U.S. patent application number 15/007671 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-27 for waterproof open-end zipper.
The applicant listed for this patent is Roger C. Y. Chung. Invention is credited to Roger C. Y. Chung.
Application Number | 20170208907 15/007671 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59359789 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170208907 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chung; Roger C. Y. |
July 27, 2017 |
WATERPROOF OPEN-END ZIPPER
Abstract
A waterproof, open-end zipper includes a first zipper tape with
a first engagement rail unit, a second zipper tape with a second
engagement rail unit, a zipper slider slidable to force the first
engagement rail unit and the second engagement rail unit into
engagement with each other or separate them from each other, a box
located at one end of the first engagement rail unit for receiving
one end of the second engagement rail unit, a locating rod fixedly
located at the first engagement rail unit, and a locating hole
located at the second engagement rail unit for receiving the
locating rod after insertion of the second engagement rail unit
into the box to prohibit relative displacement between the first
and second zipper tapes.
Inventors: |
Chung; Roger C. Y.; (New
Taipei City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chung; Roger C. Y. |
New Taipei City |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
59359789 |
Appl. No.: |
15/007671 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B 19/32 20130101;
A44B 19/36 20130101; A44B 19/262 20130101; Y10T 24/2593 20150115;
Y10T 24/2595 20150115; Y10T 24/2532 20150115; A44B 19/16
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A44B 19/36 20060101
A44B019/36; A44B 19/26 20060101 A44B019/26; A44B 19/16 20060101
A44B019/16; A44B 19/32 20060101 A44B019/32 |
Claims
1. A waterproof, open-end zipper, comprising: a first zipper tape
comprising a first engagement rail unit longitudinally located at
one lateral side thereof; a second zipper tape comprising a second
engagement rail unit longitudinally located at one lateral side
thereof for engagement with said first engagement rail unit of said
first zipper tape; a zipper slider coupled between said first
zipper tape and said second zipper tape and slidable in one of two
reverse directions to force said first engagement rail unit of said
first zipper tape into engagement with said second engagement rail
unit of said second zipper tape or to separate said first
engagement rail unit of said first zipper tape from said second
engagement rail unit of said second zipper tape; a box fixedly
located at one end of said first engagement rail unit of said first
zipper tape and adapted for receiving one end of said second
engagement rail unit of said second zipper tape; a locating rod
fixedly located at said first engagement rail unit of said first
zipper tape near said box; and a locating hole located at said
second engagement rail unit of said second zipper tape and adapted
for receiving said locating rod after insertion of said second
engagement rail unit into said box.
2. The waterproof, open-end zipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said locating rod is a wire rod extended from said box and closely
attached to a back wall of said first zipper tape and inserted
through opposing front and back walls of said first engagement rail
unit and protruded over the front wall of said first engagement
rail unit.
3. The waterproof, open-end zipper as claimed in claim 2, wherein
said wire rod of said locating rod has a free end thereof
terminating in an angled tip that is inserted through the opposing
front and back walls of said first engagement rail unit and
protruded over the front wall of said first engagement rail
unit.
4. The waterproof, open-end zipper as claimed in claim 2, wherein
said wire rod of said locating rod has one end thereof integrally
formed with said box and an opposite end thereof terminating in an
angled tip that is inserted through the opposing front and back
walls of said first engagement rail unit and protruded over the
front wall of said first engagement rail unit.
5. The waterproof, open-end zipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said locating rod has one end thereof bonded to a back wall of said
first zipper tape and an opposite end thereof inserted through
opposing front and back walls of said first engagement rail unit
and terminating in an angled tip that protrudes over the front wall
of said first engagement rail unit.
6. The waterproof, open-end zipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said locating rod has one end thereof fixedly located at said first
engagement rail unit and an opposite end thereof terminating in an
angled tip outside said first engagement rail unit of said first
engagement rail unit.
7. The waterproof, open-end zipper as claimed in claim 2, wherein
said first zipper tape comprises a through hole cut through said
first engagement rail unit for the passing of said locating rod for
enabling said locating rod to protrude over said first engagement
rail unit.
8. The waterproof, open-end zipper as claimed in claim 2, wherein
said locating hole is a through hole cut through said second
engagement rail unit.
