Decoration Receiving Element, Slider and Decoration Receiving Element, and Hidden Slide Fastener

Abstract

A decoration bearing element is configured to be fitted on a slider body of a slider of a slide fastener and provides a top surface or a decoration bearing surface onto which a perceivable decoration can be applied. The decoration bearing element includes: a plurality of oppositely facing cooperating surfaces configured for engaging with and receiving at least a portion of the slider body and restraining the decoration bearing element onto the slider body in at least three non-identical directions of first direction, second direction and third direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to slide fasteners. More particularly, the present invention relates to a decoration bearing element for a slider of a slide fastener.

BACKGROUND ART

As known, a slide fastener includes a pair of tapes laid flat. The fastener tapes each have inner facing edges where commonly cords are formed and fastener elements (or teeth) are attached to the cords and the inner edges of the fastener tapes. When the edges are drawn closer to each other by the action of a slider on the respective elements, these elements are forced to interdigitate with each other. Tapes with elements attached in this manner are known as stringers. When two stringers are combined together, they are known as a chain. A slide fastener generally includes a chain, at least one slider, and in many cases a top stop, a bottom stop or both are also attached to the chain. When a slide fastener is to be opened or closed, the user normally takes hold of a pull-tab linked to the slider and pulls the slider forward or backward. This will close or open the slide fastener, depending on the direction of travel of the slider.

The present invention is applicable, particularly although not exclusively, to concealed slide fasteners. Concealed slide fasteners are well known in the art. Concealed slide fasteners have elements or teeth that are not exposed, i.e. not visible from the outside when they are in a closed condition and orientated so that the tape of the respective stringers cover them. In a concealed slide fastener, the fastener elements or teeth are usually formed by the windings of a continuous coil in spiral form, with a cord running inside the coil. The coil and the cord are sewn to an edge of the relevant tape. Most coils are made of polyester. An example may be found in Patent Literature 1. Typically, concealed slide fasteners are applied to high-grade clothes such as jackets.

With concealed slide fasteners, the slider runs beneath the tapes of the two adjacent stringers. A slider applicable to a concealed zipper is known, for example, from Patent Literature 2. As shown in FIG. 21, a slider 101 includes a body 103, a puller 104, a connection ring 107 and a spring 105 with a locking pawl 127. The body 103 of the slider 101 forms a lower wing and an upper wing composed of two lateral flanges 122, 123 bent at both sides to form element guide grooves 119. A guide post 133 is formed emerging from a front end of the lower wing 132 to provide an attachment portion in order to link the connecting ring 107 and the puller 104 to the slider body 103. In use on a garment, only the pull 104, the connecting ring 107, and the top of the guide post 121 are intended to be visible from the outside, whereas most of the body 103 of the slider 101 and the coils of the zipper are concealed under the slide fastener tapes.

Patent Literature 3 discloses a slider cover of a slide fastener. An upper mounting plate includes: an upper plate to be arranged above an upper blade of a slider and formed with a through hole penetrating therethrough; and an upper wall protruding downward from the upper plate. A lower mounting plate includes: a lower plate to be arranged below a lower blade of the slider; and a lower wall for surrounding front, right and left sides of an outer periphery of the lower blade and protruding upward from the lower plate. At least one of the upper and lower mounting plates includes a protrusion protruding from an inner peripheral surface of at least corresponding one of the upper and lower walls and configured to come in close contact with a part of an outer peripheral surface of at least corresponding one of the upper and lower blades.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

• Patent Literature 1: EP1955608A2
• Patent Literature 2: U.S. Pat. No. 7,337,510B2
• Patent Literature 3: U.S. Ser. No. 10/251,454B2

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

The present invention addresses the demand to provide a perceivable decoration on a slide fastener.

Solution to Problem

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a decoration bearing element configured to be fitted on the body of a slider of a slide fastener, particularly a concealed slide fastener. The decoration bearing element provides a top surface or a decoration bearing surface onto which a visible or otherwise perceivable decoration can be applied. The decoration bearing surface includes a plurality of pairs of oppositely facing cooperating surfaces configured for engaging with and receiving at least a portion of the slider body and restraining the decoration bearing element onto the slider body in at least three first, second and third non-coplanar directions.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a combination of a slider, particularly for a concealed slide fastener, and the decoration bearing element coupled to the slider. The slider includes the slider body with a lower wing, two lateral flanges on both transversally opposite sides of the lower wing, the lateral flanges forming a pair of vertical walls built on both transversally opposite left and right sides of the lower wing and horizontal extensions extending horizontally inwardly from tops of the vertical walls, and a guide post vertically protruding in a central position from a front end of the lower wing and forming at least a portion of a puller connecting seat for connecting a puller to the slider body. The decoration bearing element has a cover portion arranged above at least a portion of the guide post and having a rear end located more headward than the puller connecting seat.

