CORD LOCK

Abstract: A cord lock (20) to tighten and loosen a draw cord using one hand to adjust an opening in an article. The core lock (29) may be arranged and secured to the article so that opposing forces acting on the cord lock are generally aligned with each other and act in concert to facilitate tightening and loosening the draw cord using one hand. The cord lock (29) includes a housing (49) and a keeper (36) disposed on the housing that is adapted to receive a strap to secure the cord lock (20) to the article. The cord lock (20) has a cord passage (38) for the cord that is aligned with the keeper (36). The cord lock may also include a plunger (42) that is slidably disposed in the housing (40), wherein the housing (40) has a first cord hole (50) and the plunger has a second cord hole (62) that are aligned to release the cord and misaligned to pinch the cord. The cord lock (20) may be used with an article such as a glove or a mitten.

Description: CORD LOCK Background of the Invention 1. Field ofthe Invention The present invention relates to a cord lock for a draw cord. 2. Description of Related Art A cord lock is used in conjunction with a drawstring or draw cord to adjust the size of an opening in an article, such as a glove, a piece of clothing or a bag. Typically, with one hand, a user slides the cord lock over the cord until it abuts a slot or hole in a hem or casing containing the cord, and then uses the other hand to pull the cord through the cord lock until the opening has been sufficiently reduced. The cord lock pinches or otherwise restrains the cord, ensuring that the casing does not inadvertently expand and enlarge the opening. Tightening a draw cord with two hands, however, has proven cumbersome and inconvenient, particularly when the user is wearing a glove or a mitten. Lock cords arranged for one hand operation have been developed. Representative is the glove discussed in the background of U.S. Patent No. 5,263,202 issued to Siberell. where a cord lock extends by a retention strap from the glove so that the user does not have to hold the cord lock and with one hand simply pulls the drawstring through the lock tightening the glove. Because the connection ofthe retention strap to the glove is offset from the opening in the casing through which the drawstring is pulled, this arrangement results in opposing forces that are not aligned with each other requiring the user to exert more effort to tighten and loosen the drawstring than if the opposing forces were along the same line of action. The Burton Corporation, the assignee ofthe present application, has provided a cord lock arrangement for a snowboard glove as illustrated in FIG. 5. A pair of straps are looped around the outer surface ofthe cord lock and fastened to the inner surface ofthe glove adjacent the hem. The straps are disposed in close proximity to the opening in the hem to hold the cord lock in alignment with the hem opening for more efficient operation to tighten and release the draw cord. SUMMARY The present invention is a cord lock for adjusting the size of an opening in an article, such as a glove, using one hand. The cord lock is arranged on the article so that opposing forces are generally aligned with each other to enhance a user's ability to conveniently and efficiently tighten and loosen the draw cord. The cord lock may be fixed to the article to reduce the possibility that it may become inadvertently detached. In an illustrative embodiment, the cord lock includes a housing having a cord passage that is adapted to receive the cord and a keeper that is adapted to receive a strap to secure the cord lock to the article. The keeper is positioned relative to the cord passage so that opposing forces are aligned with each other when the cord is tightened and loosened through the cord passage. In another embodiment, the cord lock is constructed and arranged to be actuated along a first axis through the housing. The keeper is aligned with the cord passage along a first plane that is perpendicular to the first axis. The cord lock may include a plunger that is slidably received in the housing along the first axis. Brief Description of the Drawings It should be understood that the drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to define the limits ofthe invention. The foregoing and other objects and advantages ofthe present invention will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a top view of a glove that includes a cord lock according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view ofthe cord lock ofthe present invention in a release position; FIG. 3 is a top view ofthe cord lock of FIG. 2 in a locked position; FIG. 4 is a front view ofthe cord lock of FIGS. 2-3; and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a known cord lock. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment A cord lock 20 for locking a draw cord 22 may be supported on an article 24, such as a snowboard glove, as illustrated in FIG. 1. This arrangement advantageously allows an individual to easily tighten and loosen the draw cord 22 using one hand. The cord lock 20 may be positioned adjacent an opening 26 in a casing 28 so that opposing forces are generally aligned to enhance the user's ability to tighten and loosen the draw cord. As illustrated, the cord lock 20 may be fixed to the glove 24 using a strap 30, or other fastener apparent to one of skill in the art. so that the cord lock 20 does not become detached from the glove 24 and is maintained in close proximity to the opening 26 to advantageously provide for one handed operation. In one embodiment, the glove 24 may include a cuff 32 or gauntlet that surrounds an individual's wrist or forearm and defines a glove opening through which the individual inserts her hand into the glove. When closed around the wrist or forearm, the cuff 32 creates a snow- seal that prevents snow or other elements from entering the glove, a common problem encountered in outdoor activities such as snowboarding and skiing. The cuff 32 may include the casing 28 that surrounds the glove opening and defines a pocket 34 which receives the draw cord 22, preferably an elastic cord, which can be tightened to draw and close the glove opening. The ends ofthe draw cord extend from the pocket 34 through the opening 26, such as a slot, in the casing 28. The retention strap 30, preferably a looped elastic strap, may be attached to the cuff 32 adjacent the casing 28 and aligned with the casing opening 26. Preferably, the retention strap 30 is attached to an inner portion ofthe cuff, such as by sewing, although the strap may be attached to an outer portion ofthe cuff. Prior to joining the retention strap 30 and cuff 32, the strap 30 may be looped about a keeper 36 which is provided on the cord lock 20. The keeper 36 aligns the retention strap 30 and a cord passage 38 ofthe cord lock 20 with the opening 26 in the casing 28 for easy and efficient operation ofthe cord lock. Arranging the cord lock 20 on the cuff 32 in this manner provides several advantages. Aligning the strap 30, the cord passage 38 and the draw cord 22 with each other results in opposing forces that act in concert so that the user can more conveniently and efficiently tighten and loosen the draw cord. Additionally, fixing the cord lock to the cuff greatly reduces the possibility that the cord lock may become detached and lost. Further, attaching the strap 30 to the inner portion ofthe cuff 32 reduces the possibility that the strap 30 may become entangled on other objects because the strap is disposed within the cuff. To tighten the glove opening and create a snow-seal, an individual may place the glove on her hand with the casing 28 initially in an expanded state. Using the other hand, the individual may grasp and pull the draw cord 22 through the cord lock 20 by exerting a first force F, that is sufficient to overcome the retaining force ofthe cord lock. The individual continues to pull the cord 22 through the cord lock until the casing 28 is drawn snugly against her wrist or forearm. As the draw cord 22 is pulled through the cord lock 20, the retention strap 30 exerts a second force F 2 on the keeper 36 that maintains the cord lock in close proximity to the opening 26 in the casing, thereby allowing the draw cord 22 to be advantageously tightened using only one hand. Additionally, the alignment ofthe cord passage 38 and the opening 26 in the casing, which is established by the position of the keeper 36 and the retention strap 30, results in generally aligned forces acting in concert to facilitate the tightening process. Once the individual stops pulling the draw cord 22, the cord lock 20 pinches and retains the draw cord 22 in a fixed position relative to the casing, thereby maintaining the glove snugly against the wrist or forearm. To loosen the draw cord 22 and expand the glove opening with one hand, the individual squeezes the opposing ends ofthe cord lock 20 toward each other with sufficient force F 3 to disengage the cord lock from the draw cord. The individual then pulls the cord lock 20 in a direction away from her wrist or arm, while continuing to squeeze the cord lock, thereby drawing the cord 22 through the cord lock 20 and into the casing pocket 34 to expand the casing 28 and glove opening. The cord lock of the present invention cooperates with the strap 30 and draw cord 22 to provide a user with convenient and efficient means to tighten and loosen the draw cord 22 using one hand. In an illustrative embodiment, the cord lock 20 may comprise a housing 40 and a plunger 42 as shown in FIGS. 2-4. The plunger 42 may be slidably received in the housing 40 for movement in an axial direction along a first axis 44 between a release position (FIG. 2) and a locking position (FIG. 3). The plunger 42 may be biased outwardly from the housing 40 toward the locking position to pinch and retain the draw cord 22 which is threaded through the cord lock. Other cord lock configurations, including non-plunger arrangements, also would be suitable for use in the present invention as would be apparent to one of skill in the art. The keeper 36, which is used to secure the cord lock to the glove 24, is disposed on the housing 40 and lies in a vertical plane 46 parallel to the first axis 44. Preferably, the keeper 36 is integral with the housing 40 to form a unitary structure. The keeper 36, which may be an inverted U-shaped member, has an aperture 48, such as a slot, that receives the strap 30. The aperture 48 extends through the keeper in an axial direction that is perpendicular to the vertical plane 46. The housing 40 has a first bore hole 50, which forms a portion ofthe cord passage 38. for threadedly receiving the cord 22 through the cord lock. The first bore hole 50 is disposed along a second axis 52 that is generally perpendicular to the first axis 44 and parallel to the vertical plane 46. Additionally, the keeper aperture 48 extends along a third axis 54 that is generally perpendicular to the first and second axes 44, 52. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second axis 52 RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA/EP and the vertical plane 46 may be offset from each other so that the draw cord 22 may extend through the housing 40 along the second axis 52 and the retaining strap 30 may be looped around the keeper 36 to secure the cord lock 20 to the glove 24 without interfering with each other. This offset arrangement makes efficient use ofthe available space on the housing and also advantageously creates generally aligned forces acting on the strap, the draw cord and the housing which enhances the ability of a user to tighten and loosen the draw cord. The housing 40 also has a cavity 56 that receives the plunger 42 and which may be defined by a continuous tubular wall or several interconnected walls. The plunger 42 may include a plunger body 58 and a head portion 60 attached to one end ofthe plunger body which is disposed outside the housing. A second bore hole 62, which forms another portion ofthe cord passage 38, may be provided through the plunger body 58 which aligns with the first bore hole 50 in the housing along the second axis 52 when the plunger 42 is in the release position (FIG. 2) to allow the draw cord 22 to freely slide through the cord lock. In the locking position (FIG. 3), the second bore hole 62 becomes misaligned with the first bore hole 50 so that the cord 22 is pinched between the plunger and housing, thereby preventing the cord from inadvertently sliding through the cord lock. The release position may be readily controlled by positioning the first and second bore holes 50, 62 so that they become aligned along the second axis 52 when the head portion 60 ofthe plunger abuts the housing 40. To urge the plunger 42 outwardly to pinch the cord 22, the cord lock 20 includes a spring 64, such as a compression spring, that may be disposed along the first axis 44 between the bottom ofthe housing cavity 56 and the plunger body 58. A recess 66 may be provided on the plunger body to maintain the spring along the first axis 44. A boss (not shown) or similar projection may protrude into the housing cavity to position the spring along the first axis 44. Such a projection may be used either to replace or supplement the recess 66. The spring 64 preferably produces a force that is sufficient to prevent the cord 22 from being inadvertently loosened, while allowing the cord to be pulled through the cord lock 20 to tighten the cord when the plunger 42 is in the locking position. It is to be appreciated that other biasing means apparent to one of skill in the art may be used. The cord lock 20 may include an interlock to prevent the plunger 42 from being inadvertently removed from the housing 40. This advantageously allows the cord lock 20 to be assembled as a complete unit for future attachment to an article and also ensures that the cord lock will not fall apart should the draw cord be removed from the lock. In one embodiment, the interlock may include an inner rib 68 and a pair of outer ribs 70, 72. The inner rib 68 may be disposed at the open end ofthe housing cavity 56 to project inwardly toward the plunger 42. The pair of outer ribs 70, 72 may be disposed on plunger body 58 to project outwardly toward the housing 40. The first outer rib 70 coacts with the inner rib 68 to retain the plunger 42 in the housing 40. The second outer rib 72 is spaced from the first outer rib 70 to stabilize the plunger 42 and minimize the relative pivoting or rocking motion ofthe plunger within the cavity. It should be understood that other interlock means apparent to one of skill in the art may be used. The cord lock may also include a finger grip that allows an individual to firmly grasp and pull the cord lock away from the glove to loosen the cord and expand the glove opening. In one embodiment, a relatively wide and deep channel 74, 76 is respectively disposed across the housing end wall and the plunger head portion. The channels 74, 76 are orientated transverse to the axial direction ofthe cord lock and perpendicular to the second axis 52. This orientation advantageously provides the individual with a gripping surface 78, 80 that resists slippage as the cord lock 20 is pulled in a direction generally parallel to the second axis 52 to loosen the draw cord. As shown in FIG. 4, the housing cavity 56 and the plunger body 58 may have a noncircular cross-sectional shape, such as an oval cross section, that ensures that the plunger 42 will not rotate in the housing cavity 56 so that the first and second bore holes 50, 62 remain aligned with each other along the second axis 52. It is to be appreciated that other cross-sectional shapes or other means to maintain the alignment ofthe bore holes may be used as would be apparent to one of skill in the art. The housing 40 and the plunger 42 are preferably molded from a plastic material, such as nylon, polypropylene, acetal copolymers or the like, which is rigid, has a low coefficient of friction, and is capable of withstanding severe environmental conditions. Preferably, the plunger body 58 is a hollow member for molding considerations. It should be understood that other processes and materials