9. The waterproof, open-end zipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said box comprises an inner cavity, two slits respectively located
at two opposite lateral sides thereof in communication with said
inner cavity; said first engagement rail unit of said first zipper
tape has one end thereof fixedly mounted in said inner cavity of
said box; said second engagement rail unit of said second zipper
tape has one end thereof detachably insertable into said inner
cavity.
10. The waterproof, open-end zipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said zipper slider comprises a slider block and a pull tab coupled
to said slider block, said slider block comprising two sliding
slots and an accommodation groove located in one said sliding slot
for accommodating said locating rod; said first engagement rail
unit of said first zipper tape has one end thereof inserted through
one said sliding slot of said slider block and affixed to said box;
and said second engagement rail unit of said second zipper tape has
one end thereof inserted through the other said sliding slot of
said slider block into said box.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (a) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to zip fasteners and more
particularly to a waterproof, open-end zipper, which effectively
prevents relative displacement between the two zipper tapes.
[0003] (b) Description of the Prior Art
[0004] There are known various waterproof zippers designed for use
on diving suits, raincoats, waterproof bags to prevent permeation
of water. Similar designs are seen in U.S. Pat. No. 7,536,758, U.S.
Pat. No. 2,777,181, U.S. Pat. No. 6,721,999, U.S. Pat. No.
7,574,780, etc. These designs commonly comprise two plastic zipper
tapes, a first seal means and a second seal means respectively
located at the zipper tapes, and a zipper slider movable to force
the first and second seal means into engagement with each other, or
to separate the first seal means from the second seal means,
thereby closing or opening the zipper. These zipper designs use the
first and second seal means instead of conventional interlocking
coils. In order to prohibit relative axial displacement between the
two zipper tapes, the tail ends of the two zipper tapes must be
bonded together. Because of the limitation of the close-end design,
these zipper designs are not suitable for use on jackets.
[0005] There is also known seal member-based waterproof open-end
zipper that provides a retainer located at the tail end of one
zipper tape for detachably securing the tail end of the other
zipper tape. However, the retainer is a metal cast member installed
in the tail end of the zipper tape. Because the retainer has the
drawbacks of complicated structure and large dimension, it creates
bulky and unsmooth images when mated with the small box at the tail
end of the other zipper tape. Further, when using the zipper, en
extra step for operating the retainer to secure the tail end of the
opposite zipper tape is necessary, complicating the
application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention has been accomplished under the
circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present
invention to provide a waterproof, open-end zipper, which
effectively prevents relative displacement between the two zipper
tapes.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
waterproof, open-end zipper, which provides a simple retaining
structure including a locating rod at one zipper tape and a
locating hole at the other zipper tape for receiving the locating
rod to effectively prevent relative displacement between the two
zipper tapes.
[0008] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a waterproof, open-end zipper, which is so designed that
when the user operates the zipper slider to force the two zipper
tapes into engagement with each other, the zipper slide
simultaneously forces a locating rod at one zipper tape into a
locating hole at the other zipper tape to effectively prevent
relative displacement between the two zipper tapes.
[0009] To achieve these and other objects of the present invention,
a waterproof, open-end zipper comprises a first zipper tape
comprising a first engagement rail unit longitudinally located at
one lateral side thereof, a second zipper tape comprising a second
engagement rail unit longitudinally located at one lateral side
thereof for engagement with the first engagement rail unit of the
first zipper tape, a zipper slider coupled between the first zipper
tape and the second zipper tape and slidable in one of two reverse
directions to force the first engagement rail unit into engagement
with the second engagement rail unit or to separate the first
engagement rail unit from the second engagement rail unit, a box
fixedly located at one end of the first engagement rail unit for
receiving one end of the second engagement rail unit, a locating
rod fixedly located at the first engagement rail unit of the first
zipper tape near the box, and a locating hole located at the second
engagement rail unit of the second zipper tape for receiving the
locating rod after insertion of the second engagement rail unit
into the box.
