SYSTEMS FOR SECURING ZIPPER CLOSURES

Abstract

A zipper closure includes a first coil fixed to a first panel of an article and a second coil fixed to a second panel of the article, the second coil engagably securable to the first coil. A slide selectively engages and disengages the first coil and the second coil when a pull connected thereto is moved. A flap is fixed to the one of the panels and is releasably fixed to the other panel. A positioned on an underside of the panel is sized to receive the pull when the slider is in a first position. This holds the slider in place against forces acting on the zipper or article itself.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/588,229, filed Jan. 19, 2012, entitled “Systems for Securing Zipper Closures,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

INTRODUCTION

Zipper closures are used on articles of clothing, purses, luggage, sports uniforms, and other articles, to close two panels of material relative to each other. These panels may be the front panels of a jacket, the side panels of a purse, the panels of a suitcase, etc. In all instances, the zipper closure secures two elements to prevent opening and access to the interior. These zipper closures may be forced open due to excessive forces on the article or by the action of an unauthorized person. Regardless, existing systems to secure zipper closures are often inadequate for many applications. One such approach, often used in sky diving suits, requires placing a piece of tape across the coils of a zipper closure, in a path of travel of the zipper slider, under the zipper pull. When so located, the tape may prevent the zipper slider from being forced downward by external forces (for example, the extremely high velocity air attendant with sky diving). This approach is undesirable, however, because repeated use of tape may damage the sky diving suit material or stick to the coils thereby resulting in poor performance of the zipper.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the technology relates to a zipper closure including: a first coil fixed to a first panel; a second coil fixed to a second panel, the second coil engagably securable to the first coil; a slider for selectively engaging and disengaging the first coil and the second coil; a pull secured to the slider for actuating the slider; a flap fixed to the first panel and releasably fixed to the second panel; and a pocket positioned on a first side of the panel, wherein the pocket is sized to receive the pull when the slider is in a first position.

In another aspect, the technology relates to a zipper closure including: a first coil fixed to a first panel; a second coil fixed to a second panel, the second coil engagably securable to the first coil; a slider for selectively engaging and disengaging the first coil and the second coil, the slider having a first side located proximate a first side and a second side; a pull secured to the slider for actuating the slider; a first flap fixed to the first panel and releasably fixed to the second panel; and a second flap fixed to the second panel and releasably fixed to the first panel, when in a secured position, the first flap is located on the first side of the pull and the second flap is located on a second side of the pull.

In another aspect, the technology relates to a method of securing a zipper closure, the method including: positioning a slider in an upper position to engage a first coil and a second coil, wherein the first coil is connected to a first panel of an article and the second coil is connected to a second panel of the article, and wherein a pull is connected to the slider; placing a first flap over the pull, wherein the first flap is secured to the first panel; and releasably securing the first flap to the second panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

There are shown in the drawings, embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the technology is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1A is front view of an article of clothing including a zipper securement system.

FIG. 1B is an enlarged front view of the article of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is an enlarged front view of the article of FIG. 1A with the zipper securement system in a secured position.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of an article of clothing including a zipper securement system.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged front view of an article of clothing including a zipper securement system in an open position.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged front view of the article of FIG. 3A with the zipper securement system in a partially secured position.

FIG. 3C is an enlarged front view of the article of FIG. 3A with the zipper securement system in a secured position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A depicts an article of clothing 100 which in this case may be a sky diving suit. The article 100 includes two front panels 102a, 102b, and a zipper closure 104 for selectively securing the first panel 102a to the second panel 102b. The zipper enclosure 104 includes a first coil 106a and a second coil 106b, each fixed to a respective panel 102a, 102b. The zipper closure 104 also includes a pull 108 that actuates a slider (hidden). The slider may be moved up or down along the zipper closure 104 (by gripper and moving the pull 108) to selectively engage and disengage the coils 106a, 106b. The article 100 also includes a flap 110 or other zipper securement system to secure the pull 108 against external forces, thus ensuring the zipper closure 104 remains fixed. Various embodiments of zipper securement systems are described below.

FIGS. 1B and 1C are enlarged partial views of the article 100 of FIG. 1A, having a zipper securement system in open and closed (or unsecured and secured) positions, respectively. The flap 110 includes a pocket 112 sized and configured to receive the pull 108 when that element is in the uppermost position on the zipper closure 104. The pocket 112 is located on the underside of the flap 110 and is secured on at least two sides 114 to the flap 110, generally by stitching, very high strength fabric adhesives, or a combination thereof. The bottom edge 116 may also be secured to the flap 110. A top 118 of the pocket 112 may be configured and sized to allow easy insertion of the pull 108. This may include use of an angled upper edge at the top 118, as depicted. The flap 110 also includes securement means 120 such as hook-and-loop fasteners (commonly referred to VELCRO™), mating buttons or snaps, or other elements to releasably fix the flap 110 to the opposite panel (in this case, panel 102a). In another embodiment, the flap 110 may define a slit and a button may be secured to the opposite panel 102a, such that engagement of the button in the slit releasably secures the flap to the panel 102a. The flap 110 is fixed to the opposite panel 102b, proximate the coil 106b with stitching, very high strength fabric adhesives, or a combination thereof. FIG. 1C depicts the article 100 with the zipper securement system in the closed position. When in the closed position, the flap 110 is positioned over the top portion of the zipper closure 104. The pull 108 is received within the pocket 112 and the securement means 120 holds the flap 110 in place. When in this position, the zipper closure 104 is prevented from being forced open.

FIG. 2 depicts an alternative embodiment of the pocket 112, having a curved top edge 118′. Other configurations of the pocket are contemplated. For example, the bottom 116 may be secured or unsecured to the flap 110. The pocket 112 may be formed of an elastic or semi-elastic material to ease insertion of the pull 108 therein. Additionally, the pocket may be formed from two or more discrete panels of material, as required or desired for a particular application.

