Patent Publication Number: US-2017347760-A1

Title: Locking slider assembly and a method for its manufacture

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The device and methods disclosed herein relate generally to fasteners, and particularly to a locking slider assembly. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Slide fasteners such as zippers are used everywhere, on backpacks, handbags, luggage and clothing, as a versatile and reliable way to join two edges of fabric together. Hitherto, however, the convenience of zippers has come at a price: security. Zippers are difficult to lock, and the solutions presented thus far for securing zippers leave a lot to be desired. For instance, one popular way method for locking zippers on luggage is to padlock two sliders of a zipper together, which requires closing the zipper to the point of placing the sliders in close proximity, and attaching a padlock, presumably carried about the person of the user or in a pocket of the luggage item. This is quite inconvenient compared to the process of securing luggage with a latch, which can be performed in a single step without attaching any external equipment. 
     Therefore, there remains a need for a slide fastener that can be locked quickly and effectively. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a locking assembly includes a slider having a follower. The assembly includes a rail slidably engaged to the follower, the rail including a plurality of rigid sections having a cross-sectional perimeter and at least one collapsible section connecting the rigid sections, the at least one collapsible section movable between a first state in which the collapsible section has a first length and a first cross-sectional perimeter that does not project beyond the perimeter of the plurality of rigid sections and a second state having a second length less than the first length and a second perimeter that projects beyond the perimeter of the plurality of rigid sections. 
     In a related embodiment, the follower is attached to the slider by means of a flexible connector. In another embodiment, the plurality of rigid sections are substantially cylindrical. In an additional embodiment, the at least one collapsible section further includes a plurality of collapsible sections. In a further embodiment, the at least one collapsible section is composed at least in part of flexible material. In another embodiment, the at least one collapsible section includes a plurality hinged subsections that accordion. In a further embodiment still, the rail also includes a hollow interior. In yet another embodiment, the rail includes an actuator in the hollow interior, the actuator having a first end secured to a first end of the rail. In a related embodiment, the actuator is flexible. In an additional embodiment, the first end of the rail further includes a length of flexible material. In another embodiment the actuator also at least one bead, the at least one bead formed to limit the collapse of the at least one collapsible section. Another embodiment includes a sheath housing a portion of the actuator that projects beyond a second end of the rail, the sheath secured to the second end of the rail. 
     An additional embodiment also includes a linear displacement device attached to a second end of the actuator, the linear displacement device movable in a first direction in which the linear displacement device pulls the actuator and in a second direction in which the linear displacement device pushes the actuator. In a further embodiment, the rail also includes a sleeve of flexible material surrounding the plurality of rigid sections and the at least one collapsible section. 
     In another aspect, a method for manufacturing a locking slider assembly includes forming a rail comprising a plurality of rigid sections having a cross-sectional perimeter and at least one collapsible section connecting the rigid sections, the at least one collapsible section movable between a first state in which the collapsible section has a first length and a first cross-sectional perimeter that does not project beyond the perimeter of the plurality of rigid sections and a second state having a second length less than the first length and a second perimeter that projects beyond the perimeter of the plurality of rigid sections. The method includes forming a slider having a follower. The method includes slidably engaging the follower to the slider. 
     In a related embodiment, forming the rail further involves inserting the plurality of rigid sections and the at least one collapsible section into a flexible sleeve. An additional embodiment also includes attaching the flexible sleeve to a portable container. Another embodiment, where the rail has an interior space, also includes inserting an actuator into the interior space of the rail. A further embodiment involves securing a first end of the rail to a first end of the actuator. A further embodiment still involves a second end of the rail to a portable container. 
     Other aspects, embodiments and features of the disclosed device and method will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The accompanying figures are for schematic purposes and are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the figures, each identical or substantially similar component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a single numeral or notation at its initial drawing depiction. For purposes of clarity, not every component is labeled in every figure. Nor is every component of each embodiment of the system and method is shown where illustration is not necessary to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the device and method. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preceding summary, as well as the following detailed description of the disclosed system and method, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the attached drawings. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
         FIG. 1A  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 1B  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 1C  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a slider as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 1D  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a partially cross-sectioned locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 1E  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a partially cross-sectioned locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 1F  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a partially cross-sectioned slider as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 2A  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a rail as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 2B  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a rail as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 2C  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a rail as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 2D  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a rail as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 2E  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a rail as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 2F  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a rail as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 2G  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a rail as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 2H  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a rail as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a portion of a sheath and actuator as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 4A  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a spool as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 4B  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a spool as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 4C  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a spool as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 4D  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a spool as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 5A  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a backpack incorporating an embodiment of the locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 5B  is a schematic cutaway diagram illustrating an embodiment of a backpack incorporating an embodiment of the locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 5C  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a backpack incorporating an embodiment of the locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 5D  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a slide fastener incorporating an embodiment of the locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 5E  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a slide fastener incorporating an embodiment of the locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 5F  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a portion of a rail incorporated in a portable container; 
         FIG. 5G  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a portion of a rail incorporated in a flexible sleeve; 
         FIG. 5H  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a set of clips attached to an edge of an opening in a portable container; 
         FIG. 5I  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a portion of a rail attached to set of clips attached to an edge of an opening in a portable container; 
         FIG. 5J  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a slider mechanism as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 5K  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a slider mechanism as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 6  is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a slide fastener incorporating an embodiment of the locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 7A  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 7B  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 9A  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a rail as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 9B  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a rail as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 11A  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 11B  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 11C  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a rail as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 11D  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a rail as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 11E  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a rail as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 11F  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a rail as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 11G  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the locking slider arrangement; 
         FIG. 11H  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the locking slider arrangement; 
         FIG. 11I  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of part of a rail; 
         FIG. 11J  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of part of a rail; 
         FIG. 11K  is a schematic diagram showing a detail of an embodiment the locking slider arrangement; 
         FIG. 11L  is a schematic diagram showing a detail of an embodiment the locking slider arrangement; 
         FIG. 11M  is a schematic cross-section showing a detail of an embodiment the locking slider arrangement; 
         FIG. 11N  is a schematic cross-section showing a detail of an embodiment the locking slider arrangement; 
         FIG. 11O  is a schematic cross-section showing a detail of an embodiment of an actuator; 
         FIG. 11P  is a schematic diagram showing a detail of an embodiment the locking slider arrangement; 
         FIG. 11Q  is a schematic diagram showing a detail of an embodiment the locking slider arrangement; 
         FIG. 12A  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 12B  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 12C  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a rail as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 12D  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a rail as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 12E  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a pressure actuator as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 13A  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 13B  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 13C  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a locking spool; 
         FIG. 14A  is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 14B  is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a slide fastener incorporating an embodiment of the locking slider assembly as disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 15A  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a locking slider assembly; 
         FIG. 15B  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a locking slider assembly; 
         FIG. 16A  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a locking slider assembly; 
         FIG. 16B  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a locking slider assembly; 
         FIG. 17A  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a locking slider assembly; 
         FIG. 17B  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a locking slider assembly; 
         FIG. 18A  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a locking slider assembly; 
         FIG. 18B  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a locking slider assembly; 
         FIG. 18C  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a crank for rotating an actuator; 
         FIG. 18D  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a motor for rotating an actuator; 
         FIG. 19A  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a locking slider assembly; 
         FIG. 19B  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a locking slider assembly; 
         FIG. 19C  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a rail; 
         FIG. 19D  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a rail; 
         FIG. 20A  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a rail; 
         FIG. 20B  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a rail; 
         FIG. 21A  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a rail; 
         FIG. 21B  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a rail; 
         FIG. 22A  is a schematic cross-sectional diagram showing an embodiment of a rail; 
         FIG. 22B  is a schematic cross-sectional diagram showing an embodiment of a rail; 
         FIG. 22C  is a schematic cross-sectional diagram showing an embodiment of a rail; 
         FIG. 22D  is a schematic cross-sectional diagram showing an embodiment of a rail; 
         FIG. 22E  is a schematic cross-sectional diagram showing an embodiment of a rail; 
         FIG. 23A  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a linear displacement device; 
         FIG. 23B  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a linear displacement device; 
         FIG. 24  is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a slider and follower with a flexible connector; and 
         FIG. 25  is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method for constructing a locking slider assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the disclosed locking slider assembly enable a user to secure one or more sliders in place on a slide fastener or similar device; the locking mechanism may lock the sliders in place regardless of the sliders&#39; position along the slide fastener. Some embodiments enable the user to engage the locking mechanism by turning a toggle; the user may be able to lock the toggle in place, and may be able to lock multiple zippers with a single toggle. 
       FIGS. 1A-F  depict some embodiments of a locking slider assembly  100 . As an overview, the locking slider assembly includes a rail  101  having a travel direction  102 . The locking slider assembly  100  includes a slider  103 . The slider  103  includes a follower  104 . The locking slider assembly  100  has a first state in which the follower  104  can travel along the rail and a second state in which the follower  104  cannot travel along the rail  101 . 
     Viewing  FIGS. 1A-C  in greater detail, the rail  101  may be an elongated structure along which the slider  103  can travel by sliding. The rail  101  may have a substantially uniform width and depth throughout its length, when in the first state. The rail  101  in the first state may have any suitable cross-sectional form. The cross-section of the rail  101  may have a substantially polygonal perimeter, which may be regular or irregular; for instance, the perimeter of the cross-section of the rail  101  may be substantially rectangular. The perimeter of the cross-section of the rail  101  may have a substantially curved form; for instance the perimeter may have a substantially circular or elliptical shape. The perimeter may combine straight and curved forms; for instance the perimeter may be substantially rectangular with rounded corners, or combine parts of an elliptical curve with polygonal straight portions. The length of the rail  101  may be arbitrarily great: for instance, the rail  101  may be as long as any slide fastener in which the locking slider assembly  100  is incorporated as described below. 
     The rail  101  may be composed of any suitable material or combination of materials. The rail  101  may be composed at least in part of substantially flexible material; for instance, the rail  101  may exhibit similar flexibility to a slide fastener in which the locking slider assembly  100  is incorporated as described in further detail below. The flexible material may include a natural polymer such as rubber or an artificial polymer such as a flexible or elastomeric plastic. The flexible material may include a natural or artificial textile material. The flexible material may include a natural or artificial membranous material, such as leather. The rail  101  may be composed in part of rigid material; for instance, the rail  101  may include one or more rigid sections. The rigid material may include without limitation metal, rigid plastic, wood, or fiberglass. 
