JP2018204302A - Structure for preventing cord part of string-like member from slipping out of connection member, thermoforming method of cord part and ball splitting method - Google Patents

Abstract

To enhance a connection strength of a connection member when a cord part is connected by the connection member.SOLUTION: A string-like member 11 is constituted by connecting a cord part 12 formed in a string shape by a connection member 20. The connection member includes a pair of connection pieces 21 and 22 mounted on ends of the cord part and engaged with each other in a detachable fashion. Through-holes 21b and 22b capable of being loosely fitted to the ends of the cord part are formed in the connection pieces, and the cord part is formed of a thermoplastic resin. Moreover, slipping-out prevention parts 12a and 12b having a diameter larger than the through-holes for preventing the connection pieces from detaching from the ends of the cord part are formed by thermally deforming the ends of the cord part. Further, diameter gradual increase parts 12e and 12f which gradually increase from the cord part towards the slipping-out prevention part are formed on neck parts 12c and 12d of the slipping-out prevention part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention prevents the cord portion of a string-like member comprising an operation chain or an operation cord operated when opening and closing a roll screen, a horizontal blind, a vertical blind, or the like, or an elevating cord for elevating a shield from the connecting member. The present invention relates to a structure, a method and a tool for forming a retaining portion by thermally deforming an end portion of the cord portion, and a method and a tool for breaking a ball portion fitted to the cord portion.

  Conventionally, as a connecting structure of this kind of operation member, a manufacturing method of an operation cord connector for connecting an operation cord at an intermediate portion (for example, refer to Patent Document 1), or an endless shape in which both ends are connected by a connection portion. A ball chain (for example, refer to Patent Document 2) and an endless cord (for example, refer to Patent Document 3) in which both ends are connected by a connecting portion are disclosed.

  In the manufacturing method of the operation cord connector shown in Patent Document 1, the first connection member attached with the first operation cord and the second connection member attached with the second operation cord are elastically fitted, An endless operation cord composed of the first operation cord and the second operation cord is connected at the intermediate portion. Further, the first connection member or the second connection member is outsert-molded at predetermined intervals on at least one of the first operation cord and the second operation cord. The first operation cord or the second connection member provided with the first connection member is cut by cutting the first operation cord or the second operation cord at the distal end edge of the first connection member or the second connection member formed by the outsert molding. The provided second operation code is formed. Furthermore, the first connecting member is a male member, and the second connecting member is a female member.

  In the manufacturing method of the operation cord connector thus configured, the male member is attached to the end portion of the operation cord by outsert-molding the male member in the operation cord, and the female member insertion hole The female member is attached to the end of the operation cord by attaching the caulking member to the end of the operation cord inserted into the operation cord. As a result, there is no need to store a knot or the like in the male member and the female member, and the caulking member has substantially the same diameter as the operation cord. Can be miniaturized. In addition, it is easy to form a large number of male members with operation cords of the same length by outsert-molding male members into operation cords at predetermined intervals and cutting the operation cords at the tips of the male members. it can. As a result, if the operation cord provided with the male member is attached to the bottom rail, a large number of horizontal blinds with a constant distance between the bottom rail and the connection tool can be easily assembled.

  In the ball chain shown in Patent Document 2, a ball chain is formed by molding and fixing synthetic resin balls at equal intervals on a cord, and connecting both ends of the ball chain with connecting portions to form a ball The chain is formed endless. Further, the connecting portion includes a fitting portion having the same shape as the ball. This fitting part is comprised by the 1st fitting part which has a fitting protrusion of a solid body, and the 2nd fitting part which has a fitting hole which can fit a fitting protrusion. The fitting projection is formed to be elastically detachable from the fitting hole. The connecting portion includes a connecting member having a fitting protrusion at one end of the first connecting cord and a connecting member having a fitting hole at one end of the second connecting cord. Then, a ball is formed by welding a hemispherical portion provided at the other end of each connecting cord and a hemispherical portion provided at the end of the cord. Further, the fitting protrusion is outsert-molded at one end of the first connecting cord. Specifically, a hemispherical portion slightly larger than a half of the ball is outsert-molded at one end of the first connecting cord, and the first fitting portion is filled up to the tip of the other end of the first connecting cord. Outsert molding.

  In the ball chain configured in this way, the balls having the same shape are formed at the same interval over the entire length of the cord of the ball chain and the connecting cord of the connecting portion. Can be moved up and down. In addition, when a large pulling force exceeding the normal pulling force is applied to the ball chain, the fitting protrusion of the connecting portion and the fitting hole are disengaged, so that the endless edge of the ball chain moves inside the room. When caught on other moving objects, the ball chain can be cut at the connecting portion to ensure the safety of the occupant, and damage to the pulley or the like on which the ball chain is mounted can be prevented. Furthermore, since the first fitting portion is outsert molded with a solid body so that the connecting cord is embedded from the distal end to the proximal end, sufficient bonding strength between the first fitting portion and the connecting cord is ensured. Can do.

  In the cord shown in Patent Document 3, a ball chain is formed by forming balls on the cord at equal intervals, and both ends of the cord are connected by a connecting portion. A mating protrusion is provided at each end of the cord, and a single cylindrical connecting member of the connecting portion is configured to be fitted in a state where the pair of fitting protrusions face each other. Further, the fitting protrusion and the connecting member are formed of a synthetic resin, and an enlarged diameter portion having a diameter larger than that of the base end portion of the fitting protrusion is provided at the distal end portion of the fitting protrusion. An engaging portion that engages with the enlarged diameter portion by inserting the enlarged diameter portion into the opening portions on both sides of the connecting member is provided, and the engaging position between the engaging portion and the enlarged diameter portion at the opening portions on both sides of the connecting member is provided. Are relatively shifted in the circumferential direction of the connecting member. Further, the fitting protrusion is outsert-molded on the connecting cord of the connecting portion.

  In the cord configured in this way, the balls having the same shape are formed at the same interval over the entire length of the cord of the ball chain and the coupling cord of the coupling portion. Can be operated. In addition, since the operating force for fitting the fitting protrusion to the cylindrical connecting member is slight, the fitting protrusion can be re-fitted to the connecting member without using a tool. Even if it falls off, the resident can easily return. Further, the fitting protrusion can be easily outsert-molded at the end of the connecting cord.

  However, in the manufacturing method of the operation cord connector shown in the conventional patent document 1, the ball chain shown in the conventional patent document 2, or the cord shown in the conventional patent document 3, the first connection Since the device that outsert-molds the member, the first fitting portion or the fitting protrusion is large and extremely heavy, and is not suitable for carrying or moving, the device is not suitable for installation on a solar radiation shielding device where this device is not installed. 1 There was a problem that the connecting member etc. could not be outsert molded. In the conventional ball chain disclosed in Patent Document 2, a male first connecting member having a fitting projection and a female having a fitting hole fitted to the fitting projection. Two types of connecting members with the shape of the second connecting member are required, and in the cord shown in the above-mentioned conventional Patent Document 3, a pair of first connecting members of the same shape each formed with a fitting protrusion, In order to require two types of connecting members, a cylindrical second connecting member formed with a fitting hole into which these fitting protrusions are fitted, a molding die for these connecting members is used. It has to be produced separately, which increases the number of processing steps and increases the number of parts, which makes it difficult to manage parts. In the conventional ball chain disclosed in Patent Document 2, the hemispherical portion of the first connecting member and the hemispherical portion of the second connecting member are welded and fixed to a pair of hemispherical portions formed at both ends of the cord. Therefore, when it becomes necessary to shorten the length of the ball chain after these welding and fixing, it is necessary to divide one of the two welding and fixing parts into a hemispherical part again, and then to change the ball chain to a predetermined position. To form a hemispherical part at the end of the ball chain, the hemispherical part must be welded and fixed again, and it takes a lot of man-hours to shorten the length of the ball chain, There was also a problem that the difficulty of the work was high. Further, in the cord shown in the above-mentioned conventional patent document 3, like the above-mentioned patent document 2, there is a problem that a lot of man-hours are required to shorten the length of the cord.

