Zipper closure with rings

Abstract

A zipper (1) comprising two elongated ribbons (3, 4), each bearing a mesh arrangement (2) for joining or separating the ribbons (3, 4), one of the ribbons (3) acting as the main ribbon (3) on which a slider (5) is fixedly mounted, the other ribbon serving as the secondary ribbon (4) being able to be joined to the main ribbon (3) by the action of the slider (5) on the mesh arrangement (2), each of the ribbons (3, 4) terminating in an alignment ring (7, 8), the main ribbon (3) having a female insertion mesh (10), the secondary ribbon (4) having a male insertion mesh (9), the two rings (7, 8) being arranged to cooperate with each other while being free in angular rotation. FIGURE 1

Description

Title of the invention: Zipper with rings Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a zipper comprising two elongated ribbons, each carrying an arrangement of meshes allowing the ribbons to be joined or separated by the action of a slider mounted to slide along the arrangement of meshes, the ends of the ribbons carrying means facilitating the joining of the two ribbons. Previous technique

[0002] Zippers have been known for a long time and are very widespread in the clothing industry. They allow two parts of a garment to be joined together simply, quickly, and at very low cost. One of the main drawbacks of this type of closure concerns the step of inserting the free end of the zipper on one side into the slider on the other side, when the latter is positioned against the lower stop. Generally, this involves inserting the free end of the zipper lengthwise into the slider, which is already connected to the other end of the zipper. This insertion phase is particularly unergonomic because the user must perfectly align the end of the zipper with the corresponding opening in the slider. To perform the insertion, the user must simultaneously achieve perfect positioning in space with multiple degrees of freedom, including good angular alignment.The small size of the elements that need to be positioned inside each other adds an extra level of difficulty. As a result, this type of closure is not suitable for a number of users, such as young children, the elderly or disabled, and more generally, people with certain cognitive limitations or difficulties.

[0003] US8146214 and CN103917124 each describe a zipper whose ends are equipped with magnetic elements designed to facilitate joining the two sides of the zipper. As mentioned previously, manipulating small zipper elements is not within the reach of everyone, particularly young children, the elderly, or anyone with cognitive difficulties. Users face a twofold challenge: firstly, manipulating very small elements to be assembled, and secondly, the inherent difficulty of connecting two elements, which requires both proper spatial positioning of the two elements and a precise orientation that must be maintained until the zipper is closed.

[0004] There is therefore a need for a zipper with ergonomics improved, in particular to facilitate the connection of the two free ends of the closure allowing the slider to be operated along the slide.

[0005] To overcome these various drawbacks, the invention provides various technical means. Summary of the invention

[0006] A first objective of the invention is to provide a zipper with simplified ergonomics, in particular to facilitate the connection phase of the two ends of the closure ribbons.

[0007] Another objective of the invention is to provide a zipper closure that can be used without difficulty by a maximum number of users of all categories and / or all ages.

[0008] To this end, the invention provides for a zipper comprising two elongated ribbons, each carrying a mesh arrangement for joining or separating the ribbons, one of the ribbons acting as the main ribbon on which a slider is mounted to slide permanently, the other ribbon serving as the secondary ribbon being able to be joined to the main ribbon by the action of the slider on the mesh arrangement, each of the ribbons ending in an alignment ring and the main ribbon comprising a female insertion mesh arranged between the alignment ring of the main ribbon and the mesh arrangement, and the secondary ribbon comprising a male insertion mesh arranged between the alignment ring of the secondary ribbon and the mesh arrangement,The two rings are arranged to cooperate with each other, being free in angular rotation to allow the male insertion mesh to be inserted into the female insertion mesh and into a lateral insertion slot of the slider, to allow the slider to engage in the mesh arrangement of the secondary ribbon and to allow the closing action to join the two ribbons.

[0009] This design facilitates the installation of the two ends of a zipper by breaking down the closing action into simple, successive movements accessible to all users, including young children, the elderly, or people with disabilities. The first simple movement consists of simply placing the two rings one on top of the other without worrying about their respective angular positions or having to perform complex spatial alignment. The large size of the rings greatly facilitates their handling. More specifically, the opening provided in the rings allows the user to insert a finger into the two rings to be overlapped, thus facilitating the alignment phase and ensuring precise alignment of the rings with respect to each other.Once the two rings are in place one on top of the other, the user then rotates them to bring the two insertion links closer together until the male insertion link is properly positioned in the link. female insertion and in the slider.

