Slider for slide fastener

Abstract

To provide a slider for a slide fastener that is operable from both vertical sides even making the slider be less likely to bite a fabric.SOLUTION: A slider includes: an upper plate 2 and a lower plate 3 disposed while being vertically spaced therebetween; an upper column 4 projecting from the upper surface of the upper plate and extending backward; a lower column 5 projecting from the lower surface of the lower plate and extending backward; and a connection column 6 for connecting the upper plate to the lower plate on mutual front sides. In the position of the connection column in such the configuration, the length L4 in the longitudinal direction of the lower plate is formed so as to be shorter than the length L3 in the longitudinal direction of the upper plate (L4<L3) to make it be less likely to bite a fabric. The length L2 in the longitudinal direction of the lower column is formed so as to be shorter than the length L1 in the longitudinal direction of the upper column (L2<L1) to make the upper tip 43 of the upper column 4 opposite to the upper surface of the upper plate 2 and make the lower tip 53 of the lower column 5 opposite to the lower surface of the lower plate 3, which enables a pull tab to be fitted to both upper column 4 and lower column 5, thereby operable from both vertical sides of the slider by the pull tab.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a slider for a slide fastener that can be operated from both upper and lower sides.

Background Art

[0002] A slider with a pull tab attached only on the upper side is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. In this slider, at the position of the guide post for branching the element path left and right, the length of the lower wing plate in the front-rear direction is made shorter than the length of the upper wing plate in the front-rear direction. With this configuration, when closing the slide fastener, this slider makes it difficult for the fabric of the article to which the slide fastener is attached to be caught. Further, this slider is provided with a semi-circular pull tab connecting post on the upper surface of the upper wing plate. Judging from the drawings, the pull tab connecting post is fixed to a protrusion protruding from above and below the upper surface of the upper wing plate, and does not protrude from the upper wing plate. That is, the pull tab connecting post is formed separately from the main body portion of the slider. Hereinafter, the main body portion of the slider will be referred to as the slider body, the guide post will be referred to as the connecting post, the lower wing plate will be referred to as the lower plate, and the upper wing plate will be referred to as the upper plate.

[0003] A slider for attaching pull tabs vertically is disclosed in Patent Document 2 below. In this slider, at the position of the connecting post, the lengths of the upper plate and the lower plate in the front-rear direction are made the same. Further, this slider includes an upper post that protrudes from the upper surface of the upper plate and extends rearward, and a lower post that protrudes from the lower surface of the lower plate and extends rearward. The upper post and the lower post are for connecting pull tabs, and their lengths in the front-rear direction are made the same.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In recent years, there has been a demand for applying a slider in the form disclosed in Patent Document 1 to a slide fastener for opening and closing an opening of a tent or a sleeping bag. Since such a slide fastener is required to be operable from both the inside and outside of the tent and from both the inside and outside of the sleeping bag, it is necessary to attach handles to both sides of the slider, that is, both the upper plate and the lower plate. Also, a slider in which an upper column and a lower column are plastically deformed to attach a handle, like the slider disclosed in Patent Document 2, is also in demand.

[0006] In the slider in the form disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the length in the front-rear direction of the lower plate is different from the length in the front-rear direction of the upper plate at the position of the connecting column, it was not possible to provide an upper column and a lower column having the same length in the front-rear direction as disclosed in Patent Document 2 on the upper plate and the lower plate. More specifically, if the length in the front-rear direction of the lower column is the same as the length in the front-rear direction of the upper column, the tip of the lower column will be disposed at a position deviating from directly below the lower plate, and the handle cannot be attached to the lower column.

[0007] The present invention has been created in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a slider that can be operated from both the upper and lower sides while making it difficult for the fabric to bite in.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The slider for a slide fastener of the present invention includes an upper plate and a lower plate arranged at an interval in the vertical direction, an upper column protruding from the upper surface of the upper plate and extending rearward, a lower column protruding from the lower surface of the lower plate and extending rearward, and a connecting column connecting the upper plate and the lower plate on the front side of each other. The upper column and the lower column are plastically deformable. The upper column includes an upper base end portion connected to the upper plate at the front end portion in its length direction, and an upper tip end portion arranged with an upper gap between the rear end portion in its length direction and the upper surface of the upper plate. The lower column includes a lower base end portion connected to the lower plate at the front end portion in its length direction, and a lower tip end portion arranged with a lower gap between the rear end portion in its length direction and the lower surface of the lower plate. At the position of the connecting column, the length L4 of the lower plate in the front-rear direction is shorter than the length L3 of the upper plate in the front-rear direction. The length L2 of the lower column in the front-rear direction is shorter than the length L1 of the upper column in the front-rear direction. That is, the slider for the slide fastener of the present invention has the relationship of L4 < L3 and L2 < L1.

