JP2011236557A - Manufacturing method of operating cord and connection member of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manufacturing method of an operating cord having a connection part inexpensively.SOLUTION: The manufacturing method of the operating cord is provided that comprises a process of: forming a main cord having one end and the other end; forming a plurality of first connection members having a first fitting part; forming a second connection member having a plurality of second fitting parts which is fittable with the first fitting part; connecting the first connection members to each end of the main cord; and fitting the plurality of the first fitting parts to the second fitting parts respectively.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing operation cords such as a horizontal blind, a vertical blind, a roll screen, a screen door, an upper and lower sliding window, an awning, a skylight, and a lifting / lowering device for a laundry basket, and an operation cord connecting member.

  As one type of horizontal blind, an endless operation cord is hung on a pulley that is rotatably supported at one end of the head box, and the pulley is rotated by operating the operation cord, so that the slats in the head box Some of them are transmitted to a drive mechanism, and the slats can be moved up and down and adjusted in angle. A technique is also known in which a vertical blind is operated by rotating an operation cord around a pulley. In addition, operation cords are also used in the type that winds up an insect screen instead of the solar shading material, the elevating mechanism of the raising / lowering window, and the elevating mechanism such as clothes drying.

  Such an operation cord is formed in an endless shape by, for example, welding or caulking both ends of a cord formed of a synthetic resin in a string shape (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such an operation cord can be driven to rotate by being hooked in a recess formed in the peripheral surface of the pulley inside the pulley case to which the pulley is attached.

JP 09-189180 A

  Some of the operation codes have a portion (connecting portion) that can be connected and separated. As a function of the connecting part, it is separated when the resident hangs his / her foot on the operation cord to prevent accidents, and when replacing the operation cord, the operation cord can be easily made non-looped to replace the operation cord This is exemplified by making it possible. An operation cord having such a connecting portion has a male and a female and tends to increase manufacturing costs.

  This invention is made in view of such a situation, and provides the method of manufacturing the operation cord which has a connection part cheaply.

  According to the present invention, a main cord having one end and the other end is formed, a plurality of first connecting members having a first fitting portion are formed, and can be fitted to the first fitting portion. Forming a second connecting member having a plurality of second fitting portions, joining the first connecting members to both ends of the main cord, and connecting each of the plurality of first fitting portions to a second An operation cord manufacturing method including a step of fitting with a fitting portion is provided.

  The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an operation cord that can be connected and separated at a connecting portion. As a structure of a connection part, the structure of connecting two connection members via another connection member (henceforth a "three-part connection part"), and the structure of connecting two connection members directly ( Hereinafter, it is referred to as “two-part connecting portion”.

  For example, the two-part connecting portion includes a first connecting member having a fitting protrusion and a second connecting member having a fitting hole. The first connecting member is manufactured, for example, by outsert-molding the first fitting portion and the hemispherical portion on the cord and cutting the cord at the end of the first fitting portion and the hemispherical portion. The second connecting member, for example, outsert-molds the precursor of the second fitting portion and the hemispherical portion on the cord, cuts the cord at the end of the precursor and the hemispherical portion of the second fitting portion, It is manufactured by digging a fitting hole into the precursor of the second fitting portion. In the two-part connecting portion of this example, the first connecting member is manufactured in two steps, and the second connecting member is manufactured in three steps.

  An example of the three-part connecting portion is shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the three-part connecting portion includes a pair of first connecting members 41 having a fitting protrusion 45 and fitting holes 49a and 49b at both ends (the fitting hole 49b is the end opposite to the fitting hole 49a). And a second connecting member 42 having a cylindrical shape. The first connecting member 41 can be manufactured by the same method as the two-part connecting portion. The second connecting member 42 can be manufactured by injection molding. In the three-part connecting portion of this example, the first connecting member is manufactured in two steps, and the second connecting member is manufactured in one step.

  Although the present invention is not limited to the above example, in general, since the configuration of the second connecting member is easy to simplify in the three-part connecting portion, the second connecting member can be manufactured more easily than the two-component connecting portion. it can.

  If the configuration of the two first connecting members 41 of the three-part connecting portion is different, the number of parts increases, so that the three-part connecting portion is more likely to increase the manufacturing cost than the two-part connecting portion. However, by making the structure of the first connecting member attached to both sides of the second connecting member the same, the number of parts of the three-part connecting part can be made the same as that of the two-part connecting part.

In the present invention, the operation cord is manufactured by joining the first connecting members having the same configuration to both ends of the main cord and connecting the first connecting members at both ends with the second connecting members. Since the connection part of the operation cord of the present invention is a three-part connection part, and the first connection members on both sides of the second connection member have the same configuration, the number of parts is the same as that of the two-part connection part. Moreover, as above-mentioned, the 2nd connection member of a three-part connection part is easier to manufacture than the 2nd connection member of a two-part connection member, and reduces the manufacturing cost of an operation cord. Furthermore, there are various types of operation codes, but in the case of a two-part connecting part, it is difficult to share parts between different operation codes, but in the case of a three-part connecting part, the second connecting member Can be used universally in various operation codes. Therefore, according to the present invention, the number of parts can be substantially reduced as compared with the case of the two-part connecting portion.
As mentioned above, according to this invention, the operation cord which has a connection part can be manufactured cheaply. In the present specification, “joining” means that two objects are integrated by fixing (adhesion, welding), sewing, caulking, or the like.
Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described. The various embodiments described below can be combined with each other.

In one example, the first fitting portion of the first connecting member has a fitting protrusion having a locking portion at the tip, and the second connecting member can lock the fitting protrusion. It has a pair of locking parts.

In one example, the second connecting member is a tubular member having a locking portion capable of locking the fitting protrusion at both ends,
The distal end portion of the fitting projection is provided with an enlarged diameter portion having a diameter larger than that of the proximal end portion of the fitting projection.

  In one example, the swelled portion is provided over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the fitting protrusion, so that the first connecting member is common. With such a shape, for example, even when the pair of locking portions provided on the second connecting member is not in a common shape, the first connecting member is likely to be a common member.

  In one example, a locking portion that engages with the expanded diameter portion by inserting and rotating the expanded diameter portion into the fitting hole of the second connecting member is provided.

  In one example, the fitting angles of the pair of fitting projections fitted to the second connecting member are relatively shifted.

  In one example, the expanded diameter portion is provided over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the fitting protrusion.

  In one example, the first fitting portion of the first connecting member has a fitting hole, and the second connecting member is provided at both ends and is a pair of common shapes that can be fitted into the fitting hole. And a shaft portion that couples the pair of fitting projections to each other.

  In one example, the fitting protrusion has an axial shape, the fitting hole has a diameter that allows the fitting protrusion to be inserted, and the fitting protrusion can be extracted in the axial direction of the cord. An opening groove is provided, and the width of the opening groove is narrower than the diameter of the fitting protrusion.

  In one example, in the second connecting member, the fitting protrusion and the shaft are integrally formed of synthetic resins having different hardnesses.

  In one example, synthetic resin balls are arranged at equal intervals on the main cord.

  In one example, the main cord has hemispherical portions at both ends, the first connecting member has a hemispherical portion, and the first connecting member includes the hemispherical portion of the first connecting member and the main cord. The hemispherical portion of the main cord is joined to the main cord.

  In one example, the main cord includes a center core and a skin cord disposed around the core, the first connecting member includes a connecting cord, and the first connecting member includes both end portions of the main cord. The inner core is removed to form a space in the axial center portion, and the connecting cord is inserted into the axial center portion and sewn to join the main cord.

  In one example, the main cord has a ball at each of both ends, the first connecting member has a locking hole capable of engaging the ball, and the first connecting member holds the ball in the The main cord is joined by being engaged in the locking hole.

  In one example, the first connecting member has an outer dimension larger than the distance between the pulley and the pulley case.

  In one example, the main cord has a flange portion at each of both ends, the first connecting member has a locking portion that engages with the flange portion, and the first connecting member is formed of the main cord. It is joined to the main cord by outsert molding at the end.

  In one example, the first connecting member and the second connecting member are formed so that their outer diameters in the lateral direction are the same as or smaller than the maximum diameter of the main cord.

  In one example, the main cord is formed such that its diameter becomes smaller as it approaches each of both ends.

  In one example, a plurality of the main cords are formed, a plurality of first connecting members having a first fitting portion are formed, and a first connecting member is joined to each of both ends of the plurality of main cords, A plurality of second coupling members having a plurality of second fitting portions that can be fitted to the first fitting portion are formed, and the plurality of first fittings are formed so that one loop is formed. Each of the parts is fitted into the second fitting part.

