JP2020137841A - Method for manufacturing slider and steering wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a slider used for a slide fastener where a covering member is able to be easily attached to a rim main body part of a steering wheel.SOLUTION: A slider of the present invention (20, 20a, 20b, 20c) comprises a slider body (21, 51, 61) into which right and left element lines (12) of a slide fastener (10) are able to insert, and a slide guide (40) which is formed on the slider body (21, 51, 61) and projects to one of a height direction of the slider body (21, 51, 61). The slide guide (40) is formed so as to be able to be housed into a housing groove (7a) formed to be concave on a rim (4) of a steering wheel (1).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a slider for a slide fastener attached to a cover member of a steering wheel, and a manufacturing method for manufacturing a steering wheel by attaching a cover member to a rim body portion of a rim portion by using a slide fastener having the slider. ..

In a conventional steering wheel, a cover member is attached to the ring-shaped rim portion of the steering wheel by hand sewing. However, when the cover member is attached by hand sewing, the attachment process (sewing process) of the cover member is complicated and a long working time is required. In addition, the finished condition after the cover member is attached tends to depend on the skill of the operator, which may cause variations in the quality of the steering wheel.

To deal with such a problem, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-37577 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-215562 (Patent Document 2) use a slide fastener to provide a rim portion (rim) of a steering wheel. The technique of attaching the cover member to the main body) is described. In this case, the pair of left and right fastener stringers forming the slide fasteners are attached to, for example, the pair of side edges of the elongated cover member along the longitudinal direction.

While the cover member to which the slide fastener is attached is wound around the rim portion, the slider of the slide fastener is slid from one end of the cover member to engage the element rows of the fastener stringers with each other, thereby winding the cover member around the rim portion. Since the side edge portions of the cover member are connected to each other, the cover member can be attached to the ring-shaped rim portion.

By using the slide fastener for attaching the cover member in this way, it is possible to easily and smoothly attach the cover member as compared with the case where the cover member is attached by hand sewing as described above. It is possible to improve the efficiency of. In addition, experience and skill level are less likely to be affected by the work of attaching the cover member, and merits such as cost reduction and stabilization of quality can be expected. Further, an effect peculiar to the slide fastener can be obtained, such that the cover member can be removed by opening the slide fastener.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 61-37577 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-215562

The steering wheel body forming the steering wheel generally has a ring-shaped rim portion gripped by the driver, a boss portion arranged at the center of the rim portion, and a plurality of connecting the rim portion and the boss portion. It has a spoke portion (see, for example, FIG. 1). In such a steering wheel, a pair of side edge portions connected to each other by a cover member are often arranged on the inner peripheral portion of the rim portion in order to improve the appearance quality of the steering wheel.

However, when the cover member is attached to the rim portion using a slide fastener, for example, when the slider is slid while being strongly pulled, the connecting portion connecting the side edge portions of the cover member is inside the rim portion. There is a possibility that the steering wheel may be displaced from the position of the peripheral portion to the front surface side or the back surface side, and may be arranged in a portion where the steering wheel is easily visible or a portion where the rim portion is easily touched by the hand.

Further, since the element row in which the slide fastener is meshed is arranged between the rim main body portion of the rim portion and the cover member, the portion hiding the element row of the rim portion inside may be partially raised. As a result, the appearance of the steering wheel may be deteriorated, and the feel and operation feeling may be deteriorated. Further, for example, when the driver grips and operates the steering wheel, it is conceivable that the cover member gradually rotates in the direction of gripping the rim portion due to the driver's force or the like, and the position of the connecting portion of the cover member shifts. As a result, it is possible to reduce the appearance, feel, and operability of the steering wheel.

By the way, depending on the form and design of the steering wheel, the cover member may be attached so as to cover not only the ring-shaped rim portion but also a part of the spoke portion. In this case, since the pair of side edge portions of the cover member are continuously abutted and connected from the inner peripheral portion of the rim portion to the spoke portion, the connecting portion is formed over the rim portion and the spoke portion. Will be done.

However, in the region near the boundary between the rim portion and the spoke portion, a sharply curved portion may be provided in which the connecting portion to which the cover member is connected is sharply bent to change the direction. When the cover member is attached to the steering wheel provided with such a sharp curve portion by using the slide fastener as described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2, as in Patent Document 1. In the operation of the slider with a simple puller or the operation of the slider with a special jig as in Patent Document 2, it becomes difficult (or impossible to slide) the slider in the sharp curve portion. As a result, the mounting workability of the cover member may be rather lowered.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a slider used for a slide fastener capable of easily attaching a cover member to a rim body of a steering wheel. , The steering wheel can be easily attached to the rim body, and the influence of the element row on the appearance, touch, and operability of the steering wheel when the cover member is attached can be reduced. The purpose is to provide a method for manufacturing a wheel. Further, in the present invention, when the cover member is attached to the steering wheel including the sharp curve portion, the slider can be smoothly slid even in the sharp curve portion, and the slider can be smoothly slid even in the sharp curve portion to cover the cover member. It is a second object to provide a method for manufacturing a steering wheel capable of easily performing the installation work of the above.

In order to achieve the above object, the slider provided by the present invention is a slider for a slide fastener attached to a cover member of a steering wheel, the slider body capable of inserting the left and right element rows of the slide fastener, and the slider. The slider has a sliding guide portion that is formed on the body and projects in one direction in the height direction of the slider body, and the sliding guide portion is a housing groove portion recessed in the rim portion of the steering wheel. The most important feature is that it is formed so that it can be accommodated in.

In the slider according to the present invention, the slider body has a rear opening arranged at one end in the length direction of the slider body and left and right shoulder openings arranged on the other side in the length direction. The motion guide portion preferably has a guide inclined portion that gradually reduces the dimension in the height direction from the slider body toward the rear opening of the slider body.

In this case, the size of the sliding guide portion in the width direction of the slider body is preferably 50% or more and 100% or less of the size of the end portion of the slider body on the rear opening side in the width direction.
Further, it is preferable that the guide inclined portion has an inclined surface that is inclined at an angle of 10 ° or more and 30 ° or less with respect to the length direction of the slider body.
Furthermore, the sliding guide portion has an insertion side inclined portion that is arranged at the end portion of the sliding guide portion on the shoulder opening side and is inclined at the first inclination angle with respect to the height direction. The first inclination angle is preferably set to 5 ° or more and 30 ° or less in the side view of the slider.

Further, the slider of the present invention is integrally formed with the slider body and has a slider operation portion extending to the other side in the height direction of the slider body, and the slider operation portion is the length of the slider body. It is preferable to have an operation inclined portion that inclines downward in one direction.

In this case, the operation inclined portion is continuously provided from a position in front of the end on the rear opening side of the slider body to a position behind the end on the rear opening side in the length direction. Is preferable.
Further, the slider operation unit has an operation main body portion that is arranged apart from the slider body and has the operation inclined portion, and an operation pillar portion that connects the slider body and the operation main body portion. It is preferable that the operation main body portion is detachably engaged with the operation pillar portion.

Further, the operation inclined portion has a curved surface that exhibits an arc in the side view of the slider, and the center of the arc on the curved surface is an end portion of the slider body on the rear opening side in the length direction. It is preferably located on the outside of.

Furthermore, the slider operating portion has a pressing portion that extends from the operating inclined portion in one direction in the length direction, and the inclined surface of the operating inclined portion and the first surface of the pressing portion are The pressing portion is continuously formed and has a thin plate-shaped pressing main body portion connected to the operation inclined portion and a pressing rib portion protruding from the central portion in the width direction on the second surface of the pressing main body portion. Is preferable.

Further, in the slider of the present invention, the slider fuselage is formed on a thin plate-shaped main wing plate, left and right side wall portions rising from the left and right side edges of the main wing plate, and inside from the upper ends of the left and right side wall portions in the width direction. The left and right first flange portions extending toward the center, the central pillar rising from the shoulder opening side end of the main wing plate, and the second flange portion extending in a direction orthogonal to the height direction from the upper end of the central pillar. It is preferable to have.

Next, the method for manufacturing a steering wheel provided by the present invention includes a ring-shaped rim portion, a boss portion arranged at the center of the rim portion, and a plurality of connecting the rim portion and the boss portion. The rim portion has spoke portions, and the rim portion has a core material portion, a rim body portion that wraps the core material portion, and a cover member that covers the rim body portion, and a pair of facing cover members. In a manufacturing method for manufacturing the steering wheel by attaching the cover member to the rim body portion of the steering wheel in which the slide fastener is arranged on the side edge portion, the left and right elements of the slide fastener are used as the slider of the slide fastener. Use of a slider having a slider body through which rows can be inserted and a sliding guide portion integrally formed with the slider body and projecting toward one of the height directions of the slider body, at least in part. The cover member is wound around the rim main body portion in which the accommodating groove portion is recessed, and the sliding guide portion of the slider is inserted into the accommodating groove portion of the rim main body portion for accommodating. The most important thing is to engage the left and right element rows to connect the side edges of the cover member by sliding the slider while maintaining the accommodation state of the sliding guide portion. It is a characteristic.

