Abstract
The device provides a locking slide assembly for a zipper, and a method for manufacturing a locking zipper slide assembly. The locking slider assembly is formed in a single die cast operation to include the locking 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 locking slide assembly for a zipper comprising: a slide member (12), said slide member (12) being constructed and arranged to open and close a zipper chain (94), said slide member (12) including a slide top (23), said slide top (23) having a top surface (24) and a lower guiding surface (86), a slide bottom (88) having a bottom surface (25) and an upper guiding surface (90), said slide top (23) and said slide bottom (88) separated by an integrally formed splitter (34) to form a Y-shaped channel (92) between said slide top (23) and said slide bottom (88) for guiding said zipper chain (94) therethrough, said splitter integrally formed to a bottom surface of said upper guide and a top surface of said lower guide such that said slide member is a single piece, said top surface (24) including a bridge (16) having a first end (18) and a second end (20) said bridge integrally formed to said top surface (24) as a continuous member not having breaks along the length of said bridge, a bridge inner surface (26) defining an opening between said bridge (16) and said top surface (24) of said slide member (12) for through passage of a loop portion of a metal pull member (14), and a pair of bridge side surfaces (21), said bridge (16) including an insertable locking member (82) extending into said Y-shaped channel (92) for engaging a portion of said zipper chain (94) to resist unwanted movement of said slide member (12) with respect to said zipper chain (94); said pull member (14) constructed from metal and having a loop portion (38) and a first tab portion (40), said loop portion (38) formed as a continuous unbroken loop around said bridge (16) and integrally formed to said first tab portion (40), said pull member (14) being movable to disengage said locking member (82) from said zipper chain (94) to provide free movement of said slide member (12); said slide member (12) and said pull member (14) both formed of metal to be continuous and unbroken, said pull member (14) being freely moveable with respect to said slide member (12).
2. The locking slide assembly of claim 1 wherein said second end (20) of said bridge (16) includes a locking member bore (84), said locking member bore (84) including a locking member channel (96) for passage of a portion of said locking member (82) from said bridge (16) into said Y-shaped channel (92).
3. The locking slide assembly of claim 2 wherein said locking member is constructed from a spring tempered material.
4. The locking slide assembly of claim 3 wherein said locking member bore (84) extends through said second end (20) of said bridge (16) and said first end (18) of said bridge (16), said locking member (82) extending through said locking member bore (84) at said second end (20) of said bridge (16) and into said locking member bore (84) at said first end (18) of said bridge (16).
5. The locking slide assembly of claim 4 wherein said locking member (82) includes an arch portion (98), said arch portion (98) extending over said loop portion (38) of said pull member (14), whereby movement of said pull member (14) in a predetermined direction retracts said locking member (82) from said Y-shaped channel (92).
6. The locking slide assembly of claim 4 wherein said locking member (82) includes a catch (100), said locking member catch (100) constructed and arranged to interlock with a catch surface (102) positioned within said bridge (16), said catch and said catch surface cooperating to position and retain said locking member (82).
7. The locking slide assembly of claim 1 wherein one of said side surfaces (21) of said bridge (16) includes a locking member channel (104), said locking member channel (104) having sufficient width and depth for locating a first end (122) of said locking member (106) extending from said bridge side surface (21) so that a second end (108) of said locking member (106) extends into said Y-shaped channel (92) for engaging a portion of said zipper chain.
8. The locking slide assembly of claim 7 wherein said second end (108) of said locking member (106) extends through a vertical bore (110) extending through said slide top (23) into said Y-shaped channel (92).
9. The locking slide assembly of claim 7 wherein said locking member (106) is constructed from spring tempered wire.
10. The locking slide assembly for a zipper of claim 7 wherein said locking slide assembly (10) further includes a metal connecting link (54) positioned and formed between said pull member (14) and said slide member (12), said connecting link (54) formed as a continuous unbroken member extending around said bridge (16) and said loop portion (38) connecting said bridge (16) to said pull member (14).
11. The locking slide assembly for a zipper of claim 1 wherein said inner surface (26) of said bridge (16) is formed to be substantially flat and substantially parallel with respect to said top surface (24) of said slide member as it extends transversely across said bridge (16).