In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention provides a concealed slide fastener, including: a slide fastener chain, comprised of a first stringer including a first fastener tape with a first row of fastener teeth fixed to the first fastener tape, and a second stringer including a second fastener tape with a second row of fastener teeth fixed to the second fastener tape, a slider movable along the slide fastener chain to open or close the slide fastener, and a decoration bearing element restrained to the body of the slider.

Further aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the ensuing description.

By way of example, embodiments of a decoration bearing element according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slider for a slide fastener.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a decoration bearing element according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the slider of FIG. 1 and the decoration bearing element of FIG. 2 coupled together.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a slide fastener with the slide and the decoration bearing element shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 5 is a vertical lengthwise cross-sectional view of a slider with a decoration bearing element of FIG. 2 engaging a slide fastener stringer.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a variant of the decoration bearing element of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a lengthwise cross-sectional view of the decoration bearing element of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the decoration bearing element of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a transversal cross-sectional view of the decoration bearing element taken along the line A-A—in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a partially sectioned side view showing a step of fitting a slider into the decoration bearing element of FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a partially sectioned side view showing a step of fitting a slider into the decoration bearing element of FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 is a partially sectioned side view showing a step of fitting a slider into the decoration bearing element of FIG. 6.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the broken line B-B in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a lengthwise cross-sectional view of a further variant of the decoration bearing element of FIG. 2.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a slider and a decoration bearing element according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a lengthwise cross-sectional view of the decoration bearing element of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a transversal cross-sectional view showing a step of fitting the decoration bearing element of FIG. 15 onto a slider.

FIG. 18 is a transversal cross-sectional view showing a step of fitting the decoration bearing element of FIG. 15 onto a slider.

FIG. 19 is a lengthwise cross-sectional view of a further variant of the decoration bearing element of FIG. 15.

FIG. 20 is a transversal cross-sectional view of the decoration bearing element of FIG. 19 being fitted on a slider.

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of a slider of known design.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 1, a slider 10 for a slide fastener will be described at first. The slider shown in FIG. 1 may be fitted with the accessory shown in FIG. 2, which is a decoration bearing element 30 with a cover portion for partially covering the slider.

The slider 10 includes a body 13 to which, in the exemplary embodiments described herein, a puller 14 is linked through a connecting ring 17 and, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, a spring 15 providing a locking pawl (not shown). The body 13 may be made by molding a metal such as a zinc alloy and an aluminium base alloy through a die-cast molding process.

The body 13 includes a lower wing 20 and an upper wing included of two lateral flanges 22, 23 formed in an inverted L-shape. The lateral flanges 22, 23, also known as guide rails, are built on both transversally opposite left and right sides of the lower wing 20. Specifically, the lateral flanges 22, 23 form a pair of vertical walls 22a (FIG. 13), 23a built on both transversally opposite left and right sides of the lower wing 20, and horizontal lips or extensions 22b, 23b extending horizontally inwardly from the tops of the vertical walls 22a, 23a. The body 13 of the slider forms a guide post 21 vertically protruding in a central position at a front end of the lower wing 20.

As known, the arrangement of the lateral flanges 22, 23 at the rear end and the guide post 21 at the front end creates a mouth at the rear end of the slider as well as two mouths at the front end. The mouths are the entry and exit points of a Y shaped space within the slider, which provides channels for the elements at the edge of each of the tapes. When the slider is drawn along the elements in a front or forward direction (as specified hereinafter), the elements are forced to interdigitate and so attach to each other, whereas when the slider moves in a tailward or backward, the elements open. The constructional features of the slider 10 are per se known in the art and do not need to be described in further detail herein (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,217,510B2).

According to a per se known design, the lateral flanges 22, 23 are arranged so as to be rearwardly converging. Particularly, the lateral flanges 22, 23 (FIG. 1) have substantially parallel rearmost portions 22c, 23c and rearwardly converging portions 22d, 23d. The rearmost portions 22c, 23c of the lateral flanges extend to a rear end of the lower wing 20 and each form a wide obtuse angle with the respective rearwardly converging portion 22d, 23d, respectively.

In this context, terms such as “front”, “forward” or “headward” and “rear” “tailward” or “backward” refer to the direction in which a slider is relatively moved with respect to the rows of the fastener elements in order to engage and disengage the rows of the fastener elements. When the slider is drawn along the elements in a “front” “forward” or “headward” direction, the elements are forced to interdigitate and so attach to each other, whereas when the slider moves in a rear, tailward or backward direction, the elements open, that is, become detached from each other. The term “lengthwise” designates the direction in which the fastener tape extends and the direction of movement of a slider along the slide fastener. Also, a direction that lies on the front or the rear surfaces of the fastener tapes and perpendicular to the lengthwise direction is defined as the “transversal” direction or the “width” direction. The direction that is perpendicular to the lengthwise and transversal directions is defined as the “vertical” direction. Terms like “up”, “down”, “upper”, “lower” are to be construed as referring to the vertical direction.

