Slider and zipper with two sliders

Abstract

In the present invention, a locking structure installed at a front end of one of an upper shield or a lower shield includes a projection and a recess. The projection projects from the front end of one of the upper shield or the lower shield. Further, a hook is provided at a front end of the projection and extends toward the other of the upper shield or the lower shield. In a state where front ends of a pair of sliders abut against each other, the hook on the projection fits into the recess of the opposite slider, whereby the sliders form a locked state. When an upward or downward force is applied to the front end of at least one of the two sliders toward the locking structure, the two sliders generate rotation to unlock the locked state.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology in the field of zippers, in particular to a slider and a zipper with two sliders. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A known zipper generally includes a pair of zipper chains, each including a strip-shaped fastener tape and a plurality of elements arranged on the fastener tape, and a slider attached to the zipper chains and sliding to open and close the elements. A slider handle may be installed on the slider as needed. A two-slider zipper refers to a fastener structure in which a pair of sliders are installed on zipper chains, the two sliders facing each other and sliding relative to each other on the zipper chains. For example, when the two sliders slide on the zipper chains and separate from each other, the elements can be opened, and when the two sliders slide on the zipper chains and approach each other, the elements can be closed.Patent Document 1 proposes, as a safety mechanism of a two-slider slide fastener, a locking structure for a pair of sliders is provided to lock the two sliders in a state where the two sliders are in contact with each other and the coupling elements are closed, thereby preventing the two sliders from being separated by an unexpected operation. However, in the locking structure of the prior art two-slider slide fastener, different structures (e.g., a concave engaging portion and a convex engaging portion) are usually provided on the two sliders or an additional part (e.g., an engaging pin) must be used, which increases the manufacturing cost of the two sliders required for the two-slider slide fastener, and complicates the operation process for locking the pair of sliders. LIST OF DOCUMENTSPATENTS

[0003] Patent Document 1: JP2020-74939A SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0004] The present invention provides a slider and a two-slider slide fastener having a safety mechanism and capable of reducing manufacturing costs and improving operability. SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0005] The present invention provides a slider designed to be installed in pairs on fastener tapes to form a slide fastener with two sliders, each of the sliders comprising: a slider main body including an upper shield, a lower shield installed opposite to the upper shield, and a guide post connecting front ends of the upper shield and the lower shield; and a locking structure installed at the front end of one of the upper shield or the lower shield, the locking structure comprising a projecting portion and a recessed portion, the projecting portion projecting forward from the front end of one of the upper shield or the lower shield and further provided with a hook.which extends at a front end of the projecting portion toward the other of the upper shield or the lower shield, wherein, in a state where front ends of the paired paired sliders abut each other, the hook of the projecting portion of each of the sliders is inserted into the recessed portion of the opposite slider to form a locked state, and wherein the paired sliders are configured to rotate in a direction in which the locking structure lies by exerting an upward or downward force on the front end of at least one of the paired sliders to release the locked state.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the slider main body further comprises an operating portion, wherein the operating portion is installed on an upper surface of the upper shield at a position near the front end thereof, and wherein the paired sliders are configured to rotate in the direction in which the locking structure lies by applying a force to the front end of at least one of the paired sliders by means of the operating portion to release the locked state.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, a projecting surface is provided at a front end of the operating portion, an inclined surface is provided below an outer surface of the operating portion, and in the state where the front ends of the paired sliders abut against each other, the projecting surface of the operating portion of each of the sliders corresponds to the inclined surface of the operating portion of the opposite slider, and in a state where rotation is generated by applying a force to the front end by means of the operating portion rotation, the projecting surface of the operating portion of each of the sliders rotates along the inclined surface of the operating portion of the opposite slider.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the protruding surface and the inclined surface comprise arcuate curved surfaces corresponding to each other.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, in the state where the front ends of the paired sliders abut each other, the operating portion of each of the sliders overlaps with the operating portion of the opposite slider.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the locking structure is installed at the front end of the lower shield, the protruding portion protrudes forward from the front end of the lower shield, the hook extends from the front end of the protruding portion toward the upper shield, and each of the sliders is configured to rotate toward the lower shield by applying a downward force to the front end to release the locked state.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the locking structure is installed at the front end of the upper shield, the protruding portion protrudes forward from the front end of the upper shield, the hook extends from the front end of the protruding portion toward the lower shield, and each of the sliders is configured to rotate toward the upper shield by applying an upward force to the front end to release the locked state.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the slider main body and the locking structure are an integral structure.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the projecting portion and the recessed portion are installed side by side in a width direction of one of the upper shield or the lower shield, and the paired sliders have the same shape and are rotationally symmetrical by 180 degrees on a horizontal plane in which the support belts lie.

