Connector

Abstract

A buckle (1) has linking members (2A, 2B), and the linking members (2A, 2B) have base sections (21A, 21B), plug sections (31A, 31B), and socket sections (41A, 41B). The plug section (31A) is disposed so as to be able to be inserted into the socket section (41B) in the X-direction. The plug section (31B) is disposed so as to be able to be inserted into the socket section (41C) in the X-direction. The buckle (1) has a first biasing section (51A) which is formed in an interior section (45A) of the socket section (41A) and biases the inserted plug section (31A) in the Y-direction towards the plug section (31B), and / or a second biasing section (51B) which is formed in an interior section (45B) of the socket section (41B) and biases the inserted plug section (31B) in the Y-direction towards the plug section (31A). Buckles (1C, 1E, 1G, 1J, 1L) are configured in a substantially similar manner as that mentioned above.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connecting device such as a buckle that connects connecting members together in a separable manner. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, as a connecting device, a buckle that connects connecting members having the same shape to each other in a separable manner is known (see Patent Document 1). Each connecting member has a base portion and a plug portion and a socket portion extending from the base portion. The plug portion of one connecting member is inserted into the socket portion of the other connecting member, and the plug portion of the other connecting member is inserted into the socket portion of the first connecting member, and the plug portions are engaged with each other to connect them. The plug portion is formed with a flexible, arm-shaped spring portion (biasing portion) that extends from its tip toward the base and is positioned outside the width direction of the buckle. The connecting members are connected to each other by the spring portion pressing against the inner wall of the socket portion and elastically deforming in the width direction, causing the plug portions to approach each other in the width direction and engage. At this time, the socket portions are spaced apart to a certain extent in the width direction. When separating the connecting members, the socket portions of the connecting members are moved closer to each other in the width direction, thereby separating the plug portions in the width direction and releasing the engagement. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 3462967 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the buckle described in Patent Document 1, the spring portion extends from the tip of the plug portion toward the base and is positioned outward in the width direction. Therefore, when the connecting members are separated, the spring portion becomes exposed, which may cause the spring portion to become caught on foreign objects. In addition, from a design perspective, it is not desirable for the spring portion to be exposed.

[0005] The present invention provides a connector including a connecting member in which the biasing portion is not exposed to the outside. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A coupler according to a first aspect of the present invention is a coupler in which a first coupling member and a second coupling member are separably coupled, wherein the first coupling member has a first base portion and a first plug portion and a first socket portion extending from the first base portion, the second coupling member has a second base portion and a second plug portion and a second socket portion extending from the second base portion, the first plug portion is arranged so as to be insertable into the second socket portion in an insertion direction, and the second plug portion is arranged so as to be insertable into the first socket portion in the insertion direction, and the coupler has at least one of a first biasing portion formed inside the first socket portion and biasing the first plug portion in an inserted state toward the second plug portion in a width direction intersecting the insertion direction, and a second biasing portion formed inside the second socket portion and biasing the second plug portion in an inserted state toward the first plug portion in the width direction. According to the connector of the present invention, one of the biasing portions can be used to connect and separate the first and second connecting members, and because the one of the biasing portions is formed inside the first socket portion or the second socket portion, the biasing portion is not exposed to the outside even when the first and second connecting members are separated. This reduces the risk of foreign matter getting caught in the biasing portion. Furthermore, because the biasing portion is not exposed even when the first and second connecting members are separated and in a single unit, the design can be improved.

[0007] In a coupler according to a second aspect of the present invention, the coupler according to the first aspect may be configured such that the first and second coupling members become engaged when they move away from each other in the width direction, and disengage when they move toward each other in the width direction against the bias of one of the biasing portions. With this configuration, the first connecting member and the second connecting member are connected in an engaged state, but by bringing the first socket portion and the second socket portion closer to each other in the width direction, the engaged state can be released against the bias of one of the biasing portions, thereby making the first connecting member and the second connecting member separable from each other in the insertion direction.

[0008] In a connector according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the connector according to the first or second aspect, at least the first plug portion may have a claw portion that protrudes toward the first socket portion in the width direction. With this configuration, as described above, the first connecting member and the second connecting member have protruding claw portions, and by moving the first connecting member and the second connecting member relative to each other in the width direction, the claw portions can be used to connect and separate the first connecting member and the second connecting member.

[0009] A connector according to a fourth aspect of the present invention may be a connector according to any one of the first to third aspects, which has both the first urging portion and the second urging portion, and the tip of the first urging portion abuts against the second plug portion when the first connecting member and the second connecting member are in an engaged state, and the tip of the second urging portion abuts against the first plug portion in the engaged state. According to this configuration, the first plug portion and the second plug portion in the engaged state are arranged between the first and second biasing portions in the width direction. Therefore, compared to a case where only one of the first and second biasing portions is present, for example, the first plug portion and the second plug portion in the engaged state can be clamped by the first and second biasing portions, thereby making the connected state of the first connecting member and the second connecting member more stable.

[0010] In a connector according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the connector according to either the first or fourth aspect, at least the first plug portion may be formed with a guide surface that separates the first connecting member and the second connecting member from each other in the insertion direction when the first connecting member and the second connecting member are in a disengaged state. With this configuration, when the first socket portion and the second socket portion are brought closer together in the width direction to release the engagement between the first plug portion and the second plug portion, the first connecting member and the second connecting member can be separated from each other by guidance from the guide surface, so that the operator can smoothly separate the first connecting member and the second connecting member simply by gripping the connecting device so as to bring the first socket portion and the second socket portion closer together in the width direction.

[0011] In a connector according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in a connector according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the first socket portion and the second socket portion each have side edge portions along the insertion direction that face each other at a distance in the width direction when the first connecting member and the second connecting member are engaged, and the side edge portions may be inclined with respect to the thickness direction so that the outer portions are positioned more outward in the width direction than the inner portions in a thickness direction that intersects the insertion direction and the width direction. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the risk of fingers getting caught between the side edges when the first socket portion and the second socket portion are brought closer together.

[0012] In a connector according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the connector according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, when the first connecting member and the second connecting member are in an engaged state, the first plug portion and the second plug portion may be releasably engaged with each other. With this configuration, compared to, for example, a case where the first connecting member and the second connecting member are provided with engaging portions that engage with the first plug portion and the second plug portion, respectively, the widthwise dimension of the connecting device can be reduced by the amount of engaging portions not provided, thereby making it possible to make the connecting device more compact.

[0013] In a connector according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in a connector according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, at least the first socket portion has a bottom surface on the first base portion side that defines its interior, and one of the biasing portions may be formed by a leaf spring extending from the bottom surface in the insertion direction. With this configuration, the biasing portion is formed by the aforementioned leaf spring, making it easy to mold the first connecting member and the second connecting member when manufacturing them, and also eliminating the need to form, for example, mold-out holes in the first socket portion and the second socket portion just for forming the biasing portion.

[0014] In a coupler according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the coupler according to the eighth aspect, at least the first socket portion has a side surface continuous with the bottom surface, the side surface being arranged at a distance in the width direction from the second plug portion inserted into the first socket portion, and the one of the biasing portions is arranged elastically deformable between the side surface and the second plug portion in the engaged state of the first connecting member and the second connecting member, and a tip thereof may abut against the second plug portion. With this configuration, when the first plug portion and the second plug portion are engaged, the tip of the biasing portion abuts against the second plug portion, thereby stabilizing the engaged state. On the other hand, by pushing the first socket portion in the width direction to bring the biasing portion closer to the second plug portion, the aforementioned engagement can be released while causing elastic deformation in the biasing portion.

[0015] In a connector according to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the connector according to the eighth or ninth aspect, the first plug portion and the second plug portion may have claw portions at their tips, and one of the biasing portions may extend from the bottom surface to a position opposite the claw portion of the first plug portion in the width direction.

[0016] In an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in a coupler according to any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, the first plug portion and the second plug portion have claw portions at their tips, the dimension of the claw portions of the second plug portion in the width direction is smaller than the dimension of the one of the biasing portions and the first plug portion in the width direction, and the dimension of the portion of the second plug portion excluding the claw portions in the width direction gradually increases from the claw portions toward the second base portion and may be larger than the dimension of the one of the biasing portions and the first plug portion in the width direction. According to this configuration, by reducing the widthwise dimension of the claw portion of the second plug portion as described above, the second plug portion can be easily inserted between the spring portion and the first plug portion, while by gradually increasing the widthwise dimension of the portion of the second plug portion excluding the claw portion as described above, the spring portion can press the second plug portion, thereby achieving a good engagement state. Furthermore, since the second plug portion and the first plug portion are engaged with each other after being pressed by the biasing portion, a clicking sensation can be produced when they are engaged with each other.

[0017] In a connector according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in a connector according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, at least the first socket portion has a side surface that defines its interior, and the one of the biasing portions may be formed by a leaf spring extending from the side surface. With this configuration, it is easy to form the biasing portion even if the space for forming the biasing portion is small, compared to, for example, a case where the first socket portion has a bottom surface that defines its interior and the biasing portion is formed on this bottom surface, and therefore the connecting device can be made smaller.

[0018] A connector according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the connector according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the one biasing portion may extend from the side surface toward the first base portion. With this configuration, the biasing portion of the first socket portion itself can also be used as a guide to guide the second plug portion between the biasing portion and the first plug portion, thereby allowing the first connecting member and the second connecting member to be smoothly connected.

