Abstract:
[Problem] 
     To provide a slide fasteners (SF 1 , SF 4 , SF 7 ), each of which: is interposed between a power supply unit (PU) and signal unit (SU) provided on an input side, and a powered device (DK) provided on an output side; has uniquely shaped elements ( 20, 50, 80 ) created by means of a new idea; and forms an input/output line (L 12 ) that enables the operation of a powered device (DK) by means of the closing action of the slide fastener (SF 1 , SF 4 , SF 7 ). 
     [Solution] 
     A slide fastener (SF 1 ) is configured from: mutually facing rows of elements ( 20 ) provided along the edges of opening/closing sides of mutually opposed fastener tapes ( 10 ); and a slider ( 30 ). By means of the slider ( 30 ) being made to slide along the elements ( 20 ) placed facing each other, and the elements ( 20 ) interlocking, said slide fastener (SF 1 ): opens/closes the horizontal-direction opening/closing sides (H 1 T) of the mutually opposed fastener tapes ( 10 ); and opens/closes top/bottom vertical-direction opening/closing sides by simultaneously fitting together, or joining afterward with a push-in, an input electrode section (L 1 P) or output electrode section (L 2 P), with a top holding section ( 20 V 1 R) and bottom holding section ( 20 V 2 R). Said slide fastener (SF 1 ) forms a power supply and/or signal input/output line (L 12 ): connecting either member of the group consisting of the horizontal-direction opening/closing sides the (H 1 T) in the horizontal direction and the top/bottom vertical-direction opening/closing sides (V 11 T, V 12 T), to a power supply input line (L 1 ) and/or to a signal input/output line (SL), or concurrently engaging simultaneously fitting together, or joining afterward with a push-in, said member with the input electrode section (L 1 P) connecting the power supply input line (L 1 ) and/or the signal input/output line (SL); and connecting the other member of said group to a power supply output line (L 2 ) linked to the powered device and/or to the a signal input/output line (SL), or simultaneously fitting together, or joining afterward with a push-in, said member with the output electrode section (L 2 P) connecting the power supply output line (L 2 ) linked to the powered device, and/or said output electrode section (L 2 P) connecting the signal input/output line (SL).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a slide fastener that is interposed between a powered device on an output side and a power supply unit and a signal unit on an input side and that forms an input-output line that activates the powered device by a closing operation of the slide fastener. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    As an existing method for attaching a lighting device to a ceiling, a wall, or the like, lighting apparatuses are known in which a lighting device is directly hung from a ceiling, a wall, or the like or in which a ceiling plug is slidably mounted on a rail provided on a ceiling and a lighting device is hung from the ceiling plug (PTL 1). Meanwhile, a flexible connector having a slide fastener structure is known in which elements arranged side by side on edge portions of two tapes are engaged with each other as a result of movement of a slider to join the tapes together using the characteristics of a slide fastener (PTL 2). 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0000]    
       
         PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 07-192522 
         PTL 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-347173 
       
     
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0005]    In the lighting apparatus described in PTL 1, however, the lighting device is movable but only within the range of the fixed rail. Moreover, the apparatus requires an installation surface for fixing the rail. The flexible connector described in PTL 2, on the other hand, is suitable for a planar form in which the tapes are coupled together to be used as electric wiring. However, it has been difficult to develop this form into an idea of three-dimensionally forming an input-output line that activates the powered device into a stacked structure. 
         [0006]    An object of the present invention is to provide a slide fastener that has uniquely shaped elements created by means of a new idea, that is interposed between a powered device on an output side and a power supply unit and a signal unit on an input side, and that forms an input-output line that activates a powered device by a closing operation of the slide fastener via an input electrode section and an output electrode section, the input electrode section connecting the power supply unit and the signal unit on the input side to the input side of the slide fastener, the output electrode section connecting the powered device on the output side to the output side of the slide fastener. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0007]    To achieve the above object, a slide fastener according to claim  1  is a slide fastener that is interposed between a powered device on an output side and a power supply unit and a signal unit on an input side, the slide fastener forming an input-output line that activates the powered device with a closing operation of the slide fastener, the slide fastener comprising: rows of elements arranged so as to face one another along edges of opening-closing ends of opposing fastener tapes; and a slider. Each of the elements includes: an interlock portion provided on a first side in a horizontal direction; a fastener-tape fixing portion provided on a second side in the horizontal direction; and an element-upper-leg portion and an element-lower-leg portion that extend in vertical upward and downward directions with respect to the horizontal direction, a portion of the element-upper-leg portion extended in the vertical upward direction being bent into a hook shape, and a portion of the element-lower-leg portion extended in the vertical downward direction being bent into a hook shape. The elements are arranged so as to face one another and form a top holding section by bringing ends of the element-upper-leg portions arranged so as to face one another closer to or away from one another and form a bottom holding section by bringing ends of the element-lower-leg portions arranged so as to face one another closer to or away from one another in cooperation with interlock or separation of the interlock portions of the elements arranged so as to face one another. When the element-upper-leg portion and the element-lower-leg portion of the slide fastener are made of a nonelastic material, by sliding the slider along the elements arranged so as to face one another, the elements are interlocked to close opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction, which are the opposing fastener tapes, and an input electrode section or an output electrode section is concurrently engaged with the top holding section and the bottom holding section to close opening-closing ends in the vertical upward and downward directions. When at least one of the element-upper-leg portion and the element-lower-leg portion of the slide fastener is made of an elastic material, by sliding the slider along the elements arranged so as to face one another, the elements are interlocked to close the opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction, which are the opposing fastener tapes, and the input electrode section or the output electrode section is concurrently engaged, or subsequently joined in a push-in manner, with the top holding section and the bottom holding section to close the opening-closing ends in the vertical upward and downward directions. A power and/or signal input-output line is formed by connecting a power supply input line and/or a signal input-output line to one of the opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction and the opening-closing ends in the vertical upward and downward directions or concurrently engaging, or subsequently joining in a push-in manner, the input electrode section to which the power supply input line and/or the signal input-output line is/are connected with the one of the opening-closing ends and by connecting a power supply output line extending to the powered device and/or a signal input-output line extending to the powered device to another one of the opening-closing ends or concurrently engaging, or subsequently joining in a push-in manner, the output electrode section to which the power supply output line extending to the powered device and/or the signal input-output line extending to the powered device is/are connected with the other one of the opening-closing ends. 
         [0008]    The slide fastener according to claim  2  is the slide fastener according to claim  1 , in which each of electrodes electrically connected together inside the interlock portions or along surfaces of the interlock portions is embedded in either one of: the opposing fastener tapes; end portions of the element-upper-leg portions forming the top holding section; inner portions of the element-upper-leg portions; end portions of the element-lower-leg portions forming the bottom holding section; and inner portions of the element-lower-leg portions, the opposing fastener tapes, the end portions of the element-upper-leg portions, the inner portions of the element-upper-leg portions, the end portions of the element-lower-leg portions, and the inner portions of the element-lower-leg portions being opening-closing ends to which the power supply input line and/or the signal input-output line and the power supply output line extending to the powered device and/or the signal input-output line extending to the powered device are connected or with which the input electrode section to which the power supply input line and/or the signal input-output line is/are connected and the output electrode section to which the power supply output line extending to the powered device and/or the signal input-output line extending to the powered device is/are connected are concurrently engaged, or subsequently joined in a push-in manner, the opening-closing ends being chosen from among the opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction and the opening-closing ends in the vertical upward and downward directions. 
         [0009]    The slide fastener according to claim  3  is a slide fastener that is interposed between a powered device on an output side and a power supply unit and a signal unit on an input side, the slide fastener being connected to one or more slide fasteners and forming an input-output line that activates the powered device via a coupling electrode portion as a result of a closing operation of the slide fastener, an external input-output terminal being provided to the coupling electrode portion from a middle of a coupling portion, the slide fastener comprising a plurality of fastener units, each of which includes: rows of elements arranged so as to face one another along edges of opening-closing ends of opposing fastener tapes; and a slider. Each of the elements includes: an interlock portion provided on a first side in a horizontal direction; and a fastener-tape fixing portion provided on a second side in the horizontal direction; an element-upper-leg portion and an element-lower-leg portion that extend in vertical upward and downward directions with respect to the horizontal direction, a portion of the element-upper-leg portion extended in the vertical upward direction being bent into a hook shape, and a portion of the element-lower-leg portion extended in the vertical downward direction being formed into a hook shape, and wherein the elements are arranged so as to face one another and form a top holding section by bringing ends of the element-upper-leg portions arranged so as to face one another closer to or away from one another and to form a bottom holding section by bringing ends of the element-lower-leg portions arranged so as to face one another closer to or away from one another in cooperation with interlock or separation of the interlock portions of the elements arranged so as to face one another. By sliding the slider along the elements arranged so as to face one another, the elements are interlocked to close opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction, which are the opposing fastener tapes, and an input electrode section or an output electrode section is concurrently engaged with the top holding section and the bottom holding section to close opening-closing ends in the vertical upward and downward directions. The plurality of fastener units include a fastener unit in which the element-upper-leg portion and the element-lower-leg portion are made of a nonelastic material and a fastener unit in which at least one of the element-upper-leg portion and the element-lower-leg portion is made of an elastic material. In a case of the fastener unit in which the element-upper-leg portion and the element-lower-leg portion are made of the nonelastic material among the plurality of fastener units, when the elements of each fastener unit arranged so as to face one another are interlocked by sliding the slider of the fastener unit along the elements of the fastener unit, a top holding section of a first one of the fastener units and a bottom holding section of a second one of the fastener units or a bottom holding section of the first fastener unit and a top holding section of the second one of the fastener units are coupled together using the coupling electrode portion and then a bottom holding section of a new fastener unit and a top holding section of a previous fastener unit or a top holding section of a new fastener unit and a bottom holding section of a previous fastener unit are sequentially coupled together using the coupling electrode portion. In a case of the fastener unit in which at least one of the element-upper-leg portion and the element-lower-leg portion is made of an elastic material among the plurality of fastener units, in a case where the other one of the element-upper-leg portion and the element-lower-leg portion is made of a nonelastic material, when the elements of each fastener unit arranged so as to face one another are interlocked by sliding the slider of the fastener unit along the elements of the fastener unit, the top holding section of the first fastener unit and the bottom holding section of the second one of the fastener units or the bottom holding section of the first fastener unit and the top holding section of the second one of the fastener units are coupled together using the coupling electrode portion and then a bottom holding section of a new fastener unit and a top holding section of a previous fastener unit or a top holding section of the new fastener unit and a bottom holding section of the previous fastener unit are sequentially coupled together using the coupling electrode portion. In a case where the other one of the element-upper-leg portion and the element-lower-leg portion is made of an elastic material, when the elements of each fastener unit arranged so as to face one another are interlocked by sliding the slider of the fastener unit along the elements of the fastener unit, the top holding section of the first fastener unit and the bottom holding section of the second one of the fastener units or the bottom holding section of the first fastener unit and the top holding section of the second one of the fastener units are coupled together at the time of being engaged with the coupling electrode portion or subsequently in a push-in manner, and then a bottom holding section of a new fastener unit and a top holding section of a previous fastener unit or a top holding section of a new fastener unit and a bottom holding section of a previous fastener unit are coupled together at the time of being engaged with the coupling electrode portion or subsequently in a push-in manner, so that the plurality of fastener units are formed into a stacked structure. A power and/or signal input-output line is formed by connecting a power supply input line and/or a signal input-output line to one of the opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction of the plurality of fastener units formed into the stacked structure and the opening-closing ends in a vertical direction of an uppermost fastener unit and a lowermost fastener unit or engaging, or joining in a push-in manner, the input electrode section to which the power supply input line and/or the signal input-output line is/are connected with the one of the opening-closing ends and by connecting the power supply output line extending to the powered device and/or the signal input-output line extending to the powered device to another one of the opening-closing ends or engaging, or joining in a push-in manner, the output electrode section to which the power supply output line extending to the powered device and/or the signal input-output line extending to the powered device is/are connected with the other one of the opening-closing ends. 
