Weather resistant structures for conventional slide fasteners and methods for making the same
US5924172A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 2, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jul 20, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 2, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T24/2591
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a fluid resistant structure to be incorporated with conventional fastening systems such as slide fasteners. Two sheaths are attached or incorporated into a closable structure, in overlapping fashion, at or near the opening of the structure. Each sheath has associated therewith a semi-rigid bead portion at its mesial portion. The length of the bead portions is generally longer than the chord length of the opening so that a slight, to pronounced, arch or bow of the beads is formed. When the structure is closed, one bead is manipulated over and laterally adjacent to the other bead, thereby forming a lateral compression abutment between the two beads. The lateral abutment is maintained due in part to the arch or bow formed by the difference between the bead length versus the chord length. Variations of the invention include having the upper sheath extend over the fastening elements, having the lower sheath extend over the fastening elements, and having both sheaths extend over the fastening elements. In addition, various geometries of beads can be used and include beads having cylindrical, triangular, and square cross-sections.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.