Interchangeable zipper grip

Abstract

Zipper grips and zipper assemblies comprising the zipper grips secured to zippers are provided. The zipper grips are configured such that at least a portion of a back face of a grip pad rests against a front face of a zipper pull tab when the zipper grip is secured to the pull tab. The zipper grips make it easier to locate and manipulate a zipper pull tab, which makes it easier to zip and unzip a zipper.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An interchangable zipper grip for a zipper, the zipper comprising a pull tab having a proximal end attached to a slider body, a distal end opposite the proximal end, an upper aperture defined in the proximal end of the pull tab, a lower aperture defined in the distal end of the pull tab, a front face, and an oppositely facing back face;
 the zipper grip comprising:   a strap having a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, wherein the distal end of the strap is configured to be inserted through the upper aperture of the zipper pull tab and further wherein a slot is defined in the distal end of the strap;   a grip pad attached to the proximal end of the strap, the grip pad having a front face and an oppositely facing back face; and   an extension extending outwardly from the back face of the grip pad, wherein the extension and the slot in the strap are configured provide a male-female connection that secures the zipper grip to the pull tab when the extension is inserted into the slot; and   further wherein the zipper grip is configured such that at least a portion of the back face of the grip pad rests against the front face of the pull tab when the zipper grip is secured to the pull tab.   
     
     
         2 . The zipper grip of  claim 1 , wherein either the distal end of the strap or the extension is configured to be inserted through the lower aperture in the zipper pull tab. 
     
     
         3 . The zipper grip of  claim 2 , wherein the distal end of the strap is configured to be inserted through the lower aperture in the zipper pull tab and the extension and aperture are configured to provide a male-female connection on the back face of the grip pad, beyond the distal end of the pull tab. 
     
     
         4 . The zipper grip of  claim 2 , wherein the extension is configured to be inserted through the lower aperture in the pull tab and the extension and aperture are configured to provide a male-female connection on the back face of the zipper pull tab. 
     
     
         5 . The zipper grip of  claim 1 , wherein the grip pad defines a longitudinal pocket configured to accept the distal end of the zipper pull tab and the extension and aperture are configured to provide a male-female connection on the back face of the grip pad. 
     
     
         6 . A method of securing the zipper grip of  claim 1  to a pull tab on a zipper, the method comprising:
 inserting the distal end of the strap through an upper aperture in the pull tab; and 
 inserting the extension into the slot to form a male-to-female connection that secures the zipper grip to the pull tab in a manner such that at least a portion of the back face of the grip pad rests against the front face of the pull tab. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising inserting the extension through a lower aperture in the pull tab prior to inserting the extension into the slot. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising inserting the distal end of the strap back through a lower aperture in the pull tab prior to inserting the extension into the slot. 
     
     
         9 . A zipper and zipper grip assembly comprising:
 (a) a zipper slider comprising:
 a slider body; and 
 a pull tab having a proximal end attached to the slider body, a distal end opposite the proximal end, an upper aperture defined in the proximal end of the pull tab, a lower aperture defined in the distal end of the pull tab, a front face, and an oppositely facing back face; and 
   (b) a zipper grip comprising:
 a strap having a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a slot defined in the distal end of the strap; 
 a grip pad attached to the proximal end of the strap, the grip pad having a front face and an oppositely facing back face; and 
 an extension extending outwardly from the back face of the grip pad; 
 wherein the strap extends through the upper aperture of the zipper pull tab and the extension is inserted into the slot in the strap to provide a male-female connection that secures the zipper grip to the pull tab, such that at least a portion of the back face of the grip pad rests against the front face of the pull tab. 
   
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein either the strap or the extension extends through the lower aperture in the zipper pull tab. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the strap extends through the lower aperture in the zipper pull tab and the extension and aperture provide a male-female connection on the back face of the grip pad, beyond the distal end of the pull tab. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the extension extends through the lower aperture in the pull tab and the extension and aperture provide a male-female connection on the back face of the zipper pull tab. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the grip pad defines a longitudinal pocket into which the distal end of the zipper pull tab is inserted and the extension and aperture provide a male-female connection on the back face of the grip pad.