JP2009219872A - Slide fastener and upper stopper of slide fastener - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a slide fastener 1 which is equipped with a slider 5 with a tension tab 6 and an upper stopper 4, and the upper stopper 4 which prevents the movement of the slider 5 and keeps the fastener 1 closed when the tension tab 6 is in an appropriate absolute location. <P>SOLUTION: A slide fastener 1 has a holding member 20 which is arranged so that it acts on the contact surface 30 of the puller 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a slide fastener and an upper stopper of the slide fastener. The present invention particularly relates to a slide fastener that does not pass fluid and an upper stopper for a slide fastener that does not pass fluid.

  The slide fastener basically consists of a pair of tapes each holding a row of teeth, upper and lower stoppers, and a slider for opening and closing the fasteners by engaging and disengaging the teeth. It has. A puller (or pull tab) is usually connected to the slider by a ring or ring-shaped end of the puller, and the slider is manipulated by the puller.

  The upper and lower stoppers are located at both ends of the slide fastener, and when the slider reaches the upper stopper, the slide fastener is completely closed.

  Fluid-tight slide fasteners are used in particular for articles for sports and outdoor activities, suits for diving or yachts, camping tents and the like. This fastener is required to reliably prevent the passage of liquids and / or gases such as water and / or air. In some cases, a fluid impervious fastener must ensure that there is no fluid passage even if there is a large pressure difference between the inside and the outside, for example up to about 2 bar.

  The fluid-tight slide fastener is realized by, for example, a multi-layer tape made of a woven core material provided with a waterproof coating layer, and teeth by injection molding.

  More specifically, the slider of the slide fastener includes upper and lower blades, a lateral flange, and a central portion (called a diamond) that connects the upper and lower blades. In known slide fasteners (especially slide fasteners that do not allow fluid to pass), the upper stopper is a substantially U-shaped member. The member has a leg defining a front opening for the diamond of the slider and a seat for receiving the diamond when the slide fastener is fully closed. Appropriate to the lateral flange of the slider to act on the side of the leg portion of the U-shaped upper stopper to close the front opening in such a way that no fluid leaks when the slider reaches the fully closed position. Providing a shape is a known technique.

  It can be understood that in use, the slider must be held in place and prevented from moving away from the top stopper in order to ensure that no fluid passes through the closed slide fastener. In fact, if the slider moves unintentionally, even a few tenths of a millimeter, the fastener may pass fluid in the area of the upper stopper and / or the area between the teeth.

  On the other hand, for safety reasons, the user must always be able to open the slide fastener quickly. Such a need is particularly felt in the field of fluid-tight slide fasteners for waterproof articles such as diving suits, military or firefighter suits and the like.

  The technical problem underlying the present invention is that for slide fasteners as described above, it is possible to prevent the slider from leaving the fully closed position of the fastener while at the same time allowing a quick and easy opening of the fastener itself. And providing a safe closure.

  This problem is solved by the slide fastener according to the present invention. The slide fastener includes a pair of tapes holding the respective teeth, an upper stopper, and a slider having a pulling tool. The slider is movable to a closed position of the fastener where the slider contacts the upper stopper. The upper stopper includes at least one holding member configured to hold the slider in the closed position.

  According to a further aspect of the invention, the at least one holding member is formed integrally with the upper stopper.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the holding member is arranged to function as a stopper means for the slider when the pulling tool is stored in the upper stopper to a predetermined fixed position. . Preferably, the fixed position is a position at which the pulling tool lies on the upper stopper substantially parallel to the sliding direction of the slider.

  In a preferred embodiment, a holding member is formed integrally with the upper stopper, and functions as a stopper means for the contact surface of the pulling tool when the pulling tool is stored in the upper stopper to the fixed position. Having a surface arranged in such a manner.

  According to a further aspect of the invention, the upper stopper comprises at least one locking member configured to snap-engage with a suitable seat or portion of the puller to hold the puller in the fixed position. It has more. Preferably, the seat or part of the pulling tool is a ring or ring-shaped part connecting the pulling tool to the slider.

  In a preferred embodiment, the at least one locking member is an elastically deformable member configured to snap fit to the ring connecting the puller to the slider. Preferably, the lock member includes an elastically deformable stem portion and a head portion protruding from an upper portion of the stem portion and defining a cut-out recess for receiving the ring of the pulling tool. ing.

