Zipper chain

Abstract

This fastener chain (10) is disposed so that the outside surface thereof is covered by left and right adherends (2A, 2B) and comprises a pair of left and right fastener stringers (20A, 20B) respectively attached to the left and right adherends (2A, 2B). The pair of left and right fastener stringers (20A, 20B) each comprise a fastener tape (30) having a core string part (31), and a fastener element row constituted by a plurality of elements (40) fixed to the core string part (31). The elements (40) each have an element base part (41) and an element head part (42) that form a tape fixing part (410) to which the core string part (31) is fixed, and a meshing part (43) is formed while the element head parts (42) are enmeshed. A space (46) that sandwiches the left and right adherends (2A, 2B) is formed above the meshing part (43) between the elements (40) of the pair of left and right fastener stringers (20A, 20B).

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a fastener chain for connecting adherents such as skin materials for automobile seat covers and the like to each other.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a pair of left and right fastener strings (fastener chains) for connecting skin materials such as automobile seat covers to each other have been known (see Patent Document 1). This fastener string includes a fastener tape, a row of fastener elements, and a regulating body, and is configured to form a space for sandwiching the edge of the skin material between the regulating body and the fastener tape. Therefore, in this fastener string, by sandwiching the edge of the skin material between the fastener tape and the regulating body, the edge of the skin material can be held, and by folding back the skin material from its edge to the front side of the regulating body, the fastener string can be arranged so as not to be exposed on the front side of the skin material. Furthermore, when the rows of fastener elements of a pair of left and right fastener strings are engaged with each other, the regulating body restricts the left and right skin materials from separating in the left - right direction even when a force for separating them in the left - right direction is applied to the left and right skin materials.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the fastener string described in Patent Document Ⅰ, the left and right skin materials are restricted from separating in the left - right direction by a regulating body which is a separate member from the row of fastener elements. However, it is desirable that the separation of adherents such as skin materials in the left - right direction can be suppressed without using such a regulating body. Furthermore, due to increasing demands for aesthetics, it is desirable to further reduce the risk of the zipper being exposed on the outside compared to the design described in Patent Document 1.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a zipper chain that can prevent the zipper from becoming visible when a force acts to separate the attached objects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The fastener chain of the present invention is a fastener chain arranged such that its front side is covered by left and right adherends, and comprises a pair of left and right fastener stringers attached to the left and right adherends, respectively, the pair of left and right fastener stringers each comprising a fastener tape having a core cord portion and a row of fastener elements composed of a plurality of elements fixed to the core cord portion, the elements having an element base portion that forms a tape fixing portion to which the core cord portion is fixed, and an element head portion, an interlocking portion formed when the element heads interlock, and a space for sandwiching the left and right adherends is formed above the interlocking portion between the elements of the pair of left and right fastener stringers. According to the zipper chain of the present invention, compared to a zipper chain in which, for example, the attached object is joined to the zipper tape above the element without the aforementioned space being formed, it is possible to suppress the zipper chain from being visible from the front when an opening force pulling in the left-right direction is applied to the attached objects on the left and right sides.

[0007] In the fastener chain of the present invention, the element head is configured to protrude from the element base toward the mating element, and the interlocking portion may define the lower part of the space.

[0008] In the fastener chain of the present invention, the element head is composed of an interlocking projection and an interlocking recess, and the interlocking recess may be positioned to protrude toward the mating fastener stringer in the left-right direction intersecting the vertical direction of the element and the longitudinal direction of the fastener tape, more than the inner surface of the element base that defines the space.

[0009] In the fastener chain of the present invention, the element head further comprises an interlocking projection and an interlocking recess, and an extension disposed between the interlocking recess and the space, wherein the extension may define the bottom surface of the space.

[0010] In the fastener chain of the present invention, the height difference between the upper surface of the extension portion and the upper surface of the element base portion may be 3 mm or more.