  In order to solve these problems, the operation chain has a single cord portion formed in a string shape and a plurality of ball portions fixed at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the cord portion. An operation chain connection structure is disclosed in which an operation chain is formed in an endless ring shape by connecting members at both ends of the chain (see, for example, Patent Document 4). In this operation chain connection structure, the connection member includes a first connection piece having a substantially U-shaped first connection body and a base portion attached to one end of the operation chain, and a substantially U-shaped second connection body. And a second connecting piece that is attached to the other end of the operation chain and has the same shape as the first connecting piece. In addition, the front ends of the first and second connecting pieces are opposed to each other, and the first and second connecting pieces are engaged with each other in a state where the first or second connecting piece is rotated 90 degrees around the axis of the cord portion. When combined, the outer shape of the first and second connecting pieces is configured to be substantially the same as the outer shape of the ball portion. Further, the cord portion of the operation chain is formed of a thermoplastic resin, and the first retaining portion is a first flange portion that is formed with a larger diameter than the cord portion by thermally deforming one end of the cord portion. The portion is a second flange portion that is formed with a larger diameter than the cord portion by thermally deforming the other end of the cord portion.

  In the operation chain connecting structure configured in this way, the first and second connecting pieces are formed in the same shape, and these connecting pieces are combined so as to have substantially the same outer shape as the ball portion. The first and second connecting pieces can be produced with a single molding die, the number of processing steps by the die can be reduced, and the number of parts can also be reduced. Further, one end of the cord portion protruding from the first through hole is thermally deformed to form a first flange portion having a diameter larger than the diameter of the cord portion, and the other end of the cord portion protruding from the second through hole is thermally deformed. Since the second flange portion having a diameter larger than the diameter of the cord portion is formed, the first connecting piece cannot be removed from one end of the cord portion, and the second connecting piece cannot be removed from the other end of the cord portion.

Japanese Patent No. 5376733 (Claims 1 and 2, paragraph [0025], FIGS. 1 to 3) Japanese Patent No. 5442331 (Claims 1 and 2, paragraphs [0024] and [0034], FIGS. 2 to 4) Japanese Patent No. 5439055 (Claims 1 and 6, paragraphs [0020] and [0033], FIGS. 2 to 5) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-30992 (claims 1 and 4, paragraph [0017], FIGS. 1 to 3)

  However, in the connection structure of the operation chain shown in the above-mentioned conventional patent document 4, the first flange portion and the second flange portion having a larger diameter than the cord portion are formed by thermal deformation of the cord portion. When the strength of the second neck of the second neck and the second neck of the second flange is large and the tension is applied to the cord, before the engagement between the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece is released, The first flange portion or the second flange portion may be damaged at the first neck portion or the second neck portion.

  A first object of the present invention is to provide a retaining structure for a string-like member from a connecting member, which can increase the connecting strength of the connecting member when the cord portions are connected by the connecting member. The second object of the present invention is that when the string-like member is an operation chain, the operation chain can be operated smoothly, and when the string-like member is an operation cord, the operation cord extends unnecessarily. An object of the present invention is to provide a structure for preventing a string-like member from being removed from a connecting member. A third object of the present invention is to provide a cord part thermoforming method and a thermoforming tool capable of forming a retaining portion in a cord portion relatively easily and forming a gradually increasing diameter portion in a neck portion of the retaining portion. There is. A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a ball splitting method and a ball splitting tool that can split ball portions having different pitches relatively easily without damaging a cord portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first aspect of the present invention is a retaining structure from the connecting member 20 of the string-like member 11 for connecting the cord portion 12 formed in a string shape by the connecting member 20, The connecting member 20 has a pair of connecting pieces 21 and 22 that are attached to the end portion of the cord portion 12 and detachably engage with each other, and through holes 21b and 22b that can be loosely fitted to the end portion of the cord portion 12 are connected. Formed on the pieces 21 and 22, the cord portion 12 is formed of a thermoplastic resin, and the connecting pieces 21 and 22 are prevented from detaching from the end portion of the cord portion 12 and have a diameter larger than the through holes 21 b and 22 b. The retaining portions 12a and 12b are formed by thermally deforming the ends of the cord portion 12, and gradually increase from the cord portion 12 toward the retaining portions 12a and 12b on the neck portions 12c and 12d of the retaining portions 12a and 12b. Diameter gradually increasing part 12e, 1 Characterized in that f is formed.

  The second aspect of the present invention is an invention based on the first aspect, and further, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the string-like member 11 includes a single cord portion 12 and the cord. An operation chain having a plurality of ball portions 13 fixed at a predetermined pitch in the longitudinal direction of the portion 12, and the connecting member 20 connects both ends of the operation chain 11 so that the operation chain 11 becomes an endless ring chain. The connecting member 20 includes a first connecting piece 21 having a base attached to one end of the cord portion 12 and a second connecting piece 22 having a base attached to the other end of the cord portion 12. The outer shape of the first connecting piece 21 and the second connecting piece 22 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the ball portion 13 when the connecting piece 21 and the second connecting piece 22 are engaged and united. It is characterized by that.

  A third aspect of the present invention is an invention based on the first aspect, and as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the string-like member 61 is an operation cord having two cord portions 62 and 63. The connecting member 20 is configured to connect the two cord portions 62 and 63, and the connecting member 20 is attached to one end of one cord portion 62 of the two cord portions 62 and 63. It has the 1st connection piece 21 and the 2nd connection piece 22 attached to the other end of the other code part 63 among the two code parts 62 and 63 in the base.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is an invention based on the first aspect, and as shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the cord-like member 171 includes a single cord portion 172 for operation and a shield. A plurality of cord portions 173 and 173 for raising and lowering the body 181, and a connecting member 190 is configured to connect the single cord portion 172 and the plurality of cord portions 173 and 173. A first connecting piece 191 having one end attached to a single cord portion 172 and the other end attached to one cord portion 173 selected from the plurality of cord portions 173, 173, and a plurality of cord portions 173, 173; And a second connecting piece 192 attached to one cord portion 173 further selected from the remaining cord portions 173 except for one cord portion 173 selected from the plurality of cord portions 173, 173. 2 or When a load in a direction separating the two or two groups of cord portions 173 and 173 from each other acts on the two or two groups of cord portions 173 and 173, the plurality of cord portions 173 and 173 are separated from each other. It is configured so that it can be divided.

