Patent Publication Number: US-10765178-B2

Title: Element, fastener stringer, and slide fastener

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to an element, and a fastener stringer and a slide fastener manufactured by using the element. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Slide fasteners are widely applied to various clothing. A resin slide fastener has an advantage of reduced weight as compared to a metal slide fastener, and thus is widely applied in cases where weight reduction is required. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing an entire conventional slide fastener, and shows a conventional slide fastener  100  including a tape  10 , elements  20 , and a slider  30 . The tape  10  and the elements  20  are installed together to form a fastener stringer.  FIGS. 2( a ) to 2( d )  show the elements  20  in the conventional slide fastener viewed from four different angles, in which  FIG. 2( a )  is a perspective view,  FIG. 2( b )  is a front view,  FIG. 2( c )  is a top view, and  FIG. 2( d )  is a right side view. Each of the elements  20  include a main body  201 , an installing portion  202 , a neck  203 , and a head  204 . The main body  201  includes an upper main body  2011  and a lower main body  2012 , and the upper main body  2011  and the lower main body  2012  are substantially rectangular when viewed from one side. The installing portion  202  is used for installing the tape  10  of the slide fastener  100 , and the neck  203  is used for connecting the main body  201  and the head  204 . 
     Currently, there is occasionally a need of further weight reduction of a resin slide fastener, which requires improvement of conventional elements by using lighter materials or optimizing and improving the structure of the elements. When improving the structure of the elements, it is necessary to guarantee both installation strength of the elements and smoothness and reliability in use of the slide fastener. Accordingly, there remains various demands on conventional slide fasteners, such as further weight reduction and guarantee of strength and smoothness in use. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     The invention has been made on the basis of the above problems, and provides an element that has an improved structure as compared to conventional elements, and is capable of achieving weight reduction and guaranteeing strength and reliability in use. The invention further provides a fastener stringer and a slide fastener manufactured by using the above-described element. 
     Solution to Problem 
     The element of the invention is an element configured to be installed together with a tape to form a fastener stringer, the element comprising: 
     a main body including an upper main body and a lower main body; 
     an installing portion for installing the tape; 
     a head; and 
     a neck connecting the main body and the head, 
     wherein, when a front-rear direction of the element is defined by a longitudinal direction of the fastener stringer, a left-right direction of the element is defined by a width direction of the fastener stringer, and an upper-lower direction of the element is defined by a thickness direction of the fastener stringer, at least one of the upper main body and the lower main body includes a convex portion and a base portion, and the convex portion protrudes from the base portion and extends in the left-right direction at an intermediate position in the front-rear direction. 
     According to the element of the invention, by providing the convex portion, the material of the element can be reduced to save the cost, and the weight of the element can be reduced to satisfy a demand for weight reduction. 
     Further, a dimension of the convex portion that occupies the base portion in the front-rear direction is 30% to 40% of a dimension of the base portion in the front-rear direction. According to this configuration, it is possible to achieve a good balance between weight reduction of the element and guarantee of overall strength of the element. 
     Further, the dimension of the convex portion that occupies the base portion in the front-rear direction is ⅓ of the dimension of the base portion in the front-rear direction. According to this configuration, it is possible to optimize the balance between weight reduction of the element and guarantee of overall strength of the element. 
     Further, in the element of the invention, an inclined portion inclined downward along the left-right direction is formed on at least one side of the head in the upper-lower direction. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the material to save the cost, thereby achieving an effect of further weight reduction. 
     Further, in the element of the invention, protrusions extending in the front-rear direction are formed on both sides of the convex portion. By providing the protrusions, it is possible to improve overall strength of the element so as to satisfy a demand for strength during use, while reducing the weight of the element. 
     Further, in the element of the invention, center lines of the protrusions coincide with a center line of the installing portion in the upper-lower direction. According to this configuration, it is possible to further optimize overall strength of the element. 
