Puller

Abstract

A slider (1, 2) is provided with a slider body (10, 70), an elastic member (40, 100), and a pull tab (50, 110), and the slider body (10, 70) is made of a material that is represented by the general formula AlaMgbMncCrd (wherein a, b, c, d are mass%, a is the remainder, 3.9 < = b < = 6.5, 0 < c < = 0.4, 0 < d < = 0.3, and may contain unavoidable impurity elements) or the general formula AleMgfSigCuhCri (e, f, g, h, i are mass%, e is the remainder, 0.8 < = f < = 2.0, 0.4 < = g < = 0.9, 0.15 < = h < = 0.8, 0 < i < = 0.45, and 0 < c < = 0.8). The slider body (10, 70) is formed from an aluminum alloy having a composition represented by general formula (1) (in which a component housing section (30, 90) having an insertion groove section (31, 91) is provided to a connecting column (12, 72) of the slider body (10, 70), and the average Vickers hardness of the connecting column (12, 72) is 100 Hv or more. As a result, even if the slider is repeatedly slid, the slider body (10, 70) is less susceptible to deformation such that the slider body (10, 70) cannot be used.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a slider for a zipper. Background Art

[0002] For the metal components forming a zipper, copper alloys such as brass (copper-zinc alloy) have been used for a long time. For example, in International Publication No. 2012 / 032657 (Patent Document 1), a slider in which a slider body is formed of a copper-zinc alloy is described as a slider for a zipper.

[0003] Specifically, the slider of Patent Document 1 is formed of three components: a slider body, a leaf spring member attached to the slider body, and a pull tab. The slider body and the pull tab are formed by stamping a copper-zinc alloy sheet.

[0004] In addition, the slider of Patent Document 1 is provided with a stop mechanism. After the slider is stopped relative to the teeth of the zipper, the stop mechanism holds the slider at the stop position so that it does not move. Specifically, a stop claw portion is provided on the leaf spring member of Patent Document 1. For example, when the sliding operation of the slider stops and the pull tab falls over relative to the slider body, the stop claw portion of the leaf spring member can enter the tooth guide path of the slider body. Thus, the stop claw portion of the leaf spring member engages with the zipper teeth, and the slider can be locked at the stop position on the teeth so that it does not move.

[0005] On the other hand, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-250760 (Patent Document 2) and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-291298 (Patent Document 3), aluminum alloys are applied to components such as zipper teeth, stoppers, sliders, and pull tabs forming a zipper.

[0006] Prior Art Documents

[0007] Patent Documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2012 / 032657

[0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-250760

[0010] Patent Document 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-291298 Summary of the Invention

[0011] In the case where the slider body of the slider is formed by stamping a metal sheet, conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1, a copper alloy (copper-zinc alloy) having good workability and easily ensuring the strength suitable for use as a slider is usually used.

[0012] On the other hand, in order to increase the variety of slider products and, in addition, to achieve weight reduction and cost reduction of the slider body, it has also been studied to form the slider body from an aluminum alloy as described in Patent Documents 2 and 3. However, in the past, in the case of forming a slider body by stamping an aluminum alloy sheet, for aluminum alloy, compared with brass, there is a disadvantage that forming defects such as cracks are likely to occur due to stamping.

[0013] In addition, since the strength of the slider body made of aluminum alloy is lower than that of the slider body made of brass, for example, when a load is applied to the slider during the sliding operation of the slider in a zipper, the slider body is likely to be deformed, and as a result, there is also a case where the function of the slider cannot be properly exerted. Therefore, in the past, sliders having a slider body obtained by stamping an aluminum alloy have generally not been sold on the market.

[0014] The present invention has been completed in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a slider in which the slider body is formed by stamping an aluminum alloy, and even if the sliding operation is repeated, it is difficult for the slider body to be deformed so as to become unusable.

[0015] In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a slider for a zipper, comprising: a slider body in which an upper wing plate and a lower wing plate are connected by a connecting column; an elastic member mounted on the slider body; and a pull tab having a shaft portion held between the slider body and the elastic member. In the slider, the slider body is formed of an aluminum alloy having a composition represented by the general formula: Al a Mg b Mn c Cr d (where a, b, c, d are mass %, a is the balance, 3.9 ≤ b ≤ 6.5, 0 < c ≤ 0.4, 0 < d ≤ 0.3, and inevitable impurity elements may be contained) or the general formula: Al e Mg f Si g Cu h Cr i (where e, f, g, h, i are mass %, e is the balance, 0.8 ≤ f ≤ 2.0, 0.4 ≤ g ≤ 0.9, 0.15 ≤ h ≤ 0.8, 0 < i ≤ 0.45, and inevitable impurity elements may be contained). At least the connecting column of the slider body is provided with a component receiving portion, the component receiving portion has an insertion groove portion into which a part of the elastic member is inserted, and the average Vickers hardness of the connecting column is 100 Hv or more.

[0016] In the slider of the present invention, preferably, the slider body has: a pair of left and right shoulder openings disposed at the front end portion where the connecting column is disposed in the slider body with the connecting column therebetween; and a rear opening disposed at the rear end portion of the slider body. When a tensile test is performed in a state where the slider body is supported and the pull tab is pulled in the vertical direction orthogonal to the upper wing plate and the lower wing plate with a load of 120 N in a manner of moving the pull tab away from the lower wing plate, the slider body has such strength that the difference between the dimension in the vertical direction at the rear opening before the tensile test and the dimension in the vertical direction at the rear opening after removing the load is less than 1 mm.

[0017] In addition, in the present invention, preferably, when observing a cross-section orthogonal to the vertical direction at the central position in the vertical direction between the upper wing plate and the lower wing plate of the component accommodating portion, when defining the dimension in the slider length direction at the central position in the slider width direction of the component accommodating portion as the central length dimension A and defining the dimension in the slider length direction from the position of the front edge to the position of the rear edge in the component accommodating portion as the maximum length dimension B of the component accommodating portion, the component accommodating portion has the relationship of "the central length dimension A < (the maximum length dimension B - the central length dimension A)".

[0018] In this case, preferably, the component accommodating portion has the relationship of "0.60 ≤ (the maximum length dimension B - the central length dimension A) / the maximum length dimension B ≤ 0.75".

[0019] In addition, in the present invention, preferably, at the central position in the vertical direction between the upper wing plate and the lower wing plate, when defining the maximum value of the dimension in the slider width direction in the component accommodating portion as the maximum width dimension W1 and defining the dimension in the slider width direction at the rear opening of the slider body as the opening width W2, the slider body has the relationship of "the maximum width dimension W1 < the opening width W2".

[0020] Advantages of the Invention

[0021] The slider of the present invention has a slider body formed by stamping an aluminum alloy, and even if the sliding operation is repeated, it is difficult for the slider body to be deformed to the extent that it becomes unusable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the slider according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 is schematically showing Figure 1Exploded perspective view of the separated state of the slider shown.

[0024] Figure 3 Schematically shows Figure 1 Rear view of the slider body of the slider shown.

[0025] Figure 4 Schematically shows Figure 3 Cross-sectional view of the cross-section at line IV-IV shown.

[0026] Figure 5 Schematically shows Figure 4 Cross-sectional view of the cross-section at line V-V shown.

[0027] Figure 6 Explanatory diagram for explaining the measuring method for measuring the mouth opening strength of the slider.

[0028] Figure 7 Top view schematically showing the slider of the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 8 Schematically shows Figure 7 Cross-sectional view of the cross-section at line VIII-VIII shown.

[0030] Figure 9 Schematically shows Figure 8 Cross-sectional view of the cross-section of the slider body at line IX-IX shown. Detailed implementation mode

[0031] As described above, the conventional slider body made of aluminum alloy has a problem that since its strength is lower than that of a slider body made of copper-zinc alloy, when a load required for sliding is applied to the slider during the sliding operation of the slider, the slider body is liable to be deformed. Therefore, the inventors of the present application have conducted various inspections and evaluations on the slider body made of aluminum alloy, and clarified that when a load is applied during the sliding operation of the slider, etc., the slider body is mainly liable to be deformed so that the rear mouth of the slider body expands in the vertical direction. In addition, it is considered that if such deformation of the slider body can be prevented or suppressed, the practical use of the slider body made of aluminum alloy can be achieved.

[0032] Moreover, as a result of repeated intensive research and discussion on the slider body made of aluminum alloy by the inventors of the present application, it has been found that by increasing the hardness and rigidity of the component housing portion (especially the connecting post) that houses a part of the elastic member in the slider body, it is difficult to generate the above-mentioned deformation. In addition, the present invention has been completed by promoting the development of the structure and manufacturing method, etc., of the slider body for increasing the deformation strength of the slider body.

[0033] Hereinafter, an example of a preferred embodiment of the slider of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and various modifications can be made as long as they have substantially the same configuration as the present invention and exhibit the same effects.

[0034] (First Embodiment)

[0035] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the slider of the first embodiment, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the state in which the slider is disassembled. Figure 3 is a rear view schematically showing the slider body of the slider. Figure 4 and Figure 5 are respectively schematic views showing Figure 3 the cross-section at the IV-IV line shown, Figure 4 the cross-section at the V-V line shown in a sectional view.