[0019] In a connector according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the connector according to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, the one of the biasing portions may be inclined with respect to the insertion direction so that its tip side is away from the side surface. With this configuration, a gap that is large enough to accommodate the elastic deformation of the biasing portion can be easily formed between the tip of the biasing portion and the side surface.

[0020] In a coupler according to a 15th aspect of the present invention, in the coupler according to any one of the 12th to 14th aspects, the first plug portion and the second plug portion may have claw portions at their tips, and the tip of one of the biasing portions may be positioned at a position corresponding to the position in the insertion direction at which the claw portion of the second plug portion in the engaged state is positioned. According to this configuration, the tip of the biasing portion can press the claw portion of the second plug portion, thereby stabilizing the engagement state between the first plug portion and the second plug portion.

[0021] In a connector according to a 16th aspect of the present invention, in the connector according to any one of the 12th to 15th aspects, a tip of one of the biasing portions may protrude toward the first plug portion in the width direction. With this configuration, the elastic deformation of the biasing portion increases after the second plug portion abuts against the tip of the biasing portion, thereby stabilizing the engagement state between the first plug portion and the second plug portion. Furthermore, as described above, the increased elastic deformation of the biasing portion can produce a clicking sensation when the first plug portion and the second plug portion engage. Furthermore, the elastic deformation of the biasing portion can be kept small until the second plug portion abuts against the tip of the biasing portion, making it easy to insert the second plug portion between the biasing portion and the first plug portion.

[0022] In a connector according to a 17th aspect of the present invention, in a connector according to any one of the first to tenth aspects and the twelfth to sixteenth aspects, the first socket portion has a first engagement portion that engages with the second plug portion when the first connecting member and the second connecting member are engaged, and the second socket portion has a second engagement portion that engages with the first plug portion in the engaged state, and the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion may be arranged at a distance from each other in the width direction between the first plug portion and the second plug portion in the engaged state. According to this configuration, by engaging the first engaging portion with the second plug portion and engaging the second engaging portion with the first plug portion, the first connecting member and the second connecting member can be engaged at two points, and the engagement strength can be increased compared to, for example, when the first plug portion and the second plug portion are engaged with each other (engaged at one point).

[0023] In a connector according to an 18th aspect of the present invention, in the connector according to the 17th aspect, the first engagement portion may be arranged inside the first socket portion, and the second engagement portion may be arranged inside the second socket portion. According to this configuration, the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion can be configured not to be exposed to the outside, thereby improving the design.

[0024] In the connector of the 19th aspect of the present invention, in the connector of the 17th or 18th aspect, an opening may be formed between the first engagement portion and the first base portion, into which the tip of the second plug portion is positioned in the engaged state, and an opening may be formed between the second engagement portion and the second base portion, into which the tip of the first plug portion is positioned in the engaged state. With this configuration, when the second plug portion and the first engaging portion engage, the tip of the second plug portion can be positioned in the aforementioned opening of the first connecting member, and when the first plug portion and the second engaging portion engage, the tip of the first plug portion can be positioned in the aforementioned opening of the second connecting member, and the width dimension of the connecting device when the first connecting member and the second connecting member are connected to each other can be reduced compared to when these openings are not formed.

[0025] In the coupler according to the 20th aspect of the present invention, in the coupler according to any one of the 17th to 19th aspects, a restricting member may be removably provided between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion, which restricts the first connecting member and the second connecting member from moving toward each other in the width direction in the engaged state. According to this configuration, by providing a restricting member between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion in an engaged state in which the second plug portion and the first engaging portion are engaged with each other, the first connecting member and the second connecting member are restricted from moving toward each other in the width direction, thereby preventing the aforementioned engagement from being released, thereby more reliably maintaining the engaged state. Furthermore, by removing the restricting member from between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, the first connecting member and the second connecting member can be allowed to move closer together, making it possible to set them in a disengaged state.

[0026] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connector including a connecting member in which the biasing portion is not exposed to the outside. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a connecting member of the connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a connecting member of the connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a connected state of the connector according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the coupler according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the coupler according to the first embodiment in a separated state. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an external view showing the connector in the separated state shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a connecting member of a connector according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a connecting member of a connector according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a coupled state of the coupler according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the coupler according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector according to the second embodiment in a separated state. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an external view showing the connector in the separated state shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a connecting member of a connector according to a third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a connecting member of a connector according to a third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a connected state of the connector according to the third embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a rear view showing the connector according to the third embodiment from the back side. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a connected state of a connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a connector according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a connecting member of a connector according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 11 is a rear view showing the connector according to the fifth embodiment from the back side. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a connector according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a restricting member of a coupler according to a sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 7, a buckle 1 serving as a connector according to a first embodiment includes connecting members 2A and 2B (first and second connecting members), which are detachably connected to each other. The connecting member 2A includes a base 21A (first base), and a plug portion 31A (first plug portion) and a socket portion 41A (first socket portion) extending from the base 21A. The connecting member 2B (second connecting member) is configured generally similarly to the connecting member 2A, and includes a base 21B (second base portion), a plug portion 31B (second plug portion), and a socket portion 41B (second socket portion) that are formed similarly to the base 21A, the plug portion 31A, and the socket portion 41A. Detailed descriptions of the components of the base 21B, the plug portion 31B, and the socket portion 41B will be omitted, and the reference numerals of the components of the base 21A, the plug portion 31A, and the socket portion 41A will be omitted, with "B" appropriately substituted for "A" in the reference numerals. In the following description, the X direction is the insertion direction of the buckle 1, the Y direction perpendicular to the X direction is the width direction (left-right direction) of the buckle 1, and the Z direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions is the thickness direction (front-to-back direction) of the buckle 1. Furthermore, the +X direction is the direction toward the insertion side of connecting member 2A relative to connecting member 2B, and the -X direction is the direction toward the insertion side of connecting member 2B relative to connecting member 2A, the +Y direction is the direction toward one side in the width direction of the buckle 1, and the -Y direction is the direction toward the other side in the width direction of the buckle 1, the +Z direction is the direction toward the front side of the buckle 1, and the -Z direction is the direction toward the back side of the buckle 1.

[0029] The connecting members 2A, 2B are formed in a flat shape. The connecting members 2A, 2B are made of synthetic resin, but may be made of other materials such as metal as long as the connecting members 2A, 2B can be connected and separated from each other. The plug portion 31A and the socket portion 41A extend from the base portion 21A in the X direction and are arranged side by side in the Y direction.

[0030] Base 21A has mounting hole 22A through which a string-like belt (not shown) is passed, and bar 23A formed in mounting hole 22A to extend in the Y direction and around which the belt is wound, and mounting hole 22A is divided into two holes 221A, 222A by bar 23A. Base 21A formed in this manner is configured as a belt attachment part on which a belt is attached.

[0031] Plug portion 31A of connecting member 2A is configured to be engageable with plug portion 31B of connecting member 2B in the X direction, and has leg portion 32A extending in the Y direction from base portion 21A and claw portion 33A formed at the tip of plug portion 31A. In the engaged state shown in Fig. 4, claw portion 33A is disposed between base portion 21B and claw portion 33B of connecting member 2B, and claw portion 33B of connecting member 2B is disposed between base portion 21A and claw portion 33A. Claw portion 33A protrudes in the Y direction (the -Y direction in the connecting member 2A shown in Fig. 4) from a portion continuous with leg portion 32A toward socket portion 41A, and in the engaged state shown in Fig. 4, engagement surface 34A bent in the -Y direction from leg portion 32A engages with engagement surface 34B of connecting member 2B in the X direction.

[0032] The leg 32A is a portion of the plug portion 31A excluding the claw 33A, and its width in the Y direction gradually increases from the claw 33A side toward the base portion 21A side. The base end of the leg 32A has a thickness equivalent to the Z direction dimension between inner surfaces 421A and 431A (described later) of the socket portion 41A. The portion of the leg 32A extending from the base end toward the tip end has a thickness smaller than the Z direction dimension of the base end and the same thickness as the claw 33A. The portion of the leg 32A on the claw 33A side and the claw 33A have a width smaller than the Y direction width dimension between a leaf spring 51A (described later) and the claw 33A. Therefore, the width is smaller than the Y direction width dimension between a leaf spring 51B and the claw 33B of a connecting member 2B configured similarly to the connecting member 2A. Furthermore, the portion of leg 32A on the base 21A side has a width greater than the width in the Y direction between leaf spring 51A and claw 33A, and therefore has a width greater than the width in the Y direction between leaf spring 51B and claw 33B of connecting member 2B, which has a configuration similar to connecting member 2A. In the engaged state shown in Fig. 4, leg 32A abuts against the tip of leaf spring 51B and claw 33B, and is sandwiched in the Y direction. Note that claw 33B protrudes in the Y direction (+Y direction in the case of connecting member 2B shown in Fig. 4) from the portion connected to leg 32B toward socket 41B.

[0033] The surface of the plug portion 31A located on the opposite side to the socket portion 41A in the Y direction is configured as a guide surface 35A against which the tip of the leaf spring 51B abuts. As shown in Fig. 4, the guide surface 35A is formed as a gently convex curve from the base end to the tip of the plug portion 31A, and is inclined with respect to the X direction so that the end of the guide surface 35A facing the claw portion 33A is positioned closer to the socket portion 41A than the end of the guide surface 35A facing the base portion 21A. When the plug portion 31A and the plug portion 31B are in the disengaged state shown in Fig. 5, the guide surface 35A is biased in the -Y direction by the leaf spring 51B and is configured to guide the connecting member 2A away from the connecting member 2B in the -X direction.

