GB2540200A

GB2540200A - Improved slide fastener

Info

Publication number: GB2540200A
Application number: GB1512049.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Edwards Sidney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-07-09
Filing date: 2015-07-09
Publication date: 2017-01-11
Also published as: GB201512049D0

Abstract

A releasable fastener comprising two stringer tapes 1,3, each tape having a fastener strip of either hook or loop material (8, 25, fig 1) and each stringer also having a guide runner 5,6 mounted along the length of each stringer, and a sliding guide 2 which brings the stringer tapes into alignment and in so doing bringing the fastening strips into contact. The sliding guide preferably has left and right guide channels longitudinally extending therein, the distance between the two channels varying along the length of the guide to give a V shape. Preferably one of the channels is straight and the second channel is positioned within the sliding guide 2 so that it deviates a stringer tape from a parallel plane towards the opposing stringer and applies pressure to the stringers to join them together.

Description

Improved Slide Fastener

Background of the invention

With the ever present desire to produce new designs for the fashion and home furnishings industries the nature of the slide or zip fastener on a particular garment or article can have a significant effect on the overall look of the finished article.

In addition, however, whilst having an attractive appearance, a slide fastener has a functional role and is often a key aspect in garments or home furnishing. A problem associated with slide fasteners is the inherent nature of the coupling or fastening elements or teeth that form the closure mechanism for the slide fastener to receive foreign materials. The presence of the foreign materials, if left unchecked may damage the closure mechanism by preventing movement of a slider along the length of the slide fastener. In addition, removal of the foreign body may result in damage to the coupling elements or teeth such that the fastener may no longer close.

Furthermore, in many slide fasteners the coupling or fastening elements may also provide rough edges, particularly when metal teeth are used as the coupling elements such that if a piece of for example a garment does become entangled in the slide fastener, the mode of operation of the slide fastener may damage the garment as the slide fastener is closed and then reopened to free the garment from the slide fastener.

There is therefore a need to provide a slide fastener with a closure mechanism which does not possess any rough edges on coupling elements, which is attractive in appearance and which still possesses an efficient closure compared with existing slide fasteners.

In conventional slide fasteners there is usually provided a pair of fastener tapes upon which are mounted rows of individual coupling elements which cooperate and interdigitate when the fastener tapes pass through a slider mounted on one of the fastener tapes and in so doing either close or open the slide fastener accordingly.

However, the interdigitation of the coupling elements has a limiting effect on the visible appearance of the slide fastener. That is, due to the required interconnection of the coupling elements needed to ensure a sufficient closing of the slide fastener, the design of the external appearance of the slide fastener has been strictly limited.

In addition, the interconnection of the coupling elements visible to the user on the front and rear of the fastener has limited the flexibility of the slide fastener in the closed position and also the separation between the individual fastener elements on opposing fastener tapes.

For example, in US 7320158 B2 (YKK Corporation) there is described a fastener with two fastener tapes in which the individual magnetic elements mounted on the opposed inner longitudinal edges of two fastener tapes at predetermined intervals are each adapted to fit between and be attracted to two mating magnetic elements mounted on the opposite fastener tape. Whilst this invention overcomes the problem of unsightly slide fastener closures and provides an attractive and smooth fastener, the strength of the fastener is limited by the strength and hence size of the magnets employed on the fastener tapes.

In WO 2005/101974 (Artzip Ltd) there is disclosed a zipper comprising two opposed rows of discrete interlocking elements wherein each of the interlocking elements carries a design or a fragment thereof for example, a trademark, logo or emblem. Whilst WO 2005/101974 details fastening elements wherein the front face of the fastening elements comprise a different design to the rear face of the fastening elements, the interdigitation between the individual fastening elements on opposing sides of the fastener tapes comprising the zipper is reduced thereby resulting in a weakened slide fastener or zipper.

In addition, the elaborate nature of the fastening elements on the front face of the slide fastener means that excessive flexing of the slide fastener when in the closed position may impair the closure of the fastener elements and therefore overall lead to a zipper with reduced flexibility.

In US 7,353, 570 (YKK Corporation) there is described a fastener chain in which fastener elements each formed into a single unit of synthetic resin are attached at a constant interval along opposing side edges of a pair of fastener tapes. Each fastener element comprises a front surface portion and a rear surface portion which are different with respect to one another. Both faces of the fastener elements are intricately fabricated thereby producing a fastener chain with an improved tactile feel and appearance but with a complicated design thereby making the fastener expensive and difficult to produce.

Finally, in US 7337509 (YKK Corporation) there is described a slide fastener wherein the fastener elements comprise a main body element constituted of a base portion attached to a fastener tape, a neck portion and an engaging head portion continuous from the neck portion. Also present is a stiffening means on the main body element allowing the surface stringers to bend when the elements are separated and inhibiting the fastener chain from bending when the elements are engaged in a stiffening condition.

