Zipper Assist Device

The present application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 18/379,898 filed Oct. 13, 2023, which claims priority to provisional U.S. Application No. 63/416,134 filed Oct. 14, 2022, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Zippers are a common fastening mechanism on many types of products, including on clothing, luggage, purses, and shoes as non-limiting examples. For the most part, zippers are readily accessible, for example, on the front of coats and jackets and the fly of pants and slacks. However, some zippers are used in less readily accessible areas on the back of clothing, such as on the back of women's dresses and the back of costumes.

Accordingly, there is a need for zipper assist devices to aid a user in zipping and unzipping a clothing garment that includes a zipper this is not readily accessible. It would be convenient for the user if that zipper assist device was portable and could be universally applied to many different types of existing zipper structures. It would also be convenient if the piece of clothing had a zipping mechanism that inherently and permanently incorporated a zipper assist device.

The present disclosure relates to a zipper assist zipper tab that has a built-in functionality to enable a user to easily zip a garment both up and down. The built-in functionality of the zipper tab allows for a tether to be readily attached to and separated from the zipper tab. The zipper can be pulled up (zipped) or pulled down (unzipped) by the tether. For instance, a zipper tab with the built-in functionality to attach to the tether may allow for the functionality of assisting a zipper to be pulled up or pulled down that differentiates from the functionalities of existing zipper tabs. The tether cannot be attached to an ordinary zipper tab but requires a direct connection to the zipper tab with the built-in functionality in order to assist in pulling the zipper up and down.

In some embodiments, a removable zipper assist device for attaching to an existing zipper component includes a base member having a first side comprising a receiving slot and a second side comprising an at least one hinge joint and a hinged member having a first leg, a second leg, and a cover portion such that the first leg and the second leg extend perpendicular from the cover portion, the first leg further comprises a key configured to engage with the receiving slot when in a closed position, and the second leg further comprises a hinge such that the at least one hinge joint is configured to attach to the hinged member at the hinge of the second leg. The removable zipper assist device also includes a coupling mechanism attached to an upper edge of the base member positioned between the base member and the hinged member when in the closed position and is designed to couple with a loop in the existing zipper component. Also included is a protrusion portion extending through the base member towards the hinged member such that the protrusion portion is hollow from an outer side of the base member having a first magnetic component and a detachable tether having an elongated flexible element and an attaching mechanism comprising a second magnetic component configured to be coupled to the first magnetic component of the protrusion portion.

In some embodiments, a permanent zipper assist device for replacing an existing zipper tab includes a fastening member, a base member having a front side and a back side such that the back side of the base member comprises a depression having a first magnetic component, and a detachable tether having an elongated flexible element and an attaching mechanism comprising a second magnetic component configured to be coupled to the first magnetic component of the depression in the back side of the base member.

In some embodiments, a zipper assist device includes a base member having a coupling mechanism designed to couple with a zipper component. The zipper assist device also includes a detachable tether having an elongated flexible element and an attaching mechanism. The zipper assist device includes a coupling interface configured to secure the detachable tether to the base member.

These as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description, with reference, where appropriate, to the accompanying drawings.

Example methods and systems are described herein. It should be understood that the words “example,” “exemplary,” and “illustrative” are used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or feature described herein as being an “example,” being “exemplary,” or being “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or features. The exemplary embodiments described herein are not meant to be limiting. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.

Furthermore, the particular arrangements shown in the Figures should not be viewed as limiting. It should be understood that other embodiments may include more or less of each element shown in a given Figure. Further, some of the illustrated elements may be combined or omitted. Yet further, an exemplary embodiment may include elements that are not illustrated in the Figures.

In, a first embodiment of a zipper assist zipper tabis shown. The zipper assist zipper tabis a removable zipper assist device for attaching to a zipper tabon a zipper sliderhaving a base memberand a hinged member. The base memberhas a first sideA and a second sideB. The first sideA has a receiving slot. The second sideB has at least one hinge joint.show an embodiment with a singular hinge joint, but embodiments are possible incorporating more than one hinge joint on the second sideB of the zipper assist zipper tab.

