Zipper Construction

Abstract

An ornamented plastic zipper construction comprising integrally molded plastic elements having front and rear portions with the side edges of the rear portion being undulated or of zigzag configuration whereby to define outwardly extending teeth and inwardly extending recesses, said teeth extending outwardly of the adjacent side edge of the front portion, and said recesses extending inwardly thereof, whereby when said zipper elements are interlocked, the teeth of one element extend into the recesses of the next-adjacent elements, the outermost portion of said teeth underlying the front portions of the adjacent elements whereby there is a simultaneous interlocking and overlapping between adjacent elements so as to resist pull-apart, shear, and flexural forces on the closed zipper. A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that adjacent zipper elements, when interlocked, form a straight line with the abutting edges of adjacent elements in close adjacency to each other.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a plastic zipper construction, and particularly a plastic zipper of the ornamented type, such as are frequently used in women's apparel and the like or wherever the zipper is to simultaneously provide an ornamental function as well as the conventional fastening function. Plastic zippers of this type may be ornamented on the outer surfaces of their front portions by the mounting of ornamental stones, such as rhinestones and the like, thereon; and such zippers may be used in place of buttons and buttonholes, hooks and eyes, and the like normally found on articles of women's apparel.

Ornamented plastic zippers of this general type are not new in the art. For example, applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,028,647 dated Apr. 10, 1962, shows a zipper construction of this general type with the zipper elements being of molded plastic and having rhinestones or the like mounted on the front surface of each zipper element. In the aforesaid patent, the interlocking zipper elements are arranged in two rows and secured alternately on the opposite edges of the material to be secured, with each element having a ball-like projection extending from one side edge thereof and a complementary socket or recess located at the opposite side edge thereof; whereby when the elements are interlocked, the ball-like projection of one element engages within the complementary socket or recess of the next-adjacent element to maintain the zipper in closed or interlocked condition. It has been found, however, that when zippers of this type are subjected to substantial forces, whether they be pull-apart, shear or flexural, inadvertent separation between adjacent elements frequently takes place, because the degree of ball-and-socket interlock that can be effected is insufficient to withstand such forces. In addition, some difficulty has been experienced as a result of inadvertent breakage of the ball-like projections. A further disadvantage is the fact that in this type of construction a rather substantial degree of spacing exists between adjacent zipper elements when the zipper is closed or interlocked.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an ornamented zipper construction of the general type shown in the aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 3,028,647 but wherein adjacent zipper elements interlock and overlap with respect to each other so as to effectively resist pull-apart, shear and flexural forces of the type normally encountered, while at the same time not imparting undue rigidity to the zipper when it is in its closed or interlocked condition.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an ornamented zipper construction of the character described wherein each zipper element, although being integrally molded, comprises distinct front and rear portions, with the functional interlocking parts located entirely in the rear portions, whereby the rear portions may be molded in one cavity, and the front portions in the other cavity of a two-part mold, thus permitting the same rear mold to be used with different front molds so as to permit zippers having different ornamental front portions to be readily and easily manufactured.

A further object is the provision of a zipper construction of the character described that is relatively simple and economically feasible to manufacture, but which nevertheless is relatively durable and effective in use.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a zipper construction comprising the present invention with the zipper shown in partially closed position;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of one of the zipper elements per se;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the zipper elements per se; and

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of one of the zipper elements per se.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, there is shown generally at 10 a zipper element of one-piece, unitary molded construction. More specifically, the element 10 is injection molded of any suitable plastic material having the required strength characteristics and being capable of withstanding the usual degreasing solvents. For example, ABS, acetate and delrin have all been successfully used. The element 10, although being of integral, one-piece construction, actually comprises two distinct portions, namely, a front portion 12 and a rear portion 14. More specifically, front portion 12 is preferably of a symmetrical geometric configuration, and it will be noted that in the drawings this portion has been shown as being square with a flat front surface 16, although it will be understood that other ornamental configurations could be employed in lieu of the flat surface 16. Expressed differently, although the portion 12 is preferably of a rectangular configuration at parting line 34, the top or front part of portion 12 may be rounded or otherwise configured, as desired. The front surface 16 of front portion 12 may be provided with a centrally positioned recess, such as 18, in which may be mounted an ornamental stone 20 such as a rhinestone or the like. For reasons which will hereinafter become apparent, the opposed side edges 22, inner edge 24, and outer edge 26 of portion 12 are all inclined or beveled outwardly from the surface 16, as will be seen most clearly in FIGS. 3 and 5.