  A fifth aspect of the present invention is an invention based on any one of the first to fourth aspects, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the diameter gradually increasing portions 12e and 12f are substantially frustoconical or substantially It is formed in a half-drum shape.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is an invention based on any one of the first to fifth aspects, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cord portion 12 is a braided or twisted string made of a thermoplastic resin. The diameter gradually increasing portions 12e and 12f are formed so that the fibers in the diameter gradually increasing portions 12e and 12f remain without being melted during thermal deformation.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the seventh aspect of the present invention is the vicinity of the end portion of the cord portion 12 used for the structure for preventing the string-like member from being connected to the connecting member according to any one of the first to sixth aspects. And a step of forming the retaining portions 12a and 12b with the forming die 41b by thermally deforming the ends of the cord portions 12 protruding from the clamp dies 41a and 41a. A cord portion of a cord-like member including a taper surface 41c, C chamfering or R chamfering for forming the diameter gradually increasing portions 12e, 12f on the neck portions 12c, 12d of the retaining portions 12a, 12b. The clamp dies 41a and 41a are formed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an eighth aspect of the present invention is a plurality used in the retaining structure from the connecting member of the string-like member according to any one of the first, second, fifth or sixth aspects. The step of bringing the blades 42b and 42b of the pair of ball split dies 42a and 42a into contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the ball portions 13 having different pitches of the ball portions 13 and the force applying mechanism bring the pair of blades 42b and 42b closer to each other A method of splitting a ball-like member including a step of applying a force to a pair of ball split dies 42a, 42a in a direction to split the ball portions 13 having different pitches, wherein the pair of blades 42b, 42b are closest to each other In some cases, the distance between the tips of the pair of blades 42b, 42b is slightly larger than the diameter of the cord portion 12.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ninth aspect of the present invention is the vicinity of the end of the cord portion 12 used for the structure for preventing the string-like member from being connected to the connecting member according to any one of the first to sixth aspects. A cord provided with a pair of clamp dies 41a, 41a for gripping and a forming die 41b for forming the retaining portions 12a, 12b by thermally deforming the ends of the cord portions 12 protruding from the clamp dies 41a, 41a A thermoforming tool for a cord portion of a shaped member, and a pair of clamp molds having a taper surface 41c, C chamfering or R chamfering for forming diameter increasing portions 12e, 12f on neck portions 12c, 12d of retaining portions 12a, 12b 41a and 41a.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a tenth aspect of the present invention is a plurality used in the retaining structure from the connecting member of the string-like member according to any one of the first, second, fifth or sixth aspects. A pair of ball split dies 42a and 42a formed with blades 42b and 42b that are in contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the ball portions 13 having different pitches, and the blades 42b and 42b of these ball split dies 42a and 42a. Is a string-shaped member ball splitting tool provided with a force applying mechanism for applying force to a pair of ball split dies 42a, 42a in a direction in which the pair of blades 42b, 42b come closest to each other. The distance between the tips of the blades 42b, 42b is formed to be slightly larger than the diameter of the cord portion 12.

  In the retaining structure according to the first aspect of the present invention, the end portion of the cord portion is thermally deformed to form the retaining portion, and the diameter of the neck portion of the retaining portion gradually increases from the cord portion toward the retaining portion. Since the gradually increasing part is formed, even if tension is applied to the cord part connected by the connecting member, the stress generated in the neck part is dispersed, and no concentrated stress is generated in the neck part, and the cord part is connected by the connecting member. The connection strength of the connection member can be increased. As a result, it is difficult for the cord portion to come off from the through hole of the connecting member. Moreover, when shortening the length of the cord portion, the engagement between the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece of the connecting member is released, and the cord portion on the first connecting piece side or the second connecting piece side is set to a predetermined length. Only the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are engaged after the end portion of the cord portion is thermally deformed and the retaining portion is formed, so that the length of the cord portion is relatively easy. Can be shortened.

  In the retaining structure according to the second aspect of the present invention, the string-like member is an operation chain having a single cord portion and a plurality of ball portions, and the connecting member is operated by connecting both ends of the operation chain. When the chain is formed into an endless ring-shaped chain and the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are combined, the outer shape of the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the ball portion. Since the endless operation chain is hung on a sprocket such as a roll screen, the connecting member functions as one of the plurality of ball portions, and the operation chain can be operated smoothly.

  In the retaining structure according to the third aspect of the present invention, the string-like member is an operation cord having two cord portions formed in a string shape, the connecting member connects the two cord portions, and the first cord When the connecting piece and the second connecting piece are combined, the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are configured so that the outer shape of the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece is a substantially spheroid or a substantially spherical body. If it connects with raising / lowering cords, such as a blind, and an other end is connected with a bottom rail, it can prevent that an operation cord extends unnecessarily.

  In the retaining structure according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the string-like member has a single cord portion for operating and a plurality of cord portions for raising and lowering the shield, and the connecting member is single. The cord portion and the plurality of cord portions are connected, one end of the first connecting piece is attached to a single cord portion, and the other end is attached to one cord portion selected from the plurality of cord portions, and the second connecting piece Is attached to one cord portion further selected from the remaining cord portions excluding one cord portion selected from the plurality of cord portions, and the plurality of cord portions are divided into two or two groups. When a load in a direction in which the book or two groups of cord parts are separated from each other acts on the two or two groups of cord parts, the other cords are divided so that the other ends of them are separated from each other. As a result, a person or an object caught on the plurality of cord portions can be quickly released from the plurality of cord portions.

  In the retaining structure according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the gradually increasing diameter portion is formed in a substantially truncated cone shape or a substantially half drum shape, even if tension acts on the cord portions connected by the connecting member, the retaining portion As a result, the stress generated in the neck portion is effectively dispersed to effectively prevent the concentrated stress on the neck portion, and the connection strength of the connecting member when the cord portion is connected by the connecting member can be increased. As a result, it is difficult for the cord portion to come off from the through hole of the connecting member.

  In the retaining structure according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the cord portion is a braided cord or a twisted cord of a thermoplastic resin, the diameter gradually increasing portion is such that each fiber in the diameter gradually increasing portion remains unmelted during thermal deformation. Even if tension is applied to the cord portions connected by the connecting member, each fiber in the gradually increasing diameter portion has sufficient strength to withstand the tension, and the cord portions are connected by the connecting member. The connection strength of the connection member can be further increased. As a result, the cord portion is more difficult to come out from the through hole of the connecting member.

  In the thermoforming method according to the seventh aspect of the present invention or the thermoforming tool according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a pair of tapered surface, C chamfering or R chamfering for forming a diameter gradually increasing portion on the neck portion of the retaining portion. By using this thermoforming tool, when the retaining portion is formed on the cord, a gradually increasing portion can be formed on the neck portion. As a result, since the diameter gradually increasing portion can be formed in the neck portion without increasing the work man-hour, the connection strength when the cord portion is connected by the connecting member can be increased and the length of the cord portion can be shortened. This can contribute to a reduction in the number of work steps.

  In the ball splitting method according to the eighth aspect of the present invention or the ball splitting tool according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when the pair of blades are closest, the distance between the tips of the pair of blades is determined from the diameter of the cord portion. Since it is formed slightly larger, by using this ball splitting method or tool, it is possible to split ball portions having different pitches relatively easily without damaging the cord portion. As a result, it is possible to contribute to a reduction in work man-hours when shortening the length of the cord portion.

It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. 3 which shows the connection structure of the operation chain of 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 3. It is a principal part perspective view which shows the state just before the 1st connection piece and 2nd connection piece of the connection member of an operation chain engage. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the procedure which heat-deforms the one end and other end of the code | cord | chord part of an operation chain with a thermoforming tool, and forms a 1st and 2nd flange part in the one end and other end of a code | cord | chord part. It is a principal part perspective view which shows the procedure which divides | segments the ball | bowl part from which a pitch differs with a ball split mold. It is a front view of the roll screen to which the operation chain was attached. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 1 which shows the connection structure of the operation cord of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2. It is a perspective view of the horizontal blind to which the operation cord was attached. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the procedure which heat-deforms the one end and other end of the cord part of 3rd Embodiment of this invention with a thermoforming tool, and forms a 1st and 2nd flange part in the one end and other end of a cord part. . The main part perspective view which shows the procedure which heat-deforms the one end and other end of the code | cord | chord part of 4th Embodiment of this invention with a thermoforming tool, and forms a 1st and 2nd flange part in the one end and other end of a code | cord | chord part. FIG. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 7 which shows the retaining structure from the connection member of the code | cord | chord part of 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is CC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 14 which shows the retaining structure from the connection member of the cord part of 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is the DD sectional view taken on the line of FIG. (A) is the E section enlarged perspective view of Drawing 16 showing the state just before uniting the 1st and 2nd connecting piece, and (b) of Drawing 16 showing the state where the 1st and 2nd connecting piece was united. It is an E section expansion perspective view. It is a perspective view of a roman shade containing a 1st and 2nd code | cord | chord part and a string-like member.

