Including Position Locking-means Attached Thereto Patents (Class 24/418)
  • Patent number: 11839272
    Abstract: In just one separate fastener stringer, a slider stops turning due to collision between a flange of the slider and a fastener element after turning in a direction a connecting pillar of the slider moves away from the fastener element provided in the just one separate fastener stringer. At this time point, an opposed tape side extending toward the flange forms an angle of less than or equal to 45° with respect to a center line of the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Yabuya, Norio Uozumi
  • Patent number: 11432621
    Abstract: The invention involves a securable slider assembly for a zipper. The securable slider assembly is formed in a single die cast operation to include the securable slider and the pull being formed simultaneously. At least one side shifting slide is incorporated into the die, which allows the bridge and pull loop to be formed with their full geometric shape and without the converging flat surfaces required in the prior art. The slide assembly includes a puller that includes geometry to allow two slides to be secured together after the closing operation of the zipper teeth and restricts the ability to separate the pullers for opening of the zipper teeth to provide security to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Shah Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Nirav Ashok Shah
  • Patent number: 10415262
    Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a modular ledger of an integrated construction system. In one implementation, the modular ledger includes a rail, having a first end and a second end. Each end of the rail is configured to receive a coupling component. The rail has a plurality of holes configured to couple to bracing components of the integrated construction system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Apache Industrial Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Chevis
  • Patent number: 10000298
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a selected configuration for a structure during a manufacturing process for forming a product using the structure. Metrology data for a support system is received. The support system holds the structure during the manufacturing process. A determination is made as to whether a current configuration of the structure is within selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure based on the metrology data. The support system is reconfigured to move the structure into the selected configuration in response to a determination that the current configuration of the structure is not within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James M. Cobb, Clayton Lynn Munk, Dan Dresskell Day, Eric M. Reid, Matthew Ray DesJardien, Steven A. Best
  • Patent number: 9930939
    Abstract: A slider includes lower flanges placed on left and right side edges of a lower wing plate. Each of the lower flanges includes a downwardly inclined surface portion which is placed on the shoulder-opening-side tip portion on a side of its upper surface and on an outer side in a width direction of the slider, and which downwardly inclines toward a shoulder and downwardly inclines toward the outer side in the width direction of the slider. According to this, in a slide fastener having the slider, even if a sliding operation of the slider is repeated in the slide fastener, it is possible to avoid defects that the lower flange of the slider comes into sliding contact with the fastener tape and the fastener tape is broken, and it is possible to extend the life of the fastener tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Keyaki, Yuuichi Miyazaki, Shinya Honda
  • Patent number: 9480311
    Abstract: In a slide fastener, at least one stopping element including a resistance portion that increases sliding resistance by being brought into contact with an inner surface of a slider when the slider is sliding is locally disposed locally on an element row of a fastener stringer. Accordingly, the slider can be stopped at any position where the stopping element is disposed arbitrarily on the element row and an immobilized state of the slider can be maintained. By operating the slider with a force greater than the sliding resistance to the stopping element, the slider can be made to ride over the resistance portion of the stopping element and to slide along the element row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Go Takani, Masayoshi Kojima
  • Patent number: 9392847
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a slider for a slide fastener with an automatic stopper. A common part which includes a stopping pawl portion, a biasing portion and a cover portion and forms the automatic stopper is provided. At least two bodies selected from among a first body having a guide recess configured to guide metal teeth, a second body having a guide recess configured to guide resin teeth which are formed by injection molding, and a third body having a guide recess configured to guide teeth made of resin monofilaments are prepared. The common part is mounted on one of the bodies selected from the at least two bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Oda, Keiichi Keyaki, Yoshikazu Hamada
  • Publication number: 20150082582