[0036] In addition, in the following description, the up-down direction refers to the height direction of the slider orthogonal to the flat outer surface (upper surface) of the upper wing plate and / or the flat outer surface (lower surface) of the lower wing plate in the slider body. In this case, in the up-down direction, the direction in which the pull tab is disposed with respect to the slider body is defined as the upper side, and the opposite direction is defined as the lower side.

[0037] The front-rear direction refers to the direction along the sliding direction of the slider when the slider is mounted on the zipper and the slider slides relative to the row of teeth, and can also be referred to as the length direction of the slider. In this case, the direction in which the slider slides to engage the row of teeth of the zipper is defined as the front, and the direction in which the slider slides to separate the row of teeth is defined as the rear.

[0038] The left-right direction refers to the direction orthogonal to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, and can also be referred to as the width direction of the slider.

[0039] The slider 1 for a zipper according to the first embodiment includes a stop mechanism realized by a stop claw portion 43 based on an elastic member 40 described later. The slider 1 according to the first embodiment has: a slider body 10 formed by stamping (stamping) an aluminum alloy material; an elastic member 40 mounted on the slider body 10; and a pull tab 50 having a shaft portion 53 held between the slider body 10 and the elastic member 40. In addition, the slider 1 according to the first embodiment is a snap-in type slider 1 that mounts the elastic member 40 on the slider body 10 using the elastic force of the elastic member 40.

[0040] The slider 1 of the first embodiment has main features in the slider body 10, and the elastic member 40 and the pull tab 50 used in the slider 1 are not particularly limited. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the elastic member 40 and the pull tab 50 will be simply described.

[0041] The elastic member 40 of the first embodiment is a leaf spring member made of metal and is formed to be elastically deformable. This elastic member (leaf spring member) 40 is formed by stamping a metal plate into a shape having a longitudinal cross-section along the slider length direction bent into a substantially C shape.

[0042] The elastic member 40 has, for example, as Figure 2 shown: a base plate portion 41 that presses the shaft portion 53 of the pull tab 50 from above; an engagement piece portion 42 that extends slenderly from the front end of the base plate portion 41; and a stop claw portion 43 that extends downward from the rear end of the base plate portion 41 and can be inserted into and removed from the tooth guide path 17 of the slider body 10.

[0043] In the base plate portion 41, there are provided: a first opening portion 41a that penetrates the base plate portion 41 in the thickness direction of the base plate portion 41; and a contact piece portion 41b that extends obliquely downward from the rear opening edge of the first opening portion 41a and contacts a first column portion 21 (to be described later) of the slider body 10. In the contact piece portion 41b, there is provided a second opening portion 41c that penetrates the contact piece portion 41b. A third opening portion 41d is provided at a position on the base plate portion 41 behind the contact piece portion 41b (the side closer to the stop claw portion 43).

[0044] The engagement piece portion 42 of the elastic member 40 has: a neck portion 42a that extends from the base plate portion 41 and bends downward; a head portion 42b integrally formed at the top end of the neck portion 42a; and an engagement protrusion portion (not shown) that protrudes rearward from the head portion 42b. The head portion 42b is formed to have a larger size in the left-right direction than the top end portion of the neck portion 42a in the left-right direction.

[0045] The pull tab 50 of the first embodiment has: a thin plate-shaped pull tab main body portion 51 provided with a through hole 51a; a pair of left and right arm portions 52 extending from the pull tab main body portion 51; and a shaft portion 53 that connects between the top end portions of the left and right arm portions 52. In the pull tab 50, a pull tab opening portion 54 that penetrates the pull tab 50 in the thickness direction or the front-back direction of the pull tab 50 is formed by being surrounded by the pull tab main body portion 51, the left and right arm portions 52, and the shaft portion 53.

[0046] The slider body 10 of the first embodiment is formed by stamping a material made of aluminum alloy having the following composition, the composition being in the general formula: Al a Mg b Mn c Cr d(a, b, c, and d are in mass %, a is the remainder, 3.9 ≤ b ≤ 6.5, 0 < c ≤ 0.4, 0 < d ≤ 0.3, and unavoidable impurity elements may be included) is shown. The aluminum alloy is an alloy mainly composed of aluminum. By using an aluminum alloy as the material of the slider body 10, compared with a conventional slider body formed of, for example, a copper-zinc alloy, it is possible to achieve weight reduction and cost reduction of the slider body 10. In addition, an aluminum alloy having the composition shown by the above general formula is sometimes referred to as an Al-Mg alloy system.

[0047] In the first embodiment, the slider body 10 is formed by cold stamping a plate made of, for example, an Al-Mg alloy system having the above-described composition. In this case, in the slider body 10, work hardening can be generated in the portion that undergoes plastic deformation during the stamping process, and thereby, the hardness and strength of the slider body 10 (specifically, the hardness and strength at the component housing portion 30 of the slider body 10 described later) can be improved.

[0048] In the aluminum alloy (Al-Mg alloy system) of the first embodiment, Mg (magnesium) is contained in an amount of 3.9 mass % or more and 6.5 mass % or less, preferably 4.5 mass % or more and 6.0 mass % or less. Mg has the effect of improving the mechanical properties (strength, hardness) of the Al alloy by being dissolved in Al as the matrix. By dissolving 3.9 mass % or more of Mg, the mechanical properties of the slider body 10 can be effectively improved. By dissolving 6.5 mass % or less of Mg, the cold workability of the aluminum alloy can be stably ensured. If the composition ratio of Mg is greater than 6.5 mass %, the cold workability of the aluminum alloy cannot be sufficiently ensured.

[0049] In the Al alloy, Mn (manganese) is contained in an amount greater than 0 mass % and 0.4 mass % or less. Mn precipitates from Al as the matrix, thereby obtaining the effects of improving the mechanical properties (strength, hardness) of the Al alloy and refining the crystal grains. By containing 0.4 mass % or less of Mn, the cold workability of the aluminum alloy can be stably ensured. If the composition ratio of Mn is greater than 0.4 mass, the cold workability of the aluminum alloy cannot be sufficiently ensured.

[0050] In the Al alloy, Cr (chromium) is contained in an amount greater than 0 mass % and 0.3 mass % or less. Cr precipitates from Al as the matrix, thereby obtaining the effects of improving the mechanical properties (strength, hardness) of the Al alloy and refining the crystal grains. By containing 0.3 mass % or less of Cr, the cold workability of the aluminum alloy can be stably ensured. If the composition ratio of Cr is greater than 0.3 mass %, the cold workability of the aluminum alloy cannot be sufficiently ensured.

[0051] Inevitable impurities refer to allowable impurities that are contained in trace amounts in the aluminum alloy due to their presence in the raw materials and inevitable mixing during the manufacturing process, and do not affect the properties of the aluminum alloy. In the present invention, the content of each impurity element allowed as inevitable impurities is 0.1% by mass or less, preferably 0.05% by mass or less.

[0052] The slider body 10 of the first embodiment has: an upper wing plate 20; a lower wing plate 11 disposed in parallel with the upper wing plate 20 at a position separated from the upper wing plate 20; a connecting column 12 connecting between the front end portions of the upper wing plate 20 and the lower wing plate 11; left and right upper flange portions 13 disposed on the left and right side edges of the upper wing plate 20; and left and right lower flange portions 14 disposed on the left and right side edges of the lower wing plate 11.

[0053] At the front end portion of the slider body 10, two shoulder openings 15 are provided on the left and right sides of the connecting column 12. At the rear end portion of the slider body 10, a rear opening 16 is provided. Further, between the upper wing plate 20 and the lower wing plate 11 of the slider body 10, a substantially Y-shaped slider guide path 17 that communicates the left and right shoulder openings 15 and the rear opening 16 is formed.

[0054] Regarding the rear opening 16 of the slider body 10, in a rear view of observing the slider body 10 from the side of the rear opening 16 ( Figure 3 ), the size of the vertical interval between the upper wing plate 20 and the lower wing plate 11 is defined as the opening height (or opening height dimension) of the rear opening 16. Further, the size of the horizontal interval between the left and right upper flange portions 13 or between the left and right lower flange portions 14 is defined as the opening width W2 (or opening width dimension W2) of the rear opening 16.

[0055] In the slider body 10 of the first embodiment, the connecting column 12 is formed thin such that the maximum value W1 (maximum width dimension W1) of the dimension in the horizontal direction at the central position in the vertical direction of the connecting column 12 is Figure 3 shown to be smaller than the opening width W2 of the rear opening 16. Thus, in the zipper, when the slider 1 is slid in the direction of meshing the left and right slider teeth rows, the left and right zipper teeth can be stably meshed alternately. Further, even if the connecting column 12 of the first embodiment is formed thin, as described later, by making the average Vickers hardness of the connecting column 12 100 Hv or more, the connecting column 12 of the slider body 10 can stably ensure an appropriate strength capable of withstanding the use of the slider 1.

[0056] On the upper wing plate 20 of the slider body 10, there are disposed: a first column portion 21 that protrudes from the front end portion of the upper wing plate 20; a base portion 22 that is disposed so as to surround the base end portion of the first column portion 21 and mounts the substrate portion 41 of the elastic member 40; and a second column portion 23 that protrudes from a position behind the first column portion 21.