may be used as would be apparent to one of skill in the art. From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the cord lock of the present invention provides an improved locking apparatus for a draw cord that may be secured to an article for one hand operation. The cord lock is a compact device that is easily and efficiently operated using one hand to tighten and loosen the draw cord in an article. Although the cord lock 20 has been described in conjunction with a glove, it is to be appreciated that the cord lock may be used with any article, such as clothing, accessories, equipment bags, travel bags or the RECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA EP like, which uses a draw cord to adjust an opening in the article. It should be understood that relative orientation adjectives have been utilized to simplify the present description and are not intended to limit the orientation ofthe cord lock when attached to an article. Having described a particular embodiment ofthe invention in detail, various modifications and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure and within the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only and the invention is defined by the following claims and their equivalents. What is claimed is:

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A cord lock for locking a cord of an article that has a strap for securing the cord lock, the cord lock comprising: a housing having a cord passage extending therethrough that is adapted to receive the cord; and a keeper disposed on the housing that is adapted to receive the strap to secure the cord lock to the article, the keeper being positioned relative to the cord passage so that opposing forces are aligned with each other when the keeper is attached to the strap and the cord is pulled through the cord passage. 2. The cord lock recited in claim 1 , wherein the cord lock is constructed and arranged to be actuated along a first axis to release to the cord, the keeper and the cord passage being aligned on a first plane that is perpendicular to the first axis. 3. The cord lock recited in claim 2, wherein the keeper extends along the housing in a second plane that is parallel to the first axis. 4. The cord lock recited in claim 3, wherein the cord passage extends through the housing along a second axis that is parallel to the second plane. 5. The cord lock recited in claim 4, wherein the second axis is spaced from the second plane. 6. The cord lock recited in claim 5, wherein the keeper has an aperture that extends therethrough along a third axis that is perpendicular to the second axis. 7. The cord lock recited in claim 2, wherein the cord passage extends through the housing along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. 8. The cord lock recited in claim 7, wherein the keeper has an aperture that extends therethrough along a third axis that is perpendicular to the second axis and the first axis. 9. The cord lock recited in claim 2, in combination with the article. 10. The cord lock recited in claim 9, wherein the article is an article of clothing. 11. The cord lock recited in claim 10, wherein the article is a hand covering. 12. The cord lock recited in claim 11 , wherein the hand covering is a glove. 13. The article recited in claim 10, wherein the article of clothing includes a cuff, the casing being disposed on the cuff. 14. The article recited in claim 9, wherein the strap is looped about the keeper. 15. A cord lock for locking a cord of an article that has a strap for securing the cord lock, the cord lock comprising: a housing having a first cord hole adapted to receive the cord, the cord lock being constructed and arranged to be actuated along a first axis through the housing; and a keeper disposed on the housing that is adapted to receive the strap to secure the cord lock to the article, the keeper being aligned with the first cord hole along a first plane that is perpendicular to the first axis. 16. The cord lock recited in claim 15, further comprising a plunger that is slidably received in the housing along the first axis and has a second cord hole adapted to receive the cord. 17. The cord lock recited in claim 16, wherein the plunger slides in the housing between a first position and a second position, the first and second cord holes being aligned along a second axis when the plunger is in the first position and being misaligned when the plunger is in the second position. 18. The cord lock recited in claim 17, wherein the keeper has an aperture extending therethrough along a third axis that is perpendicular to the second axis. 19. The cord lock recited in claim 17, wherein the keeper extends along the housing in a second plane that is parallel to the first axis. 20. The cord lock recited in claim 19, wherein the second axis is spaced from the second plane. 21. The cord lock recited in claim 15, wherein the housing and the plunger each includes a gripping surface that is perpendicular to the second axis. 22. The cord lock recited in claim 21, wherein the housing and the plunger each has a channel disposed on opposing ends ofthe cord lock, at least a portion of the channels defining the gripping surfaces.

Inventors: MORRIS ROBERT L II, SADLER JAMES H, MORRIS, ROBERT, L., II, SADLER, JAMES, H.
Applicants: BURTON CORP, THE BURTON CORPORATION
Application year: 1997
Main classification: F16G11
IPC codes: A41F1, F16G11