Improved slide fastener

Abstract

A slide fastener comprising two rows of interlocking fastener elements and a slider with an optical viewer 7 which presents a view of a portion of the slide fastener near the slider. The view may be of a stringer tape or the outer face of the fastener elements which can have an optically reflective coating. The optical viewer 7 may be a transparent portion of the slider which may also have a pull tab which can slide about an edge of the slider. A light source may be provided to illuminate the part of the fastener in view and a switch may activate this when the slider is moving. A dynamo may be used as a source of power or a battery. The viewer may use a magnifier. The device is designed to improve the visual impact of the slide fastener and may show an animated sequence of discreet images.

Description

Field of the invention [ 11 The invention relates to a slide fastener. In particular, the invention relates to a slide fastener with associated viewing means. Most particularly, the invention, relates to a slide fastener with associated framing, magnifying and / or illumination means for providing a more striking visual impact to the use of the slide fastener. Background of the invention [2] Slide fasteners, more commonly known as zip fasteners or zippers, have been an integral part of the textile and fashion industries since their inception in the late 1901 century. The basic principle of a slide fastener involves two strips of fabric tape, each affixed with a series of interlocking teeth, and a slider mechanism that merges or separates the teeth, thereby opening or closing the fastener. Over the years, various improvements have been made in the design and material of slide fasteners. [3| Historically, the first patent for a device resembling a modern slide fastener was granted to Whitcomb L. Judson in 1893, under the title ”Clasp Locker or Unlocker for Shoes". Nevertheless, it was Gideon Sundback who significantly improved upon this design in the early 1910s, leading to the more practical and reliable form of the slide fastener that is widely used today. [4] In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing slide fasteners that are more durable, reliable, user-friendly, and adaptable to diverse applications. Innovations have been made in materials, such as the use of plastics, metals, and composite materials, to enhance the strength and durability of the fasteners. Moreover, there is an increasing focus on the aesthetic aspect of slide fasteners, with developments in coloration, texture, and overall design to make them more appealing. |5] The present invention seeks to make improvements to both the aesthetic and functional aspects of slide fasteners, providing various technical means by which slide fasteners can be made more visually striking, in service to both user safety and satisfaction. |6] CN209403744U discloses a slide fastener having a slider with a puller with dual functionality, being removable from the slide fastener and usable as a magnifying glass. This is in service to user convenience, since when wearing a garment with such a slide fastener, the user is never without a magnifying glass. There is no particular synergy between the magnifying glass and the slide fastener in this disclosure; the slider is merely a convenient place to stow the magnifying glass when not in use. |7] CN203828206b discloses a slide fastener having flexible illuminating strips sewn into the stringer tape, providing colour and visibility in service to both safety and decoration. The visual aspect of this apparatus is limited to emitting lights, perhaps of different colours. A power source must be provided separately. [8| CN219306171U discloses a slide fastener having a magnet, a battery, a control board and an electronic device such as a light emitting diode dLED) integrated with the slider, and multiple magnetic actuator chips sewn along the length of the stringer tape. When the slider passes an actuator, it briefly actuates the electronic device. Thus, when the slider is being used, it may flash, or emit a sound, or similar, in service to various purposes. The visual aspect of this apparatus is limited to that which can be provided by basic electronic apparatus mountable to a slider, such as an LED. It requires an integrated battery, from which power will eventually be depleted. [9] There is a need for a slide fastener with improved visual impact, to provide a competitive edge in the fashion market. Furthermore, there is a need for a slide fastener which can illuminate and otherwise attract visual attention in a robust and reliable, self-powering way that cannot be depleted. The present invention seeks to meet some or all of these needs. Summary of the invention

[10] The invention provides a slide fastener comprising: opposing rows of interlockable fastener elements; and a slider comprising an optical viewer disposed so as to present, in use, a view of a portion of the slide fastener proximate the slider.

[11] In some embodiments, each row of interlockable fastener elements protrudes from a respective length of stringer tape, and the optical view’d’ is disposed to present a framed view of a portion of one of the lengths of stringer tape.

