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The clasp design with adjustable dimensions and guide surfaces facilitates oblique plug insertion, ensuring stable and easy coupling by guiding the plug into the sleeve, enhancing operability and insertability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE112012006623
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2012-06-28
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-19
- Estimated Expiration
- 2032-06-28
AI Technical Summary
Existing clasps require precise alignment along a plug insertion line for successful coupling, failing to accommodate oblique insertions.
A clasp design featuring leg parts with adjustable dimensions and guide surfaces that allow oblique insertion, coupled with a fitting rod and angled plates to stabilize and guide the plug into the sleeve.
Enables easy and stable coupling even when the plug is inserted at an angle, preventing rattling and improving operability and insertability.
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Abstract
Description
Technical area
[0001] The present invention relates to a clasp having a plug and a sleeve designed for coupling and uncoupling with each other, and is designed to connect and release end portions of a belt-shaped part. Background technology
[0002] A related art buckle has been known which comprises a plug and a sleeve configured to be coupled and uncoupled with each other, the plug having a guide rod formed along a plug insertion line, and the sleeve having a guide part formed along the plug insertion line and configured to guide the guide rod (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Prior art documentsPatent document [Patent Document 1] US 6,421,889 B1 [Patent Document 2] JP 4 174 561 B2
[0003] DE 694 32 505 T2 shows a buckle with engaging feet divided by elongated openings into inner leg sections and outer leg sections. The dimensions of the respective coupling projections in the up-down direction are equal to the dimensions of the respective inner leg section in the up-down direction.
[0004] CN 101 534 673 A shows a clasp with a fitting bar which, apart from a rounded portion at its rear end as seen in the insertion direction, is cuboid-shaped. Brief description of the inventionProblems to be solved by the invention
[0005] According to the buckle disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the plug should be inserted straight along the plug insertion line because the guide rod and the guide part are formed along the plug insertion line. If the plug is inserted obliquely relative to the plug insertion line, the plug cannot be inserted into the sleeve.
[0006] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a clasp which enables a plug to be easily inserted into a sleeve even if the plug is inserted obliquely with respect to a plug insertion line. Means to solve the problems
[0007] The above-mentioned object of the present invention is achieved by the clasp according to claims 1 and 7. In particular, the invention provides the following: (1) A buckle is provided that includes a plug and a sleeve configured to insert the plug therethrough to be coupled with the plug, the plug comprising: a plug-side base part to which a belt-shaped part is attached; a pair of leg parts extending parallel to each other from both end portions of the plug-side base part in the width direction; and a pair of coupling projections protruding in an up-down direction from each of the front end portions of the pair of leg parts, the sleeve comprising: a sleeve-side base part to which the belt-shaped part is attached; an upper plate and a lower plate extending from the sleeve-side base part; upper side wall parts projecting downward along both side edges of the upper plate in the width direction;lower side wall portions projecting upward along both side edges of the lower plate in the width direction; coupling step portions configured to be coupled, respectively, with the pair of coupling projections of the pair of leg portions inserted between the upper and lower plates; slots formed between the upper side wall portion and the lower side wall portion, each having an end portion opened at a connector insertion side so that the pair of leg portions can be inserted therein;and guide surfaces formed on inner surfaces of the upper side wall parts and the lower side wall parts and configured to guide the pair of coupling projections of the pair of leg parts inserted between the upper and lower plates to the coupling step portions, and wherein a dimension of the pair of coupling projections in the up-down direction is set larger than a dimension of each of the slots in the width direction; (2) In the configuration according to (1), each of the leg parts has an outer leg part and an inner leg part, and a dimension of the inner leg part in the up-down direction is set larger than the dimension of each of the slits in the width direction. (3) In the configuration of (2), an operating portion is formed from a base end portion to an intermediate portion of the outer leg part, and a dimension of the operating portion in the up-down direction is set larger than a dimension between the upper and lower plates in the up-down direction. (4) In the configuration according to any one of (1) to (3), the plug has a fitting rod disposed between the pair of leg parts and formed in parallel with the pair of leg parts, and the sleeve has a fitting hole disposed between the upper and lower plates into which the fitting rod fits. (5) In the configuration according to (3), the outer leg part is formed with a slot insertion portion designed to be inserted into the slots of the sleeve. (6) In the configuration according to (1) or (4), inner surfaces of the upper and lower plates of the sleeve are formed to gradually narrow toward the sleeve-side base part. (7) A buckle is provided that includes a