         [0010]    The slide fastener according to claim  4  is the slide fastener according to claim  3 , in which each of electrodes electrically connected together inside the interlock portions or along surfaces of the interlock portions is embedded in either one of: the opposing fastener tapes; end portions of the element-upper-leg portions forming the top holding section; inner portions of the element-upper-leg portions; end portions of the element-lower-leg portions forming the bottom holding section; and inner portions of the element-lower-leg portions, the opposing fastener tapes, the end portions of the element-upper-leg portions, the inner portions of the element-upper-leg portions, the end portions of the element-lower-leg portions, and the inner portions of the element-lower-leg portions being opening-closing ends to which the power supply input line and/or the signal input-output line and the power supply output line extending to the powered device and/or the signal input-output line extending to the powered device are connected or with which the input electrode section to which the power supply input line and/or the signal input-output line is/are connected and the output electrode section to which the power supply output line extending to the powered device and/or the signal input-output line extending to the powered device is/are connected are engaged, or subsequently joined in a push-in manner, the opening-closing ends being chosen from among the opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction of the plurality of fastener units formed into the stacked structure and the opening-closing ends in the vertical upward and downward directions of an uppermost fastener unit and a lowermost fastener unit. 
         [0011]    The slide fastener according to claim  5  is a slide fastener that is interposed between a powered device on an output side and a power supply unit and a signal unit on an input side, the slide fastener forming an input-output line that activates the powered device with a closing operation of the slide fastener, the slide fastener comprising: rows of elements arranged so as to face one another along edges of opening-closing ends of opposing fastener tapes; and a slider. Each of the elements includes: an interlock portion provided on a first side in a horizontal direction; a fastener-tape fixing portion provided on a second side in the horizontal direction; and an element-leg portion that extends in one vertical direction with respect to the horizontal direction, an extended portion of the element-leg portion being bent into a hook shape. The elements are arranged so as to face one another and form a holding section by bringing ends of the element-leg portions arranged so as to face one another closer to or away from one another in cooperation with interlock or separation of the interlock portions of the elements arranged so as to face one another. When the element-leg portion of the slide fastener is made of a nonelastic material, by sliding the slider along the elements arranged so as to face one another, the elements are interlocked to close opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction, which are opposing fastener tapes, and an input electrode section or an output electrode section is concurrently engaged with the holding section to close the opening-closing end in the one vertical direction, whereas when the element-leg portion of the slide fastener is made of an elastic material, by sliding the slider along the elements arranged so as to face one another, the elements are interlocked to close the opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction, which are the opposing fastener tapes, and the input electrode section or the output electrode section is concurrently engaged, or subsequently joined in a push-in manner, with the holding section to close the opening-closing end in the one vertical direction. A power and/or signal input-output line is formed by connecting a power supply input line and/or a signal input-output line to one of the opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction and the opening-closing end in the one vertical direction or concurrently engaging, or subsequently joining in a push-in manner, the input electrode section to which the power supply input line and/or the signal input-output line is/are connected with the one of the opening-closing ends and by connecting a power supply output line extending to the powered device and/or a signal input-output line extending to the powered device to another one of the opening-closing ends or concurrently engaging, or subsequently joining in a push-in manner, the output electrode section to which the power supply output line extending to the powered device and/or the signal input-output line extending to the powered device is/are connected with the other one of the opening-closing ends. 
         [0012]    The slide fastener according to claim  6  is the slide fastener according to claim  4 , in which each of electrodes electrically connected together inside the interlock portions or along surfaces of the interlock portions is embedded in either one of: the opposing fastener tapes; end portions of the element-leg portions forming the holding section; and inner portions of the element-leg portions, the opposing fastener tapes, the end portions of the element-leg portions, and the inner portions of the element-leg portions being opening-closing ends to which the power supply input line and/or the signal input-output line and the power supply output line extending to the powered device and/or the signal input-output line extending to the powered device are connected or with which the input electrode section to which the power supply input line and/or the signal input-output line is/are connected and the output electrode section to which the power supply output line extending to the powered device and/or the signal input-output line extending to the powered device is/are connected are concurrently engaged, or subsequently joined in a push-in manner. 
         [0013]    The slide fastener according to claim  7  is a slide fastener that is interposed between a powered device on an output side and a power supply unit and a signal unit on an input side, the slide fastener being connected to one or more slide fasteners and forming an input-output line that activates the powered device via a coupling electrode portion as a result of a closing operation of the slide fastener, an external input-output terminal being provided to the coupling electrode portion from a middle of a coupling portion, the slide fastener comprising two fastener units, each of which includes: rows of elements arranged so as to face one another along edges of opening-closing ends of opposing fastener tapes; and a slider. Each of the elements includes: an interlock portion provided on a first side in a horizontal direction; a fastener-tape fixing portion provided on a second side in the horizontal direction; and an element-leg portion that extends in one vertical direction with respect to the horizontal direction, an extended portion of the element-leg portion being bent into a hook shape, and wherein the elements are arranged so as to face one another and form a holding section by bringing ends of the element-leg portions arranged so as to face one another closer to or away from one another in cooperation with interlock or separation of the interlock portions of the elements arranged so as to face one another. By sliding the slider along the elements arranged so as to face one another, the elements are interlocked to close opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction, which are the opposing fastener tapes, and an input electrode section or an output electrode section is concurrently engaged with the holding section to close an opening-closing end in the one vertical direction. The two fastener units include a fastener unit in which the element-leg portion is made of a nonelastic material and a fastener unit in which the element-leg portion is made of an elastic material. In a case where the two fastener units each include an element-leg portion made of a nonelastic material, when the elements of the two fastener units arranged so as to face one another are interlocked by sliding the sliders of the two fastener units along the elements of the fastener units, the holding sections of the two fastener units are coupled together in a vertical direction using the coupling electrode portion. In a case where at least a first one of the two fastener units includes the element-leg portion made of an elastic material, in a case where a second one of the fastener units includes the element-leg portion made of a nonelastic material, when the elements of the fastener unit including the element-leg portion made of a nonelastic material are interlocked by sliding the slider of the fastener unit along the elements of the fastener unit arranged so as to face one another, the holding sections of the fastener units are coupled together in the vertical direction using the coupling electrode portion and then, when the elements of the fastener unit including the element-leg portion made of an elastic material are interlocked, the holding portions are concurrently coupled together using the coupling electrode portion or subsequently coupled together in the vertical direction in a push-in manner. In a case where the second one of the fastener units includes an element-leg portion made of an elastic material, when the elements of the two fastener units arranged so as to face one another are interlocked by sliding the sliders of the two fastener units along the elements of the fastener units, the holding sections of the fastener units each including the element-leg portion made of an elastic material are coupled together using the coupling electrode portion or coupled together in the vertical direction in a push-in manner after the elements have been interlocked, so that the two fastener units are formed into a stacked structure. A power and/or signal input-output line is formed by connecting a power supply input line and/or a signal input-output line to the opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction of the first one of the two fastener units formed into the stacked structure and connecting the power supply output line extending to the powered device and/or the signal input-output line extending to the powered device to the opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction of the second one of the fastener units. 
         [0014]    The slide fastener according to claim  8  is the slide fastener according to claim  7 , in which each of electrodes electrically connected together inside the interlock portions or along surfaces of the interlock portions is embedded in either one of: the opposing fastener tapes; end portions of the element-leg portions forming the holding sections coupled together in the vertical direction using the coupling electrode portion or coupled together in a push-in manner; and inner portions of the element-leg portions, the power supply input line and/or the signal input-output line or the power supply output line extending to the powered device and/or the signal input-output line extending to the powered device being connected to the opposing fastener tapes, the end portions of the element-leg portions, and the inner portions of the element-leg portions. 