  According to the present invention, the locking member can be engaged with the slider ring by elastic deformation caused by contact with the slider ring when the pulling tool is fixed to the upper stopper or removed from the upper stopper. Or you can release the slider ring. Preferably, the head portion of the locking member is suitably adapted to allow deformation of the member by contact with the ring of the slider when the puller is pushed down to the fixed position or lifted from the fixed position. Has a shaped surface. Thanks to such shaped surfaces, as will be further elucidated below with the help of the examples, the locking member receives the puller ring by contact with the puller ring or the puller A force in the direction of deforming in a way that frees the ring is provided.

  According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one holding member of the upper stopper is formed as a wall of the upper stopper. The wall is formed as a base portion having a surface configured to function as a stopper means for the contact surface of the pulling tool, and an elastically deformable toothed member protruding upward from the base portion. Two locking members. Each of the two locking members defines a cut-out recess for receiving the ring of the puller.

  More specifically, the base portion of the wall formed integrally with the upper stopper functions as a stopper means for the front surface facing the slider and the bottom surface of the pulling tool, so that the slider can be moved when the pulling tool is in the fixed position. And a rear surface configured to hold.

  According to another aspect of the invention, at least one upper stopper is configured to engage a corresponding hole in the puller to hold the puller against lateral movement. Has a pin.

  In a further embodiment of the invention, the holding member is configured to cooperate with a corresponding locking member of the slider. As an example, the upper stopper has a suitable seat or recess for receiving a locking member protruding from the front of the slider, and when the slider reaches the upper stopper, the slider locking member is Engages in a seat or recess. In these further embodiments, a release system may be provided on the upper stopper, for example by pressing a release button, to release the slider.

  The subject of the present invention is also an upper stopper for a slide fastener comprising a pair of tapes holding the respective teeth and a slider having a pulling tool. The slider is movable to a closed position where the teeth are fully engaged and the slider contacts the upper stopper. The upper stopper includes at least one holding member as described above.

  In particular, the present invention provides an upper stop for a slide fastener. The at least one holding member is formed as a front wall of the upper stopper. The upper stopper is configured to accommodate the pulling tool of the slider in a fixed position. The front wall includes a surface configured to function as a stopper means for the contact surface of the puller when the puller is retracted to the fixed position.

  The present invention has the advantage that the slider is reliably kept in the closed position. Snap engagement between the locking member and the slider (ie, the slider puller) provides a quick and easy locking / release action. Therefore, it should be noted that the fastener slider can be securely held in the closed position to prevent unintentional opening even under severe use, while the user can open the fastener quickly and easily at any time. Should.

  The present invention is particularly useful in fasteners that are impermeable to fluids where a slight movement of the slider from a fully closed position can cause fluid leakage. Thus, articles such as sports garments fitted with slide fasteners according to the present invention provide the ability to reliably prevent the passage of fluid while being easy and safe to use.

  Further advantages and features of the slide fastener according to the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description and examples presented below, which are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the present invention. .

It is a perspective view of the upper end part of the slide fastener by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the fastener of FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view of the fastener of FIG. 1, but the position of the slider pulling tool is different. FIG. 4 is a top view of the fastener in the position of FIG. 3. It is sectional drawing by line VV of FIG. It is VI-VI sectional drawing of FIG. 6 is an enlargement of FIG.

  FIG. 1 shows the upper part of a slide fastener 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention comprising a pair of tapes 2 provided with teeth 3, an upper stopper 4 and a slider 5 having a puller 6. . The pulling tool 6 is connected to the slider 5 by a ring 7.

  The slider 5 is movable in a sliding direction parallel to the tape 2 to a closed position where the slide fastener 1 is completely closed, that is, all the teeth 3 are engaged and the slider 5 contacts the upper stopper 4. This closed position is shown in FIG.

  The details of the tape 2 and the teeth 3 can follow known techniques and will therefore not be described in detail. For example, in a slide fastener that does not allow fluid to pass, the tape 2 is made of a fabric core layer that is completely coated on both sides with a suitable waterproof layer, and the teeth 3 are injection molded onto the tape 2. In a slide fastener that does not allow fluid to pass, the upper stopper 4 can also be injection molded onto the tape 2.

  The slider 5 (FIG. 2) essentially consists of upper and lower blades 8, 9 having lateral flanges 10, 11 on both sides and a diamond connecting these upper and lower blades 8, 9. And. The flanges 10, 11 act on the appropriate contact surfaces of the teeth 3 in use in accordance with known techniques to engage the facing teeth of the tape 2 with each other. When the slide fastener 1 is completely closed, i.e. when the slider 5 is in the position of FIG. 1, the diamond can be accommodated in a seat between the legs 12 of the upper stopper 4.

