Abstract:
A zipper pull extender to assist a user in gripping and operating zippers on clothing includes a durable sleeve body which slides over an existing zipper pull tab. A hollow interior portion of the body includes a spring with a hooked end which engages a zipper pull aperture when slid over the zipper pull tab. The sleeve also includes a small detachment aperture for receiving a removal tool. When inserted into the tool aperture, the tool presses against the spring to disengage the hooked end from the zipper pull aperture for removal of the zipper.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Jul. 16, 2010, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to zipper fasteners, and in particular, to a removable zipper pull extender attachable to a pull tab of a zipper fastener. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Zipper fasteners are used on a wide variety of clothing, outerwear, bags, luggage, and sporting and camping gear. Typically the zipper fastener is formed of two (2) strips of zipper tape, each being affixed to one (1) of two (2) opposing pieces of an article which is to be joined. Each zipper tape has a plurality of specially shaped teeth which mate together to retain the opposing strips of zipper tape together. A hand-operated slider moves along the rows of teeth and meshes together and separates the opposing rows of teeth, depending on the direction of the slider&#39;s movement. Attached to the slider is the zipper pull tab which must be gripped by the user. 
     Unfortunately, the use of a zipper can be nearly impossible for some simply because the zipper pull is too small to securely grasp. People with physical disabilities, such as the elderly, the handicapped, or those recovering from injuries or surgery know all too well of some of the difficulties that they encounter while performing tasks that most of us take for granted. What comes easily to those that are not physically challenged, such as climbing stairs or bending down to tie one&#39;s shoes, requires extreme physical exertion for the disabled or, worse yet, is altogether impossible to accomplish without assistance. Among these difficulties, getting dressed is perhaps the most common, even including the simple movement required to pull up or pull down a zipper. Not only is this something that others must help them with, it is also an embarrassing moment for many. 
     Various decorative attachments, lanyard cords, and tab attachments exist intended to increase the size or alter the appearance of the pull tab of the zipper pull slider. Unfortunately existing attempts suffer from one or more disadvantage or deficiency related to design or utilization. These attempts are typically limited to particular types and styles of pull tabs and it can be difficult for a user to either securely retain the attachment to the pull tab or remove the attachment from the pull tab when desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has therefore recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a means by which the elderly, physically disabled, or injured can be provided with an aid to assist in operating zippers without assistance from others. In accordance with the invention, it is an object of the present embodiments to solve at least one (1) of these problems. 
     The inventor recognized these problems and has addressed this need by developing a zipper pull extender that provides for greater independence and self sufficiency for those who suffer from reduced physical dexterity. The inventor has thus realized the advantages and benefits of providing the zipper pull extender having a generally rectangular body with a hollow interior and an engaging aperture disposed on one end for insertable access to the hollow interior by the pull tab of a zipper fastener. A retaining spring is provided having an end affixed to the body within the hollow interior to releasably engage the pull tab upon insertion into the hollow interior. Additionally, a tool aperture is disposed through a rear surface of the body for providing access to the hollow interior and thus the spring by a removal tool. The removal tool is insertable though the tool aperture to deflect the spring away from the pull tab to disengage and release the pull tab from within the hollow interior. The spring includes a hooked end opposite the end affixed to the body. The hooked end insertably engages a zipper aperture disposed through the pull tab to retain the pull tab within the hollow interior. The removal tool includes a generally cylindrical pin suitably sized for insertion through the tool aperture to contact and deflect the spring and a handle affixed to an end of the pin to be gripped by the user. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a zipper pull extender, according to a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the zipper pull extender, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a removal tool, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of the zipper pull extender shown prior to insertion of a zipper, according to the preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a section view of the zipper pull extender shown with of the zipper inserted, according to the preferred embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a section view of the zipper pull extender shown with the removal tool inserted for removal of the zipper, according to the preferred embodiment. 
       
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
            
             
                 
                     
                   10 
                   zipper pull extender 
                 
                 
                     
                   11 
                   zipper 
                 
                 
                     
                   12 
                   zipper aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                   21a 
                   engaging portion 
                 
                 
                     
                   21b 
                   engaging aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                   22a 
                   disengaging portion 
                 
                 
                     
                   22b 
                   tool aperture 
                 
                 
                     
                   23 
                   interior portion 
                 
                 
                     
                   24 
                   spring 
                 
                 
                     
                   25 
                   hooked end 
                 
                 
                     
                   30 
                   removal tool 
                 
                 
                     
                   31 
                   pin 
                 
                 
                     