    Abstract: A robotic zipper system for joining and separating zipper halves of a zipper tape. A chassis retains an actuator that drives a zipper slide geometry along the zipper tape to join or separate the zipper tape. A sensor can determine zipper slide position, and a control module can provide an electrical signal to the motor to move in forward or reverse. The actuator can have a motor that drives a gear system that mechanically engages zipper teeth. Teeth of the gear system can be out of phase to mesh with alternating gaps between the zipper teeth. The actuator can be removable relative to a zipper slide. Zipper slide geometry could be integrated into the chassis, such as in the form of a channel, potentially with a central post. A sensor could be positioned to detect the presence or absence of zipper teeth through an opening in a base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Adam Whiton
  • Patent number: 8959728
    Abstract: A slider for slide fasteners having a slider body with the leading end of the upper and lower plates connected by a connecting bar and a y-shaped element guiding path disposed between the upper and lower plates, a pull with one end rotatably held on the upper plate, and a stopping hook disposed on the upper plate and having a hook at one end; the upper plate having an insertion groove for inserting the stopping hook, a locking part for locking the other end of the stopping hook, and a hook eyelet drilled so that the hook can be inserted; and the stopping hook is disposed so that by tilting/erecting manipulations of the pull, the hook can be inserted/withdrawn from the element guiding path through the hook eyelet; wherein the corners of the stopping hook that contact the locking part, at least during locking operation, form beveled parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Takanori Ozawa
  • Publication number: 20140331460
    Abstract: A slider provided with a stopping mechanism has a press molded slider body and a stopping pawl body. The stopping pawl body has a main body, a pawl portion extending from one end side of the main body, an extending portion extending from the other end side of the main body, and a projecting portion projecting from a tip portion of the extending portion, and the extending portion has a rotation support part of the stopping pawl body. A contact surface with which the rotation support part of the upper blade is in contact is formed into a flat surface. According to this constitution, a defect and failure of the stopping mechanism hardly occur in the slider, so that the stopping mechanism can be stably operated for a long period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Yamagishi, Keiichi Keyaki
  • Patent number: 8819901
    Abstract: An adjuster of a string-end-fixing portion of an article includes first and second sliders which are mounted on an ordinary fastener chain so as to oppose to each other with shoulder mouths thereof opposed to each other and a connecting member for connecting the first and second sliders. The first slider has a stopper pawl member. The adjuster of the string-end-fixing portion is attached to a handling portion for adjusting a portion, one end of a string or the like is fixed to the first and second sliders or the connecting member while the other end is fixed to the string-end-fixing portion of the article so as to move the string-end-fixing portion, maintain the string-end-fixing portion after adjusting operation of the string-end-fixing portion, and facilitate attaching the string or the like again if a fixing of the string or the like fixed to the slider or the like is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Muratsubaki, Miki Yamazaki, Fa Wen Tseng, Hideyuki Matsushima
  • Publication number: 20140189984
    Abstract: The present technology includes both a process and a device for effecting the process. The process is a method of closing or opening access within a garment using the steps of: a) attaching a hooking element of a lockable pull device to a zipper on a garment; b) while a filament container of the lockable pull device is in an extended position from a housing of the lockable pull device within which the filament can be wound, activating a locking element to retain the filament in the extended position; and c) exerting directional force on the housing retaining the filament in the extended position while the hooking element is attached to the zipper to move the zipper to close or open access to the garment. The device includes a lockable pull device for use in exerting force on a distal object such as a zipper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventor: Adam Sisko
  • Patent number: 8650724
    Abstract: A zipper for luggage or a travel bag may include a slider and a releasable security device to provide access to the bag by authorized persons. The releasable security device may be configured to receive a portion of a locking apparatus, such as a padlock. A portion of the releasable security device may be received within the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: William L. King, Robert Thomas Zielinski
  • Publication number: 20140041163