plug and a socket configured to be coupled to the plug, the plug comprising: a plug-side base part to which a belt-shaped part is attached; a pair of leg parts extending parallel to each other from both end portions of the plug-side base part in the width direction; and a pair of coupling projections protruding in an up-down direction from each of the front end portions of the pair of leg parts, the socket comprising: a socket-side base part to which the belt-shaped part is attached; an upper plate and a lower plate extending from the socket-side base part; upper side wall parts projecting downward, as viewed in the width direction, along both side edges of the upper plate; lower side wall parts projecting upward, as viewed in the width direction, along both side edges of the lower plate;Coupling step portions each configured to be coupled with the pair of coupling projections of the pair of leg portions inserted between the upper and lower plates; slots formed between the upper side wall portion and the lower side wall portion, each having an end portion opened on a connector insertion side so that the pair of leg portions can be inserted therein; and guide surfaces formed on inner surfaces of the upper side wall portions and the lower side wall portions and configured to guide the pair of coupling projections of the pair of leg portions inserted between the upper and lower plates to the coupling step portions, and wherein the coupling projections of the leg portions of the connector come into contact with and are guided by the guide surfaces of the sleeve when the connector is inserted into the sleeve. (8) In the configuration according to (7), each of the leg parts has an outer leg part and an inner leg part, and an outer surface of the inner leg part is configured to come into contact with and be guided by the upper side wall part and the lower side wall part of the sleeve. (9) In the configuration according to (7) or (8), each of the leg parts has an outer leg part and an inner leg part, and an inner surface of the outer leg part is designed to come into contact with and be guided by outer surfaces of the upper and lower plates of the sleeve. (10) In the configuration according to (7), when the plug is inserted into the socket, a guide by the coupling projections of the leg parts of the plug and the guide surfaces of the socket, a guide by outer surfaces of the inner leg parts and the upper side wall parts and the lower side wall parts of the socket, and a guide by the inner surfaces of the outer leg parts of the plug and the outer surfaces of the upper and lower plates of the socket are continuously formed. Advantageous effects of the invention
[0008] According to the buckle of the present invention, the connector includes a pair of coupling projections projecting from each of the front end portions of the pair of leg portions in the up-down direction; the sleeve includes upper side wall portions projecting downward along both side edges of the upper plate in the width direction; lower side wall portions projecting upward along both side edges of the lower plate in the width direction; the slot formed between the upper side wall portions and the lower side wall portions having an open end portion on a connector insertion side so that the pair of leg portions can be inserted therein; and guide surfaces formed on the inner surfaces of the upper side wall portions and the lower side wall portions, which guide the pair of coupling projections of the pair of leg portions inserted between the upper and lower plates to the coupling step portions.and the dimension of the pair of coupling protrusions in the up-down direction is set larger than a dimension of the slot in the width direction. Therefore, even if the connector is inserted obliquely relative to the connector insertion line, since the pair of coupling protrusions of one leg portion of the connector come into contact with and are guided by the guide surfaces of the upper side wall portion and the lower side wall portion of the sleeve, a direction of the connector is adjusted to follow the connector insertion line.
[0009] Furthermore, according to the buckle of the present invention, the dimension of the inner leg portion of the plug in the up-down direction is set larger than the dimension of the slot in the width direction. Therefore, even when the plug is inserted obliquely relative to the plug insertion line, an outer surface of the inner leg portion of a leg portion of the plug contacts and is guided by end portions of the upper and lower side wall portions of the sleeve. Therefore, it is possible to insert the plug into the sleeve even more easily because the direction of the plug is adjusted to follow the plug insertion line PL.
[0010] Also, according to the buckle of the present invention, the dimension of the operating portion of the outer leg part in the up-down direction is set larger than a dimension between the upper and lower plates in the up-down direction. Therefore, even when the connector is inserted obliquely relative to the connector insertion line, an inner surface of the outer leg part of one leg part of the connector comes into contact with and is guided by the outer surfaces of the upper and lower plates of the sleeve. Since the direction of the connector is adjusted to follow the connector insertion line PL, it is possible to further insert the connector into the sleeve easily.
[0011] Also, according to the buckle of the present invention, the plug includes the fitting rod disposed between the pair of leg parts and formed in parallel with the pair of leg parts, and the sleeve includes the fitting hole disposed between the upper and lower plates into which the fitting rod fits. Therefore, after coupling the buckle, it becomes possible to prevent the plug and the sleeve from rattling in the up-down direction and in the width direction.
