[0001] The present invention relates to slide fasteners or sliding clasp fasteners, in particular,
but not limited to slide fasteners for bags and garments.
[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to slide fasteners having two moveable sliders
such that the fastener may be opened at any point along its length.
[0003] Slide fasteners of the above type are well known in general. However, there is a
tendency for the sliders to accidentally separate, so opening the fastener. In order
to overcome this problem, different lockable fasteners have been suggested. However,
these must have mechanisms which allow the locking to take place, and these mechanisms
are often very complicated, requiring many parts in each slider.
[0004] Therefore, a need for a simpler fastener which hinders accidental separation of the
sliders is seen.
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to remove or ameliorate at least
one of the disadvantages of the prior art.
[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a slide fastener comprising
a first slider and a second slider arranged to be slidable on a pair of interlocking
stringers so as to open the fastener when separated and close the fastener when brought
together; a first receiving portion disposed on the first slider; a first resilient
latching member disposed on the second slider and engageable with the first receiving
portion; a second receiving portion disposed on one of the sliders; and a second resilient
latching member disposed on the other of the sliders and engageable with the second
receiving portion; wherein the first and second receiving portions are arranged to
engage with the first and second latching members respectively, to releasably latch
the first and second sliders together, and the latching members and receiving portions
are arranged to be disengaged by lateral movement of the latching members, so unlatching
the sliders.
[0007] The relative lateral movement of the latching members may be caused by movement of
the sliders along the axis of the fastener. It may also be caused by manipulation
of the latching members by a user.
[0008] Preferably, the first and second latching members and first and second receiving
portions are arranged to be spaced laterally from the centre of the first and second
sliders.
[0009] Preferably, the first and second latching members are elongate external protrusions.
Also preferably, the latching members enter one or more recesses in the corresponding
slider to engage the receiving portions. These features mean that the latching members
are retained at least partially inside the sliders when engaged so reducing the probability
of fouling of the latching members.
[0010] Preferably, the slide fastener also comprises a lead member on one of the sliders,
a guide portion on the other slider, the guide portion arranged to guide the lead
member when the first and second sliders are brought together, wherein the lead member
and guide portion align the first and second sliders and inhibit lateral movement
therebetween. An advantage of this is that the first and second sliders are aligned
to allow the latching members to engage with the receiving portions. Additionally,
inhibiting lateral movement between the sliders reduces the likelihood of accidental
separation of the sliders.
[0011] Preferably, the lead member is located between the latching members. This arrangement
allows a central lead member with the latching members engaging laterally disposed
receiving portions.
[0012] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a slide fastener
comprising a first slider and a second slider arranged to be slidable on pair of interlocking
stringers so as to open the fastener when separated and close the fastener when brought
together; a resilient latching member disposed on the first slider; a receiving portion
disposed on the second slider and arranged to engage the latching member such that
when engaged, the latching member and receiving portion inhibit separation of the
first and second sliders; a lead member on one of the first and second sliders; a
guide portion on the other slider, arranged to guide the lead member when the first
and second sliders are brought together, wherein the lead member and guide portion
align the first and second sliders and inhibit lateral movement therebetween.
[0013] Preferably, the lead member comprises an elongate external protrusion on one of the
sliders. This facilitates guiding of the sliders into relative alignment when they
are brought together.
[0014] Preferably, the guide portion is within one of the sliders. This allows the two sliders
to be brought completely together so that there is substantially no gap between the
two sliders when they are latched.
[0015] Preferably, there are two lead members. This allows more positive engagement of the
guide portion.
[0016] Preferably, the opposing faces of the sliders are curved and of complimentary shape
for engagement. This ensures there is no substantial gap between the sliders when
they are latched.
[0017] Preferably, at least one of the sliders is formed as an integral single piece. This
reduces working and manufacturing costs. The piece may be formed by die casting or
injection moulding, or any other suitable method.
[0018] In a further aspect of the invention, the slide fastener comprises a first slider
and a second slider arranged to be slidable on a pair of interlocking stringers so
as to open athe fastener when separated and close the fastener when brought together,
the first slider comprising two latching members adjacent respective sides of the
first slider, the arrangement being such that the two sliders clip together by the
engagement of the latching members with the second slider and, when clipped together,
respective outside lateral zones of the latching members are accesible tso that the
sliders can be unclipped by squeezing the latching members towards each other.
