Patent Publication Number: US-8991017-B2

Title: Slider for slide fastener

Description:
This application is a national stage application of PCT/JP2011/059428 which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a slider for a slide fastener, and more particularly, to a slider for a slide fastener in which a pull-tab can be easily attached to and detached from a body. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In the related art, a slider for a slide faster includes a body, a lock member which is swingably supported on the body, a cover member attached to the body in a cantilever manner, with a front end portion thereof being fixed to the upper surface of the body, an opening/closing member which is slidably provided in the body so as to open/close a gap defined between the rear end portion of the cover member and an upper blade of the body, a coil spring which urges the opening/closing member toward a position where the gap is closed, and a pull-tab which is detachably maintained between the body and the cover member (e.g. refer to Patent Document 1). 
     In the slider for a slide fastener described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that a cover member may be deformed since the cover member of the slider is subjected to a load from a number of other sliders when a large number of sliders is being concurrently barrel-polished or since the cover member of the slider is subjected to a load from a wet clothing on which the slider is mounted when the clothing is washed. 
     Therefore, in the other related art, there is provided a slider for a slide fastener in which a cover member and an opening/closing member can be engaged with each other in order to prevent the cover member from being deformed even if a tensile load or a pressing load is applied to the cover member (e.g. refer to Patent Document 2). 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document 
     Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-228808A 
     Patent Document 2: WO 2010/058465 A1 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Problems to Be Solved by Invention 
     However, in the slider for a slide fastener described in Patent Document 2, it is difficult to insert a shaft portion of the pull-tab into an insert gap between the cover member and an upper blade when mounting the pull-tab to the slider, and therefore an improvement has been required. 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a slider for a slide fastener which can prevent a cover member from being deformed and facilitate insertion of a pull-tab into an insertion gap. 
     Means for Solving Problems 
     The object of the present invention is achieved by the following configurations. 
     (1) A slider for a slide fastener including: a body; a lock member which is swingably supported by a pillar portion which is erected on an upper surface of the body; a cover member which is attached to the body in a cantilever manner, with a front end portion thereof being fixed to the upper surface of the body, and covers the pillar portion and the lock member from above; and an opening/closing member which is formed between a rear end portion of the cover member and the body, and is configured to open and close a gap into which a shaft portion of a pull-tab is inserted, wherein the opening/closing member is provided so as to be slidable in a front-rear direction with respect to the body, wherein the cover member has a first surface which is formed on the rear end portion of the cover member in substantially parallel to the body, and a second surface extending rearward and upward at a predetermined angle from a rear end portion of the first surface, and wherein the opening/closing member has a third surface which overlaps with the first surface in an upward and downward direction and is formed in substantially parallel to the first surface, and a fourth surface extending rearward and downward at an predetermined angle from a rear end portion of the third surface. 
     (2) The slider for a slide fastener according to (1), wherein an angle of the second surface with respect to the first surface is set to be smaller than an angle of the fourth surface with respect to the third surface. 
     (3) The slider for a slide fastener according to (1) or (2), wherein the cover member has a top plate, a pair of right and left side plates extending downward from both side edges of the top plate, a front plate extending downward from a front end portion of the top plate, and a rear plate extending downward from a rear end portion of the top plate, and wherein the second surface is formed by a whole area of a lower end surface of the rear plate. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     In the slider for a slide fastener according to the present invention, the cover member has the first surface which is formed on the rear end portion of the cover member in substantially parallel to the body and the second surface extending rearward and upward at the predetermined angle from the rear end portion of the first surface, and the opening/closing member has the third surface which overlaps with the first surface in the upward and downward direction and is formed in substantially parallel to the first surface and the fourth surface extending rearward and downward at a certain angle from the rear end portion of the third surface. When a force is applied to the rear end portion of the cover member from above, the first surface of the cover member comes into contact with the third surface of the opening/closing member, thereby preventing the cover member from being deformed. In addition, since the portion which receives the shaft portion of the pull-tab can be widened by the second surface extending rearward and upward and the fourth surface extending rearward and downward, it is possible to facilitate insertion of the pull-tab into the insertion gap. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a slider for a slide fastener according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the slider for a slide fastener shown in  FIG. 1  where a pull-tab is not mounted; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the surroundings of the rear end portion of the cover member shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a first surface of the cover member comes in contact with a third surface of an opening/closing member; 
         FIG. 6  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the slider for illustrating a state in which a shaft portion of the pull-tab is pushed into an insertion gap; 
         FIG. 7  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the slider for illustrating a state in which the shaft portion of the pull-tab enters a valley of the opening/closing member; 
         FIG. 8  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the slider for illustrating a state in which the shaft portion of the pull-tab is further pushed into the insertion gap; and 
         FIG. 9  is a vertical cross-sectional view of the slider for illustrating a state in which the shaft portion of the pull-tab is accommodated in an operation recess portion of the lock member. 
