Buckle

Abstract

To provide a buckle capable of performing a release operation by an operation cord, and improving its strength.SOLUTION: A buckle 1 comprises a plug 10, and a socket 20 into which the plug 10 is inserted. The plug 10 includes: a base part 11 to which an adherend can be fitted; leg parts 121A, 121B projecting in a +X direction of the plug 10 from the base part 11, and opposed each other in a Y direction; engaging parts 13A, 13B disposed in the leg parts 121A, 121B so as to be engaged with the socket 20, and capable of being released from the socket 20 with elastic deformation in the Y direction of the leg parts 121A, 121B; cord hook parts 14A, 14B arranged between the leg part 121A and the leg part 121B, and allowing an operation cord 30 to be hooked; a connection part 15A for connecting the leg part 121A and the cord hook part 14A; and a connection part 15B for connecting the leg part 121B and the cord hook part 14B. The cord hook part 14A and the cord hook part 14B are arranged in different positions in a Z direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a buckle that is released by an operating cord. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as a buckle for detachably connecting two objects to be attached, a buckle having a socket and a plug that is inserted into the socket to engage with it is known. As one type of such buckle, there is a buckle that allows a string-like operating cord to be used for disengaging the socket from the plug (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the buckle disclosed in Patent Document 1, the plug includes a base to which an object is attached, a pair of legs protruding from the base and engageable with a socket, and a bridge connecting the tips of the pair of legs, with an operating cord looped around the center of the bridge. When the operating cord is pulled, the bridge elastically deforms so as to be folded, and the pair of legs elastically deform so as to approach each other. As a result, the engagement between the pair of legs and the socket is released, and the plug is removed from the socket. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 8,522,410 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the buckle of Patent Document 1, it is difficult to increase the strength of the bridge portion that undergoes the above-mentioned elastic deformation, and there is a problem in that the bridge portion is easily damaged by the force applied from the operating cord.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a buckle that can be released by an operating cord and has improved strength. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] [1] A buckle according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plug and a socket into which the plug is inserted, the plug including a base to which an attachment can be attached, a first leg and a second leg protruding from the base in a plug-in direction of the plug and opposed to each other in a width direction perpendicular to the plug-in direction, a first engagement portion provided on the first leg so as to be engageable with the socket and disengageable from the socket as the first leg elastically deforms in the width direction, and a second engagement portion provided on the second leg so as to be engageable with the socket and disengageable from the socket as the first leg elastically deforms in the width direction. The electrical connector is provided with a second engagement portion that is releasable from the socket along with elastic deformation in the width direction, a first cord hanging portion and a second cord hanging portion that are arranged between the first leg and the second leg and on which an operating cord is respectively hung, a first connecting portion that connects the first leg and the first cord hanging portion, and a second connecting portion that connects the second leg and the second cord hanging portion, and the first cord hanging portion and the second cord hanging portion are arranged at different positions from each other in a thickness direction that is perpendicular to both the insertion direction and the width direction.

[0008] [2] In the above [1], it is preferable that the first cord hanging portion protrudes from the first connecting portion in the width direction or the insertion direction, and the second cord hanging portion protrudes from the second connecting portion in the width direction or the insertion direction.

[0009] [3] In the above [1] or [2], it is preferable that the first cord hanging portion and the second cord hanging portion have through holes that each penetrate in the thickness direction and are arranged so as to at least partially overlap each other in the thickness direction.

[0010] [4] In the above item [3], it is preferable that the first cord hooking portion and the second cord hooking portion have cord contact edges facing the insertion direction in an area where the through holes overlap each other in the thickness direction.

[0011] [5] In the above [4], it is preferable that the through hole of at least one of the first cord hanging portion and the second cord hanging portion exposes the cord abutting edge portion of the other of the first cord hanging portion and the second cord hanging portion in the thickness direction.

[0012] [6] In the above [4] or [5], it is preferable that the cord abutment edge of the first cord hooking part is inclined with respect to the width direction so as to face a removal direction, which is the opposite direction to the insertion direction, as it moves away from the first leg in the width direction, and the cord abutment edge of the second cord hooking part is inclined with respect to the width direction so as to face the removal direction, which is the opposite direction to the insertion direction, as it moves away from the second leg in the width direction.

[0013] [7] In any of [4] to [6] above, it is preferable that the cord abutting edge of the first cord hanging part is positioned farther away from the first leg in the width direction than the cord abutting edge of the second cord hanging part, and the cord abutting edge of the second cord hanging part is positioned farther away from the second leg in the width direction than the cord abutting edge of the first cord hanging part.

