U.S. patent application number 10/683428 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-14 for zipper slide.
Invention is credited to Chen, Tan Ming, Cheng, Cheng-Han.
Application Number | 20050076480 10/683428 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34422740 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050076480 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen, Tan Ming ; et
al. |
April 14, 2005 |
ZIPPER SLIDE
Abstract
A zipper slide is adapted to a zipper on a shoe for
simultaneously combining/separating two zipper tapes of the zipper
and fastening/loosing two laces of the shoe. The zipper slide
includes a slide body, a pull tab, a bottom cover and a gripping
block. The slide body has two guiding grooves providing for the two
zipper tapes of the zipper, respectively. The pull tab is coupled
to the slide body. The bottom cover is assembled to a bottom
portion of the slide body. Two tracks are defined between the
bottom cover and the slide body. A space is positioned between the
two tracks. A gripping block is forward/backward movably arranged
in the space. The gripping block has two gripping surfaces at two
sides thereof. The two gripping surfaces are respectively extended
into the two tracks thereby to grip the laces passed through in the
tracks.
Inventors: |
Chen, Tan Ming; (Tao Yuan
Hsien, TW) ; Cheng, Cheng-Han; (Kao Hsiung,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROSENBERG, KLEIN & LEE
3458 ELLICOTT CENTER DRIVE-SUITE 101
ELLICOTT CITY
MD
21043
US
|
Family ID: |
34422740 |
Appl. No.: |
10/683428 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/415 ; 24/136R;
24/712.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B 19/306 20130101;
Y10T 24/2561 20150115; Y10T 24/3969 20150115; Y10T 24/3724
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/415 ;
024/712.9; 024/136.00R |
International
Class: |
A44B 019/26 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A zipper slide adapted to a zipper on a shoe for simultaneously
combining/separating two zipper tapes of the zipper and
fastening/loosing two laces of the shoe, comprising: a slide body
having two guiding grooves providing for the two zipper tapes of
the zipper, respectively; a pull tab coupled to the slide body; a
bottom cover assembled to a bottom portion of the slide body to
define two tracks therebetween and a space positioned between the
two tracks; and a gripping block forward/backward movably arranged
in the space, the gripping block having two gripping surfaces at
two sides thereof, and the two gripping surfaces respectively
extending into the two tracks thereby to grip the laces passed
through in the tracks.
2. The zipper slide of claim 1, wherein the bottom cover is
assembled to the bottom portion of the slide body by rivets, the
gripping block has a sliding slot at a middle portion thereof for
providing at least one of the rivets to pass through, an elastic
element has two ends respectively abutting against one rivet in the
sliding slot and a wall adjacent to the sliding slot, so that the
gripping block is elastically positioned in the space.
3. The zipper slide of claim 1, wherein the two tracks are
gradually approached to each other from front to rear thereof.
4. The zipper slide of claim 1, wherein the gripping block has an
adjusting portion formed at one end thereof, and the adjusting
portion is extended out the slide body and the bottom cover.
5. The zipper slide of claim 1, wherein the gripping block is of a
wedge shape.
6. The zipper slide of claim 1, wherein each of the two gripping
surfaces of the gripping block is of a sawtooth shape.
7. The zipper slide of claim 1, further comprising a spring plate
arranged on the slide body, the spring plate having a retaining
portion extended into the guiding grooves of the slide body, a
connecting element connected to on a top portion of the slide body,
the connecting element abutting against an inner edge of the spring
plate, the pull tab coupled to the connecting element, and a
hooking means defined between the slide body and the pull tab for
hooking the pull tab on the slide body.
8. The zipper slide of claim 7, wherein the slide body has an
accommodated space for accommodating the spring plate and a through
hole for accommodating the retaining portion of the spring
plate.
9. The zipper slide of claim 7, wherein the connecting element has
a pivotal shaft at one end thereof, the pivotal shaft is pivotally
connected to the top portion of the slide body, and the pivotal
shaft abuts against the inner edge of the spring plate.