     
    
    
     EMBODIMENTS OF INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of a slider for a slide fastener according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, an upper side refers to the upper side with respect to the paper surface of  FIG. 2 , a lower side refers to the lower side with respect to the paper surface of  FIG. 2 , a front side refers to the left side with respect to the paper surface of  FIG. 2 , a rear side refers to the right side with respect to the paper surface of  FIG. 2 , a right side refers to the far side with respect to the paper surface of  FIG. 2 , and the left side refers to the near side with respect to the paper surface of  FIG. 2 . In addition, the right and left direction of the slider is also referred to as the width direction. 
     The slider for a slide fastener  10  according to this embodiment is a slider with an automatic stop function, and as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the slider  10  has a body  20 . The body  20  includes an upper blade  21  and a lower blade  22  which are spaced apart from each other in the upward and downward direction so as to be disposed in parallel to each other, a guide post  23  which connect the front end portions of the upper blade  21  and the lower blade  22  to each other, upper flanges  24   a  which protrude downward along right and left side edges of the upper blade  21 , and lower flanges  24   b  which protrude upward along right and left side edges of the lower blade. Due to this configuration, right and left shoulder mouths  25  which are separated by the guide post  23  are formed in the front portion of the body  20 , and a rear mouth  26  is formed in the rear portion of the body  20 . In addition, an element guide path  27  which is formed into a substantially Y-shape is formed between the upper blade  21  and the lower blade  22  to communicate the right and left shoulder mouths  25  with the rear mouth  26 . The element guide path  27  constitutes a path into which fastener element rows (not shown) are inserted. 
     In addition, the slider for a slide fastener  10  includes a lock member  40 , a cover member  50  and an opening/closing member  60 . The lock member  40  is supported by a pillar portion  31  so as to be swingable up and down, the pillar portion  31  being erected on the front end portion of the upper surface of the upper blade  21 . The cover member  50  is attached to the upper blade  21  in a cantilever manner, with a front end portion thereof being fixed to the upper surface of the upper blade  21 . The cover member  50  covers the pillar portion  31  and the lock member  40  from above. The opening/closing member  60  is formed between the rear end portion of the cover member  50  and the upper blade  21 , and is configured to open/close a gap S (hereinafter referred to as “insertion gap S”) into which a shaft portion  15   a  of the pull-tab  15  is inserted. 
     The pillar portion  31  has left and right wall portions  31   a ,  31   b  which are spaced apart from each other at a gap into which the lock member  40  can be fitted, and a support convex portion  32  which is formed between the left and right wall portions  31   a ,  31   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the lock member  40  has a base portion  41  which is supported on the pillar portion  31  of the body  20 , an upper piece portion  42  and a lower piece portion  43  which respectively extend rearward from the base portion  41  and are disposed so as to face each other in the upward and downward direction, and an operation recess portion  44  which is formed between the upper piece portion  42  and the lower piece portion  43 . The operation recess portion  44  is opened toward the rear mouth  26  to accommodate the shaft portion  15   a  of the pull-tab  15  in a pull-tab attachment state. 
     In addition, a claw portion  45  configured to enter the element guide path  27  through a claw hole  33  formed in the upper blade  21  is formed downward at a tip end portion of the lower piece portion  43 . In addition, a support concave portion  41   a  which is fitted into the support convex portion  32  of the pillar portion  31  is formed in a lower surface of the base portion  41 . The support recess portion  41   a  is supported by the support convex portion  32  so as to be swingable in the upward and downward direction. The claw hole  33  penetrates from the upper surface of the upper blade  21  to the element guide path  27 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , the cover member  50  has a top plate  51  which is bent so as to be convex upward, a pair of right and left side plates  52  extending downward from both side edges of the top plate  51 , a front plate  53  extending downward from the front end portion of the top plate  51 , and a rear plate  54  extending downward from the rear end portion of the top plate  51 . A retracting portion  55  and a pull-tab accommodating portion  56  are formed in the lower end surfaces of the pair of right and left side plates  52  in the middle portion of the cover member  50 . The retracting portion  55  and the pull-tab accommodating portion  56  are configured so as to be concave downward and face the body  20 . A protrusion  57  extending downward is formed between the retracting portion  55  and the pull-tab accommodating portion  56 . 
