Zipper Pull Latch for Hanging Object
An attachment system is integrated into a hanging ornament (e.g., toy, audio player, aesthetic adornment, etc.) that readily attaches to a specially shaped zipper pull that replaces or mounts to a generally known zipper pull. The wearer then has ready access to the item with reduced likelihood of dropping the item. This allows the user to have very easy access to the toy which hangs from the attachment piece on the exterior of the garment. The system is designed to allow for the toy to be easily attached and detached from the attachment point for ease of use. Furthermore, in many situations it is possible to use the toy without needing to detach it from the garment as the flexible corded attachment piece allows the toy to be handled without removal.
The present application is a continuation-in-part of the co-pending and commonly-owned U.S. Pat. Appln. Ser. No. 60/712,560, “ZIPPER PULL LATCH FOR HANGING OBJECT” to Terry J. Cyr and Theodore C. Sorom, filed 30 Aug. 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates in general to garment attachments for novelty items, and more particularly to garment zipper pulls with detachable objects.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMany small toys exist in the marketplace, but rarely is there a suitable system for carrying such toys or other useful or entertaining items without having to put them into a garment pocket. Placing these toys in a pocket makes them less accessible and thus less likely to be played with.
Consequently, a significant need exists for an easily used way of attaching small objects to a person for carrying and use.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention addresses these and other problems in the prior art by providing an attachment system including a zipper pull with a narrower portion above a lower portion that provides an engagement system for spring biased locking members integrated into a hanging object (e.g., toy, audio player, etc.).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Turning to the Drawings, in
A locking receptacle 32 having a thin prismatic recess 34 shaped to receive the engaging tab 14 is formed into an upper surface of an object, depicted as a toy telescope 36 (
The hooks 58, 60 have an upper rounded contour that interacts with the rounded engaging tab 14 during insertion of the zipper pull member 12 by kicking out compressing spring 56 until hooks 58, 60 lock into notches 20, 22, respectively. Left and right release buttons 66, 68 extend laterally out of the housing 42 and are respectively attached to the lower ends 48, 50 of the left and right locking arms 38, 44 between the pinned inward flange 40, 46 and the spring posts 52, 54. Thus, user compression of the release button 66, 68 causes the hooks 58, 60 to release the zipper pull member 12.
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It should be appreciated that the version depicted omits manual release controls, relying upon the spring biasing to be sufficient to maintain engagement until sharply pulled out by the user. Alternatively, release controls may be incorporated that separate the locking collars 58c, 60c. The obtuse angle provided by the spherical ball tip 14c and rod-shaped waist 16c facilitates non-destructive retraction. Similar beveling of engaging hooks (not shown) could be used with more two dimensional locking receptacles to achieve a similar interaction.
It should be appreciated that many types of novelty, ornamental or utility items may be conveniently attached with a version of the zipper pull assembly 10, 10c. In
It should be appreciated that any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.
While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications may readily appear to those skilled in the art.
For example, instead of locking arms as depicted, a spring biased plunger may be incorporated.
Claims
1. A zipper attachment assembly, comprising:
- a zipper pull member attachable to a slider of a zipper and comprising an engaging member at one end connected via a narrow waist to a zipper mounting portion;
- a housing;
- a receptacle shaped to receive the engaging member of the zipper pull member and comprising opposing first and second spring biased hooking members on respective sides of the receptacle shaped for outward deflection during insertion of the engaging member.
2. The zipper attachment assembly of claim 1, further comprising a spring attached between the first hooking member and a selected one of the housing and the second hooking member.
3. The zipper attachment assembly of claim 2, wherein the first and second hooking members form an obtuse contacting angle with the engaging member, the spring asserting a locking force sufficient to hold a predetermined weight of an object attached to the housing and insufficient to retain locking engagement when a higher tension force is applied.
4. The zipper attachment assembly of claim 2, further comprising a release button communicating externally through the housing to the first hooking member postioned to overcome the spring bias moving the hooking member away from the engaging member when depressed.
5. The zipper attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the engaging member comprises a flat tab portion having left and right locking notches.
6. The zipper attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the engaging member comprises a spherical ball tip.
7. The zipper attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises an external contact surface shaped for adhesive mounting to an object.
8. The zipper attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the zipper mounting portion further comprises a cord.
9. The zipper attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the zipper mounting portion comprises a flat pull tab shaped for permanent mounting to a slider of a zipper.
10. The zipper attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the zipper mounting portion comprises a flat surface having a contact surface shaped for affixing to a zipper pull tab of a zipper.
11. The zipper attachment assembly of claim 1, wherein the zipper mounting portion comprises a resilient enclosure having an opening and internal cavity shaped for resilient capture of a zipper pull tab of a zipper.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 30, 2006
Publication Date: Jun 7, 2007
Inventors: Terry Cyr (San Francisco, CA), Theodore Sorom (San Francisco, CA)
Application Number: 11/468,405
International Classification: A44B 19/26 (20060101);