JP2003175952A - Fastener - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a fastener which is easy to use, has a latch mechanism easy to manufacture and can be repetitively used by making use of characteristics of a belt of an adjustable plastic band, and to provide a form in which the fastener can be easily employed as an accessory mechanism for various kinds of articles. <P>SOLUTION: The fastener comprises a belt and a latch, wherein the belt is made of an elastic material and has a plurality of projections arranged in parallel with equal intervals on one of surfaces thereof. The latch comprises a frame, a guide and a claw accompanying the frame. The guide is located on a depth of one of sides of the frame and serves to face a side having no projection of the inserted belt and to push the belt against the claw. The claw is located on an opposite face to the guide of the frame, is laterally distant from the guide in the direction of the belt passing, and projects in an acute angle toward the rear inside the frame. When the belt is passed through the frame a dent between the projections and the claw engage with each other, so that it works as a fastener at an arbitrary position. In disengaging, the vicinity of the fitted portion is pressed to have the claw and the projections separated, whereby the belt can be easily drawn out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fastener for releasably connecting two objects, for example, a box and its lid, which is composed of a band portion and a locking portion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are many kinds of parts for connecting objects, such as a door clasp, a bag clasp, and a clasp that integrates a box and a lid. Among them, the one using a belt is characterized in that the interval can be adjusted, and the one that can be coupled and released is particularly convenient and has a wide range of applications. Among the strip-shaped ones, it is characterized by a plurality of ridges (hereinafter referred to as a ridge row) arranged in parallel and at a constant interval, which are often used in the present invention, and which are often used in plastic bands. The fastening mechanism used as is used in large numbers as a binding band,
It is hardly used for the above-mentioned use as a fastener. Plastic bands are inexpensive and easily available, and the spacing can be adjusted with a fine pitch. For example, the one shown in FIG. 3 is one example. Figure 3a shows a conventional plastic band 3
3 is a perspective view showing the whole of No. 0, and FIGS. 3b to 3d are partial explanatory views. FIG. 3b is an explanatory view of the row of ridges 34 showing a cross-sectional perspective view of the portion of the band 31, which is inclined to one side and is steep on the other side, that is, has a saw-toothed cross section and is in the longitudinal direction of the band portion. On the other hand, a plurality of ridges that are orthogonal to each other have a continuous shape. Figure 3c shows a cross-sectional view of the lock 32, and also Figure 3d.
The cross-sectional view of the connected state is shown in FIG. The fitting piece 33 meshes with the row of protrusions of the strip to form a wedge, which is easy to move forward, but cannot be pulled out later unless special measures are taken. There are many commercialized forms of this type of mating piece, but since the mold has a complicated structure and is expensive, it is not suitable for small-quantity production varieties, and it has a particular shape mainly used in large quantities. Used in things. Incidentally, a metal band obtained by processing the ridge row of the band portion by press molding or the like is also generally used. Partial external views thereof are shown in FIGS. 3f and 3g.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to develop a locking mechanism which is simpler and easier to machine than the conventional one by utilizing the adjustable characteristic of the band of the plastic band. Another object of the present invention is to obtain a fastener that can be repeatedly used easily as an accessory mechanism for various articles to which the plastic band mechanism has not been applied until now. Further, since this new mechanism can be used in various ways depending on the application, an attempt is made to propose a fastener having a form suitable for each purpose. In addition,
Although many commercially available plastic bands cannot be released, in the present invention, since they are fasteners that can be repeatedly used,
One of the purposes was to make the mechanism capable of coupling and releasing.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, paying particular attention to the connecting portion that complicates the mold, the elasticity and rigidity of the band material are skillfully used, and the structure is simple, and at any position. It enables a locking mechanism that engages with the recesses between the ridges and joins, and can be released by a simple operation.