  The puller 6 can be retracted from the normal use position as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 to the locked position on the upper stopper 4 shown in FIGS. In this locked position, the puller 6 lies on the upper stopper 4 substantially parallel to the slider direction of the slider 5.

  The front wall 20 is formed integrally with the upper stopper 4 and functions as a stopper means for the bottom contact surface 30 of the pulling tool 6. The wall 20 has a rear surface 32 (FIG. 2) that functions as a stopper for the contact surface 30 of the puller 6 when in the position of FIGS. The wall 20 has, on the opposite side of the surface 32, a front surface 31 facing the slider, and preferably there is a gap for clearance recovery between the front surface 31 and the slider 5. The contact surface 30 may be slightly curved, in which case the rear surface 32 of the wall 20 is curved accordingly (FIG. 4).

  Two toothed members 22, 23 project upward from the central part of the base part 21 of the wall 20 and are machined in the ring 7 to “lock” the puller 6 in the position of FIGS. 3 and 4. Are configured to engage with each other. Each of these members 22 and 23 defines an elastically deformable stem portion protruding upward from the base 21 and a cut-out recess 22 for receiving the ring 7 when the puller is in the locked position. And a head portion.

  As seen in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 5 and 7, each of the members 22, 23 has a stem portion 24 that projects upward from the base portion 21 of the wall 20. The stem portion 24 holds a head portion 25 that protrudes laterally and outward from the upper portion of the stem 24. The head portion 25 defines oblique surfaces 26 and 27 that converge to an edge 28 and a cut-out recess 22 below the edge 28 and between the base 21 and the head 25 itself.

  By pressing the ring 7 against the face 26 or 27, the stem portions 24 of the toothed members 22 and 23 are bent laterally inwardly so that the ring 7 engages the recess 22 or, conversely, The ring 7 and the puller 6 are released from the locked position.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the upper stopper 4 further comprises a pin 40 that is received in the corresponding hole 41 of the puller 6 when the puller 6 is in the locked position. This pin 40 is accommodated in the hole 41 and holds the pulling tool 6 against lateral movement.

  In this example, the pin 40 is elliptical and frustoconical, and the cross section decreases from the bottom to the top. However, in a simpler embodiment, the pin 40 may be cylindrical.

  Many variations are possible in the present invention. For example, in other embodiments (not shown), the toothed members 22, 23 or equivalent locking members are not suitable for the ring connecting the puller to the slider, but to the appropriate seat ( For example, it can be engaged in a recess). Of course, the position of such a locking member may vary as required and / or depending on the design of the upper stopper.

  Furthermore, the puller 6 can be shaped in another way, for example with a hole in the bottom that defines a ring that connects the puller to the slider 5.

  It is also possible to implement the holding member in another way, such as a plastic or metal member that is not integrally molded with the upper stopper itself rather than the wall 20.

  In a further modification, a locking member can be provided to prevent the slider 5 from being fixed and secured to the upper stopper when the slider 5 reaches the upper stopper 4. The locking member is configured such that the slider 5 cooperates with another engaging member provided in the upper stopper 4. An unlocking system may be incorporated into the upper stopper.

  Referring to the further variant, for example, the slider has a first coupling member protruding from the front of the slider itself. The first coupling member is configured to snap fit into the second coupling member or recess of the upper stopper when the slider reaches the upper stopper. This second coupling member or recess can be provided, for example, on the surface 31 of the upper stopper 4 or an equivalent part. The upper stopper has a lock release button for the second coupling member of the upper stopper, and by operating this button, the user moves the second coupling member to the detaching position and moves the slider to the upper position. Free from the stopper.

  Referring again to the embodiments of the drawings, the present invention functions as follows.

  When closing the slide fastener 1, the user pulls the slider 5 up to the position of FIG. 1 where all the teeth 3 engage with each other and the slider 5 reaches the upper stopper 4.

  To secure the fastener, the user lowers the pull tab 6 from the use position of FIGS. 1 and 2 to the locked position of FIGS. When the ring 7 contacts the upper surface 26 of the teeth 22, 23 (FIG. 2), the inclination of the surface 26 causes the stem 24 to deform until the ring 7 can get over the edge 28, and the ring 7 is lowered into the recess 22. And can be reached.