[0014] [8] In any of [1] to [7] above, it is preferable that the socket comprises a case portion for accommodating the plug, and the case portion has an opening into which the plug is inserted, and one or more slits cut from the opening in the insertion direction and exposing the string insertion hole from the case portion in the thickness direction. Effect of the Invention

[0015] The present invention can provide a buckle that can be released by an operating cord and has improved strength. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a buckle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the plug of the embodiment. [Diagram 5] An enlarged portion of Figure 3. [Figure 6] VI-VI line cross-sectional view of FIG. 3. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the socket of the embodiment. [Figure 8] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating an engaged state of the plug according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a disengaged state of the plug of the embodiment. [Figure 10] An enlarged view of a portion of the plug in Figure 9. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a modified socket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the buckle 1 of this embodiment includes a plug 10 and a socket 20 into which the plug 10 is inserted. An object to be attached is attached to each of the plug 10 and the socket 20, and the two objects to be attached are connected to each other by coupling the plug 10 to the socket 20. The object to be attached may be any long object such as a belt, tape, or string. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, an operating cord 30 for a release operation is attached to the plug 10. The operating cord 30 may be any long object such as a string.

[0018] In the following description, the length direction of the socket 20 and the plug 10 is defined as the X direction, the width direction (left-right direction) of the buckle 1 is defined as the Y direction, and the thickness direction (up-down direction) of the buckle 1 is defined as the Z direction. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are perpendicular to each other. In addition, among the X directions, the insertion direction of the plug 10 into the socket 20 is defined as the +X direction, and the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the plug 10 (i.e., the removal direction) is defined as the -X direction. In addition, the direction toward one side of the Y direction is defined as the +Y direction, and the direction toward the other side of the Y direction is defined as the -Y direction. Similarly, the direction toward one side of the Z direction is defined as the +Z direction, and the direction toward the other side of the Z direction is defined as the -Z direction.

[0019] (Plug 10 Configuration) The configuration of the plug 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, the plug 10 includes a base 11 to which an object can be attached, and a first leg unit 12A and a second leg unit 12B connected to the base 11 at different positions in the Y direction. The plug 10 of this embodiment is integrally molded from, for example, a synthetic resin material.

[0020] The base 11 has rod portions 111-113 arranged along the Y direction, and a pair of side walls 114A, 114B connecting the rod portions 111-113 at both ends in the Y direction. Between the rod portions 111-113 adjacent to each other in the X direction, there are gaps through which an adherend can be inserted, and the adherend is attached to the base 11 by wrapping the adherend around at least one of the rod portions 111, 112.

[0021] The first leg unit 12A and the second leg unit 12B have shapes that are rotationally symmetrical by 180 degrees about an imaginary center line C that passes through the center of the plug 10 and is parallel to the X direction. Specifically, the first leg unit 12A includes a leg 121A (corresponding to the first leg) protruding from the base 11 in the +X direction, an engagement portion 13A (corresponding to the first engagement portion) provided on the leg 121A so as to be able to engage with the socket 20, a cord hanging portion 14A (corresponding to the first cord hanging portion) supported by the leg 121A and on which the operating cord 30 is hung, and a connecting portion 15A (corresponding to the first connecting portion) connecting between the leg 121A and the cord hanging portion 14A. Similarly, the second leg unit 12B includes a leg 121B (corresponding to the second leg) protruding from the base 11 in the +X direction, an engagement portion 13B (corresponding to the second engagement portion) provided on the leg 121B so as to be able to engage with the socket 20, a cord hanging portion 14B (corresponding to the second cord hanging portion) supported by the leg 121B and on which the operating cord 30 is hung, and a connecting portion 15B (second connecting portion) connecting between the leg 121B and the cord hanging portion 14B.

[0022] Hereinafter, regarding the specific configurations of the first leg unit 12A and the second leg unit 12B, the configuration of the first leg unit 12A will be mainly described. The configuration of the second leg unit 12B can be similar to that of the first leg unit 12A, except that the positive and negative signs in the Z direction and the Y direction are opposite.

[0023] Leg 121A is connected to the -Y side end of base 11 and extends in the +X direction from base 11. Leg 121A has elastically deforming portion 122 formed to be elastically deformable in the Y direction, tip 123 of leg 121A located on the +X side of elastically deforming portion 122, and intermediate portion 124 located between elastically deforming portion 122 and tip 123. Tip 123 is formed to have a smaller thickness in the Z direction than elastically deforming portion 122 and intermediate portion 124.

