Zip fastener

Abstract

A zip slider comprises: a body ( 200 ) having two channels through which opposing rows of zip teeth may be respectively fed into a single channel in which the zip teeth are forced into interdigitation; upper and lower jaw members ( 114, 140 ) mounted on the body ( 200 ) and defining a slot between them; a biasing member ( 180 ), pivotally mounted on the body ( 200 ), and being pivotable in a first direction between a rest position and a deflected position, wherein pivoting of the biasing member ( 180 ) out of the rest position permits insertion of a loop of a pull tab into the jaws ( 114, 140 ) and, in the rest position, the biasing member ( 180 ) prohibits removal of the pull tab from the jaws ( 114, 140 ).

1 . A zip slider comprising:
 a body having two channels through which opposing rows of zip teeth may be respectively fed into a single channel in which the zip teeth are forced into interdigitation;   upper and lower jaw members mounted on the body and defining a slot between them;   a biasing member, pivotally mounted on the body, and being pivotable in a first direction between a rest position and a deflected position, wherein pivoting of the biasing member out of the rest position permits insertion of a loop of a pull tab into to the jaws and, in the rest position, the biasing member prohibits removal of the pull tab from the jaws.   
     
     
         2 . A zip slider according to  claim 1  wherein the biasing member is a wire spring, pivotally mounted upon one of the jaw members. 
     
     
         3 . A zip slider according to  claim 2  wherein the wire spring is formed as a loop having a pair of limbs whose ends are pivotally engaged with the one of the jaw members. 
     
     
         4 . A zip slider according to  claim 3  wherein the wire of the loop is formed with its limbs mutually offset thereby to provide pivotal biasing action of the loop relative the body when the limbs are brought into register with each other. 
     
     
         5 . A zip slider according to  claim 2  wherein each limb comprises a spigot at its end and the biasing member is mounted on the body by engagement of the spigots in apertures within the body. 
     
     
         6 . A zip slider according to  claim 2  wherein the limbs are of equal length. 
     
     
         7 . A zip slider according to  claim 2  wherein the limbs are of differing lengths. 
     
     
         8 . A zip slider according to  claim 1  wherein, in the rest position, the biasing member bears against the body. 
     
     
         9 . A zip slider according to  claim 1  further comprising a locking member, mounted to the body and having a prong which may retractably project through an aperture in the body and thereby engage the inter-digitated zip teeth. 
     
     
         10 . A zip slider according to  claim 9  wherein the biasing member bears against the locking member thereby to bias the prong into engagement with the zip teeth. 
     
     
         11 . A zip slider according to  claim 9  wherein the locking member is pivotally mounted on the body and pivoting of the locking member enables projection of the prong into and retraction of the prong from the aperture. 
     
     
         12 . A zip slider according to  claim 10  wherein the biasing member is a wire spring, pivotally mounted on one of the jaw members and bearing against the locking member at a point of the wire spring remote from the pivot. 
     
     
         13 . A zip slider according to  claim 1  wherein the biasing member is pivotally mounted on the upper jaw member. 
     
     
         14 . A zip slider according to any one of  claim 9  wherein the locking member is pivotally mounted on the lower jaw member. 
     
     
         15 . A zip slider according to  claim 1  wherein zip teeth pass through the channel in a first direction, thereby to define a vertical axis orthogonal to the first direction, and the biasing member has a surface which is deflectable upon pivoting from the rest position to increase the angle of the surface relative to the vertical. 
     
     
         16 . A zip slider according to  claim 10  wherein the loop bears against the locking member.