[0057] Behind the base end portion of the first column portion 21 in the upper wing plate 20, an insertion hole 24 for inserting the contact piece portion 41b of the elastic member 40 is provided. Behind the base end portion of the second column portion 23, a claw hole 25 for inserting the stop claw portion 43 of the elastic member 40 is provided. The insertion hole 24 and the claw hole 25 penetrate from the upper surface of the upper wing plate 20 to the tooth guide path 17.

[0058] The first column portion 21 stands upward from the upper surface of the upper wing plate 20 and has a hook-like shape in which its top end portion (upper end portion) is bent backward (see Figure 4 ). A protrusion is provided at the top end portion of the first column portion 21 and is inserted into the second opening portion 41c of the elastic member 40. The second column portion 23 is disposed at a position between the insertion hole 24 and the claw hole 25 of the upper wing plate 20 in the front-rear direction. The second column portion 23 stands upward from the upper surface of the upper wing plate 20 in a backward-inclined manner and is formed in a hook-like shape in which its top end portion (upper end portion) is bent backward.

[0059] At the front end portion of the slider body 10, a component housing portion 30 for housing and holding a part (engagement piece portion 42) of the elastic member 40 is provided. As shown in, for example, Figure 2 and Figure 4 , the component housing portion 30 is formed at the front end portion of the upper wing plate 20, the front end portion of the lower wing plate 11, and the connecting post 12. In addition, the component housing portion 30 is continuously disposed along the up-down direction from the upper surface of the upper wing plate 20 to the lower surface of the lower wing plate 11 at a position between the left and right shoulder openings 15 in the slider width direction.

[0060] An insertion groove portion 31 recessed backward is provided in the component housing portion 30 of the slider body 10. The insertion groove portion 31 is continuously disposed in the up-down direction at at least a part of the front end portion of the upper wing plate 20, at least a part of the front end portion of the lower wing plate 11, and the connecting post 12. In addition, the insertion groove portion 31 has: left and right first inner wall portions 32 disposed on the front side (opening side); left and right second inner wall portions 34 disposed on the rear side (inner side) compared with the first inner wall portions 32 via a step portion 33; and a groove bottom portion 35 disposed between the rear end portions of the left and right second inner wall portions 34.

[0061] A housing space portion 39 surrounded by the left and right first inner wall portions 32, the left and right step portions 33, the left and right second inner wall portions 34, and the groove bottom portion 35 is provided in the insertion groove portion 31. By providing the insertion groove portion 31 in the component housing portion 30 of the first embodiment, for example, when observing a cross section orthogonal to the left-right direction at the center portion in the left-right direction of the component housing portion 30 ( Figure 4 ), at the central position or substantially central position in the up-down direction between the upper wing plate 20 and the lower wing plate 11, the thickness (wall thickness) in the front-rear direction of the component housing portion 30 is the thinnest.

[0062] The insertion groove portion 31 is formed such that the groove width (the interval between the first inner wall portions 32 on the left and right) from the first inner wall portion 32 on the left to the first inner wall portion 32 on the right gradually decreases toward the groove bottom portion 35.

[0063] When the elastic member 40 is installed on the slider body 10, the step portion 33 supports at least a part of the engaging piece portion 42 of the elastic member 40. When observing, for example, Figure 4 the cross section shown, the step portion 33 has: a first step portion 33a that slopes downward from the upper end portion of the step portion 33 toward the front; a second step portion 33b that extends rearward from the lower end portion of the first step portion 33a via a bent portion; and a third step portion 33c that slopes downward from the lower end portion of the second step portion 33b toward the front. In this case, a part of the neck portion 42a of the engaging piece portion 42 in the elastic member 40 is supported by the first step portion 33a of the step portion 33.

[0064] A locking recess 35a is provided at the groove bottom portion 35 of the insertion groove portion 31. When observing the Figure 4 cross section shown of the component housing portion 30, the locking recess 35a is disposed at and near the boundary portion between the connecting post 12 and the lower wing plate 11 and has a shape that is recessed rearward. In the insertion groove portion 31 of the first embodiment, a head locking portion for locking the head 42b and the engaging protrusion portion of the elastic member 40 is formed by the second step portion 33b of the step portion 33 and the locking recess 35a at the groove bottom portion 35.

[0065] In the groove bottom portion 35 of the insertion groove portion 31, when observing the Figure 4 cross section shown of the component housing portion 30, a central bulging portion 35b is provided in the region between the upper wing plate 20 and the lower wing plate 11 so that the groove bottom of the insertion groove portion 31 bulges forward. In addition, a lower side bulging portion 35c is provided at the lower end portion of the component housing portion 30 where the groove bottom of the insertion groove portion 31 extends forward. Moreover, the groove bottom portion 35 has a shape that gently curves toward the upper surface of the upper wing plate 20 and is smoothly continuous with the upper surface of the upper wing plate 20. A bent portion 35d that is bent at an acute angle is provided between the groove bottom portion 35 of the insertion groove portion 31 and the lower surface of the lower wing plate 11.

[0066] For example, when observing the cross section obtained by cutting the component housing portion 30 orthogonally to the vertical direction at the central position in the vertical direction between the upper wing plate 20 and the lower wing plate 11, as Figure 5 shown, the groove bottom portion 35 of the insertion groove portion 31 is disposed at the central portion in the left - right direction of the component housing portion 30. In the first embodiment, when cutting the component housing portion 30 orthogonally to the vertical direction at the central position in the vertical direction between the upper wing plate 20 and the lower wing plate 11 as described above,Figure 5 The cross-section shown is defined as the "reference cross-section".

[0067] In the first embodiment, the bottom portion 35 of the insertion groove portion 31 has, in Figure 5 the reference cross-section shown: a first bottom surface in a concave shape, which is formed to be recessed with respect to the central portion in the left-right direction of the accommodation space portion 39; and second bottom surfaces on the left and right in a convex shape, which are disposed on both sides of the first bottom surface in the left and right directions and are formed to bulge toward the accommodation space portion 39. Further, in the present invention, the bottom surface of the bottom portion 35 of the insertion groove portion 31 may also be formed in the cross-section as a concave continuous curved surface in which the entire bottom surface is recessed in an arc shape with respect to the accommodation space portion 39.

[0068] In addition, the component accommodation portion 30 has, in Figure 5 the reference cross-section shown, a bent portion or a curved portion that significantly changes the inclination angle of the inner wall surface of the insertion groove portion 31 with respect to the front-rear direction, respectively, between the first inner wall portion 32 and the step portion 33, between the step portion 33 and the second inner wall portion 34, and between the second inner wall portion 34 and the bottom portion 35. For example, in the first embodiment, at each bent portion or curved portion of the component accommodation portion 30, the inclination angle changes by 30° or more between the inner wall surface on the front side of the bent portion or curved portion and the inner wall surface on the rear side of the bent portion or curved portion with respect to the front-rear direction.

[0069] The component accommodation portion 30 of the first embodiment has, in Figure 5 the reference cross-section shown, a shape that is symmetric about the central position in the left-right direction of the slider body 10, and further has a substantially U-shaped shape. The front end portions on the left and right in the reference cross-section have curved surfaces that are bent convexly forward.

[0070] The left and right step portions 33 provided in the component accommodation portion 30 are disposed parallel or substantially parallel to the left-right direction in the reference cross-section. By providing such step portions 33, the interval between the left and right first inner wall portions 32 can be stably ensured. In addition, the thickness between the inner wall surface of the component accommodation portion 30 facing the accommodation space portion 39 and the outer peripheral surface facing the tooth guide path 17 (especially the thickness of the portion on the rear side of the step portion 33) can be appropriately ensured, and the strength of the component accommodation portion 30 can be improved.

[0071] Here, in Figure 5In the reference cross-section shown, the dimension in the front-rear direction at the center position in the slider width direction of the component housing portion 30 (connecting post 12) is defined as the "central length dimension A", and the dimension in the front-rear direction from the position of the front end edge to the position of the rear end edge in the component housing portion 30 (connecting post 12) is defined as the "maximum length dimension B". In addition, the dimension in the front-rear direction from the position of the front end edge to the bent portion between the first inner wall portion 32 and the stepped portion 33 in the component housing portion 30 (connecting post 12) is defined as the "accommodation dimension C". In addition, the maximum value of the dimension in the left-right direction of the component housing portion 30 is defined as the "maximum width dimension W1" as described above.

[0072] In the reference cross-section, the component housing portion 30 (connecting post 12) of the first embodiment has the relationship of "central length dimension A < (maximum length dimension B - central length dimension A)". By forming the component housing portion 30 (connecting post 12) in such a relationship, when the slider body 10 is formed by stamping an aluminum alloy sheet as described later, work hardening of the aluminum alloy can be effectively generated, and the strength of the component housing portion 30 (especially the connecting post 12) of the slider body 10 can be improved.