         [0015]    The slide fastener according to claim  9  is a slide fastener that is interposed between a powered device on an output side and a power supply unit and a signal unit on an input side and forming an input-output line that activates the powered device with a closing operation of the slide fastener, the slide fastener being interposed between a powered device on an output side and a power supply unit and a signal unit on an input side and forming an input-output line that activates the powered device with a closing operation of the slide fastener via an input electrode section and an output electrode section, the input electrode section connecting the power supply unit and the signal unit to the input side of the slide fastener and connecting the powered device to the output side of the slide fastener, the slide fastener comprising a plurality of fastener units, each of which includes: rows of elements arranged so as to face one another along edges of opening-closing ends of opposing fastener tapes; and a slider. Each of the elements includes: an interlock portion provided on a first side in a horizontal direction; a fastener-tape fixing portion provided on a second side in the horizontal direction; and an engagement piece and an engagement-piece receiving piece that extend in vertical upward and downward directions with respect to the horizontal direction, a portion of the engagement piece extending in the vertical upward direction being formed into an arrow-head shape, and a portion of the engagement-piece receiving piece extending in the vertical downward direction being bent into a hook shape. The elements are arranged so as to face one another so that engagement pieces of the elements arranged so as to face one another form engagement portions and engagement-piece receiving pieces of the elements arranged so as to face one another form engagement-portion receiving portions in cooperation with interlock or separation of the interlock portions of the elements arranged so as to face one another. By sliding the slider along the elements arranged so as to face one another, the elements are interlocked to close opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction, which are the opposing fastener tapes, and concurrently close an opening-closing end of the engagement-portion receiving portion extending downward. In a case where the plurality of fastener units include a fastener unit that includes an engagement-piece receiving piece extending downward and made of a nonelastic material and a fastener unit that includes an engagement-piece receiving piece extending downward and made of an elastic material and the fastener unit of the plurality of fastener units including the engagement-piece receiving piece made of the nonelastic material is connected to other fastener units in a stacked manner, the plurality of fastener units are formed into a stacked structure by engaging, when the elements of each fastener unit are interlocked by sliding the slider of the fastener unit along the elements of the fastener unit, an engagement portion of a first one of the fastener units in which the interlock portions have been interlocked with an engagement-portion receiving portion of a second one of the fastener units made of a nonelastic material and by sequentially engaging an engagement portion of a previous fastener unit with an engagement-portion receiving portion of a new fastener unit, whereas in a case where the fastener unit including the engagement-piece receiving piece made of an elastic material is connected to other fastener units in a stacked manner, the plurality of fastener units are formed into the stacked structure by engaging, when the elements of each fastener unit are interlocked by sliding the slider of the fastener unit along the elements of the fastener unit, an engagement portion of a first one of the fastener units in which the interlock portions have been interlocked with an engagement-portion receiving portion of a second one of the fastener units made of an elastic material and concurrently engaging, or subsequently joining in a push-in manner, an engagement portion of a previous fastener unit with an engagement-portion receiving portion of a new fastener unit. A power and/or signal input-output line is formed by connecting a power supply input line and/or a signal input-output line to one of the opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction of the plurality of fastener units formed into the stacked structure and the opening-closing ends of an engagement-portion receiving portion of a lowermost fastener unit or engaging, or joining in a push-in manner, the input electrode section to which the power supply input line and/or the signal input-output line is/are connected with the one of the opening-closing ends and by connecting the power supply output line extending to the powered device and/or the signal input-output line extending to the powered device to another one of the opening-closing ends or engaging, or joining in a push-in manner, the output electrode section to which the power supply output line extending to the powered device and/or the signal input-output line extending to the powered device is/are connected with the other one of the opening-closing ends. 
         [0016]    The slide fastener according to claim  10  is the slide fastener according to claim  9 , in which each of electrodes electrically connected together inside the interlock portions or along surfaces of the interlock portions is embedded in either one of: the opposing fastener tapes; and the engagement pieces and the engagement-piece receiving pieces connected in a stacked manner among the engagement pieces and the engagement-piece receiving pieces of the plurality of fastener units formed into the stacked structure, the opposing fastener tapes and the connected engagement pieces and engagement-piece receiving pieces being opening-closing ends to which the power supply input line and/or the signal input-output line or the power supply output line extending to the powered device and/or the signal input-output line extending to the powered device is/are connected, the opening-closing ends being chosen from among the opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction of the plurality of fastener units formed into the stacked structure. 
         [0017]    The slide fastener according to claim  11  is the slide fastener according to any one of claims  1  to  10 , in which the power and/or signal input-output line is stretchably provided along a ceiling in a building, a wall, an outer wall of a building, or a roadside tree or radially from a standing pole in such a manner as to stretch a rope. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0018]    According to the slide fastener of the present invention, an input-output line that activates a powered device is formed by a closing operation of the slide fastener that has uniquely shaped elements and that is interposed between the powered device on an output side and a power supply unit and a signal unit on an input side. Thus, places at which the powered device is installed are not limited and the power device that has been installed may be moved to and used in another place. 
         [0019]    Each of the elements includes: an interlock portion provided on a first side in a horizontal direction; a fastener-tape fixing portion provided on a second side in the horizontal direction; and leg portions that extend in the vertical directions with respect to the horizontal direction, extended portions of the leg portions being bent into hook shapes. The elements are arranged so as to face one another and form holding sections by bringing ends of the leg portions arranged so as to face one another closer to or away from one another in cooperation with interlock or separation of the interlock portions of the elements arranged so as to face one another. By sliding the slider along the elements arranged so as to face one another, the elements are interlocked to close opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction, which are the opposing fastener tapes, and an input electrode section or an output electrode section is concurrently engaged with the holding sections to close opening-closing ends in the vertical directions, and a power supply unit, a signal unit, and a wide range of powered devices can be activated while being positioned at any positions of the opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction and the opening-closing ends in the vertical directions of the slider fastener. In addition, a powered device can be appropriately controlled by a signal unit. 
         [0020]    In the case of a slide fastener including a leg portion extending in the vertical direction and made of a nonelastic material, by sliding the slider along the elements arranged so as to face one another, the elements are interlocked to close opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction, which are opposing fastener tapes, and an input electrode section or an output electrode section is concurrently engaged with the holding section to close the opening-closing end in the vertical direction. The powered device can thus be fixed at any portion of the slide fastener using the slider. In the case of a slide fastener including a leg portion extending in the vertical direction and made of an elastic material, by sliding the slider along the elements arranged so as to face one another, the elements are interlocked to close opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction, which are opposing fastener tapes, and the input electrode section or the output electrode section is concurrently engaged, or subsequently joined in a push-in manner, with the holding section to close the opening-closing end in the vertical direction. The powered device can thus be fixed at any portion of the slide fastener using the slider or an additional powered device can be fixed by being subsequently provided to the slide fastener in a push-in manner. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a power and/or signal input-output line formed by a closing operation of a slide fastener according to the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates an element or elements constituting a slide fastener according to a first embodiment of the present invention where part (a) illustrates a single element and part (b) illustrates elements that face each other. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a slider constituting the slide fastener according to the first embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a slide fastener that forms a power and/or signal input-output line using the elements and the slider of the slide fastener according to the first embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  Part (a) is a schematic diagram illustrating opening-closing ends that open or close as a result of an operation being performed on the slide fastener according to the first embodiment and part (b) to part (j) are diagrams of combination patterns. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of slide fasteners formed into a stacked structure by coupling the multiple slide fasteners according to the first embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  Part ( 1 ) is a schematic diagram illustrating opening-closing ends that open or close as a result of an operation being performed on the slide fasteners formed into a stacked structure by coupling multiple slide fasteners according to the first embodiment and part ( 2 ) to part ( 76 ) are diagrams of combination patterns. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  illustrates an element or elements constituting a slide fastener according to a second embodiment of the present invention where part (a) illustrates a single element and part (b) illustrates elements that face each other. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a slider constituting the slide fastener according to the second embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the slide fastener according to the second embodiment that forms a power and/or signal input-output line using the elements and the slider of the slide fastener according to the second embodiment. 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  Part (a) is a schematic diagram illustrating opening-closing ends that open or close as a result of an operation being performed on the slide fastener according to the second embodiment and part (b) and part (c) are diagrams of combination patterns. 
           [0032]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of slide fasteners formed into a stacked structure by coupling two slide fasteners according to the second embodiment. 
           [0033]      FIG. 13  Part (a) is a schematic diagram illustrating opening-closing ends that open or close as a result of an operation being performed on the slide fasteners formed into a stacked structure by coupling two slide fasteners according to the second embodiment and part (b) and part (c) are diagrams of combination patterns. 
           [0034]      FIG. 14  illustrates an element or elements constituting a slide fastener according to a third embodiment of the present invention where part (a) illustrates a single element and part (b) illustrates elements that face each other. 
           [0035]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a slider constituting the slide fastener according to the third embodiment. 
           [0036]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of slide fasteners formed into a stacked structure by coupling multiple slide fasteners according to the third embodiment, the slide fasteners forming a power and/or signal input-output line. 
           [0037]      FIG. 17  Part (a) is a schematic diagram illustrating opening-closing ends that open or close as a result of an operation being performed on slide fasteners formed into a stacked structure by coupling multiple slide fasteners according to the third embodiment and part (b) to part (j) are diagrams of combination patterns. 
           [0038]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view illustrating an example of an input electrode section to which an input line according to each embodiment is connected. 
           [0039]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view according to each embodiment illustrating an example of an output electrode section to which an output line to the powered device is connected. 
           [0040]      FIG. 20  illustrates an example of a coupling electrode portion used for coupling multiple slide fasteners according to each of the first embodiment and the second embodiment into a stacked structure where part (a) is a perspective view of the coupling electrode portion and part (b) is a diagram in which part of the coupling electrode portion is enlarged. 
           [0041]      FIG. 21  is also a perspective view of another example of a coupling electrode portion. 
           [0042]      FIG. 22  is also a perspective view of another example of a coupling electrode portion. 
           [0043]      FIG. 23  Part (a) illustrates a specific case where a power and/or signal input-output line formed by using the slide fastener according to each embodiment is stretchably provided to a ceiling of a building, part (b) is a detailed illustration of a slide fastener to which a lighting device, serving as a powered device, is connected, and part (c) is a detailed illustration of a slide fastener to which a wireless LAN relay device, serving as a powered device, is connected. 
           [0044]      FIG. 24  Part (a) illustrates a specific case where power and/or signal input-output lines formed by using the slide fasteners according to each embodiment are stretchably provided from a standing pole in such a manner as to suspend ropes in the air and part (b) is a detailed illustration of a lighting device, serving as a powered device, connected to a power and/or signal input-output line. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments 
       [0045]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a configuration in which a power and/or signal input-output line is formed by a closing operation of a slide fastener according to the present invention, where SF denotes a slide fastener including uniquely shaped elements created by means of a new idea, PU denotes a power supply unit connected to an input side of the slide fastener SF through a power supply input line L 1  via an input electrode section L 1 P, SU denotes a signal unit connected to the input side of the slide fastener SF through a signal input-output line SL via the input electrode section L 1 P, and DK denotes a powered device connected to an output side of the slide fastener SF through a power supply output line L 2  and/or a signal input-output line SL via an output electrode section L 2 P. 
         [0046]    By closing the slide fastener SF including uniquely shaped elements, a power and/or signal input-output line L 12  that connects the power supply unit PU and the signal unit SU, provided on the input side of the slide fastener SF, to the powered device DK, provided on the output side of the slide fastener SF is formed. Hereinbelow, a slide fastener according to each embodiment will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. 
         [0047]      FIG. 2  to  FIG. 7  are illustrations relating to a slide fastener according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 2(   a ), an element  20  constituting a slide fastener SF 1  includes an interlock portion  20 H 1  on one side in the horizontal direction H 1  and a fastener-tape fixing portion  20 H 2 , to which a fastener tape  10  is fixed, on the other side in the horizontal direction H 1 . The element  20  extends in vertical upward and downward directions V 11  and V 12  with respect to the horizontal direction H 1 . The element  20  includes an element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1  and an element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2 . An upper portion of the element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1  that extends in the vertical upward direction V 11  is bent into a hook shape. A lower portion of the element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2  that extends in the vertical downward direction V 12  is bent into a hook shape. 