[0011] In the fastener chain of the present invention, the continuous portion of the fastener tape that is continuous with the core cord portion is arranged in the space, and the joining position of the fastener tape and one or more elements or the fastener tape to the adherend may be set in the region between the upper surface of the extension portion and the upper surface of the element base portion, in which the fastener tape is arranged in the space. With this configuration, since the fastening is performed at the aforementioned joining position, the holding force of the fastener chain on the attached object can be improved compared to, for example, when the fastening is performed at a position other than the aforementioned joining position, and the spreading of the left and right attached objects can be more effectively suppressed.

[0012] In the fastener chain of the present invention, the fastener tape and one or more of the elements or the fastener tape may be sewn to the adherend at the joining position.

[0013] In the fastener chain of the present invention, the fastener tape and one or more elements or the fastener tape's joining position to the adherend is set in the region between a position located at a distance of one-third of the distance between the upper surface of the element base and the bottom surface of the space, and the position of the bottom surface of the space, in the state before or after applying an opening force to the left and right adherends, and the fastener tape and one or more elements or the fastener tape may be configured to be sewn to the adherend in the region. With this configuration, the fastener tape and one or more of the elements are sewn to the adherend in the region between the position separated by the aforementioned distance from the upper surface of the element base and the position of the bottom surface of the aforementioned space, and the fastener tape is sewn to the adherend, so the sewing thread used for sewing can be placed in a position that is not easily visible from the front.

[0014] In the fastener chain of the present invention, the element base may have a stepped portion formed on its upper side. With this configuration, by increasing the spacing between the upper portions of adjacent element bases in the row of fastener elements, the risk of protrusions hitting each other even when the fastener chain bends can be reduced, and the flexibility of the fastener chain can be maintained even when the aforementioned large space is formed.

[0015] In the fastener chain of the present invention, the area of ​​the upper surface of the element base may be smaller than the area corresponding to the bottom surface of the stepped portion.

[0016] In the fastener chain of the present invention, the portion of the fastener tape that is continuous with respect to the core cord portion is bent upward and placed in the space, and the vertical position of the bottom surface of the stepped portion may be the same as the bending position of the continuous portion or a position closer to the bending position than the upper surface of the element base. According to such a configuration, the vertical dimension from the upper surface of the element base to the bottom surface of the stepped portion can be made as large as possible, and the material itself constituting the element can be reduced. Further, for example, when sewing in the above-mentioned region, since it is easy to hang the sewing thread on the region of the element base where the stepped portion is formed, the degree of freedom of the sewing position where sewing can be easily performed can be improved.

[0017] In the fastener chain of the present invention, the joining position of the fastener tape and the one or more elements or the adherend of the fastener tape is, in the pre-state or the post-state in which an opening force is applied to the left and right adherends, from the upper surface of the element base to the distance between the upper surface and the bottom surface of the space. It is set in a region between a position separated by one-third of the distance and the position of the bottom surface of the stepped portion, and it may be configured to be sewn to the adherend in this region. According to such a configuration, the sewing thread used for sewing the adherend can be arranged in a position where it is difficult to be seen from the front side. Further, for example, compared with the case of sewing at a position below the bottom surface of the stepped portion, the sewing thread can be stably hung and sewn in the region of the element base where the stepped portion is formed.

[0018] In the fastener chain of the present invention, the stepped portion may be arranged at a position on the upper surface of the element base opposite to the space side. According to such a configuration, for example, compared with the case where the stepped portion is arranged at a position closer to the space side, the adherend can be preferably sandwiched between the element bases in the left and right fastener stringers.

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fastener chain that can suppress the separation of the adherends from each other.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing an automobile seat using the fastener chain according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing the fastener chain according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Perspective view showing an enlarged element of the fastener chain according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Plan view showing an element of the fastener chain according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] End view showing the fastener chain according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Explanatory drawing regarding the sewing of the fastener chain according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Perspective view showing the fastener chain according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] Perspective view showing the fastener chain according to the third embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the fastener chain 10 according to the present embodiment is for connecting the skin materials 2A and 2B as the left and right adherents constituting the seat cover of the automobile seat 1 shown in FIG. 1 while covering the front side (the upper side in FIGS. 2 and 5) of the skin materials 2A and 2B, and includes a pair of left and right fastener stringers 20A and 20B attached to the skin materials 2A and 2B. The fastener stringers 20A and 20B are configured to be separated and connected to each other as the fastener slider 60 shown in FIG. 1 travels along the length direction of the fastener chain 10. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the X direction is the length direction of the fastener chain 10, the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction is the left - right direction of the fastener chain 10 in the meshed state, and the Z direction orthogonal to the X and Y directions is the up - down direction of the fastener chain 10 in the meshed state.

