Interlocking Zipper Pull Tabs and Fastening System

Abstract

A fastening system for a zipper is disclosed which includes locking or interlocking first and second zipper pull tabs. A first zipper pull tab comprises a first base, a hook extending from the first base, and a moveable gate coupled to the first base. A second zipper pull tab comprises a second base, a cover coupled to the second base, and a post extending between the second base and the cover. For interlocking, the moveable gate and hook are further coupled around the post to provide the interlocking configuration of the first and second zipper pull tabs. The first zipper pull tab may be utilized separately from the second zipper pull tab, such as to lock to a coupling ring or another component of a carrying bag.

1 . A zipper pull tab coupleable to a zipper slider for a zipper, the zipper pull tab comprising:
 a base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the base comprising a first recess extending into the base from the second side, wherein the base has at least one first thickness;   a hook integrally formed with and extending from the base on the second side, the hook comprising an elongated rectilinear portion and a curved portion terminating in a hook end;   a moveable gate having a first gate end and a second gate end, the second gate end arranged at least partially inside the first recess, the moveable gate pivotably coupled inside the first recess, the moveable gate extending from the first recess with the first gate end abutting the hook end in a closed configuration to form a first interior region of the zipper pull tab, the moveable gate pivotable into the first recess and the first interior region in an open configuration; and   a zipper pull coupling integrally formed with or coupled to the first side of the base for coupling to the zipper slider, the zipper pull coupling having at least one second thickness, the at least one first thickness greater than the at least one second thickness, wherein a ratio of the at least one first thickness to the at least one second thickness is between 4:1 to 2:1.   
     
     
         2 . The zipper pull tab of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the hook end and first gate end further comprises a protruding tab structure and at least one of the first gate end and hook end respectively further comprises a second, mating recess. 
     
     
         3 . The zipper pull tab of  claim 1 , wherein in the closed configuration, the moveable gate extends parallel to the elongated rectilinear portion of the hook. 
     
     
         4 . The zipper pull tab of  claim 1 , wherein the zipper pull coupling is coupled to the base through a swivel attachment. 
     
     
         5 . The zipper pull tab of  claim 1 , wherein the curved portion of the hook is insertable into a third coupling attached to a carrying bag. 
     
     
         6 . The zipper pull tab of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a bias spring arranged in the first recess; and   a pivot coupling coupled to the base and extending through the first recess, wherein the second gate end is pivotably coupled inside the first recess to the pivot coupling.   
     
     
         7 . The zipper pull tab of  claim 1 , wherein at least part of the elongated rectilinear portion of the hook is coplanar with the base. 
     
     
         8 . The zipper pull tab of  claim 1 , wherein the hook has a thickness tapering from the at least one first thickness to at least one third thickness at the curved portion, the at least one first thickness greater than the at least one third thickness. 
     
     
         9 . The zipper pull tab of  claim 8 , wherein a ratio of the at least one first thickness to the at least one third thickness is between 4:1 to 2:1. 
     
     
         10 . The zipper pull tab of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a grip integrally formed with the moveable gate, the grip extending transversely from the moveable gate opposite from the first interior region.   
     
     
         11 . The zipper pull tab of  claim 1 , wherein each of the hook end and the first gate end further comprise one or more mating faces extending transversely, or longitudinally, or both transversely and longitudinally. 
     
     
         12 . A zipper pull tab coupleable to a zipper slider for a zipper of a carrying bag, the zipper pull tab comprising:
 a base having at least one first thickness, the base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the base comprising a first recess extending into the base from the second side;   a hook integrally formed with and extending from the second side of the base, the hook comprising an elongated rectilinear portion and a curved portion terminating in a hook end;   a moveable gate having a first gate end and a second gate end, the second gate end arranged at least partially inside the first recess, the moveable gate extending from the first recess with the first gate end abutting the hook end in a closed configuration to form a first interior region of the zipper pull tab, the moveable gate pivotably coupled inside the first recess and pivotable into the first recess and the first interior region in an open configuration;   a zipper pull coupling integrally formed with or coupled to the first side of the base for coupling to the zipper slider, the zipper pull coupling having at least one second thickness, the at least one first thickness greater than the at least one second thickness, wherein a ratio of the at least one first thickness to the at least one second thickness is between 4:1 to 2:1; and   a grip integrally formed with the moveable gate, the grip extending transversely from the moveable gate opposite from the first interior region.   
     
     
         13 . The zipper pull tab of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the hook end and first gate end further comprises a protruding tab structure and at least one of the first gate end and hook end respectively further comprises a second, mating recess. 
     
     
         14 . The zipper pull tab of  claim 12 , wherein the zipper pull coupling is coupled to the base through a swivel attachment. 
     
     
         15 . The zipper pull tab of  claim 12 , wherein in the closed configuration, the moveable gate extends parallel to the elongated rectilinear portion of the hook. 
     
     
         16 . The zipper pull tab of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a bias spring arranged in the first recess; and   a pivot coupling coupled to the base and extending through the first recess, wherein the second gate end is pivotably coupled inside the first recess to the pivot coupling.   
     
     
         17 . The zipper pull tab of  claim 12 , wherein at least part of the elongated rectilinear portion of the hook is coplanar with the base. 
     
     
         18 . The zipper pull tab of  claim 12 , wherein the hook has a thickness tapering from the at least one first thickness to at least one third thickness at the curved portion, the at least one first thickness greater than the at least one third thickness, wherein a ratio of the at least one first thickness to the at least one third thickness is between 4:1 to 2:1. 
     
     
         19 . The zipper pull tab of  claim 12 , wherein each of the hook end and the first gate end comprise one or more mating faces extending transversely, or longitudinally, or both transversely and longitudinally. 
     
     
         20 . A zipper pull tab coupleable to a zipper slider for a zipper, the zipper pull tab comprising:
 a base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the base comprising a first recess extending into the base from the second side, wherein the base has at least one first thickness;   a hook integrally formed with and extending from the base on the second side, the hook comprising an elongated rectilinear portion and a curved portion terminating in a hook end, wherein at least part of the elongated rectilinear portion of the hook is coplanar with the base;   a moveable gate having a first gate end and a second gate end, the second gate end arranged at least partially inside the first recess, the moveable gate pivotably coupled inside the first recess, the moveable gate extending from the first recess with the first gate end abutting the hook end in a closed configuration to form a first interior region of the zipper pull tab, the moveable gate pivotable into the first recess and the first interior region in an open configuration; and   a zipper pull coupling coupled through a swivel attachment to the base for coupling to the zipper slider, the zipper pull coupling having at least one second thickness, the at least one first thickness greater than the at least one second thickness, wherein a ratio of the at least one first thickness to the at least one second thickness is between 4:1 to 2:1.