[0010] The zipper can be used for various products such as clothing, bags, shoes, storage compartments, etc.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment, the rings form a ring plane AA parallel to the plane MM formed by the mesh. The rings, positioned in continuity with the ribbons, facilitate the handling required for their installation. Thus, this arrangement allows for greater ease of handling, improved ergonomics, and enhanced user comfort.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment, the rings are sized to allow the insertion of a user's finger simultaneously into both rings in a superimposed position. An opening, or hole, is provided for this purpose. This ring design, which allows a user's finger to be encircled, necessitates ring dimensions that facilitate their handling, even for individuals with limited or impaired dexterity. Depending on the intended use, the rings can be sized according to various templates. For example, for children's clothing, ring openings with smaller diameters are provided than those used for adult clothing.

[0013] Advantageously, the closure includes a slider ring, connected to the slider, and sized so that when aligned with the two other overlapping rings, the slider is in the connection position with the male insertion link. This embodiment allows the slider to be properly positioned before joining the two ribbons, thus ensuring that all conditions are met for easy and ergonomic closure installation.

[0014] Advantageously, at least one of the rings, either the primary or secondary ribbon ring, is magnetic. If only one ring is magnetic, the other is ferromagnetic. Both rings may also be magnetic, with opposite polarities, to facilitate alignment between them. The magnetic properties facilitate the coming together and alignment of the rings. The arrangement of the magnetic elements on each of the primary and secondary ribbon rings is advantageously designed so that these two rings rest on one another in an alignment that allows the male insertion mesh to be rotated towards the female insertion mesh and the lamella of the male insertion mesh to be inserted into the slot of the female insertion mesh.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment, at least one of the magnetic rings comprises a ring magnet surrounding at least partially the opening, for example with a magnet extending over 360°.

[0016] According to yet another advantageous embodiment, the rings and / or the links The male and female insertion points include a locking mechanism. A mechanical or magnetic locking mechanism is used, for example. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] All implementation details are given in the following description, supplemented by Figures 1 to 11, presented solely for the purpose of non-limiting examples, and in which: Fig.l

[0018] [Fig.1] [Fig.1] is a partial representation of an example of a zipper, seen in perspective; Fig.2

[0019] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] shows the zipper of [Fig.1] in front view, with all its elements, in an open position; Fig.3

[0020] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] partially shows the zipper of [Fig.1], shown in the process of closing; Fig.4

[0021] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a partial view of the zipper of [Fig.1], shown in perspective, in the process of closing; Fig.5

[0022] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] shows the zipper of [Fig. 1], shown in perspective, currently being closed; Fig.6

[0023] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] shows the zipper of [Fig.1], shown in perspective, once closed; Fig.7

[0024] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] shows an example of a mechanical lock that can be used with a zipper such as that of [Fig.1]; Fig.8

[0025] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] illustrates an example of magnetic rings that may be used with a zipper such as that of [Fig.1]; Fig. 9

[0026] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] shows an example of a magnetic angular lock capable to be used with a zipper such as that of [Fig.1]; Fig. 10

[0027] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] shows a zipper slider having an anti-jamming element; Fig. ll

[0028] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] shows an enlarged view of a variant of a zipper comprising an example of a mechanism for attaching rings to the ribbons of an existing zipper. Description of the implementation methods

[0029] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an example of a zipper closure 1. In a known manner, two ribbons each have an arrangement of teeth 2 aligned along the lateral edge of each ribbon. A main ribbon 3, located on the right in the examples of Figures 1, 2, and 3, has a slider 5 mounted to slide along the alignment of teeth 2. The slider 5 is usually not removable from the main ribbon 3. The other ribbon, referred to here as the secondary ribbon 4, is designed to form an assembly with the main ribbon 3 by successively interlocking the teeth 2 of each ribbon. The slider arrangement, with a lateral slot 6, allows the teeth of the secondary ribbon to partially enter and exit the slider, depending on the slider's movement along the ribbon. In a manner known per se, the slider 5 allows the opposite teeth 2 of the two ribbons to be joined by a sliding action of the slider 5.

[0030] Figure 1 illustrates the main ribbon 3 and the secondary ribbon 4 spaced apart before the zipper 1 is actuated. Figure 2 illustrates a similar arrangement to that of Figure 1, also showing the slider 5 positioned along the main ribbon 3.

[0031] As illustrated, the base of ribbons 3 and 4 terminates in a ring. The main ribbon 3 cooperates with a ring 7 of the main ribbon. The secondary ribbon 4 cooperates with a ring 8 of the secondary ribbon. Rings 7 and 8 form a ring plane AA parallel to the plane MM formed by the links, so that rings 7 and 8 and ribbons 3 and 4 are all arranged in the same plane when the closure is placed on a flat surface such as a table.