     The rail  101  may be below the slider  103  as shown for example in  FIG. 1A , or the rail  101  may be inserted through the slider  103  as shown for instance in  FIG. 12A . In the latter case, the follower  104  may be a portion of the slider  103 , or in other words, the same component may function both as the slider  103  and the follower  103 . 
     In some embodiments, the rail  101  has a first profile that allows the follower  104  to slide along the rail  101  when the assembly  100  is in the first state and a second profile that does not allow the follower  104  to slide along the rail  101  when the assembly  100  is in the second state. For example, in some embodiments the rail  101  has a cross-sectional dimension  107 , as shown in  FIGS. 1D-E . The rail  101  may be switchable between a first state in which the cross-sectional dimension  107  has a first value, as shown for example in 
       FIGS. 1A and 1D  and a second state in which the cross-sectional dimension  107  has a second value, as shown for instance in  FIGS. 1B and 1E , the second value greater than the first value. The follower  104  may be slidably engaged to the rail by way of a slot. The slot may have a first surface  105  and a second surface  106 . The first surface  105  and second surface  106  may be separated by a distance aligned with the cross-sectional dimension that is greater than the first value of the cross-sectional dimension and less than or equal to the second value of the cross-sectional dimension. As a result, the slot  104  may be able to slide over the rail  101  when the rail  101  is in the first state, and the slot  104  may be unable to slide over the rail  101  when the rail  101  is in the second state. 
     The rail  101  may have a slot  1109  into which an extension  1110  of the follower  104  inserts, as shown for instance in  FIGS. 11G-H . In some embodiments, the rail  101  modifies its profile by modifying the slot  1109  to make the extension  1110  unable to slide through the slot  1109 , for instance as described in further detail below in reference to  FIGS. 11G-H . 
     In some embodiments as shown above, the follower  104  partially encircles the rail  101  to maintain the follower in contact with the rail; in other embodiments, the rail  101  includes a groove  1111  that retains the follower  104  in contact with the rail. For instance, the groove  1111  may have overhanging edges that retain a corresponding member  1112  of the follower that has projecting edges; the member  1112  may be a flanged or T-shaped projection, and the groove  1111  may have a similarly T-shaped cross-section, or a cross-section that admits the flanged member  1112  so that the latter is retained within the groove  1111 . 
     The cross-sectional dimension may be any dimension substantially orthogonal to the travel direction  102 ; for instance, the cross-sectional dimension may be a height of the rail  101 , for instance as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-B  and  1 D-E, a width of the rail  101 , a diameter across the rail  101  as illustrated in  FIGS. 2E-2H  or any other dimension measurable between two points on a cross-section of the rail  101  where the cross-section is taken to be substantially orthogonal to the travel direction  102 . The rail  101  may be switched between two states, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-B  and  FIGS. 1D-E . The dimension  107  is greater in the second state, as illustrated for instance in  FIGS. 1B and 1E  than in the first state, as illustrated for example in  FIGS. 1A and 1D ; in other words, in the direction of measurement of the dimension  107  the rail  101  may expand when switching from the first state to the second state. The expansion may not be uniform along the length of the rail  101 ; for instance, the expansion may occur at a series of substantially evenly spaced locations along the rail  101 , leaving the area between those locations relatively unchanged. In some embodiments, as illustrated for instance in  FIGS. 2E-F , the dimension  107  expands without increasing the total circumference of the cross-section of the rail  101  where the expansion occurs; in other words, the increase in the dimension  107  is matched by a decrease in a second dimension, for instance turning the circular cross-section of a cylindrical tubular rail  101  into an elliptical cross-section, at least where the dimension  107  is being modified. In other embodiments, as illustrated for instance in  FIGS. 2G-H , the total circumference of the cross-section increases when the dimension  107  increases; in other words, a second dimension may stay the same or increase as well. 
       FIGS. 2A-D  depict side views of an embodiment of the rail  101  in the first and second states, respectively. In some embodiments, as shown in, the rail  101  includes a top surface  200 . The rail  101  may include a bottom surface  201 . In some embodiments, the height of the rail  101  is the distance from the bottom surface  201  to the top surface  200 . The rail  101  may change its height from the first state to the second using a mechanism  202  disposed between the top surface and bottom surface that pushes the top and bottom surfaces apart to change the rail to the second state. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1A-B , the rail includes a tube having an exterior including the top surface and bottom surface and an interior containing the mechanism  202 . In some embodiments, at least one of the top surface  200  and the bottom surface  201  is composed at least in part of flexible material. Returning to  FIGS. 2A-B , the mechanism  202  may include at least one wedge cam  203 . The wedge cam  203  may have a cam face  204  forming an angle with the top surface  200 . The cam face  204  may alternatively form an angle with the bottom surface  201  or the bottom surface. The at least one wedge cam  203  may be constructed of substantially rigid material. The at least one wedge cam  203  may be attached to the rail  101  or may rest inside the rail  101 . For instance, where the rail  101  is a tube, the at least one wedge cam  203  may rest inside the tube; the at least one wedge cam  203  may be attached to a surface of the interior of the tube. The at least one wedge cam  203  may be a part of an elongated structure such as a strip that sits inside the tube; the elongated structure may be attached to a surface of the interior of the tube. The at least one wedge cam  203  include a plurality of wedge cams; for instance, the at least one wedge cam  203  may include a plurality of wedge cams incorporated in a long strip of material that is placed inside the tube. The at least one wedge cam  203  may be a flat planar wedge; in other embodiments, the at least one wedge cam  203  has a conical or otherwise curved cam face  204 ; the cam face  204  may extend all the way around the wedge cam  203  when the wedge cam  203  is conical. 
     The mechanism  202  may include an actuator  205 . In some embodiments, the actuator  205  is flexible; for instance, the actuator  205  may be or include a wire, such as a plastic or metal wire. The actuator  205  may include or be a string or yarn. The actuator  205  may include or be a cable, such as a cable suitable for use in bicycle brakes or similar devices. 
     The actuator  205  may be slidable over the at least one wedge cam  203 ; for example, the actuator may rest on top of the at least one wedge cam  203 . The actuator  205  may have at least one bead  206 . In some embodiments, a bead  206  is a physical object, attached to the actuator  205 , that has a greater cross-sectional area than the actuator  205 . In some embodiments, the actuator passes through the bead  206 ; for instance, the bead  206  may have a hole through it, through which the actuator  205  is strung, similarly to a necklace. The bead  206  and actuator  205  may also be manufactured together; for instance, the bead  206  and actuator  205  may be extruded or molded together. In some embodiments, the at least one bead  206  is affixed to the actuator  205 ; in other words, the bead  206  may not slide along the actuator  205 . The at least one bead  206  may have any shape, including a substantially spherical shape, a spheroidal shape, a regular or irregular polyhedral shape, or any combination of curved and polyhedral forms; for instance, the at least one bead  206  may have a form that presents a concave surface to a convex cam face  204 , or the bead  206  may have a form that presents a convex surface to a concave cam face  204 . The at least one bead  206  may be a plurality of beads; there may be a bead resting near each wedge cam  203 . In some embodiments, sliding the actuator  205  in a first direction  207  causes the at least one bead  206  to travel up the wedge cam  203  and push the upper surface  200  and lower surface apart  201 . The upper surface  200 , lower surface  201  or both may deform where each bead  206  is riding up the cam surfaces  203 , increasing the height of the rail  101  at that point; in some embodiments, increasing the height of the rail  101  at least at one point along the rail  101  is increasing the height of the rail. The result of the actuator  205  being pulled or pushed in the first direction  207  thus may be to create a series of lumps or similar protrusions in the top surface  200  or bottom surface  201  of the rail, blocking the slot  104  from sliding over the rail, for instance as illustrated in  FIG. 1B . In some embodiments, the mechanism  202  includes more than one actuator  205  with beads  206 ; the plurality of actuators  202  may be coupled in parallel so that a force pulling one in the first direction pulls the others as well. As a result, the rail  101  may expand in more than one dimension at the same time. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2C-D , the mechanism  202  may include a biasing means  208  having a bias that tends to resist movement of the actuator  205  in the first direction  207 . The biasing means  208  may be a spring, or a piece of elastic material. The biasing means  208  may act as a return spring, so that when a force pulling the actuator  205  in the first direction  207  is released, the biasing means  208  will pull the actuator  205  in a second direction that is the opposite direction from the first direction; as a result, the at least one bead  206  may travel back down the at least one wedge cam  203  and the rail  101  may return to the first state. 
     In some embodiments, as shown for instance in  FIGS. 2A-B , a portion of the actuator  205  projects away from the rail  101 ; for instance, where the rail  101  is a tube, the actuator may exit the tube. The locking slider assembly  100  may include a sheath  209  containing the portion of the actuator  205  that projects away from the rail  101 . The sheath  209  may be constructed from any material or combination of materials suitable for the construction of the rail  101 . The sheath  209  may be flexible. The sheath  209  may be flexible but inelastic; the sheath  209  may function similarly to the sheath of a Bowden cable. For instance, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the sheath may include an outer layer  209   a ; the outer layer may be flexible, but sufficiently inelastic to resist longitudinal compression, so that when a mechanism attached to an end of the outer layer  209   a  pulls or pushes the actuator  205  while pulling or pushing the outer layer  209   a  in the other direction, in a manner analogous to a bicycle brake. The outer layer  209   a  may contain winding or twined wires, or polymer material having similar properties, to add stiffness to the outer layer  209   a . Viewing  FIGS. 2A-B  again, the outer layer  209   a  may be attached to the end of the rail  101  by a nut  210 . The nut  210  may be adjustable to move the end of the outer layer  209   a , modifying the length of the outer layer  209   a ; lengthening the outer layer  209   a  may have the effect of adding tension to the actuator  205 , while shortening the outer layer  209   a  may have the effect of reducing tension on the actuator  205 . The sheath  209  may also include an inner layer  209   b . The inner layer  209   b  may have low friction, to make the actuator move more easily within the sheath  209 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 4A-B , the assembly  100  may include a spool  400  to which one end of the actuator  205  is fixed, so that rotating the spool to a locking position causes the actuator  205  to slide in the first direction. The spool  400  may be substantially cylindrical, so that the actuator  205  winds onto the spoon in a similar manner to a cable on a winch or a sewing thread on a sewing thread spool. In some embodiments, rotating the spool from the unlocked position shown in  FIG. 4A  to the locked position shown in  FIG. 4B  causes the actuator  205  to wind onto the spool, pulling the actuator  205  in the first direction, and putting the rail  101  in the second state. This is illustrated for example in  FIGS. 4C-D :  FIG. 4C  illustrates an embodiment of the spool  400  as seen from the side with an end the actuator  205  attached to it, and  FIG. 4C  illustrates the same embodiment with the spool  400  rotated, and the actuator  205  wound around the substantially cylindrical spool, pulling the actuator  205  in the desired direction. A user may turn the spool  400  to the locking position or the unlocking position by manipulating a lever  401  or similar manual interface device. In some embodiments, the assembly  100  includes a latch  402  that secures the spool  400  in the locking position. The latch  402  may attach to a projection from the lever  401 . The latch  402  may be opened by a button or switch; alternatively the latch  402  may include a lock, which may function in any suitable way, and may include, without limitation, a combination lock or a lock that accepts a key. 