In the manufacturing method of the present invention as described above, the left and right element rows are meshed with each other in the slider body, and the meshed left and right element rows are sent out from the slider body to form the rim body. It is preferable to include accommodating in the accommodating groove.

Further, in the manufacturing method of the present invention, as the slider, the sliding guide portion has a guide inclined portion that gradually reduces the dimension in the height direction from the slider body toward the rear opening of the slider body. And by bringing the guide inclined portion of the sliding guide portion into contact with the groove bottom surface portion of the accommodating groove portion, the slider in a state where the element guide path of the slider body is inclined with respect to the accommodating groove portion. It is preferable to include sliding.

Further, the manufacturing method of the present invention has a slider operation portion formed integrally with the slider body as the slider and extending to the other side in the height direction of the slider body, and the slider operation is performed. The slider is slid by using a portion having an operation inclined portion that inclines downward toward one of the length directions of the slider body and by pushing the operation inclined portion of the slider operation portion. It is preferable to include that.

In this case, in the manufacturing method of the present invention, as the slider, the slider operation portion is arranged apart from the slider body, and the operation main body portion provided with the operation inclination portion, the slider body, and the operation main body portion. It has an operation pillar portion that connects the two, and the operation main body portion is detachably engaged with the operation pillar portion. After engaging the entire left and right element rows, the operation main body portion is used. It is particularly preferable to include removing the portion from the operation pillar portion and accommodating the slider from which the operation main body portion has been removed in the slider accommodating portion provided on the steering wheel.

The slider according to the present invention has a slider body and a sliding guide portion that is integrally formed with the slider body, and the sliding guide portion is a housing groove portion recessed in the rim portion of the steering wheel. It has a size and shape that can be accommodated in. By using such a slide fastener having the slider of the present invention, the work of attaching the cover member to the rim portion of the steering wheel can be easily performed.

In particular, in this case, since the slider can be slid with the sliding guide portion of the slider inserted in the concave accommodating groove provided in the rim portion, the slider can be smoothly and stably along the accommodating groove portion of the rim portion. Can be slid. As a result, the connecting portion in which the side edge portions of the cover member are connected by the element row is arranged at a desired position along the accommodating groove portion of the rim portion (for example, the position of the inner peripheral portion of the rim main body portion) to cover. The members can be attached smoothly.

Further, in the present invention, the left and right element rows meshed with the slider can be inserted and accommodated in the accommodating groove portion of the rim portion accommodating the sliding guide portion of the slider. This makes it possible to prevent a part of the rim portion from being partially raised due to the presence of the element row, for example. Further, by accommodating the left and right element rows in the accommodating groove portion of the rim portion, it is possible to effectively prevent the position of the connecting portion of the cover member from being displaced. Therefore, in the steering wheel of the present invention, the element row of the slide fastener can reduce (or eliminate) the influence on the appearance, touch feeling, operation feeling, etc. of the steering wheel, and stabilize the quality of the steering wheel. it can.

In such a slider of the present invention, the sliding guide portion of the slider has a guide inclined portion that gradually reduces the dimension in the height direction toward the rear opening along the length direction of the slider body. As a result, when the sliding guide portion of the slider is inserted into the concave accommodating groove provided in the rim portion, the slider body can be stably tilted at a constant angle with respect to the sliding direction of the slider. The slider body can be smoothly moved along the accommodating groove in a state of being tilted at a certain angle. As a result, the left and right element rows can be smoothly introduced into the element guide path from the left and right shoulder openings of the slider fuselage, and the left and right element rows meshed in the element guide path are discharged from the rear opening to accommodate the rim portion. It can be easily accommodated in the groove. Further, when the left and right element rows are meshed and accommodated in the accommodating groove portion, the tension generated between the pair of side edge portions of the cover member can be relaxed, thereby improving the slidability of the slider.

In this case, the size of the sliding guide portion in the width direction of the slider body is 50% or more and 100% or less, preferably 60% or more and 90% or less of the size of the end portion on the rear opening side of the slider body in the width direction. is there. Further, the dimension of the sliding guide portion in the width direction is preferably 40% or more and 100% or less, particularly 60% or more and 90% or less of the dimension in the width direction of the accommodating groove portion.

Since the sliding guide portion has the width dimension as described above, it is possible to prevent the sliding guide portion from being caught in the accommodating groove portion of the rim portion when the slider is slid, and the slider slides smoothly along the accommodating groove portion. Can be made to. Further, since the position of the slider with respect to the accommodation groove portion (particularly the position in the width direction) can be stabilized, the element row meshed with the slider body can be stably accommodated in the accommodation groove portion.

Further, in the present invention, the above-mentioned guide inclined portion has a flat inclined surface which is inclined at an angle of 10 ° or more and 30 ° or less with respect to the length direction of the slider body. As a result, when the sliding guide portion of the slider is inserted into the accommodating groove portion of the rim portion, the slider body can be stably tilted at a predetermined angle with respect to the sliding direction.

Furthermore, the sliding guide portion of the present invention has an insertion-side inclined portion that is inclined at a first inclination angle of 5 ° or more and 30 ° or less, preferably 10 ° or more and 20 ° or less with respect to the height direction. As a result, the sliding guide portion can be easily inserted into the accommodating groove portion provided in the rim portion. Further, it is possible to make it difficult for the sliding guide portion to be caught in the accommodating groove portion when the slider slides, and particularly when the slider passes through the sharply curved portion as described above of the steering wheel along the accommodating groove portion, the sliding guide portion Can be easily moved smoothly while being housed in the storage groove.

Further, the slider of the present invention has a slider operation portion integrally formed with the slider body, and the slider operation portion has an operation inclination that inclines downward toward one side (for example, rearward) in the length direction. A part is provided. Here, the downward inclination means that the position of the surface (outer surface) of the operation inclined portion in the height direction (hereinafter referred to as the height position) is continuous so as to approach one of the length directions toward the slider body. Or to say that it changes in stages.

The slider of the present invention having the slider operation unit as described above is formed without using the puller provided in the conventional general slider. In this case, the user can slide the slider by putting a finger on the operation inclined portion of the slider and pushing the operation inclined portion with the finger in the direction along the element row. In particular, in the present invention, since the operation inclined portion has a curved surface or a flat surface that inclines downward in one direction in the length direction, the operation inclined portion can be stably pushed in the direction along the element row with a finger. Thereby, the slider can be easily and smoothly slid. Further, in the present invention, the direction and magnitude of the force applied to the operation inclined portion can be easily adjusted with a finger according to the traveling direction of the slider, whereby, for example, the left and right element rows while changing the posture of the sliding slider. Can be engaged.

Therefore, when the cover member is attached to the steering wheel by using the slide fastener, the slider of the present invention is used to smoothly slide the slider along the arc-shaped inner peripheral portion of the ring-shaped rim portion. Therefore, the side edges of the cover members can be stably connected to each other. Further, even when the sharp curve portion as described above is formed in the region near the boundary between the rim portion and the spoke portion of the steering wheel, the slider is operated with a finger according to the degree of bending of the sharp curve portion. By adjusting the direction and magnitude of the force applied to the part, the attitude and direction of movement of the slider can be easily changed. As a result, the slider can be smoothly slid even in the sharp curve portion to stably connect the side edge portions of the cover member to each other, so that the cover member can be easily attached to the portion including the sharp curve portion. It can be done smoothly.

In this case, the operation inclined portion is continuously provided from the position in front of the rear mouth side end portion to the position behind the rear mouth side end portion in the length direction. As a result, the direction and magnitude of the force applied to the operation inclined portion can be easily adjusted with the finger, so that the posture of the slider can be smoothly changed.
Further, the slider operation unit of the present invention has an operation main body portion that is arranged apart from the slider body and has an operation inclined portion, and an operation pillar portion that connects the slider body and the operation main body portion. In this case, the operation pillar portion is formed to have a smaller width than the slider body and the operation main body portion. As a result, the slider operation unit can be integrally provided on the slider body with a simple structure. Further, since the width dimension of the operation inclined portion is larger than that of the operation pillar portion, the operation inclined portion can be stably pushed with a finger.

Furthermore, since the operation body is detachably engaged to the operation column, the slider is slid to attach the cover member to the steering wheel, and then the operation body is removed from the operation column to cause the slider. Can be made smaller. As a result, the slider can be easily concealed by being housed inside, for example, the steering wheel, so that the appearance quality, touch comfort, and operability of the steering wheel can be effectively improved.

In the present invention, the operation inclined portion of the slider operating portion has a curved surface that exhibits an arc in the side view of the slider, and the center of the arc on the curved surface is the rear opening side of the slider body in the length direction. Located on the outside of the edge of. As a result, the direction and magnitude of the force applied to the operation inclined portion can be easily adjusted with the finger, so that the posture of the slider can be smoothly changed.

