ES2290103T3 - ZIP CLOSURE. - Google Patents

Abstract

Zip closure (1) comprising: a first cursor (30) and a second cursor (10) arranged to be able to slide in a pair of inter-coupling closure bands (5, 6) to open the closure (1) when they are separated and close the closure (1) when carried together; a first receiving part (31) arranged in the first cursor (30); a first elastic locking element (12) arranged in the second cursor (10) and capable of cooperating with the first receiving part (31); a second receiving part (32) arranged in one of the cursors (30); and a second elastic locking element (11) arranged in the other of the cursors (10) and capable of cooperating with the second receiving part (32); wherein the first and second receiving parts (31, 32) are arranged to cooperate with the first and second locking elements (11, 12) respectively, in order to mutually lock the first and second cursors (30, 10), with susceptibility to release, characterized in that the locking elements (11, 12) and the receiving parts (31, 32) are arranged to be disengaged by a lateral movement into the locking elements (11, 12), whereby they are unlocked the cursors (10, 30).

Description

Zip closure.

The present invention relates to closures of zipper or snap fasteners, in particular, but not limited to zipper closures for bags or garments wear.

More particularly, the invention relates to Zip fasteners featuring two mobile cursors so that the closure can be opened at any point along its length.

The zip fasteners of the aforementioned nature They are well known in general. However, there is a tendency to the accidental separation of the cursors, which opens the closing. To overcome this problem, different suggestions have been suggested. locks likely to be blocked. However, these must have mechanisms that allow the blockage to occur, and these mechanisms are often very complicated, and require many parts in each cursor

Document DE 299 16 217 U1 describes a closure zipper that can be locked comprising two cursors. Cursor face comprises a lock element mounted in a way pivoting and a combination lock mechanism. Each element lock cooperates with a receiving part of the other cursor and it retracts from the receiving part by placing an indexed sphere of the lock mechanism in an appropriate position.

US 2701903 describes a closure of zipper that can be locked comprising two cursors. Each cursor comprises a handle provided with a groove and protuberance that cooperate with a bump and groove of the other cursor to lock the cursors with each other. The cursors are separated by twisting them to decouple the handles.

Therefore, the need for have a simple closure that hinders separation Cursors accidental.

Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to eliminate or improve at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention, provides a zip closure comprising a first cursor and a second cursor arranged to be able to slide in a couple of inter-coupling closure bands to open the closure when separate and close the closure when carried together; a first receiving part arranged in the first cursor; a first element of elastic lock arranged in the second cursor and susceptible to cooperate with the first receiving party; a second receiving party arranged in one of the cursors; and a second locking element elastic arranged in the other of the cursors and susceptible to cooperate with the second receiving party; being arranged the first and second receiving parties to cooperate with the elements lock first and second respectively, in order to lock mutually the first and second cursors, with susceptibility to release, characterized in that the locking elements and the receiving parts are arranged to be decoupled by a lateral movement into the locking elements, with which the cursors are unlocked.

The relative lateral movement of the elements of locking can be caused by a movement of the cursors along the axis of the closure. It can also be caused by manipulation of the locking elements by a user.

Preferably, the locking elements first and second and the first and second receiving parties are arranged to be spaced laterally from the center of the first and second cursors.

Preferably, the locking elements First and second are elongated external protuberances. Preferably also, the locking elements penetrate one or more recesses in the corresponding cursor to cooperate with receiving parts These characteristics mean that locking elements are retained at least partially within the cursors when they are embedded which is reduced the probability of disruption of the locking elements.

Preferably, the zip closure it also comprises a conductive element in one of the cursors, a guiding part in the other cursor, the part of being arranged guided to guide the conductive element when the first and second cursors, in which the conductive element and the guided part align the first and second cursors and inhibit the lateral movement between them. An advantage of this is that first and second cursors are aligned to allow the Locking elements cooperate with the receiving parties. Additionally, inhibiting lateral movement between cursors reduces the likelihood of accidental separation of the cursors

Preferably, the conductive element is located between the locking elements. This provision allows a central conductor element and that the locking elements cooperate with receiving parts arranged laterally.

Preferably, the input element It comprises an elongated external projection in one of the cursors. It facilitates the guidance of the cursors in a relative alignment when They get together.

Preferably, the guiding part is within one of the cursors. This allows the two cursors to come together completely so that it is not substantially hollow some between the two cursors when the one is locked with the other.

Preferably two elements are presented drivers. This allows a more positive cooperation with the party Guided

Preferably the facing faces of the Cursors are curves and complementary ways for your cooperation. This ensures the absence of a substantial gap between the cursors when they are locked with each other.

Preferably, at least one of the Cursors is formed as a single monolithic piece. In this way  Labor and manufacturing costs are reduced. The piece can be formed by die casting or injection molding, or by Any other appropriate method.