[0009] Regardless of whether the length T2 of the lower base end portion of the lower column in the front-rear direction is longer or shorter than the length T1 of the upper base end portion of the upper column in the front-rear direction. However, in order to make the lower column easily plastically deformed, it is desirable to do the following. That is, the length T2 of the lower base end portion of the lower column in the front-rear direction is made shorter than the length T1 of the upper base end portion of the upper column in the front-rear direction. That is, T2 < T1.

[0010] When the lower column is plastically deformed to attach the pull tab, depending on the magnitude of the external force, it may affect the shape of the element path and also affect the slidability of the slider. If the external forces for plastically deforming the upper column and the lower column are made as equal as possible, the influence on the shape of the element path can be reduced, and the influence on the slidability of the slider can be reduced. After setting T2 < T1, in order to make the external forces for plastically deforming the upper column and the lower column as equal as possible, it is desirable to do the following. That is, the length T2 of the lower base end portion of the lower column in the front-rear direction is calculated by the following relational expression 1 using the length L2 of the lower column in the front-rear direction, the length L1 of the upper column in the front-rear direction, the length T1 of the upper base end portion of the upper column in the front-rear direction, and the coefficient α. The relational expression 1 is T2 = T1 × (L2 ÷ L1) × α. However, α = 0.8 to 1.2.

[0011] In order to make the lower column easily plastically deformed, it is also desirable to do the following without using T2 < T1. That is, the horizontal cross-sectional area A2 of the lower base end portion of the lower column is made smaller than the horizontal cross-sectional area A1 of the upper base end portion 41 of the upper column 4. That is, A2 < A1.

[0012] After setting A2 < A1, in order to make the external forces for plastically deforming the upper column and the lower column as equal as possible, it is desirable to do the following. The horizontal cross-sectional area A2 of the lower base end portion of the lower column is calculated by the following relational expression 2 using the horizontal cross-sectional area A1 of the upper base end portion of the upper column, the length L2 in the front-rear direction of the lower column, the length L1 in the front-rear direction of the upper column, and the coefficient α. Relational expression 2 is A2 = A1 × (L2 ÷ L1) × α. However, α = 0.8 to 1.2.

[0013] The positional relationship in the front-rear direction between the lower base end portion of the lower column and the upper base end portion of the upper column does not matter. For example, it can be as follows. The lower base end portion of the lower column is arranged behind the upper base end portion of the upper column.

[0014] After arranging the lower base end portion of the lower column behind the upper base end portion of the upper column, more specifically, for example, it can be as follows. The lower base end portion of the lower column is arranged behind the position of the maximum width in the left-right direction of the lower plate.

Effect of the Invention

[0015] In the slider for a slide fastener of the present invention, at the position of the connecting column, since the length L4 in the front-rear direction of the lower plate is made shorter than the length L3 in the front-rear direction of the upper plate, that is, L4 < L3, it is possible to make it difficult for the fabric to be bitten when operating with the upper pull tab. Also, since the length L2 in the front-rear direction of the lower column is made shorter than the length L1 in the front-rear direction of the upper column, that is, L2 < L1, a lower column can be provided on the lower plate. That is, the slider for a slide fastener of the present invention can be operated with a pull tab from below while making it difficult for the fabric to be bitten when closing the slide fastener with a pull tab from above.

[0016] In the case where the slider for a slide fastener of the present invention has a configuration in which the length T2 in the front-rear direction of the lower base end portion of the lower column is shorter than the length T1 in the front-rear direction of the upper base end portion of the upper column, that is, in the case of the configuration of T2 < T1, it becomes easier to plastically deform the lower column.

[0017] In the case of the slider for a slide fastener of the present invention having a configuration in which T2 < T1 and having the relational expression 1: T2 = T1 × (L2 ÷ L1) × α and α = 0.8 to 1.2, the external force that plastically deforms the upper column and the lower column can be made as uniform as possible, and the influence on the slidability of the slider can be reduced.

[0018] In the case of the slider for a slide fastener of the present invention having a configuration in which the horizontal cross-sectional area A2 of the lower base end portion of the lower column is smaller than the horizontal cross-sectional area A1 of the upper base end portion of the upper column, that is, in the case of the configuration where A2 < A1, the lower column is more likely to be plastically deformed.

[0019] In the case of the slider for a slide fastener of the present invention having a configuration in which A2 < A1 and having the relational expression 2: A2 = A1 × (L2 ÷ L1) × α and α = 0.8 to 1.2, the external force that plastically deforms the upper column and the lower column can be made as uniform as possible, and the influence on the slidability of the slider can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] As is well known, a slider includes a slider body that moves along a pair of opposing element rows, and a handle attached to the slider body. In FIGS. 1 to 5, the slider body 1 is shown. The slider S of the first embodiment of the present invention is the slider body 1 before the handle is attached.