    Abstract: There is provided a slider for a slide fastener. A lock member is swingably supported by a pillar portion which is erected on an upper surface of a body. A cover member covers the pillar portion and the lock member from above. The lock member includes a body portion which is disposed on the upper surface of the body and a claw portion which protrudes from the body portion and enters an element guide path of the body. One side surface of the claw portion is formed with an inclined surface which causes the claw portion to be gradually tapered toward a front end of the claw portion. The other side surface of the claw portion is formed with a stepped portion which causes a plate thickness of the claw portion to be smaller than a plate thickness of the body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Hamada, Keiichi Keyaki
  • Publication number: 20140033484
    Abstract: There is provided a slider for a slide fastener. A cover member is attached to a body in a cantilever manner to cover a pillar portion and a lock member. An opening/closing member slidably formed between the cover member and the body is configured to open and close an insertion gap. The cover member has a first surface which is formed on the rear end portion of the cover member in substantially parallel to the body, and a second surface extending rearward and upward at a predetermined angle from a rear end portion of the first surface. The opening/closing member has a third surface which overlaps with the first surface in an upward and downward direction and is formed in substantially parallel to the first surface, and a fourth surface extending rearward and downward at a predetermined angle from a rear end portion of the third surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Hamada, Keiichi Keyaki
  • Publication number: 20130205549
    Abstract: Disclosed is a new conceptive slider assembly applied to a zipper. The slider assembly comprises: a slider shaped in a cylinder of which bottom is opened, the slider of which both edges coupled with teeth are curved inward; a bottom stop fixed to an end of one side tape; and a locking unit fixed to an end of the other side tape, the locking unit being separably coupled with the slider disposed above the locking unit to limit movement of the slider, wherein the locking unit allows for or blocks the movement of the slider by coupling with or separation, in a vertical direction, from the bottom stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: Ok-Kyung Lee
  • Publication number: 20130185904
    Abstract: A slider for slide fasteners having a slider body with the leading end of the upper and lower plates connected by a connecting bar and a y-shaped element guiding path disposed between the upper and lower plates, a pull with one end rotatably held on the upper plate, and a stopping hook disposed on the upper plate and having a hook at one end; the upper plate having an insertion groove for inserting the stopping hook, a locking part for locking the other end of the stopping hook, and a hook eyelet drilled so that the hook can be inserted; and the stopping hook is disposed so that by tilting/erecting manipulations of the pull, the hook can be inserted/withdrawn from the element guiding path through the hook eyelet; wherein the corners of the stopping hook that contact the locking part, at least during locking operation, form beveled parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Takanori Ozawa
  • Publication number: 20130174387
    Abstract: A slider for a slide fastener includes a slider main body, a pull tab, a stopper hook having one end configured to be engaged with fastener elements to obstruct the slider main body from moving, a spring portion, a cam portion configured to urge the pull tab in a direction in which the pull tab returns to a lay-down state where the pull tab is laid down toward one side of the slider main body using an elastic force of the spring portion when the pull tab pivots from the lay-down state to an erected state, and regulating portions configured to obstruct the pull tab from pivoting further from the erected state so that the pull tab is obstructed from pivoting to the other side of the slider main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: YKK Corportion
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Hamada
  • Patent number: 8307518
    Abstract: An anti-theft zipper head includes a head member and a handle. The head member includes a zipper groove for engaging a zipper. The handle is connected with the head member. The head member further includes an elastic piece. The elastic piece is configured for engaging the zipper and thereby confining the movement of the head member on the zipper. The handle includes a push switch. The push switch is configured to control the elastic piece to extend into the zipper groove so as to engage the zipper, or to withdraw from the zipper groove so as to be disengaged with the zipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventor: Po Chu Cheung
  • Patent number: 8132303