10. The zipper slide of claim 9, wherein the connecting element has
a first pin hole at another end thereof, the pull tab has a second
pin hole at one end thereof, and a pin passes through the first pin
hole and the second pin hole, so that the pull tab is pivotally
connected to an end portion of the connecting element.
11. The zipper slide of claim 1, wherein the pull tab has a top
surface providing words, patterns or trademarks thereon.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a zipper slide and, more
particularly to a zipper slide that is adapted to a zipper on a
shoe for simultaneously combining/separating two zipper tapes of
the zipper and fastening/loosing two laces of the shoe.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In general, the conventional sports shoes provide laces or
zipper tapes for controlling elasticity of the shoe wore. But in
the market, it appears a kind of sports shoe providing laces and
zipper tapes together, and the laces and the zipper tapes are
assembled on inner and outer portions of the sports shoe,
respectively. Due to this kind of sports shoe, it can combine the
zipper tapes after the laces are tied for a good-looking outer
portion of the shoe. But in use, it must consume more time to
combine/separate the zipper tapes and fasten/loose the laces of the
shoe, respectively. Thus it is extremely inconvenient in the shoe
wore on or taken off.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is therefore a principal object of the invention to
provide a zipper slide adapted to a zipper on a shoe for
simultaneously combining/separating two zipper tapes of the zipper
and fastening/loosing two laces of the shoe. Furthermore, the
present invention has been accomplished to eliminate the aforesaid
problem.
[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides
a zipper slide. The zipper slide includes a slide body, a pull tab,
a bottom cover and a gripping block. The slide body has two guiding
grooves providing for the two zipper tapes of the zipper,
respectively. The pull tab is coupled to the slide body. The bottom
cover is assembled to a bottom portion of the slide body. Two
tracks are defined between the bottom cover and the slide body. A
space is positioned between the two tracks. A gripping block is
forward/backward movably arranged in the space. The gripping block
has two gripping surfaces at two sides thereof. The two gripping
surfaces are respectively extended into the two tracks thereby to
grip the laces passed through in the tracks.
[0007] To provide a further understanding of the invention, the
following detailed description illustrates embodiments and examples
of the invention, this detailed description being provided only for
illustration of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The drawings included herein provide a further understanding
of the invention. A brief introduction of the drawings is as
follows:
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a zipper slide of
the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the zipper slide of the
present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of the zipper slide of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the zipper slide of the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the zipper slide of the
present invention in use;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the zipper slide of the
present invention in use; and
[0015] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the zipper slide of the
present invention in use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Wherever possible in the following description, like
reference numerals will refer to like elements and parts unless
otherwise illustrated.
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a zipper slide adapted to a
zipper 80 on a shoe in accordance with the present invention
includes a slide body 10, a spring plate 20, a connecting element
30, a pull tab 40, a hooking means 50, a bottom cover 60 and a
gripping block 70 for simultaneously combining/separating two
zipper tapes of a zipper 80 and fastening/loosing two laces 90 of a
shoe.
[0018] The slide body 10 is made of a metallic or plastic material.
The slide body 10 has two guiding grooves 11 and a baffle 12
positioned between the two guiding grooves 11 for separating the
two guiding grooves 11. The two guiding grooves 11 provides for
mating the two zipper tapes of the zipper 80 (shown in FIG. 6),
respectively. The slide body 10 has an accommodated space 13 for
accommodating the spring plate 20 and a through hole (not shown)
for accommodating a retaining portion 22 of the spring plate 20.
The slide body 10 has a pair of pivotal seats 15 projected from its
top portion for easily pivotally connecting the connecting element
30 and the pull tab 40.
[0019] The pull tab 40 is made of a metallic material with an
elasticity. The pull tab 40 has a fulcrum 21 at its one end. The
retaining portion 22 is formed on another end of the spring plate
20. The fulcrum 21 of the spring plate 20 is accommodated in the
accommodated space 13 of the slide body 10. The retaining portion
22 of the spring plate 20 is accommodated in the through hole (not
shown) of the slide body 10. The retaining portion 22 is extended
into the guiding grooves 11 of the slide body 10 so as to engage
with zipper teeth of the zipper 80.
