IP Library Granted Patent US 11,006,702
Granted Patent B2
US 11,006,702 · App. 15/612,926 · Granted May 18, 2021

Systems and methods for improved zipper slider garage

Inventors: Daniel J. Martinson (Medina, MN); Kent H. Brightman (Rogers, MN)
Assignee: Nite Ize, Inc.
A44B19/16A44B19/32A44B19/36A44B19/42B65D33/2591
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,006,702
App. No.
15/612,926
Granted
May 18, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A slider garage includes an overmolded body, the overmolded body oriented on a zipper, the overmolded body including an overmolded male portion and an overmolded female portion, the overmolded male and female portions positioned on an end of the zipper, such that each is on one side of the zipper, the overmolded male portion being shaped such that it fits in the overmolded female portion in a watertight fashion. Optionally, the zipper includes a male side and a female side, and the overmolded male portion is positioned on the male side of the zipper and the overmolded female portion is positioned on the female side of the zipper.

Claims (27)

1. A zipper, comprising:

a male side;

a female side;

a slider garage including an overmolded male portion and an overmolded female portion, the overmolded male portion being molded over the male side, so that a portion of the male side extends into the overmolded male portion of the slider garage, the overmolded female portion being molded over the female side, so that a portion of the female side extends into the overmolded female portion of the slider garage, wherein the portion of the male side extends further into the overmolded male portion than the portion of the female side extends into the overmolded female portion, wherein a first portion of the overmolded male portion extends towards the overmolded female portion and the first portion is surrounded by the overmolded female portion except where connected to the slider garage when a slider is engaged completely with the slider garage.

2. The zipper of claim 1 , wherein the male side includes a protruding ball portion.

3. The zipper of claim 2 , wherein the female side includes a socket portion.

4. The zipper of claim 3 , wherein the protruding ball portion is continuous on the male side to the slider of garage.

5. The zipper of claim 4 , wherein a portion of the protruding ball portion is enclosed within the overmolded male portion.

6. The zipper of claim 2 , wherein the overmolded male portion is formed over a portion of the protruding ball portion.

7. The zipper of claim 2 , wherein the overmolded male portion caps the male side.

8. A zipper, comprising:

a male side;

a female side;

a slider garage including an overmolded male portion and an overmolded female portion, the overmolded male portion capping the male side, the overmolded male portion separable from the overmolded female portion when a slider is not engaged with the slider garage, wherein a first portion of the overmolded male portion extends towards the overmolded female portion and the first portion is surrounded by the overmolded female portion except where connected to the slider garage when a slider is engaged completely with the slider garage.

9. The zipper of claim 8 , wherein the male side includes a protruding ball portion.

10. The zipper of claim 9 , wherein the overmolded male portion is molded over the male side, so that a portion of the male side extends into the overmolded male portion of the slider garage.

11. The zipper of claim 10 , wherein the female side includes a socket portion.

12. The zipper of claim 11 , wherein the protruding ball portion is continuous on the male side to the slider of garage.

13. The zipper of claim 9 , wherein a portion of the protruding ball portion is enclosed within the overmolded male portion.

14. The zipper of claim 9 , wherein the overmolded male portion is formed over a portion of the protruding ball portion.

15. A zipper, comprising:

a male side;

a female side;

a slider garage including an overmolded male portion and an overmolded female portion, wherein the overmolded male portion has been molded over the male side, so that a portion of the male side extends into the overmolded male portion of the slider garage and the overmolded male portion extends towards the overmolded female portion further than the male side, wherein a first portion of the overmolded male portion extends towards the overmolded female portion and the first portion is surrounded by the overmolded female portion except where connected to the slider garage when a slider is engaged completely with the slider garage.

16. The zipper of claim 15 , wherein the male side includes a protruding ball portion.

17. The zipper of claim 16 , wherein the protruding ball portion is continuous on the male side to the slider of garage.

18. The zipper of claim 17 , wherein a portion of the protruding ball portion is enclosed within the overmolded male portion.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2022
From: NITE IZE, INC.
To: TRU ZIP LLC
Reel/Frame 062214/0942 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 5, 2021
From: MARTINSON, DANIEL J.; BRIGHTMAN, KENT H.
To: SUBZIPPER, INC.
Reel/Frame 055510/0390 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 5, 2021
From: SUBZIPPER, INC.
To: NITE IZE, INC.
Reel/Frame 055510/0547 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation PCTUS2015063451 · Dec 2, 2015
Provisional Application 62087687 · Dec 4, 2014
Related Publication 20170265604A1 · Sep 21, 2017