Patent Publication Number: US-9894983-B2

Title: Media cord managing zipper system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application entitled “MEDIA CORD MANAGING ZIPPER SYSTEM,” claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/828,493, entitled “MEDIA CORD MANAGING ZIPPER SYSTEM,” filed Mar. 14, 2013. The entirety of the aforementioned application is incorporated by reference herein. 
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to zippers on articles of clothing that can be used to manage media cords. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     The present invention relates to an efficient way of managing media cords. Zippers are prevalent in modern clothing, especially active clothing such as sweatshirts or jackets. Media players did not exist when zippers were first incorporated into clothing. Consequently, zippers have not been designed with media cords in mind. As a result, media cords cannot be easily incorporated into the physical structure of most zippers. 
     Using a zipper to manage media cords avoids incorporating additional components into an article of clothing. Additional components dedicated to media cord management can make clothing bulkier and heavier, both of which can interfere with the wearer&#39;s freedom of movement or sporting performance. A zipper comprises a zipper slider and a pull tab. The zipper slider operates to engage or disengage two parallel rows of protruding teeth. Inside the zipper slider is a Y-shaped channel that either meshes together or separates the opposing rows of teeth depending on the direction of the zipper slider&#39;s movement. A pull tab may be equipped with two prongs on either side of its longitudinal axis. One or more portions of a media cord may be threaded through a gap between one of the two prongs and the respective lateral side of the pull tab and be made to rest securely therein. The pull tab retains the cord in place while the wearer moves about in pursuit of various physical activities. 
     In another example of the invention, the zipper system may be made from one or more materials such as aluminum, brass, and plastic. Various parts of the system may be encased in compressible rubber in order to lessen wear on media cords retained by the zipper pull and to make the zipper more comfortable to the touch. Moreover, the prongs on the pull tab may be flexible, capable of being bent. 
     In yet another example of the invention, the prongs have two positions, namely open and closed, with respect to the lateral sides of the pull tab. The prongs may receive media cords in the open position and retain same in the closed position. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are referred to using particular numbers in which: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a schematic diagram of an example of a cord managing zipper system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a side view of the example of a cord managing zipper system shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top-down view of the example of a cord managing zipper system shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic diagram of an example of a pull tab rotating about a zipper slider in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a schematic diagram of an example of a cord managing zipper system engaging two parallel rows of zipper teeth in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B  illustrate schematic diagrams of an example of a cord managing zipper system receiving portions of a media cord in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7A-7E  illustrate schematic diagrams of an example of a cord managing zipper system receiving portions of a media cord in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate schematic diagrams of an example of a cord managing zipper system being worn by a user in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 9-13  illustrate schematic diagrams of examples of a cord managing zipper system in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A-1B , schematic diagrams showing front and side views of an example of a cord managing zipper system in accordance with the present invention. In  FIG. 1A , the system comprises a zipper slider  110  and a pull tab  120 . Pull tab  120  is shown with a left side  141  and a right side  131  with respect to longitudinal axis  190 . Pull tab  120  comprises prongs  130  and  140  located on the right and left hand sides of longitudinal axis  190 , respectively. The prongs extend from the lower portion of the pull tab  120  and curl inward. In another example, the prongs may extend from the top portion of the pull tab and curl downward. The prongs may be made from a material different from that of the rest of pull tab  120 . For instance, pull tab  120  can be made out of metal with prongs  130  and  140  further coated in compressible rubber. The exemplary pull tab  120  shown in  FIG. 1A  also provides a cavity  150 . Cavity  150  may also be circular, triangular, or any other shape, or may be omitted entirely.  FIG. 1B  shows the thickness of pull tab  120  from a lateral side. Pull tab  120  may taper in thickness, becoming gradually thicker from end  122  to end  124 . The pull tab  120  may also have a consistent thickness  123  from end  122  to end  124 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1B , a side view of the same system is presented wherein the zipper slider  110  and pull tab  120  are shown connected via cavities in both components. Pull tab has a front  125  and a back  126 . Zipper slider  110  is shown with a front  111  and a back  112 . In addition, the end  124  of pull tab  120  can hingedly move within cavity  180  about rotational axis  195  (shown in  FIG. 1A ). 
     A top-down view  200  of the pull tab  120  is shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , a side view of the same system is presented wherein end  124  of pull tab  120  is rotating about zipper slider  110 . The phantom dots  196  show possible positions for pull tab  120  as it rotates about rotational axis  195  (shown in  FIG. 1A ). 