[0020] The connecting element 30 is made of a metallic or plastic
material. The connecting element 30 has a pivotal shaft 31 at its
one end. The pivotal shaft 31 is pivotally connected to the pair of
pivotal seats 15 of the top portion of the slide body 10, so that
the connecting element 30 can be mounted on the slide body 10 by
the pivotally connecting manner. The connecting element 30 of the
pivotal shaft abuts against the inner edge of the spring plate 20.
Therefore, when the connecting element 30 is pulled upwardly, the
retaining portion 22 of the spring plate 20 is drawn to separating
the zipper 80 arranged in the guiding grooves 11. The connecting
element 30 has a first pin hole 32 at another end for connecting
the pull tab 40.
[0021] The pull tab 40 is made of a metallic or plastic material.
The pull tab 40 has a top surface forming a larger area for
providing words, patterns or trademarks thereon. The pull tab 40
has a second pin hole 41 at its one end to be in correspondence
with the first pin hole 32 of the connecting element 30. Further, a
pin 33 passes through the first pin hole 32 and the second pin hole
41, so that the pull tab 40 is pivotally connected to an end
portion of the connecting element 30 by the pin 33. The pull tab 40
is connected to the slide body 10 through the connecting element
30.
[0022] The hooking means 50 is defined between the slide body 10
and the pull tab 40 for hooking the pull tab 40 on the slide body
10. The hooking means 50 includes a hooking block 51 projected from
an edge of one end of the slide body 10 and a hooking hole 52
formed on one end of the pull tab 40. When the pull tab 40 is in
resting, it can be covered on the spring plate 20 and the
connecting element 30. Further, the hooking block 51 and the
hooking hole 52 can be hooked together, so that a free end of the
pull tab 40 can be hooked on the slide body 10, and the pull tab 40
can be covered on the spring plate 20 and the connecting element
30.
[0023] The retaining portion 22 of the spring plate 20 is extended
into the guiding grooves 11 of the slide body 10 and engage with
the zipper teeth of the zipper 80, hence the zipper slide can be
limit to move for achieving a fixing function. When the pull tab 40
is not pulled to move, it can be formed as a self-locking zipper
slide in a fixing status. When the pull tab 40 is pulled to move,
it can draw the pivotal shaft 31 of the connecting element 30 to
enable the spring plate 20 to move upwardly. Further, the retaining
portion 22 of the spring plate 20 is separated from the zipper
teeth of the zipper 80 in the guiding grooves 11, and the zipper
slide can be smoothly moved on the zipper 80 for combining or
separating the two zipper tapes of the zipper 80.
[0024] When the pull tab 40 is not pulled to move and the zipper
slide is in the fixing status, it will can fasten the pull tab 40
on the slide body 10 through the hooking means 50, so that the pull
tab 40 is covered on the spring plate 20 and the connecting element
30. Due to the pull tab 40 fastened on the slide body 10, the pull
tab 40 will not be raised upwardly and moved in incautious, thereby
to enable the zipper slide to retain in the fixing status. When the
pull tab 40 will be pulled to move, it must turn the pull tab 40 or
the connecting element 30, and one end of the pull tab 40 will be
separated from the slide body 10.
[0025] The present invention discloses a main feature for the
bottom cover 60 and the gripping block 70 arranged under the slide
body 10. The bottom cover 60 is made of a metallic or plastic
material. The bottom cover 60 has two fastening holes 61 penetrated
from top to bottom thereof. Two rivets 62 respectively passes
through the two fastening holes 61 thereby to enable the bottom
cover 60 to rivet and assemble on a bottom portion of the slide
body 10. Two tracks 63 are defined between of the slide body 10 and
the bottom cover 60. The two tracks 63 are penetrated to a front
edge and a rear edge of a combination of the slide body 10 and the
bottom cover 60 for providing the laces 90 to pass through an inner
portion of the combination. Each of the two tracks 63 is of a round
shape in its cross section or the other shapes, and the two tracks
can be gradually approached to each other from front to rear
thereof. A space 64 is positioned between the two tracks. The space
64 is of a wedge shape for receiving the gripping block 70.
