U.S. patent application number 14/070569 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-07 for dual closed-ended zippers mechanism reusable fastener.
The applicant listed for this patent is Alex S. Li. Invention is credited to Alex S. Li.
Application Number | 20150121660 14/070569 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53005863 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150121660 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Li; Alex S. |
May 7, 2015 |
Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable Fastener
Abstract
A reusable fastener that secures the zippers of a dual
closed-ended zippers mechanism in the mechanism's closing position.
The reusable fastener secures products that are dependent on the
dual closed-ended zippers mechanism for actions of opening and
closing from being unintentionally opened. While able to secure
zippers of the dual closed-ended zippers mechanism in the closing
position, the reusable fastener can also be easily detached.
Additionally, the detachment process will not destroy the reusable
fastener, enabling the reusable fastener to be reused. Furthermore,
since no personally-tailored knowledge or lock-and-key is necessary
to detach the reusable fastener, public and safety officials can
securely reattach the reusable fastener to the zippers after
inspections. The reusable fastener contains a plate that will make
the reusable fastener easily identifiable. These advantages of the
reusable fastener will provide users of products containing the
dual closed-ended zippers mechanism a peace of mind.
Inventors: |
Li; Alex S.; (San Diego,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Li; Alex S. |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53005863 |
Appl. No.: |
14/070569 |
Filed: |
November 3, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/302 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B 99/00 20130101;
A44B 19/262 20130101; A44B 19/30 20130101; Y10T 24/318
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/302 |
International
Class: |
A44B 19/30 20060101
A44B019/30; A44B 19/26 20060101 A44B019/26 |
Claims
1. A dual closed-ended zippers mechanism reusable fastener,
comprising: A rectangular plate with a top surface and a bottom
surface, first and second lateral sides, and first and second
longitudinal sides; the said rectangular plate further having a
cavity extending from the bottom surface to the top surface of the
plate, and defining therein an opening at each of the top and
bottom surfaces; a cord having a first end and a free end opposite
the first end, said first end coupled to one of the said lateral or
longitudinal sides of the said rectangular plate; the said cavity
having a cross-section, parallel to said top surface and said
bottom surface, larger than the cross-section, parallel to said
cord's width, of said cord; an aglet attached to said free end of
the said cord.
2. A dual closed-ended zippers mechanism reusable fastener,
comprising: A circular plate with a top surface and a bottom
surface and peripheral side; the said circular plate further having
a cavity extending from the bottom surface to the top surface of
the plate, and defining therein an opening at each of the top and
bottom surfaces; a cord having a first end and a free end opposite
the first end, said first end coupled to said peripheral side of
the said circular plate; the said cavity having a cross-section,
parallel to said top surface and said bottom surface, larger than
the cross-section, parallel to said cord's width, of said cord; an
aglet attached to said free end of the said cord.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to fasteners, and more particularly,
relates to a reusable fastener that secures the zippers of a dual
closed-ended zippers mechanism in the mechanism's closing position
in which the zippers are zipped up as closely against each other as
possible.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A dual closed-ended zippers mechanism is a common mechanism
installed on the fastening edge of many types of products. For
example, dual closed-ended zippers mechanisms are common on
suitcases, backpacks, sleeping bags, and many other types of
products that require frequent opening and closing.
[0003] The secure closure of any product installed with the dual
closed-ended zippers mechanism require that both zippers of the
mechanism are properly zipped up and in positions as closely
against each other as possible, and remain in such positions.
[0004] Unfortunately, a zipper in this dual closed-ended zippers
mechanism can be unintentionally dislodged from the mechanism's
proper closing position. The possibility of accidental dislodgement
can increase due to wear and tear as well as frequent opening and
closing of the product through the zippers of the dual closed-ended
zippers mechanism. Without the zippers being able to remain zipped
up as closely against each other as possible on their own, a secure
closure of such product might not be maintained for long periods of
time. This creates concern that the articles contained within such
product might accidentally spill out and could be lost during
transit.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a
need exists for a device that is able to secure the zippers of the
dual closed-ended zippers mechanism in such mechanism's closing
position. Doing so, such a device would be able to maintain the
dual closed-ended zippers mechanism in the mechanism's closing
position. In addition, in order not to interfere with the ease of
use in opening and closing a product containing such a dual
closed-ended zippers mechanism, a user should be able to secure and
detach such a device from the dual closed-ended zippers mechanism
easily and quickly. Furthermore, due to the frequent opening and
closing of a product containing the dual closed-ended zippers
mechanism, such a device should be reusable as to allow the user to
use the same device after each series of opening and closing
actions. Lastly, such a device, while securing the dual
closed-ended zippers mechanism in the mechanism's closing position,
should not place an extreme burden as to destroy the reusability of
such device on opening of any products containing the dual
closed-ended zippers mechanism by public security and safety
officials due to necessary inspections.