[0022] The "forward direction" is the direction in which the slider body 1 is moved when closing the slide fastener. In FIG. 2, the "forward direction" is the direction facing the back side among the directions orthogonal to the paper surface. The "backward direction" is the direction in which the slider body 1 is moved when opening the slide fastener. In FIG. 2, the "backward direction" is the direction facing the front side among the directions orthogonal to the paper surface. The "left - right direction" is the direction in which the pair of element rows face each other. The "left - right direction" coincides with the left - right direction in FIG. 2. Also, the "left - right direction" is orthogonal to the front - back direction. The "up - down direction" is the direction orthogonal to both the front - back direction and the left - right direction. The "up - down direction" coincides with the up - down direction in FIG. 2.

[0023] The slider body 1 as the slider S of the first embodiment includes an upper plate 2 and a lower plate 3 that are vertically spaced apart, an upper column 4 that protrudes from the upper surface of the upper plate 2 and extends rearward, a lower column 5 that protrudes from the lower surface of the lower plate 3 and extends rearward, a connecting column 6 that connects the upper plate 2 and the lower plate 3 on their front sides, and flanges 7 that protrude from the left and right ends of the upper plate 2 and the lower plate 3 in a direction to narrow the opposing interval between the upper plate 2 and the lower plate 3. Note that the slider body 1 of the first embodiment has a bilaterally symmetric shape.

[0024] The slider body 1 also has, as its internal space, an element path 8 for passing a pair of element rows, and a pair of tape grooves 9 that communicate with the element path 8 and pass a tape to which the element rows are fixed. The element path 8 is partitioned vertically by the upper plate 2 and the lower plate 3, and is partitioned horizontally by the left and right flanges 7 of the upper plate 2 and the lower plate 3. The front side of the element path 8 is a pair of branch paths that branch left and right with respect to the connecting column 6. The rear side of the element path 8 is a single confluence path in which the pair of branch paths merge and extend straight backward from the connecting column 6.

[0025] When viewed from above, the outer periphery of the upper plate 2 includes, as shown in FIG. 3, a front upper side 21 located at the front side, an upper left side 22 located at the left side, an upper right side 23 located at the right side, and an upper rear side 24 located at the rear side. Further, the outer periphery of the upper plate 2 has the portions where the adjacent sides 21 to 24 are continuous, so-called corners, formed in an arc shape. The sides 21 to 24 are arranged in the tangential direction at both ends of the corners. The front upper side 21 has a shape that protrudes forward as it goes from the left and right ends in the left and right direction toward the middle portion in the left and right direction, so-called a convex shape. The front upper side 21 is a substantially V-shaped convex shape that protrudes forward in the illustrated example. The inner angle of the V shape is 90 degrees or more and less than 180 degrees. The front portion of the upper left side 22 is directed leftward as it goes forward. The front portion of the upper right side 23 is directed rightward as it goes forward. The position where the maximum width of the upper plate 2 in the left and right direction is located is at the rear end of the front corner portion of the upper plate 2 or in the vicinity thereof. The upper rear side 24 is substantially parallel to the left and right.

[0026] When viewed from below, the outer periphery of the lower plate 3 includes a front lower side 31, a lower left side 32, a lower right side 33, and a lower rear side 34 as shown in FIG. 4. Further, the outer periphery of the lower plate 3 has the portions where the adjacent sides 31 to 34 are continuous, so-called corners, formed in an arc shape. The sides 31 to 34 are arranged in the tangential direction at both ends of the corners. The lower front edge 31 is shaped such that it slopes rearward from its left and right ends toward the middle in the left - right direction, i.e., it is in a so - called concave shape. In the illustrated example, the lower front edge 31 is in a substantially V - shaped concave form that concaves rearward. The interior angle of the V - shape is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. That is, the lower plate 3 has a concave portion 31a that concaves rearward at its front edge. The concave portion 31a is formed wider in the left - right direction than the connecting column 6. In this embodiment, the concave portion 31a and the lower front edge 31 are the same. The front portion of the lower left edge 32 is directed leftward as it extends forward. The front portion of the lower right edge 33 is directed rightward as it extends forward. The position where the maximum width W3 of the lower plate 3 in the left - right direction is located is at the rear end of the front corner of the lower plate 3 or in the vicinity thereof. The lower rear edge 34 is substantially parallel in the left - right direction.

[0027] The outer peripheries of the upper plate 2 and the lower plate 3 overlap in the up - down direction at positions other than the upper front edge 21 and the lower front edge 31. The upper rear edge 24 and the lower rear edge 34 are in the same position in the front - rear direction. And the middle portion in the left - right direction of the upper front edge 21 of the upper plate 2 is arranged in front of the middle portion in the left - right direction of the lower front edge 31 of the lower plate 3. The middle portion in the left - right direction at the front part of the upper plate 2 and the middle portion in the left - right direction at the front part of the lower plate 3 are positions that connect the connecting column 6. And when viewed in the up - down direction, at the position of the connecting column 6, the length L4 (maximum value) of the lower plate 3 in the front - rear direction is shorter (smaller) than the length L3 (minimum value) of the upper plate 2 in the front - rear direction. That is, L4 < L3.