[0073] In addition, the connecting post 12 preferably has the relationship of "0.60 ≤ (maximum length dimension B - central length dimension A) / maximum length dimension B ≤ 0.75". By the value of (maximum length dimension B - central length dimension A) / maximum length dimension B being 0.60 or more, work hardening and rigidity of the aluminum alloy can be further improved. In addition, by the value of (maximum length dimension B - central length dimension A) / maximum length dimension B being 0.75 or less, the connecting post 12 can be formed with an appropriate wall thickness, so the strength of the connecting post 12 can be stably ensured.

[0074] In the first embodiment, the component housing portion 30 (connecting post 12) has the relationship of "0.2 × maximum length dimension B ≤ accommodation dimension C ≤ 0.6 × maximum length dimension B". By the accommodation dimension C being 20% or more of the maximum length dimension B, the engaging piece portion 42 of the elastic member 40 can be stably accommodated in the component housing portion 30. Therefore, the elastic member 40 can be protected by the component housing portion 30, and it is difficult for the elastic member 40 to be deformed. In addition, work hardening of the aluminum alloy can be effectively generated.

[0075] By the accommodation dimension C being 60% or less of the maximum length dimension B, the wall thickness of the connecting post 12 can be appropriately ensured, and the connecting post 12 has stable strength. In addition, in the present invention, the component housing portion 30 of the slider body 10 may also be formed without the stepped portion 33.

[0076] The component housing portion 30 (connecting post 12) of the first embodiment has the relationship of "maximum width dimension W1 ≥ maximum length dimension B". Thereby, it is easy to form the connecting post 12 with an appropriate thickness in the width direction, and the strength of the connecting post 12 can be stably ensured. In addition, the elongation of the connecting post 12 in the front-rear direction can be suppressed. Therefore, by sliding the slider 1 in the zipper, the left and right zipper teeth can be alternately and stably engaged, and the engaged left and right zipper teeth can be easily separated.

[0077] Next, a method for manufacturing the slider body 10 of the first embodiment will be described.

[0078] First, a round wire (wire rod) made of an aluminum alloy (Al-Mg alloy) having the composition shown by the above general formula is prepared. By processing the aluminum alloy round wire through cold rolling or hot rolling or the like one or more times, a stamping sheet (blank) having a predetermined thickness is produced.

[0079] Next, an annealing process for annealing the produced stamping sheet is performed. In this annealing process, the stamping sheet before the stamping process for forming the slider body 10 is heat-treated in an electric furnace at a temperature of 200°C or higher and 400°C or lower for a treatment time of 60 minutes or longer and 600 minutes or shorter. By annealing (heat-treating) the stamping sheet under such conditions, the residual stress generated in the stamping sheet due to rolling or the like can be removed. Therefore, when the annealed stamping sheet is subjected to the following stamping process to form the slider body 10, the obtained slider body 10 is less likely to have forming defects such as cracks. In addition, in the present invention, the specific method and means of the annealing process are not particularly limited, and the stamping sheet may be heated using a heating device other than an electric furnace, for example.

[0080] After the above annealing process, a stamping process is performed on the annealed stamping sheet, that is, multiple stamping processes including at least shearing and bending are performed. In this stamping process, multiple stamping processes are performed in a cold working condition (for example, normal temperature) in a predetermined order, thereby manufacturing Figures 2 to 5 the slider body 10 as shown.

[0081] In particular, in the stamping process of the first embodiment, in order to form the component receiving portion 30 in the slider body 10, at least one cold stamping process (cold plastic deformation process) of locally pressing the stamping sheet or the formed intermediate body formed from the stamping sheet is performed from the direction side in front of the slider body 10. By performing such cold stamping, the aluminum alloy is locally plastically deformed, and the component receiving portion 30 of the slider body 10 can be stably formed into the above-mentioned specified shape. In addition, by plastically deforming the component receiving portion 30 by using this cold stamping, in particular, by plastically deforming the component receiving portion 30 so as to have the above-mentioned shape and size in the reference cross section, work hardening of the component receiving portion 30 can be effectively generated, and the hardness of the component receiving portion 30 in the slider body 10 can be improved.

[0082] By performing the above-mentioned stamping process, an aluminum alloy slider body 10 provided with a component receiving portion 30 at the front end can be manufactured.

[0083] And then, by installing the pull tab 50 and the elastic member 40 on the manufactured slider body 10, it is possible to manufacture Figure 1 the slider 1 as shown.

[0084] For example, in the first embodiment, when assembling the slider 1 using the slider body 10, the pull tab 50, and the elastic member 40, first, the pull tab 50 is placed on the upper surface side of the upper wing plate 20 of the slider body 10. At this time, the shaft portion 53 of the pull tab 50 is inserted between the first column portion 21 and the second column portion 23 of the slider body 10.

[0085] Next, the elastic member 40 is placed on the slider body 10 with the substrate portion 41 of the elastic member 40 covering the shaft portion 53 of the pull tab 50 and the contact piece portion 41b and the stop claw portion 43 of the elastic member 40 being inserted into the insertion hole 24 and the claw hole 25 of the upper wing plate 20, respectively.

[0086] After that, by pressing the substrate portion 41 of the elastic member 40 toward the slider body 10, the contact piece portion 41b of the elastic member 40 is pressed down while being elastically deformed and enters the insertion hole 24 of the upper wing plate 20, and is pressed against the first column portion 21. At the same time, the engaging piece portion 42 of the elastic member 40 is pressed down while being guided along the insertion groove portion 31 of the component receiving portion 30 provided at the front end of the slider body 10.

[0087] At this time, the head 42b provided on the elastic member 40 is guided by the first stepped portion 33a provided in the member housing portion 30, and the engaging piece portion 42 moves downward while elastically deforming, and the head 42b moves to the lower side of the first stepped portion 33a over the first stepped portion 33a, whereby the engaging piece portion 42 elastically returns to its original shape. Thus, the head 42b of the engaging piece portion 42 and the engaging projection portion (not shown) are respectively fixed to the second stepped portion 33b and the engaging concave portion 35a in the member housing portion 30 of the slider body 10. In the slider 1 of the first embodiment like this, by utilizing the elastic force of the elastic member 40, the elastic member 40 can be simply installed in the slider body 10 in a snapped-in form relative to the slider body 10 without causing plastic deformation due to pressing.

[0088] In the slider 1 of the first embodiment manufactured as described above Figure 1 shown, the hardness of the member housing portion 30 provided in the slider body 10 is increased over the entire range of the member housing portion 30 by the work hardening of the aluminum alloy achieved by the above-described cold stamping process. If the hardness of the member housing portion 30 is described more specifically, in the slider body 10 of the first embodiment, when the Vickers hardness of the connecting column 12 forming the member housing portion 30 is measured at a plurality of portions of the connecting column 12, the connecting column 12 can have an average Vickers hardness of 100 Hv or more.

[0089] In addition, the Vickers hardness of the connecting column 12 includes the measured value obtained by measuring the Vickers hardness on the outer surface of the connecting column 12 and the measured value obtained by measuring the Vickers hardness in the cross-sectional plane of the connecting column 12 when the slider body 10 is cut along a specified direction (for example, the front-rear direction or the left-right direction).

[0090] In this case, the average of the Vickers hardness of the connecting column 12 is obtained by measuring the Vickers hardness at at least two portions of the connecting column 12, preferably three or more portions, and calculating the average. By obtaining the average of the Vickers hardness in the connecting column 12 like this, even if there are deviations in the Vickers hardness measured at each portion of the connecting column 12, the Vickers hardness of the entire connecting column 12 can be obtained.

[0091] For example, in the slider body 10 of the first embodiment, when manufacturing the slider body 10, it is easy to cause significant plastic deformation due to stamping in the central portion of the connecting column 12 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the Vickers hardness of the connecting column 12 is preferably measured in the cross-sectional plane (refer to Figure 4 ) when the slider body 10 is cut along the front-rear direction and the up-down direction at the central portion position of the connecting column 12 in the left-right direction. In addition, the average of the Vickers hardness of the connecting column 12 is preferably obtained by using the cross-sectional plane ( Figure 4) are determined by measuring the Vickers hardness at two parts such as the upper and lower ends of the connecting post 12, three parts at the upper end, central part, and lower end of the connecting post 12, or four or more parts at different positions of the connecting post 12, respectively, and then calculating the average. In this case, by measuring the Vickers hardness in more parts of the cross-sectional plane ( Figure 4 ) and calculating the average based on more measurement values, a more accurate average value of the Vickers hardness can be obtained. In addition, the Vickers hardness of the connecting post 12 can also be measured in a cross-sectional plane of the connecting post 12 other than the cross-sectional plane such as when the slider body 10 is cut along the front-back direction and left-right direction at the central position in the up-down direction of the connecting post 12. Figure 4

[0092] In the first embodiment, the Vickers hardness of the connecting post 12 is measured using a micro-Vickers hardness tester (HM-103, manufactured by Mitutoyo Corporation) under the measurement conditions of a test load of 100 gf and a load time of 15 seconds.

