WO2011155448A1

WO2011155448A1 - Buckle

Info

Publication number: WO2011155448A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/062946
Authority: WO
Inventors: 学川口
Original assignee: 株式会社ニフコ
Priority date: 2010-06-07
Filing date: 2011-06-06
Publication date: 2011-12-15
Also published as: CN102933110B; JP2011254914A; KR101241665B1; TW201505575A; CN104382295B; JP5538074B2; CN102933110A; TW201200053A; TWI486132B; CN104382295A; KR20110134289A; TWI543718B

Abstract

A buckle provided with: a male member having a pair of arms which extends from the base section of the male member and which has latch sections; and a flat tubular female member having an insertion opening into which the arms are inserted and also having catch sections which engage with the latch sections to lock the arms. The female member has a front insertion edge which protrudes in the direction of insertion of the arms. In the male member, the pair of arms includes corresponding surfaces which are provided on the opposing inner surfaces of the arms and which are received in the female member so that the shape of the corresponding surfaces correspond to the shape of the front insertion edge when the male member is in a connected state. The edges of the inner surfaces and the edge of the base section form a grip hole, and the width of the grip hole in the direction in which the pair of arms is disposed side by side is small on the front end side of the arms. In the connected state, in a plan view facing the plane in which the pair of arms is included, the grip hole is edged with the front insertion edge and the front insertion edge and the edge of the base section form an operation hole into which a finger can be inserted.

Description

buckle

The present invention relates to a buckle in which a male member is detachably connected to a female member.

Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, a buckle including a male member and a female member is known.
The male member described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a pair of arms that are symmetrical to each other and that have a locked portion at the tip so as to extend from the base. In addition, a linear center bar is provided at the center of each arm so as to extend from the base.

On the other hand, the female member is provided with a flat cylindrical housing portion having an insertion port into which the pair of arms are inserted so that the pair of arms and the center bar are housed therein. Further, a protrusion that guides the center bar by being fitted in a guide groove provided in the center bar is provided at the center of the housing portion. Moreover, the latching | locking part engaged with the to-be-latched part of a male member is formed in the inner surface in the accommodating part of a female member.

In the buckle configured as described above, the connecting operation is performed by inserting the male member into the female member in a state where the male member and the female member face each other in the surface direction. Then, the latching portion of each arm of the male member is guided to the guide groove of the housing portion of the female member, and the latching portion of the female member is guided by the center bar of the male member being guided to the guide piece of the female member. Thus, the locked portion of the male member is engaged.

JP 2007-229307 A

Incidentally, in recent years, for example, a buckle that can be operated with one hand is strongly desired so that a connecting operation and a separating operation can be performed even when a baggage is held in one hand. In the buckle described in Patent Document 1, consideration with respect to the operation with one hand is not sufficiently performed, and therefore, the operation with one hand is limited to a dexterous user at the hand.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a buckle with improved operability.

The present invention includes a male member in which a pair of arms extends from a base portion, and a flat cylindrical female member having an insertion port into which the pair of arms are inserted at one end, and the male member has the male member In a buckle where the base part of the male member and the one end part of the female member are in contact with each other, the female member has an opening edge that is concave in the insertion direction of the arm. The male member has a gripping hole in which inner surfaces of the pair of arms facing each other are formed to follow the opening edge and are surrounded by the pair of inner surfaces and the base portion. In the connected state, the inner surface is accommodated in the female member, and the gripping hole is edged by the base and the opening edge in a plan view opposite to a plane including the pair of arms. The gist.

According to the present invention, the gripping hole surrounded by the inner surface of the pair of arms following the opening edge of the female member and the base is formed in the male member, and in the state where the male member and the female member are connected, the gripping hole Is bordered by the opening edge of the female member and the base of the male member. Therefore, in the male member, the shape and size of the gripping hole are generally maintained in a state where the male member is not connected to the female member and a state where the male member is connected to the female member. Accordingly, for example, the male member can be connected to the female member with one hand using the index finger inserted into the holding hole of the male member and the middle finger and thumb supporting the female member. Therefore, the operability of the buckle can be enhanced.

Preferably, in the present invention, the male member has a locked portion on the pair of arms, and the female member engages with the locked portion to lock the pair of arms. A guide portion that guides the locked portion to the locking portion, and displaces the tip portions of the pair of arms to approach each other and move away from each other in the guiding process. The gist is that the inner surface is accommodated in the female member while the pair of arms are closest to each other in the process.

Here, in a state where the pair of arms are closest to each other in the guiding process, that is, in a state where the width between the inner side surfaces is the smallest, if the inner side surface is located outside the female member, it is inserted into the gripping hole. There is a risk that the finger is pressed by the inner surface. According to the preferred embodiment described above, the inner surface is already accommodated in the female member with the pair of arms closest to each other, so that the finger inserted into the space region of the male member is the inner surface in the guiding process. It can suppress being pressed by.

Preferably, in the present invention, the female member is characterized in that the inner surface overlaps the opening edge in the plan view in a state where the pair of arms are closest to each other in the guiding process.
According to this preferred aspect, since the inner surface overlaps the edge of the curved portion with the pair of arms closest in the guiding process, the male member is locked when the male member is inserted into the female member using the inner surface. The male member can be inserted to a position immediately before the portion and the locking portion are engaged. As a result, it is possible to reliably connect the male member and the female member using the inner surface while suppressing finger compression by the inner surface.

Preferably, in the present invention, the female member has another gripping hole formed in the same shape as the gripping hole, and the other gripping hole and the gripping hole in the direction in which the pair of arms are inserted. The gist is that they are formed to face each other.