[0024] Engagement portion 13A is provided on tip portion 123 of leg portion 121A. As shown in Fig. 4, engagement portion 13A has a first protrusion 131 protruding in the +Z direction from tip portion 123 of leg portion 121A, and a second protrusion 132 protruding in the -Z direction from tip portion 123 of leg portion 121A. Each of first protrusion 131 and second protrusion 132 forms an abutment surface 133 (see Fig. 3) facing in the -X direction.

[0025] 3, the first convex portion 131 is provided with an erroneous insertion prevention protrusion 134 that protrudes inward in the Y direction. The erroneous insertion prevention protrusion 134 provided on the first convex portion 131 of the engagement portion 13A and the erroneous insertion prevention protrusion 134 provided on the first convex portion 131 of the engagement portion 13B face each other with a gap in the Z direction therebetween. As a result, each erroneous insertion prevention protrusion 134 functions as a guide when inserting the plug 10 into the socket 20, and can prevent erroneous insertion of the plug 10 into the socket 20.

[0026] The cord hook 14A is disposed between the leg 121A of the first leg unit 12A and the leg 121B of the second leg unit 12B. The cord hook 14A is connected to the tip 123 of the leg 121A, and is connected to the middle part 124 of the leg 121A via the connecting part 15A, and is connected to the +Z side of the connecting part 15A. The cord hook 14A also protrudes in the +Y direction from the connecting part 15A.

[0027] The cord hanging part 14A is a part on which the operating cord 30 is hung. Specifically, the cord hanging part 14A in this embodiment is in the shape of a plate arranged along a plane perpendicular to the Z direction, and has a through hole 16A penetrating in the Z direction. A notch 141 is formed in an edge of the cord hanging part 14A facing the base 11 in the -X direction, the notch 141 being cut in the +X direction as it approaches the +Y direction. A part of the cord hanging part 14A facing the -Z direction may be hollowed out to avoid interference with other elements.

[0028] 5, the cord hooking portion 14A has a cord abutting edge 142A which is an edge facing in the +X direction with respect to a hole main body region R1 of the through-hole 16A, which will be described later. This cord abutting edge 142A is inclined with respect to the Y direction so as to approach the -X direction as it approaches the +Y direction (i.e., as it moves away from the leg portion 121A in the Y direction). As a result, the cord abutting edge 142A forms an angle θ with a virtual line V parallel to the Y direction. The angle θ may be any angle between 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, and is preferably, for example, between 15 degrees and 30 degrees.

[0029] 3, the connecting portion 15A connects the leg portion 121A and the cord hooking portion 14A on the +X side of the elastic deformation portion 122 of the leg portion 121A. The connecting portion 15A extends in the +Y direction from the leg portion 121A toward the cord hooking portion 14A, and has a generally rectangular plate shape disposed along both the X and Y directions. The connecting portion 15A is disposed so as to fill the gap in the Y direction between the leg portion 121A and the cord hooking portion 14A, thereby reinforcing the strength of the cord hooking portion 14A. The arrangement range of the connecting part 15A in the Z direction is approximately equal to or smaller than the arrangement range of the tip part 123 of the leg part 121A in the Z direction (see FIG. 6). That is, the connecting part 15A connected to the cord hanging part 14A is arranged so as not to interfere with the cord hanging part 14B.

[0030] The cord hooks 14A, 14B of the first leg unit 12A and the second leg unit 12B will be described in detail below. The cord hanging portions 14A and 14B are disposed at different positions in the Z direction as shown in Fig. 6. Specifically, the cord hanging portion 14A is disposed on the +Z side of the tip portions 123 of the legs 121A and 121B, and the cord hanging portion 14B is disposed on the -Z side of the tip portions 123 of the legs 121A and 121B. The cord hanging portions 14A and 14B face each other in the Z direction, and there is a gap in the Z direction between the cord hanging portions 14A and 14B that does not interfere with each other.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 5, the cord hooking portions 14A, 14B have through holes 16A, 16B that partially overlap with each other in the Z direction. For the sake of explanation, in Fig. 5, the edge portion of the through hole 16A is indicated by a thick line. Specifically, each of the through holes 16A and 16B has an L-shaped cross section perpendicular to the Z direction. Thus, the through hole 16A includes a hole main body region R1 that overlaps with the through hole 16B in the Z direction and a hole expansion region R2 that overlaps with the cord hooking portion 14B in the Z direction. In other words, the through hole 16A is divided into the hole main body region R1 or the hole expansion region R2 depending on whether it overlaps with the through hole 16B or the cord hooking portion 14B. Although not shown, the through hole 16B includes the hole main body region R1 and the hole expansion region R2, similar to the through hole 16A.