  The present invention also includes a pair of first coupling members each having a first fitting portion and a second coupling member having a pair of second fitting portions, and the pair of first coupling members. Each first fitting portion of the member is fitted to the second fitting portion, and the pair of first connecting members also provide a connecting member of an operation cord which is a common member. If such a connecting member is used, the method of the present invention can be easily performed.

1 is a front view showing a horizontal blind according to a first embodiment. It is a front view which shows the ball chain of 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the connection part of 1st embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the connection part of 1st embodiment. It is a front view which shows the 1st connection member of 1st embodiment. It is a top view which shows the 1st connection member of 1st embodiment. It is a side view which shows the 1st connection member of 1st embodiment. It is CC sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is a front view which shows the 2nd connection member of 1st embodiment. It is a rear view which shows the 2nd connection member of 1st embodiment. It is the DD sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is the EE sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is the FF sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the fitting state of the connection member of 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the whole image of the manufacturing process of the ball chain in 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing process of the main code | cord | chord in 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing process of the 1st connection member in 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of joining the 1st connection member in 1st embodiment to a main cord. It is a front view for demonstrating the manufacturing process of the main code | cord | chord in 1st embodiment. It is a front view for demonstrating the manufacturing process of the 1st connection member in 1st embodiment. It is a front view for demonstrating the manufacturing process of the other example of the 1st connection member in 1st embodiment. It is a front view which shows the process of cut | disconnecting the main cord in 1st embodiment. It is a front view which shows another example of the process of cut | disconnecting the main cord in 1st embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the ball chain of 2nd embodiment. It is a front view which shows the ball chain of 3rd embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the connection part of 3rd embodiment. It is a front view which shows the 2nd connection member of 3rd embodiment. It is a side view which shows the 2nd connection member of 3rd embodiment. It is a front view which shows the 1st connection member of 3rd embodiment. It is a side view which shows the 1st connection member of 3rd embodiment. It is the GG sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is the HH sectional view taken on the line in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the fitting state of the connection member of 3rd embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing process of the 1st connection member in 3rd embodiment. It is a front view for demonstrating the manufacturing process of the 1st connection member in 3rd embodiment. It is a front view which shows the cord for operation of 4th embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the connection part of 4th embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the connection part of 4th embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing process of the 1st connection member in 4th embodiment. It is a front view for demonstrating the manufacturing process of the 1st connection member of 4th embodiment. It is a front view which shows the ball chain of 5th embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the connection part of 5th embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the connection part of 5th embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the connection part of 5th embodiment. It is a side view which shows the connection part of 5th embodiment. It is a front view for demonstrating the manufacturing process of the main code | cord in 5th embodiment. It is a front view which shows the process of cut | disconnecting the main cord in 5th embodiment. It is a front view which shows the cord for operation of 6th embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the connection part of 6th embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the connection part of 6th embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the whole image of the manufacturing process of the ball chain in 6th embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of joining the 1st connection member in 6th embodiment to a main cord. It is a front view which shows the ball chain of 7th embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing process of the 1st connection member in 7th embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of joining the 1st connection member in 7th embodiment to a main cord. It is a front view for demonstrating the manufacturing process of the 1st connection member in 7th embodiment. It is a front view which shows the process of cut | disconnecting the main cord in 7th embodiment. It is a front view which shows another example of the process of cut | disconnecting the main cord in 7th embodiment. It is a front view showing a ball chain of an eighth embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the operating device of the horizontal blind of 8th embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the operating device of the horizontal blind of 8th embodiment. It is a front view which shows another example of the operating device of the horizontal blind of 8th embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the manufacturing process of the ball chain in 8th embodiment. It is a front view for demonstrating the manufacturing process of the main code | cord | chord in 8th embodiment. It is a front view which shows the cord for operation of 9th embodiment.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the “operation code” in the claims is the ball chain 9.
In the horizontal blind shown in FIG. 1, a multi-stage slat 3 is supported on a ladder tape 2 that is suspended from a head box 1, and a bottom rail 4 is attached to the lower end of the ladder tape 2.

  An elevating cord 5 is inserted into the slat 3 in the vicinity of the support position of the ladder tape 2, and the bottom rail 4 is suspended and supported at the lower end of the elevating cord 5. An upper end of the lifting / lowering cord 5 is wound around a winding shaft 7 rotatably supported by a support member 6 disposed in the head box 1.

  A pulley 12 is rotatably supported at one end of the head box 1, and an endless ball chain 9 is hooked on the pulley 12. When the ball chain 9 is operated to rotate the pulley 12 in the forward and reverse directions, the winding shaft 7 is rotated via the gear box 10 and the lifting shaft 12a, and the lifting cord 5 is wound around the winding shaft 7. The slat 3 and the bottom rail 4 are moved up and down by being taken up or rewound.

  When the pulley 12 is rotated, the tilt drum 13 is rotated via the gear box 10, the tilt unit 11, the tilt shaft 12 b and the like, and each slat 3 is rotated via the ladder tape 2. ing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ball chain 9 has synthetic resin balls 15 formed on a polyester main cord 14 at equal intervals. Each ball 15 is formed by forming a long spherical solid body on the surface of the main cord 14 with a molding machine, and each ball 15 is fixed to the main cord 14 so as not to move. Both end portions of the main cord 14 are connected by a connecting portion 16 to form an endless ball chain 9.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connecting portion 16 has a configuration in which two first connecting members 41 having the same configuration are connected by a cylindrical second connecting member 42.
As shown in FIG. 5, the first connecting member 41 is formed with a hemispherical portion 20 that is half the shape of the ball 15 at one end of a connecting cord 19 made of the same material as the main cord 14 and at the other end. One fitting portion 43 is formed. A ball 44 having the same shape as the ball 15 is fixed between the hemispherical portion 20 and the first fitting portion 43, and the distance between the first fitting portion 43 and the ball 44 and the ball 44 and the hemispherical portion 20. Is the same as the interval between the balls 15.

The hemispherical portion 20 and the first fitting portion 43 are formed at both ends of the connecting cord 19 with the same synthetic resin as the balls 15 and 44.
The base end portion of the first fitting portion 43 is formed in a hemispherical shape similar to the end portion of the ball 15, and a round shaft-like fitting protrusion is formed at the distal end portion of the first fitting portion 43. 45 is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, an enlarged diameter portion 46 is formed in line symmetry with respect to the center of the round shaft on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the fitting protrusion 45. A locking recess 47 having a semicircular cross section is formed in the middle. Further, chamfers 54 are formed on the distal end side and the proximal end side of the expanded diameter portion 46.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, a rotation restricting portion 48 that protrudes in the radial direction of the round shaft is formed in the base end portion of the fitting protrusion 45 in a line-symmetric manner with respect to the center. Each rotation restricting portion 48 is formed at a position 45 degrees away from the engaging recess 47 in the circumferential direction with respect to the center of the round shaft.

  The second connecting member 42 is formed into a cylindrical shape with the same synthetic resin as the first fitting portion 43 and the balls 15, 44, and as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, openings 49 a, 49b is formed in a bowl shape in which the front end portion including the enlarged diameter portion 46 of the fitting projection 45 can be inserted. In addition, the openings 49a and 49b have shapes in which the direction of the bowl shape is rotated 90 degrees with respect to the center of the cylinder.

  A circular hole (fitting hole) 50 having a diameter that allows the tip of the fitting protrusion 45 to turn is formed inside the second connecting member 42. Further, locking portions 51a and 51b that prevent the bulging portion 46 from coming out of the circular hole 50 are formed on the opening edge in the short axis direction of the flange shape of the opening portion 49a, respectively. Locking portions 51c and 51d are formed on the opening edge in the minor axis direction to prevent the bulging portion 46 from coming out of the circular hole 50, respectively.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a chamfer 53 is provided at the boundary between the locking portions 51 a to 51 d and the circular hole 50, and when the fitting protrusion 45 is pulled out from the circular hole 50, the chamfering is performed. By the action of 53 and 54, the locking portions 51a to 51d are prevented from being damaged.

In addition, locking projections 52 that engage with the locking recesses 47 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the circular hole 50 inside the locking portions 51a and 51c, respectively.
In order to connect the first connecting member 41 and the second connecting member 42, the fitting protrusion 45 of the first fitting portion 43 is inserted into the opening 49 a of the second connecting member 42, One fitting portion 43 is rotated 90 degrees clockwise with respect to the second connecting member 42. Then, the locking recess 47 of the fitting protrusion 45 engages with the locking protrusion 52 in the circular hole 50, and the rotation restricting portion 48 moves from the bowl-shaped corner of the opening 49a to the adjacent corner. Then, the positioning is performed as shown in FIG.

