Side pull-resistant slide for zipper

Abstract

A zipper includes a slide and two tapes each having a row of helically arranged teeth sewn to a lateral edge thereof. The slide includes two opposed boards whose first ends are connected by a central guide. A second end of at least one of the boards includes two flanges respectively extending along two lateral edges thereof toward the other board, defining a substantially Y-shaped channel between the boards and the central guide. A flange extension extends from each flange toward the first end of the board, with a distance between each flange extension and the central guide being the same as a width of each tooth of the zipper. At least one of the flange extensions extends to a level aligned with or beyond a maximum width of an inner end of the central guide and includes an end edge with a stop corner.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to slide for a zipper. In particular, the present invention relates to a side pull-resistant slide for a zipper, preventing opening of the zipper when subjected to side pull.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a conventional zipper 20 comprising two tapes 21 and a slider 10. Each tape 21 has a row of teeth 22 sewn to a lateral edge thereof. The slider 10 includes two opposed boards 11 and a central guide 12 for connecting front ends of the opposed boards 11. A rear end of each board 11 includes a flange 13 extending along an edge thereof, defining a substantially Y-shaped channel that allows passage of the lateral edge and the teeth 22 of each tape 21. The flanges 13 extend forward and outward, leaving two openings that are wider than the width of the teeth 22. When the tapes 21 of the zipper 20 are subjected to outward side pull indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1, the slide 10 moves downward and results in opening of the zipper 20. In other words, no retaining effect is provided.

To obtain a retaining effect, a pull member is mounted on the slide and a resilient retainer is provided for retaining the slide in place. Neither side pull applied to the tapes nor a longitudinal pulling force applied to the slide could move the slide. The slide is released when the resilient retainer is pulled upward upon manual pulling of the pull member. However, the pull member, the resilient retainer, and associated arrangements result an increase in the cost. Further, in some cases, it is desired that the slide should be movable when subjected to a longitudinal pulling force while prohibiting movement of the slide when subjected to side pull of the zipper. In other cases, it is desired that the slide shown in FIG. 1 and the slide with retainer could not be operated when the pull member is not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a slide is provided for a zipper the zipper comprising two tapes each including a row of helically arranged teeth sewn to a lateral edge thereof. The slide comprises two opposed boards each having a first end and a second end. The first ends of the opposed boards are connected by a central guide. The second end of at least one of the opposed boards includes two flanges respectively extending along two lateral edges of the at least one of the opposed boards toward the other board, defining a substantially Y-shaped channel between the boards and the central guide to allow passage of the lateral edge of each tape and the teeth of each tape.

A flange extension extends from each flange toward the first end of the at least one of the boards, with a distance between each flange extension and the central guide being the same as a width of each tooth of the zipper. At least one of the flange extensions extends to a level aligned with or beyond a maximum width of an inner end of the central guide and includes an end edge with a stop corner.

When the tapes are pull sideways away from each other at upper ends of the tapes, one of the teeth of each tape in an associated opening of the Y-shaped channel presses against the inner end edge and its stop corner of the associated flange extension, preventing downward movements of the upper ends of the tapes, thereby preventing opening of the zipper. Resilient retainer and pull member required in the conventional zipper for providing a retaining function are not needed.

In an embodiment of the invention, the other board of the slide includes two flanges and two flange extensions corresponding to the flanges and the flange extensions of the at least one of the boards.

In another embodiment of the invention, each flange extension includes an end edge with a stop corner beyond the maximum width of the inner end of the central guide.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the slide further includes a pull member attached to an outer face of the slide.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a slide is provided for a zipper comprising two tapes each including a row of helically arranged teeth sewn to a lateral edge thereof. The slide comprises a board including a first end and a second end, a central guide formed on the first end of the board, and two upright flanges respectively extending along two lateral edges of the board, with a horizontal flange extending inward from an upper end of the upright flange toward the other upright flange, defining a substantially Y-shaped channel between the central guide and the upright flanges to allow passage of the lateral edge of each tape and the teeth of each tape.

A flange extension extends from each upright flange toward the first end of the board, with a distance between each flange extension and the central guide being the same as a width of each tooth of the zipper. At least one of the flange extensions extends to a level aligned with or beyond a maximum width of an inner end of the central guide and includes an inner end edge with a stop corner.

In an embodiment of the invention, each flange extension extends beyond the maximum width of the inner end of the central guide.

In another embodiment of the invention, the end edge includes a notch adjacent to an associated one of the horizontal flanges, and the notch defines the stop corner.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the central guide of the slide further includes an enlarged flange formed on a distal end of the central guide, and a pull member is attached to the enlarged flange.

