US20120297584A1

US20120297584A1 - Zipper head structure

Info

Publication number: US20120297584A1
Application number: US13/114,899
Authority: US
Inventors: Yu-Pau Lin
Original assignee: Chung Chwan Enterprise Co Ltd
Current assignee: Chung Chwan Enterprise Co Ltd
Priority date: 2011-05-24
Filing date: 2011-05-24
Publication date: 2012-11-29

Abstract

A zipper head structure is disclosed, which includes a slider body, a pull-tab, and a locking hook. The slider body has a protrusion which is formed on the slider body. The pull-tab has a holding portion and an opening. The protrusion is located in the opening of the pull-tab. The locking hook has a base portion which is located over the hinge portion. The locking hook is disposed on the slider body. The base portion has a through hole. A stopper is downwardly formed by one side of the through hole. The hinge portion is disposed between the protrusion and the stopper. Thereby, by utilizing the stopper of the locking hook which is integrally formed, the movement of the hinge portion is effectively confined for preventing the pull-tab from separating with the slider body when pulling the zipper.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The instant disclosure relates to a zipper head structure; more particularly, to a zipper head structure that prevents a pull tab of separating from the zipper.
2. Description of Related Art
In general, zippers are basic elements in clothing or accessories. Compare to buttons, the zippers are easier to use. A conventional zipper comprises a zipper head and a tape. The zipper head works with the tape to allow the pulling action. Recently, zippers has being used commonly for clothing, pants, backpack, and other accessories.
Please refer to FIG. 1, which shows a sectional view for a standard zipper head structure. The zipper head structure comprises a slider body 1 a, a pull-tab 2 a, a locking hook 3 a, and a stopper 4 a. The pull-tab 2 a is disposed onto the slider body 1 a. A hinge portion 21 a of the pull-tab 2 a is located in back of a protrusion 11 a of the slider body 1 a, and which is located in front of a stopper. When the pall-tab 2 a is pulled, the hinge portion 21 a of the pull-tab 2 a would move away from the protrusion 11 a and toward the stopper 4 a of the locking hook 3 a, which is disposed across the locking hook 3 a. Thereby, the stopper 4 a acts to block the pull-tab 2 a from moving unrestrictedly. However, the aforementioned zipper head structure may be more difficult to assemble, involve more manufacturing steps, complex manufacturing process, increase manufacturing cost, etc.
To address the above issues, the inventor proposes the following solution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant disclosure provides a zipper head structure, which can improve the assembling process for reducing manufacturing effort and cost.
The disclosed zipper head structure comprises a slider body, a pull-tab, and a locking hook. The slider body has a top wall, a bottom wall, a connecting portion, and a protrusion. Both ends of the connecting portion are respectively connected with the top wall and the bottom wall. The protrusion is formed onto a top surface of the top wall. The protrusion is located on one end of the slider body. The connecting portion is formed on another end of the slider body. The pull-tab has a holding portion on one end and an opening formed on another end thereof. A hinge portion is defined in between the opening and the corresponding end of the pull-tab, with the hinge portion being opposite of the holding portion. The pull-tab is disposed on the top surface of the top wall. The protrusion is located in the opening of the pull-tab. The locking hook has a base portion which is located over the hinge portion. The locking hook is disposed on the top surface of the top wall. The base portion has a through hole. A stopper is downwardly formed by one side of the through hole. The hinge portion is disposed in between the protrusion and the stopper.
Based on the above, the zipper head structure of the instant disclosure uses the stopper of the locking hook that is integrately formed to block and confine the movement of the hinge portion. No stopper is required for the locking hook to restrict the movement of the pull-tab over the slider body. The advantages include reducing the assembling complexity of the zipper head structure, which reduces the manufacturing effort and cost, etc.
In order to further appreciate the characteristics and technical contents of the instant disclosure, references are hereunder made to the detailed descriptions and appended drawings in connection with the instant disclosure. However, the appended drawings are merely shown for exemplary purposes, rather than being used to restrict the scope of the instant disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a conventional zipper head structure.