[0028] The connecting column 6 extends in the up - down direction. The upper end of the connecting column 6 is connected to the middle portion in the left - right direction at the front part of the lower surface of the upper plate 2. The lower end of the connecting column 6 is connected to the middle portion in the left - right direction at the front part of the upper surface of the lower plate 3. The upper end of the connecting column 6 is arranged in front of the lower end of the connecting column 6. As shown in FIG. 5, when viewed from the side, the connecting column 6 has a front edge 61. The upper part 61a of the front edge 61 is substantially parallel in the up - down direction. The lower part 61b of the front edge 61 of the connecting column 6 protrudes forward as it extends upward from the lower column 5. When viewed from the side, the lower part 61b of the front edge 61 of the connecting column 6 is inclined with respect to the up - down direction.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 3, when viewed from above, the upper column 4 is disposed at the intermediate portion in the left - right direction of the upper plate 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the upper column 4 extends in a rod - like shape. Both ends of the upper column 4 in the direction of its rod - like extension (hereinafter referred to as the length direction; the same applies to the lower column 5) are bent toward the upper surface of the upper plate 2. The upper column 4 includes an upper base end portion 41 that is connected to the upper surface of the upper plate 2 and extends upward, an upper rod portion 42 that extends rearward from the upper end of the upper base end portion 41 and faces the upper surface of the upper plate 2, and an upper tip end portion 43 that extends downward from the rear end of the upper rod portion 42 and is disposed with an upper gap D1 left between it and the upper surface of the upper plate 2. In other words, the upper column 4 has the upper base end portion 41 at the front end portion in its length direction, the upper rod portion 42 at the intermediate portion in its length direction, and the upper tip end portion 43 at the rear end portion in its length direction. The upper base end portion 41 is connected to the intermediate portion in the left - right direction at the front portion of the upper surface of the upper plate 2. The upper tip end portion 43 is disposed above with an upper gap D1 left from the intermediate portion in the left - right direction at the rear portion of the upper surface of the upper plate 2.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 4, when viewed from below, the lower column 5 is disposed at the intermediate portion in the left - right direction of the lower plate 3. As shown in Fig. 1, the lower column 5 also extends in a rod - like shape. Both ends of the lower column 5 in the length direction are bent toward the lower surface of the lower plate 3. The lower column 5 includes a lower base end portion 51 that is connected to the lower surface of the lower plate 3 and extends downward, a lower rod portion 52 that extends rearward from the lower end of the lower base end portion 51 and faces the lower surface of the lower plate 3, and a lower tip end portion 53 that extends upward from the rear end of the lower rod portion 52 and is disposed with a lower gap D2 left between it and the lower surface of the lower plate 3. In other words, the lower column 5 also has the lower base end portion 51 at the front end portion in its length direction, the lower rod portion 52 at the intermediate portion in its length direction, and the lower tip end portion 53 at the rear end portion in its length direction. The lower base end portion 51 is connected to the intermediate portion in the left - right direction at the front portion of the lower surface of the lower plate 3. The lower tip end portion 53 is disposed below with a lower gap D2 left from the intermediate portion in the left - right direction at the rear portion of the lower surface of the lower plate 3.

[0031] The upper column 4 and the lower column 5 are supported in a so-called cantilever manner. That is, the upper column 4 and the lower column 5 are in a state where one end in the length direction is fixed and the other end is exposed in space. And the upper column 4 and the lower column 5 are plastically deformable when an external force is applied to the other end side. More specifically, the slider body 1 is made of a plastically deformable metal. The slider body 1 is integrally formed. Also, the upper column 4 and the lower column 5 do not have through holes penetrating in a direction intersecting their length direction.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, when viewed from the side, the upper base end portion 41 of the upper column 4 has a rear side 411. The rear side 411 has a curved side 412 that is recessed in an arc shape while facing forward as it goes upward from the joining position with the upper plate 2. When viewed from the side, the lower base end portion 51 of the lower column 5 has a rear side 511. The rear side 511 has a curved side 512 that is recessed in an arc shape while facing forward as it goes downward from the joining position with the lower plate 3.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the overall height H1 of the upper column 4 is the vertical distance between the highest point of the upper plate 2 and the highest point of the upper column 4 within the range directly below the upper column 4. The overall height H2 of the lower column 5 is the vertical distance between the lowest point of the lower plate 3 and the lowest point of the lower column 5 within the range directly above the lower column 5.

[0034] The length L1 of the upper column 4 in the front-rear direction, the length L2 of the lower column 5 in the front-rear direction, the length T1 of the upper base end portion 41 of the upper column 4 in the front-rear direction, and the length T2 of the lower base end portion 51 of the lower column 5 in the front-rear direction are measured as follows when viewed from the side as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.

