Slider passing device and method

Abstract

A slider passing device (100, 100A), that is capable of causing a slider to pass through a fastener stringer without a space section or notch section in a cost-effective manner, comprises: left and right separation members (101, 101A, 101B) that are inserted from a rear opening (15) of the device and are applied, through left and right shoulder openings (16) of a slider (10), to one end side portions in the longitudinal direction of fastener stringers (1, 1A, 1B) that include left and right element rows (3, 3A, 3B) in an engaged state; and a displacement mechanism (102, 102A) for displacing the left and right separation members (101, 101A, 101B) between an initial position and an open position in which the distance between the left and right separation members (101, 101A, 101B) increases more than in the initial position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a slider threading device and method, and more particularly to a device and method for threading a slider through left and right fastener stringers without a space portion or a notch portion.

Background Art

[0002] A pair of left and right fastener stringers includes a fastener tape and an element row attached to opposing edge portions facing each other in the width direction (left and right direction) of the fastener tape. When manufacturing a slide fastener, a slider threading operation is performed to insert a slider through the left and right fastener stringers. As an example of a mechanism for slider threading, Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-4293 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technique of partially removing an element row between the left and right fastener stringers to form a space portion, further forming a notch portion that extends outward in the left and right directions from the space portion, and then passing a slider through the fastener stringer via the space portion and the notch portion. Generally, slider threading is performed via a space portion or a notch portion.

[0003] However, there is a need to thread a slider through left and right fastener stringers without a space portion or a notch portion. An example of a mechanism therefor is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-181806 (Patent Document 2). Patent Document 2 discloses a technique of gripping a fastener tape of a fastener stringer in which left and right element rows are in a meshed state with left and right grippers, and moving each gripper outward in the left and right directions or the like to release the meshing between the element rows while passing a slider through. Note that a method of manually threading a slider through left and right fastener stringers without a space portion or a notch portion is also known, but it requires skill and is difficult in terms of work efficiency.

[0004] The technique of Patent Document 2 requires, in addition to the movement of the grippers, expanding and contracting the distance between two gripper elements forming each gripper to grip and release each fastener tape. However, such an opening / closing mechanism between the gripper elements is costly.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a slider passing device and method that can advantageously pass a slider through left and right fastener stringers without a space portion or a notch portion at low cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slider passing device for passing a slider through left and right fastener stringers including left and right fastener tapes and left and right element rows attached along the longitudinal direction to opposing edge portions of the left and right fastener tapes and extending to at least one end in the longitudinal direction of the left and right fastener tapes, the slider passing device including: left and right separating members applied through left and right shoulder openings of the slider to one end side portion in the longitudinal direction of the fastener stringer including the left and right element rows in meshed state inserted into the slider from its rear opening; and a displacement mechanism for displacing the left and right separating members between an initial position and an open position where the interval between the left and right separating members is wider than the initial position.

[0008] The slider threading device according to the present invention is for threading a slider from one end side of a fastener element in which left and right element rows extend to at least one end in the longitudinal direction, and thus there are no space portions or cutout portions provided at least on this one end side. As the fastener stringer, both before and after being cut in a predetermined length unit in the longitudinal direction are included. As the elements forming the element row, there are included a coil element in which a monofilament is spirally wound, a resin element injection-molded onto a core string portion of a fastener tape, a metal element caulked onto the core string portion, and the like. Further, the fastener stringer includes a fastener stringer with a rail to which a resin rail is connected to the fastener tape.

[0009] In the present invention, one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the left and right fastener stringers including the left and right element rows in the meshed state is inserted into the slider from its rear opening. Next, left and right separating members are applied to one end portion of the fastener stringer inserted into the slider through the left and right shoulder openings of the slider. As a mode of applying the separating member, in the case of a coil element row, a pin-shaped separating member may be inserted into an oval-shaped coil element that is long in the left and right directions when viewed from the front (see FIG. 7 etc.), or a bifurcated separating member may be hooked on the long side portion or the short side portion of the oval-shaped coil element (FIGS. 12 and 14), etc. can be cited. Further, in the case of an element row made of resin or metal, a pin-shaped separating member may be inserted into the core string portion of the fastener tape (see FIG. 22), or a claw-shaped separating member may be hooked on the core string portion or the resin or metal element (see FIG. 24), etc. can be cited, but it is not limited thereto. Next, by displacing the left and right separating members from the initial position to the open position on the outer side in the left and right directions by the displacement mechanism, the interval between the left and right coil element rows can be widened, and the meshing between the coil element rows can be released from one end side, that is, from the head. At this time, the coil element row displaced outward in the left and right directions acts so as to push the flange of the slider, and the flange is displaced forward (toward the rear opening side) with respect to the element row, whereby the slider moves forward with respect to the element row. As a result, the leading side portions of the left and right coil element rows are relatively displaced rearward and come out of the left and right shoulder openings of the slider to the outside of the slider. In this way, the slider threading is performed.

