Connector between guide rail unit and zipper

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector (6) that facilitates the operation of connecting the connector to the zipper head body and the movable body of the guide rail unit, or the pre-operation for preparing the guide rail unit, etc. The connector (6) connects the guide rail unit (1) and the zipper (5). The guide rail unit (1) includes: a base (2) in which an object is disposed with the X direction as the guiding direction and separated in the Z direction; and a movable body (3) which is guided relative to the base in the X direction and is used to mount the object. The zipper (5) includes: a pair of toothed chain straps (51) which are opposed on both sides of the movable body in the Y direction between the object and the base; and a zipper head body (52) which opens and closes the pair of toothed chain straps (51) in the X direction. The connectors are provided as separate parts: a connector (7) for the zipper head, which is connected to the zipper head body; and a connector (8) for the movable body, which is connected to the movable body. One of the connectors for the zipper head and the connector for the movable body is a socket (8), and the other is a pin (7) that can be installed and removed by plugging and unplugging relative to the socket (8).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The guide rail unit includes: a base on which an object is disposed in a state where a first direction is the guiding direction and the object is separated from the object in a second direction when viewed from the first direction; and a movable body that is guided to reciprocate relative to the base in the first direction and is used to mount the object. The zipper includes: a pair of zipper teeth, with a third direction in which they intersect relative to the second direction when viewed from the first direction, the pair of zipper teeth being opposite each other on both sides of the movable body in the third direction between the object and the base; and a zipper head body that opens and closes the pair of zipper teeth in the first direction. This invention relates to a connector for connecting the movable body and the zipper head body. Furthermore, the object refers to, for example, a car seat. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector for connecting a guide rail unit and a zipper. In Patent Document 1, the connector is referred to as a connecting component, which consists of a single part.

[0003] [Existing Technical Documents]

[0004] [Patent Literature]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 224998

[0006] Since the connector is a single component, it connects to both the zipper head body and the moving part. This allows the operator to connect the connector in either the zipper head body and the moving part, or vice versa. Furthermore, the operator may sometimes detach the connector from the zipper head body or the moving part before servicing the guide rail unit or zipper. This facilitates operations such as connecting the connector or preparing for guide rail unit servicing. However, the operator may not be able to easily install or remove the connector from a convenient location or position. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention was created in consideration of the above-mentioned actual situation, and its purpose is to make it easier to connect the connector to the pull head body and the moving body, or to facilitate the pre-operation for preparing the guide rail unit, etc.

[0008] The connector of the present invention connects the guide rail unit and the zipper.

[0009] The guide rail unit includes: a base on which an object is disposed in a state where a first direction is the guiding direction and the object is separated from the object in a second direction when viewed from the first direction; and a movable body that is guided to reciprocate relative to the base in the first direction and is used to mount the object.

[0010] The zipper includes: a pair of zipper teeth, with the direction in which they intersect relative to a second direction as a third direction when viewed from a first direction, the pair of zipper teeth being positioned opposite each other on either side of the object and the substrate relative to the moving body in the third direction; and a zipper head body that opens and closes the pair of zipper teeth in the first direction.

[0011] Furthermore, the connector includes a zipper pull connecting member and a movable body connecting member as separate parts. The zipper pull connecting member is connected to the zipper pull body, and the movable body connecting member is connected to the movable body. Moreover, the connector is characterized in that one of the zipper pull connecting member and the movable body connecting member serves as a socket, and the other serves as a pin that can be installed and removed by plugging and unplugging relative to the socket.

[0012] Regarding the connector, the direction in which the operator can pull the pin out of the socket is not a concern. However, considering ease of operation, the following is preferred:

[0013] That is, one of the connecting parts for the zipper pull and the connecting parts for the movable body has an operating part that allows the pin to be pulled out of the socket by an operation in a third direction.

[0014] Regarding the connecting parts for the moving body, how they are installed relative to the moving body is not a concern; for example, they can be installed without any swinging motion. However, considering the ease of installation and removal of the pins and sockets, the following is preferred:

[0015] That is, the moving body is connected by a connecting component that can swing relative to the moving body in a third direction.

[0016] To reduce the space required for the connector, the following are preferred for the moving body and the connecting component for the moving body:

[0017] The movable body has a pair of sidewalls facing each other in the third direction at its end in the first direction, and the two inner surfaces of the sidewalls facing each other in the third direction have bearing portions.

[0018] The connecting member for the moving body includes: a pair of feet that are inserted between a pair of sidewalls and are opposed to each other in a third direction; and a pair of shafts that protrude from the pair of feet in a third direction and are rotatably supported by a pair of bearings.

[0019] For easy insertion of the plug into the socket, the following is preferred:

[0020] The plug has an insertion portion that is inserted into the socket. The socket has a receiving portion that can accommodate the insertion portion in a first direction, the receiving portion having an inner portion that accommodates the front end of the insertion portion and an entrance portion that accommodates the root of the insertion portion. Furthermore, the second-direction dimension of the entrance portion is wider than the second-direction dimension of the inner portion.

[0021] Even when the second dimension of the entrance is wider than the second dimension of the inner side, the following is preferable in order to ensure a stable connection between the pin and the socket:

[0022] The insertion portion includes: a pair of wrists that are opposed to each other in a third direction and are elastically deformable in a third direction; and a protrusion that protrudes from the root of each wrist in at least one direction in a second direction.

[0023] The structure of the connecting component between the zipper head body and the zipper head can be any structure. A specific example is as follows:

[0024] The slider head body includes: a first wing plate and a second wing plate, which are opposed to each other in a second direction; a connecting post connecting the first wing plate and the second wing plate; a main chain tooth path extending rearward relative to the connecting post in a direction that is a first direction; and a pair of branch paths branching off from the main chain tooth path on both sides of the connecting post in a third direction. Furthermore, the slider head connecting member includes: a retaining portion retaining at least one side of the first wing plate and one side of the second wing plate relative to the connecting post; and a post cover portion covering the connecting post in a forward direction that is another direction that is a first direction, and extending from the retaining portion in a second direction.

