US20140215770A1

US20140215770A1 - Drawstring connector and methods of use

Info

Publication number: US20140215770A1
Application number: US14/157,303
Authority: US
Inventors: Luc Levesque; Michael Anthony Gerstner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-01-16
Filing date: 2014-01-16
Publication date: 2014-08-07
Also published as: CA2802416A1

Abstract

A connector for use with a drawstring is described which allows a user to attach one or more flexible elongate closure means, e.g. drawstrings together. A first end of the connector is mountable to a first end of a flexible elongate closure means. A second end of the connector is mountable either to a second end of the same or to another flexible elongate closure means. A swivel means may be situated between the first and second ends of the connector for rotating the ends and assist in fastening the connector to the drawstring. The connector may be a permanent fixture to a drawstring or a releasable attachment. The connector may be used in a method of replacing a drawstring of a product with a second drawstring. An end of a first drawstring is connected to an end of the second drawstring via the connector. The first drawstring is pulled until the connected second drawstring has replaced a position of the first drawstring on the product, then the drawstrings are disconnected at the connector.

Description

CONVENTION PRIORITY

This application claims Convention priority from Canadian patent application serial no. 2,802,416 filed on 16 Jan. 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a product and method for replacing drawstrings as used in clothing and drawstring-closed items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many types of apparel and products employ the use of drawstrings (including laces, ties, pull cords, elastic cords and other similar product closure devices) as a closure device and/or decorative feature. For instance products such as sweat pants, hoodies, jackets, boots, rain wear, gloves, tents, sleeping bags, school bags often use some form of drawstring to secure the product around its intended target. Typically with such products, the drawstrings are manufactured separately from the product and then installed in the product before the product is sold. Most often, the drawstring is passed through a narrow tubular enclosure (often referred to as a drawstring channel) provided on the product to contain the drawstring. Eyelets provide entrance and exit openings to the drawstring channel. Plastic fittings or aglets at either end of the drawstring help prevent fraying of the drawstring and make feeding the drawstring through the tubular enclosure easier.
The purchaser of the product has little choice but to use the drawstring that has been chosen and provided by the manufacturer in such products since removal and replacement of the lace is cumbersome. Oftentimes, the drawstrings that are provided with the product pull out, wear out, or just plain do not match the outfit the customer has purchased, and the unfortunate reality is that changing or replacing these drawstrings through the enclosure can be a time consuming and frustrating ordeal.
Devices exist to assist in inserting replacement drawstrings into a drawstring channel. Most devices, for instance U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,437 to Sauger et al. [Sauger], are pusher-type devices. In Sauger, an end portion of a drawstring to be inserted is folded over a leading end of a pusher device. A cap is placed atop the folded-over drawstring on the leading end of the pusher device and the pusher device is fed through the drawstring channel, pulling the replacement drawstring with it. One drawback with this type of device is that sometimes the channel cannot easily accommodate the combined widths of the cap, the pusher and the drawstring.
Pull-type devices, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,260 to Beddow [Beddow] also exist. In Beddow, a long pulling member releasably captures an aglet of a drawstring to be inserted at the trailing end of the pulling member. In one embodiment, the aglet is screwed into a female connector of the pulling member. The female connector may contain a tapered threaded insert into which the aglet is screwed. With the replacement drawstring so attached, the leading end of the pulling member is inserted into and fed into and through the drawstring channel, pulling the replacement drawstring into the channel. Beddow overcomes the problem of width through the channel discussed above in Sauger, but adds the inconvenience of working with a long pulling member, which is recommended to be at least as long as the drawstring channel it is being used for.
The present invention allows someone easily to change a first drawstring within a drawstring channel of a product by joining one end of the first drawstring to an end of a second drawstring that will be pulled into the enclosure as the first drawstring is pulled out of the enclosure. In a preferred aspect the second drawstring is versatile in being able to join to that first drawstring, when it is a conventional drawstring having finished ends (e.g. finished with aglets), and also when it is another drawstring similar to the second drawstring.
As a secondary benefit the present invention can also allow opposite ends of a drawstring to be secured together to the lessen movement of the drawstring.
Further, the present invention can allow multiple drawstrings to be fastened end-to-end and/or in combination with decorative charms and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, a closure means for a product is provided. The closure means includes a flexible elongate body such as a lace, drawstring, elastic, string, rope, wire, tie and strap. At least one connector is positioned on at least one end of the flexible elongate body. A fastener at one end of the connector is for releasably attaching the connector to a corresponding fastener of another connector. A receiver at the other end of the connector mounts the connector to the end of the flexible elongate body. A swivel means of the connector allows the fastener to rotate relative to the receiver.
In another embodiment of the invention, a connector for use with a flexible elongate closure means is provided. A receiver of the connector is for mounting onto an end of the flexible elongate closure means. A fastener of the connector, preferably opposite the receiver, is for releasably attaching the connector to a corresponding fastener of another connector located either on the other end of the flexible elongate closure means or on an end of another flexible elongate closure means. Optionally, a swivel means between the receiver and the fastener allows the fastener to rotate relative to the receiver.
