Buckle and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of buckle and its manufacturing method, can realize the disassembly of plug (12) and socket (14) in wide direction range, with flexible operability.The plug (12) has a pair of feet (16) protruding in one direction, a pair of feet (16) are provided with the engagement structure capable of being detachably engaged with socket (14).The socket (14) has a plate-shaped mounting plate portion (42), and the engaged structure (46, 52) capable of being detachably engaged with the engagement structure (22, 25) of plug is provided in mounting plate portion (42).When plug (12) is close to socket (14) in the range between Y direction and Z direction, the elastic deformation of a pair of feet (16) is increased by being guided by a part of socket (14), when engagement structure (22, 25) and engaged structure (46, 52) reach the engagement position and the elastic deformation of a pair of feet (16) is restored, engagement structure (22, 25) and engaged structure (46, 52) are engaged.When a pair of feet (16) are pressed to be close to each other and elastically deformed, the engagement is released, and disassembly can be carried out.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a buckle and a method of manufacturing the same. The buckle includes a plug and a socket that can be connected and disconnected from each other, and can connect and disconnect parts of a webbing, belt, or other component from each other. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, buckles that connect two objects in a freely detachable manner include, for example, the buckle disclosed in Patent Document 1. This buckle includes a protruding member and a box-shaped recessed member, and has a structure that allows operation even with one hand. The protruding member can be inserted not only laterally into the front opening of the recessed member, but also laterally while being pressed in longitudinally from above. In other words, as a method of joining the protruding and recessed members, one can choose between inserting laterally or inserting longitudinally.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-136299 Summary of the Invention

[0006] In the context of the aforementioned background technology, the recessed part is formed in a box shape. Unlike when engaged, when disengaging, the protruding part cannot be removed longitudinally; instead, it can only be removed laterally from the box-shaped recessed part, resulting in limited freedom of movement during disengagement. In particular, it cannot be used for applications where disengagement in the longitudinal direction is preferred.

[0007] The present invention was made in view of the problems in the above-mentioned background art, and its object is to provide a buckle that enables the assembly and disassembly of plugs and sockets in a wide range of directions.

[0008] The buckle of the present invention includes a plug and a socket, the plug and the socket being connectable and disconnectable from each other, and respectively mounted on a predetermined component. The plug has a pair of protruding protrusions in one direction, the direction of which is defined as the Y direction, the direction orthogonal to the Y direction and facing each other is defined as the X direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the Y and X directions is defined as the Z direction. Each of the protrusions has a locking structure capable of detachably engaging with the socket. The socket has a plate-shaped mounting plate, the surface of which is parallel to the X and Y directions perpendicular to each other, the thickness direction of which is defined as the Z direction. The mounting plate has a locking structure capable of detachably engaging with the locking structure of the plug. The connection position between the plug and the socket in the socket is a position on one surface of the mounting plate where the plug and the socket are aligned in the Y direction and overlap in the Z direction. When the plug is brought close to the socket within the range between the Y and Z directions, it is guided by a part of the socket, and the elastic deformation of the pair of legs increases. The engaging structure and the engaged structure can reach the engaging position of the engaging structure and the engaged structure. When the engaging structure and the engaged structure reach the engaging position and the elastic deformation of the pair of legs recovers, the engaging structure and the engaged structure engage. When the pair of legs are operated to increase the elastic deformation, the engagement is released, and disassembly can be performed within the range between the Y and Z directions.

[0009] The engaging structure of the plug, located on the pair of prongs, includes: a first engaging structure formed near the front end of the prongs; and a second engaging structure formed away from the front end of the prongs. The engaging structure of the socket, located on the mounting plate, includes: a first engaging structure engaging with the first engaging structure; and a second engaging structure engaging with the second engaging structure. The second engaging structure engages with the second engaging structure in the Z-direction.

[0010] The first engaging structure is a first protrusion protruding from opposite sides in the X direction on the pair of feet. The first engaging structure is a first engaging space that is open in the X direction and into which the first protrusion is inserted. When the feet elastically deform in a direction toward each other, the first protrusion can reach the first engaging space. Upon reaching the space, the elastic deformation returns to normal, and the first protrusion is inserted into the first engaging space for engagement. The first engaging space is surrounded by a raised wall that engages with the first protrusion. A socket-side bevel is formed around the raised wall. When the plug approaches from a range between the Y and Z directions, the socket-side bevel guides the pair of feet to elastically deform in a direction toward each other.

[0011] The plug has a plug-side bevel formed on the pair of prongs. When the plug approaches the socket from the range between the Y and Z directions, the plug-side bevel abuts against the socket, guiding the pair of prongs to elastically deform in the direction of approaching each other.