[0012] Also, according to the buckle of the present invention, the inner surfaces of the upper and lower plates of the sleeve are formed to gradually narrow toward the sleeve-side base portion. Therefore, it is possible to widen the end portions of the upper and lower plates on the connector insertion side, thus making it possible to improve the insertability of the connector. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a buckle of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a coupled state. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the Fig. 1 shown clasp in a decoupled state. Fig. 3 is a partially cutaway plan view of the clasp in the uncoupled state. Fig. 4 is a right side view of the clasp in the uncoupled state. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the Fig. 2 connectors shown. Fig. 6 is a view of the Fig. 5 when viewed from the pair of leg portions. Fig. 7 is a plan view of a Fig. 2 sleeve shown. Fig. 8 is a view of the Fig. 7 when viewed from a plug insertion side. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the clasp in the coupled state. Fig. 10 is a line along the AA of Fig. 9 taken cross-sectional view. Fig. 11 is a line along the BB from Fig. 9 taken cross-sectional view. Fig. 12 is a line along the CC of Fig. 9 taken cross-sectional view. Fig. 13 is a plan view illustrating a state where a pair of coupling projections of a left leg part of the plug comes into contact with guide surfaces on an upper side wall part and a lower side wall part of the sleeve. Fig. 14 is a plan view illustrating a state in which an outer surface of an inner leg part of a right leg part of the plug comes into contact with end portions of the upper and lower side wall parts of the sleeve. Fig. 15 is a plan view illustrating a state in which an inner surface of an outer leg part of the left leg part of the plug comes into contact with outer surfaces of the upper and lower plates of the sleeve. Embodiments of the invention
[0013] In the following, an exemplary embodiment of the buckle of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following descriptions, an upper side of the buckle refers to a front side of the blade of Fig. 3, a lower page refers to an inner page with respect to the sheet of Fig. 3, a right side refers to a right side with respect to the sheet of Fig. 3, and a left page refers to a left page with respect to the sheet of Fig. 3. A left-right direction of the clasp is also called width direction.
[0014] As in the Fig. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, a buckle 10 of this exemplary embodiment includes a plug 20 and a sleeve 30 configured to mate with the plug 20 by inserting the plug 20 therethrough. The plug 20 and the sleeve 30 are formed from a synthetic resin by injection molding. The plug 20 and the sleeve 30 may also be made of a metal instead of the synthetic resin. Furthermore, reference character PL in the drawings denotes a plug insertion line when the plug 20 is inserted along a widthwise central line of the sleeve 30.
[0015] As in the Fig. 4 to 6, the connector 20 includes a connector-side base part 21 to which a belt-shaped part is attachable, a pair of right and left leg parts extending in parallel to each other from both end portions of the connector-side base part 21 in the width direction, a pair of coupling projections 23 projecting in an up-down direction from each front end portion of the pair of right and left leg parts 22, and a fitting rod 24 disposed at a middle portion in the width direction between the pair of right and left leg parts 22 and formed in parallel to the pair of right and left leg parts 22.
[0016] The plug-side base part 21 includes a pair of right- and left-side surface plates 21a and first to third connecting rods 21b to 21d configured to connect the pair of right- and left-side surface plates 21a in the width direction. The first connecting rod 21b is arranged closest to the sleeve 30 and is formed with the pair of right- and left-side leg parts 22 and the fitting rod 24.
[0017] As also in the Fig. 5 and Fig. As shown in Fig. 6, the first connecting rod 21b is formed in its central portion with a convex portion 21e that protrudes toward the sleeve 30 and has a trapezoidal shape when viewed from above. Further, the first connecting rod 21b is formed with a projection 21f that protrudes toward the sleeve 30 over a substantially entire length in the width direction. The projection 21f fits with the inner surfaces of the end portions of the upper and lower plates 32, 33 of the sleeve 30 (which will be described later) on a plug insertion side after coupling the buckle (refer to Fig. 10 to 12). This prevents rattling of the plug 20 and the sleeve 30 in the up-down direction.
[0018] Each of the leg parts 22 can be elastically deformed in the width direction and has an outer leg part 25 and an inner leg part 26 arranged on an inner side of the outer leg part 25 with respect to the width direction, the front end portion of which is connected to a front end portion of the outer leg part 25, as shown in Fig. 5. Furthermore, a plate thickness of the inner leg part 26 in the width direction is set smaller than a plate thickness of the outer leg part 25 in the width direction. Furthermore, a hole penetrating the leg part 22 in the up-down direction is formed between the outer leg part 25 and the inner leg part 26.