In another embodiment of the invention, a coupler is provided which has a receiver for releasable attachment to an end of a flexible elongate closure means, such end having a conventional aglet. Preferably the receiver comprises a threaded cavity for screw-mounting onto the aglet. The other end of the coupler comprises a fastener for releasable attachment either to a corresponding fastener of a connector mounted on another flexible elongate closure means, or to a threading tool. In the former case, the coupler is able to be attached for example, to an end of a conventional drawstring or lace already within, e.g. a hoodie, thereby permitting an attachment in turn to a corresponding fastener of a connector mounted on another lace that is intended for replacement of the conventional lace. In the latter case, when the other end of the coupler is attached to a threading tool, such permits placement of the threading tool into a first end of a drawstring channel and then manual manipulation of the threading tool so as to move the threading tool, the coupler and the drawstring through the channel until the threading tool, coupler and the end of the drawstring attached to the coupler, exit the second end of the channel. In this manner a drawstring may be installed in such channel when no drawstring was in the channel beforehand.
In another embodiment of the invention there is provided the aforementioned flexible elongate closure means with connector, and the aforementioned connector, respectively wherein the fastener of the connector is also configured for releasable attachment to a finished end of a flexible elongate closure means for example, wherein said end of the latter means has a conventional finished aglet. Thus, such fastener can function for releasable attachment either to a corresponding fastener of another connector, or to an (e.g. aglet) end of a flexible elongate closure means, as may be preferred by the user. An advantage of such configuration of the fastener is that the connector concerned can also function as the aforementioned coupler, such that a coupler per se, as a separate item, would not been needed. Preferably, the fastener has a female receptacle configuration (such as a cavity) selectively, in the alternative, for releasable attachment to a male-configured fastener of another connector, and for releasable screw-attachment to a conventional finished end (e.g. aglet).
In using the latter embodiment, the invention also provides a method of replacing a first closure means of a product (e.g. a conventional drawstring with two finished ends, such as with aglets, that typically comes with the product) with a second closure means (e.g. a replacement drawstring) and then preparing to replace the second closure means with a third closure means (e.g. a second replacement drawstring). The first closure means comprises a flexible elongate body and at least one finished end. The first closure means is at least partially slidably positioned in an enclosure of the product. The second closure means comprises a flexible elongate body and a first connector. The first connector is positioned at one end of the flexible elongate body. The first connector comprises a fastener configured both for selective releasable attachment of the first connector to the at least one finished end of the first closure means and, in the alternative, for selective releasable attachment to a second connector positioned at one end of the third closure means. The third closure means comprises a flexible elongate body and the second connector. The method of using the foregoing comprises the steps of: attaching the fastener to the at least one finished end of the first closure means; pulling on the first closure means until the second closure means has replaced a position of the first closure means on the product; detaching the fastener from the at least one finished end of the first closure means; and attaching the fastener to the second connector in preparation for replacing the second closure means on the product with the third closure means.
In yet another embodiment of the invention a connector for use with at least one flexible elongate closure means is described. A first receiver mounts on a first end of a flexible elongate closure means. A second receiver mounts on a second end of the flexible elongate closure means or on an end of a second elongate closure means, where the first receiver is connectable to the second receiver by a coupling means such that the first receiver is opposite the second receiver when the first and second receivers are connected. Optionally, at least one a swivel means between the coupling means and the first and second allows the first and second receivers to rotate relative to the coupling means.
In another aspect of the invention, a method of replacing a first closure means of a product with a second closure means is described. A first end of the first closure means is connected to a first end of the second closure means. The first closure means is pulled until the second closure means has replaced a position of the first closure means on the product. The first closure means is unattached from the second closure means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a segmented view of the closure means of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of complimentary first and second barrel clasp connectors.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of complimentary first and second barrel clasp connectors having swivel means.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the closure means of the present invention in use in a product.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary connector where the receiver is a female receptacle.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary connector where the receiver is a clip, in combination with the closure means of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a double-ended connector where the first and second receivers are clips and the coupling means is a screw fitting.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a double-ended connector where the first and second receivers are clips and the coupling means is an elongated bridge.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a double-ended connector where the first and second receivers are female receptacles and the coupling means is swivellable.

