Abstract:
A fastening device comprising a pin affixed to a first zipper track, the pin comprising a first magnet and at least a first engaging element; a box affixed to a second zipper track, the box comprising a second magnet and comprising at least a second engaging element complementary to the first engaging element of the pin, wherein the pin and box form a single element through the releasable interaction of the first and second magnets, and the first engaging element of the pin reversibly interacting with the second engaging element of the box; and a first slider body, wherein the first slider body comprises at least one releasing element that reversibly disengages the first engaging element of the pin from the second engaging element of the box. The fastening device can also include a second slider body component comprising a second magnet and defining at least one groove element, wherein the first and second slider body components form a single slider body through the releasable interaction of the first and second magnets, and the ridge element of the first slider body component removably fitting into the groove element of the second slider body component.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention is related to a zipper-type fastening device, and, more particularly, to an improved pin and box assembly and improved slider body. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    In the years since their invention, zippers have become ubiquitous. Zippers can be found in all types of clothing such as pants, dresses, and jackets, on carriers such as bags and luggage, and in gear such as sleeping bags and tents. In addition to serving as decoration, zippers can join together two sides of a garment, such as in the operation of a dress, and can serve as means to removably attach two pieces of fabric, such as in the attachment of a removable hood to a jacket. 
         [0005]    Fastening devices such as zippers can be separating or non-separating, and can be one-way or two-way devices. In a separating zipper, each of the two zipper tracks, comprising the tape and attached teeth, are connected to different elements that are primarily joined only by the interlocking zipper teeth. In a non-separating zipper, both zipper tracks are connected to a single element such that interlocking and unlocking the zipper teeth creates an opening in that element. A two-way zipper comprises two slider bodies that can work together or separately to interlock and unlock the zipper teeth. A one-way zipper comprises a single slider body as well as a pin and box assembly that aligns the zipper teeth contained on at least one of the zipper tracks. 
         [0006]    In their simplest form, one-way separating zippers are composed of relatively few parts, including: an origination assembly with a pin and a retainer body at the lower limit of each row of zipper teeth; two pieces of tape that are attached to fabric on one side and contain zipper teeth on the other; a slider body with a pull-tab; and two top stops at the upper limit of each row of teeth. 
         [0007]    To fasten two pieces of fabric together, the operator inserts the pin from the lower limit of one row of teeth into the retainer box at the matching lower limit of the other row of teeth. This aligns the teeth into an operable interlocking format. Once aligned, the operator pulls the latching mechanism, called the slider body, along the teeth track. Wedges inside the slider body force the teeth of each track to interact. If the teeth are aligned, the hook of each tooth settles into the hollow of an opposing tooth. The operator can continue to pull the slider body and interlock the teeth until the slider terminates at the top stops located at the upper limit of each row of teeth. 
         [0008]    To unfasten the pieces of fabric, the operator pulls the slider body back along the closed track. The wedges inside the slider body force the interlocking teeth apart and separate the zipper closure. 
         [0009]    Despite the ease with which zipper-type closures operate, many individuals encounter difficulty joining together the pin and body. Others may have difficulty grasping the small slider body or pulling it along the zipper&#39;s teeth. Examples of individuals who often encounter these difficulties include small children, people wearing gloves for protection, elderly, and people with poor vision, macular degeneration, or cataracts. Additionally, people with disabilities such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, pervasion developmental disorders, Down&#39;s syndrome, ataxia, diabetes with neuropathy, stroke (CVA), paraplegics, Lou Gehrig&#39;s Disease, Parkinson&#39;s, and head can also find the operation of zippers to be difficult. 
         [0010]    It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide a device for easier alignment of the pin and box of a zipper. 
         [0011]    It is another object and advantage of the present invention to provide a device for easier operation of a zipper slider body. 
         [0012]    It is a further object and advantage of the present invention to provide an improved zipper for use by individuals with limited dexterity. 
