GB2485968A

GB2485968A - Slider adjustment mechansim

Info

Publication number: GB2485968A
Application number: GB1017544.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Benedict Goodall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-18
Filing date: 2010-10-18
Publication date: 2012-06-06
Also published as: GB201017544D0

Abstract

A locking slide fastener mechanism, comprising a pair of toothed stringer tapes and a locking slider, the slider having a hoop or channel integrated into its rear face, and a cord or elastic member affixed or passed through the hoop, so that the cord can move with the slider. The cord may be used to adjust the seam of garments or other flexible articles. The stringer tapes may be joined together by a channel, through which the cord attached to the slider can travel. The channel may be continuous with the stringer tapes, or may be stitched to them.

Description

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Name of invention: Zip-Cor': a zip and slider mechanism

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Abstract: A zip mechanism including a locking slider. The locking slider having a zip pull to the outer face which releases the lock mechanism. To the inner face of the zip slider a hoop or channel through which cord or elastic may be passed. When the zip slider mechanism is operated this draws the cord within a flexible channel enabling the channel to be shortened.

Field of Invention:

This invention relates generally to the adjustment of seams of garments or other fabric or generally flexible articles where there is a desire to shorten or lengthen the perimeter of these to fulfil a given function.

Bckground of invention: Systems are know where a seam or hem of a garment may be shortened when elastic or cord is drawn through a sprung locking device in order to achieve the desired overall tightening or snugness of fit of the garment or article, The resulting by-product of this action is a surplus length of cord or elastic which must be stowed to avoid danger of ligature to the wearer or adjacent persons or damage to the item itself through snagging. Some sports jackets overcome this issue of surplus lengths of elastic or cord' by placing the sprung locking devices within zipped pockets, or behind a Velcro sealable flap, thus enabling the hazard to be contained and as such minimized or even eliminated. It is noted that this method of stowing surplus lengths of elastic described above may often not be employed due to restrictions of individual circumstance of each and every mechanism.

Summary of Invention:

* : This invention couples the use of a zip and slider commonly used for sealing a join between two * * separate elements, with elastic or cord, commonly used for shortening or tightening a length or pulling something from one location to a different location.

By affixing or integrating a hoop or guide to the back of a standard locking zip slider, through which elastic or cord may be passed or affixed, and at the same time creating a channel either by 1.: the means of connecting the outermost edges of the zip flanges / tapes together or by creating a fabric channel behind the zip flanges / tapes, the desired result of shortening a seam is achieved by drawing the locking zip slider along its predetermined course.

Conversely to the common scenario described under background of invention' above, the elastic or cord remains in the channel in its entirety, whilst the channel through which the elastic runs is extended or lengthened as the zip slider is pulled.

It is to be noted that with the elastic or cord at rest, the zip or tape in front of the slider is open revealing the open channel with the flanges /tapes and teeth of each half of the disengaged zip to each side.

It is understood that a mechanism fulfilling a similar role has been conceived where an amalgamated pair of zip sliders operate as one opening and closing zip tapes whilst drawing elastic. However, the embodiment submitted with this current application would enable access to the channel and therefore to the elastic or cord to the rear of the zip slider when this was in the open or at rest' scenario. The mechanism referred to in previous conceptions would not enable this feature, thus the submitted embodiment would simplify manufacture of the zip and slider assembly as well as the eventual installation of this into a desired element. This embodiment would also enable easy access to or substitution of the elastic or cord.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments for the invention, given by way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Particular objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this field of technology, in view of the following disclosure of the invention and detailed description of certain preferred embodiments.

Brief descri ption of drawings Drawing 1 depicts a plan view of a standard locking zip slider mechanism with the top of the zip slider removed for clarity, and showing the teeth of the zip tapes parting and the channel behind.

Drawing 2 depicts a cross section through Drawing 1 (section BB) showing a standard locking zip slider mechanism with a hoop integrated onto the rear of the slider.

Drawing 3 depicts a further cross section through drawing 1 (section CC), this taken through the rear portion of the zip slider where the teeth of the two halves of the zip are inter-digited or bonded. The flanges of the zip are shown running out to either sideds.

Drawing 4 depicts a longitudinal section through drawing 1 (section AA) showing a section down the length of the zip slider.

: Drawing S depicts a further longitudinal section through drawing 1 (section DD) showing a section * through the zip channel and zip flange and a side elevation of the zip slider.