FIG. 10 a is a cross-sectional view of a male connector attached to a corresponding female connector having a particularly preferred configuration.

FIG. 10 b is a cross-sectional view of the male and female connectors of FIG. 10 a, separated from each other. The female connector is also configured for attachment selectively to the aglet end of a conventional drawstring (not shown).

DESCRIPTION

The present invention facilitates an easy removal and/or replacement of drawstrings from drawstring channels in the products that use them. For the present purposes, drawstring includes any flexible elongated closure means such laces, ties, strings, elastic cords, pull cords and other like product closure means. As best shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the drawstring 10 according to the invention includes a connector 12 affixed at a first end 14 and a second end 16 of an elongated, flexible drawstring body 3. The connector 12 at each end preferably consists of at least two parts: a receptor 18 and a fastener 20, 22.
The receptor 18 is for mounting the connector 12 to an end of the flexible elongate body 3. In a preferred embodiment, the receptor includes a cavity of a diameter appropriate for receiving an aglet 9 of the flexible elongate body. This cavity may be 4 mm in depth, but other depths are possible as required. One of the aglets 9 is inserted into the cavity and glued or otherwise permanently fixed in place, thus bonding the connector 12 to the drawstring body 3.
The fasteners 20, 22 are each preferably one half of a barrel or torpedo clasp. Other types of fasteners are possible. The fastener is coupled to the receptor 18 and is for attaching to a complimentary fastener of another connector, either on the same drawstring or on a second drawstring. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener of a first end 14 of the drawstring 10 compliments the fastener of the second end 16 of the drawstring 10. For instance, the fastener of the first end 14 of the drawstring 10 may be configured as a female fastener 20 and the fastener of a second end 16 of the drawstring 10 may be configured as a male fastener 22.
The complimentary fasteners at first and second ends of the drawstring may be fastened together to lessen the movement of the portion of the drawstring that is outside the drawstring channel. Ribbing 5 on the circumference of the connector may be added to assist in gripping the connector.
Preferably, the receptor and fastener are manufactured as one unit and may be designed in many different shapes, sizes and materials. The connector may be made of metals or precious metals such as but not limited to gold, silver, bronze and copper plating, and may also be made of hard plastic, for example.
FIG. 2 shows a close up of an exemplary connector where the fastener is a barrel clasp. In this embodiment, the female fastener 20 includes a threaded cavity 21 and the male fastener 22 includes a threaded insert 23 that compliments the threaded cavity such that the male fastener 22 may be screwed into the female fastener 20.
In a preferred embodiment, a swivel means is incorporated into the connector to allow the fastener to rotate in either direction relative to the receiver and the drawstring. Such rotatability of the fasteners facilitates easier connection by eliminating the need to turn the whole drawstring to fasten the connectors. The rotatability also lessens curling and twisting of the drawstring.
In one embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the swivel means is a T-shaped swivel dial 30 and swivel arm 31. The swivel dial 30 is positioned on the inner side of a base 26 of the fastener. The swivel arm 31 extends from the swivel dial 30, through the base 26, and attaches to the receptor 18. The swivel arm 31 may be molded as part of the receptor 18.
Ball bearings 32 may be further added to the swivel means at the rubbing surface between the swivel dial 30 and the base 26. This adds longevity to the swivel by lessening the amount of friction between the swivel and the base.