12. The locking slide assembly of claim 2 wherein said locking member is constructed from a resilient material.
13. The slide assembly of claim 1 wherein said pull member (14) includes indicia (78) formed integrally thereon, said indicia formed during die casting process.
14. The slide assembly of claim 1 wherein said slide member (12) includes indicia (78) formed integrally thereon, said indicia formed during die casting process.
15. The slide assembly for a zipper of claim 1 wherein said loop portion (38) of said pull member (14) is substantially round.
16. The slide assembly for a zipper of claim 1 wherein said loop portion (38) of said pull member (14) is polygon shaped.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
(1) FIG. 1 is a top isometric view of one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the preferred position for die casting of the slider assembly;
(2) FIG. 2 is a partial rear isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 illustrating a slider pull that has a round cross section in the area of the bridge and a locking member;
(3) 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;
(4) FIG. 4 is a section view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2 illustrating one embodiment of a locking member extending through the bridge of the slide;
(5) FIG. 5A is a side view of one embodiment of a locking member for locking the slider assembly in position on a zipper chain;
(6) FIG. 5B is a top view of the locking member illustrated in FIG. 5A;
(7) FIG. 5C is an end view of the locking member illustrated in FIG. 5A;
(8) FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a locking slide assembly illustrating an additional link formed between the slide and the pull of the slider assembly and an alternative locking member; and
(9) FIG. 7 is one embodiment of a zipper chain.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(10) 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.
(11) Referring generally to FIGS. 1-3, a locking slide assembly (10) for zippers is illustrated. In its simplest form, the locking slide assembly (10) includes a slide member (12) and a pull member (14). The locking 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), a second end (20), and a central portion (22) having a pair of bridge side surfaces (21) all integrally formed together as a single and continuous integral piece. Both the first and second ends (18) (20) of the bridge (16) are integrally formed to the slide top (23) having a top surface (24). The slide top (23) and a slide bottom (88) being separated and secured together with a splitter (34). The splitter (34) divides the inner portion (32) into the Y-shape for causing the zipper chain (94) to be joined or separated as is known in the art. The slide top (23) includes a top surface (24) and a lower first guiding surface (86) along with a pair of guide wall(s) (36) integrally formed as part of the slide top forming the upper guide (72). The slide bottom (88) includes a second upper guiding surface (90) along with a pair of guide wall(s) (36) integrally formed as part of the slide bottom (88) forming the lower guide (74). Together, the splitter (34) and guides (72) (74) are constructed and arranged to interlock the zipper chain (94) when moved in a first direction, and disengage the zipper chain (94) when moved in a second direction.
(12) Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5A-B of the preferred embodiment, the bridge (16) includes a locking member (82)(FIG. 2) that extends into the Y-shaped channel (92) for engaging a portion of a zipper chain (94) to resist unwanted movement of the slide member (12) with respect to the zipper chain (94). 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. Thus, the locking member (82) is formed to conform to the contours of the inner surface of the bridge with a portion of the locking member (82) being formed to allow the pull member (14) to retract the catch (112) of the locking member (82) from engagement with the zipper chain (94). 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.
(13) Referring to FIGS. 1-6 of one embodiment, the second end (20) of the bridge (16) includes a locking member bore (84). The locking member bore (84) includes a locking member channel (96) for passage of a portion of the locking member (82) from the bridge into said Y-shaped channel (92). The locking member bore (84) preferably extends through the second end (20) of the bridge (16) and the first end (18) of the bridge (16) so that the locking member (82) can extend through the locking member bore (84) at the second end (20) of the bridge (16) and into the locking member bore (84) at the first end (18) of the bridge (16)(see FIG. 4). In this manner, the locking member (82) may include a catch (100) constructed and arranged to interlock with a catch surface (102) positioned within the bridge (16), the catch (100) and catch surface (102) cooperating to position and retain the locking member (82). In one embodiment, the locking member (82) is constructed from a spring tempered, or other high resilience material to include an arch portion (98); the arch portion (98) extending over the loop portion (38) of the pull member (14), whereby movement of the pull member (14) in a predetermined direction retracts the catch (112) of the locking member (82) from the Y-shaped channel (92), allowing the zipper chain (94) to move freely through the channel.