[0032] Here, the hole main body regions R1 of the through holes 16A, 16B overlap each other to together form a cord insertion hole 160 for inserting the operating cord 30 (see FIG. 2). The hole expansion regions R2 of the through holes 16A, 16B extend in the -X direction from a part of the cord insertion hole 160 and are arranged side by side in the Y direction so as not to overlap in the Z direction. It is preferable that the hole expansion region R2 of the through hole 16A includes an area on the -Y side of the cord insertion hole 160, and the hole expansion region R2 of the through hole 16B includes an area on the +Y side of the cord insertion hole 160.

[0033] The cord abutting edge 142A of the cord hooking portion 14A faces in the +X direction relative to the hole main body region R1 of the through-hole 16A (i.e., relative to the cord insertion hole 160). Similarly, the cord abutting edge 142B of the cord hooking portion 14B faces in the +X direction relative to the hole main body region R1 of the through-hole 16B (i.e., relative to the cord insertion hole 160). In this embodiment, the cord abutting edges 142A, 142B do not overlap in the Z direction but are arranged side by side in the Y direction. Specifically, the cord abutting edge 142A is arranged to be spaced apart in the Y direction from the leg 121A relative to the cord abutting edge 142B, and the cord abutting edge 142B is arranged to be spaced apart in the Y direction from the leg 121B relative to the cord abutting edge 142A.

[0034] Here, the hole expansion region R2 of the through-hole 16A exposes the cord abutting edge 142B in the +Z direction, and the hole expansion region R2 of the through-hole 16B exposes the cord abutting edge 142A in the -Z direction. Therefore, the cord abutting edges 142A, 142B are exposed on both sides in the Z direction and can abut against the operating cord 30 (see FIG. 2) inserted through the cord insertion hole 160.

[0035] (Socket 20 configuration) The configuration of socket 20 will be described with further reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 8 is a combination of a cross-sectional view of socket 20 cut at the center in the Z direction and a front view of plug 10.

[0036] 1, 2, 7 and 8, socket 20 includes an attachment portion 21 to which an object can be attached, a case portion 22 provided with attachment portion 21, and engaged portions 23A and 23B provided on case portion 22. Socket 20 in this embodiment is integrally molded from, for example, a synthetic resin material.

[0037] The mounting part 21 has a rod shape arranged along the Y direction, and both ends of the mounting part 21 are connected to the case part 22. Between the mounting part 21 and the case part 22, there is a gap through which the adherend is inserted, and the adherend is wrapped around the mounting part 21.

[0038] 1, the case 22 has a pair of walls 221, 222 arranged opposite to each other in the Z direction, and a pair of side walls 223A, 223B arranged opposite to each other in the Y direction. As shown in Fig. 7, the case 22 has an accommodation space S capable of accommodating the first leg unit 12A and the second leg unit 12B of the plug 10, and an opening AP that communicates with the accommodation space S and opens in the -X direction.

[0039] 2, the walls 221, 222 have slits SL formed by cutting the walls 221, 222 in the +X direction from the opening AP. Each slit SL of the walls 221, 222 exposes the string insertion hole 160 of the plug 10 from the case part 22 in the +Z direction (or -Z direction).

[0040] The side walls 223A and 223B connect both ends of the walls 221 and 222 in the Y direction. As shown in Fig. 8, the side walls 223A and 223B have a hole TH penetrating the side walls 223A and 223B in the Y direction. The hole TH of the side wall 223A exposes the leg 121A to the outside in the Y direction from the case part 22, and the hole TH of the side wall 223B exposes the leg 121B to the outside in the Y direction from the case part 22. The parts of the legs 121A and 121B exposed from the hole TH of the case part 22 can be used as an operating part for operating the legs 121A and 121B when releasing the connection of the buckle 1.

[0041] The engaged portions 23A and 23B are disposed near the holes TH of the side wall portions 223A and 223B. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7, the engaged portion 23A protrudes from each inner surface of the wall portions 221 and 222 into the storage space S and has a pair of convex portions 231 facing each other in the Z direction. Although not shown, the engaged portion 23B, like the engaged portion 23A, protrudes from each inner surface of the wall portions 221 and 222 into the storage space S and has a pair of convex portions 231 facing each other in the Z direction.