[0010] The waterproof, open-end zipper of the present invention is
practical for use on a waterproof device, such as diving suit,
raincoat, jacket, etc. When closing the waterproof, open-end
zipper, move the zipper slider to the box, and then insert the tail
end of the second engagement rail unit of the second zipper tape
through the zipper slider into the box. When inserting the second
engagement rail unit through the zipper slider into the box, the
locating rod at the first zipper tape will be forced into the
locating hole at the second zipper tape to keep the tail end of the
first zipper tape and the tail end of the second zipper tape
together, preventing relative displacement between the first zipper
tape and the second zipper tape. Further, the design of the box and
the locating rod at the first zipper tape facilitates the operation
of the waterproof, open-end zipper, achieving the effects of simple
structure and cost reduction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a waterproof, open-end zipper
in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is another exploded view of the waterproof, open-end
zipper in accordance with the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 corresponds to FIG. 2 when viewed from another
angle.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic operational view of the first
embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the second
engagement rail unit inserted into the box.
[0015] FIG. 5 corresponds to FIG. 4, illustrating the locating rod
engaged into the locating hole.
[0016] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 6, illustrating
the locating rod engaged into the locating hole.
[0017] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a part of the first embodiment
of the present invention, illustrating the relationship between the
wire rod of the locating rod and the box.
[0018] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a part of a waterproof,
open-end zipper in accordance with a second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a schematic operational view of the second
embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the second
engagement rail unit inserted into the box.
[0020] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a part of a waterproof,
open-end zipper in accordance with a third embodiment of the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a schematic operational view of the third
embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the second
engagement rail unit inserted into the box.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a waterproof, open-end zipper in
accordance with the present invention is shown. The waterproof,
open-end zipper comprises a first zipper tape 1a having a first
engagement rail unit 11a longitudinally located on one side
thereof, a second zipper tape 1b having a second engagement rail
unit 11b longitudinally located on one side thereof, a zipper
slider 2 set between the first zipper tape 1a and the second zipper
tape 1b and movable to force the first engagement rail unit 11a of
the first zipper tape 1a and the second engagement rail unit 11b of
the second zipper tape 1b into engagement with each other, or to
separate the first engagement rail unit 11a of the first zipper
tape 1a from the second engagement rail unit 11b of the second
zipper tape 1b, and a box 3 located at a tail end of the first
engagement rail unit 11a of the first zipper tape 1a and adapted
for receiving a tail end of the second engagement rail unit 11b of
the second zipper tape 1b.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 again, the waterproof, open-end
zipper further comprises a locating rod 4 protruded from the first
engagement rail unit 11a of the first zipper tape 1a adjacent to
the box 3, and a locating hole 5 located at the second engagement
rail unit 11b of the second zipper tape 1b corresponding to the
locating rod 4. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the tail end
of the second engagement rail unit 11b of the second zipper tape 1b
is inserted through the zipper slider 2 and into the box 3, the
first engagement rail unit 11a of the first zipper tape 1a and the
second engagement rail unit 11b of the second zipper tape 1b are
engaged together and at the same time, the locating rod 4 of the
first zipper tape 1a is forced into the locating hole 5 of the
second zipper tape 1b to keep the tail end of the first zipper tape
1a and the tail end of the second zipper tape 1b in the box 3,
preventing deviation between the first zipper tape 1a and the
second zipper tape 1b and allowing the zipper slider 2 to be moved
along the first engagement rail unit 11a and the second engagement
rail unit 11b.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 again, the first zipper tape 1a
and the second zipper tape 1b are strip-like one-piece member made
from plastics by extrusion molding, each comprising a tape body 12a
or 12b. The aforesaid first engagement rail unit 11a is
longitudinally located on a surface along one lateral side of the
tape body 12a. The aforesaid second engagement rail unit 11b is
longitudinally located on a surface along one lateral side of the
tape body 12b. Further, the first engagement rail unit 11a and the
second engagement rail unit 11b each comprise a plurality of
longitudinally extending coupling ribs 111a,111b and coupling
grooves 112a,112b. When the user pulls the zipper slider 2 to move
along the first engagement rail unit 11a and the second engagement
rail unit 11b, the coupling ribs 111a and the coupling grooves 112a
of the first engagement rail unit 11a are respectively forced into