[0010] In the present invention, after applying the left and right separating members to the left and right element rows or the core string portion, the separating members are displaced outward in the left and right directions by the displacement mechanism to separate the element rows. Therefore, a mechanism for opening and closing two gripper elements with respect to the fastener tape is unnecessary.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the element row is a coil element row composed of coil elements in which a monofilament is spirally wound, and the left and right separating members are applied to the left and right coil element rows from the one end. As described above, in the case of a coil element row, by inserting a pin-shaped separating member into the coil element, or hooking a bifurcated separating member on the long side portion or the short side portion, and then displacing the left and right separating members to the open position, the space between the coil element rows can be separated.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the element row is an element row composed of resin elements to be injection-molded or an element row composed of metal elements, and the left and right separating members are applied to the core string portion or the elements of the left and right fastener tapes from the one end. As described above, in the case of an element row made of resin or metal, by inserting a pin-shaped separating member into the core string portion of the fastener tape, or hooking a claw-shaped separating member on the core string portion or the resin or metal element, and then displacing the left and right separating members to the open position, the engagement between the left and right element rows made of resin or metal can be separated.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the displacement mechanism includes left and right rotating members to which the left and right separating members are respectively connected, an elastic member that biases the rotating member to its initial position, and a pressing member that rotates the rotating member from the initial position against the biasing force of the elastic member. The left and right rotating members are rotatable about a shaft portion between a closed position, which is the initial position, and an open position. When the rotating member is in the closed position, the separating member is also in the closed position, and when the rotating member is in the open position, the separating member is also in the open position. When the pressing member relatively presses the rotating member, the rotating member can rotate from the closed position to the open position against the biasing force of the elastic member. Examples of the elastic member include a spring, rubber, an elastomer, and the like.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, a guide portion is included for guiding the left and right fastener stringers and the slider to a set position. The slider and the fastener stringer with one end portion of the engaged element row inserted therein can be easily arranged along the guide portion to the set position, that is, the first position.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of threading a slider through left and right fastener stringers including left and right fastener tapes and left and right element rows attached along the longitudinal direction to the opposing edge portions of the left and right fastener tapes and extending at least to one end in the longitudinal direction of the left and right fastener tapes, the method including: Step A of inserting the one end side portion in the longitudinal direction of the left and right fastener stringers including the left and right element rows in the engaged state into the slider from its rear opening; Step B of applying left and right separating members through the left and right shoulder openings of the slider to the one end side portion of the fastener stringer inserted in the slider; and Step C of displacing the left and right separating members from the initial position to an open position where the interval between the left and right separating members is wider than the initial position.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the element row is a coil element row composed of coil elements in which monofilaments are spirally wound, or a resin element row composed of resin elements formed by injection molding or a metal element row composed of metal elements, and in Step B, the left and right separating members are applied to the left and right coil element rows, or the resin or metal element rows from the one end. In another embodiment of the present invention, the left and right separating members are applied to the core string portion of the left and right fastener tapes from the one end in Step B.

[0017] According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slider-through device including left and right separating members applied through left and right shoulder openings of the slider to one end portions in the longitudinal direction of left and right coil element rows inserted into the slider from the rear opening and engaged with each other, and a displacement mechanism for displacing the left and right separating members between an initial position and an open position where the distance between the left and right separating members is wider than the initial position. In the present invention, left and right coil element rows not attached to the fastener tape are inserted into the slider in an engaged state, and then the left and right separating members are applied through the left and right shoulder openings of the slider, and the left and right separating members are displaced to the open position by the displacement mechanism, so that the coil element rows can be separated from each other.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] In the present invention, after the left and right separating members are applied to the left and right element rows or the core string portions, the separating members are displaced outward in the left and right directions by the displacement mechanism, so that the element rows can be separated from each other, and a mechanism for opening and closing two gripper elements with respect to the fastener tape is unnecessary. Therefore, the slider can be advantageously passed through a fastener stringer without a space portion or a notch portion at low cost.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments and can be changed within the scope of the claims. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a state immediately before passing a slider 10 through a pair of left and right fastener stringers 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state where the slider 10 is passed through the fastener stringer 1. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the fastener stringer 1 is shown broken in the longitudinal direction. In this specification, unless otherwise specified for the fastener stringer 1 and the slider 10, the upper side in the paper surface of FIGS. 1 and 2 is referred to as "front", and the lower side is referred to as "rear". A slider passing device 100 according to the present invention described later (see FIGS. 3, 4, etc.) is for inserting the slider 10 through the fastener stringer 1 while pushing the fastener stringer 1 forward to obtain the state of FIG. 2.

[0021] Each fastener stringer 1 includes a fastener tape 2 and a coil element row 3 attached along the longitudinal direction to opposing edge portions that are edges opposing each other in the width direction (left - right direction) of the fastener tape 2. The coil element row 3 is formed, for example, by winding a monofilament in a spiral shape. The coil element row 3 extends from the front end to the rear end (not shown) in the longitudinal direction of the fastener tape 2. Therefore, no space portion or notch portion is provided in the fastener stringer 1. In FIG. 1, the left and right coil element rows 3 are in a closed state where they mesh with each other. In FIG. 2, the front portions of the left and right coil element rows 3 that have passed relatively forward through the slider 10 are in an open state or a separated state where the meshing is released.