  Similarly, the first connecting member 41 is inserted into the other opening 49b of the second connecting member 42 and rotated 90 degrees for positioning. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the first connecting member 41 is connected via the second connecting member 42.

In this state, the enlarged diameter portion 46 of the fitting protrusion 45 of each first connecting member engages with the locking portions 51 a to 51 d of the second connecting member 42, and the circular hole of the second connecting member 42. 50.
This holding force is set so that the fitting protrusion 45 does not come off from the second connecting member 42 with a normal pulling force acting on the ball chain 9 during a normal slat raising / lowering operation and a slat angle adjusting operation. Yes. And only when a large tensile force exceeding the normal tensile force is applied to the ball chain 9, the second connecting member 42 is connected to the second connecting member 42 by the expanded diameter portion 46 of the fitting protrusion 45 due to the elasticity of the synthetic resin of the second connecting member 42. The opening portions 49 a and 49 b of the member 42 are pushed and expanded so that the fitting protrusion 45 is detached from the second connecting member 42.

Further, the outer shape in the state where the first fitting portion 43 is fitted on both sides of the second connecting member 42 is formed to be the same shape as the ball 15.
The hemispherical portion 20 of the first connecting member 41 is fixed to the hemispherical portions 15 a formed at both ends of the main cord 14 to form a ball having the same shape as the ball 15. When the first connecting member 41 is connected by the second connecting member 42, an endless ball chain 9 is formed.

  In the ball chain 9 configured as described above, balls having the same shape are formed at the same interval over the entire length of the main cord 14 of the ball chain 9 and the connecting cord 19 of the connecting portion 16. Therefore, the ball chain 9 can circulate around the pulley 12 without limitation.

With the ball chain configured as described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) Balls of the same shape are formed at the same interval over the entire length of the main cord 14 of the ball chain 9 and the connecting cord 19 of the connecting portion 16. Therefore, the ball chain 9 can be rotated around the pulley 12 without limitation, and the slat can be lifted and lowered.
(2) When a large pulling force exceeding the normal pulling force is applied to the ball chain 9, one of the first connecting members 41 of the connecting portion 16 and the second connecting member 42 are disengaged (such a function). Is referred to as “fail-safe function”). Therefore, when the endless edge of the ball chain is caught by a resident or other moving object moving in the room, the ball chain 9 is cut at the connecting portion 16 to ensure the safety of the resident, and the ball chain 9 is mounted. It is possible to prevent damage to the pulley 12 and the like.
(3) After the fitting of the connecting portion 16 is released, the endless ball chain 9 can be easily regenerated by re-fitting the first connecting member 41 and the second connecting member 42.
(4) A configuration in which the fitting protrusion 45 is fitted to the second connecting member 42 by inserting the fitting protrusion 45 into the openings 49 a and 49 b of the second connecting member 42 and rotating the fitting protrusion 45 by 90 degrees. It was. Therefore, the operating force for fitting the fitting protrusion 45 to the second connecting member 42 is lighter than that of the first embodiment, and the fitting protrusion 45 is connected to the second connecting member 42. Sufficient holding force can be secured.
(5) The 1st connection member 41 connected with the 2nd connection member 42 is hold | maintained in the state from which the fitting protrusion 45 shifted | deviated 90 degree | times. Therefore, when a tensile force is applied to each fitting protrusion 45, the expanded diameter portion 46 of each fitting protrusion 45 pushes the openings 49a and 49b of the second connecting member 42 in a direction shifted by 90 degrees from each other. Therefore, it is easy to ensure the holding force.
(6) When the fitting protrusion 45 is pulled out from the circular hole 50 by the chamfer 53, the locking portions 51a to 51d can be prevented from being damaged.
You may implement the said embodiment in the following aspects.
-You may form the 1st fitting part 43 and the 2nd connection member 42 with the material whose rigidity is larger than a synthetic resin. In this case, the fail-safe function cannot be obtained, but even if a strong force is applied to the ball chain 9, it is not looped, so that it is possible to avoid unlooping unexpectedly.
-The joint surface of the hemispherical portion 15a and the hemispherical portions 20 and 24 may be inclined with respect to the axial center of the hemispherical portion 15a and the hemispherical portions 20 and 24 to increase the area of the joint surface.
Instead of the chamfer 53 in the second connecting member 42, a step having a right-angle cross section may be used.

(Method for manufacturing ball chain 9)
Next, the manufacturing method of the ball chain 9 of this embodiment is demonstrated using FIGS. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an overall image of the manufacturing process of the ball chain 9. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the manufacturing process of the main code 14. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing process of the first connecting member 41. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a process of joining the first connecting member 41 to the main cord. FIGS. 19A to 19B are front views for explaining the manufacturing process of the main cord 14 in step SA1. FIG. 20 is a front view for explaining a manufacturing process of the first connecting member 41. FIG. 21 is a front view for explaining a manufacturing process of a modified example of the first connecting member 41. 22A to 22B are front views showing a process of cutting the main cord 14. FIGS. 23A to 23B are front views showing another example of the step of cutting the main cord 14.

(1) Manufacturing the main cord 14 In step SA1, the main cord 14 is manufactured. Step SA1 specifically includes steps SB1 and SB2 shown in FIG. In step SB1, as shown in FIG. 19A, fibers such as polyester are knitted to form a cord 14b. Next, in step SB2, as shown in FIG. 19B, a large number of balls 15 are outsert-formed on the cord 14b at equal intervals, and the production of the main cord 14 is completed.

(2) Manufacturing of first connecting member 41 In step SA2, the first connecting member 41 is manufactured. In this embodiment, step SA2 is specifically composed of steps SC1 to SC3 shown in FIG. In step SC1, as shown in FIG. 20A, a cord 19 is formed by weaving fibers such as polyester. Next, in step SC2, as shown in FIG. 20B, the hemispherical portion 20, the ball 44, and the first fitting portion 43 are outsert-molded on the cord 19. The first fitting portion 43 has a solid fitting protrusion 45. Next, in step SC3, the cord 19 is cut at the end of the hemispherical portion 20 and the end of the first fitting portion 43 (the position of the arrow B in FIG. 20B), as shown in FIG. The structure is obtained and the manufacture of the first connecting member 41 is completed. The ball 44 may be provided with a mark (referred to as “cavity NO”) for identifying the mold used for manufacturing the first connecting member 41. This is because it becomes easy to trace which mold the first connecting member 41 is manufactured when a problem occurs in the quality or the like of the first connecting member 41. In addition, the ball | bowl 44 can be abbreviate | omitted and the 1st connection member 41 is manufactured as shown to Fig.21 (a)-(c) in that case.
According to the method of the present embodiment, the first connecting member 41 is manufactured by cutting the cord at an appropriate position after outsert-molding a large number of hemisphere portions and fittings on the cord. The first connecting member 41 can be easily produced in large quantities.

(3) Manufacturing of second connecting member 42 In step SA3, the second connecting member 42 shown in FIGS. 4 and 9 to 13 is manufactured by injection molding. The 2nd connection member 42 is a cylindrical member which has a pair of opening part 49a, 49b, and has a pair of 2nd fitting part which consists of the fitting hole 50 which has locking parts 51a-51d. As described above, in the two-part connecting portion, the manufacturing of the second connecting member usually requires a plurality of processes. However, in the present embodiment, the second connecting member 42 is formed by only one process of injection molding. Can be manufactured.

(4) Joining the first connecting member 41 to the main cord 14 In step SA4, the first connecting member 41 is joined to the main cord 14. In this embodiment, step SA4 is specifically composed of steps SD1 to SD2 shown in FIG. In step SD1, the main cord 14 is cut so that the loop length of the ball chain 9 becomes a desired length. In one example, the main cord 14 is cut at two places as shown by the dotted line A in FIG. 22A to obtain a structure as shown in FIG. The main cord 14 is cut so that both ends thereof become the hemispherical portion 15a. In another example, as shown in FIG. 23 (a), one end of the main cord 14 is made into a hemispherical portion 15a at the time of outsert molding, and in step SD1, the main cord 14 is main at one place as shown by the dotted line A in FIG. The cord 14 may be cut to obtain a structure as shown in FIG. Further, when the length of the ball chain 9 is determined, the step SD1 can be omitted by forming both ends of the main cord 14 at the hemispherical portion 15a when the main cord 14 is formed. In step SD2, the hemispherical portion 20 of the first connecting member 41 is joined to each hemispherical portion 15a at both ends of the main cord 14 (welding, bonding, caulking, sewing, etc.). As a result, the first connecting member 41 is joined to the main cord 14.