[0019] The outer leg part 25 has a shape that gently curves inward in the width direction as it extends from a base end portion toward the front end portion. Also, an operating portion 25a is formed from a base end portion to an intermediate portion of the outer leg part 25. The operating portion 25a extends in the up-down direction and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the side. Furthermore, the upper and lower surfaces of the front end portion of the outer leg part 25 are each formed with a pair of coupling projections 23. Furthermore, a slit insertion part 25b, which is adapted to be inserted into slits 37 of the sleeve 30 (as described later), is provided between the operating portion 25a of the outer leg part 25 and the pair of coupling projections 23.
[0020] The inner leg part 26 has a first curved portion 26a which is gently inclined inward in the width direction as it extends from a base end portion toward an intermediate portion, and a second curved portion 26b which is gently curved outward in the width direction as it extends from the intermediate portion toward the front end portion, and is formed substantially in an S-shape when viewed from above.
[0021] As in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the guide rod 24 is a plate-shaped member with a rectangular section and has a linear shape extending from a widthwise central portion of the plug-side base part 21. Furthermore, the fitting rod 24 is formed at central portions of both side surfaces thereof in the up-down direction with projection pieces 24a each extending outward with respect to the width direction. Furthermore, the projection pieces 24a are formed in the longitudinal direction from the plug-side base part 21 to the intermediate portion of the fitting rod 24. Furthermore, upper, lower, right, and left surfaces of the front end portion of the fitting rod 24 are chamfered to be tapered toward the front end portion.
[0022] As in the Fig. 4, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the sleeve 30 has a sleeve-side base part 31 to which a part in the form of a belt can be attached, an upper plate 32 and a lower plate 33 extending from the sleeve-side base part 31, upper side wall parts 34 extending downward along both side edges in the width direction of the upper plate 32, lower side wall parts 35 extending upward along both side edges of the lower plate 33 as viewed in the width direction, coupling step portions 36 adapted to respectively engage with the pair of coupling projections 23 of the right and left leg parts 22 inserted between the upper plate 32 and the lower plate 33, slide rails 37 formed between the upper side wall parts 34 and the lower side wall parts 35 and each having an end portion open on a plug insertion side so that the pair of right and left leg parts 22 can be inserted therein,Guide surfaces 38 formed on inner surfaces of the upper side wall parts 34 and the lower side wall parts 35 and designed to guide the pair of coupling projections 23 of the pair of right and left leg parts 22 inserted between the upper plate 32 and the lower plate 33 to the coupling step portions 36, and a fitting hole 39 arranged between the upper plate 32 and the lower plate 33 and fitted into the fitting rod 24 of the connector 20.
[0023] The sleeve-side base part 31 includes a pair of right and left side surface plates 31a and a connecting rod 31b formed to connect the pair of right and left side surface plates 31a in the width direction. The upper plate 32 and the lower plate 33 are connected to the pair of right and left side surface plates 31a.
[0024] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, both side edges of the upper plate 32 and the lower plate 33 in the width direction are formed to have a curved shape, each of which is concave inward in the width direction. For this purpose, as shown in Fig. 9, the operating portions 25a of the outer leg parts 25 of the plug 20 are arranged on outer sides of the side edges of the upper plate 32 and the lower plate 33 in the width direction, after coupling the clasp.
[0025] For this purpose, as in the Fig. 7 and Fig. As shown in Figure 8, central portions of the end surfaces of the upper plate 32 and the lower plate 33 on the plug insertion side are formed with concave portions 32a, 33a, which are concave toward the sleeve-side base part 31 and each have a trapezoidal shape when viewed from above. After coupling the clasp, the convex portion 21e of the first connecting rod 21b of the plug-side base part 21 is fitted to the concave portions 32a, 33a (refer to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10). This prevents rattling of the plug 20 and the sleeve 30 with respect to the width direction.
[0026] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the upper side wall parts 34 and the lower side wall parts 35 are each formed over substantially the entire length of the side edges of the upper plate 32 and the lower plate 33 in the width direction. Furthermore, the upper side wall parts 34 and the lower side wall parts 35 are each formed at end portions of their connector insertion sides with inclined portions 34a, 35a, which are designed to guide the pair of right and left leg parts 22 of the connector 20 to the slots 37.
[0027] As in the Fig. 3, Fig. 7 and Fig. 12, the coupling step portions 36 are formed at end portions of the inner surfaces of the upper side wall parts 34 and the lower side wall parts 35, respectively, which end portions face the sleeve-side base part 31. In addition, the coupling step portions 36 of the upper side wall parts 34 are covered by projection pieces 32b extending from the upper plate 32 (refer to Fig. 1 and Fig. 9).
