Abstract
The present device provides a slide assembly for a zipper, and a method for manufacturing a zipper slide assembly. The slider assembly is formed in a single die cast operation to include the slider and the pull member being formed simultaneously. Whereby the bridge and pull loop are formed with their full geometric shape and without converging flat surfaces caused by tooling limitations found in the prior art.
Claims
1. A slide assembly for a zipper comprising: a slide member (12), said slide member being constructed and arranged to open and close a zipper chain, said slide member (12) including a top surface (24), said top surface including a bridge (16) having a first end (18) and a second end (20) said bridge integrally formed to said top surface (24), an inner surface (26) of said bridge (16) formed to be substantially flat as it extends transversely across said bridge (16), said inner surface (26) of said bridge (16) defining an opening under said bridge (16) for through passage of a portion of a pull member (14); said pull member (14) having a loop portion (38) and a first tab portion (40), said loop portion formed as a continuous loop around said bridge (16) and integrally formed to said first tab portion (40), said loop portion (38) and said bridge (16) providing said pull member (14) multiaxial rotation around said bridge (16); said slide member (12) including an upper guide (72) and a lower guide (74) for guiding a zipper chain through said slide member (12), said upper guide (72) and said lower guide (74) being separated and secured together with a splitter (34), said splitter and said guides (72) (74) constructed and arranged to interlock said zipper chain when moved in a first direction and disengage said zipper chain when moved in a second direction, said slide member (12) and said pull member (14) formed simultaneously from the same metal.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. The slide assembly for a zipper of claim 1 wherein said loop portion (38) of said pull member (14) is substantially round.
6. The slide assembly for a zipper of claim 1 wherein said loop portion (38) of said pull member (14) is substantially square.
7. The slide assembly for a zipper of claim 1 wherein said loop portion (38) of said pull member (14) is polygon shaped.
8. The slide assembly for a zipper of claim 1 wherein said slide assembly (10) further includes a connecting link (54) positioned and formed between said pull member (14) and said slide member (12), said connecting link (54) formed as a continuous member extending around said bridge (16) and said loop portion (38) connecting said bridge (16) to said pull member (14) said connecting link (54) and said bridge (16) providing said connecting link (54) multiaxial rotation around said bridge (16).
9. The slide assembly for a zipper of claim 1 wherein said slide member (12) includes a bottom surface (25), said bottom surface including a second bridge (56), said second bridge (56) having a first end (58) and a second end (60) both integrally formed to said bottom surface (25), an inner surface (62) of said second bridge (56) formed to be substantially flat as it extends transversely across said inner surface (62), said inner surface of said second bridge (56) defining an opening under said second bridge (56) for through passage of a portion of a second pull member (64); said second pull member (64) having a second loop portion (68) and a second tab portion (70), said second loop portion (68) formed as a continuous loop around said second bridge (56) and integrally formed to said second tab portion (70), said second loop portion (68) and said second bridge (56) providing said second pull member (64) multiaxial rotation around said second bridge (56).
10. (canceled)
11. (canceled)
12. The slide assembly of claim 1 wherein said slide member (12) includes an upper guide (72), a middle guide (76) and a lower guide (74) for guiding a zipper chain and a second zipper chain through said slide member (12), said upper guide (72) and said middle guide (76) being separated and secured together with a splitter (34), said middle guide (76) and said lower guide (74) being separated and secured together with a second splitter (35), said splitters (34) (35) and said guides (72) (76) (74) constructed and arranged to interlock said zipper chain and said second zipper chain when moved in a first direction and disengage said zipper chain and said second zipper chain when moved in a second direction.
13. The slide assembly of claim 1 wherein said pull member (14) includes indicia (78) formed integrally thereon.
14. The slide assembly of claim 1 wherein said slide member (12) includes indicia (78) formed integrally thereon.
15. The slide assembly of claim 1 wherein said slide assembly (10) is constructed from a metal.
16. The slide assembly of claim 14 wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of zinc, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, copper, brass and combinations thereof.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0024] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the preferred position for die casting of the slider assembly;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a partial top perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 illustrating a slider pull that has a round cross section in the area of the bridge;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a partial top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the closing of the die casting tool having at least one side shifting slide;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment illustrating an additional link formed between the slide and the pull of the slider assembly;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating an alternative embodiment having two bridges and two pulls on a single slide;
[0029] FIG. 6 is an end view illustrating an alternative embodiment having two bridges and two pulls on a single slide;
[0030] FIG. 7 is an end view illustrating an alternative embodiment having two bridges, two pulls, and two intermediate links on a single slide;
[0031] FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating an alternative embodiment having two bridges, two pulls, and two intermediate links on a single slide; and
[0032] FIG. 9 is an isometric view illustrating a slide assembly useful for double zippers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
[0034] Referring generally to FIGS. 1-3, a slide assembly (10) for zippers is illustrated. In its simplest form, the slide assembly (10) includes a slide member (12) and a pull member (14). The slide assembly (10) is preferably formed during a single operation in a die cast machine (not shown). The slide member (12) is formed to include a bridge (16) for locating and retaining the pull member (14) in a manner that allows for rotation and some linear translation of the pull member (14). The bridge (16) is also formed so that it does not include breaks or gaps which could weaken the bridge (16) and allow the pull member (14) to be released. Particularly, the bridge (16) includes a first end (18) and a second end (20) and central portion (22). Both the first and second ends (18) (20) are integrally formed to the top surface (24) of the slide (12). An inner surface (26) of the bridge is formed to be substantially flat as it extends transversely from side to side of the slide, but may include any desirable longitudinal contour for function or aesthetics. Because the bridge is integrally formed, corner radii (28) and fillets (30) may be formed during the die casting process to add strength and rigidity to the structure as well as aesthetic appearance. The inner portion (32) of the slide (12) includes a splitter (34) which divides the inner portion (32) into a Y-shape for causing the zipper chain (not shown) to be joined or separated as is known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the slide (12) includes an upper guide (72) and a lower guide (74) for guiding the zipper chain through the slide (12), the upper guide (72) and the lower guide (74) being separated and secured together with a splitter (34), the splitter and said guides (72) (74) are constructed and arranged to interlock the zipper chain when moved in a first direction and disengage the zipper chain when moved in a second direction. At least one, and in some embodiments two, guide wall(s) (36) are integrally formed as part of the slider to help guide the teeth as they pass through the slider assembly (12).