     In addition, fitting pieces  58  are respectively formed on the lower end portion of the pair of right and left side plates  52  at the front end side of the pair of right and left side plates  52 . The fitting pieces  58  are fitted into fitting recesses  34  which are formed in the front end portion of the upper blade  21 . In addition, when the fitting pieces  58  are fitted into the fitting recesses  34  and the pair of right and left side plates  52  are crimped into the recesses  31   c  which are formed in the outer side surfaces of the left and right wall portions  31   a ,  31   b  of the pillar portion  31 , the cover member  50  is attached to the body  20  in a cantilever manner along the front-rear direction, with the front end portion thereof being fixed to the front end portion of the upper blade  21 . In addition, the fitting recesses  34  are respectively formed at the right and left of the pillar portion  31 , and extend in the front-rear direction of the body  20 . The fitting pieces  58  protrude sideward from the lower ends of the pair of right and left side plates  52  of the cover member  50 . 
     A rectangular leaf spring  70  which urges the claw portion  45  of the lock member  40  so as to enter the element guide path  72  is provided between the lock member  40  and the cover member  50 . The front and rear end portions of the leaf spring  70  are respectively provided with engagement recess portions  71 . When the front and rear engagement recess portions  71  are engaged with engagement convex portions  51   a  which are formed on the front and rear portions of the top plate  51  of the cover member  50 , the leaf spring  70  is mounted inside the cover member  50 . The engagement convex portions  51   a  are disposed inside the cover member  50  (i.e. inside the space surrounded by the top plate  51 , the pair of right and left side plates  52 , the front plate  53  and the rear plate  54 ). 
     The opening/closing member  60  has a first closing portion  61 , a second closing portion  62  and a valley portion  63 , as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . The opening/closing member  60  is formed into a substantially U-shape when viewed in a top plan view so as not to come into contact with the lock member  40  in a state in which the opening/closing member  60  is attached to the body  20 . The first closing portion  61  is formed on the rear end portion of the opening/closing member  60 , and is formed into a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from the side. The second closing portion  62  is formed on the front end portion of the opening/closing member  60 , and is formed into a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from the side. The valley portion  63  is provided between the first closing portion  61  and the second closing portion  62 . 
     The lower end portions of both side surfaces of the opening/closing member  60  are respectively formed with guide portions  64  which are slidably fitted into guide recesses  35  which are formed along the front-rear direction in the upper surface of the upper blade  21  at the rear portion of the upper blade  21 . Due to this configuration, the opening/closing member is provided so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction with respect to the body  20 . In addition, a coil spring  12  is provided in a compressed manner between the front end portion of the opening/closing member  60  and a spring-maintaining recess  35   a  formed in the guide recess  35 . The opening/closing member  60  is constantly urged toward the rear mouth  26  by an urging force of the coil spring  12 . 
     A pair of right and left stoppers  36  is formed on the rear end portion of the upper surface of the upper blade  21 . The stoppers  36  are configured to stop the opening/closing member  60  at a gap closing position where the insertion gap S is closed and to prevent the opening/closing member  60  from being disengage from the guide recess  35 . When the opening/closing member  60  slides toward a gap opening position where the insertion gap S is opened and the shaft portion  15   a  of the pull-tab  15  is inserted into the insertion gap S, the shaft portion  15   a  is accommodated inside the operation recess portion  44  of the lock member  40 . 
     According to this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a first surface  81  is formed on the lower end surface of the pair of right and left side plates  52  of the cover member  50  at the rear end side of the side plates  52  such that the first surface  81  is substantially parallel to the upper blade  21 . A second surface  82  is formed on the lower end surface of the rear plate  54  of the cover member  50  such that the second surface  82  extends rearward and upward at a certain angle from the rear end portion of the first surface  81 . Second surface  82  is an inclined surface that extends linearly. The second surface  82  is a surface that extends toward the rear side of the body  20  such that it is gradually spaced away from the body  20 . The second surface  82  is a surface that is inclined upward at an angle θ 1  ranging from 10° to 20° with respect to the first surface  81 . 
     The first closing portion  61  of the opening/closing member  60  has a third surface  83  which is the upper surface of the first closing portion  61  and is formed in substantially parallel to the first surface  81  such that the third surface  83  overlaps with the first surface  81  in the upward and downward direction, and a fourth surface  84  which extends rearward and downward at a certain angle from the rear end portion of the third surface  83 . The fourth surface  84  is an inclined surface that extends linearly. The fourth surface  84  is a surface that extends toward the rear side of the body  20  such that it is gradually spaced away from the cover member  50 . The fourth surface  84  is a surface that is inclined downward at an angle θ 2  ranging from 60° to 70° with respect to the third surface  83 . 
     Due to this configuration, even when a force is applied to the rear end portion of the cover member  50  from above, the first surface  81  of the cover member  50  comes into contact with the third surface  83  of the opening/closing member  60 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , thereby preventing the cover member  50  from being deformed. 