[0014] The present invention further provides a two-slider slide fastener comprising fastener tapes and a pair of the sliders, wherein the two sliders are installed on the fastener tapes in a state where their front ends are opposed to each other and are configured to close the fastener tapes to form a locked state when their front ends abut against each other, and wherein the two sliders released from the locked state are configured to separate from each other to open the fastener tapes. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Based on the above, in the slider and the zipper having two sliders, the locking structure installed at the front end of one of the upper plate or the lower plate comprises the projecting portion and the recessed portion, wherein the projecting portion of one of the upper plate or the lower plate projects forward and is provided with the hook extending toward the other of the upper plate or the lower plate, and wherein, in a state where the front ends of the paired sliders abut against each other, the hook of the projecting portion of each slider is inserted into the recessed portion of the opposite slider to form the locked state, and wherein the paired sliders rotate in the direction by applying an upward or downward force to the front end of at least one of the two sliders,in which the locking structure is arranged to release the locked state. In this way, by using the pair of sliders with the same structure, the manufacturing process can be simplified and the manufacturing costs can be reduced, and the two sliders can be easily locked or unlocked in a state where they abut each other. As a result, the slider and the two-slider zipper according to the present invention can have a safety mechanism, reduce manufacturing costs, and improve operability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the Fig. 1 shown slider from the right. Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the Fig. 1 shown slider from the left. Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the Fig. 1 shown slider from below. Fig. Figure 5A is a schematic functional view showing the Fig. 1 shown slider is attached to a zipper with two sliders. Fig. 5B is a schematic functional view in which the Fig. 1 shown slider is attached to the zipper with two sliders. Fig. Figure 5C is a schematic functional view showing the Fig. 1 shown slider is attached to the zipper with two sliders. Fig. 5D is a schematic functional view showing the Fig. 1 shown slider is attached to the zipper with two sliders. Fig. 5E is a schematic functional view showing the Fig. 1 shown slider is attached to the zipper with two sliders. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a slider according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the Fig. 6 shown slider from the right. Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the Fig. 6 shown slider from the left. Fig. 9 is a schematic plan view of the Fig. 6 shown slider. Fig. 10A is a schematic functional view in which the Fig. 6 shown slider is attached to a zipper with two sliders. Fig. 10B is a schematic functional view in which the Fig. 6 shown slider is attached to the zipper with two sliders. Fig. 10C is a schematic functional view showing the Fig. 6 shown slider is attached to the zipper with two sliders. Fig. 10D is a schematic functional view showing the Fig. 6 shown slider is attached to the zipper with two sliders. Fig. 10E is a schematic functional view showing the Fig. 6 shown slider is attached to the zipper with two sliders. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0016] For a clearer and easier understanding of the above features and advantages of the present invention, the following embodiments will be described in particular detail with reference to the drawings.

[0017] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the Fig. 1 shown slider from the right, Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the Fig. 1 shown slider from the left, Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the Fig. 1 shown slider from below, Fig. 5A to 5E are schematic functional views showing the Fig. 1 shown slider is attached to a zipper with two sliders, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a slider according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 7 is a schematic view of the Fig. 6 shown slider from the right, Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the Fig. 6 shown slider from the left, Fig. 9 is a schematic plan view of the Fig. 6 shown slider, and Fig. 10A to 10E are schematic functional views showing the Fig. 6 is attached to a two-slider zipper. Specific structures of a slider 100A and a two-slider zipper 50A according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as well as a method for operating the same, will be described below with reference to Fig. 1 to 5E, and specific structures of a slider 100B and a slide fastener with two sliders 50B according to a second embodiment of the present invention and a method of operating the same will be described with reference to Fig. 6 to 10E, but the present invention is not limited thereto and can be adapted as required.

[0018] As in Fig. 1 to 4, the slider 100A in the first embodiment includes a slider main body 110A and a locking structure 120A. The slider main body 110A includes an upper shield 112A, a lower shield 114A installed opposite to the upper shield 112A, and a guide post 116A connecting front ends E1 of the upper shield 112A and the lower shield 114A. The locking structure 120A is installed at the front end E1 of one of the upper shield 112A and the lower shield 114A (for example, the upper shield 112A). The locking structure 120A includes a projecting portion 122A and a recessed portion 124A.The projecting portion 122A projects forward from the front end E1 of one of the upper shield 112A or the lower shield 114A (for example, the lower shield 114A) and is further provided with a hook 126A extending from the front end E1 of the projecting portion 122A toward the other of the upper shield 112A or the lower shield 114A (for example, the upper shield 112A).

[0019] Specifically, in the present embodiment, the upper shield 112A and the lower shield 114A are installed opposite each other and form, for example, two plate members facing each other in an up-down direction and having substantially the same shape and size. The guide column 116A connects the front ends E1 of the upper shield 112A and the lower shield 114A, while rear ends E2 opposite the front ends E1 of the upper shield 112A and the lower shield 114A have an open structure. In addition, the slider main body 110A may be further provided with a slider handle connecting column 118A above the upper shield 112A, and a rear end of the slider handle connecting column 118A is in an open state (see Fig. 1 to 3) and can be used in the following process (see Fig. 5A to 5E) to attach the slider handle P. In a case where the slider 100A is attached to zipper chains (with in Fig. 5A to 5E, the carrying tapes T and the fastener elements are closed (that is, the fastener chains are closed) when the slider 100A slides (that is, advances) toward a front side S1 corresponding to the front end E1 in the front-to-back direction, and the carrying tapes T and the fastener elements are opened (that is, the fastener chains are opened) when the slider 100A slides (that is, retreats) toward a back side S2 corresponding to the back end E2 in the front-to-back direction. However, the structures of the slider 100A and the fastener chain can be adapted as needed depending on the type of fastener, and the present invention is not limited thereto.For example, the present invention does not exclude an embodiment in which the slider 100A is attached to a slider fastener, and the coupling links on the fastener chain are not limited to spiral links or zigzag links and can be adjusted as needed.

