US2277506A - Reversible automatic lock slider for slide fasteners - Google Patents

Description

AMarch 24, 1942. G. M. B|zr wr`r1|y REVERSIBLE UTOMATIC LOCK SLIDER FOR SL Filed May 13. 1940 IDF. FAsTNERs v 56 U ,e7 vul-2% if e g ff i 5% v S i ,e 6 ,efe 51- 30"?? 232181 u 4 -ef.

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Patented Mar. 24, 1942 UNITED STATE REVERSIBLE AUTOMATIC LOCK SLIDER FOR. SLIDE FASTENERS George M. Beckwith, Meadville, Pa., assignor to Talon, Inc., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 13, 1940, serial No. 334,726V

` 11 claims. (c1. 24-205. 5)

double-acting, being capable of being manually unlocked from both sides thereof.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a slider which is of simple, cheap, strong and durable construction; which may be operated with ease and convenience; and which embodies tion embodying a nexibie cord-like puu'member r i' extending through the slider from-side to side new and improved reversibly operable locking i These and other objects and advantages of thefinvention will appear from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, which forms a part' thereof, and will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view, in perspective, of a slide fastener slider according tothis invention, as' applied to one conventional form of slide fastener, of which a fragmentary showing is made;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central section of the slider of Fig; 1, partly in elevation, and with the slider parts shown in locking position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the slider parts in' the position assumed when the slider is unlocked from one side thereof;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing the slider parts in the position assumed when the slider is `unlocked from the opposite side of the slider;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2;V

Fig. 7 is a view, in perspective, of a detail of the slider construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6; and

Fig. 8 is a section taken substantially on'the I 'line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

In the copending application of Alfred E. Carlile, Serial No. 325,763, for Reversible slider for slide fasteners, filed March 2 5, 1940, which matured into Letters Patent No. 2,253,494, granted August 26, 1 941, disclosure is made of a reversible slider v for slide fasteners, wherein full reversibility of the slider 'is accomplished while complicated lug and pull tab constructions of the prior art constructions, of similar type,- are totally obviated. The slider disclosed in the above-identiedcopending application comprises a simple,

25, slidably receiving the interlocking fastener.

thereof and slidable endwise for extension at either side of the slider body to provide an operating means formanually operating the slider from that side. r

According to this invention, the principles of the invention disclosed in the above-identified application are applied to an automatic slide fastener slider embodying a new and improved automatic locking mechanism to provide a slide fastener slider embodying automatic locking means normally operative to lock the slider against relative movement with respect to the slide fastener, in conventional manner, and which locking means may be unlocked through application of tension to the flexible cord-like pull member from either side of the slider. I'he locking means includes a reversibly operable locking member acting as a lever of the rst class when tension is applied to the exible cord-like. pull member in one direction, and acting as a Alever of the third class when tension is applied to the 4flexible cord-like pull member in the oppositel together at the bottom of `each row of fastener members I5 by a suitable bottom stop I6 of known construction.

Slidable longitudinally on the cooperating rows of vinterlocking fastener members 5 for meshing and unmeshing the members I5 to open and close the fastener is a slider, generally designated 20. The slider body comprises a front wing 'member 2I and a generally similar rear wing member 22 secured together .at their upper ends by a wedge or neck member 24 and each provided with oppositely directed marginal side flanges 23 which cooperate with the wedge or neck member 24 to form, between the front wing 2| and rear wing 22, an upwardly diverging substantially Y-shaped interlocking fastener member guiding channel members I5 on the reinforced edges of the Stringer tapes I2, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Extending through the slider body from sidel strong, durable and fool-proof slider constructo side thereof, preferably within the confines of the wedge or neck member 24, is a pull member 4and the intermediatestop 3|.

receiving bore 26 which terminates at each end in a shallow arcuate recess or depression 21. Extending through the pull member receiving bore 26, and freely movable endwise therethrough, is a flexible cord-like pull member or tension member 28.

The end of the pull member 28, which isl disposed at thefront of the slider, is provided with a button-like front end stop 29 which is fixed thereto, while a similar buttonlike rear end stop 30 is xed to the other end of the tension member of pull member 28. `The button-like end stop members 28 and 38 are alternately recessed substantially in the respective arcuate recesses or depressions 21 in their extreme positions, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, to prevent catching upon underlying foreign materials. and objects.