[0025] When a foreign object is placed on the side of the zipper belt opposite the object in the second direction (opposite to the substrate), the foreign object may sometimes obstruct the opening and closing of the zipper belt. To minimize this, the following is preferable:

[0026] The column cap extends in at least one third direction beyond the connecting column.

[0027] To facilitate the connection between the zipper body and the zipper using the connecting component, the following is preferable:

[0028] The retaining portion includes a first retaining portion and a second retaining portion disposed on both sides of the post cap portion in a second direction. The first retaining portion retains one side of the first wing plate, and the second retaining portion retains one side of the second wing plate. Furthermore, an opening is formed between the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion, allowing the slider body to be inserted. Moreover, the post cap portion is a plate capable of elastic deformation when the opening is expanded.

[0029] Since the connector of the present invention consists of two detachable parts, a pin and a socket, the pin and the socket can be connected to the zipper head body and the movable body respectively, and the pin and the socket can be attached and detached while connected to the zipper head body and the movable body. As a result, the operation of connecting the connector to the zipper head body and the movable body, or the pre-operation for preparing the guide rail unit, becomes easier.

[0030] In the connector of the present invention, when the pin can be pulled out of the socket by operating the operating part in a third direction, a pair of zipper teeth will not hinder the operation, and the installation and removal of the pin and the socket becomes easy.

[0031] In the connector of the present invention, when the connecting member for the moving body is oscillating relative to the moving body about a third direction, the installation and removal of the pin and socket become easy because the connecting member for the moving body can oscillate.

[0032] In the connector of the present invention, when the movable body has a pair of sidewalls facing each other in the third direction and the connecting member for the movable body has a pair of feet, since the shaft portion protruding from the feet is supported by the bearing portion of the sidewall by inserting the pair of feet between the pair of sidewalls, the pair of feet can be accommodated between the pair of sidewalls, thereby reducing the installation space of the connector.

[0033] In the connector of the present invention, when the pin has an insertion portion and the socket has a receiving portion, since the entrance portion of the receiving portion is wider than the inner portion in the second direction, it is easy to insert the front end of the insertion portion into the entrance portion of the receiving portion.

[0034] In the connector of the present invention, when the insertion portion has a pair of wrists and a protrusion that protrudes from the root of the wrists in at least one direction in the second direction, since the root of the insertion portion is longer than the wrists by only the amount of the protrusion in the second direction, the insertion portion is stable inside the receiving portion even if the inlet portion is wider than the inner portion in the second direction. As a result, the connection state of the pin and the socket is stable.

[0035] In the connector of the present invention, when the cap portion of the connecting post covering the zipper head body extends further in at least one third direction than the connecting post, since the edge of the zipper chain tape contacts the cap portion, if the zipper chain tape is held in a structure that cannot be displaced outward in a third direction, the edge of the zipper chain tape is easily displaced toward the object. Since the foreign object placed on the edge moves from the edge, it is possible to prevent the foreign object from obstructing the opening and closing of the zipper chain tape.

[0036] In the connector of the present invention, when a first retaining portion for retaining the first wing plate side and a second retaining portion for retaining the second wing plate side are provided, since an opening is formed between the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion, and the cap portion is a plate that can elastically deform when the opening is expanded, if the zipper body is inserted from the opening, the cap portion elastically deforms to expand the opening, and then returns to its original state, making it easy to connect the zipper body to the zipper with the connecting member. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the mobile guidance device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram showing the moving guide device according to the first embodiment.

[0039] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the guide rail unit of the moving guide device in the first embodiment.

[0040] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view mainly showing the closed state of the zipper of the movement guide device in the first embodiment.

[0041] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view that mainly shows the relationship between the connector and the belt of the moving guide device in the first embodiment.

[0042] Figure 6 Figures (A)-(C) are the top view, front view, and bottom view of the connector socket.

[0043] Figure 7 The (D)-(G) diagram represents the left and right views of the socket. Figure 6 FF line cross-section and GG line cross-section.

[0044] Figure 8 Figures (A)-(C) are the top view, front view, and bottom view of the pin of the connector.

[0045] Figure 9 The (D)-(G) diagram represents the left and right views of the latch. Figure 8 FF line cross-section and GG line cross-section.

[0046] Figure 10 Figures (A) and (B) are top views and front views showing the connection status of the connectors.

[0047] Figure 11 Figures (C) and (D) are bottom views showing the connection state of the connectors. Figure 11 DD line cross-section.

[0048] [Label Explanation]

[0049] 1: Guide rail unit; 2: Guide rail component (base); 21: Lower piece; 22: Side piece; 23: Upper piece; 24: Inner piece; 26: Guide groove; 27: Opening; 3: Sliding component (moving body); 30A: Sliding component body; 30B: Roller; 31: Outer side; 31W: Dimension in the Y direction; 31S: Spatial part; 311: Side wall; 312: Bearing hole (bearing part); 32: Inner side; 33: Middle part; 33W: Dimension in the Y direction; 4: Side cover; 41: Cover body piece; 411: Edge; 42: Lower 421: Edge; 43: Slit; 44: Opening; 5: Zipper; 51: Chain tooth; 511: Strap; 512: Chain tooth row; 52: Slider head body; 52h: Through hole; 53: Slider head body; 531: Passage; 532: Main chain tooth path; 533: Branch path; 54: Slider tab mounting part; 55: Upper wing plate; 56: Lower wing plate; 57: Connecting post; 58: Flange; 6: Connector; 7: Pin; 7a: Slider head connecting part; 7b: Insertion part; 70: Wrist; 70a: Operating part; 70h: Through hole; 70s: Space Part; 701: Inner wrist piece; 702: Outer wrist piece; 703: Front wrist piece; 71: Protrusion; 71s: Spatial part; 72: Protrusion; 73: First retaining part; 73h: Through hole; 74: Second retaining part; 74h: Fitting hole; 75: Pillar cap part; 75h: Through hole; 77: Connecting plate part; 78: Frame part; 781: Upper frame part; 782: Lower frame part; 79: Opening part; 8: Socket; 8a: Outer connecting part; 8b: Receiving part; 8c: Cylindrical part; 8d: Sealing plate part; 8e: Inner side part; 8f: Entrance part; 8h: Through hole; 8s 80: Recess (gap); 80a: Foot; 80a: Front end; 80b: Root; 81: Shaft; 81a: Front; 82: Protrusion; 84: Side plate; 84a: Window; 85: Upper plate; 851: Part corresponding to the inner side; 852: Part corresponding to the entrance; 853: Inclined plate; 854: End plate; 86: Lower plate; 87: Drooping part; 88: Raised part; 9: Fixing component; 91: Fixing piece; 911: Edge; L: Axis; H1, H2: Dimensions in the Z direction; W1, W2: Dimensions in the Y direction. Detailed Implementation