         [0013]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be obvious and in part be expressed hereinafter. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    In accordance with the foregoing objects and advantages, the present invention provides a fastening device comprising: (1) a pin affixed to a first zipper track, the pin comprising a first magnet and at least a first engaging (or interlocking) element; (2) a box affixed to a second zipper track, the box comprising a second magnet and comprising at least a second engaging (or interlocking) element complementary to the first interlocking element from the pin, wherein the pin and box form a single element through the releasable interaction of the first and second magnets, and the first interlocking element of the pin reversibly interacting with the second interlocking element of the box; and (3) a first slider body, wherein the first slider body comprises at least one releasing element that reversibly disengages the first interlocking element of the pin from the second interlocking element of the box. The engaging/interlocking elements preferably correspond in interlocking fashion, but could engage one another in an otherwise conventional manner that doesn&#39;t require actual interlocking relation. 
         [0015]    The invention further provides a fastening device comprising: (1) a pin affixed to a first zipper track, the pin comprising a first magnet and at least a first interlocking element; (2) a box affixed to a second zipper track, the box comprising a second magnet and comprising at least a second interlocking element complementary to the first interlocking element from the pin, wherein the pin and box form a single element through the releasable interaction of the first and second magnets, and the first interlocking element of the pin reversibly interacting with the second interlocking element of the box; (3) a first slider body, wherein the first slider body comprises at least one releasing element that reversibly disengages the first interlocking element of the pin from the second interlocking element of the box, and further comprising a third magnet as well as defining at least one ridge element; and (4) a second slider body component comprising a fourth magnet and defining at least one groove element, wherein the first and second slider body components form a single slider body through the releasable interaction of the first and second magnets, and the ridge element of the first slider body component removably fitting into the groove element of the second slider body component. 
         [0016]    The invention also provides a fastening device comprising: (1) a slider body slidably connected to a first zipper track; (2) a first locking body affixed to said first zipper track, the locking body comprising a first housing element that contains a first magnet, and further comprising a first vertical element that reversibly interacts with the slider body; and (3) a second locking body affixed to a second zipper track, the second locking body comprising a second housing element that contains a second magnet, and further comprising a second vertical element, wherein the first and second locking bodies reversibly form a single element through the releasable interaction of the first and second magnets. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a one-way separating zipper assembly according to the present invention with the right and left sections of the assembly in the unassembled configuration and showing the interior of the box section. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of a one-way separating zipper assembly according to the present invention with the right and left sections of the assembly in the unassembled configuration and showing the interior of the pin section. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the present invention with the right and left sections of the zipper assembly in the unassembled configuration. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the present invention with assembled pin and box and unassembled slider body. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the present invention with the assembled slider body pulling away from the assembled pin and box. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a second embodiment of the present invention with the right and left sections of the assembly in the unassembled configuration. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a front view of a second embodiment of the present invention with the right and left sections of the assembly in the unassembled configuration. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the second embodiment with the right and left sections of the assembly in the assembled configuration. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the second embodiment with the right and left sections of the pin and box assembly in the assembled configuration where the slider body has pulled away from the pin and box assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in  FIG. 1-3  elevation views of the unassembled fastening device. The fastening device comprises four separably interlocking components: a box  12 , a pin  14 , a first slider body component  16  which is one half of the slider body, and a second slider body component  18  which is the other half of the slider body. 
         [0028]    Box  12  is permanently attached to the lower limit of a first zipper track. Defined in box  12  is a cavity  20  for the removable attachment of pin  14  upon assembly. Inside cavity  20  is an extended sleeve  22  surrounding a magnet  24  to facilitate assembly of the box and pin as well as to assist in the alignment of the zipper tracks (not shown). Defined in the upper lip  26  and lower lip  28  of the box are holes  30  and  32 , respectively, which accept pegs  34  and  36  of pin  14  upon assembly. 