[0020] In the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1 to 4, the locking structure 120A is installed at the front end E1 of the lower shield 114A, and the protruding portion 122A and the recessed portion 124A constituting the locking structure 120A are installed side by side in a width direction of one of the upper shield 112A and the lower shield 114A, and preferably, they are installed side by side in the width direction of the lower shield 114A at the front end E1 of the lower shield 114A. For example, the protruding portion 122A is installed on a right side S3 of the front end E1 of the lower shield 114A, and the recessed portion 124A is installed on a left side S4 of the front end E1 of the lower shield 114A, but the present invention is not limited thereto.Here, the protruding portion 122A protrudes forward from the right side S3 of the front end E1 of the lower shield 114A, and the hook 126A extends from the front end of the protruding portion 122A toward the upper shield 112A. Accordingly, the recessed portion 124A on the left side S4 of the front end E1 of the lower shield 114A is recessed upward. The size of the recessed portion 124A is equal to or larger than the size of the hook 126A. The recessed portion 124A is, for example, an upwardly recessed portion (see . Fig. 3 and Fig. 4) formed by the rear end of a protruding portion 128A projecting downward from a lower surface of the lower shield 114A, however, the recessed portion 124A may also be formed by omitting the installation of the protruding portion 128A and installing an upwardly recessed portion on the lower surface of the lower shield 114A. Furthermore, the recessed portion 124A may have a closed shape or a non-closed shape, and it may have any shape as long as it can be engaged with the hook 126A, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0021] As in Fig. 5A to Fig. 5E, in the present embodiment, the sliders 100A are installed in pairs on the fastener tapes T to form the two-slider slide fastener 50A. When the slider 100A is mounted on the fastener tapes T, the fastener tapes T and the coupling elements (not shown) form the fastener chains, and the fastener tapes T penetrate between the upper plate 112A and the lower plate 114A of the slider main body 110A, so that the locking structure 120A installed on the front end E1 of the lower plate 114A is located below the fastener tapes T (but the present invention is not limited to this). That is, the two-slider slide fastener 50A includes the fastener tapes T and the pair of sliders 100A, and here, the two sliders 100A have the same structure and are installed on the fastener tapes T in a state where the front ends E1 are opposed to each other.In this way, when the front ends E1 of the two sliders 100A abut each other, the support bands T are closed to form a locked state (see . Fig. 5C), and the two sliders 100A released from the locked state separate from each other to open the carrying straps T (see Fig. 5E). Furthermore, in the two sliders 100A, the rear end of each slide handle connecting column 118A is reinforced after the slide handle P is attached and extends toward the upper shield 112A, and the slide handle P can be attached to the slide handle connecting column 118A to prevent the slide handle P from falling off. However, the present invention does not limit the structure and attachment form of the slide handle P, and it can be adapted as needed.

[0022] Specifically, in the present embodiment, the pair of sliders 100A installed on the support belts T are installed on the support belts T so that the front ends E1 are opposite to each other. Thus, the locking structures 120A installed at the front ends E1 of the lower shields 114A of the slider main bodies 110A in the pair of sliders 100A are also opposite to each other. In this case, the front sides S1 and the rear sides S2 of the slider 100A and the opposite slider 100A are reversed, and the right sides S3 and the left sides S4 thereof are reversed.As described above, the paired sliders 100A have the same shape and are rotationally symmetrical by 180 degrees in a horizontal plane in which the support straps T lie, so that the projecting portion 122A and the hook 126A projecting from the right side S3 of the front end E1 of the lower shield 114A in the locking structure 120A of each of the sliders 100A correspond to the recessed portion 124A on the left side S4 of the front end E1 of the lower shield 114A in the locking structure 120A of the opposite slider 100A, thereby enabling locking.

[0023] As apparent from the foregoing, in the present embodiment, the support tapes T and the coupling elements can be closed when the sliders 100A slide (i.e., advance) toward the respective front sides S1 and approach each other, and the support tapes T and the coupling elements can be opened when the sliders 100A slide (i.e., retreat) toward the respective back sides S2 and separate from each other.At this time, in a state where the front ends E1 of the paired sliders 100A abut each other (the support bands T and the coupling elements are closed), the hook 126A of the projecting portion 122A of each of the sliders 100A is inserted into the recessed portion 124A of the opposite slider 100A, and the hook 126A moves, for example, from a lower side to an upper side and is engaged with the recessed portion 124A recessed upward, thereby forming a locked state. This operation changes, for example, from that shown in FIG. Fig. 5A shown state in the Fig. 5C shown condition.