[0012] The plug has a plate-shaped cover portion, which is adjacent to the pair of prongs in the Z direction and has a surface direction parallel to the X and Y directions. When the plug and the socket are connected to each other, the cover portion and the mounting plate portion of the socket clamp the prongs. The cover portion has a guide groove or protrusion along the Y direction, and the mounting plate portion has a protrusion that can be slidably inserted into the guide groove, or a guide groove for the protrusion to be slidably inserted.

[0013] The cover plate covers at least a portion of the pair of feet in the Z-direction projection direction and contacts the pair of feet when the feet undergo elastic deformation in the Z-direction.

[0014] A pair of locking parts are provided on the cover plate. When the pair of feet are elastically deformed in the direction of moving closer to each other due to the appropriate force, the pair of locking parts lock the pair of feet in place so that the pair of feet do not move away from each other.

[0015] With the plug and the socket connected to each other, the foot is housed inside the buckle via the mounting plate and the cover plate.

[0016] The second engaging structure is formed by cutting away a portion of the thickness of the pair of feet in the X direction, creating a second engaging space that opens to opposite sides. The second engaging structure is a second protrusion protruding in the X direction and inserted into the second engaging space. When the feet elastically deform in a direction toward each other, the second engaging space reaches the second protrusion. Upon reaching the protrusion, the elastic deformation returns, causing the second protrusion to insert into and engage with the second engaging space. The second engaging space has a raised wall opposite to and engaging with the second protrusion.

[0017] Furthermore, in a method for manufacturing a buckle provided by the present invention, the buckle includes a plug and a socket, the plug and socket being able to be connected and disconnected from each other, and being respectively installed on a predetermined component. The plug has a pair of protruding protrusions in one direction, the direction of which the pair of protrusions are defined as the Y direction, the direction orthogonal to the Y direction and facing the pair of protrusions is defined as the X direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the Y and X directions is defined as the Z direction. Each pair of protrusions has a locking structure that allows it to detachably engage with the socket. When the plug approaches the socket, it is guided by a portion of the socket, thereby allowing the pair of protrusions to engage. The feet undergo elastic deformation, allowing the engaging structure to reach the engaging position. Once in the engaging position, the engaging structure recovers its engagement through the elastic deformation of the feet. The engagement can be released when the feet are operated on to increase the elastic deformation. The plug has a cover plate adjacent to the feet in the Z-direction projection direction and having a surface direction parallel to the X and Y directions. A pair of locking parts are provided on the cover plate. These locking parts lock the feet in place during the elastic deformation, preventing them from expanding in the X-direction. In the buckle manufacturing method, the plug is integrally molded from synthetic resin. In the molded state, the feet do not overlap with the cover plate in the Z-direction projection direction. After molding, pressing the feet causes them to elastically deform and position between the locking parts. Releasing the pressure in this state locks the feet with the locking parts, and assembling the feet so that they can elastically deform towards each other.

[0018] While pressing the pair of feet in the Z direction, which is opposite to the cover plate, press the pair of feet together to bring them closer together, thereby positioning the pair of feet between the pair of locking parts. Then release the pressure to lock the pair of feet into place with the locking parts.

[0019] Invention Effects

[0020] The buckle according to the present invention enables the plug and socket to be attached and detached in a wide range of directions from the horizontal to the vertical, providing flexible operability and expanding the application range of the buckle. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the buckle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a rear view of the buckle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3These are the left view (a), front view (b), and right view (c) of the buckle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the buckle-type plug according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a rear view of the buckle plug according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 6 These are front view (a), right view (b), and bottom view (c) of the buckle plug according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the buckle-type socket according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 8 These are a top view (a), a front view (b), and a right side view (c) of the buckle socket according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 9 This is a perspective view showing the formed state of the buckle plug according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 10 This is a rear view showing the formed state of the buckle plug according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of the buckle according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 12 This is a rear view of the buckle according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0034] 1. Webbing; 10, 64. Buckle; 12. Plug; 14. Socket; 16. Foot; 16a. Front end; 22. First protrusion; 24. Plug side bevel; 25. Second engaging space; 30, 48. Erect wall; 32. Cover plate; 34. Guide groove; 38. Locking part; 42. Mounting plate; 46. First engaging space; 50. Socket side bevel; 52. Second protrusion; 56. Protrusion. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The following is based on Figures 1 to 10 The buckle 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figures 1 to 3 A first embodiment of the present invention is shown, such as Figures 1 to 3As shown, the buckle 10 of this embodiment includes a plug 12 and a socket 14 connected to the plug 12, which are respectively installed on a webbing 1, a belt, or other predetermined pair of components, so that they can be arbitrarily connected and disconnected. The plug 12 and the socket 14 are integrally molded, for example, using synthetic resins such as polyoxymethylene, polyamide, or polypropylene.