[0093] In the slider body 10 made of aluminum alloy in the first embodiment, the connecting post 12 of the component housing portion 30 has a high Vickers hardness with an average of 100 Hv or more as described above, so the strength of the connecting post 12 can be improved. The connecting post 12 has a higher Vickers hardness than the upper wing plate 20 (parts other than the first column portion 21 and the second column portion 23) and the lower wing plate 11. In addition, in the first embodiment, the insertion groove portion 31 of the component housing portion 30 is formed by stamping, so the Vickers hardness and strength of the portion of the component housing portion 30 along the insertion groove portion 31 (including the portion of the connecting post 12) are also improved. In this case, the strength of the connecting post 12 and the strength of the component housing portion 30 include the tensile strength.

[0094] In the first embodiment, the strength of the slider body 10 can be quantitatively expressed, for example, by performing a strength test (tensile test) for measuring the change in the opening height of the rear opening 16 in the slider body 10 as follows. The slider body 10 made of aluminum alloy in the first embodiment has a strength such that the change (change amount) in the opening height of the rear opening 16 is less than 1 mm, preferably 0.8 mm or less, in this strength test.

[0095] Here, regarding the strength test (tensile test) for measuring the change in the opening height of the rear opening 16, refer to Figure 6 Specifically, it will be described.

[0096] ​The test device 60 for conducting this strength test has: a slider fixing part 61 that mounts and fixes the slider body 10, which is the object of the test, with the upper wing plate 20 and the lower wing plate 11 parallel to the horizontal direction; a tab holding part 62 that is configured to be movable in the vertical direction relative to the slider fixing part 61 and holds the tab 50; and a measuring part (not shown) that measures the load applied to the tab 50 by the tab holding part 62.

[0097] When using Figure 6 the test device 60 shown in the figure to conduct the strength test, first, measure the opening height of the rear opening 16 of the slider body 10 that is the object of the measurement (the size of the vertical interval between the upper wing plate 20 and the lower wing plate 11 at the rear opening 16).

[0098] After measuring the opening height of the rear opening 16, mount and fix the slider body 10 that is the object of the measurement to Figure 6 the top end of the slider fixing part 61 shown in the figure. At this time, the top end of the slider fixing part 61 is inserted into the chain tooth guide path 17 from the rear opening 16 of the slider body 10 to mount the slider body 10 to the slider fixing part 61. In addition, when mounting the slider body 10 on the slider fixing part 61, the top end of the slider fixing part 61 is inserted into a position closer to the inside (front side) than the position of the tab 50. Further, preferably, when the slider body 10 is fixed to the slider fixing part 61, the top end of the slider fixing part 61 is separated from the connecting post 12 of the slider body 10.

[0099] Next, mount the tab 50 of the slider 1 on the tab holding part 62, and use the tab holding part 62 to hold the tab 50 along the vertical direction at an angle of 90° with respect to the horizontal direction (or the upper wing plate 20 of the slider body 10). At this time, as Figure 6 shown in the figure, when setting the dimension in the front-rear direction from the front end position to the rear end position of the slider body 10 as the full length L1 of the slider body 10 and setting the dimension in the front-rear direction from the front end position of the slider body 10 to the center position of the shaft part 53 of the tab 50 as the tab holding distance L2, the tab 50 is held by the tab holding part 62 so that the value of "L2 / L1", which represents the ratio of the tab holding distance L2 to the full length L1 of the slider body 10, becomes 0.50 or more and 0.65 or less.

[0100] Next, pull the tab 50 upward by moving the tab holding part 62 upward to apply a load to the tab 50, and further gradually increase the load applied to the tab 50. Also at this time, use the measuring part (not shown) to measure the load applied to the tab 50.

[0101] When the load applied to the pull tab 50 reaches a preset specified magnitude, the load application to the pull tab 50 by the pull tab holding portion 62 is stopped. In the first embodiment, the maximum load applied to the pull tab 50 is set to 120 N, and when the load applied to the pull tab 50 reaches 120 N, the load application to the pull tab 50 is stopped.

[0102] After stopping the load application, the load application is removed, and the pull tab 50 is detached from the pull tab holding portion 62. Then, the opening height of the rear opening 16 of the slider body 10 after the load is applied is measured, and the difference between the opening height of the rear opening 16 before the load is applied (i.e., before the tensile test) and the opening height of the rear opening 16 after the load is applied (i.e., after the tensile test) is calculated, thereby obtaining the change in the opening height of the rear opening 16 due to the deformation of the slider body 10.

[0103] In addition, the amount of change in the opening height of the rear opening 16 between before and after the load is applied in the slider body 10 is sometimes referred to as the mouth opening amount of the rear opening 16. Further, depending on the mounting position of the pull tab relative to the slider body, when measuring the mouth opening amount of the rear opening of the slider body, there may be a case where it is difficult to hold the pull tab by the pull tab holding portion 62 of the test device 60 within the range where the value of "L2 / L1" is 0.50 or more and 0.65 or less. In this case, even when the strength of the connecting column of the slider body is the same, for example, if the value of "L2 / L1" becomes larger, the measured mouth opening amount becomes larger, and if the value of "L2 / L1" becomes smaller, the measured mouth opening amount becomes smaller. Therefore, when deviating from the range where the value of "L2 / L1" is 0.50 or more and 0.65 or less, for example, it is necessary to adjust the strength (strength of the connecting column) of the slider body obtained from the measured mouth opening amount of the slider body in consideration of the value of "L2 / L1".

[0104] In the slider body 10 made of aluminum alloy in the first embodiment, the connecting column 12 of the slider body 10 has a high Vickers hardness of 100 Hv or more as described above. Therefore, in the case of performing the strength test for measuring the mouth opening amount of the rear opening 16 of the slider body 10 as described above, the slider body 10 of the first embodiment can have a high strength (mouth opening strength) with the mouth opening amount of the rear opening 16 being less than 1 mm, preferably 0.8 mm or less. For the slider 1 of the first embodiment having such a high mouth opening strength, even when a load is applied to the slider body 10 during the sliding operation of the slider 1 in the zipper, it is possible to prevent the slider body 10 from deforming such that the opening height of the rear opening 16 becomes so large as to be unusable.

[0105] Therefore, even when the slider 1 of the first embodiment is used in a zipper, the function of the slider 1 can be properly exerted for a long time. In addition, since the slider body 10 is formed by stamping an aluminum alloy, it is possible to easily lighten the slider body 10 compared to a conventional ordinary slider body made of, for example, a copper-zinc alloy, and the slider 1 can be provided at low cost. Moreover, an alloy that is recycled can also be used as the aluminum alloy forming the slider body 10, so that the slider 1 friendly to the global environment can be provided.

[0106] (Second Embodiment)

[0107] Figure 7 FIG. is a plan view schematically showing the slider of the second embodiment. Figure 8 is schematically showing Figure 7 a cross-sectional view of the section taken along line VIII-VIII shown in FIG., Figure 9 is schematically showing Figure 8 a cross-sectional view of the slider body at the section taken along line IX-IX shown in FIG.

[0108] The slider 2 for a zipper according to the second embodiment includes: a slider body 70 formed by stamping (stamping and forming) a material of an aluminum alloy; an elastic member 100 mounted on the slider body 70; and a pull tab 110 having a shaft portion 113 held between the slider body 70 and the elastic member 100. In addition, the slider 2 of the second embodiment is a plastic deformation type (riveted type) slider 2, and the elastic member 100 is mounted on the slider body 70 by plastically deforming a part of the slider body 70 while the elastic member 100 is placed on the slider body 70.

[0109] The elastic member 100 of the second embodiment is a metal leaf spring member and is formed to be elastically deformable. The elastic member 100 has: a substantially U-shaped pull tab holding portion 101 that presses the shaft portion 113 of the pull tab 110 from above; a substrate portion 102 that extends forward from the pull tab holding portion 101; a engaging piece portion 103 that extends slenderly from the front end of the substrate portion 102; and a stop claw portion 104 that extends downward from the rear end of the pull tab holding portion 101 and can be inserted into and removed from the tooth guide path of the slider body 70.

[0110] An opening 101a that penetrates the pull tab holding portion 101 in the thickness direction of the elastic member 100 is provided in the pull tab holding portion 101 of the elastic member 100. When viewed from the side of the elastic member 100 in a side view, the engaging piece portion 103 has a substantially L-shaped shape that extends forward from the substrate portion 102 and further bends downward and extends. The engaging piece portion 103 forms the size in the left-right direction of the engaging piece portion 103 to be constant or substantially constant from the base end portion connected to the substrate portion 102 to the top end portion disposed at the front end portion of the lower wing plate 71.

[0111] The tab 110 of the second embodiment has a thin plate-shaped tab main body portion 111 provided with a through hole 111a, a pair of left and right arm portions 112 extending from the tab main body portion 111, and a shaft portion 113 connecting between the tip portions of the left and right arm portions 112. A tab opening 114 is formed by being surrounded by the tab main body portion 111, the left and right arm portions 112, and the shaft portion 113 of the tab 110.

[0112] In addition, in the slider 2 of the second embodiment, the elastic member 100 and the tab 110 are not particularly limited.

[0113] The slider body 70 of the second embodiment is formed by stamping a material formed of the same aluminum alloy (Al-Mg alloy system) as the slider body 10 of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the slider body 70 of the second embodiment, similarly to the slider body 10 of the first embodiment, by cold stamping a plate made of an Al-Mg alloy system, work hardening can be generated in the plastically deformed portion.

