Abstract:
Various embodiments of top end stops for a slide fastener are made of resin and are each formed adjacent to an end portion of each of two rows of coupling elements provided along edge portions of a pair of fastener tapes. Each of the top end stops has a concave portion on an opposed face to the other top end stop, and each of the concave portions accomodate a slider therebetween when the slide fastener is colsed. A gap is formed between each top end stop and a coupling element disposed at the end portion of each row of the coupling elements, and an overlapping portion is formed in a bottom end of one of the top end stops, such that a coupling head of a mating coupling element is capable of overlapping the overlapping portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to atop end stop of a fastener chain, the fastener chain comprising coupling elements each of which formed of a single body of resin. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Conventionally, for example, according to Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 63-13689, there have been fastener stringers  35 ′, in which a coating layer  11 ′ composed of elastomer such as rubber is provided on both front and rear surfaces of each of fastener tapes  2 ′ and the coupling elements  12 ′, fins made of the same material as that of the coating layer  11 ′ are provided between the respective coupling elements  12 ′ at edge portions of the fastener tapes  2 ′, and the fastener stringers  35 ′ are integrally connected to each other by a locking block  31 ′ at end portions of coupling element rows of the right and left fastener stringers  35 ′. In such fastener stringers  35 ′, the coupling elements  12 ′ and the locking block  31 ′ are connected through sealing bodies  33 ′, and front ends of the sealing bodies  33 ′ are integrally connected to the locking block  31 ′. A window hole  10 ′ in which a diamond  24 ′ of a slider  20 ′ can be fit is provided between the sealing bodies  33 ′, each of the seal bodies  33 ′ and a first coupling element  12 ′ are provided so as to be adjacent to each other, and then, one of the sealing bodies  33 ′ is provided with a notch portion  34 ′ to which a coupling head  13 ′ of a mating coupling element  12 ′ can be fit. Further, bent portions of the fastener stringers  35 ′ are provided with notch grooves  32 ′, so that a slide fastener can be equipped with waterproof property as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
   Because the slide fastener shown in  FIG. 9  comprises the elastomer coating layer  11 ′ provided on the surface of the fastener tape  2 ′, the fastener tape  2 ′ itself is provided with rigidity so that it is difficult to handle such a fastener tape. Further, because the front ends of the sealing bodies  33 ′ are integrally connected to the locking block  31 ′, inconveniently, the front ends of the fastener chain cannot be opened. Additionally, a portion in which the locking block  31 ′ and the sealing body  33 ′ are connected and a portion in which the sealing body  33 ′ and the first coupling element  12 ′ are connected need to be provided with notch grooves  32 ′ for securing plasticity, respectively. Thus, the processing for forming the notch grooves  32 ′ is very troublesome, which is a problem to be solved. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention has been accomplished by solving the above-described problems. A main object of the invention is to provide top end stops for a slide fastener which allow a front end of a fastener chain to be opened to prevent occurrence of wrinkles in a fastener tape by a diamond of a slider, and which allows a coupling element and a top end stop to overlap each other easily, so that right and left fastener stringers are arranged neatly, thereby facilitating the handling of the fastener tape, and a single top end stop is processed by injection molding. 
   In addition to the above object, it is another object of the invention is to provide top end stop for a slide fastener in which a portion in the fastener chain where the top end stop and the coupling element overlap each other is provided on the fastener tape, and the overlapping portion is formed so as to be thinner than other portions, thereby achieving a presentable and accurate overlapping. 
   In addition, another object of the invention is to provide top end stops for a slide fastener achieving an accurate overlapping in which a portion of the top end stop where the top end stop and the coupling element overlap each other is formed on both front and rear surfaces of the top end stop, or on a same plane as a face of an engaging protrusion formed at a neck portion of the coupling element, or a same plane as a coupling face provided on the coupling element. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide top end stops for a slide fastener in which, in order to stop the slider having an automatic stop mechanism at the fastener chain, a locking portion is formed next to the overlapping portion provided in the fastener chain, thereby achieving an accurate stopping of the slider. 
   Further, another object of the invention is to provide top end stops for a slide fastener in which a notch portion is formed on an edge portion of the fastener tape in order to prevent wrinkle by the diamond of the slider and the top end stop is molded on the notch portion, thereby securing a fastener tape having an excellent appearance. 