     In some embodiments, a second actuator  403  is also attached to the spool  400 ; the second actuator  403  may be attached so that turning the spool to the locking position pulls the second actuator toward the spool. In some embodiments, as shown for example in  FIGS. 5A-B , the second actuator  403  may be part of a second assembly  500 ; for instance, the first assembly  100  may be included in a first zipper  501  on a backpack  502 , and the second assembly  500  may be included in a second zipper  503 . As shown in  FIG. 5C , the spool  400  may be mounted on a shoulder strap of the backpack  502 , with the sheathed cable or cables  209  running through the strap into the backpack  502 , for instance to connect with slide fasteners that close the backpack.  FIGS. 5D-E  illustrate how the assembly  100  or the second assembly  500  may be incorporated in a slide fastener, such as a zipper, as set forth in further detail below. The second assembly  500  may any assembly suitable for use as the first assembly  100  as described above in connection with  FIGS. 1A-4D . The spool may have three or more actuators attached to it. Returning to  FIGS. 4A-B , the assembly  100  may include a splitter  404  that divides the actuator and the second actuator. The sheath  209  may attach to the splitter; a second sheath  405  may attach to the splitter, containing the second actuator  403  as described above. Each sheath may attach to the splitter by way of a nut  406 ; as described above in connection with  FIGS. 2A-3 , the nuts  406  may be tightened or loosened to adjust the tension on the actuators  205 ,  403 . 
     Returning to  FIGS. 1A-F , the assembly includes a slider  103 . The slider may be made of any rigid material; for instance, the slider  103  may be constructed from metal. The slider  103  includes a slot  104  that fits over the rail  101 . The slot  104  may have a cross-sectional shape that is substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the rail  101 . For instance, where the rail  101  has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape as described above in reference to  FIGS. 1A-2D , the slot  104  may be substantially rectangular; that is, the slot  104  may have a substantially rectangular shape that is open at one end, such as a substantially rectangular C-shaped profile, with the upper surface  105  forming the underside of the top of the C, and the lower surface  106  forming the top side of the bottom of the C. The slot  104  may fit snugly over the rail  101  when the rail is in the first state. The slot has a first surface  105  and a second surface  106 . The first surface  105  and second surface  106  are separated by a distance aligned with the cross-sectional dimension  107  that is greater than the first value of the cross-sectional dimension and less than or equal to the second value of the cross-sectional dimension; for example, the distance between the first surface  105  and second surface  106  may be almost the same height as the first height of the rail  101 , when in the first state. When the rail  101  is in the second state, the slot  104  may be stuck between two lumps in the rail; in other embodiments, the rail may hold the slot  104  by creating friction between the slot and the upper and lower surfaces of the rail  101  by expanding within the slot  104  when the rail is in the second state. 
     Returning to  FIGS. 5A-5K , the slider locking assembly  100  may be incorporated in a slide fastener  501 . As an example,  FIGS. 5C-E  illustrate an embodiment of a slide fastener  501  incorporating a slider locking assembly. The slide fastener  501  may include a fastener  504  having two flexible strips  505  and a set of interlocking teeth  506  alternately attached to the two flexible strips. The fastener  504  may be any fastener suitable for use in a slide fastener or zipper. The flexible strips  505  may be constructed from any flexible material as described above in reference to  FIGS. 1A-2D . The flexible strips may have any suitable shape for use in a slide fastener. In some embodiments, the flexible strips  505  are attached to two sheets or panels  507 ; the sheets or panels  507  may be part of a garment, bag, backpack, luggage item, or other product on which a slide fastener of zipper is useful for joining the edges of two sheets or panels. The sheets or panels may be constructed of any flexible or rigid materials as described above in reference to  FIGS. 1A-2D . The teeth  506  may have any form suitable for use in a slide fastener; the teeth may be substantially rectangular. The teeth  506  may have interlocking projections and indentations. The teeth  506  may have regular or irregular polyhedral forms that interlock. The teeth  506  may be formed individually from rigid material such as metal or plastic and attached independently to the flexible strips  505 . In other embodiments, the teeth  506  are formed from a coiled filament or wire of material such as nylon, and flattened at certain points to enable them to interlock. Persons skilled in the art will be aware of many ways to construct fasteners having interlocking teeth attached to strips of flexible material. 
     The slide fastener  501  may include a rail  101  having a travel direction, the rail switchable between a first state in which the rail has a first height substantially orthogonal to the travel direction and a second state in which the rail has a second height substantially orthogonal to the travel direction, the second height greater than the first height. The rail  101  may be any rail as described above in reference to  FIGS. 1A-2D . 
     The rail  101  may be manufactured separately from the fastener  504 , and subsequently attached to the fastener  504 ; for instance, as shown in  FIG. 5F , the rail  101  may have a projecting strip  101   a  that may be attached to one of the flexible strips or to one of the sheets or panels  507  to which the flexible strips are attached. The projecting strip  101   a  may be attached by any suitable process, including without limitation adhesion, heat sealing, or sewing. In other embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 5G , the rail is  101  is enveloped in a sleeve  513  of flexible material. The sleeve  513  may be constructed of any flexible material as described above. In some embodiments, where the rail  101  includes members that extend away from the rail  101  as described in further detail below, the sleeve  513  is constructed to allow the members to pass through the sleeve  513 ; for instance, the sleeve  513  may have openings located so that the members can pass through the openings. In other embodiments, the sleeve  513  is constructed of a material, such as a mesh, that will allow members to pass through the material. Alternatively, the sleeve  513  may be constructed of elastic material that allows the rail  101  or members included in the rail  101  to expand, extend, or otherwise modify the profile of the rail  101  while the rail  101  is contained in the sleeve  513 . The sleeve  513  may be attached to the slide fastener or to a portable container similarly to the projecting strip described above. 
     In other embodiments, for instance as shown in FIGS. H-I the rail  101  is engaged to a portion  514  of the portable container, such as an edge of an opening to be secured by a slide fastener, by at least one clip  515 . The at least one clip  515  may be constructed from any material or combination of materials suitable for the construction of the slider  103  or follower  104 . The at least one clip  515  may be substantially rigid. The at least one clip  515  may be slightly elastic to allow the at least one clip  515  to deform to admit the rail  101 ; as a result, when the rail  101  is inserted in the at least one clip  515 , as shown for instance in  FIG. 5I , the at least one clip  515  may exert a recoil force gripping the rail  101 . The at least one clip  515  may be shaped to complement the outline of the rail  101 , so that the rail  101  fits snugly within the at least one clip  515 . The follower and rail  101  may be formed so that the follower  101  can contact the rail  101  when the latter is engaged in the at least one clip  515 ; for instance, the follower may rest on top of the rail  101  where each clip  515  has a gap, or may insert into a slit in the rail  101 . The at least one clip  515  may include a plurality of clips. 
     The rail  101  may be attached on the underside of the slide fastener  501 ; that is, where the slide fastener  501  closes an opening in an object, such as a backpack, luggage item, pocket, or garment, which has an interior or exterior, the rail  101  may be attached on the interior side of the slide fastener  501 . The rail  101  may be attached to run parallel to the fastener  504  when the teeth of the fastener  504  are interlocked, as shown in  FIGS. 5C-D . 
     The slide fastener  501  may include a slider  103 . The slider  103  may include a slot  104  that fits over the rail  101 , the slot  104  having an upper surface over the rail and a lower surface under the rail, the slot having a distance between the upper surface and lower surface, the distance being greater than the first height and less than the second height, as described above in reference to  FIGS. 1A-2D . The slider  103  may be slidably engaged to the fastener  504 . The slider  103  may have a mechanism  508  that separates the interlocking teeth when the slider slides in a first direction and interlocks the interlocking teeth when the slider slides in a second direction. As illustrated in  FIGS. 5J-I , the mechanism  508  may combine a wedge  509  with a y-shaped junction  510 . When the slider, and therefore the mechanism  508 , travels in the first direction  511 , the teeth may move in the opposite direction as illustrated in  FIG. 5F ; the wedge  509  may part the teeth so that they pass through the two parted branches of the Y-junction  510 . When the slider, and therefore the mechanism  508 , travel in the second direction  512 , the teeth may travel through the slider in a direction opposite to the second direction  512 , and the Y-junction  510  may force the teeth to intermesh as they enter the stem of the Y-shaped passage  510 . Persons skilled in the art will be aware of various ways to implement such a mechanism. 
     In some embodiments, the incorporation of the locking slider assembly  100  in the slide fastener  501  results in a slide fastener  501  that may be locked, preventing the slider  103  from moving along the fastener  504  and parting or enmeshing the teeth, when the rail  101  is in the second state. Thus, a user may be able to lock the slide fastener  504  when it is entirely or partially closed; the user may do so using the spool  400  and handle  401  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-B  and  5 A-B. The user may latch the spool  400  so that the slide fastener  501  cannot be opened until the spool  400  is unlatched; where the latch incorporates a lock, the slide fastener  501  may be impossible to open in the conventional way until the spool is unlocked. As a result, the user may be able to secure the slide fastener  501  thoroughly, quickly, and easily, protecting any valuable object enclosed by the slide fastener  501 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates some embodiments of a method  600  for manufacturing a slide fastener having a locking slider assembly. The method  600  includes obtaining a slide fastener ( 601 ). The method  600  includes attaching to the slide fastener a rail, the rail having a travel direction, the rail switchable between a first state in which the rail has a first height substantially orthogonal to the travel direction and a second state in which the rail has a second height substantially orthogonal to the travel direction, the second height greater than the first height ( 602 ). The method  600  includes incorporating in the slide fastener a slider slidably engaged to the fastener, the slider having a mechanism that separates the interlocking teeth when the slider slides in a first direction and interlocks the interlocking teeth when the slider slides in a second direction, the slider further comprising a slot that fits over the rail, the slot having an upper surface over the rail and a lower surface under the rail, the slot having a distance between the upper surface and lower surface, the distance being greater than the first height and less than the second height. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6  in greater detail, and by reference to  FIGS. 1A-5G , the method  600  includes obtaining a slide fastener ( 601 ). The slide fastener may be any slide fastener as described above in connection with  FIGS. 5A-G . In some embodiments, obtaining the slide fastener involves purchasing or otherwise sourcing a slide fastener from another party; the slide fastener thus obtained may include the fastener  504 . In some embodiments, the slide fastener thus sourced includes a slider having a mechanism  508  as described above for parting or enmeshing the interlocking teeth; in other embodiments the slide fastener  501  includes only the fastener  504 . In other embodiments, obtaining the slide fastener  501  includes manufacturing the slide fastener  501  or one or more components of the slide fastener. The method  600  may include incorporating the slide fastener  501  in a product such as a backpack, luggage item, handbag, or article of clothing; the flexible strips  505  may be sewn or otherwise attached to the product. 