The hinged memberincludes a first legA, a second legB, and a cover portion. The first legA and the second legB are positioned at opposing ends of the cover portion, and each extend perpendicular from the cover portiontoward the base member. In some embodiments, the first legA includes a keysuch that the keyis configured to engage with the receiving sloton the base memberwhen the hinged memberand the base memberare in a closed position. In some embodiments, the second legB includes an at least one hingesuch that the at least one hinge jointof the base memberis configured to attach to the hinged memberat the at least one hingeof the second legB.

In some embodiments, the zipper assist zipper tabfurther includes a coupling mechanismattached to an upper edge of the base membersuch that the coupling mechanismis between the base memberand the hinged memberwhen the base memberand the hinged memberare in a closed position. The coupling mechanismcan be any protuberant structure, such as a hook, a peg, a holder, a catch, a clasp, a clip, a pin, a buckle, or other coupling mechanism. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanismis configured to couple with a loop in a zipper tabattached to a zipper slider, as shown in. In other embodiments, the coupling mechanismis configured to couple with an attaching mechanism for attaching the zipper tabto the zipper slider.

In some embodiments, the zipper assist zipper tab further includes a protrusion portionextending through the base membertoward the hinged member. In some embodiments, the protrusion portionis hollow from an outer side of the base member, as shown in. As such, the protrusion portioncan further include a first magnetic component, which could be configured to couple with other components of a zipper assist device.

In other embodiments, the zipper assist zipper tab further includes an opening through a bottom of the base memberthat is hollow. This opening can be configured to receive a button closure attached to other components of a zipper assist device such that the button closure can attach to the opening through the bottom of the base memberand be secured by a box clasp.

The zipper assist zipper tabis a detachable zipper tab. As such, this zipper tab could be reusable on more than one pieces of clothing. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanismof the zipper assist zipper tabcould be configured to attach to many different kinds of loops of many different kinds of zipper tabs. For instance, the zipper assist zipper tabcould be in an open position. A user could attach the coupling mechanismof the zipper assist zipper tabto a loop in a zipper tab on a first piece of clothing. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanismcould be a stationary mechanism. In other embodiments, the coupling mechanismcould be a hinged mechanism. The hinged memberand the base membercould then be hinged to a closed position and the zipper assist zipper tabis secure on the zipper tabof the first piece of clothing. The zipper assist zipper tabcould be used to zip and unzip the piece of clothing. Then, the hinged memberand the base membercan be hinged open and the zipper assist zipper tabcan be removed from the zipper tabon the first piece of clothing. The zipper assist zipper tabcan then be attached to a second piece of clothing by using the coupling mechanismof the zipper assist zipper tabto connect with a second loop on a second zipper tab on the second piece of clothing. In other embodiments, the detachable zipper assist zipper tabcould be configured to remain attached to the zipper tabwhile the first piece of clothing is worn and does not need to be removed after use. Although the specific use case of clothing is mentioned above, the zipper assist zipper tabmay be used with luggage, purses, and shoes as non-limiting examples.

In some embodiments, such as shown in, the hinged memberextends higher than the base member. Further, in such embodiments, the extended portion of the hinged membermay be configured to cover the entire zipper taband zipper sliderwhen the hinged memberis in the closed position with regard to the base member.

In some embodiments, such as shown in, the base memberand the hinged membermay comprise any shape, such as an oval (as shown), a square, a rectangle, a circle, a triangle, or the like. In some embodiments, the base memberand the hinged membermay have the same dimensions. In other embodiments, the hinged membermay extend larger or smaller than the base member. For instance, the hinged membermay be configured to cover an entire zipper tab and zipper slider when the hinged memberis in the closed position with regard to the base member.

As shown in, the removable zipper assist device for attaching to the zipper tab includes the base memberhaving an ovular shape configured to receive the zipper tab. The zipper assist zipper tabfurther could include a coupling mechanismattached to an upper edge of the base member. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanismis configured to couple with a loop in the zipper tab attached to the zipper slider. In other embodiments, the coupling mechanismis configured to couple with an attaching mechanism for attaching the zipper tab to the zipper slider. In some embodiments, the zipper tabfurther includes a coupling interface. In one example, as shown in, the coupling interface comprises a protrusion portionextending through the base member. In some embodiments, the protrusion portionis hollow from an outer side of the base member. As such, the protrusion portioncan further include a first magnetic component, which could be configured to couple with other components of a zipper assist device. In another example, the coupling interface may be a box clasp or the like.

illustrate a second embodiment of a zipper assist zipper tab. The zipper assist zipper tabis a permanent zipper assist device for replacing a zipper tab on a zipper sliderhaving a fastening memberand a body member. The body memberincludes a front sideA and a back sideB. A portion of the back sideB of the body memberincludes a depression. In some embodiments, the depressionis hollow from the back sideB of the body member, as shown in. As such, the depressioncan further include a first magnetic component, which could be configured to couple with other components of a zipper assist device.

