustrates a side view of the pin 24 as viewed from the face which engages the first pin 22. Figure 5d is a top view of the pin 22. It can be seen from Figure 5c that the pin 24 is shaped to slide between the wings of the slider by virtue of the fact that the pin is tapered along its length from the head end 50 to the base end 52. This allows insertion of the pin into the slider as the depth of the pin 24 is smaller than the depth of the pin 22, which in contrast, is not tapered to slide between the channels of the slider.

Also present on Figures 5a and 5b is a protrusion 60 at the head of the pin 24 which are so shaped to interconnect with the pin 24 and the first coupling element on tape 16b adjacent to the pin 22.

In Figures 6a and 6b there is illustrated a second embodiment according to the present invention in which the mode of action is the same except that the pins have been replaced purely by coupling elements or teeth. It can be seen from Figure 6b that the teeth 60a, 60b and 6Cc on one slide of the tape are thinner at the base of the end stop than the remaining teeth on both sides of the tapes.

Since the closure mechanism for this second embodiment is again a slider, flexibility from the fabric tapes allows the thinner teeth or coupling elements to be moved into the gaps formed between the wings of the slider in a similar manner to the pin 22 in the first embodiment of the invention described above. The number of thinner teeth present will vary depending on the type of slide fastener and size of the slider however, there must be sufficient thinner teeth present to enable the thinner teeth to span the length of the slider. In this way, as the slider is progressed along the slider the remaining coupling elements 70a, and 70b on each side of the tapes 16a and 16b will be brought into an interconnecting or interdigitation relationship as known.

The slide fastener described in accordance with the present invention is most suitable for use with slide fastener tapes which are attached to each other at one end, commonly the bottom end of the slide fastener. The tapes are usually joined by an end stop and as will be appreciated various forms of end stop closure means, such as the box 26 described above but not limited thereto may be employed.

Claims

Claims 1. A slide fastener with an end stop suitable for use with a slider comprising: a pair of tapes and coupling elements wherein a series of coupling elements are secured along adjacent edges of each of the tapes to an end point, and wherein the end stop comprises: a first arm secured to one of the tapes; and a second arm secured to the other tape; and a clamping or crimping means for securing the tapes together wherein the second arm is so sized to be able to fit between a gap located in a side of the slider; and wherein the arms are not attached to each other; and wherein there is an area of flexibility between the one or more arms and the clamping or crimping means; and wherein the first and second arms are of a length to extend a distance from the clamping or crimping means by an amount sufficient to span the length of the slider when the slider is adjacent the clamping or crimping means.
2. A slide fastener with an end stop suitable for use with a slider comprising: a pair of tapes and coupling elements wherein a series of coupling elements are secured along adjacent edges of each of the tapes to an end point, and wherein the end stop comprises: a clamping or crimping means for securing the tapes together and further wherein a region of the coupling elements adjacent the end point and clamping means is modified and so sized to be able to fit between a gap located in a side of the slider; and wherein between the modified region of the coupling elements and the clamping or closure means there is provided a flexible area; and wherein the modified region of coupling elements extend a distance from the clamping or crimping means sufficient to span the length of the slider when the slider is adjacent the closure means.
3. A slide fastener as claimed in claim I wherein the first and second arms comprise first and second pins respectively.
4. A slide fastener as claimed in claim I wherein the first and second arms comprise a first segment of the coupling elements and a second segment of coupling elements respectively.
5. A slide fastener as claimed in claim I wherein the second arm is comprised of tape material.
6. A slide fastener as claimed in claim 5 wherein the tape material is coated or reinforced.
7. A slide fastener as claimed in any of claims I to 6 wherein the distance between the clamping means and the end point is equal to the length of the slider.
8. A slide fastener as claimed in any of claims I to 7 wherein the flexible area or the area of flexibility is comprised of tape or coated or reinforced tape only.
9. A slide fastener as claimed in claim 3 wherein the pins are connected to the tape edges.
10. A slide fastener as claimed in any of claims I to 9 wherein the clamping means forms a closed end stop and is provided to cover adjacent edges of the tapes.
11. A slide fastener as claimed in any of claims I to 10 wherein the clamping means comprises a box.
12. A slide fastener according to claims 10 or 11 wherein the clamping means or box of the end stop extends proud of the tape surface on at least one side of the fastener tapes.
13. A slide fastener as claimed in claims 3 or 9 wherein the first pin is longer than the second pin.
14. A slide fastener as claimed in claims 3, 9 or 13 wherein the second pin is thinner than the first pin.
15. A slide fastener as claimed in any of claims 3, 9, 13 or 14 wherein second pin interconnects with one or more coupling elements on the tape.
16. A slide fastener according to claim 2 wherein the modified region of coupling elements is thinner than the coupling elements in the remainder of the slide fastener.
17. A slide fastener as hereinbefore described with reference to and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.