That is, this is a fastener which is composed of a band portion and a locking portion and which inserts one end of the band portion into a locking portion frame and locks the belt portion. Has a plurality of ridges arranged in. The locking portion is composed of a frame and a guide, and the frame basically has a shape in which four corners are surrounded by a wall, and when a band is inserted into a part of the frame and the locking is performed, a tip is provided on a side facing the protrusion. An acute-angled protrusion (hereinafter referred to as a claw) is arranged toward the inside rear of the frame. That is, the claw has a surface that is inclined toward the entrance of the frame, and the opposite side is a surface that is steep or inverted. The guide is installed on one side of the frame, behind the entrance of the belt, so as to face the side of the band to be inserted that does not have the ridge, and is inclined toward the entrance of the belt. It has a structure that is located laterally away from the passing direction of.
That is, when the claws are provided at both ends, the guides are located in the central part, and conversely, when the guides are provided at both ends, the claws are located in the central part. The guide is inclined towards the entrance of the belt and works to press the belt against the tabs on the opposite side.
The frame has a somewhat wider opening width than the band, and the upper and lower openings are larger at the position of the tab than the height of the tab plus the band thickness. Also, the frame should be such that it does not hinder the movement of the band when it is used near the opposite side of the guide, and this part may be cut off if there is no particular need. For the sake of convenience, in the present invention, a case where a part of the frame is omitted, or a case where a part of the frame is common to other objects is referred to as a frame in the present invention). As described above, we have developed a fastener that has a simple structure and can be connected at any position and can be released with a simple operation.

The structure will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 1
Each of the drawings is an example of the present invention, and 10 is a band portion and 20 is an entire locking portion. FIG. 1 a shows a lid 1 with a band 10.
FIG. 1b shows a box 2 with a lock 20 according to the invention.
FIG. 1c shows a state in which the band portion and the locking portion are used to connect the two. A hinge or the like is usually used on the side opposite to the side with the fastener, but it is omitted in the figure. When a plurality of fasteners according to the present invention are used on both sides without using a hinge, since the fastener functions as a hinge due to the flexibility of the band, it can be opened or closed on either side, or It can be used so that the lid and the box can also be completely separated.

In FIG. 1, the band portion 10 is preferably made of a plastic material having relatively elasticity and rigidity such as nylon or polypropylene. The shape of the ridge array 11 is generally that shown in FIG. 3b, but the shape as shown in FIG. 3d will also work satisfactorily. FIG. 1d is an enlarged view of the locking portion 20, which shows the frame 2
1 and a guide 25. Guide 25 is the exit 2 of the frame
A part of the frame 26 located in the center near 3
Is cut out in this example, but as another example, as shown in FIG. 1e, the part facing the guide is thinned so that the band can easily pass, and as shown in FIG. It is possible to partially cut away the parts facing each other. This will be described with reference to FIG. 1d. In the shape where the central part in the vicinity of facing the guide is cut off, there are sharp tabs 24 facing inward at the exits of the frames on both ends that are left, and at the time of connection, this tip of the row of protrusions 11 of the strip part. It engages with the depression and produces a locking action. Although the claws 24 are located on both sides of the upper surface in the example of FIGS. 1b to 1f, they can be located at other positions as described later. The material of the locking portion 20 may have rigidity and strength that can be used.

The operation of locking and releasing will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In order to combine the lid 1 and the box 2 into one body by using a fastener, the band end 13 is inserted into the frame 21. Since the strip portion 10 is pressed against the opposite surface by the guide 25, there is some resistance due to the deformation of the strip as the ridges of the row of protrusions 11 pass over the claws 24, and there is a slight clicking frame. When it passes and is released, the claw 24 meshes with one of the recesses in the row of ridges 11 of the strip and is fixed at that position. FIG. 2a is a front view of the connected state, and FIG.
2A is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2C is a sectional view taken along the line BB. In FIG. 2C, the tip of the band portion is pressed against the claw 24 by a guide 25 which is not visible here. At this time, the CC cross section is as shown in FIG.
And one of the recesses of the row of ridges 11 meshes with each other. Obi 10
By being bent in the vertical direction by the guide 25, the rigidity in the horizontal direction is increased, so that the locking force with the claw 24 can be increased. When removing the fasteners, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2e, when a force is applied to the vicinity of the engaging portion of the claw 24 as shown by an arrow, the protruding row 11 is released from the claw 24, and the fixation is released, and the retracting is continued. For example, the band portion 10 can be pulled out from the frame 21. In this way, the type of operating at two locations at the same time is convenient for cases where it is difficult to remove easily.