[0042] 8, each of the protrusions 231 of the engaged parts 23A, 23B has a guide surface 232 facing inward in the Y direction and a contact surface 233 facing in the +Z direction. When the plug 10 is inserted into the socket 20, each of the guide surfaces 232 of the engaged parts 23A, 23B presses the engaging parts 13A, 13B of the plug 10 inward in the Y direction while guiding them in the Z direction. When the plug 10 is inserted into the socket 20, each of the contact surfaces 233 of the engaged parts 23A, 23B contacts the engaging parts 13A, 13B of the plug 10 in the X direction. This allows the engaged parts 23A, 23B to engage with the engaging parts 13A, 13B of the plug 10 in the X direction.

[0043] (Buckle 1 release operation) In the buckle 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the operation cord 30 is attached to the plug 10. In this embodiment, the operation cord 30 is a cord formed in a ring shape. In this case, a bent portion 31, which is a part of the operation cord 30, is inserted through the cord insertion hole 160 of the plug 10, and then another portion of the operation cord 30 is inserted inside the bent portion 31, thereby attaching the operation cord 30 to the plug 10. Such an operation cord 30 apparently has two cord portions 32A, 32B separated by the bent portion 31. The cord portions 32A, 32B are hung on the cord hanging portions 14A, 14B, respectively, while being inserted through the cord insertion hole 160 of the plug 10.

[0044] The release operation of the buckle 1 using the operation cord 30 will be described below with further reference to Figures 9 and 10. Note that the operation cord 30 is not shown in Figure 9. In this embodiment, the plug 10 is coupled to the socket 20 by engaging the engagement portions 13A and 13B of the plug 10 with the socket 20. To release the plug 10 from the socket 20, a user pulls the operation cord 30 in the -X direction in the buckle 1 shown in Fig. 2. When the operation cord 30 is pulled in the -X direction, the first leg unit 12A and the second leg unit 12B of the plug 10 are each displaced as shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

[0045] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 10, the cord portion 32A abuts against the cord abutting edge portion 142A to apply an operating force F1 in the -X direction, and the cord portion 32B abuts against the cord abutting edge portion 142B to apply an operating force F2 in the -X direction. As a result, as shown in Fig. 9, a bending moment is applied to each of the first leg unit 12A and the second leg unit 12B, and the elastic deformation portions 122 of the legs 121A and 121B are elastically deformed inward in the Y direction, so that the tip portions 123 of the legs 121A and 121B are displaced inward in the Y direction so as to approach each other. As a result, the abutment surfaces 133 of the engaging portions 13A and 13B are positioned more inward in the Y direction than the abutment surfaces 233 of the engaged portions 23A and 23B, and the engagement between the plug 10 and the socket 20 is released.

[0046] When the legs 121A, 121B elastically deform inward in the Y direction, the degree of overlap between the through holes 16A, 16B changes from the state shown in Fig. 6 to the state shown in Fig. 10. During this change, the through hole 16A maintains a state in which the cord abutting edge 142B is exposed in the +Z direction, and the through hole 16B maintains a state in which the cord abutting edge 142A is exposed in the -Z direction. This allows the cord portions 32A, 32B to maintain a state in which they are in contact with the cord abutting edges 142A, 142B, respectively, and allows the operating forces F1, F2 to be stably applied to the cord abutting edges 142A, 142B, respectively.

[0047] Thereafter, when the operating forces F1, F2 of the operating cord 30 are continuously applied in the state in which the engagement between the plug 10 and the socket 20 is released, the plug 10 is removed from the socket 20. In this manner, the release operation of the buckle 1 using the operating cord 30 is completed.

[0048] In the buckle 1 of this embodiment, the user may release the buckle 1 by pulling the operating cord 30 or by pressing the operating parts of the legs 121A and 121B. The engagement operation of the buckle 1 of this embodiment may be the same as that of a known buckle.