[0022] The fastener stringers 20A and 20B each include a fastener tape 30 extending in the X direction and a fastener element row 50 composed of a plurality of elements 40 attached along the fastener tape 30.

[0023] The fastener tape 30 is flexible and can be bent and deformed, such as by folding. A core cord portion 31 (see Figure 5) is formed on one side edge of the fastener tape 30 along the X direction, and the core cord portion 31 is inserted into the tape fixing portion 410 of the element 40, which will be described later, in the X direction and fixed. As a result, the core cord portion 31 prevents the fastener tape 30 from coming off the element 40 even when a tensile force in the Y direction is applied to the surface materials 2A and 2B and the fastener tape 30 is subjected to this tensile force. In this embodiment, the width dimension of the fastener tape 30 in the width direction perpendicular to the X direction is such that, as shown in Figure 5, the core cord portion 31 covers the side surface 451 and the top surface 455 of the protruding portion 45, which will be described later, and the other side edge portion 33 of the fastener tape 30 along the X direction is positioned approximately at the same location as the side edge portion 21 of the surface material 2A (2B) along the X direction. In this fastener tape 30, with the element heads 42 described later interlocked, the continuous portion 32 with respect to the core cord portion 31 bends upward at the bending position 35 and is positioned in the space 46 described later.

[0024] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the element 40 is made of synthetic resin and has an element base 41 to which the core cord portion 31 is fixed, forming a tape fixing portion 410, and an element head 42 that is continuous with the lower part of the inner surface 411 of the element base 41. When the element heads 42 of the fastener stringers 20A and 20B are engaged, an engagement portion 43 is formed as shown in Figure 5. In addition, when the element heads 42 of the fastener stringers 20A and 20B are engaged, a space 46 is formed between the inner surfaces 411 of the left and right element bases 41, in the portion above the engagement portion 43, to sandwich the left and right surface materials 2A and 2B. The tape fixing portion 410 is open in the portion of the inner surface 411 above the engagement portion 43.

[0025] The element base 41 is formed in a block shape and has the aforementioned inner surface 411 positioned inward in the Y direction when the element heads 42 interlock to form an interlocking portion 43, an outer surface 412 positioned outward in the Y direction, an upper surface 455 continuous with the inner surface 411, a lower surface 414 facing the upper surface 455 in the Z direction, and a front surface 415 and a rear surface 416 facing each other in the X direction. The inner surface 411 is formed flush with the Z direction which defines the space 46 to be described later. The area of ​​the upper surface 455 of the element base 41 is smaller than the area corresponding to the bottom surface 413 of the stepped portion 44 to be described later.

[0026] Furthermore, a stepped portion 44 is formed on the upper side of the element base 41. This stepped portion 44 is composed of a side surface 452 and a rear surface 454 that are continuous with the upper surface 455 of the element base 41, and a bottom surface 413 that are continuous with the side surface 452 and the rear surface 454. The bottom surface 413 is continuous with the outer surface 412, the front surface 415, and the rear surface 416 of the element base 41. The side surface 452 is roughly aligned with the Z and X directions, the rear surface 454 is roughly aligned with the Z and Y directions, and the bottom surface 413 is roughly aligned with the X and Y directions. In this embodiment, the vertical position of the bottom surface 413 of the stepped portion 44 is closer to the aforementioned refraction position 35 than the upper surface 455 of the element base 41 in the Z direction.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the maximum dimension L of the stepped portion 44 in the X direction is greater than the dimension L2 of the upper surface 455 of the element base 41 in the X direction. The dimension L1 in the X direction of the portion where the bottom surface 413 of the stepped portion 44 is continuous with the inner surface 411 is greater than the dimension L2 of the upper surface 455 of the element base 41 in the X direction. Furthermore, since the stepped portion 44 has a dimension L1 set on the above portion of its bottom surface 413, the positioning of the joining position P by sewing can be made easier than if the dimension L1 were not set.