[0114] The slider body 70 of the second embodiment has an upper wing plate 80 and a lower wing plate 71 arranged in parallel with each other, a connecting column 72 connecting between the front end portions of the upper wing plate 80 and the lower wing plate 71, left and right upper flange portions 73 arranged at the left and right side edge portions of the upper wing plate 80, and left and right lower flange portions 74 arranged at the left and right side edge portions of the lower wing plate 71. The connecting column 72 of the second embodiment is formed to be thin such that the maximum width dimension W1 at the central position in the up and down direction of the connecting column 72 is smaller than the opening width of the rear opening 76 of the slider body 70.

[0115] On the upper wing plate 80 of the slider body 70, there are arranged: a pair of left and right first column portions 81 which protrude and are provided at the front end portion of the upper wing plate 80; and a second column portion 82 which protrudes and is provided at a position behind the first column portion 81. A claw hole 85 for inserting the stop claw portion 104 of the elastic member 100 is provided on the rear side of the base end portion of the second column portion 82. Each of the left and right first column portions 81 and the second column portion 82 stands up upward from the upper surface of the upper wing plate 80, and has a hook-like shape (refer to Figure 8 ) in which the tip portion (upper end portion) is bent backward.

[0116] At the front end portion of the slider body 70, there is provided a component housing portion 90 for housing and holding a part of the elastic member 100. The component housing portion 90 is formed, for example, Figure 8 as shown, at the front end portion of the upper wing plate 80, the front end portion of the lower wing plate 71, and the connecting column 72. The component housing portion 90 is continuously arranged from the upper surface of the upper wing plate 80 along the up and down direction to the lower surface of the lower wing plate 71 at a position between the left and right shoulder openings in the slider width direction.

[0117] An insertion groove portion 91 that is recessed rearward is provided in the component housing portion 90. When observing a cross-section of the component housing portion 90 orthogonal to the vertical direction at a central position in the vertical direction, for example, between the upper wing plate 80 and the lower wing plate 71 (refer to Figure 9 ), the insertion groove portion 91 has: left and right first inner wall portions 92, which are disposed on the front side; left and right second inner wall portions 94, which are disposed at a position rearward of the first inner wall portions 92 via a step portion 93; and a groove bottom portion 95, which is formed from the rear end portions of the left and right second inner wall portions 94 via a bent portion. In addition, a housing space portion 99 surrounded by the left and right first inner wall portions 92, the left and right step portions 93, the left and right second inner wall portions 94, and the groove bottom portion 95 is provided in the insertion groove portion 91.

[0118] The insertion groove portion 91 is formed such that the groove width from the left first inner wall portion 92 to the right first inner wall portion 92 gradually decreases toward the groove bottom portion 95. When the elastic member 100 is installed on the slider body 70, the step portion 93 supports at least a part of the engaging piece portion 103 of the elastic member 100.

[0119] Also in the slider body 70 of the second embodiment, when the component housing portion 90 is cut orthogonally to the vertical direction at a central position in the vertical direction between the upper wing plate 80 and the lower wing plate 71, Figure 9 the cross-section shown is defined as the "reference cross-section". In addition, in Figure 9 , the reference cross-section of the second embodiment shows the shape of the reference cross-section before the elastic member 100 is installed on the slider body 70, that is, the shape of the reference cross-section before the component housing portion 90 is pressed and plastically deformed.

[0120] The component housing portion 90 of the second embodiment is formed in a bilaterally symmetric shape with the central position in the left-right direction of the slider body 70 as a reference in the reference cross-section shown in Figure 9 , and has a substantially U-shaped shape. In addition, in the reference cross-section, the left and right front end portions of the component housing portion 90 have curved surfaces that are convexly bent forward. The left and right step portions 93 are disposed parallel or substantially parallel to the left-right direction.

[0121] The slider body 70 of the second embodiment is formed as a plastically deformed type of slider body 70 in which a part of the slider body 70 is plastically deformed to install the elastic member 100 as described above. Therefore, when the elastic member 100 is installed in the component housing portion 90 of the slider body 70, in a state where the engaging piece portion 103 of the elastic member 100 is in contact with the left and right step portions 93 provided in the component housing portion 90, the left and right front end portions of the component housing portion 90 are pressed from the front side toward the rear side and toward the inside in the left-right direction, whereby, as Figure 9As shown by the phantom line, the left and right front end portions of the component housing portion 90 are plastically deformed into a shape that protrudes inward in the width direction from the first inner wall portion 92. Thereby, a part of the engaging piece portion 103 of the elastic member 100 is clamped by the left and right stepped portions 93 of the component housing portion 90 and the left and right front end portions of the component housing portion 90 after plastic deformation. Therefore, the elastic member 100 can be elastically deformably mounted on the slider body 70.

[0122] In the reference cross-section of the second embodiment, similarly to the case of the reference cross-section of the first embodiment, the "central length dimension A", "maximum length dimension B", "accommodation dimension C", and "maximum width dimension W1" are respectively defined (see Figure 9 ). Further, in the second embodiment, the values of the "central length dimension A", "maximum length dimension B", "accommodation dimension C", and "maximum width dimension W1" are set to the sizes in the state where the elastic member 100 is mounted on the slider body 70.

[0123] In this case, the component housing portion 90 (connecting post 72) of the second embodiment has the relationship of "central length dimension A < (maximum length dimension B - central length dimension A)" in the reference cross-section. In addition, similar to the case of the first embodiment, the component housing portion 90 (connecting post 72) has the relationships of "0.60 ≤ (maximum length dimension B - central length dimension A) / maximum length dimension B ≤ 0.75", "0.2 × maximum length dimension B ≤ accommodation dimension C ≤ 0.6 × maximum length dimension B", and "maximum width dimension W1 ≥ maximum length dimension B". Through these respective relationships, the component housing portion 90 (connecting post 72) can achieve the same effects as the slider body 10 of the first embodiment.

[0124] Such a slider body 70 of the second embodiment can be manufactured by substantially the same method as the slider body 10 of the first embodiment.

[0125] Specifically described, first, a round wire (wire rod) made of the same aluminum alloy (Al-Mg alloy system) as in the first embodiment is cold-rolled or hot-rolled to produce a stamping sheet (blank) having a specified thickness.

[0126] Next, the obtained sheet metal for stamping is annealed under the same conditions as in the first embodiment, thereby removing the residual stress of the sheet metal for stamping. After that, a stamping process is performed on the annealed sheet metal for stamping, which includes multiple stamping processes such as at least shearing and bending, whereby the slider body 70 of the second embodiment can be manufactured. In the stamping process of the second embodiment, by performing at least one cold stamping process, the component housing portion 90 of the slider body 70 can be stably formed, and work hardening can be caused in the formed component housing portion 90 to increase the hardness of the component housing portion 90.

[0127] After that, by installing the pull tab 110 and the elastic member 100 on the manufactured slider body 70, it is possible to manufacture Figure 7 and Figure 8 the slider 2 shown.

[0128] In the second embodiment, when assembling the slider 2 using the slider body 70, the pull tab 110, and the elastic member 100, first, the pull tab 110 is placed on the upper wing plate 80 of the slider body 70. Next, the elastic member 100 is placed on the slider body 70 with the pull tab holding portion 101 of the elastic member 100 covering the shaft portion 113 of the pull tab 110 and the stop claw portion 104 of the elastic member 100 inserted into the claw hole 85 of the upper wing plate 80. At this time, the engaging piece portion 103 of the elastic member 100 is inserted into the insertion groove portion 91 provided in the component housing portion 90 of the slider body 70 and brought into contact with the left and right step portions 93 of the component housing portion 90.

[0129] After that, by pressing the left and right front end portions of the component housing portion 90 from the front side toward the rear side and toward the inside in the left and right direction, the left and right front end portions of the component housing portion 90 are plastically deformed as shown by the imaginary line in Figure 9 . Thereby, a part of the engaging piece portion 103 of the elastic member 100 can be clamped by the left and right step portions 93 of the component housing portion 90 and the left and right front end portions of the plastically deformed component housing portion 90, and the elastic member 100 is installed on the slider body 70 in a manner that it can elastically deform.

[0130] In the slider 2 of the second embodiment manufactured as described above, the average Vickers hardness of the connecting posts 72 formed on the slider body 70 can be 100 Hv or more. In addition, the connecting posts 72 have a higher Vickers hardness than the upper wing plate 80 (the portion other than the first column portion 81 and the second column portion 82) and the lower wing plate 71. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the strength of the connecting posts 72 can be increased, and moreover, the strength of the portion of the component housing portion 90 along the insertion groove portion 91 can be increased. Specifically, when the slider body 70 of the second embodiment is subjected to the same strength test as in the first embodiment (refer toFigure 6 ) and can have a strength such that the change in the opening height of the rear opening 76 is less than 1 mm (preferably 0.8 mm or less).

[0131] Therefore, similar to the slider 1 of the first embodiment, the slider 2 of the second embodiment can also properly perform the function of the slider 2 for a long time even when used in a zipper. In addition, since the slider body 70 is formed by stamping an aluminum alloy, it is possible to achieve weight reduction of the slider body 70 and cost reduction of the slider 2.