FIG. 2 is an assembled view of a zipper head structure of the instant disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the zipper head structure of the instant disclosure.

FIG. 4 is another view of an exploded view of the zipper head structure of the instant disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the zipper head structure of the instant disclosure.

FIG. 5A is a sectional view of FIG. 5 along the cut line A-A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Please refer to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, FIG. 2 shows an assembled view, and FIGS. 3, 4 show different views of an exploded view of a zipper head structure of the instant disclosure respectively. The zipper head structure comprises a slider body 1, a pull-tab 2, and a locking hook 3. The slider body 1 has a top wall 11, a bottom wall 12, a connecting portion 13, and a protrusion 14. Both ends of the connecting portion 13 are respectively connected with the top wall 11 and the bottom wall 12. The protrusion 14 is formed onto a top surface 111 of the top wall 11. The protrusion 14 is located on one end of the slider body 1. The connecting portion 13 is formed on another end of the slider body 1. The pull-tab 2 has a holding portion 21 on one end and an opening 22 formed on another end thereof. A hinge portion 23 is defined in between the opening 22 and the corresponding end of the pull-tab 2, with the hinge portion 23 being opposite of the holding portion 21. The pull-tab 2 is disposed on the top surface 111 of the top wall 11. The protrusion 14 is located in the opening 22 of the pull-tab 2. The locking hook 3 has a base portion 31 which is located over the hinge portion 23. The locking hook 3 has a base portion 31 which is located over the hinge portion 23. The locking hook 3 is disposed on the top surface 111 of the top wall 11. The base portion 31 has a through hole 32. A stopper 33 is downwardly formed by one side of the through hole 32. The hinge portion 23 is disposed in between the protrusion 14 and the stopper 33. Furthermore, the connecting portion 13 of the slider body 1 is concaved.
The slider body 1 further comprises a receiving slot 112 projected through the top wall 11 and formed on one end of the slider body 1. The connecting portion 13 is opposite of the receiving slot 112. Furthermore, the receiving slot 112 is disposed on one side of the protrusion 14.
A hooking portion 34 is formed by bending one end of the base portion 31, and wherein a clasping portion 35 is formed by bending another end of the base portion 31. Furthermore, the hooking portion 34 of the locking hook 3 projects through the receiving slot 112 of the slider body 1. The clasping portion 35 is secured to the connecting portion 13 of the slider body 1.
Notably, a mouth 36 is formed in between the base portion 31 and the clasping portion 35 of the locking hook 3, and wherein the protrusion 14 of the slider body 1 projects through the mouth 36 of the locking hook 3.
The pull-tab 2 is flake form, and wherein the locking hook 3 is integrately formed.
In addition, the pull-tab 2 further comprises a ridge 231, wherein the ridge 231 is connected with the hinge portion 23 and extends into the opening 22 of the pull-tab 2.
Please refer to FIGS. 5 and 5A, which show a top view and a cross sectional view along the cut line A-A for the zipper head structure of the instant disclosure, respectively. Please also refer back to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 in conjunction. For assembling the zipper head structure, the protrusion 14 of the slider body 1 is first aligned to project through the opening 22 of the pull-tab 2. Next, the pull-tab 2 is disposed onto the top surface 111 of the top wall 11, such that the protrusion 14 of the slider body 1 is within the opening 22 of the pull-tab 2. Then, the hooking portion 34 of the locking hook 3 on one end is projected through the receiving slot 112 of the slider body 1. The clasping portion 35 of the locking hook 3 is secured to the concaved connecting portion 13 of the slider body 1. Then, by pressing the base portion 31 of the locking hook 3 toward the top surface 111 of the slider body 1, the protrusion 14 of the slider body 1 would project through mouth 36 which is in between the base portion 31 and the hooking portion 34 of the locking hook 3, such that the clasping portion 35 of the locking hook 3 is completely secured to the connecting portion 13 of the slider body 1. Once completely secured, no more pressing is required on the base portion 31 of the locking hook 3. Thus, the assembling process of the zipper head structure is completed.
In use, when closing the zipper (not shown), the holding portion 21 of the pull-tab 2 is first pulled upward relative to the slider body 1. Next, the hinge portion 23 of the pull-tab 2 is disposed over the top surface 111 of the top wall 11 is defined as a pivot point. By pulling upward, the pull-tab 2 is rotated, such that the holding portion 21 is at the same end with the connecting portion 13. During pivoting, the ridge 231 of the pull-tab 2 would abut the locking hook 3, and wherein pressure would be apply to the locking hook 3 such that the hooking portion 34 of the locking hook 3 would be departed from the receiving slot 112. As a result, the zipper is closed. In addition, as the zipper is being closed by pulling the pull-tab 2, the hinge portion 23 of the pull-tab 2 abuts to the stopper 33 of the locking hook 3. The shape of the stopper 33 is not restricted. Thus, when using the zipper, the integrally formed locking hook 3 utilizes the stopper 33 under the base portion 31 to confine the movement of the hinge portion 23 of the pull-tab 2 over the top surface 111, to effectively keep the pull-tab 2 from separating with the slider body 1.
The disclosed zipper head structure mainly uses the stopper, which is integrally formed with the locking hook. When pulling the zipper relative to the slider body, the stopper of the locking hook can effectively confine the movement of the hinge portion of the pull-tab over the top surface of the slider body. Thereby, the locking hook does not need an additional element to confine the movement of the pull-tab over the slider body. As a result, the assembling complexity of the zipper head structure is reduced. Accordingly, the manufacturing procedure is simplified, and the manufacturing effort and cost can be saved.
The descriptions illustrated supra set forth simply the preferred embodiment of the instant disclosure; however, the characteristics of the instant disclosure are by no means restricted thereto. All changes, alternations, or modifications conveniently considered by those skilled in the art are deemed to be encompassed within the scope of the instant disclosure delineated by the following claims. cm What is claimed is:

Claims

1. A zipper head structure, comprising:

a slider body having a top wall, a bottom wall, a connecting portion and a protrusion, wherein both ends of the connecting portion are respectively connected with the top wall and the bottom wall, wherein the protrusion is formed on the top surface of the top wall, wherein the protrusion is located on one end of the slider body, wherein the connecting portion is formed on the other end of the slider body;

a pull-tab having a holding portion on one end and an opening formed on another end thereof, a hinge portion being defined between the opening and the corresponding end of the pull-tab, the hinge portion being on the opposite end of the holding portion, wherein the pull-tab is disposed on the top wall of the slider body, wherein the protrusion is arranged in the opening of the pull-tab; and

a locking hook having a base portion disposed over the hinge portion on the top surface of the top wall of the slider body, wherein the locking hook including a stopper downwardly extended from the hinge facing side thereof, wherein the hinge portion is disposed between the protrusion and the stopper, whereby the pull-tab is retained on the slider body.

2. The zipper head structure of claim 1, wherein the slider body further comprises a receiving slot, wherein the receiving slot projects through the top wall and is formed on one end of the slider body, the connecting portion being opposite of the receiving slot.

3. The zipper head structure of claim 2, wherein the receiving slot is disposed on one side of the protrusion.

4. The zipper head structure of claim 3, wherein a hooking portion is formed by bending one end of the base portion, and wherein a clasping portion is formed by bending another end of the base portion.

5. The zipper head structure of claim 4 wherein the hooking portion of the locking hook projects through the receiving slot of the slider body.

6. The zipper head structure of claim 4, wherein the clasping portion is secured to the connecting portion of the slider body.

7. The zipper head structure of claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is concaved.

8. The zipper head structure of claim 4, wherein a mouth is formed in between the base portion and the clasping portion of the locking hook, and wherein the protrusion of the slider body projects through the mouth of the locking hook.

9. The zipper head structure of claim 1, wherein the pull-tab further comprises a ridge, wherein the ridge is connected with the hinge portion and extends into the opening of the pull-tab.

10. The zipper head structure of claim 1, wherein the locking hook is integrally formed.