[0050] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the object that the motion guiding device moves is a car seat. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the moving guide device includes a guide rail unit 1 that movably guides an object in a straight direction. The guide rail unit 1 includes a guide rail component 2 as a base and a sliding component 3 as a moving body, the base being fixed to a floor plate that is part of the vehicle body.

[0051] The sliding component 3 is guided to reciprocate in a linear direction relative to the guide rail component 2. Figure 1In this diagram, the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z are orthogonal to each other. Hereafter, the first direction will be referred to as the X direction, the second direction as the Y direction, and the third direction as the Z direction. The X direction is the straight line direction that causes the object to reciprocate, and it is the guiding direction for the object. Additionally, in the following explanation, the X direction is sometimes referred to as the front-back direction. The Z direction is sometimes referred to as the up-down direction. Furthermore, the inner side of the Y direction refers to the side where the distance between two points separated in the Y direction is closer, and the outer side of the Y direction refers to the side where the distance between two points separated in the Y direction is further apart.

[0052] like Figure 3 As shown, the guide rail component 2 includes: a lower plate portion 21; a pair of side plate portions 22 extending upward from both sides of the lower plate portion 21 in the Y direction; a pair of upper plate portions 23 bent from the upper edges of the pair of side plate portions 22 in a manner close to the inner side in the Y direction; and a pair of inner plate portions 24 extending downward from the inner edges of the pair of upper plate portions 23. The lower plate portion 21, the pair of side plate portions 22, the pair of upper plate portions 23, and the pair of inner plate portions 24 all extend along the entire length of the guide rail component 2 in the X direction. The lower plate portion 21, the pair of side plate portions 22, the pair of upper plate portions 23, and the pair of inner plate portions 24 cooperate to form a guide groove 26 inside the guide rail component 2. The guide groove 26 opens to the outside of the guide rail component 2 between the pair of upper plate portions 23. That is, an opening 27 is formed between the pair of upper plate portions 23.

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown, the sliding member 3 includes: an outer portion 31 that is separated from the guide rail member 2 from above and serves as a mounting portion for mounting a seat; an inner portion 32 that is separated from the outer portion 31 from below and serves as a guided portion that is guided in the X direction relative to the guide rail member 2; and a middle portion 33 that serves as a joining portion that connects the outer portion 31 and the inner portion 32 in the Z direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sliding member 3 is constructed by combining multiple parts. Specifically, the sliding member 3 includes: a sliding member body 30A that is reciprocally guided relative to the guide rail member 2 in the X direction; and a roller 30B fixed relative to the sliding member body 30A. The roller 30B contacts the guide rail member 2 and rotates with the reciprocating motion of the sliding member body 30A. Furthermore, the sliding member 3 is not limited to a structure including the roller 30B; any structure that is reciprocating relative to the guide rail member 2 in the X direction can be used.

[0054] The inner portion 32 is a structure that is accommodated in the guide groove 26 of the guide rail component 2, is restricted from moving in the Y and Z directions, and is movable in the X direction. The Y-direction dimension 33W of the middle portion 33 is shorter than the Y-direction dimension 31W of the outer portion 31. The outer portion 31 will be described later.

[0055] like Figure 1 As shown, in addition to the guide rail unit 1, the moving guide device also includes: a pair of side covers 4 arranged at intervals on both sides of the middle portion 33 (opening portion 27) in the Y direction; a zipper 5 that can be opened and closed relative to the sliding member 3 in a state of covering both sides in the X direction and the pair of side covers 4; and a pair of connectors 6 that connect the zipper 5 to the two ends in the X direction of the outer portion 31 respectively.

[0056] like Figure 3 As shown, when viewed from the X direction, the side cover 4 is approximately T-shaped. The side cover 4 has: a main cover plate 41 extending in the Y direction; and a lower plate 42 extending downward from the lower surface of the main cover plate 41 (the surface opposite to the guide rail member 2). Both the main cover plate 41 and the lower plate 42 are plate-shaped. The main cover plate 41 covers the outer surface (upper surface) of the guide rail member 2 from one side in the Y direction relative to the opening 27. The lower plate 42 covers the outer surface (outer surface in the Y direction) of the side plate 22 of the guide rail member 2. A pair of side covers 4 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the opening 27 in the Y direction. An opening 44 is also formed between the pair of side covers 4 in the Y direction. The opening 44 of the pair of side covers 4 communicates with the opening 27 of the guide rail member 2 and the external space on the opposite side of the guide rail member 2 in the Z direction.

[0057] The inner edge 411 of the cover body plate 41 in the Y direction is arranged along the opening 27 of the guide rail member 2. A slit 43 extending in the X direction is formed on the inner surface of the cover body plate 41 in the Y direction (the surface opposite to the middle part 33). The slit 43 will be described later.

[0058] In addition to the guide rail component 2, the sliding component 3, a pair of side covers 4, the zipper 5, and the connector 6, the moving guide device also has a fixing component 9 for fixing the pair of side covers 4 to the guide rail component 2.

[0059] In this embodiment, the fixing member 9 is fixed to both ends of the guide rail member 2 in the X direction, for example. The side cover 4 is held in place by clamping the lower piece 42 of the first side cover 4 between the fixing member 9 and the side piece 22 of the guide rail member 2 in the Y direction.