   Finally, another object of the invention is to provide top end stops for a slide fastener in which the top end stops are formed so as to surround the diamond of the slider such that the fastener tape located at a forward end with respect to the top end stop in the fastener chain is sealed hermetically, thereby securing a slide fastener having an excellent appearance and some extent of waterproof property and airtight performance. 
   In order to achieve the above-described object, according to a main aspect of the present invention, there is provided top end stops for a slide fastener, in which each of the top end stops made of thermoplastic resin is molded into a separate rectangular piece at an end portion of a row of coupling elements provided along an edge portion of each of a pair of fastener tapes, such that each top end stop is adjacent to the coupling elements, and the top end stop has a concave portion which escapes from a diamond of a slider, and a gap is formed between the top end stop and a coupling element disposed at the end portion of the row of the coupling elements, and an overlapping portion with which a mating coupling element is capable of overlapping is formed in a bottom end of one of the top end stops. 
   As for the effects of the present invention, each of the top end stops formed on the fastener chain is molded into a separate rectangular piece with a gap from the end portion of the rows of the coupling elements provided along the edge portion of each of the pair of fastener tapes, so that the fastener chain is very easy to handle and the plasticity of the fastener chain is not lost. Further, because the top end stop is formed into the concave portion which escapes from the diamond of the slider, no wrinkle occurs in the fastener tape so as to maintain an excellent appearance. Moreover, because the overlapping portion which overlaps with the coupling element is provided in a portion, where a bottom end stop of one of the top end stops is extended to a side of the coupling element, and the coupling head of the coupling element projects to overlap with the overlapping portion, the overlapping can be carried out effectively without any collision of the coupling head. 
   Preferably, the overlapping portion provided in the top end stop is provided on one of the fastener tapes and overlaps with the coupling head of the coupling element, and the overlapping portion is thinner than other portions of the top end stop. 
   Consequently, the gap between the top end stop provided with the overlapping portion and the coupling element at the end portion can be formed small. In addition, because the overlapping portion is thinner than the other portions of the top end stop, the overlapping can be achieved securely. 
   In addition, it is preferable that the overlapping portion provided in the top end stop is formed on both front and rear surfaces of the fastener tape, so that the overlapping portion can overlap with both the front and rear faces of the coupling element. 
   Consequently, the overlapping portions are formed on both faces of the top end stop, thereby providing the top end stops for the slide fastener comprising the overlapping portions having a good balance and appearance. 
   Alternately, the overlapping portion in the top end stop is formed on a same plane as a face of an engaging protrusion formed at a neck portion of a single body coupling element, so that the overlapping portion can overlap with both the front and rear faces of the coupling element. 
   Consequently, the overlapping operation can be carried out smoothly, and there could be achieved top end stops for the slide fastener comprising the overlapping portion suitable for the coupling element having the same configuration in the front and rear faces and including a fitting groove which is fitted to the engaging protrusion at the front end of the coupling head. 
   Alternately, the overlapping portion in the top end stop is formed on a same plane as a coupling face formed on the coupling head of a single body coupling element, so that the overlapping portion can overlap with any side of the front and rear faces of the coupling element. 
   Consequently, the overlapping operation can be carried out smoothly. In addition, if the front and rear surfaces of the coupling element are different, there could be achieved top end stops for the slide fastener comprising an overlapping portion suitable for a coupling element in which the shape of the front half portion of one face is circular while the shape of the front half portion of the other face is of an elongated triangle. 
   Preferably, a recess which allows a locking pawl of an automatic stop mechanism of the slider, the recess provided in the top end stop, to be operated to be enter therein and to be restricted is provided at a portion next to the overlapping portion formed in the top end stop. 
   Consequently, the slide fastener equipped with the automatic stop mechanism incorporates the overlapping portion, so that the stop function can be activated securely. 
   Further, it is preferable that the top end stop provided on the fastener tape is molded with resin so as to cover a notch portion formed by cutting out the edge portion of the fastener tape. Consequently, no wrinkle or tightening phenomenon is induced by the slider equipped on the fastener chain. 
   More preferably, the top end stop provided on the fastener tape is provided with a notch portion and is formed into a concave portion which surrounds the diamond of the slider. 
   Consequently, the edge portion at the terminal end of the fastener chain is sealed with the top end stop, thereby finishing a slide fastener having an excellent appearance. 
   As mentioned above, the effects achieved by the invention are extremely remarkable. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of tope end stops for a slide fastener top according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view showing a state just before the top end stops are closed. 