[0028] The maximum dimension W of the stepped portion 44 in the Y direction is greater than the dimension W2 of the upper surface 455 of the element base 41 in the Y direction. The dimension W1 of the portion of the stepped portion 44 where the bottom surface 413 is continuous with the front surface 415 in the Y direction is smaller than the dimension W2 of the upper surface 455 of the element base 41 in the Y direction. Furthermore, since the stepped portion 44 has a dimension W1 set on the above portion of its bottom surface 413, it can better accommodate the tension of the sewing thread used for sewing than if the dimension W1 were not set, resulting in a more stable sewing state.

[0029] Furthermore, the element base 41 has a projection 45 that is continuous with the bottom surface 413 and protrudes upward. This projection 45 is formed by the aforementioned top surface 455, side surface 452 and rear surface 454, the portion of the inner surface 411 of the element base 41 that is above the bottom surface 413 (in this embodiment, this portion is referred to as the side surface 451), and the portion of the front surface 415 that is above the bottom surface 413 (in this embodiment, this portion is referred to as the front surface 453). The lower surface 456 (virtual lower surface) of the projection 45 is a virtual surface that is aligned with the bottom surface 413 of the stepped portion 44.

[0030] In the fastener stringer 20A, as shown in Figure 3, the protruding portion 45 has its side surface 451 and front surface 453 positioned along the lower part of the inner surface 411 and the lower part of the front surface 415 of the element base 41, the side surface 452 positioned away from the outer surface 412 of the element base 41 in the Y direction toward the space 46, and the rear surface 454 positioned away from the rear surface 416 of the element base 41 in the X direction toward the front. Therefore, the protruding portion 45 in the fastener stringer 20A is positioned on the element base 41 towards the front in the X direction and towards the inward in the Y direction. Furthermore, the stepped portion 44 of the fastener stringer 20A is positioned relative to the protruding portion 45, towards the rear in the X direction and towards the outward in the Y direction (on the opposite side from the space 46 in the Y direction).

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, the protruding portion 45 of the fastener stringer 20B is positioned such that the side surface 451 and rear surface 454 are aligned with the lower part of the inner surface 411 and the lower part of the rear surface 416 of the element base 41, the side surface 452 is positioned away from the outer surface 412 of the element base 41 in the Y direction toward the space 46, and the front surface 453 is positioned away from the front surface 415 of the element base 41 in the X direction toward the rear. Therefore, the protruding portion 45 of the fastener stringer 20B is positioned on the element base 41 towards the rear in the X direction and towards the inward in the Y direction. Furthermore, the stepped portion 44 of the fastener stringer 20B is positioned closer to the front in the X direction and further out in the Y direction relative to the protruding portion 45 (on the opposite side from the space 46 in the Y direction).

[0032] Furthermore, in order to form a spacing 51 (pitch) between adjacent protrusions 45 in the X direction, as described later, the flexibility of the fastener element row 50 is maintained even without widening the space between adjacent element bases 41 in the X direction, except for the space between the protrusions 45.