[0036] based on Figures 4 to 6 The plug 12 will be described in detail below. In the following description, the direction in which the pair of protruding legs 16 of the plug 12 protrude is defined as the Y direction, the direction orthogonal to the Y direction and facing each other is defined as the X direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the Y and X directions is defined as the Z direction. The plug 12 has a pair of protruding legs 16 along the Y direction, which overlap and are engaged with the socket 14 in the Z direction.

[0037] A engaging structure for engaging with a socket 14 is provided near the protruding front end 16a of the foot 16. A mounting portion 18 is integrally provided at the base end 16b of the foot 16, located on the side opposite to the front end 16a, connecting the base ends 16b of a pair of feet 16. A mounting hole 19 is provided in the mounting portion 18 for the webbing 1, belt, or other specified components to pass through and connect. The mounting hole 19 is elongated in the X direction, and a mounting rod 19a for winding the webbing 1, etc., is provided on its inner side along the X direction.

[0038] A pair of feet 16 protrude symmetrically from the mounting portion 18. The cross-sectional shape of each foot 16 in the Z direction, intersecting the protrusion direction, is a relatively long rectangle in the thickness direction. The pair of feet 16 are capable of elastic deformation, and elastic deformation is relatively easy to occur in the X direction. The spacing between the pair of feet 16 is slightly narrower on the front end 16a side than on the base end 16b side.

[0039] Each pair of feet 16 has a locking structure that can be detachably engaged with the socket 14. The locking structure includes: a first locking structure formed at a position of the foot 16 near the front end 16a; and a second locking structure formed at a position of the foot 16 at a predetermined interval from the front end 16a.

[0040] The first engaging structure is a first protrusion 22 protruding from opposite sides of a pair of legs 16. The first protrusion 22 is located on the opposite outer surfaces 16c of the legs 16 and the portion continuous with the front end 16a. A plug-side bevel 24 is formed so as to be continuous with the front end 16a side of the legs 16 and the back side 16d in the Z direction. The plug-side bevel 24 is a surface intersecting the Y and Z directions and facing outwards from the respective outer sides of the pair of legs 16. When the plug 12 approaches the socket 14 from the range between the Y and Z directions, the plug-side bevel 24 abuts against the socket-side bevel 50 of the socket 14 (described later), guiding the pair of legs 16 to move closer together and undergo greater elastic deformation. Figure 5 As shown, on the front end 16a side of the foot 16, as the amount of protrusion from the outer side 16c increases, it recedes further towards the base end 16b compared to the front end 16a. Figure 6 As shown in (c), on the back side 16d side of the plug-side bevel 24, as the amount of protrusion from the outer side 16c increases, the first protrusion 22 tilts toward the surface 16e side opposite to the back side 16d, and the first protrusion 22 becomes thinner.

[0041] The second engaging structure is a second engaging space 25 that opens to opposite sides of a pair of feet 16. For example... Figure 6 As shown in (b), the second engaging space 25 is formed by recessing the surface of the protrusion 28, which is continuous with the outer surface 16c, on the back side 16d of the foot 16, and opens to opposite sides. The second engaging space 25 is formed by cutting away a portion of the thickness of the protrusion 28 in the X direction, and is an elongated groove in the Y direction, with an inner circumferential surface that is a raised wall 30 opposite to the second protrusion 52 of the socket 14 (described later). The front end 16a side of the raised wall 30 opens to the end 28a of the protrusion 28 in the second engaging space. That is, the raised wall 30 opens to the front end 16a side of the foot 16.

[0042] Moreover, such as Figure 5 As shown, a small locking protrusion 31 is formed at the front end 16a of a pair of feet 16, protruding in the direction of the protrusion of the feet 16.

[0043] A cover plate portion 32 is provided on the plug 12. The cover plate portion 32 has a surface adjacent to a pair of feet 16 in the Z direction and substantially parallel to the X and Y directions. The cover plate portion 32 is integrally formed with the mounting portion 18. The cover plate portion 32 is a rectangle that is slightly longer in the Y direction and slightly shorter than the mounting portion 18 in the X direction.