In a concealed slide fastener (FIG. 4), the fastener tapes 12 lie above the horizontal extensions 22b, 23b of the guide rails 22, 23, in the position indicated schematically by the two-dot chain line T in FIG. 13.

In the exemplary slider of FIG. 1, the guide post 21 provides a puller mounting section on the upper side of the guide post 21 for pivotally attaching a puller 14 to the slider body 13. Embodiments may provide, as in the example of FIG. 3, that the puller is linked to the slider body 13 by a connecting ring 17. Furthermore, embodiments may provide that, as shown in the example of FIG. 13 that the connecting ring (or the puller) may be connected to the slider body via spring 15. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 13, the puller mounting section provided by the guide post 21 forms left and right protruding portions 21a, 21b that retain the spring 15 so that a transversal passage (FIG. 5) is defined, within which the connecting ring 17 passes. The transversal passage is one exemplary way of defining a puller connecting seat 18 for connecting the puller to the slider body. The puller connecting seat 18 may be made according to various alternatives, per se known in the art. Other pre se known means of attaching a puller tab to a slider body may be used, as alternatives to the arrangement shown in FIGS. 3 and 13. For example, a puller may be directly linked to the slider body, or to a resilient locking member movably coupled to the slider body, or to a ring element fixedly attached to the slider body. For the purpose of implementing the present invention, a puller is not essential.

The decoration bearing element 30 is configured to be fitted on the body 13 of a slider 10 of a slide fastener and provide a top surface or decoration bearing surface 31 on which a decoration 32 (FIG. 4) or other information or image may be applied so as to be displayed and perceivable, for example visible, from the outside. With a concealed slide fastener, the outside is the side of the slide fastener in the closed condition in which the elements are not visible. In this context, the term “decoration” should be construed as including, without being limited to, logos, designs, images, surface finishes, patterns, colors, textures, letters, words, numbers, and/or other information, either bidimensional or three-dimensional, that may be displayed on the slider, covering it partly once the decoration bearing element 30 is attached to the slider body 13 (FIG. 3). Here, the decoration bearing element 30 is an element that can be retrofitted to add decoration to something that functions as a slider by itself (slider 10 in this embodiment). The decoration bearing surface 31 is a surface that receives the decoration 32 and to which the decoration 32 can be applied in various ways, such as rubber injection, coloring, crystal inlays, laser engraving, uneven logo, and heaping resin with stickers.

In order to lock the decoration bearing element 30 onto the slider body 13, the decoration bearing element includes a plurality of pairs of oppositely facing cooperating surfaces configured for engaging and receiving at least a portion of the slider body so as to restrain the decoration bearing element onto the slider body in three first, second and third non-coplanar directions. Pairs of oppositely facing cooperating surfaces, as described herein after, have the purpose of cooperating in restraining the decoration bearing element steadily onto the slider body 13. In order to accomplish this, the pairs of surfaces should be effective in suppressing the decoration bearing element from being removed from the slider body in any direction, for example by pulling the decoration bearing element vertically, or transversally, or lengthwise, or in a skew direction. Therefore, the directions in which the pairs of surfaces are facing each other should not all be coplanar.

Preferably, as indicated schematically in FIG. 3, the three first (x), second (y) and third (z) are pair-wise perpendicular directions, in which the first direction x is a vertical direction, the second direction y is a transversal direction, and the third direction z is a lengthwise direction. Each one of the three directions is perpendicular to the other two.

Alternative embodiments (not illustrated) may provide that the pairs of mutually cooperating surfaces are facing one another in directions that may form angles being either greater or smaller than 90 degrees. Provided that the directions are not all co-planar, the facing surfaces will still be effective in suppressing a removal of the decorations bearing element from the slider body.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the decoration bearing element 30 has a base plate 33 and a cover portion 34 vertically spaced above the base plate 33 and connected to the base plate 33 by a post 35, preferably arranged at a front end of the base plate 33 in a transversally central position.

The cover portion 34 has a length, as measured in the lengthwise direction, that is shorter than the lengthwise length of the base plate. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, when attached to a slider, the cover portion 34 is arranged above at least a part of the guide post 21 at the front side of the decoration bearing element 30, and does not extend, in the lengthwise direction, past the puller connecting seat 18 (FIG. 5). Specifically, the cover portion 34 has a rear end 34a located more headward than the puller connecting seat 18. Due to this arrangement, the decoration bearing element 30 does not hinder the puller locking mechanism when the puller 14 is grabbed and lifted by the user to open or close the slide fastener.