    Abstract: A zipper slider includes a top plate and a bottom plate. A connecting portion is provided between the top plate and the bottom plate. Two guiding slots are formed between the top plate and the bottom plate. One side of the top plate and the bottom plate extends to form first side plates facing each other. The other side of the top plate and the bottom plate extends to form second side plates facing each other. Each first side plate includes a first straight section and a first curved section. Each second side plate includes a second straight section and a second curved section. The first straight section of the first side plate is longer than the second straight section of the second side plate. Via the above arrangement, the insertion pin can be inserted smoothly and a secure locking function is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Chung Chwan Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Pau Lin
  • Patent number: 8122573
    Abstract: There is provided a thin slider for a slide fastener with an automatic locking mechanism with a locking pawl while having an excellent design property and operability. The thin slider according to the present invention includes a locking pawl journaled by a slider body and a resilient member accommodated in a connecting post. The locking pawl is urged in such a first rotation direction that its pawl portion is inserted into an element guide passage of the slider body by the resilient member. The upper blade of the slider body includes a first upper blade connected to the connecting post and a second upper blade which is attached slidably onto the first upper blade. The second upper blade has a thin second upper blade main body and an operating piece drooping from the front end portion of the second upper blade main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeyoshi Takazawa
  • Patent number: 8082635
    Abstract: A slider for a zip fastener includes a lower part, an upper part and a puller. The lower part and upper part are interconnected by a hinge, whereby the slider can be set in an open and a closed condition, respectively. The puller, which is made of a resilient material and constitutes the part that the user holds when using the slider, includes locking pins for locking the lower part and upper part in the closed condition, and also dividing shoulders. The lower part includes a hole which can receive the locking pins of the puller in order to lock the lower part and the upper part in the closed condition. The upper part includes a cradle for the locking pins of the puller and also a slanted dividing body, which is capable of separating the dividing shoulders and therewith the locking pins of the puller. Further, the upper part includes two hinge taps and the lower part includes an area for cooperation with the hinge taps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Jens Leveau
  • Publication number: 20110197403
    Abstract: A slider (1) has a slider body (2), a tab (5), and a locking pawl (6) having a claw portion (61). An upper blade (21) of the slider body (2) has an insert groove (32) into which the locking pawl (6) is inserted, a temporary engagement portion (34) for temporary engaging and fixing the locking pawl (6), and a claw hole (37) formed so that the claw portion (61) can be inserted therethrough. The locking pawl (6) is provided such that the claw portion (61) can be inserted into and detached from an element guide lane (28) through the claw hole (37) by elevating and lowering the tab (5). The temporary engagement portion (34) is adapted so that, with the locking pawl (6) fixed in position, the position in height of the upper end of the temporary engagement portion (34) is the same as or lower than that of the upper surface of the upper blade (21). This prevents the temporary engagement portion (34) from being pressed and crushed when the temporary engagement portion is in contact with the tab (5) and other members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Keyaki, Koji Yamagishi, Takanori Ozawa
  • Publication number: 20110041297
    Abstract: There are provided interlock pieces extending from both edge portions of a side-to-side winglike piece provided in a pull-tab retainer toward an anterior wall part and a posterior wall part of the pull-tab retainer. An anterior support wall of an anterior mounting post and a posterior support wall of a posterior mounting post at superior angular corner regions of the internal faces thereof are provided with notches for interlocking of the interlock pieces. When the pull-tab retainer is fitted to the anterior mounting post and the posterior mounting post, the interlock pieces and the notches are interlocked with together to thereby prevent any displacement of the pull-tab retainer in anteroposterior side-to-side directions. Further, at that time, a side end face of the anterior support wall and a side end face of the posterior support wall can be covered up by the pull-tab retainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: YKK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichi Iwase
  • Patent number: 7866012
    Abstract: A slider for a double-sided slide fastener includes: a body, having a first body, a second body opposed to the first body, an operating member, having a first member parallel to the first body and formed with a first groove and a second member parallel to the second body and formed with a second groove, and adapted to slide on the first and second bodies in a direction; a pawl member having a locking pawl configured to retractably project to a space of the body in accordance with a sliding operation of the operating member; and first and second pull-tabs, attached to the first and second grooves, respectively. A shaft portion of the first pull-tab can abut against an end portion of the first groove in the direction, and a shaft portion of the second pull-tab can abut against an end portion of the second groove in the direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Keyaki, Yoshikazu Hamada, Koji Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 7624481