[0044] On the back surface 32a adjacent to the foot 16 in the Z direction of the cover plate portion 32, a guide groove 34 passing through the center is provided along the Y direction. Figure 5In the rear view shown, the guide groove 34 is a straight line, with one end continuous with the mounting hole 19 and the other end reaching the front end 32b of the cover plate portion 32 opposite to the mounting portion 18. Side wall portions 36 for forming the groove are formed on both sides of the guide groove 34. The pair of side wall portions 36 are symmetrical to each other, continuous with the mounting portion 18, and lower in the Z direction than the mounting portion 18. One end of the side wall portion 36 in the Y direction reaches the mounting hole 19, forms an L-shape around the periphery of the mounting hole 19, and is continuous near the base end 16b of the foot portion 16. The other end reaches the front end 32b of the cover plate portion 32, moves away from each other along the front end 32b, and reaches near the corner of the front end 32b.

[0045] A locking portion 38 is provided at the end near the corner of the front end portion 32b of the side wall portion 36. The locking portion 38 is bent into a hook shape toward the mounting portion 18. The locking portion 38 locks the pair of feet 16 in a moderately elastic deformation state in a manner that does not expand in the X direction. At the front end portion 32b of the cover portion 32, a guide groove 34 opens between the pair of side wall portions 36.

[0046] A cover plate 32 is provided on one side of the pair of feet 16 in the Z direction, overlapping the pair of feet 16 in the Z direction and covering the feet 16 with a small gap. The other side of the feet 16 does not have a cover plate 32 and is exposed to the outside. When the feet 16 elastically deform in the Z direction towards the surface, they contact the cover plate 32 to prevent them from undergoing large elastic deformation in the direction of the surface 16e. A thin plate-shaped operating part 40 is integrally provided on the outer surface 16c of the feet 16. The operating part 40 has a surface substantially parallel to the X and Y directions and is thinner than the feet 16 in the Z direction. Figure 5 In the bottom view shown, the operating part 40 is a triangle extending from the mounting part 18 to near the front end 16a, with the longest side along the Y direction and the shorter side intersecting the front end of the side along the Y direction on the 16a side along the X direction. A portion of the operating part 40 protrudes laterally toward the cover plate part 32.

[0047] Next, based on Figure 7 , Figure 8 The socket 14 will be described in detail. The socket 14 has a thin, plate-shaped mounting plate portion 42, on which a engaged structure is provided that can be detachably engaged with an engaged structure of the plug 12. The mounting plate portion 42 is trapezoidal. In the following description, the mounting plate portion 42 will be... Figure 8The direction of the upper and lower bases of the trapezoid shown is defined as the X direction, the height direction as the Y direction, and the thickness direction of the mounting plate 42 as the Z direction. As will be detailed later, the connection position where the plug 12 and the socket 14 are connected to each other is the position where a pair of prongs 16 of the plug 12 overlap the back side 42a of the mounting plate 42 in the Z direction, and the central axes of the plug 12 and the socket 14 in the X direction are aligned with each other.

[0048] A mounting portion 44 is integrally provided on the trapezoidal lower base of the mounting plate portion 42. The mounting portion 44 is formed in such a way that it has a greater thickness in the Z direction than the mounting plate portion 42. The mounting portion 44 is a thick wall portion in the shape of the Japanese character "コ" that extends from the two side edges of the mounting plate portion 42 along the Y direction. The extension length is about half the length of the side edge portion, and it protrudes towards the back side 42a.

[0049] The mounting plate portion 42 has a locking structure that can be detachably engaged with the plug 12. The locking structure includes: a first locking structure that engages with the first locking structure; and a second locking structure that engages with the second locking structure. The mounting plate portion 42 is located on one side in the Z direction, and the surfaces with the first and second locking structures are exposed to the outside.

[0050] The first engaging structure is a first engaging space 46 into which the first protrusion 22 of the plug 12 is inserted. The first engaging space 46 is recessed into a pair of opposing inner surfaces 44a of the mounting portion 44, which has a thick wall shaped like the Japanese character "コ" (ko), opens in the X direction, and penetrates the mounting plate portion 42 in the Z direction. The inner peripheral surface of the first engaging space 46 is a raised wall 48 opposite to the first protrusion 22 of the plug 12. A pair of socket-side bevels 50 are formed at the corners of the inner surface 44a of the mounting portion 44 and the top surface 44b, which is approximately parallel to the X and Y directions. When the plug 12 approaches within the range between the Y and Z directions, the pair of socket-side bevels 50 abut against the plug-side bevels 24 formed on the legs 16 of the plug 12, guiding the legs 16 closer together and causing them to elastically deform significantly. The socket side bevel 50 is a surface that intersects the Y and Z directions and faces the center side of the mounting plate 42. The corner formed by the inner side surface 44a and the top surface 44b is chamfered and continuous with the upright wall 48.