Embodiments may provide that the guide post 21 forms a front side protrusion 21d and a rear side protrusion 21c, and a puller insert location or recess 21e formed between the front side protrusion 21d and rear side protrusion 21c. In the embodiment of FIGS. 2 to 5, the front side protrusion 21d is formed by the left and right protruding portions 21a, 21b that retain the spring 15. The puller insert location 21e provides the space for the puller connecting seat 18. Only the front side protrusion 21d is covered by the cover portion 34, in order not to hinder the movement of the puller 14. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3. the guide post 21 is not covered in its entirety, because the decoration bearing element 30 is at least partially in a horizontal plane above the front side protrusion 21d, but not above the rear side protrusion 21c.

Preferably, the post 35 is unitary, but may alternatively be formed from two or more portions at least one of which being attached to the cover portion and extending in a downwards direction and one attached to the base plate and extending in an upwards direction from which two or more portions may provide a coupling mechanism.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the decoration bearing element 30 provides a pair of transversally oppositely facing side walls 25, 26 rising from opposite left and right sides of the base plate 33 and converging toward a rear end of the base plate.

The lateral flanges 22, 23 of the slider body 13 are laterally contained and transversally retained between the side walls 25, 26 of the decoration bearing element 30.

Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the side walls 25, 26 have shapes corresponding to or matching the shapes of the lateral flanges 22, 23.

More preferably, the side walls 25, 26 include rearwardly converging portions 25d, 26d. The rearwardly converging portions 25d, 26d are the portions in which the width between the side walls 25, 26 becomes narrow from the front side to the rear side of the slider. Even more preferably, the rearwardly converging portions 25d, 26d of the side walls 25, 26 lie in respective vertical planes which form an acute angle corresponding to a similar acute angle formed by two vertical planes in which the rearwardly converging portions 22d, 23d lie, respectively.

According to a preferred embodiment, in a condition in which the slider and the decoration bearing element are coupled together (FIG. 3), the rearwardly converging portions 22d, 23d of the lateral flanges 22, 23 of the slider body 13 are laterally contained and transversally retained between the rearwardly converging portions 25d, 26d of the side walls 25, 26 of the decoration bearing element 30. Due to this arrangement, the rearwardly converging portions 25d, 26d of the side walls 25, 26 provide a rear abutment restraining the rearward lengthwise movement of the side with respect to the decoration bearing element, as explained herein after.

Still preferably, the side walls 25, 26 may have substantially parallel rearmost portions 25c, 26c, which terminate at a rear end of the base plate 33, and rearwardly converging portions 25d, 26d and, in a condition in which the slider and the decoration bearing element are coupled together (FIG. 3), the rearmost portions 22c, 23c of the lateral flanges 22, 23 of the slider body 13 are laterally contained and transversally retained between the rearmost portions 25c, 26c of the side walls 25, 26 of the decoration bearing element 30.

The rearmost portions 25c, 26c of the side walls may conveniently each form a wide obtuse angle with the rearwardly converging portion 25d, 26d, respectively. Conveniently (FIG. 3), the obtuse angles formed by the rearmost portion and the converging portion of each side wall 25, 26 corresponds to the obtuse angle formed by the rearmost portion and the rearwardly converging portion of the lateral flange 22, 23 adjacent thereto in the coupled condition.

Preferably, the base plate 33 may have a shape partially resembling the shape of the lower wing 20 of the slider body, although being larger, i.e. having a transversal width and a lengthwise length that exceed the corresponding dimensions of the lower wing 20, which is placed and retained on the base plate 33.

As shown for example in FIGS. 3 and 13, the side walls 25, 26 have top surfaces 25e, 26e that preferably do not protrude vertically above the lateral flanges 22, 23. In this way, the decoration bearing element does not come in contact with the fastener tapes.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the front ends of each side wall 25, 26 of the decoration bearing element 30 are located to the rear of the front end of the lateral flanges 22, 23 of the slider body 13. Due to this arrangement, the decoration bearing element is suppressed from interfering with the teeth or elements of the slide fastener stringers as the slider moves along the slide fastener chain.

The cover portion 34 provides the top surface or decoration bearing surface 31 on which the decoration 32 may be applied and be visible (or otherwise perceivable) to the user and other people that may be looking at the slide fastener or touching it. The decoration 32 may be for example, printed or glued or otherwise fixedly secured onto the surface 31 or it may be incorporated into the surface, either by protrusion or indentation which may occur during a production process.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the decoration bearing surface 31 has an overall trapezium-like shape, tapering in the rearward direction. It is understood that the shape of the decoration bearing surface is discretional and may vary, according to specific design requirements, and may therefore be configured in virtually any shape. For example, the decoration bearing surface 31 may have a contour corresponding to the contour of the specific decoration that it bears.

Preferably, the cover portion 34 forms a groove 36 facing the base plate 33. Embodiments may provide that the groove 36 extends in a lengthwise direction. The groove 36 may define transversally opposite edges 37, 38 downwardly protruding from oppositely facing left and right sides of the cover portion 34.

Advantageously, the post 35 may extend to the front end of the groove 36.