[0022] The slider 10 is a known one and includes an upper wing plate 11, a lower wing plate 12, and a guide post 13 connecting between the upper wing plate 11 and the lower wing plate 12, with reference to cross - sectional views such as FIG. 7 described later. A Y - shaped element guide path 14 is defined between the upper wing plate 11 and the lower wing plate 12. The element guide path 14 opens to one rear port 15 and two left and right shoulder ports 16 on the front side, that is, on the guide post 13 side. A handle connection portion 11a protruding upward from the upper surface is attached to the upper wing plate 11. Further, flanges 12a protruding upward are provided at the left and right end portions of the lower wing plate 12. The flanges 12a prevent the coil element row 3 from detaching from the element guide path 14. Such flanges may be provided only on the upper wing plate 11, or may be provided on both the lower wing plate 12 and the upper wing plate 11. The fastener tapes 2 corresponding to the left and right of the coil element row 3 within the element guide path 14 extend outside the slider 10 through the gap between the flange 12a and the upper wing plate 11. Most of the left and right flanges 12a extend obliquely with respect to the front - rear direction such that the left - right interval gradually decreases from the front to the rear.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a side view showing a slider threading device (hereinafter also referred to as "the present device") 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the present device 100, and the internal configuration of the present device 100 is shown by a broken line. In this specification, for the slider threading device 100, the upper side in the plane of FIG. 4 is defined as "rear", and the lower side is defined as "front". Therefore, for the present device 100, the left side in the plane of FIG. 3 is "front", and the right side is "rear". It should be noted that the "front" and "rear" of the fastener stringer 1 and the slider 10 are opposite to those of the present device 100, and it can be said that the front of the fastener stringer 1 and the slider 10 faces the front of the present device 100. In FIG. 3, the present device 100 is shown in a state of being connected and supported by a fixture 200. The fixture 200 is merely an example of a mechanism for fixing the present device 100 to a workbench or the like. The fixture 200 includes a U-shaped fixing portion 201 for receiving an end portion of a workbench or the like, a pressing screw member 202 for pressing the end portion of the workbench or the like received in the fixing portion 201, and a support portion 203 extending rearward from the fixing portion 201 for supporting the present device 100.

[0024] The present device 100 includes pins 101 as two left and right separation members, a displacement mechanism 102 for displacing the two pins 101 in the left and right directions, and a housing 140 for housing the displacement mechanism 102. The housing 140 includes a rectangular plate-shaped upper plate portion 141, a lower plate portion 142 having the same shape as and parallel to the upper plate portion 141, and left and right side portions 143 connecting the left and right end portions between the upper plate portion 141 and the lower plate portion 142. The interval between the upper plate portion 141 and the lower plate portion 142 is set to be slightly larger than the vertical thickness of the slider 10 excluding the handle connecting portion 11a. The front end and the rear end between the upper plate portion 141 and the lower plate portion 142 are open.

[0025] The device 100 includes a guide portion 150 that extends forward from the left and right middle portions of the front end 140a (see FIG. 4 etc.) of the housing 140. The guide portion 150 includes left and right protruding portions 151 that protrude forward from the upper plate portion 141, and a base portion 152 that protrudes forward from the lower plate portion 142 and appears between the left and right protruding portions 151 in a plan view. The protruding length of the base portion 152 from the front end 140a of the housing 140 is approximately 1 / 2 of the protruding length of the protruding portion 151. The distance between the left and right protruding portions 151 is set to be substantially the same as the left and right width of the handle connecting portion 11a of the slider 10, except for the front portion of the protruding portion 151. In the slider passing operation described later, the slider 10 is placed on the base portion 152, the handle connecting portion 11a is disposed between the left and right protruding portions 151, and the slider 10 in this state is moved rearward of the guide portion 150, whereby the slider 10 is guided to the set position (first position). The distance between the left and right protruding portions 151 gradually widens toward the front end at the front portion of the protruding portion 151. This facilitates the insertion of the handle connecting portion 11a of the slider 10 between the left and right protruding portions 151. The rear end 153 (see FIG. 5) of the gap between the left and right protruding portions 151 is located slightly rearward of the front end 140a of the housing 140.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the slider-through device 100 showing a state in which the left and right pins 101 are displaced from the initial position (closed position) shown in FIG. 4 to the open position. Each pin 101 of the device 100 has a tapered shape from the rear base end to the front tip end. The left and right pins 101 can be displaced by the displacement mechanism 102 in a direction away from each other in the left-right direction, that is, outward in the left-right direction, from the closed position shown in FIG. 4. The open positions of the two pins 101 shown in FIG. 5 are the states in which each pin 101 is most displaced outward in the left-right direction. Also, the two pins 101 can be displaced in a direction approaching each other in the left-right direction, that is, inward in the left-right direction, from the open position and return to the initial position. Each pin 101 is displaced substantially parallel to the upper and lower surfaces of the housing 140. The left and right pins 101 are substantially parallel in the closed position. The left and right pins 101 in this closed position respectively point to substantially the centers of the leading coil elements 3a (see FIG. 7) of the left and right coil element rows 3 in the meshing state of the fastener stringer 1. The interval between the left and right pins 101 in the open position is slightly wider between the tip ends than between the base ends. Therefore, both pins 101 in the open position are in a V shape in plan view.