[0028] As in the Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Fig. 7, the guide surfaces 38 are continuously formed from the end portions of the inner surfaces of the upper side wall parts 34 and the lower side wall parts 35 on the connector insertion side to the upper and lower coupling step portions 36, respectively. Furthermore, the guide surface 38 includes a linear portion 38a formed from the end portion of the connector insertion side to the intermediate portion, and a restricting portion 38b formed from the intermediate portion to the coupling step portion 36, which is curved such that a distance between the right and left guide surfaces in the width direction is gradually reduced toward the coupling step portions 36.In addition, the coupling step portions 36 may be formed at locations in continuation of the guide surface 38 of the upper side wall parts 34 and the lower side wall parts 35 of the sleeve 30 or at locations in continuation of the restricting portions 38b of the guide surface 38 of the upper side wall parts 34 and the lower side wall parts 35.
[0029] As in Fig. 4, a dimension T1 of the pair of coupling protrusions 23 of the leg portions 22 of the connector 20 in the up-down direction is set larger than a dimension T2 of each of the slots 37 of the sleeve 30. Thus, the pair of coupling protrusions 23 of the right and left leg portions 22 are brought into contact with and guided by the guide surface 38 of the right and left upper side wall portions 34 and the right and left lower side wall portions 35 of the sleeve 30. Then, the pair of guided coupling protrusions 23 of the right and left leg portions 22 are engaged (coupled) with the right and left coupling step portions 36, respectively.
[0030] Furthermore, as in Fig. 13, even if the plug 20 is inserted obliquely with respect to the plug insertion line PL, for example, from the right, the direction of the plug 20 is adapted to follow the plug insertion line PL because the pair of coupling projections 23 of the left leg part 23 of the plug 20 comes into contact with and is guided by the guide surface 38 of the left upper side wall part 34 and the left lower side wall part 35 of the sleeve 30.
[0031] In addition, as in Fig. 12, a dimension T3 of the first curved portion 26a of the inner leg part 26 of the plug 20 in the up-down direction is set larger than the dimension T2 of each of the slots 37 of the sleeve 30 in the width direction. As a result, as shown in Fig. 14, even if the plug 20 is inserted obliquely with respect to the plug insertion line PL, for example, from the right, the direction of the plug 20 is further adapted to follow the plug insertion line PL because an outer surface of the first curved portion 26a of the right inner leg part 26 comes into contact with and is guided by the end portions of the upper side wall part 34 and the lower side wall part 35 of the sleeve 30.
[0032] In addition, as in Fig. 4, a dimension T4 of the operating portion 25a of the outer leg part 25 of the connector 20 in the up-down direction is set larger than a dimension T5 between the upper plate 32 and the lower plate 33 in the up-down direction. As a result, as shown in Fig. 15, even if the plug 20 is inserted obliquely with respect to the plug insertion line PL, for example, from the right, the direction of the plug 20 is further adjusted to follow the plug insertion line PL because an inner surface of the operating portion 25a of the left outer leg part 25 comes into contact with and is guided by the outer surface of the upper plate 32 and the lower plate 33 of the sleeve 30.
[0033] In this exemplary embodiment, the guidance by the coupling projections 23 of the leg parts 22 and the guide surface 38, the guidance by the first curved portions 26a of the inner leg parts 26 and the upper and lower side wall parts 34, 35, and the guidance by the actuating portions 25a of the outer leg part 25 and the upper and lower plates 32, 33 are continuously established through a series of insertion operations.
[0034] In addition, as in the Fig. As shown in Figures 10 to 12, the inner surfaces of the upper and lower plates 32, 33 of the sleeve 30 are shaped to gradually narrow toward the sleeve-side base portion. This improves the insertion capability of the plug 20 because the end portions of the upper and lower plates 32, 33 are widened on the plug insertion side.
[0035] As in the Fig. 8 to 11, the fitting hole 39 is a hole with a rectangular slit into which the fitting rod 24 can be inserted with a slight clearance, and is constructed by the upper and lower plates 32, 33 and a pair of right and left plate parts 40 formed for connecting the upper and lower plates 32, 33. Also, end sides of the pair of right and left side parts 40 on the connector insertion side are formed with concave parts 40a to which the right and left projecting pieces 24a of the fitting rod 24 fit.
[0036] Likewise, as in Fig. 9, the right and left inner leg portions 26 of the plug 20 are formed such that their outer surfaces come into contact with the linear portions 38a of the right and left guide surfaces 38 of the sleeve. Therefore, when the plug is inserted, the right and left inner leg portions 26 come into contact with and are guided by the right and left guide surfaces 38, respectively, so that the insertability of the plug 20 is improved. Since the right and left inner leg portions 26 come into contact with the right and left guide surfaces 38, respectively, after the buckle is coupled, rattling of the plug 20 and the sleeve 30 in the width direction is also prevented.
