US3719973A

US3719973A - T-bar zipper tab handle

Info

Publication number: US3719973A
Application number: US00231506A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Bell
Original assignee: MIGHT MAC Inc
Current assignee: MIGHT MAC Inc
Priority date: 1972-03-03
Filing date: 1972-03-03
Publication date: 1973-03-13
Anticipated expiration: 1990-03-13
Also published as: CA956786A

Abstract

A handle for the apertured free end of the pull tab attached to the slider of a slide fastening device. The handle comprises an elongated body having a diametrically reduced midportion centrally intermediate its opposite ends and a rigid strap has one end thereof bent into a loop about the diametrically reduced mid-portion of the elongated member and the other end of the strap is bent into a loop passed through the apertured free end of the slider pull tab.

Description

United States Patent 1 Bell [ 1March 13, 1973 T-BAR ZIPPER TAB HANDLE [75] Inventor: Harold Bell, Gloucester, Mass.

[73] Assignee: Might-Mac,lnc.

Gloucester, Mass.

[22] Filed: March 3, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 231,506

[52] U.S. Cl ..24/205.15 H, 294/1 A, 16/112 [51] Int. Cl. ..A44b 19/26 [58] Field of Search...24/205.15 H; 16/112; 294/1 A, 294/15, 1 R; 74/543 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,418,482 4/1947 Robinsohn ..24/205.l5 H 2,839,057 6/1958 Argyll ..24/205.l1 L 2,840,412 6/1958 Lancaster ..24/205.15 H

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,428,507 1/1966 France ..24/205.l5 H

Primary Examiner-Bernard A. Gelak Attorney-Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A handle for the apertured free end of the pull tab attached to the slider of a slide fastening device. The handle comprises an elongated body having a diametrically reduced midportion centrally intermediate its opposite ends and a rigid strap has one end thereof bent into a loop about the diametrically reduced midportion of the elongated member and the other end of the strap is bent into a loop passed through the apertured free end of the slider pull tab.

9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures such that the handle may be swung relative to the pull v tab and the handle, comprising an elongated body member, may be rotated about its longitudinal axis relative to the pull tab. In addition, the manner in which the elongated handle is attached to the associated slider pull tab is such to provide a pleasing if not attractive appearance.

The main object of this invention is to provide a readily engageable handle for the pull tab of the slider of a slide fastening device such as a zipper.

Another object of this invention, in accordance with the immediately preceding object, is to provide a handle which may be readily attached to substantially all zipper pull tabs.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a slide fastener pull tab handle constructed in a manner whereby it may be readily grasped, even by persons wearing gloves or mittens.

Another object of this invention is to provide a slide fastener pull tab handle in accordance with the preceding objects and which will comprise an attractive accessory for the associated garment.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a slide fastener pull tab handle in accordance with the preceding objects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully.

hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a garment provided with a slide fastener in the form of a zipper and with the pull tab of the slider of the zipper provided with a handle in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the handle; and

FIG. 3'is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing through the center of the slider and handle assembly illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral generally designates a garment such as a jacket provided with a slide fastener referred to in general by the reference numeral 12. The slide fastener 12 is in the form ofa zipper construction and includes a slider 14 equipped with an elongated bridge 16 extending longitudinally of the slider 14. One end 18 of a panel-like pull tab 20 is anchored to the bridge 16 for pivotal movement of the pull tab 20 relative to the bridge. In addition, the other end of the pull tab 20 has an aperture 22 formed therein.

The foregoing comprises a description of a conventional form of zipper construction.

The handle construction of the instant invention is referred to in general by the reference numeral 24 and includes an elongated body member 26 and an attaching strap 28 by which the body member 26 may be attached to the pull tab 20.

The body member 26 is cylindrical in configuration and includes a diametrically reduced cylindrical midportion 30 centrally intermediate its opposite ends. The body member 26 may be constructed of any suitable material such as a lightweight metal or plastic with a distinctive color.