[0026] The gripping block 70 is made of a metallic or plastic
material. The gripping block 70 is of a wedge shape. The gripping
block 70 is forward/backward movably arranged in the space 64. The
gripping block 70 has an adjusting portion 71 formed at one end
thereof, and the adjusting portion 71 is extended out a front edge
of the combination of the slide body 10 and the bottom cover 60, so
that the user can pull the adjusting portion 71 to make an
adjusting action. The gripping block 70 has two gripping surfaces
73 at two sides thereof. The two gripping surfaces 73 are
respectively extended into the two tracks 63 thereby to grip the
laces 90 passed through in the tracks 63. Each of the two gripping
surfaces 73 of the gripping block 70 is of a sawtooth shape. The
gripping block 70 has a rectangular sliding slot 72 at a middle
portion thereof for providing one rivet 62 to pass through, thereby
to guide the gripping block 70 to smoothly move forwardly or
backwardly.
[0027] Another, an elastic element 74 has two ends respectively
abutting against the rivet 62 in the sliding slot 72 and a wall
adjacent to the sliding slot 72 of the gripping block 70. The
elastic element 74 can push the gripping block 70 to move
backwardly, so that the gripping block 70 is elastically positioned
in the space 64. The two gripping surfaces 73 formed at two sides
of the gripping block 70 respectively extend into the two tracks 63
thereby to grip the laces 90 positioned in the tracks 63.
[0028] The structure configuration of FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a
still further arrangement in which the zipper slide of the present
invention can provide the laces 90 and the zipper tapes of the
zipper 80 together on the sports shoe, and the laces 90 and the
zipper tapes of the zipper 80 are assembled on an inner and outer
portions of the sports shoe, respectively. The zipper slide is
assembled on the zipper 80 for controlling the combination or
separation of the zipper tapes of the zipper 80. It has an elastic
function due to the laces 90 arranged in the tracks 63. The laces
90 are tied and wound on the shoe, and at least two sliding wheels
91 are provided on a predetermined position of the shoe for
smoothly adjusting the elasticity of the laces 90 wound on the
shoe. It still has the other manners due to the laces 90 tied and
wound on the shoe (see FIG. 7).
[0029] When the user pulls the adjusting portion 71 by fingers to
enable the gripping block 70 to forwardly move, the two gripping
surfaces 73 of the gripping block 70 will be separated from the
laces 90 to enable the laces 90 to be in loosing status, and
afterward it can adjust the elasticity of the laces 90. When
finishing the adjustment, loosing the adjusting portion 71, the
elastic element 74 can push the gripping block 70 to move
backwardly, so that the two gripping surfaces 73 of the gripping
block 70 will extend into the tracks 63 to grip the laces 90 to
enable the laces 90 to be in fixing status.
[0030] As earlier mentioned herein, the zipper slide of the present
invention is provided for simultaneously combining/separating the
zipper tapes of the zipper 80 and fastening/loosing the laces 90 of
the shoe. Furthermore, it doesn't need respectively to operate the
zipper and the laces, thus it will obtain some advantages, such as
the more time saved and the convenience due to the shoe wore on and
taken off.
[0031] There has thus been described a new, novel and heretofore
unobvious zipper slide which eliminates the aforesaid problem in
the prior art. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will readily
appreciate that the above description is only illustrative of
specific embodiments and examples of the invention. The invention
should therefore cover various modifications and variations made to
the herein-described structure and operations of the invention,
provided they fall within the scope of the invention as defined in
the following appended claims.
* * * * *