    Abstract: The invention provides a spring body for a slide fastener and a slider having the spring body mounted thereon, comprising: the spring body made of a platy material having an opening window portion at the opposite side of a pawl portion, and entirely formed in a lateral C-shape; a spring piece having a figuration that a longitudinal center portion of the platy material is cut out outward from a side end portion of a main body of the opening window portion to be pulled up at a required height in many steps, disposed between a rear surface of a pull holding body and a pull with elastic contact, and the pawl portion engaged with or released from a portion of a coupling element row by operating the pull through an inside of the slider body. Consequently, it can get the spring body enabling a material and manufacturing cost reduced, a stable and excellent productivity; a slider with an automatic stop function acquiring and realizing inexpensive structure, miniaturization, and simple assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Iwase, Keiichi Keyaki
  • Publication number: 20090288276
    Abstract: The present subject matter describes an Auto lock slider plastic slider for a slide fastener. According to one embodiment of the present invention the slider comprises a slider body having one or more slots formed therein. A puller means having a cam provision is integrated with the slider body. In another embodiment the puller means is attached to the slider body and not an integrated part thereof. Further, a resilient locking member having a first end and a second end is attached to the slider body so that the one end gets arrested in one of the slots in the slider body when assembled. Additionally the resilient locking member is adapted to cooperate with the cam provision to affect engaging and/or disengaging of the another end of the resilient locking member with respect to the slide fastener through another slot in the slider body thereby locking or unlocking the slide fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Parthiban Dhanapal
  • Patent number: 7603753
    Abstract: A zipper pull for an invisible zipper includes a housing having a recess on an inner surface thereof. The recess is configured to receive at least a portion of a slider of a zipper. The pull remains stationary with respect to the slider when not in use. Leading and trailing ends of the housing have sloped surfaces that are configured to be grasped by fingers of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil D. Baker
  • Publication number: 20090106952
    Abstract: A zipper head includes a puller, a horse hook, an elastic piece, a cap and a pulling piece. The puller has guiding grooves there inside and an accommodating portion and a penetrating hole on top thereof. The end portion is disposed under the horse hook. One end of the elastic piece is fixed on the puller. Both sides in the interior of the cap are provided with a protrusion respectively. The two protrusions of the cap are located above the fulcrum portion of the horse hook. Via the above arrangement, a function of blocking and restricting the position of the fulcrum portion of a horse hook can be provided, and thus the fulcrum portion of the horse hook cannot be displaced excessively due to an extreme pulling force of the pulling piece. Therefore, the horse hook can be prevented from getting deformed or deviating from a predetermined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Yu-Pau Lin
  • Publication number: 20080229554
    Abstract: A luggage security device for use on luggage having a zipper including a first zip chain and a second zip chain with first and second zip sliders such that the zipper is sealed when the first zip slider is positioned adjacent the second zip slider. The device includes a zipper engaging portion that engages the first zip chain at a point on the zipper between the first and second zip sliders when the first zip slider is positioned adjacent the second zip slider and a slider engaging portion to engage with both the first and second zip sliders when the first zip slider is positioned adjacent the second zip slider. The slider engaging portion prevents movement of the first zip slider relative to the second zip slider and the zipper engaging portion prevents the first and second zip sliders from moving relative to the zipper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: AERO PROJECT CONSULTANTS PTY LTD
    Inventors: Stephen Payne, Theodore Valerio
  • Patent number: 7356887