     According to this embodiment, the angle defined between the second surface  82  of the cover member  50  and the fourth surface  84  of the opening/closing member  60  is set to about 80°. It is preferred that this angle ranges from 70° to 90° (θ 1 +θ 2 ). This makes it possible to widen the portion which receives the shaft portion  15   a  of the pull-tab  15 , thereby facilitating insertion of the pull-tab  15  into the insertion gap S. The angle θ 1  of the second surface  82  is set to be smaller than the angle θ 2  of the fourth surface  84 . 
     According to this embodiment, the second surface  82  is formed by the whole area of the lower end surface of the rear plate  54  of the cover member  50 . However, this is not intended to be limiting, but the second surface  82  may be a surface that extends beyond the lower end surface of the rear plate  54  to the lower end surfaces of the right and left side plates  52 . In addition, the starting point of the second surface  82 , i.e. the point of intersection between the first surface  81  and the second surface  82 , is positioned at the rear side of the body  20  relative to the point of intersection between the third surface  83  and the fourth surface  84  of the opening/closing member  60 . In addition, the lower surface of the rear plate  54  (the second surface  82 ) is not positioned above the third surface  83  but is positioned behind the body  20  relative to the third surface  82  and above the fourth surface  84 . 
     Here, the front end portion of the cover member  50  according to this embodiment indicates a portion that includes the front plate  53  and the fitting portions  58  of the pair of right and left side plates  52 . The rear end portion of the cover member  50  indicates a portion that includes the rear plate  54  and the first surfaces  81  of the right and left side plates  52 . The middle portion of the cover member  50  indicates a portion between the front end portion and the rear end portion of the cover member  50 . 
     Next, referring to  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 9 , a description will be given below of the sequence of attaching the pull-tab  15  to the slider for a slide fastener  10 . 
     First, as shown in  FIG. 6 , when the shaft portion  15   a  of the pull-tab  15  is pushed into the insertion gap S from rear to front, the opening/closing member  60  slides forward so that the shaft portion  15   a  of the pull-tab  15  is retracted into the retraction portion  55  of the cover member  50 . Then, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the opening/closing member  60  slides rearward so that the shaft portion  15   a  of the pull-tab  15  enters the valley portion  63  between the first closing portion  61  and the second closing portion  62  of the opening/closing member  60 . 
     Afterwards, as shown in  FIG. 8 , when the shaft portion  15   a  of the pull-tab  15  is pushed further forward in the insertion gap S, the opening/closing member  60  slides forward so that the shaft portion  15   a  of the pull-tab  15  enters the pull-tab accommodating portion  56  of the cover member  50  while lifting up the lock member  40 . Then, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the opening/closing member  60  slides rearward so that the shaft portion  15   a  of the pull-tab  15  is accommodated inside the operation recess portion  44  of the lock member  40 . 
     In the slider for a slide fastener  10  according to this embodiment as described above, the cover member  50  has the first surface  81  which is formed on the rear end portion of the cover member  50  in substantially parallel to the upper blade  21 , and the second surface  82  extending rearward and upward at a certain angle from the rear end portion of the first surface  81 , and the opening/closing member  60  has the third surface  83  which overlaps with the first surface  81  in the upward and downward direction and is formed in substantially parallel to the first surface  81 , and the fourth surface  84  extending rearward and downward at a certain angle from the rear end portion of the third surface  83 . When a force is applied to the rear end portion of the cover member  50  from above, the first surface  81  of the cover member  50  comes into contact with the third surface  83  of the opening/closing member  60 , thereby preventing the cover member  50  from being deformed. In addition, since the portion which receives the shaft portion  15   a  of the pull-tab  15  can be widened by the second surface  82  extending rearward and upward and the fourth surface  84  extending rearward and downward, it is possible to facilitate insertion of the pull-tab  15  into the insertion gap S. 
     The present invention is not limited to those that were illustrated in the foregoing embodiments but can be suitably changed without departing from the concept of the present invention. 
     DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
         
           
               10 : Slider for Slide Fastener 
               20 : Body 
               21 : Upper Blade 
               31 : Pillar Portion 
               40 : Lock Member 
               50 : Cover Member 
               51 : Top Plate 
               52 : Side Plate 
               53 : Front Plate 
               54 : Rear Plate 
               60 : Opening/Closing Member 
               61 : First Closing Portion 
               62 : Second Closing Portion 
               81 : First Surface 
               82 : Second Surface 
               83 : Third Surface 
               84 : Fourth Surface 
               15 : Pull-Tab 
               15 A: Shaft Portion 
             S: Insertion Gap 
             θ 1 : Angle of Second Surface 
             θ 2 : Angle of Fourth Surface