[0034] The socket portion 41A is located on the -Y direction side of the plug portion 31A and has a front wall portion 42A and a rear wall portion 43A that are continuous with the base portion 21A, and a side wall portion 44A that is continuous with the front wall portion 42A and the rear wall portion 43A. The socket portion 41A is open continuously in the +X direction and the +Y direction, and the tip of the socket portion 41A is located further in the +X direction than the tip of the plug portion 31A. The portion where the front wall portion 42A and the rear wall portion 43A are continuous with the base portion 21A is curved into a concave curved surface. A side edge portion 422A of the front wall portion 42A that is aligned along the X direction and located on the plug portion 31A side is curved and inclined with respect to the Z direction so that its outer portion is located in the -Y direction away from the plug portion 31A relative to its inner portion in the Z direction. A side edge 423A of the rear wall 43A along the X direction, located on the plug portion 31A side, is curved and inclined relative to the Z direction so that its outer portion is positioned in the -Y direction away from the plug portion 31A relative to its inner portion in the Z direction. The inner surface 421A of the front wall 42A, the inner surface 431A of the rear wall 43A, the inner surface 441A (side surface) of the side wall 44A, and the bottom surface 411A adjacent to the inner surface 421A and the inner surface 441A on the base 21A side define an interior 45A of the socket portion 41A. The inner surfaces 421A and 431A have a width in the Y direction sufficient to accommodate the plug portion 31B. The outer surface 442A of the side wall 44A is formed with a recessed recess 443A to make it easier to grip the buckle 1.

[0035] A leaf spring 51A serving as a first biasing portion (biasing portion) is integrally formed in the interior 45A of the socket portion 41A. The leaf spring 51A is configured to bias the plug portion 31B, which is inserted into the socket portion 41A and in a plugged-in state, toward the plug portion 31A, and in this embodiment, is formed to extend from the bottom surface 411A in the +X direction. The leaf spring 51A extends in the +X direction beyond the position of the engagement surface 34A of the plug portion 31A and extends in the Y direction to a position facing the claw portions 33A. In the X direction, the tip of the leaf spring 51A is located at approximately the same position as the tip of the plug portion 31A. The leaf spring 51A is disposed at a distance in the Y direction from the side wall portion 44A and is configured to be elastically deformable by this distance.

[0036] A leaf spring 51B serving as a second biasing portion (biasing portion) is formed in an interior 45B of the socket portion 41B of the connecting member 2B.

[0037] The procedure for connecting the connecting members 2A and 2B of the buckle 1 according to the first embodiment will be described below. First, the coupling members 2A and 2B are prepared, and the plug portion 31A and the socket portion 41B are arranged opposite each other in the X direction, and the plug portion 31B and the socket portion 41A are arranged opposite each other in the X direction.

[0038] Next, connecting members 2A and 2B are moved closer to each other in the X direction, connecting member 2A is moved in the +X direction relative to connecting member 2B, and connecting member 2B is moved in the -X direction relative to connecting member 2A. Next, plug portion 31A of connecting member 2A is inserted between leaf spring 51B and plug portion 31B of connecting member 2B, and plug portion 31B of connecting member 2B is inserted between leaf spring 51A and plug portion 31A of connecting member 2A.

[0039] Next, when connecting members 2A and 2B are brought closer to each other in the X direction, leaf spring 51A is elastically deformed in the +Y direction and leaf spring 51B is elastically deformed in the -Y direction. Subsequently, when plug portion 31A of connecting member 2A is positioned between claw portion 33B and base portion 21B of connecting member 2B and plug portion 31B of connecting member 2B is positioned between claw portion 33A and base portion 21A of connecting member 2A, leaf springs 51A and 51B return to their original state, and an engaged state is achieved in which engagement surfaces 34A and 34B overlap. At this time, the restoring force of leaf springs 51A and 51B causes plug portions 31A and 31B to collide with each other in the Y direction, creating a clicking sensation when the engagement state is achieved. 4, claw 33A abuts against leg 32B, claw 33B abuts against leg 32A, and the tip of leaf spring 51A abuts against guide surface 35B, and the tip of leaf spring 51B abuts against guide surface 35A. Also, in the engaged state, as shown in FIG. 1, side edges 422A and 423A of socket 41A and side edges 422B and 423B of socket 41B are spaced apart in the Y direction, and the tip of socket 41A on the +X direction side abuts against base 21B, and the tip of socket 41B on the −X direction side abuts against base 21A. An inner surface 441A of socket 41A is spaced apart in the Y direction from plug 31B, and leaf spring 51A is disposed between inner surface 441A and plug 31B. An inner surface 441B of the socket portion 41B is disposed at a distance in the Y direction from the plug portion 31A, and a leaf spring 51B is disposed between the inner surface 441B and the plug portion 31A. In this way, the buckle 1 engages the connecting members 2A, 2B by moving them apart in the Y direction, thereby connecting the connecting members 2A, 2B together.

[0040] The procedure for separating the connecting members 2A and 2B of the buckle 1 according to the first embodiment will be described below. First, with the buckle 1 in the engaged state, the socket portions 41A, 41B of the connecting members 2A, 2B are grasped, and the side wall portions 44A, 44B are moved toward each other in the Y direction against the elastic force of the leaf springs 51A, 51B, so that the engagement surfaces 34A, 34B are positioned apart in the Y direction, thereby releasing the engagement of the claw portions 33A, 33B, to a disengaged state, as shown in Fig. 5. The leaf spring 51A is elastically deformed in the +Y direction and pressed against the guide surface 35B, and the leaf spring 51B is elastically deformed in the -Y direction and pressed against the guide surface 35A.

[0041] Next, due to the restoring force of leaf springs 51A and 51B pressed against guide surfaces 35A and 35B and the tips of side wall portions 44A and 44B pressing against guide surfaces 35A and 35B, connecting member 2A moves in the -X direction and connecting member 2B moves in the +X direction, separating connecting members 2A and 2B as shown in FIG. 6. At this time, side edges 422A and 423A of socket portion 41A and side edges 422B and 423B of socket portion 41B approach each other as shown in FIG. 7. However, because the edges are inclined as described above, fingers can be prevented from being pinched between side edges 422A and 422B or between side edges 423B and 423B. In the separated state shown in FIG. 6, the engagement is released, so connecting members 2A and 2B can be easily separated from each other in the X direction. In this way, the buckle 1 is brought into a disengaged state against the biasing force of the leaf springs 51A, 51B as the connecting members 2A, 2B move toward each other in the Y direction, and separates the connecting members 2A, 2B from each other.

[0042] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. 8 to 14, a buckle 1C as a connector according to the second embodiment includes connecting members 2C and 2D (first and second connecting members), which are separably connected to each other. The connecting member 2C has a base 21C (first base), and a plug portion 31C (first plug portion) and a socket portion 41C (first socket portion) extending from the base 21C. The connecting member 2D (second connecting member) is configured substantially similarly to the connecting member 2C, and includes a base 21D (second base portion), a plug portion 31D (second plug portion), and a socket portion 41D (second socket portion) formed similarly to the base 21C, plug portion 31C, and socket portion 41C. In addition, detailed explanations of the respective components of the base 21D, plug portion 31D, and socket portion 41D in the connecting member 2D will be omitted by appropriately replacing the ``C'' in the reference symbols of the respective components of the base 21C, plug portion 31C, and socket portion 41C in the connecting member 2C with ``D''.

[0043] The base 21C, plug 31C, and socket 41C of the connecting member 2C are configured generally similarly to the base 21A, plug 31A, and socket 41A of the connecting member 2A in the first embodiment, but differ from the connecting member 2A in the configuration of the guide surface 35C of the plug 31C and in the configuration in which a leaf spring 61C serving as a first biasing portion (biasing portion) extends from an inner surface 441C of the socket 41A instead of from a bottom surface 411A. Note that the connecting member 2D is formed with an extending leaf spring 61D serving as a second biasing portion (biasing portion).

[0044] 11, the guide surface 35C has an inclined surface 351C provided on the base end side of the plug portion 31C and a convex surface 352C provided on the tip end of the plug portion 31C, and the surface between the inclined surface 351C and the convex surface 352C of the plug portion 31C is configured as a flat surface 353C along the X direction. The inclined surface 351C is inclined with respect to the X direction so that the end of the inclined surface 351C on the convex surface 352C side is located closer to the socket portion 41C than the end on the base portion 21C side, and the convex surface 352C is curved convexly from the flat surface 353C to the tip end of the claw portion 33C in the X direction. 12, when plug portion 31C and plug portion 31D are in the disengaged state, as shown in FIG. 12, inclined surface 351C abuts against the tip of side wall portion 44D in the -X direction, and convex curved surface 352C is biased in the -Y direction by tip 611D of leaf spring 61D, thereby guiding connecting member 2C in the -X direction relative to connecting member 2D. Note that when connecting member 2C moves away from connecting member 2D in the -X direction, inclined surface 351C and the tip of side wall portion 44C move away in the X direction, as shown in FIG. 13. Furthermore, claw portion 33C protrudes from a portion continuous with leg portion 32C toward socket portion 41C in the Y direction (the -Y direction in the connecting member 2C shown in FIG. 11), and claw portion 33D protrudes from a portion continuous with leg portion 32D toward socket portion 41D in the Y direction (the +Y direction in the connecting member 2D shown in FIG. 11).