  The ring 7 is fixed by the members 22 and 23 when accommodated in the cut-out recess 22 (FIG. 5). The contact between the surfaces 30 and 32 prevents the slider 5 from sliding away from the upper stopper 4, ie keeps the fastener 1 closed so that no fluid passes in the region of the upper stopper 4. To guarantee. The puller 6 is safely restrained by the outward lateral projections of the head portion 25 of the members 22 and 23 that secure the ring 7 as seen in FIGS. 5 and 7 so that it does not come out of the locked position. This is sufficient to avoid undesired withdrawal due to fastener use, abuse, etc. The pin 40 is a further help to keep the puller 6 in the correct locked position so that it does not move laterally.

  The fastener is released by lifting the puller 6. Lifting the puller 6 causes the contact surface 27 to be pushed by the ring 7 until the ring 7 reaches the edge 28 and is free again to the use position of FIGS. . Thereafter, the user can open the slide fastener 1 as usual.

  It should be understood that the puller 6 is secured and released in a quick and quick manner by manually lowering or lifting the puller. Nevertheless, when the puller 6 is fixed, the slider 5 is firmly fixed to the upper stopper 4 and unintentional opening of the fastener and / or fluid leakage is prevented in a reliable manner.

  Of course, those skilled in the art can envision modifications and variations of the present invention to meet specific requirements, and all such variations and modifications are in any case scope of protection of the following claims. Is included.

Claims (15)

A slide fastener (1) comprising a pair of tapes (2) holding each tooth (3), an upper stopper (4), and a slider (5) having a pulling tool (6). The slider (5) is a slide fastener (1) that is movable to a closed position of the fastener (1) where the slider (5) contacts the upper stopper (4).
The slide fastener (1), wherein the upper stopper (4) comprises at least one holding member (20) configured to hold the slider (5) in the closed position.   The slide fastener according to claim 1, wherein the at least one holding member (20) is integrally formed with the upper stopper (4).   The at least one holding member (20) functions as a stopper means for the slider (5) when the pulling tool (6) is stored in the upper stopper (4) to a predetermined fixed position. The slide fastener according to claim 1, wherein the slide fastener is disposed on the slide fastener.   The predetermined fixing position of the puller (6) is substantially in the direction of sliding of the slider (5) along the fastener (1) when the puller (6) is on the upper stopper (4). The slide fastener according to claim 3, wherein the slide fastener is in a position lying in parallel with the slide fastener.   The said holding member (20) has the surface (32) comprised so that it might function as a stopper means with respect to the contact surface (30) of the said pulling tool (6). Slide fasteners.   At least one upper stopper (4) configured to snap-engage with a suitable seat or portion (7) of the puller (6) to hold the puller (6) in the fixed position; The slide fastener according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising a locking member (22, 23).   The at least one locking member as a toothed member (22, 23) configured to snap fit to a ring (7) connecting the puller (6) to the slider (5) The slide fastener according to claim 6, wherein the slide fastener is formed. The at least one toothed member (22, 23) is formed with an elastically deformable stem (24) and a head (25);
The said head part protrudes from the upper part of the said stem part (24), The cut-out recess (22) for accommodating the said ring (7) of the said pull tool (6) is defined. Slide fastener. The at least one holding member of the upper stopper is formed as a front wall (20) of the upper stopper (4);
A base portion (21) having a surface (32) configured such that the front wall (20) functions as a stopper means for the contact surface (30) of the pulling tool (6); Two elastically deformable toothed members (22, 23) for fixing the pulling tool (6) in a fixed position;
The members (22, 23) project upward from the base portion (21) and respectively define a cut-out recess (22) for receiving the ring (7) of the pulling tool (6). Item 9. The slide fastener according to any one of Items 1 to 8.   The upper stopper (4) comprises at least one pin (40) configured to engage a corresponding hole (41) in the puller (6). The slide fastener as described in any one of -9. The at least one holding member of the upper stopper is configured to cooperate with a corresponding locking member of the slider;
2. The slide fastener according to claim 1, wherein when the slider reaches the upper stopper, the holding member of the upper stopper (4) engages with the lock member of the slider (5).   It is a fastener (1) which does not let a liquid pass, The slide fastener as described in any one of Claims 1-11.   Articles, such as a sports suit, provided with the fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 12. An upper stopper (4) for a slide fastener (1) comprising a slider (5) having a puller (6),
Upper stopper (4) characterized by at least one holding member (20) configured to hold said slider (5) in said closed position. The at least one holding member is formed as a wall (20) of the upper stopper;
The upper stopper (4) is configured to accommodate the pulling tool (6) in a fixed position,
The wall (20) functions as a stopper means for the contact surface (30) of the pulling tool (6) when the pulling tool (6) is stored in the upper stopper (4) to the fixed position. 15. An upper stop for a slide fastener according to claim 14, comprising a surface (32) configured to:

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