[0035] When measuring the length T1 in the front-rear direction of the upper base end portion 41 of the upper column 4, the vertical position (height position) is determined as follows. The height position shall be within the range of 0 to 20% of the total height H1 of the upper column 4 from the upper surface of the upper plate 2. Here, the upper surface of the upper plate 2 refers to the highest point of the portion where the upper column 4 is connected. Then, a horizontal line X1 extending in the left-right direction is arranged within the range of 0 to 20% of the total height H1 of the upper column 4 from the upper surface of the upper column 4. The horizontal line X1 intersects the upper base end portion 41 of the upper column 4 at two points. Let the rear intersection point be P1 and the front intersection point be P2. The distance between the two intersection points P1 and P2 is the length T1 in the front-rear direction of the upper base end portion 41 of the upper column 4. In FIG. 5, the length T1 in the front-rear direction of the upper base end portion 41 of the upper column 4 is measured with the upper end of the curved side 412 as the intersection point P1. Also, when measuring the length L1 in the front-rear direction of the upper column 4, the front measurement point is the front intersection point P2 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0036] When measuring the length T2 in the front-rear direction of the lower base end portion 51 of the lower column 5, the vertical position (height position) is determined as follows. The height position shall be within the range of 0 to 20% of the total height H2 of the lower column 5 from the lower surface of the lower plate 3. Here, the lower surface of the lower plate 3 refers to the lowest point of the portion where the lower column 5 is connected. Then, a horizontal line X2 extending in the left-right direction is arranged within the range of 0 to 20% of the total height H2 of the lower column 5 from the lower surface of the lower column 5. The horizontal line X2 intersects the lower base end portion 51 of the lower column 5 at two points. Let the rear intersection point be P3 and the front intersection point be P4. The distance between the two intersection points P3 and P4 is the length T2 in the front-rear direction of the lower base end portion 51 of the lower column 5. In FIG. 5, the length T2 in the front-rear direction of the lower base end portion 51 of the lower column 5 is measured with the upper end of the curved side 512 as the intersection point P3. Also, when measuring the length L1 in the front-rear direction of the lower column 5, the front measurement point is the front intersection point P4 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0037] The length L2 in the front-rear direction of the lower column 5 is shorter than the length L1 in the front-rear direction of the upper column 4, that is, L2 < L1. The length T2 in the front-rear direction of the lower base end portion 51 of the lower column 5 is shorter than the length T1 in the front-rear direction of the upper base end portion 41 of the upper column 4. That is, T2 < T1.

[0038] Assuming that the length T2 in the front - rear direction of the lower base end portion 51 of the lower column 5 satisfies T2 < T1, the length L2 in the front - rear direction of the lower column 5, the length L1 in the front - rear direction of the upper column 4, the length T1 in the front - rear direction of the upper base end portion 41 of the upper column 4, and the coefficient α are used to calculate the following relational expression 1. The relational expression 1 is T2 = T1×(L2÷L1)×α. However, α = 0.8 - 1.2.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, for the upper column 4, the widths W1 in the left - right direction of the upper base end portion 41 and the upper rod portion 42 are the same dimension in its length direction. As shown in FIG. 4, for the lower column 5, the widths W2 in the left - right direction of the lower base end portion 51 and the lower rod portion 52 are the same dimension in its length direction. And the width W1 in the left - right direction of the upper base end portion 41 and the upper rod portion 42 is the same dimension as the width W2 in the left - right direction of the lower base end portion 51 and the lower rod portion 52. That is, W1 = W2.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the lower base end portion 51 of the lower column 5 is arranged behind the upper base end portion 41 of the upper column 4. More specifically, the front end of the lower base end portion 51 of the lower column 5 is arranged behind the front end of the upper base end portion 41 of the upper column 4 and in front of the rear end of the upper base end portion 41. The rear end of the lower base end portion 51 of the lower column 5 is arranged behind the rear end of the upper base end portion 41 of the upper column 4. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the lower base end portion 51 of the lower column 5 is arranged behind the position of the maximum width W3 in the left - right direction of the lower plate 3.

[0041] The upper gap D1 is an interval sufficient for passing the handle, and is sized such that the upper base end portion 41 of the upper column 4 and the lower base end portion 51 of the lower column 5 of the slider S of another first embodiment do not fit. Specifically, the upper gap D1 is made sufficiently large or sufficiently small with respect to any of the length T1 in the front - rear direction of the upper base end portion 41, the width W1 in the left - right direction of the upper base end portion 41, the length T2 in the front - rear direction of the lower base end portion 51, and the width W2 in the left - right direction of the lower base end portion 51.

[0042] The lower gap D2 has a dimension such that, while being sufficient for the pull tab to pass through, the upper base end portion 41 of the upper column 4 and the lower base end portion 51 of the lower column 5 of the slider S of another first embodiment do not fit in. Specifically, the lower gap D2 is made sufficiently large or sufficiently short with respect to any of the length T1 in the front - rear direction of the upper base end portion 41, the width W1 in the left - right direction of the upper base end portion 41, the length T2 in the front - rear direction of the lower base end portion 51, and the width W2 in the left - right direction of the lower base end portion 51.