[0045] The leaf spring 61C extends from an inner surface 441C of the side wall 44C toward the base 21C, and its tip 611C is inclined in the X direction so as to be spaced apart from the inner surface 441C. The tip 611C of the leaf spring 61C is located in a position corresponding to the position in the X direction of the claw 33D of the plug part 31D in the engaged state, and protrudes in the +Y direction toward the plug part 31C from a portion of the tip 611C closer to the base end 612C. A recess 444C is formed in a portion of the side wall 44C that is continuous with the leaf spring 61C.

[0046] The procedure for connecting and disconnecting the connecting members 2C, 2D of the buckle 1C described above is generally the same as that of the buckle 1 according to the first embodiment, but the guidance by the guide surfaces 35C, 35D and the elastic deformation of the leaf springs 61C, 61D differ from those of the buckle 1. The guidance by the guide surface 35C is as described above, and the guidance by the guide surface 35D also guides the connecting member 2D away from the connecting member 2C in the +X direction.

[0047] When connecting members 2C and 2D are connected, leaf spring 61C is pushed in the -Y direction by plug portion 31D and elastically deforms in the -Y direction, and when plug portions 31C and 31D are engaged as shown in Fig. 11, leaf spring 61C returns to its original shape while tip end 611C remains in contact with plug portion 31C, thereby maintaining the engaged state. On the other hand, when connecting members 2C and 2D are connected, leaf spring 61D is pushed in the +Y direction by plug portion 31C and elastically deforms in the +Y direction, and when plug portions 31C and 31D are engaged as shown in Fig. 11, leaf spring 61D returns to its original shape while tip end 611D remains in contact with plug portion 31C, thereby maintaining the engaged state.

[0048] 12, when the engagement between the plug portions 31C and 31D is released, the leaf spring 61C is pushed by the plug portion 31D and elastically deforms in the -Y direction. At this time, the tip of the side wall portion 44C abuts against the inclined surface 351D of the connecting member 2D, and the tip 611C of the leaf spring 61C is pressed against the convex curved surface 352D. Therefore, the convex curved surface 352D, which receives the restoring force of the leaf spring 61C, guides the connecting member 2C away from the connecting member 2D in the -X direction. Meanwhile, the leaf spring 61D is pushed by the plug portion 31C and elastically deforms in the +Y direction. At this time, the tip of the side wall portion 44D abuts against the inclined surface 351C of the connecting member 2C, and the tip 611D of the leaf spring 61D is pressed against the convex curved surface 352C. Therefore, the convex curved surface 352D that receives the restoring force of the flat spring 61D guides the connecting member 2D away from the connecting member 2C in the +X direction. Connecting members 2C, 2D that are guided apart in this manner reach a separated state in which they are separated from each other in the X direction, as shown in Fig. 13. The appearance in the separated state is as shown in Fig. 14. When switching from the disengaged state to the separated state, side edge portions 422C, 423C and side edge portions 422D, 423D of socket portions 41C, 41D approach each other in the Y direction, but because these are formed with an inclination similar to side edge portions 422A, 423A and side edge portions 422D, 423D, it is possible to prevent fingers from getting pinched between side edge portions 422C and 422C or between side edge portions 423D and 423D.

[0049] [Third embodiment] A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. 15 to 19, a buckle 1E as a connector according to a third embodiment includes connecting members 2E and 2F (first connecting member and second connecting member), which are separably connected to each other. The connecting member 2E has a base 21E (first base), and a plug portion 31E (first plug portion) and a socket portion 41E (first socket portion) extending from the base 21E. The connecting member 2F (second connecting member) is configured substantially similarly to the connecting member 2E, and includes a base 21F (second base portion), a plug portion 31F (second plug portion), and a socket portion 41F (second socket portion) formed similarly to the base 21E, plug portion 31E, and socket portion 41E. In addition, detailed explanations of the respective components of the base 21F, plug portion 31F and socket portion 41F in the connecting member 2F will be omitted by appropriately replacing the "E" in the symbols of the respective components of the base 21E, plug portion 31E and socket portion 41E in the connecting member 2E with "F".

[0050] The base 21E, plug portion 31E, and socket portion 41E of the connecting member 2E are configured generally similarly to the base 21A, plug portion 31A, and socket portion 41A of the connecting member 2A in the first embodiment, but the socket portion 41E has an engaging portion 71E (first engaging portion) that engages with the plug portion 31F in an engaged state, and the socket portion 41F has an engaging portion 71F (second engaging portion) that engages with the plug portion 31E in an engaged state, which is a configuration different from that of the connecting member 2A. Note that, with regard to the configurations of the base 21E, plug portion 31E, and socket portion 41E that correspond to the base 21A, plug portion 31A, and socket portion 41A, the letter "E" has been appropriately added instead of "A" in the reference numerals assigned to the respective configurations of the base 21A, plug portion 31A, and socket portion 41A, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0051] 16 to 19, the engaging portion 71E extends in the X direction from the bottom surface 411E of the socket portion 41E and has a claw portion 72E at its tip that protrudes in the Y direction toward the leaf spring 51E. The engaging portion 71E is disposed inside 45E of the socket portion 41E and along side edges 422E, 423E of the front wall portion 42E and the rear wall portion 43E, and is integrally continuous with the front wall portion 42E and the rear wall portion 43E. The engaging portion 71E is disposed at a distance inward in the Y direction (toward the plug portion 31E) from the leaf spring 51E.

[0052] The engaging portion 71F extends in the X direction from the bottom surface 411F of the socket portion 41F and has at its tip a claw portion 72F that protrudes in the Y direction toward the leaf spring 51F. The engaging portion 71F is disposed inside the socket portion 41F at a position along the side edges 422F, 423F of the front wall portion 42F and the rear wall portion 43F, and is integrally continuous with the front wall portion 42F and the rear wall portion 43F. The engaging portion 71F is disposed at a distance inward in the Y direction (toward the plug portion 31F) from the leaf spring 51F. The claw portion 33E of the plug portion 31E protrudes in the Y direction (-Y direction in the case of the connecting member 2E) from the portion continuing with the leg portion 32E toward the socket portion 41E, and the claw portion 33F of the plug portion 31E protrudes in the Y direction (+Y direction in the case of the connecting member 2F) from the portion continuing with the leg portion 32F toward the socket portion 41F.

[0053] In the buckle 1E described above, the plug portion 31F is inserted between the leaf spring 51E and the engaging portion 71E, and the plug portion 31E is inserted between the leaf spring 51F and the engaging portion 71F, so that the claw portions 33F of the plug portion 31F engage with the claw portions 72E of the engaging portion 71E and the claw portions 33E of the plug portion 31E engage with the claw portions 72F of the engaging portion 71F, resulting in the engaged state shown in Figures 18 and 19, and the connecting members 2E, 2F are connected to each other. In this connected state, the engaging portions 71E, 71F are disposed between the plug portions 31E, 31F in the Y direction, and the engaging portions 71E, 71F are disposed at a distance from each other in the Y direction. This distance corresponds to the elastic deformation of the leaf springs 51E, 51F when the engaged state is released.

[0054] To separate the connecting members 2E and 2F, the buckle 1E is gripped to move the connecting members 2E and 2F toward each other in the Y direction. At this time, the leaf spring 51E elastically deforms, disengaging the claws 33F of the plug portion 31F from the claws 72E of the engaging portion 71E, allowing the plug portion 31F to be removed from the socket portion 41E. Similarly, the leaf spring 51F elastically deforms, disengaging the claws 33E of the plug portion 31E from the claws 72F of the engaging portion 71F, allowing the plug portion 31E to be removed from the socket portion 41F. The elastically deformed leaf springs 51E and 51F elastically bias the guide surfaces 35E and 35F of the plug portions 31E and 31F, causing the connecting members 2E and 2F to separate in the X direction and enter a separated state.

[0055] According to this buckle 1E, the connecting members 2E, 2F are engaged at two locations spaced apart in the Y direction, which increases the engagement strength compared to when the connecting members 2E, 2F are engaged at one location as in the first and second embodiments, and also makes it possible to achieve a connected state in which torsional deformation around an imaginary axis along the X direction is less likely to occur. Also, because the engaging portions 71E and 71F are not exposed to the outside, the design can be improved.

[0056] [Fourth embodiment] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In Fig. 20, a buckle 1G as a connector according to the fourth embodiment is configured generally similarly to the buckle 1E according to the third embodiment, but instead of the leaf springs 51E and 51F as the biasing portions, it has leaf springs 61G and 61H as the biasing portions. In Fig. 20, the same reference numerals are used for components similar to those of buckle 1E. Furthermore, leaf springs 61G and 61H are configured similarly to each other and are formed similarly to the leaf springs 61C and 61D described above, respectively. Therefore, the components of leaf springs 61G and 61H corresponding to leaf springs 61C and 61D are designated by "G" and "H" instead of "C" and "D" in the reference numerals used for the components of leaf springs 61C and 61D, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0057] The leaf spring 61G is inclined in the X direction so that its tip 611G side is farther away from the inner surface 441E than the base end 612G, and the tip 611G is disposed at a position corresponding to the position in the X direction where the claws 33F of the plug portion 31F in the engaged state are disposed, and protrudes toward the plug portion 31E in the Y direction. The leaf spring 61H is inclined in the X direction so that its tip 611H side is farther away from the inner surface 441F than the base end 612H, and the tip 611H is disposed at a position corresponding to the position in the X direction where the claws 33E of the plug portion 31E in the engaged state are disposed, and protrudes toward the plug portion 31F in the Y direction.