Further, the slider operating portion of the present invention has a pressing portion that continuously extends from the operating inclined portion in one direction (rearward) in the length direction, and the pressing portion includes a thin plate-shaped pressing main body portion and a pressing portion. It has a pressing rib portion that protrudes from the central portion in the width direction of the pressing main body portion toward the rear opening side. As a result, the slider can be smoothly slid while the finger is stably pressed against the operation inclined portion and the pressing portion of the slider operating portion. Further, when the side edge portions of the cover member are connected to each other by sliding the slider, the pair of side edge portions to which the cover member is connected is pressed from the surface (outer surface) side by the pressing portion of the slider operating portion. Can push the abutted portion of the pair of side edges toward the surface (outer surface) side or the inside of the rim portion. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent the connected connecting portion of the cover member from floating outward, and as a result, it is possible to prevent each side edge portion of the cover member from rolling up outward. As a result, the appearance quality, feel, and operability of the steering wheel can be further improved.

Further, in the present invention, the slider fuselage includes a thin plate-shaped main wing plate, left and right side wall portions rising from the left and right side edges of the main wing plate, and left and right first flange portions extending inward from the upper end portion of the side wall portion. It has a central pillar that rises from the shoulder opening side end of the main wing plate, and a second flange portion that projects from the upper end of the central pillar. By forming the slider body in this way, the slider of the present invention can be used as a slider for a so-called hidden type slide fastener.

Next, in the method for manufacturing a steering wheel provided by the present invention, a slider body is used as a slider for a slide fastener attached to the cover member when the cover member is attached to the rim body of the steering wheel to manufacture the steering wheel. And a slider having a sliding guide portion that is integrally formed with the slider body and protrudes in one direction in the height direction of the slider body is used. In addition, a cover member is wrapped around a ring-shaped rim body having a recessed accommodating groove that can accommodate the left and right element rows in a meshed state, and a sliding guide for the slider is accommodated in the rim body. Insert it into the groove and store it. Then, by sliding the slider while maintaining the accommodation state of the sliding guide portion, the left and right element rows are engaged with each other to connect the side edge portions of the cover member.

According to such a manufacturing method of the present invention, the cover member can be easily attached to the rim portion by using the slide fastener. Further, since the slider can be slid smoothly and stably with the sliding guide portion of the slider inserted in the concave accommodating groove provided in the rim portion, the mounting work of the cover member can be performed quickly and efficiently. Can be done. Further, since the connecting portion connected by the element row of the cover member can be arranged at a desired position along the accommodating groove portion of the rim portion, a steering wheel having excellent appearance quality can be manufactured.

Further, in the manufacturing method of the present invention, the left and right element rows of the slide fastener can be meshed with each other inside the slider body, and the meshed left and right element rows can be stably accommodated in the accommodating groove portion of the rim body. .. As a result, for example, it is possible to prevent a part of the rim portion from being partially raised due to the presence of the element row, so that the quality such as the appearance, touch feeling, and operability of the steering wheel can be improved, and the quality is excellent. Steering wheel can be manufactured stably.

Further, in the manufacturing method of the present invention, a slider having a sliding guide portion having a guide inclined portion whose height dimension is gradually reduced toward the rear opening is used. In this case, by bringing the guide inclined portion of the sliding guide portion of the slider into contact with the groove bottom portion of the accommodating groove portion, the slider is tilted at a constant angle with respect to the accommodating groove portion of the element guide path of the slider body. It can be slid stably. As a result, the left and right element rows can be smoothly introduced into the slider body, and the meshed left and right element rows can be sent out from the rear opening of the slider body and smoothly accommodated in the accommodating groove portion of the rim portion. Further, in this case, the tension generated between the pair of side edges of the cover member can be relaxed to improve the slidability of the slider.

Furthermore, in the manufacturing method of the present invention, the slider has a slider operating portion extending in the height direction from the slider body, and the slider operating portion has an operating inclined portion that inclines downward in one direction in the length direction. Use things. In this case, the slider can be easily and smoothly slid by putting a finger on the operating inclined portion of the slider operating portion and pushing the operating inclined portion with the finger in the direction along the element row. Further, the direction and magnitude of the force applied to the operation inclined portion can be easily adjusted with a finger according to the traveling direction of the slider, whereby the posture of the sliding slider can be changed. Therefore, for example, in the rim portion. The slider can be smoothly slid along the arc-shaped inner peripheral portion. Further, even when a sharp curve portion is formed, the posture and the traveling direction of the slider can be easily changed according to the degree of bending of the sharp curve portion.

Further, in the manufacturing method of the present invention, as a slider, the slider operation portion has an operation main body portion having an operation inclined portion and an operation pillar portion, and the operation main body portion is detachably engaged with the operation pillar portion. Is used. In this case, after engaging the entire left and right element rows, the operation main body may be removed from the operation column to make the slider smaller, and the smaller slider may be housed in the slider housing provided on the steering wheel to hide it. it can. This makes it possible to effectively enhance the appearance quality, feel and operability of the steering wheel.

It is a perspective view which shows the steering wheel manufactured by Example 1 of this invention. It is the main part schematic diagram which shows typically the main part of the steering wheel shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the slider which concerns on Example 1. FIG. It is a side view of the slider shown in FIG. It is a front view which looked at the slider shown in FIG. 3 from the shoulder opening side. It is the bottom view which looked at the slider shown in FIG. 3 from the lower side. It is a schematic diagram schematically explaining the relationship between the slider shown in FIG. 3 and the accommodating groove portion provided in the rim portion of the steering wheel. It is a side view which shows the slider which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing in the IX-IX line shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the slider which concerns on the modification of Example 1. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the slider which concerns on another modification of Example 1. FIG.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings with reference to examples. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the examples described below, and various changes can be made as long as it has substantially the same configuration as the present invention and exerts the same action and effect. It is possible.

For example, in each of the following examples, a case where the slider of the present invention is used for a slide fastener formed by a plurality of synthetic resin fastener elements in which element rows are continuous in a coil shape will be described. However, the present invention is based on, for example, a slide fastener in which a plurality of independent fastener elements are injection-molded on a fastener tape to form an element row, or a plurality of independent metal fastener elements are fixed to the fastener tape. The same applies to slide fasteners having different forms of element rows, such as slide fasteners having element rows formed therein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a steering wheel manufactured in the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a main part schematically showing a main part of the steering wheel. 3 to 6 are schematic views of the slider of the first embodiment as viewed from various directions.

In the following description of the slider, the front-rear direction refers to the sliding direction of the slider, and in particular, the direction in which the slider moves to engage the element rows of the slide fastener (the direction in which the slide fastener is closed) is defined as the front. The direction of movement (the direction of opening the slide fastener) to separate the element rows is the rear. Further, the front and rear of the slider may be referred to as a shoulder opening side direction and a rear opening side direction.

Further, the vertical direction refers to the height direction of the slider, for example, the direction of the side exposed to the outside is upward, and the direction of the opposite side (the side inserted into the accommodating groove of the rim portion) is downward. Further, the left-right direction refers to the width direction of the slider, and is a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction and the height direction of the slider.

The steering wheel 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a steering wheel main body 2 and a steering wheel pad 3 that is arranged on the driver facing surface of the steering wheel main body 2 and houses an airbag or the like inside. The steering wheel main body 2 includes a ring-shaped rim portion 4 gripped by the driver, a boss portion (not shown) arranged at the center of the rim portion 4, and three spoke portions 5 connecting the rim portion 4 and the boss portion. And have. As shown in FIG. 2, the rim portion 4 includes a metal core material portion 6 and a ring-shaped rim body portion 7 formed of a synthetic resin such as urethane while covering the core material portion 6 so as to wrap around the core material portion 6. It has a cover member (skin member) 8 that covers the rim body 7.

In the first embodiment, a concave groove-shaped accommodating groove portion 7a accommodating the element row 12 described later is provided on the inner peripheral portion (surface portion on the inner peripheral side) facing the center side of the ring-shaped rim main body portion 7. It is recessed along the circumferential direction of the main body 7. In this case, the groove bottom surface forming the accommodating groove portion 7a is formed on a curved surface curved along the arc of the ring-shaped rim portion 4. Further, the accommodating groove portion 7a has a size capable of accommodating the left and right element rows 12 in the meshed state, and also has a size capable of inserting the rear opening side end portion of the slider body 21 described later into the inside.

The cover member 8 of the first embodiment covers the first cover portion having an elongated shape along the circumferential direction of the rim portion 4 and the cover member 8 from the first cover portion corresponding to the respective positions and forms of the three spoke portions 5. It has a plurality of second cover portions extending in the width direction of the member 8. In the present invention, the material and form of the cover member are not particularly limited, and can be arbitrarily selected according to the form of the steering wheel body to which the cover member is attached.

Further, the cover member 8 of the first embodiment is wound around the rim main body 7 to cover the rim main body 7, and the side edge of the first cover portion arranged along the length direction of the cover member 8. The portions 8a are formed so as to be able to abut each other, and the corresponding side edge portions 8a of the second cover portion are formed so as to be able to abut each other. A hidden type slide fastener 10 is attached to the side edge portions 8a of the cover member 8 so as to abut against each other along the side edge portion 8a.