[0019] An embodiment of the invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a top view of a slide fastener in accordance with the invention, with
two sliders engaged on two toothed stringers;
Figure 2 is an underneath view of the slide fastener with the sliders engaged;
Figure 3 is a top view of the slide fastener with the sliders disengaged;
Figure 4 is an underside view of the sliders detached from the stringers;
Figure 5 is a top plan view of the sliders detached from the stringers;
Figure 6 is an end view of one of the sliders;
Figure 7 is an end view of the other slider;
Figure 8 is a rear end view of one of the sliders;
Figure 9 is a rear view of the other slider;
Figure 10 is a side view of the sliders;
Figure 11 is a section through plane X-X shown in Figure 10, but showing both sliders
clipped together;
Figure 12 is a section through plane XI-XI shown in Figure 5, through the female slider;
and
Figure 13 is a section through plane XII-XII shown in Figure 5, through the male slider.
[0020] Figure 1 shows a slide fastener 1 comprising a first slider 10, a second slider 30
and a zip 4 (the word "zip" as used herein means a fastening mechanism having stringers
which interlock by means of teeth). The zip 4 comprises first and second toothed stringers
5, 6, which are joined and separated by the first and second sliders 10, 30. Additionally,
two grasping means 2, 3 are provided in the form of profiled knobs, one on each of
the sliders, to pull the sliders along the zip 4. The sliders 10, 30 each have an
engaging end which contacts with the other slider, and an outer end which is opposite
to the engaging end.
[0021] Figure 2 shows the underside view of the slide fastener 1, which again shows the
first and second sliders 10, 30 and the zip 4. The sides shown in Figure 1 will generally
be placed on the outside of the bag, garment or other article to which the slide fastener
1 would be attached and the side shown in Figure 2 would be on the inside.
[0022] Figure 3 shows the slide fastener 1 with the first and second sliders 10, 30 in a
non engaged position. In the region between the two sliders, the first and second
stringers 5, 6 are separated; in the region outside the sliders 10, 30 the two stringers
5, 6 are interlocked to close the fastener 1.
[0023] The first and second sliders 10, 30 have a standard arrangement for separating and
joining the interlocking stringers 5, 6. A divider 25, 45 connects a base 28, 48 to
the main body of the slider 10, 30 and this base has a lower retaining flange 27,
47 on the lateral edges of the base 28, 48, which points towards the main body. The
base 28, 48 widens laterally from the outer end of the slider 10, 30 to the engaging
end. An upper retaining flange 26, 46 is situated on the main body of each slider
10, 30 and follows the same contours in the plane of the zip 4 as the lower retaining
flange 27, 47. The flange, 26, 27, 46, 47 flexes the stringers 5, 6 of the zip 4 outwards
laterally and urges the interlocked teeth apart. The divider 25, 45 acts to separate
the stringers 5, 6 on the engaging side of the sliders 10, 30. The interlocking mechanism
works in the same way to conjoin the two stringers 5, 6, except in reverse.
[0024] The interlocking mechanism of the sliders 10, 30 is independent of the base 28, 48
and divider elements 25, 45, which act to separate and join the teeth of the stringers
5, 6 of the zip 4.
[0025] Figure 5 shows the first and second sliders 10, 30 removed from the zip 4 and separated.
Figure 5 shows first and second latching members which, in this embodiment are arms
11 and 12, and first and second lead members 13, 14 arranged on the first slider 10.
The first and second arms 11, 12 and the first and second lead members 13, 14 protrude
from a curved abutting surface 20 on the engaging end of the first slider 10.
[0026] Each arm 11, 12 has a neck portion 17, 18 adjacent the abutting surface 20 and a
head portion 15, 16 distal to the abutting surface 20. The neck portions 17, 18 are
resiliently deformable. The whole arm 11, 12 is made from the same material, so that
the whole arm 11, 12 is resiliently deformable but the decreased width of the arm
at the neck 17, 18 has the effect that most of the deformation occurs in the neck
17, 18. Alternatively, the head 15, 16 and neck 17, 18 portions could be made of different
materials. For example, the head could be made to be resiliently flattenable laterally
and the neck 17, 18 kept rigid, which would achieve the same effect.
[0027] Arranged on the top of the first slider 10 is a loop 21 for attaching the grasping
means 2.
[0028] The second slider 30 also has a loop 41 for attaching grasping means 3. The second
slider 30 has an abutting surface 40 on the engaging end which is complimentary in
shape to the abutting surface 20 of the first slider 10.
[0029] As can be seen from Figure 11, the second slider 30 has first and second receiving
portions 31, 32 which are disposed laterally on the second slider 30. The receiving
portions 31, 32 are rigid and substantially non-deformable, and form vertical members
that support the top of the second slider 30; the loop 41 is mounted on the top 36
of the slider 30.
[0030] The second slider 30 has a central cross-piece 35, which is parallel to the top 36.
The receiving portions 31, 32, together with the top and central cross-piece 35 define
a hole or recess 33. This can also be seen from Figure 11.