(5) Connection of first connecting member 41 and second connecting member 42 In step SA5, the first connecting member 41 and the second connecting member 42 are connected. Specifically, the first connecting member 41 and the second connecting member 42 are arranged as shown in FIG. 4, and the fitting protrusion 45 of one first connecting member 41 is arranged as the second connecting member 42. The first connecting member 41 is fixed to the second connecting member 42 by being inserted into the opening 49a and rotated. Next, by inserting the fitting protrusion 45 of the other first connecting member 41 into the opening 49b of the second connecting member 42 and turning it, the first connecting member 41 is connected to the second connecting member 41. It fixes with respect to the member 42. FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, a structure in which a pair of first connecting members 41 and one second connecting member 42 are connected to each other is obtained. By this step, a loop-shaped ball chain 9 is obtained.

(Second embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the “operation code” in the claims is the ball chain 9.
The configuration and manufacturing method of the ball chain 9 of the present embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment, but the enlarged diameter portion extends over the entire outer periphery of the fitting protrusion 45 of the first connecting member 41. The difference from the first embodiment is that 46 is provided. The first connecting member 41 of the present embodiment can be manufactured by the same method as that of the first embodiment except that the shape of the mold for outsert molding of the first fitting portion 43 is different. it can. Further, the first connecting member 41 and the second connecting member 42 in this embodiment elastically move the fitting protrusion 45 of the first connecting member 41 and the fitting hole 50 of the second connecting member 42. Can be connected to each other.

(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the “operation code” in the claims is the ball chain 9.
As shown in FIG. 25, the ball chain 9 has synthetic resin balls 15 formed on a polyester main cord 14 at equal intervals. Each ball 15 is formed by forming a long spherical solid body on the surface of the main cord 14 with a molding machine, and each ball 15 is fixed to the main cord 14 so as not to move.

  Both end portions of the main cord 14 are connected by a connecting portion 16 to form an endless ball chain 9. As shown in FIG. 26, the connecting portion 16 has a configuration in which two first connecting members 17 having the same configuration are connected by a second connecting member 18.

  In the first connecting member 17, a hemispherical portion 20 having a half shape of the ball 15 is outsert-molded at one end of a connecting cord 19 made of the same material as the main cord 14, and a first fitting portion is formed at the other end. 21 is formed. The interval between the first fitting portion 21 and the hemispherical portion 20 is the same as the interval between the balls 15.

  The first fitting portion 21 is a ball having the same shape as the ball 15 provided with a fitting recess 72, and the second connecting member 18 is fitted to the fitting recess 72. In this configuration, the mating protrusions 73 are provided at both ends of the shaft portion 74.

  The second connecting member 18 is formed integrally with a synthetic resin, and as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, round shaft-like fitting protrusions 73 are formed in line symmetry on both ends of the shaft portion 74, The central axis of the round shaft and the central axis of the shaft portion 74 are formed so as to be orthogonal to each other.

  As shown in FIGS. 29 to 32, the fitting recess 72 has a fitting hole 75 formed in a direction orthogonal to the central axis of the connecting cord 19, and the fitting hole 75 defines the fitting protrusion 73. It has a diameter that can be easily inserted.

  The fitting hole 75 is opened toward the opposite side of the connecting cord 19 by an opening groove 76 having a narrower groove width than the diameter of the fitting hole 75, and the opening groove 76 has the second connecting member 18. An insertion hole 77 through which the shaft portion 74 can be inserted is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 26, the first and second connecting members 17, 18 configured in this way are fitted into the fitting holes 75 of the first connecting member 17. When the portion 73 is inserted in a direction orthogonal to the connecting cord 19, the first connecting member 17 is connected by the second connecting member 18.

  In this state, the round shaft-like fitting protrusion 73 is held in the fitting hole 75, and the holding force is a normal tensile force acting on the ball chain 9 during a normal slat raising / lowering operation and a slat angle adjusting operation. The mating protrusion 73 is set so as not to be detached from the fitting hole 75. Only when a large pulling force exceeding the normal pulling force is applied to the ball chain 9, the opening groove 76 is pushed and expanded by the fitting protrusion 73 by the elasticity of the synthetic resin of the first connecting member 17. The mating protrusion 73 is configured to be detached from the fitting hole 75.

Further, the outer shape in a state where the fitting protrusion 73 is fitted to the first fitting portion 21 is formed to be substantially the same shape as the ball 15.
The hemispherical portion 20 of the first connecting member 17 is fixed to a hemispherical portion 15 a that is outsert-molded at both ends of the main cord 14 to form a ball having the same shape as the ball 15. When the first connecting member 17 is connected by the second connecting member 18, an endless ball chain 9 is formed.

In the ball chain 9 of this embodiment, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) Balls of the same shape are formed at the same interval over the entire length of the main cord 14 of the ball chain 9, the connecting cord 19 of the connecting portion 16, and the shaft portion 24. Therefore, the ball chain 9 can be rotated around the pulley 12 without limitation, and the slat can be lifted and lowered.
(2) When a large tensile force exceeding the normal tensile force is applied to the ball chain 9, the fitting protrusion 73 of the connecting portion 16 and the fitting hole 75 are disengaged. Therefore, when the endless edge of the ball chain 9 is caught by a resident or other moving object moving in the room, the ball chain 9 is cut to ensure the safety of the resident and the pulley on which the ball chain 9 is hung. A fail-safe function for preventing damage such as 12 can be provided.
(3) After the fitting protrusion 73 of the connecting portion 16 and the fitting hole 75 are disengaged, if the fitting protrusion 73 is refitted into the fitting hole 75, the endless ball chain 9 is obtained. Can be easily reproduced.
(4) Since the fitting protrusion 73 is inserted into the fitting recess 72 of the first connecting member 17 in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the connecting cord 19, the fitting protrusion 73 is fitted. 73 can be fitted to the first connecting member 17 with a slight operating force, and a sufficient holding force for holding the fitting protrusion 73 on the first connecting member 17 can be ensured.
(5) When fitting the fitting protrusion 73 into the fitting hole 75, a tool or the like is not required. Therefore, the assembling work of the ball chain 9 and the work of re-fitting the fitting protrusion 73 into the fitting hole 75 can be easily performed.

You may implement the said embodiment in the following aspects.
The second connecting member 18 may be formed with fitting protrusions 23 at both ends of a cord made of the same material as the main cord 14.
The fitting protrusion 23 may be a shaft having a polygonal cross section in addition to a round shaft.
-The joint surface of the hemispherical part 15a and the hemispherical part 20 may be inclined with respect to the axial center of the hemispherical part 15a and the hemispherical part 20 to increase the area of the joint surface.
The connecting portion 16 may be provided at an intermediate portion of the lifting / lowering cord or the operation cord that is suspended from the head box of the horizontal blind and connected to the bottom rail so as to have a fail-safe function. In this case, the connecting cord 19 of the first connecting member 17 of the first embodiment is sewn to the end of the lifting / lowering cord or the operation cord, and the first connecting member 17 is connected by the second connecting member 18. To do. Alternatively, the main cord 14 of the second embodiment is sewn to the end portion of the lifting / lowering cord or the operation cord, and the fitting projection 23 is fitted to the first fitting portion 21.

(Method for manufacturing ball chain 9)
The ball chain 9 of this embodiment can be manufactured according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will be focused on parts different from the first embodiment.
(1) Manufacturing the main cord 14 In step SA1, the main cord 14 is manufactured. The main cord 14 can be manufactured by the same method as in the first embodiment.
(2) Manufacturing of first connecting member 17 In step SA2, the first connecting member 17 is manufactured. Step SA2 specifically includes steps SE1 to SE4 shown in FIG. In step SE1, as shown in FIG. 35A, fibers such as polyester are knitted to form the cord 19. Next, in step SE2, as shown in FIG. 35B, the hemispherical portion 20 and the precursor 21a of the first fitting portion 21 are outsert-molded on the cord 19. Next, in step SE3, the cord 19 is cut at the end of the hemispherical portion 20 and the end of the precursor 21a of the first fitting portion 21 (position indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 35B). The structure shown in c) is obtained. Next, in step SE4, as shown in FIG. 35 (d), the first fitting portion 21 is formed by digging the fitting recess 72 into the precursor 25a, and FIG. ) Is obtained, and the manufacture of the first connecting member 17 is completed.

(3) Manufacturing of second connecting member 42 In step SA3, the second connecting member 18 shown in FIGS. 26 to 28 is manufactured by injection molding. The 2nd connection member 18 has the axial part 74 and the fitting protrusion 73 provided in the both ends. The fitting protrusion 23 and the shaft portion 24 may be integrally formed with synthetic resins having different hardnesses. In this case, the fitting protrusion 23 is made of a hard synthetic resin, and the shaft portion 24 is made of a soft synthetic resin.