Further, the steering wheel 1 of the first embodiment has three space portions (upper space portion shown in FIG. 1, diagonally lower left side) surrounded by a rim portion 4, three spoke portions 5, and a steering wheel pad 3. The space portion and the space portion on the diagonally lower right side) are formed, and three hidden type slide fasteners 10 are attached to the cover member 8 corresponding to these three space portions. In this case, the three hidden type slide fasteners 10 themselves are formed in substantially the same manner as each other.

Further, in the steering wheel 1 of the first embodiment, the pair of side edge portions 8a of the cover members 8 are butted against each other and connected to each other, and the left and right element rows 12 formed on the side edge portions 8a are covered members. When the 8 is attached to the steering wheel 1, a sharply curved portion 9 is provided that is sharply bent and changes direction in a region near the boundary between the rim portion 4 and each spoke portion 5.

Further, on the steering wheel 1 of the first embodiment, a slider 20 described later is slid to close the slide fastener 10, and a part of the slider 20 (operation main body portion 31 described later) is removed from the slider 20. After that, a slider accommodating portion (not shown) is provided which internally accommodates and holds the remaining portion of the slider 20 so as not to be seen from the outside.

The hidden type slide fastener 10 in the first embodiment has a pair of left and right fastener stringers 11 and a slider 20 that can slide along an element row 12 provided on each fastener stringer 11. Each of the left and right fastener stringers 11 has a band-shaped fastener tape and a plurality of coil-shaped synthetic resin fastener elements sewn on a part of the fastener tape. The element row 12 is formed continuously along the length direction of the fastener tape by a plurality of fastener elements attached to the left and right fastener tapes, respectively.

The left and right fastener tapes extend from the tape main body portion attached to the opposite side edge portion 8a of the cover member 8 and one side edge of the tape main body portion when the cross section orthogonal to the tape length direction is viewed. It has a tape bent portion that is pulled out and bent in a U shape, and an element mounting portion that further extends from the tape bent portion. In this case, the boundary portion between the tape main portion and the tape bent portion in the fastener tape or a portion in the vicinity thereof is sewn to a pair of opposite side edge portions of the cover member 8. As a result, the element row 12 of the fastener stringer 11 is arranged on the back surface side of the cover member 8 along the facing edge portion of the cover member 8. In the present invention, the fastener tape may be attached to the facing edge portion of the cover member 8 by using other fixing means such as adhesion.

The slider 20 of the first embodiment includes a slider body 21 for inserting the left and right element rows 12 into the inside, a slider operation unit 30 integrally formed with the slider body 21 and extending upward from the slider body 21. It has a sliding guide portion 40 that is integrally formed with the slider body 21 and projects downward from the slider body 21. In the first embodiment, the slider 20 is made of metal, but the material of the slider 20 is not particularly limited. Further, the slider of the present invention may be formed by forming the slider operating portion and the sliding guide portion separately from the slider body and fixing them to the slider body by adhesion, assembly, or the like.

The slider body 21 has a form corresponding to the hidden type slide fastener 10. Specifically, the slider body 21 has a thin plate-shaped main wing plate (also referred to as a lower wing plate) 22, left and right side wall portions 23 rising from the left and right side edges of the main wing plate 22, and upper ends of the left and right side wall portions 23. The left and right first flange portions 24 extending inward in the width direction from the portions, the central pillar 25 rising from the central portion in the width direction at the front end portion (shoulder opening side end portion) of the main wing plate 22, and the upper end of the central pillar 25. It has a second flange portion 26 that projects from the portion in a direction orthogonal to the height direction. In this case, the second flange portion 26 projects laterally and rearward from the central pillar 25.

Further, the slider body 21 has a rear opening arranged at the rear end portion (one end portion in the length direction) of the slider body 21 and a length direction from the front end portion (the other end portion in the length direction) of the slider body 21. It is provided with left and right shoulder openings arranged in the front region up to the middle portion, and a substantially Y-shaped element guide path 27 that communicates between the rear opening and the left and right shoulder openings.

In this case, the rear opening is formed by being surrounded by the main wing plate 22, the left and right side wall portions 23, and the left and right first flange portions 24. The left and right shoulder openings are arranged on the left and right sides of the central pillar 25 so as to sandwich the central pillar 25 in between, and the main wing plate 22, the left and right side wall portions 23, the left and right first flange portions 24, and the left and right second shoulder openings. It is formed by being surrounded by the flange portion 26. Further, the slider body 21 is provided with a tape insertion gap for inserting the fastener tape between the first flange portion 24 and the second flange portion 26 continuously from the left and right shoulder openings to the rear opening.

The width direction dimension (width dimension) and the height direction dimension (height dimension) at the rear end portion of the slider body 21 are the width direction dimension (groove) of the accommodating groove portion 7a formed in the rim portion 4 of the steering wheel 1. It is set smaller than the width dimension) and the dimension in the depth direction (groove depth dimension). As a result, when the slider 20 is slid, at least the rear end portion of the slider body 21 can be accommodated in the accommodating groove portion 7a of the rim portion 4. Further, the slider body 21 can be smoothly moved along the accommodation groove 7a with the rear end thereof inserted into the accommodation groove 7a.

The slider operation unit 30 of the first embodiment has an operation main body 31 that is arranged apart from the slider body 21, and an operation pillar 36 that connects the slider body 21 and the operation main body 31.
The operation pillar portion 36 extends upward from the central pillar 25 and the second flange portion 26 of the slider body 21, and is integrally formed with the central pillar 25 and the second flange portion 26. The operation pillar portion 36 is first engaged with the operation pillar main body 37 having a constant cross section orthogonal to the vertical direction, which is integrally formed on the operation pillar main body 37 and engages the operation main body portion 31. It has a part 38 and.

The operation column main body 37 of the first embodiment is formed so that the cross section orthogonal to the vertical direction has the same shape and size as the cross section orthogonal to the vertical direction of the central column 25 and the second flange portion 26. .. Therefore, the maximum value W1 of the width dimension and the maximum value L1 of the length dimension (dimension in the length direction) of the operation column main body 37 are the maximum value W2 of the width dimension and the maximum value of the length dimension in the entire slider body 21. Each is set smaller than L2.

The height dimension of the operation pillar body 37 is larger than the maximum value of the height dimension of the slider body 21 in consideration of the operability (easiness of operation) of the slider 20 by the slider operation unit 30, and the slider body 21 It is set to be smaller than twice the maximum value of the height dimension of. As a result, the sliding operation when the operator's finger is pressed against the slider operation unit 30 to slide the slider 20 forward can be smoothly and stably performed. In the present invention, the cross-sectional shape, width dimension, length dimension, and height dimension of the operation column main body 37 are not particularly limited and can be arbitrarily changed.

The operation main body 31 is provided at the upper end of the operation pillar 36 with a width dimension and a length dimension larger than those of the operation pillar main body 37 of the operation pillar portion 36. The maximum value W3 of the width dimension of the operation main body 31 is set to a constant size larger than the width dimension W5 at the rear end of the slider body 21 and smaller than the maximum value W2 of the width dimension of the slider body 21. Has been done. The maximum value L3 of the length dimension of the operation main body 31 is set to be larger than the maximum value L2 of the length dimension of the slider body 21.

The operation main body portion 31 of the first embodiment is formed in the width direction in accordance with the central position of the operation main body portion 31 in the width direction and the central position of the operation pillar portion 36 in the width direction. Further, the operation main body portion 31 aligns the front end position of the operation main body portion 31 with the front end position of the operation pillar portion 36 in the length direction, and protrudes rearward from the rear end position of the operation pillar portion 36. Is formed so as to project rearward from the rear end position of the slider body 21. Further, the height dimension of the operation main body portion 31 is set to be larger than the height dimension of the operation pillar portion 36.

In the side view of the slider 20, the operation main body 31 has a lower surface portion 31a that faces the slider body 21 and is arranged orthogonally in the vertical direction, an upper surface portion 31b that is arranged in parallel with the lower surface portion 31a, and an upper surface portion. A flat front inclined portion 31c that inclines downward from the front end portion of 31b to the front, and an operation inclined portion (rear inclined portion) 31d that inclines downward while bending backward from the rear end portion of the upper surface portion 31b. Has. In this case, the first ridge line portion 31e arranged as a boundary portion between the upper surface portion 31b and the operation inclined portion 31d in the operation main body portion 31, and the boundary between the operation inclined portion 31d and the rear surface portion in the operation main body portion 31. The second ridge line portion 31f arranged as a portion is formed on a smooth curved surface as if chamfered.

Further, the position of the first ridge line portion 31e of the operation inclined portion 31d in the length direction is posterior to the center position in the length direction of the slider body 21 and rearward in the length direction of the operation pillar portion 36. It is arranged so that it is on the front side of the end position. On the other hand, the second ridge line portion 31f of the operation inclined portion 31d is arranged so that the position in the length direction thereof is on the front side of the rear end position in the length direction of the operation pillar portion 36. That is, the rear end position of the operation pillar portion 36 in the length direction is arranged in the formation region in which the operation tilt portion 31d is continuously formed in the length direction with respect to the operation main body portion 31.