According to this preferred aspect, the buckle in the connected state is formed with two gripping holes, and these gripping holes have the same shape in the above-described plan view. The beauty based on a sense of unity can be enhanced. Moreover, since it becomes possible to insert a finger also into the holding hole formed in the other other end, it becomes possible to operate the female member by inserting the finger into the holding hole. As a result, the degree of freedom related to the female member and the male member operation method can be improved, and as a result, the operability of the buckle can be further enhanced.

Preferably, in the present invention, the male member includes a connection member that connects the pair of arms and is accommodated in the female member in the coupled state.
According to this preferable aspect, since the pair of arms are connected by the connection member, for example, when an external force is applied to one arm, the connection member and the connection member are connected not only to one arm. The other arm can receive the external force. Thereby, compared with a pair of arm which is not connected by the connection member, the mechanical strength of each arm and by extension, the mechanical strength of a male member can be raised.

The perspective view which shows the perspective structure of the buckle seen from the front side about one Embodiment of the buckle which concerns on this invention. The perspective view which shows the perspective structure seen from the back side of the buckle which concerns on the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the perspective structure seen from the front side of the male member which concerns on the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the perspective structure seen from the back side of the male member which concerns on the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the perspective structure seen from the front side of the female member which concerns on the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the perspective structure seen from the back side of the female member which concerns on the embodiment. The top view which shows the planar view structure seen from the front side of the buckle which concerns on the embodiment. It is a top view which shows the planar view structure seen from the front side of the buckle which concerns on the embodiment, Comprising: The top view which shows the state which a pair of arm approached most in the guidance process. The perspective view which shows an example of the operating method of the buckle which concerns on the embodiment. The perspective view which shows an example of the operating method of the buckle which concerns on the embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a buckle according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the overall structure of the buckle 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. A pair of flexible arms 22 is formed on the base 21 of the male member 2 of the buckle 1 so as to extend from the base 21. The female member 3 of the buckle 1 is formed in a flat cylindrical shape, and has a front wall 31 as a first cylindrical side wall and a back wall 32 as a second cylindrical side wall that face each other and spread in the flat direction. Yes. An insertion port 3P into which the pair of arms 22 are inserted is formed at one cylindrical end (the right cylindrical end in FIGS. 1 and 2) of the female member 3, and the insertion port 3P is formed at the other cylindrical end. An open port 3D is formed so as to face the surface. Hereinafter, the direction from the insertion port 3P toward the opening 3D is defined as the insertion direction, and the direction in which the pair of arms 22 are arranged is the left-right direction. The front wall 31 side of the buckle 1 is the front side, and the back wall 32 side of the buckle 1 is the back side.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the pair of left and right arms 22 of the male member 2 is formed so that the tip end is enormous in plan view facing the plane including the pair of arms 22. ing. Also, the right outer surface of the right arm 22 and the left outer surface of the left arm 22 are arm locking portions 22S that are intermediate portions in the insertion direction in a plan view facing the plane in which the pair of arms 22 are also included. Is formed in a curved shape so as to protrude outward in the left-right direction. That is, the outer surfaces of the pair of arms 22 are bent so that the outer shape of the male member 2 formed by the outer surfaces of the pair of arms 22 is tapered. With this configuration, when the pair of arms 22 is inserted into the female member 3, the tapered surface 22 a functions as a guide for the pair of arms 22. Thereby, the operativity regarding insertion of the male member 2 to the female member 3 can be improved.

A locked portion 23 is formed near the tip of the pair of arms 22 having the above-described outer shape. The locked portion 23 includes a pair of front side convex portions 23F as a first locked convex portion protruding from the surface of the arm 22, and a second locked convex portion protruding from the back surface of the arm 22. The back side convex part 23B is used. Further, near the tip of the pair of arms 22, an arm hole 24 is formed so as to penetrate from the front side to the back side of the arm 22 in a rhombus section and extending in the direction in which the arm 22 extends (the insertion direction). ing. The male arm 22 is configured so as to be plane-symmetric with respect to the plane including the pair of arms 22, that is, the structure of the pair of arms 22 viewed from the front side is the same as the structure of the pair of arms 22 viewed from the back side. The member 2 is formed. In addition, since the arm hole 24 as described above is provided in each of the pair of arms 22, sink marks are generated when the male member 2 is formed by, for example, resin molding while ensuring the strength of the arms 22. It is possible to avoid this.

Incidentally, proximal end positioning ribs 27 are disposed on the front and rear surfaces of the arm 22 near the proximal end, and distal end positioning ribs 28 are disposed on the front and rear surfaces of the arm 22 near the distal end. . In the configuration in which such positioning ribs are formed, when the male member 2 is coupled to the female member 3, the distance between the outer surface of the pair of arms 22 and the inner surface of the female member 3 is the base end positioning rib 27. And it becomes especially short in the site | part in which the front-end | positioning positioning rib 28 was formed, ie, the base end and front-end | tip in a pair of arms 22. FIG. Therefore, in a state where the male member 2 is connected to the female member 3, it is possible to suppress displacement (rattle) of the male member 2 with respect to the female member 3 in the thickness direction of the buckle 1.

The pair of arms 22 have copying surfaces 22b on the inner surfaces facing each other. The copying surface 22b is accommodated in the female member 3 in a state in which the male member 2 is coupled to the female member 3 in a plan view facing the plane including the pair of arms 22, and is a front side of the female member 3 described later. The surface follows the insertion edge 31p and the back-side insertion edge 32p. The copying surface 22b is formed on the front-side insertion edge 31p and the back-side insertion edge 32p when the pair of arms 22 bends closest to each other in the guiding process of the front-side convex portion 23F and the back-side convex portion 23B of the pair of arms 22. It is formed to overlap. In the male member 2, a space region in which the width in the left-right direction is narrower on the distal end side of the arm is formed by the edge of the base portion 21 and the edges of the inner side surfaces of the pair of arms 22.