(4) Joining the first connecting member 41 to the main cord 14 In step SA4, the first connecting member 41 is joined to the main cord 14. This step can be performed by the same method as in the first embodiment.

(5) Connection of first connecting member 17 and second connecting member 18 In step SA5, the first connecting member 17 and the second connecting member 18 are arranged as shown in FIG. One fitting protrusion 73 of 18 is inserted into the fitting recess 72 of one first connecting member 17, and the first connecting member 17 is fixed to the second connecting member 18. Next, the other fitting protrusion 73 of the second connecting member 18 is inserted into the fitting recess 72 of the other first connecting member 17, and the first connecting member 17 is inserted into the second connecting member. 18 is fixed. Thus, as shown in FIG. 25, a structure in which a pair of first connecting members 17 and one second connecting member 18 are connected to each other is obtained. By this step, a loop-shaped ball chain 9 is obtained.

(Fourth embodiment)
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in terms of the fitting structure of the connecting portion 16, but the “operation cord” is the ball chain 9 in the first embodiment, whereas the present embodiment In the embodiment, the cross-sectional area does not substantially change along the longitudinal direction that is not the ball chain as shown in FIG. 36 (may be slightly changed. For example, the cross-sectional area in the vicinity of the connecting portion 16 is slightly different as shown in FIG. The operation code 98 may be reduced).

  As shown in FIG. 36, the operation cord 98 is formed in an endless shape by connecting both ends of the main cord 14 with a connecting portion 16. The main cord 14 is a core 86a formed of polyester, nylon or the like and covered with an outer cord 86b knitted with polyester, and the linearity of the operation cord 98 is secured by the core 86a. Durability in the direction of elongation is ensured.

As shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, the connecting portion 16 has a configuration in which two first connecting members 41 having the same configuration are connected by a cylindrical second connecting member 42. In the first connecting member 41, a first fitting portion 43 is molded of a synthetic resin at one end of a connecting cord 19 made of the same material as the core 86a of the main cord 14. A base end portion of the first fitting portion 43 is formed in the hemispherical shape, and a round shaft-like fitting protrusion 45 is formed at a distal end portion of the first fitting portion 43. The detailed configuration of the fitting protrusion 45 of the first connecting member 41 is as described in the first embodiment.
The second connecting member 42 is formed into a cylindrical shape with the same synthetic resin as the first fitting portion 43. The openings 49 a and 49 b on both sides of the second connecting member 42 are formed in a bowl shape that allows insertion of the tip end portion including the enlarged diameter portion 46 of the fitting protrusion 45. The detailed configuration of the inside of the second connecting member 42 is as described in the first embodiment.

  In order to attach the first connecting member 41 to the main cord 14, as shown in FIG. 36, the core 86a at both ends of the main cord 14 is removed to form a space in the axial center portion. The connecting cord 19 of the first connecting member 41 is inserted into each. When the outer cord 86b and the connecting cord 19 are sewn in this state, the first connecting member 41 is attached to the main cord 14.

  The fitting structure of the connection part 16 of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained for the connection part 16.

(Manufacturing method of the operation cord 98)
The operation cord 98 of this embodiment can be manufactured according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will be focused on parts different from the first embodiment.
(1) Manufacturing the main cord 14 In step SA1, the main cord 14 is manufactured. The main cord 14 can be manufactured by covering a core 86a formed of polyester, nylon, or the like with an outer cord 86b knitted from polyester.

(2) Manufacturing of first connecting member 41 In step SA2, the first connecting member 41 is manufactured. Step SA2 specifically includes steps SF1 to SF3 shown in FIG. In step SF1, as shown in FIG. 40A, fibers such as polyester are knitted to form the cord 19. Next, in step SF2, the first fitting portion 43 is outsert-molded on the cord 19. Next, in step SF3, the cord 19 is cut at the end of the first fitting portion 43 (position of arrow B in FIG. 40B) to obtain the structure shown in FIG. The manufacturing of the connecting member 41 is completed.

(3) Manufacturing of the second connecting member 42 In step SA3, the second connecting member 42 is manufactured. The 2nd connection member 42 can be manufactured by the same method as 1st embodiment.

(4) Joining the first connecting member 41 to the main cord 14 In step SA4, the first connecting member 41 is joined to the main cord 14. In this step, as shown in FIG. 36, the core 86a at both ends of the main cord 14 cut to a desired length is removed to form a space in the axial center, and the first connecting member is formed in the space. Forty-one connecting cords 19 are inserted, and the outer cord 86b and the connecting cord 19 are sewn in this state.

(5) Connection of first connecting member 41 and second connecting member 42 In step SA5, the first connecting member 41 and the second connecting member 42 are connected. This step can be performed by the same method as in the first embodiment.
The loop-like operation cord 98 is obtained through the above steps.

(Fifth embodiment)
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the “operation code” in the claims is the ball chain 9.

A ball chain 9 shown in FIG. 41 has synthetic resin balls 15 formed on a polyester main cord 14 at equal intervals.
Each ball 15 is formed by forming a long spherical solid body on the surface of the main cord 14 with a molding machine, and each ball 15 is fixed to the main cord 14 so as not to move.

  Both end portions of the main cord 14 are connected by a connecting portion 16 to form an endless ball chain 9. As shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, the connecting portion 16 includes two first connecting members 41 having the same configuration and a cylindrical second connecting member 42 formed on both ends of the main cord 14. Are to be connected.

  The connecting portion 16 connects the main cord 14 to form an endless ball chain 9, and in a state where the ball chain 9 is hooked on a pulley, the connecting portion 16 abuts on the pulley and the pulley case, and a roll screen or the like. Acts as a stopper for setting the upper limit position of the lifting operation. And the 1st connection member 41 is formed with the external dimension which cannot pass between a pulley and pulley cases.

Here, a specific configuration of the first connecting member 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. 44 to 45.
The first connecting member 41 is formed of a synthetic resin in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a locking hole 82 opened in an oval shape is provided on the upper surface thereof so that the ball 15b can be inserted. As shown in FIG. 45, an insertion hole 83 connected to the locking hole 82 is opened at the center of the base end surface of the first connection member 41, and the insertion hole 83 is connected to the first connection via the guide groove 84. An opening is formed on the upper surface of the member 41.

  Then, when the ball 15b formed at the end of the main cord 14 is inserted into the locking hole 82 and the main cord 14a connected to the ball 15b is inserted into the insertion hole 83 from the guide groove 84, the ball 15b is locked. 42 is held in the hole 82 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.

  The fitting structure of the connecting portion 16 is the same as in the first embodiment.

  In the ball chain 9 configured as described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, as a specific effect of the present embodiment, the first connecting member 41 and the second connecting member 42 are formed by forming the first connecting member 41 with an outer dimension that cannot pass between the pulley and the pulley case. It can be mentioned that the ball chain 9 can be prevented from coming off from the pulley in the separated state. In addition, what is necessary is just to take out the ball | bowl 15b from the latching hole 82, when removing the ball chain 9 from a pulley.

You may implement the said embodiment in the following aspects.
-Ball chain 9 is good also as a string-like cord provided with ball 15b only at the end. Moreover, you may make it a code | cord | chord as shown in 3rd embodiment-4th embodiment.

(Method for manufacturing ball chain 9)
The ball chain 9 of this embodiment can be manufactured according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will be focused on parts different from the first embodiment.
(1) Manufacturing the main cord 14 In step SA1, the main cord 14 is manufactured. The main cord 14 can be basically manufactured by the same method as in the first embodiment. However, when the step of cutting the main cord 14 as a subsequent step is omitted, as shown in FIG. 46, the both ends of the main cord 14 are engaged with the locking holes 82 of the first connecting member 41. A ball 15b is formed.

(2) Manufacturing of first connecting member 41 In step SA2, the first connecting member 41 having the locking holes 82 shown in FIGS. 44 to 45 is manufactured by injection molding.

(3) Manufacturing of the second connecting member 42 In step SA3, the second connecting member 42 is manufactured. The 2nd connection member 42 can be manufactured by the same method as 1st embodiment.

(4) Joining the first connecting member 41 to the main cord 14 In step SA4, the first connecting member 41 is joined to the main cord 14. If the length of the main cord 14 is not adjusted, this step can be performed by engaging the balls 14 b at both ends of the main cord 14 in the locking holes 82 of the first connecting member 41. When the length of the main cord 14 is adjusted, the main cord 14 is cut at a position as shown by an arrow A in FIG. 47A, so that the balls 14b at both ends as shown in FIG. And the ball 14 b is engaged in the locking hole 82 of the first connecting member 41.