[12] It is typical in slide fasteners for each row of interlockable fastener elements to protrude from a respective length of fabric, often referred to as a stringer tape. The opposing stringer tapes are fixed to respective edges of material which are to be fastened together by the slide fastener.

[13] The stringer tape can contribute significantly to the aesthetic impact of the slide fastener. Stringer tapes can be selected for colour, texture, width, decoration, and many other qualities of which the skilled reader will be aware. 114| In some such embodiments, at least one of the lengths of stringer tape is at least party formed of, or coated with, an optically reflective material.

[15] As is known from the prior art, other items can be integrated with the stringer tape, such as strips of LEDs. Stringer tapes may be coated with or formed from phosphorescent material, so that they glow in darker environments. Such illuminating features may be used to attract attention in emergency situations. For example, slide fasteners of the invention may beneficially be used on life jackets, or on highvisibilit v clothing.

[16] Whether the stringer tape is decorated to improve visual impact, or is made selectively luminous to attract attention in dangerous situations, optical magnification will enhance these effects to onlookers. This is discussed in more detail below.

[17] A particularly novel and interesting aspect of this invention is that a series of discreet images can be applied along the length of the stringer tape. The images could be applied by any method known to the skilled person, such as embroidery or printing. The images could be designed so that, when viewed in quick succession, they give the appearance of an animated sequence, similar to a zoetrope animation. As the slider is moved along the slide fastener, each image is magnified by the optical magnifier in succession, and a correctly positioned onlooker will see the images as an animation, to their surprise and delight. The impact and visibility of the successive images may be enhanced by back-lighting integrated with the stringer tape. Since a slider is actuated in both directions over the course of use, to fasten and unfasten the slide fastener, it would be advantageous to select the images so that the ‘animation’ produced makes sense both ‘backwards’ and ‘forwards’.

[18] In some embodiments, the optical viewer is disposed to present a view of a portion of the interlockable fastener elements.

[19] The interlockable fastener elements can contribute significantly to the aesthetic impact of the slide fastener. They can be selected for colour, reflectivity, size, decoration, and many other qualities of which the skilled reader will be aware.

[20] The interlockable fastener elements can be coated with or formed from phosphorescent material, so that they glow in darker environments. Such illuminating features may be used to attract attention in emergency situations. For example, slide fasteners of the invention may beneficially be used on life jackets, or on high-visibility clothing.

[21] Whether the interlockable fastener elements are decorated to improve visual impact, or is made selectively luminous to attract attention in dangerous situations, optical magnification will enhance these effects to onlookers. This will be discussed in more detail below.

[22] A particularly novel and interesting aspect of this invention is that a series of discreet images can be applied along the interlockable fastener members. For example, each element may have a respective image applied to it. In such embodiments, it may be advantageous to use larger interlockable fastener elements. Alternatively, each image may be formed across a plurality of adjacent interlockable fastener elements to provide a larger image. In such embodiments, because the interlockable fastener elements alternate from each opposing side in a fastened configuration, forming an image across an adjacent pair of elements would mean forming the image across one element from each side, selected because they will be adjacent in the fastened configuration. In either case, bespoke interlockable fastener elements which are larger than conventional elements may be used.

[23] The images could be applied by any method known to the skilled person, such as printing, for example printing with reflective ink. The images could be designed so that, when viewed in quick succession, to give the appearance of an animated sequence, similar to a zoetrope animation. As the slider is moved along the slide fastener, each image is magnified by the optical magnifier in succession, and a correctly positioned onlooker will see the images as an animation, to their surprise and delight. The impact and visibility of the successive images may be enhanced by a source of illumination, for example integrated with slider. Since a slider is actuated in both directions over the course of use, to fasten and unfasten the slide fastener, it would be advantageous to select the images so that the Animation’ produced makes sense both ‘backwards’ and ‘forwards’.

[24] In some such embodiments, the portion of the interlockable fastener elements comprises the outer face of one fastener element.

[25] In some embodiments, the optical viewer comprises a transparent portion of the slider.