       FIG. 3  is a front view showing a state in which the top end stops are closed completely. 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the top end stop taken along the line IV-IV in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a longitudinal sectional view of a slider at the top end stops. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of top end stops for a slide fastener according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a partially broken front view of top end stops for a slide fastener according to a third embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of a fastener stringer at one of the top end stops. 
       FIG. 9  is a front view of a well known top end stop for a slide fastener. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In top end stops for a slide fastener of the invention, coating layers  11  are formed by coating both front and rear surfaces of fastener tapes  2  with synthetic rubber or thermoplastic elastomer, and coupling elements  12  each composed of a single body are molded on an edge portion  4  of one side edge of each of the fastener tape  2  by using thermoplastic resin so as to form a fastener chain. The coupling elements  12  mounted on the fastener chain are partly removed to provide a space portion in each of the fastener tapes. By cutting out a portion corresponding to a top end stop  1  of the edge portion  4  of the fastener tape  2  in the space portion, a notch portion  5  is formed, and then, the top end stop  1  is formed on the notch portion  5  by injection molding using thermoplastic resin. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , each of the top end stops  1  is formed by injection molding along the notch portion  5  provided in the space portion of the fastener tape  2  by use of the same kind of the thermoplastic resin as the coupling element  12  such that the top end stop  1  is provided next to the coupling elements  12 . Each of the top end stop  1  is formed in a shape of a rectangular piece, an accommodation portion  10  capable of accommodating a diamond  24  of a slider  20  is provided in the middle of the top end stops  1  by benting front end portions of the top end stops  1  in a shape of a hook, and the right and left front end portions of the top end stops  1  are formed so as to surround the diamond  24  of the slider  20 . A bottom end of one of the top end stops  1  is extended to a side of the coupling elements  12 , and in the surface of the extended portion, an overlapping portion  3  is formed with which a coupling face  17  of a coupling head  13  in a mating coupling element  12 , that is, the coupling face  17  which engages an engaging protrusion  16  formed on a neck portion  14  is capable of overlapping. 
   The overlapping portion  3  is provided on a side of a side edge of a slope portion  9  formed on the bottom end of the top end stop  1 . The overlapping portion  3  has a flat overlapping face, which is formed on a substantially same plane as a surface of the engaging protrusion  16  protruding in a back and forth direction of the fastener chain, the overlapping portion  3  has a thickness corresponding to a thickness of the fastener tape  2 , the engaging protrusion  16  formed on the neck portion  14  of the coupling element  12  mounted on the edge portion  4  of a mating fastener tape  2 . The overlapping portion  3  performs a same function as that of the engaging protrusion  16  provided on the neck portion  14  of the single body coupling element  12 . A recess  7  is formed inside the overlapping portion  3 , namely, on a side of the front end of the top end stop  1 , in order to accommodate a front end of a locking pawl  27  of an automatic stop mechanism  26  of the slider  20  to stop sliding of the slider  20 . Further, fin portions  18  are formed at an appropriate interval on the external periphery of each of the top end stops  1  such that they project on the fastener tape  2  in order to fix the top end stop  1  to the fastener tape  2  firmly. 
   First Embodiment 
   Top end stops for a slide fastener of the invention will be described. In the top end stops for the slide fastener according to a first embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , coating layers  11  are formed by coating both front and rear surfaces of each of the fastener tapes  2  in a fastener chain with synthetic rubber or thermoplastic elastomer so as to provide the fastener tapes  2  with waterproof property or water cutoff performance. Edge portions  4  of the fastener tapes  2  closely contact with each other, when the fastener is closed. A notch portion  5  having a substantially same size as that of the top end stop  1  is formed in the fastener tape  2  in order to form the top end stop  1  in an edge portion  4  of a side edge of the fastener tape  2 , and the top end stop  1  is molded by injection molding by using the notch portion  5  with polyamide, polyacetal, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate or the like. Each of the top end stops  1  entirely provides a hook shape, and its right or left front end is bent inward to form an accommodating portion  10  capable of accommodating a diamond  24  of a slider  20  in the middle of the top end stops. A concave portion  6  is formed in the middle of the top end stop  1  into a concave shape dented toward an inside of the fastener tape along the notch portion  5 . When the right and left top end stops  1  are positioned face-to-face after the faster is closed, an accommodation portion  10  capable of accommodating the diamond  24  is formed by the concave portions  6 . Further, the concave portions  6  are formed so as to escape from the diamond  24  and it means that the concave portions escape from the diamond  24  such that end portions of the fastener tapes  2  on the side of the top end stops are in the parallel condition with respect to each other when the fastener is closed. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the notch portion  5  is formed in the edge portion  4  of the fastener tape  2  such that it is dented toward an inside of the fastener tape  2  at an end portion of a row of the coupling elements  12 . 