[0058] [Fifth embodiment] A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 21 to 23, buckle 1J as a connector according to the fifth embodiment is configured generally similarly to buckle 1E according to the third embodiment, but differs from buckle 1E in that an opening 73J is formed between engaging portion 71E and base 21E, and an opening 73K is formed between engaging portion 71F and base 21F. Note that the same components of buckle 1J as those of buckle 1E are appropriately designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0059] The opening 73J is defined by the engaging portion 71E, the base 21E, the front wall 42E, and the rear wall 43E, and is configured so that the claw portion 33F (the tip of the plug portion 31F) is disposed in the opening 73J when the claw portion 33F of the plug portion 31F is engaged with the claw portion 72E of the engaging portion 71E. The opening 73K is defined by the engaging portion 71F, the base 21F, the front wall 42F, and the rear wall 43F, and is configured so that the claw portion 33E (the tip of the plug portion 31E) is disposed in the opening 73J when the claw portion 33E of the plug portion 31E is engaged with the claw portion 72E of the engaging portion 71F. Therefore, since the claw portions 33E, 33F can be disposed in the openings 73J, 73K, the gap 75 shown in FIG. 23 can be reduced in the Y direction, thereby reducing the width of the buckle 1J.

[0060] [Sixth embodiment] A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 24, a buckle 1L as a connector according to the sixth embodiment is configured generally similarly to the buckle 1E according to the third embodiment, but differs from the configuration of buckle 1E in that a restricting member 81L that restricts the connecting members from moving toward each other in the Y direction is provided in a removable manner. Note that, of the buckle 1L, components similar to those of buckle 1E are appropriately designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 , the restricting member 81L includes a knob 82L for insertion and removal, a substantially disc-shaped base 83L continuous with the knob 82L, an insertion piece 84L extending in the Z direction from the base 83L, and an end 85L bulging from the tip of the insertion piece 84L on the −Z direction side. The knob 82L is located on the +Z direction side of the base 83L, and the insertion piece 84L is formed in a flat plate shape and is located on the +Z direction side of the base 83L. The length of the insertion piece 84 in the Z direction corresponds to the thickness of the sockets 41E and 41F in the Z direction, and is the length dimension in which the end 85L protrudes when inserted between the sockets 41E and 41F. The end 85L has a substantially circular cross section when viewed from the X direction and is larger than the thickness of the insertion piece 84L in the Y direction.

[0062] When the connecting members 2E and 2F of this buckle 1L are connected, a gap 46 in the Y direction is formed between the socket portions 41E and 41F, and the restricting member 81L is inserted into the gap 46 in the Z direction by inserting the knob portion 82L. In the inserted state, the surface of the base portion 83L facing the insertion piece 84L abuts against the front (or back) surfaces of the socket portions 41E and 41F, and the end portion 85L protrudes from between the socket portions 41E and 41F to prevent the restricting member 81L from falling off. By inserting the restricting member 81L between the socket portions 41E and 41F in this manner, the insertion piece 84L is positioned to restrict the socket portions 41E and 41F from moving toward each other in the Y direction. Therefore, even if an attempt is made to operate the buckle 1L, the aforementioned approaching movement is restricted, and the connected state of the connecting members 2E and 2F is maintained.

[0063] Furthermore, when the knob 82L of the inserted restricting member 81L is pulled out in the Z direction to remove the restricting member 81L from between the socket portions 41E and 41F, the socket portions 41E and 41F of the buckle 1L become movable toward each other in the Y direction, which allows the connecting members 2E and 2F of the buckle 1L to be separated.

[0064] [Variations] In the first to sixth embodiments, the buckles 1, 1C, 1E, 1G, 1J, and 1L are described as connectors, but the bases 21A to 21F do not have to be configured as belt attachment parts, and may be configured as connectors for connecting various items other than belts. For example, they may be formed into a ring shape with an openable / closable member attached thereto, and may be formed into a shape that allows other items to be hung on them.

[0065] In the first to sixth embodiments, the connecting members 2A and 2B are identically formed, the connecting members 2C and 2D are identically formed, and the connecting members 2E and 2F are identically formed, but this is not limiting as long as they are connectable and separable to each other, and the shapes may be slightly different. For example, only one of the connecting members 2A and 2B, only one of the connecting members 2C and 2D, or only one of the connecting members 2E and 2F may be provided with a biasing portion formed of a leaf spring or the like.

[0066] In the first to sixth embodiments, the plug portions 31A and 31B are formed with guide surfaces 35A and 35B, the plug portions 31C and 31D are formed with guide surfaces 35C and 35D, and the plug portions 31E and 31F are formed with guide surfaces 35E and 35F, but as long as they are guidable, a guide surface may be formed on only one of the plug portions 31A and 31B, only one of the plug portions 31C and 31D, or only one of the plug portions 31E and 31F. Furthermore, as long as the configuration allows the coupling members 2A and 2B to be separated from each other, the coupling members 2C and 2D to be separated from each other, or the coupling members 2E and 2F to be separated from each other without the guide surfaces 35A to 35F, the configuration of the guide surfaces 35A to 35F may be omitted.

[0067] In the first to sixth embodiments, the side edge portions 422A to 422F, 423A to 423F of the socket portions 41A to 41F are configured to be inclined as described above to prevent fingers from getting pinched, but if the configuration makes it less likely for fingers to get pinched, the side edge portions 422A to 422F, 423A to 423F may be formed along the Z direction without being inclined.

[0068] In the first to sixth embodiments, the leaf springs 51A, 51B, 51E, 51F, 61C, 61D, 61G, and 61H are described as the biasing parts, but elastic bodies of other shapes may also be used as the biasing parts as long as they are configured to bias the plug parts 31A to 31F in the Y direction.

[0069] In the first embodiment, the dimension in the Y direction of the claws 33B of the plug portion 31B is smaller than the dimension in the Y direction of the leaf spring 51A and the plug portion 31A, and the dimension in the Y direction of the legs 32B of the plug portion 31B (excluding the claws) gradually increases from the claws 33B toward the base 21B and is larger than the dimension in the Y direction of the leaf spring 51A and the plug portion 31A, but this is not limited to this. As long as the connecting members 2A, 2B are configured to be connectable and separable from each other, the dimension in the Y direction of the claws 33B of the plug portion 31B may be equal to or larger than the dimension in the Y direction of the leaf spring 51A and the plug portion 31A, and the dimension in the Y direction of the legs 32B of the plug portion 31B may not gradually increase from the claws 33B toward the base 21B and may be equal to or smaller than the dimension in the Y direction of the leaf spring 51A and the plug portion 31A.

[0070] In the first, third, fifth and sixth embodiments, the leaf springs 51A, 51E have a length dimension that extends from the bottom surfaces 411A, 411E to a position facing the claw portions 33B, 33F of the plug portions 31B, 31F in the Y direction when engaged, but this is not limited to this and any configuration is acceptable as long as the connecting members 2A, 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2F can be connected to and separated from each other. For example, the leaf springs 51A, 51E may be configured not to extend to a position facing the claw portions 33B, 33F of the plug portions 31B, 31F in the Y direction when engaged, but to extend from the bottom surfaces 411A, 411E to a position just before the facing position. Furthermore, the leaf springs 51B, 51F extend from the bottom surfaces 411B, 411F to a position opposite the claw portions 33A, 33E of the plug portions 31A, 31E in the Y direction when engaged, but this is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient that the connecting members 2A, 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2F can be connected to and separated from each other. For example, the leaf spring 51B may be configured not to extend to a position opposite the claw portions 33A, 33E of the plug portions 31A, 31E in the Y direction when engaged, but to extend from the bottom surfaces 411B, 411F to a position just before the opposing position.

[0071] In the second and fourth embodiments, the leaf springs 61C, 61G extend from the inner surfaces 441C, 441E of the side wall portions 44C, 44E toward the base portions 21C, 21E, but this is not limited to this and any configuration is acceptable as long as the connecting members 2C, 2E and the connecting members 2D, 2F are capable of being connected to and separated from each other. For example, the leaf springs 61C, 61G may extend from the inner surfaces 441C, 441E toward the side away from the base portions 21C, 21E in the +X direction. Furthermore, the leaf springs 61D, 61F extend from the inner surfaces 441D, 441F of the side wall portions 44D, 44F toward the base portions 21D, 21F, but this is not limited to this and it is sufficient that the connecting members 2C, 2E and the connecting members 2D, 2F can be connected to and separated from each other. For example, the leaf springs 61D, 61E may extend from the inner surfaces 441D, 441E toward the side away from the base portions 21D, 21F in the -X direction.

[0072] In the second and fourth embodiments, the tips 611C, 611G of the leaf springs 61C, 61G are positioned at positions corresponding to the positions in the X direction where the claw portions 33D, 33F of the plug portions 31D, 31F are positioned in the engaged state, but this is not limiting and any configuration is acceptable as long as the connecting members 2C, 2E and the connecting members 2D, 2F are capable of being connected to and separated from each other. For example, the leaf springs 61C, 61G may not extend to positions corresponding to the positions in the X direction where the claw portions 33D, 33F of the plug portions 31D, 31F are positioned in the engaged state, and the tips 611C, 611G may be positioned in front of the claw portions 33D, 33F. Furthermore, the tips 611D, 611H of the leaf springs 61D, 61H are positioned at positions corresponding to the positions in the X direction where the claw portions 33C, 33E of the plug portions 31C, 31E in the engaged state are positioned, but this is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the connecting members 2C, 2E and the connecting members 2D, 2F are configured to be able to be connected to and separated from each other. For example, the leaf springs 61D, 61H may not extend to positions corresponding to the positions in the X direction where the claw portions 33C, 33E of the plug portions 31C, 31E in the engaged state are positioned, and the tips 611D, 611H may be positioned in front of the claw portions 33C, 33E.