[0060] In addition to the portion (not shown) fixed to the end of the guide rail component 2 in the X direction, the fixing member 9 also has a pair of fixing pieces 91 disposed on the outer side in two directions relative to the guide rail component 2 in the Y direction. The fixing pieces 91 extend in the Z direction from below the lower piece 42 to the lower surface of the cover body piece 41. The upper edge 911 of the fixing pieces 91 extends inward in the Y direction relative to the portion below the edge 911.

[0061] The lower edge 421 of the lower piece 42 bulges outward in the Y direction relative to the portion above the edge 421. By clamping the lower piece 42 between the edge 911 and the side piece 22 on the upper side of the lower piece 42 relative to the edge 421, the fixed piece 91 is fixed to the guide rail member 2.

[0062] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the zipper 5 includes: a pair of toothed chain straps 51 facing each other in the Y direction with the sliding member 3 as the center; and a pair of sliders 52 respectively disposed on one side and the other side in the X direction relative to the sliding member 3, which open and close the pair of toothed chain straps 51 in the X direction. The opening and closing directions of the pair of sliders 52 are opposite. Hereinafter, the direction of closing the pair of toothed chain straps 51 will be referred to as the forward direction, and the direction of opening the pair of toothed chain straps 51 will be referred to as the backward direction.

[0063] like Figure 4 As shown, a pair of chain belts 51 include: a pair of belts 511 facing each other in the Y direction; and a pair of chain teeth 512 installed on the inner edge of the pair of belts 511 in the Y direction.

[0064] 511 is a strip, with the Z direction as the thickness direction, the Y direction as the width direction, and the X direction as the long side direction.

[0065] The chain teeth 512 are fixed to the lower surface of one of the two sides of the belt 511 facing the guide rail member 2 in the Z direction. In a pair of chain teeth 512, if the sliding member 3 is moved in one direction in the X direction, the pull head 52 of one side causes the pair of chain teeth 512 to engage according to the amount of movement of the sliding member 3, and the pull head 52 of the other side causes the pair of chain teeth 512 to disengage according to the amount of movement of the sliding member 3.

[0066] A pair of toothed chain straps 51 are fixed to components disposed on both sides of the sliding component 3 in the Y direction. In this embodiment, the pair of toothed chain straps 51 are fixed relative to a pair of side covers 4 and are disposed in a state covering the openings 44 of the pair of side covers 4. Specifically, the outer edge of the strap 511 in the Y direction is received in the slit 43 of the side cover 4 in a state clamped from the Z direction. The strap 511 cannot be displaced outward in the Y direction.

[0067] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the zipper pull 52 includes: a zipper pull body 53 capable of engaging and disengaging a pair of chain teeth 512; and a tab mounting portion 54 protruding from the zipper pull body 53. In a typical zipper pull, a tab is mounted on the zipper pull body 52. ​​However, in this embodiment, there is no tab on the zipper pull 52. Therefore, in this embodiment, the zipper pull 52 will be referred to hereinafter as the zipper pull body 52.

[0068] The head and body 53 includes: an upper wing 55, serving as a first wing, and a lower wing 56, serving as a second wing, opposite each other in the Z direction; a connecting post 57 connecting the upper wing 55 and the lower wing 56; and flanges 58 protruding from both ends in the Y direction of at least one of the upper wing 55 and the lower wing 56 in a manner that reduces the distance between them. The connecting post 57 extends in the Z direction and is mounted on the front of the upper wing 55 and the lower wing 56.

[0069] Inside the head section 53, a passage 531 is formed for a pair of chain teeth 512 to pass through. The passage 531 is divided in the Z direction by an upper wing plate 55 and a lower wing plate 56, and in the Y direction by opposing flanges 58. Furthermore, the passage 531 includes: a main chain tooth path 532 extending in a rearward direction relative to the connecting post 57 in one direction of the X direction; and a pair of branch paths 533 branching from the main chain tooth path 532 on both sides of the connecting post 57 in the Y direction. That is, the pair of branch paths 533 are divided into two sides in the Y direction by the connecting post 57.

[0070] The pull tab mounting portion 54 protrudes upward from the upper wing plate 55 relative to the lower wing plate 56. Viewed from the Z direction, the pull tab mounting portion 54 is located at the middle of the upper wing plate 55 in the Y direction. The pull tab body 53 has a through hole 52h extending in the Y direction on its upper side relative to the upper wing plate 55. In this embodiment, the pull tab mounting portion 54 cooperates with the upper wing plate 55 to form the through hole 52h. More specifically, the pull tab mounting portion 54 is rod-shaped, protruding upward from the upper wing plate 55 relative to the lower wing plate 56, and extending rearward from its upwardly extending front end opposite the upper wing plate 55, and extending downward from its rearwardly extending front end close to the upper wing plate 55.

[0071] like Figure 1 As shown, connector 6 includes a zipper pull connecting member 7 and a movable body connecting member 8 as separate parts. The zipper pull connecting member 7 is connected to the zipper pull body 52, and the movable body connecting member 8 is connected to the sliding member 3 (moving body). The zipper pull connecting member 7 and the movable body connecting member 8 are detachable and integrated through installation. One of the zipper pull connecting member 7 and the movable body connecting member 8 is a socket, and the other is a pin. The pin can be installed and removed by inserting or removing it relative to the socket. In this embodiment, the zipper pull connecting member 7 is a pin 7, and the movable body connecting member 8 is a socket 8. The pin 7 and the socket 8 are, for example, made of synthetic resin.

[0072] The socket 8 includes: an outer connecting portion 8a that is pivotally connected to the outer portion 31; and a receiving portion 8b that removably accommodates the front end of the pin 7. The direction extending from the axis L, which serves as the center when the outer connecting portion 8a pivots, is the Y direction. The socket 8 is formed by joining the outer connecting portion 8a and the receiving portion 8b in the X direction. In the socket 8, the outer connecting portion 8a is located on one side (front side) with respect to the X direction, and the receiving portion 8b is located on the other side (rear side) with respect to the X direction.

[0073] like Figure 6 , 7 As shown, the outer connecting portion 8a includes: a pair of legs 80 facing each other in the Y direction; a pair of shaft portions 81 protruding outward in the Y direction from the pair of legs 80; and a pair of protrusions 82 that are separated from the pair of shaft portions 81 in the X direction toward the receiving portion 8b and protrude outward in the Y direction from the pair of legs 80.