By providing the operation inclined portion 31d in the positional relationship as described above, when the slider 20 is slid so that the element row 12 meshes while pressing the operation main body portion 31 with a finger as described later, the operation main body portion The slider 20 can be smoothly slid while stably meshing the left and right element rows 12 in order at the position under the finger touching the 31. Further, since the direction and magnitude of the force applied to the operation inclined portion 31d can be easily adjusted with a finger, for example, in the portion of the sharp curve portion 9 of the steering wheel 1, the posture of the slider 20 while sliding the slider 20 Can be smoothly tilted according to the traveling direction of the slider 20.

In the first embodiment, the outer surface (upper surface) of the operation inclined portion 31d of the operation main body portion 31 is formed as a concave curved surface that exhibits an arc in the side view of the slider 20. In the present invention, the outer surface of the operation inclined portion 31d of the operation main body portion 31 may be formed as a flat surface having a linear shape in the side view of the slider 20.

In this case, the curved surface that is the outer surface of the operation inclined portion 31d has the center C of the arc on the curved surface located on the outer side (rear side) of the rear end portion of the slider body 21 in the length direction of the slider 20. It is formed like this. This makes it possible to form the curved surface of the operating inclined portion 31d at an appropriate inclination angle and an appropriate radius of curvature. Thereby, when operating the slider 20, it is possible to easily push the slider 20 forward by putting a finger on the operation inclined portion 31d of the slider 20.

Further, the radius of curvature R on the curved surface of the operation inclined portion 31d is set to 5 mm or more and 20 mm or less, preferably 7 mm or more and 15 mm or less in consideration of the standard thickness of a human finger and the like. In particular, in the case of the first embodiment, the radius of curvature R on the curved surface of the operation inclined portion 31d is set to 10 mm.

In the first embodiment, the virtual inclination angle formed by connecting the first ridge line portion 31e and the second ridge line portion 31f in the operation inclination portion 31d is 30 ° or more and 50 ° or less in the side view of the slider 20. It is preferable to have. Further, in the case of the first embodiment, in order to further improve the operability of the slider 20, for example, a minute unevenness for preventing slipping may be provided on the curved surface of the operation inclined portion 31d, or a member such as an elastomer may be attached. It is possible.
Further, the operation main body 31 of the first embodiment is provided with left and right recessed portions 32 from the left and right side surface portions toward the inside in the width direction, whereby the weight of the operation main body 31 can be reduced. There is.

The slider operation unit 30 of the first embodiment has an engagement structure in which the operation main body portion 31 is removed from the operation pillar portion 36 and is detachably engaged. In this engagement structure, a first engaging portion 38 provided at the upper end portion of the operation pillar portion 36 and a groove-shaped second engaging portion (engaging groove portion) provided at the lower half portion of the operation main body portion 31 It is formed by 33.

The first engaging portion 38 provided on the operating pillar portion 36 includes a first engaging base portion 38a having a width dimension larger than that of the operating pillar main body 37, and a first engaging pillar portion 38b rising from the first engaging base portion 38a. , The first engaging protrusion 38c protruding from the upper end of the first engaging pillar 38b in the left-right width direction, and the left and right side wall surfaces of the first engaging pillar 38b bulging outward in the width direction in a hemispherical shape. It has left and right first fitting portions 38d.

In this case, the first engaging base portion 38a, the first engaging pillar portion 38b, and the first engaging protrusion 38c of the first engaging portion 38 are formed along the length direction. Further, the pair of left and right first fitting portions 38d are located at positions separated rearward from the front end edge of the first engaging portion 38 and in the left and right second fitting holes 33d of the second engaging portion 33, which will be described later. It is formed at the corresponding position.

The second engaging portion 33 provided in the operation main body portion 31 includes a second wide groove portion 33a that opens on the lower surface of the operation main body portion 31 and a second central groove portion 33b formed upward from the second wide groove portion 33a. , The second narrow groove portion 33c communicating with the upper end portion of the second central groove portion 33b, and the left and right second fittings communicating with the second central groove portion 33b and fitting the first fitting portion 38d of the first engaging portion 38. It has a hole 33d.

The second wide groove portion 33a, the second central groove portion 33b, and the second narrow groove portion 33c of the second engaging portion 33 are the first engaging base portion 38a and the first engaging pillar portion 38b of the first engaging portion 38. , And the first engaging protrusion 38c, respectively, are formed with a predetermined length dimension along the length direction. The left and right second fitting holes 33d are formed at positions separated rearward from the front end edge of the second engaging portion 33 and at positions corresponding to the left and right first fitting portions 38d in the first engaging portion 38. Has been done.

Further, the second fitting hole portion 33d communicates with the second central groove portion 33b and the left and right recessed portions 32 provided in the operation main body portion 31, and is a quadrangle (in a side view of the slider operation portion 30). It is formed in a shape exhibiting (preferably a square). Further, each of the second fitting holes 33d is formed in a size capable of inserting at least a part of the hemispherical first fitting portion 38d in the first engaging portion 38 into the internal space thereof. .. By accommodating and fitting the pair of left and right first fitting portions 38d of the first engaging portion 38 into the left and right second fitting holes 33d, the operation main body portion 31 is fitted to the operation pillar portion 36. On the other hand, it can be held so that it does not move.

The slider operation unit 30 of the first embodiment having the above-mentioned engagement structure is a hemisphere of the first engagement portion 38 by strongly pulling the operation main body portion 31 rearward with respect to the operation pillar portion 36. The shape-shaped first fitting portion 38d pushes the operation main body 31 from the inside toward the outside in the width direction, and exits from the second fitting hole 33d of the operation main body 31. Further, after the hemispherical first fitting portion 38d has come out of the second fitting hole portion 33d of the operation main body portion 31, the operation main body portion 31 is further moved rearward, whereby the first engaging portion 38 is first engaged. The 1 engaging base portion 38a, the first engaging pillar portion 38b, and the first engaging protrusion portion 38c are combined with the second wide groove portion 33a, the second central groove portion 33b, and the second narrow groove portion 33c of the second engaging portion 33. The operation main body portion 31 can be removed from the operation pillar portion 36 and separated from each other.

When the operation main body 31 removed from the operation pillar 36 is reattached to the operation pillar 36, the operation main body 31 is brought closer from the rear of the operation pillar 36 to the second engaging portion 33. 2 The wide groove portion 33a, the second central groove portion 33b, and the second narrow groove portion 33c are combined with the first engaging base portion 38a, the first engaging pillar portion 38b, and the first engaging protrusion 38c of the first engaging portion 38. Insert it inside. After that, by moving the operation main body 31 further forward with respect to the operation pillar 36, the hemispherical first fitting portion 38d of the first engagement portion 38 is second-fitted to the operation main body 31. It can be accommodated and fitted in the hole 33d, whereby the operation main body 31 can be attached and held to the operation column 36.

The engagement structure provided in the slider operation unit 30 is not limited to the above-described form, and if the operation main body unit 31 can be removed from the operation pillar unit 36 and detachably engaged. It can also be formed in other forms.

The sliding guide portion 40 of the first embodiment is integrally formed with the main wing plate 22 of the slider fuselage 21, and is formed so as to project downward from the main wing plate 22. The sliding guide portion 40 is formed from the front end edge of the main wing plate 22 with a constant width dimension toward the rear along the length direction.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the width dimension W4 of the sliding guide portion 40 is the width dimension at the rear end portion of the element guide path 27 (in other words, between the left and right side wall portions 23 at the rear end portion of the slider body 21. It is set to be larger than the width dimension W5 and the same size as the width dimension W5 at the rear end portion of the slider body 21 or smaller than the width dimension W5. Specifically, the width dimension W4 of the sliding guide portion 40 is larger than 100% of the width dimension at the rear end portion of the element guide path 27 and is 150% or less in size, or the slider body 21. The width dimension W5 at the rear end is set to be 50% or more and 100% or less, preferably 60% or more and 90% or less. Further, the width dimension W4 of the sliding guide portion 40 is 40% or more and 100% or less, preferably 60% or more, of the groove width dimension (dimension in the width direction) of the accommodating groove portion 7a formed in the rim portion 4. It is set to be 90% or less in size.

Since the sliding guide portion 40 has the width dimension W4 as described above, when the sliding guide portion 40 is inserted into the accommodating groove portion 7a provided in the rim portion 4 and the slider 20 is slid as described later. The sliding guide portion 40 is less likely to be caught in the accommodating groove portion 7a, and the slider 20 can be smoothly slid along the accommodating groove portion 7a. Further, the center position in the width direction of the slider 20 and the center position in the width direction of the accommodating groove portion 7a can be aligned (or aligned within a predetermined range), and the positional relationship between the slider 20 and the accommodating groove portion 7a in the width direction can be aligned. Can be stabilized. As a result, the element row 12 meshed with the slider 20 can be sent out from the rear opening of the slider 20 and stably accommodated in the accommodating groove portion 7a provided in the rim portion 4.