In addition, on the inner side facing each other in the pair of arms 22 and on the tip side of the copying surface 22b, a flexible band-like bridge 25 that connects the pair of arms 22 to each other is connected as an arm. It is formed near the distal end of 22 and closer to the proximal end than the locked portion 23. Each of the both ends 25 a of the bridge 25 is formed to extend from one arm 22 toward the other arm 22. More specifically, the end 25a of the bridge 25 connected to one arm 22 is in a state where no external force is applied to the arm 22 (the state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4), and the base end of the arm 22 Is formed so as to coincide with the tangential direction of the arc C drawn by the connecting portion between the arm 22 and the bridge 25. The intermediate portion 25 b of the bridge 25 is formed so as to be curved in a convex shape toward the base portion 21 in the middle between the one arm 22 and the other arm 22. For this reason, even if an excessive external force acting on the pair of arms 22 acts in the direction of widening the distance between the pair of arms 22, a shearing force is generated at the connection portion between each of the pair of arms 22 and the bridge 25. It becomes difficult to do. That is, the mechanical strength of the pair of arms 22 and, consequently, the mechanical strength of the male member 2 can be increased. Further, the curved intermediate portion 25 b is formed so that the apex is accommodated in the female member 3 as the connection between the male member 2 and the female member 3 is completed. In the male member 2 having such a configuration, the space region is partitioned by the bridge 25 to form an operation hole A as a gripping hole. The operation hole A has a size enough to allow a finger to enter in a plan view facing a plane including the pair of arms 22. In the male member 2 having such a configuration, using the finger inserted into the operation hole A and bringing the finger into contact with the copying surface 22b and the bridge 25, the male member 2 is moved toward the distal end side of the arm 22, that is, in the insertion direction. Can be moved. On the contrary, the male member 2 can be moved in the direction opposite to the insertion direction by bringing a finger into contact with the base 21. A belt holding portion 26 is provided on the opposite side of the base portion 21 from the arm 22 so that the belt fastened by the buckle 1 is held so that its length can be varied.

5 and 6, the front wall 31 of the female member 3 is formed in an X shape surrounded by four edges that are curved so as to project inward as seen from the front side. In addition, the back wall 32 of the female member 3 is formed in an X shape surrounded by four edges that are curved so as to project inward as seen from the back side. At the four corners of the front wall 31 and the back wall 32 constituting the female member 3, the front wall 31 is constituted by a pair of insertion side connection walls WP near the insertion port 3P and a pair of open side connection walls WD near the opening port. And the back wall 32 are connected to each other. Furthermore, guide surfaces WPa are formed on the inner side surfaces of the pair of insertion side connection walls WP so as to be aligned with the outer surfaces at the base ends of the pair of arms 22 in a state where the male member 2 is connected to the female member 3. . A rectangular insertion port 3P as viewed from a direction parallel to the insertion direction is provided at one end of the cylinder in the insertion direction of the female member 3 by the front wall 31, the back wall 32, and the insertion side connecting wall WP. It is formed in the form of being framed. Further, at the other cylinder end in the insertion direction of the female member 3, a rectangular opening 3 D as viewed from a direction parallel to the insertion direction has four sides thereof by the front wall 31, the back wall 32, and the opening-side connecting wall WD. It is formed in the form of being framed.

The opening edge of the insertion port 3P of the female member 3 includes a front side insertion edge 31p that is an edge near the insertion port 3P on the front wall 31 and constitutes a curved portion, and an edge near the insertion port 3P on the back wall 32 that is curved. The back side insertion edge 32p which comprises a part is contained.

Each of the front side insertion edge 31p and the back side insertion edge 32p is formed in a curved shape so as to project toward the opening 3D, that is, in the insertion direction, and the outer surface of the front wall 31 and the outer side of the back wall 32 are formed. They are formed so as to overlap each other in a plan view facing the surface. Further, in a plan view facing the outer surface of the front wall 31 and the outer surface of the back wall 32, the front wall 31 and the back wall 32 so that the front-side insertion edge 31 p and the front-side opening edge 31 d follow the outer shape of the pair of arms 22. The outer shape is formed.

In the state where the male member 2 is connected to the female member 3, the insertion port 3P is formed so as to be plane-symmetric with respect to the plane including the pair of arms 22. When the male member 2 is connected to the female member 3, the pair of arms 22 are not exposed from the edge of the insertion port 3 P formed by the front wall 31 in a plan view facing the outer surface of the front wall 31. In addition, a front wall 31 is formed. When the male member 2 is connected to the female member 3, the pair of arms 22 is not exposed from the edge of the insertion port 3 P formed by the back wall 32 in a plan view facing the outer surface of the back wall 32. Further, a back wall 32 is formed (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

According to such a configuration, in the state where the male member 2 is connected to the female member 3, the aesthetic appearance based on the functional unity between the male member 2 and the female member 3 is enhanced. In addition, according to the insertion port 3P having such a configuration, the insertion member 3P in the female member 3 and the tip portions of the pair of arms 22 are symmetrical with each other, so that the male member 2 is coupled to the female member 3. At this time, the pair of arms 22 are easily inserted into the insertion port 3P.

On the other hand, the opening edge of the opening 3D of the female member 3 includes a front opening 31d that is the edge near the opening 3D on the front wall 31 and a back opening 32d that is the edge near the opening 3D on the back wall 32. And are included. In the state where the male member 2 is connected to the female member 3, the opening 3D is formed so as to be asymmetric with respect to the plane including the pair of arms 22.