                   32 
                   handle 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In accordance with the invention, the best mode is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 6 . However, the disclosure is not limited to a single described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the disclosure and that any such work around will also fall under its scope. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure, and only one particular configuration may be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , depicting a zipper pull extender (herein described as a “device”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. In accordance with the invention, the present disclosure describes a device  10  that assists a user to manipulate and operate a zipper  11 . The device  10  couples to an existing zipper  11  to provide a larger gripable surface area, which makes it easier for those who suffer from reduced gripping abilities to utilize the zipper  11 . The device  10  is removably attachable to any zipper  11 , which are commonly found on an array of clothing, handbags, outerwear, or similar items. 
       FIG. 1  shows a front perspective view of the device  10  and  FIG. 2  shows rear perspective view of the device  10 . The device  10  has a generally rectangular body measuring approximately one-and-one-eighth (1⅛) inches in length and three-eighths (%) of inch in width, yet other dimensions can be utilized without limiting the scope of the device  10 . The device  10  is fabricated from durable, flexible materials such as spring steel. However, it can be appreciated that various other materials comprising similar characteristics can be utilized without limiting the scope of the device  10 . 
     The device  10  slidably engages around the zipper  11  from a proximal engaging portion  21   a . The zipper  11  is inserted into an engaging aperture  21   b  disposed at the proximal engaging portion  21   a . The device  10  is fabricated having an engaging aperture  21   b  with dimensions suitable for utilization with zippers  11  of various size and shape. A zipper aperture  12  of the zipper  11  is secured within the device  11  once the zipper  11  is inserted within the engaging aperture  21   b.    
     A rear surface of the extender  10  includes a disengaging portion  22   a  having a tool aperture  22   b . The tool aperture  22   b  provides interior accessing for a removal tool  30  to be inserted for removal of the zipper  11 . The tool aperture  22   b  has dimensions suitable to correspond to the size of the removal tool  30  for accessing an interior portion  23  of the device  10 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the removal tool  30 . The removal tool  30  is inserted through the tool aperture  22   b  to depress a spring  24  affixed to the interior portion  23  of the device  10 . The removal tool  30  generally includes a pin  31  and a handle  32 , yet other features can also be included. The pin  31  is a generally rod-shaped element with a diameter slightly less than the tool aperture  22   b . The pin  31  is integrally molded to the handle  32  which provides a grip for handling of the removal tool  30 . The removal tool  30  is utilized to deflect the spring  24  to disengage and remove the zipper  11  from the device  10 . 
       FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6  show a section view of the extender  10  depicting the various stages of use and positions of the zipper  11  relative to the interior portion  23  of the device  10 . The stages of use include insertion, use, and removal of a zipper  11 , respectively. The spring  24  is integrally molded to an upper intermediate position opposite the engaging portion  21   a  within the internal portion  23  of the device  10 . The spring  24  provides for a releasably secured attachment to the zipper  11 . The spring  24  is fabricated from spring steel, yet other similar materials can be utilized. A hook end  25  projects outwardly from a free end of the spring  24  directed toward the zipper  11  to engage the zipper aperture  12 . The hooked end  25  in an inwardly and downwardly shaped protrusion integrally molded to an underside of the free end of the spring  24 . The spring  24  is flexible which allows for an upward deflection of the hooked end  25  to disengage from the zipper aperture  12 . 
     In order to slidingly remove the zipper  11  from the device  10 , the tool  30  is inserted into the tool aperture  22   b  and is utilized to deflect the spring  24  upwardly to disengage the hooked end  25  from the zipper aperture  12 , which allows for removal of the zipper  11 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present disclosure and only one particular configuration has been shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     In accordance with the invention, the preferred embodiment can be utilized by the user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it is installed as indicated in  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  5  and removed as indicated in  FIG. 6 . 
     A method of installing and utilizing the device  10  can be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the device  10 ; inserting a zipper  11  into the engaging aperture  21   b  and slidably engaging the zipper  11  into the interior portion  23 ; enabling the hooked end  25  to engage the zipper aperture  12 ; grasping the device  10  to utilize the zipper  11 ; and, providing a means for greater independence and self sufficiency for those who suffer from reduced physical dexterity. 
     A method of removing the device  10  from the zipper  11  can be achieved by performing the following steps: inserting the pin  31  of the removal tool  30  into the tool aperture  22   b ; depressing the spring  24  to deflect the hooked end  25  upwardly, thereby, disengaging it from the zipper aperture  12 ; and, slidably removing the zipper  11  out of the device  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications and variations can be appreciated by one skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles and practical application in accordance with the invention to enable those skilled in the art to best utilize the various embodiments with expected modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the invention.