[0051] The second engaging structure is a second protrusion 52 inserted into the second engaging space 25 of the plug 12. When the feet 16 elastically deform in a direction toward each other, the second protrusion 52 aligns with the second engaging space 25. Upon recovery of the elastic deformation, the second protrusion 52 is inserted into the second engaging space 25 for engagement. On the mounting plate portion 42, a pair of through holes 54 are provided near the middle of its Y-direction length, separated from each other in the X-direction. These through holes 54 penetrate the mounting plate portion 42 in the Z-direction. Each through hole 54 is a rectangle with a pair of sides in both the X and Y directions. A second protrusion 52 is integrally provided at the corner where the side of the through hole 54 on the mounting portion 44 side intersects with the side edge near the mounting plate portion 42. The second protrusion 52 is a plate-shaped protrusion with a surface direction approximately parallel to the X and Y directions. Its thickness in the Z-direction is thinner than that of the mounting plate portion 42, allowing it to be inserted into the second engaging space 25 of the plug 12 with a small gap. Figure 8 As shown in (b), the second protrusion 52, viewed from the Z direction, is rectangular in shape, and the corners of the rectangle are located in the through hole 54.

[0052] On the back surface 42a of the mounting plate 42, a protrusion 56 passing through the center is provided along the Y direction. For example... Figure 8 As shown in (b), the protrusion 56 is straight, with one end connected to the mounting portion 44 and the other end reaching the front end 42b of the mounting plate portion 42 opposite to the mounting portion 18. Mounting holes 58 are provided on both sides of the protrusion 56 in the X direction, for the webbing 1, belt, or other specified components to pass through and connect. The mounting holes 58 are formed to be relatively long along the protrusion 56, and a side wall portion 60 lower than the protrusion 56 is formed along the side edge of the mounting hole 58 that passes through the mounting plate portion 42 to provide reinforcement. A mounting hole 62 is formed in the protrusion 56, penetrating in the X direction, for the webbing 1 that has already passed through a pair of mounting holes 58 to pass through in the X direction. The mounting hole 62 is relatively long along the protrusion 56 in the Y direction. One end of the mounting hole 62 in the Y direction reaches near the front end 42b, and the opposite end reaches the mounting portion 44 and penetrates the mounting portion 44 in the Y direction. When the plug 12 and the socket 14 are connected to each other, the protrusion 56 can be slidably inserted into the guide groove 34 of the plug 12.

[0053] Next, the manufacturing method of the buckle 10 in this embodiment will be described. As described above, the plug 12 and the socket 14 are integrally molded from synthetic resins such as polyoxymethylene, polyamide, and polypropylene.

[0054] like Figure 9 , Figure 10As shown, in the formed state, the plug 12 has a pair of legs 16 that do not overlap with the cover plate 32 in the Z direction, but are located to the side of the cover plate 32. This allows it to be ejected from the mold. Then, after forming, a force is applied to the legs 16 in a direction away from the cover plate 32, causing the legs 16 to elastically deform. This causes the locking protrusion 31 of the legs 16 to avoid the locking portion 38 of the cover plate 32 in the Z direction, while simultaneously entering the locking portion 38 and overlapping with the back surface 32a. When the force causing the elastic deformation of the legs 16 is released, in a state where the elastic deformation of the legs 16 has slightly recovered and is moderately elastically deformed, the locking protrusion 31 of the legs 16 is forcefully applied and abuts against the locking portion 38 of the cover plate 32. Thus, the pair of legs 16 are locked in a manner that prevents them from moving away from each other, becoming as shown... Figures 4 to 6 The finished product shown. Socket 14. Figure 7 , Figure 8 The finished product shown is formed from a single piece.

[0055] Next, the engaging operation and usage method of the buckle 10 of this embodiment will be described below. First, the webbing 1 is installed on the plug 12 of the buckle 10. The end of the webbing 1 is inserted from the back side 32a of the mounting hole 19 of the mounting portion 18 of the plug 12, wrapped around the outer periphery of the mounting rod 19a, and then inserted back into the mounting hole 19 from the surface side. It overlaps with its own webbing 1 on the back side 32a of the mounting hole 19 and is pulled out in a freely adjustable manner. Next, the webbing 1 is installed on the socket 14. The front end of the webbing 1 is inserted from the surface opposite to the back side 42a of the mounting plate portion 42 of the socket 14 into the mounting hole 58 on one side, passes through the mounting hole 62, and is pulled out from the mounting hole 58 on the other side.