Included in the broad category of releasable fasteners for clothing are primarily hooks and laces, buttons, zips. A large proportion of the uses are to releasably join two edges of a garment such as in a jacket, skirt, dress, trouser etc. Invariably, releasability facilitates easy adornment of a garment in the 'open' state. In the 'closed' state, edges are aligned; the garment is secured and 'fits' the wearer.

Zips have become the most widely used means of releasably fastening in clothing. Relatively cheap to make, they offer easy use, precise alignment, a secure and strong 'join' and sufficient flexibility. Drawbacks include its relatively intricate design incorporating a series of interlocking teeth that can be prone to jamming and the relatively long time it takes to release.

Some types of clothing demand the added ability to be quickly released. An example of this would be protective clothing particularly that used in fire fighting. Within sport, quick releasable fastenings are both very convenient but can enhance time based performance.

The strength of the fastening in the 'closed' state varies between methods and materials used. Whilst there are applications where this is an issue, in the majority of cases, the fastening is required to withstand relatively low forces.

Velcro is an ideal solution in specific situations by providing a strong join with high shear resistance. Its low peel strength characteristic allows for easy ‘rip’ release. However, due to the difficulty in aligning ‘free-floating’ edges of garments, its use has been limited to situations where at least one edge is anchored, typically shoes, pocket flaps, etc.

Whilst we all have got used to the zipper with its pros and cons, the need for an improved means of releasably fastening garments remains. This invention achieves improvement by combining the advantages of a zip-like action and a hook and loop fastening system.

The present invention relates to a slide fastener whose normal operation provides an emergency or quick opening facility.

The principle purpose of the zipper is to achieve a releasable join through the interlocking of teeth along each edge of a garment. When working as intended, this technique achieves a strong join in perfect alignment. Rapid release, however, is not normally possible.

To achieve rapid release of a zipper, it is required that the slider detach from one side of interlocking teeth. A common solution extends one side of teeth allowing the slider to remain attached to it while detaching itself from the other and allowing for quick opening from the top. In this state, the join is greatly weakened and prone to release prematurely. A secondary fastening is therefore required and can be provided by popper-studs along the length of the join. In this arrangement, as the zip can only operate in a normal way, i.e. join edges from the bottom to any point along its length, to enable quick release requires premeditation and refastening is impossible without the complete separation of edges first.

The limitations of hook and loop fastening systems are mentioned above and are overcome with this invention which utilises a unique alignment arrangement.

By removing the requirement for interlocking teeth on each edge of a garment, fastening is achieved through hooks and loops that are brought into contact as a result of aligning each edge of the garment precisely with the other.

In order that in the normal operation of the standard variation of the invention there be the ability of quick release, if required, the sliding guide would traverse the guide runners to the fullest extent at which point it would reside on the extended end of one stringer tape, as previously described. The join can then be parted from the top as required, reattached manually without the need to completely separate edges and is rapidly separable at all times.

The wider slot in the sliding guide channel of the quick release variant enables the garment edges to be separated at any time without having first slid the sliding guide along the guide runners to its fullest extent.

Applications for this invention will include day-to-day clothing, sports clothing, protective clothing requiring emergency quick release and anywhere where two ‘free-floating’ edges need to be releasably joined.

Advantages

The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior art zippers in that they remove the need for interdigitation of elements of the slide fastener, this ensures there is no risk of snagging. The use of guide runners overcomes the difficulty of easily aligning the mating faces of hooks and loops.

The present invention provides a slide fastener assembly which has a sleek appearance. Without interconnecting elements, there is little or no chance of damage to any material to which the slide fastener assembly is attached and which may become caught in the slide fastener assembly, yet still provide a join of sufficient strength. The shear strength of the join is determined by the size of the area the hooks and loops are in contact and can thus be adjusted by varying the width of the fastening strips.

An important limitation of traditional zips is that they are only effective in straight lines. Dispensing with interconnecting elements enable the present invention to overcome this limitation and provide added flexibility for designers to create non-linear joins.

For applications that would benefit from quick release, the present invention provides that capability.

The present invention therefore seeks to address the problems outlined above and provides an improved slide fastener assembly that is able to meet the need for a strong join and the aesthetic requirements of modern designs.

The present invention finds particular application as an improved slide fastener assembly for the clothing and soft furnishings industry, but is not limited thereto.