Also'iixed to the pull member or tension member 28 between the front end stop 29 and the rear end stop 30 is an intermediate stop 3|. The front end stop 29 and the intermediate stop 3| are alternately engageable with a reversibly operable locking member, hereinafter described, to unlock the slider.

Extending inwardly from the outer surface of the frontwing member 2| is a locking member receiving recess 32 which terminates, atthe lower end of the slider body, in a locking projection receiving opening or aperture 33 extending into the fastener member guiding channel 25. The side walls of the locking member receiving recess 32 are preferably flat, while the inner or bottom wall thereof is of irregular form, being provided with an intermediate forwardly directed projection which forms a fulcrum 34 for the reversibly operable locking member, whenA it is operated from the rear of the slider to bring it to unlocking position. Upwardly of this intermediate projection, the bottom wall of the recess 32 is offset inwardly and is closed at its extreme upper end by a bar 35 which forms a fulcrum 36 for the locking member 48 when it is operated in the reverse direction. The bar 35 is undercut at 31 to receive the outwardly bent end of the reversibly. operable locking member 48 hereinafter more clearly described. .A i

The above referred to reversibly operable locking member is generallydesignated 48 vand comprises an elongated lever, the major portion 4| of which terminates at its lower end in the inwardly directed locking projection 42 which normally extends through the opening or aperture 33 into the fastener member guiding channel 25 o f the slider. At its upper end, the portion 4| of the locking member 48 terminates in an inwardly directed bent portion 43 which is connected to the inwardly offset upper end portion 44 of the locking.me.mber 48, the said portion 44 having an outwardly directed terminal projection 45 which is received by the above-described recess 31 provided for that purpose in the bar 35.

The upper end portion 44 of the locking member 48 is provided with an aperture 48 which is aligned with the above-described pull member receiving bore 26 and through which extends that portion of the tension member or pull member 28 which is between the front end stop 29 The inner side of the major portion 4| of the locking member 48 is provided with a spring-receiving notch or recess 41 which opens toward .thelower end of the biasing spring member 48., i

or tension member The biasing spring member 48 is in the form of a4 leaf spring disposed longitudinally of the slider body and extending past the locking projection 42 of the locking member 48 which is spaced to one side thereof, as shown in Fig. 6. The free or inner end portion of the biasing spring member 48 extends upwardly in the locking member receiving recess 32, the terminal portion thereof being disposed in .the above-described notch or recess v41, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. At its lower or outer end, the biasing spring member 48 is provided with an outwardly bent portion 49 which is disposed within an undercut recess 58 formed at the lower end of the front wing member 2|, as shown in Fig. 7. A longitudinal recess 5| extends from-this undercut recess 58 lat substantially rninety degrees and supports that portion of the flat part of the biasing spring member 48 which is adjacent the above-described portion 49 thereof. Thelundercut recesses 58 and 5| thus securely anchor the outer end of the biasing Vspring member 48 to the -front'wing 2| of the slider body.

.The undercut recesses 58 and 5| are preferably formed as follows. Rectangular channels or recesses are formed at the location of the recesses 58 and 5|. 'I'he substantially L-shaped lower or outer end portion of "the biasing spring member v48 is placed in the rectangular channels or recesses. If the body of the slider is formed of metal, the edges of the rectangular channels are v upset and beaded over to form the undercut.re.

cesses 58 and 5|. If the-slider body is formed of non-metallic plastic, the edges of the rectangular channels are softened by the application of heat or a suitable solvent and the softened edge portions pressed over into contact with the portions 'of the biasing spring member 48 within thesev member 48, biases the locking member 48 in ber guiding channel 25, where it extends into a. space between adjacent interlocking fastenermembers I5, positively to prevent relative longitudinal movement between the slider 48 and the stringers I8 and- I of the fastener.

As shown in Fig. 2, the rearend stop 38 is pulled up substantially into the slider body and the tension member or pull member 28 is extended at the front of the slider. With the parts in this position, in order to unlock the slider from the front thereof, it is merely necessary to apply tension to the pull member 28 directed forwardly of the slider to bring the parts to the position shown in Fig. 4. In this position of the parts, it Will be seen that the front lock fulcrum 35 is operative, the intermediate lstop member 3| ap- I plying a lift tothe locking member 48 between the fulcrum 35 and the biasing spring lmember 48, whereby the locking member 4 8 operates as a. lever of the third class. The tensionapplied through the pull member 28 and intermediate stop member 3| overbalances the inward force locking projection ,42 extendsv applied at the lower endv of the locking member 40 by the biasing spring member 48 and causes withdrawal of the locking projection 42, through i the opening 30, from the Afastener member guidingI channel 25. Release yof the tension applied to the pull member 28 will permit the biasing spring member 48 to return the parts to the locking position shown in Fig. 2. j