[0056] When the plug 12 and the socket 14 are connected, the protrusion 56 of the socket 14 only needs to be slidably inserted into the guide groove 34 of the plug 12 and positioned in the X direction. With the central axes of the plug 12 and the socket 14 approximately aligned in the X direction, the plug 12 is brought closer to the socket 14 from the front end 42b side along the Y direction or from the back end 42a side along the Z direction. Thus, the plug-side bevel 24 of the plug 12 abuts against the socket-side bevel 50 of the socket 14 and is guided, the elastic deformation of the pair of legs 16 increases in the direction of approach, and the first protrusion 22 of the plug 12 reaches the engaging position where it engages with the first engaging space 46 of the socket 14. When the first protrusion 22 of the plug 12 reaches the engaging position where it engages with the first engaging space 46 of the socket 14, the elastic deformation of the pair of legs 16 is restored, the first protrusion 22 is inserted into the first engaging space 46 and the second protrusion 52 is inserted into the second engaging space 25 for engagement, thereby connecting the plug 12 and the socket 14. This connects the pair of webbing 1 in a T-shape. Furthermore, the connection between the plug 12 and the socket 14 can be made at any angle between the direction in which the plug 12 approaches the socket 14 from the front end 42b side along the Y direction and the direction in which it approaches the socket 14 from the back end 42a side along the Z direction.

[0057] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the connection position where the plug 12 and the socket 14 are connected is located where the back surface 42a of the mounting plate portion 42 of the socket 14 and the back surface 32a of the cover portion 32 of the plug 12 are approximately parallel to each other, and the mounting portion 18 of the plug 12 and the mounting portion 44 of the socket 14 are far apart from each other. The plug 12 and the socket 14 are aligned in the Y direction, the protrusion 56 of the socket 14 is inserted into the guide groove 34 of the plug 12 and positioned in the X direction, and overlaps in the Z direction. Then, the first protrusion 22 and the second engagement space 25 of the plug 12 are aligned and engaged with the first engagement space 46 and the second protrusion 52 of the socket 14, thereby connecting them together.

[0058] Furthermore, even if the Y direction of the plug 12 intersects the Y direction of the socket 14, the plug 12 and the socket 14 can still be connected. For example, if the first protrusion 22 of the plug 12 is closer to the socket 14 in the Z direction than the second engagement space 25, that is, when it is in a lower position and close to the socket 14, the plug side bevel 24 is pressed by the socket side bevel 50, causing the foot 16 to elastically deform. Then, before the second engagement space 25 reaches the second protrusion 52, the first protrusion 22 reaches the first engagement space 46 first, and the plug side bevel 24 is continuously pressed by the socket side bevel 50 to maintain elastic deformation until the Y direction of the plug 12 is approximately parallel to the Y direction of the socket 14. Then, when the Y direction of the plug 12 is approximately parallel to the Y direction of the socket 14, the second protrusion 52 also reaches the second engagement space 25, the elastic deformation of the pair of legs 16 is restored, the first protrusion 22 is inserted into the first engagement space 46 and the second protrusion 52 is inserted into the second engagement space 25 to engage, thereby connecting the plug 12 and the socket 14.

[0059] When disengaging, the operating part 40, which protrudes laterally from the cover portion 32 of the plug 12, is pressed, increasing the elastic deformation of the pair of feet 16. As a result, the first protrusion 22 is pulled out of the first engaging space 46, and the second protrusion 52 is also pulled out of the second engaging space 25, thus disengaging the plug and allowing disassembly within a range between the Y and Z directions. The direction of separation after disengaging can be any angle between the direction of separation along the Y direction from the front end 42b and the direction of separation along the Z direction from the back end 42a.

[0060] When the plug 12 and the socket 14 are connected to each other, the foot 16 is housed inside the buckle 10 via the cover plate 32 and the mounting plate 42. Furthermore, the second protrusion 52 engages in the second engaging space 25 in the Z direction. Therefore, the cover plate 32 of the plug 12 and the mounting plate 42 of the socket 14 clamp the foot 16 and remain approximately parallel, preventing tilting even when the webbing 1 is subjected to force.

[0061] The front end 16a side of the upright wall 30 of the second engaging space 25 opens to the end 28a of the protrusion 28 of the second engaging space. That is, the front end 16a side of the foot 16 of the upright wall 30 is open. Therefore, engaging and disengaging can be easily performed from the Y direction.