[0043] In the slider S of the first embodiment, at the position of the connecting column 6, the length L4 in the front - rear direction of the lower plate 3 is made shorter than the length L3 in the front - rear direction of the upper plate 2 (L4 < L3), so that it is difficult to bite the fabric when operating with the upper pull tab. In the slider S of the first embodiment, the length L2 in the front - rear direction of the lower column 5 is made shorter than the length L1 in the front - rear direction of the upper column 4 (L2 < L1), so that the lower column 5 can be provided on the lower plate 3. That is, the upper tip portion 43 of the upper column 4 faces the upper surface of the upper plate 2, and the lower tip portion 53 of the lower column 5 faces the lower surface of the lower plate 3, so that the pull tab is attached to the upper column 4 and the lower column 5. In this way, when the slider S of the first embodiment closes the slide fastener with the pull tab from above, it is difficult to bite the fabric, and at the same time, it can be operated with the pull tab from below.

[0044] The inventor produced a slider by attaching a pull tab to a slider body having a configuration of L2 < L1 and examined the slidability of the slider. The slider of the comparative example had the same configuration except that the lower column 5 was not provided. The slidability was slightly worse for the slider with L2 < L1 than for the slider of the comparative example. The inventor speculated that the shape of the element path 8 might be slightly different between the slider having the configuration of L2 < L1 and the slider of the comparative example, and confirmed that this speculation was correct. At this time, the slider body having the configuration of L2 < L1 had a configuration in which the length T2 in the front - rear direction of the lower base end portion 51 of the lower column 5 was the same as the length T1 in the front - rear direction of the upper base end portion 41 of the upper column 4, that is, a configuration of T2 = T1. And the inventor thought that plastically deforming the lower column 5 to attach the pull tab might have an adverse effect on the shape of the element path 8. Therefore, the inventor came up with a configuration that makes the lower column 5 easier to plastically deform.

[0045] In the slider S of the first embodiment, since L2 < L1 and the length T2 in the front-rear direction of the lower base end portion 51 of the lower column 5 is made shorter than the length T1 in the front-rear direction of the upper base end portion 41 of the upper column 4 (T2 < T1), compared with the configuration where L2 < L1 and T2 = T1, the lower column 5 is more easily plastically deformed, the influence on the shape of the element path 8 can be reduced, and the influence on the slidability of the slider S1 can be reduced.

[0046] In addition, the inventor considered that when the lower column 5 is plastically deformed by an external force, the internal force resisting the external force concentrates on the lower base end portion 51 of the lower column 5. Then, the inventor came to the idea that if, after making the lower column 5 more easily plastically deformed, the configurations of the upper base end portion 41 of the upper column 4 and the lower base end portion 51 of the lower column 5 are made such that the external forces for plastically deforming the upper column 4 and the lower column 5 become as equal as possible, the influence on the shape of the element path 8 can be reduced, and the influence on the slidability of the slider can be reduced.

[0047] An example of a configuration that makes the lower column 5 more easily plastically deformed and makes the upper and lower external forces as equal as possible is the relational expression 1. That is, the slider S of the first embodiment has, on the premise of T2 < T1, T2 = T1 × (L2 ÷ L1) × α as the relational expression 1 and α = 0.8 to 1.2. With this configuration, the slider S of the first embodiment can make the external forces for plastically deforming the upper column 4 and the lower column 5 as equal as possible, and can reduce the influence on the slidability of the slider S.

[0048] The slider S of the above-described first embodiment is the slider body 1 before the handle is attached. The slider S' of the modified example of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 6 is the slider body 1' with a handle (not shown) attached. When attaching the handle to the upper column 4 and the lower column 5 separately, an external force is applied to the upper column 4 and the lower column 5. The upper gap D1' and the lower gap D2' after attaching the handle are narrower than the upper gap D1 and the lower gap D2 before attachment. That is, D1' < D1 and D2' < D2. Also, the total height H1' of the upper column 4 and the total height H2' of the lower column 5 after attaching the handle are shorter than the total heights H1 and H2 before attachment. That is, H1' < H1 and H2' < H2. Also, the slider S' of the modified example of the first embodiment is the same as the slider S of the first embodiment in that it has the configuration of L4 < L3, L2 < L1, T2 < T1, the relational expression T2 = T1 × (L2 ÷ L1) × α, and α = 0.8 to 1.2.

[0049] The slider S1 of the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as the slider S of the first embodiment in that it is the slider body 11 as shown in Figs. 7 to 10. Also, the slider S1 of the second embodiment is the same as the slider S of the first embodiment in that at the position of the connecting column 6, the length L4 in the front-rear direction of the lower plate 3 is made shorter than the length L3 in the front-rear direction of the upper plate 2 (L4 < L3), and the length L2 in the front-rear direction of the lower column 5 is made shorter than the length L1 in the front-rear direction of the upper column 4 (L2 < L1). However, the slider S of the second embodiment has a different configuration for the upper base end portion 41a of the upper column 4 and the lower base end portion 51a of the lower column 5 from that of the slider S of the first embodiment.

