Abstract:
A zipper locking device comprising hook-loop material adapted to couple to a first zipper slide and hook-loop material adapted to couple a second zipper slide to the first zipper slide. The interlocking hook-loop zipper pulls keep dual zipper-sliders in a closed position until the hook material is separated from the loop material.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    This invention generally relates to zippers. 
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]    Zippers are found on many mobile personal storage articles such as backpacks, duffle bags and luggage cases. Often, these zippers are comprised of zipper teeth located on a first zipper track, a correspondingly aligned opposing second zipper track, and a pair of zipper sliders coupled to the two zipper tracks. The pair of sliders may be opposingly coupled to the two zipper tracks. 
         [0003]    Dual zipper slider arrangements are often used to allow a person to create an opening along the zipper tracks at a specific location, whereas a single zipper slider only allows an opening in the tracks to begin where the zipper slider is initially coupled to the zipper tracks—typically at one end of the tracks. Dual opposing sliders are used to create such an opening. In such an embodiment, each slider typically slides in a direction opposite the other slider in order to perform a similar function. For example, a first slider may be coupled to a first end of the correspondingly aligned zipper teeth and a second slider may be coupled to a second end of the teeth. As each slider slides along the teeth towards each other, the teeth mate, closing the zipper. When the two zippers meet, the entire length of the zipper is substantially closed. 
         [0004]    Prior art devices exist to ensure dual zipper sliders stay in a substantially closed position upon meeting. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,350,375 describes a dual-slider zipper where the first slider has an extension similar to a pin and the second slider has a rotatable attachment with a recessed portion adapted to receive the pin. When the two sliders are in a position proximal to one another, the second slider attachment rotates, receiving and snapping the pin into place, locking the two sliders to each other. 
         [0005]    Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,135 describes a mechanism adapted to couple two zipper sliders to each other by placing a first zipper slider attachment through a second zipper slider attachment wherein the first zipper slider attachment couples to the second zipper slider attachment, locking the zipper sliders to each other. 
         [0006]    Other devices have been developed to perform substantially the same function. For example, devices have been developed to secure a zipper slider in a specific location along the zipper track. These devices may be used to secure the zipper slider in a closed position. For example, in Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/US2004/026770, a zipper locking mechanism is described that uses a hook-loop material such as Velcro®. The device includes a flap proximal to one zipper track, the flap including either the hook or the loop material. Proximal to the other zipper track is the other of the hook or loop material, with the flap adapted to fold over the track when a zipper slider is located proximal the flap. The pressure of the flap on the slider keeps the slider in place. 
         [0007]    Each of these dual zipper locking devices are deficient in their design, being expensive to manufacture and cumbersome to use. The devices are also prone to failure, as their design allows the mechanisms to frequently fail. 
     
    
     
       SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0008]      FIG. 1A  is a top view of a locking zipper pull placed through a zipper slider bore according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1B  is an isometric view of a locking zipper pull placed through a zipper slider bore and folded over according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1C  is an isometric view of a locking zipper pull placed through a zipper slider bore, folded over, and placed through a pull slot according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1D  is an isometric view of a locking zipper pull placed through a zipper slider bore, folded over, placed through a pull slot and pulled tight according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a locking zipper pull placed through a zipper slider bore, folded over, and placed through a pull slot according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top view of two typical zipper sliders without zipper pulls attached thereto. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an isometric of two zipper sliders with coupled zipper pulls according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a locking zipper pull according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]    One embodiment of the invention comprises a pair of locking zipper slider pulls. The pulls are typically adapted for use on a zipper with two zipper sliders. In one embodiment, one pull of the pair is coupled to each slider of the two zipper sliders, enabling the zipper sliders to be locked to each other. An embodiment may use a hook-loop material on the zipper pulls to couple the sliders to one another. 
         [0017]    Unlike prior art devices, one embodiment is easy and inexpensive to make, install, use, and maintain. One way an embodiment improves over the prior art is through eliminating the need of an injection mold for each of the zipper pulls, as some prior art required intricate development of polymeric molding slider pulls which were adapted to couple to one another in order to couple the zipper sliders together. Additionally, as many existing personal mobile storage devices do not need to be modified in order to use the device, the zipper pulls may be coupled directly to existing zipper sliders, which increases the number of dual-zipper slider articles which may use embodiments of the zipper slider locking devices. Embodiments are also less expensive to make than prior art devices, as one embodiment uses existing material (such as Velcro® hook-loop material) shaped for use on a pair of zipper sliders to lock the sliders to one another. The simplicity of the zipper pulls also enables creation of a zipper lock which lasts longer than prior art zipper slider locking devices—with minimal maintenance, such as cleaning. If a zipper pull does break, it may be easily replaced at a low cost. 
