Slider assembly
AssigneeYKK Corporation
InventorsShigeyoshi Takazawa, Albert E. Barrows, John B. Sears
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Slider assemblies and methods of manufacturing slider assemblies comprising a slider with a locking feature that cooperates with a plurality of coils of a standard zipper component. In some embodiments, the slider is capable of moving freely along the length of the zipper component when sufficient force is applied to the slider, but is capable of being locked in position when sufficient force is no longer applied to the slider. In certain embodiments, the locking feature is generally M-shaped. In some embodiments, the sliders are formed using injection molding techniques.
Claims18
A slider comprising:
- a channel dimensioned to receive at least partially a plurality of coils of a zipper component;
- a locking feature having a bottom component dimensioned to fit between the coils, wherein at least a portion of the locking feature is positioned within the channel to interact with the coils of the zipper component, and
- wherein the locking feature is configured so that, when sufficient force is applied to the slider in a direction along the length of the zipper component, the locking feature moves in the length direction of the zipper component, and
- wherein when the bottom component of the locking feature is received between coils of the zipper component, the locking feature restricts the movement of slider in the length direction of the zipper component until sufficient force is applied to the slider in the length direction of the zipper component.
A slider assembly comprising:
- a slider comprising:
- a distal portion having a first opening;
- a channel configured to receive at least partially at least some of a plurality of coils of a zipper component;
- a locking feature at least a portion of which is positioned within the channel to engage at least some of the plurality of coils, the locking feature comprising an engaging portion, at least one angled portion, and an upper spacer portion;
- a second opening configured to receive at least part of a tape portion of the zipper component, wherein the channel is connected to the second opening and the second opening is located opposite the distal portion;
- wherein the engaging portion of the locking feature is dimensioned to fit between at least some of the plurality of coils and the at least one angled portion is dimensioned to restrict movement of the locking feature in a length direction of the zipper component when the engaging portion is positioned between two of the plurality of coils unless sufficient force is applied to the slider in the length direction of the zipper component.
A method of manufacturing a slider comprising:
- providing a mold comprising a cavity, a block of a generally M-shape, and a core;
- closing the mold so that opposing ends of the core move generally vertically toward one another;
- moving a pair of slides with respect to the mold toward one another such that the slides engage the core, wherein the pair of slides move in a direction generally perpendicular to the core;
- filling the cavity of the mold with material to form a slider comprising a channel, a generally M-shaped locking feature at least partially positioned within the channel, and an opening that corresponds in part to a shape and configuration of the slides.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.