Embodiments may provide, as shown in FIG. 2, that the cover portion 34 has a central plate portion 39 that in use is parallel or substantially parallel to the base plate 33.

Embodiments may also provide that the post 35 forms a transversally wider upper portion 40 (FIG. 9) which merges with the cover portion 34 and delimits the groove 36 on a front side thereof.

The top surface or decoration bearing surface 31 and the opposite facing edges 37, 38 are able to conceal a part of the puller mounting section so as to give an impression different from a concealed slider.

The decoration bearing element 30 is restrained so as not to move and come off the slider body 13 by a plurality of pairs of oppositely facing cooperating surfaces of the decoration bearing element, which engage with the slider body 13.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the base plate 33 and the cover portion 34 provide a first pair of vertically opposite facing surfaces acting on the lower wing 20 and the top of the protrusion 21 (guide post 21) of the slider body 13, respectively, thereby restraining the slider body 13, so as not to move vertically with respect to the decoration bearing element 30. The guide post 21 is a protruding portion that guides the slider body 13 when the slider body 13 engages with the decorative bearing element 30.

A transversal relative movement between the slider body 13 and the decoration bearing element 30 is restrained by the pair of transversally oppositely facing side walls 25, 26, which converge in the rear direction and contain and provide a rear abutment for the left and right lateral flanges 22, 23 of the slider body 13 in a transversal direction.

A further restriction of a relative transversal movement may be provided by the transversally oppositely facing edges 37, 38 which may protrude downwardly from the opposite left and right sides of the cover portion 34 and engage with a top portion of the guide post 21 of the slider body.

A relative lengthwise movement between the slider body 13 and the decoration bearing element 30 is provided, on the rear side, by the transversally oppositely facing side walls 25, 26 which are rearwardly converging and define therebetween a transversal width that is less than the maximum width defined by the left and right lateral flanges 22, 23 of the slider body. On the front side, the relative lengthwise movement is restricted by the post 35, acting against the front side of the protruding portion 21 of the slider body. The transversally wider upper portion 40 of the post 35 may cooperate with this restriction.

Embodiments may provide, as shown in the example of FIG. 2, that the side walls 25, 26 also form respective parallel rearmost end portions 25c, 26c, extending in the lengthwise direction. These end portions are optional. They improve the transversal restraint of the slider, but do not cooperate in locking the slider in a lengthwise direction, since this function is performed by the rearwardly converging portions 25d, 26d of the side walls 25, 26.

According to a variant embodiment (not shown) in which the side walls 25, 26 do not include parallel rearmost end portions 25c, 26c, the rearwardly converging portion 25d, 26d may not extend to the rear end of the base plate 33. FIG. 3 illustrates the slider 10 of FIG. 1 coupled with the decoration bearing element 30 of FIG. 2, with the slider body 13 retained within the decoration bearing element 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the decoration 32 on the decoration bearing element 30 is visible, or otherwise perceivable, on a slide fastener generally designated at 16 with left and right fastener tapes 12.

FIG. 5 shows the slider 10 applied to a fastener stringer having a tape 12 and a coil 11 providing a row of fastener teeth. In the exemplary stringer depicted in FIG. 5, the tape 12 is folded forming a C-shape or other arc like shape, whereby upper portion 12a and lower portion 12b of the tape are shown and between which the horizontal extension 23b of the lateral flange 23 is inserted. A specular arrangement (not shown) is provided on the opposite stringer, where the tape is engaged by horizontal extension 22b of the lateral flange 22.

The decoration bearing element may either be made in metal or plastic. For example, the decoration bearing element may be made by molding a metal such as a zinc alloy and an aluminium base alloy through a die-cast molding process.

FIGS. 6 to 9 illustrate a variant of the first embodiment of the decoration bearing element which is made of a metallic material. The decoration bearing element 30 may be initially formed with the post 35 defining an angle exceeding 90° (for example about 105°), with the base plate 33, in order to receive a slider body 13 (FIGS. 10 and 11) with some vertical clearance. Subsequently, once the slider body is inserted into the decoration bearing element, the post 35, or more specifically the bottom part of the post 35 where it meets the base plate 33, may be plastically and permanently deformed (FIG. 12) by bending the post down towards the base plate 33 so as to enclose the top portion of the guide post 21 into the groove 36 of the cover portion 34 (FIG. 13) and thereby vertically retain the slider body into the decoration bearing element 30.

A further variant of the first embodiment is shown in FIG. 14. The depicted decoration bearing element 30 is made of plastic. The decoration bearing element 30 may be formed so that, in order to insert the slider body (not shown in FIG. 14) into the decoration bearing element, the cover portion or the post 35 need to be forcefully bent away from the base plate 33. Once the slider body is in place, the cover portion 34 will elastically return into its original undeformed condition, enclosing the top portion of the guide post 21 into the groove 36 of the cover portion 34 and thereby vertically retaining the slider body into the decoration bearing element 30.