     The method  600  includes attaching to the slide fastener a rail, the rail having a travel direction, the rail switchable between a first state in which the rail has a first height substantially orthogonal to the travel direction and a second state in which the rail has a second height substantially orthogonal to the travel direction, the second height greater than the first height ( 602 ). The rail  101  may be any rail  101  as described above in reference to  FIGS. 1A-5G . In some embodiments, this includes manufacturing the rail  101 . The rail  101  may be extruded or otherwise formed from polymer material in a manner analogous to the formation of plastic or rubber tubing. The rail  101  may be attached to the slide fastener  501  as shown in  FIGS. 5A-G ; the rail  101  may be attached before or after the slide fastener  501  is incorporated in the product. 
     The method  600  may include incorporating the mechanism  202  in the rail; where the rail  202  includes a tube, this may include inserting the wedge cams  203  in the rail  101 . This may include inserting a strip bearing the wedge cams  203  inside the rail; the strip or individual wedge cams  203  may be adhered or otherwise attached to the interior surface of the tube. The actuator  205  may be inserted over the wedge cams  203  in the tube; in some embodiments the actuator  205  and wedge cams  203  are inserted together. The method  600  may include placing the biasing means  208  at one end of the rail; an end cap or other element bearing the biasing means may be attached. 
     The method  600  includes incorporating in the slide fastener a slider slidably engaged to the fastener, the slider having a mechanism that separates the interlocking teeth when the slider slides in a first direction and interlocks the interlocking teeth when the slider slides in a second direction, the slider further comprising a slot that fits over the rail, the slot having an upper surface over the rail and a lower surface under the rail, the slot having a distance between the upper surface and lower surface, the distance being greater than the first height and less than the second height. The slider  103  may be any slider  103  as described above in reference to  FIGS. 1A-5G . In some embodiments, incorporating the slider  103  involves attaching a slot  104  to an existing slider  103 , such as a slider that came with the slide fastener  501  if the slide fastener is sourced from another party; in other embodiments, the slider  103  with the slot  104  is manufactured by methods that may include without limitation molding, machining, or rapid prototyping. Incorporating the slider  103  may include inserting the teeth  506  of the fastener  504  in the mechanism of the slider  103 . Incorporating the slider  103  may include inserting the rail  101  in the slot of the slider  103 . 
     The method may include attaching the end of the actuator to the spool  400 ; in some embodiments, the spool is manufactured, for instance by molding, machining, or rapid prototyping. The spool  400  and latch  402  may be assembled together; the spool  400  and latch  402  may be incorporated in the product before or after they are assembled together. The spool  400  and latch  402  may be incorporated in the product before or after the end of the actuator  205  is attached to the spool. 
     The method may include inserting the actuator in a sheath  209 . The actuator may be tensioned as described above by adjusting one or more nuts on the ends of the sheath. The sheath  209  may be attached to the rail by a nut. The sheath  209  may be attached to the spool  400  by way of a splitter  500  as described above. 
     In some embodiments, the profile of the rail is modified by causing a member to extend from the rail  102  when the rail is in a first state, and retract when the rail  102  is in a second state. In some embodiments, the member that extends from the rail is substantially rigid. For instance,  FIGS. 7A-B  depict some embodiments of a locking slider assembly  700 . As an overview, the locking slider assembly includes a slider  701 . The slider includes a slot  702 . The locking slider assembly includes a rail  703  slidably inserted through the slot  702  of the slider  701 . The rail  703  includes at least one tooth  704 . The at least one tooth  704  is movable between an extended state in which the tooth prevents the slot  702  from moving in at least one direction  705  along the rail, as illustrated in  FIG. 7A , and a retracted state in which the slot  702  can slide past the at least one tooth  704 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7B . 
     Viewing  FIGS. 7A-B  in greater detail, the locking slider assembly  700  includes a slider  701 . The slider  701  may be any item suitable for use as a slider  103  as described above in connection with  FIGS. 1A-6 . The slider  701  includes a slot  702  into which the rail  703  is slidably inserted; the slot  701  may be any feature suitable for use as a slot  104  as described above in relation to  FIGS. 1A-6 . For instance, the slot  702  may be formed by a substantially C-shaped projection attached to the slider  701 . In some embodiments the slot  701  fits snugly over the rail  703 . In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the slider  701  further includes a cavity  801  into which the at least one tooth  704  inserts when in the extended position; the cavity  801  may be a hole straight through the projection forming the slot, or may be formed by a depression in an internal surface of the slot  702 . The cavity  800  may have any shape suitable for accepting the portion of the at least one tooth  704  that inserts into the cavity  800  when the at least one tooth  704  is in the extended position; for example, the cavity may have any cross-sectional form usable for the cross-sectional form of the at least one tooth  704  as described in further detail below. 
     The assembly  700  includes a rail  703 . The rail  703  may be any feature suitable for use as a rail  101  as described above in connection with  FIGS. 1A-6 . The rail  703  is slidably inserted in the slot  702 ; the slot  702  and slider  701  may be free to slide along the rail in a longitudinal direction  705  or its opposite direction. The rail  703  includes at least one tooth  704 . The at least one tooth  704  is movable between an extended state in which the tooth prevents the slot  702  from moving in at least one direction  705  along the rail, as illustrated in  FIG. 7A , and a retracted state in which the slot  702  can slide past the at least one tooth  704 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7B . 
     The at least one tooth  704  may be any member that projects into the path of travel of the slider  701 , when in the extended position, to prevent the slider  701  from traveling in at least one direction. The at least one tooth  704  may be constructed of any material or combination of materials suitable for the construction of the slider  701  or the rail  703 . The at least one tooth  704  may have any three-dimensional shape, including any polyhedral or spheroidal shape, or any combination of such forms. The at least one tooth  704  may have a cross-section transverse to the direction of motion of the tooth between the first and second positions; the cross-section may have any polygonal form, curved form, or combination thereof, including without limitation rectangular, square, circular, or elliptical forms, with rounded corners, straight sections, and the like. Although in the exemplary illustrations provided in the figures, the at least one tooth  704  projects in only one direction, the at least one tooth  704  may include teeth that project in two or more directions; moreover, the at least one tooth  704  may project in any direction from the rail  703 , including upward, downward, sideways, and so forth. 
     In some embodiments, as illustrated for example in the partial longitudinal cross-section in  FIGS. 9A-B  the rail  703  also includes an actuator  900 . The actuator  900  may be any component suitable for use as an actuator  205  as described above in reference  FIGS. 1A-6 . In some embodiments, the at least one tooth  704  is mounted on the actuator  205 ; for instance, the at least one tooth  704  may be attached directly or indirectly to the actuator  205  so that when the actuator moves in one or more directions the at least one tooth  704  also moves in those directions. The rail  703 , at least one tooth  704 , and actuator  900  may be formed that when the actuator  900  slides in a first direction  901  the at least one tooth  704  is forced into the extended position, as shown for example in  FIG. 9B , and when the actuator  900  slides in a second direction, which may be opposite to the first direction  901 , the at least one tooth  704  is forced into the retracted position, as illustrated for instance in  FIG. 9A . The mechanism whereby the at least one tooth  704  is forced into the extended position may be a wedge cam mechanism such as that described above in reference to  FIGS. 1A-6 . In other embodiments, at least one tooth  704  is mounted on the actuator  900  by a biasing means  902 ; for instance, the at least one tooth  704  may be attached to at least one biasing means  902  that is attached in turn to the actuator. The biasing means  902  may be any kind of spring or other elastic component. The biasing means  902  may have a bias that urges the at least one tooth into the extended state; for instance, the biasing means  902  may be inserted into the rail by deforming the biasing means  902 , causing the biasing means  902  to exert a recoil force tending to urge the at least one tooth  704  away from the rail  703  and into the extended position. 
     The mechanism to force the at least one tooth  704  into the retracted position when the actuator  900  is moved in the second direction may include a biasing means (not shown); for instance, where the at least one tooth  704  is forced into the extended position by traveling up a wedge cam, a biasing means may force the at least one tooth  704  back into the retracted position when the at least one tooth  704  is moved in the second direction. In other embodiments, the rail  703  also includes at least one surface  903  against which the at least one tooth  704  is forced when the actuator  900  is moved in the second direction, the at least one surface  903  and at the least one tooth  704  are formed so that forcing the at least one tooth  704  against the at least one surface  903  moves the at least one tooth  704  into the retracted position. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 9A-B , the at least one tooth  704  may have an angled surface that when forced against a surface  903  of the rail  703 , causes the surface  903  of the rail  703  to exert a force on the at least one tooth  704  toward the retracted position. The at least one surface  903  may be the edge of an opening in the rail  703  out of which the tooth  704  projects when in the extended position. 
     The actuator  900  may be moved in the first or second direction using a spool to which one end of the actuator  900  is fixed, so that rotating the spool to a locking position causes the actuator to slide in the first direction, as illustrated and described in reference to  FIGS. 4A-5C  above. The spool may have a latch that secures the spool in the locking position, as described above in reference to  FIGS. 4A-5C . Likewise, as described above in reference to  FIGS. 4A-5C , the assembly  700  may include a second locking assembly having a second actuator, and wherein the second actuator is also wound on the spool. The assembly  700  may include a splitter dividing the actuator and the second actuator. 
     As described in further detail above in reference to  FIGS. 3-5C , a portion of the actuator  900  may project away from the rail  703 ; the assembly  700  may include a sheath  209  containing the portion of the actuator that projects away from the rail  703 . The sheath  209  may be flexible. 