         [0048]    A (positive) power electrode  20 KV 11  is embedded in an end portion of the element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1 . A (negative) power electrode  20 KV 12 , an electrode  20 KSAV 1  for a signal A, and an electrode  20 KSBV 1  for a signal B are embedded in the element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1 . A (positive) power electrode  20 KV 21  is embedded in an end portion of the element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2 . A (negative) power electrode  20 KV 22 , an electrode  20 KSAV 2  for a signal A, and an electrode  20 KSBV 2  for a signal B are embedded in the element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2 . 
         [0049]    The (positive) power electrode  20 KV 11  embedded in the end portion of the element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1 , the (positive) power electrode  20 KV 21  embedded in the end portion of the element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2 , the (negative) power electrode  20 KV 12  embedded in the element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1 , and the (negative) power electrode  20 KV 22  embedded in the element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2  are electrically connected together inside the interlock portion  20 H 1  or along the surface of the interlock portion  20 H 1  and further connected to a (positive) power electrode  10 KV 1  and a (negative) power electrode  10 KV 2  embedded in the fastener tape  10  fixed to the fastener-tape fixing portion  20 H 2 . The electrode  20 KSAV 1  for the signal A and the electrode  20 KSBV 1  for the signal B embedded in the element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1  and the electrode  20 KSAV 2  for the signal A and the electrode  20 KSBV 2  for the signal B embedded in the element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2  are electrically connected together inside the interlock portion  20 H 1  and further connected to an electrode  10 KSAV 1  for the signal A and an electrode  10 KSBV 2  for the signal B embedded in the fastener tape  10  fixed to the fastener-tape fixing portion  20 H 2 . 
         [0050]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2(   b ), elements  20  of this type are arranged so as to face each other. In cooperation with interlock or separation of the interlock portions  20 H 1  and  20 H 1  of first and second elements  20  and  20  arranged so as to face each other, end portions of the element-upper-leg portions  20 V 1  and  20 V 1  arranged so as to face each other form a top holding section  20 V 1 R by coming closer to and becoming separated from each other and end portions of the element-lower-leg portions  20 V 2  and  20 V 2  arranged so as to face each other form a bottom holding section  20 V 2 R by coming closer to and becoming separated from each other. 
         [0051]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a slider  30  constituting the slide fastener SF 1  includes a slider body  30 T, which interlocks and unlocks the elements  20  by causing the elements  20  to pass therethrough, and a tab  30 K that moves the slider body  30 T. The slider body  30 T includes an upper-vertical-side case  30 TU and a lower-vertical-side case  30 TD. Horizontal slits  30 HL are formed between the upper-vertical-side case  30 TU and the lower-vertical-side case  30 TD. The horizontal slits  30 HL allow the opposing fastener tapes  10  serving as opening-closing ends HT in the horizontal direction H to pass therethrough. Vertical slits  30 VL are formed at the middle of the upper-vertical-side case  30 TU and the lower-vertical-side case  30 TD so as to correspond to an opening-closing end V 1 T of the vertical upward direction V 1  and an opening-closing end V 2 T of the vertical downward direction V 2 . 
         [0052]    Upper tab attachment portions  30 TUa and  30 TUb are erectly provided to the upper-vertical-side case  30 TU on both sides of the vertical slit  30 VL. Lower tab attachment portions  30 TDa and  30 TDb, which are illustrated only partially, are erectly provided to the lower-vertical-side case  30 TD on both sides of the vertical slit  30 VL. 
         [0053]    The tab  30 K includes upper attachment portions  30 KUa and  30 KUb, lower attachment portions  30 KDa and  30 KDb, and a tab portion  30 KB. The upper attachment portions  30 KUa and  30 KUb and the lower attachment portions  30 KDa and  30 KDb are attached to the slider body  30 T. The upper attachment portions  30 KUa and  30 KUb are attached to the upper tab attachment portions  30 TUa and  30 TUb on the upper-vertical-side case  30 TU of the slider body  30 T and the lower attachment portions  30 KDa and  30 KDb are attached to the lower tab attachment portions  30 TDa and  30 TDb on the lower-vertical-side case  30 TD of the slider body  30 T in such a manner that the upper attachment portions  30 KUa and  30 KUb and the lower attachment portions  30 KDa and  30 KDb sandwich the slider body  30 T from above and below. In this case, the tab  30 K is pulled in the direction of the arrow X to close the slide fastener while the tab  30 K is pushed in the direction of the arrow Y to open the slide fastener. 
         [0054]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a slide fastener SF 1  that forms a power and/or signal input-output line using the elements and the slider of the slide fastener according to the first embodiment.  FIG. 5(   a ) is a schematic diagram of opening-closing ends H 1 T in the horizontal direction H 1  and opening-closing ends V 11 T and V 12 T in the vertical upward and downward directions V 11  and V 12 , which are closed by sliding the slider  30  of the slide fastener SF 1  according to the first embodiment along the elements  20 . In  FIG. 4 , in the case where the element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1  and the element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2  of each element  20  are both made of a nonelastic material, a power and/or signal input-output line L 12  is formed in the following manner. By sliding the slider  30  along the elements  20  and  20  arranged so as to face each other, the elements  20  and  20  are interlocked to close the opening-closing ends H 1 T in the horizontal direction H 1 , which are opposing fastener tapes  10 , and the input electrode section L 1 P or the output electrode section L 2 P is concurrently engaged with the top holding section  20 V 1 R and the bottom holding section  20 V 2 R to close the opening-closing ends V 11 T and V 12 T in the vertical upward and downward directions V 11  and V 12 . Moreover, the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL is/are connected to one of the opening-closing ends H 1 T in the horizontal direction H 1  and the opening-closing ends V 11 T and V 12 T in the vertical upward and downward directions V 11  and V 12  or the input electrode section L 1 P to which the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL is/are connected is concurrently engaged with the opening-closing end. In addition, the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK is/are connected to another one of the remaining opening-closing ends or the output electrode section L 2 P to which the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK is/are connected is concurrently engaged with another one of the remaining opening-closing ends. 
         [0055]    Alternatively, in the case where at least one of the element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1  and the element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2  of each element  20  is made of an elastic material, a power and/or signal input-output line L 12  is formed in the following manner. By sliding the slider  30  along the elements  20  and  20  arranged so as to face each other, the elements  20  and  20  are interlocked to close the opening-closing ends H 1 T in the horizontal direction H 1 , which are opposing fastener tapes  10 , and the input electrode section L 1 P or the output electrode section L 2 P is concurrently engaged, or subsequently joining in a push-in manner, with the top holding section  20 V 1 R and the bottom holding section  20 V 2 R to close the opening-closing ends V 11 T and V 12 T in the vertical upward and downward directions V 11  and V 12 . Moreover, the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL is/are connected to one of the opening-closing ends H 1 T in the horizontal direction H 1  and the opening-closing ends V 11 T and V 12 T in the vertical upward and downward directions V 11  and V 12  or the input electrode section L 1 P to which the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL is/are connected is concurrently engaged, or subsequently joined in a push-in manner, with the opening-closing end. In addition, the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK is/are connected to another one of the remaining opening-closing ends or the output electrode section L 2 P to which the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK is/are connected is concurrently engaged, or subsequently joined in a push-in manner, with another one of the remaining opening-closing ends. 
         [0056]    In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 5(   b ) to  FIG. 5(   j ), there are nine combination patterns for forming an input-output line L 12  illustrated in  FIG. 5(   a ), by connecting the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL to one of the opening-closing ends H 1 T in the horizontal direction H 1  and the opening-closing ends V 11 T and V 12 T in the vertical upward and downward directions V 11  and V 12  or engaging the input electrode section L 1 P to which the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL is/are connected with the one of the opening-closing ends and by connecting the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK to another one of the remaining opening-closing ends or engaging the output electrode section L 2 P to which the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK is/are connected with another one of the remaining opening-closing ends. 
         [0057]    Specifically, when the opening-closing end V 11 T in the vertical upward direction V 11  is chosen as an input terminal from among the opening-closing ends H 1 T in the horizontal direction H 1  and the opening-closing ends V 11 T and V 12 T in the vertical upward and downward directions V 11  and V 12 , there are three variations of output terminal/terminals including: the above-described opening-closing end V 12 T in the vertical downward direction V 12  ( FIG. 5(   b )); the opening-closing ends H 1 T in the horizontal direction H 1  ( FIG. 5(   c )); and the opening-closing ends H 1 T in the horizontal direction H 1  and the opening-closing end V 12 T in the vertical downward direction V 12  ( FIG. 5(   d )). When, on the other hand, the opening-closing end V 12 T in the vertical downward direction V 12  is chosen as an input terminal from among the opening-closing ends H 1 T in the horizontal direction H 1  and the opening-closing ends V 11 T and V 12 T in the vertical upward and downward directions V 11  and V 12 , there are three variations of output terminal/terminals including: the opening-closing end V 11 T in the vertical upward direction V 11  ( FIG. 5(   e )); the opening-closing ends H 1 T in the horizontal direction H 1  ( FIG. 5(   f )); and the opening-closing ends H 1 T in the horizontal direction H 1  and the opening-closing end V 11 T in the vertical upward direction V 11  ( FIG. 5(   g )). Moreover, when the opening-closing ends H 1 T in the horizontal direction H 1  are chosen as input terminals from among the opening-closing ends H 1 T in the horizontal direction H 1  and the opening-closing ends V 11 T and V 12 T in the vertical upward and downward directions V 11  and V 12 , there are three variations of output terminal/terminals including: the opening-closing end V 11 T in the vertical upward direction V 11  ( FIG. 5(   h )); the opening-closing end V 12 T in the vertical downward direction V 12  ( FIG. 5(   i )); and the opening-closing end V 11 T in the vertical upward direction V 11  and the opening-closing end V 12 T in the vertical downward direction V 12  ( FIG. 5(   j )). Consequently, there are nine combinations of input terminal/terminals and output terminal/terminals in total. 