         [0029]    First slider body component  16  is removably attached to box  12  and is permanently mounted on the first zipper track, although it is free to move along the entire length of the track. Slider body component  16  is comprised of three permanently connected sections; a main body section  38 , an upper arm  40 , and a lower arm  42 . The main body of the first slider body component defines a cavity  44  along the entire length of the slider body through which the first zipper track travels when the slider body is assembled and actively interlocking or unlocking the zipper teeth. Upper arm  40  and lower arm  42  extend laterally from the upper surface  41  and lower surface  43  of main body section  38  opposite the first zipper track. Protruding from upper surface  41  is a ridge  45  that terminates at upper arm  40 , and protruding from lower surface  43  is a ridge  47  that terminates at lower arm  42 . To facilitate assembly with second slider body component  18 , upper arm  40  contains an embedded and partially exposed magnet  46  that attracts a magnet  48  similarly embedded and partially exposed in the upper arm  50  of the second slider body. Lower arm  42  of the first slider body contains a similar magnet  52  that attracts a magnet  54  in the lower arm  56  of the second slider body which holds the slider body together while it is being slid to an unzipped state. 
         [0030]    Pin  14  is permanently attached to the lower limit of a second zipper track and is removably attached to second slider body component  18 . An inflexible wall  58  extends laterally from the main body  58  of the pin. Flexibly attached to the top and bottom of wall  58  is upper arm  60  and lower arm  62 , respectively. Arms  60  and  62  are biased away from each other. Affixed to the outer surface of upper arm  60  is a peg  34  that fits into hole  30  formed in upper lip  26  of the box when the zipper components are assembled. Similarly, the outer surface of lower arm  62  contains a peg  36  that fits into hole  32  formed in lower lip  28  of the box. Arms  60  and  62  define a cavity  64  which contains a partially exposed magnet  66  embedded in the main body of the pin. 
         [0031]    Second slider body component  18  is removably attached to pin  14  and is permanently mounted on the second zipper track, although it is free to move along the entire length of the track. Slider body component  18  is comprised of four permanently affixed sections; a main body section  68 , an upper arm  50 , a lower arm  56 , and a pull tab  57 . The main body of the second slider body component defines a cavity  70  along the entire length of the slider body through which the first zipper track travels when the slider body is assembled and actively interlocking or unlocking the zipper teeth. Upper arm  50  and lower arm  56  protrude laterally from the upper surface  72  and lower surface  74  of main body section  68  opposite the second zipper track. Lower surface  76  of upper arm  50  defines a groove  78  that runs the length of surface  76 . Similarly, upper surface  80  of lower arm  56  defines a groove  82  that runs the length of surface  80 , such that groove  78  and groove  82  are facing one another when the zipper is unassembled. To facilitate assembly with the first slider body component  16 , upper arm  50  contains an embedded but partially exposed magnet  48  that attracts magnet  46  in upper arm  40  of the first slider body. Lower arm  56  of the second slider body contains a similar magnet  54  that attracts a magnet in the lower arm  42  of the first slider body. 
         [0032]    When pin  14  and second slider body component  18  are assembled, upper arm  50  and lower arm  56  of the slider body component push arms  60  and  62  of the pin against their bias and towards each other. This allows the pin arms  60  and  62  to easily fit into cavity  20  and prevents the pin and box from prematurely locking together. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the present invention with the pin and box of the assembled and the slider body unassembled. Upon assembly of the pin and box, sleeve  22  of box  12  fits snugly into cavity  64  of pin  14 . Attraction forces between magnet  24  in the box and magnet  66  in the pin assist in aligning and pulling the two components tightly together. Optionally, one of either magnet  24  or magnet  66  can be replaced with a ferromagnetic material such that the two components will still form an attractive force. The ferromagnetic material is any material or component that exhibits a strong interaction with a magnetic force. For example, this material can include natural elements or minerals, rare earth metals, or alloys. 
