US20070006366A1

US20070006366A1 - Friendly fly

Info

Publication number: US20070006366A1
Application number: US11/175,244
Authority: US
Inventors: Laurel Barnard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-07-06
Filing date: 2005-07-06
Publication date: 2007-01-11

Abstract

The Friendly Fly is a means of zipping and unzipping garments without the tedious task of actually doing it. It is a stretchable material that is attached to the zipper by the zipper pull and then attached to a stationary point on the garment. Once pressure is placed on the zipper at the stationary point the zipper will unzip. When the pressure is released the zipper will automatically zip back. This is especially good for people who suffer from various diseases that make it hard for them the be able to handle such a tasks as zipping and unzipping their pants. Because they are made of a stretchable material, they can contain a variety of designs that allow them to cater to the latest fashion fad.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a stretchable material that attaches to a zipper and a stationary point. Once the stretchable material is attached to the zipper it operates to zip and unzip the zipper based on pressure that is placed on the stretchable material.

BACKGROUND

Zippers are a common product in today's society. For years they have been a part of most every pair of pants. As fashions continue to change we are seeing even more zippers in the clothing market. For example, you find a lot of sweaters with zippers these days.
Zippers are not always that easy for people to operate. For example, as the average age of today's society continues to rise, the number of people who are unable to operate zippers because of arthritis or other diseases increases. This is very problematic to older individual since most pants contain zippers. Going to the restroom is a common everyday occurrence that most of us take for granted. However, if zipping and unzipping your pants is a painful experience due to arthritis or some other disease, you will avoid this experience as long as possible, thereby producing the potential for other medical problems. Broken fingers, wrists and arms are also make it difficult to operate zippers.
In addition, young children have problems operating zippers. Small children learning to potty train have a very hard time getting their pants up and down. When you add zippers into that scenario the problem increases. Children strive for independence and especially once they are potty trained. Being able to operate the zipper on their pants is a part of the process.
Let's not forget those individuals who simply forget to zip their pants up when they put their pants on or when they are done going to the restroom. Additionally, there are those zippers that just simply will not stay zipped no matter how many times you zip them.
Zippers are easier to operate than a lot of the alternatives though. For example, trying to button and unbutton your pants is much harder than trying to zip and unzip your pants. Snap would certainly have their own set of problems as well.
Therefore, zippers are here to stay at least for some time. Alternatives, to help individuals with zipping and unzipping or keeping something zipped is what the present invention involves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment the friendly fly would function to zip and unzip an individuals zipper.
In another embodiment the friendly fly would be comprised of a stretchable material.
In another embodiment the stretchable material would measure between 1½ and 5 inches in length and between 1/32 and ¼ inch in width.
In yet another embodiment the stretchable material would be comprised of elastic.
In another embodiment the stretchable material would be comprised of fabric.
In yet another embodiment the stretchable material would be comprised of rubber.
In still another embodiment the stretchable material would be comprised of a flexible plastic.
In another embodiment the stretchable material would be comprised of a reinforced opening on each end.
In yet another embodiment the opening on opposite ends of the stretchable material would be reinforced with a metal.
In another embodiment the opening on opposite ends of the stretchable material would be reinforced with a hard plastic.
In still another embodiment, the openings on opposite ends of the stretchable material would be button holes.
In another embodiment the stretchable material would be operable to attach to a zipper by way of a plastic clasp.
In yet another embodiment the stretchable material would be operable to attach to a zipper by way of metal clasp.
In still another embodiment, the stretchable material would be operable to be attached to the zipper by looping one end of the stretchable material through the opposite end.
In another embodiment, one end of the stretchable material would be operable to attach to a stationary button.
Still other advantages of various embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described preferred embodiments of this invention simply for the purposes of illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different aspects and embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the advantages, drawings, and descriptions are illustrative in nature and not restrictive in nature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a zipper and a zipper attachment comprising a stretchable material and openings on opposite ends of the stretchable material.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the stretchable material further depicting an alternative device for attaching the stretchable material to a zipper.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.
FIG. 1 depicts a zipper attachment 10 comprised of a stretchable material 20 and reinforced openings 30 on each end of the stretchable material 20 and a stationary point 40. The stretchable material 20 is attached to a stationary point 40. The stationary point 40 can be a button, a snap, or a clasping device. The stretchable material can be comprised of various types of elements including fabric, leather, rubber, elastic, or a flexible plastic. While FIG. 1 depicts reinforced openings 30 on each end of the stretchable material 20, there are alternate means of securing the stretchable material 20 to a zipper 15. For example, a button hole on one end would allow the stretchable material 20 to be threaded through the zipper closure device 50 and then threaded through a reinforced opening 30. Further, a metal clasp or a plastic clasp could be used that would hook to the zipper closure device 50. The stretchable material 20 operates to unzip the zipper when you pull the zipper apart at the stationary point 40. Alternatively, the stretchable material 20 operates to zip the zipper when pulled together at the stationary point 40.
FIG. 2 depicts a front view of a zipper attachment 10 comprised of a stretchable material 20, reinforced openings 30 and a clasp 60. The stretchable material 20 of FIG. 2 illustrates the ability to have the various designs. Since the stretchable material 20 can comprise a fabric, the fabric could be made of various fashionable colors and prints. Alternatively, if the stretchable material 20 is comprised of elastic, assorted color elastic could be used, or the elastic could be covered with a fabric. The stretchable material 20, regardless of the substance, could closely pattern itself around the latest fad.
Although an embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described in detail herein, along with certain variants thereof, many other varied embodiments that incorporate the teachings of the invention may be easily constructed by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A zipper attachment comprising:

a stretchable material; and

a provision for attaching the stretchable material to the zipper and another stationary point.

2. A zipper attachment of claim 1, wherein the stretchable material is comprised of rubber.

3. A zipper attachment of claim 1, wherein the stretchable material is comprised of elastic.

4. A zipper attachment of claim 1, wherein the stretchable material is comprised of leather.

5. A zipper attachment of claim 1, wherein the stretchable material is comprised of fabric.

6. A zipper attachment of claim 1, wherein the stretchable material is comprised of a soft plastic.

7. A zipper attachment of claim 1, wherein the provision for attaching the stretchable material to the zipper is a plastic clasp.

8. A zipper attachment of claim 1, wherein the provision for attaching the stretchable material to the zipper is a metal clasp.

9. A zipper attachment of claim 1, wherein the provision for attaching the stretchable material to the zipper is a reinforced opening on a first and a second end of the stretchable material.

10. A zipper attachment of claim 9, wherein the openings on the first and second ends of the stretchable material are comprised of button holes.

11. A zipper attachment of claim 9, wherein the openings on the first and second ends of the stretchable material are reinforced with metal.

12. A zipper attachment of claim 9, wherein the openings on the first and second ends of the stretchable material are reinforced with a hard plastic.

13. In combination with a zipper a zipper attachment for zipping and unzipping said zipper comprising:

a stretchable material, wherein the stretchable material measures between 1½ inches to 5 inches in length and 1/32 to ¼ inch in width;

said zipper attachment operable to attach the stretchable material to the zipper and another stationary point, wherein the stretchable material is operable to unzip the zipper by pulling the two sides of the zipper apart at a stationary point; and

wherein the stretchable material is operable to zip the zipper by when opposite sides of the zipper are pulled together and attached at a stationary point.

14. A zipper attachment of claim 13, wherein the stretchable material is comprised of fabric.

15. A zipper attachment of claim 13, wherein the stretchable material is comprised of elastic.

16. A zipper attachment of claim 13, wherein the stretchable material is comprised of flexible plastic.

17. A zipper attachment of claim 13, wherein the stretchable material is comprised of rubber.

18. A zipper attachment of claim 13, wherein the stretchable material is connected to the zipper by a metal clasp.

19. A zipper attachment of claim 13, wherein the stretchable material is attached to the zipper by a plastic clasp.

20. A zipper attachment of claim 13, wherein the provision for attaching the stretchable material to the zipper is comprised of a reinforced opening on a first and a second end of the stretchable material.