U.S. patent application number 12/448509 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-26 for auto lock slider for slide fastener.
Invention is credited to Parthiban Dhanapal.
Application Number | 20090288276 12/448509 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39589089 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090288276 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dhanapal; Parthiban |
November 26, 2009 |
AUTO LOCK SLIDER FOR SLIDE FASTENER
Abstract
The present subject matter describes an Auto lock slider plastic
slider for a slide fastener. According to one embodiment of the
present invention the slider comprises a slider body having one or
more slots formed therein. A puller means having a cam provision is
integrated with the slider body. In another embodiment the puller
means is attached to the slider body and not an integrated part
thereof. Further, a resilient locking member having a first end and
a second end is attached to the slider body so that the one end
gets arrested in one of the slots in the slider body when
assembled. Additionally the resilient locking member is adapted to
cooperate with the cam provision to affect engaging and/or
disengaging of the another end of the resilient locking member with
respect to the slide fastener through another slot in the slider
body thereby locking or unlocking the slide fastener.
Inventors: |
Dhanapal; Parthiban;
(Tamelnadu, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALIX YALE & RISTAS LLP
750 MAIN STREET, SUITE 1400
HARTFORD
CT
06103
US
|
Family ID: |
39589089 |
Appl. No.: |
12/448509 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
December 28, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IN2007/000608 |
371 Date: |
June 23, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/421 ;
24/418 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B 19/306 20130101;
Y10T 24/2566 20150115; Y10T 24/2571 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/421 ;
24/418 |
International
Class: |
A44B 19/30 20060101
A44B019/30; A44B 19/26 20060101 A44B019/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 5, 2007 |
IN |
32/CHE/2007 |
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. Auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners comprising: an
integrally formed slider body having slots formed therein and a
puller means provided with a cam like arrangement; and a resilient
locking member, said slider body adapted such that once assembled
through a slider slot one end of said resilient locking member is
fixed to said slider body, said resilient locking member adapted to
engage with said cam like arrangement in said puller means such as
to effect the engaging and disengaging of the other end of said
resilient locking member with the slide fastener chain through a
slot in said slider body to thereby lock or unlock said slide
fastener.
18. Auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners according to claim
17 wherein a slot at the rear of the slider body is adapted to
secure said one end of the resilient locking member with respect to
the slider body and a slot on the top of the slider body adapted to
allow said other end of the resilient locking member to engage or
disengage with respect to said slide fastener within the slider
body.
19. Auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners according to claim
17 wherein said resilient locking member at said end region adapted
to get attached to said slider body is provided with a
suitably-shaped end portion which gets arrested within a
correspondingly adapted slotted region at the rear of said slider
body and said other end of the resilient locking member is adapted
to facilitate said engaging and disengaging of with respect to the
slide fastener chain.
20. Auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners according to claim
17 wherein said puller means comprise a cam like protrusion adapted
to facilitate said resilient locking member to directed engage or
disengage with the slide fastener chain to ensure the locking and
unlocking of the slide fastener.
21. Auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners according to claim
20 wherein the position of the puller provides for locking and
unlocking with the disposition of puller on top side of the slider
body providing for locking and vertical positioning of the puller
providing for unlocking.
22. Auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners according to claim
17 wherein the slider body and the puller are obtained of injection
moulding integrally or separately moulded or insert moulding
selectively based on the material for the puller and the slider
body.
23. Auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners according to claim
22 wherein the slider body and the puller are selectively made of
same or different plastic and/or metal and/or any composite
material.
24. Auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners, the slide
fastener having two stringers forming a slide fastener chain,
comprising: a slider body having slots formed therein; a puller
means provided with a cam like arrangement in the puller bridge;
and a resilient locking member, said slider body adapted such that
once assembled through a slider slot one end of said resilient
locking member is fixed to the slider body, and said resilient
locking member is adapted to engage with said cam like arrangement
in said puller means such as to effect the engaging and disengaging
of the other end of said resilient locking member with the slide
fastener chain through a slot in said slider body to thereby lock
or unlock said slide fastener.
25. Auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners according to claim
24 wherein a slot at the rear of the slider body is adapted to
secure said one end of the resilient locking member with respect to
the slider body and a slot on the top of the slider body adapted to
allow said other end of the resilient locking member to engage or
disengage with respect to said slide fastener within the slider
body.
26. Auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners according to claim
24 wherein said resilient locking member at said end region adapted
to get attached to said slider body is provided with a
suitably-shaped end portion which gets arrested within a
correspondingly adapted slotted region at the rear of said slider
body and said other end of the resilient locking member is adapted
to facilitate said engaging and disengaging of with respect to the
slide fastener chain.
27. Auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners according to claim
24 wherein the puller bridge is supported by two bails in the
slider body for desired puller strength.
28. Auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners according to claim
24 wherein said puller means comprise a cam like protrusion adapted
to facilitate said resilient locking member to directed engage or
disengage with the slide fastener chain to ensure the locking and
unlocking of the slide fastener.
29. Auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners according to claim
28 wherein the puller is press fitted into slits of the slider
body, the resilient locking member is secured to the assembly by
passing through a hole in the puller and by engaging with one end
in the rear slot of the slider body.
30. Auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners according to claim
29 wherein both slits have a protruding point in their middle
section to enable welding of the slider assembly.
31. Auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners according to claim
28 wherein the position of the puller provides for locking and
unlocking with the disposition of puller on top side of the slider
body providing for locking and vertical positioning of the puller
providing for unlocking.
32. Auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners according to claim
24 wherein the slider body and the puller are selectively made of
same or different plastic and/or metal and/or any composite
material.
33. Auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners comprising
resilient locking member is made of elastic material giving it
characteristics of a spring.
34. Auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners according to claim
33 wherein the resilient locking member has a shape matching the
shape of the slider body and the puller allowing the assembly of
the resilient locking member with the slider body slots.
35. Auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners comprising
plastic/synthetic material slider preferably suited for painting
applications.
36. Auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners comprising
selectively plastic moulded slide fastener, Coil type slide
fastener, Ladder type slide fastener and metal type slide fastener.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to Auto lock slider, made of
plastic, to be used in slide fasteners (Zippers) of all types,
Plastic Moulded/Extruded, Ladder, Coil and Metal in all
designations and operating arrangements.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Slide fasteners, also called zippers are very commonly
known. The zipper consists of two stringers with a row of teeth
specially shaped and made of metal, plastic or polyester coil. A
slider, operated by hand, moves along the length of the stringers
clasping together the rows of teeth. The slider is an essential
component of the slide fastener. Typically, an auto lock slider is
provided with a locking mechanism that automatically locks the
slider to the slide fastener chain at a desired position.
[0003] Auto lock sliders with an integrated locking mechanism made
of metal or plastic are well known in the art of manufacturing the
slider. The components are manufactured separately, and assembled
in order to form the slider.
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional slider. The various
components of the slider are a cap assembly 3, a locking pin 4, a
puller 5 and a slider body 6. The cap assembly 3 further comprises
a cap 1 and a leaf spring 2. The leaf spring 2 is cut into an
appropriate shape and fixed inside the cap 1. The locking pin 4 is
made from a metallic strip preferably steel or copper alloy with
protective plating. The body 6 and the puller 5 are manufactured by
process such as injection moulding. Thus, the manufacturing process
of the conventional five-piece slider involves separate processes
such as cutting, stamping or injection moulding for each component.
At the assembly stage, all these components, such as the body 6,
puller 5, locking pin 4 and cap assembly 3 are assembled manually
or automatically. A series of steps are involved in attaching the
components to one another making the manufacturing process very
tedious and time consuming.