[0035] The pull (14) is formed in position around the bridge (16) to include a loop portion (38). The loop portion is integrally formed to the first tab portion (40) to eliminate breakage and separation of the two components during use. The loop portion (38) may include any geometry desirable, which may include rounds, ovals, polygons and the like, so long as the geometry is complete and does not require converging flat surfaces that are required to remove the tools from the formed part during manufacturing as seen in the prior art. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the loop portion (38) is formed to be square in cross section, having a substantially flat inner loop surface (42) with inner corners (44) providing the desired appearance and function to the overall slide assembly (10). FIG. 2 illustrates a slide assembly (10) having a loop portion (38) with a round cross section formed around the same or similar bridge construction as described in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the loop geometry is formed complete and does not require relief geometry for the tooling retraction after forming.
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment for forming the pull (14) in place around the bridge (16). As illustrated, the tool includes at least one side shifting slide (46). As the die casting tool (50) is closed to form a slide (12) and pull (14), the at least one side shifting slide (46) and at least one first insert (48) and one secondary insert (52) are inserted into the area under the bridge (16). The insert (48) and side shifting insert (46) are positioned first along an insertion path so that the side shift can occur after the slide has reached its insertion depth. Next, the secondary insert (52) is timed to be positioned in the mold adjacent to the side shift insert (46) once the side shift has occurred. The remaining portions of the mold can be closed before, after or simultaneously with the slides without departing from the scope of the invention. Other portions of the mold include mold sections that form the remainder of the loop (38) and pull (14). In a most preferred embodiment, the pull (14) is positioned to stand vertically with respect to the slide as illustrated in FIG. 1. However, it should be noted that by utilizing the side shifting slide(s), the pull may be rotated to different angles as needed in the mold without departing from the scope of the invention. After formation of the slider assembly (10) in the die cast mold, the at least one side shifting slide is configured to make an orthogonal side shift after formation of the slide member assembly, the side shift having a length great enough to clear the geometry of the loop portion (38) before retraction of the slide from under the bridge (16).
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 4-8, a slide assembly (10) further including a connecting link (54) positioned and formed between the pull member (14) and the slide member (12) is illustrated. The connecting link (54) is formed as a continuous member, extending around the bridge (16) and the loop (38) connecting the bridge (16) to the pull member (14). The connecting link (54) is formed using the side shifting slides in the same manner as the loop portion (38) of the pull (14).
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 5-8, a slide assembly (10) having a pull member (14) molded on each respective side of the slider assembly is illustrated. In this embodiment, the slide member (12) includes a bottom surface (25), the bottom surface includes a second bridge (56), the second bridge (56) having a first end (58) and a second end (60) both integrally formed to the bottom surface (25). An inner surface (26) of the bridge is formed to be substantially flat as it extends transversely across the inner surface (62). The second pull member (64) includes a second loop portion (68) and a second tab portion (70). The second loop portion (68) is formed as a continuous loop around the second bridge (56) and integrally formed to the second tab portion (70). In this embodiment, the slide member (12) and said pull members (14) (64) are formed in a single operation in a die casting tool (50); the die casting tool having at least one side shifting slide (46) for forming a portion of each of the inner surface (26) (62) of the first and second bridges (16) (56) and a lower portion of each loop portion (38) (68) of the pull members (14) (64), each at least one side shifting slide (46) being configured to shift orthogonally with respect to its insertion path.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 9, a double chain slider assembly (80) is illustrated. In this embodiment, the slide (12) includes an upper guide (72), a middle guide (76) and a lower guide (74) for guiding a first zipper chain (not shown) and a second zipper chain (not shown) through the slide (12). The upper guide (72) and the middle guide (76) are separated and secured together with a first splitter (34), while the middle guide (76) and the lower guide (74) are separated and secured together with a second splitter (35). The splitters (34) (35) and the guides (72) (76) (74) are constructed and arranged to interlock a first zipper chain and a second zipper chain (not shown) when moved in a first direction, and disengage the first zipper chain and the second zipper chain when moved in a second direction. This embodiment may be used for zipper chains that are the same or different from the first to the second zipper chain. This embodiment applies to waterproof zipper chains and the like, wherein one zipper chain provides fastening while the second zipper chain provides water proofing.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 1-9, it should be noted that the pulls or slides may include indicia (78), in the form of logos, figures, characters or the like that are integrally formed as part of the slider assembly. This also includes, but should not be limited to, serial numbers, lot numbers, part numbers, patent numbers, trademarks and the like. It should also be noted that the present embodiments are specifically utilized for forming slider assemblies from metal in a die casting process, and thus various metals may be utilized, including, but not limited to, zinc, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, copper, brass and suitable combinations thereof.
[0041] All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
[0042] It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification.
[0043] One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. Any compounds, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary, and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention, which are obvious to those skilled in the art, are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.