     Further, in the element of the invention, a height of the protrusions in the upper-lower direction is at least ½ of a height of the convex portion in the upper-lower direction. As a result, it is possible to achieve a better strengthening effect of the element while reducing the weight thereof. 
     In the element of the invention, a dimension of the protrusions in the left-right direction is no less than a dimension of the installing portion along the left-right direction. As a result, it is possible to further guarantee installation strength of the element. 
     The invention further provides a fastener stringer manufactured by using a plurality of the aforementioned element. According to the fastener stringer of the invention, it is possible to satisfy a demand for strength during use while achieving an effect of weight reduction. 
     The invention further provides a slide fastener assembled by a slider and the above-described fastener stringer, wherein the slider includes a pull tab and a stopping pawl, the pull tab can be raised and lowered, and when the pull tab is lowered, the stopping pawl is located between two of the elements. 
     According to the slide fastener of the invention, it is possible to ensure strength during use while achieving an effect of weight reduction. In addition, when the pull tab is lowered during use of the slide fastener, the stopping pawl is located between two of the elements, and the protrusion can prevent the stopping pawl from escaping between the two elements, so as to effectively stop the slider, thereby improving reliability in use of the slide fastener. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing an entire conventional slide fastener. 
         FIGS. 2( a ) to 2( d )  show a conventional element viewed from four different angles. 
         FIGS. 3( a ) to 3( d )  show an element according to Embodiment 1 of the invention viewed from four different angles. 
         FIGS. 4( a ) to 4( e )  show an element according to Embodiment 2 of the invention viewed from five different angles. 
         FIG. 5  is a partial schematic view of the element of Embodiment 2 of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial schematic view showing the relationship between the element and the core of Embodiment 2 of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view showing the relationship between a slider and a fastener stringer of Embodiment 2 of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial schematic view showing the relationship between a stopping pawl and a fastener stringer of Embodiment 2 of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, the element, the fastener stringer, and the slide fastener of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the term “front-rear direction” refers to a direction that coincides with a longitudinal direction of the slide fastener or the fastener stringer, which is a direction that coincides with a movement direction of the slider. The term “left-right direction” refers to a direction that coincides with a width direction of the slide fastener or the fastener stringer, which is a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction. The term “upper-lower direction” refers to a direction orthogonal to both the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, which is a direction that coincides with a thickness direction of the fastener stringer. 
     Embodiment 1 
       FIGS. 3( a ) to 3( d )  show an element according to Embodiment 1 of the invention viewed from four different angles, in which  FIG. 3( a )  is a perspective view,  FIG. 3( b )  is a front view,  FIG. 3( c )  is a top view, and  FIG. 3( d )  is a right side view. The element  2  of Embodiment 1 includes a main body  21 , an installing portion  22 , a neck  23 , and a head  24 . The main body  21  includes an upper main body  211  and a lower main body  212 . The installing portion  22  is used for installing a tape of a slide fastener, and the neck  23  connects the main body  21  and the head  24 . 
     At least one of the upper main body  211  and the lower main body  212  of the element  2  includes a convex portion  25  and a base portion  28 . The convex portion  25  extends from the base portion  28 , and extends in the left-right direction of the element  2  at an intermediate position in the front-rear direction of the element  2 . With respect to the conventional element  20  of  FIG. 2 , by reducing the material in the front-rear direction with respect to at least one of the upper main body  2011  and the lower main body  2012 , which are rectangular when viewed from the side, the convex portion  25  and the base portion  28  in  FIG. 3  are formed so that the upper main body  211  and the lower main body  212  have a substantially T-shape when viewed from a side of the main body  21  (see  FIG. 3( d ) ). The shape of the convex portion  25  is not particularly limited, and when viewed from the main body  21 , the convex portion  25  may have various shapes such as a quadrangle (such as a rectangle or a square), a trapezoid, and a semicircle. Further, edges of the convex portion  25  may be chamfered into arcs. Preferably, a dimension of the convex portion  25  that occupies the base portion  28  in the front-rear direction is 30% to 40% of a dimension of the base portion  28  in the front-rear direction. More preferably, the dimension of the convex portion  25  that occupies the base portion  28  in the front-rear direction is ⅓ of the dimension of the base portion  28  in the front-rear direction. According to this configuration, it is possible to achieve a good balance between weight reduction of the element  2  and guarantee of overall strength of the element  2 . Here, the “dimension of the convex portion  25  that occupies the base portion  28  in the front-rear direction” refers to a dimension of the convex portion  25  that occupies the base portion  28  in the front-rear direction when the upper main body  211  is viewed from above or when the lower main body  212  is viewed from below. 