[0073] In the second and fourth embodiments, the tip 611C, 611G of the leaf spring 61C, 61G protrudes in the +Y direction toward the plug portion 31C, 31E from the portion closer to the base end 612C, 612H than the tip 611C, 611G, but this is not limited to this, and as long as the connecting members 2C, 2E and the connecting members 2D, 2F are configured to be connectable and separable from each other, the tip 611C, 611G does not have to protrude in the +Y direction from the portion closer to the base end 612C, 612H than the tip 611C, 611G. Furthermore, the tips 611D, 611H of the leaf springs 61D, 61G protrude in the -Y direction toward the plug portions 31D, 31F from the portion closer to the base ends 612D, 612H than the tips 611D, 611H, but this is not limited to this, and as long as the connecting members 2C, 2E and the connecting members 2D, 2F are configured to be connectable and separable from each other, the tips 611D, 611H do not have to protrude in the -Y direction from the portion closer to the base ends 612D, 612H than the tips 611D, 611H.

[0074] [Summary of this embodiment] The buckles 1, 1C, 1E, 1G, 1J, and 1L of the first to sixth embodiments are connectors in which connecting members 2A, 2C, and 2E and connecting members 2B, 2D, and 2F are separably connected, and the connecting members 2A, 2C, and 2E have base portions 21A, 21C, and 21E, and plug portions 31A, 31C, and 31E and socket portions 41A, 41C, and 41E extending from the base portions 21A, 21C, and 21E, respectively. The members 2B, 2D, and 2F have base portions 21B, 21D, and 21F, and plug portions 31B, 31D, and 31F and socket portions 41B, 41D, and 41F extending from the base portions 21B, 21D, and 21F. The plug portions 31A, 31C, and 31E are arranged so as to be insertable into the socket portions 41B, 41D, and 41F in the X direction. The plug portions 31B, 31D, and 31F are arranged so as to be insertable into the socket portions 41A, 41C, and 41F in the X direction. The buckles 1, 1C, 1E, 1G, 1J, and 1L are arranged so as to be insertable in the X direction relative to the socket portion 41A, 41C, and 41E, and each include leaf springs 51A, 51E, 61C, and 61G as first biasing portions formed in the interiors 45A, 45C, and 45E of the socket portion 41A, 41C, and 41E, and biasing the plug portion 31A, 31C, and 31E in the inserted state toward the plug portion 31B, 31D, and 31F in the Y direction. and leaf spring 51A, 51E, 61C (or 51B, 51F, 61D) as at least one of the leaf springs 51B, 51F, 61D, 61H as a second urging portion that is formed in interiors 45A, 45D, 45F of plug portions 31B, 31D, 31F and that urges plug portions 31B, 31D, 31F in the inserted state toward plug portions 31A, 31C, 31E in the Y direction. Connecting members 2A, 2C, 2E and connecting members 2B, 2D, 2F are configured to be engaged when they move away from each other in the Y direction, and to be disengaged when they move toward each other in the Y direction against the urging of leaf spring 51A, 51E, 61C (or 51B, 51F, 61D) as one of the urging portions. According to the buckles 1, 1C, 1E, 1G, 1J, and 1L of the first to sixth embodiments, the one of the biasing portions can be used to connect and disconnect the connecting members 2A, 2C, and 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2D, and 2F. Furthermore, the one of the biasing portions is formed in the interiors 45A, 45C, and 45E of the socket portions 41A, 41C, and 41E or the interiors 45B, 45D, and 45E of the socket portions 41B, 41D, and 41E. This configuration prevents the one of the biasing portions from being exposed to the outside even when the connecting members 2A, 2C, and 2E and the connecting members 2C, 2D, and 2F are separated. This reduces the risk of foreign matter getting caught in the one of the biasing portions. Furthermore, since the one of the biasing portions is not exposed even when the connecting members 2A, 2C, and 2E and the connecting members 2C, 2D, and 2F are separated and individually configured, the design can be improved.

[0075] In the buckles 1, 1C, 1E, 1G, 1J, 1L of the first to sixth embodiments, the connecting members 2A, 2C, 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2D, 2F are configured to be engaged when they move away from each other in the Y direction, and to be disengaged when they move toward each other in the Y direction against the force of the leaf spring 51A, 51E, 61C (or 51B, 51F, 61D) as one of the biasing parts. According to this configuration, in the engaged state, the connecting members 2A, 2C, 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2D, 2E are connected, while by bringing the socket portions 41A, 41C, 41E and the socket portions 41B, 41D, 41E closer to each other in the Y direction, the engaged state can be released against the bias of one of the biasing portions, thereby making the connecting members 2A, 2C, 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2D, 2F separable from each other in the X direction.

[0076] In the buckles 1, 1C, 1E, 1G, 1J, and 1L of the first to sixth embodiments, at least the plug portions 31A, 31C, and 31E have claw portions 33A, 33C, and 33E that protrude in the Y direction toward the socket portions 41A, 41C, and 41E. According to this configuration, as described above, the connecting members 2A, 2C, 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2D, 2F have protruding claw portions 33A, 33C, 33E, and by moving the connecting members 2A, 2C, 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2D, 2F relative to each other in the Y direction, the claw portions 33A, 33C, 33E can be used to connect and separate the connecting members 2A, 2C, 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2D, 2F.

[0077] The buckles 1, 1C, 1E, 1G, 1J, 1L of the first to sixth embodiments have both leaf springs 51A, 51E, 61C, 61G and leaf springs 51B, 51F, 61D, 61H, and the tips 611C, 611G of the leaf springs 51A, 51E, 61C, 61G abut against the plug portions 31B, 31D, 31E when the connecting members 2A, 2C, 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2D, 2F are engaged, and the tips 611D, 611H of the leaf springs 51B, 51F, 61D, 61H abut against the plug portions 31A, 31C, 31E when the connecting members 2A, 2C, 2E and 2B, 2D, 2F are engaged. With this configuration, plug portions 31A, 31C, 31E and plug portions 31B, 31D, 31F in the engaged state are positioned between leaf springs 51A, 51E, 61C, 61G and leaf springs 51B, 51F, 61D, 61H in the Y direction.Therefore, compared to a case where only one of leaf springs 51A, 51E, 61C, 61G and leaf springs 51B, 51F, 61D, 61H is present, plug portions 31A to 31F in the engaged state can be held in the width direction by leaf springs 51A, 51E, 61C, 61G and leaf springs 51B, 51F, 61D, 61H, thereby making the connected state of connecting members 2A, 2C, 2E and connecting members 2B, 2D, 2F more stable.

[0078] In the buckles 1, 1C, 1E, 1G, 1J, and 1L of the first to sixth embodiments, at least the plug portions 31A, 31C, and 31E may be formed with guide surfaces 35A, 35C, and 35E that separate the connecting members 2A, 2C, and 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2D, and 2F from each other in the X direction when the connecting members 2A, 2C, and 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2D, and 2F are in a disengaged state. According to this configuration, when the socket portions 41A, 41C, 41E and the socket portions 41B, 41D, 41F are brought closer together in the Y direction to release the engagement between the plug portions 31A, 31C, 31E and the plug portions 31B, 31D, 31F, the connecting members 2A, 2C, 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2D, 2F can be moved away from each other by the guidance of the guide surfaces 35A, 35C, 35E.Therefore, the operator can smoothly separate the connecting members 2A, 2C, 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2D, 2F simply by grasping the buckles 1, 1C, 1E, 1G, 1J, 1L so as to bring the socket portions 41A, 41C, 41E and the socket portions 41B, 41D, 41F closer together in the Y direction.

[0079] In the buckles 1, 1C, 1E, 1G, 1J, and 1L of the first to sixth embodiments, the socket portions 41A, 41C, and 41E and the socket portions 41B, 41D, and 41F respectively have side edge portions 422A to 422F and 423A to 423F along the X direction that face each other at an interval in the Y direction when the connecting members 2A, 2C, and 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2D, and 2F are engaged, and the side edge portions 422A to 422F and 423A to 423F are inclined with respect to the Z direction so that their outer portions are positioned more outward in the Y direction than their inner portions in the Z direction. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the risk of fingers getting caught between the side edges 422A to 422F and 423A to 423F when the sockets 41A, 41C, 41E and the sockets 41B, 41D, 41F are brought closer to each other.

[0080] In the buckles 1, 1C of the first and second embodiments, when the connecting members 2A, 2C and the connecting members 2B, 2D are in an engaged state, the plug portions 31A, 31C and the plug portions 31B, 31D are releasably engaged with each other. With this configuration, compared to, for example, when the connecting members 2 to 2D are each provided with an engaging portion that engages with the plug portions 31A, 31C and the plug portions 31B, 31D, respectively, the widthwise dimensions of the buckles 1, 1C can be reduced by not providing separate engaging portions, thereby making it possible to miniaturize the connecting device.