[0027] The displacement mechanism 102 includes left and right rotating members 110 to which the proximal ends of the left and right pins 101 are connected, a movable part 120 that can move backward by being pushed backward by the rotating member 110 (which will be described in detail later), and a stationary part 130 that is arranged behind the movable part 120 and is stationary in the front-rear direction in this embodiment. The left and right rotating members 110 can each rotate about a shaft part 113 arranged in the middle of the left and right. Each rotating member 110 includes a long hand part 111 extending in the left-right direction, and a short hand part 112 extending forward from the inner end of the long hand part 111 in the left-right direction and shorter than the long hand part 111. The long hand part 111 and the short hand part 112 form a substantially L shape in plan view. The shaft part 113 is arranged at the boundary between the long hand part 111 and the short hand part 112. The upper and lower ends of the shaft part 113 are respectively connected to the upper plate part 141 and the lower plate part 142 of the housing 140. Therefore, when the rotating member 110 moves back and forth, the housing 140 also moves in conjunction. The left and right rotating members 110 are biased by a first spring 114 as an elastic member to a closed position where the left and right short hand parts 112 shown in FIG. 4 are closed. Each first spring 114 is arranged between the left and right side parts 143 of the housing 140 and the short hand part 112 of the rotating member 110. The outer ends of each first spring 114 in the left-right direction are fixed to the left and right side parts 143 with screws 115. In FIG. 5, the left and right rotating members 110 are in an open position where the short hand parts 112 are most open. When the rotating member 110 is in the closed position, the pin 101 is also in the closed position, and when the rotating member 110 is in the open position, the pin 101 is also in the open position.

[0028] The movable part 120 is a member that is long in the left - right direction and is arranged behind the rotating member 110. The movable part 120 is biased forward by the left - and - right second springs 121 disposed between it and the stationary part 130, and contacts the long part 111 of the rotating member 110. The rear end portion of each second spring 121 is received by a spring receiving portion 131 (see FIG. 4) that is recessed rearward and provided on the stationary part 130. The stationary part 130 is connected to the support portion 203 of the fixture 200 by the left - and - right connecting members 132 in this embodiment. An oval - shaped long hole 133 (see FIG. 5 etc.) that is long in the front - rear direction and through which each connecting member 132 passes is provided in the lower plate portion 142 of the housing 140. When the housing 140 moves back and forth together with the movable part 120 via the shaft portion 113, it is guided along the front - rear direction by guiding the connecting member 132 along the long hole 133. The stationary part 130 includes push pins 134 as push members that protrude forward from both left - and - right end portions thereof. Each push pin 134 is spaced rearward from the rotating member 110 in the initial position shown in FIG. 4 etc. Each push pin 134 maintaining the stationary state, when the rotating member 110 moves rearward, contacts the outer side portions in the left - right direction of each long part 111 and relatively pushes the long part 111 forward. Thereby, the rotating member 110 rotates about the shaft portion 113, and the space between the left - and - right short parts 112 is displaced from the closed position to the open position.

[0029] Next, the usage method of the slider threading device 100 will be described. First, as a preparatory operation, the operator inserts the leading - side portion of the coil element row 3 in the meshed state in the left - and - right fastener stringers 1 into the slider 10 from the rear opening 15 of the slider 10 (step A). This step A may be performed by moving the slider 10 side. It is desirable to insert the coil element row 3 into the slider until the leading coil element 3a (see FIG. 7) of the meshed coil element row 3 contacts the guide post 13 of the slider 10. The slider 10 and the fastener stringer 1 in this state are set along the guide portion 150 of this device 100. This set position is the following first position.

[0030] First position FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state where the slider 10 that has gone through step A is set on the guide portion 150 of the present device 100. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 6. The operator places the slider 10 on the base portion 152 of the guide portion 150, inserts the handle connecting portion 11a between the left and right protruding portions 151, and moves it to the rear end 153 (see FIG. 5). As a result, the fastener stringer 1, the slider 10, and the present device 100 reach the first position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In the first position, the left and right pins 101 of the present device 100 are inserted into the slider 10 from the left and right shoulder openings 16 of the slider 10, and further enter the coil element row 3 in the slider 10 from the leading coil element 3a (step B). Each pin 101 is disposed substantially at the center of the leading coil element 3a, which is oblong and long in the left and right directions when viewed from the front, and several subsequent coil elements.