As shown in, the fastening membermay be any type of fastening mechanism. For instance, the fastening membermay be a ring (as shown in), a clip, a clasp, a chain link, or the like.

illustrate a coupling interfacethat may be included on a removable zipper assist device or on a permanent zipper assist device, such as the zipper assist devicesor, respectively. The coupling interfacemay replace the magnetic components housed in the protrusion portion, as described in the embodiments above.

In some embodiments, a removable zipper assist device or a permanent zipper assist device for attaching to a zipper tab or a zipper slider includes a protrusion portionextending through a base member of the zipper assist device such that the protrusion portion is hollow from an outer side of the base member and a detachable tether having an elongated flexible element and an attaching mechanismconfigured to couple with the protrusion portion. For instance, in some embodiments, such as is shown in, a portion of the attaching mechanismof the detachable tether may be configured to be received within the hollow opening of the protrusion portion, such as by clicking into place or any other suitable means of coupling. In such embodiments, such as is shown in, the protrusion portionfurther comprises a depressible button that is operably-attached to the base member such that depression of the depressible button () is configured to release the attaching mechanismfrom the protrusion portion ().

illustrate a coupling interfacethat may be included on a removable zipper assist device or on a permanent zipper assist device, such as the zipper assist devicesor, respectively. The coupling interfacemay replace the magnetic components housed in the protrusion portion, as described in the embodiments above.

In some embodiments, a removable zipper assist device or a permanent zipper assist device for attaching to a zipper tab or a zipper slider includes a protrusion portion defining a receiving apertureconfigured to receive a clipsuch that the clipis configured to couple with the receiving apertureby being inserted into the receiving apertureand securing into place, such as is shown in. For instance, in some embodiments, the coupling interfacemay be a box clasp or the like.

In other embodiments, other coupling interfaces are contemplated. For instance, a button closure, a clasping device, a screw, or the like may be used as a coupling interface on any of the embodiments described herein.

illustrate a detachable tethercomponent of a zipper assist device. The detachable tethercould be configured to attach with any of the zipper assist zipper tabs from. The detachable tetherhas an elongated flexible elementand an attaching mechanism. The attaching mechanismcould further include a second magnetic componentthat is configured to be coupled to a first magnetic component incorporated onto the zipper assist zipper tab. The attaching mechanismcould further include a protruded portionsuch that the second magnetic componentcouples with the protruded portionat an upper part of the protruded portion. The protruded portionmay be configured to fit within a hollow portion of the zipper assist zipper tab containing the first magnetic component.

In some embodiments, the detachable tetheralso includes a secondary attaching mechanismhaving a third magnetic component. The third magnetic componentcan be the same or similar to the first magnetic component on the zipper assist zipper tab such that the second magnetic componentcan be configured to couple with either the first magnetic component or the third magnetic component. The secondary attaching mechanismcould further include a recessed portionsuch that the third magnetic componentcouples with the recessed portionat an innermost part of the recessed portion. The protruded portionmay be configured to fit within the recessed portionof the secondary attaching mechanismcontaining the third magnetic component. As such, the second magnetic componentand the third magnetic componentcould be magnetically-coupled with each other, as shown in.

In such embodiments, the secondary attaching mechanismis disposed on an opposing end of the elongated flexible elementas the attaching mechanism. As such, when the second magnetic componentand the third magnetic componentare coupled together, the elongated flexible elementextends from the attaching mechanismto the secondary attaching mechanismin a continuous fashion, such as a loop. In such embodiments, the detachable tether could be worn as an accessory by a user, such as a bracelet or a necklace. The elongated flexible elementcould be wrapped around a body part of the user, and the second magnetic componentand the third magnetic componentcan secure the elongated flexible elementin place.