FIGS. 3A-3C depict an article 300 having another embodiment of a zipper securement system. The system is configured as depicted in the preceding figures, accordingly, common elements (panels 302a, 302b; coils 306a, 306b; slider (hidden); and pull 308) are not described further. The zipper securement system depicted in FIGS. 3A-3C, however, includes two flaps 310a, 310b, to secure the zipper pull 308 in place. A first flap 310b includes securement means 320b such as those described above. The first flap 310b is sized to fit underneath the pull 308 when the pull 308 is in the uppermost position on the coils 306a, 306b. With the securement means 320b engaged, this first flap 310b prevents the slider from being forced downward. This partially secured position is depicted in FIG. 3B. In this partially secured position, however, the pull 308 is still accessible, which could lead to undesired movement. In certain embodiments, however, this partially secured position may be sufficient to prevent movement of the pull 308. FIG. 3C depicts a secured position, where a second flap 310a is folded over the pull 308, and securement means located thereon 320a are fixed to the opposite panel 302b. This secured position prevents movement of the pull 308.

The materials used in the zipper closure securement systems depicted herein may be any materials typically used in the manufacture of clothing or other articles on which the securement system is located. These may include nylon, polyester, rubber, GORE-TEX™, elastic, LYCRA™, etc. Additionally, although the above embodiments are described in the application of a sky diving suit, the systems may be used on other articles having zipper closure systems where inadvertent or unintentional movement of a slider is not desirable. These may include outdoor clothing or equipment, where zipper pulls may catch on tree branches or other elements. Also, the systems have application on luggage or bags to help disguise and further secure the zipper closure from unauthorized access. Additionally, securing the zipper pull as described herein may also prevent breakage to the pull, which may occur during handling (by automated baggage equipment, for example).

Additionally, the zipper securement system need not be located only at a top of a zipper closure. For example, multiple flaps and/or pockets may be located at various locations along a jacket flap on an article of clothing. This would enable the slider to be secured in multiple positions along the length of the zipper closure. Retrofit zipper closure systems are also contemplated. In such an embodiment, the flap depicted in FIGS. 1B-1C (or the flaps in FIGS. 3A-3C), may be releasably secured to both panels with securement means. This would allow existing articles to be improved with the inclusion of zipper securement systems.

While there have been described herein what are to be considered exemplary and preferred embodiments of the present technology, other modifications of the technology will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. The particular methods of manufacture and geometries disclosed herein are exemplary in nature and are not to be considered limiting. It is therefore desired to be secured in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the technology. Accordingly, what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is the technology as defined and differentiated in the following claims, and all equivalents.

Claims

1. A zipper closure comprising:

a first coil fixed to a first panel;

a second coil fixed to a second panel, the second coil engagably securable to the first coil;

a slider for selectively engaging and disengaging the first coil and the second coil;

a pull secured to the slider for actuating the slider;

a flap fixed to the first panel and releasably fixed to the second panel; and

a pocket positioned on a first side of the panel, wherein the pocket is sized to receive the pull when the slider is in a first position.

2. The zipper closure of claim 1, wherein the flap comprises a hook-and-loop fastener for releasably fixing the flap to the second panel.

3. The zipper closure of claim 1, wherein the flap comprises a first snap element and the second penal comprises a mating snap element, wherein engagement of the first snap element and the mating snap element releasably fixes the flap to the second panel.

4. The zipper closure of claim 1, wherein the pocket is located on an underside of the flap.

5. The zipper closure of claim 1, wherein the pocket comprises at least one of an angled upper edge and a curved upper edge.

6. The zipper closure of claim 1, wherein the flap defines a slit for receiving a button, wherein the button is secured to the second panel, wherein engagement of the button and the slit releasably fixes the flap to the second panel.

7. An article comprising the zipper closure of claim 1.

8. The article of claim 7, wherein the article is a sky diving suit.

9. A zipper closure comprising:

a first coil fixed to a first panel;

a second coil fixed to a second panel, the second coil engagably securable to the first coil;

a slider for selectively engaging and disengaging the first coil and the second coil, the slider comprising a first side located proximate a first side and a second side;

a pull secured to the slider for actuating the slider; and

a first flap fixed to the first panel and releasably fixed to the second panel.

10. The zipper closure of claim 9, the first flap comprises a hook-and-loop fastener for releasably fixing the first flap to the second panel.

11. The zipper closure of claim 9, wherein the first flap comprises a first snap element and the second panel comprises a mating snap element, wherein engagement of the first snap element and the mating snap element releasably fixes the first flap to the second panel.

12. The zipper closure of claim 9, wherein the first flap defines a slit for receiving a button, wherein the button is secured to the second panel, wherein engagement of the button and the slit releasably fixes the first flap to the second panel.

13. The zipper closure of claim 9, further comprising a second flap fixed to the second panel and releasably fixed to the first panel, when in a secured position, the first flap is located on the first side of the pull and the second flap is located on a second side of the pull.

14. The zipper closure of claim 13, wherein the first side is an underside and the second side is an upper side.

15. An article comprising the zipper closure of claim 7.

16. The article of claim 15, wherein the article is a sky diving suit.

17. A method of securing a zipper closure, the method comprising:

positioning a slider in an upper position to engage a first coil and a second coil, wherein the first coil is connected to a first panel of an article and the second coil is connected to a second panel of the article, and wherein a pull is connected to the slider;

placing a first flap over the pull, wherein the first flap is secured to the first panel; and

releasably securing the first flap to the second panel.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising inserting the pull into a pocket located on an underside of the first flap.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

placing a second flap under the pull, wherein the second flap is secured to the second panel; and

releasably securing the second flap to the first panel.