         [0018]    A pair of zipper pulls may be referred to as a zipper locking device. One zipper locking device is comprised of a first piece and a second piece. The first piece may be a generally hourglass-shaped hook material and the second piece may be a generally hourglass-shaped loop material. The hook material may be coupled to a first zipper slider and the loop material may be coupled to a second zipper slider. In one embodiment, the hook and the loop material have front side, a back side, a top end and a bottom end. The front side may comprise the hook or loop texture of the material, and the back side may be generally smooth. Proximal to the top end or the bottom end of one embodiment, and located within a top portion or a bottom portion, respectively, may be a slot, the slot piercing through the front side and the back side. The slot length is generally one-half the length of a widthwise edge of the top portion or the bottom portion. The slot may not have a width as minimal, if any, material may be removed during slot creation. Extending between the top portion and bottom portion of one embodiment is a middle portion. The middle portion may have a generally parabolic shape although this shape may vary significantly and substantially in variations and other embodiments. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, to couple the hook-loop material to the respective zipper slider, one of the top end or the bottom end is placed through a bore in the zipper slider and looped around a slider portion. The pull may be looped around a slider portion such as the slider end. The top end or bottom end of the slider pull is then threaded through the slot located proximal the opposing zipper pull end. The end which is threaded through the slot is then pulled tight against the slider portion. Upon coupling the hook material or the loop material to the zipper slider, a user may hold onto an end of the material to pull the material and coupled zipper slider in order to open and close the zipper. 
         [0020]    When both a hook material and a loop material are coupled to a respective zipper slider, in one embodiment the sliders are positioned proximally to one another. The loop material is then pressed against the hook material. Pressing the two materials against each other substantially locks the zipper sliders in position relative to each other. Although the zipper sliders may then slide along the zipper tracks, if either zipper slider moves, the coupled hook-loop material pulls the other zipper slider along. By the zipper slider pair generally being opposing zipper sliders, when the pair moves in unison, the zipper track stays substantially closed. To open the zipper, the hook and loop material is pulled apart, and the zippers are then moved apart from each other. This operation may be done manually. 
       TERMINOLOGY  
       [0021]    The terms and phrases as indicated in quotation marks (“ ”) in this section are intended to have the meaning ascribed to them in this Terminology section applied to them throughout this document, including in the claims, unless clearly indicated otherwise in context. Further, as applicable, the stated definitions are to apply, regardless of the word or phrase&#39;s case, tense or any singular or plural variations of the defined word or phrase. 
         [0022]    The term “or” as used in this specification and the appended claims is not meant to be exclusive rather the term is inclusive meaning “either or both”. 
         [0023]    References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “a preferred embodiment”, “an alternative embodiment”, “a variation”, “one variation”, and similar phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of phrases like “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a variation” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all meant to refer to the same embodiment or variation. 
         [0024]    The term “couple” or “coupled” as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to either an indirect or direct connection between the identified elements, components or objects. Often the manner of the coupling will be related specifically to the manner in which the two coupled elements interact. 
         [0025]    The term “integrate” or “integrated” as used in this specification and the appended claims refers to a blending, uniting, or incorporation of the identified elements, components or objects into a unified whole. 
         [0026]    Directional and/or relationary terms such as, but not limited to, left, right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, back, front and lateral are relative to each other and are dependent on the specific orientation of a applicable element or article, and are used accordingly to aid in the description of the various embodiments and are not necessarily intended to be construed as limiting. 
         [0027]    As applicable, the terms “about” or “generally” as used herein unless otherwise indicated means a margin of ±20%. Also, as applicable, the term “substantially” as used herein unless otherwise indicated means a margin of ±10%. It is to be appreciated that not all uses of the above terms are quantifiable such that the referenced ranges can be applied. 
       One Embodiment of a Zipper Locking Device  
       [0028]    As best shown in  FIGS. 2 through 5 , an embodiment of a zipper locking device  10  is shown. In one version, the device is comprised of a pair of locking slider pulls  12 , with a version of one of the slider pulls shown in  FIG. 5 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the slider pulls may be coupled to a first slider  14  and a second slider  16 , with the slider pulls employing a hook-loop material to lock the first slider to the second slider. Other adhesive materials may couple the first slider to the second slider such as, but not limited to, an adhesive tape. In yet other variations, other non-adhesive coupling means can be employed including but not limited to snaps, buttons 
         [0029]    The slider pull  12  may be comprised of hook-loop material which is flexible. In one embodiment, the individual hook and loops may be comprised of a polymeric resin. The hook and loops may be coupled or integrated to a flexible plastic or the slider pull may also be comprised of a fabric such as, but not limited to, cotton. Other suitable materials are also contemplated. 
         [0030]    One embodiment&#39;s first slider  14  may oppose the second slider  16 . The sliders may oppose each other in a manner where the first slider&#39;s input end  18  is located proximal the second slider&#39;s input end  18  when the sliders are in a substantially closed position. In another embodiment, a first slider output end  19  may be located proximal the second slider output end or input end when the sliders are in a substantially closed position. 