* ** S sS * 40 Drawing 6 depicts a further cross section through drawing 1 (section CC), showing a situation where the zip flanges/tapes are continuous having been formed as one in such a way as to form an integral channel when the two halves of the zip are joined together.

Drawing 7 depicts a further cross section through drawing 1 (section CC), whereas demonstrated in drawing 6 the flanges are integral to the channel and fabric of an article or garment has been shown stitched on. S* S * S S * S.

Drawing 8 depicts a further cross section through drawing 1 (section CC), where the elastic or cord travels through a compressible channel within a waist band or similar, in this embodiment, the zip flanges do not form the compressible channel, but are integral to the assembly.

Drawing 9 depicts a further cross section through drawing 1 (section CC), whereby the elastic or cord travels through a compressible channel which may be through the centre of a garment or element, where the compressible channel forms the only link between the two halves when unzipped, and where the rear of the channel might be covered or exposed to the rear face.

Drawing 10 depicts a further cross section through drawing 1 (section CC), whereby the elastic or cord travels through a compressible channel, this channel formed from the article or garment into which the device is placed.

Drawing 11 depicts a further longitudinal section through drawing 1 (section PA) showing a section down the length of the zip slider. This drawing depicts a different mechanism for attaching the cord or elastic, where this is fed through around and back out of an integrated channel to the rear of the zip slider body.

Drawing 12 depicts a further longitudinal section through drawing 1 (section DD) showing a section through the zip channel and zip flange and a side elevation of the zip slider.

Drawing 13 depicts plan view of a garment or article where a slider mechanism as described in drawing 4 and S and indeed in drawings 11 and 12 is shown in side elevation This drawing shows an assembly where cord or elastic is being drawn around a corner and along an undefined length by a zip slider.

Drawing 14 depicts a similar scenario to the one described in drawing 13, but in this embodiment, the zip flanges or tapes are continuous, running around one or more corners or indeed the full perimeter of a unit or application.

Detailed description of the invention:

Drawing 1 depicts a plan view of a standard locking zip slider mechanism with the top of the zip slider removed for clarity, and showing the teeth of the zip tapes parting and the channel behind.

The toothed zip flanges or tapes can be seen with a fabric weave running out to either side. The * flanges are shown laid flat for clarity. Section lines are also shown on this drawing, for reference to other drawings listed below.

* ** *** * 40 Drawing 2 depicts a cross section through Drawing I (section BB) showing a standard locking zip slider mechanism with a hoop integrated onto the rear of the slider through which a cord or elastic may be passed or affixed. In this section the teeth of the zip have been parted by the zip slider as they pass through this and the elastic is seen cut through two times.

Drawing 3 depicts a further cross section through drawing 1 (section CC), this taken through the * rear portion of the zip slider where the teeth of the two halves of the zip are inter-digited or ::: . : bonded. The flanges or tapes of the zip are shown running out to either side.

Drawing 4 depicts a longitudinal section through drawing 1 (section AIX) showing a section down the length of the zip slider. This drawing depicts how the cord or elastic may be attached to the integrated hoop as well as, for reference only, how a typical locking mechanism is deployed. The locking mechanism is not the subject of this invention. In this drawing the elastic or cord is shown within a channel, with the wall to the rear of the channel depicted by a double line to the left most side.

Drawing 5 depicts a further longitudinal section through drawing 1 (section DO) showing a section through the zip channel and zip flange and a side elevation of the zip slider. Refer to drawing 4

for further description.

Drawing 6 depicts a further cross section through drawing 1 (section CC), showing a situation where the zip flanges/tapes are continuous having been formed as one with the zip teeth to the outermost edge, in such a way as to form an integral channel when the two halves of the zip are joined together, a channel through which the elastic/cord and the rear face of the zip slider can travel. The embodiment seen in drawing six could exist as an entity in its own right, where the channel could form a cordon or guy rope or strap, where this requires lengthening or shortening, this being be achieved by moving the zip slider, without resulting in extra lengths of elastic or cord which would require storing away. A further embodiment of this mechanism would see this stitched or affixed through the rear of the channel to another fabric or membrane, in this embodiment the tapes or flanges could either link together to form the channel, or could be stitched or affixed independently to other fabric or membrane in such a fashion that the other membrane would form the rear face of the channel. This embodiment might be used for tightening a tarpaulin or similar along its diagonal or other vertices, either from the centre out, or from the outside to the centre.