Preferably, as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 2 to 14, the cover portion 34 extends over the base plate 33 at a front end of the decoration bearing element 30, so as not to reach or extend longitudinally beyond the puller connection seat 18 where the puller may be attached. Due to this arrangement, the cover portion will not hinder the movement of the puller or the connecting ring when the puller is either rotated toward a vertical position or beyond a vertical position, in order to release the locking pawl from the teeth of the zipper so as to move the slider along the slide fastener.

Preferably, the cover portion 34 of the decoration bearing element 30 has a transversal width that is greater that the transversal width of the guide post 21 of the slider body 13. Due to this arrangement, the guide post and surrounding mechanisms are protected from dirt entering and interfering with the slider.

Embodiments may provide that, as measured in the transversal direction y, a width of the cover portion 34 is shorter than a width of the lower plate 33. This arrangement ensures that the slider will still be able to slide up and down the chain, without being hindered by the decoration bearing element.

Second Embodiment

Referring now to FIG. 15, a slider 10 provides a body 13 that differs from the slider body of FIG. 1 in that the guide post 21 forms left and right top shelf portions 21f, 21g extending transversally away from one another, giving the upper portion of the guide post 21 altogether a substantial T-shape in vertical cross-section. Those skilled in the art will appreciate other configurations that are consistent with the specifications of present invention. The top shelf portions 21f, 21g are the protrusions for engaging with the recesses 41, 42 of the decoration bearing element 30, which are described later.

The decoration bearing element 30 shown in FIGS. 15 to 18 is made of plastics, and is configured to be snap-fitted onto the top portion of the guide post 21 of a slider body as depicted in FIG. 15. The decoration bearing element 30 provides a top surface or decoration bearing surface 31 on which a logo may be applied so as to be visible or otherwise perceivable from the outside, at the side of the slide fastener in the closed condition in which the elements are not visible, and forms a groove 36 on a lower surface opposite to the decoration bearing surface 31.

The decoration bearing element of FIGS. 15 to 18 has a central cover portion 39 and transversally oppositely facing edges 37, 38 downwardly protruding from opposite left and right sides of the central cover portion 39. Formed in the oppositely facing edges 37, 38 are respective transversally and mutually facing recesses 41, 42, (FIG. 17) which are parts of the groove 36 and are adapted to receive a respective tip portion of the left and right top shelf portions 21f, 21g of the guide post 21 of the slider body. The edges 37, 38 have lower ends 43, 44 with rims 45, 46 which are the edges whose one side protrudes transversally toward the other side (FIG. 17). The recesses 41, 42 provide two transversally and mutually facing surfaces 51, 52 and two respective pairs of vertically and mutually facing surfaces 53, 54 and 55, 56.

Due to the above arrangement, the recesses 41, 42 provide two first pairs of the surfaces 53, 54 and 55, 56 mutually facing and spaced apart in the first vertical direction x, for restraining the slider body 13 from moving with respect to the decoration bearing element in the first vertical direction. The recesses 41, 42 further provide the second pair of surfaces 51, 52 mutually facing one another in the second transversal direction y, for restraining the slider body 13 from moving with respect to the decoration bearing element 30 in the second transversal direction y.

As shown in FIG. 17, in order to fit the decoration bearing element 30 onto the slider body, the plastic edges 37, 38 should bend elastically away from one another, so as to increase the distance therebetween enough to allow the recesses 41, 42 to snap-fit onto the top shelf portions 21f, 21g (FIG. 18).

Embodiments may provide that, in order to facilitate the insertion of the top shelf portions 21f, 21g into the recesses 41, 42, the rims 45, 46 have downwardly diverging facing surfaces 47, 48. By pressing the decoration bearing element 30 against the guide post 21, the downwardly diverging facing surfaces 47, 48 will engage with the top shelf portions 21f, 21g, forcing the facing edges 37, 38 apart and causing the recesses 41, 42 to snap-fit onto the top shelf portions.

The recesses 41, 42 are formed in the front portion of the groove 36 and are delimited on the front side, by a front edge 49 downwardly protruding from the front side of the central cover portion 39 (FIG. 16). The front edge 49 is an edge located at the frontmost surface of the slider body 13. On the rear side, the recesses 41, 42 are delimited by a vertically and transversally extending surface 50 (FIG. 16) opposite to and longitudinally spaced from the front edge 49. Thus, the horizontal distance from the inner surface of the front edge 49 to the rearmost portion of the central cover portion 39 will be greater than the length of a top shelf portion 21f, 21g.

The front edge 49 and the vertically and transversally extending surface 50 provide a third pair of opposite and spaced apart surfaces in the third lengthwise direction z, restraining the slider body 13 from moving with respect to the decoration bearing element 30 in the third lengthwise direction.