     Turning to  FIG. 4 , the same system is shown in combination with two parallel rows of zipper teeth. Zipper slider  110  is configured to engage two parallel rows of zipper teeth  211  at cavity  170  (shown in  FIG. 1B ). Zipper slider  110  may engage other forms of parallel attachment structures to close a garment when engaged and open same when disengaged. The pull tab  120  is shown with dotted lines in order to enhance the depiction of zipper slider  110  and zipper teeth  211 . The zipper slider  110  and pull tab  120  can be made from the same or different materials. Examples of materials suitable for use in constructing zipper slider  110 , pull tab  120 , and zipper teeth  211  are aluminum, brass, nickel, plastic, and rubber. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 5-6 , schematic diagrams showing an example of a cord managing zipper system in accordance with the present invention are shown. In  FIG. 5 , portions  525  and  535  of a media cord are inserted beneath prongs  520  and  530 , respectively. Portions  525  and  535  are two separate cords from ends  540  to convergence point  541 . From convergence point  541  to end  550 , portions  525  and  535  intertwine to form one entity  510 . The media cord can be attached to earphones or headphones on end  540  and to a mobile device on end  550 . Examples of mobile devices include phones, MP3 players, CD players, cassette players, and radios. Portions  525  and  535  may be encased in a flexible or compressible material. The distance of gaps  526  and  536  may be slightly smaller than the diameters of compressible portions  525  and  535 , respectively, such that the gaps admit passage to the respective portions with a light push from the user&#39;s finger. Once inside the space enclosed by a prong and a lateral side of the pull tab, a portion cannot exit the gap without another light push from the user&#39;s finger. In another example, the distance of the gaps  526  and  536  can be slightly larger than the diameters of the cord portions  525  and  535 , respectively. While inside the space enclosed by a prong and a lateral side of the pull tab, portions  525  and  535  can move vertically such that different parts of portions  525  and  535  come in contact with the inside surfaces of prongs  520  and  530 , respectively. However, horizontal movement of portions  525  and  535  is restricted to the areas partially bounded by inside surfaces of prongs  520  and  530 , respectively. 
     In  FIG. 6A , a media cord  620  is inserted into pull tab  630  through cavity  610 . The movement of media cord  620  is restricted to the area of cavity  610 . Media cord  620  can enter cavity  610  through the back, as shown, or through the front. 
     In  FIG. 6B , portions  525  and  535  of a media cord are inserted beneath prongs  520  and  530 , respectively. At the same time, cord  510  is inserted through cavity  610 . 
     Now turning to  FIGS. 7A-7E , schematic diagrams showing an example of a cord managing zipper system in accordance with the present invention are shown. Pull tab  710  provides prongs  720  and  730 . Both prongs  720  and  730  have two resting positions: open and closed.  FIG. 7A  shows the prongs in the open position. In open position, there is a gap between a prong and its respective lateral side of pull tab  710 . Portions  725  and  735  of media cord  740  can be admitted into the gap and rest within the enclosure created by the prongs and the lateral sides of pull tab  710 .  FIG. 7B  shows the prongs  720  and  730  in the closed position. In the closed position, the prongs  720  and  730  may be pressed against their respective lateral sides of the pull tab  710  such that no gap remains. Alternatively, in the closed position, prongs  720  and  730  may leave a gap between them and their respective lateral sides of pull tab  710 , as shown in  FIG. 7C . The resulting closed enclosures of  7 B-C retain portions  725  and  735  in place. In one example, prongs  720  and  730  are shaped such that portions  725  and  735  are rendered completely immobile once the prongs are in the closed position. In another example, prongs  720  and  730  are shaped such that while in the closed position, portions  725  and  735  may still be free to move vertically along the length of the media cord  740 , however horizontal movement is restricted to the areas of the enclosures underneath the prongs. 
     Alternatively, prongs  720  and  730  may be made out of a bendable material such as encased wire or a malleable material such as regrind rubber constructed from recycled or reclaimed rubber mixtures. Bendable or malleable prongs allow the user to freeze the prongs in a position of his/her choosing. For instance, turning briefly to  FIGS. 7D and 7E , prongs  720  and  730  are made out of a malleable material and are capable of being fashioned into a shape or bent in a direction of the user&#39;s choosing.  FIG. 7D  shows prongs  720  and  730  in the open position.  FIG. 7E  shows prongs  720  and  730  in the closed position after being manipulated by the user. In the closed position, prongs  720  and  730  close off gaps  726  and  736 , respectively, such that portions  725  and  735  are retained within their respective enclosures. 