     Returning now to  FIGS. 7A-B , the at least one tooth  704  may include a plurality of teeth. For instance, the plurality of teeth may be regularly spaced so that, when in the extended position, the plurality of teeth can prevent the slider  701  from moving away from whatever position the slider  701  currently occupies along the rail  703 . In some embodiments, the rail  703  forms a tube with a plurality of openings  706 . Each of the plurality of teeth  704  may project through one opening of the plurality of openings  706 ; in other words, each tooth  704  may retract into an opening  706  when the tooth  704  moves into the retracted position, and may extend out of the opening when in the extended position. An edge of the opening  706  may form a surface against which the tooth is pushed when the actuator  900  moves in the second direction, as described above. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a slide fastener  1000  incorporating a locking slider assembly  700  as described above in reference to  FIGS. 7A-9B . The slide fastener  1000  includes two flexible strips  1001 . The slide fastener  1000  includes a set of interlocking teeth  1002  alternately attached to the two flexible strips  1001 . The slide fastener  1000  includes a slider  701  slidably engaged to the fastener  1000 , the slider  701  having a mechanism  1003  that separates the interlocking teeth  1002  when the slider  701  slides in a first direction and interlocks the interlocking teeth  1002  when the slider  701  slides in a second direction. The interlocking teeth,  1002  flexible strips  1001 , slider  701 , and mechanism  1003  may function as described above in connection with  FIGS. 1A-6 . The slider  701  includes a slot  702  as described above in reference to  FIGS. 7A-9B . The fastener  1000  includes a rail  703  slidably inserted through the slot of the slider, the rail having at least one tooth movable between an extended state in which the tooth prevents the slot from moving in at least one direction along the rail, and a retracted state in which the slot can slide past the at least one tooth; this may be implemented as described above in reference to  FIGS. 7A-9B . 
       FIGS. 11A-F  illustrate further embodiments in which the profile of the rail is modified by extending and retracting members. In some embodiments, the assembly  100  includes an elongated actuator  1101  inside the rail  101 . The assembly  100  may include at least one member  1102  fixed to the actuator. The at least one member  1102  may be flexible; that is, the at least one member may bend or deform elastically when a user moves the slider  103  with an amount of force typical for use with a slide fastener. The at least one member  1102  may be positioned to extend out of the rail  101  when the actuator  1101  moves in a first direction, and to retract into the rail  101  when the actuator  1101  moves in a second direction. 
     The elongated actuator  1101  may be any component usable for an actuator as described above in connection with  FIGS. 1A-10 . In some embodiments, the elongated actuator  1101  is inside the rail if the elongated actuator  1101  runs substantially parallel to the rail and is held substantially parallel to the rail  101  by the structure of the rail  101 . For instance, where the rail  101  is a tube the actuator  1101  may be inside the rail  101  if the actuator  1101  is inside the tube. Similarly, where the rail  101  has a groove or channel through which the actuator  1101  can pass, the actuator  1101  may be inside the rail  101  if the actuator  101  is in the groove. If the rail  101  is a strip of material, the actuator  1101  may be inside the rail  101  if the actuator runs alongside the rail and is held against the side of the rail  101  by one or more members affixed to the rail  101 . 
     The at least one member  1102  may have any form that allows the at least one member  1102  to move between a position inside the rail and a position outside the rail  101 . In some embodiments, the at least one member  1102  is outside the rail  101  if it extends into the path the follower  104  takes when sliding along the rail  101 ; the at least one member  1102  may be inside the rail  101  if the at least one member  1102  does not extend into the path the follower  104  takes when sliding along the rail  101 . Alternatively, the at least one member  1102  may be outside the rail  101  if it acts to stop the follower  104  from sliding along the rail as described in further detail below; if the at least one member  1102  does not act to stop the follower  104  from sliding along the rail  101 , the at least one member  1102  may be inside the rail  101 . In some embodiments, the at least one member  1102  is a tooth that projects out of the opening to block the follower  104 , as described above in reference to  FIGS. 7A-10 . 
     In other embodiments, where the rail  101  has an outside surface, the at least one member  1102  extends along the outside surface of the rail  101  when in the extended position. As a result, in some embodiments, the at least one member  1102  wedges between the follower  104  and the rail  101  when in the extended position; the at least one member  1102  may thus effectively increase the perimeter of the rail, making it far more difficult for the follower  104  to travel over the rail, and effectively locking the slider in place. The at least one member  1102  may be flexible or rigid. Where the at least one member  1102  is flexible, as shown for example in  FIGS. 11A-D , the at least one member  1102  may extend along the exterior surface of the rail  101  if the at least one member  1102  is positioned so that it will tend to lie against the exterior surface of the rail  101  when the follower  104  is moved against the at least one member  1102  by a user. The at least one member  1102  may have any flexible form, including without limitations one or more bristles, one or more strips of any shape, one or more sheets of any shape, one or more wires, one or more springs such as leaf springs, one or more pieces of rope, string, twine, cable, or monofilament, a piece of lanyard material, or a flexible rod, stick, polyhedral form, or curved form. 
     Where the at least one member  1102  is rigid, the at least one member  1102  may have any rigid form capable of moving between the extended and retracted positions. For example, and without limitation, the at least one member  1102  may have a stick or rod-like form, a form with any polyhedral or curved features, a plate or rigid sheet-like or scale-like form, or any other form. As an example, a portion of the at least one member  1102  near to the distal end that extends beyond the rail may have an angled surface that runs parallel to the surface of the rail  101  when the at least one member  1102  is retracted; as a result, surface of the member  1102  may lie flush with the outer surface of the rail  101  when the at least one member  1102  is retracted, as illustrated for example in  FIG. 11E . The at least one member  1101  may include a plurality of members; for instance, two or more members may extend out of the rail at a particular locus along the rail, and members may extend from the rail at various loci, which may be regularly spaced, locking the slider wherever it is found along the rail. 
     The at least one member  1102  is fixed to the actuator. In some embodiments, the at least one member  1102  is fixed to the actuator  1101  if a proximal end of the at least one member  1102  is attached to the actuator  1101  in such a way that moving the actuator  1101  in a direction forces the distal end to move by substantially the same amount in the same directions. The distal end may be connected to the actuator by any means consistent with the movement of the at least one member  1102  between extended and retracted states in response to the movement of the actuator  1101 . Where the at least one member  1102  is flexible, the distal end may be attached to the actuator  1101  in a way that does not allow the distal end to pivot; for instance, the distal end may be adhered to the actuator  1101  or inserted in the actuator  1101 . Where the at least one member  1102  is rigid, the distal end may be connected to the actuator  1101  in a manner that allows the at least one member  1102  to pivot; for instance, the distal end may be attached to the actuator  1101  via a joint such as a hinge, ball joint or the like, or using a piece of elastic material. 
     The at least one actuator  1101  may have any form that allows it to displace linearly and move the at least one member  1102  between the extended and retracted states. For instance, the at least one actuator  1101  may have any form or composition suitable for an actuator  205  as described above. In some embodiments, the actuator  1101  includes one or more beads  1104  strung on a flexible member such as a string, wire, filament, or cable that is part of the actuator  1101 . The at least one bead  1104  may be rigid. In some embodiments, the at least one bead  1104  includes at least one member bead  1105  to which the at least one member  1102  is fixed. The at least one member  1102  may be affixed member bead  1105  by any suitable means described above for attaching the at least one member  1102  to the actuator  1101 . In some embodiments, the at least one member  1102  and the at least one member bead  1105  are formed together in a manufacturing process; the at least one member  1101  and at least one member bead  1105  may form a monolithic whole. The at least one bead  1104  may also include at least one spacer bead  1106  to which the at least one member  1102  is not attached. The actuator  1101  may include any pattern of spacer beads and member beads; for instance, the actuator  1101  may include alternating spacer beads  1106  and member beads  1105 , solely member beads  1105 , a pattern of two spacer beads  1106  alternating with a single member bead  1105 , or various different sequences of spacer beads  1106  and member beads  1105 . The spacer beads  1106  and member beads  1105  may be arranged so that the at least one member  1102  is positioned to extend out of openings in the rail, while not being present where there are no openings in the rail  101 . The at least one bead  1104  may be affixed to the flexible member of the actuator by any suitable means, such as adhesion, fastening with fasteners, fastening with caps or other elements that wedge between the at least one bead and the flexible member, and the like. 
     The at least one member  1102  may move to an extended position out of the rail  101  when the actuator  1101  moves in a first direction and to a retracted position inside of the rail  101  when the actuator  1101  moves in a second direction. In some embodiments, the at least one member  1102  is urged into either the extended or retracted position by a biasing means, such as a spring or an elastic element. The biasing means may also be the at least one member  1102  itself; in other words, part or all of the at least one member  1102  may be elastic, and thus act as a biasing means. As an example, the biasing means may be moved away from its equilibrium position when the member  1102  is in the retracted position, and thus exert a recoil force to push the at least one member  1102  toward the extended position if the member is not blocked by some other element, as illustrated for example in  FIGS. 11C-D . Likewise, the biasing means may be pushed away from equilibrium when the at least one member  1102  is in the extended position, exerting a recoil force to urge the at least one member back toward the retracted position if no other element is blocking the at least one member  1102 ; one flexible member is shown thus deformed in  FIG. 11D . 
     The assembly  1000  may include one or more components that contact the at least one member  1102  to force the at least one member  1102  into one or both of the retracted or extended positions. The one or more components may include one or more features of the rail  101 . For example, the rail  101  may include a retraction fulcrum  1107  against which the at least one member  1102  pushes when the actuator  1101  is moved in the second direction, forcing the at least one member  1102  toward the retracted position. The retraction fulcrum  1107  may be a surface having any form. In some embodiments, the retraction fulcrum  1107  may be angled; for instance, the retraction fulcrum  1107  may form a wedge past which the at least one member  1102  may slide when the actuator  1101  moves in the second direction. The rail  101  may be include an extension fulcrum  1108  against which the at least one member  1102  is forced when the actuator  1101  moves in the first direction. The extension fulcrum  1108  may include a surface having any form; for instance, the extension fulcrum  1108  may form a wedge past which the at least one member  1102  may slide when the actuator  1101  moves in the first direction. The retraction fulcrum  1107  and the extension fulcrum  1108  may be edges of an opening in the rail  101 , for instance as shown in  FIGS. 11C-11F . The at least one member  1101  may thus extend out through the opening and retract into the opening. 