[0081] In the buckles 1, 1E, 1J, 1L of the first, third, fifth, and sixth embodiments, at least the socket portion 41A, 41E has a bottom surface 411A, 411E on the base portion 21A, 21E side that defines its interior 45A, 45E, and the one of the biasing portions 51A, 51E is formed by a leaf spring 51A, 51E extending in the X direction from the bottom surface 411A, 411E. According to this configuration, one of the biasing portions 51A, 51E is formed by the aforementioned leaf spring 51A, 51E, which makes it easy to demold the connecting members 2A, 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2E when manufacturing them, and also eliminates the need to form, for example, a die-cutting hole in the socket portions 41A, 41B, 41E, 41F just for forming the biasing portion.

[0082] In the buckles 1, 1E, 1J, 1L of the first, third, fifth, and sixth embodiments, at least the socket portions 41A, 41E have inner surfaces 441A, 441E (side surfaces) that are continuous with the bottom surfaces 411A, 411E, and the inner surfaces 441A, 441E are arranged at a distance in the Y direction from the plug portions 31B, 31F that are inserted into the socket portions 41A, 41E, and the leaf springs 51A, 51E as one of the biasing portions are arranged elastically deformable between the inner surfaces 441A, 441E and the plug portions 31B, 31F when the connecting members 2A, 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2F are engaged, and their tips abut against the plug portions 31B, 31F. With this configuration, when plug portions 31A, 31E and plug portions 31B, 31F are engaged, the tips of leaf springs 51A, 51E abut against plug portions 31B, 31F, thereby stabilizing the engagement state. On the other hand, by pushing socket portions 41A, 41E in the +Y direction to bring leaf springs 51A, 51E closer to plug portions 31B, 31F, elastic deformation is caused in leaf springs 51A, 51E, thereby releasing the aforementioned engagement.

[0083] In the buckles 1, 1E, 1J, 1L of the first, third, fifth, and sixth embodiments, the plug portions 31A, 31E and the plug portions 31B, 31F have claw portions 33A, 33B, 33E, 33F at their tips, and the leaf springs 51A, 51E as one of the biasing portions extend from the bottom surfaces 411A, 411E to a position opposite the claw portions 33A, 33E of the plug portions 31A, 31E in the Y direction.

[0084] In the buckle 1 of the first embodiment, the plug portion 31A and the plug portion 31B have claw portions 33A and 33B at their tips, and the dimension in the Y direction of the claw portion 33B of the plug portion 31B is smaller than the dimension in the Y direction of the leaf spring 51A and the plug portion 31A, and the dimension in the Y direction of the leg portion 32B, which is the part of the plug portion 31B excluding the claw portion 33B, gradually increases from the claw portion 33B toward the base portion 21B and is larger than the dimension in the Y direction of the leaf spring 51A and the plug portion 31A. According to this configuration, by reducing the dimension in the Y direction of the claw portion 33B of the plug portion 31B as described above, the plug portion 31B can be easily inserted between the leaf spring 51A and the plug portion 31A, while by gradually increasing the dimension in the Y direction of the leg portion 32B, which is the part of the plug portion 31B excluding the claw portion 33B, as described above, the leaf spring 51A can press the plug portion 31B, thereby achieving a good engagement state. Furthermore, since the plug portion 31B and the plug portion 31A are engaged with each other after being pressed against each other by the leaf spring 51A, a clicking sensation can be produced when they are engaged with each other.

[0085] In the second and fourth embodiments of the buckles 1C, 1G, at least the socket portion 41C, 41E has an inner surface 441C, 441E that defines its interior 45C, 45E, and the one of the biasing portions 61C, 61G is formed by a leaf spring 61C, 61G extending from the inner surface 441C, 441E. With this configuration, compared to, for example, a case where socket portions 41C, 41E have bottom surfaces 411C, 411E that define their interiors 45C, 45E and a spring portion such as a leaf spring is formed on this bottom surface 411C, 411E, it is easy to form leaf springs 61C, 61G even if the space for forming the spring portion is small, and therefore, the buckles 1C, 1G can be made smaller.

[0086] In the buckles 1C, 1G of the second and fourth embodiments, the leaf springs 61C, 61G serving as the one biasing portion extend from the inner surfaces 441C, 441E toward the base portions 21C, 21E. With this configuration, the leaf springs 61C, 61G of the socket portions 41C, 41E themselves can also be used as guides to guide the plug portions 31D, 31F between the leaf springs 61C, 61G and the plug portions 31C, 31E, thereby allowing the connecting members 2C, 2E and the connecting members 2D, 2F to be smoothly connected.

[0087] In the buckles 1C, 1G of the second and fourth embodiments, the leaf springs 61C, 61G serving as the one urging portions are inclined with respect to the X direction so that the tip ends 611C, 611G thereof are spaced apart from the inner surfaces 441C, 441E. According to this configuration, a gap corresponding to the elastic deformation of the leaf springs 61C, 61G can be easily formed between the tip ends 611C, 611G of the leaf springs 61C, 61G and the inner side surfaces 441C, 441E.

[0088] In the second and fourth embodiments of the buckles 1C and 1G, the plug portions 31C and 31E and the plug portions 31D and 31F have claw portions 33C, 33D, 33E, and 33F at their tips, and the tips 611C and 611G of the leaf springs 61C and 61G as one of the biasing portions are positioned at positions in the X direction corresponding to the positions at which the claw portions 33D and 33F of the plug portions 31D and 31F in the engaged state are positioned. According to this configuration, the tips 611C, 611G of the leaf springs 61C, 61G can press the claws 33D, 33F of the plug portions 31D, 31F, thereby stabilizing the engaged state of the plug portions 31D, 31F.

[0089] In the buckles 1C and 1G of the second and fourth embodiments, the tip ends 611C and 611G of the leaf springs 61C and 61G serving as the one biasing portions protrude in the Y direction toward the plug portions 31C and 31E. With this configuration, the elastic deformation of the leaf springs 61C and 61G increases after the plug portions 31D and 31F contact the tips 611C and 611G of the leaf springs 61C and 61G, stabilizing the engagement state of the plug portions 31D and 31F. Furthermore, as described above, the increased elastic deformation of the leaf springs 61C and 61G can provide a clicking sensation when the plug portions 31D and 31F engage. Furthermore, the elastic deformation of the leaf springs 61C and 61G can be kept small until the plug portions 31D and 31F contact the tips 611C and 611G of the leaf springs 61C and 61G, making it easier to insert the plug portions 31D and 31F.

[0090] In the third to sixth embodiments of the buckles 1E, 1G, 1J, and 1L, the socket portion 41E has an engagement portion 71E that engages with the plug portion 31F when the connecting member 2E and the connecting member 2F are engaged, the socket portion 41F has an engagement portion 71F that engages with the plug portion 31E in the engaged state, and the engagement portions 71E and 71F are arranged at a distance from each other in the Y direction between the plug portions 31E and 31F in the engaged state. According to this configuration, by engaging the engaging portion 71E with the plug portion 31F and engaging the engaging portion 71F with the plug portion 31E, the connecting members 2E, 2F can be engaged at two points, and the engagement strength can be increased compared to, for example, when the plug portions are engaged with each other at one point.

[0091] In the buckles 1E, 1G, 1J, and 1L of the third to sixth embodiments, the engagement portion 71E is disposed in the interior 45E of the socket portion 41E, and the engagement portion 71F is disposed in the interior 45F of the socket portion 41F. According to this configuration, the engaging portions 71E and 71F can be configured not to be exposed to the outside, thereby improving the design.

[0092] In the buckle 1J of the fifth embodiment, an opening 73J is formed between the engagement portion 71E and the base portion 21E, in which the tip of the plug portion 31F is positioned when engaged, and an opening 73K is formed between the engagement portion 71F and the base portion 21F, in which the tip of the plug portion 31E is positioned when engaged. With this configuration, when the plug portion 31F and the engaging portion 71E are engaged, the tip of the plug portion 31F can be positioned in the aforementioned opening 73J of the connecting member 2E, and when the plug portion 31E and the engaging portion 71F are engaged, the tip of the plug portion 31E can be positioned in the aforementioned opening 73K of the connecting member 2F.Compared to when these openings 73J, 73K are not formed, as in the third embodiment, for example, the width dimension of the buckle 1J when the connecting members 2E, 2F are connected to each other can be made smaller.