[0033] As described above, the element bases 41 of the fastener stringer 20A and the element bases 41 of the fastener stringer 20B are configured such that, as shown in Figure 5, the element heads 42 interlock to form an interlocking portion 43. In this interlocked state, the left and right element bases 41 are positioned opposite each other in the Y direction, and are positioned to form a space 46 between the left and right inner surfaces 411 that sandwiches the skin materials 2A and 2B. The depth dimension of the space 46 (the dimension in the Z direction from the position of the upper surface 455 of the element base 41 to the position of the upper surface 433 of the interlocking portion 43 (the same position as the bottom surface 461 of the space)) may be about 5 mm, and in this embodiment it is 3.6 mm, which is a sufficient depth dimension to sandwich the skin materials 2A and 2B. For example, if the depth dimension of the space 46 is about 5 mm, the dimension in the Z direction from the position of the bottom surface 413 to the position of the upper surface 433 is about 1.6 mm in this embodiment.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the element head 42 has a meshing projection 431 and a meshing recess 432, and an extension 43B positioned between the meshing recess 432 and the space 46, and is configured to protrude inward in the Y direction toward the mating element 40 when meshed.

[0035] The meshing recess 432 is continuous with the element base 41 and is positioned to protrude inward in the Y direction from the inner surface 411. The meshing projection 431 is positioned to protrude further inward in the Y direction from the meshing recess 432.

[0036] The extension portion 43B extends inward in the Y direction from the element base portion 41. Furthermore, the extension portion 43B is formed continuously above the interlocking recess 432, and the upper surface 433 of the extension portion 43B defines the bottom surface 461, which is the lower part of the space 46. In this embodiment, the height difference in the Z direction between the upper surface 433 of the extension portion 43B and the upper surface 455 of the element base portion 41 is 3 mm or more, but may be further set to 3.6 mm or more.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5, the outer materials 2A and 2B are folded in a double layer in space 46 to form a folded portion 22. The fastener tape 30 in the fastener stringer 20A is sandwiched between the outer material 2A and the element 40 in space 46, and the fastener tape 30 in the fastener stringer 20A is sandwiched between the outer material 2B and the element 40 in space 46.

[0038] The fastener element row 50 is composed of multiple elements 40 arranged in the X direction and provided on the fastener tape 30. As shown in Figure 3, a spacing 51 (pitch) in the X direction is formed between the protruding portions 45 in the fastener element row 50, which in this embodiment is approximately 3.5 mm.

[0039] The joining position P of the fastener tape 30 and one or more elements 40 to the surface materials 2A, 2B is set in the region R where the fastener tape 30 is positioned in the aforementioned space 46, between the upper surface 433 of the extension portion 43B and the upper surface 455 of the element base portion 41, in the state before or after applying an opening force to the left and right surface materials 2A, 2B, and is located between position A, which is one-third the distance between the upper surface 455 of the element base portion 41 and the bottom surface 461 of the aforementioned space 46, and the position of the bottom surface 461 of the space 46. The fastener tape 30 and one or more elements 40 are sewn to the surface materials 2A, 2B with sewing thread at the joining position P. In this embodiment, the joining position P by sewing is between position A and the position of the bottom surface 413. Furthermore, in this embodiment, position A is located 1.2 mm below the upper surface 455 of the element base 41 (1 / 3 of the depth dimension of the space 46) in the Z direction, and 2.4 mm above the bottom surface 461 of the space 46 (2 / 3 of the depth dimension of the space 46) in the Z direction.

[0040] [Sewing Instructions] The following describes the sewing procedure for sewing the fastener tape 30 and one or more elements 40 to the outer materials 2A and 2B.

[0041] The aforementioned sewing is performed on the zipper chain 10 in a separated state where the element heads 42 are separated and the interlocking portion 43 is not formed. As shown in Figure 6, in the separated state, the element 40 has its protruding portion 45 lying on its side in the Y direction, which is a different orientation from the state in Figure 5 where the protruding portion 45 is raised upward in the Z direction.

[0042] Next, the outer material 2A (2B) is placed on the separate fastener chain 10 at a predetermined position along the inner surface 411 of the element base 41, and sewn to the fastener tape 30 at the aforementioned joining position P, and the sewing thread is wrapped around the protruding portion 45 of one or more elements 40. In this way, the outer material 2A (2B), the fastener tape 30, and one or more elements 40 are joined by sewing.