[0049] (Effects of the first embodiment) As described above, the buckle 1 of this embodiment includes the plug 10 and the socket 20 into which the plug 10 is inserted. The plug 10 includes the base 11 to which an object can be attached, the legs 121A and 121B that protrude from the base 11 in the +X direction (insertion direction) of the plug 10 and face each other in the Y direction (width direction), the engagement portion 13A that is provided so as to be able to engage with the socket 20 relative to the leg 121A and that is able to be released from the socket 20 as the leg 121A elastically deforms in the Y direction, and the engagement portion 13B that is able to engage with the socket 20 relative to the leg 121B. The socket 20 is provided with an engagement portion 13B that can be engaged with the leg portion 121A and released from the socket 20 upon elastic deformation of the leg portion 121B in the Y direction, cord hanging portions 14A, 14B that are arranged between the leg portions 121A and 121B and on which the operating cord 30 is respectively hung, a connecting portion 15A that connects the leg portion 121A and the cord hanging portion 14A, and a connecting portion 15B that connects the leg portion 121B and the cord hanging portion 14B, and the cord hanging portion 14A and the cord hanging portion 14B are arranged at different positions from each other in the Z direction (thickness direction).

[0050] In this configuration, the plug 10 is coupled to the socket 20 by engaging the engaging portions 13A and 13B of the plug 10 with the socket 20. When the plug 10 is to be released from the socket 20, the user performs an operation of pulling the operation cord 30 in the -X direction (removal direction). When the legs 121A and 121B that receive the operating forces F1 and F2 of the operation cord 30 via the cord hooks 14A and 14B are elastically deformed in the Y direction, respectively, the engaging portions 13A and 13B are released from the socket 20. At this time, the cord hooks 14A and 14B are displaced so as to approach each other in the Y direction, but since they are arranged at different positions in the Z direction, they are prevented from interfering with each other. In other words, since the cord hooks 14A and 14B are arranged so as not to interfere with each other, they can be displaced in the Y direction without elastic deformation. Therefore, it is possible to configure the cord hooks 14A and 14B with increased rigidity, and the strength of the plug 10 can be improved.

[0051] In this embodiment, the cord hooking portion 14A protrudes from the connecting portion 15A in the Y direction or the insertion direction, and the cord hooking portion 14B protrudes from the connecting portion 15B in the Y direction or the insertion direction. With this configuration, the rigidity of each of the cord hooking portions 14A and 14B can be more suitably increased.

[0052] In this embodiment, the cord hooking portions 14A, 14B have through holes 16A, 16B that penetrate in the Z direction, respectively, and are arranged so as to at least partially overlap with each other in the Z direction. In such a configuration, cord hooking portions 14A, 14B form a ring shape surrounding through holes 16A, 16B, respectively, so that operation cord 30 passing through through holes 16A, 16B is less likely to come off cord hooking portions 14A, 14B.

[0053] In this embodiment, the cord hooking portions 14A, 14B have cord contact edges 142A, 142B that face in the +X direction relative to a region (hole main region R1) where the through-holes 16A, 16B overlap with each other in the Z direction. With this configuration, the operating cord 30 can appropriately apply operating forces F1, F2 to the cord hooking portions 14A, 14B, respectively.

[0054] In this embodiment, the through hole 16A of the cord hanging portion 14A exposes the cord abutting edge 142B of the cord hanging portion 14B in the +Z direction, and the through hole 16B of the cord hanging portion 14B exposes the cord abutting edge 142A of the cord hanging portion 14A in the -Z direction. In this configuration, the cord abutting edges 142A, 142B are exposed on both sides in the Z direction, and therefore can be appropriately abutted against the operating cord 30 passing through the through holes 16A, 16B. In addition, while the cord hooking parts 14A, 14B are displaced, the cord parts 32A, 32B can be appropriately maintained in abutment against the cord abutting edges 142A, 142B. This allows the operating forces F1, F2 to be applied evenly to the cord hooking parts 14A, 14B, respectively.

[0055] In this embodiment, the cord abutment edge 142A is inclined with respect to the Y direction so as to move toward the -X direction as it moves away from the leg 121A in the Y direction, and the cord abutment edge 142B is inclined with respect to the Y direction so as to move toward the -X direction as it moves away from the leg 121B in the Y direction. In this configuration, the operating forces F1, F2 applied to the cord abutting edges 142A, 142B tend to generate bending moments, thereby improving the ease of release of the buckle 1.

[0056] In this embodiment, the cord abutting edge 142A is positioned further away in the Y direction from the leg 121A than the cord abutting edge 142B, and the cord abutting edge 142B is positioned further away in the Y direction from the leg 121B than the cord abutting edge 142A. In this configuration, the operating forces F1, F2 applied to the cord abutting edges 142A, 142B tend to generate bending moments, thereby improving the ease of release of the buckle 1.

