ZIPPER GRIP

Abstract

A zipper comprises a button grip on an end of a pull tab. The button grip may include a tactile surface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C.§119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/484,023 filed May 9, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to, zippers, and more particularly to a zipper grip.

Zippers typically include rectangular pull tabs. The end of some pull tabs may include an opening designed to allow a thumb and opposing finger to contact one another through the opening. Some other zippers include flat pull tabs without an opening. In using some known pull tabs, a user may find it difficult to hold onto the pull tab while operating the zipper.

As can be seen, there is a need for a zipper grip that may provide a user with an improved hold on a zipper pull tab.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a zipper slider comprises a slider housing, including a retainer; a pull tab connected to the retainer; and a button grip affixed to an end of the pull tab, distal from the retainer.

In another aspect of the present invention, a zipper comprises a zipper slider; a set of opposable teeth disposed to open and close inside the slider; a pull tab connected to the slider; and a button grip affixed to an end of the pull tab.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an oblique perspective view of a zipper according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an oblique perspective view of the zipper shown in FIG. 1 with pull tab pivoted outward;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a zipper grip shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is cross sectional view of the zipper grip taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides a zipper including a zipper grip affixed to an end of the zipper. Aspects of the present invention may enable a user to more easily and securely grasp a zipper pull tab of the zipper.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a zipper 10 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The zipper 10 may include a set of opposing teeth 24, a slider 30, a pull tab 18, and a button grip 12. The opposing sets of teeth 24 may be disposed on respective strips 26. The slider 30 may include a housing 22. A detent 28 may be positioned on an end of the strips 26 disposed to prevent the slider housing 22 from being slid off the teeth 24. The pull tab 18 may be attached to a retainer 25. In one exemplary embodiment, the pull tab 18 may be adapted to pivot about the retainer 25. The button grip 12 may be affixed to an end of the pull tab 18, distal from the slider housing 22.

In one aspect, the button grip 12 may be adapted to provide an improved tactile surface 15 when pulling on the pull tab 18. In an exemplary embodiment, the tactile surface 15 may be textured, for example, knurled or matte. In another exemplary embodiment, the tactile surface 15 may include a phosphorescent coating. The phosphorescent coating may allow a user (not shown) to easily identify the position of the button grip 12 in dark environments.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, an exemplary coupling of the button grip 12 to the pull tab 18 is shown. In one exemplary embodiment, the button grip 12 may include a stem 16 that is disposed through an opening 20 in the pull tab 18. The stem 16 may be threaded or may be adapted for press-fit through the opening 19. The zipper 10 may also include a collar 14 adapted to receive the stem 16. The button grip 12 may be on a side 17 of the pull tab 18. The collar 14 may be on a side 13 of the pull tab 18, which may be opposite of the side 17. The collar 14 may be coupled to the stem 16 so that the collar 14 is flush against the side 13. In one aspect, the button grip 12 may be sized so that it is less wide than the pull tab 18 or may be sized to be larger than the pull tab 18.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the button grip 12 may be about five (5) millimeters in diameter. The stem 16 may be about two (2) millimeters in diameter and may be about twenty five hundredths (0.25) of a centimeter long. The collar 14 may be about five (5) millimeters in diameter and may have a two (2) millimeter opening 20. According to other exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the button grip 12 may be injection molded plastic or stamped or machined metal, and may be adorned with jewelry.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A zipper slider, comprising:

a slider housing, including a retainer;

a pull tab connected to the retainer; and

a button grip affixed to an end of the pull tab, distal from the retainer.

2. The zipper slider of claim 1, wherein a surface of the button grip is textured.

3. The zipper slider of claim 1, wherein a surface of the button grip includes a phosphorescent coating.

4. The zipper slider of claim 1, wherein the button grip is injection molded plastic.

5. The zipper slider of claim 1, wherein the button grip is on a first side of the pull tab and includes a stem disposed through the pull tab, and a collar is disposed on an opposite side of the pull tab and adapted to retain the stem.

6. The zipper slider of claim 5, wherein the pull tab is configured to swivel on the retainer.

7. A zipper, comprising:

a zipper slider;

a set of opposable teeth disposed to open and close inside the slider;

a pull tab connected to the slider; and

a button grip affixed to an end of the pull tab.

8. The zipper of claim 7, wherein the button grip includes a stem that is adapted to be press-fit through a hole in the pull tab.

9. The zipper of claim 8, wherein a surface of the button grip is textured.

10. The zipper of claim 8, wherein a surface of the button grip includes a phosphorescent coating.

11. The zipper of claim 7, wherein the button grip is detachable from the pull tab.