  Next, an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment>
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in this embodiment, the string-like member 11 is fixed to a single cord portion 12 formed in a string shape with a gap in the longitudinal direction of the cord portion 12. An operation chain having a plurality of ball portions 13. The connection structure of the operation chain 11 includes the operation chain 11 and a connecting member 20 in which the operation chain 11 is formed into an endless ring-shaped chain by connecting both ends of the operation chain 11. The cord portion 12 is formed of a braided cord or a twisted cord of a thermoplastic resin such as polyester, and the ball portion 13 is formed of a thermoplastic resin such as polyacetal or acrylic. By forming the cord portion 12 with a braided cord or a twisted cord of a thermoplastic resin such as polyester, both ends of the cord portion 12 can be easily thermally deformed. The ball portion 13 is formed in a substantially spheroid shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the cord portion 12. That is, the ball portion 13 is a rotating body obtained using the major axis of the ellipse as a rotation axis, and is formed in a shape in which the major axis coincides with the axis of the cord portion 12. Further, the operation chain 11 is formed by first forming the cord portion 12, and then forming the ball portion 13 on the cord portion 12 and heat-sealing (FIGS. 1 and 2). For this reason, only the ball portion 13 of the operation chain 11 is broken and removed, and only the cord portion 12 can be left.

  On the other hand, the connection member 20 includes a first connection piece 21 having a base portion attached to one end of the operation chain 11 and a second connection piece 22 having a base portion attached to the other end of the operation chain 11 (FIGS. 1 to 1). 3). The first connecting piece 21 includes a first U-shaped first connecting body 21a having an arcuate outer peripheral surface, and a first part that can be loosely fitted to one end of the cord 12 formed at the base of the first connecting body 21a. It has a pair of elastically deformable first locking portions 21c and 21c formed on both the through hole 21b and the tip of the first connecting body 21a (FIGS. 1 and 2). The second connecting piece 22 is loosely fitted to the other end of the cord portion 12 formed on the base portion of the second connecting body 22a and the second connecting body 22a formed in a substantially U shape whose outer peripheral surface is formed in an arc shape. It has a possible second through hole 22b and a pair of elastically deformable second locking portions 22c and 22c formed at both ends of the second connecting body 22a. The first connecting piece 21 and the second connecting piece 22 are formed in exactly the same shape, that is, the first connecting piece 21 and the second connecting piece 22 are formed in the same shape and size. For this reason, since the 1st connection piece 21 and the 2nd connection piece 22 are shape | molded by a single molding die, while being able to reduce the molding process of the 1st connection piece 21 and the 2nd connection piece 22, a number of parts is reduced. it can. Here, the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second coupling bodies 21a, 22a are formed in an arc shape in a cross section cut by a plane orthogonal to the cores of the first and second through holes 21b, 22b. The outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second connection main bodies 21a and 22a are formed in an arc shape (FIG. 3). In the present specification, the same shape means the same shape and the same size.

  The first connecting piece 21 is formed with a pair of first locked portions 21d and 21d that can be locked by elastic deformation of the pair of second locking portions 22c and 22c, respectively. Are formed with a pair of second locked portions 22d and 22d that can be locked by elastic deformation of the pair of first locking portions 21c and 21c, respectively (FIGS. 1 to 3). The second locking portion 22c is formed in a hook shape having a predetermined width, and the first locked portion 21d is formed in a concave shape having a predetermined width and locked by the hook-shaped second locking portion 22c. (FIGS. 1 and 2). The first locking portion 21c is formed in a hook shape having a predetermined width, and the second locked portion 22d is formed in a concave shape having a predetermined width and locked by the hook-shaped first locking portion 21c. Is done. The second locking portion 22c and the first locking portion 21c are formed in the same shape, and the first locked portion 21d and the second locked portion 22d are formed in the same shape.

  On the other hand, a first flange portion 12a is formed at one end of the cord portion 12 in which the first through hole 21b of the first connecting piece 21 is loosely fitted. The first connecting piece 21 is connected to the cord portion 12 by this first flange portion 12a. It has a function of preventing separation from one end (FIGS. 1 and 2). A second flange portion 12b is formed at the other end of the cord portion 12 in which the second through hole 22b of the second connecting piece 22 is loosely fitted. The second connecting portion 22 is connected to the cord portion 12 by the second flange portion 12b. It has a function of preventing separation from the other end. In this embodiment, since the cord portion 12 is formed of a thermoplastic resin as described above, the first flange portion 12a is formed with a larger diameter than the cord portion 12 by thermally deforming one end of the cord portion 12, The second flange portion 12 b is formed to have a larger diameter than the cord portion 12 by thermally deforming the other end of the cord portion 12.

  The first neck portion 12c of the first flange portion 12a is formed with a first diameter gradually increasing portion 12e that gradually increases from the cord portion 12 toward the first flange portion 12a, and the second neck portion 12d of the second flange portion 12b. A second diameter gradually increasing portion 12f that gradually increases from the cord portion 12 toward the second flange portion 12b is formed (FIGS. 1 and 2). In this embodiment, the first diameter gradually increasing portion 12e and the second diameter gradually increasing portion 12f are each formed in a substantially truncated cone shape having a taper angle of less than 90 degrees. That is, in the first diameter gradually increasing portion 12e and the second diameter gradually increasing portion 12f, the length of the cord portion 12 in the longitudinal direction is formed in a taper shape that is longer than the length of the cord portion 12 in the diameter direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the cord portion 12 is formed of a braided cord or a twisted cord of thermoplastic resin, the fibers in the first diameter gradually increasing portion 12e and the second diameter gradually increasing portion 12f are melted during thermal deformation. The first diameter gradually increasing portion 12e and the second diameter gradually increasing portion 12f are formed so as to remain without being formed. In this embodiment, the operation chain 11 is wound around a sprocket 33 provided at an end portion of a winding pipe 32 that winds up the screen body 31 of the roll screen 30 so as to be unwound (FIG. 6). The winding pipe 32 is rotatably held by a pair of brackets 34, 34, and these brackets 34, 34 are attached to the ceiling 38 via a single set bar 36 and a pair of mounting brackets 37, 37. .

  On the other hand, the thermoforming tool 41 of the cord portion 12 is used to thermally deform one end and the other end of the cord portion 12 to form the first flange portion 12a and the second flange portion 12b, respectively (FIG. 4). The thermoforming tool 41 of the cord portion 12 includes a pair of metal clamp dies 41a and 41a that grip the vicinity of the end portion of the cord portion 12 and the end portions of the cord portion 12 that protrude from the clamp dies 41a and 41a. A metal forming die 41b for forming the first flange portion 12a and the second flange portion 12b by thermal deformation is provided. A taper surface 41c for forming the first diameter gradually increasing portion 12e and the second diameter gradually increasing portion 12f on the first neck portion 12c of the first flange portion 12a and the second neck portion 12d of the second flange portion 12b is a pair of clamps. Molds 41a and 41a are formed. Further, in order to attach the first connecting piece 21 or the second connecting piece 22 to one end or the other end of the linear cord portion 12, a ball that breaks the ball portion 13 positioned at one end or the other end of the linear cord portion 12. A split tool 42 is used (FIG. 5). The ball splitting tool 42 includes a pair of metal ball split dies 42a and 42a formed with blades 42b and 42b that are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 13, and the blades 42b and 42a of these ball split dies 42a and 42a. A force applying mechanism (not shown) for applying a force to the pair of ball split dies 42a and 42a in a direction in which 42b is brought close to each other; When the pair of blades 42b and 42b come closest, the distance between the tips of the pair of blades 42b and 42b is formed to be slightly larger than the diameter of the cord portion 12. The pair of clamp dies 41a and 41a are preferably provided at the tip of a pliers (grip shear tool). Moreover, it is preferable that the pair of blades 42b and 42b is provided at the tip of the pliers, and the force applying mechanism is a grip portion of the pliers. For this reason, it is more preferable that the pair of clamp dies 41a and 41a and the pair of blades 42b and 42b are respectively provided at the tip of a single pliers and the force applying mechanism is a grip portion of the single pliers.

