Rotatable Slider Pullers for Multi-Rail Fastener Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing releasable fasteners with multiple sliders can be challenging to align, especially when dealing with multiple pairs of rails, and slider pullers can be difficult to grip, particularly for users with limited dexterity or those wearing gloves.

Innovation Solution

A slide fastener design featuring a slider hub with rotatable slider pullers that can be stowed over the hub, engaging with retaining lips and studs to align and retain the slider bodies, and a snap connector that disengages the pullers to facilitate alignment and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sliders are used to couple multiple pairs of rails, then the fastening capability and versatility are improved, but the alignment difficulty and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening capabilityVSAvoidalignment difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple slider bodies are merged into a single integrated assembly that moves together along the rails. The slider hub connects multiple slider bodies, allowing them to function as a unified mechanism rather than separate components that must be individually aligned.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The slider puller acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the user and the multiple slider bodies. By engaging with the slider hub, the puller simultaneously controls the position and alignment of all slider bodies, eliminating the need for separate alignment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If traditional slider pullers are used, then the device structure is simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates for users with limited dexterity or wearing gloves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidgrip difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The slider puller is designed with rotational freedom, allowing it to dynamically adjust its orientation and configuration. The puller can rotate to present different grip surfaces to the user, enabling operation from multiple angles and accommodating users with limited dexterity or those wearing gloves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The grip surface parameters of the slider puller are changed through rotation, allowing the user to access different portions of the puller with varying surface characteristics. This dynamic parameter change enables effective gripping under different operational conditions and user capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3823489B1Releasable fastener

Publication Date: 2023.08.30 NIKE INNOVATE CV

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AI summary

This disclosure describes a slide fastener having multiple slider tracks (114, 14, 16) and multiple slider bodies (18) that converge at a central hub.