[0074] Regarding the X direction, the foot 80 has a front end 80a and a root 80b. The front end 80a of the foot 80 extends parallel to the X direction. The root 80b of the foot 80 is inclined towards the X direction when viewed from the Y direction. Specifically, when viewed from the Y direction, the root 80b of the foot 80 is inclined towards the X direction as it moves from the front end 80a of the foot 80 toward the receiving portion 8b and toward the guide rail member 2 (below). The pair of feet 80 are elastically deformable in the Y direction.

[0075] The shaft portion 81 is disc-shaped with its thickness along the Y direction. A straight line in the Y direction passing through the center of the disc is the axis L. The front portion 81a of the outer surface of the shaft portion 81 in the Y direction is an inclined surface relative to the X direction. The front portion 81a refers to the portion facing the front end of the foot 80 in the X direction. The front portion 81a is inclined inwards in the Y direction towards the foot 80 as it faces the front end of the foot 80.

[0076] In addition, when viewed from the Y direction, the protrusion 82 has a longer shape in the X direction compared to the Z direction.

[0077] like Figure 1-3As shown, the outer portion 31 is cylindrical and extends through in the X direction. Space portions 31S are formed at both ends of the outer portion 31 in the X direction to accommodate portions of a pair of feet 80. The outer portion 31 has a pair of opposing sidewalls 311 in the Y direction on both sides of the space portions 31S. The pair of feet 80 are inserted between the pair of sidewalls 311. Bearing holes 312 are provided on the two opposing inner surfaces of the pair of sidewalls 311 in the Y direction, serving as bearing portions for rotatably supporting the shaft portion 81. The bearing holes 312 are through holes extending through in the Y direction. Viewed from the Y direction, the bearing holes 312 are circular. The diameter of the bearing holes 312 is slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft portion 81. The shortest distance between the protrusion 82 and the shaft portion 81 in the X direction is slightly longer than the shortest distance between the end faces of the pair of sidewalls 311 and the bearing holes 312 in the X direction. For convenience, this extra amount is referred to as α. With the shaft portion 81 accommodated in the bearing hole 312, the socket 8 can swing within a range of α with the bearing hole 312 as the center, and the swing range of the socket 8 is limited by the protrusion 82 contacting the X-direction end faces of a pair of sidewalls 311.

[0078] like Figure 6 , 7 As shown, the receiving portion 8b includes a cylindrical portion 8c that extends through in the X direction and a closing plate portion 8d that closes one end of the cylindrical portion 8c in the through direction on one side of the outer connecting portion 8a.

[0079] The closed plate portion 8d supports a pair of feet 80. A through hole 8h extending in the X direction is formed in the closed plate portion 8d. When viewed from the X direction, the through hole 8h is located at the center of the closed plate portion 8d.

[0080] Viewed from the X direction, the cylindrical portion 8c is a rectangular cylinder. The inner surface of the cylindrical portion 8c is rectangular, parallel to the Y and Z directions. The cylindrical portion 8c includes: a pair of side plate portions 84 facing each other in the Y direction; an upper plate portion 85 and a lower plate portion 86 facing each other in the Z direction; a pair of downwardly hanging portions 87 that are spaced apart in the Y direction from the inner surface (lower surface) of the upper plate portion 85; and a pair of raised portions 88 that are spaced apart in the Y direction from the inner surface (upper surface) of the lower plate portion 86. In addition, the pair of side plate portions 84 are continuous in the X direction relative to the pair of feet 80 and support the pair of feet 80.

[0081] One end of the cylindrical section 8c in the X direction is a closed end that is sealed by the sealing plate section 8d, and the other end of the cylindrical section 8c in the X direction is an open end that opens to the outside. In the internal space of the cylindrical section 8c, the part on the side of the closed end is called the inner side section 8e, and the part on the side of the open end is called the inlet section 8f, with respect to the X direction.

[0082] The portion 851 of the upper plate portion 85 corresponding to the inner side portion 8e is a plate perpendicular to the Z direction. The portion 852 of the upper plate portion 85 corresponding to the entrance portion 8f is located above the portion 851 corresponding to the inner side portion 8e. Specifically, the portion 852 corresponding to the entrance portion 8f includes an inclined plate 853 and an end plate 854. The inclined plate 853 is inclined upward about the X direction as it moves from the portion 852 corresponding to the inner side portion 8e toward the opening end. The end plate 854 extends from the inclined plate 853 toward the opening end and is perpendicular to the Z direction. The lower plate portion 86 is a plate perpendicular to the Z direction. Therefore, the dimension H1 of the entrance portion 8f in the Z direction is wider than the dimension H2 of the inner side portion 8e in the Z direction.

[0083] Viewed from the Z direction, the portion 852 corresponding to the entrance portion 8f extends outward in the Y direction than the portion 851 corresponding to the inner side portion 8e. Viewed from the Z direction, the portion 851 corresponding to the inner side portion 8e extends parallel to the X direction. Viewed from the Z direction, the inclined plate 853 is inclined outward in the Y direction relative to the X direction, increasing in the Y direction as it approaches the opening end. Viewed from the Z direction, the end plate 854 extends parallel to the X direction. Viewed from the Z direction, the lower plate portion 86 and the upper plate portion 85 have the same shape. Therefore, the Y-direction dimension W1 of the entrance portion 8f is wider than the Y-direction dimension W2 of the inner side portion 8e.

[0084] like Figure 8 , 9 As shown, the latch 7 includes: a latch connecting portion 7a connected to the latch body 52; and an insertion portion 7b inserted into the receiving portion 8b of the socket 8. In the latch 7, with respect to the X direction, the latch connecting portion 7a is located on one side (rear side), and the insertion portion 7b is located on the other side (front side) in the X direction.

[0085] The insertion portion 7b includes: a pair of wrists 70 extending in the X direction and facing each other in the Y direction; protrusions 71 protruding from the front end of the pair of wrists 70 in the X direction in two directions in the Z direction; and protrusions 72 protruding from the root of the pair of wrists 70 in two directions in the Z direction.