[0062] According to this embodiment, the buckle 10 allows for the attachment and detachment of the plug 12 and socket 14 within a range from the Y direction (lateral) to the Z direction (vertical), providing flexible operation and ease of use. The connection is achieved through a first protrusion 22 formed on the foot 16 near the front end 16a and a second engaging space 25 formed on the foot 16 away from the front end 16a, preventing the connection between the plug 12 and socket 14 from tilting or disengaging even when the webbing 1 is subjected to force. The foot 16 is housed inside the buckle 10 via the cover plate 32 and the mounting plate 42, resulting in a compact structure that prevents it from snagging on other components. The cover plate 32 covers at least a portion of the pair of feet 16 in the Z direction, so that when the feet 16 undergo elastic deformation in the Z direction, they come into contact with the cover plate 32, preventing elastic deformation even when accidentally subjected to strong force.

[0063] Next, based on Figure 11 , Figure 12 The second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in the above embodiment, and descriptions are omitted. In the buckle 64 of this embodiment, the mounting portion 44 of the socket 14 is formed such that it protrudes from the front end portion 32b of the cover portion 32 of the plug 12 when the plug 12 is mounted. A mounting hole 19 for mounting the webbing 1 is provided on the protruding mounting portion 44.

[0064] The webbing 1 installed in the socket 14 is installed in the following manner: the front end of the webbing 1 is inserted into the mounting hole 19, and after being wound around the end of the mounting part 18, it overlaps with its own webbing 1.

[0065] The buckle 64 in this embodiment is used in the same way as in the embodiment described above, and has the same effect. Furthermore, the pair of webbing 1 are respectively installed on the plug 12 and the socket 14, allowing for connection with the installation direction aligned with the length direction.

[0066] Furthermore, the buckle of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified. A protruding strip may be provided on the mounting plate of the plug, and a guide groove may be provided on the mounting plate of the socket. The width and / or position of the mounting hole can be freely set, and the type, mounting position, and quantity of webbing are also unrestricted.

Claims

1. A buckle, characterized in that: The buckle includes a plug (12) and a socket (14), which are capable of being connected to and disconnected from each other, and are respectively installed on a designated component (1). The plug (12) has a pair of protruding protrusions (16) in one direction. The direction in which the pair of protrusions (16) protrudes is defined as the Y direction, the direction orthogonal to the Y direction and facing the pair of protrusions (16) is defined as the X direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the Y and X directions is defined as the Z direction. The pair of protrusions (16) are respectively provided with engaging structures (22, 25) that can be detachably engaged with the socket (14). The socket (14) has a plate-shaped mounting plate portion (42), the surface of which is parallel to the X and Y directions perpendicular to each other, and the thickness direction of the mounting plate portion (42) is set as the Z direction. A locking structure (46, 52) is provided on the mounting plate portion (42), which can be detachably locked with the locking structure (22, 25) of the plug. The connection position where the plug (12) in the socket (14) connects to the socket (14) is a position on one side of the mounting plate (42) where the plug (12) and the socket (14) are aligned in the Y direction and overlap in the Z direction. When the plug (12) is brought close to the socket (14) within at least the range between the Y and Z directions, it is guided by a part of the socket (14), and the elastic deformation of the pair of legs (16) increases. The engaging structure (22, 25) and the engaged structure (46, 52) can reach the engaging position of the engaging structure (22, 25) and the engaged structure (46, 52). When the engaging structure (22, 25) and the engaged structure (46, 52) reach the engaging position and the elastic deformation of the pair of legs (16) recovers, the engaging structure (22, 25) and the engaged structure (46, 52) engage. When the pair of feet (16) are operated to increase the elastic deformation, the engagement is released, and disassembly can be performed within at least the range between the Y and Z directions.

2. The buckle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The engaging structure (22, 25) of the plug (12) disposed on the pair of prongs (16) includes: a first engaging structure (22) formed on the prongs (16) near the front end (16a); and a second engaging structure (25) formed on the prongs (16) away from the front end (16a). The engaging structures (46, 52) of the socket (14) disposed on the mounting plate portion (42) include: a first engaging structure (46) that engages with the first engaging structure (22); and a second engaging structure (52) that engages with the second engaging structure (25).

3. The buckle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second engaging structure (52) engages with the second engaging structure (25) in the Z direction.

4. The buckle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first engaging structure (22) is a first protrusion (22) protruding in the X direction of the pair of feet (16) to opposite sides of each other, and the first engaging structure (46) is a first engaging space (46) for the first protrusion (22) to be inserted and open in the X direction. When the feet (16) elastically deform toward each other, the first protrusion (22) can reach the first engaging space (46). Upon reaching the space, the elastic deformation is restored, and the first protrusion (22) is inserted into the first engaging space (46) for engagement. The first engaging space (46) is surrounded by a raised wall (48) that engages with the first protrusion (22). A socket-side bevel (50) is formed around the raised wall (48). When the plug (12) is brought close together from the Y direction to the Z direction, the socket-side bevel (50) guides the pair of legs (16) to elastically deform toward each other.

