One-handed zipper

Abstract

Zipper is disclosed that allows one handed operation. Zipper has a split slider and a zipper closure. The split slider has a first slider member releasably coupleable to a second slider member. The first slider member engages a first plurality of zipper elements attached to a first fabric portion, and the second slider member engages a second plurality of zipper elements attached to a second fabric portion. The zipper closure comprises a first closure member releasably coupleable to a second closure member. The first closure member and the second closure member are positioned on the first fabric portion and the second fabric portion, respectively, such that the two closure members may be coupled by applying a force perpendicular to the surface of the fabric portions. In one embodiment, the first and second closure members are configured to couple simultaneously with the coupling of the first and second slider members.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A zipper fastener comprising:
 a first tape of zipper elements;   a second tape of zipper elements;   a slider comprising:
 a first slider member that engages the said first tape and comprises a first coupling element; 
 a second slider member that engages the said second tape and comprises a second coupling element; and 
 the first coupling element and the second coupling element being configured to releasably couple the first slider member and the second slider member; and 
   a closure comprising:
 a first closure member disposed on the first tape and comprising a third coupling element; 
 a second closure member disposed on the second tape and comprising a fourth coupling element; and 
 the third coupling element and the fourth coupling element being configured to releasably couple the first closure member and and the second closure member. 
   
     
     
         2 . The zipper fastener as claimed in  claim 1 , configured so that a force that causes the said first slider member to couple with the said second slider member also causes the said first closure member to couple with the second closure member. 
     
     
         3 . The zipper fastener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first coupling member is a quick release pin having a release button configured to release the first slider member and the said second slider member by pressing the button. 
     
     
         4 . The zipper fastener as claimed in  claim 3  further comprising a puller, configured for pressing the button. 
     
     
         5 . The zipper fastener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first coupling element and the second coupling element are releasably coupled via one of the cantilever snap joint and torsional snap joint. 
     
     
         6 . The zipper fastener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first slider member further comprises a fifth coupling element, and the said second slider member further comprises a sixth coupling element configured so that a force that causes the first and second coupling elements to join, also causes the fifth and sixth coupling elements to join. 
     
     
         7 . The zipper fastener as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the quick release pin comprises a release knob configured to release the first slider member and the second slider member by turning the knob. 
     
     
         8 . The zipper fastener as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the knob is configured to pull the slider. 
     
     
         9 . A garment comprising:
 a first section and a second section of the garment;   a zipper fastener comprising:
 a first tape of zipper elements attached to the first section of the garment; 
 a second tape of zipper elements attached to the second section of the garment; 
 a slider comprising:
 a first slider member that engages the said first tape and comprises a first coupling element; 
 a second slider member that engages the said second tape and comprises a second coupling element; and 
 the first coupling element and the second coupling element being configured to releasably couple the first slider member and the second slider member; and 
 
   a closure comprising:
 a first closure member disposed on the first tape and comprising a third coupling element; 
 a second closure member disposed on the second tape and comprising a fourth coupling element; and 
 the third coupling element and the fourth coupling element being configured to releasably couple the first closure member and and the second closure member. 
   
     
     
         10 . The garment as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the garment is footwear. 
     
     
         11 . The garment as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the garment is clothing. 
     
     
         12 . The zipper fastener of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional zipper tape made of an elastic material. 
     
     
         13 . The zipper fastener of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional zipper tape configured to be connected to another zipper fastener. 
     
     
         14 . A slider for a zipper fastener, comprising:
 a first slider member that engages a first tape of zipper elements and comprises a first coupling element;   a second slider member that engages a second tape of zipper elements and comprises a second coupling element; an   the first coupling element and the second coupling element being configured to releasably couple the first slider member and the second slider member.   
     
     
         15 . The slider as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the first coupling member is a quick release pin having a release button configured to release the first slider member and the said second slider member by pressing the button. 
     
     
         16 . The slider as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising a puller, configured for pressing the button. 
     
     
         17 . The slider as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the first coupling element and the second coupling element are releasably coupled via one of the cantilever snap joint and torsional snap joint. 
     
     
         18 . The slider as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first slider member further comprises a fifth coupling element, and the said second slider member further comprises a sixth coupling element configured so that a force that causes the first and second coupling elements to join, also causes the fifth and sixth coupling elements to join. 
     
     
         19 . The slider as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the quick release pin comprises a release knob configured to release the first slider member and the said second slider member by turning the knob. 
     
     
         20 . The slider as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the knob is configured to pull the slider.