   Each of the coupling elements  12  forms, in the edge portion  4  of the fastener tape  2 , the coupling head  13 , the neck portion  14 , the body portion  15 , and the engaging protrusion  16  symmetrically on the front and rear surfaces of the fastener tape  2 , which are connected through a through hole (not shown) of the fastener tape  2 . As for the concrete configuration, the coupling head  13  for coupling; the body portion  15  which is formed continuously from the coupling head  13  through the neck portion  14  and is wider than the neck portion in the longitudinal direction; the engaging protrusion  16  having a wing shape and extending in a right and left direction over the neck portion  14  and the body portion  15 ; and the coupling face  17  overlapping the engaging protrusion  16  when the coupling head  13  is coupled with the mating coupling element  12 , are formed. The coupling face  17  is formed on the side where the front and rear coupling heads  13  face each other. When the coupling elements  12  are coupled with each other, the coupling head  13  is positioned on the fastener tape  2  of the other side and overlaps on the engaging protrusion  16  of the other side. 
   A bottom end of one of the top end stops  1  is extended to the side of the coupling elements  12 , a slope portion  9  is formed in the extended portion, and on part of this extended slope portion  9 , that is, a slope portion  9  on a side of the edge portion  4  of the top end stop  1 , an overlapping portion  3  is formed on each of both surfaces of the fastener tape, the overlapping portion having a same thickness as that of an engaging protrusion  16  provided at the front end of the mating coupling element  12 . The overlapping portions  3  formed in one of the top end stops is formed on a coupling element  12  side on the adjoining fastener tape  2 , and the coupling face  17  of the other side overlaps the overlapping portion  3  and the engaging protrusion  16  on a side of the top end stop I having the overlapping portion  3 . In the overlapping portion  3 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , the edge portion  4  on the side edge of the fastener tape  2  is projected sideways compared with a mounting portion of the coupling element so as to obtain specified waterproof property and water cutoff performance. Because the top end stops  1  are pulled by flanges  25  of the slider  20  so as to surround the diamond  24 , the top end stops  1  also secure waterproof property and water cutoff performance as compared with a conventional slanting top end stop. 
   The overlapping portions  3  are provided such that the surface of each of the slope portions  9  is flat on the edge portion  4  of the slope portion  9 , the slope portions formed on both the front and rear faces of the top end stop  1 , so that upper and lower coupling faces  17  of the coupling element  12  can engage overlappingly. The size of the overlapping portion  3  may be of any one as long as it allows the coupling face  17  of the coupling element  12  to engage therewith. Further, the fin portions  18  are provided at an appropriate interval on the external peripheries of the top end stops  1 , and the fin portions  18  make contact with the upper and lower flanges  25  of the slider  20 , thereby allowing the slider  20  to slide freely. Alternately, leg portions, which project from the body portion  15  of the coupling element  12  and are equivalent of the fin portions  18  in the thickness, can be formed so as to exert the same effect of the fin portions  18 . 
   The top end stop  1  contains a recess  7 , which is capable of accommodating a front end of a locking pawl  27  of an automatic stop mechanism  26  provided on the slider  20 , next to the overlapping portion  3  on the front surface, the recess  7  being provided on a front face side of one of the top end stops  1 . Depending on the configuration of the slider  20 , the recesses  7  may be provided on both the front and rear surfaces of the top end stop  1 . In the slider  20  having the automatic stop mechanism  26 , as one example, the locking pawl  27  having a bent shape is incorporated in part of a body  21  in a contacting condition with a leaf-like spring  29 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , and the front end of the locking pawi  27  is always projected into a guide groove  30  in the body  21 . A pivoting shaft  33  of a pull tab  32  is supported in a middle of the locking pawl  27  so as to lift up the locking pawl  27  when required. In the meantime, the spring  29  is attached to an attaching post  31  of the body  21 , and its top face is covered with a cover  28  attached to the body  21 . 