5. The buckle according to claim 4, characterized in that: The plug (12) has a plug-side bevel (24) formed on the pair of prongs (16). When the plug-side bevel (24) approaches the socket (14) from the range between the Y and Z directions, it abuts against the socket (14) and guides the pair of prongs (16) to elastically deform in the direction of approaching each other.

6. The buckle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plug (12) has a plate-shaped cover portion (32), which is adjacent to the pair of feet (16) in the Z direction and has a surface direction parallel to the X and Y directions. When the plug (12) and the socket (14) are connected to each other, the cover portion (32) and the mounting plate portion (42) of the socket (14) sandwich the feet (16) opposite each other. The cover plate portion (32) is provided with a guide groove (34) or a protrusion along the Y direction, and the mounting plate portion (42) is provided with a protrusion (56) that can be slidably inserted into the guide groove (34) or a guide groove for the protrusion to be slidably inserted.

7. The buckle according to claim 6, characterized in that: The cover plate (32) covers at least a portion of the pair of feet (16) in the Z-direction projection direction and contacts the feet (16) when the feet (16) undergo elastic deformation in the Z-direction.

8. The buckle according to claim 6, characterized in that: A pair of locking parts (38) are provided on the cover plate (32). When the pair of feet (16) are elastically deformed in the direction of moving closer to each other due to appropriate force, the pair of locking parts (38) lock the pair of feet (16) so that the pair of feet (16) will not move away from each other.

9. The buckle according to claim 6, characterized in that: With the plug (12) and the socket (14) connected to each other, the foot (16) is housed inside the buckle by the mounting plate (42) and the cover plate (32).

10. The buckle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second engaging structure (25) is a second engaging space (25) formed by cutting off a portion of the thickness of the pair of feet (16) in the X direction and opening to opposite sides of each other. The second engaging structure is a second protrusion (52) that protrudes in the X direction and is inserted into the second engaging space (25). When the feet (16) undergo elastic deformation in the direction of moving closer to each other, the second engaging space (25) can reach the second protrusion (52). When it reaches the second protrusion, the elastic deformation recovers, causing the second protrusion (52) to insert into the second engaging space (25) and engage. The second engaging space (25) has an upright wall (30) that is opposite to and engages with the second protrusion (52).

11. A method for manufacturing a buckle, characterized in that: The buckle includes a plug (12) and a socket (14), which can be connected and disconnected from each other and are respectively installed on designated components. The plug (12) has a pair of protruding legs (16) in one direction. The direction in which the pair of protruding legs (16) protrude is defined as the Y direction, the direction orthogonal to the Y direction and facing the pair of protruding legs (16) is defined as the X direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the Y and X directions is defined as the Z direction. Each pair of protruding legs (16) has a locking structure (22, 25) that can be detachably engaged with the socket (14). When the plug (12) approaches the socket (14), it is guided by a part of the socket (14), thereby causing the pair of protruding legs (16) to elastically deform and thus... The engaging structures (22, 25) can reach the engaging position. When the engaging structures (22, 25) reach the engaging position, they engage by the elastic deformation recovery of the pair of legs (16). When the pair of legs (16) are operated to increase the elastic deformation, they can disengage. The plug (12) has a cover plate (32). The cover plate (32) is adjacent to the pair of legs (16) in the Z-direction projection direction and has a surface direction parallel to the X and Y directions. A pair of locking parts (38) are provided in the cover plate (32). When the pair of legs (16) have undergone elastic deformation, the pair of locking parts (38) lock the pair of legs (16) in place, preventing the pair of legs (16) from expanding in the X direction. The plug (12) is integrally molded from synthetic resin. In the molded state, the pair of legs (16) do not overlap with the cover plate (32) in the Z direction projection direction. After molding, the pair of legs (16) are pressed to cause the pair of legs (16) to elastically deform and be disposed between the pair of locking parts (38). In this state, the pressing is released to lock the pair of legs (16) with the locking parts (38), and the pair of legs (16) are assembled to elastically deform in a direction that allows them to move closer to each other.

12. The method for manufacturing a buckle according to claim 11, characterized in that: While pressing the pair of feet (16) in the Z direction opposite to the cover plate (32), press the pair of feet (16) together in such a way that the pair of feet (16) are brought close to each other, thereby positioning the pair of feet (16) between the pair of locking parts (38), and then release the pressure to lock the pair of feet (16) with the locking parts (38).

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