engagement with, or separated from, the respective coupling grooves
112b and coupling ribs 111b of second engagement rail unit 11b.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 2 again, the zipper slider 2
comprises a slider block 21, and a pull tab 22 coupled to the
slider block 21. The slider block 21 is a block member of
rectangular or rhombic shape, or any other desired shape, having
two sliding slots 211,212 defined therein. The tail end of the
first engagement rail unit 11a of the first zipper tape 1a is
inserted through the sliding slot 211 of the slider block 21 and
secured to the inside of the box 3. The tail end of the second
engagement rail unit 11b of the second zipper tape 1b is inserted
through the other sliding slot 212 of the slider block 21 into the
box 3, and then the pull tab 22 is pulled to move the slider block
21 (see FIG. 5), forcing the first engagement rail unit 11a and the
second engagement rail unit 11b into engagement with each other, or
separating the first engagement rail unit 11a and the second
engagement rail unit 11b from each other.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 again, the box 3 preferably
comprises an inner cavity 31, and two slits 32 respectively located
at two opposite lateral sides thereof in communication with the
inner cavity 31. The tail end of the first engagement rail unit 11a
of the first zipper tape 1a is affixed to the inside of the inner
cavity 31 with the tail end of the tape body 12a positioned in one
slit 32. At this time, there is still room in the inner cavity 31
for receiving the tail end of the second engagement rail unit 11b
of the second zipper tape 1b (see FIG. 4). After insertion of the
tail end of the second engagement rail unit 11b of the second
zipper tape 1b through the slider block 21 into the inner cavity 31
(see FIG. 4), the locating rod 4 is forced into the locating hole
5, and then the tail end of the tape body 12b of the second zipper
tape 1b is inserted into the other slit 32 of the box 3. As stated
above, the box 3 is affixed to the tail end of the first engagement
rail unit 11a of the first zipper tape 1a, after the first zipper
tape 1a and the second zipper tape 1b are engaged together, the
first zipper tape 1a works as the inner zipper tape of the
waterproof open-end zipper.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 2 again, the aforesaid locating
rod 4 is preferably a metal wire rod 41 upwardly extended at back
side of the box 3 and terminating in an angled tip 42 for engaging
into the locating hole 5. Preferably, the wire rod 41 is a metal
round rod fixedly mounted in the back side of the box 3. Thus, as
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, after insertion of the tail end of the
second engagement rail unit 11b of the second zipper tape 1b into
the box 3, the first engagement rail unit 11a and the second
engagement rail unit 11b are engaged together, wherein the angled
tip 42 of the locating rod 4 is engaged into the locating hole 5 at
the second engagement rail unit 11b to prohibit relative
displacement between the first zipper tape 1a and the second zipper
tape 1b.
[0028] In order to prevent the wire rod 41 and angled tip 42 of the
locating rod 4 from interfering with the sliding movement of the
zipper slider 2, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the slider block 21 of
the zipper slider 2 is configured to provide an accommodation
groove 213 in the sliding slot 211 for accommodating the wire rod
41 and angled tip 42 of the locating rod 4. Thus, when the slider
block 21 of the zipper slider 2 is moved to the box 3, the wire rod
41 and angled tip 42 of the locating rod 4 are received in the
accommodation groove 213 without interfering with the zipper slider
2.
[0029] Further, in a second embodiment of the present invention
shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the locating rod 4 and the box 3 are formed
as an integral part, i.e., the wire rod 41 of the locating rod 4 is
embedded in the box 3 with the angled tip 42 suspending above the
box 3 for engagement into the locating hole 5 at the second
engagement rail unit 11b to prohibit relative displacement between
the first zipper tape 1a and the second zipper tape 1b.
[0030] Further, as illustrated in a third embodiment of the present
invention shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the locating rod 4 is directly
jointed to the first zipper tape 1a with the wire rod 41 bonded to
the back side of the first zipper tape 1a and the angled tip 42
extended through the first engagement rail unit 11a and protruded
over the front side of first engagement rail unit 11a for engaging
into the locating hole 5 at the second engagement rail unit
11b.
[0031] Further, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, the first engagement rail
unit 11a of the first zipper tape 1a can be configured to provide a
through hole 13a for the passing of the angled tip 42 of the
locating rod 4 so that the angled tip 42 of the locating rod 4 can
protrude over the front side of the first engagement rail unit 11a.
Further, the locating hole 5 at the second zipper tape 1b can be a
through hole 51 that cut through the opposing front and back sides
of the second engagement rail unit 11b for receiving the angled tip
42 of the locating rod 4 to prohibit relative displacement between
the first zipper tape 1a and the second zipper tape 1b.
[0032] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail for purposes of illustration, various
modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention
is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.
* * * * *