[0024] In this state, since the hook 126A of the locking structure 120A of the slider 100A and the recessed portion 124A of the locking structure 120A of the opposite slider 100A engage at least in the front-to-back direction (i.e., a longitudinal direction of the fastener tapes T), the two sliders 100A locked by the locking structures 120A slide on the fastener tapes T while maintaining the locked state and cannot separate from each other. Thus, the slider 100A and the two-slider slide fastener 50A to which the slider 100A is attached have a safety mechanism.Furthermore, it is not necessary to install different locking structures on the pair of sliders 100A, or it is not necessary to use an additional locking part, and a manufacturing process can be simplified and manufacturing costs can be reduced by using the pair of sliders 100A with the same structure. The slider main bodies 110A and the locking structures 120A of the two sliders 100A having the same structure preferably have a one-piece structure, that is, they can be manufactured through the same process without requiring additional assembly work, and the manufacturing process can be further simplified and manufacturing costs can be reduced. However, in other embodiments not described here, the slider 100A can be configured by assembling a slider main body 110A and a locking structure 120A, which are manufactured separately.As long as the slide fastener with two sliders 50A is designed using the pair of sliders 100A having the same structure, the manufacturing process can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0025] In the present embodiment, the locking structures 120A of the pair of sliders 100A perform locking by forming an engagement in the front-back direction, but the locking structure 120A of each of the sliders 100A can release the locked state by moving the hook 126A out of the recessed portion 124A of the locking structure 120A of the opposite slider 100A. That is, the paired sliders 100A rotate by applying a downward force to the front ends E1 (for example, by pressing the front ends E1 along a Fig. 5C and Fig. 5D) in a direction in which the locking structures 120A are located (i.e., corresponding to the undersides of the lower shields 114A) to release the locked state. In this way, by exerting the downward force on the front end E1, the slider 100A rotates toward the lower shield 114A (i.e., the downward direction), and the hook 126A of the locking structure 120A of the slider 100A is retracted downward from the recessed portion 124A of the locking structure 120A of the opposite slider 100A to release the locked state. This operation changes, for example, from that shown in Fig. 5C shown state into one in Fig. 5E. The two sliders 100A released from the locked state can be separated from each other by sliding them on the support straps T (see Fig. 5E). Since the two sliders 100A can be easily locked or unlocked in a state where they abut each other, the operability of the sliders 100A and the two-slider zipper 50A can be improved. Accordingly, the sliders 100A and the two-slider zipper 50A can have a safety mechanism, reduce manufacturing costs, and improve operability.

[0026] In the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1 to 4, the slider main body 110A further includes an operating portion 119A, and the operating portion 119A is installed on the upper surface of the upper shield 112A at a position near the front end E1. As shown in Fig. 5C and Fig. 5D, the paired sliders 100A rotate by applying the downward force to the front ends E1 (for example, pushing the front ends E1 along the Fig. 5C and Fig. 5D) in the direction in which the locking structures 120A are located (that is, corresponding to the undersides of the lower shields 114A), by means of the operating sections 119A, to release the locked state. In a state in which the front ends E1 of the paired sliders 100A abut each other (that is, the states of Fig. 5B, Fig. 5C and Fig. 5D), the actuating portion 119A of each of the sliders 100A preferably overlaps with the actuating portion 119A of the opposite slider 100A. In this way, the user can more easily exert the force in a concentrated manner on the front ends E1, which contributes to the user exerting the force simultaneously on the actuating portions 119A of the pair of sliders 100A.However, in other embodiments not described, a force may be applied to each of the operating portions 119A of the pair of sliders 100A, or the installation of the operating portion 119A may be omitted, and a force may be directly applied to each of the front ends E1 of the pair of sliders 100A, and the present invention does not limit a relative position of the operating portions 119A of the two sliders 100A (that is, the operating portions 119A overlap each other) or the presence or absence of the installation of the operating portions 119A, and can be adjusted as needed.

[0027] In the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1 to 4, a protruding surface 119A1 is provided at a front end of the operating portion 119A, and an inclined surface 119A2 is provided below an outer surface of the operating portion 119A. Here, the protruding surface 119A1 is, for example, a front end surface corresponding to the front side S1 in the operating portion 119A, and the inclined surface 119A2 is, for example, a front end surface of a recessed groove formed on the outer surface of the operating portion 119A. That is, the protruding surface 119A1 and the inclined surface 119A2 are juxtaposed in a width direction of the operating portion 119A. The protruding surface 119A1 and the inclined surface 119A2 preferably comprise, for example, arcuate curved surfaces corresponding to each other, but the present invention is not limited thereto.In this way, in a state where the front ends E1 of the paired sliders 100A abut against each other (that is, the state of . Fig. 5B, Fig. 5C and Fig. 5D), the operating portion 119A of each of the sliders 100A is fitted in the recessed groove formed on the outer surface of the operating portion 119A of the opposing slider 100A, and the protruding surface 119A1 of the operating portion 119A of the slider 100A is formed to correspond to the inclined surface 119A2 of the operating portion 119A of the opposing slider 100A, and thus the operating portion 119A of the slider 100A overlaps with the operating portion 119A of the opposing slider 100A. However, the present invention does not limit the specific structure of the operating portion 119A, and adaptation is possible as needed.