[26] Sliders in conventional slide fasteners are opaque, made from metal or plastics. There has never been any need for a portion of the slider to be transparent, since the visual impact of the portion of the slider fastener held within the slider at any given moment has never before been considered.

[27] In some such embodiments, the slider is provided with a pull tab, which is attached to the slider so as to be slidable about an edge of the slider.

[28] In many conventional slide fasteners, a pull tab is provided on the slider to facilitate manual sliding of the slider. This is usually on the outer face of the slider, but in embodiments of the invention in which this portion of the slider is transparent, conventionally arranged pull tabs would cover the transparent portion, hiding it from view. It is therefore preferable in such embodiments for the pull tab to be secured to a lateral edge of the slider, rather than to its outer face. Since the pull tab is used to manually slide the slider in two opposing directions over the course of use, it is preferable for it to be movable between a position best suited for sliding in a first direction and a position best suited for sliding in a second direction.

[29] In some embodiments the outer faces of the interlockable fastener elements are coated with an optically reflected coating.

[30] The portion of the interlockable fastener elements may comprise the outer face of one fastener element. This would be advantageous in embodiments in which each successive image is applied to one fastener element.

[31] The outer faces of the interlockable fastener elements may be coated with an optically reflective coating. In some embodiments, holographic images may be applied to the elements.

[32] In some embodiments, the slider further comprises a source of illumination disposed so as to illuminate in use the portion of the slide fastener of which a view is presented by the optical viewer.

[33] Illuminating the portion of the slide fastener of which a view is presented by the optical viewer enhances the visual impact of the slide fastener and enables advantageous use even when the surroundings are dark.

[34] In some such embodiments the source of illumination is an electrical light source connected to a source of electrical power. The source of electrical power may be a battery. Alternatively, the source of electrical power may be a dynamo driveable in use by the sliding of the slider along the slide fastener. 1351 If the source of electrical power is a small dynamo arranged within the slider so as to be driven by the sliding of the slider, the illumination effect can be relied upon for longer periods of time without risk of a power source depleting. 136] In some embodiments, the source of illumination is configured to illuminate in use the portion of the slide fastener of which a view is presented by the optical viewer only when the slider is being moved along the slide fastener.

[37] In some embodiments, the optical viewer comprises an optical magnifier disposed so as to present, in use, a magnified view of the portion of the slide fastener proximate the slider.

[38] Slide fasteners typically have a width of two centimetres or less, which limits the visual impact that they can make. Providing an optical magnifier can increase the visual impact for an onlooker by enlarging a small portion of a slide fastener. Typically, since the magnifier is provided with the slider, the small portion being magnified will change, and sometimes change quite rapidly, as the slider is used to open or close the slide fastener. The enlarged view, and the rapid change, can combine to provide a more striking visual impact.

[39] In some such embodiments, the optical magnifier comprises a convex lens having a focal length greater than twice the distance between the centre of the convex lens and the portion of the slide fastener a magnified view of which is presented by the optical magnifier. |40] These parameters ensure that a magnified virtual image of the magnified portion of the slide fastener is visible and in focus to users irrespective of their distance from the slide fastener. Brief description of the drawings

[41] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, using selected embodiments and with reference to the following drawings:

[42] Figure 1 depicts a slide fastener slider according to an embodiment of the invention, in which part of the slider is transparent.

[43] Figure 2 depicts a slide fastener slider according to a similar embodiment of the invention, having a connection rail for a pull tab around its edge.

[44] Figure 3 depicts a cross sectional view of a slide fastener slider according to an embodiment of the invention having illuminating means and a battery compartment. 145] Figure 4 depicts a slide fastener slider according to an embodiment of the invention having illuminating means and an integral dynamo.