[0043] Based on the above, the fastener tape 30 and one or more elements 40 are sewn to the surface materials 2A and 2B at the aforementioned joining position P, that is, a position that is two-thirds of the depth dimension of the space 46 (the 3.6 mm area mentioned above in this embodiment) and within the area between the aforementioned position A and the bottom surface 461 of the space 46 (the 2.4 mm area mentioned above in this embodiment).

[0044] Furthermore, when the separation state is changed to an interlocking state and a space 46 is formed, if the surface materials 2A and 2B located in the space 46 have a thickness dimension approximately equal to the dimension of the space 46 in the Y direction in the interlocking state, each will be folded in half to form the aforementioned folded portion 22, and each will be compressed to about 1 / 4 of its original size, making it difficult to remove from the space 46.

[0045] [Effects of the First Embodiment] According to the fastener chain 10 of this embodiment, a space 46 is formed between the elements 40 of the left and right pair of fastener stringers 20A and 20B, above the interlocking portion 43, which sandwiches the left and right outer materials 2A and 2B. Therefore, even if an opening force is applied to the left and right outer materials 2A and 2B pulling them outwards in the left-right direction (outward in the Y direction), causing them to be pulled upward from the space 46, the aforementioned space 46 sandwiches the outer materials 2A and 2B, suppressing the opening of the left and right outer materials 2A and 2B. This reduces the risk of the fastener chain 10 becoming visible from the front when an opening force is applied to the left and right outer materials 2A and 2B pulling them in the left-right direction.

[0046] Since the fastener tape 30 and one or more elements 40 are joined to the outer materials 2A and 2B at the aforementioned joining position P, the holding force of the outer materials 2A and 2B by the fastener chain 10 can be improved compared to, for example, joining at a position other than the joining position P, and the separation of the left and right outer materials 2A and 2B can be more effectively suppressed.

[0047] Since the fastener tape 30 and one or more elements 40 are sewn to the outer material 2A, 2B in the region between position A, which is separated from the upper surface 455 of the element base 41 by the aforementioned distance, and position 413 of the bottom surface of the space 46, the sewing thread used for sewing can be positioned in a location that is not easily visible from the outside.

[0048] By forming the stepped portion 44, the spacing 51 between the upper portions of adjacent element bases 41 in the row of fastener elements 50 can be increased. This increased spacing 51 reduces the risk of the protruding portions 45 contacting each other even when the fastener chain 10 bends, and allows the flexibility of the fastener chain 10 to be maintained even when the aforementioned space 46 is made large in the Z direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the fastener tape 30 and one or more elements 40 are joined to the surface materials 2A and 2B by sewing, the bottom surface 413 of the stepped portion 44 is also formed on one side in the X direction relative to the protruding portion 45, making it easy to position the joining position P by sewing.

[0049] By positioning the bottom surface 413 of the stepped portion 44 closer to the bending position 35 than the top surface 455 of the element base 41, the vertical dimension from the top surface 455 of the element base 41 to the bottom surface 413 of the stepped portion 44 can be made as large as possible, thereby reducing the amount of material used to construct the element 40. In addition, since sewing thread can be easily attached to the region of the element base 41 where the stepped portion 44 is formed, the degree of freedom in sewing positions can be improved, making sewing easier.

[0050] In the fastener chain of the present invention, by setting the aforementioned joining position P in the region between position A and the bottom surface 413 of the stepped portion 44, either before or after applying an opening force to the left and right outer materials 2A and 2B, the sewing thread used to sew the outer materials 2A and 2B can be arranged so that it is not easily visible from the outside. Furthermore, the sewing thread can be stably attached and sewn in the region of the element base 41 where the stepped portion 44 is formed.

[0051] Since the stepped portion 44 is positioned on the opposite side (outward in the Y direction) from the space 46 side, the surface material 2A, 2B can be suitably sandwiched between the element bases 41 of the fastener stringers 20A, 20B, compared to, for example, the case where the stepped portion is positioned closer to the space 46 side.

[0052] Since the inner surface 411 of the element base 41 is formed flush with the Z-direction, the surface materials 2A and 2B can be smoothly placed in the aforementioned space 46 without getting caught on the aforementioned stepped portion, compared to the case where the inner surface 411 is not flush, for example, when a stepped portion is formed on it.

