Drawstring connector and methods of use

Abstract

A connector for use with a drawstring is described which allows a user to attach one or more flexible elongate closure means, e.g. drawstrings together. A first end of the connector is mountable to a first end of a flexible elongate closure means. A second end of the connector is mountable either to a second end of the same or to another flexible elongate closure means. A swivel means may be situated between the first and second ends of the connector for rotating the ends and assist in fastening the connector to the drawstring. The connector may be a permanent fixture to a drawstring or a releasable attachment. The connector may be used in a method of replacing a drawstring of a product with a second drawstring. An end of a first drawstring is connected to an end of the second drawstring via the connector. The first drawstring is pulled until the connected second drawstring has replaced a position of the first drawstring on the product, then the drawstrings are disconnected at the connector.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A closure means for a product, comprising:
 a flexible elongate body, where the flexible elongate body is selected from the group consisting of lace, drawstring, cord, elastic, string, rope, wire, tie and strap; and   at least one connector mounted on at least one end of the flexible elongate body,   wherein the at least one connector comprises:
 a fastener configured both for selective, releasable attachment of the connector, in the alternative, to a corresponding fastener of another connector and to a finished end of a second flexible elongate body, a receiver where the connector is mounted to the at least one end of the flexible elongate body; and 
 a swivel means for rotating the fastener relative to the receiver; 
   
     
     
         2 . The closure means of  claim 1  wherein a first connector having a fastener is mounted on a first end of the flexible elongate body and a second connector having a second fastener is mounted on a second end of the flexible elongate body. 
     
     
         3 . The closure means of  claim 1  wherein the fastener is selected from the group consisting of the following: barrel clasp, screw, threading, magnetic fitting, clamp, clip, Velcro™ and snap fitting. 
     
     
         4 . The closure means of  claim 1  wherein the swivel means includes a swivel arm extending from the receiver at a first swivel arm end through a base of the fastener to a swivel dial at a second swivel arm end. 
     
     
         5 . The closure means of  claim 1  wherein the fastener comprises a female receptacle. 
     
     
         6 . The closure means of  claim 5  wherein the female receptacle comprises first attachment means for releasable attachment to a fastener of a male connector and second attachment means for releasable attachment to said end of the second flexible elongate body. 
     
     
         7 . The closure means of  claim 6  wherein said first attachment means is located adjacent an open end of the female receptacle and wherein said second attachment means is located within the female receptacle and separated from said open end by said first attachment means. 
     
     
         8 . The closure means of  claim 7  wherein the first attachment means is threaded and has a cylindrical shape and the second attachment means is threaded and has a conical shape. 
     
     
         9 . A connector for use with a flexible elongate closure means, the connector comprising:
 a receiver for mounting to an end of the flexible elongate closure means; and   a fastener configured both for selective, releasable attachment of the connector, in the alternative, to a corresponding fastener of another connector, to a finished end of a flexible elongate body and to a threading tool.   
     
     
         10 . The connector of  claim 9  wherein the receiver comprises a cavity for mounting to a finished end of the flexible elongate closure means and the fastener is selected from the group consisting of the following: barrel clasp, screw fitting, magnetic fitting, clamp, clip, Velcro™ and snap fitting. 
     
     
         11 . The connector of  claim 9  wherein the connector further comprises a swivel means for rotating the fastener relative to the receiver, said swivel means including a swivel arm extending from the receiver at a first swivel arm end through a base of the fastener to a swivel dial at a second swivel arm end. 
     
     
         12 . The connector of  claim 9  wherein the receiver is a releasable clip or clamp. 
     
     
         13 . The connector of  claim 9  wherein the receiver comprises a helical female receptacle for releasably mounting to a finished aglet on said end of the flexible elongate closure means. 
     
     
         14 . The connector of  claim 13  wherein the helical female receptacle is an inwardly tapered, threaded cavity. 
     
     
         15 . The connector of  claim 13  wherein the fastener comprises a female receptacle. 
     
     
         16 . The connector of  claim 14  wherein the female receptacle comprises first attachment means for releasable attachment to a fastener of a male connector and second attachment means for releasable attachment to said end of the flexible elongate body. 
     
     
         17 . The connector of  claim 16  wherein said first attachment means is located adjacent an open end of the female receptacle and wherein said second attachment means is located within the female receptacle and separated from said open end by said first attachment means. 
     
     
         18 . The connector of  claim 16  wherein the second attachment means is threaded and has a conical shape and the first attachment means is threaded and has a cylindrical shape. 
     
     
         19 . A method of replacing a first closure means of a product with a second closure means and then preparing to replace the second closure means with a third closure means, wherein the first closure means comprises a flexible elongate body and at least one finished end, said first closure means being at least partially slidably positioned in an enclosure of the product, wherein the second closure means comprises a flexible elongate body and a first connector, said first connector positioned at one end of the flexible elongate body, the first connector comprising a fastener configured both for selective releasable attachment of the first connector to said at least one finished end of the first closure means and, in the alternative, for selective releasable attachment to a second connector positioned at one end of the third closure means, said third closure means comprising a flexible elongate body and the second connector, the method comprising the steps of:
 attaching the fastener to the at least one finished end of the first closure means;   pulling on the first closure means until the second closure means has replaced a position of the first closure means on the product;   detaching the fastener from the at least one finished end of the first closure means; and   attaching the fastener to said second connector in preparation for replacing the second closure means on the product with the third closure means.