[0037] Also, as in Fig.9, a maximum dimension L1 between the operating parts (operating portions) 25a of the right and left leg parts 22 of the plug 20 in the width direction is set larger than a maximum dimension L2 of the plug-side base part 21 of the plug 20 in the width direction and a maximum dimension L3 of the sleeve-side base part 31 of the sleeve 30 in the width direction. Thereby, since the right and left operating parts 25a are arranged further outward of the plug-side base part 21 and the sleeve-side base part 31 in the width direction, it becomes possible to easily find the right and left operating parts 25a even when an operator gropes for the operating parts. The operability of the buckle 10 is also improved because it is possible to easily push the right and left operating parts 25a inward with a gloved hand or finger.
[0038] As described above, according to the buckle 10 of this exemplary embodiment, the dimension T1 of the pair of coupling projections 23 of the leg portions 22 of the plug 20 in the up-down direction is set larger than the dimension T2 of each of the slits 37 in the sleeve 30 in the width direction. Therefore, even if the plug 20 is inserted obliquely with respect to the plug insertion line PL, the pair of coupling projections 23 of one leg portion 22 of the plug 20 come into contact with and are guided by the guide surface 38 of the upper side wall portion 34 and the lower side wall portion 35 of the sleeve 30. Since the direction of the plug 20 is adjusted to follow the plug insertion line PL, it becomes possible to easily insert the plug 20 into the sleeve 30.
[0039] Also, according to the buckle 10 of this exemplary embodiment, the dimension T3 of the first curved portion 26a of the inner leg part 26 of the plug 20 in the up-down direction is set larger than the dimension T2 of each of the slits 37 of the sleeve 30 in the width direction. Therefore, even when the plug 20 is inserted obliquely relative to the plug insertion line TL, the outer surface of the first curved portion 26a of the inner leg part 26 of the plug 20 comes into contact with and is guided by the end portions of the upper side wall part 34 and the lower side wall part 35 of the sleeve 30. Since the direction of the plug 20 is further tracked to follow the plug insertion line PL, it is possible to insert the plug 20 into the sleeve 30 even more easily.
[0040] Likewise, according to the buckle 10 of this exemplary embodiment, the dimension T4 of the operating part 25a of the outer leg portion 25 of the plug 20 in the up-down direction is set larger than the dimension T5 between the upper and lower plates 32, 33 in the up-down direction. Therefore, even if the plug 20 is inserted obliquely with respect to the plug insertion direction PL, the inner surfaces of the operating part 25a of one outer leg portion 25 of the plug 20 come into contact with and are guided by the outer surfaces of the upper plate 32 and the lower plate 33 of the sleeve 30. Since the direction of the plug 20 is thereby further adjusted to follow the plug insertion line PL, it is possible to insert the plug 20 into the sleeve 30 even more easily.
[0041] Also, according to the buckle 10 of this exemplary embodiment, the plug 20 has the fitting rod 23 formed between the pair of leg parts 22 and parallel to the pair of leg parts 22, and the sleeve 30 has the fitting hole 39 disposed between the upper and lower plates 32, 33, into which the fitting rod 24 fits. Therefore, after coupling the buckle, it becomes possible to prevent rattling of the plug 20 and the sleeve 30 in the up-down direction and in the width direction.
[0042] Also, according to the buckle 10 of this exemplary embodiment, the inner surfaces of the upper and lower plates 32, 33 of the sleeve 30 are formed to gradually narrow toward the sleeve-side base part 31. Therefore, it is possible to widen the end portions of the upper and lower plates 32, 33 on the connector insertion side, so that it is possible to improve the insertability of the connector 20.
[0043] Also, according to the buckle 10 of this exemplary embodiment, the right and left inner leg portions 26 of the plug 20 are formed such that their outer surfaces come into contact with the linear portions 38a of the right and left guide surfaces 38 of the sleeve 30. Therefore, since the right and left inner leg portions 26 come into contact with and are guided by the right and left guide surfaces 38 upon insertion of the plug 20, it is possible to improve the insertability of the plug 20. Also, since the right and left inner leg portions 26 come into contact with the right and left guide surfaces 38, respectively, upon coupling of the buckle, it is possible to prevent the plug 20 and the sleeve 30 from rattling in the width direction.