         [0034]    Once box  12  and pin  14  are removably attached, groove  78  formed in upper arm  50  of the second body component is able to freely slide along ridge  45  of the first body component. Similarly, groove  82  formed in lower arm  56  of the second body component is able to freely slide along ridge  47 . As second slider body component  18  slides along the ridges towards upper arm  40  and lower arm  42  of the first slider body component, magnets  48  and  54  in slider body component  18  attract magnets  46  and  52  in slider body component  16 . 
         [0035]    Additionally, as the second slider body component slides over the first slider body component and away from pin  14 , flexible arms  60  and  62  of the pin, which are now located inside cavity  20  of box  12 , are allowed to return to their bias. Holes  30  and  32  of the box accept pegs  34  and  36  on the arms of the pin, removably interlocking pin  14  and box  12 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . When the slider assembly returns to the box and pin assembly, arms  60  and  62  are again forced against their bias. When that happens, the pegs are forced out of the holes and the arms are free to slide out of cavity  20 . 
         [0036]    In addition to the resilient interlocking element described above, pin  14  and box  12  can be designed to possess any mechanism that allows the pin and box to reversibly interact. For example, the reversible interaction can be achieved by just using magnet  24  in the box and magnet  66  in the pin without any additional locking element. 
         [0037]    Attraction forces between magnet  24  in the box and magnet  66  in the pin assist in aligning and pulling the two components tightly together. 
         [0038]    When the slider body is fully assembled, the arms of the first slider body component are flush with the arms of the second slider body component, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The assembled slider body is free to travel the length of the zipper track. As the first and second unlocked zipper tracks travel through the slider body, they are forced to interact and exit the slider body as a single interlocked element. 
         [0039]    To unlock the zipper teeth, the assembled slider body is pulled back along the track and the interlocked zipper teeth re-enter the slider body. Wedges inside the slider body force the interlocking teeth apart and separate the tracks from each other. 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a second embodiment of the present invention. The fastening device comprises three separably interlocking components: a slider body  102 , a first lower body  104  and a second lower body  106 . In this embodiment, lower bodies  104  and  106  replace the traditional pin and box assembly. First lower body  104  is permanently attached to the lower limit of a first zipper track  108 . In a preferred embodiment, first lower body  104  is rounded and contains an embedded but partially exposed magnet  83  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) to attract a similarly embedded but partially exposed magnet  112  in second lower body  106 . 
         [0041]    Slider body  102  is removably attached to first lower body  104  and is permanently mounted on first zipper track  108 , although it is free to move along the entire length of the track. Slider body  102  optionally comprises a structure  84  for fastening or connecting a loop or similar component used to pull the slider body up and down the zipper track. The main body of slider body  102  defines a cavity  86  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) along both sides of the length of the slider body through which first zipper track  108  and second zipper track  100  travel when the slider body is actively interlocking or unlocking the zipper teeth. 
         [0042]    Second lower body  106  is permanently mounted to the lower limit of second zipper track  110 . In a preferred embodiment, second lower body  106  contains magnet  112  that attracts magnet  83  in lower body  104 . Optionally, one of either magnet  112  or the magnet in lower body  106  can be replaced with a ferromagnetic material such that the two components will still form an attractive force. Lower body  106  also has an extension  90  on both sides of zipper track  110 . During assembly, extension  90  guides slider body  102  into the proper alignment on zipper track  110  such that the zipper track enters cavity  86  in the slider body. 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, lower body  106  possesses an extending guidance element  92 . The guidance element facilitates and guides lower body  104  into alignment with lower body  106 , thereby bringing slider body  102  into proper orientation. The guidance element can be designed to fit over lower body  104 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , with an opening that receives the upper portion of lower body  104 . This opening has a flat surface edge on both sides which fit snugly along a complementary flat receiving surface on lower body  104 .  FIG. 6  shows one flat edge  94  of the opening in guidance element  92  which slides over a complementary flat receiving surface (not shown) on the reverse side of lower body  104 . Also shown in  FIG. 6  is the complementary flat surface  96  which receives the opposite flat edge (not shown) of the opening in guidance element  92 . The pairing of these surfaces will rotate the two lower bodies of the mechanism such that they are properly aligned as they come together, thereby facilitating proper alignment of slider body  102  with the zipper tracks. 
