Multi-track fastening system

A multi-track fastening system having multiple tracks and a central slider or interchange. The central slider has angled openings and paths through which the tracks travel when the central slider is propelled along the tracks. Sliding the central slider along the tracks causes the rows of the tracks to interchange so that a volume of material coupled to the tracks can alternate between two different configurations.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to methods and systems for transforming, via a fastening mechanism, a compartment of material or fabric into varied shapes or configurations. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multi-track fastening device that, with a single pushing or pulling motion, connects two sides of material while simultaneously disconnecting two other sides of material.

2. Background Information

Countless devices contain fasteners, one popular type of which is a zipper. A typical zipper includes a track or chain having two rows of teeth that interlock with each other. A zipper slider is located on the track so that a user can pull on a pull tab on the zipper slider in order to move the slider up and down the track, thereby causing the zipper to zip open and closed as desired. Some zippers have a stop at one or both ends of the zipper to stop the zipper slider from moving off of the track. Some zippers are designed so that the zipper slider is never removed from the track; other zippers are designed to allow the zipper slider to be removed from one row of the track, thereby allowing the material attached to one row of teeth to be further separated from the material attached to the other row of teeth.

Multi-zippered devices are among the many devices that incorporate zipper technology. For example, one existing multi-zippered device includes three adjacent rows of zipper teeth, the central row of which has two opposing zipper sliders at opposite ends of the row. The user may thus choose to attach one of the adjacent rows to one of the zipper sliders so that the central row and the adjacent row can be zipped up to form a first zipper track. Alternatively, the user may choose to attach the other adjacent row of teeth via the opposing zipper slider so that this adjacent row and the central row can be zipped up to form a second zipper track. This multi-zippered device is used to vary the size or volume of (for example) a laundry bag, but is cumbersome to use.

Another multi-zippered device has two parallel zippers that lie on top of each other. The user can choose to use either of the zippers to zip up an article of clothing in which this zipper device is incorporated. For example, this multi-zippered device, when incorporated into a pair of pants, allows a person to choose to zip up either the first zipper or the second zipper, thereby effectively creating two alternative waist sizes of pants within a single pair of pants. Thus, this particular multi-zippered device can be useful in accommodating weight gain or loss by the person who wears the clothing, but is awkward to incorporate into clothing and is also awkward to use.

Yet another multi-zippered device has an exchange portal through which the ends of a pair of zipper teeth are inserted and through which each row of teeth are thereby exchanged and mated with another pair of zipper teeth. This device has an elongated extension at the end of the row of zipper teeth in order to facilitate the entry of the end of the row into a small slot in the exchange portal. This multi-zippered device is designed to attach a chemical jumpsuit to a chemical laboratory tent without exposing the insides of the jumpsuit or tent to the outside environment. As with many other multi-zippered devices, this multi-zippered device inconveniences the user because it requires him or her to manually align and insert the end of a row of zipper teeth into a small slot.

As can be seen from the examples above, known multi-zippered devices either have limited functionality and/or are complicated and unwieldy to use, thus contributing to the limited commercial success of many multi-zippered devices.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention basically comprises a multi-track fastening system having multiple tracks and a central slider or interchange. The central slider has angled openings and paths through which the tracks travel when the central slider is propelled along the tracks. Sliding the central slider along the tracks causes the rows of the tracks to interchange so that a volume of material coupled to the tracks can alternate between different shapes or configurations. In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, this alternation between configurations conveniently takes place without exposing any contents inside the volume of material to the environment exterior to the volume of material.

Accordingly, it is an object of some embodiments of the present invention to provide a simple-to-use device that compartmentalizes a volume of material into varying shapes or compartments.

Another object of some embodiments of the present invention is to provide a multi-zippered compartmentalizing device that accomplishes the interchange of rows of zipper teeth with a single push or pull on the device by a user.

Another object of some embodiments of the present invention is to provide a multi-zippered compartmentalizing system wherein a central zipper slider coupled to the zipper tracks has angled openings that allow the central slider to be propelled along the tracks when a user pulls at fabric coupled to the zipper tracks.

Yet another object of some embodiments of the present invention is to provide a simple multi-zippered system that transforms a closed volume of material or fabric into alternative configurations, both of which have the same quantum of volume, the transformation taking place without exposing any contents inside the volume of material to the exterior environment.

The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings (hereby expressly incorporated as part of this detailed description), sets forth specific numbers, materials, and configurations in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. The following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings, will enable one skilled in the relevant art to make and use the present invention.