In still another embodiment of the invention, the slide further includes a recessed bottom face and a pull member attached to the recessed bottom face.

Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view, partly cutaway, of a zipper with a slide in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the slide of the zipper in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the zipper in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4, illustrating a side pull-resisting function of the slide.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the slide in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another modified embodiment of the slide in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view, partly cutaway, of a zipper with the slide in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the zipper in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view, partly cutaway, of a zipper with a further modified embodiment of the slide in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the slide in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the zipper in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating still another modified embodiment of the slide in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating yet another modified embodiment of the slide in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, a zipper with a side pull-resistant slide in accordance with the present invention is designated by 20 and comprises two tapes 21 and a slide 30. Each tape 21 includes a row of helically arranged teeth 22 sewn to a lateral edge thereof. The slide 30 includes two opposed boards 31 and 32 each having a first end and a second end. The slide 30 further includes a central guide 33 for connecting the first ends of the opposed boards 31 and 32. The second end of at least one of the opposed boards 31 and 32 include two flanges 34 respectively extending along two lateral edges thereof toward the other board 32, 31. In the illustrated embodiment, the second end of the upper board 31 includes two flanges 34 respectively extending along the lateral edges of the upper board 31 toward the lower board 32, defining a substantially Y-shaped channel between the boards 31 and 32 and the central guide 33 to allow passage of the lateral edge and the teeth 22 of each tape 21.

Further, a flange extension 36, 37 extends from each flange 34 toward the first end of the upper board 31, with a distance between the flange extension 36, 37 and the central guide 33 being the same as a width of each tooth 22 of the zipper 20. At least one of the flange extensions 36 and 37 extends to a level aligned with or beyond the maximum width of an inner end 38 of the central guide 33. In the zipper shown in FIG. 4, both of the flange extensions 36 and 37 extend to a level beyond the maximum width of the inner end 38 of the central guide 33. In the zipper shown in FIG. 5, only the flange extension 36 extends to a level beyond the maximum width of the inner end 38 of the central guide 32. In either case, each flange extension 36, 37 includes an inner end edge 39 with a stop corner 391.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the flange extensions 36 and 37 are so configured that the distance between each flange extension 36, 37 and the central guide 33 is the same as the width of each tooth 22 of the zipper 20. Thus, an inner edge of each tooth 22 abuts against an inner face of an associated flange extension 36, 37. Referring to FIG. 5, when the tapes 21 are pull sideways away from each other at upper ends of the tapes 21, one of the teeth 22 of each tape 20 in an associated opening of the Y-shaped channel presses against the inner end edge 39 and its stop corner 391 of the associated flange extension 36, 37, preventing downward movements of the upper ends of the tapes 21, thereby preventing opening of the zipper 20. Resilient retainer and pull member required in the conventional zipper for providing a retaining function are not needed. However, a hook 311 can be formed on an outer face of one of the boards (e.g., the board 31), and an end of a pull member 60 (in the form of a tab in this embodiment) can be attached to the hook 311, as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 illustrates a modified embodiment of the slide, wherein the lower board 32 of the slide 300 also includes two flanges 340 and two flange extensions 370 corresponding to the flanges 34 and the flange extensions 37 of the upper board 31.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a further modified embodiment of the slide. In this embodiment, the zipper 200 and comprises two tapes 210 and a slide 40. Each tape 210 includes a row of helically arranged teeth 220 sewn to a lateral edge thereof. The slide 40 includes two opposed boards 41 and 42 each having a first end and a second end. The slide 40 further includes a central guide 43 for connecting the first ends of the opposed boards 41 and 42.

The second end of the lower board 42 includes two flanges 44 respectively extending along two lateral edges thereof toward the upper board 41, defining a substantially Y-shaped channel between the boards 41 and 42 and the central guide 43 to allow passage of the lateral edge and the teeth 220 of each tape 210.

Further, a flange extension 46, 47 extends from each flange 44 toward the first end of the lower board 42, with a distance between the flange extension 46, 47 and the central guide 43 being the same as the width of each tooth 220 of the zipper 200. At least one of the flange extensions 46 and 47 extends to a level beyond an inner end 48 of the central guide 43. Each flange extension 46, 47 includes an inner end edge 49 with a stop corner 491. Operation of the slide 40 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment.

FIGS. 10 through 12 illustrate a further modified embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the zipper 201 comprises two tapes 211 and a slide 50. Each tape 211 includes a row of helically arranged teeth 221 sewn to a lateral edge thereof. The slide 50 includes a board 51 having a first end and a second end. The slide 50 further includes a central guide 52 formed on the first end of the board 51.