  A method of connecting the operation chain 11 thus configured in the manufacturing process will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a linear operation chain 11 cut to a predetermined length is prepared. Next, the ball portion 13 at one end of the cord portion 12 of the operation chain 11 is removed by breaking with the ball splitting tool 42 (FIG. 5). Specifically, the blades 42b and 42b of the pair of ball split dies 42a and 42a of the ball splitting tool 42 are brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion 13, and the pair of blades 42b and 42b are brought close to each other by the force applying mechanism. When a force is applied to the pair of ball split dies 42 a and 42 a, the ball portion 13 is broken and the ball portion 13 can be removed from the cord portion 12. When the pair of blades 42b, 42b comes closest, the distance between the tips of the pair of blades 42b, 42b is formed slightly larger than the diameter of the cord portion 12, so that the cord portion 12 is not damaged. And the code | cord | chord part 12 is cut | disconnected in the position used as the approximate center of this removed ball | bowl part 13. FIG.

  Next, after the first through hole 21b of the first connecting piece 21 is loosely fitted to one end of the cord part 12 (FIG. 4A), the cord part 12 protruding from the first through hole 21b of the first connecting piece 21 is used. Is gripped by a pair of clamp dies 41a and 41a of the thermoforming tool 41 (FIG. 4B). In this state, after one end of the cord portion 12 protruding from the pair of clamp dies 41a and 41a is heated and melted, when the molding die 41b is pressed against the upper surface of the pair of clamp dies 41a and 41a, one end of the cord portion 12 is obtained. The first flange portion 12 a having a diameter larger than the diameter of the cord portion 12 is formed at one end of the cord portion 12. At this time, a first truncated cone portion 12e having a substantially truncated cone shape is also formed on the first neck portion 12c of the first flange portion 12a. Then, after removing the molding die 41b from one end of the cord portion 12 and then removing the pair of clamp dies 41a and 41a (FIG. 4C), the first connecting piece 21 cannot be removed from the cord portion 12 (FIG. 4). (D)) The interval between the first connecting piece 21 and the ball portion 13 adjacent to the first connecting piece 21 is substantially the same as the interval between the other adjacent ball portions 13. In this embodiment, since the cord part 12 is a braided string or a twisted string of thermoplastic resin, the first diameter is such that each fiber in the first diameter gradually increasing part 12e remains without being melted during thermal deformation. The gradually increasing portion 12e is formed.

  In the same manner as described above, the ball portion 13 at the other end of the cord portion 12 is removed by splitting with the ball splitting tool 42 (FIG. 5), and the cord portion 12 is cut at a position approximately at the center of the removed ball portion 13. After that, the second through hole 22b of the second connecting piece 22 is loosely fitted to the other end of the cord part 12 (FIG. 4A), and the cord part 12 protruding from the second through hole 22b of the second connecting piece 22 is inserted. Is thermally deformed by the thermoforming tool 41 to form a second flange portion 12b having a diameter larger than the diameter of the cord portion 12 at the other end of the cord portion 12 (FIGS. 4B and 4C). . At this time, a substantially frustoconical second diameter increasing portion 12f is also formed on the second neck portion 12d of the second flange portion 12b. As a result, the second connecting piece 22 cannot be removed from the cord portion 12 (FIG. 4D), and the distance between the second connecting piece 22 and the ball portion 13 adjacent to the second connecting piece 22 is adjacent to the other. The distance between the ball portions 13 is substantially the same. In this embodiment, since the cord portion 12 is a braided cord or a twisted cord of a thermoplastic resin, the second diameter is such that each fiber in the second diameter gradually increasing portion 12f remains without being melted during thermal deformation. The gradually increasing portion 12f is formed.

  And the front-end | tip of the 1st and 2nd connection piece 21 and 22 is made to oppose each other, and either one of the 1st or 2nd connection piece 21 and 22 is rotated 90 degree | times centering on the axis line of the cord part 12 ( 3), the second locking portion 22c is elastically deformed and locked to the first locked portion 21d, and the first locking portion 21c is elastically deformed and locked to the second locked portion 22d. Thus, the first and second connecting pieces 21 and 22 are engaged and combined (FIGS. 1 and 2). As described above, the operation chain 11 can be made into an endless ring shape by an extremely simple operation, and the outer shapes of the first and second connecting pieces 21 and 22 are substantially the same as the outer shape of the ball portion 13. When this endless operation chain 11 is hung on the sprocket 33 of the roll screen 30, the connecting member 20 functions as one of the plurality of ball portions 13, and the operation chain 11 can be operated smoothly.

  Further, the first neck portion 12c of the first flange portion 12a and the second neck portion 12d of the second flange portion 12b have a substantially truncated cone shape that gradually increases from the cord portion 12 toward the first flange portion 12a and the second flange portion 12b. Since the first diameter gradually increasing portion 12e and the second diameter gradually increasing portion 12f are respectively formed, even if tension is applied to the operation chain 11 connected by the connecting member 20, the first diameter gradually increasing portion 12e and the second diameter gradually increasing portion 12f are generated in the first neck portion 12c and the second neck portion 12d. Stress is distributed. As a result, concentrated stress is not generated in the first neck portion 12c and the second neck portion 12d, and the connection strength of the connection member 20 when the operation chain 11 is connected by the connection member 20 can be increased. Further, the cord part 12 is a braided string or a twisted string of thermoplastic resin, and the first diameter is such that the fibers in the first diameter gradually increasing part 12e and the second diameter gradually increasing part 12f remain without melting during thermal deformation. Since the gradually increasing portion 12e and the second diameter gradually increasing portion 12f are formed, even if tension is applied to the operation chain 11 connected by the connecting member 20, each of the first diameter gradually increasing portion 12e and the second diameter gradually increasing portion 12f is provided. The fiber has a strength that can sufficiently withstand the tension, and the connection strength of the connection member 20 when the operation chain 11 is connected by the connection member 20 can be further increased.

  Next, a procedure for shortening the overall length of the endless operation chain 11 will be described. First, the first and second connecting pieces 21 and 22 are disengaged, and one of the first or second flange portions 12a and 12b is cut from the cord portion 12 to thereby cut the first or second connecting piece 21. , 22 is removed. In this embodiment, an example in which the first connecting piece 21 is removed from one end of the cord portion 12 is shown. After the ball portion 13 on one end side of the cord portion 12 is broken and removed so that the entire length of the operation chain 11 becomes a desired length, one end side of the cord portion 13 is cut. Specifically, the ball portion 13 existing at a position where the entire length of the operation chain 11 becomes a desired length is removed by being divided by the ball splitting tool 42 (FIG. 5), and becomes approximately the center of the removed ball portion 13. The cord portion 12 is cut at the position. Then, the first through hole 21b of the removed first connecting piece 21 is loosely fitted to one end of the cord portion 12 (FIG. 4A). Next, one end of the cord portion 12 protruding from the first through hole 21 b is thermally deformed by the thermoforming tool 41, and the first flange portion 12 a having a larger diameter than the diameter of the cord portion 12 is formed at one end of the cord portion 12. (FIGS. 4B to 4E). At this time, a first truncated cone portion 12e having a substantially truncated cone shape is also formed on the first neck portion 12c of the first flange portion 12a. As a result, the first connecting piece 21 cannot be removed from the cord portion 12 (FIG. 4 (f)), and the distance between the first connecting piece 21 and the ball portion 13 adjacent to the first connecting piece 21 is adjacent to the other. The distance between the ball portions 13 is substantially the same. In this embodiment, since the cord part 12 is a braided string or a twisted string of thermoplastic resin, the first diameter is such that each fiber in the first diameter gradually increasing part 12e remains without being melted during thermal deformation. The gradually increasing portion 12e is formed.