More specifically, the front opening edge 31d is formed in a curved shape so as to protrude toward the insertion port 3P. In a plan view facing the outer surface of the front wall 31, the outer shape of the front wall 31 is formed such that the front-side insertion edge 31 p and the front-side opening edge 31 d follow the outer shape of the pair of arms 22. In a state where the male member 2 is coupled to the female member 3, the pair of arms 22 are not exposed from the edge of the opening 3D formed by the front wall 31 in a plan view facing the outer surface of the front wall 31. In addition, a front wall 31 is formed (see FIGS. 1 and 2). According to such a configuration, the aesthetic appearance based on the functional unity between the male member 2 and the female member 3 is enhanced in a state where the male member 2 is connected to the female member 3 as in the insertion port 3P.

Also, the back side opening edge 32d is formed in a curved shape so as to protrude toward the insertion port 3P, similarly to the front side opening edge 31d. Moreover, the back-side opening edge 32d has a locking edge 32S that is further depressed toward the insertion port 3P than the front-side opening edge 31d in a plan view facing the outer surface of the back wall 32. The locking edge 32S is an edge closest to the insertion port 3P in the plan view facing the outer surface of the back wall 32 and extending in the left-right direction, and both ends of the bottom edge in the left-right direction in the insertion direction. It consists of a pair of extending side edges. When the male member 2 is connected to the female member 3, the opening 3 D formed by the back wall 32 is equivalent to the formation of the locking edge 32 S in a plan view facing the outer surface of the back wall 32. The pair of arms 22 are exposed from the edge.

In the state where the male member 2 is connected to the female member 3, the bottom and side edges constituting the locking edge 32S are in contact with the pair of back side convex portions 23B, and the pair of back side convex portions 23B. Only the back wall 32 is formed to be exposed from the locking edge 32S (see FIGS. 1 and 2). In a state where the male member 2 is coupled to the female member 3, the back side convex portion 23B of the pair of arms 22 contacts the bottom edge and the side edge of the locking edge 32S, and the back side convex portion 23B is inserted into the insertion port. It becomes difficult to move to the 3P side. According to such a configuration, since a part of the opening 3D functions as a locking portion for the back-side convex portion 23B, the female member is compared with a configuration in which such a locking portion is separately formed. It is possible to make the configuration of 3 simpler.

Further, the thickness of the back wall 32 at the locking edge 32S is formed to be larger than the thickness of the back-side convex portion 23B. According to such a configuration, the back-side convex portion 23B does not protrude from the outer surface of the back wall 32 in a state where the back-side convex portion 23B and the locking edge 32S are engaged. Therefore, the engagement between the back-side convex portion 23 B formed on the pair of arms 22 and the locking edge 32 S formed on the back wall 32 is difficult to receive interference from the outside. As a result, it is possible to suppress the release of the connection between the male member 2 and the female member 3 due to an unexpected cause.

As shown in FIG. 6, a front side guide groove 36 extending in the insertion direction is formed on the inner surface of the front wall 31. The front-side guide groove 36 constituting the guide portion includes a front-side insertion groove 36a formed so that the groove width becomes narrower from the front-side insertion edge 31p toward the opening 3D at a certain rate, and the opening of the front-side insertion groove 36a. And a locking groove 36 S that is widened on the 3D side. The groove side wall constituting the locking groove 36S is formed so as to overlap the locking edge 32S described above in a plan view facing the outer surface of the back wall 32. When the male member 2 is inserted into the female member 3, the front-side convex portions 23F of the pair of arms 22 are slidably contacted with the groove side walls of the front-side insertion groove 36a and guided to the locking groove 36S. In a state where the male member 2 is connected to the female member 3, the front side convex portions 23F of the pair of arms 22 abut against the groove side walls of the locking grooves 36S, and the front side convex portions 23F move to the insertion port 3P side. It becomes difficult to do.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a back side guide groove 37 extending in the insertion direction is formed on the inner surface of the back wall 32. The back side guide groove 37 constituting the guide part is formed so that the groove width is narrowed from the back side insertion edge 32p to the locking edge 32S. The groove side wall constituting the back side guide groove 37 is formed so as to overlap the above-described front side insertion groove 36a in a plan view facing the outer surface of the back wall 32. When the male member 2 is inserted into the female member 3, the back-side convex portions 23B of the pair of arms 22 are slidably contacted with the groove side walls of the back-side guide groove 37 and guided to the locking edge 32S. That is, as the male member 2 is inserted into the female member 3, the distal ends of the pair of arms 22 are displaced so as to approach each other in the guiding process in which the

convex portions

23F and 23B are guided by the

guide grooves

36 and 37. After that, the front-side convex portion 23F engages with the locking groove 36S and the back-side convex portion 23B engages with the locking edge 32S so that they are displaced away from each other.