(5) Connection of first connecting member 41 and second connecting member 42 In step SA5, the first connecting member 41 and the second connecting member 42 are connected. This step can be performed by the same method as in the first embodiment.
The loop-shaped ball chain 9 is obtained through the above steps.

(Sixth embodiment)
A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the “operation code” is an operation code 98 that is thin at the connecting portion 16.

  FIG. 48 is a front view showing an operation cord 98 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view showing the connecting portion 16 constituting the operation cord 98 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 50 is an exploded perspective view showing the connecting portion 16 constituting the operation cord 98 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 48, the operation cord 98 is formed in an endless shape by connecting both ends of the main cord 14 with a connecting portion 16. The main cord 14 has a cylindrical shape, and both ends thereof are tapered. For example, a polyester resin can be suitably used for the main cord 14. However, the main cord 14 is not particularly limited as long as the material thereof is a thermoplastic resin having a predetermined strength or more, and may be made of a resin other than a polyester resin or a polyamide resin. Further, a core formed of a polyester resin or a polyamide resin may be covered with an outer cord knitted with a polyester resin. With this configuration, the linearity of the operation cord 98 is ensured by the center core, and the durability in the extending direction can be secured.

  As shown in FIGS. 49 and 50, the connecting portion 16 has a configuration in which a pair of first connecting members 41 are connected by a second connecting member 42 installed between them. The connecting portion 16 in which these three members are formed has a columnar shape, and is formed such that its outer diameter, that is, the outer diameter M in the lateral direction is smaller than the maximum diameter P of the main cord 14. However, the outer diameter M of the connecting portion 16 may be formed to be the same as the maximum diameter P of the main cord 14. Since the connecting portion 16 is formed as described above, whether the outer diameter M in the lateral direction is the same as the maximum diameter P of the main cord 14 when the operation cord 98 is operated to rotate the pulley in the forward and reverse directions. Alternatively, the connecting portion 16 of the operation cord 98 formed so as to be small has little fear of coming into contact with the inside of the pulley case. In addition, the risk of the connecting portion 16 being caught in a recess formed in the peripheral surface of the pulley is reduced. As a result, the operation cord 98 can be smoothly circulated. Further, the length of the connecting portion 16 in the vertical direction is formed to be 1.2 to 2.5 times the maximum diameter P of the main cord 14. For example, when the maximum diameter P of the main cord 14 is 5.5 mm, the length of the connecting portion 16 may be 7 mm. For this reason, the pulley can be rotated more smoothly without the connecting portion 16 hitting the inside of the pulley case.

  In addition, flange portions 81 for fitting the first connecting members 41 are provided at the tips of the tapered portions of the both ends of the main cord 14 made of thermoplastic resin. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 49, the flange portion 81 is formed in a ring shape so as to have a larger diameter than the smallest diameter portion on the tip side that is tapered and smaller than the largest diameter P. . The flange portion 81 is for sufficiently securing the bonding strength with the first connecting member 41. If the strength can be sufficiently secured, the shape of the flange portion 81 is particularly limited. Alternatively, it may be a gear shape. Further, the outer diameter R1 of the flange portion 81 is formed to be between 1.05 and 1.3 times the minimum diameter R2 of the main cord 14. The value of R1 / R2 is preferably set to 1.1 to 1.2 in terms of the ease of forming the flange portion 81 and the strength of the outsert molding with the first connecting member 41.

  Various methods can be employed for attaching the first connecting member 41 to the tips of both ends of the main cord 14. For example, first, heat is applied in a state where the tips of both ends of the main cord 14 are compressed, and a ring-shaped flange portion 81 is formed at the tip of the main cord 14 using a prepared mold. And the 1st connection member 41 which has the latching | locking part 99 so that the said flange part 81 may be covered is outsert-molded. When such outsert molding is performed, both ends of the main cord 14 are fixed to the first connecting member 41 with high bonding strength. However, the method of integrating the first connecting member 41 with the main cord 14 is not limited to the method described above. For example, the first connecting member 41 having the locking portion 99 may be formed in advance, and the flange portions 81 formed at both ends of the main cord 14 may be fitted to the first connecting member 41.

  As shown in FIG. 49, the diameter of the main cord 14 gradually decreases as the distance between each flange portion 81 and the portion having the maximum diameter P of the main cord 14 approaches each flange portion 81. Such a reduced diameter portion 80 is formed. Therefore, both end portions of the main cord 14 are easily coupled to the first connecting member 41 constituting the connecting portion 16, and the outer diameter M in the lateral direction of the connecting portion 16 is set to the maximum diameter P of the main cord 14. It is easy to make it the same or smaller.

  The fitting structure of the connection part 16 of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained for the connection part 16.

(Manufacturing method of the operation cord 98)
The operation cord 98 of this embodiment can be manufactured according to the flowchart shown in FIG. In this embodiment, since the first connecting member 41 is outsert-molded into the main cord 14, the manufacturing process of the first connecting member 41 is not provided as an independent process. For other points, the flowchart shown in FIG. 51 is the same as the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

(1) Production of main cord 14 In step SG1, the main cord 14 is produced. The main cord 14 can be manufactured by molding a polyester resin or a polyamide resin into a shape as shown in FIG.

(2) Joining the first connecting member 41 to the main cord 14 In step SG2, the first connecting member 41 is joined to the main cord 14. Step SG2 specifically includes steps SH1 to SH2 shown in FIG. In step SH1, heat is applied in a state where the tips of both ends of the main cord 14 are compressed, and a ring-shaped flange portion 81 shown in FIG. 49 is formed at the tip of the main cord 14 using a prepared mold. Next, in step SH2, the first connecting member 41 is joined to the main cord 14 by outsert-molding the first connecting member 41 having the locking portion 99 so as to cover the flange portion 81. Since the structure of the 1st connection member 41 joined to each of the both ends of the main cord 14 is the same, the outsert molding of the 1st connection member 41 can be performed using a common metal mold | die.
In addition, the 1st connection member 41 which has the latching | locking part 99 is formed by injection molding as another member, and this 1st connection member 41 is fitted to the flange part 81 of the main cord 14, and the 1st connection member 41 may be joined to the main cord 14.

(3) Manufacturing of second connecting member 42 In step SG3, the second connecting member 42 is manufactured. The 2nd connection member 42 can be manufactured by the same method as 1st embodiment.

(4) Connection of first connecting member 41 and second connecting member 42 In step SG4, the first connecting member 41 and the second connecting member 42 are connected. This step can be performed by the same method as in the first embodiment.
The loop-like operation cord 98 is obtained through the above steps.

(Seventh embodiment)
A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the “operation code” in the claims is the ball chain 9.
The configuration and the manufacturing method of the ball chain 9 of this embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment, but in the first embodiment, the hemispherical portion 15a of the main cord 14 and the hemispherical portion of the first connecting member 41 are used. However, the present embodiment is different in that the connecting cord 14e at the end of the main cord 14 and the connecting cord 19a of the first connecting member 41 are joined as shown in FIG. . The fitting structure of the connecting portion 16 of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the manufacturing method of the ball chain 9 of this embodiment is demonstrated.
(Method for manufacturing ball chain 9)
The ball chain 9 of this embodiment can be manufactured according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will be focused on parts different from the first embodiment.
(1) Manufacturing the main cord 14 In step SA1, the main cord 14 is manufactured. The main cord 14 can be basically manufactured by the same method as in the first embodiment. However, in the case where the process of cutting the main cord 14 as a subsequent process is omitted, connecting cords 14e having a length about half the distance between two adjacent balls 15 are formed at both ends of the main cord 14. deep.

(2) Manufacturing of first connecting member 41 In step SA2, the first connecting member 41 is manufactured. Specifically, step SA2 includes steps SJ1 to SJ3 shown in FIG. In step SJ1, as shown in FIG. 56 (a), a cord 19 is formed by weaving fibers such as polyester. Next, in step SJ2, as shown in FIG. 56 (b), the first fitting portion 43 and the ball 44 are outsert-molded on the cord 19. As shown in FIG. 56 (b), the length of the cord 19 between the tip of the fitting projection 45 of the first fitting portion 43 and the ball 44 is equal to two adjacent balls 15 of the main cord 14. It is about half the distance between them. This portion becomes the connection cord 19 a of the first connection member 41. The ball 44 can be omitted. In this case, the length of the cord 19 between the two adjacent first fitting portions 43 is approximately half the distance between the two adjacent balls 15 of the main cord 14. Make length. Next, in step SJ3, the cord 19 is cut at the tip of the fitting protrusion 45 of the first fitting portion 43 (the position indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 56 (b)), and the structure shown in FIG. 56 (c). And the manufacture of the first connecting member 41 is completed.