The central cover portion 39 is arranged above at least a part of the guide post 21 and does not extend, in the lengthwise direction, past the puller connecting seat 18 of the slider. Specifically, the central cover portion 39 has a rear end 34a which, in the coupled condition, is located more headward than the puller connecting seat 18. Due to this arrangement, the decoration bearing element 30 does not hinder the puller locking mechanism when the puller 14 is grabbed and lifted by the user to open or close the slide fastener.

Embodiments may provide that the guide post 21 forms a front side protrusion 21d and a rear side protrusion 21c, and a puller insert location or recess 21e is formed between the front side protrusion 21d and rear side protrusion 21c. In the embodiment of FIG. 15, the front side protrusion 21d is formed by the left and right protruding top shelf portions 21f, 21g. The puller insert location 21e provides the space for the puller connecting seat 18. Only the front side protrusion 21d is covered by the cover portion 34, in order not to hinder the movement of the puller 14.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a variant of the second embodiment of the decoration bearing element, which may be made of a metallic material. The edges 37, 38 are initially formed straight, protruding downward form the central plate portion 39. Once the decoration bearing element 30 is set on the top shelf portions 21f, 21g, the edges 37, 38 may be plastically and permanently deformed, bending them under the top shelf portions 21f, 21g, thereby forming rims 45, 46 whose one side protrudes transversally toward the other side and recesses 41, 42 to retain the top shelf portions 21f, 21g and therefore attaching the decoration bearing element to the slider body. The distance between the edges 37, 38 is transversally narrower and the edges 37, 38 are vertically longer (FIG. 19) toward the front edge 49, whereby a vertically and transversally extending step or surface 50 is defined opposite to and longitudinally spaced from the front edge 49.

Preferably, the central cover portion 39 of the decoration bearing element 30 has a transversal width that is greater that the transversal width of the guide post 21 of the slider body 13. Due to this arrangement, the guide post and surrounding mechanisms are protected from dirt entering and interfering with the slider.

Various aspects and embodiments of a decoration bearing element and a slider have been described. It is to be understood that each aspect and embodiment may be combined with any other aspect or embodiment. Moreover, the present invention is not restricted to the described embodiments, but may be varied within the scope of the accompanying claims and their legal equivalents.

This application is based on Italian Patent Application No. 102021000001817 filed on Jan. 29, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by way of reference.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

• • 10 slider
  • 11 coil
  • 12 fastener tape
  • 12a upper portion
  • 12b lower portion
  • 13 body, slider body
  • 14 puller
  • 15 spring
  • 17 connecting ring
  • 18 puller connecting seat
  • 20 lower wing
  • 21 guide post
  • 21a, 21b left and right protruding portions
  • 21c rear side protrusion
  • 21d front side protrusion
  • 21e puller insert location recess, puller insert location
  • 21f, 21g top shelf portion
  • 22 lateral flange, guide rail
  • 22a vertical wall
  • 22b horizontal extension
  • 22b, 23b extension
  • 22c, 23c rearwardly converging portion, rearmost portion
  • 22d, 23d rearwardly converging portion
  • 23 lateral flange, guide rail
  • 23a vertical wall
  • 25, 26 transversally opposite side walls
  • 25c, 26c, rearmost portion
  • 25d, 26d rearwardly converging portion
  • 25e, 26e top surface
  • 30 decoration bearing element
  • 31 decoration bearing surface
  • 32 decoration
  • 33 base plate, lower plate
  • 34 cover portion
  • 34a rear end
  • 35 post
  • 36 groove
  • 37, 38 opposite edges, edge
  • 39 central plate portion, central cover portion
  • 40 upper portion
  • 41, 42 mutually facing recesses, recess
  • 43, 44 lower end
  • 45, 46 rim
  • 49 front edge

Claims

1. A decoration bearing element configured to be fitted on a slider body of a slider of a slide fastener and providing a top surface or a decoration bearing surface-onto which a perceivable decoration can be applied, the decoration bearing element comprising:

a plurality of oppositely facing cooperating surfaces configured for engaging with and receiving at least a portion of the slider body and restraining the decoration bearing element onto the slider body in at least three non-identical directions of first direction, second direction and third direction.

2. The decoration bearing element according to claim 1, comprising:

a base plate; and

a cover portion vertically spaced above the base plate and providing the top surface or the decoration bearing surface,

wherein the base plate and the cover portion provide a first pair of opposite and spaced apart surfaces in the first direction, configured to engage with a lower wing and a vertically and upwardly protruding portion of the slider body, respectively, thereby restraining the slider body from moving with respect to the decoration bearing element in the first direction of the three directions.

3. The decoration bearing element according to claim 2,

wherein the cover portion is located at front end of the decoration bearing element, and

wherein the cover portion has a length in the third direction that is shorter than a length of the plate portion in the third direction.

4. The decoration bearing element according to claim 2, comprising:

a pair of transversally oppositely facing side walls extending upwardly from two transversally opposite sides of the base plate,

wherein the side walls provide a second pair of opposite and spaced apart surfaces in the second direction, thereby restraining the slider body from moving with respect to the decoration bearing element in the second direction of the three directions.