[0005] The conventional plastic Auto lock sliders as described and
also similar others existing sliders suffer from a number of
limitations like poor puller strength, reduced reliability due to
multiple parts and expensive process of manufacture. Further, the
leaf spring 2 used in the conventional configuration has to be
accurately cut and positioned inside the cap 1 to ensure proper
operation of locking mechanism. More importantly, while painting
such a slider, the paint that gets deposited in the cavity of the
cap 1 and leaf spring 2 often makes the locking mechanism
ineffective and unreliable.
[0006] There has been therefore a continuous need for a plastic
Auto lock slider that would on one hand be simple and cost
effective in manufacturing and on the other hand would eliminate
the limitations associated with conventional sliders to provide
strength of the puller, effective locking function and operate with
reliability, unaffected by problems of paint deposition or the
like. Moreover, it is desired to have sliders for slide fasteners
which can be made by a simple manufacturing process suitable for
all types of slide fasteners made of different types of material
and having the usual pair of stringers with coupling elements for a
wide range of applications.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The basic object of the present invention is thus directed
to providing a plastic Auto lock slider for slide fasteners that
would on one hand be simple in construction and on the other hand
would provide a safe with desired puller strength and user friendly
slider with secured lock arresting the sliding motion in a secured
manner and provide for desired reliability of performance of the
slider assembly.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is directed to an
Auto lock plastic slider which can be adapted for manufacture of
sliders for slide fasteners of wide range/combination of materials
for its different components and for use with various slide
fasteners made of different materials.
[0009] A still further object of the present invention is directed
to said Auto lock plastic slider which would be simple and cost
effective to assemble/manufacture with minimum skill and tools and
importantly involving minimum number of operative components with
desired puller strength and reliable performance.
[0010] Yet further object of the present invention is directed to
an Auto lock plastic slider of simple configuration directed to
achieve simplicity in construction including the body and the
puller adapted for injection moulding integrally or moulded
separately or by insert moulding depending upon the material chosen
for puller and body with a selective locking member of resilient
material of desired shape, to facilitate the reliable and fail free
locking and/or unlocking of the slide fastener during use.
[0011] A still further object of the present invention is directed
to said auto lock plastic slider adapted with user friendly and
safe operation for slide fasteners such that the locking and
unlocking action could be performed involving minimum of operative
components in a selective configuration without any failure in
achieving such desired functions even in the presence of paints or
the like.
[0012] Various modifications of the disclosed objects, as well as
alternate objects of the subject matter, will become apparent to
persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the
subject matter. It is therefore contemplated that such
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the present subject matter as defined.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Thus according to the basic aspect of the present invention
there is provided an auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners
comprising:
a slider body having slots formed therein; a puller means provided
with a cam like arrangement; a resilient locking member, and a
slide fastener chain said slider body adapted such that once
assembled through the slot at one end, said resilient locking
member get arrested with respect to said slider body, said
resilient locking member is adapted to cooperate with said cam
provision in said puller means so as to effect engaging and
disengaging of the other end of said resilient locking member with
respect to said slide fastener chain through a slot in said slider
body to thereby lock or unlock said slide fastener.
[0014] According to another aspect of the invention there is
provided an auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners
comprising: an integrally formed slider body having slots formed
therein and a puller means provided with a cam like arrangement;
and a resilient locking member, said slider body adapted such that
once assembled through a slot at one end said resilient locking
member gets arrested with respect to said slider body, said
resilient locking member adapted to cooperate with said cam
provision in said puller means such as to effect said engaging and
disengaging of the other end of said resilient locking member with
respect to said slide fastener through a slot in said slider body
to thereby lock or unlock said slide fastener.
[0015] In the above disclosed auto lock plastic slider for slide
fasteners a slot at the rear of the slider body is adapted to
secure said one end of the resilient locking member with respect to
the slider body and a slot on the top of the slider body adapted to
allow said other end of the resilient locking member to engage or
disengage with respect to said slide fastener chain within the
slider body.