[0044] Also, according to the buckle 10 of this exemplary embodiment, the maximum widthwise dimension L1 between the operating portions 25a of the right and left leg portions 22 of the plug 20 is set larger than the widthwise maximum widthwise dimension L2 of the plug-side base portion 21 of the plug 20 and the widthwise maximum widthwise dimension L3 of the sleeve-side base portion 31 of the sleeve 30. Therefore, the right and left operating portions 25a are positioned further outward in the widthwise direction than the plug-side base portion 21 and the sleeve-side base portion 31. This makes it possible to easily locate the right and left operating portions 25a even when an operator gropes for the operating portion. Also, since it is easy to push the right and left operating portions 25a inward with a gloved hand or finger, it is possible to improve the operability of the buckle 10.
[0045] Also, according to the buckle 10 of this exemplary embodiment, the end portion of the slit 37 of the sleeve 30 is opened on the plug insertion side, and the operating parts 25a of the outer leg parts 25 of the plug 20 are arranged outside the side edges of the upper and lower plates 32, 33 with respect to the width direction. Therefore, it is possible to release the coupling of the buckle 10 by two methods: a method in which the operator grasps the sleeve 30 with one hand and pushes the left and right operating parts 25a with the other hand and pulls the plug 20 out of the sleeve 30, and a method in which the operator pushes the right and left operating parts 25a inward and forcibly out with one hand to separate the plug 20 from the sleeve 30.
[0046] Also, according to the buckle 10 of this exemplary embodiment, the operating parts 25a of the outer leg portions 25 of the connector 20 are arranged widthwise outside the side edges of the upper and lower plates 32, 33. Therefore, it is possible to maintain operability even when the size of the buckle 10 is reduced. Specifically, it is possible to easily operate even a buckle to which a strap with a width of 8 mm is attached.
[0047] Also, according to the buckle 10 of this exemplary embodiment, since the end portion of the slit 37 of the sleeve 30 on the plug insertion side is open, the end portion of the sleeve 30 on the plug insertion side is not formed in a ring shape. This makes it possible to shorten the overall length of the sleeve 30, as in the structure where the sleeve is not formed in a ring shape, so that it is possible to reduce the overall length of the buckle 10. Also, compared with a structure where the sleeve is formed in a ring shape, it is possible to increase the insertion angle of the plug 20 relative to the plug insertion line PL.
[0048] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment outlined above and can be appropriately modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. Description of reference symbols 10 Clasp 20 plugs 21 plug-side base part 22 Leg part 23 Coupling projection 24 fitting rod 25 outer leg part 25a Actuating part / section 26 inner leg part 26a first curved section 26b second curved section 30 sleeve 31 sleeve-side base part 32 upper plate 33 lower plate 34 upper side wall part 35 lower side wall part 36 coupling stage range 37 slot 38 guide surface 39 Pass hole PL connector insertion line T1 Dimension of the pair of coupling projections in the up-down direction T2 Dimension of the slot in the width direction T3 Dimension of the first curved section of the inner leg part in the up-down direction T4 Dimension of the operating part of the outer leg part in up-down direction T5 Dimension between upper and lower plate in up-down direction
Claims
[1] Clasp, comprising: a plug (20); and a sleeve (30) adapted to insert the plug (20) through it to be coupled to the plug (20), wherein the plug (20) comprises: a plug-side base part (21) to which a belt-shaped part is attached; a pair of leg parts (22) extending parallel to each other from both end portions of the plug-side base part (21) in the width direction; and a pair of coupling projections (23) projecting in an up-down direction from each of the front end portions of the pair of leg parts (22), wherein the sleeve (30) comprises: a sleeve-side base part (31) to which the belt-shaped part is attached; an upper plate (32) and a lower plate (33) extending from the sleeve-side base part (31); upper side wall parts (34) which, viewed in the width direction, project downwards along both side edges of the upper plate (32); lower side wall parts (35) which, viewed in the width direction, project upwards along both side edges of the lower plate (33); coupling step portions (36) adapted to be coupled respectively to the pair of coupling projections (23) of the pair of leg portions (22) inserted between the upper and lower plates (32, 33); Slits (37) formed between the upper side wall part (34) and the lower side wall part (35) and each having an end portion opened at a plug insertion side so that the pair of leg parts (22) can be inserted therein; and Guide surfaces (38) formed on inner surfaces of the upper side wall parts (34) and the lower side wall parts (35) and designed to guide the pair of coupling projections (23) of the pair of leg parts (22) inserted between the upper and lower plates (32, 33) to the coupling step portions (36), and wherein a dimension (T1) of the pair of coupling projections (23) in the up-down direction is set larger than a dimension (T2) of each of the