  And the front-end | tip of the 1st and 2nd connection piece 21 and 22 is made to oppose each other, and either one of the 1st or 2nd connection piece 21 and 22 is rotated 90 degree | times centering on the axis line of the code | cord | chord part 12 ( 5), the second locking portion 22c is elastically deformed and locked to the first locked portion 21d, and the first locking portion 21c is elastically deformed and locked to the second locked portion 22d. Thus, the first and second connecting pieces 21 and 22 are engaged and combined (FIGS. 1 and 2). As a result, the first and second connecting pieces 21 and 22 are engaged to make the operation chain 11 an endless ring again. Thus, even after the first and second connecting pieces 21 and 22 are engaged to form an endless ring, the length of the operation chain 11 can be relatively easily reduced by a simple operation. it can.

<Second Embodiment>
7 to 9 show a second embodiment of the present invention. 7 and 8, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 denote the same components. In this embodiment, the cord-like member 61 is an operation cord having two cord portions 62 and 63 formed in a cord shape (FIGS. 7 and 8), and this operation cord 61 is attached to the horizontal blind 60. (FIG. 9). The horizontal blind 60 includes a head rail 64 attached to a ceiling, a wall, or a window frame, and a plurality of ladder tapes 66 suspended from the head rail 64 at intervals in the longitudinal direction and the front-rear direction of the head rail 64. A plurality of slats 67 arranged with a predetermined interval in the vertical direction between these ladder tapes 66 and extending in the horizontal direction, and a bottom provided below the lowermost slat 67 among the plurality of slats 67 The rail 68 includes a plurality of lifting cords 69 that are attached to the bottom rail 68 at one end and loosely inserted into the slats 67 and the head rail 64 and project at the other end from the head rail 64.

  One end of one cord portion 62 of the two cord portions 62, 63 is connected to the other end of the plurality of lifting cords 69, and one end of the other cord portion 63 is attached to the bottom rail 68 (FIG. 9). . Further, the other end of one cord portion 62 and the other end of the other cord portion 63 are connected by a connecting member 20. This connecting member 20 is formed in the same manner as the connecting member of the first embodiment. That is, the connecting member 20 includes a first connecting piece 21 whose base is attached to the other end of one cord portion 62 and a base attached to the other end of the other cord portion 63 and the same shape as the first connecting piece 21. And the second connecting piece 22 formed in the outer shape of the first connecting piece 21 and the second connecting piece 22 when the first connecting piece 21 and the second connecting piece 22 are combined (FIGS. 7 and 8). Is configured to be a substantially spheroid (FIG. 9). The first connecting piece 21 is prevented from being removed from one cord portion 62 by thermally deforming the other end of the one cord portion 62 and forming the first flange portion 62a to have a diameter larger than the diameter of the one cord portion 62. The second connecting piece 22 is prevented from coming out of the other cord portion 63 by thermally deforming the other end of the other cord portion 63 to form the second flange portion 63a larger in diameter than the diameter of the other cord portion 63 ( 7 and 8). Further, in this embodiment, the two cord portions 62, 63 are a braided cord or a twisted cord made of a thermoplastic resin, and the first diameter gradually increasing portion 62c formed on the first neck portion 62b of the first flange portion 62a. Is formed in a substantially truncated cone shape like the first diameter gradually increasing portion of the first embodiment, and the second diameter gradually increasing portion 63c formed on the second neck portion 63b of the second flange portion 63a is the first embodiment. It is formed in a substantially truncated cone shape like the second diameter gradually increasing portion of the form. The first diameter gradually increasing portion 62c and the second diameter gradually increasing portion 63c are formed so that the fibers in the first diameter gradually increasing portion 62c and the second diameter gradually increasing portion 63c remain without being melted during thermal deformation. . The configuration other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  A method for connecting the operation cords 61 thus configured in the manufacturing process will be described. First, two linear cord portions 62 and 63 each having a predetermined length are prepared. Next, after loosely fitting the first through hole 21b of the first connecting piece 21 to the other end of one of the two cord parts 62 and 63, the first through hole 21b of the first connecting piece 21 is provided. One cord portion 62 projecting from is gripped by a pair of clamp dies of a thermoforming tool. In this state, after the other end of one cord portion 62 protruding from the pair of clamp dies is heated and melted, when the forming die is pressed against the upper surface of the pair of clamp dies, the other end of the one cord portion 62 is heated. The first flange portion 62 a having a larger diameter than the diameter of the cord portion 62 is formed at the other end of the one cord portion 62 by deformation. At this time, a substantially frustoconical first diameter gradually increasing portion 62c is also formed on the first neck portion 62b of the first flange portion 62a. Then, after removing the molding die from the other end of one cord portion 62 and then removing the pair of clamp dies, the first connecting piece 21 cannot be removed from the one cord portion 62. In this embodiment, since the cord part 62 is a braided string or a twisted string of thermoplastic resin, the first diameter is such that each fiber in the first diameter gradually increasing part 62c remains without being melted during thermal deformation. The gradually increasing portion 62c is formed.

  Similarly to the above, the second through hole 22b of the second connecting piece 22 is loosely fitted to the other end of the other cord part 63 of the two cord parts 62, 63, and the second through hole of the second connecting piece 22 is further fitted. The other end of the other cord portion 63 protruding from 22b is thermally deformed by a thermoforming tool, and a second flange portion 63a having a diameter larger than the diameter of the cord portion 63 is formed at the other end of the other cord portion 63. At this time, a substantially frustoconical second diameter gradually increasing portion 63c is also formed on the second neck portion 63b of the second flange portion 63a. As a result, the second connecting piece 22 cannot be removed from the other cord portion 63. In this embodiment, since the cord part 63 is a braided string or a twisted string of thermoplastic resin, the second diameter is such that each fiber in the second diameter gradually increasing part 63c remains without being melted during thermal deformation. A gradually increasing portion 63c is formed.

  Then, one end of one cord portion 62 is connected to a plurality of lifting cords 69 by a cord joint 71, and one end of the other cord portion 63 is attached to the bottom rail 68 (FIG. 9). Furthermore, the tip of the first connecting piece 21 attached to the other end of the one cord portion 62 and the tip of the second connecting piece 22 attached to the other end of the other cord portion 63 are opposed to each other, In a state where one of the second connecting pieces 21 and 22 is rotated 90 degrees around the axis of the cord portions 62 and 63, the second locking portion 22c is elastically deformed by the first locked portion 21d. The first locking portion 21c is elastically deformed and locked to the second locked portion 22d to engage and merge the first and second connecting pieces 21 and 22 (FIGS. 7 and 7). 8). As described above, the two cord portions 62 and 63 can be coupled by the coupling member 20 through an extremely simple operation, and the operation cord 61 can be prevented from extending in an unnecessarily hanging state.