[0050] An upper through-hole C1 penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed in the upper base end portion 41a of the upper column 4. A lower through-hole C2 penetrating in the front-rear direction is also formed in the lower base end portion 51a of the lower column 5. The upper through-hole C1 and the lower through-hole C2 are rectangular when viewed in the front-rear direction. The upper through-hole C1 is formed closer to the center than the left and right ends of the upper base end portion 41a. The lower through-hole C2 is formed closer to the center than the left and right ends of the lower base end portion 51a. Also, the upper through-hole C1 extends upward from the upper surface of the upper plate 2 in the vertical direction. The lower through-hole C2 extends downward from the lower surface of the lower plate 3 in the vertical direction. The width W5 in the left-right direction of the lower through-hole C2 is made wider than the width W4 in the left-right direction of the upper through-hole C1. That is, W5 > W4. The dimension H4 in the vertical direction of the lower through-hole C2 is made the same as the dimension H3 in the vertical direction of the upper through-hole C1. That is, H4 = H3. Note that the width W2 in the left-right direction of the lower base end portion 51a of the lower column 5 is made the same as the width W1 in the left-right direction of the upper base end portion 41a of the upper column 4. That is, W2 = W1. The length T2 in the front-rear direction of the lower base end portion 51a of the lower column 5 is made the same as the length T1 in the front-rear direction of the upper base end portion 41a of the upper column 4. That is, T2 = T1.

[0051] The inventor noticed that the external force for plastically deforming the upper column 4 and the lower column 5 differs depending on the presence or absence of the upper through-hole C1 and the lower through-hole C2, and the sizes of the upper through-hole C1 and the lower through-hole C2. In order to make it easier to plastically deform the lower column 5 in such a configuration, a configuration different from the configuration of the slider S in the first embodiment, that is, a configuration where L2 < L1 and T2 < T1, is desirable. Incidentally, since the slider in the second embodiment has T2 = T1, it is not possible to make T2 < T1 in the first place to make it easier to plastically deform the lower column 5. Therefore, the slider S1 in the second embodiment makes the horizontal cross-sectional area A2 of the lower base end portion 51a of the lower column 5 smaller than the horizontal cross-sectional area A1 of the upper base end portion 41a of the upper column 4. That is, A2 < A1.

[0052] The horizontal cross-sectional areas A1 and A2 are the cross-sectional areas when the upper base end portion 41a and the lower base end portion 51a are cut in the horizontal direction. The cutting height is the same as the measurement method for the slider S in the first embodiment. That is, in the slider S of the first embodiment, the same height as when measuring the length T1 in the front-rear direction of the upper base end portion 41a of the upper column 4 and the length T2 in the front-rear direction of the lower base end portion 51a of the lower column 5 is the cutting height. An example of the specific calculation method of the cross-sectional area is described below. In this embodiment, although the cross-sectional shapes of the upper base end portion 41a, the lower base end portion 51a, the upper through-hole C1, and the lower through-hole C2 are not rectangular in FIGS. 9 and 10, they are assumed to be rectangular for calculation.

[0053] The horizontal cross-sectional area A1 of the upper base end portion 41a of the upper column 4 is calculated by the following reference formula 1 using the length T1 in the front-rear direction of the upper base end portion 41a, the width W1 in the left-right direction of the upper base end portion 41a, and the width W4 in the left-right direction of the upper through-hole C1. Reference formula 1 is A1 = T1×(W1 - W4). The horizontal cross-sectional area A2 of the lower base end portion 51a of the lower column 5 is calculated by the following reference formula 2 using the length T2 in the front-rear direction of the lower base end portion 51a, the width W2 in the left-right direction of the lower base end portion 51a, and the width W5 in the left-right direction of the lower through-hole C2. Reference formula 2 is A2 = T2×(W2 - W5).

[0054] Assuming that the horizontal cross-sectional area A2 of the lower base end portion 51a of the lower column 5 is smaller than the horizontal cross-sectional area A1 of the upper base end portion 41a of the upper column 4, that is, on the premise of A2 < A1. And the horizontal cross-sectional area A2 of the lower base end portion 51a is configured to be calculated by the following relational formula 2 using the horizontal cross-sectional area A1 of the upper base end portion 41a of the upper column 4, the length L2 in the front-rear direction of the lower column 5, the length L1 in the front-rear direction of the upper column 4, and the coefficient α. Relational formula 2 is A2 = A1×(L2÷L1)×α. However, α = 0.8 to 1.2.

[0055] Since the slider S1 of the second embodiment is configured such that the horizontal cross-sectional area A2 of the lower base end portion 51a of the lower column 5 is smaller than the horizontal cross-sectional area A1 of the upper base end portion 41a of the upper column 4 (A2 < A1), the lower column 5 is easily plastically deformed, the influence on the shape of the element path 8 can be reduced, and the influence on the slidability of the slider S1 can be reduced.