Next, another form of this fastener will be described with reference to FIG. In the example of FIG. 1, the row of ridges 11 is located at both ends, but it may be located in the center.
In this case, the shape of the band portion is as shown in FIG. 4a, and the shape of the connecting portion for receiving it is shown in FIG. 4b, in which the guides are at both ends and the tabs are at the center. The connection is the same as the above, and the connection is released near the fitting part at the exit of the 24 frame, and if the center of the band is pushed, the projecting row 11 is separated from the claw 24 and the band 10 is released.
Can be pulled out. FIG. 4c shows a deformed state of the cross section of the strip at that time. In this way, the type that can be removed by one operation is convenient when the opening and closing are frequently performed.

Another form of this fastener will be described with reference to FIG. The ridge row 11 can also be designed inward with respect to the mounting surface. The partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 5a is an example thereof, and as shown in the figure, the tip of the band is bent inward so that it is difficult to get in the way. In this case as well, as in the previous case, the position of the ridge row 11 can be designed near the center and conversely on the outside. At this time, the shapes of the locking portions are, for example, as shown in FIGS. 5b and 5d, respectively. 5c shows the direction in which the force is applied and the deformed state of the band when releasing the locking state shown in FIG. 5b and FIG. 5d.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The functions and functions have been mainly described above. Next, an embodiment will be described.
The description so far has been made on the assumption that both the band portion 10 and the locking portion 20 are integrated with an object (for example, a box and a lid) to be coupled to each. It may be used in such a form, but in some cases, it may be preferable to make it separately and attach it by a suitable joining means.

[0012]

[Embodiment 1] As an example thereof, FIG. 6 shows a case where a band portion 10 is separately prepared. As shown in FIG. 6a, the band attaching member 13 was formed into one body on the lid. A top view is shown in FIG. 6b, where the width and gap are made slightly larger than the strip. The band portion 10 was created as an independent molded product. FIG. 6c shows the front view and FIG. 6d shows the side view. It was designed to have a thickness of 1.2 mm using nylon 66. For fixing, there are a stopper 14 and a stopper 16 that are thicker than the gap portion of the belt mounting member 13. The retaining member 16 has a thin tip and is inclined so that the rear portion thereof is slightly thicker than the belt portion, and the tip of the retaining member 16 is vertical to the belt surface so as not to fall off from the slit of the belt mounting member 13. The stopper 16 is made slightly thicker than the other protrusions so that the belt 10 has some resistance when it is pulled out. Figure 6
The connected state is shown in e. In addition to this, a design such as enlarging the stopper 14 to facilitate the connecting and releasing work (not shown in the figure) as a pressing margin during the connecting work,
Sometimes considered useful. These auxiliary members may be appropriately adopted depending on the application. If the band portion 10 is used as a common member, it can be attached to many articles only by adding a simple band attachment member 13 and a locking portion 20 to the design, and a mold can be easily manufactured. Although the locking portion 20 is integrated with the box in the illustrated example,
Similar to the case of the band portion 10, it may be created separately. In addition to the above-described fitting, the method of mounting may be a method such as a screw, a rivet, or an adhesive.

When the band portion and the connecting portion are used as general-purpose parts, the above-mentioned mounting member is separately prepared and attached to the product by adhesion or other means in order to apply it to an article without a mounting member such as an off-the-shelf product. In some cases it may be preferable.

[0014]

[Embodiment 2] FIG. 7 shows an example in which the belt portion 10 and the connecting portion 20 are attached by adhesion or adhesion. Figure 7a,
FIG. 7a shows each member before attachment, FIG. 7c shows the attached state, and FIG. 7d shows the attached and closed state. It can be used conveniently when opening and closing in a carton box.

[0015]

[Embodiment 3] FIG. 8a shows an example of a band having a band portion 10 at one end and a locking portion 20 at the other end. Further, FIG. 8b shows a connected state.

[0016]

[Embodiment 4] In FIGS. 9a and 9b, the strip 1 is provided on both ends of the sheet.
0, the case where a plurality of lock portions 20 are provided and wound and attached is shown. Due to the characteristics of the row of protrusions, it can be used conveniently because the thickness of the column can be adjusted when the advertising medium is wrapped around the column.