Brief description of the invention

According to the present invention there is provided an improved quick release slide fastener assembly comprising: • first and second stringer tapes each comprising, a fastening strip and a guide runner mounted longitudinally wherein: o the first stringer has a tape on which the fastening strip has a plurality of loops mounted along its length on the underside and a guide runner mounted along its length on the top side, o the second stringer has a tape on which the fastening strip has a plurality hooks mounted along its length on the top side together with a guide runner mounted along its length also on the top side, o the second stringer tape bearing the plurality of hooks extends across the edges to be joined in order to form an overlap with the first stringer tape, o the fastening strips on the first and second stringer tape are arranged so that when overlapping, the hooks come into contact with the loops, o a preferred aspect of the present invention is that the guide runner may be comprised of flexible material integral with either the hook surface or loops surface and the tape upon which they each are mounted, o an alternative aspect of the present invention is that the guide runner may be comprised of flexible material encased within a loop of durable woven fabric such as silk or rip-stop which may also be used to form the tape. • a sliding guide comprising a body wherein: o the sliding guide body has two channels through which the guide runners pass, o the passage through the sliding guide body of the first sliding guide channel is described by a straight line between the centres of its entry and exit apertures, while the passage of the second sliding guide channel is described by a line between the centres of its entry and exit apertures, that is arcuate in order that the second fastening strip 8 deviate from the plane parallel the second stringer tape and apply a force onto the first fastening strip, o the sliding guide body is adapted to slidably move along the guide runners, o a slot along the length of each guide channel enable the guide runner mountings to protrude, o the distance between the apertures of the guide channels may be greater on entry than on exit, o as the guide runners pass through the sliding guide channels, the fastening strips align and come into contact and form a releasable join, o a preferred aspect of the present invention is that the sliding guide body may be comprised of a plastics material or comprised of metal.

Sliding guide body variants

One variant of the sliding guide body also comprises a raised portion on its outer face with a horizontal slot. This facilitates the attachment of a tag. The tag can then be used to pull the sliding guide body along the guide runners. Another variation comprises a raised portion with a serrated outermost face. This portion enables the sliding guide body to be pushed with a finger along the guide runners. Yet another variation comprises left and right hand portions each with a serrated face which enables the sliding guide to be pinched between a finger and thumb and slid along the guide runners.

The standard version of the sliding guide body does not intend to be quickly releasable. A quick release variant of the sliding guide body features a wider slot along one channel. This enables the extraction of the respective guide runner from the sliding guide body, facilitating rapid separation of the joined fastening strips.

General arrangement variations

An alternative arrangement within the scope of this invention would be to have fastening strips mounted on the material of the item whose edges are to be releasably joined. For instance in the case of a garment where the two edges to be releasably joined overlap, fastening strips could be mounted on the back of the outermost overlapping edge and the front of the overlapped edge.

Guide runner alternatives

An alternative means of bringing the edges into alignment to facilitate contact between suitably arranged fastening strips could be one similar to the standard zipper. With modified opposing elements that do not interlock as they pass through a slider body, the releasable join could thus be achieved as described previously.

Further aspects and preferred features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying claims. Relative directions right, left, top, bottom, front and rear are defined from the point of view of one observing its use on a garment.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a representative view of a preferred form of the sliding fastener assembly from the top and entry apertures 4 and 9 according to my invention.

Fig. 2 is a representative view of a preferred form of the sliding fastener assembly from the front according to my invention.

Fig. 3 is a representative view of a preferred form of the sliding fastener assembly from the bottom and exit apertures 10 and 11 according to my invention.

Fig. 4 is a representative isometric view of the first stringer tape (3).

Fig. 5 is a representative view of the first stringer tape (3) from the bottom and exit aperture 11.

Fig. 6 is a representative isometric view of the second stringer tape (1).

Fig. 7 is a representative view of the second stringer tape (1) from the bottom and exit aperture 10.

Fig. 8 is a section view defined by the line A - A shown in Fig. 2 through the second sliding guide channel of the sliding guide body (2).

Fig. 9 is a representative isometric view of the sliding guide body (2) showing the rear.

Fig. 10 is a representative view of the quick release form of sliding guide body (2) from the bottom and exit apertures, 10 and 11, according to the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a representative isometric view of the preferred form of sliding guide body (2) showing the front and entry apertures, 4 and 9, according to the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a section view defined by the line B - B shown in Fig. 2 through the sliding guide body (2).

Detailed description of the invention

The invention will now be further described by way of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated the fastener in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 illustrate the fastener in a partially closed position.

The entry aperture of the first guide channel, 4, may be larger than the exit aperture 10. This optional aspect serves to make easy the threading of the first ‘free’ guide runner into the sliding guide channel.

The passage through the sliding guide body (2) of the first sliding guide channel is described by a straight line between the centres of its entry and exit apertures, 9 and 11, while the passage of the second sliding guide channel is described by a line between the centres of its entry and exit apertures, 4 and 10, that is arcuate in order that the second fastening strip 8 deviate from the plane parallel the second stringer tape (1) and apply a force onto the first fastening strip 25.

