U.S. patent application number 11/072222 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-07 for current directing zipper head.
Invention is credited to Heidi Lynn Turner.
Application Number | 20060196017 11/072222 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36942694 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060196017 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Turner; Heidi Lynn |
September 7, 2006 |
Current directing zipper head
Abstract
A zipper head capable of directing an electric current to
function as an on/off switch for an electronic device.
Inventors: |
Turner; Heidi Lynn; (Newport
Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Heidi Turner
1323 East Balboa Blvd., #2
Newport Beach
CA
92661
US
|
Family ID: |
36942694 |
Appl. No.: |
11/072222 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/381 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B 19/26 20130101;
Y10T 24/25 20150115; H01H 2001/125 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/381 |
International
Class: |
A44B 19/00 20060101
A44B019/00 |
Claims
1. A zipper head device, capable of directing an electric current,
functioning as an electronic switch, comprising: (a) a zipper head,
made from a non-current carrying material, such as plastic; and (b)
a minimum of two pieces of current carrying material, such as
metal.
2. The zipper head device according to claim 1, wherein said zipper
head is removable from the teeth or body of the zipper.
3. The zipper head device according to claim 1, further including a
current directing zipper pull made from a combination of
non-current carrying material, such as plastic and a current
carrying material, such as metal to deliver current to an
electronic or mechanical device.
4. The zipper head device according to claim 1, wherein said zipper
head is directly attached to an electronic or mechanical device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to a zipper head that directs
current and functions as an electronic on/off switch for
convenience, entertainment, and safety.
[0006] 2. Prior Art
[0007] Decorative zipper pulls have been in existence since the
invention of the zipper. Zipper pulls are primarily used to
facilitate the opening and closing of the zipper itself while
remaining aesthetically pleasing. However, they do little else.
They are generally made from plastics or metals and pleasingly
shaped. Often, they are designed to display a company logo or
trademark. Decorative aftermarket zipper pulls can also be
purchased that are functioning timepieces or display a company
logo, trademark, or advertising message. Presently the opening and
closing of a zipper does nothing but facilitate the putting on or
removal of clothing.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0008] An electronic device zipper pull attached to a current
directing zipper head electronic switch, improves upon existing
designs by allowing for an optical or mechanical display that
functions automatically when the zipper is in use. When the
accompanying electronic device produces light, it can function as a
safety device. It will call attention to a zipper pull, especially
one designed as a company logo, trademark, or advertising message.
The concept of the present invention is quite simple and therefore
inexpensive.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present invention, as claimed, is a decorative
electronic fashion accessory. It is intended as an entertaining and
attractive addition to wearing apparel. A current directing zipper
head manufactured from a combination of conducting and
non-conducting materials, such as metal and plastic, acts as a
switch using the metal teeth of a zipper to complete the circuit
and close the switch. The zipper teeth can all be made of
conducting material to complete the circuit and close the switch at
any position on the closed zipper. The zipper teeth can be
partially made of a conduction material, to close the switch when
the current directing zipper head reaches certain positions. The
zipper teeth can also be made of non-conducting materials while the
zipper "top stop" at the top is metal to complete the circuit and
close the switch only when the zipper is in a fully closed
position.
[0010] In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, an accompanying electronic or mechanical device can only
function when the zipper is in a closed or partially dosed
position.
DRAWINGS--FIGURES
[0011] Drawings and a detailed description of a specific embodiment
of the invention is described below:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of the current directing
zipper head and zipper pull of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a view of the underside of the perspective zipper
head in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION--FIGS. 1-2--PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0014] A current directing zipper head switch, constructed in
accordance with the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1
& 2.
[0015] Referring to the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates
the current directing zipper head switch comprising generally a
zipper head 3, a zipper pull cradle 1, current conducting
components 2 and 10 coming through the top portion of the zipper
head 3 to the zipper pull cradle 1, a non-current carrying zipper
pull 5, and current conducting components of the zipper pull 4 and
9. A power source 7 is connected to a current conducting component
of the zipper pull 9. An electronic device 8 is connected to the
other current conducting component of the zipper pull 4.
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates the underside of the top portion of the
current directing zipper head switch 11. The teeth divider 12 holds
the two sides of the zipper itself apart and correctly aligns the
teeth to lock together as the zipper head is pulled upward. The
power source is connected to current conducting component 10 via
the zipper pull. When a current carrying portion of the zipper is
fed through the zipper head, the space between current carrying
components 2 and 10 is bridged and the current is directed into
current carrying component 2. This closes the switch and completes
the circuit. The current is directed through component 2 and into
the zipper pull to power the electronic device. It is important to
note that the current carrying components 2 and 10 can be
positioned in a variety of orientations, and still direct the
current effectively. For example, men's and women's garments close
in opposite direction; the current carrying components 2 and 10
would have to be placed accordingly.
CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE
[0017] Thus the reader will see that the current directing zipper
head of the invention provides a highly reliable, small,
lightweight, and economical electronic on/off switch that can be
used by persons of all ages for decoration, convenience,
entertainment, advertising, and safety. While the above description
contains many specificities, these should not be construed as
limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an
exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other
variations are possible. For example said current directing zipper
pull is intended to have aesthetic appeal and could be designed in
an unlimited number of shapes, colors, and sizes.
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