[0017]

[Embodiment 5] FIG. 10 shows a sheet-like cover in which a plurality of sets of band portions 10 and locking portions 20 are attached. When the belt portion 10 and the locking portions 20 are also provided on the mounting partner side, for example, only during rain. With respect to the rain cover to be used, it is convenient to attach only one (for example, the band portion 10) to the seat side and the other (for example, only the locking portion 20) to the other side.

[0018]

As described above, the fastener consisting of the band portion and the locking portion has a simple novel structure in which the length of the plastic band can be adjusted and the locking / unlocking is easy. A stop mechanism was developed. It is a fastener that can be easily adopted at low cost for applications requiring joining and releasing due to the simple product and mold structure, and it is suitable for many applications by providing several mounting shapes, forms, etc. Made possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining an embodiment used in the method of the present invention, in which a lid equipped with a band portion, a box equipped with FIG. 1a and a locking portion, FIG. 1b and both of them are joined by the fastener. FIG. 1C is a perspective view showing a closed state, and FIG. 1C and other explanatory views.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a locking mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a commonly used plastic band (nylon band). 3f and 3g are examples of metal bands used for the same purpose.
In particular, it is an enlarged view of the band portion.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining another mode of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining still another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory diagram in the case where an adhesive or an adhesive is used for attaching the band portion and the locking portion.

FIG. 8 is an example of application as a band in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an example applied to a seat in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an example applied as a cover in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Note) Regarding the part names in each drawing, if the role is the same, the same number and the same name are used even if the objects and shapes are different. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 lid 2 box 3 sheet 10 band part 11 ridge row (a plurality of ridges arranged in parallel and at equal intervals) 12 band part tip 13 band fixing member 14 stopper 15 retainer 16 retainer 17 adhesive or adhesive surface 18 hinge Part 20 Locking part 21 Frame 22 Frame inlet 23 Frame outlet 24 Claw 25 Guide (projection) 26 Part of the frame facing the guide 27 Adhesive or adhesive surface 30 Conventional plastic band 31 Conventional band 32 Conventional locking portion 33 Fitting piece 34 Projection row

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Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A fastener comprising a band portion and a locking portion, wherein one end of the band portion is inserted into a locking portion frame to lock the belt portion, and the belt portion is parallel to at least a part of one side thereof at a constant interval. It has a plurality of ridges arranged, and the locking part consists of a frame and a guide, and the frame is basically a shape in which four corners are surrounded by walls, and a band part is inserted into a part of the frame for locking. At this time, on the side facing the ridge, a projection with an acute tip = a claw is arranged toward the rear inside of the frame, that is, the claw has a surface inclined toward the band entrance of the frame and the opposite side is steep. The guide, which is a curved surface, is installed on one side of the frame, behind the entrance of the band, so as to face the side of the band to be inserted that does not have the protrusion, and is inclined toward the band entrance. It is a fastener structure characterized by the above-mentioned configuration, which is located laterally away from the direction of passage of the belt. 2. A fastener for using the fastener mechanism of claim 1 for joining a pair of objects, such as a box and its lid. 3. An article using the fastener according to claim 2, wherein one of the band portion and the locking portion is integrally processed with each of the paired objects to be joined. 4. The belt portion and / or the locking portion according to claim 3, which are molded as independent parts, and are formed into a shape convenient for attaching them, and each of the paired objects to be joined, or the same. A fastener having a function of attaching the fastener to any one of them, and a fastener characterized by attaching the band portion and the locking portion to each of them, or an article using the fastener. 5. The device according to claim 4, wherein a function for attaching the belt portion and / or the locking portion is created separately from the paired object to be coupled and attached to the object, and the belt portion is attached to the object. A fastener characterized by attaching a locking portion, and an article using the fastener. 6. The fastener according to claim 4 or 5, wherein an adhesive material or an adhesive material is used as a means for attaching the belt portion or the belt portion and the locking portion, and the fastener is used. Goods. 7. A band, a sheet, and an article similar to the band, the sheet, and the like, each of which has a band portion and a locking portion at an end thereof as shown in claims 2 to 6. 8. The fastener according to each of the claims, wherein the belt portion is formed by processing a plurality of ridges arranged in parallel and at regular intervals on a metal plate by a press machine and the fastener. Articles using.