     In some embodiments, as shown for example in  FIGS. 11G-H , the at least one member  1102  projects into a slot  1109  into which an extension  1110  of the follower  104  inserts; as a result when the at least one member  1102  is extended as shown in  FIG. 11G , the at least one member  1102  may block the extension  1110  from moving through the slot  1109 , preventing the slider  103  from sliding, while when the at least one member  1102  is retracted as shown in  FIG. 1111 , the extension  1110  is free to slide through the slot  1109  and thus the slider  103  is free to slide along the rail  101 . 
     In some embodiments, as illustrated for example in  FIGS. 11I-J  the at least on member  1102  includes an angled slot  1113  into which a pin  1104  fixed to the rail  101  is inserted; as a result, when the at least one member  1102  moves in a first direction relative to the rail, the slot travels up the pin  1114 , causing the members to extend as shown for example in  FIG. 11J , and when the member  1102  is moved in a second direction, the slot travels down the pin  1114 , causing the at least one member  1102  to retract. In other words, the angled slot  1113  may act as a wedge cam, and the pin  1114  may act as a follower. The angled slot  1113  may alternatively be on the rail  101 , while the pin  1114  may be attached to the at least one member  1102 . In some embodiments, the at least one member  1102  is a plurality of members. The plurality of members  1102  may be connected by a plate or strip  1115  of material having one or more slots  1113  in which are fitted one or more pins  1114 ; there may be a plurality of slots and pins. In some embodiments, the plate or strip  1115  extends substantially along the rail  101 , in other words, the plate or strip  1115  may act as an actuator as described above. In other embodiments, the plate or strip  1115  does not run the length of the rail, but is attached to any actuator as described above, and moved by the actuator. 
     In  FIGS. 11I-J , the plurality of members  1102  are shown extending upward toward the slider. In some embodiments, as illustrated for example in  FIGS. 11K-M , the plurality of members  1102  extend downward, away from the slider. The follower  1104  may have a portion that extends downward and across where the plurality of members  1102  extend, so that the plurality of members  1102  when extended block the portion of the follower  104  from sliding along the rail  101 ; an example of this is shown in  FIG. 11M . In some embodiments where the rail  101  has a slit, the plurality of members  1102  may be housed within the slit, and the extension of the follower  104  may extend into the slit. The follower  104  may have a biased portion  1116  that contacts the plurality of members  1102 ; thus, when the plurality of members  1102  are extended, the biased portion  1116  may produce a recoil force urging the biased portion  1116  between the extended plurality of members  1102 . As a result, as soon as the slider  103  is moved sufficiently to put the biased portion  1116  in a space between two of the extended members, the biased portion  1116  may end up locked between the extended members  1102  even if the members  1102  come up right under the biased portion; this may ensure that the mechanism substantially always succeeds in locking the slider in place. Likewise, the elasticity of the biased portion  1116  may permit the at least one member  1102  to be moved into the extended position even when the follower  104  is in a position to block the extension of the at least one member  1102 . The biased portion  1116  may be combined with any other embodiment described herein, or any combination of features described in this herein, to accomplish the same purpose. For instance, as shown in  FIG. 11N , the biased portion  1116  may also be used to contact the at least one member  1102  when the at least one member projects upward toward the slider  103 . 
     The object accomplished by the use of the biased portion  1116  is accomplished in other embodiments by the inclusion of an elastic portion  1118  in the actuator  1101 , as shown for instance in  FIG. 11O . Where the extension of the at least one member  1102  is blocked by the follower, this elastic portion  1118  may store the motion of the actuator as recoil force that tends to urge the at least one member  1102  into the extended position by any mechanism described above, so that when the slider  103  is moved to a position in which the follower  104  may insert in a gap between the at least one member  1102 , the at least one member  1102  will extend into the gap, locking the slider assembly  1000 . 
     Viewing  FIGS. 11P-O , in some embodiments, the at least one member  1102  is attached to the rail  1101  by a fixed fulcrum  1117 . As a result, the at least one member  1102  may be free to rotate about the fixed fulcrum  1117  between a retracted position, shown for instance in  FIG. 11P , and an extended position, as shown for example in  FIG. 11Q . In some embodiments, the actuator  1101  is not fixed to the at least one member  1102  or to the rail  101 , but is slidably engaged to both. The actuator  1101  (shown in cross-section in  FIGS. 11P-O ), may have a retraction fulcrum  1107  or an extension fulcrum  1108  as described above, to move the at least one member  1102  between the retracted position and the extended position, as described above. The extension fulcrum  1108  or retraction fulcrum  1107  or both may be the edges of an opening in the actuator, or may be members that extend from the actuator across the at least one member  1102 . 
     In other embodiments, as illustrated for example in  FIGS. 12A-12E , the profile of the rail  101  is modified by inflating a portion of the rail  101 . For instance, in some embodiments the rail  101  includes a tube  1200  of elastic material, containing fluid, and at least one pressure actuator  1201  operable to increase pressure of the fluid within the rail so that the rail expands to prevent the follower from sliding along the rail. 
     The tube  1200  may be composed of any material or combination of materials that cause at least one portion of the tube  1200  to be elastic. The entire tube  1200  may be made of an elastic material such as rubber, silicone, or other elastic polymers, whether natural or synthetic. In other embodiments, the tube  1200  includes both relatively inelastic portions and relatively elastic portions, so that the latter tend to expand when pressure within the tube is increased, while the former do not appreciably expand. As a non-limiting example, the tube  1200  may include one or more elastic bladders  1202  connected by relatively inelastic tubing; the bladders  1202  may expand when pressure is increased within the tube  1200 , modifying the profile of the rail  101  to block the movement of the slider  103 . The tube  1200  may be partially covered by additional material; for instance, the tube  1200  may be inserted into the rail  101 , so that the slider  103  never comes in contact with the tube  1200 . The rail  101  itself may be flexible enough to change its profile when the tube is  1200  expands. Alternatively, the rail  101  may have sections that are movable with respect to the rest of the rail  101  and may be displaced by the tube  1200 , for instance by the bladders  1202  when expanded. The surface of the tube  1200  may itself be thicker or otherwise reinforced where expanded portions come into contact with the slider  103 . 
     The tube  1200  is filled with a fluid. The fluid may be any material that behaves as a liquid or gas when impelled by the pressure actuator  1201 . As non-limiting example, the fluid may be a gas, such as air, a liquid, or a non-Newtonian fluid that behaves like a liquid when impelled by the pressure actuator  1201 . Tube  1200  and pressure actuator  1201  may be sealed together so fluid does not escape; in some embodiments, the tube  1200  and pressure actuator  1201  are hermetically sealed. 
     The pressure actuator  1201  may be any device that can increase and decrease the pressure of the fluid to cause the tube  1200  to expand and contract. The pressure actuator  1201  may include, without limitation a pump, an impeller, or a piston. The pressure actuator  1201  may include a user control  1203  that activates the pressure actuator  1201  to inflate the tube  1200  or to deflate the tube  1200 . The user control  1203  may be a any component usable by a user to activate the pressure activator  1201 , including without limitation one or more buttons, one or more switches, one or more push-rods, one or more levers, or one or more cranks. The pressure actuator  1201  may be electrically powered; for instance, the pressure actuator may be powered by a battery (not shown) incorporated in the assembly. The pressure actuator  1201  may be manually powered. 
       FIGS. 13A-C  illustrate an example of an alternative embodiment of the assembly  1000 . In the alternative embodiment, the rail  101  has an interior space  1300 , containing a line  1301 . In the alternative embodiment, the follower  104  includes a member  1303  affixed to the line  1301 . In some embodiments, the line  1301  may have a first state in which the line  1301  is free to move longitudinally within the rail  101  and a second state in which the line  1301  is not free to move longitudinally within the rail  101 ; as a result, when the line  1301  is in the first state the slider  103  may be able to slide relative to the rail  101 , and when the line  1301  is in the second state the slider  103  may not be able to slide relative to the rail  101 . 
     The rail  101  has an internal space  1300 . The internal space  1300  may be an area that is substantially enclosed by the rail  101 . For instance, where the rail  101  is a circular or rectangular tube, the internal space  1300  may be the lumen of the tube. Where the rail  101  is a tube with an opening or slit, the internal  1300  may likewise be the interior of the tube. The internal space  1300  may alternatively be a groove in the rail  101  that is large enough to admit the actuator. In some embodiments, the rail  101  has a longitudinal slit  1302  that connects the internal space to the exterior of the rail  101 . The longitudinal slit  1302  may run the length of the rail allowing the member  1303  to access the actuator within the rail  101 ; for instance, if the rail  101  is a tube, the slit  1302  may enable the member  1303  to project into the rail  101  to contact the actuator  1301 , while allowing the member  1303  and the slider  103  to slide along the rail  101 . 
     The assembly  1000  may include a line  1301 . The line  1301  may be any component suitable for use as an actuator  205  as described above. As a non-limiting example, the line  1301  may be a flexible elongated member such as a monofilament, cable, wire, string, chain, or the like. The line  1301  may be housed within the internal space of the rail  101 . In some embodiments the line  1301  has a first state in which the line  1301  is free to move in a longitudinal direction within the rail  101 ; the longitudinal direction may be the same as the direction of motion along the rail described above in reference to  FIG. 1A . In some embodiments, the line  1301  is wound on at least one spool  1304 ; the spool  1304  may be any device useable as a spool  404  as described above. The at least one spool  1304  may have a spool lock  1305  that prevents the at least one spool  1304  from rotating when the spool lock  1305  is engaged. The spool lock  1304  may function in a manner analogous to a stop used to arrest the retraction of a measuring tape spool or the like. The at least one spool  1304  may have a spring or other biasing means (not shown) that causes the spool to retract when the line is moved toward the spool by the member  1303  when the user moves the slider  103  along the rail. When the spool lock  1305  is engaged, it may be impossible or very difficult for the line  1301  to be moved, making it impossible or very difficult to slide the slider. In some embodiments, where there are a plurality of sliders, each slider is attached to a different line, and each line may have its own spool. The line and spool for each slider may be arranged so that moving the slider to open a slide fastener unwinds the line from the spool, while the line retracts onto the spool when the slider is moved to close a slide fastener; thus, for instance, in a slide fastener with two sliders that are slid apart to open the fastener and slid together to close it, sliding the two sliders apart may cause the two spools to unwind, while sliding them together may cause the two spools to retract, with the result that locking the spools to prevent them from unwinding also prevents the two sliders from being pulled apart to open the slide fastener. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates some embodiments of a method  1400  for manufacturing a slide fastener having a locking slider assembly. The method  1400  includes producing a slider having a follower ( 1401 ). The method  1400  includes assembling a rail having a first profile that allows the follower to slide along the rail and a second profile that does not allow the follower to slide along the rail ( 1402 ). The method  1400  includes slidably attaching the follower to the rail ( 1403 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 1400  in greater detail, and by reference to  FIGS. 1A-13C , the method  1400  includes producing a slider having a follower ( 1401 ). The slider  103  may be produced by any suitable method for producing a slider  103 , such as a slider in a slide fastener or zipper. The methods for producing the slider  103  may include, without limitation molding, machining rapid prototyping, joining pieces of metal or plastic together by any method, or any combination thereof. The follower  104  may be made together with the slider  103 , for instance by molding the two together in a single mold, forming the two together in a machining process, or producing the two together in a single rapid prototyping process. In other embodiments, the follower  104  is manufactured separately from the slider  103  and then attached to the slider  103 . The follower  104  may be attached to the slider  103  in any way described above in  FIGS. 1A-13C ; for instance the follower  104  may be fixed to the slider. In other embodiments, the follower  104  is attached to the slider using a swivel or somewhat loose connection (not shown) that allows the follower  104  to flex relative to the slider  103  as the slider travels along the rail. In other embodiments, the follower  104  may be constructed by modifying the slider  103 ; for instance, as shown in  FIG. 12A , the slider  103  may be formed to accommodate the rail so that the slider  103  itself functions as the follower. 