[46] Figure 5 depicts a slide fastener slider according to a different embodiment of the invention having viewing or magnifying means for viewing or magnifying a portion of the stringer tape on either side of the slider. Detailed description |47[ f igure 1 depicts a slider 1 of a slider fastener according to an embodiment of the invention. The slider 1 is formed of front plate 2 and a back plate 3, which are separated by and secured to a tvedge 4, as is conventional in slide fastener sliders. A first opening 5 is formed between the front and back plates 2, 3 at a first end, through which interlocking fastener members pass in their interlocked configuration. Second openings 6 are formed on either side of the wedge 4 at the second end, through which respective rows of interlocking fastener members pass in their unlocked configuration. Respective narrow slots are provided between the front and rear plates 2, 3 between respective lateral extremes of the first opening 5 and the second openings 6, to allow the slider to slide along the stringer tape in use.

[48] Relative positional terms such as ‘front’ and ‘back are used only to aid understanding of this specification and should not be taken as limiting in terms of the scope of the invention or its range of orientations in use. The so-called front plates 2 in some embodiments described herein are those through which the optical v lewers or optical magnifiers are formed. Tn other embodiments the front plates 2 are those to which a manual actuator such as a pull tab is attached. Even so, these examples should not be taken as limiting to the scope of the invention.

[49] A transparent window 7 is provided through a portion of the front plate 2: at least the portion which is not flush with the wedge 4. In some embodiments the window7 7 may simply be a hole or opening through the front plate. In other embodiments the window 7 may be formed of a transparent material such as glass or plastics. 1501 In some preferred embodiments, the window7 7 may be a magnifier, for example an optical magnifier, such as a lens. In some preferred embodiments, the window is formed of a convex lens having a focal length of more than tw'ice the distance between its centre and the front surface of the interlocking members passing through the slider in use.

[51] Conventional slide fastener sliders typically have a manual actuator, such as a pull tab, attached to the front plate. In the depicted embodiment, this would block the view of the ’window7 7, and so alternative arrangements for manual actuation are preferably provided. One example of this is shown in Figure 2.

[52] Figure 2 depicts the front plate 2 of a slider 1 similar to that depicted in Figure 1, having a rail 8 around a portion of its edge. .A first end of the rail 8 is fixed to the edge of the first end of the top plate 2, and a second end of the rail 8 is fixed to the edge of the second end of the top plate 2, so as to form a closed loop with a portion of the edge of the top plate 2. In use, a pull tab is slidably connected to the rail 8, so that it can be moved from a position at the first end of the slider 1 to a position at the second end of the slider 1. This will facilitate manual actuation of the slider 1 in either direction. 1531 Figure 3 depicts another embodiment of a slider 1 according to the invention. In this case, the front plate 2 is depicted as being thicker, so as to accommodate the depiction of certain additional components which will be described below. The relative dimensions of the plates are not essential to the invention, and the drawings should not be understood as being to scale. In some implementations of the invention, the front plate 2 may indeed be thicker than, or otherwise dimensioned differently to, a conventional slider front plate 2 in order to accommodate the additional components.

[54] The window 7, m this case, is a plate of transparent material disposed at the top of a hole 9 formed through the top plate 2. As in other embodiments, this plate of transparent material may be replaced wnh another suitable component, such as a lens. Alternatively, it may be removed altogether, leaving only the hole 9. 155] Illuminating means 10, 11 are provided at the back face of the front plate 2, positioned so as to illuminate when activated the portion of the slide fastener flush with and viewable through the viewing means 7. Preferably, the illuminating means are I Jd)s.

[56] A compartment 12 for a store of electrical energy, such as a battery, is also provided in the front plate 2. This is electrically connected to the illuminating means 10, 11, and to any necessary control or switching circuitry as will be apparent to the skilled person. The connections and other circuitry are not shown in the Figure. (57] The illuminating means 10,11 may be controlled to activate only when the slider 1 is moving relative to the slide fastener. Motion sensors or other suitable means of achieving this goal may be provided as the skilled -addressee sees fit. (58] Figure 4 depicts a similar slider 1 to that shown in Figure 3. Rather than a baticry compartment, this embodiment is provided with a dynamo 13 driven by a rotor 15 accommodated within the wedge 4. The rotor 15 is driven in use by the unlocked interlocking fastener elements as they move relative to the wedge. This may be achieved, for example, by a toothed belt 14 secured around the rotor 15, a portion of which protrudes through an opening formed in the side of the wedge 4. This belt frictionally engages with the ‘passing’ fastener elements, causing the rotation of the rotor 15.