[0028] In the present embodiment, in a state where the force is applied to the front ends E1 by means of the operating sections 119A to generate rotation (that is, the state of Fig. 5D), the protruding surface 119A1 of the operating portion 119A of each slider 100A along the inclined surface 119A2 of the operating portion 119A of the opposite slider 100A, the operating portion 119A of the slider 100A and the operating portion 119A of the opposite slider 100A change from an overlapped state to be separated from each other, and the hook 126A of the locking structure 120A of the slider 100A is moved out of the recessed portion 124A of the locking structure 120A of the opposite slider 100A.In this operation, the user applies downward force to the operating portions 119A installed at the front ends E1 of the sliders 100A. The operating portions 119A each rotate along a path formed by the protruding surface 119A1 and the inclined surface 119A2 opposite the protruding surface 119A1. Thus, the operation of applying force to the front ends E1 to generate rotation by the operating portions 119A can be made smoother. However, the present invention does not limit the specific structure of the operating portion 119A, and customization is possible as needed.

[0029] As in Fig. 6 to 9, the slider 100B in the second embodiment includes a slider main body 110B and a locking structure 120B. The slider main body 110B includes an upper shield 112B, a lower shield 114B installed opposite to the upper shield 112B, and a guide post 116B connecting the front ends E1 of the upper shield 112B and the lower shield 114B. The locking structure 120B is installed at the front end E1 of one of the upper shield 112B and the lower shield 114B (for example, the upper shield 112B). The locking structure 120B includes a projecting portion 122B and a recessed portion 124B.The projecting portion 122B projects forward from the front end E1 of one of the upper shield 112B or the lower shield 114B (for example, the upper shield 112B) and is further provided with a hook 126B extending from the front end E1 of the projecting portion 122B toward the other of the upper shield 112B or the lower shield 114B (for example, the lower shield 114B).

[0030] In this embodiment, the slider 100B and the slider 100A according to the first embodiment have similar structures and operating methods. Here, with respect to the specific structures of the upper shield 112B, the lower shield 114B, the guide post 116B, and a slider handle connecting post 118B of the slider main body 110B, reference may be made to the description of the upper shield 112A, the lower shield 114A, the guide post 116A, and the slider handle connecting post 118A of the slider main body 110A according to the first embodiment, and with respect to the specific structures of the protruding portion 122B, the recessed portion 124B, and the hook 126B of the locking structure 120B, reference may be made to the description of the protruding portion 122A, the recessed portion 124A, and the hook 126A of the locking structure 120A according to the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.A main difference between the slider 100B and the slider 100A according to the first embodiment is that the locking structure 120B provided in the slider 100B is arranged in a different position than the locking structure 120A provided in the slider 100A according to the first embodiment.

[0031] In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6 to 9, the locking structure 120B is installed at the front end E1 of the upper shield 112B, and the protruding portion 122B and the recessed portion 124B constituting the locking structure 120B are installed side by side in the width direction of one of the upper shield 112B and the lower shield 114B, and preferably, they are installed side by side in the width direction of the upper shield 112B at the front end E1 of the upper shield 112B. For example, the protruding portion 122B is installed on the right side S3 of the front end E1 of the upper shield 112B, and the recessed portion 124B is installed on the left side S4 of the front end E1 of the upper shield 112B, but the present invention is not limited thereto.Here, the protruding portion 122B protrudes forward from the right side S3 of the front end E1 of the upper shield 112B, and the hook 126B extends from the front end of the protruding portion 122B toward the lower shield 114B. Accordingly, the recessed portion 124B on the left side S4 of the front end E1 of the upper shield 112B is recessed downward. The size of the recessed portion 124B is equal to or larger than the size of the hook 126B. The recessed portion 124B is, for example, a portion installed by recessing downward on an upper surface of the upper shield 112B (see ). Fig. 8 and Fig. 9), however, a protruding portion projecting upward may be provided on the upper surface of the upper shield 112B, and a rear portion thereof may be formed as a downwardly recessed portion to form the recessed portion 124B. Further, the recessed portion 124B may have a closed shape or a non-closed shape, and it may have any shape as long as it can be engaged with the hook 126B, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0032] As in Fig. 10A to Fig. 10E, in the present embodiment, the sliders 100B are installed in pairs on the fastener tapes T to form the two-slider slide fastener 50B. When the slider 100B is mounted on the fastener tapes T, the fastener tape T and the coupling elements (not shown) form the fastener chain, and the fastener tapes T penetrate between the upper plate 112B and the lower plate 114B of the slider main body 110B, so that the locking structure 120B installed on the front end E1 of the upper plate 112B is located above the fastener tapes T (but the present invention is not limited to this). That is, the two-slider slide fastener 50B includes the fastener tapes T and the pair of sliders 100B, and the two sliders 100B have the same structure and are installed on the fastener tapes T in a state where the front ends E1 are opposed to each other.In this way, when the front ends E1 of the pair of sliders 100B abut each other, the support bands T are closed to form the locked state (see . Fig. 10C), and the two sliders 100B released from the locked state separate from each other to open the carrying straps T (see Fig. 10E). Furthermore, in the two sliders 100B, the rear end of each slide handle connecting column 118B is reinforced after the slide handle P is attached and extends toward the upper shield 112B, and the slide handle P can be attached to the slide handle connecting column 118B to prevent the slide handle P from falling off. However, the present invention does not limit the structure and attachment form of the slide handle P, and it can be adapted as needed.