(3) Manufacturing of the second connecting member 42 In step SA3, the second connecting member 42 is manufactured. The 2nd connection member 42 can be manufactured by the same method as 1st embodiment.

(4) Joining the first connecting member 41 to the main cord 14 In step SA4, the first connecting member 41 is joined to the main cord 14. In the present embodiment, step SA4 is specifically composed of steps SK1 to SK2 shown in FIG. In step SK1, the main cord 14 is cut near the center of two adjacent balls so that the loop length of the ball chain 9 becomes a desired length. In one example, the main cord 14 is cut at two places as indicated by the dotted line A in FIG. 57A to obtain a structure as shown in FIG. The main cord 14 is cut so that a connecting cord 14e having a length of about half the distance between two adjacent balls 15 is formed at both ends. In another example, one end of the main cord 14 is made into the connecting cord 14e at the time of outsert molding, and in step SK1, the main cord 14 is cut at one place as shown by the dotted line A in FIG. A structure as shown in b) may be obtained. Further, when the length of the ball chain 9 is determined, step SK1 can be omitted by forming both ends of the main cord 14 as the connecting cord 14e when the main cord 14 is formed.

  In step SK2, the connecting cord 14e at both ends of the main cord 14 and the connecting cord 19a of the first connecting member 41 are joined. The joining method is not particularly limited, but the connecting cord 14e and the connecting cord 19a are inserted into a known tubular caulking member having a hollow inside, and the connecting cord 14e and the end surface of the connecting cord 19a are abutted against each other. The main cord 14 and the first connecting member 41 can be joined by caulking the caulking member. If manufactured in this way, it is possible to form a ball chain in which the ball 15 and the ball 44 are adjacent to each other at a predetermined distance as in the interval between the balls 15. This joining may be performed by other methods such as welding, adhesion, and sewing.

(5) Connection of first connecting member 41 and second connecting member 42 In step SA5, the first connecting member 41 and the second connecting member 42 are connected. This step can be performed by the same method as in the first embodiment.
The loop-shaped ball chain 9 is obtained through the above steps.

(Eighth embodiment)
An eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the “operation code” in the claims is the ball chain 9.
In the ball chain 9 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 59, the structure of the connecting portions 16a and 16b is the same as that of the connecting portion 16 of the first embodiment, but in the first embodiment, one connecting portion 16 and 1 In the present embodiment, the two connecting portions 16a and 16b are fixed to the first and second main cords 14c and 14d, whereas the two main cords 14 are fixed to produce the loop-shaped ball chain 9. The difference is that one loop-shaped ball chain 9 is manufactured.

Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in more detail.
FIG. 60 shows a horizontal blind operating device, in which a pulley 12 is rotatably supported by a case 61 attached to one end of a head box.

  An endless ball chain 9 is mounted on the pulley 12, and a guide 64 is formed on the case 61 from the upper side to the rear side of the pulley 12 to prevent the ball chain 9 from falling off the pulley 12.

  Behind the ball chain 9, the lower end of the guide 64 extends along the outer peripheral surface of the pulley 12 to the vicinity of the lower edge of the pulley 12 to form a guide end 64 a that protrudes in the shape of a bowl. Yes.

  The ball chain 9 is always suspended from the pulley 12, and at the time of operation, one of the ball chains 9 is pulled downward or obliquely downward toward the room interior as indicated by a chain line in FIG. When the pulley 12 is rotated by the operation of the ball chain 9, the slat is lifted or lowered via the slat lifting device and the slat angle adjusting device arranged in the head box.

  The ball chain 9 is connected in two places by connecting portions 16a and 16b, and is formed in an endless shape. 60 and 61, the interval between the connecting portions 16a and 16b is such that when one of the connecting portions 16a and 16b engages with the pulley 12, the other does not engage with the pulley 12. Is set. The structure of the connection parts 16a and 16b is the same as that of the connection part 16 of 1st embodiment.

  In the ball chain 9 configured in this way, balls of the same shape are formed at the same interval over the entire length of the cord 14 and the connecting cord 19 of the connecting portions 16a and 16b. Therefore, the ball chain 9 can circulate around the pulley 12 without limitation.

  Next, the operation of the horizontal blind provided with the ball chain 9 as described above will be described. As shown in FIG. 60, when the ball chain 9 suspended from the pulley 12 is operated to rotate the pulley 12, the slat is lifted or lowered.

  At this time, neither of the connecting portions 16a and 16b engages with the pulley 12, or, as shown in FIG. 60, when one engages with the pulley 12, the other does not engage with the pulley 12.

  When the endless edge of the ball chain 9 is caught by a resident or other moving object, for example, when the ball chain 9 is pulled obliquely toward the outdoor side as shown in FIG. F acts.

  At this time, if neither of the connecting portions 16a and 16b is engaged with the pulley 12, at least one of the connecting portions 16a and 16 is divided. Further, as shown in FIG. 61, in a state where the connecting portion 16a is engaged with the pulley 12, the tensile force F acts on the guide end portion 64a and the protruding portion 12a of the pulley 12 and hardly acts on the connecting portion 16a. . Accordingly, the connecting portion 16a is difficult to be divided, but the connecting portion 16b is not engaged with the pulley 12, and therefore is divided by the tensile force F.

Similarly, when the connecting portion 16b is engaged with the pulley 12, the connecting portion 16a is not engaged with the pulley 12, so that the connecting portion 16a is divided.
FIG. 62 shows a case where the ball chain 9 is not guided to the lower side of the pulley 12 by the guide 64 and the ball chain 9 is suspended from both sides of the outer peripheral portion of the pulley 12. In this case, since the ball chain 9 is engaged with the pulley 12 with a length that is approximately ½ of the outer peripheral length of the pulley 12, the connecting portions 16 a and 16 b have an interval exceeding ½ of the outer peripheral length of the pulley 12. Position them apart. Then, when the pulling force F in the arrow direction acts on both the ball chains 9, one of the connecting portions 16a and 16b is divided.

  As shown in FIG. 59, the first main cord 14c is fixed to one end of each of the connecting portions 16a and 16b, and the second main cord 14d is attached to the other end of each of the connecting portions 16a and 16b. Is fixed. The second main cord 14d has a length that exceeds 1/2 of the outer peripheral length of the pulley 12, and therefore, the interval between the connecting portion 16a and the connecting portion 16b exceeds 1/2 of the outer peripheral length of the pulley 12. .

With the ball chain 9 configured as described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) When a large tensile force exceeding a normal tensile force is applied to the ball chain 9, at least one of the connecting portions 16a and 16b can be reliably divided. Therefore, when the endless edge of the ball chain 9 is caught by a resident moving in the room or other moving objects, the ball chain 9 is divided at at least one of the connecting portions 16a and 16b to ensure the safety of the resident. In addition, it is possible to prevent damage to the pulley 12 and the like on which the ball chain 9 is mounted.
(2) By setting the interval between the connecting portions 16a and 16b to be equal to or longer than the length of the ball chain 9 engaged with the pulley 12, when a large tensile force is applied, at least one of the connecting portions 16a and 16b is divided. be able to.
(3) When the ball chain 9 is pulled out from the pulley 12 through the guide member such as the guide end portion 64a, the interval between the connecting portions 16a and 16b is set so that the pulley 12 and the ball chain 9 that engages the guide member from the pulley 12 Over the length. Then, when a large tensile force is applied, at least one of the connecting portions 16a and 16b can be divided.
(4) By making the space | interval of connection part 16a, 16b more than the outer peripheral length of the pulley 12, when a big tensile force acts, at least any one of connection part 16a, 16b can be parted.
(5) As shown in FIG. 62, when the ball chain 9 is suspended from both sides of the outer peripheral portion of the pulley 12, the interval between the connecting portions 16 a and 16 b is ½ or more of the outer peripheral length of the pulley 12. The hemispherical portion 20 of the first connecting member 41 is welded to the hemispherical portion 16 a at the end of the cord 15. With such a configuration, when a large tensile force is applied, at least one of the connecting portions 16a and 16b can be divided.

You may implement the said embodiment in the following aspects.
-It is good also considering three or more connection parts as the space | interval of each connection part.
・ When one of the two connecting portions 16a and 16b is located at the top of the pulley 12 and the other is located at the endless edge of the ball chain 9, a resident or other moving object moving in the room is caught on the endless edge. In some cases, the tensile force does not sufficiently act on both the connecting portions. Therefore, it is desirable that the interval between the two connecting portions 16a and 16b be an interval other than a length that is ½ of the entire length of the ball chain 9.
In the above embodiment, the joint surface of the hemispherical portion 15a and the hemispherical portion 20 may be inclined with respect to the axial center of the hemispherical portion 15a and the hemispherical portion 20 to increase the area of the joint surface.

