Patent Publication Number: US-2019174878-A1

Title: Zipper with automatic coupling

Description:
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is a zip with automatic coupling that is easy to use, versatile and especially useful for repairing damaged zippers or for modifying the appearance of a garment, which makes it possible to mix and match different types of zippers for the same garment. 
     STATE OF THE ART 
     Zipper closure systems are commonly used in clothing and accessories. However, they tend to deteriorate with continued use, which requires a device or mechanism to solve this problem. For this reason, there is a need to provide a zipper which precludes the need to send the garment to dressmakers for repairs when the zipper has deteriorated. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is a zipper assembly comprising an automatic coupling to a garment using a male-female joint or clip joint on both sides of a zipper to make it easier to change the zipper once the zipper has deteriorated. More specifically, the zipper assembly of the present invention comprises a fixed part and an interchangeable part. The fixed part comprises first joining elements each of which is fixedly joined to a garment on one side and which can be joined on an opposite side to the exchangeable part. The exchangeable part comprises second joining elements disposed longitudinally, in parallel with respect to a zipper closure and fixed to said zipper closure. The first joining elements and the second joining elements cooperate to form a male-female joint or clip joint. 
     The use of the present invention avoids damaging garments during repair, since the zipper closure does not have to be sewn or unsewn since it is only necessary to unhook the exchangeable part (comprising the zipper itself) from the fixed part and placing a new one, joined by means of a clip joint or a male-female joint. Furthermore, due to its small size, it is possible to always travel with a spare. 
     Throughout the description and the claims, the word “comprises” and its variants do not intend to exclude other technical characteristics, additives, components or steps. For experts in the art, other objects, advantages and characteristics of the invention will become apparent in part from the description and in part from the practice of the invention. The following examples and drawings are provided by way of illustration and are not intended to restrict the present invention. In addition, the present invention covers all possible combinations of particular and preferred embodiments herein indicated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Below is a very brief description of a series of drawings that aid a better understanding of the invention and that are expressly related to an embodiment of said invention presented as a non-limiting example thereof. 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic frontal view of the zip object of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF A DETAILED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
     As provided in the FIGURE attached herein, the zipper assembly comprises a part fixed to a garment ( 4 ) comprising a pair of fixed joining elements ( 1 , 1 ′) fixedly connected to a garment. Each fixed joining element is fixed to a side of an opening of the garment ( 4 ) so that the joining elements face one other. In other words, each fixed joining element ( 1 ,  1 ′) has one side fixed to opposite sides in the opening of the garment ( 4 ). The other side of each fixed connector ( 1 ,  1 ′) is configured to be securely and releasably connected with a releasable connector ( 2 ,  2 ′) that is fixedly connected with a zipper closure ( 3 ). In a particular embodiment, the fixed joining elements ( 1 ,  1 ′) and the second joining elements ( 2 ,  2 ′) join one by one together to form male-female joint or clip joints for detachably connecting the zipper to the garment. The second joining elements ( 2 ,  2 ′) are disposed longitudinally and in parallel with respect to the zipper closure ( 3 ) itself and are fixed to said zipper closure ( 3 ). In this way, if the zipper breaks, the zipper closure can be replaced. 
     Thus, thanks to the invention so described, it will be possible to prevent burst seams, which lead to defects in the garments, to the extent repairing the entire zip will not be necessary. Furthermore, repair costs go down, since at present the garment has to be unsewn and the zipper must be resewn, while with the device of the invention this task will be as simple as unhooking the replaceable part from the fixed part of the zip and placing a new one. Furthermore, repair times are much shorter. 
     Additionally, the invention also makes it possible to adapt different zipper models to the garment or accessory depending on the consumer&#39;s tastes, which leads to innovations in the appearance of the garments at a low price. 
     The proposed invention, moreover, prevents the zippers from snagging to the textile part of the garments. The reason for this is because the zipper closure ( 3 ) has a (male-female) guide ( 6 ) on the inside of the zipper closure ( 3 ), which prevents it from entering into contact with the garment ( 4 ) and makes it possible to unhook the male from the female if the slider ( 5 ) were to break. This makes it easier to separate the zipper closure ( 3 ) from the garment ( 4 ) without having to force the zipper closure ( 3 ) and avoid major tears in the garment ( 4 ). 
     The term garment ( 4 ) in this description does not only mean clothing, but also accessories (such as, for example, handbags or purses) and footwear, to the extent the invention can be directly used in any item that needs or uses a zip closure.