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Mother and son create magic zipper

Shared by John Smith on 2014-03-24 16:23

About the solution

Together they built the first prototype for their solution: a zipper that had magnets glued to the bottom. This first prototype didn’t work but demonstrated that the way to create a better zipper would be using magnets.

Dave Lyndaker, neighbor and a mechanical designer joined Scott and Nancy when he heard about their challenge and soon started prototyping zippers.

Dave Lyndaker, Nancy and Scott Peters created their product design firm called DNS Designs LLC, aimed to help people with limited mobility in their hands. In 2011 they also started working with the Under Armour team that loved the product.

"We started rapid prototyping, getting parts machined, and testing. We’d make a part, assemble it, and glue it on a zipper to find out what worked and didn’t work. I had one part that actually broke, and when this had broken, it kind of showed me the way... We were able to evolve the design to where it is today, a more open hook-and-catch", said Scott.

Dave tested each of them until they found one that worked for him.

In the words of FastCo Design, “the Magzip is a simple yet ingenious advancement in zipper technology. Magnets and special self aligning geometry allow the zipper base to snap together on its own, making it simple to zip with just one hand".

“Our mission is to be innovators, challenge the status quo, and develop advanced closures to help make people’s lives easier”, says on the official website.

In 2015, Fast Company named Magzip one of the finalists in the Innovation by Design Awards.

More info: http://www.dnsdesignsllc.com

Adapted from: http://www.fastcodesign.com/3049901/innovation-by-design/the-2015-innova...
https://youtu.be/pOdzhVRftI0

This solution shall not include mention to the use of drugs, chemicals or biologicals (including food); invasive devices; offensive, commercial or inherently dangerous content. This solution was not medically validated. Proceed with caution! If you have any doubts, please consult with a health professional.

DISCLAIMER: This story was written by someone who is not the author of the solution, therefore please be advised that, although it was written with the utmost respect for the innovation and the innovator, there can be some incorrect statements. If you find any errors please contact the patient Innovation team via info@patient-innovation.com

About the author

Dave, who suffered from myotonic dystrophy, used to have a real hard time every time he needed to close a jacket. A simple task became increasingly more frustrating. Scott Peters, inventor, engineer and Dave’s nephew and his mother Nancy, an occupational therapist, decided to help him to overcome this challenge.

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