[0032] Each of the rings 7 and 8 has an opening 13 forming a hole, intended to allow the user to insert a finger. The rings 7 and 8 are designed with profiles allowing them to be positioned one on top of the other, flat, while also allowing them to be moved angularly relative to each other. Between the rings 7 and 8 and the mesh alignments of the ribbons, a mechanical interface for actuation of the closure is provided. This interface includes, between the main ribbon 3 and the main ribbon ring 7, a female insertion link 10. This link, with an elongated profile coplanar with the mesh alignment 2 and with the ring 7, has a slot 12, also elongated and aligned with the links 2. The interface also includes, between the secondary ribbon 4 and the secondary ribbon ring 8, a male insertion link 9.This mesh, with an elongated profile coplanar with the alignment of mesh 2 and ring 8, includes a lamella 11, also elongated and aligned with the . meshes 2. In functional position, just before the two sides of the closure are connected, the slot 12 of the insertion mesh 10 is located opposite the male insertion mesh 9, and more particularly opposite the slat 11 intended for insertion into the slot 12. Zipper installation

[0033] The implementation of the closure first involves aligning the main ribbon ring 7 with the secondary ribbon ring 8 by positioning them flat, one on top of the other, and aligning them. The openings 13 in each ring greatly facilitate this phase by allowing the user to align the rings by inserting a finger into the openings of both rings and overlapping them.

[0034] Figure 3 shows an advantageous method of aligning rings 7 and 8 of the zipper 1 of Figures 1 and 2. It can be seen that rings 7 and 8 are placed flat against each other. In this example, the identical profiles of rings 7 and 8 facilitate their alignment so that the internal (corresponding to the contour of the openings) and external profiles of the rings are perfectly aligned.

[0035] After the matching phase, in order to connect the slider 5 to the mesh alignment 2 of the secondary ribbon 4, a rotation-connection phase must then be carried out. In this phase, since the ring 7 of the main ribbon can rotate on the ring 8 of the secondary ribbon, the two rings are rotated relative to each other until the tab 11 of the male insertion mesh 9 is inserted into the slot 12 of the female insertion mesh 10, as illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6.

[0036] For effective operation of the zipper 1, the slider 5 must be in the immediate vicinity of the main tape ring 7 on the female insertion link 10 before the rotation-connection phase. In this configuration, the lateral slot 6 of the slider and the slot 12 of the female insertion link 10 are aligned. This allows, during this rotation-connection phase, the tab 11 to be inserted simultaneously into the lateral slot 6 of the slider 5 and into the slot 12 of the female insertion link 10.

[0037] This rotation-connection phase initiates cooperation between the slider 5 and the links 2 of the secondary ribbon. The slider 5 can then be moved in the opposite direction to the rings 7 and 8, to close the zipper.

[0038] Thanks to this architecture, the actuation of the zipper is broken down into simple successive movements accessible to all users, namely, firstly, a movement to align the two rings 7 and 8, without having to worry about their respective angular positioning, and secondly, a rotation-connection movement to connect the insertion links 9 and 10. These two movements, each involving a limited number of degrees of freedom, are much easier to achieve than on a classic closure, with a single but complex and delicate phase of inserting one end of the ribbons into the other end.

[0039] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a zipper closure 1 comprising, in addition to the elements previously described in relation to Figures 1 to 4, a slider ring 17, connected to the slider 5. To facilitate the rotation-connection phase, the slider ring 17 is designed and dimensioned so that when it is in alignment with the other two rings 7 and 8, the slider 5 is on the female insertion mesh 10, in the position to receive the tab 11 in the lateral slot 6, as previously described.

[0040] Rings 7 and 8, as well as ring 17 of the slider 5, allow for attachment or fastening to a button on the user's clothing, particularly a trouser button. This enables the user to fasten the garment with one hand. This method is particularly advantageous compared to the usual two-handed fastening method (one hand to hold the bottom of the fastener, the other to hold the slider). This is possible either through the openings 13 in the rings, into which clothing buttons can be inserted, or through attachment to a metal button using the magnetic properties of the rings. Magnetic matching rings

[0041] To facilitate the matching phase of rings 7 and 8, these rings are designed to exert a magnetic attraction force in the direction of matching, aligning the rings with each other. Several types of implementation are possible, such as with a single magnetic ring and a ferromagnetic ring. The two rings can also be magnetic, with opposite polarities, so as to generate an attraction and alignment force between them. As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, advantageously at least one ring is used in which a ring magnet 14 is housed, so as to at least partially surround the opening 13 ([Fig. 9]). Alternatively, the ring magnet(s) 14 extend 360° around the opening 13 ([Fig. 8]).Alternatively, the slider ring 17 is magnetic or ferromagnetic, to facilitate its alignment with the other two rings using magnetic attraction properties. Angular lock

[0042] Once the rotation-connection phase is completed, to ensure that the connection is maintained, an angular lock is advantageously provided. Figures 1 and 7 illustrate examples of mechanical angular locks 15, functioning, for example, as by clipping. When the final rotation-connection position is reached, the clipping is activated, locking the two elements in this position.