[0006] Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to
provide a Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable Fastener
that overcomes the above-described challenges and satisfies the
above-described needs and requirements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1: The rectangular plate embodiment of the Dual
Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable Fastener in perspective
view lying flat, seen from above.
[0008] FIG. 2: The circular plate embodiment of the Dual
Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable Fastener in perspective
view lying flat, seen from above.
[0009] FIG. 3: An fragmentary perspective of the cord of an
embodiment of the Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable
Fastener after being guided through the zippers, which have pull
tabs with bottom cavities, of the dual closed-ended zippers
mechanism.
[0010] FIG. 4: An fragmentary perspective of an embodiment of the
Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable Fastener in which,
using the cord, a secured hitch has been tied around the plate of
such fastener.
[0011] FIG. 5: The zippers, which have pull tabs with bottom
cavities, of the dual closed-ended zippers mechanism after being
secured in the closing position by one embodiment of the Dual
Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable Fastener.
[0012] FIG. 6: An fragmentary perspective of the cord of an
embodiment of the Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable
Fastener after being guided through the zippers, which have pull
tabs without bottom cavities, of the dual closed-ended zippers
mechanism.
[0013] FIG. 7: The zippers, which have pull tabs without bottom
cavities, of the dual closed-ended zippers mechanism after being
secured in the closing position by one embodiment of the Dual
Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable Fastener.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] A detailed description and explanation of the preferred
embodiments of the invention and best modes for practicing the
invention follows.
[0015] As shown in the rectangular plate embodiment of FIG. 1, a
Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable Fastener in accordance
with the present invention is shown comprising of a rectangular
plate 1, a cavity 2 extending from the bottom surface 3 to the top
surface 4 of the rectangular plate 1, a cord 5 whose first end 6 is
coupled to one side 7 of the rectangular plate, an aglet 8 is
attached to the cord 5 on the free end 9.
[0016] As shown in the circular plate embodiment of FIG. 2, a Dual
Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable Fastener in accordance with
the present invention is shown comprising of a circular plate 10, a
cavity 2 extending from the bottom surface 11 to the top surface 12
of the circular plate 10, a cord 5 whose first end 6 is coupled to
the peripheral side 13 of the circular plate 10, an aglet 8 is
attached to the cord 5 on the free end 9.
[0017] The Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable Fastener
has the following features and advantages:
[0018] (1) The Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable
Fastener can be used to secure the zippers, which have pull tabs
with bottom cavities, of the dual closed-ended zippers mechanism in
the mechanism's closing position in which the zippers are zipped up
as closely against each other as possible. As shown in FIG. 3, with
the zippers 14, which have pull tabs 15 with bottom cavities 16, of
the dual closed-ended zippers mechanism zipped up as closely
against each other as possible, a user can thread the free end 9 of
the cord 5 of the Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable
Fastener through the cavities 16 in series. Next, as shown in FIG.
4, the user would guide the free end 9 of the cord 5 through the
cavity 2 of the plate 17. Then, using the free end 9 of the cord 5,
the user would tie a secure hitch 18 around the section 19 of the
cord 5 that has not been threaded through the cavity 2 of the plate
17. As shown in FIG. 5, the result will be the secure attachment of
the zippers 14, which have pull tabs with bottom cavities, against
each other and to the Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable
Fastener, thereby securing the dual closed-ended zippers mechanism
in the mechanism's closing position.
[0019] (2) The Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable
Fastener can be used to secure the zippers, which have pull tabs
without bottom cavities, of the dual closed-ended zippers mechanism
in the mechanism's closing position in which the zippers are zipped
up as closely against each other as possible. As shown in FIG. 6,
with the zippers 20, with pull tabs 21 with no cavities, of the
dual closed-ended zippers mechanism zipped up as closely against
each other as possible, a user can thread the free end 9 of the
cord 5 of the Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable Fastener
through the cavities 22 on the sliders 23 of the zippers 20 in
series. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the user would guide the free end
9 of the cord 5 through the cavity 2 of the plate 17. Then, using
the free end 9 of the cord 5, the user would tie a secure hitch 18
around a section 19 of the cord 5 that has not been threaded
through the cavity 2 of the plate 17. As shown in FIG. 7, the
result will be the secure attachment of the zippers 20, which have
pull tabs without bottom cavities, against each other and to the
Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable Fastener, thereby
securing the dual closed-ended zippers mechanism in the mechanism's
closing position.