[0053] [Second Embodiment] As shown in Figure 7, the fastener chain 10 according to the second embodiment is configured in substantially the same way as the first embodiment, but differs from the first embodiment in that the stepped portion 44 is not formed. For this reason, in the second embodiment, the outer surface 412 and rear surface 416 of the element base 41 are continuous with the upper surface 455, similar to the inner surface 411 and front surface 415. In the second embodiment, the upper portion of the element base 41 is formed in a trapezoidal shape, but is not limited to this. According to the second embodiment, a fastener chain 10 can be constructed that exhibits the same effects as the first embodiment, except for the effects described above when forming the stepped portion 44.

[0054] [Third Embodiment] As shown in Figure 8, the fastener chain 10 according to the third embodiment is formed in substantially the same manner as the second embodiment, but differs from the second embodiment in that a sewing groove 417 is formed in the element base 41. Therefore, the third embodiment can achieve the same effects as the second embodiment, and by forming the sewing groove 417, it is possible to easily sew the fastener tape 30 and one or more elements 40 to the surface materials 2A, 2B.

[0055] [Differentiation] In the first to third embodiments, the meshing recess 432 is configured to protrude from the inner surface 411 of the element base 41 toward the mating fastener stringer 20B (20A) in the meshed state. However, as long as the aforementioned space 46 can be formed, at least the meshing projection 431 may be configured to protrude.

[0056] In the first to third embodiments, the element head 42 has an extension portion 43B, but the extension portion 43B may be omitted if the configuration allows for the formation of the aforementioned space 46 even without the extension portion 43B.

[0057] In the first to third embodiments, the height difference between the upper surface 433 of the extension portion 43B and the upper surface 455 of the element base portion 41 is 3 mm or more, but it may be smaller than 3 mm as long as it is possible to form a space 46 that sandwiches the skin materials 2A and 2B.

[0058] In the first to third embodiments, both the fastener tape 30 and one or more elements 40 are joined to the surface materials 2A and 2B, but the invention is not limited to this, and only the fastener tape 30 may be joined to the surface materials 2A and 2B. Furthermore, although the joining described above is performed by sewing, other joining methods such as adhesive bonding may also be used.

[0059] In the first to third embodiments, the element base 41 has a flush inner surface 411 along the Z direction that defines the aforementioned space 46, but it is not limited to this, and for example, the inner surface 411 may have a stepped shape.

[0060] In the first embodiment, the joining position P of the fastener tape 30 and one or more elements 40 to the surface materials 2A, 2B is set in the region R, specifically in the region between the aforementioned position A and the position of the bottom surface 413 of the aforementioned space 46, before an opening force is applied to the left and right surface materials 2A, 2B. However, it may be set in the aforementioned region after an opening force is applied to the left and right surface materials 2A, 2B. Furthermore, if joining is possible in areas outside the aforementioned region, such as the area on the upper surface 455 side of position A or the area on the upper surface 433 side of the bottom surface 413, then joining may be done in those areas outside the aforementioned region.

[0061] In the first embodiment, the area of ​​the upper surface 455 of the element base 41 is smaller than the area corresponding to the bottom surface 413 of the stepped portion 44, but the area of ​​the upper surface 455 may be greater than or equal to the area corresponding to the bottom surface 413.

[0062] In the first embodiment, the vertical position of the bottom surface 413 of the stepped portion 44 is closer to the bending position 35 of the fastener tape 30 than the upper surface 455 of the element base portion 41, but it may be the same position as the bending position 35, or conversely, it may be closer to the upper surface 455 than the bending position 35.

[0063] In the first embodiment, the stepped portion 44 is located on the opposite side from the space 46, but it may also be formed on the space 46 side if it is sewable.

[0064] In the first embodiment, the dimension L1 of the bottom surface 413 of the stepped portion 44 is larger than the dimension L2 of the top surface 455 of the element base portion 41. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and if feasible, dimension L1 may be equal to or smaller than dimension L2.