     Further, with respect to the head  24  of the element  2 , the material may be partially removed along the left-right direction in an inclined manner, so as to form an inclined portion  26  inclined downward. The inclined portion  26  is formed on at least one side of the element  2  in the upper-lower direction. Preferably, the element  2  have a vertically symmetrical shape, in which convex portions  25  and inclined portions  26  are respectively formed to correspond in a vertical direction. 
     As an example of methods for forming the convex portions  25 , the material is partially removed from the upper main body  211  and the lower main body  212  while remaining an intermediate portion, so as to form the convex portions  25 . As an example of methods for forming the element  2 , the convex portion  25  and the inclined portion  26  may be formed by injection molding with a modified mold. 
     The tape of the slide fastener includes a tape main body and a core  11 . The core  11  is formed on one side in the width direction of the tape main body, and has a substantially circular cross section. The core  11  is installed together with installing portions  22  of a plurality of the element  2  so as to form a fastener stringer, and two of the fastener stringer are engaged and assembled with each other by a slider, so as to form a slide fastener. The tape and the elements  2  may be assembled together, or alternatively, the elements  2  may be directly injection-molded on the tape. 
     According to the elements  2  of the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve an effect of weight reduction and satisfy a demand for weight reduction. According to the fastener stringer and the slide fastener manufactured by using the element  2  of the present embodiment it is also possible to achieve weight reduction. 
     Embodiment 2 
       FIGS. 4( a ) to 4( e )  show an element according to Embodiment 2 of the invention viewed from five different angles, in which  FIG. 4( a )  is a perspective view,  FIG. 4( b )  is a front view,  FIG. 4( c )  is a top view,  FIG. 4( d )  is a right side view, and  FIG. 4( e )  is a left side view. Hereinafter, differences from Embodiment 1 will be described in detail, and description of the same parts as those of Embodiment 1 will be omitted. 
     Similarly as Embodiment 1, the element  2  of Embodiment 2 also has the convex portions  25  and the inclined portions  26 . The element  2  of Embodiment 2 is further provided with protrusions  27  as compared to Embodiment 1. Preferably, protrusions  27  are formed symmetrically on both sides of the convex portions  25  along the front-rear direction of the element  2 . More preferably, center lines of the protrusions  27  coincide with a center line of the installing portion  22  of the element  2  in the upper-lower direction. That is, the protrusions  27  are positioned directly above and below the installing portion  22 . It has been proved by parameter measurement and experiment that according to the above configuration, it is possible to improve strength of the element  2 , and to improve overall strength after formation of the fastener stringer. 
     Although the convex portions  25  and the protrusions  27  are respectively formed on both the upper main body  211  and the lower main body  212  of the element  2  as shown in  FIG. 4( e ) , the convex portion  25  and the protrusions  27  may be formed on only one of the upper main body  211  and the lower main body  212 . In the present embodiment, by providing the protrusions  27 , it is possible to improve overall strength of the element  2  and to improve overall strength after the fastener stringer is formed, while reducing the weight of the elements  2 . 