[0031] Next, the operator pushes the fastener stringer 1 in the first position backward with respect to the present device 100. As a result, the slider 10 is pushed backward via the coil element row 3 and moves backward. Along with this, the rotating member 110 and the housing 140 of the present device 100 are pushed backward and move. Therefore, the long portions 111 of the left and right rotating members 110 move the movable portion 120 backward against the biasing force of the second spring 121. At this time, each second spring 121 is compressed in the front-rear direction.

[0032] Second position FIG. 8 is a plan view similar to FIG. 6 showing the point in time when the rotating member 110 moving backward contacts the push pin 134. In FIG. 8, the fastener stringer 1, the slider 10, and the present device 100 are in the second position. In FIG. 8, due to the housing 140 moving backward with respect to the stationary portion 130, the left and right long holes 133 appear behind the stationary portion 130. Also, between the short portions 112 of the left and right rotating members 110 remains closed in the second position.

[0033] Third position FIG. 9 is a plan view similar to FIG. 8 showing the point in time when the rotating member 110 and the like move from the second position shown in FIG. 8 to a third position further rearward. The housing 140 also moves rearward from the second position to the third position. When the rotating member 110 moves further rearward from the second position, the push pin 134 that maintains a stationary state pushes the long hand portion 111 of the rotating member 110 relatively forward. As a result, the left and right rotating members 110 rotate about the shaft portion 113, and the space between the left and right short hand portions 112 changes from the closed position to the open position. Thereby, the left and right pins 101 also displace from the closed position to the open position (step C). When the rotating member 110 moves to the third position, while being rotated by the push pin 134, the long hand portion 111 pushes the movable portion 120 rearward while further compressing the second spring 121.

[0034] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 in the third position. When the left and right pins 101 are in the open position in the third position, the interval between the left and right coil element rows 3 that were in an engaged state within the slider 10 widens, and the engagement is released from the leading coil element 3a. At this time, the leading side portions including the leading coil element 3a of the left and right coil element rows 3 are displaced outward in the left-right direction and act to push the left and right flanges 12a of the slider 10 outward in the left-right direction. Since each flange 12a extends obliquely in the front-rear direction, it is pushed outward in the left-right direction by the leading side portion of the coil element row 3 and slides rearward (toward the rear opening 15 side), whereby the slider 10 is displaced rearward with respect to the coil element row 3. At this time, the leading side portions of the left and right coil element rows 3 whose engagement has been released are displaced relatively forward (toward the shoulder opening 16 side or the rotating member 110 side) and exit from the left and right shoulder openings 16 of the slider 10 to the outside. Thereby, the threading through the slider is substantially completed. The operator takes out the slider 10 and the fastener stringer 1 in this state from the guide portion 150 of the apparatus 100 and further pulls out the left and right coil element rows 3 from the shoulder openings 16 of the slider 10, thereby bringing it into the state shown in FIG. 2.

[0035] When the operator removes the slider 10 and the fastener stringer 1 from the guide portion 150, the backward push against the displacement mechanism 102 is released. As a result, the second spring 121 is restored to push the movable portion 120 and the rotating member 110 forward, and the first spring 114 is also restored to close the space between the short arms 112 of the rotating member 110. Thereby, the left and right pins 101 also return to the closed position.

[0036] In the present apparatus 100 of the first embodiment described above, the stationary portion 130 is stationary in the front-rear direction and the rotating member 110 and the movable portion 120 are moved back and forth. Conversely, by moving the stationary portion 130 back and forth and keeping the rotating member 110 and the movable portion 120 stationary in the front-rear direction, the two pins 101 can be opened and closed. That is, in the present apparatus 100 in the state of FIG. 6, by moving the stationary portion 130 forward, the push pin 134 moves forward while pushing the long arm portion 111 of the rotating member 110 forward, thereby rotating the rotating member 110 and displacing the left and right pins 101 from the closed position to the open position. Also by this, the slider threading operation described above can be performed.

[0037] FIG. 11 is a plan view similar to FIG. 6 showing a slider threading device 100A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The displacement mechanism 102A of the present apparatus 100A includes a moving portion 130A corresponding to the stationary portion 130 in the displacement mechanism 102 of the present apparatus 100 described above. The present apparatus 100A moves the moving portion 130A back and forth and keeps the rotating member 110, the movable portion 120, and the housing 140 stationary in the front-rear direction. Since the configuration of the present apparatus 100A other than the moving portion 130A including the push pin (pushing member) 134A in the displacement mechanism 102A is substantially the same as that of the present apparatus 100, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