The connectors, with or without a swivel means, may be fastened to other similarly configured drawstrings. So for instance in FIG. 4, a first drawstring 10 having connectors 12 described above at first 14 and second 16 ends is secured to a product 2 in a drawstring channel 4, where both the first and second ends of the first drawstring are outside of the channel. A second similarly configured drawstring 10 a may be fastened to the second end 16 of the first drawstring 10 through the use of the complimentary fasteners. The faster 20 a of the second drawstring 10 a compliments and can attach to the fastener 22 of the first drawstring 10. Once fastened, the first drawstring 10 may be pulled through and entirely out of the drawstring channel 4, leading with the first end 14 of the first drawstring 10. This simultaneously pulls the second drawstring 10 a into the drawstring channel 4. After the second drawstring 10 a has replaced the former position of the first drawstring 10 in the drawstring channel 4, the two drawstrings may be unfastened at the connectors. In this way, the first drawstring 10 is replaced in the product 2 by the second drawstring 10 a.
This invention thereby allows for easy replacement of drawstrings configured according to the invention that are present in products, as may be desired for reasons including wear, breakage or fashion statement. Different sizes, types, lengths and colours of drawstrings may be exchanged by this invention, so consumers will be able to accessorize and customize the products concerned as they see fit.
The invention is not limited to replacing drawstrings. In further accordance with the present invention, two or more drawstrings may be attached in series, end to end, using the connectors. This allows a user to connect drawstrings to vary the length of the overall drawstring and to combine different colours or styles of drawstrings. When worn on apparel having a drawstring and drawstring channel such as a hoodie, for instance, different styles of drawstrings could appear from each end of the drawstring channel, with the connector being hidden inside the channel. The fasteners are not limited to the preferred barrel or torpedo clasps mentioned above and shown in the drawings. Any type of fastener that is practical in nature and size for use on the first and second ends of a drawstring that has sufficient hold and can easily fit through a drawstring channel would suffice. For example, the fasteners may include magnetic, loop, snap, Velcro™ and latch forms of attachments.
The present invention also contemplates the more common situation where the drawstring in a product does not include the connectors described above, but is a conventional drawstring. A stand-alone connector, also referred to as a coupler 40, may be used to facilitate the replacement of a conventional drawstring with either another conventional drawstring, or a drawstring with the connector described above.
In an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the coupler 40 has a coupler receiver 42 and a coupler fastener 44. The receiver is for releasably mounting on an end of a conventional drawstring. In FIG. 5, the end is a finished aglet 46 of a conventional drawstring. The coupler receiver 42 functions much like the receiver 18 of the attachment means described above, but it may not be affixed to the aglet of the drawstring.
The coupler receiver may include a helical female receptacle means such as a threaded cavity for screwing onto the aglet 46. In a preferred embodiment, the threaded cavity is inwardly tapered (i.e. widest at the opening of the cavity, and tapers as it deepens) and has a depth of about 10 mm, though other depths are possible depending on the size of the aglets being considered. The tapered shape accommodates various sizes of aglets, and enables the aglet to be fastened securely to the receiving portion. The threading secures the coupler 40 to the aglet 46.
To further accommodate different sizes of aglets, differently sized couplers may be used. The table below presents suggested tapered cavity diameters of several sizes of couplers. These ranges accommodate most conventional aglets. It should be appreciated that the cavities may be made in other sizes if needed to accommodate aglets not within the ranges provided below.