[0057] The socket 20 of this embodiment has a case portion 22 that houses the plug 10. The case portion 22 has an opening AP into which the plug 10 is inserted, and a slit SL that is cut from the opening AP in the +X direction and exposes the string insertion hole 160 from the case portion 22 in the Z direction. In such a configuration, operation cord 30 can be attached to plug 10 without interfering with socket 20. Even if the direction of operation forces F1, F2 of operation cord 30 is inclined with respect to the X direction (e.g., includes a Z direction component), interference between operation cord 30 and socket 20 can be suppressed.

[0058] [First Modification] In the above embodiment, the engagement portions 13A, 13B of the plug 10 are provided at the tip portions 123 of the legs 121A, 121B, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 11, the plug 10A according to the first modification may have engagement parts 13C and 13D provided on the intermediate parts 124 of the legs 121A and 121B instead of the engagement parts 13A and 13B of the above embodiment. The engagement parts 13C and 13D protrude outward in the Y direction from the legs 121A and 121B. Similarly to the engagement parts 13A and 13B of the above embodiment, the engagement parts 13C and 13D have abutment surfaces 133 facing the -X direction. The engagement parts 13C and 13D are disposed in holes TH of the side walls 223A and 223B of the case part 22 and can engage with the side walls 223A and 223B in the X direction.

[0059] In the first modified example, cord hanging portions 14A and 14B are supported by tip portions 123 of legs 121A and 121B. That is, connecting portion 15A connects tip portion 123 of leg portion 121A to cord hanging portion 14A, and connecting portion 15B connects tip portion 123 of leg portion 121B to cord hanging portion 14B. In this first modified example as well, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be achieved.

[0060] [Second modified example] In the above embodiment, the case portion 22 of the socket 20 has the holes TH for exposing the legs 121A, 121B to the outside from the case portion 22, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 12, case portion 22 of socket 20A according to the second modification does not need to have hole TH. In other words, case portion 22 may be formed so as to cover the outer sides of legs 121A, 121B in the Y direction.

[0061] In the second modified example, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be achieved, and the strength of the buckle 1 against external impact can be improved. Also, in the second modified example, the buckle 1 can be released by operating the operating cord 30.

[0062] [Other variations] In the above embodiment, the shape and arrangement of the cord hooking portions 14A and 14B are not limited to the above description and can be changed as appropriate. For example, cord hanging portions 14A, 14B are not limited to being annular surrounding through holes 16A, 16B, and may have cutouts communicating with through holes 16A, 16B. The shape of cord hanging portions 14A, 14B may be any shape that allows operation cord 30 to be hung thereon, and may be a shape other than a plate shape, such as a bar shape. Furthermore, the cord hooking portions 14A and 14B may be in contact with each other in the Z direction so as to be slidable relative to each other in the Y direction, rather than being disposed opposite each other with a gap in the Z direction therebetween.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the shape and arrangement of the through holes 16A, 16B are not limited to the above description and can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, as long as it does not interfere with the release operation of the buckle 1, the shape and arrangement of the through holes 16A, 16B may allow a deviation that may cause an imbalance in the operating forces F1, F2 applied to the cord hooking portions 14A, 14B. For example, in the above embodiment, the through holes 16A, 16B may entirely overlap each other. Alternatively, in the above embodiment, either one of the through holes 16A, 16B may expose the cord abutting edge portion 142A (or 142B) in the Z direction.

[0064] In the above embodiment, the cord hooking portion 14A may protrude from the connecting portion 15A in the insertion direction (+X direction) of the plug 10. Similarly, the cord hooking portion 14B may protrude from the connecting portion 15B in the insertion direction (+X direction) of the plug 10. In this case, the through holes 16A and 16B do not have to overlap in the Z direction. Also, the operation cord 30 may be inserted through the through holes 16A and 16B, respectively.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the connecting parts 15A, 15B only need to connect between the leg parts 121A, 121B and the cord hanging parts 14A, 14B, and the shape thereof is not particularly limited.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the case portion 22 of the socket 20 does not have to have the slit SL. In this case, the operation cord 30 may be drawn out from the plug 10 to the outside of the case portion 22 through the opening portion AP of the case portion 22.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the case where the cord portions 32A, 32B of the operation cord 30 apply the operation forces F1, F2 to the cord hook portions 14A, 14B of the plug 10, respectively, has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a single operation cord having a certain width may be inserted through the cord insertion hole 160 of the plug 10, and the operation cord may apply an operation force to the cord hook portions 14A, 14B. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1...buckle, 10, 10A...plug, 11...base, 111 to 113...rod portion, 114A, 114B...side wall portion, 12A...first leg unit, 12B...second leg unit, 121A, 121B...leg portion, 122...elastic deformation portion, 123...tip portion, 124...middle portion, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D...engagement portion, 131...first convex portion, 132...second convex portion, 133...contact surface, 141...notch, 14A, 14B...cord hook portion, 142A, 142B...cord contact edge portion, 15A, 15B...connecting portion, 160...string insertion hole, 16A, 16B...through hole, 20, 20A...socket, 21...mounting portion, 22...case portion, 221, 222...wall portion, 223A, 223B...side wall portion, 231...convex portion, 232...guide surface, 233...contact surface, 23A, 23B...engaged portion, 30...operating cord, 31...folded portion, 32A, 32B...cord portion, AP...opening, C...virtual center line, F1...operating force, F2...operating force, S...accommodating space, SL...slit, TH...hole, V...virtual line.