         [0058]    The electrodes may be embedded in the fastener tapes  10  of the first and second elements  20  arranged so as to face each other, in the end portion of the element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1 , inside the element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1 , in the end portion of the element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2 , and inside the element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2  in any of the nine combinations illustrated in  FIG. 5(   b ) to  FIG. 5(   j ). Alternatively, these electrodes may be embedded only in the end portion of the element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1 , inside the element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1 , in the end portion of the element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2 , inside the element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2 , and in the fastener tapes  10 , which are opening-closing ends to which the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL and the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK are connected or with which the input electrode section L 1 P to which the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL is/are connected and the output electrode section L 2 P to which the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK is/are connected are concurrently engaged, or subsequently joined in a push-in manner, the opening-closing ends being chosen from among the opening-closing ends H 1 T in the horizontal direction H 1  and the opening-closing ends V 11 T and V 12 T in the vertical upward and downward directions V 11  and V 12 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the case where multiple slide fasteners SF 1  according to the first embodiment, which are chosen as fastener units FU 1 , are formed into a stacked structure by coupling the top holding section  20 V 1 R of a first fastener unit FU 11  to the bottom holding section  20 V 2 R of a second fastener unit FU 12  using a coupling electrode portion REP and then sequentially coupling a bottom holding section of each new fastener unit to a top holding section of a previous fastener unit using a coupling electrode portion. In this drawing, in the case where each of multiple fastener units FU 11 , FU 12 , . . . is a fastener unit that includes an element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1  and an element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2  made of a nonelastic material, the multiple fastener units are formed into a stacked structure by, when the elements  20  and  20  of each fastener unit arranged so as to face one another are interlocked by sliding the slider  30  of the fastener unit along the elements  20  and  20  of the fastener unit, coupling the top holding section  20 V 1 R of the first fastener unit FU 11  to the bottom holding section  20 V 2 R of the second fastener unit FU 12  using the coupling electrode portion REP and then sequentially coupling the bottom holding section of each new fastener unit to the top holding section of the previous fastener unit using a coupling electrode portion. 
         [0060]    Here, multiple fastener units may be formed into a stacked structure by coupling the bottom holding section  20 V 2 R of the first fastener unit FU 11  to the top holding section  20 V 1 R of the second fastener unit FU 12  using a coupling electrode portion REP and then sequentially coupling the top holding section of each new fastener unit to the bottom holding section of the previous fastener unit using a coupling electrode portion. 
         [0061]    In the case where each of multiple fastener units FU 11 , FU 12 , . . . is a fastener unit that includes an element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1  and an element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2 , at least one of which is made of an elastic material, if the another one of the element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1  and the element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2  is made of a nonelastic material, the multiple fastener units are formed into a stacked structure by coupling, when the elements  20  and  20  of each fastener unit arranged so as to face each other are interlocked by sliding the slider  30  of the fastener unit along the elements  20  and  20  of the fastener unit, the top holding section  20 V 1 R of the first fastener unit FU 1  to the bottom holding section  20 V 2 R of the second fastener unit FU 2  using the coupling electrode portion REP and then sequentially coupling the bottom holding section of each new fastener unit to the top holding section of the previous fastener unit using a coupling electrode portion. 
         [0062]    Here, multiple fastener units may be formed into a stacked structure by coupling the bottom holding section  20 V 2 R of the first fastener unit FU 11  to the top holding section  20 V 1 R of the second fastener unit FU 12  using a coupling electrode portion REP and then sequentially coupling the top holding section of each new fastener unit to the bottom holding section of the previous fastener unit using a coupling electrode portion. 
         [0063]    In the case where the another one of the element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1  and the element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2  is made of an elastic material, the multiple fastener units are formed into a stacked structure by, when the elements  20  and  20  of each fastener unit arranged so as to face each other are interlocked by sliding the slider  30  of the fastener unit along the elements  20  and  20  of the fastener unit, coupling the top holding section  20 V 1 R of the first fastener unit FU 11  to the bottom holding section  20 V 2 R of the second fastener unit FU 12  using a coupling electrode portion REP or joining them together in a push-in manner when the holding sections are engaged with a coupling electrode portion REP, and then sequentially coupling the bottom holding section of each new fastener unit to the top holding section of the previous fastener unit when the holding sections are engaged with or subsequently joined in a push in manner with the coupling electrode portion. 
         [0064]    Here, multiple fastener units may be formed into a stacked structure by coupling the bottom holding section  20 V 2 R of the first fastener unit FU 11  to the top holding section  20 V 1 R of the second fastener unit FU 12  when the holding sections are engaged with the coupling electrode portion REP or subsequently joined together in a push-in manner and then sequentially coupling the top holding section of each new fastener unit to the bottom holding section of the previous fastener unit when the holding sections are engaged with the coupling electrode portion or joined together in a push-in manner. 
         [0065]    FIG.  7 ( 1 ) is a schematic view of the opening-closing ends H 1 T 1 , H 1 T 2 , and H 1 T 3  in the horizontal direction H 1 , which are closed by sliding the sliders  30  of three fastener units FU 11 , FU 12 , and FU 13  formed into a stacked structure along the elements  20  and  20 , and the opening-closing ends V 11 T and V 12 T in the vertical directions V 11  and V 12  of uppermost and lowermost fastener units in the case where multiple, for example, three fastener units FU 1  are provided as slide fasteners SF 1  according to the first embodiment and formed into a stacked structure by coupling the top holding section  20 V 1 R of the first fastener unit FU 11  to the bottom holding section  20 V 2 R of the second fastener unit FU 12  using the coupling electrode portion REP or subsequently joining them together in a push-in manner and then sequentially coupling the bottom holding section of each new fastener unit FU 13  to the top holding section of the previous fastener unit FU 12  using a coupling electrode portion or subsequently joining them together in a push-in manner. As illustrated in FIG.  7 ( 2 ) to FIG.  7 ( 76 ), there are 75 combination patterns that form an input-output line L 12  by connecting the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL to one of the opening-closing ends H 1 T 1 , H 1 T 2 , and H 1 T 3  in the horizontal direction H 1  and the uppermost and lowermost opening-closing ends V 11 T and V 12 T in the vertical directions V 11  and V 11  or by engaging the input electrode section L 1 P to which the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL is/are connected with the one of the opening-closing ends, and by connecting the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK to another one of the remaining opening-closing ends or engaging the output electrode section L 2 P to which the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK is/are connected with another one of the remaining opening-closing ends. The combination patterns illustrated in FIG.  7 ( 2 ) to FIG.  7 ( 76 ) are examples when three fastener units are formed into a stacked structure as illustrated in FIG.  7 ( 1 ). However, the number of combination patterns can be similarly calculated in the case where there are a different number of fastener units. 
         [0066]    Specifically, when the uppermost opening-closing end V 11 T in the vertical direction V 11  is chosen as an input terminal from among the opening-closing ends H 1 T 1 , H 1 T 2 , and H 1 T 3  in the horizontal direction H 1  and the uppermost and lowermost opening-closing ends V 11 T and V 12 T in the vertical directions V 11  and V 12 , there are 15 variations of output terminal/terminals including: four ways in which one of the remaining four opening-closing ends is chosen as an output terminal (FIG.  7 ( 2 ) to FIG.  7 ( 5 )); six ways in which any two of the opening-closing ends are chosen as output terminals in combination (FIG.  7 ( 6 ) to FIG.  7 ( 11 )); four ways in which any three of the opening-closing ends are chosen as output terminals in combination (FIG.  7 ( 12 ) to FIG.  7 ( 15 )); and one way in which the remaining four opening-closing ends are chosen as output terminals (FIG.  7 ( 16 )). Similarly, when the lowermost opening-closing end V 12 T in the vertical direction V 12  is chosen as an input terminal, there are 15 variations of output terminal/terminals including: four ways in which one of the remaining four opening-closing ends is chosen as an output terminal (FIG.  7 ( 17 ) to FIG.  7 ( 20 )); six ways in which any two of the opening-closing ends are chosen as output terminals in combination (FIG.  7 ( 21 ) to FIG.  7 ( 26 )); four ways in which any three of the opening-closing ends are chosen as output terminals in combination (FIG.  7 ( 27 ) to FIG.  7 ( 30 )); and one way in which the remaining four opening-closing ends are chosen as output terminals (FIG.  7 ( 31 )). When one of the opening-closing ends H 1 T 1 , H 1 T 2 , and H 1 T 3  in the horizontal direction H 1  is chosen as an input terminal, there are similarly  15  variations of output terminal/terminals (FIG.  7 ( 32 ) to FIG.  7 ( 46 ), FIG.  7 ( 47 ) to FIG.  7 ( 61 ), and FIG.  7 ( 62 ) to FIG.  7 ( 76 )). Thus, there are 75 combinations of input terminal/terminals and output terminal/terminals in total. 
         [0067]    In the three fastener units FU 11  to FU 13  that are formed into a stacked structure by being coupled together using coupling electrode portions or by being subsequently joined together in a push-in manner, the electrodes may be embedded in the fastener tapes  10  of the first and second elements  20  of each of the fastener units FU 11  to FU 13  arranged so as to face each other, in the end portion of the element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1 , inside the element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1 , in the end portion of the element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2 , and inside the element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2  in any of the 75 combinations illustrated in FIG.  7 ( 2 ) to FIG.  7 ( 76 ). Alternatively, these electrodes may be embedded only in the end portion of the element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1 , inside the element-upper-leg portion  20 V 1 , in the end portion of the element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2 , inside the element-lower-leg portion  20 V 2 , and in the fastener tapes  10 , which are opening-closing ends to which the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL and the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK are connected or with which the input electrode section L 1 P to which the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL is/are connected and the output electrode section L 2 P to which the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK is/are connected are concurrently engaged, or subsequently joined in a push-in manner, the opening-closing ends being chosen from among the opening-closing ends H 1 T 1 , H 1 T 2 , and H 1 T 3  in the horizontal direction H 1  and the uppermost and lowermost opening-closing ends V 11 T and V 12 T in the vertical directions V 11  and V 12 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 8  to  FIG. 13  are illustrations related to a slide fastener according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 8(   a ), each of elements  50  constituting a slide fastener SF 4  includes an interlock portion  50 H 1  on one side in the horizontal direction H 5  and a fastener-tape fixing portion  50 H 2 , to which a fastener tape  40  is fixed, on the other side in the horizontal direction H 5 . Each element  50  also includes an element leg portion  50 V 1  that extends in one vertical direction V 51  with respect to the horizontal direction H 5  and the extended portion is bent into a hook shape. 
         [0069]    A (positive) power electrode  50 KV 11  is embedded in an end portion of the element leg portion  50 V 1  and a (negative) power electrode  50 KV 12 , an electrode  50 KSAV 1  for a signal A, and an electrode  501 KSBV 2  for a signal B are embedded in the element leg portion  50 V 1 . 