The sliding guide portion 40 of the first embodiment is continuously formed from the inclined lower end portion at the front end edge of the slider body 21 in the side view (FIG. 4) of the slider 20, and is predetermined in the vertical direction. An insertion-side inclined portion 41 that inclines at the first inclination angle θ1, and a guide inclined portion 42 that is formed from the insertion-side inclined portion 41 via the curved portion 43 and gradually reduces the height dimension from the slider body 21 toward the rear. And have.

The insertion-side inclined portion 41 of the sliding guide portion 40 is formed by gradually increasing the height dimension from the slider body 21 toward the rear. Further, the first inclination angle θ1 inclined with respect to the height direction (vertical direction) of the insertion side inclined portion 41 is 5 ° or more and 30 ° or less, preferably 10 ° or more and 20 ° or less in the side view of the slider 20. Is set to. Since the insertion-side inclined portion 41 is provided in the sliding guide portion 40, the sliding guide portion 40 can be easily inserted into the accommodating groove portion 7a provided in the rim portion 4, and the slider 20 can be easily inserted into the accommodating groove portion. When sliding along the 7a, the sliding guide portion 40 can be made less likely to be caught in the accommodating groove portion 7a. Further, for example, even when the steering wheel 1 is provided with a sharply curved portion 9 that is sharply bent in the front and back directions of the cover member 8, as will be described later, the sliding guide portion 40 is accommodated in the sharply curved groove of the accommodating groove portion 7a. The slider 20 can be smoothly slid on the sharp curve portion 9 by making it difficult to be caught on the bottom surface portion.

The guide inclined portion 42 of the sliding guide portion 40 is formed so as to be inclined at a predetermined second inclination angle θ2 with respect to the length direction (front-back direction). In this case, the second tilt angle θ2 that is tilted with respect to the length direction of the guide tilt portion 42 is set to 10 ° or more and 30 ° or less, preferably 15 ° or more and 25 ° or less in the side view of the slider 20. There is. Since the guide inclined portion 42 is provided in the sliding guide portion 40, when the slider 20 is slid along the accommodating groove portion 7a, the element guide path 27 of the slider 20 is provided with respect to the accommodating groove portion 7a. It can be tilted stably at a predetermined angle (see FIG. 7).

The curved portion 43 formed between the insertion-side inclined portion 41 and the guide inclined portion 42 of the sliding guide portion 40 is formed so as to exhibit an arc in the side view of the slider 20. As a result, the curved portion 43 can smoothly connect the plane of the insertion-side inclined portion 41 and the plane of the guide inclined portion 42, so that the slider 20 can be smoothly slid along the accommodating groove portion 7a. .. Further, as will be described later, when the slider 20 is slid along the sharply curved portion 9 of the element row 12, the smooth curved portion 43 as described above is provided, so that the posture of the slider 20 is smoothed. By inclining (or rotating), the left and right element rows 12 can be stably meshed in the vicinity of the sharp curve portion 9.

The slider 20 of the first embodiment is not attached with a puller arranged on a conventional general slider. Therefore, in the case of the slider 20 of the first embodiment, the slider operation unit 30 of the slider 20 is picked and pulled by a finger and pushed by touching the operation inclined portion 31d provided on the slider operation unit 30. The slider 20 can be slid along the element row 12.

In particular, when sliding the slider 20 in the direction in which the left and right element rows 12 are engaged, the slider 20 can be easily moved by pressing the operation inclined portion 31d of the slider 20 with a finger and applying a force to the slider 20. Moreover, it can be slid smoothly. Further, for example, even when the steering wheel 1 is provided with a sharply curved portion 9 that is sharply bent in the front and back directions of the cover member 8 as described above, the operation inclined portion 31d is operated by a finger according to the traveling direction of the slider 20. The direction and magnitude of the force applied to the slider 20 can be easily adjusted, whereby the left and right element rows 12 can be easily meshed while changing the posture of the sliding slider 20 in the vicinity of the sharp curve portion 9. Can be done.

Next, a method of attaching the cover member 8 to the rim body 7 of the steering wheel 1 will be described using the slide fastener 10 having the slider 20 of the first embodiment.
In this case, as described above, the left and right fastener stringers 11 of the hidden type slide fastener 10 are sewn on the left and right facing edges of the cover member 8. Further, the slider 20 of the first embodiment is attached to the left and right element rows 12 (that is, the left and right element rows 12 are inserted through the element guide path 27 of the slider body 21).

First, the cover member 8 is wrapped around the rim body 7 of the steering wheel 1. Further, the sliding guide portion 40 of the slider 20 is inserted into the accommodating groove portion 7a of the rim main body portion 7 to accommodate the slider 20. At this time, since the sliding guide portion 40 of the slider 20 is accommodated in the accommodating groove portion 7a, it is possible to easily align the slider 20 with respect to the accommodating groove portion 7a in the width direction.

Further, by bringing the guide inclined portion 42 of the sliding guide portion 40 of the slider 20 into overall contact with the groove bottom surface portion of the accommodating groove portion 7a, the rear end portion of the slider body 21 is brought into contact with the accommodating groove portion 7a as shown in FIG. In addition to being housed inside, the element guide path 27 of the slider body 21 can be held in a state of being inclined at a certain angle with respect to the housed groove portion 7a. By holding the slider body 21 in an inclined state by the sliding guide portion 40 in this way, the left and right shoulder openings provided at the front end portion of the slider body 21 can be projected to the outside of the accommodating groove portion 7a. It becomes. In FIG. 7, the element row 12 and the cover member 8 are omitted in order to clearly express the inclination of the slider 20 with respect to the accommodating groove portion 7a.

Subsequently, the operator's finger is applied to the curved operation inclined portion 31d of the slider 20, and the slider 20 is pushed in the direction in which the left and right element rows 12 are engaged. As a result, the slider 20 is curved in an arc shape while maintaining the state in which the element guide path 27 is inclined as described above and the rear end portion of the slider body 21 is accommodated in the accommodating groove portion 7a of the rim body portion 7. The element row 12 can be smoothly slid in the meshing direction along the accommodating groove portion 7a.

By sliding the slider 20 in this way, the left and right element rows 12 are made to enter the element guide path 27 from the left and right shoulder openings of the slider body 21 arranged outside the accommodating groove portion 7a, and the element guide path 27 is entered. It can be meshed smoothly inside. Further, the left and right element rows 12 that are meshed with each other are sent out from the rear opening of the slider body 21 into the accommodating groove portion 7a.

At this time, in the slider 20 of the first embodiment, the left and right element rows 12 can be pulled into the element guide path 27 of the slider body 21 from the left and right shoulder openings of the slider body 21 arranged outside the accommodating groove portion 7a. Further, since the element guide path 27 of the slider body 21 is inclined at a constant angle by the sliding guide portion 40, the left and right element rows 12 that have entered the element guide path 27 can be smoothly meshed with each other. Further, the tension generated between the pair of side edge portions 8a of the cover member 8 can be relaxed, and the slidability of the slider 20 can be improved.

Furthermore, since the rear end portion of the slider body 21 moves in the accommodating groove portion 7a of the rim body portion 7, the left and right element rows 12 discharged from the rear port are accommodated in the rim body portion 7 while being in mesh with each other. It is guided in the groove portion 7a and is stably accommodated, and the left and right facing edges of the cover member 8 can be firmly abutted and connected. As a result, the cover member 8 can be attached to the rim body 7 so as to cover the periphery of the rim body 7.

Further, in the steering wheel 1 of the first embodiment, as described above, the left and right element rows 12 are sharply bent in the front and back directions of the cover member 8 in the region near the boundary between the rim portion 4 and the spoke portions 5. The sharply curved portion 9 is provided. Even if such a sharp curve portion 9 is provided, the slider 20 of the first embodiment slides the slider 20 from the finger to the operation inclined portion 31d while being pressed by the operator's finger as described above. By applying an appropriate force, the attitude of the slider 20 with respect to the steering wheel 1 can be easily changed according to the angle of the sharp curve portion 9, thereby facilitating the left and right element rows 12 in the sharp curve portion 9. Can be engaged with.

Then, while winding the cover member 8 around the rim body 7, the slider 20 is pushed by a finger and slid along the accommodating groove 7a of the rim body 7 to the end on the meshing direction side, so that the left and right element rows 12 The element rows 12 are meshed over the entire length direction, and the entire meshed left and right element rows 12 can be accommodated in the accommodating groove portion 7a, so that the cover member 8 can be accommodated in the rim body portion 7. It can be installed easily and stably in a short time.

After that, the slider 20 slid to the end of the element row 12 can be removed from the operation pillar portion 36 by strongly pulling the operation main body portion 31 of the slider operation portion 30 backward with respect to the operation pillar portion 36. It can, and thereby the slider 20 can be made smaller. Then, the slider 20 from which the operation main body portion 31 has been removed is accommodated in a slider accommodating portion (not shown) provided on the steering wheel 1.

As a result, the slider 20 is held in a predetermined position of the steering wheel 1 in a state of being hidden so as not to be seen from the outside. As a result, it is possible to prevent the slider 20 from adversely affecting the feel of the steering wheel 1 and deteriorating the appearance quality of the steering wheel 1.