Furthermore, in addition to the insertion port 3P and the opening port 3D described above, the female member 3 is formed with a pair of arm insertion holes SH facing each other in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction. The pair of arm insertion holes SH as the openings are rectangular shapes whose four sides are bordered by the front wall 31, the back wall 32, the insertion-side connection wall WP, and the open-side connection wall WD when viewed from the direction parallel to the left-right direction. Is formed. Moreover, the opening edge of a pair of arm penetration hole SH is formed in the shape which follows the internal peripheral surface 24a of the arm hole 24 which a pair of arm 22 mentioned above has. The pair of arm insertion holes SH is such that each of the arm holes 24 of the pair of arms 22 is exposed to the outside of the female member 3 in a state where the male member 2 is connected to the female member 3, and the pair of arm insertion holes SH. Each is formed in a shape that is blocked by the arm 22. According to such a configuration, the shape of the inner peripheral surface 24a of the arm hole 24 follows the opening shape of the arm insertion hole SH (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Therefore, it is possible to suppress the entry of foreign matter from the pair of arm insertion holes SH into the female member 3 while fostering an aesthetic appearance based on the functional unity between the male member 2 and the female member 3 in the buckle 1. is there. The opening edge of the arm insertion hole SH is a pair of arms up to a position where both the engagement of the front side convex portion 23F and the locking groove 36S and the engagement of the back side convex portion 23B and the locking edge 32S are released. 22 are formed so as to be accessible to each other. That is, when the connection between the male member 2 and the female member 3 is released, after pressing the pair of arms 22 to approach each other using the outer surface of the arm 22 exposed in the arm insertion hole SH. The male member 2 is moved in the direction opposite to the insertion direction.

Further, inside the female member 3, a partition plate 38 that connects the center in the left-right direction of the front side guide groove 36 and the center in the left-right direction of the back side guide groove 37 is formed so as to extend in the insertion direction. By forming the partition plate 38 having such a configuration, the front wall 31 and the back wall 32 of the female member 3 are prevented from being bent. Further, a belt attachment portion 39 to which the belt fastened by the buckle 1 is attached so that its length cannot be changed is provided at an end portion in the insertion direction of the female member 3. The belt attaching portion 39 is provided with three bottomed holes in order to reduce the weight of the buckle 1. The operation hole A in the buckle 1 in the connected state in a plan view of the surface facing the front wall 31 by the edge of the belt attachment portion 39 and the front opening edge 31d curved so as to protrude toward the insertion port 3P. The operation hole B is formed in the same shape as the operation hole A and is opposed to the operation hole A in the insertion direction. By providing such an operation hole B, an aesthetic appearance based on a functional sense of unity between the male member 2 and the female member 3 is enhanced.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, when the pair of arms 22 is inserted from the insertion port 3P in the insertion direction indicated by the arrow in the drawing (the same applies to FIG. 8), first, the outer surface 22a of the arm 22 is the guide surface. The distal ends of the pair of arms 22 enter the female member 3 while being in sliding contact with the WPa. Next, a pair of front side convex portions 23F projecting from the surface of the arm 22 are guided to the locking groove 36S along the front side insertion groove 36a. Further, a pair of back side convex portions 23 B protruding from the back surface of the arm 22 is guided along the back side guide groove 37 to the opening 3 D.

At this time, the outer surface of each of the pair of arms 22 is formed in a shape that protrudes outward in the left-right direction at the arm locking portion 22S. And the guide surface WPa in a pair of insertion side connection wall WP is formed in the shape matched with the outer surface in the base end of a pair of arm 22. FIG. Therefore, when the pair of arms 22 is inserted into the female member 3, the outer surface of each of the pair of arms 22 protrudes outward from the guide surface WPa, so that the outer surface of the arm 22 is laterally moved by the guide surface WPa. It will be pushed closer to the center. As a result, when the arm locking portion 22S is positioned on the guide surface WPa, the pair of arms 22 are greatly bent toward the center in the left-right direction. When the arm locking portion 22S passes through the guide surface WPa, the pushing of the guide surface WPa with respect to the outer surface of the arm 22 is released, and the bending in the pair of arms 22 follows the guidance of the front insertion groove 36a and the back guide groove 37. It becomes. The groove widths of the front-side insertion groove 36a and the back-side guide groove 37 are formed so as to narrow at a constant rate from the insertion port 3P toward the opening port 3D. Therefore, when the pair of arms 22 is inserted according to the guidance of the front insertion groove 36a and the back guide groove 37, the pair of arms 22 enters the female member 3 while being bent at a certain rate toward the center in the left-right direction. It becomes like this. According to such a configuration, when the arm locking portion 22S passes through the guide surface WPa, the external force with respect to the arm 22 is temporarily increased. Therefore, the engagement between the arm locking portion 22S and the guide surface WPa causes a pair of forces. It is possible to temporarily fix the arm 22 to the female member 3.

When the pair of arms 22 continues to be inserted into the female member 3, the front side convex portion 23F reaches the locking groove 36S, and the back side convex portion 23B reaches the opening 3D. Then, since the locking groove 36S is expanded from the front-side insertion groove 36a and the locking edge 32S is expanded from the back-side guide groove 37, the pair of arms 22 bent toward the center in the left-right direction. However, they extend outward in the left-right direction according to the shape of the locking groove 36S and the shape of the locking edge 32S. As a result, the front-side convex portion 23F comes into contact with the groove side wall of the locking groove 36S, and the front-side convex portion 23F is difficult to move to the insertion port 3P side. Further, the back side convex portion 23B comes into contact with the bottom edge of the locking edge 32S, and the back side convex portion 23B is difficult to move to the insertion port 3P side. The male member 2 is coupled to the female member 3.