         [0031]    The input end  18  of a zipper slider is the end of the slider that receives a pair of correspondingly aligned zipper tracks  2 . In entering the input end of the slider, the zipper tracks are in an open position, not in a matingly coupled position. The output end  19  of a slider is the end of the slider that ejects the zipper tracks in a coupled position. Therefore, as the zipper enters the input end of the slider, the zipper is typically “open” and as the zipper exits the output end, the zipper is typically “closed”. Dual-slider zippers are often designed to create a single opening along the zipper tracks, by coupling the sliders to the tracks at the two track ends, respectively. 
         [0032]    One embodiment&#39;s first slider  14  may couple to a first piece zipper pull which may be comprised of hook material and one embodiment&#39;s second slider  16  may couple to a second piece which is a loop material zipper pull. Another embodiment may have more than two zipper pulls or may have a first slider coupled to loop material. An embodiment may even have zipper pulls coupled to two or more zipper sliders. Each slider may have a slider pull having both hook or loop material or a plurality of pulls with hook or loop material. 
         [0033]    As best shown in  FIG. 5 , a slider pull  12  may be generally hourglass shaped. Other slider pull shapes are contemplated such as, but not limited to, a slider pull generally having an “I” shape. The slider pull may have a first end  20 , a second end  22 , and a middle portion  21 . In one embodiment, the middle portion extends between a first portion  23  and a second portion  25 . An embodiment may have an integrated first portion, middle portion, and second portion. In other embodiments, the middle portion may be coupled to the first and second portion. 
         [0034]    An embodiment&#39;s first end  20  may comprise an end of the first portion  23 , the first end also having a first width  38 . The first end may oppose a first portion-middle portion integration. Similarly, the second end  22  may have a second width  38  and comprise an end of the second portion  25  which opposes a second portion-middle portion integration. The first and second portions may also have a first length  29  and second length  29 , respectively. In one embodiment, the first and second widths and lengths are generally equal to about ½ an inch. 
         [0035]    The middle portion may have two sides edges  24  extending between the first portion and the second portion, with the side edges creating a generally parabolic shape and giving the pull it&#39;s generally hourglass shape. The middle portion generally has a third width, with one embodiment&#39;s third width being significantly less than the first and second widths. Another embodiment&#39;s middle portion side edges may not have a generally parabolic shape and may have generally straight side edges. In one embodiment, the middle portion  21  may have a length of about 1 inch and a width of about ½ an inch at its widest location and about ¼ an inch at its narrowest location. 
         [0036]    The zipper slider pull  12  in one embodiment is also comprised of a slot  26 . The slot may be an opening located in either the first portion  23  or the second portion  25 , although one embodiment may have a slot in both the first portion and the second portion, or may have a slot in the middle portion. The slot in one version is adapted to receive the end of the pull opposing the end the slot is located within. For example, a first portion slot may be adapted to receive the second end  22 . A middle portion slot may be able to receive either the first portion or the second portion. The slot  26  may receive the opposing end of the zipper pull by the slider pull curling towards the slot. The slot length in one embodiment is about ½ of the length of the end of the portion the slot is located in. In other embodiments, the slot is about 1/2  the length of the portion the slot is located in. In still other embodiments, the slot may be about ½ the length of the end or portion the slot is not located in. In one embodiment, the slot length is from 25% to 75% the width of the first portion or the second portion. 
         [0037]    The hourglass or “I” shape of one embodiment of a zipper pull is important to hold the pull in its looped configuration. For example, upon the slot receiving the opposing zipper pull end and that portion of the zipper pull is pulled through the slot and the middle portion begins to be pulled through the slot, the zipper pull is generally kept in the looped position. This is because the middle portion width is significantly less than the width of the first or second portions. As the first or second portions are wider than the first or second portions, the first or second portions are generally more difficult to fit through the slot. Therefore, the first and second portions typically to not pull back through the slot, essentially “undoing” the loop, unless the zipper pull portion is manually pulled back through the slot. 
         [0038]    Often, the zipper locking device is adapted to lock a zipper on a personal mobile storage article or device such as, but not limited to, a suitcase or a duffle bag. The article&#39;s zipper may have first and second zipper tracks coupled to a first and second edge of an opening for a compartment within the storage device or article. The zipper also may have first and second zipper sliders which are coupled to the first and second zipper tracks, with the sliders being coupled to the tracks in different directions, the first slider sliding if a first direction to open the zipper and the second slider sliding in a second direction to open the zipper. 