         [0044]    Guidance element  92  can be conical in shape to further facilitate alignment of the two lower bodies and thus the slider body. For example, the walls of the guidance element can be thicker at the base and thinner at the top; as the opposite lower body is brought into the guidance element, the narrowing walls guide the lower body into the proper alignment. 
         [0045]    The guidance element can also define an opening in the area of the element opposite the zipper tracks, as shown in  FIG. 6 . This allows a user to pull lower body  104  into guidance element  92  from below as with traditional pin and box zipper assemblies. 
         [0046]    In a preferred embodiment, magnet  83  in lower body  104  and magnet  112  in lower body  106  are brought into proximity such that they form a strong magnetic interaction but do not physically touch one another. This maximizes magnetic interaction while allowing the user to easily pull apart the lower bodies. 
         [0047]      FIG. 7  is a front view of a second embodiment of the present invention with the right and left sections of the assembly in the unassembled configuration. In this view, magnet  83  in lower body  104  is visible, as is cavity  86  in slider body  102 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the second embodiment of the present invention in the assembled configuration. When first lower body  104  and second lower body  106  are brought into close proximity, the magnets contained with the bodies attract one another and pull them into the assembled configuration. In the assembled configuration, extension  90  of second lower body  106  guides slider body  102  into the proper orientation on zipper track  110 . As a result, the zipper teeth of tracks  108  and  110  are brought into close proximity and slider body  102  is free to travel the length of the zipper tracks. As the first and second unlocked zipper tracks travel through the slider body, they are forced to interact and exit the slider body as a single interlocked element. To unlock the zipper teeth, slider body  102  is pulled back along the track and the interlocked zipper teeth re-enter the slider body. Wedges inside the slider body force the interlocking teeth apart and separate the tracks from each other. 
         [0049]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the second embodiment with the right and left sections of the pin and box assembly in the assembled configuration where slider body  102  has pulled away from the pin and box assembly. Lower body  104  can optionally possess an extension  88  which extends from the lower body along zipper track  108 . The extension can be designed to fit inside slider body  102 . Extension  88  can also be designed to maintain stiffness and/or alignment between lower body  104  and the first tooth of zipper track  108 . This stiffness or alignment will assist in proper functioning of the slider body. Extension  88  can possess an element  98  that reversibly engages with en element (not shown) of slider body  102  to hold the slider body in place until the slider is pulled. To allow slider body  102  to easily engage the base structure formed by the joining of lower bodies  104  and  106 , extension  88  can be designed to possess a lead-in element  100 . Lead-in element  100  extends horizontally from extension  88  and can reversibly interact with the opposite side of the zipper mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the upper edge of lead-in element  100  is tapered to guide slider body  102  onto the base structure. 
         [0050]    Another mechanism to assist in proper functioning of slider body  102  is to use a tapered or narrowed first tooth on zipper track  108 . The taper would allow the slider to more easily engage the tooth. Additionally, slider body  102  could be modified to possess a lead-in element (not shown) that facilitates engagement of the first zipper tooth with the slider, or could be modified to have a wider opening on the upper edge that interacts with the opposite zipper track. 
         [0051]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention the two lower bodies fit together with one on top of the other to bring the zipper tracks in alignment, rather than side-by-side. In this configuration, the topmost lower body would contain a magnet or other element positioned to interact with a magnet or complementary element in the lowermost lower body. Once the lower bodies are properly aligned, the slider body is also in the proper alignment and can be used to interlock the zipper tracks. 
         [0052]    Although the present invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that modifications, alterations, and additions can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.