         [0070]    The (positive) power electrode  50 KV 11  embedded in the end portion of the element leg portion  50 V 1 , and the (negative) power electrode  50 KV 12 , the electrode  50 KSAV 1  for the signal A, and the electrode  50 KSBV 2  for the signal B embedded in the element leg portion  50 V 1  are respectively connected to a (positive) power electrode  40 KV 1 , a (negative) power electrode  40 KV 2 , an electrode  40 KSAV 1  for the signal A, and an electrode  40 KSBV 2  for the signal B, which are embedded in a fastener tape  40  fixed to the fastener-tape fixing portion  50 H 2 . 
         [0071]    As illustrated in  FIG. 8(   b ), elements  50  of this type are arranged so as to face each other. In cooperation with interlock or separation of the interlock portions  50 H 1  and  50 H 1  of first and second elements  50  and  50  arranged so as to face each other, end portions of the element-leg portions  50 V 1  and  50 V 1  arranged so as to face each other form a holding section  50 V 1 R by coming closer to and becoming separated from each other. 
         [0072]    As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , a slider  60  constituting the slide fastener SF 4  includes a slider body  60 T, which interlocks and unlocks the elements  50  by causing the elements  50  to pass therethrough, and a tab  60 K that moves the slider body  60 T. The slider body  60 T includes a horizontal activating-side case  60 TH and a vertical activating-side case  60 TV. Horizontal slits  60 HL are formed between the horizontal activating-side case  60 TH and the vertical activating-side case  60 TV. The horizontal slits  60 HL allow the opposing fastener tapes  40 , serving as opening-closing ends HT in the horizontal direction H, to pass therethrough. Vertical slits  60 VL are formed at the middle of the vertical activating-side case  60 TV so as to correspond to an opening-closing end V 1 T of the one vertical direction V 1 . 
         [0073]    Although not illustrated, a tab horizontal attachment portion  60 THK is erectly provided at the middle of the horizontal activating-side case  60 TH. Tab vertical attachment portions  60 TVKa and  60 TVKb are erectly provided to the vertical activating-side case  60 TV on both sides of the vertical slit  60 VL. 
         [0074]    The tab  60 K includes attachment portions  60 KTa,  60 KTb, and  60 KTc, which are attached to the slider body  60 T, and a tab portion  60 KB. The attachment portion  60 KTa is attached to the tab horizontal attachment portion  60 THK of the horizontal activating-side case  60 TH of the slider body  60 T and the attachment portions  60 KTb and  60 KTc are attached to the tab vertical attachment portions  60 TVKa and  60 TVKb of the vertical activating-side case  60 TV of the slider body  60 T in such a manner that the slider body  60 T is sandwiched between the attachment portions  60 KTa and  60 KTb and  60 KTc from both sides of the slider body  60 T. Here, the tab  60 K is pulled in the direction of the arrow X to close the slider  60  while the tab  60 K is pushed in the direction of the arrow Y to open the slider  60 . 
         [0075]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a slide fastener SF 4  that forms a power and/or signal input-output line using elements and a slider of a slide fastener according to the second embodiment.  FIG. 11(   a ) is a schematic diagram illustrating opening-closing ends H 5 T in the horizontal direction H 5 , which are closed by sliding a slider  60  of the slide fastener SF 4  according to the second embodiment along elements  50 , and an opening-closing end V 51 T in the vertical direction V 51 . In  FIG. 10 , in the case of a slide fastener in which an element leg portion  50 V 1  of each element  50  is made of a nonelastic material, a power and/or signal input-output line L 12  is formed in the following manner. By sliding the slider  60  along the elements  50  and  50  arranged so as to face one another, the elements  50  and  50  are interlocked to close the opening-closing ends H 5 T in the horizontal direction H 5 , which are opposing fastener tapes  40 . At the same time, the input electrode section L 1 P or the output electrode section L 2 P is concurrently engaged with the holding section  50 V 1 R to close the opening-closing end V 51 T in the one vertical direction V 51 . Moreover, the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL is/are connected to one of the opening-closing ends H 5 T in the horizontal direction H 5  and the opening-closing end V 51 T in the one vertical direction V 51  or the input electrode section L 1 P to which the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL is/are connected is concurrently engaged with the opening-closing end. In addition, the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK is/are connected to another one of the remaining opening-closing ends or the output electrode section L 2 P to which the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK is/are connected is concurrently engaged with the another one of the remaining opening-closing ends. 
         [0076]    Alternatively, in the case of a slide fastener in which the element leg portion  50 V 1  of each element  50  is made of an elastic material, a power and/or signal input-output line L 12  is formed in the following manner. By sliding the slider  60  along the elements  50  and  50  arranged so as to face each other, the elements  50  and  50  are interlocked to close the opening-closing ends H 5 T in the horizontal direction H 5 , which are opposing fastener tapes  40 , and the input electrode section L 1 P or the output electrode section L 2 P is concurrently engaged, or subsequently joined in a push-in manner, with the holding section  50 V 1 R to close the opening-closing end V 1 T in the one vertical direction V 1 . Then, the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL is connected to one of the opening-closing ends H 5 T in the horizontal direction H 5  and the opening-closing end in the one vertical directions V 51  or the input electrode section L 1 P to which the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL is/are connected is concurrently engaged, or subsequently joined in a push-in manner, with the opening-closing end. In addition, the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK is/are connected to another one of the remaining opening-closing ends or the output electrode section L 2 P to which the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK is/are connected is concurrently engaged, or subsequently joined in a push-in manner, with the another one of the remaining opening-closing ends. 
         [0077]    As illustrated in  FIG. 11(   b ) and  FIG. 11(   c ), there are two combination patterns for forming an input-output line L 12  illustrated in  FIG. 11(   a ) by connecting the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL to one of the opening-closing ends H 5 T in the horizontal direction H 5  and the opening-closing end V 51 T in the vertical direction V 51  or engaging the input electrode section L 1 P to which the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL is/are connected with the one of the opening-closing ends and by connecting the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK to another one of the remaining opening-closing ends or engaging the output electrode section L 2 P to which the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK is/are connected with the other one of the remaining opening-closing ends. 
         [0078]    Specifically, when the opening-closing ends H 5 T in the horizontal direction H 5  are chosen as input terminals from among the opening-closing ends H 5 T in the horizontal direction H 5  and the opening-closing end V 51 T in the one vertical direction V 51 , the opening-closing end V 51 T in the one vertical direction V 51  ( FIG. 11(   b )) is used as the output terminal. When the opening-closing end V 51 T in the one vertical direction V 51  is chosen as an input terminal, the opening-closing ends H 5 T in the horizontal direction H 5  ( FIG. 11(   c )) are used as the output terminals. Thus, there are two combinations of input terminal/terminals and output terminal/terminals. 
         [0079]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the case where two slide fasteners SF 4  according to the second embodiment, which are fastener units FU 4 , are formed into a stacked structure by coupling the holding sections  50 V 1 R of the two fastener units FU 41  and FU 42  using a coupling electrode portion REP. In this drawing, when the two fastener units FU 41  and FU 42  are both fastener units having an element leg portion made of a nonelastic material, the two fastener units FU 41  and FU 42  are formed into a stacked structure by coupling the holding sections  50 V 1 R of the two fastener units FU 41  and FU 42  together in the vertical direction using the coupling electrode portion REP when the opposing elements  50  of the two fastener units FU 41  and FU 42  are interlocked by sliding the sliders  60  of the two fastener units FU 41  and FU 42  along the elements  50  of the two fastener units FU 41  and FU 42 . 
         [0080]    In the case where at least the fastener unit FU 41  of the two fastener units FU 41  and FU 42  is a fastener unit that has element leg portions made of an elastic material, if the fastener unit FU 42  is a fastener unit that has element leg portions made of a nonelastic material, the two fastener units FU 41  and FU 42  are formed into a stacked structure by coupling the holding sections  50 V 1 R of the fastener units together in the vertical direction using the coupling electrode portion REP when the opposing elements  50  of the fastener unit FU 42  having element leg portions made of a nonelastic material are interlocked by sliding the slider  60  of the fastener unit FU 42  along the elements  50  of the fastener unit. When the elements of the fastener unit FU 41  having element leg portions made of an elastic material are subsequently interlocked, the holding sections  50 V 1 R are concurrently coupled together using a coupling electrode portion REP or subsequently coupled together in a push-in manner in the vertical direction. In the case where the fastener unit FU 42  is a fastener unit that has an element leg portion made of an elastic material, the two fastener units FU 41  and FU 42  are formed into a stacked structure by coupling the holding sections  50 V 1 R of the fastener units having element leg portions made of an elastic material together using the coupling electrode portion REP when the opposing elements  50  of the two fastener units are interlocked by sliding the sliders of the two fastener units along the elements  50  of the two fastener units, or coupling the holding sections  50 V 1 R together in a push-in manner in the vertical direction after the elements  50  have been interlocked. 
         [0081]      FIG. 13(   a ) is a schematic view of the opening-closing ends H 5 T 1  and H 5 T 2  in the horizontal direction H 5 , which are closed by sliding each slider of two fastener units along the elements arranged so as to face each other, of the two fastener units in the case where two fastener units FU 4  are provided as slide fasteners SF 4  according to the second embodiment and formed into a stacked structure by coupling the holding sections  50 V 1 R of the two fastener units together using a coupling electrode portion REP. As illustrated in  FIG. 13(   b ) and  FIG. 13(   c ), there are two combination patterns that form a power and/or signal input-output line L 12  by connecting the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL to the opening-closing ends H 5 T 1  in the horizontal direction H 5  of one of the fastener units among the opening-closing ends in the horizontal direction H 5  of the two fastener units formed into a stacked structure and by connecting the power supply input line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK to the opening-closing ends H 5 T 1  in the horizontal direction H 5  of another one of the fastener units. 
         [0082]    Specifically, when the opening-closing ends H 5 T 1  in the horizontal direction H 5  of a first one of the fastener units are chosen as input terminals from among the opening-closing ends H 5 T 1  and H 5 T 2  in the horizontal direction H 5 , the opening-closing ends H 5 T 2  in the horizontal direction H 5  of the second fastener unit ( FIG. 13(   b )) are used as output terminals. When the opening-closing ends H 5 T 2  in the horizontal direction H 5  of the second fastener unit are chosen as input terminals, the opening-closing ends H 5 T 1  in the horizontal direction H 5  of the first fastener unit ( FIG. 13(   c )) are used as output terminals. Thus, there are two combinations of input terminals and output terminals. 