When it is desired to operate the slider from the opposite or rear side, it is merely necessary to apply tension to the rearend stop 30 to bring'the button-like front end stop 29 into engagement with the upper end portion 44 of the locking member 40, as shown in Fig. 3, whereupon the rear lock fulcrum 34 will be operative, and tension applied to the pull member 28 will overbal; v

ance the inward force applied to the lower end of the locking member 40 by the biasing spring member 48 to cause clockwise movement of the locking member 40 about the rear locking fulcrum 34, whereby the locking projection 42 is withdrawn from the fastener member guiding ychannel 25, as shown in Fig. 3.

In this operation of the slider, the locking v member 40 operatesas a lever of the first class, because the operating tension applied through the pull member 28 acts at one side of the fulcrum 34, while the biasing force of the biasing spring member 48, whichisiovercome by this tension, operates at the other side of the rear lock fulcrum 34. Upon release yof the tension applied through the pullmember 28 and the front end stop 29, which then acts as a lifting member, the biasing spring member 48 will become operative to return the locking member from the position of Fig. 3 to that of Fig. l. If it is again desired to reverse the direction of the operation of the slider, it is merely necessary to pull the front end stop member 29 forwardly of the'slider to seat the intermediate stop member 3l against the portion 44 of the locking member 40, as shown in Fig. 2 land apply tension to overbalance the force ofthe biasing spring 48, 4

From the above description, `it will clearly appear -that I have provided anew and improved automatic lock slider for slide fasteners, which may be readily and conveniently operated from either side of the slider, and of the fastener, and

wherein the locking means is recessed entirely within the body ofV the slider and operated by the application of tension to a reversible flexible pull member extending through the slider and operatively associated vwith the locking means.

It will furthermore clearly appear that I have provided, in such a slider, locking means embodying a reversibly operable locking member acting as a lever of the first class when operated from one side of the slider to unlock the slider, and operating as a lever of the third class when` operated from the other side of the slider to unlock the slider.

It is, of course, to be understood that the above v description is merely illustrative and in nowise Y( limiting and that I desire to comprehend Within' my invention such modifications as are included vwithin the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what' I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a lock slider for slide fasteners, a slider body having a fastener member guide channel therein, locking means including alocking member cooperating with said channel for locking and unlocking said slider, and means for controlling said locking means including a fiexible cord member extending through said slider body from side to side and movable'endwise therethrough for controlling said locking means. l

2. In a reversible lock slider for slide fasteners, a slider body having a fastener member guide channel therein, locking means including a locking member cooperating with said channel for locking and unlocking said slider, and means for controlling said locking means including a flexible tension member extending through said slider body from side to side and movable .endwise therethrough in either direction for controlling said locking means.

3. `In a reversible lock slider for slide fasteners, a slider-body having afastener member guide channel therein,

means including a locking member with a locking projection normally yieldingly projected into said guide channel, and lock actuating means for manually unlocking said slider including a fiexible tension member extending through said slider body, from side to side .and manually'movable t endwise in either direction for moving said locking member from` locking position to unlocked position and-withdrawing said locking projection from said fastener member guide channel to unlock said slider. l

4. In a reversible lock slider for slide fasteners, a slider body having a fastener member guide channel therein, normally operative locking means including a locking member with a locking projection normally yieldingly projected into saidguide channel, biasing means normally yieldingly urging'said locking member to locking position, and lock actuating means for manually unlocking said slider including a flexible pull member extending through said slider body from side to side and manually engageable from either side of said slider and movable endwise in either direction for moving said locking member from locking position to unlocked position and withdrawing said locking projection from said fastener member guide channel to unlock said slider.

5. In a reversible lock slider fori-slide fasteners,

a slider body, normally operative locking means including a lock member normally biasing in one direction, biasing means normally yieldingly urging said locking member in said direction toward locking position, said locking member being movable in the opposite direction as a lever of the.

first class upon application thereto of .tension in one direction and as a lever of the third class `upon application thereto of tension in the reverse direction, land means for manually unlocking said slider including a flexible tension member extending through said slider body from side to side and manually engageable from either side of said slider body and movable endwise in either' direction for applying tension to sa'id locking member in opposite directions to move `said locking member, as a lever of the rstclass or as a lever of the third class,-from locking position to l slider including Va flexible tension member exnormally operative locking ber, and spaced stops on said tension member V alternately engageable with said locking member' upon endwise movement of said tension member in opposite directions and alternately applying tension to said locking member in opposite directions to move said locking member, as a lever of the rst class or as a lever of the third class, from locking position to unlocked position.