As described above, by attaching the cover member 8 to the rim body 7 of the steering wheel body 2 by using the slider 20 of the first embodiment, the cover member 8 can be easily attached in a short time. .. In particular, in the slider 20 of the first embodiment, as described above, the attachment work of the cover member 8 on the sharp curve portion 9 of the steering wheel 1 can be easily and smoothly performed. Therefore, the efficiency of the mounting work can be improved. In addition, the installation work of the cover member 8 is less likely to be affected by experience, skill level, etc., and cost reduction and quality stabilization can be achieved.

Further, in the first embodiment, the cover member 8 attached to the rim body 7 can be removed again. Specifically, first, the slider 20 housed in the slider housing part is taken out, and the operation main body part 31 is attached to the slider 20. After that, by sliding the assembled slider 20 in the separation direction of the element row 12, the cover member 8 can be easily removed in a short time.

In the slider 20 of the first embodiment described above, the sliding guide portion 40 to be inserted into the accommodating groove portion 7a of the rim body portion 7 is formed to have a constant width dimension as described above. However, in the present invention, the sliding guide portion has the largest width dimension at the rear end portion of the sliding guide portion so as to have a tapered shape when viewed from the bottom surface of the slider, and the sliding guide portion has a rear end portion to a front end. It may be formed by gradually reducing the width dimension toward the portion. By forming the sliding guide portion in a tapered shape in this way, the sliding guide portion can be easily inserted into the accommodating groove portion 7a provided in the rim portion 4, and the sliding guide portion can be accommodated. The slider can be slid lightly by suppressing the friction generated when moving in the groove portion 7a in the meshing direction.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a slider according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX shown in FIG.
The slider 20a of the second embodiment is formed by adding a pressing portion 39 to the slider operating portion 30 of the slider 20 of the first embodiment described above. The slider 20a of the second embodiment is formed in the same manner as the slider 20 of the first embodiment, except that the holding portion 39 is provided. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the form of the slider operating portion 30a provided with the pressing portion 39 will be mainly described, and the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same parts and parts as those in the first embodiment. The detailed description is omitted by expressing.

The slider 20a of the second embodiment has a slider body 21, a slider operating portion 30a integrally formed with the slider body 21, and a sliding guide portion 40 projecting downward from the slider body 21. Further, the slider operation portion 30a has an operation main body portion 31 and an operation pillar portion 36, and a pressing portion 39 extending rearward from the rear end portion of the operation main body portion 31.

The pressing portion 39 of the second embodiment extends rearward from the operation main body portion 31 with the same width dimension as the operation main body portion 31. The pressing portion 39 has a thin plate-shaped pressing main body portion 39a connected to the operation inclined portion 31d and a pressing rib portion 39b projecting from the lower surface of the pressing main body portion 39a, and has a length of the pressing portion 39. The cross section orthogonal to the direction is formed so as to have a substantially T shape.

The pressing main body 39a of the pressing portion 39 is continuously formed from the operating main body 31, and the upper surface of the pressing portion 39 has no step with respect to the curved outer surface (curved surface) of the operating inclined portion 31d. It is formed on a smoothly continuous curved surface. That is, the upper surface of the pressing portion 39 is formed so as to exhibit a smoothly continuous arc with the curved surface of the operating inclined portion 31d in the side view of the slider 20a. Further, the upper surface of the rear end portion of the pressing portion 39 is formed so as to be inclined upward toward the rear.

The pressing rib portion 39b projects downward from the central portion in the width direction on the lower surface of the pressing main body portion 39a. Further, the pressing rib portion 39b is curved in an arc shape along the pressing main body portion 39a in the side view of the slider 20a.

Since the pressing portion 39 as described above is provided on the slider 20a, when the finger is applied to the slider operating portion 30a of the slider 20a to slide the slider 20a, the finger can be pressed against the pressing portion 39 as well. Since this is possible, the slider 20a can be slid more stably. Further, when the slider 20a is slid, the direction and magnitude of the force applied from the finger to the slider operating portion 30a can be easily adjusted in a wide range. Therefore, even if the steering wheel 1 is provided with the sharp curve portion 9 as described above, the slider 20a can be smoothly slid along the sharp curve portion 9.

Further, since the slider 20a of the second embodiment is provided with the holding portion 39 described above, the slider 20a is slid in the closing direction, and the side edge portions 8a of the cover member 8 are engaged with each other in the element row 12. When they are butted against each other by alignment, the holding portion 39 of the slider operating portion 30a presses the pair of side edge portions 8a of the cover member 8 connected from the surface (outer surface) side, and further, the pair of side edges. The butted portion of the portion 8a can be pushed toward the inside of the rim portion 4 (the core material portion 6 side of the rim portion 4). As a result, the abutted side edge portions 8a of the cover member 8 are effectively prevented from rising to the outside or rolling up to the outside, and the portion where the side edge portions 8a of the cover member 8 are abutted with each other is neatly prevented. Can be finished.

According to the slider 20a of the second embodiment as described above, the same effect as the slider 20 of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, since the slider 20a of the second embodiment is provided with the holding portion 39 described above, the portion where the side edge portions 8a of the cover member 8 are abutted with each other is neatly finished, and the cover member 8 is attached. The appearance quality, touch comfort, and operability of the steering wheel 1 can be improved.

The slider body 21 in the slider 20 of the first embodiment and the slider 20a of the second embodiment described above is formed in a form used for the hidden type slide fastener 10, but the present invention has slides other than the hidden type. The same can be applied to fasteners. That is, in the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 10 showing the slider 20b according to the modified example of the first embodiment, the slider body 51 is a back-use type in which the left and right element rows are arranged on the back surface of the cover member 8 or the fastener tape. The slider body 61 exposes the left and right element rows to the outside, as may be formed in a form used for a slide fastener, or as shown in FIG. 11 a slider 20c according to another modification of the first embodiment. It may be formed in a form used for a so-called normal type (also referred to as a front-use type) slide fastener arranged in such a manner.

Here, the slider 20b for the back-use type shown in FIG. 10 includes a slider body 51, a slider operation portion 30 integrally formed with the slider body 51, and a sliding guide portion protruding downward from the slider body 51. Has 40 and. In this case, the slider operation portion 30 and the sliding guide portion 40 of the slider 20b shown in FIG. 10 are formed in the same manner as the slider operation portion 30 and the sliding guide portion 40 provided in the slider 20 of the first embodiment described above. Has been done.

Further, the slider fuselage 51 shown in FIG. 10 includes an upper wing plate 52, a lower wing plate 53 arranged substantially parallel to the upper wing plate 52, and a front end portion (shoulder mouth side end portion) and a lower portion of the upper wing plate 52. It has a connecting pillar 54 that connects the front end portions (shoulder mouth side end portions) of the blade plate 53, and left and right lower flange portions 55 that extend upward from the left and right side edges of the lower blade plate 53. Further, between the upper wing plate 52 and the lower wing plate 53 of the slider fuselage 51, a rear opening arranged at the rear end portion of the slider fuselage 51 and left and right shoulder openings arranged at the front end portion of the slider fuselage 51 are provided. A substantially Y-shaped element guide path for communication is provided.

On the other hand, the slider 20c for the normal type shown in FIG. 11 includes a slider body 61, a slider operating portion 30 integrally formed with the slider body 61, and a sliding guide portion 40 protruding downward from the slider body 61. Has. The slider fuselage 61 includes an upper wing plate 62, a lower wing plate 63 arranged substantially parallel to the upper wing plate 62, a front end portion (shoulder opening side end portion) of the upper wing plate 62, and a front end portion (a front end portion of the lower wing plate 63). It has a connecting column 64 for connecting the shoulder opening side end portion), and left and right upper flange portions 65 extending downward from the left and right side edge portions of the upper wing plate 62. Further, between the upper wing plate 62 and the lower wing plate 63 of the slider fuselage 61, a substantially Y-shaped element guide path for communicating the rear opening of the slider fuselage 61 and the left and right shoulder openings is provided.

Since the slider 20b shown in FIG. 10 and the slider 20c shown in FIG. 11 as described above are also provided with the same slider operating portion 30 and sliding guide portion 40 as the slider 20 of the first embodiment described above. The same effect as in the case of Example 1 can be obtained. That is, the sliders 20b and 20c can be stably and smoothly slid along the accommodating groove portion 7a of the rim body portion 7 by using the sliding guide portion 40, and the element guide path can be slid in the accommodating groove portion during sliding. It can be stably tilted at a predetermined angle with respect to 7a.

Further, by pressing a finger against the operation inclined portion 31d of the slider operating portion 30 and pressing the sliders 20b and 20c, the sliders 20b and 20c can be smoothly slid along the element row. Further, the direction and magnitude of the force applied to the operation inclined portion 31d can be easily adjusted by the finger according to the traveling direction of the sliders 20b and 20c, whereby the posture of the sliding sliders 20b and 20c can be easily adjusted. Can be changed to.