     Now turning to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , schematic diagrams showing an example of a cord managing zipper system incorporated into an article of clothing in accordance with the present invention are shown.  FIG. 8A  shows the cord managing zipper system  820  and two rows of zipper teeth  870  in the engaged position. The cord managing zipper system  820  is incorporated into a sweatshirt  810 . In other examples, cord managing zipper system  820  is incorporated into jackets, coats, raincoats, hoodies, vests, sweaters, dresses, and other types of clothing. Media cord  830  is attached to earphones  840  on one end and a music player  850  on another end. Music player  850  is inside pocket  860  which can be located anywhere on jacket  810 . Pocket  860  can also be a breast pocket, a pocket attached to an armband, or a pocket on the inside of the jacket. Music player  850  can be further secured inside pocket  860  by the addition of a flap over the pocket which can be closed via a button, a zipper, Velcro, or another contraption. Portions of media cord  830  can be retained in place by either the prongs or cavity on cord managing zipper system  820 .  FIG. 8B  shows the cord managing zipper system  820  and two rows of zipper teeth  870  in the disengaged position. However, portions of media cord  830  are still retained in place by either the prongs or cavity on cord managing zipper system  820 . 
     Now turning to  FIGS. 9-12 , schematic diagrams are presented of examples of cord managing zipper systems in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 9  depicts a zipper system  900  with a zipper slider  110  hingedly attached to a pull tab  120  having prongs  140  and  130  on opposing sides. Prongs  130  and  140  may be circular in shape thereby creating circular spaces  935  and  945 , respectively, wherein cords can be retained. The tip of prong  130  may be separated from the lateral side of pull tab  120  by gap  930 . Similarly, the tip of prong  140  may be separated from the lateral side of pull tab  120  by gap  940 . Gaps  930  and  940  may function to admit cords into spaces  935  and  945 , respectively. 
       FIG. 10  depicts a zipper system  1000  with a zipper slider  110  hingedly attached to a pull tab  120  having prongs  140  and  130  on opposing sides. Prong  130  may have a profile that is defined by two straight edges on the outside and a curved edge on the inside. Prong  140  can be the mirror image of prong  130 &#39;s profile. The curved inner edges of the prongs may form two slanted oblong spaces  1035  and  1045  wherein cords can be retained. The tip of prong  130  may be separated from the lateral side of pull tab  120  by gap  1030 . Similarly, the tip of prong  140  may be separated from the lateral side of pull tab  120  by gap  1040 . Gaps  1030  and  1040  may function to admit cords into spaces  1035  and  1045 , respectively. 
       FIG. 11  depicts a zipper system  1100  with a zipper slider  110  hingedly attached to a pull tab  120  having prongs  140  and  130  on opposing sides. In addition, pull tab  120  contains a cavity  150 . Prongs  130  and  140  may be circular in shape thereby creating circular spaces  1135  and  1145 , respectively, wherein cords can be retained. The tip of prong  130  may be separated from the lateral side of pull tab  120  by gap  1130 . Similarly, the tip of prong  140  may be separated from the lateral side of pull tab  120  by gap  1140 . Gaps  1130  and  1140  may function to admit cords into spaces  1135  and  1145 , respectively. If the width of a cord is greater than the distance of the gaps  1130  or  1140 , then the cord or prongs may be encased in compressible material such that the cord can be squeezed through. Cords may also be threaded through and retained by cavity  150 . 
       FIG. 12  depicts a zipper system  1200  with a zipper slider  110  hingedly attached to a pull tab  120  having prongs  140  and  130  on opposing sides. Prongs  130  and  140  may be parallel to the lateral sides of pull tab  120  thereby creating two grooves  1230  and  1240 , respectively. The grooves  1230  and  1240  are narrow such that a cord may be retained therein by friction between the prongs and the cord alone. 
       FIG. 13  depicts a zipper system  1300  with a zipper slider  110  hingedly attached to a pull tab  120  having prongs  140  and  130  on opposing sides. Unlike the prongs in  FIGS. 9-12 , prongs  130  and  140  are oriented downward and face inward with respect to longitudinal axis  190 . A cord may be admitted through gap  1330  or gap  1340  and be retained inside enclosed spaces  1335  or  1345 , respectively. Gap  1330  or  1340  is narrow enough such that gravity does not cause the cord to exit enclosed space  1335  or  1345 , respectively. 
     Examples of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.