(14) Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 5A, 5B and 5C, one embodiment of a locking member (82) is illustrated. The locking member (82) includes a length sufficient to extend between the first end (18) of the bridge and the second end (20) of the bridge, and a contoured central portion (114) having curvature to lie closely to the inner surface (26) of the bridge (16). The front portion (116) of the locking member (82) includes the locking member catch (100) which retains and positions the locking member (82) within the bridge (16). In this non-limiting embodiment, the locking member catch (100) is formed as a partial perforation of the locking member (82). This construction allows the front portion (116) to be inserted through the locking member channel (104) whereby the locking member catch (100) may spring past the catch surface (102), retaining the locking member in a proper position. The rear portion (118) of the locking member (82) includes the locking member catch (112) which extends into the Y-shaped channel (92) to engage a portion of the zipper chain teeth. In the preferred embodiment, the locking member catch (112) engages one side of the zipper chain (94). However, the locking member catch (112) may engage any portion of the zipper chain (94) or the webbing that supports the zipper chain (94) without departing from the scope of the invention. It should also be noted that an unlatching portion (120) of the locking member (82) is formed to be separated from the inner surface (26) of the bridge (16) in its normal state. In this manner, the pull (14) may be utilized to displace this portion of the locking member to retract the locking member catch (112) from the Y-shaped channel (92). Movement of the pull (14) thereby releases the locking member (82) to engage the zipper teeth. It should also be noted that this construction allows the locking member (82) to be moved in the direction of engaging the zipper chain (94) with the need to retract the locking member (82) from the Y-shaped channel (92), but will not allow the slide to be moved to disengage the zipper chain (94) without retraction. It should also be noted that while this locking member is illustrated as being flat or a leaf type spring member, other shapes suitable for providing the described function may be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention.
(15) It should be noted that, 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. The present method of manufacturing provides that 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.
(16) Referring to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of the locking slide assembly (10) is illustrated. In this embodiment, one of said side surfaces (21) of the bridge (16) is formed to include a locking member channel (104) at the first end of the bridge (16). The locking member channel (104) has sufficient width and depth for locating a first end (122) of a round locking member (106) extending from said bridge side surface (21) so that a second end (108) of the round locking member (106) extends into said Y-shaped channel (92) for engaging a portion of said zipper chain (94). In at least one embodiment, the second end (108) of the locking member (106) extends through a vertical bore (110) extending through said slide top (23) into said Y-shaped channel (92); the vertical bore (110) being formed during formation of the slide and pull. Thus, the locking member (106) may be formed of wire, flat material, or any other desirable shaped material without departing from the scope of the invention.
(17) Referring to FIG. 1-6, the pull member (14) is formed in position around the bridge (16) to include a loop portion (38). The loop portion (38) 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 non-locking slider 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.
(18) 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 die casting tool (50) 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 (14) may be rotated to different angles as needed in the mold without departing from the scope of the invention. After formation of the slide assembly (10) in the die cast mold, the at least one side shifting slide (46) is configured to make an orthogonal side shift after formation of the slide 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).
(19) Referring to FIG. 6, 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 (46) in the same manner as the loop portion (38) of the pull (14).
(20) Referring to FIGS. 1-6, it should be noted that the pulls (14) or slides (12) may include indicia (78) which may include, but should not be limited to, logos, figures, characters, serial numbers, lot numbers, part numbers, patent numbers, trademarks and the like that are integrally formed as part of the slide assembly (10). Specifically, the logos, figures or characters may be formed on any surface of the puller or slide. This provides a significant advantage over other methods of manufacture. It should also be noted that the present embodiments are specifically utilized for forming slide assemblies from metal in a die casting process, and thus various metals may be utilized, including, but not limited to, titanium, zinc, aluminum, magnesium, copper, brass and suitable combinations thereof.
(21) 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.
(22) 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.
(23) 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.
