Combination buttonhook and zipper puller

Abstract

A combination buttonhook and zipper puller having a tapered elongated portion can be inserted in buttonholes of different sizes to grasp buttons of different sizes for buttoning. A discontinuity in the outer periphery of the invention permits the tapered elongated portion to be formed in the shape of a hook for inserting into a zipper handle for raising or lowering a zipper.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0001] This invention is a novel combination buttonhook and zipper puller that is suitable for use by persons whose strength or dexterity in fastening a button through a buttonhole, or in grasping a zipper handle for opening or closing a slide fastener, may be temporarily or permanently diminished. It is also suitable for use by persons who are temporarily unwilling to perform such actions, such as persons who have recently applied a fresh coat of fingernail polish and wish to avoid its becoming marred by coming into contact with articles of clothing. In either case, it may be desirable for a person to perform the functions of buttoning a button, or raising or lowering a zipper, using an implement designed for that purpose. [0002] Buttonhooks known in the prior art typically consisted of a thin shaft terminating at the extreme end in a hook shape, such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,447 to Nolen et al. Other buttonhooks, however, such as that depicted...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] The device of this invention has a tapered, elongated portion forms that a loop suitable for inserting through a buttonhole, placing around a button, and pulling the button back through the buttonhole. The other end of the device has an oval grasping ring to which a pulling force may be applied simply by inserting the fingers or thumb through the ring without the need for a separate handle. The device is made from one or more wire-like strands that form the shape of the device. One or more internal supports may be utilized to provide rigidity or to permit flexibility to perform a variety of functions. The grasping ring is moderately rigid, having some flexion, and may also be used to retain keys, a whistle, or other items of suitable size and shape. Two or three fingers of the user's hand may be placed through the ring to apply a pulling force without the need to flex the muscles controlling the fingers and thumb. The tapered, elongated portion of the device has a strands forming opposite sides of the device. One strand extends all of the way down one side of the device and curves to form a hook at the extreme tapered end, meeting the other strand a short distance from the hook-end. The two strands normally meet to form a smooth junction in which one strand has a slightly narrowed end and mates with a receiving channel formed at the end of the other strand. The strands of the elongated portion have a slight flexion applied to them by the grasping ring. This flexion maintains the strands in a secure, closed position when the end of one strand is seated within the receiving channel on the other strand, and holds the strands open when they are not mated together.

[0006] In operation as a buttonhook, the elongated end may be inserted through a buttonhole, looped around a button, and pulled back through the hole, all with little or no grasping or pulling force being required from the muscles controlling the finger and thumb. The flexible structure and tapered shape permit the device to be used in buttonholes of small sizes. When the device is used in a smaller-sized buttonhole, the tapered end is inserted and moved in the direction of the button. As the device moves toward the button, the distance between the tapered strands widens to approach the maximum slit length of the buttonhole. If further movement toward the button is needed, the strands may be squeezed by hand or through the action of forcing them through the buttonhole to allow further insertion of the tapered end through the buttonhole. It will then be possible to loop the extreme end of the device around the button to be pulled through the buttonhole, either by squeezing the strands to cause them to open and form a hook that can be looped around the button, or simply by slipping the end of the device over the button. In either case, the button may then be pulled back through the buttonhole. The grasping ring is large enough to receive fingers or a thumb, and force may be applied to it from the base of the fingers or thumb without applying significant “pincer” force through the thumb and fingers. The shape of the device also makes it possible for a button to be hooked and buttoned without fingertips (or fingernails having wet polish on them) coming into close proximity to the button, buttonhole, or surrounding fabric.

[0007] When used as a zipper puller, the strands are briefly compressed to unseat them, and then are allowed to open under the spring extension force created by the grasping ring. The hook-end of one strand may be inserted through the hole at the extreme end of the zipper handle, and the sliding mechanism may be raised or lowered by pulling the oval ring upward or downward by fingers or a thumb inserted through the ring. Again, muscles controlling the thumb and fingers will require only minimal exertion, as the pulling force can be applied through the ring without the need for thumb and fingers to pinch the zipper handle. Also, as previously described, the device can be used without the need for fingertips or wet fingernails to come into close proximity to the zipper or surrounding fabric.

[0008] The device of this invention can also be used as a key holder or can be inserted through an ornamental device, such as woven or knitted fabric, strands of yarn, or a wooden or plastic badge. The use of such a device provides an additional gripping area, if such is desired, and may help to identify or locate the device if it should become buried within a purse or pocket.

Problems solved by technology

This use of the buttonhook, however, has declined as the popularity of boots having laces has declined through the general population.

Although buttonhooks have retained their essential usefulness in fastening buttons, they are inconvenient to carry, being too long to fit conveniently in a pocket or purse, and are not usable by persons who are unable to grip the handle with sufficient strength to use the device.

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