    Abstract: The invention provides a spring body for a slide fastener and a slider having the spring body mounted thereon, comprising: the spring body made of a platy material having an opening window portion at the opposite side of a pawl portion, and entirely formed in a lateral C-shape; a spring piece having a figuration that a longitudinal center portion of the platy material is cut out outward from a side end portion of a main body of the opening window portion to be pulled up at a required height in many steps, disposed between a rear surface of a pull holding body and a pull with elastic contact, and the pawl portion engaged with or released from a portion of a coupling element row by operating the pull through an inside of the slider body. Consequently, it can get the spring body enabling a material and manufacturing cost reduced, a stable and excellent productivity; a slider with an automatic stop function acquiring and realizing inexpensive structure, miniaturization, and simple assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Iwase, Keiichi Keyaki
  • Publication number: 20080052880
    Abstract: A secure locking slide for sliding along a zipper comprising: a slider housing which includes: a front member; a back member coupled to the front member; and a locking assembly rotatably coupled through the front member, having a locked and unlocked position. Transition between the locked position and the unlocked position is accomplished by rotation of the locking assembly substantially normal to the front member. The locking assembly includes a threaded member, rotatably coupled through the front member; and an elongated tab. The elongated tab is pivotally coupled to an end of the threaded member. The threaded member also includes a flange with a spike portion, to imbed the locking assembly in between zipper teeth. An inset cavity on an internal side of the front member, sized to receive the flange, provides the locking assembly an anchor to the front member. A visible indicator indicates an unlocked and locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Warren Ware Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7313847
    Abstract: The CTF Flip-N-Zip slider enables the purchasers of a zipper with the CTF Flip-N-Zip slider installed to disconnect at least one side of a zipped zipper and return it to the starting position. Current fixed sliders are very hard to fix if a foreign object jams the zipper or if the zipper opens behind the slider. CTF Flip-N-Zip slider requires only that the owner disengage the lock and remove either the top or bottom plates or half plate depending on the design. This is shown in the drawings for a releasable latch pin of the slider. The owner would then return the zipper to the starting position and reattach and lock the slider and start over using the same slider. Other designs currently in consideration are push button releases, hinged plates with hidden lever, draw activated releases, etc. Sliders will be made to fit all available zippers and zipper materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher Theodore Felix, James Marvin Williams
  • Patent number: 6928703
    Abstract: An adjustment mechanism including a slide positioned between two zipper tapes, an underlayer positioned adjacent the zipper tapes and the slide, and an adjustment control element coupled to the inner portion of the slider and positioned between the zipper tapes and the underlayer and also coupled to a feature of an item to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventors: Robin Petravic, Catherine Bailey
  • Patent number: 6877190
    Abstract: A strap fastener intended for locking at least one strap tightenably arranged in the strap fastener. The locking of the strap or each of the straps is effected by means of a leaf spring (1) and a roller (2, 3) rotatably arranged in some distance from an end edge (4, 5) of the leaf spring (1). The distance is adapted in such a manner that the strap or each of the straps during the locking may be clamped between the respective roller (2, 3) and edge (4, 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: Jan Gisle Berger
  • Publication number: 20040055119
    Abstract: This invention relates to a concealed-type slider. Side walls are erected on both sides of a bottom plate of a body and a top end of each side wall is bent to form a flange. A guide portion is provided by forming a down-grade slope inclined from a leading end of a shoulder opening side of the flange between the flange and the side wall. The leading end of the flange provided with this guide portion is disposed at right angle to or tilted more or less toward a rear mouth side with respect to a side face of a guide post. Consequently, when an insert pin is inserted, the guide portion guides a fastener tape smoothly and when sliding the slider in its closing direction, the sliding operation can be executed smoothly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: YKK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiichi Keyaki, Kenji Yuki
  • Patent number: 6654989
    Abstract: Antistatic agent for external use is attached to a synthetic resin material by coating or spraying, which is used in an attachment for clothes and belongings, such as a slide fastener, a button, a snap button, a hook, a strap fastener, a buckle, a swivel hook, a belt adjuster, a strap for portable goods and the like, or a component of the attachment. Alternatively, antistatic agent for internal use may be mixed in the synthetic resin material. Consequently, the attachment is provided with antistatic function, so that static electricity is discharged easily even if such an attachment is worn by a human body, thereby protecting a human body from electric shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Noritsugu Hamai
  • Patent number: 6523232