[0093] In the buckle 1J of the sixth embodiment, a restricting member 81L is removably provided between the engaging portions 71E and 71F to restrict the coupling members 2E and 2F from moving toward each other in the Y direction in the engaged state. According to this configuration, by providing the restricting member 81L between the engaging portions 71E and 71F in an engaged state in which the plug portion 31E and the engaging portion 71F are engaged with each other, the coupling members 2E and 2F are restricted from moving toward each other in the Y direction, thereby preventing the aforementioned engagement from being released. This makes it possible to more reliably maintain the engaged state. Furthermore, by removing the restricting member 81L from between the engaging portions 71E, 71F, the connecting members 2E, 2F are permitted to move toward each other, and the disengaged state can be established. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1, 1C, 1E, 1G, 1J, 1L... buckle (connector), 21A, 21C, 21E... base (first base), 21B, 21D, 21F... base (second base), 221A to 221F, 222A to 222F... holes, 22A to 22F... mounting holes, 23A to 23F... bars, 2A, 2C, 2E... connecting member (first connecting member), 2B, 2D, 2F... connecting member (second connecting member), 31A, 31C, 31E... plug portion (first plug portion) ), 31B, 31D, 31F... plug portion (second plug portion), 32A to 32F... leg portion, 33A to 33F, 72E, 72F... claw portion, 34A to 34F... engagement surface, 351C, 351D... inclined surface, 352C, 352D... convex curved surface, 353C, 353D... facing surface, 35A to 35F... guide surface, 411A to 411F... bottom surface, 41A, 41C, 41E... socket portion (first socket portion), 41B, 41D, 41F... socket portion (second two socket parts), 421A to 421F, 431A to 431F...inner surface, 422A to 422F, 423A to 423F...side edge, 42A to 42F...front wall, 43A to 43F...rear wall, 441A to 441F...inner surface (side), 442A to 442F...outer surface, 443A to 443F...recess, 44A to 44F...side wall, 444C, 444D, 444G, 444H...recess, 45A to 45F...interior, 46, 75...spacing, 5 1A, 51E, 61C, 61G...leaf spring (first urging portion), 51B, 51F, 61D, 61H...leaf spring (second urging portion), 611C, 611D, 611G, 611H...tip, 612C, 612D, 612G, 612H...base, 71E...engaging portion (first engaging portion), 71F...engaging portion (second engaging portion), 73J, 73K...opening, 81L...regulating member, 82L...knob portion, 83L...base portion, 84L...insertion piece portion, 85L...end portion.

Claims

1. A connector (1A, 1C, 1E, 1G, 1J, 1L) in which a first connecting member (2A, 2C, 2E) and a second connecting member (2B, 2D, 2F) are separably connected, the first connecting member (2A, 2C, 2E) has a first base portion (21A, 21C, 21E), and a first plug portion (31A, 31C, 31E) and a first socket portion (41A, 41C, 41E) extending from the first base portion (21A, 21C, 21E), the second connecting member (2B, 2D, 2F) has a second base portion (21B, 21D, 21F), and a second plug portion (31B, 31D, 31F) and a second socket portion (41B, 41D, 41F) extending from the second base portion (21B, 21D, 21F), the first plug portion (31A, 31C, 31E) is arranged to be insertable into the second socket portion (41B, 41D, 41F) in an insertion direction, the second plug portion (31B, 31D, 31F) is arranged to be insertable into the first socket portion (41A, 41C, 41E) in the insertion direction, The connector (1, 1C, 1E, 1G, 1J, 1L) is a connector having at least one of a first biasing portion (51A, 51E, 61C, 61G) formed inside (45A, 45C, 45E) the first socket portion (41A, 41C, 41E) and biasing the first plug portion (31A, 31C, 31E) in an inserted state toward the second plug portion (31B, 31D, 31F) side in a width direction intersecting the insertion direction, and a second biasing portion (51B, 51F, 61D, 61H) formed inside (45A, 45D, 45F) the second socket portion (41B, 41D, 41F) and biasing the second plug portion (31B, 31D, 31F) in an inserted state toward the first plug portion (31A, 31C, 31E) side in the width direction.

2. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting member (2A, 2C, 2E) and the second connecting member (2B, 2D, 2F) are configured to be engaged when they move away from each other in the width direction, and to be disengaged when they move toward each other in the width direction against the force of one of the biasing portions.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein at least the first plug portion (31A, 31C, 31E) has a claw portion (33A, 33C, 33E) that protrudes toward the first socket portion (41A, 41C, 41E) in the width direction.

4. The first biasing portion (51A, 51E, 61C, 61G) and the second biasing portion (51B, 51F, 61D, 61H) are both included, a tip end (611C, 611G) of the first biasing portion (51A, 51E, 61C, 61G) abuts against the second plug portion (31A, 31C, 31E) when the first connecting member (2A, 2C, 2E) and the second connecting member (2B, 2D, 2F) are in an engaged state, The connector according to claim 1, wherein a tip (611D, 611H) of the second biasing portion (51B, 51F, 61D, 61H) abuts against the first plug portion (31A, 31D, 31F) in the engaged state.

5. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein at least the first plug portion (31A, 31C, 31E) is formed with guide surfaces (35A, 35C, 35E) that separate the first coupling member (2A, 2C, 2E) and the second coupling member (2B, 2D, 2F) from each other in the insertion direction when the first coupling member (2A, 2C, 2E) and the second coupling member (2B, 2D, 2F) are in a disengaged state.

6. the first socket portion (41A, 41C, 41E) and the second socket portion (41B, 41D, 41F) respectively have side edge portions (422A, 422B, 422C, 422D, 422E, 422F, 423A, 423B, 423C, 423D, 423E, 423F) along the insertion direction that face each other at an interval in the width direction when the first connecting member (2A, 2C, 2E) and the second connecting member (2B, 2D, 2F) are engaged with each other, The connector of claim 1, wherein the side edge portions (422A, 422B, 422C, 422D, 422E, 422F, 423A, 423B, 423C, 423D, 423E, 423F) are inclined relative to the thickness direction so that the outer portions are positioned more outward in the width direction than the inner portions in the thickness direction that intersects the insertion direction and the width direction.

7. A coupling device as described in claim 1, wherein when the first coupling member (2A, 2C) and the second coupling member (2B, 2D) are in an engaged state, the first plug portion (31A, 31C) and the second plug portion (31B, 31D) are releasably engaged with each other.

8. At least the first socket portion (41A, 41E) has a bottom surface (411A, 411E) that defines an interior (45A, 45E) thereof, on the first base portion (21A, 21E) side, 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the one of the biasing portions (51A, 51E) is formed by a leaf spring (51A, 51E) extending from the bottom surface (411A, 411E) in the insertion direction.

9. At least the first socket portion (41A, 41E) has a side surface (441A, 441E) continuous with the bottom surface (411A, 411E), the side surfaces (441A, 441E) are disposed at intervals in the width direction from the second plug portions (31B, 31F) inserted into the first socket portions (41A, 41E), The coupling device according to claim 8, wherein the one of the biasing portions (51A, 51E) is arranged elastically deformable between the side surface (441A, 441E) and the second plug portion (31B, 31F) when the first coupling member (2A, 2E) and the second coupling member (2B, 2F) are engaged, and the tip thereof abuts against the second plug portion (31B, 31F).

10. the first plug portion (31A, 31E) and the second plug portion (31B, 31F) have claw portions (33A, 33B, 33E, 33F) at their tips, The connector according to claim 8, wherein the one of the biasing portions (51A, 51E) extends from the bottom surface (411A, 411E) to a position opposite the claw portion (33A, 33E) of the first plug portion (31A, 31E) in the width direction.

11. The first plug portion (31A) and the second plug portion (31B) have claw portions (33A, 33B) at their tips, a dimension in the width direction of the claw portion (33B) of the second plug portion (31B) is smaller than a dimension in the width direction of the one urging portion (51A) and the first plug portion (31A), 9. The coupling device according to claim 8, wherein the widthwise dimension of the second plug portion (31B) excluding the claw portion (33B) gradually increases from the claw portion (33B) toward the second base portion (21B) and is larger than the widthwise dimension of the one of the biasing portions (51A) and the first plug portion (31A).

12. At least the first socket portion (41C, 41E) has a side surface (441C, 441E) that defines an interior (45C, 41E) thereof, 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the one of the biasing portions is formed by a leaf spring (61C, 61G) extending from the side surface (441C, 441E).

13. The connector according to claim 12, wherein the one of the biasing portions (61C, 61G) extends from the side surface (441C, 441E) toward the first base portion (21C, 21E).

14. The connector according to claim 12, wherein the one of the biasing portions (61C, 61G) is inclined with respect to the insertion direction so that a tip (611C, 611G) side thereof is spaced apart from the side surface (441C, 441E).

15. the first plug portion (31C, 31E) and the second plug portion (31D, 31F) have claw portions (33C, 33D, 33E, 33F) at their tips, The connector according to claim 12, wherein the tip (611C, 611G) of one of the biasing portions (61C, 61G) is positioned at a position corresponding to the position in the insertion direction at which the claw portion (33D, 33F) of the second plug portion (31D, 31F) in the engaged state is positioned.

16. The connector according to claim 12, wherein a tip (611C, 611G) of the one of the biasing portions (61C, 61G) protrudes toward the first plug portion (31A, 31E) in the width direction.

17. the first socket portion (41E) has a first engagement portion (71E) that engages with the second plug portion (31F) in the engaged state of the first connecting member (2E) and the second connecting member (2F), the second socket portion (41F) has a second engagement portion (71F) that engages with the first plug portion (31D) in the engaged state, The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein the first engagement portion (41E) and the second engagement portion (41F) are arranged at a distance from each other in the width direction between the first plug portion (31D) and the second plug portion (31F) in the engaged state.

18. The first engagement portion (71E) is disposed inside (45E) of the first socket portion (41E), The connector according to claim 17, wherein the second engagement portion (71F) is disposed inside (45F) the second socket portion (41F).

19. an opening (73J) in which a tip end of the second plug portion (31F) is disposed in the engaged state is formed between the first engaging portion (71E) and the first base portion (21E); A coupling device as described in claim 17, wherein an opening (73K) is formed between the second engagement portion (71F) and the second base portion (21F) and into which the tip of the first plug portion (31E) is positioned in the engaged state.

20. A connecting device as described in claim 17, wherein a regulating member (81L) is removably provided between the first engaging portion (71E) and the second engaging portion (71F) to regulate the first connecting member (2E) and the second connecting member (2F) from moving toward each other in the width direction when in the engaged state.

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