Rear portion 14 of zipper element 10 has opposed side edges 28 of an undulating or zigzag-like configuration defining outwardly extending tooth portions 30 and inwardly extending recesses 32. It will specifically be noted, and this is of critical importance, that the outwardly extending tooth portions 30 extend outwardly a substantial distance beyond the flat parting line 34, which is the line of separation between front portion 12 and rear portion 14. Likewise, it will be noted that recesses 32 extend substantially inward of line 34, and said recesses are of a configuration generally complementary to the configuration of the tooth portions 30, both being of a somewhat V shape. A generally circular groove 36 is located adjacent the inner edge of element 10 and has a slot 38 in communication therewith. At its opposite or outer edge, the element 10 is provided with a U-shaped groove 40, it being noted that both the groove 36 and the groove 40 extend from side to side of element 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown a pair of fabric strips 42, each being provided along its inner edge with a pair of parallel cords 44, 46. It will be understood that the strips 42 are adapted to be secured to the edges of a garment or article of apparel, all in a well-known manner, which edges are then adapted to be joined or united by the zipper construction shown. More specifically, the elements 10 are secured to the spaced strips 42 in spaced, staggered relation with the cord 46 received within groove 36. Preferably, the elements 10 are molded directly onto the strips 42, as is well known and conventional in the art. With the elements 10 so mounted, a conventional slider 48, such as one having the onstruction shown in aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 3,028,647, may be manipulated to close and open the zipper in a well-known and conventional manner. When the zipper is closed, it will be seen that the outwardly extending teeth 30 of each element engage within the recesses 32 of the adjacent elements to effect an interlock which will resist pull-apart forces on the closed zipper. At the same time, the outermost portion of teeth 30 actually extend under the parting line or ledge 34 so as to partially underlie the front portion 12 of the adjacent element 10. This overlapping relationship functions to resist both shear and flexural forces that may be normally encountered and which might otherwise result in advertent separation of adjacent elements. Thus, it will be seen that it is the simultaneous interlocking and overlapping of adjacent elements that results in a zipper construction having the desired strength, but which nevertheless still has sufficient flexibility so as to be comfortable and effective in use.

As previously stated, the element 10 is injection molded, and preferably in a two-part mold, the parting line of which is located at line 34, which preferably is located substantially midway of the thickness of the element 10. Thus, the front portion 12 is molded in one cavity, while the rear portion 14 is molded in a separate cavity. By utilizing this technique, different mold cavities may be substituted for forming the front portions 12, which molds may easily be mated with the mold which forms rear portion 14, which latter mold, of course, never changes. Thus, if it is desired to form a zipper having a different configuration front portion, or having a different-shaped recess 18, this may easily be done by substituting different and appropriate front mold cavities. The aforesaid beveling of the surfaces 22, 24 and 26 permits easy removal of the front portions 12 from their respective mold cavities. Likewise, all of the edge walls of rear portion 14 are similarly beveled to facilitate removal of portions 14 from their respective mold cavities.

It will be understood that when the zipper shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is closed, the U-shaped grooves 40 at the outer edges of elements 10 receive therein the edge of the opposed strip 42, all in a well-known and conventional manner. It will also be noted that the aforesaid interlock of adjacent elements 10 results in the front portions 12 being properly aligned in a straight row, as shown most clearly in FIG. 1, and further results in the side edges of the front portions 12 being relatively closely spaced with respect to the edges of the adjacent elements. This results in a zipper construction having a highly attractive and pleasing appearance, which is of appreciable importance in a zipper of this type, where the zipper is performing an ornamental as well as a fastening function.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A zipper element for joining a pair of fastener strips comprising inner, outer and opposite side edges and having superimposed front and rear portions of different peripheral configurations, a first groove positioned substantially centrally of said inner edge and extending thereacross from side edge to side edge for securement to an edge of one of said strips, a second groove of substantially the same size as said first groove positioned substantially centrally of said outer edge and extending thereacross from side edge to side edge for releasably receiving the edge of the other of said strips, said rear portion having generally undulating side edges defining outwardly extending teeth and inwardly extending recesses, said teeth extending outwardly beyond the adjacent front portion side edge and said recesses extending inwardly thereof, said teeth and recesses being generally complementary in configuration and arranged so that when a pair of reversely extending elements are positioned side by side, the teeth of one element extend into the recess of the next element and underlie the front portion of said next element in order to maintain said elements interlocked against pull-apart, shear and flexural forces, said elements when so interlocked being in substantial alignment with each other with the inner edge of one element in alignment with the outer edge of the next one, and vise versa, and with the first groove of one element aligned with the second groove of the next one, and vice versa.

2. In the zipper element of claim 1, the inner, outer and side edges thereof being beveled outwardly from the opposed surfaces of said element to substantially the midpoint thereof.

3. A zipper construction comprising interlocking zipper elements in two rows and secured alternately on the opposing edges of the material to be fastened, said elements comprising members having superimposed front and rear portions of different peripheral configurations, said elements further having inner and outer edges and opposed side edges, means at said inner edges for effecting securement of said elements to their respective edges of material, means at said outer edges for releasably receiving the opposite material edge when said elements are interlocked, said rear portions having generally undulating side edges defining outwardly extending teeth and inwardly extending recesses, said teeth extending outwardly beyond the adjacent front portion side edge and said recesses extending inwardly thereof, whereby when said elements are interlocked, the teeth of one element engage within the recesses of the next-adjacent elements and at the same time underlie the front portion of said next-adjacent elements, the side edges of adjacent interlocked elements being in substantially abutting relation, the interengagement of the teeth and recesses being such as to maintain the outer edge of each interlocked element substantially aligned with the inner edges of adjacent elements, and vice versa, whereby said interlocked elements form a straight line, when viewed from front or rear.

4. In the zipper element of claim 1, said front portion having a symmetrical peripheral configuration and said front portion side edges being substantially straight.