[0033] Specifically, in the present embodiment, the pair of sliders 100B installed on the support belts T are installed on the support belts T so that the front ends E1 are opposite to each other. Thus, the locking structures 120B installed at the front ends E1 of the upper shields 112B of the slider main bodies 110B in the pair of sliders 100B are also opposite to each other. In this case, the front sides S1 and the rear sides S2 of the slider 100B and the opposite slider 100B are reversed, and the right sides S3 and the left sides S4 thereof are reversed.As described above, the paired sliders 100B have the same shape and are rotationally symmetrical by 180 degrees in the horizontal plane in which the support straps T lie, so that the projecting portion 122B and the hook 126B projecting from the right side S3 of the front end E1 of the upper shield 112B in the locking structure 120B of each of the sliders 100B correspond to the recessed portion 124B on the left side S4 of the front end E1 of the upper shield 112B in the locking structure 120B of the opposite slider 100B, thereby enabling locking.

[0034] As apparent from the foregoing, in the present embodiment, the support tapes T and the coupling elements can be closed when the sliders 100B slide (i.e., advance) toward the respective front sides S1 and approach each other, and the support tapes T and the coupling elements can be opened when the sliders 100B slide (i.e., retreat) toward the respective back sides S2 and separate from each other.At this time, in a state where the front ends E1 of the paired sliders 100B abut each other (the support bands T and the coupling elements are closed), the hook 126B of the projecting portion 122B of each of the sliders 100B is inserted into the recessed portion 124B of the opposite slider 100B, and the hook 126B moves, for example, from the upper side to the lower side and is engaged with the recessed portion 124B recessed downward, thereby forming the locked state. This operation changes, for example, from that shown in FIG. Fig. 10A shown state in the Fig. 10C shown condition.

[0035] In this state, since the hook 126B of the locking structure 120B of the slider 100B and the recessed portion 124B of the locking structure 120B of the opposite slider 100B engage at least in the front-to-back direction (i.e., a longitudinal direction of the fastener tapes T), the two sliders 100B locked by the locking structures 120B slide on the fastener tapes T while maintaining the locked state and cannot separate from each other. Thus, the slider 100B and the two-slider slide fastener 50B to which the sliders 100B are attached have a safety mechanism.Furthermore, it is not necessary to install different locking structures on the pair of sliders 100B, or it is not necessary to use an additional locking part, and a manufacturing process can be simplified and manufacturing costs can be reduced by using the pair of sliders 100B with the same structure. The slider main bodies 110B and the locking structures 120B of the two sliders 100B having the same structure preferably have a one-piece structure, that is, they can be manufactured through the same process without requiring additional assembly work, and the manufacturing process can be further simplified and manufacturing costs can be reduced. However, in other embodiments not described here, the slider 100B may be configured by assembling a slider main body 110B and a locking structure 120B, which are manufactured separately.As long as the slide fastener with two sliders 50B is designed using the pair of sliders 100B having the same structure, the manufacturing process can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the locking structures 120B of the pair of sliders 100B perform locking by forming an engagement in the front-to-back direction, but the locking structure 120B of each of the sliders 100B can release the locked state by moving the hook 126B out of the recessed portion 124B of the locking structure 120B of the opposite slider 100B. That is, the paired sliders 100B rotate by applying an upward force to the front ends E1 (for example, by pulling the front ends E1 along the Fig. 10C and Fig. 10D) in a direction in which the locking structures 120B are located (i.e., corresponding to the tops of the upper plates 112B) to release the locked state. In this way, by exerting the upward force on the front end E1, the slider 100B rotates toward the upper plate 112B (i.e., the upward direction), and the hook 126B of the locking structure 120B of the slider 100B is retracted upward from the recessed portion 124B of the locking structure 120B of the opposite slider 100B to release the locked state. This operation changes, for example, from that shown in Fig. 10C shown state into one in Fig. 10E. The two sliders 100B released from the locked state can be separated from each other by sliding them on the support straps T (see Fig. 10E). Since the two sliders 100B can be easily locked or unlocked in a state where they abut each other, the operability of the sliders 100B and the two-slider zipper 50B can be improved. Accordingly, the slider 100B and the two-slider zipper 50B can have a safety mechanism, reduce manufacturing costs, and improve operability.

[0037] In the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6 to 9, the slider main body 110B further includes an operating portion 119B, and the operating portion 119B is installed on an upper surface of the upper shield 112B at a position near the front end E1. As shown in Fig. 10C and Fig. 10D, the paired sliders 100B rotate by exerting the upward force on the front ends E1 (for example, pulling the front ends E1 along the Fig. 10C and Fig. 10D) in the direction in which the locking structures 120B are located (that is, corresponding to the tops of the upper plates 112B), by means of the operating sections 119B, to release the locked state. In a state in which the front ends E1 of the paired sliders 100B abut each other (that is, the states of Fig. 10B, Fig. 10C and Fig. 10D), the actuating portion 119B of each of the sliders 100B preferably overlaps with the actuating portion 119B of the opposite slider 100B. In this way, the user can more easily exert the force in a concentrated manner on the front ends E1, which contributes to the user exerting the force simultaneously on the actuating portions 119B of the pair of sliders 100B.However, in other embodiments not described, a force may be applied to each of the operating portions 119B of the pair of sliders 100B, or the installation of the operating portion 119B may be omitted, and a force may be directly applied to each of the front ends E1 of the pair of sliders 100B, and the present invention does not limit a relative position of the operating portions 119B of the two sliders 100B (that is, the operating portions 119B overlap each other) or the presence or absence of the installation of the operating portions 119B, and can be adjusted as needed.