5. The decoration bearing element according to claim 4, wherein the transversally oppositely facing side walls comprise a pair of rearwardly converging portions together providing a rear abutment for the slider body in the third direction of the three directions.

6. The decoration bearing element according to claim 2, comprising:

a post connecting the base plate and the cover portion and located at a front end of the decoration bearing element in a transversally central position,

wherein the post provides a front abutment for the slider body in the third direction of the three directions.

7. The decoration bearing element according to claim 2,

wherein the cover portion forms a groove facing the base plate and defining transversally oppositely facing edges downwardly protruding from transversally opposite sides of the cover portion, and

wherein the transversally oppositely facing edges provide one of pairs of the oppositely facing cooperating surfaces, configured for engaging with and receiving the vertically and upwardly protruding portion of the slider body so as to restrain the slider body from moving with respect to the decoration bearing element in the second direction of the three directions.

8. The decoration bearing element according claim 2, wherein a width of the cover portion measured in the second direction, is shorter than a width of the base plate.

9. The decoration bearing element according to claim 1, comprising:

a central plate portion providing the top surface or the decoration bearing surface;

two transversally oppositely facing edges downwardly protruding from opposite left and right sides of the central plate portion and defining a groove on a lower side of the central plate portion opposite to the decoration bearing surface;

two transversally and mutually facing recesses which are parts of the groove and are respectively formed in the oppositely facing edges and are configured to receive top shelf portions of a vertically protruding guide post of the slider body;

a front edge downwardly protruding from a front side of the central plate portion and delimiting the recesses at a front side; and

a vertically and transversally extending surface opposite to and longitudinally spaced from the front edge, delimiting the recesses at a rear side,

wherein the recesses provide two first pairs of surfaces mutually facing and spaced apart in the first direction of the three directions, for restraining the slider body from moving with respect to the decoration bearing element in the first direction,

wherein the recesses further provide a second pair of surfaces mutually facing one another in the second direction of the three directions, for restraining the slider body from moving with respect to the decoration bearing element in the second direction, and

wherein the front edge and the vertically and transversally extending surface provide a third pair of opposite and spaced apart surfaces in the third direction, restraining the slider body from moving with respect to the decoration bearing element in the third direction of the three non-identical directions.

10. The decoration bearing element according to claim 9,

wherein the transversally oppositely facing edges have lower ends with rims whose one side protrudes transversally toward the other side, and

wherein the rims each have a respective one of two downwardly diverging facing surfaces.

11. The decoration bearing element according to claim 1, wherein the three non-identical directions are each perpendicular to each other.

12. A slider for a slide fastener, and the decoration bearing element according to claim 1,

wherein the slider comprises: the slider body with a lower wing; two lateral flanges on both transversally opposite sides of the lower wing, the lateral flanges forming a pair of vertical walls built on transversally opposite left and right sides of the lower wing and horizontal extensions extending horizontally inwardly from tops of the vertical walls; and a guide post vertically protruding in a central position from a front end of the lower wing and forming at least a portion of a puller connecting seat for connecting a puller to the slider body, and

wherein the decoration bearing element has a cover portion arranged above at least a portion of the guide post and having a rear end located more headward than the puller connecting seat.

13. The slider and the decoration bearing element according to claim 12,

wherein the guide post forms a front side protrusion and a rear side protrusion, and a puller insert location recess formed between the front side protrusion and the rear side protrusion to provide space for the puller connecting seat, and

wherein only the front side protrusion of the guide post is covered by the cover portion.

14. The slider and the decoration bearing element according to claim 12, wherein the cover portion of the decoration bearing element has a transversal width that is greater that a transversal width of the guide post of the slider body.

15. The slider and the decoration bearing element according to claim 12,

wherein the decoration bearing element comprises: a base plate; and a pair of transversally oppositely facing side walls extending upwardly from two transversally opposite sides of the base plate, and

wherein the side walls of the decoration bearing element have respective front ends located to rear of front ends of the lateral flanges of the slider body.

16. The slider and the decoration bearing element according to claim 12,

wherein the decoration bearing element comprises: a base plate; and a pair of transversally oppositely facing side walls extending upwardly from two transversally opposite sides of the base plate, and

wherein the side walls of the decoration bearing element have respective top surfaces that do not protrude vertically above the lateral flanges.

17. A concealed slide fastener, comprising:

a slide fastener chain, comprised of a first stringer comprising a first fastener tape with a first row of fastener teeth fixed to the first fastener tape, and a second stringer comprising a second fastener tape with a second row of fastener teeth fixed to the second fastener tape; and

the slider and the decoration bearing element according to claim 12,

wherein the slider is movable along the slide fastener chain to open or close the slide fastener, and

wherein the decoration bearing element is restrained to the slider body of the slider.