    Abstract: A zipper slide is constructed to include a slide body adapted for closing/opening zipper tapes, the slide body having a top block, a hollow slide handle adapted for the gripping of the fingers to move the slide body, the slide handle having a decorative color design, a locating plate fastened to the inside of the slide handle, a coupling member mounted inside the slide handle and covered on the top block of the slide body, and a retaining plate, which secures the coupling member to the locating plate in the slide handle and the top block of the slide body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Tan Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 6510593
    Abstract: A slide fastener apparatus which includes a first and second slide with a releasable locking latch integral to the slides and a keyed, rotating cam as a locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Inventor: Young S. Kim
  • Patent number: 6499200
    Abstract: The present invention intends to provide a zipper pull of a slider for slide fastener formed of- resilient body on which no unreasonable force is applied when the fastener is opened or closed and which is always kept in a stabilized condition that it is urged to be fallen onto a slider body without swinging freely. A yoke which is a zipper pull mounting portion is mounted on a top face of a slider body. A half-annular shaped zipper pull formed of resilient body is fixed to lateral bars at front and rear ends of a rectangular connecting body longer than the slide body. A lateral bar is provided in the center of the connecting body and inserted through an automatic locking pawl lever incorporated in the yoke. Neck portions are provided in the vicinity of a fixing portion at the front and rear ends so that the zipper pull is elastically deformable easily. A grip portion is provided at a position apart from the fixing portion so that the zipper pull is easy to grip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Yamagishi, Hideyuki Matsushima, Hisashi Yoneshima
  • Patent number: 6497016
    Abstract: A zipper slide for invisible zipper is constructed to include a slide base, a hook plate, a spring element, a locating plate, and a pull tab, the slide base having a longitudinally extended partition block and a recessed receiving chamber in the partition block, the recessed receiving chamber having a hook hole, a first receiving space, a second receiving space and a retaining portion for the positioning of the hook plate and the spring element, the pull tab being coupled to the hook plate by a coupling ring, the slide base, the hook plate, the spring element and the connecting plate being fully automatically fastened together by an automatic stamping machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Inventor: Yu-Pau Lin
  • Publication number: 20020178552
    Abstract: A zipper slide for invisible zipper is constructed to include a slide base, a hook plate, a spring element, a locating plate, and a pull tab, the slide base having a longitudinally extended partition block and a recessed receiving chamber in the partition block, the recessed receiving chamber having a hook hole, a first receiving space, a second receiving space and a retaining portion for the positioning of the hook plate and the spring element, the pull tab being coupled to the hook plate by a coupling ring, the slide base, the hook plate, the spring element and the connecting plate being fully automatically fastened together by an automatic stamping machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Yu-Pau Lin
  • Patent number: 6112375
    Abstract: A slider for a slide fastener with an automatic locking mechanism comprises a small number of components and hence can be assembled and operated with ease. A slider body of the slider has a receiving hole for receiving a resilient plate running in parallel with a guide groove and arranged in the upper wing plate of the slider body. The receiving hole has an enlarged open section arranged at the side of a rear opening and communicating with the guide groove to a claw receiving hole, and is formed to have a narrow tubular shape above a guide post. A wide groove is arranged along a lateral side of the receiving hole with a gap therebetween. A through hole is arranged to perpendicularly cross the receiving hole at the middle thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Yuki, Koji Muratsubaki, Hiroo Minami
  • Patent number: 5996188
    Abstract: A slide fastener slider with an automatic lock mechanism comprises a body including a support lug standing on a guide post, a guide lug standing at a rear opening side of the body, a recessed portion defined between the support lug and the guide lug, a pair of projections project from opposite sides of the recessed portion. A spring is mounted to the body with its V-shaped bent portion of the spring fitted into the recessed portion. The bent portion is then fixed by caulking the projections. A pintle of a pull tab is disposed on the spring. A pawl member, which has an pressing portion to be brought into resilient contact with the spring on its one end, the locking paws on the other end, and a support shaft at opposite sides of an intermediate portion thereof, is disposed on the pintle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Iwao Yaguramaki, Masao Kubo, Noboru Oyama, Jiro Harada