         [0083]      FIG. 14  to  FIG. 17  are illustrations relating to a slide fastener according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 14(   a ), an element  80  constituting a slide fastener SF 7  includes an interlock portion  80 H 1  on one side in the horizontal direction H 8  and a fastener-tape fixing portion  80 H 2 , to which a fastener tape  70  is fixed, on the other side in the horizontal direction H 8 . The element  80  also includes an element engagement piece  80 V 1  and an element-engagement-piece receiving piece  80 V 2 . The element engagement piece  80 V 1  extends in the vertical upward and downward directions V 81  and V 82  with respect to the horizontal direction H 8 , and a portion of the element engagement piece  80 V 1  extended upward is formed into an arrow head shape. A portion of the element-engagement-piece receiving piece  80 V 2  extended downward is bent into a hook shape. 
         [0084]    A (positive) power electrode  80 KV 11  is embedded in an arrow stick portion of the element engagement piece  80 V 1  and a (negative) power electrode  80 KV 12 , an electrode  80 KSAV 1  for a signal A, and an electrode  80 KSBV 1  for a signal B are embedded in an arrow head portion. In addition, a (positive) power electrode  80 KV 21  is embedded in an end portion of the element-engagement-piece receiving piece  80 V 2  and a (negative) power electrode  80 KV 22 , an electrode  800 KSAV 2  for a signal A, and an electrode  80 KSBV 2  for a signal B are embedded inside the element-engagement-piece receiving piece  80 V 2 . 
         [0085]    The (positive) power electrode  80 KV 11  embedded in the arrow stick portion of the element engagement piece  80 V 1 , the (negative) power electrode  80 KV 12 , the electrode  80 KSAV 1  for a signal A, and the electrode  80 KSBV 1  for a signal B embedded in the arrow head portion, the (positive) power electrode  80 KV 21  embedded in the end portion of the element-engagement-piece receiving piece  80 V 2 , and the (negative) power electrode  80 KV 22 , the electrode  80 KSAV 2  for a signal A, and the electrode  80 KSBV 2  for a signal B embedded inside the element-engagement-piece receiving piece  80 V 2  are electrically connected together inside the interlock portion  80 H 1  or along the surface of the interlock portion  80 H 1  and further respectively connected to a (positive) power electrode  70 KV 1 , a (negative) power electrode  70 KV 2 , an electrode  70 KSAV 1  for a signal A, and an electrode  70 KSBV 1  for a signal B, which are embedded in the fastener tape  70  fixed to the fastener-tape fixing portion  80 H 2 . 
         [0086]    As illustrated in  FIG. 14(   b ), elements  80  of this type are arranged so as to face each other. By interlocking the interlock portions  80 H 1  and  80 H 1  of first and second elements  80  and  80  arranged so as to face each other, the element engagement pieces  80 V 1  and  80 V 1  of the elements  80  and  80  arranged so as to face each other form an element engagement portion  80 V 1 R and the element-engagement-piece receiving pieces  80 V 2  and  80 V 2  of the elements  80  and  80  facing each other form an element-engagement-portion receiving portion  80 V 2 R. The element engagement portion  80 V 1 R has an arrow head shape having peak portions  80 VIS at the tip. The element-engagement-portion receiving portion  80 V 2 R has an arrow-head receivable shape in which portions of the element-engagement-piece receiving pieces  80 V 2  and  80 V 2  extended downward are formed into hook shapes  80 V 2 G and  80 V 2 G and the arrow-head-shaped element engagement portion  80 V 1 R can be engaged with the element-engagement-portion receiving portion  80 V 2 R. 
         [0087]    As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , a slider  90  constituting the slide fastener SF 7  includes a slider body  90 T, which interlocks and unlocks the elements  80  by causing the elements  80  to pass therethrough, and a tab  90 K, which moves the slider body  90 T. The slider body  90 T includes an upper-vertical-side case  90 TU and a lower-vertical-side case  90 TD. The slider body  90 T also has horizontal slits  90 TH, through which the fastener tapes  70  pass, between the upper-vertical-side case  90 TU and the lower-vertical-side case  90 TD. 
         [0088]    The tab  90 K includes an attachment portion  90 KT, which is attached to the slider body  90 T, and a tab portion  90 KB. The attachment portion  90 KT is engaged with a tab attachment portion  90 TUK erectly provided on the upper-vertical-side case  90 TU. 
         [0089]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of slide fasteners that form a power and/or signal input-output line in the case where multiple slide fasteners SF 7  according to the third embodiment are used as fastener units FU 7  and formed into a stacked structure by engaging the element engagement portion  80 V 1 R of a first fastener unit FU 71 , which has been formed by interlocking the interlock portions  80 H 1  of the elements  80 , with the element-engagement-portion receiving portion  80 V 2 R of a second fastener unit FU 72  and thus sequentially engaging the element engagement portion of the previous fastener unit with the element-engagement-portion receiving portion of each new fastener unit. In the third embodiment, one side portion of each element  80  functions as an element engagement portion  80 V 1 R. Thus, no coupling electrode portion is needed to form the fastener units FU 7  into a stacked structure. 
         [0090]    In this drawing, in the case where one of multiple fastener units that includes element-engagement-piece receiving pieces  80 V 2  made of a nonelastic material is connected to the other fastener units in a stacked manner, the multiple fastener units are connected to each other in a stacked manner by, when the elements  80  and  80  of each fastener unit are interlocked by sliding the slider  90  of the fastener unit along the elements  80  and  80  of the fastener unit, engaging the engagement portion  80 V 1 R of the first fastener unit FU 71 , which has been formed by interlocking the interlock portions  80 H 1 , with the element-engagement-portion receiving portion  80 V 2 R of the second fastener unit FU 72  made of a nonelastic material and then sequentially engaging the element engagement portion  80 V 1 R of the previous fastener unit with the element-engagement-portion receiving portion  80 V 2 R of each new fastener unit. Then, a power and/or signal input-output line L 12  is formed by connecting the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL to any one of the opening-closing ends H 8 T in the horizontal direction H 8  of multiple fastener units and the opening-closing end V 81 T of the engagement-portion receiving portion of the lowermost fastener unit or engaging the input electrode section L 1 P to which the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL is/are connected with the one of the opening-closing ends and connecting the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK to another one of the remaining opening-closing ends or engaging the output electrode section L 2 P to which the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK is connected with another one of the remaining opening-closing ends. 
         [0091]    When a fastener unit including element-engagement-piece receiving pieces  80 V 2  made of an elastic material among multiple fastener units is connected to the other fastener units in a stacked manner, the multiple fastener units are connected together in a stacked manner by, when the elements  80  and  80  of the fastener units are interlocked by sliding the sliders  90  of the fastener units along the elements  80  and  80  of the fastener units, engaging the element engagement portions  80 V 1 R of the first fastener unit FU 71 , which have been formed by interlocking the interlock portions  80 H 1 , with the element-engagement-portion receiving portions  80 V 2 R of the second fastener unit FU 72  made of an elastic material and concurrently engaging, or subsequently joining in a push-in manner, the element engagement portions  80 V 1 R of the previous fastener unit with the element-engagement-portion receiving portions  80 V 2 R of each new fastener unit in a sequential manner. Then, a power and/or signal input-output line L 12  is formed in the following manner. The power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL is/are connected to one of the opening-closing ends H 8 T in the horizontal direction H 8  of the multiple fastener units and the opening-closing end V 81 T of the engagement-portion receiving portion of the lowermost fastener unit or the input electrode section L 1 P to which the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL is/are connected is engaged, or joined in a push-in manner, with the opening-closing end. In addition, the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK is/are connected to another one of the remaining opening-closing ends or the output electrode section L 2 P to which the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK is/are connected is engaged, or joined in a push-in manner, with another one of the remaining opening-closing ends. 
         [0092]      FIG. 17(   a ) is a schematic view of the opening-closing ends H 8 T 1  and H 8 T 2  in the horizontal direction H 8  and the opening-closing end V 8 T of the engagement-portion receiving portion of the lowermost fastener unit, which are closed by sliding the sliders  90  of multiple fastener units along the elements  80  and  80 , in the case where slide fasteners SF 7  according to the third embodiment are provided as multiple fastener units FU 7  and formed into a stacked structure by engaging the element engagement portions  80 V 1 R of the first fastener unit FU 71 , which have been formed by interlocking the interlock portions  80 H 1  of the elements  80 , with the element-engagement-portion receiving portions  80 V 2 R of the second fastener unit FU 72  and thus sequentially engaging the element engagement portions of the previous fastener unit with the element-engagement-portion receiving portions of each new fastener unit. In the case, for example, where two fastener units FU 71  and FU 72  are formed into a stacked structure, as illustrated in  FIG. 17(   b ) to  FIG. 17(   j ), there are nine combination patterns that form a power and/or signal input-output line L 12  by connecting the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL to one of the opening-closing ends H 8 T 1  and H 8 T 2  in the horizontal direction H 8  and the opening-closing end V 8 T of the engagement-portion receiving portions of the lowermost fastener unit or by engaging, or joining in a push-in manner, the input electrode section L 1 P to which the power supply input line L 1  and/or the signal input-output line SL is/are connected with the one of the opening-closing ends and by connecting the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK to another one of the opening-closing ends or engaging, or joining in a push-in manner, the output electrode section L 2 P to which the power supply output line L 2  extending to the powered device DK and/or the signal input-output line SL extending to the powered device DK is/are connected with another one of the opening-closing ends. 
         [0093]    Specifically, when the opening-closing ends H 8 T 1  in the horizontal direction are chosen as input terminals from among the opening-closing ends H 8 T 1  and H 8 T 2  in the horizontal direction and the opening-closing end V 8 T of the engagement-portion receiving portions of the lowermost fastener unit, there are three variations of output terminal/terminals including: two ways in which one of the remaining two opening-closing ends is used as an output terminal ( FIG. 17(   b ) to  FIG. 7(   c )); and one way in which the remaining two opening-closing ends are used as output terminals in combination ( FIG. 17(   d )). Similarly, when the other opening-closing ends H 8 T 2  in the horizontal direction are chosen as input terminals, there are three variations of output terminal/terminals including: two ways in which one of the remaining two opening-closing ends is used as an output terminal ( FIG. 17(   e ) to  FIG. 7(   f )); and one way in which the remaining two opening-closing ends are used as output terminals in combination ( FIG. 17(   g )). In addition, when the opening-closing end V 8 T of the engagement-portion receiving portions of the lowermost fastener unit is chosen as an input terminal, there are three variations of output terminal/terminals including: two ways in which one of the remaining two opening-closing ends is used as an output terminal ( FIG. 17(   h ) to  FIG. 7(   i )); and one way in which the remaining two opening-closing ends are used as output terminals in combination ( FIG. 17(   j )). Thus, there are nine combinations of input terminal/terminals and output terminal/terminals in total. 