[0031] Figure 12 shows a section through the sliders 10,30 while they are engaged. The arms
11, 12 are engaged with the receiving portions 31, 32. Figure 12 also shows a guide
member 34 on the second slider 30. The guide member 34 is arranged centrally, and
extends rearwardly, towards the outside end of the slider 30 from a position set back
from the hole 33. The amount that the guide portion 34 is set back from the entrance
to the hole 33 is not critical, as long as the lead members 13, 14 engage it when
the sliders 10, 30 are brought together. Preferably, the lead members 12, 14 engage
the guide portion 34 while the arms 11, 12 are still separated from the receiving
portions 31, 32. This allows the sliders 10, 30 to be aligned and reduces the possibility
of only one of the arms 11, 12 passing into the hole 33, causing fouling ofthe slides
10, 30.
[0032] The guide portion 34 is elongate, and extends between the top 33 and the centre cross-piece
35. The lead members 13, 14 engage the guide portion 34 laterally, with one lead member
extending on either side of the guide portion 34, Alternatively, the guide portion
34 could comprise a central slot, with which a single lead member could cooperate
to achieve the same result.
[0033] The guide portion 34 and lead members 13, 14 resist relative lateral movement of
the sliders 10, 30, which helps to prevent accidental release of the arms 11, 12 from
the receiving portions 31, 32. The elongate nature of the lead members 13, 14 and
guide portion 34 also inhibits relative rotational movement of the sliders 10, 30.
[0034] As can be seen from Figure 12, in order to engage the second slider 30 from the non
engaged position, the arms 11, 12 must deform inwardly, to allow the heads 15, 16
of the arms 11, 12 to enter the hole 33 and positively engage with the receiving portions
31, 32. As stated above, the arms 11, 12 may deform in several ways in order to accomplish
this. The important requirement is that the arms 11, 12 deform when they come into
contact with the receiving portions 31, 32 so that they can pass into the hole 33
and then resume their default shape to engage the receiving portions 31, 32.
[0035] The arms 11, 12 deform and enter the hole 33 in the second slider 30. The dimensions
of the neck 17, 18 and receiving portions 31, 32 is such that the depth of the receiving
portions 31, 32 is slightly less than the length of the neck 17, 18. In addition,
the lateral spacing of arms 17, 18, heads 15, 16 and receiving portions 31, 32 is
such that the heads 15, 16 extend laterally outward of the internal surface of the
receiving portion 31, 32, and the lateral distance from the centre of the slider of
the outside surface of the neck 17, 18 is slightly less than that of the internal
surface of the receiving portion 31, 32. In this way, the heads 15, 16 pass the receiving
portions 31, 32 and return to their undeformed configuration substantially as the
abutting surfaces 20, 40 of the engaging ends abut. The tolerances of these dimensions
are important, in that the necks 17, 18 must be sufficiently longer than the receiving
portions 31, 32 to allow the arms 11, 12 to return to their undeformed configuration.
[0036] Alternatively, the arms 11, 12 could be rigid, and the receiving portions could be
resiliently deformable inwardly. The hole 33 is partially maintained in shape using
guide portion 34 to act as a strut.
[0037] The tail portion of the heads 15, 16, i.e. that nearest the neck 17, 18, is squared.
Alternatively, the tail portion may be tapered or sloped from head 15, 16 to neck
17, 18. In the latter cases, the engagement with the receiving portion 31, 32 is not
so positive, and the resistance to separation of the sliders 10, 30 is be lower. In
addition, the amount that the head 15, 16 extends laterally beyond the neck 17, 18
can be varied to vary the resistance to separation of the sliders 10, 30. The greater
the overhang, the more secure the engagement. The width of the arm head 15, 16 cannot
be larger than the lateral distance between the outside of the lead member 13, 14
and the inside of the receiving portion 31, 32, or the arm head 15, 16 will abut the
lead member 13, 14 without deforming sufficiently to allow the arm 11, 12 to pass
into the hole 33 and engage with the receiving portion 31, 32.
[0038] In order to release the sliders 10, 30 from engagement, the arms 11, 12, must be
deformed at substantially the same time. If only one arm 11 is deformed inwardly,
then the lateral movement will not be transferred to the second arm 12 due to the
inhibition of lateral and rotational movement of the lead members 13, 14 relative
to the guide portion 34. Therefore, both arms 11, 12 must be deformed inwardly at
substantially the same time in order for the arms 11, 12 to be disengaged and the
sliders 10, 30 separated. Such lateral movement can be achieved by squeezing the heads
15, 16 of the arms 11, 12 with finger and thumb, and separating in the sliders 10,
30.
[0039] If the tail portions of the heads 15, 16 are sufficiently inclined, then such pinching
of the heads 15, 16 is not required, and simply pulling the two sliders 10, 30 apart
with sufficient force will separate them. The sliders 10, 30 will still resist accidental
separation, but will separate in response to a strong longitudinal force.