[0038] In the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6 to 9, the protruding surface 119B1 is provided at a front end of the operating portion 119B, and the inclined surface 119B2 is provided below an outer surface of the operating portion 119B. Here, the protruding surface 119B1 is, for example, a front end surface corresponding to the front side S1 in the operating portion 119B, and the inclined surface 119B2 is, for example, a front end surface of a recessed groove formed on the outer surface of the operating portion 119B. That is, the protruding surface 119B1 and the inclined surface 119B2 are arranged adjacent to each other in a width direction of the operating portion 119B. The protruding surface 119B1 and the inclined surface 119B2 preferably include, for example, arcuate curved surfaces corresponding to each other, but the present invention is not limited thereto.In this way, in a state where the front ends E1 of the paired sliders 100B abut against each other (that is, the state of . Fig. 10B, Fig. 10C and Fig. 10D), the operating portion 119B of each of the sliders 100B is fitted in the recessed groove formed on the outer surface of the operating portion 119B of the opposing slider 100B, and the protruding surface 119B1 of the operating portion 119B of the slider 100B is formed to correspond to the inclined surface 119B2 of the operating portion 119B of the opposing slider 100B, and thus the operating portion 119B of the slider 100B overlaps with the operating portion 119B of the opposing slider 100B. However, the present invention does not limit the specific structure of the operating portion 119B, and adaptation is possible as needed.

[0039] Generally, in the slider and the slide fastener with two sliders according to the present invention, each locking structure comprises the projecting portion and the recessed portion installed side by side in the width direction of one of the upper plate or the lower plate, wherein each projecting portion projects forward from one of the upper plate or the lower plate and is provided with the hook extending to the other of the upper plate or the lower plate, and wherein, in a state where the front ends of the paired sliders abut against each other, the hook of the projecting portion of each slider is inserted into the recessed portion of the opposite slider to form the locked state, and wherein the paired sliders rotate in the direction in which the locking structures lie by applying a force to the front ends,to release the locked state. In this way, by using a pair of sliders with the same structure, the manufacturing process can be simplified, manufacturing costs can be reduced, and the two sliders can be easily locked or unlocked in a state where they abut each other. The slider main body and the locking structure are preferably a one-piece structure. Furthermore, the paired sliders have the same shape and are rotationally symmetrical by 180 degrees in the horizontal plane in which the fastener tapes lie. As a result, the slider and the two-slider zipper according to the present invention can incorporate a safety mechanism, reduce manufacturing costs, and improve operability.

[0040] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only illustrative of the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, the technical solutions described in the above embodiments may be further modified, or some or all of their technical features may be similarly replaced, as those skilled in the art will recognize. These modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0041] This application is based on a Chinese patent application (Chinese Patent Application No. 202211660411.4), filed on December 23, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated into this application by reference.