[0132] In addition, the slider body 10 of the first embodiment and the slider body 70 of the second embodiment are formed of an Al-Mg alloy as described above. However, in the present invention, an aluminum alloy having a composition represented by the general formula: Al e Mg f Si g Cu h Cr i (where e, f, g, h, and i are in mass%, e is the remainder, 0.8 ≤ f ≤ 2.0, 0.4 ≤ g ≤ 0.9, 0.15 ≤ h ≤ 0.8, 0 < i ≤ 0.45, and inevitable impurity elements may be included) can be formed instead of the Al-Mg alloy. The aluminum alloy represented by such a general formula is sometimes referred to as an Al-Mg-Si alloy.

[0133] In the Al-Mg-Si alloy, by performing heat treatment, Mg (magnesium) can form extremely fine intermetallic compounds with Si, or with Al and Cu, or with Al, Cu, and Si, thereby improving the mechanical properties (strength, hardness) of the Al alloy. In addition, Mg has the effect of improving the mechanical properties (strength, hardness) of the Al alloy by being dissolved in Al as a matrix.

[0134] In addition, Mg is contained in the Al alloy in an amount of 0.8 mass% or more and 2.0 mass% or less, preferably 0.8 mass% or more and 1.2 mass% or less. By containing Mg in such a range, softening of the Al alloy can be prevented in the process of heating after cold working (such as water washing, drying, etc.). In particular, the intermetallic compound precipitated in the Al matrix by age hardening heat treatment hinders the movement of dislocations introduced by cold rolling, so that a decrease in the strength of the Al alloy due to heat treatment can be suppressed. In addition, by having a Mg composition ratio of 0.8 mass% or more, an effect of suppressing a decrease in strength can be stably obtained. By having a Mg composition ratio of 2.0 mass% or less, the cold workability of the aluminum alloy can be stably ensured. If the Mg composition ratio is greater than 2.0 mass%, the cold workability of the aluminum alloy deteriorates, making it unsuitable as a material for the slider bodies 10 and 70.

[0135] Once Si (silicon) is dissolved in the Al matrix, by performing aging heat treatment, it can form extremely fine intermetallic compounds with Mg, or with Al, Cu, and Mg, thereby improving the mechanical properties (strength, hardness) of the Al alloy. Si is contained in the Al alloy in an amount of 0.4% by mass or more and 0.9% by mass or less, preferably 0.4% by mass or more and 0.8% by mass or less. By having the composition ratio of Si within the above range, softening of the Al alloy can be prevented in the heating processes (such as water washing, drying, etc.) after cold working. In particular, Si (atoms) or intermetallic compounds of Si and Mg precipitated in the Al matrix by aging heat treatment hinder the movement of dislocations introduced by cold rolling, and thus the reduction in the strength of the Al alloy due to heat treatment can be suppressed. By having the composition ratio of Si of 0.4% by mass or more, the suppression effect of strength reduction can be stably obtained, and in addition, the mechanical properties (strength, hardness) of the Al alloy can be effectively improved. By having the composition ratio of Si of 0.9% by mass or less, coarsening precipitation or crystallization of Si monomers can be suppressed, making it easy to ensure tension during plastic deformation. However, if the composition ratio of Si is greater than 0.9%, the cold workability of the aluminum alloy deteriorates, and thus it is not suitable as a material for the slider bodies 10 and 70.

[0136] Once Cu (copper) is dissolved in the Al matrix, by performing aging heat treatment, it can exist as a monomer or form extremely fine precipitates or intermetallic compounds with Al and Mg, or with Al, Mg, and Si, thereby improving the mechanical properties (strength, hardness) of the Al alloy. Cu is contained in the Al alloy in an amount of 0.15% by mass or more and 0.8% by mass or less, preferably 0.15% by mass or more and 0.4% by mass or less. By having the composition ratio of Cu within the above range, softening of the Al alloy can be prevented in the heating processes (such as water washing, drying, etc.) after cold working. In particular, Cu (atoms) precipitated in the Al matrix by aging heat treatment hinder the movement of dislocations introduced by cold rolling, and thus the reduction in the strength of the Al alloy due to heat treatment can be suppressed. By having the composition ratio of Cu of 0.15% by mass or more, the suppression effect of strength reduction can be stably obtained. By having the composition ratio of Cu of 0.8% by mass or less, the cold workability and corrosion resistance of the aluminum alloy can be stably ensured. However, if the composition ratio of Cu is greater than 0.8%, the cold workability and corrosion resistance of the aluminum alloy deteriorate, and thus it is not suitable as a material for the slider bodies 10 and 70.

[0137] Cr (chromium) is contained in the Al alloy in an amount greater than 0% by mass and 0.45% by mass or less. By the precipitation of Cr from Al as the matrix, the effect of improving the mechanical properties (strength, hardness) of the Al alloy and additionally refining the crystal grains is obtained. If Cr is contained in the Al alloy in an amount more than 0.45% by mass, the cold workability of the aluminum alloy cannot be sufficiently ensured.

[0138] When manufacturing a slider body of a first modified example having, for example, the same shape as the slider body 10 of the first embodiment using such an Al-Mg-Si alloy system, a round wire made of the Al-Mg-Si alloy system is cold-rolled or hot-rolled to produce a stamping sheet having a specified thickness.

[0139] Next, the obtained stamping sheet is heat-treated in an electric furnace at a temperature of 450°C or higher and 600°C or lower for a treatment time of 60 minutes or longer and 300 minutes or shorter, and then rapidly cooled using water or the like, thereby performing solution treatment. In addition, in the present invention, the method and means for performing solution treatment are not particularly limited. For example, a heating device other than an electric furnace may be used to heat the stamping sheet.

[0140] Moreover, by performing a stamping process of subjecting the stamping sheet after the heat treatment (solution treatment) to multiple stamping processes including at least shearing and bending processes, a slider body having the same shape as that of the first embodiment can be produced (refer to Figures 2 to 5 ).

[0141] Next, in this first modified example, the obtained slider body is subjected to aging treatment (age hardening treatment) at a temperature of 100°C or higher and 250°C or lower for a treatment time of 30 minutes or longer and 24 hours or shorter. By performing such aging treatment, hardening based on aging can be caused in the slider body, and the hardness of the slider body (especially the hardness of the component housing portion) can be effectively increased. By performing this aging treatment, the slider body of the first modified example can be manufactured.

[0142] After that, by mounting a pull tab and an elastic member on the slider body manufactured in the first modified example in the same manner as in the first embodiment, a slider of the first modified example can be manufactured.

[0143] In the slider of the first modified example manufactured in this way, similar to the slider 1 of the first embodiment, the slider body satisfies the relationships of "central length dimension A < (maximum length dimension B - central length dimension A)", "0.60 ≤ (maximum length dimension B - central length dimension A) / maximum length dimension B ≤ 0.75", "0.2 × maximum length dimension B ≤ housing dimension C ≤ 0.6 × maximum length dimension B", and "maximum width dimension W1 ≥ maximum length dimension B" in the reference cross section.

[0144] By performing the above-described aging treatment on the slider body of the first modified example having the above relationships in the manufacturing process, the hardness and strength of the component housing portion (connecting post) of the slider body can be effectively increased. Therefore, the connecting post of the slider body can stably have a Vickers hardness of 100 Hv or more on average. As a result, when the slider body of the first modified example is subjected to the same strength test as that of the first embodiment (refer toFigure 6 ) It is capable of having a strength such that the change (variation) in the opening height of the rear opening is less than 1 mm (preferably 0.8 mm or less).

[0145] Therefore, the slider having the slider body of the first modification can, like the slider 1 of the first embodiment, properly exhibit the function of the slider over a long period. In addition, it is possible to achieve weight reduction of the slider body and cost reduction of the slider.

[0146] In addition, in the present invention, the above-described Al-Mg-Si alloy can be used to manufacture a slider body of a second modification having the same shape as the slider body 70 of the second embodiment in the same manner as in the case of the first modification. The slider having the slider body of the second modification can also obtain substantially the same effects as the slider 2 of the second embodiment.

[0147] Examples

[0148] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically by showing Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3.

[0149] As Examples 1 to 6 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3, slider bodies were manufactured using aluminum alloys having the compositions shown in Table 1 below. For example, in Examples 1 to 6, the slider bodies 10 having the Figures 2 to 5 shown shape were manufactured by the manufacturing method described in the first embodiment or the first modification.

[0150] On the other hand, in the slider bodies of Comparative Examples 1 to 3, a component housing portion (connecting post) provided in the slider body was formed in a shape that does not satisfy the relationship of "the central length dimension A < (the maximum length dimension B - the central length dimension A)" and / or "0.60 ≤ (the maximum length dimension B - the central length dimension A) / the maximum length dimension B ≤ 0.75", and other than that, it was formed substantially in the same manner as the slider body 10 of the first embodiment.

[0151] In addition, regarding the slider bodies of Comparative Examples 1 and 2, they were manufactured by a method substantially the same as the manufacturing method described in the first embodiment. Regarding the slider body of Comparative Example 3, it was manufactured by performing a stamping process on a stamping sheet made of a round wire made of aluminum alloy without performing the annealing process described in the first embodiment.