  Next, a procedure for shortening the overall length of the operation cord 61 connecting the two cord portions 62 and 63 will be described. First, the engagement between the first connecting piece 21 and the second connecting piece 22 of the operation cord 61 is released, and the cord portion 62 on the first connecting piece 21 side or the cord portion 63 on the second connecting piece 22 side is set in a predetermined manner. The first connecting piece 21 or the second connecting piece 22 is removed from the other end of the one cord portion 62 or the other cord portion 63 by cutting the length. In this embodiment, an example in which the first connecting piece 21 is removed from the other end of one cord portion 62 is shown. After removing the first connecting piece 21 from the other end of the one cord portion 62, the first connecting piece 21 is loosely fitted to the other end of the one cord portion 62. Further, after the other end of the one cord portion 62 is thermally deformed to form the first flange portion 62a, the first connecting piece 21 and the second connecting piece 22 are engaged. The operation cord 61 can be shortened relatively easily by such a simple operation. Since the operation other than the above is substantially the same as the operation of the first embodiment, repeated description will be omitted.

  In the first embodiment, a single operation chain in which both ends of the cord portion are connected by a connecting member is attached to the roll screen. In the second embodiment, the end portions of the two cord portions are attached. Although the operation cord connected by the connecting member is attached to the horizontal blind, the single operation chain in which both ends of the cord part are connected by the connecting member is attached to the horizontal blind, vertical blind, pleated screen, roman shade, etc. Alternatively, an operation cord in which the ends of the two cord portions are connected by a connecting member may be attached to a pleated screen, a roman shade, or the like. Further, in the first to fourth embodiments, the ball portion is formed in a substantially spheroid shape, and the connecting member in which the first and second connecting pieces are combined also has substantially the same outer shape (substantially spheroid). However, the ball member may be formed in a substantially spherical shape, and the connecting member formed by combining the first and second connecting pieces may have a substantially same outer shape (substantially spherical) as the ball portion. Good.

  In the first and second embodiments, the first diameter gradually increasing portion and the second diameter gradually increasing portion are formed in a substantially truncated cone shape having a taper angle of less than 90 degrees. As shown in FIG. The first diameter gradually increasing portion 82e and the second diameter gradually increasing portion 82f may be formed in a substantially truncated cone shape having a taper angle of 90 degrees. That is, the first diameter gradually increasing portion 82e and the second diameter gradually increasing portion 82f of the cord portion 82 of the operation chain 81 are formed in a tapered shape in which the length in the longitudinal direction of the cord portion 82 is equal to the length in the diameter direction of the cord portion 82. May be. In this case, the pair of clamp dies 91a and 91a of the thermoforming tool 91 of the cord portion 82, the first diameter gradually increasing portion 82e and the first neck portion 82c of the first flange portion 82a and the second neck portion 82d of the second flange portion 82b, C chamfers 91c for forming the second diameter gradually increasing portions 82f are formed. Reference numeral 91b is a mold.

  In the first and second embodiments, the first diameter gradually increasing portion and the second diameter gradually increasing portion are respectively formed in a substantially truncated cone shape having a taper angle of less than 90 degrees. As shown in FIG. The first diameter gradually increasing portion 112e and the second diameter gradually increasing portion 112f may be formed in a substantially half drum shape. That is, the first diameter gradually increasing portion 112e and the second diameter gradually increasing portion 112f of the cord portion 112 of the operation chain 111 are half obtained by cutting the drum whose center in the longitudinal direction is curved and narrowed at the center in the longitudinal direction. It may be formed in the shape of a drum. In this case, the pair of clamp dies 121a and 121a of the thermoforming tool 121 of the cord portion 111, the first diameter gradually increasing portion 112e and the first neck portion 112c of the first flange portion 112a and the second neck portion 112d of the second flange portion 112b and R chamfers 121c for forming the second diameter gradually increasing portions 112f are formed. Reference numeral 121b denotes a molding die.

  Moreover, in the said 2nd Embodiment, although the 1st connection piece and 2nd connection piece of the connection member were formed in the same shape, as shown in FIG. 12, the 1st connection piece 151 and 2nd of the connection member 150 are shown. The connecting piece 152 may be formed in a different shape. Specifically, a locking portion 151 a made of a ring-shaped protrusion is formed at the lower end (tip) of the first connecting piece 151, and a ring-shaped recess is formed at the upper end (tip) of the second connecting piece 152. The first and second connecting pieces 151 and 152 are configured to be united by forming a locked portion 152a formed of a strip and engaging the locking portion 151a with the locked portion 152a. 12, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 7 denote the same components.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the string-like member 171 has a single first cord portion 172 for operating, and two second cord portions 173 and 174 for raising and lowering the shield 181. The connecting member 190 is configured to connect the single first cord portion 172 and the two second cord portions 173 and 174, and the connecting member 190 has a single first cord having a single end. The first connecting piece 191 attached to one second cord portion 173 selected from the two second cord portions 173 and 174 attached to the portion 172 and the two second cord portions 173 A second connecting piece 192 attached to one second cord portion 174 further selected from the remaining second cord portions 174 excluding one second cord portion 173 selected from 174, Two second code portions 173 and 174 are divided into two. Sea urchin may be configured. In this case, the string-like member 171 is attached to the roman shade 180 (FIG. 16). The head rail 182 of the roman shade 180 is attached to a window frame or the like of the room, and the shield 181 has a width substantially the same as the length of the head rail 182 and is suspended from the head rail 182. One end of the single first cord portion 172 is attached to the lower end of the shield 181 and the first through hole 191b of the first connecting piece 191 is loosely fitted to the other end. Furthermore, two cord insertion members 183 and 184 are accommodated in the head rail 182 at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the head rail 182, and one end of each of the two second cord portions 173 and 173 has two cords. The penetrating members 183 and 184 hang down along the back surface of the shield 181 and are respectively attached to the lower ends of the shields 181. The other ends of the second through holes 191 c of the first connecting piece 191 and the second of the second connecting piece 192 are attached to the other end. The through holes 192b are loosely fitted.

  Here, the first connecting piece 191 is formed in a substantially barrel shape whose upper and lower surfaces are closed and an opening 191a is formed on the side surface, and the second connecting piece 192 is formed with a flange 192a on the upper surface and the opening 191a. Is formed in a substantially curved plate shape (FIGS. 13 to 15). The first through hole 191b that can be loosely fitted to the other end of the single first cord portion 172 is formed on the lower surface of the first connecting piece 191, and one of the two second cord portions 173 and 174 is the second one. The second through hole 191c that can be loosely fitted to the other end of the cord portion 173 is formed on the upper surface of the first connecting piece 191, and the second through hole 192b that can be loosely fitted to the other end of the other second cord portion 174. Is formed on the flange portion 192a of the second connecting piece 192. Further, the first cord portion 172 and the second cord portions 173 and 174 are formed of a thermoplastic resin, and the first connecting piece 191 is prevented from being detached from the other end of the first cord portion 172 to prevent the first through hole 191b. A first flange portion 172 a having a larger diameter is formed by thermally deforming the other end of the first cord portion 172, and the first connecting piece 191 is detached from the other end of one second cord portion 173. A second flange portion 173a having a diameter larger than that of the second through hole 191c is formed by thermally deforming the other end of one second cord portion 173, and the second connecting piece 192 is formed by the other second cord portion. A second flange portion 174a is formed by preventing the other end of 174 from separating from the other end and having a diameter larger than that of the second through hole 192b by thermally deforming the other end of the other second cord portion 174. Furthermore, a first diameter gradually increasing portion 172c that gradually increases from the first cord portion 172 toward the first flange portion 172a is formed in the first neck portion 172b of the first flange portion 172a, and the second flange portions 173a, 174a Second diameter increasing portions 173c and 174c that gradually increase from the second cord portions 173 and 174 toward the second flange portions 173a and 174a are formed on the two neck portions 173b and 174b, respectively. When the load in the direction of separating the two second cord portions 173 and 174 acts on the two second cord portions 173 and 174, the two second cord portions 173 and 174 are separated so as to be separated from each other. Therefore, a person or an object caught on the two second cord portions 173, 174 can be quickly released from the two second cord portions 173, 174.