Further, since the copying surface 22 b and the bridge 25 on the inner surface are accommodated in the female member 3 by the connection between the male member 2 and the female member 3, a part of the operation hole A of the male member 2 is a surface of the female member 3. The wall 31 and the back wall 32 are covered. However, in this embodiment, the front-side insertion edge 31p and the back-side insertion edge 32p are curved so that they protrude toward the opening 3D, and the apex of the intermediate portion 25b of the bridge 25 is the front-side convex portion 23F. Are accommodated in the female member 3 in accordance with the engagement between the engagement groove 36S and the engagement between the rear convex portion 23B and the engagement edge 32S. Therefore, even if the operation hole A is partially covered by the front wall 31 and the back wall 32, the size enough to allow the finger to enter in a plan view facing the plane including the pair of arms is maintained. As described above, in the operation hole A, the size to which a finger enters is maintained until the male member 2 is connected to the female member 3, so that the male member 3 is connected to the female member 3 using the finger inserted into the operation hole A. The member 2 can continue to be inserted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the pair of arms 22 are closest to each other immediately before the front-side convex portion 23F reaches the locking groove 36S and the back-side convex portion 23B reaches the opening 3D. In this embodiment, at this time, the copying surfaces 22b of the pair of arms 22 are configured to overlap the front-side insertion edge 31p and the back-side insertion edge 32p in a plan view opposite to the plane including the pair of arms 22. Here, when the pair of arms 22 are closest to each other, that is, in a state where the width in the left-right direction between the copying surfaces 22b is the narrowest, if the copying surface 22b is located outside the female member 3, There is a possibility that the finger inserted into the operation hole A is pressed by the approaching surface 22b that is approached. In this regard, according to the configuration described above, when the width between the copying surfaces 22b is the narrowest, the copying surface 22b is not positioned outside the female member 3. Thereby, it can suppress that the finger inserted in the operation hole A is pressed by the copying surface 22b. Further, when the male member 2 is inserted into the female member 3 using the copying surface 22b, the male member is moved to a position immediately before the front side convex portion 23F and the back side convex portion 23B are engaged with the locking groove 36S and the locking edge 32S. 2 can be inserted. As a result, it is possible to reliably connect the male member 2 and the female member 3 using the copying surface 22b while suppressing finger compression by the copying surface 22b.
(Method of operation)
Next, an example of a method for operating the buckle 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. 9 and 10 are perspective views illustrating an example of a buckle operating method. More specifically, FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a middle course when the male member 2 and the female member 3 are connected without using the operation hole B of the female member 3. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an intermediate process when the male member 2 and the female member 3 are connected using the operation hole B of the female member 3.

First, an operation method for connecting the male member 2 and the female member 3 without using the operation hole B of the female member 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, in this operation method, first, the index finger is inserted into the operation hole A of the male member 2 to hold the male member 2. At this time, the index finger is inserted into the operation hole A so that the index finger is on the bridge 25 side. Subsequently, in order to make the insertion port 3P of the female member 3 and the pair of arms 22 of the male member 2 face each other in the insertion direction, the female member 3 is attached to the belt using the middle finger and the thumb while holding the male member 2 with the index finger. It is clamped in the vicinity of the connecting portion with the portion 39. Then, the male member 2 is inserted into the insertion opening 3 P of the female member 3 using the middle of the index finger using the intermediate portion 25 b of the bridge 25 and the copying surface 22 b of the inner surface of each arm 22. When the male member 2 continues to be inserted into the female member 3, the

convex portions

23F and 23B of the male member 2 are guided by the

guide grooves

36 and 37 of the female member 3, and the front convex portion 23F is inserted into the locking groove 36S. The back side convex part 23B engages with the locking edge 32S. This completes the connection between the male member 2 and the female member 3.

Next, an operation method for connecting the male member 2 and the female member 3 using the operation hole B of the female member 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10, also in this operation method, first, the index finger is inserted into the operation hole A of the male member 2 to hold the male member 2. At this time, the index finger is inserted into the operation hole A so that the index finger is on the bridge 25 side. Subsequently, in order to make the insertion port 3P of the female member 3 and the pair of arms 22 of the male member 2 face each other in the insertion direction, the belly of the thumb is on the opening 3D side while holding the male member 2 with the index finger. The thumb is inserted into the operation hole B of the female member 3 to support the female member 3. Then, the male member 2 is inserted into the insertion opening 3 P of the female member 3 using the middle of the index finger using the intermediate portion 25 b of the bridge 25 and the copying surface 22 b of the inner surface of each arm 22. When the male member 2 continues to be inserted into the female member 3, the

convex portions

23F and 23B of the male member 2 are guided by the

guide grooves

36 and 37 of the female member 3, and the front convex portion 23F is brought into the locking groove 36S. The convex portion 23B engages with the locking edge 32S. This completes the connection between the male member 2 and the female member 3. Thus, by using the operation hole B of the female member 3, the degree of freedom regarding the operation method for connecting the male member 2 and the female member 3 is improved. As a result, the operability of the buckle can be further enhanced.

In the above-described one-hand coupling operation, the intermediate portion 25b of the bridge 25 has its apex in accordance with the engagement between the front-side convex portion 23F and the locking groove 36S and the back-side convex portion 23B and the locking edge 32S. Is accommodated in the female member 3. Therefore, the index finger that has operated the male member 2 using the bridge 25 comes into contact with the front-side insertion edge 31p and the back-side insertion edge 32p when the

convex portions

23F and 23B are engaged. Thereby, it can notify to a user through a tactile sensation that the male member 2 is connected to the female member 3.

Next, an operation method for separating the male member 2 and the female member 3 will be described. When the male member 2 and the female member 3 are separated, first, the arms 22 exposed from the arm insertion holes SH of the female member 3 are supported by using the index finger and the belly of the thumb, and then each convex portion 23F. , 23B are pressed so as to approach each other to a position where the engagement of 23B is released. Then, while maintaining the pressed state, each arm 22 is pushed out in the direction opposite to the insertion direction. As a result, even if the pair of arms 22 tries to be separated from each other by the elastic force, the front-side convex portion 23F abuts the front-side insertion groove 36a and the back-side convex portion 23B contacts the groove side walls of the

guide grooves

36 and 37. Thus, the engagement state between the front-side convex portion 23F and the locking groove 36S and the engagement state between the back-side convex portion 23B and the locking edge 32S are both released. At this time, since the

guide grooves

36 and 37 of the pair of arms 22 that are to be separated from each other are narrow from the insertion port 3P to the opening 3D, each

guide groove

36 and 37 is a reaction force of the elastic force. A force in the direction opposite to the insertion direction is received from the groove side wall. That is, since the movement of the male member 2 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction is promoted, the operability related to the operation method when separating the male member 2 from the female member 3 is enhanced.