[0152] Regarding each slider body 10 manufactured in Examples 1 to 6 and each slider body manufactured in Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the appearance of each slider body was visually inspected to confirm the presence or absence of molding defects such as cracks. In addition, the average Vickers hardness of the connecting posts in each slider body and the mouth opening amount were measured by the method described in the first embodiment. The measurement results of the Vickers hardness measured for each slider body are shown together in Table 1 below, and the measurement results of the Vickers hardness and the mouth opening amount are shown in Table 2 below.

[0153] [Table 1]

[0154]

[0155] [Table 2]

[0156]

[0157] As a result of visually inspecting the appearance of each slider body 10 manufactured in Examples 1 to 6, no molding defects such as cracks were confirmed, and each slider body 10 had good appearance quality. In addition, regarding the slider bodies 10 of Examples 1 to 6, it was confirmed that the average Vickers hardness of the connecting posts 12 was 100 Hv or more, and in the tensile test for measuring the mouth opening strength, the change amount of the opening height of the rear mouth 16 was 0.8 mm or less (especially 0.4 mm or less). Furthermore, when comparing Example 1 and Example 4, although the Vickers hardness of Example 1 and Example 4 was the same, the mouth opening amount of Example 4 was smaller than that of Example 1. This is considered to be the effect of the relationship of "0.60 ≤ (the maximum length dimension B - the central length dimension A) / the maximum length dimension B ≤ 0.75".

[0158] Therefore, even when the slider 1 having the slider body 10 of Examples 1 to 6 is used in a zipper and the sliding operation of the slider 1 is repeatedly performed, it is difficult for the slider body 10 to be deformed so as to become unusable. Therefore, the function of the slider 1 can be stably exhibited for a long time.

[0159] On the other hand, in the slider bodies manufactured in Comparative Examples 1 and 2, it was confirmed that the average Vickers hardness of the connecting posts was less than 100 Hv. In addition, in the tensile test for measuring the mouth opening strength, it was also confirmed that the change amount of the opening height of the rear mouth was greater than 1 mm. Therefore, it can be seen that when the slider having the slider bodies of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 is used in a zipper, the slider body is easily deformed.

[0160] Regarding the slider body manufactured in Comparative Example 3, as a result of visually inspecting the appearance of the slider body, it was confirmed that a plurality of cracks were generated in the slider body (especially the connecting post), and the quality was poor.

[0161] Description of Reference Numerals

[0162] 1, 2 Slide Fastener Pull

[0163] 10 Slide Fastener Body

[0164] 11 Lower Wing Plate

[0165] 12 Connecting Column

[0166] 13 Upper Flange Portion

[0167] 14 Lower Flange Portion

[0168] 15 Shoulder Opening

[0169] 16 Rear Opening

[0170] 17 Chain Tooth Guide Path

[0171] 20 Upper Wing Plate

[0172] 21 First Column Portion

[0173] 22 Base Portion

[0174] 23 Second Column Portion

[0175] 24 Insertion Hole

[0176] 25 Claw Hole

[0177] 30 Component Receiving Portion

[0178] 31 Insertion Groove Portion

[0179] 32 First Inner Wall Portion

[0180] 33 Step Portion

[0181] 33a First Step Portion

[0182] 33b Second Step Portion

[0183] 33c Third Step Portion

[0184] 34 Second Inner Wall Portion

[0185] 35 Bottom of Groove

[0186] 35a Locking Recess

[0187] 35b Central Bulging Portion

[0188] 35c Lower Side Bulging Portion

[0189] 35d Bending Portion

[0190] 39 Receiving Space Portion

[0191] 40 Elastic member (leaf spring member)

[0192] 41 Substrate part

[0193] 41a First opening

[0194] 41b Contact piece part

[0195] 41c Second opening

[0196] 41d Third opening

[0197] 42 Engagement piece part

[0198] 42a Neck

[0199] 42b Head

[0200] 43 Stop claw part

[0201] 50 Pull tab

[0202] 51 Pull tab main body part

[0203] 51a Through hole

[0204] 52 Arm part

[0205] 53 Shaft part

[0206] 54 Pull tab opening

[0207] 60 Test device

[0208] 61 Pull head fixing part

[0209] 62 Pull tab holding part

[0210] 70 Pull head main body

[0211] 71 Lower wing plate

[0212] 72 Connecting post

[0213] 73 Upper flange part

[0214] 74 Lower flange part

[0215] 76 Rear opening

[0216] 80 Upper wing plate

[0217] 81 First column part

[0218] 82 Second column part

[0219] 85 Claw hole

[0220] 90 Component housing part

[0221] 91 Insertion groove part

[0222] 92 First inner wall part

[0223] 93 Step part

[0224] 94 Second inner wall part

[0225] 95 Groove bottom part

[0226] 99 Receiving space part

[0227] 100 Elastic member

[0228] 101 Tab holding part

[0229] 101a Opening part

[0230] 102 Substrate part

[0231] 103 Engaging piece part

[0232] 104 Stopping claw part

[0233] 110 Tab

[0234] 111 Tab main body part

[0235] 111a Through hole

[0236] 112 Arm part

[0237] 113 Shaft part

[0238] 114 Tab opening part

[0239] A Central length dimension

[0240] B Maximum length dimension

[0241] C Receiving dimension

[0242] L1 Total length of slider body

[0243] L2 Tab holding distance

[0244] W1 Maximum value of the dimension in the left - right direction at the central position of the connecting post (maximum width dimension)

[0246] W2 Opening width of the rear opening (opening width dimension).

Claims

1. A slider, which is a slider (1, 2) for a zipper, having: a slider body (10, 70) in which an upper wing plate (20, 80) and a lower wing plate (11, 71) are connected by connecting columns (12, 72); an elastic member (40, 100) mounted on the slider body (10, 70); and a pull tab (50, 110) having a shaft portion (53, 113) held between the slider body (10, 70) and the elastic member (40, 100), wherein the slider is characterized in that, The slider body (10, 70) is formed of an aluminum alloy having a composition shown by the general formula: Al a Mg b Mn c Cr d or the general formula: Al e Mg f Si g Cu h Cr i wherein, For the general formula: Al a Mg b Mn c Cr d , where a, b, c, d are in mass %, a is the balance, 3.9 ≤ b ≤ 6.5, 0 < c ≤ 0.4, 0 < d ≤ 0.3, and inevitable impurity elements may be contained. For the general formula: Al e Mg f Si g Cu h Cr i , where e, f, g, h, i are in mass %, e is the balance, 0.8 ≤ f ≤ 2.0, 0.4 ≤ g ≤ 0.9, 0.15 ≤ h ≤ 0.8, 0 < i ≤ 0.45, and inevitable impurity elements may be contained. at least the connecting columns (12, 72) of the slider body (10, 70) are provided with component receiving portions (30, 90), and the component receiving portions (30, 90) are provided with insertion groove portions (31, 91) into which a part of the elastic member (40, 100) is inserted, the average Vickers hardness of the connecting columns (12, 72) is 100 Hv or more.

2. The slider according to claim 1, characterized in that, the slider body (10, 70) has: a pair of left and right shoulder openings (15) which are arranged at the front end portion of the slider body (10, 70) where the connecting columns (12, 72) are arranged, with the connecting columns (12, 72) therebetween; and rear openings (16, 76) which are arranged at the rear end portion of the slider body (10, 70), when a tensile test is performed, the slider body (10, 70) has the following strength, that is, in the tensile test, in a state where the slider body (10, 70) is supported, the pull tab (50, 110) is pulled with a load of 120 N in the vertical direction orthogonal to the upper wing plate (20, 80) and the lower wing plate (11, 71) in a manner of moving the pull tab (50, 110) away from the lower wing plate (11, 71), and the strength is that the difference between the dimension in the vertical direction at the rear opening (16, 76) before the tensile test and the dimension in the vertical direction at the rear opening (16, 76) after removing the load is less than 1 mm.

3. The slider according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when observing a cross-section orthogonal to the vertical direction of the component receiving portion (30, 90) at the central position in the vertical direction between the upper wing plate (20, 80) and the lower wing plate (11, 71), when defining the dimension in the length direction of the slider at the central position in the width direction of the slider of the component receiving portion (30, 90) as the central length dimension A and defining the dimension in the length direction of the slider from the position of the front edge to the position of the rear edge in the component receiving portion (30, 90) as the maximum length dimension B of the component receiving portion (30, 90), the component receiving portion (30, 90) has the relationship of "the central length dimension A < (the maximum length dimension B - the central length dimension A)".

4. The slider according to claim 3, characterized in that, The component housing part (30, 90) has a relationship of "0.60 ≤ (the maximum length dimension B - the central length dimension A) / the maximum length dimension B ≤ 0.75".

5. The slider according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that At the central position in the vertical direction between the upper wing plate (20, 80) and the lower wing plate (11, 71), when the maximum value of the dimension in the slider width direction in the component housing part (30, 90) is defined as the maximum width dimension W1, and the dimension in the slider width direction at the rear opening (16, 76) of the slider body (10, 70) is defined as the opening width W2, the slider body (10, 70) has a relationship of "the maximum width dimension W1 < the opening width W2".

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