IP Library Granted Patent US 8,079,625
Granted Patent B2
US 8,079,625 · App. 12/440,752 · Granted Dec 20, 2011

Device for opening and closing a zipper

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,079,625
App. No.
12/440,752
Granted
Dec 20, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device for assisting in opening and closing a zipper including a body having first and second diverging guide channels for receiving respective zipper tracks for sliding movement along the diverging guide channels and for progressively interconnecting the tracks at a predetermined mutually oriented angle of closure, a connector carried by the body for connecting the body to the zipper slider, and a pull for permitting manual pulling movement of the body.

Claims (19)

1. A device for assisting in opening and closing a zipper having a central zipper slider that opens and closes a zipper by selectively disconnecting and connecting a pair of opposed interlockable tracks as the zipper slider moves in respective opening and closing directions along the tracks, comprising:

(a) a body having first and second diverging guide channels having mutually oriented closure angles for receiving the respective zipper tracks for sliding movement along the diverging guide channels and for permitting progressive interconnection of the interlockable tracks at the mutually oriented closure angles, wherein the body further includes an alignment plate positioned adjacent at a connection point of the connector and the zipper slider for providing sliding support to the zipper during pulling movement of the body for assisting and maintaining the device in alignment with the interlockable tracks;

(b) a connector carried by the body and extending from a major face of the body in a direction generally perpendicular to the major face for connecting the body to the zipper slider; and

(c) a pull for permitting manual movement of the body.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the connector is an outwardly extending post carried by the body for extending through and engaging an opening in the zipper slider.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the body is a wedged shape.

4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second diverging guide channels define a concave surface with respect to a centerline of the body.

5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the pull is attached to the body by a hinged joint.

6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein each of the diverging guide channels further includes relatively narrow access slots positioned on a periphery of each of the diverging guide channels for receiving and retaining each of the interlockable tracks.

7. The device according to claim 1 , wherein each of the diverging guide channels includes at least one hook for receiving a lace for tying the first and second diverging guide channels together and forming the body.

8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein each of the diverging guide channels is attached with a flexible support member connecting to the pull and forming the body.

9. The device according to claim 1 , further including a flap for engaging the connector and for retaining an opening of a tab of the zipper slider.

10. A device for assisting in closing a zipper having a central zipper slider for closing and unzipping the zipper by selectively disconnecting and connecting a pair of opposed interlockable tracks as the zipper slider moves in respective closing and unzipping directions along the tracks, comprising:

(a) a body having first and second outwardly concave diverging guide channels for receiving the respective zipper tracks for sliding movement along the diverging guide channels and for progressively interconnecting the interlockable tracks at a predetermined mutually oriented angle of closure, wherein the body further includes an alignment plate positioned adjacent at a connection point of the connector and the zipper slider for providing sliding support to the zipper during pulling movement of the body for assisting and maintaining the device in alignment with the interlockable tracks;

(b) an outwardly extending post carried by the body and extending from a major face of the body in a direction generally perpendicular to the major face for connecting the body to the zipper slider for being received by an opening in a zipper slider; and

(c) a pull for permitting manual pulling movement of the body.

11. The device according to claim 10 , wherein the pull is attached to the body by a hinged joint.

12. The device according to claim 10 , wherein each of the diverging guide channels further includes relatively narrow access slots positioned on a periphery of each of the diverging guide channels for receiving and retaining each of the interlockable tracks.

13. The device according to claim 10 , wherein each of the diverging guide channels includes at least one hook for receiving a lace for tying the first and second diverging guide channels together and forming the body.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SENIOR PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 3, 2017
From: J.P. MORGAN EUROPE LIMITED, AS AGENT
To: BSN MEDICAL INC.
Reel/Frame 042140/0001 →
RELEASE OF MEZZANINE PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 3, 2017
From: J.P. MORGAN EUROPE LIMITED, AS AGENT
To: BSN MEDICAL INC.
Reel/Frame 042140/0128 →
SENIOR PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 28, 2012
From: BSN MEDICAL INC.
To: J.P. MORGAN EUROPE LIMITED, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 029046/0725 →
MEZZANINE PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 28, 2012
From: BSN MEDICAL INC.
To: J.P. MORGAN EUROPE LIMITED, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 029046/0783 →