The board 51 includes two upright flanges 53 respectively extending along two lateral edges thereof, with a horizontal flange 54 extending inward from an upper end of each upright flange 53 toward the other upright flange 53, defining a substantially Y-shaped channel between the central guide 52 and the upright flanges 53 to allow passage of the lateral edge and the teeth 221 of each tape 211.

Further, a flange extension 56, 57 extends from each upright flange 53 toward the first end of the board 51, with a distance between the flange extension 56, 57 and the central guide 52 being the same as the width of each tooth 221 of the zipper 201. At least one of the flange extensions 56 and 57 extend to a level aligned with or beyond the maximum width of an inner end 58 of the central guide 52. In the zipper shown in FIG. 12, both of the flange extensions 56 and 57 extend beyond the maximum width of the inner end 58 of the central guide 52. Each flange extension 56, 57 includes an inner end edge 59 that has a notch 592 adjacent to the associated horizontal flange 54 to form a stop corner 591.

When the tapes 211 are pull sideways away from each other at upper ends of the tapes 211, one of the teeth 221 of each tape 211 in an associated opening of the Y-shaped channel presses against the inner end edge 59 and the stop corner 591 of the associated flange extension 56, 57, preventing downward movements of the upper ends of the tapes 51, thereby preventing opening of the zipper 201.

FIG. 13 illustrates still another modified embodiment of the invention, wherein a hook 522 is formed on an outer face of an enlarged flange 521 on a distal end of the central guide 52, and an end of a pull member 61 (in the form of a tab in this embodiment) is attached to the hook 522. FIG. 14 illustrates yet another modified embodiment of the invention, wherein a hook 512 is formed on a recessed bottom face 511 of the board 51, and an end of a pull member 62 (in the form of a chain) is attached to the hook 512.

As apparent from the foregoing, the slide 30, 40, 50, 300 of the zipper can only be moved by a longitudinal pull force. Side pull force applied to the slide 30, 40, 50, 300 could not move the slide 30. Undesired opening of the zipper is thus avoided. The cost of the slide 30, 40, 50, 300 is low and the slide 30, 40, 50, 300 is more durable, as no resilient retainer is required.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications and variations are still possible without departing from the essence of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A slide for a zipper, the zipper comprising two tapes each including a row of helically arranged teeth sewn to a lateral edge thereof, the slide comprising:

two opposed boards each having a first end and a second end;

a central guide for connecting the first ends of the opposed board;

the second end of at least one of the opposed boards including two flanges respectively extending along two lateral edges of said at least one of the opposed boards toward the other board, defining a substantially Y-shaped channel between the boards and the central guide to allow passage of the lateral edge of each said tape and the teeth of each said tape; and

a flange extension extending from each said flange toward the first end of said at least one of the boards, with a distance between each said flange extension and the central guide being the same as a width of each said tooth of the zipper, at least one of the flange extensions extending to a level aligned with or beyond a maximum width of an inner end of the central guide and including an end edge with a stop corner.

2. The slide for a zipper as claimed in claim 1 wherein the other board of the slide includes two flanges and two flange extensions corresponding to the flanges and the flange extensions of said at least one of the boards.

3. The slide for a zipper as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said flange extension including an end edge with a stop corner beyond the maximum width of the inner end of the central guide.

4. The slide for a zipper as claimed in claim 1 wherein the slide further includes a pull member attached to an outer face of the slide.

5. A slide for a zipper, the zipper comprising two tapes each including a row of helically arranged teeth sewn to a lateral edge thereof, the slide comprising:

a board including a first end and a second end;

a central guide formed on the first end of the board;

two upright flanges respectively extending along two lateral edges of the board, with a horizontal flange extending inward from an upper end of each said upright flange toward the other upright flange, defining a substantially Y-shaped channel between the central guide and the upright flanges to allow passage of the lateral edge of each said tape and the teeth of each said tape; and

a flange extension extending from each said upright flange toward the first end of the board, with a distance between each said flange extension and the central guide being the same as a width of each said tooth of the zipper, at least one of the flange extensions extending to a level aligned with or beyond a maximum width of an inner end of the central guide and including an inner end edge with a stop corner.

6. The slide as claimed in claim 5 wherein each said flange extension extends beyond the maximum width of the inner end of the central guide.

7. The slide for a zipper as claimed in claim 5 wherein the end edge includes a notch adjacent to an associated one of the horizontal flanges, and wherein the notch defines the stop corner.

8. The slide for a zipper as claimed in claim 5 wherein the central guide of the slide further includes an enlarged flange formed on a distal end of the central guide, and wherein a pull member is attached to the enlarged flange.

9. The slide for a zipper as claimed in claim 5 wherein the slide further includes a recessed bottom face and a pull member attached to the recessed bottom face.