Locking slider assembly and a method for its manufacture

Abstract

A locking assembly includes a slider comprising a follower, a rail slidably engaged to the follower, the rail comprising a plurality of rigid sections having a cross-sectional perimeter and at least one collapsible section connecting the rigid sections, the at least one collapsible section movable between a first state in which the collapsible section has a first length and a first cross-sectional perimeter that does not project beyond the perimeter of the plurality of rigid sections and a second state having a second length less than the first length and a second perimeter that projects beyond the perimeter of the plurality of rigid sections.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A locking assembly comprising:
 a slider comprising a follower; and   a rail slidably engaged to the follower, the rail comprising a plurality of rigid sections having a cross-sectional perimeter and at least one collapsible section connecting the rigid sections, the at least one collapsible section movable between a first state in which the collapsible section has a first length and a first cross-sectional perimeter that does not project beyond the perimeter of the plurality of rigid sections and a second state having a second length less than the first length and a second perimeter that projects beyond the perimeter of the plurality of rigid sections.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the follower is attached to the slider by means of a flexible connector. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rigid sections are substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one collapsible section further comprises a plurality of collapsible sections. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one collapsible section is composed at least in part of flexible material. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one collapsible section comprises a plurality hinged subsections that accordion. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rail further comprises a hollow interior. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7  further comprising an actuator in the hollow interior, the actuator having a first end secured to a first end of the rail. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the actuator is flexible. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first end of the rail further comprises a length of flexible material. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the actuator further comprises at least one bead, the at least one bead formed to limit the collapse of the at least one collapsible section. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 8  further comprising a sheath housing a portion of the actuator that projects beyond a second end of the rail, the sheath secured to the second end of the rail. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 8  further comprising a linear displacement device attached to a second end of the actuator, the linear displacement device movable in a first direction in which the linear displacement device pulls the actuator and in a second direction in which the linear displacement device pushes the actuator. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rail further comprises a sleeve of flexible material surrounding the plurality of rigid sections and the at least one collapsible section. 
     
     
         15 . A method for manufacturing a locking slider assembly, the method comprising:
 forming a rail comprising a plurality of rigid sections having a cross-sectional perimeter and at least one collapsible section connecting the rigid sections, the at least one collapsible section movable between a first state in which the collapsible section has a first length and a first cross-sectional perimeter that does not project beyond the perimeter of the plurality of rigid sections and a second state having a second length less than the first length and a second perimeter that projects beyond the perimeter of the plurality of rigid sections;   forming a slider having a follower; and   slidably engaging the follower to the slider.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein forming the rail further comprises inserting the plurality of rigid sections and the at least one collapsible section into a flexible sleeve. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising attaching the flexible sleeve to a portable container. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the rail has an interior space, and further comprising inserting an actuator into the interior space of the rail. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising securing a first end of the rail to a first end of the actuator. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising securing a second end of the rail to a portable container.