       One Method of Using a Zipper Locking Device: 
       [0039]    As best shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1D , and  FIG. 4 , a method of locking a zipper is exemplified. For example, as best shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1D , the zipper pull slot  26  may used to couple the slider pull  12  to a zipper slider  30 . To do so, in one embodiment, the first end  20  of the pull may be placed through a zipper slider bore  31 . In one embodiment, the first end is pulled through the bore so that at least the first portion  23  is substantially through the bore. In one embodiment, the zipper pull  12  has a front side  27  and a back side  28 . As the first end  20  is threaded through the slider bore  31 , the front side may face towards the body of the slider  30  and the back side may face away from the body of the slider. 
         [0040]    In one embodiment, the pull  12  is threaded through the slider bore  31  to a position where the middle portion  21  is proximal a zipper slider end  40 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , the second end  22  may then be folded over the zipper slider end towards the pull first end  20 , exposing the pull front side  27 . The front side in one embodiment is the side having the hook or loop material. 
         [0041]    As the second end  22  nears the slider pull slot  26 , the second end and second portion  25  is fit into the slot. In one embodiment, the second portion may fit into the slot by bending, folding, and squeezing the second portion into the slot. The slot edges may need to bend in order to be received within the slot. In embodiment, the slider pull may bend as it is comprised of a thin flexible polymeric material. Flexible material such as nylon may be used. 
         [0042]    As the second portion  25  fits through the slot  26 , the middle portion  21  is threaded through the slot. As the middle portion threads through the slot, the middle portion begins to tighten against the zipper slider end  40 . Upon tightening, as best shown in  FIG. 1D , the middle portion and the first portion are clasped around the zipper slider end  40 . 
         [0043]    Upon tightening the slider pull  12  against a first zipper slider  30 , a second slider pull  12  is coupled to a second zipper slider  30  in substantially the same manner as the first slider pull is coupled to the first zipper slider. The first zipper slider pull may be referred to as a first piece and the second zipper slider pull may be referred to as a second piece. The second zipper slider pull is generally similar to the first zipper pull, except that at least a portion of the front side  27  has the other of the hook and loop material that the first zipper pull does not have. 
         [0044]    Upon coupling the two zipper pulls  12  to the zipper sliders  30 , the front side  27  of the zipper pull coupled to the first zipper slider  14  is pressed against the front side of the zipper pull coupled to the second zipper slider  16  to couple the two zipper pulls to each other. The two zipper pulls are typically removably coupled to one another, as a user may pull the two pulls apart. An embodiment may also have more than two zipper sliders or more than two zipper slider pulls, and therefore, more than two zipper slider pulls are pressed together. As the two zipper slider pulls contact, the hook material mates with the loop material in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the adhesive material of one slider pull may mate with the material of the other slider pull. An embodiment may use hook-loop material such as Velcro®. 
         [0045]    In one embodiment, the width  38  of a zipper pull  12  first portion  23  and second portion  25  may be generally equal. An embodiment may have generally unequal widths as well. In one embodiment, the widths of each may be ½ an inch. One embodiment may have a width up to ¾ of an inch, and another embodiment may have a width about ¼ of an inch. The length  29  of the first portion and the second portion may also be ½ an inch in one embodiment. Other embodiments may have first and second portions that have different or unequal lengths. 
         [0046]    For example, an embodiment is contemplated that may have hook and loop zipper pulls  12  which have a generally triangular first portion  23  and second portion  25 . In such an embodiment, a side of the triangle in each portion may be integrated to the middle portion, with an end such as, but not limited to, the first end  20  or the second end  22 , of the portion having a triangle point. As the hook and loop zipper pulls are pressed together, the angled sides of the first or second portion of the hook material may extend over the angled sides of the first or second portion of the loop material. The part of the first and second portion that extends over the sides of the correspondingly coupled material may be called “flaps”. In one embodiment, the flaps may be used by a person to hold onto at least one of the zipper pulls, and used to pull the material away from the other of the hook or loop material, in order to separate the hook material from the loop material. 
         [0047]    The width  32  of the middle portion  27  may vary in one embodiment. For example, the width of the middle portion may be greatest at the middle portion&#39;s integration to the first portion  23  and the second portion  25 . The middle portion&#39;s width may be smallest at the centerline  33  of the middle portion. In one embodiment, as best shown in  FIG. 5 , the width of the middle portion may expand generally parabolically from the middle portion to the first portion and the second portion integration. In another embodiment, the width of the middle portion may expand from the centerline to the first and second portion integration linearly. The middle portion may generally create a first piece coupled to a first zipper slider and a second piece coupled to a second zipper slider which resembles a two-dimensional hourglass shape. 
         [0048]    Whatever the type of material is used for the zipper pulls  12 , the pulls are generally flexible. The pulls are also generally resilient to wear and tear. In one embodiment, the zipper pulls are made out of nylon. 
       Other Embodiments and Variations  
       [0049]    The embodiments of the flexible container filling device as illustrated in the accompanying figures and described above are merely exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is to be appreciated that numerous variations to the invention have been contemplated as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.