	Widest diameter (at	Narrowest diameter (at
Coupler Size	opening)	bottom of cavity)

Small	3.0 mm	2.8 mm
Medium	3.1 mm	3.4 mm
Large	3.7 mm	3.4 mm

The coupler fastener 44 may include a threaded male insert 50, configured to fasten to the threaded female connector 21 of the fastener 20 of a drawstring 10 of the present invention. The coupler fastener 44 is not limited to barrel-type screw fasteners, but may include magnetic, loop, snap, Velcro™ and latch forms of fasteners.
In a preferred embodiment, the threaded male insert 50 of coupler 40 in FIG. 5 may be configured for releasable attachment to a threading tool, such as an elongated, rigid or semi-rigid tube, rod, or wire, suitable for manipulation by a user for threading the drawstring through a drawstring channel, e.g. on a hoodie. Preferably the threading tool is a tube that may be friction-fit or screwed onto the threaded male insert 50. When the threaded female connector 21 of coupler 40 is attached to one end of a drawstring and a threading tool is attached to the threaded male insert 50 of coupler 40, a user may thread the drawstring into e.g. a hoodie without a drawstring, by inserting the tool into one end of an empty drawstring channel of the hoodie and manipulating the threading tool along the channel, so as to simultaneously pull the drawstring into and through the channel, until the threading tool and one end of the drawstring exits the channel at the other end. The threading tool and/or the coupler 40 may then be detached from the drawstring.
As shown in FIG. 6, the receiver 42 of the coupler 40 may alternatively be a clip. One benefit of the clip configuration is that it can more easily be releasably attached to drawstrings that do not have finished aglets. In a preferred embodiment, the clip may be a conventional roach clip, but other designs and mechanisms for holding means known in the art are possible. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the clip includes a jaw 58 formed by first and second holding means connected by a pivot 56. The jaw 58 may include a lock and grip mechanism 60 such as teeth, hooks, barbs, studs and the like. A lever 62 may be used to open the jaw 58. A closing mechanism (not shown), such as a spring, magnet, elastic or coil, keeps the jaw in a closed position unless the lever 62 is pressed. In use, the jaw is opened and releasably attached to an end of a drawstring. Optimally, the clip is streamline to prevent catching in the drawstring channel. As such, the lever 62 should not protrude from the clip in the closed position.
As an added feature of the clip, best shown in FIG. 7, a portion of one or both of the first and second holding means proximal to the fastener 44 (this portion is referred to as the throat) may have an oval cavity 16 to accommodate an aglet 46. Each oval cavity 16 is sized for receiving an aglet. In one embodiment, the oval cavity may be approximately, 5 mm in depth and the width of an aglet. This allows one to push the aglet of the drawstring to the back of the throat, lessening the side to side shifting of the aglet end of the drawstring. The oval cavity 16 may also allow teeth 20 of the holding means 2, 4 to reach beyond the aglet, and instead lock into the drawstring body.
Use of a coupler allows a user to attach a conventional drawstring to a drawstring of the present invention. The receiver or the coupler releasably attaches to an end of a conventional drawstring, typically in a drawstring channel of a product. A drawstring of the present invention is connected to the fastener of the coupler via the complimentary fasteners. Once linked, the conventional drawstring may be pulled through and entirely out of the drawstring channel, leading with the free end opposite the coupler. This simultaneously pulls the coupler and drawstring of the present invention. Once the drawstring of the present invention has replaced the conventional drawstring in the drawstring channel 4, the two drawstrings may be unfastened and the coupler removed. In this way, a conventional drawstring is replaced in the product by a drawstring of the present invention.
The present invention also contemplates the situation where both the drawstring in the product and the replacement drawstring are conventional drawstrings. A first coupler 40 a may be connected via a coupling portion 47 to a second coupler 40 b substantially opposite the first coupler 40 a to provide a double-ended coupler 80. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the fasteners 44 a, 44 b of the first and second couplers make up the coupling portion 47, where the fastener of the first coupler 44 a includes a male threaded portion and the fastener of the second coupler 44 b includes a female threaded cavity. The male threaded portion is capable of screwing into the female threaded cavity for connecting the first and second couplers such that the receiving portion of the first coupler 42 a is substantially opposite the receiving portion of the second coupler 42 b.
Use of a double-ended coupler allows a user to connect a first conventional drawstring to a second conventional drawstring by releasably attaching the receiver of the first coupler 42 a to an end of the first drawstring, and releasably attaching the receiver of the second coupler 42 b to an end of the second drawstring.
Where the first drawstring is secured in a product through a drawstring channel, after the aforementioned attachments have been made, the first drawstring may be pulled through and entirely out of the drawstring channel. In so doing, the double coupler and the second drawstring are simultaneously pulled into the channel. Since the double coupler passes through the channel, it should have a streamline profile so as to allow movement through the channel. Once the first drawstring is pulled out of the channel and the second drawstring has replaced it in the channel, the two drawstrings may be disconnected by unfastening the ends from the first and second couplers.