[0042] The present description discloses the following points. (1) A slider designed to be installed in pairs on carrier tapes to form a two-slider slide fastener, each of the sliders comprising: a slider main body comprising an upper shield, a lower shield opposite the upper shield, and a guide column connecting front ends of the upper shield and the lower shield; and a locking structure installed at the front end of one of the upper shield or the lower shield, wherein the locking structure comprises a protruding portion and a recessed portion, the projecting portion projects forward from the front end of one of the upper shield or the lower shield and is further provided with a hook extending at a front end of the projecting portion toward the other of the upper shield or the lower shield, in a state where front ends of the paired sliders abut each other, the hook of the projecting portion of each of the sliders is inserted into the recessed portion of the opposite slider to form a locked state, and the paired sliders are designed to rotate in a direction in which the locking structure lies by exerting an upward or downward force on the front end of at least one of the paired sliders to release the locked state. (2) The slider according to (1), in which the slider main body further comprises an operating portion, and the operating portion is installed on an upper surface of the upper shield at a position near the front end thereof, and the paired sliders are designed to rotate in the direction in which the locking structure lies by exerting a force on the front end of at least one of the paired sliders by means of the operating portion to release the locked state. (3) The slider according to (2), in which a projecting surface is provided at a front end of the operating section, an inclined surface is provided below an outer surface of the actuating section, in the state where the front ends of the paired sliders abut each other, the projecting surface of the operating portion of each of the sliders corresponds to the inclined surface of the operating portion of the opposite slider, and in a state where rotation is generated by applying a force to the front end by means of the operating portion, the projecting surface of the operating portion of each of the sliders rotates along the inclined surface of the operating portion of the opposite slider. (4) The slider according to (3), in which the projecting surface and the inclined surface comprise arcuate curved surfaces which correspond to each other. (5) The slider according to (3), in which in the state where the front ends of the paired sliders abut each other, the operating portion of each of the sliders overlaps with the operating portion of the opposite slider. (6) The slider according to one of the points (1) to (5), in which the locking structure is installed at the front end of the lower shield, the projecting portion projects forward from the front end of the lower shield and the hook extends from the front end of the projecting portion toward the upper shield, and each of the sliders is designed to rotate in a direction toward the lower shield by exerting a downward force on the front end to release the locked state. (7) The slider according to one of the points (1) to (5), in which the locking structure is installed at the front end of the upper shield, the projecting portion projects forward from the front end of the upper shield and the hook extends from the front end of the projecting portion toward the lower shield, and each of the sliders is designed to rotate toward the upper shield by exerting an upward force on the front end to release the locked state. (8) The slider according to one of the points (1) to (5), in which the slider main body and the locking structure are an integral structure. (9) The slider according to one of the points (1) to (5), in which the projecting portion and the recessed portion are installed side by side in a width direction of one of the upper shield or the lower shield, and the paired sliders have the same shape and are rotationally symmetrical by 180 degrees on a horizontal plane in which the carrying straps lie. (10) A two-slider zipper comprising: carrying straps; and a pair of sliders according to one of the points (1) to (9), in which the two sliders are installed on the support belts in a state where their front ends are opposed to each other and are designed to close the support belts to form a locked state when their front ends abut each other, and the two sliders released from the locked state are designed to separate from each other in order to open the carrying straps. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 50A, 50B zipper with two sliders 100A, 100B slider 110A, 110B slide main body 112A, 112B upper shield 114A, 114B lower shield 116A, 116B guide column 118A, 118B Slide handle connecting column 119A, 119B operating section 119A1, 119B1 protruding surface 119A2, 119B2 inclined surface 120A, 120B locking structure 122A, 122B preceding section 124A, 124B recessed section 126A, 126B hooks 128A preceding section E1 front end E2 rear end F Arrow P slide handle S1 front S2 back S3 right side S4 left side T carrying strap QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2020-74939A

[0003] CN 202211660411.4

[0041]

Claims

[1] Slider designed to be installed in pairs on carrier tapes to form a two-slider zipper, each of the sliders comprising: a slider main body comprising an upper shield, a lower shield installed opposite to the upper shield, and a guide column connecting front ends of the upper shield and the lower shield; and a locking structure installed at the front end of one of the upper shield or the lower shield, the locking structure comprising a projecting portion and a recessed portion, the projecting portion projects forward from the front end of one of the upper shield or the lower shield and is further provided with a hook extending at a front end of the projecting portion toward the other of the upper shield or the lower shield, in a state where front ends of the paired sliders abut each other, the hook of the projecting portion of each of the sliders is inserted into the recessed portion of the opposite slider to form a locked state, and the paired sliders are designed to rotate in a direction in which the locking structure lies by exerting an upward or downward force on the front end of at least one of the paired sliders to release the locked state. [2] Slider according to claim 1, wherein the slider main body further comprises an operating portion, and the operating portion is installed on an upper surface of the upper shield at a position near the front end thereof, and the paired sliders are designed to rotate in the direction in which the locking structure lies by exerting a force on the front end of at least one of the paired sliders by means of the operating portion to release the locked state. [3] Slider according to claim 2, wherein a projecting surface is provided at a front end of the operating section, an inclined surface is provided below an outer surface of the actuating section, in the state where the front ends of the paired sliders abut each other, the projecting surface of the operating portion of each of the sliders corresponds to the inclined surface of the operating portion of the opposite slider, and in a state where rotation is generated by applying a force to the front end by means of the operating portion, the projecting surface of the operating portion of each of the sliders rotates along the inclined surface of the operating portion of the opposite slider. [4] A slider according to claim 3, wherein the projecting surface and the inclined surface comprise arcuate curved surfaces corresponding to each other. [5] A slider according to claim 3, wherein in the state where the front ends of the paired sliders abut against each other, the operating portion of each of the sliders overlaps with the operating portion of the opposite slider. [6] Slider according to claim 1, wherein the locking structure is installed at the front end of the lower shield, the projecting portion projects forward from the front end of the lower shield and the hook extends from the front end of the projecting portion toward the upper shield, and each of the sliders is designed to rotate toward the lower shield by exerting a downward force on the front end to release the locked state. [7] Slider according to claim 1, wherein the locking structure is installed at the front end of the upper shield, the projecting portion projects forward from the front end of the upper shield and the hook extends from the front end of the projecting portion toward the lower shield, and each of the sliders is designed to rotate toward the upper shield by exerting an upward force on the front end to release the locked state. [8] The slider according to claim 1, wherein the slider main body and the locking structure are an integral structure. [9] Slider according to claim 1, wherein the projecting portion and the recessed portion are installed side by side in a width direction of one of the upper shield or the lower shield, and the paired sliders have the same shape and are rotationally symmetrical by 180 degrees on a horizontal plane in which the carrying straps lie. [10] Two-slider zipper comprising: carrying straps; and a pair of sliders according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the two sliders are installed on the support belts in a state where their front ends are opposite to each other and are designed to close the support belts to form a locked state when their front ends abut each other, and the two sliders released from the locked state are designed to separate from each other in order to open the carrying straps.

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