[0020] (3) The Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable
Fastener can be easily detached. This process will release the
zipper of the dual closed-ended zippers mechanism from its secure
attachment to the other zipper of the mechanism and the Dual
Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable Fastener, and facilitate
the opening of the product containing the dual closed-ended zippers
mechanism. As seen in FIG. 4, the user simply has to untie the
secure hitch 18 and thread out the cord 5 from the cavity 2 of the
plate 17. Depending on the type of zippers, the user would either
thread out the cord from the cavities 22 on the sliders 23 of the
zippers 20 that have pull tabs 21 without bottom cavities in FIG. 6
or from the bottom cavities 16 on the pull tabs 15 of zippers 14
that have pull tabs 15 with bottom cavities 16 in FIG. 3. After
these quick steps, the Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable
Fastener is detached from the zippers of the dual closed-ended
zippers mechanism, and the product containing the dual closed-ended
zippers mechanism can be quickly and easily opened through the use
of such mechanism.
[0021] (4) The process to detach the Dual Closed-Ended Zippers
Mechanism Reusable Fastener from the zippers of the dual
closed-ended zippers mechanism is simply the reverse of the process
to secure the Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable Fastener
to the zippers of the dual closed-ended zippers mechanism.
Therefore, the securing and detaching processes do not destroy the
Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable Fastener and the same
Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable Fastener can be reused
after each set of actions in opening and closing the product
containing the dual closed-ended zippers mechanism.
[0022] (5) Because the Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable
Fastener does not require any unique keys or specialized knowledge
such that only one user would be able to detach or secure a
particular Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable Fastener to
the dual closed-ended zippers mechanism, for security purposes, law
enforcement, airport security personnel, and other public and
safety officials, using the methods described above, can detach the
Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable Fastener without
destroying the reusability of the Dual Closed-Ended Zippers
Mechanism Reusable Fastener. This will provide public and safety
officials with the opportunity to secure the product containing the
dual closed-ended zippers mechanism by securely reattaching, using
the methods described above, the Dual Closed-Ended Zippers
Mechanism Reusable Fastener to the zippers of the dual closed-ended
zippers mechanism. This reusability will increase the chances that
a product using the dual closed-ended zippers mechanism for the
actions of opening and closing can still be properly secured after
any necessary inspections.
[0023] (6) Because all embodiments of the Dual Closed-Ended Zippers
Mechanism Reusable Fastener contain, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2,
a type of plate, the Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable
Fastener will be easily identifiable and locatable while the Dual
Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable Fastener is not being used
to secure the zippers of the dual closed-ended zippers.
Furthermore, such plate will also be helpful in aiding the user to
tie a secure hitch while securing the Dual Closed-Ended Zippers
Mechanism Reusable Fastener to the zippers of the dual closed-ended
zippers mechanism in the mechanism's closing position.
Additionally, the components in all embodiments of the Dual
Closed-Ended Zippers Mechanism Reusable Fastener are all
permanently connected together either directly or indirectly
through other components of such fastener, and a user does not need
to disconnect any component of the Dual Closed-Ended Zippers
Mechanism Reusable Fastener from another component of such same
fastener in order to use such fastener either to secure the zippers
of the dual closed-ended zippers mechanism in such mechanism's
closing position or to detach such fastener from the zippers of the
dual closed-ended zippers mechanism. This will help to ensure that
the user could not lose a component, or components, of such
fastener and render such fastener inoperable from such fastener's
intended purposes described above.
[0024] (7) All embodiments of the Dual Closed-Ended Zippers
Reusable Fastener will enable the coupling of cords of different
sizes to the plate of the Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Reusable
Fastener as to ensure that the cord will be able to thread through
any cavities sizes that zippers of a dual closed-ended zippers
mechanism might have. Furthermore, as described above, the Dual
Closed-Ended Zippers Reusable Fastener is multifunctional and can
be used with both zippers that have pull tabs with bottom cavities
and zippers that have pull tabs without bottom cavities. Moreover,
because the Dual Closed-Ended Zippers Reusable Fastener uses a cord
to secure the zippers of the dual closed-zippers mechanism
together, this variable length securing component allows the Dual
Closed-Ended Zippers Reusable Fastener to secure dual closed-ended
zippers mechanisms even if there is an object protruding from the
product containing such mechanism so that the zippers could not be
zipped up exactly adjacent against each other.
[0025] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly,
the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended
claims.
* * * * *