[0056] On the premise that A2 < A1, the slider S of the second embodiment is configured to have A2 = A1 × (L2 ÷ L1) × α as relational expression 2 and α = 0.8 to 1.2. Therefore, the external force that plastically deforms the upper column 4 and the lower column 5 can be made as uniform as possible, and the influence on the slidability of the slider S1 can be reduced.

[0057] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist thereof. For example, on the premise that A2 < A1, the configuration having A2 = A1 × (L2 ÷ L1) × α as relational expression 2 and α = 0.8 to 1.2 was applied to the slider S1 of the second embodiment having the upper through-hole C1 and the lower through-hole C2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may also be applied to the slider S of the first embodiment without the upper through-hole C1 and the lower through-hole C2.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0058] S, S1 Slider A1, A2 Horizontal cross-sectional area C1 Upper through-hole C2 Lower through-hole D1, D1’ Upper gap D2, D2’ Lower gap H1, H2, H1’, H2’ Overall height H3, H4 Dimensions in the vertical direction P1, P2, P3, P4 Intersection points X1, X2 Horizontal lines W1, W2, W4, W5 Widths W3 Maximum width 1, 1’, 11 Slider body 2 Upper plate 21 Upper front side 22 Upper left side 23 Upper right side 24 Upper rear side 3 Lower plate 31 Lower front side 31a Recess 32 Lower left side 33 Lower right side 34 Lower rear side 4 Upper column Upper base end portion of 41, 41a Rear side of 411 Curved side of 412 Upper rod portion of 42 Upper tip portion of 43 Lower column of 5 Lower base end portion of 51, 51a Rear side of 511 Curved side of 512 Lower rod portion of 52 Lower tip portion of 53 Connecting column of 6 Front side of 61 Upper part of 61a Lower part of 61b Flange of 7 Element path of 8 Tape groove of 9

Claims

1. The vehicle comprises an upper plate (2) and a lower plate (3) arranged vertically with a gap therebetween, an upper pillar (4) protruding from an upper surface of the upper plate (2) and extending rearward, a lower pillar (5) protruding from a lower surface of the lower plate (3) and extending rearward, and a connecting pillar (6) connecting the upper plate (2) and the lower plate (3) to each other at their front sides, The upper pillar (4) and the lower pillar (5) are plastically deformable, The upper column (4) has an upper base end portion (41, 41a) connected to the upper plate (2) at its front end portion in the longitudinal direction, and an upper tip portion (43) disposed at its rear end portion in the longitudinal direction with an upper gap (D1) between it and the upper surface of the upper plate (2), The lower pillar (5) has a lower base end (51, 51a) connected to the lower plate (3) at its front end in the longitudinal direction, and a lower tip end (53) arranged at its rear end in the longitudinal direction with a lower gap (D2) between it and the lower surface of the lower plate (3), At the position of the connecting pillar (6), the length (L4) of the lower plate (3) in the front-rear direction is shorter than the length (L3) of the upper plate (2) in the front-rear direction; A slider for a slide fastener, characterized in that the length (L2) of the lower post (5) in the front-to-rear direction is shorter than the length (L1) of the upper post (4) in the front-to-rear direction.

2. A slider for a slide fastener as described in claim 1, characterized in that the length (T2) in the front-to-rear direction of the lower base end (51) of the lower pillar (5) is shorter than the length (T1) in the front-to-rear direction of the upper base end (41) of the upper pillar (4).

3. The slider for a slide fastener according to claim 2, characterized in that the length (T2) in the front-to-rear direction of the lower base end (51) of the lower column (5) is calculated by the following relational equation 1 using the length (L2) in the front-to-rear direction of the lower column (5), the length (L1) in the front-to-rear direction of the upper column (4), the length (T1) in the front-to-rear direction of the upper base end (41) of the upper column (4), and a coefficient (α). The above-mentioned relational expression 1 is T2=T1×(L2÷L1)×α, where α=0.8 to 1.

2.

4. A slider for a slide fastener as described in claim 1, characterized in that the horizontal cross-sectional area (A2) of the lower base end (51a) of the lower pillar (5) is smaller than the horizontal cross-sectional area (A1) of the upper base end (41a) of the upper pillar (4).

5. The slider for a slide fastener as described in claim 4, characterized in that the horizontal cross-sectional area (A2) of the lower base end (51a) of the lower column (5) is calculated by the following relational equation 2 using the horizontal cross-sectional area (A1) of the upper base end (41a) of the upper column (4), the length (L2) of the lower column (5) in the front-to-back direction, the length (L1) of the upper column (4) in the front-to-back direction, and a coefficient (α). The above-mentioned relational expression 2 is A2=A1×(L2÷L1)×α, where α=0.8 to 1.

2.

6. A slider for a slide fastener as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lower base end (51, 51a) of the lower pillar (5) is positioned rearward of the upper base end (41, 41a) of the upper pillar (4).

7. The slider for a slide fastener according to claim 6, characterized in that the lower base end (51, 51a) of the lower post (5) is positioned rearward of the maximum width (W3) in the left-right direction of the lower plate (3).

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