A form of embodiment of the invention, merely by way of example, making  reference to the attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top view of a Zip closure according to the invention, with two cursors locked on two serrated closure bands;

Figure 2 is a view from below the closure zipper with locked cursors;

Figure 3 is a top view of the closure zipper with separate cursors;

Figure 4 is a view from below of the cursors removed from the closure bands;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the cursors removed from the closing bands;

Figure 6 is an end view of one of the cursors;

Figure 7 is an end view of the other cursor

Figure 8 is a view of the rear end of one of the cursors;

Figure 9 is a view of the rear end of the another cursor

Figure 10 is a side view of the cursors;

Figure 11 is a sectional view through the X-X plane of Figure 10, but showing both cursors locked together;

Figure 12 is a sectional view through the XI-XI plane of Figure 5, through the cursor female; Y

Figure 13 is a sectional view through the plane XII-XII of Figure 5, through the cursor male.

Figure 1 shows a zipper closure 1 comprising a first cursor 10, a second cursor 30 and a zipper 4 (the word "zipper" as used in the This report means a clamping mechanism provided with closure bands that engage each other by teeth). The zipper 4 comprises first and toothed locking bands second 5, 6 that are coupled and decoupled by the cursors first and second 10, 30. Additionally, two gripping means 2, 3 are provided in the form of profiled knobs, one at each cursor, to drag the cursors along the zipper 4. The 10, 30 cursors each have a cooperating end that establishes contact with the other cursor, and an opposite outer end to the cooperating extreme.

Figure 2 shows the bottom face of the closure zipper 1, and show the cursors first and second 10, 30 and zipper 4. The faces shown in Figure 1 they will usually be placed on the outside of the bag, pledge of dress or other item to which zipper 1 would be fixed and the faces shown in Figure 2 would be in the inside.

Figure 3 shows the zip closure 1 with the first and second 10, 30 cursors in a position not locked. In the area between the two cursors, the closing bands first and second 5, 6 are separated; in the area outside the cursors 10, 30, the two closing bands 5, 6 are mutually gears to close the zipper closure 1.

The first and second 10, 30 cursors present a standard arrangement for separating and joining the closure bands intercouplers 5, 6. A partition 25, 45 connects a base 28, 48 to the main cursor body 10, 30 and this base has a tab bottom retainer 27, 47 at the side edges of the base 28, 48, which points towards the main body. Base 28, 48 is widens laterally from the outer end of the cursor 10, 30 towards the cooperating end. A top retaining tab 26, 46 it is located on the main body of each cursor 10, 30 and follows the same contours in the zipper plane 4 as the tab bottom retainer 27, 47. Tab 26, 27, 46, 47 flexes the zipper bands 5, 6 of the zipper 4 out laterally and force the meshed teeth to separate. The partition 25, 45 acts to separate the closure bands 5, 6 on the cooperating side of the 10, 30 cursors. The gear mechanism works the same way to couple the two closing bands 5, 6, but at reverse.

The locking mechanism of the cursors 10, 30 it is independent of base 28, 48 and partitions 25, 45, which they act to separate and join the teeth of the closure bands 5, 6 of the zipper 4.

Figure 5 shows the cursors first and second 10, 30 removed from zipper 4 and separated one from other. Figure 5 shows first and second locking elements which, in this embodiment are arms 11 and 12 and elements first and second conductors 13, 14 arranged in the first cursor 10. The first and second arms 11, 12 and the conductive elements first and second 13, 14 protrude from a curved butt surface 20 at the cooperating end of the first cursor 10.

Each arm 11, 12 has a neck 17, 18 next to the cooperating surface 20 and a head part 15, 16 distal of the cooperating surface 20. The neck parts 17, 18 They are elastically deformable. All arm 11, 12 is made in the same material, so that the entire arm 11, 12 is elastically deformable but the reduced width of the arm in the neck parts 17, 18 has the effect that most of the deformation occurs in the neck 17, 18. Alternatively, the parts of head 15, 16 and neck 17, 18 could be made in different materials. For example, the head could be made to be able to flatten elastically in the lateral direction and neck 17, 18 would remain rigid, which would produce the same effect.

Arranged at the top of the first cursor 10 there is a loop 21 for fixing the gripping means 2.

The second cursor 30 also has a loop 41 for fixing gripping means 3. The second cursor 30 has a stop surface 40 at the cooperating end which is complementary in shape with the stop surface 20 of the first cursor 10.

As you can see in Figure 11, the second cursor 30 presents first and second receiving parts 31, 32 that are arranged laterally at the second cursor 30. The parts receptors 31, 32 are rigid and substantially non-deformable, and they form vertical elements that support the upper part of the second cursor 30; loop 41 is mounted on top 36 of cursor 30.