     The method  1400  includes assembling a rail having a first profile that allows the follower to slide along the rail and a second profile that does not allow the follower to slide along the rail ( 1402 ). The rail  101  may be formed by any suitable method; for instance, the rail  101  may be formed by extrusion. The rail  101  may be formed by molding. The rail  101  may be formed by molding. The manufacturing process that produces the rail  101  may including cutting away portions of the rail  101 ; for instance, openings or slits may be cut in an originally tubular rail to form openings or gaps from which members may extend, as described above. The manufacture of the rail  101  may include joining together a plurality of components, each of which may have been produced by molding, extrusion, or any other suitable method. 
     In some embodiments, an actuator is included in the rail. The actuator may be formed by producing a long flexible component such as a string, cable, monofilament, chain, wire, or other element as described above in reference to  FIGS. 1A-13C . One or more beads may be produced by any method suitable for producing the slider  103  as described above. The beads may be beads  206  or beads  1104  as described above; the one or more beads  1104  may include spacer beads  1106 . The one or more beads may include member beads  1105 . The member beads  1105  may be formed together with one or more members  1101  in a single process; for instance, the member beads  1105  and members  1101  may be molded together. In other embodiments the one or more members  1101  are formed separately from the member beads  1105  and then attached to the member beads  1105 . In some embodiments, one end of each member  1101  is fixed to a member bead  1105 . In other embodiments, one end of each member  1101  is pivotally attached to a member bead  1105 , for instance by way of a joint or pin. 
     In some embodiments, the one or more beads are attached to the flexible component. The one or more beads may be strung on the flexible component; some or all of the one or more beads may be fixed to the flexible component by adhesion, attachment using head, or by wedging something between the bead and the flexible component. The one or more beads may be molded around the flexible component. The flexible component and one or more beads may be formed together. One or more member beads  1105  may be alternated with one or more spacer beads  1106  to space apart member beads  1105  as needed. 
     In some embodiments, one or more members  1101  are attached to the actuator. In some embodiments, this is accomplished by attaching member beads  1105  to the flexible component. In other embodiments, the flexible component is formed together with one or more members  1101  in a single process; for instance, the flexible component and members  1101  may be molded together. In other embodiments the one or more members  1101  are formed separately from the flexible component and then attached to flexible component. In some embodiments, one end of each member  1101  is fixed to the flexible component. In other embodiments, one end of each member  1101  is pivotally attached to the flexible component, for instance by way of a joint or pin. 
     Where the rail  101  includes a tube  1200  that may be inflated as described above; the tube  1200  may be produced by any method described above for producing the rail  101 , including molding, extrusion, or other suitable methods. Bladders  1202  may be formed in the tube  1200  during its initial production or subsequently by further processing the tube  1200 . The method  1400  may further include inserting the tube into the rail  101 . 
     Components that allow the user to change the rail  101  profile may be included; for instance, where the rail  101  includes an actuator, the actuator may be attached to a spool, for instance as described above in reference to  FIG. 6  above. In other embodiments, where the rail  101  includes a tube  1200  that may be inflated, the method  1400  further includes attaching a pressure actuator  1201  to the tube  1200 . The pressure actuator  1201  may be hermetically sealed to the tube  1200 . 
     The method  1400  includes slidably attaching the follower to the rail ( 1403 ). In some embodiments, this is accomplished as described above in reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     Some embodiments of the method also include incorporating the rail in a portable container, such as a backpack, luggage item, handbag, or other item that may include a slide fastener. Where the rail  101  includes a strip  101   a  as shown in  FIG. 5F , the strip may be adhered, sewn, stapled, fastened, or otherwise attached to the portable container. Where the rail  101  is included in a sleeve as described above in reference to  FIG. 5G , the sleeve may be adhered, sewn, stapled, fastened, or otherwise attached to the portable container. 
       FIG. 14B  illustrates some embodiments of a method  1410  for manufacturing a slide fastener having a locking slider assembly. The method  1410  includes obtaining a slide fastener ( 1411 ). The method  1410  includes incorporating in the slide fastener a slider slidably engaged to the fastener, the slider having a mechanism that separates the interlocking teeth when the slider slides in a first direction and interlocks the interlocking teeth when the slider slides in a second direction, the slider further comprising a slot ( 1412 ). The method  1410  includes attaching to the slide fastener a rail slidably inserted through the slot of the slider, the rail having at least one tooth movable between an extended state in which the tooth prevents the slot from moving in at least one direction along the rail, and a retracted state in which the slot can slide past the at least one tooth ( 1413 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 1410  in greater detail, and by reference to  FIGS. 7A-10 , the method  1410  includes obtaining a slide fastener ( 1411 ). This may be implemented as described above in reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     The method  1410  includes incorporating in the slide fastener a slider slidably engaged to the fastener, the slider having a mechanism that separates the interlocking teeth when the slider slides in a first direction and interlocks the interlocking teeth when the slider slides in a second direction, the slider further comprising a slot ( 1412 ). This may be implemented as described above in reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     The method  1410  includes attaching to the slide fastener a rail slidably inserted through the slot of the slider, the rail having at least one tooth movable between an extended state in which the tooth prevents the slot from moving in at least one direction along the rail, and a retracted state in which the slot can slide past the at least one tooth ( 1413 ). This may be implemented as described above in reference to  FIGS. 6-10 . 
       FIGS. 15A-B  illustrate an example of a further embodiment, in which the profile of the rail  101  is changed by means of a member  1500  that may be rotated to block the follower  104 . In some embodiments, the locking slider assembly  1000  includes a slider  103  that includes a follower  104 . The assembly  1000  includes a rail  101  slidably engaged to the follower  104 . The assembly  1000  includes at least one member  1500  projecting from the rail  101 . The member  1500  may be rotatable between a first position (as shown for example in  FIG. 15A ) in which the at least one member  1500  does not prevent the follower  104  from sliding along the rail  101 , and a second position (as shown for example in  FIG. 15B ) in which the at least one member  1500  prevents the follower  104  from sliding along the rail  101 . 
     The assembly  1000  may include a slider  103 . The slider may be any device suitable for use as a slider  103  as described above in reference to  FIGS. 1A-14B . The assembly  1000  may include a follower  104 . The follower  104  may be any item suitable for use as a follower  104  as described above in reference to  FIGS. 1A-14B . The assembly  1000  may include a rail  101 . The rail  101  may be any item suitable for use as a rail  101  as described above in reference to  FIGS. 1A-14B . 
     The assembly  1000  may include at least one member  1500 . The at least one member  1500  may be constructed out of any material or combination of materials suitable for the creation of the at least one member  1102  described above. The at least one member  1500  may have any shape suitable for the at least one member  1102  described above. The at least one member  1500  may be a plurality of members. 
     The at least one member  1500  may be rotatable between a first position (as shown for example in  FIG. 15A ) in which the at least one member  1500  does not prevent the follower  104  from sliding along the rail  101 , and a second position (as shown for example in  FIG. 15B ) in which the at least one member  1500  prevents the follower  104  from sliding along the rail  101 . In some embodiments, the at least one member  1500  is rotatable about an axis parallel to the rail  101 . The locking assembly  1000  may include an actuator  1501  that causes the member to rotate between the first position and the second position. The actuator may be any item suitable for use as an actuator  1101  as described above. 
     In some embodiments, the assembly includes a barrel cam  1502  that converts linear motion of the actuator to rotational motion of the at least one member  1500 , and at least one cam follower  1503  that is rotably fixed to the at least one member  1500 . The at least one cam follower  1503  may be rotably fixed to the at least one member  1500  if rotation of the at least one cam follower  1503  forces the at least one member  1500  to rotate as well. The at least one cam follower  1503  may be the at least one member  1500 . The barrel cam  1502  may be formed as shown in  FIGS. 15A-B  by a track  1504  formed in the rail. The track  1504  may, for instance, be a helical slit in the rail  101 ; this may be performed, for instance, where the rail  101  is substantially cylindrical in form. The track  1504  may alternatively be formed using a thread or other projection of the rail along which the at least one cam follower  1503  travels. The least one cam follower  1503  and at least one member  1500  may be attached to the actuator; the at least one cam follower  1503  and at least one member  1500  may be free to rotate about the actuator  1501 , or the actuator  1501  may be free to rotate or have sufficient torsional play to allow the portion of the actuator  1501  near to the at least one cam follower  1503  and at least one member  1500  to rotate as impelled by the cam track. In other embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 16A-B , the barrel cam  1502  is a separate component affixed to the rail. Whether the barrel cam  1502  is formed by a modification to the rail  101  or is affixed to the rail  101 , the at least one cam follower  1503  attached to the actuator  1501  may be forced by the linear motion of the actuator  1501  in a direction parallel to the rail  101  to move through the cam  1504 , causing the at least one cam follower  1503  to rotate, and thus causing the at least one member  1500  to rotate. 