In some embodiments, the detachable tethercomprises a chained material. This material can be a metal, a plastic, a fabric, or the like. In some embodiments, the detachable tetheris wearable by a user, such as a necklace, a bracelet, an anklet, a purse strap, a headband, or any other accessory worn by a user. In some embodiments, the detachable tetheris wearable by a user when the second magnetic componentand the third magnetic componentare secured together. In other embodiments, the detachable tethercould be attached to something not worn by the user, such as a hook in a closet or the like.

As shown in, in some embodiments, the detachable tethercomponent of a zipper assist device could be configured to attach with any of the coupling interfaces from. For instance, the detachable tetherhas the elongated flexible elementand the attaching mechanism. However, in some embodiments, the attaching mechanismcould be configured to be coupled with the depressible button in. In other embodiments, such as is shown in, the detachable tethercould have an attaching mechanismthat is capable of clasping with the receiving aperture of, such that the attaching mechanismcould take the same form as the clipin.

In some embodiments, the detachable tetheralso includes a secondary attaching mechanismhaving a receiving aperturein which the attaching mechanismcould be received. The receiving aperturecan be the same or similar to the receiving aperture on the zipper assist zipper tab described insuch that the attaching mechanismcan be configured to couple with either the receiving aperture on the zipper assist zipper tab described inor the secondary attaching mechanism.

In such embodiments, the secondary attaching mechanismis disposed on an opposing end of the elongated flexible elementas the attaching mechanism. As such, when the attaching mechanismand the secondary attaching mechanismare coupled together, the elongated flexible elementextends from the attaching mechanismto the secondary attaching mechanismin a continuous fashion, such as a loop.

illustrate a zipper assist tabhaving a zipper assist zipper tab componentand a detachable tether component. In some embodiments, the zipper assist zipper tab componentcan be a removable fixture, such as the zipper assist zipper tab. In other embodiments, as shown in, the zipper assist zipper tab componentcan be a permanent fixture to replace a zipper tab, such as the zipper assist zipper tab. The detachable tether componentcan have any features of the detachable tether.

displays the zipper assist zipper tab componentin a zipped position, with the tether componentnot attached. As the tether componentis brought near to the zipper assist zipper tab component, a first attaching mechanism on the zipper assist zipper tab componentand a second attaching mechanism on the tether componentare coupled together, as is shown in. The first attaching mechanism and the second attaching mechanism may be any attaching mechanism described herein.shows a first attaching mechanism on the zipper assist zipper tab componentand a second attaching mechanism on the tether componentthat are coupled together in a ready to use position. As the user pulls on the tether component, the zipper assist zipper tabzips and/or unzips the object containing the zipper, in this case a dress, as illustrated in.

In some embodiments, the zipper assist zipper tabhas a first attaching mechanism of a first magnetic component that is positioned at a first angle within the protrusion portion of the zipper assist zipper tab. In such embodiments, a second attaching mechanism of the tether componentcomprises a second magnetic component that is positioned at a second angle on the tether componentsuch that the first angle and the second angle are configured to be coupled to each other. In some embodiments, because of this angle, the strength of the magnetic connection between the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component is strengthened when zipping and unzipping a zipper.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed concepts, which may be practiced without some or all of these particulars. In other instances, details of known devices and/or processes have been omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. While some concepts will be described in conjunction with specific examples, it will be understood that these examples are not intended to be limiting.

As used herein, “coupled” means associated directly as well as indirectly. For example, a member A may be directly associated with a member B, or may be indirectly associated therewith, e.g., via another member C. It will be understood that not all relationships among the various disclosed elements are necessarily represented.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does not require or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbered item, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.

Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “one example” means that one or more feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one implementation. The phrases “one embodiment” or “one example” in various places in the specification may or may not be referring to the same example.

As used herein, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is indeed capable of performing the specified function without any alteration, rather than merely having potential to perform the specified function after further modification. In other words, the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the specified function. As used herein, “configured to” denotes existing characteristics of a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware which enable the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware to perform the specified function without further modification. For purposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware described as being “configured to” perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being “adapted to” and/or as being “operative to” perform that function.

The limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.

By the term “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” with reference to amounts or measurement values described herein, it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide. For example, in one embodiment, the term “about” can refer to ±5% of a given value. In other embodiments, the term “about” can refer to a higher or lower value than ±5% of a given value.

Illustrative, non-exhaustive examples, which may or may not be claimed, of the subject matter according the present disclosure are provided below.