  On the other hand, when there are three or more second cord portions for raising and lowering the shield, the first connecting piece is one second cord portion (first piece) selected from three or more second cord portions. ), And the second connecting part is further selected from the remaining second code parts excluding one second code part selected from three or more second code parts. (The second one), the remaining second cord portions (third and subsequent ones) are inserted into the slits formed in the first connecting piece, and the open ends of these slits are closed by the second connecting piece, respectively. The And, it is configured so that three or more second cord portions are divided into two groups, and when a load in a direction to separate these two groups of second cord portions from each other acts on the two groups of cord portions, three or more second cord portions are arranged. The code parts are configured to be separable so as to be separated from each other. In this case, when a load in a direction in which the second group of second cord parts are separated from each other acts on the second group of second code parts, three or more second cord parts are divided so as to be separated from each other. A person or object caught on the 2 cord portion can be quickly released from the second cord portion. Here, when the number of the second cord portions for raising and lowering the shield is two, or three or more, the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are separated from each other from the horizontal relative movement in which they are separated from each other. It is preferable that a curved convex portion and a curved concave portion that are guided by relative movement in the vertical direction are formed in the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece, respectively.

11, 81, 111, 141 Operation chain (string member)
12, 82, 112 Cord portion 12a, 62a, 82a, 112a, 172a First flange portion (first retaining portion)
12b, 63a, 82b, 112b, 173a, 174a Second flange portion (second retaining portion)
12c, 62b, 82c, 112c, 172b First neck portion 12d, 63b, 82d, 112d, 173b, 174b Second neck portion 12e, 62c, 82e, 112e, 172c First diameter gradually increasing portion 12f, 63c, 82f, 112f, 173c, 174c Second diameter gradually increasing portion 13 Ball portion 20, 150 Connecting member 21, 151, 191 First connecting piece 21b, 151b, 191b First through hole 22, 152, 192 Second connecting piece 22b, 152b, 191c, 192b Second Through-hole 41, 91, 121 Thermoforming tool 41a, 91a, 121a Clamping die 41b, 91b, 121b Molding die 41c Tapered surface 42 Ball splitting tool 42a Ball splitting die 42b Blade 61 Operation cord (string member)
62 One cord portion 63 The other cord portion 91c C chamfer 121c R chamfer 171 String member 172 First cord portion (single cord portion)
173,174 Second code part (plural code parts)
181 Shield

Claims (10)

In the retaining structure from the connecting member of the string-like member for connecting the cord portion formed in a string shape by the connecting member,
The connecting member has a pair of connecting pieces that are attached to end portions of the cord portions and detachably engage with each other;
A through hole that can be loosely fitted to the end of the cord portion is formed in the connecting piece,
The cord portion is formed of a thermoplastic resin,
A retaining portion having a diameter larger than the through hole that prevents the connecting piece from detaching from the end portion of the cord portion is formed by thermally deforming the end portion of the cord portion,
3. A retaining structure for a string-like member from a connecting member, wherein a neck portion of the retaining member is formed with a gradually increasing diameter portion gradually increasing from the cord portion toward the retaining portion.   The string-like member is an operation chain having a single cord portion and a plurality of ball portions fixed at a predetermined pitch in the longitudinal direction of the cord portion, and the connecting member connects both ends of the operation chain. Thus, the operation chain is formed into an endless ring-shaped chain, and the connection member includes a first connection piece having a base portion attached to one end of the cord portion, and a base portion attached to the other end of the cord portion. A second connecting piece, and when the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece are engaged and combined, the outer shape of the first connecting piece and the second connecting piece is an outer diameter of the ball portion. 2. A structure for preventing a string-like member from being removed from a connecting member according to claim 1, wherein the string-like member is configured to have substantially the same shape.   The string-like member is an operation cord having two cord portions, the connecting member is configured to connect the two cord portions, and the connecting member includes a base portion of the two cord portions. The first connection piece attached to one end of one of the cord portions, and a second connection piece whose base portion is attached to the other end of the other cord portion of the two cord portions. A structure for preventing the string-like member from being removed from the connecting member.   The string-like member has a single cord portion for operating and a plurality of cord portions for raising and lowering the shield, and the connecting member includes the single cord portion and the plurality of cord portions. A first connecting piece having one end attached to the single cord portion and the other end attached to one cord portion selected from the plurality of cord portions; A second connecting piece attached to one cord portion further selected from the remaining cord portions excluding one cord portion selected from the plurality of cord portions, and the plurality of cord portions Are divided into two or two groups, and when a load in a direction in which these two or two groups of cord portions are separated from each other acts on the two or two groups of cord portions, the plurality of cord portions are separated from each other. The string-like member string according to claim 1, wherein the string-like member is configured to be split. The retaining structure from the member.   The retaining structure from the connecting member of the string-like member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gradually increasing diameter portion is formed in a substantially truncated cone shape or a substantially half-drum shape.   6. The gradually increasing diameter portion is formed so that each fiber in the gradually increasing diameter portion remains unmelted during thermal deformation when the cord portion is a braided cord or a twisted string of thermoplastic resin. The retaining structure from the connection member of the string-like member of any one of Claims 1. A step of gripping the vicinity of the end portion of the cord portion used in the structure for preventing the string-like member from being connected to the connecting member according to any one of claims 1 to 6 with a pair of clamp dies, and protruding from these clamp dies A method of thermoforming the cord portion of the string-like member, including a step of thermally deforming an end portion of the cord portion and molding each retaining portion with a molding die,
A method for thermoforming a cord portion of a string-like member, wherein a taper surface, C chamfering or R chamfering for forming a gradually increasing diameter portion is formed in the pair of clamp dies. A pair of ball split molds on the outer peripheral surface of the ball portion having a different pitch among the plurality of ball portions used in the structure for preventing the string-like member from being connected to the connecting member according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5, or 6. A string-like member comprising: a step of bringing the blades into contact with each other; and a step of applying a force to the pair of ball split molds in a direction in which the force applying mechanism brings the pair of blades close to each other to break the ball portions having different pitches The ball splitting method of
The cord-shaped member ball splitting method, wherein the distance between the tips of the pair of blades is slightly larger than the diameter of the cord portion when the pair of blades are closest to each other. A pair of clamp molds for gripping the vicinity of the ends of the cord portions used in the structure for preventing the string-shaped member from being connected to the connecting member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and the cords protruding from these clamp molds A thermoforming tool for a cord portion of a string-like member provided with a molding die for thermally deforming an end portion of the portion and forming a retaining portion;
A thermoforming tool for a cord portion of a cord-like member, wherein a taper surface, C chamfering or R chamfering for forming a diameter gradually increasing portion on the neck portion of the retaining portion is formed in the pair of clamp dies. The blade which contacts the outer peripheral surface of a ball part from which pitch differs among a plurality of ball parts used for a retaining structure from a connecting member of a string-like member given in any one of claims 1, 2, 5, or 6 respectively. A string member ball splitting tool comprising: a pair of formed ball split molds; and a force applying mechanism that applies a force to the pair of ball split molds in a direction in which the blades of the ball split molds approach each other. ,
A cord-shaped member ball splitting tool, wherein a distance between tips of the pair of blades is slightly larger than a diameter of the cord portion when the pair of blades are closest to each other.

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