[0016] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, said
resilient locking member at said end region is adapted to get
secured with respect to said slider body and is provided with a
suitably shaped end portion which gets arrested within a
correspondingly adapted slotted region at the rear of said slider
body and said other end of the resilient locking member is adapted
to facilitate said engaging and disengaging of the resilient
locking member with the slide fastener chain.
[0017] In the auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners of the
invention, said puller means comprise a cam like protrusion adapted
to enable said resilient locking member to engage or disengage with
the slide fastener chain to ensure locking and unlocking of the
slide fastener. The resilient locking member is configured to match
the profile of the body and puller and its assembly with respect to
the slider body slots. Also, the disposition of puller position
provides for the locking and unlocking with the selective
disposition of puller on top side of slider providing for the
unlocking.
[0018] The slider body and the puller in the auto lock slider of
the invention can be obtained by integral injection moulding or
insert moulding selectively based on the material for the puller
and the slider body.
[0019] The resilient locking member used in the auto lock plastic
slider for slide fasteners of the invention is made of elastic
material.
[0020] Also, according to another aspect of the invention, in the
auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners the bridge of the
puller is supported by two bails in the body for desired puller
strength.
[0021] Advantageously, the auto lock plastic slider for slide
fasteners of the present invention comprises a plastic/synthetic
material slider preferably suited for painting applications.
Moreover, in the auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners the
slider body and the puller are selectively made of same or
different plastic and/or metal and/or any composite material.
[0022] The auto lock plastic slider for slide fasteners of the
invention is thus adapted to comprise selectively plastic moulded
slide fastener, Ladder type slide fastener, Polyester coil slide
fastener and metal type slide fastener.
[0023] The details of the invention, its objects and advantages are
explained hereunder in greater detail in relation to the
non-limiting exemplary illustrations as per the following
accompanying figures.
[0024] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present subject matter will become better understood with reference
to the following description, non limiting exemplary illustrations
as per the following accompanying figures and appended claims. This
Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a
simplified form. This Summary is not intended to identify key
features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor
is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject
matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
[0025] The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
subject matter will become better understood with regard to the
following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings
where:
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates the design of an existing slider which
consists of body 6, puller 5, cap 1, leaf spring 2 and lock pin
4.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a slider 10 in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention. The slider 10 comprises a
slider body 7, a puller means 8 moulded integrally to the slider
body 7 and a resilient locking member 9.
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates the resilient locking member 9 of the
previous embodiment fitted into the slider body 7 through the
puller means 8.
[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates the unlocking and locking action of the
resilient locking member 9.
[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates the slider 10 in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention wherein a slider body 12 and a
puller means 13 are moulded separately and then assembled with a
resilient locking member 14.
[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention
of slider 10 suitable for coil type slide fastener.
[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention of slider 10 adapted for plastic moulded slide
fastener
[0033] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention of slider 10 adapted for ladder type slide fastener.
[0034] FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention of slider 10 adapted for metal type slide fastener
[0035] It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate
only a preferred embodiment of the invention and is therefore not
be considered as limitations of the invention's scope as it may
admit to other equally effective embodiments, as there are
different slide fasteners, in which sliders are arranged in varied
combinations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE
ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
[0036] Please refer to FIGS. 2 to 6. As discussed hereinbefore, the
present invention is directed to auto lock plastic sliders for
slide fasteners wherein the assembly consist of 3 pieces or 2
pieces such that the slider body (7) and the puller (8) is
injection moulded integrally or insert moulded or individually
moulded depending upon the material chosen for puller (8) and
slider body (7). The auto lock slider of the present invention
comprises of a slider body (7), a puller (8) and a resilient
locking member (9). The resilient locking member (9) in the present
slider arrangement is made of elastic material to a desired shape
adapted to favour safe and secured locking and unlocking of the
slider body (7) with slide fastener chain (20,21,22,23) of the
slide fastener. Importantly, the slider body (7) is provided with
slots (18,19) wherein the resilient locking member (9) is assembled
such that it cannot become detached once assembled in position. The
slider body (7) and a cam like protrusion (16) provided on the
puller bridge (17) which causes engaging or disengaging of the
resilient locking member (9) with slide fastener chain
(20,21,22,23) of the slide fastener.