The second cursor 30 presents a piece central transverse 35, which is parallel to the top 36. The receiving parties 31, 32, together with the party upper and cross piece 35 define a hole or recess 33. This can also be seen in Figure 11.

Figure 11 shows a sectional view a through the 10, 30 cursors while coupled. Arms 11, 12 are locked with the receiving parts 31, 32. Figure 11 it also shows a guiding element 34 in the second cursor 30. The guiding element 34 is centrally arranged, and extends backward to the outer end of cursor 30 from a delayed position with respect to hole 33. The magnitude of the distance in which the guiding part 34 of the hole 33 entry is not critical, as long as the elements drivers 13, 14 cooperate with her when the cursors meet 10, 30. Preferably, the conductive elements 13, 14 cooperate with the guiding part 34 while the arms 11, 12 are separated  still of the receiving parts 31, 32. This allows to align the 10, 30 cursors and reduces the chance that only one of the arms 11, 12 penetrate hole 33, causing blockage of the cursors 10, 30.

The guiding part 34 is elongated and extends between the upper part 36 and the central crosspiece 35. The conductive elements 13, 14 cooperate with the guiding part 34 laterally, extending a conductive element on each side of the guiding part 34. Alternatively, the guiding part 34 could comprise a central slot, with which it could cooperate a single conductive element to achieve the same result.

The guiding part 34 and the elements conductors 13, 14 resist the relative lateral movement of the 10, 30 cursors, which helps prevent accidental release of the arms 11, 12 of the receiving parts 31, 32. the nature elongated of the conductive elements 13, 14 and of the guiding part 34 also inhibits the relative rotational movement of the cursors 10, 30

As you can see in Figure 11, to couple the second cursor 30 of the uncoupled position, arms 11, 12 they have to deform inward, to allow heads 15, 16 of arms 11, 12 penetrate hole 33 and engage positively with the receiving parties 31, 32. As indicated above, the arms 11, 12 can deform in various ways to make it. The important requirement is that arms 11, 12 be deform when they come into contact with the receiving parties 31, 32 so that they can pass into hole 33 and then recover its default form to cooperate with the receiving parties 31, 32

Arms 11, 12 deform and penetrate the hole 33 of the second cursor 30. The dimensions of the neck 17, 18 and of the receiving parts 31, 32 are such that the depth of the receiving parts 31, 32 is slightly shorter than the length of the neck 17, 18. Additionally, the lateral spacing of the arms 11, 12, of heads 15, 16 and of receiving parts 31, 32 is such that heads 15, 16 extend laterally towards outside the inner surface of the receiving part 31, 32, and the lateral distance from the center of the cursor to the surface outside of the neck 17, 18 is slightly smaller than that of the inner surface of the receiving part 31, 32. In this way, heads 15, 16 exceed the receiving parts 31, 32 and return to its configuration not substantially deformed at the time when the stop surfaces 20, 40 of the cooperating ends are touch The tolerances of these dimensions are important, in the sense that necks 17, 18 should be sufficiently more long than the receiving parts 31, 32 to allow the Arms 11, 12 return to their non-deformed configuration.

Alternatively, arms 11, 12 could be rigid and receiving parts could be deformable elastically inward. Hole 33 partially maintains its form using the guiding part 34 to act as a strut.

The tail of the head parts 15, 16, that is, the part closest to the neck 17, 18, is square. Alternatively,  the tail can be of decreasing section or inclined from the head 15, 16 to the neck 17, 18. In the latter case, the cooperation with the receiving party 31, 32 is not so positive, and the Separation resistance of the cursors 10, 30 is lower. Additionally, the magnitude of the lateral extension of the head 15, 16 beyond the neck 17, 18 can be varied to vary the resistance to separation of the cursors 10, 30. The higher it is This lateral extension, safer is the cooperation. The width of the head of the arm 15, 16 cannot be greater than the distance lateral between the outside of the conductive element 13, 14 and the inside of the receiving part 31, 32, or head 15, 16 of the arm will reach butt against the conductive element 13, 14 without deforming enough to allow arm 11, 12 to penetrate the hole 33 and cooperate with the receiving party 31, 32.

To release the cursors 10, 30 of their lock, the arms 11, 12 have to be substantially deformed at the same weather. If only one arm 11 is deformed inwards, then the lateral movement will not be transferred to second arm 12 due to the inhibition of lateral and rotational movement of the elements conductors 13, 14 with respect to guiding part 34. Therefore, both arms 11, 12 must deform substantially inward at the same time so that the arms 11, 12 are disengaged and separate the cursors 10, 30. This lateral movement can be achieved pinching heads 15, 16 of arms 11, 12 with one finger and the thumb and separating the arrow keys 10, 30.

If the tails of the head parts 15, 16 are sufficiently inclined, then this pinched of the heads 15, 16 is not necessary and the simple pull of the cursors 10, 30 in opposite directions with sufficient force will separate them. The 10, 30 cursors will still resist accidental separation but will they will separate in response to a strong longitudinal force.