In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the coupling portion between the first and second couplers 40 a, 40 b may a flexible bridge 82, for example, a rubber band, chain, linked beads, a cord, spring, or other flexible bridge. This provides separation between the first and second couplers and to allow the double coupler to be more bendable, so that it may bend and correspond with the design of the drawstring channel through which it must pass. A preferred length of the bridge is approximately 4-10 mm, therefore allowing enough room between the first and second couplers for maneuverability.
In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the first and second couplers can swivel relative to the coupling portion. Preferably, both the first and second couplers can swivel independently of each other about the coupling portion. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a first swivel arm 72 a attaches to the first coupler 40 a at a first end and extends through a first side 76 of the coupling portion 47 to a first swivel dial 74 a at a second end. This enables the first coupler 40 a to rotate relative to the coupling portion 47. Ball bearings (not shown) may be included on the rubbing surface between the first swivel dial 74 a and the first side 76 of the coupling portion.
To allow rotation of the second coupler 40 b relative to the coupling portion, a second swivel arm 72 b may be included which attaches to the second coupler 40 b at a first end and extends through a second side 78 of the coupling portion 47 to a second swivel dial 74 b at a second end. The coupling portion and/or the first and second couplers may include circumferential ribbing (not shown) to assist in gripping and rotating the double coupler for easier fastening.
In yet another preferred embodiment, the coupler of FIG. 9, or a modified coupler thereof (not shown) in which coupling portion 47 is rigidly connected to couplers 40 a and 40 b (i.e. without any swivel attachment), is configured for attachment of one coupler (e.g. 40 a) to an aglet end of a drawstring (to be inserted into a drawstring channel of a garment such as a hoodie), and attachment of the other coupler (e.g. 40 b) to a threading tool, such as an elongated, rigid or semi-rigid cord, tube, rod, or wire, suitable for manipulation by a user for threading the drawstring through a drawstring channel, e.g. on a hoodie. Preferably the threading tool may be screwed into the other coupler. When the threaded female connector 21 of coupler 40 a is attached to one end of a drawstring and a threading tool is attached to the other coupler 40 b, a user may thread the drawstring into e.g. a hoodie without a drawstring, by inserting the threading tool into one end of an empty drawstring channel of the hoodie and manipulating the threading tool along the channel, so as to simultaneously pull the drawstring into and through the channel, until the threading tool and one end of the drawstring exits the channel at the other end. The threading tool and/or the coupler 40 a may then be detached from the drawstring.
In yet another embodiment there is provided a flexible elongate closure means with a connector, and also the connector per se, respectively wherein a fastener of the connector is configured both for releasable attachment selectively to a corresponding fastener of another connector (e.g. located on the other end of the flexible closure means), or to a conventional finished end (e.g. an aglet) of a flexible elongate closure means on a product (e.g. a drawstring that typically is included with a product when purchased). An advantage of such configuration of the fastener is that the connector concerned can also selectively function as the above discussed coupler (of the previously discussed embodiment), such that the coupler per se, as a separate item, would not be needed for purposes of replacing a conventional drawstring. Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 10 a and 10 b, the fastener 100 of connector 101 has a female configuration selectively either for releasable attachment to a male-configured fastener 102 of another connector 103, or for releasable attachment to a finished aglet on the end of a typical drawstring of (e.g. similar to 46 of FIG. 5).
Referring again to FIGS. 10 a and 10 b, preferably in this embodiment the flexible elongate closure means is a drawstring (not shown) provided with a male connector 103 on one end and a female connector 101 on the other end. The male connector 103 has a receiver 104 which is preferably glued onto one end of the drawstring, and fastener 102, opposite to the receiver 104, which is on a swivel 105 relative to the receiver 104. The fastener 102 of male connector 103 preferably includes an outer ribbed section 106 to facilitate turning of the fastener using fingers and, preferably, a threaded section 107 configured for screw-attachment to a corresponding threaded cavity 108 of fastener 100 of the female connector 101. The female connector 101 likewise has a receiver 109, which is preferably glued onto the aglet on the other end of the drawstring (not shown) from the end where the male connector 103 is attached, and fastener 100 which is on a swivel 110 relative to the receiver 109. The fastener 100 also, preferably, has an outer ribbed section 111 to facilitate turning of the fastener 100 using fingers. The threaded cavity 108 of the fastener 100 of the female connector 101 preferably includes a first threaded section 112 for selective attachment to corresponding threaded section 107 of the male connector 103, and a second threaded section 113 for selective attachment to a conventional (unthreaded) aglet of a normal (typical) drawstring. Thus, the fastener of the female connector is configured for two separate, independent functions depending on the needs of the user: attachment to a conventional aglet of a normal drawstring (e.g. located within a hoodie) for replacement of the latter with the drawstring to which the female connector is attached; and attachment to a corresponding fastener of a male connector on a drawstring (e.g. located in a hoodie) for replacement of the latter with the drawstring to which the female connector is attached. It may be appreciated that such preferred configurations of the male and female connectors in this embodiment obviates the need for the separate coupler described above.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A closure means for a product, comprising:

a flexible elongate body, where the flexible elongate body is selected from the group consisting of lace, drawstring, cord, elastic, string, rope, wire, tie and strap; and

at least one connector mounted on at least one end of the flexible elongate body,

wherein the at least one connector comprises:

a fastener configured both for selective, releasable attachment of the connector, in the alternative, to a corresponding fastener of another connector and to a finished end of a second flexible elongate body, a receiver where the connector is mounted to the at least one end of the flexible elongate body; and

a swivel means for rotating the fastener relative to the receiver;

2. The closure means of claim 1 wherein a first connector having a fastener is mounted on a first end of the flexible elongate body and a second connector having a second fastener is mounted on a second end of the flexible elongate body.

3. The closure means of claim 1 wherein the fastener is selected from the group consisting of the following: barrel clasp, screw, threading, magnetic fitting, clamp, clip, Velcro™ and snap fitting.

4. The closure means of claim 1 wherein the swivel means includes a swivel arm extending from the receiver at a first swivel arm end through a base of the fastener to a swivel dial at a second swivel arm end.

5. The closure means of claim 1 wherein the fastener comprises a female receptacle.

6. The closure means of claim 5 wherein the female receptacle comprises first attachment means for releasable attachment to a fastener of a male connector and second attachment means for releasable attachment to said end of the second flexible elongate body.

7. The closure means of claim 6 wherein said first attachment means is located adjacent an open end of the female receptacle and wherein said second attachment means is located within the female receptacle and separated from said open end by said first attachment means.

8. The closure means of claim 7 wherein the first attachment means is threaded and has a cylindrical shape and the second attachment means is threaded and has a conical shape.

9. A connector for use with a flexible elongate closure means, the connector comprising:

a receiver for mounting to an end of the flexible elongate closure means; and

a fastener configured both for selective, releasable attachment of the connector, in the alternative, to a corresponding fastener of another connector, to a finished end of a flexible elongate body and to a threading tool.

10. The connector of claim 9 wherein the receiver comprises a cavity for mounting to a finished end of the flexible elongate closure means and the fastener is selected from the group consisting of the following: barrel clasp, screw fitting, magnetic fitting, clamp, clip, Velcro™ and snap fitting.

11. The connector of claim 9 wherein the connector further comprises a swivel means for rotating the fastener relative to the receiver, said swivel means including a swivel arm extending from the receiver at a first swivel arm end through a base of the fastener to a swivel dial at a second swivel arm end.

12. The connector of claim 9 wherein the receiver is a releasable clip or clamp.

13. The connector of claim 9 wherein the receiver comprises a helical female receptacle for releasably mounting to a finished aglet on said end of the flexible elongate closure means.

14. The connector of claim 13 wherein the helical female receptacle is an inwardly tapered, threaded cavity.

15. The connector of claim 13 wherein the fastener comprises a female receptacle.

16. The connector of claim 14 wherein the female receptacle comprises first attachment means for releasable attachment to a fastener of a male connector and second attachment means for releasable attachment to said end of the flexible elongate body.

17. The connector of claim 16 wherein said first attachment means is located adjacent an open end of the female receptacle and wherein said second attachment means is located within the female receptacle and separated from said open end by said first attachment means.

18. The connector of claim 16 wherein the second attachment means is threaded and has a conical shape and the first attachment means is threaded and has a cylindrical shape.

19. A method of replacing a first closure means of a product with a second closure means and then preparing to replace the second closure means with a third closure means, wherein the first closure means comprises a flexible elongate body and at least one finished end, said first closure means being at least partially slidably positioned in an enclosure of the product, wherein the second closure means comprises a flexible elongate body and a first connector, said first connector positioned at one end of the flexible elongate body, the first connector comprising a fastener configured both for selective releasable attachment of the first connector to said at least one finished end of the first closure means and, in the alternative, for selective releasable attachment to a second connector positioned at one end of the third closure means, said third closure means comprising a flexible elongate body and the second connector, the method comprising the steps of:

attaching the fastener to the at least one finished end of the first closure means;

pulling on the first closure means until the second closure means has replaced a position of the first closure means on the product;

detaching the fastener from the at least one finished end of the first closure means; and

attaching the fastener to said second connector in preparation for replacing the second closure means on the product with the third closure means.