[0040] Alternatively, the tail of the head portion 15, 16 and the part of the receiving
portion 31, 32 adjacent to it could have complimentary engaging formations on them,
such as a ridge and groove (not shown). These would then act as further resistance
to separation, as the ridge and groove would interlock and resist inward deformation
of the head portions 15, 16. Extra force would then be required to deform the arms
11, 12 and separate the sliders 10, 30, which would further lower the possibility
of accidental separation, while ensuring that engaging the sliders 10, 30 did not
require undue effort as the resilience of the arms 11, 12 would not be affected. Preferably,
the neck would be longer than the depth of the receiving portion in this case, so
that the heads 15, 16 could return to their non-deformed configuration without interference
from the complimentary engaging formations. Then, when the sliders 10, 30 were pulled
apart, the complimentary engaging formations would interlink.
[0041] The sliders 10, 30 may be formed in a single piece, so greatly reducing manufacturing
costs and complexity of the fastener.
[0042] The forming may be achieved by diecasting, in which case, the material used will
be suitable for diecasting - e.g. iron, steel, or tin. Any other suitable material
could also be used.
[0043] Alternatively, the forming may be achieved by injection moulding using a suitable
plastics material. Any other suitable method of forming would be also appropriate.
[0044] Although the above embodiments of the slide fastener relate to a zip fastener embodiment,
it will apply equally to any other type of slide fastener and it should be appreciated
that further modifications and variations will suggest themselves to those versed
in the art upon making reference to the foregoing description, which is given by way
of example only and which is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
[0045] The present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications
can be made within the spirit of the invention. The invention also consists in any
individual features described or implicit herein or shown or implicit in the drawings
or any combination of any such features or any generalisation of any such features
or combination, which extends to equivalents thereof.
[0046] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the
claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like, are to be construed in an
inclusive as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense
of "including, but not limited to".
1. A slide fastener comprising:
a first slider and a second slider arranged to be slidable on a pair of interlocking
stringers so as to open the fastener when separated and close the fastener when brought
together;
a first receiving portion disposed on the first slider;
a first resilient latching member disposed on the second slider and engageable with
the first receiving portion;
a second receiving portion disposed on one of the sliders; and
a second resilient latching member disposed on the other of the sliders and engageable
with the second receiving portion;
wherein the first and second receiving portions are arranged to engage with the
first and second latching members respectively, to releasably latch the first and
second sliders together, and the latching members and receiving portions are arranged
to be disengaged by lateral movement of the latching members, so unlatching the sliders.
2. A slide fastener according to Claim 1, wherein the relative lateral movement of the
latching members is caused by manipulation of the latching members by a user.
3. A slide fastener according to claim 1, wherein the relative lateral movement of the
latching members is caused by movement of the sliders along the axis of the fastener.
4. A slide fastener according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second latching
members and first and second receiving portions are arranged to be spaced laterally
from the centre of the first and second sliders.
5. A slide fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second latching
members are elongate external protrusions.
6. A slide fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second latching
members enter one or more recesses in the other slider to engage the receiving portions.
7. A slide fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second receiving
portions are rigid.
8. A slide fastener according to any preceding claim, further comprising:
a lead member on one of the sliders;
a guide portion on the other slider, the guide portion arranged to guide the lead
member when the first and second sliders are brought together, wherein the lead member
and guide portion align the first and second sliders and inhibit lateral movement
therebetween.
9. A slide fastener according to Claim 8, wherein the lead member is located between
the latching members.
10. A slide fastener comprising:
a first slider and a second slider arranged to be slidable on a pair of interlocking
stringers so as to open the fastener when separated and close the fastener when brought
together;
a resilient latching member disposed on the first slider;
a receiving portion disposed on the second slider and arranged to engage the latching
member such that when engaged, the latching member and receiving portion inhibit separation
of the first and second sliders;
a lead member on one of the first and second sliders;
a guide portion on the other slider, arranged to guide the lead member when the first
and second sliders are brought together, wherein:
the lead member and guide portion align the first and second sliders and inhibit lateral
movement therebetween.
11. A slide fastener according to Claim 10, wherein the wherein the latching member is
an elongate external protrusion.
12. A slide fastener according to any of Claims 8 to 11, wherein the lead member comprises
an elongate external protrusion on one of the sliders.
13. A slide fastener according to any of Claims 8 to 12, wherein the guide portion is
within the other slider.
14. A slide fastener according to any of Claims 10 to 13, wherein the receiving portion
is rigid.
15. A slide fastener according to any of Claims 8 to 14, wherein there are two lead members.
16. A slide fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein the opposing faces of the
sliders are curved and of complementary shape for engagement.
17. A slide fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the sliders
is formed as an integral single piece.
18. A slide for a slide fastener as claimed in any preceding claim.
19. A slide fastener, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
20. An article of luggage, comprising a slide fastener according to any of the preceding
claims.