7. In a slider for slide fasteners, a slider body having therein normally operative locking means, said locking means including a locking member with one end thereof normally biased toward locking position, a flexible tension member extending through the other end ofV said locking member and through said slider body from side to side, and spaced stop members on said tension member at opposite sides of said locking member alternately engageable with said locking member and transmitting to said locking member tension applied to said exible tension member, in either direction, for overbalancing said yielding means to unlock said slider. Y

8. In a slider for slide fasteners, a slider body having therein normally operative locking means, said locking means including-a locking member and yielding means normally biasing one end of said locking member toward locking position, al

flexible tension member extending through the l other end of said locking member and through said slider body from side to side, and spaced stop members on said tension member at opposite sides of said locking member alternately engageable with said locking member for transmitting to said locking member tension applied to said flexible tensiongmember, in either direction, for overbalancing said yielding'means to unlock said slider.

9. Ina slider for slide fasteners, a slider body, a longitudinal recess in one side of said slider body, a locking member in said recess having one vend thereof constantly biased in one direction toward locking position, said locking member having an aperture adjacent its other end, said slider body having a bore extending therethrough from side to side and substantially aligned with said aperture in said locking member, and said recess dening .oppositely directed fulcrums engageable with opposite surfaces of said locking member at opposite sides of the Vaperture in said locking' member, and lock actuating means including a 'flexible tension member extending through the aperture in said locking member and through the bore in said slider body, and a pair of spaced stop members xed to said flexible tension member at opposite sides of said locking member and engageable alternately with said locking member for operating said locking member alternately as a lever of the first class about one of said fulcrumsl or as a lever of the third class about the other of said fulcrums toward unlocking position.

10. In a slider'for slide fasteners, a slider body having, a fastener member guide channel therein,

a 4longitudinal recess in one side of said slider body, a longitudinal locking member in said recess having one end thereof constantly biased in one direction toward locking position, a locking projection on said last'narned end of said longitudinal locking member normally projected into the pull member receiving aperture in said locking member, and lock actuating means operable for moving said locking member away from locking position, said lock actuating means including a flexible pull member extending through the pull member receiving aperture in said locking member and through the pull member receiving bore in said slider body, and a pair of spaced stop members fixed to said flexible pull member at opposite sides of said locking member and alternately engaging said locking member upon application of tension to said flexible pull member in opposite directions for alternately operating said lockingmember as a lever of the iirst class about one of said fulcrums or'as a lever of the third class about the other of said fulcrums toward unlocking position.

1l. In a slider for slide fasteners, 'aslider body l havin'g a fastener member guide channel therein,

a longitudinal locking member receiving recess iny one side of s'aid slider body, a longitudinal locking member in said recess having one end thereof constantly biased in one direction toward locking position, a locking projection on said lastnamed end of said longitudinal locking member normally projected into said fastener member guide channel, biasing means yieldingly urging said last-named end of said locking member toward locking position, said locking member having a pull member receiving aperture adjacent its other end, said slider body having a pull member receiving bore extending therethrough from side to side and substantially aligned with said pull member receiving aperture in said locking member, said locking member receiving recess defining oppositely directed fulcrums engageable with opposite surfaces of said locking member at opposite sides -of the pull member receiving aperture in said locking member, and lock actuating means operable for overbalancing said biasing means and -moving said locking member away from locking position, said lock actuating means including a flexible pull member extending through the pull member receiving aperture in said locking member and through the pull member receiving bore in said slider body, and a pair of spaced stop members fixed to said iiexible pull member at opposite sides of said locking member and engageable alternately with opposite surfaces of said locking member upon application of tension to said flexible pull member in opposite directions for operating said locking member against said biasing means alternately as a lever of the i-lrst` class about one of said fulcrums upon application of vtension in one direction to said pull member or as a lever of the third class about the other of said fulcrums upon application of tension in the other direction, toward unlocking position, said fulcrums normally engaging opposite surfaces of said locking member to limit l movement thereof toward locking position under

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