[0086] A pair of wrist portions 70 are elastically deformable in the X direction. A through hole 70h extending in the Z direction is formed in each wrist portion 70. Each wrist portion 70 includes: an inner wrist piece 701 and an outer wrist piece 702 extending in the X direction and facing each other in the Y direction; and a wrist front piece 703 that joins the front ends of the inner wrist pieces 701 and the outer wrist pieces 702 in the X direction. The pair of inner wrist pieces 701 are located inside the pair of outer wrist pieces 702 in the Y direction. The inner wrist pieces 701 and the outer wrist pieces 702 are supported by a pull-head connecting portion 7a. The outer wrist piece 702 is parallel to the X direction. Viewed from the Z direction, the inner wrist pieces 701 are bent in a V-shape to narrow the distance between them and the outer wrist pieces 702 in the Y direction. That is, the distance between the inner wrist pieces 701 and the outer wrist pieces 702 in the Y direction is narrowest at the bending point of the V. The pair of wrists 70, through the V-shaped bending shape of the inner wrist plate 701, can easily be elastically deformed in a manner approaching the Y direction.

[0087] like Figure 7 , 11 As shown, in order to accommodate the protrusion 71 in the inner portion 8e, gaps 8s are formed between the drooping portion 87 and the closing plate portion 8d in the X direction, and between the raised portion 88 and the closing plate portion 8d in the X direction. These gaps 8s are recesses 8s that accommodate the protrusion 71. That is, in the inner portion 8e, the recesses 8s are formed on one side relative to the closing plate portion 8d of the drooping portion 87 and on the other side relative to the closing plate portion 8d of the raised portion 88. The lower recess 8s is a through hole penetrating the lower plate portion 86 in the Z direction. A stop that maintains the connection between the pin 7 and the socket 8 is configured in cooperation with the protrusion 71 and the recess 8s to prevent the pin 7 from being pulled out of the socket 8.

[0088] Between a pair of opposing drooping portions 87 and a pair of raised portions 88 in the Y direction, a space 71s is formed for the protrusion 71 to pass through when the pair of wrist portions 70 elastically deform in a manner close to the Y direction. A space 70s is formed between the opposing drooping portions 87 and raised portions 88 in the Z direction for the wrist portion 70 to pass through.

[0089] like Figure 6 , 10 As shown, a window portion 84a is formed on a pair of side plate portions 84. The window portion 84a is formed closer to the center than the two ends of the side plate portions 84 in the X direction. The window portion 84a extends through the side plate portions 84 in the Y direction.

[0090] like Figure 10As shown, the outer surfaces 70a of the pair of wrists 70 (outer wrist pieces 702) in the Y direction protrude from the window portion 84a toward the outside of the receiving portion 8b. Since the pair of wrists 70 can elastically deform into a state where they are close together in the Y direction, it is possible to operate in a way that narrows the pair of wrists 70 in the Y direction. That is, in this embodiment, the outer surfaces 70a of the pair of wrists 70 in the Y direction are operating portions 70a capable of pulling the pin 7 out of the socket 8.

[0091] like Figure 8 , 9 As shown, the slider connector 7a includes a pair of retaining portions 73 and 74, which respectively retain one side of the upper wing plate 55 and one side of the lower wing plate 56 relative to the connecting post 57 in the slider body 52. ​​The retaining portion 73 that retains one side of the upper wing plate 55 is referred to as the first retaining portion 73. The retaining portion 74 that retains one side of the lower wing plate 56 is referred to as the second retaining portion 74. In addition to the first retaining portion 73 and the second retaining portion 74, the slider connector 7a also includes a cap portion 75 that connects the first retaining portion 73 and the second retaining portion 74 and covers the connecting post 57 in the forward direction of the X direction. The first retaining portion 73 and the second retaining portion 74 are arranged on opposite sides of the cap portion 75 in the Z direction.

[0092] A through hole 73h extending in the Z direction is formed in the first retaining portion 73. Viewed from the Z direction, the through hole 73h is slightly larger than the shape of the slider body 52, and gradually decreases in size as it moves toward the second retaining portion 74 (downward) closer to the shape of the slider body 52. ​​The first retaining portion 73 includes: a connecting plate portion 77 that engages a pair of wrist portions 70; and a frame portion 78 that cooperates with the connecting plate portion 77 to surround one side of the upper wing plate 55 relative to the connecting post 57 in the slider body 52.

[0093] The frame portion 78 comprises an upper frame portion 781 and a lower frame portion 782 that are continuous from top to bottom. Viewed from the Z direction, the upper frame portion 781 and the connecting plate portion 77 cooperate to form an arc shape that opens to the rear. Viewed from the Z direction, the lower frame portion 782 and the connecting plate portion 77 cooperate to form a ring shape.

[0094] A fitting hole 74h is recessed on the upper surface of the second retaining part 74 to fit into one side (front part) of the connecting post 57 in the lower wing plate 56. The front part of the lower wing plate 56 has a shape relative to the rear part of the lower wing plate 56, having portions extending in two directions, namely the Y direction, as it faces forward (see reference). Figure 1 The fitting hole 74h opens on the opposite side (rear) of the pillar cover portion 75 in the X direction. The front part of the lower wing plate 56 fits into the fitting hole 74h, and the rear part of the lower wing plate 56 protrudes from the fitting hole 74h. If the lower wing plate 56 is fitted into the fitting hole 74h, the pull tab mounting portion 54 of the slider body 52 is received in the through hole 73h of the first retaining portion 73 (see reference). Figure 2 The rear end of the pull tab mounting portion 54 has a slight gap relative to the through hole 73h. Therefore, even if the pull tab body 52 attempts to move rearward relative to the pull tab connecting portion 7a, it will collide with the through hole 73h and the pull tab body 52 will not detach from the pull tab connecting portion 7a.

[0095] Between the first retaining portion 73 and the second retaining portion 74, on the opposite side of the cap portion 75, an opening 79 is formed for inserting the slider body 52. ​​The opening 79 is normally open in the Z direction. The Z-direction dimension of the opening 79 is shorter than the Z-direction dimension of the slider body 52.