Drawing 7 depicts a further cross section through drawing 1 (section CC), whereas demonstrated in drawing & the flanges are integral to the channel and fabric of an article or garment has been shown stitched on. As an example, this embodiment might be used to tighten a waist band of a sports jacket or cuff of a sleeve or cuff of a glove.

Drawing 8 depicts a further cross section through drawing I (section CC), where the elastic or cord travels through a compressible channel within a waist band or similar. In this embodiment, the zip flanges do not form the compressible channel as per Drawing Seven, instead, this is formed by a separate compressible membrane stitched or affixed to an outer or inner layer via the zip flanges as shown. This embodiment literally improves the flexibility of the channel, enabling this to compress more easily and wrap around a radius without any issues of differential lengths between the inner and outer membranes, which might cause unwanted ruckling or snagging.

* e OS * 40 Drawing 9 depicts a further cross section through drawing I (section CC), whereby the elastic or cord travels through a compressible channel as seen in Drawing Eight, maybe through the centre or mid point of a garment or element, where the compressible channel forms the only link between the two halves when unzipped, and where the rear of the channel might be covered or exposed to the rear face.

* * Drawing 10 depicts a further cross section through drawing 1 (section CC), where the elastic or cord travels through a compressible channeL this channel formed from the article or garment into which the device is placed. As an example, this embodiment might be used in the hem of a

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blanket or jacket or to the edge of a tarpaulin where there is a desire to tighten the edge, thus reducing the perimeter of said object for the desired period of time. In the tarpaulin embodiment for example, wrapping around to the underside of a boat in transit or in a boat yard, or could be used to tightly wrap around a bulky or irregular object or load on a lorry flat bed or such similar.

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Drawing 11 depicts a further longitudinal section through drawing 1 (section AA) showing a section down the length of the zip slider. This drawing depicts a different mechanism for attaching the cord or elastic, where this is fed through, around and back out of an integrated channel to the rear of the zip slider body. This embodiment has the added advantage of slimming down the zip slider body enabling a slimmer channel to be formed in which the the cord or elastic may run. It is to be noted that the cord or elastic could be knotted where this exists from the channel as per the drawing, or could pass through and out, enabling the slider to pull not one but two pieces of cord or elastic. In this embodiment, it is perceived that the cord or elastic may run more freely than in the embodiment shown in drawing 4 and 5 as the channel directs the cord or elastic towards its opposite end.

Drawing 12 depicts a further longitudinal section through drawing 1 (section DD) showing a section through the zip channel and zip flange and a side elevation of the zip slider. Refer to drawing 11 for further elaboration.

Drawing 13 depicts plan view of a garment or article where a slider mechanism as described in drawing 4 and S and indeed in drawings 11 and 12 is shown in side elevation. This drawing shows an assembly where cord or elastic is being drawn around a corner and along an undefined length by a zip slider. As the slider is itself drawn along its predetermined path along the two halves of the zip this resulting in the cord or elastic becoming in effect shorter relative to the channel which is increasing in length as the slider is drawn away from the other end or fixing point or fulcrum of the cord or elastic. It is to be noted that the furthest end of the cord or elastic may in itself be attached to another slider which may also be drawn in the opposite direction thus potentially doubling the shortening effect described above.

Drawing 14 depicts a similar scenario to the one described in drawing 13, but in this embodiment, the zip flanges or tapes are continuous, running around one or more corners or indeed the full perimeter of a unit or application. This embodiment would enable the user to select which areas of the perimeter they wished to shorten by pulling the two conjoined sliders in opposite directions, thus tightening the cord or elastic between these sliders as they are moved further apart. It is to be noted that any number of pairs of the opposing conjoined sliders as described °. : above could be employed on the same pair of zip flanges ortapes, with additional pairs of sliders * ** being able to be added at will via an open end to the zip, thus giving further flexibility to the user.

* This embodiment could have many uses or applications, though one of these might be the aforementioned tarpaulin, which is used again as an example. In order to secure a load the user may wish to tighten a tarpaulin wrapped over an irregular load, which may require 3 or more corners tightened, the exact point at which the tightening is desired may so be selected and these points tightened accordingly by pulling in opposite directions the two conjoined zip sliders at each of these key points. * ** * * * *** * * * * I * * *I