   The use condition of the top end stops for the slide fastener will be explained. The slider  20  is slid to a side of the top end stops  1  to close the right and left coupling elements  12 , and finally, the top end stops  1  are pulled by the slider so as to accommodate the diamond  24  into the accommodating portion  10  of the top end stops  1 , thereby finishing the closing operation of the slider  20 . At this time, the locking pawl  27  of the automatic stop mechanism  26  incorporated in the slider  20  projects into the guide groove  30  provided in the top end stop  1 , and then advances into the recess  7  and stops. As to the other coupling element  12 , the coupling faces  17  of the coupling heads  13  make contact with the overlapping portions  3  provided on the top end stop  1  from both front and rear faces so as to hold the slider  20 . As for the holding state of the slider  20 , the fastener tape  2  generates no wrinkles by the slider  20  differently from a conventional article in which the top end stop  1  is opened in a slanted shape to produce wrinkles, thereby closing the top end stop  1  neatly. Further, in order to prevent the top end stops from being the slanted shape, as shown in  FIG. 3 , when the slider  20  is slid in the closing direction, the coupling elements  12  completely engage with each other, so that the mating coupling element  12  invades into a gap  36  between the top end stop  1  forming the overlapping portion  3  and the coupling element  12 . If the gap  36  is widened in order to avoid a collision with the top end stop  1 , the top end stop may fluctuate. However, because the slider collides with the coupling element  12  if the gap  36  is reduced, the overlapping portion  3  which is thinner than the other top end stop  1  is provided to reduce the gap  36  thereby preventing any collision with the coupling element. As for the overlapping portion  3  thinner than the other top end stop  1 , the top end stop  1  has a portion which has the same thickness of the coupling element  12  and passes through the inner portion of the slider  20 , and the overlapping portion  3  in the coupled condition enters between the coupling heads  13  formed on front and rear faces of the fastener tape  2  and is capable of overlapping the coupling face  17 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 3 , in the condition that the overlapping portion  3  is coupled, the right and left top end stops are paralleled. 
   Second Embodiment 
   Top end stops for a slide fastener according to a second embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 6  will be described. Top end stops  1  in a fastener chain are formed so as to have the same configuration as that of the top end stops  1  of the first embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in that no coating layer  11  is provided on any of front and rear surfaces of a fastener tape  2 . The fastener tape  2  is formed by weaving or knitting, and a swelling core thread  8  is woven or knitted into an edge portion  4  on the side edge of the fastener tape  2  so as to swell the edge portion. A concave fitting groove  19  having the same thickness as that of an engaging protrusion  16  of a coupling element  12  can be fitted to an overlapping portion  3  formed at a bottom end of the top end stop  1 . A front end of the overlapping portion  3  projects sideways compared with the edge portion  4  of the fastener tape  2 , so that upper and lower coupling faces  17  of the fitting groove  19  formed in the coupling element  12  can make contact and overlap with the overlapping portion  3 . The size of the overlapping portion  3  may be of any size as long as the coupling faces  17  of the fitting groove  19  in the coupling element  12  can engage. 
   Third Embodiment 
   Top end stops for a slide fastener according to a third embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  will be explained. The top end stops  1  in a fastener chain of this embodiment is largely different from those of the above embodiments in that an overlapping portion  3  is provided only on a side of the rear surface of the fastener chain, although the appearance of the top end stops is substantially the same as that of the top end stops of the above embodiments. As for shapes in front and rear sides of a coupling element  12  which can use the overlapping portion  3 , for example, the shape of a front half portion of the coupling element  12  on the front surface is formed into an elongated triangle while the shape of the front half portion on the rear surface is formed into a round head shape, i.e., a gourd shape, so that the coupling element  12  engages through a round-head-shaped coupling face  17  on the rear surface. Therefore, the overlapping portion  3  is provided on the rear side of the fastener chain, and the round-head-shaped coupling face  17  of the coupling element  12  overlaps the overlapping portion  3 . In the meantime, when a slider  20  having an automatic stop mechanism  26  is used, a recess  7  may be provided in the surface of the top end stop  1  so as to allow the locking pawl  27  to project into a gap between the coupling elements  12  or (to project) with respect to the recess  7 , thereby stopping the slider. 
   The top end stops for the slide fastener of the invention are used in an opening of clothes, bags and the like, and at the end portions of the fastener chain, the top end stops are separated completely when the fastener chain is closed with a slider. Because the top end stops surround the diamond by means of the flanges of the slider to prevent wrinkle from occurring in the fastener tape, the top end stops have a great deal of potential.