[0096] With the slider body 52 housed in the receiving portion 8b, the post cap portion 75 extends in two directions relative to the connecting post 57 in the Y direction (see reference). Figure 5 The cap portion 75 is a plate with its thickness along the X direction. The cap portion 75 has a through hole 75h extending through in the X direction. The through hole 75h extends from the first retaining portion 73 to the second retaining portion 74 in the Z direction. When the slider body 52 is inserted into the opening 79, the cap portion 75 can elastically deform to expand the opening 79, and after insertion, the opening 79 returns to its original state. Due to the through hole 75h, the cap portion 75 can easily elastically deform.

[0097] In the connector 6 of the first embodiment, when connecting the pin 7 to the socket 8, it is sufficient to insert the insertion portion 7b of the pin 7 into the receiving portion 8b of the socket 8. Then, the opposing protrusions 71 in the Y direction are guided to the drooping portion 87 and the raised portion 88, the pair of wrists 70 elastically deform, the front ends of the pair of wrists 70 approaching the Y direction, and the protrusions 71 are received in the recess 8s on the inner side 8e of the receiving portion 8b, thus connecting the pin 7 to the socket 8.

[0098] When the connector 6 is separated into a pin 7 and a socket 8, the pin 7 and the socket 8 can be pulled apart in the X direction by pressing the outer surfaces 70a of the pair of wrists 70 in the Y direction, i.e., keeping the pair of operating portions 70a in a state close to the Y direction. In this way, the protrusion 71 disengages from the recess 8s, and the opposing protrusions 71 in the Y direction are pulled out from the receiving portion 8b between the pair of drooping portions 87 and the pair of raised portions 88, and the pin 7 and the socket 8 are separated.

[0099] Since the connector 6 in the first embodiment is composed of two detachable parts, a pin 7 and a socket 8, the pin 7 and the socket 8 can be connected to the zipper head body 52 and the outer side 31 respectively, and the pin 7 and the socket 8 can be attached and detached while connected to the zipper head body 52 and the outer side 31. As a result, it facilitates the operation of connecting the connector 6 to the zipper head body 52 and the sliding member 3, or the pre-operation for preparing the guide rail unit 1, etc.

[0100] The connector 6 in the first embodiment is configured such that the operating part 70a can be operated by bringing a pair of wrists 70 close together in the Y direction, so that the pin 7 can be pulled out from the socket 8. Therefore, the pair of toothed chain straps 51 do not hinder the operation, and the installation and removal of the pin 7 and the socket 8 becomes easy.

[0101] In the connector 6 of the first embodiment, when the socket 8 is connected to the outer side portion 31, since the front portion 81a of the shaft portion 81 is an inclined surface, it is easy to insert between the pair of sidewalls 311. Furthermore, in the connector 6 of the first embodiment, if the socket 8 is connected to the outer side portion 31, the socket 8 can swing relative to the outer side portion 31 about the Y direction (axis L), thus facilitating the installation and removal of the pin 7 and the socket 8. Additionally, since the swing of the socket 8 is restricted by the protrusion 82, the posture of the socket 8 is stable relative to the outer side portion 31. Furthermore, if the pair of shaft portions 81 are pressed inwards towards the Y direction, it is also easy to remove the socket 8 from the outer side portion 31.

[0102] In the first embodiment of the connector 6, when connected to the outer side 31, since a pair of feet 80 are inserted between a pair of sidewalls 311 and the shaft 81 is supported by the bearing hole 312 of the sidewall 311, the pair of feet 80 are accommodated between a pair of sidewalls 311, which reduces the installation space of the connector 6.

[0103] In the connector 6 of the first embodiment, since the inlet portion 8f of the receiving portion 8b is wider than the inner portion 8e in the second direction, it is easy to insert the front end of the insertion portion 7b into the inlet portion 8f. Moreover, since the portion 852 corresponding to the inlet portion 8f of the upper plate portion 85 is located higher than the portion 851 corresponding to the inner portion 8e, the front end of the insertion portion 7b faces the portion 852 corresponding to the inlet portion 8f, allowing the insertion portion 7b to be inserted into the inlet portion 8f.

[0104] In the connector 6 of the first embodiment, since the root of the insertion portion 7b is only longer than the wrist portion 70 by the amount of the protrusion 72 in the Z direction, although the inlet portion 8f is wider than the inner portion 8e in the Z direction, the insertion portion 7b is stable inside the receiving portion 8b. As a result, the connection state between the pin 7 and the socket 8 is stable.

[0105] The mobile guidance device of the first embodiment, such as Figure 5As shown, since the chain strap 51 is held in a position where it cannot displace outward in the Y direction, and the chain teeth 512 are housed inside the zipper head body 52, the pair of straps 511 flex upward between the chain teeth 512 and the side cover 4. Furthermore, since the connector 6 in the first embodiment is a structure where the cap portion 75 of the connecting post 57 covering the zipper head body 52 extends further in the Y direction than the connecting post 57, the opposing edges of the pair of chain straps 51 contact the cap portion 75, and the opposing edges of the pair of chain straps 51 easily displace towards the object, i.e., upward. Moreover, as... Figure 3 As shown, since the opposing edges of the pair of belts 511 are flexed and bent in an upward manner relative to the side cover 4, foreign objects such as sand placed on the edges can move from the edges, thus preventing sand from obstructing the opening and closing of the tooth chain belts 51. Figure 2 The single-dotted line indicates the position of the opposing edge of the 511, which is located higher than the side cover 4 in the X direction relative to the pair of connectors 6 (a pair of pillar caps 75).

[0106] The connector 6 in the first embodiment has an opening 79 formed between the first retaining part 73 and the second retaining part 74. The cap 75 is a plate that can elastically deform when the opening 79 is expanded. Therefore, if the zipper body 52 is inserted from the opening 79, the cap 75 elastically deforms to expand the opening 79 and then returns to its original state, making it easy to connect the zipper body 52 to the pin 7.

[0107] This invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and appropriate modifications may be made without departing from its spirit.