     Alternatively, as shown for instance in  FIGS. 17A-B , the at least one cam follower  1503  and at least one member  1500  may be attached to the rail  101 , and the barrel cam  1502  may be attached to the actuator  1501 . As a result, when the actuator  1501  forces the barrel cam  1502  past the at least one cam follower  1503  and the at least one member  1500 , the at least one cam follower  1503  may be forced through the at least one cam  1504 , causing the cam follower  1503 , and thus the at least one member  1500  to rotate. 
     In an alternative embodiment, as shown for example in  FIGS. 18A-D  the at least one member  1500  is rotably fixed to the actuator  1501 , and the actuator  1501  moves the at least one member  1501  between the first position and the second position by rotating. In some embodiments, the actuator  1501  has very little torsional play, so that little rotation is lost along the actuator  1501  to torsion of the actuator  1501 . As a non-limiting example, the actuator  1501  may include a series of rigid rods joined by joints, such as universal joints (not shown). The assembly  1000  may include one or more devices that allow a user to impart rotation to the actuator. The assembly  1000  may include a crank  1800  that the user can turn manually; the crank  1800  may include a latch that secures it in place when the actuator  1501  has moved the at least one member  1500  into the second position. In another embodiment, the assembly  1000  includes a motor  1801 , such as a stepper motor, that rotates the actuator  1501  when activated by a switch or button. 
       FIGS. 19A-D  illustrate another way in which the rail  101  changes its profile in some embodiments of the assembly  1000 . In some embodiments, the rail  101  includes a plurality of rigid sections  1900  having a cross-sectional perimeter. The rail  101  may include at least one collapsible section  1901  connecting the plurality of rigid sections  1900 . The at least one collapsible section  1901  may be movable between a first state in which the collapsible section has a first length and a first cross-sectional perimeter that does not project beyond the perimeter of the plurality of rigid sections  1900 , for instance as shown in  FIGS. 19A and 19C , and a second state having a second length less than the first length and a second perimeter that projects beyond the perimeter of the plurality of rigid sections  1900 , for instance as illustrated in  FIGS. 19B and 19D . In the second state, the bulge may prevent the follower  104  from sliding over the rail  101 , effectively locking the slider in the position it occupies upon the transition to the second state. 
     The plurality of rigid sections  1900  may be formed of any material or combination of materials suitable for forming the slider or follower as described above in reference to  FIGS. 1A-14B . In some embodiments, each of the plurality of rigid sections  1900  is substantially cylindrical. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one collapsible section  1901  is composed at least in part of flexible material. The flexible material may be any material suitable for the construction of a sleeve as described above in reference to  FIG. 5G . In some embodiments, the flexible material is formed of one or more strips that are separated by longitudinal slits or gaps  2101 , as shown for example in  FIGS. 21A-B , allowing the strips to separate from each other and bend; the strips may be composed of the same material or materials as the rigid sections  1900 . In some embodiments, as shown for example in  FIGS. 21A-B , the at least one collapsible section  1901  includes a plurality of hinged subsections that accordion; the hinges may be any hinges useable for connecting sections that accordion, including strips flexible material such as flexible polymer or textile material, or living hinges. The at least one collapsible section  1901  may include a plurality of collapsible sections, for instance as shown in  FIGS. 20A-B . The accordion-style arrangement may include gaps  2101  as shown or may omit the gaps  2101 ; in other words, each accordion section may be an unbroken annular section or a set of planar or curved sections separated by gaps  2101 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown for example in  FIGS. 22A-C , the rail  101  has a hollow interior  2200 . In some embodiments, the hollow interior  2200  is implemented similarly to the interior of a rail  101  as described above in reference to  FIGS. 1A-14B . The assembly  1000  may include an actuator  2201  in the hollow interior. The actuator  2201  may have a first end  2203  secured to a first end  2204  of the rail  101 . The actuator  2201  may be implemented in any manner described above for actuators in reference to  FIGS. 1A-18D . The actuator  2201  may be flexible. In some embodiments, pulling the actuator  2201  causes the first end  2203  of the actuator  2201  to pull the first end  2204  of the rail in the direction in which the actuator  2201  is pulled, causing the plurality of rigid sections  1900  to pull closer together and collapsing the collapsible sections  1901 . A second end of the rail  101  may be secured to a portable container, in the manner described above in reference to  FIGS. 1A-18D . In some embodiments, as shown for example in  FIG. 22E  the first end  2204  of the rail further includes a length of flexible material  2205 . The flexible material may collapse toward the rail  101  prior to the rigid sections  1900  being pulled together. As a result, if one slide fastener in the portable container is shorter than another, the flexible material  2205  may be longer for the shorter slide fastener, so that the same actuator displacement is needed to collapse the rail corresponding to each slide fastener; this will make it possible for the actuators of both rails to be moved by the same user action as described further below. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 22A-B , the actuator  2201  includes at least one bead  2202 . The at least one bead  2202  may be implemented as described above in reference to  FIGS. 1A-18D . In some embodiments, the at least one bead  2202  is formed to limit the collapse of the at least one collapsible section  1901 , for instance by contacting the rigid sections  1900  on either side of each collapsible section  1901  and preventing them from getting closer together. In other embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 22C-D , the plurality of rigid sections  1900  include a plurality of extensions  2206  that contact each other to limit the collapse of the at least one collapsible section  1901 . The plurality of extensions  2206  may be formed in any way and from any materials suitable for the formation of the plurality of rigid sections  1900 . The plurality of extensions  2206  may be attached to the plurality of rigid sections  1900  by any suitable means; in some embodiments, the plurality of rigid sections  1900  and plurality of extensions  2206  are formed together, for instance by molding them together. 
     In some embodiments, the assembly  1000  includes a sheath housing a portion of the actuator that projects beyond a second end of the rail, the sheath secured to the second end of the rail; this may be implemented as described above in reference to  FIG. 3 . For instance, the sheath and actuator  2201  may form a Bowden cable with the exterior joined to the end of the rail  101  by way of a grommet or similar structure. As illustrated in  FIGS. 23A-B , the actuator  2201  may be displaced linearly by a linear displacement device  2300  attached to a second end of the actuator  2201 . The linear displacement device may be a sliding handle as shown in  FIGS. 23A-B ; the user may pull the handle down, pulling the actuator  2201  out of its sheath, which may be attached to a grommet  2301 . The linear displacement device  2300  may be movable in a first direction in which the linear displacement device  2300  pulls the actuator  2201 , for instance by pulling the sliding handle down from the position in  FIG. 23A  to the position in  FIG. 23B , and in a second direction in which the linear displacement device  2300  pushes the actuator  2201 , for instance by moving the slide handle in the opposite direction. The linear displacement device  2300  may have a latch  2302  that secures the linear displacement device  2300  in a position that corresponds to the rail  101  being in the second state; the latch  2302  may include a lock  2304 , which may be any kind of lock. 
     Returning to  FIGS. 19A-B , the rail  101  may include a sleeve  1902  of flexible material surrounding the plurality of rigid sections and the at least one collapsible section. The sleeve  1902  may be constructed as described above for a sleeve in reference to  FIG. 5G ; the sleeve  1902  may be attached to a portable container; for example, the sleeve  1902  may be sewn to the portable container. The follower  104  may travel over the sleeve  1902 . In some embodiments, the sleeve  1902  is flexible or elastic enough to bulge outward when pushed by the outward bulge of the at least one collapsible section  1901  when the at least one collapsible section  1901  collapses. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 24 , the follower  104  is connected to the slider  103  using a flexible connector  2400 . The flexible connector  2400  may be a piece of flexible or elastic material. The flexible connector  2400  may be a joint with one or more degrees of freedom. In some embodiments, the flexible connector  2400  includes a rigid peg attached to the follower  104  and inserted through a hole in the slider  103 ; the peg may fit loosely in the hole, allowing the follower to change its angle relative to the slider  103  to some extent. The end of the peg that is not connected to the follower  104  may be flanged to prevent it from coming back out through the hole. In some embodiments, the flexible connector  2400  enables the follower  104  to change angle relative to the slider  103  as it moves over the rail  101 . This may make the follower  104  travel more smoothly over the rail  101  and prevent it from jamming against the rail  101  except when the rail  101  is in the second state that locks the sliding assembly  1000 . The sliding assembly  1000  may be incorporated in a slide fastener as described above, and the slide fastener may secure an opening in a portable container, as described above. 
       FIG. 25  illustrates some embodiments of a method  2500  for manufacturing a locking slider assembly. The method  2500  includes forming a rail comprising a plurality of rigid sections having a cross-sectional perimeter and at least one collapsible section connecting the rigid sections, the at least one collapsible section movable between a first state in which the collapsible section has a first length and a first cross-sectional perimeter that does not project beyond the perimeter of the plurality of rigid sections and a second state having a second length less than the first length and a second perimeter that projects beyond the perimeter of the plurality of rigid sections ( 2501 ). The method  2500  includes forming a slider having a follower ( 2502 ). The method  2500  includes slidably engaging the follower to the slider ( 2503 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 25  in greater detail, and by reference to  FIGS. 19A-24 , the method  2500  includes forming a rail comprising a plurality of rigid sections having a cross-sectional perimeter and at least one collapsible section connecting the rigid sections, the at least one collapsible section movable between a first state in which the collapsible section has a first length and a first cross-sectional perimeter that does not project beyond the perimeter of the plurality of rigid sections and a second state having a second length less than the first length and a second perimeter that projects beyond the perimeter of the plurality of rigid sections ( 2501 ). In some embodiments, forming the rail includes inserting the plurality of rigid sections  1900  and the at least one collapsible section  1901  into a flexible sleeve  1902 . The method  2500  may include attaching the flexible sleeve to a portable container, as described above in reference to  FIGS. 1A-23B . 
     In some embodiments, where the rail  101  has an interior space  2200 , the method  2500  includes inserting an actuator  2201  into the interior space  2200  of the rail  101 . The method  2500  may include securing a first end  2204  of the rail  101  to a first end  2203  of the actuator  2201 ; this may be accomplished by means of any kind of fastener suitable for connecting an actuator  2201  as disclosed above to a rail  101  as disclosed above. In some embodiments, the end of the actuator  2201  is attached to a flexible portion  2205  at the end of the rail. The method  2500  may include securing a second end of the rail to a portable container. The second end may be secured to a sheath containing the actuator, the sheath being secured in turn to the container, as described above in reference to  FIGS. 1A-24 . 
     The method  2500  includes forming a slider having a follower ( 2502 ). In some embodiments this is implemented as described above in reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     The method  2500  includes slidably engaging the follower to the slider ( 2503 ). In some embodiments, this is implemented as described above in reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.