slots 37 in the up-down direction, wherein each of the leg parts (22) has an outer leg part (25) and an inner leg part (26), and the dimension (T1) of the pair of coupling projections (23) in the up-down direction is larger than the dimension (T3) of the inner leg part (26) in the up-down direction. [2] A buckle according to claim 1, wherein a dimension (T3) of the inner leg part (26) in the up-down direction is set larger than the dimension (T2) of each of the slits (37) in the width direction. [3] Clasp according to claim 2, wherein an operating portion (25a) is formed from a base end portion to an intermediate portion of the outer leg part (25), and wherein a dimension (T4) of the operating portion (25a) in the up-down direction is set larger than a dimension (T5) between the upper and lower plates (32, 33) in the up-down direction. [4] Clasp according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plug (20) has a fitting rod (24) arranged between the pair of leg parts (22) and formed parallel to the pair of leg parts (22), and wherein the sleeve (30) has a fitting hole (39) arranged between the upper and lower plates (32, 33) and into which the fitting rod (24) fits. [5] A clasp according to claim 3, wherein the outer leg part (25) is formed with a slot insertion portion (25b) designed to be inserted into the slots (37) of the sleeve (30). [6] A clasp according to claim 1 or 4, wherein inner surfaces of the upper and lower plates (32, 33) of the sleeve (30) are formed to gradually narrow toward the sleeve-side base part (31). [7] Clasp, comprising: a plug (20); and a sleeve (30) designed to be coupled to the plug (20), wherein the plug (20) comprises: a plug-side base part (21) to which a belt-shaped part is attached; a pair of leg parts (22) extending parallel to each other from both end portions of the plug-side base part (21) in the width direction; and a pair of coupling projections (23) projecting in an up-down direction from each of the front end portions of the pair of leg parts (22), wherein the sleeve (30) comprises: a sleeve-side base part (31) to which the belt-shaped part is attached; an upper plate (32) and a lower plate (33) extending from the sleeve-side base part (31); upper side wall parts (34) which, viewed in the width direction, project downwards along both side edges of the upper plate (32); lower side wall parts (35) which, viewed in the width direction, project upwards along both side edges of the lower plate (33); coupling step portions (36) adapted to be coupled respectively to the pair of coupling projections (23) of the pair of leg portions (22) inserted between the upper and lower plates (32, 33); Slits (37) formed between the upper side wall part (34) and the lower side wall part (35) and each having an end portion opened at a plug insertion side so that the pair of leg parts (22) can be inserted therein; and Guide surfaces (38) formed on inner surfaces of the upper side wall parts (34) and the lower side wall parts (35) and designed to guide the pair of coupling projections (23) of the pair of leg parts (22) inserted between the upper and lower plates (32, 33) to the coupling step portions (36), and in which the coupling projections (23) of the leg parts (22) of the plug (20) come into contact with the guide surfaces (38) of the sleeve (30) and are guided by them when the plug (20) is inserted into the sleeve (30), wherein the plug (20) has a fitting rod (24) arranged between the pair of leg parts (22) and formed parallel to the pair of leg parts (22), wherein the sleeve (30) has a fitting hole (39) arranged between the upper and lower plates (32, 33) and into which the fitting rod (24) fits, wherein projection pieces (24a) are formed at central portions on both side surfaces of the fitting rod (24) in the up-down direction, wherein the fitting hole (39) is formed by the upper plate (32), the lower plate (33) and a pair of right and left plate parts (40), by connecting the upper plate (32) and the lower plate (33), and wherein end sides of the pair of right and left plate parts (40) on the plug insertion side are formed with concave parts (40a) to which the right and left projection pieces (24a) fit. [8] Clasp according to claim 7, wherein each of the leg parts (22) has an outer leg part (25) and an inner leg part (26), and wherein an outer surface of the inner leg portion (26) is configured to come into contact with and be guided by the upper side wall portion (34) and the lower side wall portion (35) of the sleeve (30). [9] Clasp according to claim 7 or 8, wherein each of the leg parts (22) has an outer leg part (25) and an inner leg part (26), wherein an inner surface of the outer leg part (25) is designed to come into contact with and be guided by outer surfaces of the upper plate (32) and the lower plate (33) of the sleeve (30). [10] A clasp according to claim 7, wherein, when the plug (20) is inserted into the sleeve (30), a guide by the coupling projections (23) of the leg parts (22) of the plug (20) and the guide surfaces (38) of the sleeve (30), a guide by outer surfaces of the inner leg parts (26) and the upper side wall parts (34) and the lower side wall parts (35) of the sleeve (30), and a guide by the inner surfaces of the outer leg parts (25) of the plug (20) and the outer surfaces of the upper plate (32) and the lower plate (33) of the sleeve (30) are made in a continuous manner.
Citation Information
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