[0038] In FIG. 11, the fastener stringer 1, the slider 10, and the present apparatus 100A are in the first position. At this time, the moving part 130A protrudes rearward from the rear end of the housing 140. When an operator manually pushes the protruding part of the moving part 130A forward, the second spring 121 is compressed, and while the connecting member 132 is guided by the long hole 133 (see FIG. 9 etc.) of the housing 140, the moving part 130A moves forward. As a result, the push pin 134A relatively pushes the long part 111 of the rotating member 110 forward. Thereby, the rotating member 110 rotates about the shaft part 113, and the left and right pins 101 are displaced from the closed position to the open position. Thereby, the meshing between the left and right coil element rows 3 in the slider 10 is released, and the slider threading can be performed in the same manner as the present apparatus 100 of the first embodiment. Thereafter, when the operator releases the moving part 130A, the compressed second spring 121 is restored and the moving part 130A returns to the initial position in FIG. 11. In the above, an example in which the operator manually pushes the moving part 130A has been given, but it is not limited to this, and the moving part 130A can also be moved using a drive source (such as an actuator using air, a cylinder, etc.) that can be automatically moved.

[0039] In the above, the pin 101 has been given as an example of the separating member of the slider threading devices 100 and 100A, but it is not limited to this, and another example will be described below. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 showing an example in which a bifurcated member 101A is used as the left and right two separating members. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the bifurcated member 101A. The bifurcated member 101A includes a base end portion 103 connected to the rotating member 110 of the displacement mechanisms 102 and 102A, and a bifurcated portion 104 that branches upward and downward forward from the base end portion 103. Referring to FIG. 12, the leading coil element 3a forming each coil element row 3 and each subsequent coil element (unit coil) are substantially oval in shape that is long in the left and right directions when viewed from the front, and include upper and lower long side portions 3b and left and right short side portions 3c.

[0040] A slider 10 into which the leading side portion of a coil element row 3 in the meshed state in the left and right fastener stringers 1 is inserted is set in a guide portion 150 of the apparatuses 100, 100A. Thereby, the fastener stringers 1, the slider 10, and the apparatuses 100, 100A are in a first position. FIG. 12 substantially corresponds to the first position. In the first position, the left and right bifurcated members 101A are inserted into the slider 10 from the left and right shoulder portions 16 of the slider 10, respectively, and the long side portion 3b below the unit coil of the coil element row 3 is sandwiched between the bifurcated portions 104 from the leading coil element 3a. Next, as described above, by displacing the left and right bifurcated members 101A from the closed position to the open position by the displacement mechanisms 102, 102A, the coil element rows 3 can be separated from each other and the slider can be passed through in the same manner as in the case of the pins 101.

[0041] In the example of FIG. 12, the long side portion 3b below the coil element row 3 is sandwiched by the bifurcated member 101A, but it is not limited thereto, and the short side portion 3c on the outer side in the left - right direction of the coil element row 3 may be sandwiched by the bifurcated member 101A. FIG. 14 is a cross - sectional view similar to FIG. 12 showing a state in which the short side portion 3c on the outer side in the left - right direction of the coil element row 3 is sandwiched by the bifurcated member 101A. In this case, the bifurcated member 101A has the bifurcated portion 104 oriented left - right instead of up - down and is connected to the rotating member 110 of the displacement mechanisms 102, 102A.

[0042] FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a pair of left and right fastener stringers 1A with rails, which is a modified example of the fastener stringer passing through the slider 10. In FIG. 15, the state immediately before passing the slider 10 through the fastener stringer 1A with rails is shown. FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the state where the slider 10 has passed through the fastener stringer 1A with rails. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the fastener stringer 1A with rails. The fastener stringer 1A with rails includes a fastener tape 2A, a coil element row 3 (the same reference numeral is given because it is substantially the same as the coil element row 3 of the fastener stringer 1) attached to the opposing edge portions of the fastener tape 2A, and a substantially plate-shaped rail 2R connected to the outer side in the left and right direction, that is, the side opposite to the opposing edge portions of the fastener tape 2A. The rail 2R is a resin member. No space portion or notch is provided in the fastener stringer 1A with rails. The slider 10 can be inserted through the fastener stringer 1A with rails in substantially the same manner as the fastener stringer 1 by using the above-described slider passing devices 100 and 100A. Such a fastener stringer 1A with rails and the slider 10 are used, for example, in a seat of an automobile.

[0043] In the above, an example was given in which the slider 10 is passed through the fastener stringers 1 and 1A including the coil element rows 3 and the fastener tapes 2 and 2A. However, the slider passing devices 100 and 100A according to the present invention are not limited to this, and the slider 10 can also be passed through a coil element row without the fastener tapes 2 and 2A. FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a state immediately before passing the slider 10 through the left and right coil element rows 3A in an engaged state. FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a state in which the slider 10 has been passed through the coil element row 3A. After performing a preliminary operation of inserting the tip side portion of the engaged coil element row 3A shown in FIG. 18 into the slider 10, the slider 10 and the coil element row 3A are set in the guide portion 150 of the present device 100. By setting the coil element row 3A etc. in this first position as the second position and further as the third position, the rotating member 110 rotates and the left and right pins 101 are displaced from the closed position to the open position, similar to the case of the fastener stringer 1. As a result, the engagement between the left and right coil element rows 3A is released from the head, and the slider can be passed through.