1 Steering wheel 2 Steering wheel body 3 Steering wheel pad 4 Rim part 5 Spoke part 6 Core material part 7 Rim body part 7a Storage groove part 8 Cover member (skin member)
8a Side edge 9 Sharp curve 10 Slide fastener 11 Fastener stringer 12 Element row 20, 20a Slider 20b, 20c Slider 21 Slider fuselage 22 Main wing plate 23 Side wall part 24 First flange part 25 Central pillar 26 Second flange part 27 Element guide Road 30, 30a Slider operation unit 31 Operation main unit 31a Lower surface 31b Upper surface 31c Front inclined portion 31d Operation inclined portion (rear inclined portion)
31e 1st ridge part 31f 2nd ridge part 32 Recessed part 33 2nd engaging part (engaging groove part)
33a 2nd wide groove 33b 2nd central groove 33c 2nd narrow groove 33d 2nd fitting hole 36 Operation pillar 37 Operation pillar body 38 1st engagement 38a 1st engagement base 38b 1st engagement pillar 38c 1st engaging protrusion 38d 1st fitting part 39 Pressing part 39a Pressing body part 39b Pressing rib part 40 Sliding guide part 41 Insertion side inclined part 42 Guide inclined part 43 Curved part 51 Slider fuselage 52 Upper wing plate 53 Lower wing Plate 54 Connecting column 55 Lower flange 61 Slider fuselage 62 Upper wing plate 63 Lower wing plate 64 Connecting column 65 Upper flange C Center of arc L1 Maximum length dimension of operating column body L2 Slider fuselage length dimension Maximum value L3 Maximum value of the length dimension of the operation body R Radius of curvature W1 Maximum value of the width dimension of the operation pillar body W2 Maximum value of the width dimension of the slider body W3 Maximum value of the width dimension of the operation body W4 Sliding guide Width dimension W5 Width dimension at the rear end of the slider body θ1 1st tilt angle θ2 2nd tilt angle

Claims (16)

In the slider (20,20a, 20b, 20c) for the slide fastener (10) attached to the cover member (8) of the steering wheel (1).
A slider body (21,51,61) through which the left and right element rows (12) of the slide fastener (10) can be inserted, and the slider body (21,51,61) are formed and the slider body (21) is formed. , 51,61) with a sliding guide (40) protruding in one direction in the height direction.
The sliding guide portion (40) is formed so as to be accommodating in the accommodating groove portion (7a) recessed in the rim portion (4) of the steering wheel (1).
A slider that features that. The slider body (21,51,61) has a rear opening arranged at one end in the length direction of the slider body (21,51,61) and left and right shoulder openings arranged on the other side in the length direction. And have
The sliding guide portion (40) is a guide that gradually reduces the dimension in the height direction from the slider body (21,51,61) toward the rear opening of the slider body (21,51,61). Has an inclined portion (42),
The slider according to claim 1. The dimension (W4) of the sliding guide portion (40) in the width direction of the slider body (21,51,61) is the end of the slider body (21,51,61) on the rear opening side in the width direction. The slider according to claim 2, wherein the size (W5) of the part is 50% or more and 100% or less. The slider according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the guide inclined portion (42) has an inclined surface inclined at an angle of 10 ° or more and 30 ° or less with respect to the length direction of the slider body (21,51,61). The sliding guide portion (40) is arranged at the end of the sliding guide portion (40) on the shoulder opening side, and is an insertion side that is inclined at a first inclination angle (θ1) with respect to the height direction. Has an inclined part (41)
The first tilt angle (θ1) is set to 5 ° or more and 30 ° or less in the side view of the slider (20, 20a, 20b, 20c).
The slider according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The slider (20,20a, 20b, 20c) is integrally formed with the slider body (21,51,61) and extends to the other side in the height direction of the slider body (21,51,61). Has a slider operation unit (30, 30a)
The slider operation portion (30, 30a) has an operation inclination portion (31d) that inclines downward toward one of the length directions of the slider body (21,51,61).
The slider according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The operation inclined portion (31d) is located in front of the rear opening side end of the slider fuselage (21,51,61) in the length direction, and is rearward of the rear opening side end. The slider according to claim 6, which is continuously provided up to the position. The slider operation unit (30, 30a) is arranged apart from the slider body (21,51,61), and has an operation main body unit (31) having the operation inclination portion (31d) and the slider body (31). It has 21,51,61) and an operation pillar portion (36) that connects the operation main body portion (31).
The operation main body portion (31) is detachably engaged with the operation pillar portion (36).
The slider according to claim 6 or 7. The operating inclined portion (31d) has a curved surface that exhibits an arc in the side view of the slider (20, 20a, 20b, 20c).
The center (C) of the arc on the curved surface is located outside the rear opening side end of the slider body (21,51,61) in the length direction.
The slider according to any one of claims 6 to 8. The slider operating portion (30a) has a pressing portion (39) extending from the operating inclined portion (31d) in one direction in the length direction.
The inclined surface of the operating inclined portion (31d) and the first surface of the holding portion (39) are continuously formed.
The pressing portion (39) is a thin plate-shaped pressing main body portion (39a) connected to the operating inclined portion (31d) and a pressing portion protruding from the center portion in the width direction on the second surface of the pressing main body portion (39a). Has a ribbed portion (39b),
The slider according to any one of claims 6 to 9. The slider body (21) has a thin plate-shaped main wing plate (22), left and right side wall portions (23) rising from the left and right side edges of the main wing plate (22), and upper ends of the left and right side wall portions (23). The left and right first flange portions (24) extending inward in the width direction from the portions, the central pillar (25) rising from the shoulder opening side end of the main wing plate (22), and the central pillar (25). The slider according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a second flange portion (26) projecting from the upper end portion in a direction orthogonal to the height direction. A ring-shaped rim portion (4), a boss portion arranged at the center of the rim portion (4), and a plurality of spoke portions (5) connecting the rim portion (4) and the boss portion. The rim portion (4) has a core material portion (6), a rim body portion (7) that wraps the core material portion (6), and a cover member (8) that covers the rim body portion (7). The cover member is attached to the rim body portion (7) of the steering wheel (1) in which the slide fastener (10) is arranged on the pair of side edge portions (8a) of the cover member (8) facing each other. In the manufacturing method for manufacturing the steering wheel (1) by attaching (8),
As the slider of the slide fastener (10), the slider body (21,51,61) through which the left and right element rows (12) of the slide fastener (10) can be inserted and the slider body (21,51,61) A slider (20,20a, 20b, 20c) that is integrally formed and has a sliding guide portion (40) that protrudes toward one of the slider bodies (21,51,61) in the height direction. To use
The cover member (8) is wound around the rim body portion (7) in which the accommodating groove portion (7a) (which can accommodate the left and right element rows (12) in a meshed state) is recessed at least partially. thing,
The sliding guide portion (40) of the slider (20, 20a, 20b, 20c) is inserted into the accommodating groove portion (7a) of the rim body portion (7) to accommodate the slider (20, 20a, 20b, 20c).
By sliding the sliders (20, 20a, 20b, 20c) while maintaining the accommodation state of the sliding guide portion (40), the left and right element rows (12) are engaged with each other to engage the cover member (8). ) To connect the side edges (8a) to each other,
A method of manufacturing a steering wheel, which comprises. The left and right element rows (12) are engaged in the slider body (21,51,61), and
The meshed left and right element rows (12) are sent out from the slider body (21,51,61) and accommodated in the accommodating groove portion (7a) of the rim body portion (7).
12. The manufacturing method according to claim 12. As the slider (20,20a, 20b, 20c), the sliding guide portion (40) determines the dimension in the height direction from the slider body (21,51,61), and the slider body (21,51). , 61) Use one having a guide inclined portion (42) that gradually decreases toward the rear opening, and the guide inclined portion (42) of the sliding guide portion (40) is made into a groove of the accommodating groove portion (7a). By contacting the bottom surface portion, the slider (20,20a, 20b, 20c) in a state where the element guide path (27) of the slider body (21,51,61) is tilted with respect to the accommodation groove portion (7a). ) Sliding,
The manufacturing method according to claim 12 or 13. As the slider (20,20a, 20b, 20c), it is integrally formed with the slider body (21,51,61) and extends to the other side in the height direction of the slider body (21,51,61). The slider operating unit (30,30a) is formed by the slider operating unit (30,30a), and the slider operating unit (30,30a) is tilted downward toward one of the length directions of the slider body (21,51,61). Use one with an inclined part (31d), and
By pushing the operation inclined portion (31d) of the slider operating portion (30, 30a), the slider (20, 20a, 20b, 20c) is slid.
The production method according to any one of claims 12 to 14. As the slider (20,20a, 20b, 20c), the slider operating portion (30,30a) is arranged apart from the slider body (21,51,61), and the operating inclined portion (31d) is provided. The operation main body (31) is provided, and the slider body (21,51,61) and the operation pillar (36) for connecting the operation main body (31) are connected to each other. , Use a removable attachment to the operating column (36),
After engaging the entire left and right element rows (12), the operation body portion (31) is removed from the operation pillar portion (36), and
The slider (20, 20a, 20b, 20c) from which the operation body portion (31) has been removed is accommodated in the slider accommodating portion provided on the steering wheel (1).
15. The manufacturing method according to claim 15.

Images