[0043] The mechanical lock 15 has the advantage of avoiding the possible side effects of magnetic elements used on clothing and therefore likely to be found near the heart of a patient with a cardiac implant, which may be sensitive to electromagnetic waves.

[0044] Figure 9 illustrates an example of a magnetic angular lock 16, operating, for example, by connecting two magnets of opposite strength, each arranged on one of the rings 7 and 8. When the final rotation-connection position is reached, the two magnets are one on top of the other, in a position of maximum attraction, locking the two elements in this position. Alternatively, the magnets can be arranged on the male and female insertion slots. Anti-jamming slider

[0045] Figure 10 illustrates another aspect of the zipper 1, which can be used independently or in conjunction with the features of the zipper 1 previously described in relation to Figures 1 to 9. According to this other aspect, the slider 5 has at least one tab 18, arranged in line with the main axis of the slider, and used to keep the fabric away from the garment or object on which the zipper is used, to prevent the slider from getting caught by the insertion of a piece of fabric between the slider and the zipper teeth. This tab is either provided during the manufacture of the slider or added to a pre-existing slider, for example by gluing or clipping.

[0046] A small brush can be attached to one or more tabs 18 to clean the zipper teeth locally before opening or closing. Indeed, the trapping of foreign objects is often responsible for the malfunction of the zipper.

[0047] Substitution of the lower stops of an existing zipper

[0048] Figure 11 illustrates a clipping mechanism for rings 7 and 8 with their male insertion links 9 and female insertion links 10 to a tape of an existing conventional closure, thus allowing the replacement of traditional bottom stops with a zipper as previously described. The fastening method includes studs 19 that fit into slots 21 to secure the tape, the tape having openings aligned with the slots 21. A slot 20 in the main plane of each of the links 9 and 10 allows the lower portion of the tapes to be inserted into each of the links. List of reference signs

[0049] 1. Zipper 2. Mesh 3. Main ribbon 4. Secondary ribbon 5. Cursor 6. Side slot for inserting the cursor 7. Main ribbon ring 8. Secondary ribbon ring 9. Male insertion mesh 10. Female insertion mesh 11. Lamella 12. Female insertion mesh slot 13. Ring opening 14. Ring magnet 15. Mechanical angle lock 16. Magnetic angle lock 17. Slider ring 18. Anti-pinch ear 19. Mounting point for attaching to a ribbon 20. Slot for attaching to a ribbon 21. Incision

Claims

Claims

1. A slide fastener (1) comprising two elongated ribbons (3, 4) each carrying a mesh arrangement (2) for joining or separating the ribbons (3, 4), one of the ribbons (3) acting as the main ribbon (3) on which a slider (5) is mounted so as to slide irremovably, the other ribbon serving as a secondary ribbon (4) being able to be joined to the main ribbon (3) by the action of the slider (5) on the mesh arrangement (2), each of the ribbons (3, 4) terminating in an alignment ring (7, 8), characterized in that and in that the main ribbon (3) comprises a female insert mesh (10) arranged between the main ribbon alignment ring (7) and the mesh arrangement (2), and the secondary ribbon (4) comprises a male insert mesh (9) arranged between the secondary ribbon alignment ring (8) and the mesh arrangement (2), meshes (2), and in that the two rings (7,8) are arranged to cooperate with each other by being free in angular rotation to allow the male insertion mesh (9) to be inserted into the female insertion mesh (10) and into a lateral slot (6) for inserting the slider (5), to allow the slider (5) to be engaged in the mesh arrangement (2) of the secondary ribbon (4) and to allow the closing action to join the two ribbons, at least one of the rings (7, 8) being magnetic.,

2. A zipper (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rings (7, 8) form a ring plane AA parallel to the plane MM formed by the meshes (2).

3. A zipper (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein each of the rings (7, 8) has an opening (13) forming a bore to allow the insertion of a user's finger.

4. A zipper (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a slider ring (17), connected to the slider (5), and dimensioned so that when it is in alignment with the two other superimposed rings (7, 8), the slider (5) is in the position of connection with the male insertion mesh (9).

5. A zipper (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the magnetic rings comprises a ring magnet (14) at least partially surrounding the opening (13).

6. A zipper (1) according to claim 5, wherein the magnet

7.

8.

9. (14) of the ring extends over 360°. Zipper (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the rings (7, 8) and / or the male (9) and female (10) insertion links comprise a lock. Zipper (1) according to claim 7, in which the lock is mechanical (15). A zipper (1) according to claim 7, wherein the lock is magnetic (16).

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