Claims

1. The present invention comprises a plug (10) and a socket (20) into which the plug (10) is inserted, The plug (10) is A base (11) to which an adherend can be attached; a first leg portion (121A) and a second leg portion (121B) that protrude from the base portion (11) in the insertion direction of the plug (10) and face each other in a width direction perpendicular to the insertion direction; a first engagement portion (13A, 13C) provided on the first leg portion (121A) so as to be capable of engaging with the socket (20) and being disengaged from the socket (20) as the first leg portion (121A) elastically deforms in the width direction; a second engagement portion (13B, 13D) provided on the second leg portion (121B) so as to be capable of engaging with the socket (20) and being disengaged from the socket (20) as the second leg portion (121B) elastically deforms in the width direction; a first cord hanging portion (14A) and a second cord hanging portion (14B) disposed between the first leg portion (121A) and the second leg portion (121B) and on which an operating cord (30) is hung, respectively; a first connecting portion (15A) connecting the first leg portion (121A) and the first cord hanging portion (14A); a second connecting portion (15B) connecting the second leg portion (121B) and the second cord hanging portion (14B), The buckle, wherein the first cord hook portion (14A) and the second cord hook portion (14B) are disposed at different positions from each other in a thickness direction perpendicular to both the insertion direction and the width direction.

2. The first cord hook portion (14A) protrudes from the first connecting portion (15A) in the width direction or the insertion direction, The buckle according to claim 1, wherein the second cord hooking portion (14B) protrudes from the second connecting portion (15B) in the width direction or the insertion direction.

3. 2. The buckle according to claim 1, wherein the first cord hook portion (14A) and the second cord hook portion (14B) have through holes (16A, 16B) that penetrate the first cord hook portion (14A) and the second cord hook portion (14B) in the thickness direction and are arranged so as to at least partially overlap each other in the thickness direction.

4. 4. The buckle according to claim 3, wherein the first cord hook portion (14A) and the second cord hook portion (14B) have cord abutment edges (142A, 142B) facing the insertion direction in an area where the through holes (16A, 16B) overlap each other in the thickness direction.

5. 5. The buckle as described in claim 4, wherein the through hole (16A, 16B) of at least one of the first cord hooking portion (14A) and the second cord hooking portion (14B) exposes the other of the cord abutment edge portions (142A, 142B) of the first cord hooking portion (14A) and the second cord hooking portion (14B) in the thickness direction.

6. the cord abutment edge portion (142A) of the first cord hook portion (14A) is inclined with respect to the width direction so as to approach a removal direction, which is the opposite direction to the insertion direction, as the cord abutment edge portion (142A) of the first cord hook portion (14A) moves away from the first leg portion (121A) in the width direction, The buckle according to claim 4, wherein the cord abutment edge portion (142B) of the second cord hook portion (14B) is inclined with respect to the width direction so as to approach the removal direction as it moves away from the second leg portion (121B) in the width direction.

7. the cord abutting edge portion (142A) of the first cord hanging portion (14A) is disposed farther away from the first leg portion (121A) in the width direction than the cord abutting edge portion (142B) of the second cord hanging portion (14B), 5. The buckle according to claim 4, wherein the cord abutment edge portion (142B) of the second cord hook portion (14B) is positioned farther away from the second leg portion (121B) in the width direction than the cord abutment edge portion (142A) of the first cord hook portion (14A).

8. The socket (20) includes a case portion (22) for accommodating the plug (10), The case portion (22) is an opening (AP) into which the plug (10) is inserted; The buckle as described in claim 4, further comprising one or more slits (SL) cut from the opening (AP) in the insertion direction and exposing the through holes (16A, 16B) in the thickness direction from the case portion (22).

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