[0044] In the above examples of the slider passing devices 100 and 100A, an example was given in which the pins 101 are inserted into the coil element rows 3 and 3A and the pins 101 are displaced to the open position to separate the coil element rows 3 and 3A. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, after inserting the pins 101 etc. into the core string portion of the fastener tape to which resin or metal element rows are attached, by displacing the pins 101 to the open position, the engagement between the left and right resin or metal element rows can be released and the slider can be passed through. Since resin or metal fastener stringers are substantially the same in form because attachment or caulking is performed on the core string portion, the drawings of the metal fastener stringer are omitted. Hereinafter, FIGS. 20 to 22 will be described with the same reference numerals for resin and metal fastener stringers.

[0045] FIG. 20 is a plan view of a fastener stringer 1B having a resin element row 3B with a slider 10 passed therethrough. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the fastener stringer 1B in which the left and right element rows 3B are in a meshed state. The element row 3B is composed of a number of elements 3Ba injection-molded on the opposing edge portions of the fastener tape 2B. On the opposing edge portions of the fastener tape 2B, a core string portion 2Ba with an enlarged cross-section is provided to enhance the connection strength of each element 3Ba. The element 3Ba is made of a thermoplastic resin such as nylon, polyacetal, polyamide, polypropylene, polybutylene terephthalate, etc.

[0046] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 showing the state in which the fastener stringer 1B is set in the guide portions 150 of the slider passing devices 100 and 100A. In this first position, the left and right pins 101 of the present devices 100 and 100A are inserted into the core string portions 2Ba of the left and right fastener stringers 1B from the leading side ends thereof. Next, by displacing the pins 101 of the present devices 100 and 100A to the open position, the meshing between the left and right resin element rows 3B can be released and the slider can be passed through.

[0047] In the above, an example of applying the pin 101 to the core string portion 2Ba of the fastener stringer 1B having a resin element row 3B has been given. However, for a fastener stringer in which a core string portion is provided on the fastener tape, even a fastener stringer other than the fastener stringer 1B exemplified in FIG. 20 etc. can similarly perform slider passing. For example, it is a fastener stringer 1B having a metal element row 3B composed of a number of elements 3Ba caulked to the opposing edge portions of the fastener tape, such as a metal fastener stringer. The element 3Ba is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy, a copper alloy, iron, stainless steel, etc. For such a metal fastener stringer 1B, the pin 101 can be applied to the core string portion 2Ba in the same manner as the resin fastener stringer 1B to release the meshing between the element rows 3B and perform slider passing.

[0048] In the above example, an example of applying the pin 101 to the core string portion 2Ba of the fastener tape 2B was given. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a claw member 101B described below can be applied to the core string portion 2Ba as a separating member to perform slider threading. FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing two left and right claw members 101B which are another example of the separating member. Each claw member 101B includes a base end portion 103B connected to the rotating members 110 of the displacement mechanisms 102 and 102A, and a claw portion 104B extending forward (upward in FIG. 23) from the base end portion 103B. Each claw portion 104B extends forward while gradually becoming thinner in the left - right thickness toward the front and curving outward in the left - right direction. The tip of each claw portion 104B has an acute - angled edge so as to be able to hook the leading - side end of the core string portion of the fastener tape. FIG. 24 is a cross - sectional view similar to FIG. 7 showing a state where the fastener stringer 1B is set in the guide portion 150 of the slider - threading devices 100 and 100A having the claw members 101B. In this first position, the tip of the claw portion 104B of each claw member 101B is hooked from the radially inner end with respect to the leading - side end of the core string portion 2Ba of the fastener tape 2B. Alternatively, the tip of the claw portion 104B of each claw member 101B can also be hooked to the element 3Ba. Next, by displacing the claw members 101B of the present devices 100 and 100A to the open position in the same manner as the pin 101, the engagement between the left and right element rows 3B can be released to perform slider threading. In FIG. 24, a fastener stringer 1B having a resin - made element row 3B is taken as an example. However, for a fastener stringer 1B having a metal - made element row 3B, the claw member 101B can be applied to the core string portion 2Ba or the element 3Ba to perform slider threading in the same manner.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0049] 1, 1B Fastener stringer 1A Fastener stringer with rail 2, 2A, 2B Fastener tape 2Ba Core string portion 3, 3A Coil element row 3a Leading coil element 3b Long - side portion 3c short side part 3B element row 10 slider 11 upper wing plate 11a handle connection part 12 lower wing plate 12a flange 14 element guide path 15 rear opening 16 shoulder opening 100, 100A slider through device 101 pin (separating member) 101A bifurcated member (separating member) 101B claw member (separating member) 102, 102A displacement mechanism 110 rotating member 111 long hand part 112 short hand part 113 shaft part 114 first spring (elastic member) 120 movable part 121 second spring 130 stationary part 130A moving part 134 pressing member (pressing pin) 140 housing 150 guide part