(Method for manufacturing ball chain 9)
The ball chain 9 of this embodiment can be manufactured according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the description will be focused on parts different from the first embodiment.

(1) Manufacturing the main cord 14 In step SA1, the main cord 14 is manufactured. The main cord 14 can be manufactured by the same method as in the first embodiment.

(2) Manufacturing of first connecting member 41 In step SA2, the first connecting member 41 is manufactured. The 1st connection member 41 can be manufactured by the same method as 1st embodiment.

(3) Manufacturing of the second connecting member 42 In step SA3, the second connecting member 42 is manufactured. The 2nd connection member 42 can be manufactured by the same method as 1st embodiment.

(4) Joining the first connecting member 41 to the main cord In step SA4, the first connecting member 41 is joined to the main cord. Step SA4 is specifically composed of steps SI1 to SI3 shown in FIG. 63. In this step, two types of main cords (first and second main cords 14c and 14d shown in FIG. 59) are manufactured. The

In step SI1, the main cord 14 manufactured in step SA1 is cut according to the required loop length, and both ends are made hemispherical portions 15a to obtain the first main cord 14c. In one example, the main cord 14 is cut at two locations as indicated by the dotted line A in FIG. 64A to obtain the first main cord 14c having the structure shown in FIG.
In step SI2, the main cord 14 manufactured in step SA1 is cut with a predetermined length (the number of balls) that matches the diameter of the pulley 12, and both ends are made hemispherical portions 15a to obtain a second main cord 14d. In one example, the main cord 14 is cut at a location as indicated by a dotted line B in FIG. 64 (c) to produce a second main cord 14d as shown in FIG. 64 (d).
In step SI3, the first connection member 41 is fixed (welded, adhered, etc.) to the hemispherical portion 20 of each end of the first and second main cords 14c, 14d, thereby causing the first connection. The member 41 is joined to each end of the first and second main cords 14c and 14d.

(5) Connection of the first connecting member 41 and the second connecting member 42 In step SA5, the first connecting member 41 at one end of the first main cord 14c and the first at one end of the second main cord 14d. The first connecting member 41 at the other end of the first main cord 14c and the first connecting member 41 at the other end of the second main cord 14d. The connecting member 41 is connected via the second connecting member 42. Thereby, the ball chain 9 consisting of one loop is obtained.

The first main cord 14c and the second main cord 14d may be manufactured by cutting the main cord 14 having the same length. A short main cord 14 may be separately prepared, and the main cord 14 may be cut to manufacture the second main cord 14d.
Further, the second main cord 14d can be manufactured by outsert molding the resin on the main cord 14 so that both ends become the hemispherical portion 15a. In this case, the cutting step can be omitted, and the manufacturing efficiency can be improved. Alternatively, the resin may be outsert-molded on the main cord 14 so that one end is the hemispherical portion 15a and the other end is cut. In this case, the cutting process can be reduced.

(Ninth embodiment)
A ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the “operation code” is an operation code 98 that is thin at the connecting portion 16.
The operation cord 98 of the present embodiment has the same structure of the connecting portions 16a and 16b as the connecting portion 16 of the sixth embodiment. However, in the sixth embodiment, one connecting portion 16 and one main cord are used. In the present embodiment, the two connecting portions 16a and 16b are fixed to the first and second main cords 14c and 14d, and the loop operating cord 98 is manufactured. The difference is that two loop-shaped operating cords 98 are manufactured.

(Manufacturing method of the operation cord 98)
The operation cord 98 of this embodiment can be manufactured according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 51, as in the sixth embodiment.

(1) Production of first and second main cords 14c and 14d In step SG1, the first and second main cords 14c and 14d are produced. The first and second main cords 14c and 14d can be manufactured by the same method as the main cord 14 of the sixth embodiment.

(2) Joining the first connecting member 41 to the first and second main cords 14c, 14d In step SG2, the first connecting member 41 is attached to each end of the first and second main cords 14c, 14d. Join. The joining method of the 1st connection member 41 is as having demonstrated in 6th embodiment.

(3) Manufacturing of second connecting member 42 In step SG3, the second connecting member 42 is manufactured. The 2nd connection member 42 can be manufactured by the same method as 1st embodiment.

(4) Connection of first connecting member 41 and second connecting member 42 In step SG4, the first connecting member 41 at one end of the first main cord 14c and the first one at one end of the second main cord 14d. The first connecting member 41 at the other end of the first main cord 14c and the first connecting member 41 at the other end of the second main cord 14d. The connecting member 41 is connected via the second connecting member 42. As a result, an operation code 98 consisting of one loop is obtained.

  According to the present invention, a symmetrical operation cord can be obtained, so that it is possible to avoid a problem that the direction of the operation cord is wrong when the operation cord is attached to the pulley.

  Although the present invention has been described based on various embodiments so far, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown here. Moreover, the description given in one embodiment is applicable to another embodiment as long as it is within the scope of the purpose.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... Ball chain, 14a ... Cord, 14c ... First main cord, 14d ... Second main cord, 12 ... Pulley, 14 ... Main cord, 15, 44 ... Ball, 15a, 20, 24 ... Hemisphere part, 16 ... connecting part, 17, 27, 41, 61 ... first connecting member, 18, 28, 42, 62 ... second connecting member, 19 ... connecting cord, 21, 29, 63 ... first fitting part, 22, 30, 45, 65, 73... Fitting protrusion, 23 .. connecting cord, 25, 34... Second fitting part, 26, 35, 67, 75. ... Shaft part, 76 ... Opening groove, 77 ... Insertion hole, 91 ... Third connecting member

Claims (13)

Forming a main cord having one end and the other end;
Forming a plurality of first connecting members having a first fitting portion;
Forming a second connecting member having a plurality of second fitting portions that can be fitted to the first fitting portion;
Bonding a first connecting member to each of both ends of the main cord,
An operation cord manufacturing method comprising a step of fitting each of the plurality of first fitting portions to a second fitting portion. The first fitting portion of the first connecting member has a fitting protrusion having a locking portion at the tip, and the second connecting member is a locking portion capable of locking the fitting protrusion. The method according to claim 1, comprising a pair. The second connecting member is a tubular member having a locking portion capable of locking the fitting protrusion at both ends,
The method according to claim 2, wherein a distal end portion of the fitting protrusion is provided with an enlarged diameter portion having a diameter larger than that of a proximal end portion of the fitting protrusion. The method according to claim 3, wherein the swelled portion is provided over the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the fitting protrusion so that the first connecting member is shared. The first fitting portion of the first connecting member has a fitting hole, and the second connecting member is provided at both ends and has a pair of common shapes that can be fitted into the fitting hole. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a protrusion and a shaft portion that connects the pair of fitting protrusions to each other. The method according to claim 1, wherein synthetic resin balls are arranged at equal intervals on the main cord. The main cord has hemispherical portions at both ends,
The first connecting member has a hemispherical portion,
The method according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting member is joined to the main cord by fixing the hemispherical portion of the first connecting member and the hemispherical portion of the main cord. The main cord includes a center core and a skin cord disposed around the core,
The first connecting member has a connecting cord,
The first connecting member is joined to the main cord by removing the cores at both ends of the main cord to form a space in the axial center portion, and inserting and sewing the connecting cord into the axial center portion. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The main cord has a ball at each end,
The first connecting member has a locking hole that can engage with the ball,
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first connecting member is joined to the main cord by engaging the ball in the locking hole. The main cord has flange portions at both ends,
The first connecting member has a locking portion that engages with the flange portion,
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first connecting member is joined to the main cord by being outsert-molded at an end of the main cord. The method according to claim 10, wherein the first connecting member and the second connecting member are formed such that an outer diameter thereof in a lateral direction is equal to or smaller than a maximum diameter of the main cord. Forming a plurality of the main cords;
Forming a plurality of first connecting members having a first fitting portion;
Bonding a first connecting member to each of both ends of each of the plurality of main cords;
Forming a plurality of second connecting members having a plurality of second fitting portions that can be fitted to the first fitting portion;
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each of the plurality of first fitting portions is fitted to the second fitting portion so that one loop is formed. Each of the pair of first connecting members includes a pair of first connecting members each having a first fitting portion and a second connecting member having a pair of second fitting portions. The fitting part is fitted to the second fitting part,
The pair of first connecting members are operation cord connecting members which are common members.