The entry sliding guide channel apertures 4 and 9 of the sliding guide body (2) closely fit the cross-section of the guide runners 5 and 6. The second sliding guide channel at the exit aperture 10 almost completely encompasses guide runner 6 which remains enclosed at all times. Slots along the length of the sliding guide body (2) are formed between the gaps in the sliding guide channel entry apertures, 4 and 9, and exit apertures, 10 and 11, and facilitate the egress of guide runner mountings 7 and 19.

The stringer tapes (1) and (3) are comprised of a woven cloth and may be made from cotton, polyester, or a blend of both. They are folded over cords 18 and 20 to form guide runners 5 and 6. Alternatively, guide runners 5 and 6 may comprise an extruded plastic material and be integral with fastening strips 8 and 25 and stringer tapes (1) and (3). Stringer tapes (1) and (3) may be made from other suitable materials that enable smooth movement of the sliding guide body (2) and the cord can be replaced with other suitable flexible materials that retain their diameter with repeated use.

The second stringer tape (1) has a second fastening strip 8 with a plurality hooks thereon, mounted on the back and parallel with the guide runner 6 while the first stringer tape (3) has a first fastening strip 25 with a plurality loops thereon, mounted on the back and parallel to the guide runner 5.

The quick release variant of the sliding guide body (2) features a wider slot 12 along the second sliding guide channel.

In applications where it necessary to prevent the sliding guide body (2) from sliding off the end of guide runners 5 and/or 6, a piece of metal or other ductile material may be crimped in a position at or near the end of the particular guide runner 5 and/or 6 to form a collar that is a ‘C’ shape. The collar having an inner surface deformed to grip the guide runner 5 and/or 6 and an outer surface greater than the diameter of the relevant sliding guide channel thus obstructing the passage of the sliding guide body (2).

Claims

1. A slide fastener assembly comprising a sliding guide body (2) having first and second sliding guide channels longitudinally extending within, first and second fastening strips 25 and 8 each mounted on first and second stringer tapes (3) and (1) which are in turn attached to two opposing edges of material such that they are joined together during alignment and can be rapidly released from each other.

2. A slide fastener assembly according to claim 1, in which the means of aligning first and second fastening strips 25 and 8 is provided by a sliding guide body (2).

3. A slide fastener assembly according to claim 1, in which the means of aligning first and second fastening strips 25 and 8 is provided by first and second stringer tapes (3) and (1) each attached to opposing edges of material and each stringer tape provided with a guide runner 5 and 6 mounted along the length the stringer tape (3) and (1) and each guide runner 5 and 6 of a cross section complimentary to the sliding guide channels.

4. A slide fastener assembly according to claim 1, in which the means of joining two edges of material is provided by: o a second stringer tape (1) having a portion overlapping both edges of material and on which a second fastening strip 8 is disposed on at least a portion of its front facing surface and having a plurality of hooks formed thereon and; o a first stringer tape (3) having a first fastening strip 25 disposed along its length on the back facing surface and having a plurality of loops formed thereon.

5. A slide fastener assembly according to claim 2, in which the distance between the first and second guide channel entry apertures, 4 and 9, of the sliding guide body (2) may be greater than those of the sliding guide channel exit apertures, 10 and 11, causing the first and second sliding guide channels to form a V shape.

6. A slide fastener assembly according to claim 2, wherein the passage through the sliding guide body (2) of the first sliding guide channel is described by a straight line between the centres of its entry and exit apertures, 9 and 11, while the passage of the second sliding guide channel is described by a line between the centres of its entry and exit apertures, 4 and 10, that is arcuate in order that the second fastening strip 8 deviate from the plane parallel the second stringer tape (1) and apply a force onto the first fastening strip 25.

7. A slide fastener assembly according to claim 3, in which the guide runners 5 and 6 are comprised of a flexible cord 18 and 20 enclosed within a loop of durable fabric or similar 7 and 19.

8. A slide fastener assembly according to claims 3 and 7, in which the guide runners 5 and 6 are mounted along the length of the first and second stringer tapes (1) and (3) by anchoring their loops of durable fabric 7 and 19 to each stringer tape (1) and (3).

9. A slide fastener assembly according to claims 2 and 8, in which the first and second sliding guide channels each provide a slot along their length to enable each guide runner mounting to protrude through whilst the guide runners 5 and 6 remain within their sliding guide channel and the entry portion of the first sliding guide channel slot describes a spiral around the centre line of that sliding guide channel causing the first fastening strip 25 to be drawn closer to the second fastening strip 8 .

10. A slide fastener assembly according to all previous claims, in which the joining of materials is achieved by the configuration of sliding guide body (2), first and second fastening strips 25 and 8, first and second guide runners 5 and 6 and first and second stringer tapes (3) and (1) such that the act of moving the sliding guide body (2) along the guide runners 5 and 6, causes the guide runners 5 and 6 to become aligned and the first and second fastening strips 25 and 8 to come into contact forming a releasable join.