Apparatus for operating a zipper

Abstract

A zipper operating device for closing or opening a zipper located at the back of a garment or where accessibility for manipulation is awkward, inconvenient or otherwise difficult. This zipper operating device can engage almost all zipper pull tabs, including those elongated pull tabs without voids or holes.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus for operating a zipper, comprising:
 an elongated member having a first end and a second end; and   a zipper engagement device affixed to the first end of the member,   wherein the engagement device comprises:   a first engagement structure having a first engagement surface and a pin extending outward from the first engagement surface,   a second engagement structure having a second engagement surface, and   an engagement mechanism that selectively directs the first and second engagement surfaces towards one another.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the second engagement structure includes an aperture configured to receive the pin. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the aperture is a recess. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the elongated member is one of telescoping and retractable. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the elongated member can be selectively locked into a desired length. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the elongated member is curved. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the elongated member is one of rigid and flexible. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the engagement device is releasably affixed to the first end of the member. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the engagement device is an alligator clip. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the engagement mechanism includes a tension spring that engages the first and second engagement structures to direct the first and second engagement surfaces towards one another. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the engagement mechanism includes a first magnet mounted on the first engagement structure and a second magnet mounted on the second engagement structure and the first and second magnets are oriented to create a repulsion force that directs the first and second engagement surfaces toward one another. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the engagement mechanism includes a sliding clamp configured to selectively engage the first and second engagement structures and direct the first and second engagement surfaces towards one another. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the engagement device is configured in the shape of a fish. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the first engagement surface includes a first friction enhancing coating and the second engagement surface includes a second friction enhancing coating. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the first and second friction enhancing coatings are memory foam. 
     
     
         37 . An apparatus for operating a zipper, comprising:
 an elongated member having a first end and a second end; and   a zipper engagement device affixed to the first end of the member,   wherein the engagement device comprises:   a first engagement structure having a width that decreases and then increases to form a first collar,   a second engagement structure having a having a width that decreases and then increases to form a second collar, and   an engagement mechanism that selectively directs the first and second engagement structures towards one another.   
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein the first collar and second collar are configured to releasably engage a zipper pull tab having a width that decreases and then increases. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein the first engagement structure and the second engagement structure are configured to at least partially surround a zipper pull tab having a width that decreases and then increases. 
     
     
         40 . An apparatus for operating a zipper, comprising:
 a telescoping elongated member having a first end and a second end; and   a coil engagement structure affixed the first end of the elongated member,   wherein the elongated member can be selectively locked into a desired length.   
     
     
         41 . An apparatus for operating a zipper, comprising:
 a telescoping elongated member having a first end and a second end; and   a hook engagement structure affixed the first end of the elongated member,   wherein the elongated member can be selectively locked into a desired length.   
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41  wherein the hook engagement structure includes a clasp that can be selectively opened and closed. 
     
     
         43 . An apparatus for operating a zipper, comprising:
 a telescoping elongated member having a first end and a second end; and   an engagement structure affixed the first end of the elongated member,   wherein the engagement structure includes a cam that can be selectively engaged to contact a zipper pull tab.