  • Patent number: 5991981
    Abstract: A slider of a slide fastener is free from any damage that may arise when a lug is deformed and springs back and an upper wing is protected against undesired deformation. A pair of rear lateral legs project downward from the lug. A gap is defined between the rear lateral legs and the upper wing. One or more longitudinal ribs are formed on the lower surface of the lug. If excessively pinching force is applied to the lug to close the gap, the upper wing is kept free from any local deformation because the rear lateral legs absorb the excessive force. Also, if the lug springs back, because the rear lateral legs restore their original positions, they are held in close contact with the upper wing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Komuro, Hiroo Minami
  • Patent number: 5898979
    Abstract: In a locking slide fastener slider, an upper wing has on its lower surface a central ledge extending from a guide post to the rear end so as to define a pair of side recesses one on each side of the central ledge. The central ledge has a large-width portion extending from around a base of the guide post and terminating midway to the rear end an intermediate tapering portion contiguous to the large-width portion, and a small-width portion extending from the tapering portion to the rear end. An inclined slope is formed along the boundary of the central ledge and one of side recesses. A locking-pawl-insertion through-hole extends transversely from the central ledge into one side recess across the slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Hamada
  • Patent number: 5836058
    Abstract: A safety release zipper including two opposing side portions securable to two opposing sides of a garment to be closed together. Two lengths of interlocking teeth are secured to and extend inwardly from the two opposing side portions. The teeth have a triangular configuration including a base portion, angled side portions and an apex portion. A sliding channel having an interior block is slidably coupled with the two lengths of interlocking teeth. The sliding channel slides along the lengths of interlocking teeth to facilitate the engagement and disengagement thereof. A pivotal handle is coupled with the sliding channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Edward J. Cullum
  • Patent number: 5806151
    Abstract: A lock slider for slide fastener has on a slider body in a lock slider for slide fastener, an operating-lever-receiving seat is formed on a slider body. An operating lever has a grip at one end, and a locking pawl at an intermediate position off to the other end, which pawl is angularly spaced by 90.degree. from the grip. With the lever, a resilient plate, an axle of a pull tab and attachment plate placed one over another in the seat, an axle of a pull tab placed over the resilient plate, the attachment plate is fixed to the seat in such a manner that the lever is angularly movable by about 90.degree.. The grip is turned in such a manner that the resilient plate presses the cam so as to insert the locking pawl between the coupling elements to lock, and when the grip is raised, the locking pawl is retracted from between the coupling elements so that the slider can slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 5678285
    Abstract: A zipper has its teeth formed by two interfitting plastic tooth elements one of which has pointed prongs fitting into matching holes in the other tooth element and extending through a fabric mounting strip having a bead clamped between the tooth elements of each zipper tooth. The tooth elements also interfit outwardly of the mounting strip by way of a land and matching recess, and an additional prong and matching hole. The interfitting tooth elements are welded together at the interfit of the prongs and of the land. The zipper is locked in closed position at each end by a locking unit which has a latch with locking pawls which fit between adjoining zipper teeth when the latch is swung into locking position after sliding the locking unit onto an end portion of the zipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Terry G. Spragg
    Inventor: Gianfranco Germani
  • Patent number: 5625927
    Abstract: A slider of a zipper including a slider body having a sliding slot for passing the interlocking tabs, a U-shaped nose raised from the top wall of the slider body, a pin hole through the top wall of the slider body, and a blind hole on the top wall, the nose having one end adjacent to the pinhole in the top wall of the slider body, an opposite end spaced from the top wall of the slider body by a gap, a first through hole through said nose in alignment with said gap and said blind hole, and a second through hole intersecting said first through hole; a spring mounted inside the blind hole; a movable block inserted into the blind hole and supported on the spring, having a beveled front end disposed in the gap; a spring locating plate mounted in between the slider body and the nose, having a transverse slot at one end disposed in the second through hole, and a pair of projections at an opposite end disposed in the pin hole and moved into engagement with the interlocking tabs; and a stop plate mounted inside the fi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Inventor: Tino Chu