Alternatively, the tail of the parts of head 15, 16 and the part of the receiving part 31, 32 next to it they could take complementary cooperating formations, such as a rib and groove (not shown). These then would act as an additional resistance to separation, since the rib and the groove would lock and resist deformation inward of head parts 15, 16. An additional force would be necessary then to deform the arms 11, 12 and separate the 10, 30 cursors, which would further reduce the possibility of accidental separation, while ensuring that the gearing of the 10, 30 cursors did not require undue effort since the Elasticity of the arms 11, 12 would not be affected. Preferably, the neck would be longer than the depth of the receiving part in this case, so that heads 15, 16 they could return to their undeformed configuration without interference from the complementary cooperating formations. So, when separating the 10, 30 cursors, the complementary cooperating formations are would couple.

Cursors 10, 30 may be formed as unique piece, thus greatly reducing the costs of Manufacturing and complexity of the zip closure.

Training can be achieved by casting in matrix, in which case the material used will be suitable for laundry on matrix - for example iron, steel or tin. Any other Appropriate material could also be used.

Alternatively, training can be achieved. by injection molding using a plastic material suitable. Any other suitable training method would also be appropriate.

While the previous embodiments of the closing with cursors refer to an embodiment of Zip closure, will also apply to any other type of closing with cursors and it should be appreciated that other modifications and variations will be suggested to those skilled in the art when making reference to the description above, given as example only and without pretending to limit the scope of the invention.

Unless the context clearly demands what on the contrary, in all the description and claims, the expressions "understand", "understand" and the like, have to be interpreted in an inclusive sense as opposed to a sense exclusive or exhaustive, that is, in the sense of "with inclusion from, but not limited to ".

Claims (16)

1. Zip closure (1) comprising: a first cursor (30) and a second cursor (10) arranged to slide in a pair of closure bands intercouplers (5, 6) to open the closure (1) when they are separated and close the closure (1) when carried together; a first receiving part (31) arranged in the first cursor (30); a first elastic locking element (12) arranged in the second cursor (10) and capable of cooperating with the first receiving party (31); a second receiving part (32) arranged in one of the cursors (30); Y a second elastic locking element (11) arranged in the other of the cursors (10) and capable of cooperating with the second receiving part (32); wherein the first and second receiving parts (31, 32) are arranged to cooperate with the first and second locking elements (11, 12) respectively, in order to mutually lock the first and second cursors (30, 10), with susceptibility to release, characterized in that the locking elements (11, 12) and the receiving parts (31, 32) are arranged to be disengaged by a lateral movement into the locking elements (11, 12), whereby they are unlocked the cursors (10, 30). 2. Zip closure according to claim 1, in which the relative lateral movement of the elements of locked (11, 12) is caused by manipulation of the elements of locked (11, 12) by a user. 3. Zip closure according to claim 1, in which the relative lateral movement of the elements of locked (11, 12) is caused by the movement of the cursors (10, 30) along the axis of the closure (1). 4. Zip closure according to any of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking elements first and second (11, 12) and the first and second receiving parties (31, 32) are arranged to be spaced laterally from the center of the first and second cursors (10, 30). 5. Zip closure according to any of the previous claims, wherein the locking elements First and second (11, 12) are elongated external projections. 6. Zip closure according to any of the previous claims, wherein the locking elements first and second (11, 12) penetrate one or more recesses (33) of the another cursor (30) to cooperate with the receiving parties (31, 32). 7. Zip closure according to any of the previous claims, wherein the receiving parties First and second (31, 32) are rigid. 8. Zip closure according to any of the previous claims, which also includes: a conductive element (13, 14) in one of the cursors (10); a guiding part (34) on the other cursor (30), the guiding part (34) being arranged to guide the conductive element (13, 14) when the first and second cursors (10, 30) are joined, aligning the conductive element (13, 14) and the guiding part (34) the first and second cursors (10, 30) and inhibiting lateral movement between
they. 9. Zip closure according to claim 8, in which the conductive element (13, 14) is located between the locking elements (11, 12). 10. Zip closure according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the conductive element (13, 14) comprises a elongated external projection in one of the cursors (10). 11. Zip closure according to claim 8, 9 or 10, in which the guiding part (34) is within the another cursor (30). 12. Zip closure according to any of the claims 8 to 11, wherein there are two conductive elements (13, 14). 13. Zip closure according to any of the previous claims, wherein the opposite faces (20, 40) of the cursors (10, 30) are curved and complementary to Your mutual cooperation. 14. Zip closure according to any of the previous claims, wherein at least one of the Cursors (10, 30) is formed as a single monolithic piece. 15. Cursor (10, 30) for a zip closure according to any of the preceding claims. 16. Article of luggage, comprising a Zip closure (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.