[0108] For example, in this embodiment, the outer connecting part 8a of the connector 6 is part of the socket 8, and the pull head connecting part 7a is part of the pin 7. However, this invention is not limited to this, and the outer connecting part 8a may also be part of the pin 7, and the pull head connecting part 7a may also be part of the socket 8.

[0109] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operating portion 70a is part of the latch 7, i.e., a pair of wrist portions 70, but it is not limited to this in the present invention, and may also be part of the socket 8. When the operating portion 70a is part of the socket 8, for example, it is configured such that a pair of operating portions 70a are arranged on both outer sides in the Y direction relative to the pair of wrist portions 70 in this embodiment, and the root of the pair of operating portions 70a is engaged with the root of the receiving portion 8b or the pair of foot portions 80.

[0110] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the retaining part has a structure comprising a first retaining part 73 and a second retaining part 74, but this is not the case in the present invention; it may also have a structure comprising only the first retaining part 73 or the second retaining part 74. When the retaining part has only the first retaining part 73, the first retaining part 73 serves to hold the slider body 52 in a position higher than the connecting post 57, and the post cap 75 extends downward from the first retaining part 73. Conversely, when the retaining part has only the second retaining part 74, the second retaining part 74 serves to hold the lower wing plate 56, and the post cap 75 extends upward from the second retaining part 74.

[0111] When viewed from the X direction, the Y and Z directions are orthogonal in this embodiment, but this invention is not limited to this; they can simply intersect.

Claims

1. A connector (6) for connecting a guide rail unit (1) and a zipper (5), the connector (6) being used to connect the guide rail unit (1) and the zipper (5). The guide rail unit (1) includes: A base (2) having an object disposed thereon in a state in which the object is separated from the base (2) in a second direction (Z) when viewed from the first direction (X); and a movable body (3) that is guided to reciprocate relative to the base (2) in the first direction (X) and is used to mount the object. The zipper (5) includes: a pair of toothed chain straps (51) with the direction of intersection relative to the second direction (Z) as viewed from the first direction (X) as the third direction (Y), the pair of toothed chain straps (51) being positioned opposite each other on both sides of the object and the base (2) relative to the moving body (3) in the third direction (Y); and a zipper head body (52) that opens and closes the pair of toothed chain straps (51) in the first direction (X). The connecting part (6) is characterized in that it includes a connecting part (7) for the slider head and a connecting part (8) for the moving body as separate parts. The connecting part (7) for the slider head is connected to the slider head body (52), and the connecting part (8) for the moving body is connected to the moving body (3). One of the connecting part (7) for the pull head and the connecting part (8) for the moving body is a socket (8), and the other is a pin (7) that can be installed or removed by plugging or unplugging relative to the socket (8).

2. The connector (6) between the guide rail unit (1) and the zipper (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that, One of the connecting member (7) for the zipper head and the connecting member (8) for the moving body has an operating part (70a) that can pull the pin (7) out of the socket (8) by operating in the third direction (Y).

3. The connector (6) between the guide rail unit (1) and the zipper (5) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The movable body is oscillatingly connected to the movable body (3) with the connecting member (8) centered on the third direction (Y).

4. The connector (6) between the guide rail unit (1) and the zipper (5) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The movable body (3) has a pair of sidewalls (311) facing each other in the third direction (Y) at its end in the first direction (X). The sidewall (311) has bearing portions (312) on its two inner surfaces facing each other in the third direction (Y). The connecting member (8) for the movable body includes: a pair of feet (80) inserted between a pair of sidewalls (311) and opposed in the third direction (Y); and a pair of shafts (81) protruding from the pair of feet (80) in the third direction (Y) and rotatably supported by a pair of bearings (312).

5. The connector (6) between the guide rail unit (1) and the zipper (5) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pin (7) has an insertion part (7b) that is inserted into the socket (8). The socket (8) has a receiving portion (8b) that can accommodate the insertion portion (7b) in the first direction (X) in a pluggable manner. The receiving portion (8b) has an inner side portion (8e) for receiving the front end portion of the insertion portion (7b) and an entrance portion (8f) for receiving the root portion of the insertion portion (7b). The dimension (H1) of the second direction (Z) of the entrance portion (8f) is wider than the dimension (H2) of the second direction (Z) of the inner side portion (8e).

6. The connector (6) between the guide rail unit (1) and the zipper (5) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The insertion portion (7b) includes: a pair of wrist portions (70) facing each other in the third direction (Y) and elastically deformable in the third direction (Y); and a protrusion (72) protruding from the root of each wrist portion (70) in at least one direction in the second direction (Z).

7. The connector (6) between the guide rail unit (1) and the zipper (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The zipper head body (52) includes: a first wing plate (55) and a second wing plate (56) opposite each other in the second direction (Z); a connecting post (57) connecting the first wing plate (55) and the second wing plate (56); a main chain tooth path (532) extending rearward relative to the connecting post (57) in a direction that is one of the first direction (X); and a pair of branch paths (533) branching from the main chain tooth path (532) on both sides of the third direction (Y) relative to the connecting post (57). The connecting member (7) for the zipper pull includes: a retaining portion (73, 74) that retains at least one side of the first wing plate (55) and one side of the second wing plate (56) relative to the connecting post (57); and a post cover portion (75) that covers the connecting post (57) from a forward direction that is another direction of the first direction (X) and extends from the retaining portion (73, 74) toward the second direction (Z).

8. The connector (6) between the guide rail unit (1) and the zipper (5) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The column cap (75) extends further than the connecting column (57) in at least one of the third directions (Y).

9. The connector (6) between the guide rail unit (1) and the zipper (5) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The retaining portions (73, 74) have a first retaining portion (73) and a second retaining portion (74) disposed on both sides of the pillar cap portion (75) in the second direction (Z). The first retaining portion (73) retains one side of the first wing plate (55), and the second retaining portion (74) retains one side of the second wing plate (56). An opening (79) is formed between the first retaining part (73) and the second retaining part (74) for inserting the zipper body (52). The column cap (75) is a plate that can elastically deform when the opening (79) is expanded.

Images