     Hereinafter, the relationship of each part of the element  2  of Embodiment 2 will be described by referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 .  FIG. 5  is a partial (the upper main body  211 ) schematic view of the elements  2 .  FIG. 6  is a partial schematic view showing the relationship of the elements  2  and the core  11 , and is a schematic top view of the element  2 . In  FIG. 5 , a height of the protrusions  27  in the upper-lower direction is H2, a height of the convex portions  25  in the upper-lower direction is H1+H2, a dimension of the protrusions  27  extending from the convex portions  25  in the front-rear direction is S1, and a distance from the protrusions  27  to an edge of the upper main body  211  is S2. A dimension of S2 satisfies S2≥0. In order to further optimize strength of the element  2 , H1 and H2 satisfy the following relationship: H2/(H1+H2)≥50%. That is, the height of the protrusions  27  in the upper-lower direction is at least ½ of the height of the convex portions  25  in the upper-lower direction. 
     In  FIG. 6 , the core  11  is installed together with installing portions  22  of the elements  2 . A dimension of the core  11  in the left-right direction is H3, and a dimension of the protrusions  27  in the left-right direction is H4. Preferably, the following relationship is satisfied: H4≥H3. That is, the dimension H4 of the protrusions  27  in the left-right direction is preferably no less than the dimension of the installing portions  22  in the left-right direction. It has been proved by parameter measurement and experiment that the above-described dimensional relationship can further optimize strength of the element  2 . 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic view showing the relationship between a slider  3  and the fastener stringer of Embodiment 2 of the invention. The slider  3  includes a slider main body, a pull tab  31 , a stopping pawl  32 , and a slider cover. The slider main body includes an upper blade, a lower blade, and a column connecting the upper blade and the lower blade. A space for the fastener stringer to pass through is formed between the upper blade and the lower blade.  FIG. 7  shows a state in which the pull tab  31  is lowered. At this time, the stopping pawl  32  is located between two of the elements  2  on the fastener stringer. The stopping pawl  32  is blocked by the protrusions  27 , and stops the slide fastener from being opened when the slider  3  is unconsciously moved. When the pull tab  31  is raised, the stopping pawl  32  is separated from between the two elements  2 , and the pull tab  3  can be pulled up and down.  FIG. 8  is a partial schematic view showing the relationship between the stopping pawl  32  and the fastener stringer, and shows a state in which the stopping pawl  32  is positioned between the protrusions  27  of the two elements  2 . The protrusions  27  can effectively stop movement of the stopping pawl  32  in the front-rear direction, and prevents the stopping pawl  32  from escaping between the two elements  2  and becoming incapable of stopping the slider  3 . 
     In Embodiment 2, by providing the protrusions  27  on both sides of the convex portion  25 , the following advantageous effects can be achieved. That is, it is possible to improve strength of the element  2 , and to thereby improve strength of the fastener stringer and the slide fastener manufactured by using the element  2 , while maintaining a reduced weight of the element  2 . In addition, when the pull tab  31  is lowered, it is possible to prevent the stopping pawl  32  from escaping between the two elements  2 , and to effectively stop the slider  3 , thereby ensuring reliability in use of the slide fastener. 
     While the element, the fastener stringer, and the slide fastener of the invention has been described above, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art based on the disclosure of the invention. These modifications are included in the scope of the invention. For example, the element of the invention is not limited to resin elements, and the structure of the invention can also be used to elements made of metal or the like. 
     REFERENCE SIGN LIST 
     
         
           100  Slide fastener 
           10  Tape 
           11  Core 
           20 ,  2  Element 
           30 ,  3  Slider 
           201 ,  21  Main body 
           2011 ,  211  Upper main body 
           2012 ,  212  Lower main body 
           202 ,  22  Installing portion 
           203 ,  23  Neck 
           204 ,  24  Head 
           25  Convex portion 
           26  Inclined portion 
           27  Protrusion 
           28  Base portion 
           31  Pull tab 
           32  Stopping pawl