One purpose of this detailed description being to describe the invention so as to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the present invention, the following description sets forth various specific examples, also referred to as “embodiments,” of the present invention. While the invention is described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it will be understood, because the embodiments are set forth for explanatory purposes only, that this description is not intended to limit the invention to these particular embodiments. Indeed, it is emphasized that the present invention can be embodied or performed in a variety of ways. The drawings and detailed description are merely representative of particular embodiments of the present invention.

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention. The various embodiments will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like elements are generally designated by like alphanumeric characters throughout.

FIGS. 1 and 2show perspective views of a multi-track fastening system10according to some embodiments of the present invention. Multi-track fastening system10basically comprises a first track14, a second track16, and a central slider or interchange12. First track14comprises two fastener rows22and24, here shown as zipper teeth, that are matable with each other. Second track16also comprises two matable fastener rows26and28, here also shown as zipper teeth. The tracks14and16are coupled to material or fabric44(shown, for example, inFIGS. 7A and 7B) via strips of tape or other connector material (that is, anything serving to directly connect the fastener rows to material or fabric44)22a,24a,26a, and28aextending from each side of the rows. Preferably, the fastener rows each comprise a row of teeth that interlock with another fastener row of teeth such as those shown in the Figures. The fastener rows can be made of any type of material, including metal, plastic, and nylon, and can have any variety of shapes, weights, and lengths. In addition, the multi-track fastening system10can have any number of fastener rows or tracks, and the fastener rows need not be physically completely separate from each other—that is, some fastener rows could comprise different parts of one continuous fastener strip.

Central slider12comprises various parts, including slider parts12athrough12d(an example of which can be seen best inFIG. 3). Central slider12closes or mates some of the fastener rows together when it is slid along the tracks. Central slider12can also open or disengage some of the fastener rows apart from each other when the central slider12is slid along the tracks.

Central slider12includes an outer surface30athat is preferably tapered so as to allow a user to easily grasp the sides of the surface30aand thereby either push or pull on the central slider12to propel the central slider12along the tracks. Outer surface30apreferably includes one or more ends30bupon which the user may push to propel the central slider12along the tracks. Note that in some embodiments, as in that shown inFIG. 1, end30bextends from the central slider12. In other embodiments, as in that shown inFIGS. 2 and 6, end30bsits closer in with the rest of the central slider12(inFIG. 6, the embodiment of the end30blocated at the left end of the central slider12has a curved indentation to more easily accommodate the user's finger when the user pushes against the end30bto propel the central slider12). Note that a hole30ccan be optionally placed in central slider12so that a pull cord40(seeFIGS. 7A and 7B) can be inserted into it to further facilitate the user's ability to propel the central slider12along the tracks. Whether the central slider12is propelled by pushing or pulling on surface30aor by tugging on pull cord40, the means for propelling the central slider12preferably involves symmetrically balanced pressure exerted by the user upon the central slider12. In other words, the preferred construction of the propulsion means is such that the user's force thereon is symmetrically balanced in that the sum of the user's vector forces results in a vector force that aligns with the direction of desired movement of the central slider12. Note that a pull tab located on only one side of the central slider12would cause the central slider12to lean in one direction when the pull tab is pulled; such a propulsion means is not symmetrically balanced.

When the central slider12is propelled along the tracks, the rows of the tracks interchange. For example, as can be seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, the rows22,24,26, and28of the two tracks14and16interchange so as to re-form into tracks18and20. At the top ofFIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that track14comprises the mated rows22and24, and track16comprises the mated row26and28. In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, central slider12is irremovably coupled to the tracks in that the central slider12is not designed to be removed from any of the fastener rows, unlike some standard zippers found on jackets, for example (wherein a zipper slider is detachable from one row of zipper teeth at the bottom of the jacket in order to allow a person wearing the jacket to remove it or wear it open). However, some embodiments of the present invention contemplate a central slider12that can be removed from one or more of the fastener rows, some of which might include an end piece designed to be manually insertable into the central slider12.

FIG. 3is an exploded perspective view of a central slider12. Slider parts12athrough12denable the tracks14,16,18, and20to enter and exit the central slider12at openings32so that the rows are in a closed, zipped-up, or mated state. The slider parts12athrough12dcause the mated fastener rows to disengage, preferably via a wedge34inside each of paths36(described further herein), in preparation for the interchange.

In some embodiments of the central slider12, the slider parts12athrough12dare placed into the remainder of the body of the central slider12during the assembly process. The slider parts12athrough12dmay be insert molded, injection molded, snapped in, sonic welded, or otherwise coupled to the central slider12. Some embodiments of the central slider12, such as those shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, are made of one integral piece formed, for example, by using a single mould.

