Zip tail stop
A tail stop arrangement ( 200 ) for a zip ( 100 ) includes a first tail stop ( 300 ) for attachment to a first zip tape ( 102 ), the first tail stop ( 300 ) including a body ( 302 ) including a channel ( 304 ) and a second tail stop ( 400 ) for attachment to a second zip tape ( 104 ), the second tail stop ( 400 ) including a protrusion ( 406 ). The body ( 302 ) of the first tail stop ( 300 ) has a longitudinal axis and the channel ( 304 ) extends parallel to the longitudinal axis. A coordinate system of the tail stop arrangement ( 300 ) includes a y-direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, an x-direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along which the channel ( 304 ) is open and a z-direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis along which the channel ( 304 ) is closed. The protrusion ( 406 ) is configured to be inserted into the channel ( 304 ) in the x-direction to engage the first and second tail stops ( 300,400 ). The protrusion ( 406 ) is configured to slide within the channel ( 304 ) in the y-direction when the first and second tail stops ( 300, 400 ) are engaged, wherein the protrusion ( 406 ) is configured to slide in the channel ( 304 ) towards an end position. When the protrusion ( 406 ) is in the end position the first and second tail stops ( 300, 400 ) are aligned by the engagement of the protrusion ( 406 ) with the channel ( 304 ) in the x-, y- and z-directions to enable the zip ( 100 ) to be fastened.
1 . A zip comprising:
a first zip tape comprising a first set of teeth and a box;
a second zip tape comprising:
a second set of teeth configured to engage the first set of teeth; and
an insertion pin;
a slider arranged on the first set of teeth and configured to slide along the first set of teeth and guide the second set of teeth into engagement with the first set of teeth; and
a tail stop arrangement comprising:
a first tail stop comprising a body, a first upper end, and a first lower end, wherein the body comprises a first channel; and
a second tail stop comprising a protrusion, a second upper end, and a second lower end,
wherein the body has a first longitudinal axis,
wherein the first channel extends parallel to the first longitudinal axis,
wherein a coordinate system of the tail stop arrangement comprises a y-direction parallel to the first longitudinal axis, an x-direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis along which the first channel is open, and a z-direction perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis along which the first channel is closed,
wherein the protrusion is configured to be inserted into the first channel in the x-direction to engage the first tail stop and the second tail stop, slide within the first channel in the y-direction when the first tail stop and the second tail stop are engaged, and slide in the first channel towards an end position,
wherein when the protrusion is in the end position, the first tail stop and the second tail stop are configured to be aligned by an engagement of the protrusion with the first channel in the x-direction, the y-direction, and the z-direction to enable the zip to be fastened,
wherein the first zip tape comprises the first tail stop,
wherein the second zip tape comprises the second tail stop,
wherein the y-direction is parallel to a direction in which the slider is configured to slide on the first set of teeth,
wherein the first tail stop is attached to the first zip tape adjacent the box near the first upper end,
wherein the first channel extends away from the box towards the first lower end,
wherein the second tail stop is attached to the second zip tape adjacent the insertion pin near the second upper end,
wherein the protrusion is arranged near the second lower end,
wherein the second tail stop further comprises a second channel parallel to a second longitudinal axis of the second tail stop,
wherein the protrusion is arranged in the second channel and is configured to project from the second channel, and
wherein the second channel is configured to receive zip elements associated with the first zip tape while in use.
2 . The zip of claim 1 , wherein the protrusion comprises a chamfered edge configured to assist the engagement.
3 . The zip of claim 1 , wherein the first channel narrows towards the end position to align the first tail stop and the second tail stop in the z-direction at the end position as the protrusion is moved towards the end position.
4 . The zip of claim 1 , wherein the first tail stop further comprises a first part and a second part that are configured to be clamped around the first zip tape, and wherein the first part and the second part together define the first channel.
5 . The zip of claim 1 , wherein the second tail stop further comprises a third part and a fourth part that are configured to be clamped around the second zip tape, and wherein the third part and the fourth part together define the second channel.
6 . The zip of claim 5 , wherein the third part and the fourth part each comprise a portion of the protrusion.
7 . The zip of claim 1 , wherein the first tail stop and the second tail stop are formed from polymeric material.
8 . The zip of any of claim 1 , wherein one of the first tail stop or the second tail stop further comprises a ferromagnetic material, and wherein the other of the first tail stop or the second tail stop further comprises a permanent magnet.
9 . The zip of claim 8 , wherein the second tail stop further comprises the permanent magnet, and wherein the permanent magnet is arranged on or within the protrusion.
10 . The zip of claim 9 , wherein the protrusion comprises a chamfered edge, and wherein the permanent magnet is arranged adjacent the chamfered edge.
11 . The zip of claim 1 , wherein the first tail stop has a first outer surface for grasping by a user, wherein the second tail stop has a second outer surface for grasping by the user, and wherein when the protrusion is at the end position and the tail stops are aligned in the x-direction, the y-direction, and the z-direction, the first outer surface and the second outer surface are configured to be parallel to each other.
12 . The zip of claim 1 , wherein when the protrusion is in the end position, the insertion pin is configured to be inserted into a groove of the first tail stop or into the box.
13 . The zip of claim 1 , wherein the second tail stop further comprises a recess that is arranged closer to the second zip tape than the protrusion and that is configured to receive the slider.
14 . The zip of claim 13 , wherein the slider comprises a tab configured to allow a user to move the slider on the first set of teeth, and wherein the recess has a length longer than a length of the tab.
15 . The zip of claim 1 , wherein the first tail stop extends a first length from the first zip tape of less than 0.1 meters (m), and wherein the second tail stop extends a second length from the second zip tape of less than 0.1 m.