The strap 28 comprises an elongated shape-retaining rigid strap 31 having opposite terminal ends bent to form

cylindrical loops

32 and 34. The

loops

32 and 34 are substantially fully closed and the final closing of the loop 32 is accomplished after the latter has been engaged about the mid-portion 30. With the loop 32 substantially closed about the mid-portion 30, the body member 26 is journaled from the corresponding end of the strap 28 for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the body member 26.

Likewise, the end of the strap 28 remote from the body member 26 has its cylindrical loop 34 passed through the aperture 22. Hereagain, the loop 34 is loosely engaged with the apertured end of the pull tab 20 whereby the strap 28 may be oscillated relative to the pull tab 20 about an axis generally paralleling the longitudinal axis of the body member 26.

As hereinbefore set forth, the body member 26 may be constructed of any suitable and distinctively colored material. Also, the strap 28 may be of the same or different distinctive color.

The outside diameter of the loop 32 is substantially equivalent to the outside diameter of the

opposite end portions

36 and 38 of the body member 26 disposed on opposite sides of the diametrically reduced mid-portion 30. Accordingly, when the loop 32 is closed about the mid-portion 30, the external surfaces of the loop 32 form extensions of the outer surface portions of the

end portions

36 and 38.

Also, it will be noted that the substantially straight mid-portion 40 of the strap 28 is disposed tangent to the corresponding sides of the loops 34 and therefore, as may be seen from FIG. 1 of the drawings, the manner of attaching the body member 26 to the pull tab 20 by means of the strap 28 presents a very pleasing and attractive appearance. I

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination, a slide fastening device of the type including a slider having an elongated panel-like pull tab pivotally secured at one end to the slider for oscillation about an axis generally paralleling the medial plane of the pull tab and extending transversely of said one end of the pull tab and also transversely of the direction of intended movement of the pull tab, a handle construction for said pull tab including a single transversely extending elongated body member provided with a diametrically reduced mid-portion centrally intermediate its opposite ends, and a connecting strap having one end pivotally anchored to said midportion and the other end pivotally anchored to the other end of said pull tab, said handle construction,

connecting strap, and pull tab being swingable in a common plane.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said mid-portion is substantially cylindrical in cross-section and said one end of said strap includes means for journaling said mid-portion therefrom.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said strap is constructed of shape-retentive material and said means on said one end portion of said strap comprises a terminal end portion thereof bent to form a substantially closed cylindrical loop in which said mid-portion is journaled.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the opposite end portions of said body member are cylindrical.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein the other end of said strap is also bent to form a substantially closed cylindrical loop, said other end of said pull tab having a transverse elongated aperture formed therein, said loop on said other end of said strap being passed through said aperture.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the central portion of said strap is substantially straight and is disposed tangent to corresponding sides of said loops.

7. The combination of claim 4 wherein the external diameter of the first mentioned loop is substantially equal to the diameters of the opposite end portions of said body member.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the other end of said strap is also bent to form a substantially closed cylindrical loop, said other end of said pull tab having a transverse elongated aperture formed therein, said loop on said other end of said strap being passed through said aperture, the central portion of said strap being substantially straight and disposed tangent to corresponding sides of said loop.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said elongated body member is constructed of a rigid and lightweight material.

Claims

1. In combination, a slide fastening device of the type including a slider having an elongated panel-like pull tab pivotally secured at one end to the slider for oscillation about an axis generally paralleling the medial plane of the pull tab and extending transversely of said one end of the pull tab and also transversely of the direction of intended movement of the pull tab, a handle construction for said pull tab including a single transversely extending elongated body member provided with a diametrically reduced mid-portion centrally intermediate its opposite ends, and a connecting strap having one end pivotally anchored to said mid-portion and the other end pivotally anchored to the other end of said pull tab, said handle construction, connecting strap, and pull tab being swingable in a common plane.