Claims

1. A slider threading device (100, 100A) for passing a slider (10) through left and right fastener strings (1, 1A, 1B) comprising left and right fastener tapes (2, 2A, 2B) and left and right element rows (3, 3A, 3B) attached along the longitudinal direction to the opposing edge portions of the left and right fastener tapes (2, 2A, 2B) and extending to at least one end in the longitudinal direction of the left and right fastener tapes (2, 2A, 2B), wherein left and right separating members (101, 101A, 101B) applied through the left and right shoulder openings (16) of the slider (10) to one end side portion in the longitudinal direction of the fastener stringer (1, 1A, 1B) including the left and right element rows (3, 3A, 3B) in meshed state inserted into the slider (10) from its rear opening (15); and a displacement mechanism (102, 102A) for displacing the left and right separating members (101, 101A, 101B) between an initial position and an open position where the distance between the left and right separating members (101, 101A, 101B) is widened from the initial position, wherein when the displacement mechanism (102, 102A) displaces the left and right separating members (101, 101A, 101B) to the open position, the engagement between the left and right element rows (3, 3A, 3B) is released from one end side, and the slider (10) is displaced by the left and right element rows (3, 3A, 3B) whose engagement has been released. A slider threading device.

2. The element rows (3, 3A) are coil element rows (3, 3A) composed of coil elements in which monofilaments are spirally wound, and the left and right separating members (101, 101A) are applied to the left and right coil element rows (3, 3A) from the one end. The slider threading device according to Claim 1.

3. The element row (3B) is an element row (3B) composed of resin elements formed by injection molding or an element row (3B) composed of metal elements, and the left and right separating members (101, 101B) are applied to the core string portion (2Ba) or element (3Ba) of the left and right fastener tapes (2B) from the one end. The slider threading device according to Claim 1.

4. The displacement mechanism (102, 102A) includes left and right rotating members (110) to which the left and right separating members (101, 101A, 101B) are respectively connected, an elastic member (114) that biases the rotating member (110) to its initial position, and a pressing member (134) that rotates the rotating member (110) from the initial position against the biasing force of the elastic member (114). The slider threading device according to claim 1.

5. The slider threading device according to claim 1, including a guide portion (150) for guiding the left and right fastener stringers (1, 1A, 1B) and the slider (10) to a set position.

6. A slider threading method for passing a slider (10) through left and right fastener stringers (1, 1A, 1B) including left and right fastener tapes (2, 2A, 2B) and left and right element rows (3, 3A, 3B) attached along the longitudinal direction to opposing edge portions of the left and right fastener tapes (2, 2A, 2B) and extending to at least one end in the longitudinal direction of the left and right fastener tapes (2, 2A, 2B), comprising: Step A: Inserting one end side portion in the longitudinal direction of the left and right fastener stringers (1, 1A, 1B) including the left and right element rows (3, 3A, 3B) in the meshed state into the slider (10) from its rear opening (15); Step B: Applying left and right separating members (101, 101A, 101B) to the one end side portion of the fastener stringer (1, 1A, 1B) inserted into the slider (10) through left and right shoulder openings (16) of the slider (10); Step C: Displacing the left and right separating members (101, 101A, 101B) from an initial position to an open position where the interval between the left and right separating members (101, 101A, 101B) is wider than the initial position. In step C, the displacement mechanism (102, 102A) displaces the left and right separating members (101, 101A, 101B) to the open position, thereby releasing the meshing between the left and right element rows (3, 3A, 3B) from one end side, and displacing the slider (10) by the left and right element rows (3, 3A, 3B) whose meshing has been released. The slider threading method.

7. The element columns (3, 3A, 3B) are a coil element column (3, 3A) composed of coil elements around which monofilaments are spirally wound, or a resin element column (3B) composed of resin elements to be injection-molded or a metal element column (3B) composed of metal elements. In step B, the left and right separating members (101, 101A) are applied to the left and right coil element columns (3, 3A), or the resin or metal element column (3B) from the one end. The slider threading method according to claim 6.

8. The left and right separating members (101, 101B) are applied to the core string portions (2Ba) of the left and right fastener tapes (2B) from the one end in step B. The slider threading method according to claim 6.

9. Left and right separating members (101, 101A) applied through the left and right shoulder openings (16) of the slider (10) to one end side portions in the longitudinal direction of the left and right coil element columns (3, 3A, 3B) in meshed state inserted into the slider (10) from its rear opening (15); A displacement mechanism (102, 102A) for displacing the left and right separating members (101, 101A) between an initial position and an open position where the interval between the left and right separating members (101, 101A) is widened from the initial position; A slider threading device, wherein when the displacement mechanism (102, 102A) displaces the left and right separating members (101, 101A) to the open position, the meshing between the left and right element columns (3, 3A, 3B) is released from one end side, and the slider (10) is displaced by the left and right element columns (3, 3A, 3B) from which the meshing is released.

Images