[0037] Reference is now invited to accompanying FIG. 2 that
illustrates the 2 piece auto lock plastic slider (10) according to
the present invention, where in the slider body (7) and the puller
(8) are shown integrally moulded and a resilient locking member (9)
of a selected shape provided that matches the shape of the slider
body (7) and puller (8). Said resilient locking member (9) is
further adapted to be assembled into the appropriate slots (18, 19)
provided on the slider body (7) to favour desired locking action.
Reference is next invited to the accompanying FIG. 3 wherein the
manner of fitting the resilient locking member (9) through the
puller (8) and into the slot (18, 19) provided in the slider body
(7) is further illustrated. Reference is further invited to
accompanying FIG. 4 wherein the locking and unlocking action is
illustrated. As would be apparent from said figure, by positioning
the puller (8) horizontally, its protruding cam like portion (16)
allows the resilient locking member (9) to engage securely with the
slide fastener chain (20, 21,22,23) and by lifting the puller (8)
vertically the resilient locking member (9) is pulled upwards by
the cam like portion and disengages from the slide fastener chain.
It is important to note with respect to this embodiment of the
present invention that the favoured locking action of the slider
(10) with the slide fasteners, is achieved when the puller (8) is
lying flat (horizontal) along the top surface of the slider body
(7). The state of unlocking function of the slider (10) is achieved
by positioning the puller vertically (8), whereby the resilient
locking member (9) gets lifted up in to the slot (19), by the
action of the cam (16).
[0038] Reference is now invited to accompanying FIG. 5, which
illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein
the slider body (12) and the puller (13) are moulded separately
from plastic material and then the resilient locking member (14) is
assembled providing the same desired objective. Here the puller
(13) is pushed into the slit (29) provided in the body (12). Due to
elastic nature the puller gets snap fit into the body. And the
resilient locking member (14) of different shape is fit into the
slots of the slider body. The slots (29) also have energy directors
(30) for ultrasonic welding for additional strength, if
required.
[0039] Accompanying FIGS. 6, 7, 8 & 9 illustrate the particular
embodiments of the present invention while applied for a Coil type
slide fastener (FIG. 6), plastic moulded slide fastener (FIG. 7),
Ladder type slide fastener (FIG. 8) and a metal type slide fastener
(FIG. 9) respectively. It is thus possible by way of this invention
to provide for an auto lock slider plastic slider with a minimum
number of components and adapted to be used for slide fasteners of
all types and of all materials such that the locking action of the
slider can be achieved in a secure manner without failure,
particularly any malfunctioning in the event of deposition of paint
into the cavities or slots on the mating surfaces of the resilient
locking member and the slider body. Importantly, the present
invention advantageously provides a simple construction and
assembly procedure of the auto lock slider comprising fewer
components or pieces requiring minimum effort and tools and thus
avoiding expensive and complicated process of manufacture/assembly
for the auto lock sliders conventionally involving multiple
components. Advantageously, the auto lock plastic sliders of the
present invention is further adapted to provide higher strength of
the puller by way of selectively configured integrally moulded
slider body with puller such that the bridge of the puller is
strong enough to give the required puller strength for the slider
for an user friendly and reliable slide fastener operation. From
the design and implementation standpoint, the aforementioned
selection vis-a-vis the assemblage and specifications thereof,
aggregate number of parts therein, the total number of parts for
the assemblage of the slider suggested herein are merely
illustrative of the present subject matter and in no way limit the
scope of the present subject matter. Various modifications to the
aforementioned embodiment may be readily known to persons of
ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present subject
matter.
* * * * *