[59] The dynamo 13 is connected to illuminating means 10, 11 (not shown in Figure 4) via appropriate circuitry (not shown), 'fhe illuminating means 10, 11 will therefore only activate when the slider 1 is actuated with sufficient vigour. In some embodiments, the circuitry may include a rechargeable electrical energy store, so as to provide for illumination when the slider is not currently being actuated. 160| Figure 5 depicts a different embodiment, in which the portion of the slide fastener viewed through the viewing means 19, 20 is to either side of the interlocking fastener elements, namely the front surface of the stringer tape (not shown), In this case, a conventional slider is provided, having a conventional pull tab 16. A frame 17, 18 is provided to either side of the slider, each defining a respective window 19, 20, through which a portion of stringer tape can be viewed in use.

[61] The windows 19, 20 may be formed of plates of transparent material, such as glass. They may alternatively be lenses, such as convex lenses. They may simply be empty space defined by the frames 17,18.

[62] Illuminating means may be provided m the frames 17, 18, as may suitable 5 power supply means connected to the illuminating means. A similar arrangement to that depicted in Figure 4, for example, may be provided, in which a dynamo is driven by movement of the wedge 4 relative to the interlocking fastener elements. 1631 In other embodiments similar to that shown m Figure 5, a pair of optical viewers or optical magnifiers 19, 20 can be provided in frames 17,18 which are 10 fixed to the first and second ends of the slider 2, rather than at the sides. This is another way of framing and potentially magnifying the interlocking fastener elements as well as or instead of the stringer tapes. Such embodiments may be particularly suitable for narrow items incorporating slide fasteners, such as pencil cases. 15

[64] Although the invention has been explained with reference to certain preferred embodiments, these should not be understood to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A slide fastener comprising: opposing rows of interlockable fastener elements; and a slider comprising an optical viewer disposed so as to present, in use, a view of a portion of the slide fastener proximate the slider; wherein each row5 of interlockable fastener elements protrudes from a respective length of stringer tape, and the optical viewer is disposed to present a view of a portion of at least one o f the lengths of stringer tape.

2. A slide fastener according to claim 1 wherein the at least one of the lengths of stringer tape is at least partly formed of, or coated with, an optically reflective 10 material.

3. A slide fastener according to claim 1 wherein the optical viewer is disposed to to present a view of a portion of the interlockable fastener elements.C\J4. A slide fastener according to claim 3 wherein the portion of theC*i) interlockable fastener elements comprises the outer face of one fastener element.CM15 5. A slide fastener according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the optical viewercomprises a transparent portion of the slider.

6. A slide fastener according to claim 5 wherein the slider is provided with a pull tab, which is attached to the slider so as to be slide-able about an edge of the slider.20 7. A slide fastener according to any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein the outerfaces of the interlockable fastener elements are coated with an optically reflective coating.

8. A slide fastener according to any preceding claim wherein the slider further comprises a source of illumination disposed so as to illuminate in use the portion25 of the slide fastener of which a view is presented by the optical viewer.

9. A slide fastener according to claim 8 wherein the source of illumination is an electrical light source connected to a source of electrical power.

10. A slide fastener according to claim 9 wherein the source of electrical poweris a batterv.J11. A slide fastener according to any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the source of illumination is configured to illuminate in use the portion of the slide fastener of which a view is presented by the optical viewer only when the slider is being moved along the slide fastener.1012. A slide fastener according to claim 9 wherein the source of electrical power is a dynamo drivable in use by the sliding of the slider along the slide fastener.

13. A slide fastener according to any preceding claim wherein the optical viewer comprises an optical magnifier disposed so as to present, in use, a magnified view of the portion of the slide fastener proximate the slider.

14. A slide fastener according to claim 13 wherein the optical magnifier comprises a convex lens having a focal length greater than twice the distance between the centre of the convex lens and the portion of the slide fastener a magnified view of which is presented by the optical magnifier.

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