When the engaged state is released, the index finger is inserted into the operation hole A of the male member 2. At this time, the index finger is inserted so that the nail side of the index finger is on the bridge 25 side. Then, the arms 22 of the male member 2 are pulled out from the insertion openings 3P of the female member 3 by moving the base 21 of the male member 2 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction using the abdomen of the index finger. This completes the separation of the female member 3 and the male member 2.

Here, the outer shape of the male member 2 formed by the outer surfaces of the pair of arms 22 has a tapered shape. The surface 22a constituting the tapered portion is an outer surface that is more inclined with respect to the insertion direction than the other outer surface. The force acting on the outer surface is efficiently converted into a force directed in a direction along the insertion direction. Thus, by bending the outer surface of the arm 22, the force required to push out the male member 2 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction using the index finger and thumb can be reduced. As a result, the operability related to the separation of the male member 2 and the female member 3 can be enhanced.

As described above, according to the buckle according to the present embodiment, the effects listed below can be obtained.
(1) The male member 2 has a space region in which the width in the left-right direction is narrower on the distal end side of the arm 22 due to the edge of the base portion 21 and the edges of the inner side surfaces of the pair of arms 22. Further, the space region is formed with an operation hole A that is partitioned by the bridge 25 and has a size that allows a finger to enter. Then, by connecting the male member 2 to the female member 3, the operation hole A is partially covered by the front wall 31 and the back wall 32, but the front insertion edge 31p and the back side which are the opening edges of the insertion port 3P. The insertion edge 32p is curved so that it protrudes toward the opening 3D, so that the size enough for the finger to enter is maintained. According to such a configuration, by inserting a finger into the operation hole A of the male member 2, operations related to the connection and separation between the male member 2 and the female member 3 can be performed with one hand. As a result, the operability of the buckle can be improved.

(2) In addition, the copying surface 22b and the bridge 25 of the pair of arms 22 are accommodated in the female member 3 when the front side convex portion 23F and the locking groove 36S are engaged, and when the back side convex portion 23B and the locking edge 32S are engaged. Is done. According to such a configuration, when the male member 2 is inserted to a position where the

convex portions

23F and 23B are engaged, the fingers inserted into the operation hole A of the male member 2 are the front-side insertion edge 31p and the back-side insertion edge 32p. Will come into contact. Accordingly, it is possible to notify the user through the sense of touch that the connection between the male member 2 and the female member 3 has been completed.

(3) The copying surface 22b of the arm 22 is formed so as to overlap the front-side insertion edge 31p and the back-side insertion edge 32p when the pair of arms 22 comes closest in the guiding process of the pair of arms 22. According to such a configuration, when the width between the copying surfaces 22b is the narrowest, the copying surface 22b is not positioned outside the female member 3, so that the finger inserted into the operation hole A can copy the copying surface 22b. It can suppress being pressed by. Further, the male member 2 and the female member 3 can be reliably connected using the copying surface 22b.

(4) The female member 3 is connected to the buckle 1 in a connected state in a plan view of the surface facing the front wall 31 by the belt attachment portion 39 and the front side opening edge 31d curved toward the insertion port 3P. An operation hole B that is symmetrical with the operation hole A is formed. According to such a structure, the beauty | look based on the functional integration of the male member 2 and the female member 3 can be improved.

(5) Similarly to the operation hole A, the operation hole B has a size that allows a finger to enter. Therefore, since it becomes possible to connect the male member 2 to the female member 3 using the operation hole B of the female member 3, the freedom degree regarding the operation method which connects the male member 2 and the female member 3 improves. As a result, the operability of the buckle 1 can be further enhanced.

(6) By providing the bridge 25 that couples the pair of arms 22, the mechanical strength of the pair of arms 22, and hence the mechanical strength of the male member 2, can be increased compared to an aspect in which the bridge 25 is not provided. Can do.

(7) The bridge 25 has an intermediate portion 25 b that is curved toward the base portion 21. The apex of the intermediate portion 25b is accommodated in the female member 3 as the front side convex portion 23F engages with the locking groove 36S and the back side convex portion 23B engages with the locking edge 32S. That is, a part of the bridge 25 is located outside the insertion port 3P until the

convex portions

23F and 23B are engaged. Therefore, when the male member 2 is inserted into the female member 3 using the operation hole A, the male member 2 can be reliably inserted to the position where the

convex portions

23F and 23B are engaged.

(8) The outer surfaces of the pair of arms 22 are bent so that the outer shape of the male member 2 constituted by the outer surfaces is tapered. According to such a configuration, by forming the tapered surface 22a, the force required to push out the male member 2 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction can be reduced. As a result, the operability of the buckle can be improved.

In addition, the said embodiment can also be implemented with the following aspects.
In the above embodiment, the bridge 25 is provided as a connection member that connects the pair of arms 22, but the bridge 25 may be omitted. At this time, it is preferable that the pair of arms 22 increase the mechanical strength against an external force while maintaining its flexibility.

-In the said embodiment, the vertex in the intermediate part 25b of the bridge | bridging 25 is accommodated in the female member 3 according to the front side convex part 23F engaging with the locking groove 36S, and the back side convex part 23B engaging with the locking edge 32S. The configuration is as follows. By changing this, the configuration may be such that the apex of the intermediate portion 25b is located outside the insertion port 3P when the

convex portions

23F and 23B are in the engaged state. Even with such a configuration, effects similar to the above (1) to (5) can be obtained.