         [0094]    The electrodes may be embedded in the fastener tapes  70 , the element engagement pieces  80 V 1 , and the element-engagement-piece receiving pieces  80 V 2  in any of the nine combinations illustrated in  FIG. 17(   b ) to  FIG. 17(   j ). Alternatively, these electrodes may be embedded only in: the opposing fastener tapes; and element engagement pieces and element-engagement-piece receiving pieces that are connected together in a stacked manner or with which the input electrode section to which the power supply input line and/or the signal input-output line is/are connected and the output electrode section to which the power supply output line extending to the powered device and/or the signal input-output line extending to the powered device is/are connected are engaged, the opposing fastener tapes and the connected element engagement pieces and element-engagement-piece receiving pieces being opening-closing ends to which the power supply input line and/or the signal input-output line or the power supply output line extending to the powered device and/or the signal input-output line extending to the powered device to the powered device is/are connected, and the element engagement pieces and element-engagement-piece receiving pieces being included in the element engagement portions and the element-engagement-portion receiving portions of multiple fastener units formed into a stacked structure. 
         [0095]      FIG. 18  to  FIG. 22  are illustrations relating to an input electrode section, an output electrode section, and/or a coupling electrode portion, used in common in the embodiments described above.  FIG. 18  illustrates an example of the input electrode section L 1 P. The input electrode section L 1 P includes an arrow-head-shaped electrode portion L 1 Py and a connecting portion L 1 Pc. Besides the (negative) power electrode, an electrode for a signal A and an electrode for a signal B, which transmit and receive various types of signals, are embedded in the electrode portion L 1 Py. The (positive) power electrodes are embedded on both sides of the connecting portion L 1 Pc and connected to the power supply unit PU (not illustrated) and the signal unit SU (not illustrated) disposed on an input side. 
         [0096]      FIG. 19  illustrates an example of the output electrode section L 2 P. The output electrode section L 2 P includes an arrow-head-shaped electrode portion L 2 Py and a connecting portion L 2 Pc. Besides the (positive) power electrode and the (negative) power electrode, an electrode for a signal A and an electrode for a signal B, which transmit and receive various types of signals, are embedded in the electrode portion L 2 Py. The connecting portion L 2 Pc is connected to a lighting device DKL, serving as a powered device, disposed on an output side. 
         [0097]      FIG. 20  to  FIG. 22  illustrate examples of coupling electrode portions REP used in the first embodiment and the second embodiment for coupling multiple slide fasteners together to form a stacked structure. As illustrated in  FIG. 20(   a ) for example, the coupling electrode portion REP includes arrow-head-shaped electrode portions REPy on both ends, which are connected together by a coupling portion REPc.  FIG. 20(   b ) is an enlarged view of an arrow-head-shaped electrode portion REPy.  FIG. 21  and  FIG. 22  illustrate other examples of the coupling electrode portions. As illustrated in  FIG. 21 , an external input-output terminal REPT may be provided from a middle portion of the coupling portion REPc to enable multipoint connection to an input power supply unit, an output external powered device, and an input-output line. Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG. 22 , electrode portions REPK may be additionally provided to the external input-output terminal REPT to enable multipoint connection to other slide fasteners. 
         [0098]    Conceivable examples of the powered device DK include a lighting device DKL, a surveillance camera DKM, a microphone, a loudspeaker, a fire detector DKQ, a wireless LAN relay device DKC, an electric fan, a battery charger, a clock, a bar code reader, an infrared sensor (a human sensor), a security sensor (a glass breakage or intrusion alarming proximity sensor), an information display terminal (a digital signage), and a photovoltaic power generating panel. In the case where the powered device DK is a lighting device DKL, the lighting device DKL can broadcast or individually transmit control signals of lighting-on, lighting-off, blinking, and lighting-on-and-off patterns if identification information or an address is previously set to the lighting device DKL. Another powered device is also conceivable that only receives power supply from a slide fastener and receives control signals in a wireless manner. 
         [0099]    Now, an example of use of a power and/or signal input-output line formed by a closing operation of a slide fastener according to the present invention is described in which the power and/or signal input-output line is/are stretchably provided to a ceiling in a building, a wall, an outer wall of a building, or a roadside tree, or radially from a standing pole in such a manner as to stretch a rope.  FIG. 23(   a ) illustrates a specific example in which power and/or signal input-output lines formed by using slide fasteners according to each embodiment are stretchably provided to a ceiling of a building.  FIG. 23(   b ) is a detailed illustration of a slide fastener to which lighting devices, serving as powered devices, are connected.  FIG. 23(   c ) is a detailed illustration of a slide fastener to which a wireless LAN relay device, serving as a powered device, is connected.  FIG. 24(   a ) illustrates a specific example in which power and/or signal input-output lines formed by using slide fasteners according to each embodiment are stretchably provided from a standing pole in such a manner as to suspend ropes in the air.  FIG. 24(   b ) is a detailed illustration of a lighting device, serving as a powered device, connected to one power and/or signal input-output line. 
         [0100]      FIG. 23(   a ) illustrates a specific example of power and/or signal input-output lines formed by using slide fasteners according to each embodiment in which the power and/or signal input-output lines are stretchably provided to a ceiling of a building. Multiple power supply lines L 12 P, LI 3 P, and L 14 P formed by slide fasteners SF 1 , SF 4 , and SF 7  according to each embodiment are stretched along a ceiling of a building. An end of the power supply line L 12 P is connected to a power supply unit PU (not illustrated). In the case where the slide fasteners SF 1  according to the first embodiment or the slide fasteners SF 4  according to the second embodiment are used, the power supply lines L 13 P and LI 4 P are coupled together via coupling lines L 15 P, which are branched to both sides from a fastener unit FU 1  of multiple fastener units formed into a stacked structure using a coupling electrode portion REP. Power is supplied to the power supply lines L 13 P and L 14 P through the power supply line L 12 P, thereby activating the powered devices DK. In the case where the slide fasteners SF 7  according to the third embodiment are used, multiple fastener units can be formed into a stacked structure without using coupling electrode portions. Thus, the power supply lines L 13 P and L 14 P are coupled together via coupling lines L 15 P, which are branched to both sides from the fastener unit FU 1  among multiple fastener units formed into a stacked structure. Power is supplied to the power supply lines L 13 P and L 14 P through the power supply line L 12 P, thereby activating the powered devices DK. As examples of the powered devices DK, lighting devices DKL 1  and DKL 2  and a fire alarm DKQ are connected to the power supply line L 12 P, a wireless LAN relay device DKC and a lighting device DKL 3  are connected to the power supply line L 13 P, and a surveillance camera DKM and a lighting device DKL 4  are connected to the power supply line L 14 P. 
         [0101]      FIG. 23(   b ) is a detailed illustration of a slide fastener SF to which lighting devices DKL, serving as powered devices DK, are connected. The slide fastener SF 1  according to the first embodiment is used as the slide fastener.  FIG. 23(   c ) is a detailed illustration of a slide fastener SF to which a wireless LAN relay device DKC, serving as a powered device DK, is connected. The slide fastener SF 4  according to the second embodiment is used as the slide fastener. 
         [0102]      FIG. 24(   a ) illustrates a specific example in which power and/or signal input-output lines formed by using slide fasteners according to each embodiment are stretchably provided radially from a standing pole in such a manner as to stretch ropes. A power and/or signal input-output line L 12  formed by a slide fastener SF is installed on a pole CW standing in the center. The end of the power and/or signal input-output line L 12  is connected to a power supply unit PU and/or a signal unit SU. Power and/or signal input-output lines L 12  are radially stretched from the pole CW standing in the center to multiple poles CWn installed around the center pole CW in such a manner as to stretch ropes. Thus, power and/or signals is/are supplied by a closing operation of the slide fasteners SF. 
         [0103]      FIG. 24(   b ) is a detailed illustration of a lighting device DKL, serving as a powered device DK, connected to the power and/or signal input-output line L 12 . Not only power from the power unit PU, but also control signals of lighting-on, lighting-off, blinking, and lighting-on-and-off patterns are concurrently or individually transmittable from the signal unit SU to the lighting device DKL if identification information or an address has previously been set to the lighting device DKL. Another powered device is also conceivable that only receives power supply from a slide fastener and receives control signals in a wireless manner. 
         [0104]    As is clear from the above description, according to a slide fastener of the present invention, an input-output line that activates a powered device can be formed by a closing operation of a slide fastener including uniquely shaped elements, the input-output line being stretchable along a ceiling in a building, a wall, an outer wall of a building, or a roadside tree, or radially from a standing pole in such a manner as to stretch a rope. Thus, places at which the powered device is installed are not limited and the power device that has been installed may be moved to and used at another place. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
             SF slide fastener 
             PU power supply unit 
             SU signal unit 
             DK powered device
           DKL lighting device   DKM surveillance camera   DKQ fire alarm   DKC wireless LAN relay device   
         
             L 1 P input electrode section 
             L 2 P output electrode section 
             REP coupling electrode portion 
             L 1  power supply input line 
             L 2  power supply output line 
             SL signal input-output line 
             L 12  power and/or signal input-output line 
             SF 1  slide fastener (first embodiment) 
             FU 1  fastener unit 
             H 1 T opening-closing end in horizontal direction 
             V 11 T opening-closing end in vertical upward direction 
             V 12 T opening-closing end in vertical downward direction 
               10  fastener tape 
               20  element
             20 H 1  interlock portion     20 H 2  fastener-tape fixing portion     20 V 1  element-upper-leg portion     20 V 2  element-lower-leg portion     20 V 1 R top holding section     20 V 2 R bottom holding section   
         
               30  slider
             30 T slider body     30 K tab   
         
             SF 4  slide fastener (second embodiment) 
             FU 4  fastener unit 
             H 5 T opening-closing end in horizontal direction 
             V 51 T opening-closing end in one vertical direction 
               40  fastener tape 
               50  element
             50 H 1  interlock portion     50 H 2  fastener-tape fixing portion     50 V 1  element leg portion     50 V 1 R holding section   
         
               60  slider
             60 T slider body     60 K tab   
         
             SF 7  slide fastener (third embodiment) 
             FU 7  fastener unit 
             H 8 T opening-closing end in horizontal direction 
             V 81 T opening-closing end of engagement-portion receiving portion 
               70  fastener tape 
               80  element
             80 H interlock portion     80 H 2  fastener-tape fixing portion     80 V 1  element engagement piece     80 V 2  element-engagement-piece receiving piece     80 V 1 R element engagement portion     80 V 2 R element-engagement-portion receiving portion   
         
               90  slider
             90 T slider body     90 K tab