Waterproof zipper pull system

Abstract

A zipper pull, a head portion of which is structurally configured to fit snugly into a housing structure (referred to as a “garage”) is located at the top stops of an otherwise conventional waterproof or water resistant zipper. The garage and zipper pull thereby forming form a water resistant seal to eliminate any chance of water penetration in water resistant and waterproof zippers.

Claims

1. A zipper pull system comprising: a zipper pull, wherein the zipper pull further comprises a loop, a head, a clasp, and a slider coupled to the zipper pull; and a garage comprising an opening, wherein a portion of the head is shaped to form a seal within the opening of the garage and wherein the garage is shaped to enclose the slider to form a waterproof seal.

2. An article of clothing comprising the zipper pull system of claim 1.

3. An article of luggage comprising the zipper pull system of claim 1.

4. A storage bag comprising the zipper pull system of claim 1.

5. A sporting good comprising the zipper pull system of claim 1.

6. A camping good comprising the zipper pull system of claim 1.

7. A zipper comprising: zipper teeth; a slider coupled to the zipper teeth; a zipper pull coupled to the slider, wherein the zipper pull comprises a head, wherein a portion of the head is shaped to form a waterproof seal within an opening of a garage, wherein the zipper pull further comprises a clasp; and a garage disposed at one end of the zipper teeth, wherein the garage includes an opening shaped to form a waterproof seal with the head.

8. The zipper of claim 7, the zipper pull further comprising a clasp, wherein the garage does not enclose the clasp.

9. An article of clothing comprising the zipper of claim 7.

10. An article of luggage comprising the zipper of claim 7.

11. A storage bag comprising the zipper of claim 7.

12. A sporting good comprising the zipper of claim 7.

13. A camping good comprising the zipper of claim 7.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates typical components of a standard zipper;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a waterproof zipper pull system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a zipper pull and a corresponding garage of the waterproof zipper of FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a zipper pull and corresponding garage of the waterproof zipper of FIG. 2 on an article of clothing.

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a zipper pull and corresponding garage of the waterproof zipper of FIG. 2 comprising a sporting good.

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates zipper pull and corresponding garage of the waterproof zipper of FIG. 2 comprising a camping good.

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates zipper pull and corresponding garage of the waterproof zipper of FIG. 2 comprising a storage bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(9) Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-3, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. Although the invention is described in the context of a storage bag, the present invention is applicable to any type of item where a zipper is useful for opening and closing of an inner compartment thereon, such as, but not limited to clothing, luggage and other bags, sporting goods, and camping gear.

(10) FIG. 2 illustrates a zipper 200 according to an embodiment of the invention. The zipper 200 is affixed to a surface of a storage bag 250 and is shown in both an open position (top left) and a closed position (bottom right). The zipper 200 comprises a zipper pull 210 and a garage 220. The zipper pull 210 is attached to a slider 203. Water resistant flaps 230 and 240 comprise a pliable rubber or plastic compound, which meet together on the centerline of zipper teeth (hidden from view, but located on the inside surface of), the implementation of which is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. In an embodiment of the invention, the flaps are coated with a water repellant such as, but not limited to polyeurathane.

(11) Referring to FIG. 3, which illustrates a close up of the zipper pull 210 and the garage 220 in both an open position (top) and a closed position (bottom see through illustration of garage 220), the zipper pull 210 comprises a loop 212, a head 214, and a clasp 216. The loop 212 secures the zipper pull 210 to the slider 203. In an embodiment of the invention, the head 214 has a radius to allow a concentric fit against the inside of the garage 220. In alternative embodiments of the invention, The male zipper pull 210 could be almost any shape as long as it sealed against the female inside of the garage 220. The bottom of the pull 210 is flat to seal against the outer surface of the flaps 230 and 240. A rubber seal or gasket (not shown) could also be disposed on the periphery of the pull head 214 to form a waterproof seal when inside the garage 220.

(12) The garage 220 includes an opening 222 shaped to snugly cover the head 214 when inserted therein (as shown in closed position—see bottom). The garage 220 is sized to also receive the slider 203 in the closed position. The clasp 216 is held by a user's hand, e.g., between a thumb and index finger, and moved between the open position and closed position, and vice versa. By having the head 214 fit snugly within the garage 220, a waterproof seal is formed. Friction within the zipper teeth (not shown) keep the garage 220 in the closed position. In the closed position, the clasp 216 remains available for a user to open the zipper 200.

(13) The garage 220 can be made of any material that can be formed, cast, 3D printed, computer numerical control (CNC) machined, manually machined, injection molded, or vacuum formed, as long as the inner surface of the garage 220 and the head 210 fit snugly so that when they are used in conjunction with each other they allow for a complete seal.

(14) In an embodiment of the invention, the zipper pull 210 is made from plastic via polymer casting, 3D printing, CNC machining, vacuum forming, injection moulding, or any suitable process, the identification and implementation of which is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the zipper pull 210 is made from a rigid material such as wood, metal, rubber, or any suitable material, the identification and implementation of which is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

(15) Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

(16) Moreover, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention.

(17) The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments and claims.