Central slider12includes paths36in which the tracks travel, causing the rows of the tracks to interchange as previously described. Paths36begin at the slider parts12athrough12d, each of which preferably have openings32that are angled (for example, the angle between vertical and the dotted line pointing to slider part12binFIG. 3) to facilitate the movement of the central slider12along the tracks (or, in other words, movement of the tracks through the central slider12). Additional preferred features that aid in such movement include: paths36that have gradual curves, ideally comprising a flattened or elongated helical shape such as the paths36shown inFIGS. 3 through 6; paths36that run substantially through the outer portions of the central slider12(again like those shown inFIGS. 3 through 6), as opposed to through the central cross section of the central slider12; and paths36that are designed so as to allow at least a portion of the tape22a,24a,26a, and28ato move within the paths36. In the preferred embodiments, some or all of these preferred features that aid in moving the central slider12along the tracks, together allow the user to pull at material44coupled to the tapes22a,24a,26a, and28aof the tracks and thereby conveniently propel the central slider12along the tracks without having to touch the central slider12(this pulling and propelling motion will be described further in conjunction withFIGS. 7A and 7B). Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, these motion-aiding features serve to prevent or minimize the bunching of any material or fabric44coupled to the tracks.

It will be noted that in the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the angled nature of the openings32causes the fastener rows to begin to rotate before the fastener rows start to disconnect from each other (via the wedges34) in preparation for interchange. However, some embodiments of the present invention also contemplate that the openings32need not be angled.

Central slider12can be made of any sort of strong material, including stainless steel and plastic. In the preferred embodiments, central slider12is made entirely of aluminum and is substantially hollow, such as the embodiment shown inFIG. 3. When the central slider12is substantially hollow, the slider12enjoys the added advantage of being more lightweight than it otherwise would be.

FIG. 4Ashows one embodiment of the central slider12that has the capability of flaring outwardly, as shown inFIGS. 4B and 4C. This capability further facilitates the ability of the user to pull at material44coupled to the tapes22a,24a,26a, and28aof the tracks and thereby conveniently propel the central slider12along the tracks without having to touch the central slider12(again, this propelling feature will be described further in conjunction withFIGS. 7A and 7B). Note that the embodiment of the central slider12shown inFIGS. 4A through 4Cshow an example of a central slider12that is substantially solid.

FIGS. 7A and 7Bshow an embodiment of the multi-track fastening system10as incorporated into a volume of material or fabric44, preferably flexible or supple material such as that used in clothing or garments.FIG. 7Ashows the material44formed into a closed, spherical volume.FIG. 7Bshows how the spherical volume can change shape or be compartmentalized into different sections when the central slider12is moved along the tracks (note also that, although the configuration of the material44changes, the quantum of volume inFIG. 7Bremains identical to that inFIG. 7A). Thus, with one simple push or pull on the central slider12, a user can quickly and easily transform one volume of material44to an alternative shape without exposing any contents inside the volume to the exterior environment. This function could be advantageous in multiple circumstances.

In the preferred embodiments, as mentioned earlier, the user can also propel the central slider12by pulling the sections of material44located on each side of the tracks away from each other so as to propel the central slider12along the tracks. For example, with respect to the embodiment shown inFIG. 7A, the user might grab the left half of the material44with one hand and the right half of the material44with the other hand, and then pull the two halves away from each other so that the central slider12is propelled upwards as shown inFIG. 7B. Thus, the user can propel the central slider12along the tracks without even having to touch the central slider12or any extension thereon. Angled openings32in the central slider12preferably help facilitate this ability to propel the central slider12without touching it.

Note that, in some embodiments, end stops42can be placed at the ends of the tracks to prevent the central slider12from moving off the tracks. In addition, the present invention contemplates that any number of tracks may be incorporated into the volume of material44and that, in some embodiments, the volume of material44need not be closed or have a fixed quantum. For example, in embodiments wherein the central slider12is designed to be removable from some of the fastener rows, a first closed volume might be attachable to a second closed volume via the central slider12to create a third closed volume equal to the sum of the first and second closed volumes.

It should be emphasized that the present invention is not limited to the examples described in this Detailed Description. For example, as mentioned earlier, the central slider12may be coupled to multiple tracks of a number greater than two. Also, the tracks, central slider, slider parts, volume of material, and any two or more of various other parts of the present invention all may be manufactured so as to comprise integrally created pieces instead of physically separate pieces. The parts of the present invention may be made of any material and be made into any shape that will accomplish the functions of the present invention.

It is underscored that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments herein should be deemed only as illustrative. Indeed, the appended claims indicate the scope of the invention; the description, being used for illustrative purposes, does not limit the scope of the invention. All variations that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.