Further, for example, the bridge 25 may be bent toward the opening 3D, and the apex of the intermediate portion 25b may be accommodated in the female member 3 before the

convex portions

23F and 23B are engaged. In such a case, for example, when the male member 2 is connected to the female member 3 by forming the copying surfaces 22b of the pair of arms 22 so as to overlap the insertion edges 31p and 32p in the connected state, The male member 2 can be reliably inserted to the position where the 23B is engaged. It is also possible to notify the user through tactile sense that the connection has been completed. In such a case, it is necessary to prevent the partition plate 38 provided on the female member 3 from interfering with the bridge 25.

In the above embodiment, the operation hole B is provided so that the finger can enter the female member 3. As described in the above embodiment, since the male member 2 and the female member 3 can be connected without using the operation hole B of the female member 3, the operation hole B of the female member 3 is omitted. Also good. Even with such a configuration, effects similar to the above (1) to (3) can be obtained. Moreover, the freedom degree in designing the female member 3 can also be improved.

In the above embodiment, the copying surfaces 22b of the pair of arms 22 are formed so as to overlap the front-side insertion edge 31p and the back-side insertion edge 32p when the pair of arms 22 are closest to each other in the guide process of the arms 22. . By changing this, the copying surface 22b may be already accommodated in the female member 3 when the pair of arms 22 approaches most in the guide process of the pair of arms 22. Even with such a configuration, effects similar to the above (1) to (3) can be obtained.

Further, not limited to the above, the copying surfaces 22b of the pair of arms 22 may be formed so as to be located outside the female member 3 when the pair of arms 22 are closest to each other. Even with such a configuration, effects similar to the above (1) and (2) can be obtained.

The pair of arms 22 of the above embodiment has the front side insertion edge 31p and the back side insertion edge 32p of the female member 3 in a connected state in plan view facing the plane including the pair of arms 22 on the inner surfaces facing each other. And a copying surface 22b which is a surface copying the above. As apparent from FIG. 7, the copying surface 22 b is a surface that is inclined with respect to the insertion direction of the male member 2. However, the copying surface 22b is not limited to a surface parallel to the insertion direction, and may be a surface orthogonal to the insertion direction, for example. Even if it is such a structure, the effect similar to said (1) can be acquired.

In the above embodiment, the outer surfaces of the pair of arms 22 are bent so that the outer shape of the male member 2 constituted by the outer surfaces is tapered. By changing this, the outer surfaces of the pair of arms 22 may be configured to taper without being bent, for example. Even with such a configuration, effects similar to the above (1) to (7) can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, the front-side convex portion 23F and the back-side convex portion 23B as the locking portions are provided at the tip portions of the pair of arms 22, and the front-side convex portion 23F is the locking groove 36S and the back-side convexity as the locking portions. The part 23B is embodied in the buckle 1 configured to be locked to the locking edge 32S as the locking part. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a locked portion may be provided on the outer surface of the pair of arms 22 and the locked portion may be embodied as a buckle that is locked using the arm insertion hole SH. With such a configuration, the front wall 31 and the back wall 32 of the female member 3 can have the same shape. Therefore, in the state where the male member 2 is connected to the female member 3, the male member 2 and the female member The aesthetic appearance based on a sense of unity with 3 can be further enhanced.

In the above embodiment, the operation hole A when the male member 2 is connected to the female member 3 is embodied in the buckle 1 formed by the front insertion edge 31p and the edge of the base portion 21. Not only in this configuration, the operation hole A when the male member 2 and the female member 3 are connected is formed by, for example, the edges of the inner side surfaces of the pair of arms 22 in addition to the front insertion edge 31p and the edge of the base portion 21. The buckle to be formed may be embodied. That is, before the base end portions of the pair of arms 22 are accommodated in the female member 3, the buckle may be embodied as a buckle that completes the connection between the female member 3 and the male member 2.

The entire content of the specification, claims, drawings and abstract of Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-130515 filed on June 7, 2010 is cited herein as the disclosure of the specification of the present invention. Incorporated.

Claims

A male member having a pair of arms extending from a base, and a flat cylindrical female member having an insertion port into which the pair of arms are inserted at one end;
In the connected state in which the male member is connected to the female member, in the buckle where the base of the male member and the one end of the female member abut,
The female member has an opening edge that is concave in the insertion direction of the arm at the one end,
The male member is formed in a shape in which the inner side surfaces of the pair of arms facing each other follow the opening edge, and has a gripping hole surrounded by the pair of inner side surfaces and the base part,
In the connected state, the inner surface is accommodated in the female member, and the gripping hole is edged by the base and the opening edge in a plan view facing a plane including the pair of arms. Buckle to do.
The male member is
The pair of arms has a locked portion,
The female member is
A locking portion that engages with the locked portion to lock the pair of arms;
A guide portion that guides the locked portion to the locking portion, and displaces the tip portions of the pair of arms in the guiding process so as to be separated after approaching each other;
The buckle according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface is accommodated in the female member in a state where the pair of arms are closest to each other in the guiding process.
The female member is
3. The buckle according to claim 2, wherein the inner surface overlaps an edge of the opening edge in the plan view in a state where the pair of arms are closest to each other in the guiding process.
The female member is
It has another gripping hole formed in the same shape as the gripping hole, and the other gripping hole is formed to face the gripping hole in the direction in which the pair of arms are inserted. The buckle according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The male member is
The buckle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a connection member that connects the pair of arms and is accommodated in the female member in the connected state.