[0065] In the first embodiment, the dimension W1 of the stepped portion 44 is smaller than the dimension W2 of the upper surface 455 of the element base portion 41. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and if feasible, dimension W1 may be equal to or larger than dimension W2.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the fastener chain 10 was described as connecting the left and right surface materials 2A and 2B that constitute the seat cover of an automobile seat 1. However, it may also be used to connect left and right surface materials used in bags, clothing, furniture such as chairs and sofas, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1…Automotive seat, 10…Fastener chain, 20A, 20B…Fastener stringer, 21, 33…Side edge, 22…Folded-over part, 2A, 2B…Surface material (attached body), 30…Fastener tape, 31…Core cord part, 32…Continuous part, 35…Bending position, 40…Element, 41…Element base, 410…Tape fixing part, 411…Inner surface, 412…Outer surface, 413, 461…Bottom surface, 414, 456…Underside, 415, 453… Front, 416, 454... Rear, 417... Sewing groove, 42... Element head, 43... Interlocking part, 431... Interlocking protrusion, 432... Interlocking recess, 433, 455... Top, 43B... Extension, 44... Step, 45... Protruding part, 451, 452... Side, 46... Space, 50... Fastener element row, 51... Spacing (pitch), 60... Fastener slider, A... Position, L, W... Maximum dimension, L1, L2, W1, W2... Dimension, P... Joint position, R... Area.

Claims

1. A fastener chain (10) is arranged such that its front side is covered by the left and right attachment bodies (2A, 2B), The system includes a pair of left and right fastener stringers (20A, 20B) that are attached to the left and right adherends (2A, 2B), respectively. The pair of left and right fastener stringers (20A, 20B) each comprises a fastener tape (30) having a core cord portion (31) and a row of fastener elements (50) consisting of a plurality of elements (40) fixed to the core cord portion (31), The element (40) has an element base (41) that forms a tape fixing portion (410) to which the core string portion (31) is fixed, and an element head (42), When the element heads (42) are engaged with each other, an engagement portion (43) is formed. The element base (41) of the pair of left and right fastener stringers (20A, 20B) has inner surfaces (411) that face each other in the left-right direction, The element base (41) has a stepped portion (44) formed on its upper side, thereby forming a protruding portion (45) on the element base (41) that has an upper surface (455) and protrudes upward. Between at least the protruding portions (45) of the pair of left and right fastener stringers (20A, 20B), a space (46) for sandwiching the left and right adherends (2A, 2B) is formed above the interlocking portion (43), The stepped portion (44) has a bottom surface (413) that is continuous with the inner surface (411), The bottom surface (413) of one of the pair of left and right fastener stringers (20A, 20B) (20A) is continuous with the inner surface (411) at a position closer to the rear in the longitudinal direction of the fastener chain (10) relative to the protruding portion (45), The bottom surface (413) of the other zipper stringer (20B) of the pair of left and right zipper stringers (20A, 20B) is continuous with the inner surface (411) at a position closer to the front in the longitudinal direction of the zipper chain (10) relative to the protrusion (45), A fastener chain in which a gap (51) is formed in the longitudinal direction of the fastener chain (10) between the protruding portions (45) in the row of fastener elements (50).

2. The element head (42) is configured to protrude from the element base (41) toward the opposing element (40), The fastener chain according to claim 1, wherein the interlocking portion (43) defines the lower part of the space (46).

3. The element head (42) is composed of a meshing projection (431) and a meshing recess (432). And so, The fastener chain according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the interlocking recess (432) is positioned to protrude toward the mating fastener stringer (20A (20B)) in a left-right direction intersecting the vertical direction of the element (40) and the longitudinal direction of the fastener tape (30) from the inner surface (411) of the element base (41) that defines the space (46).

4. The element head (42) further comprises a meshing projection (431) and a meshing recess (432), and an extension (43B) disposed between the meshing recess (432) and the space (46), The fastener chain according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the extension portion (43B) defines the bottom surface of the space (46).

5. The fastener chain according to claim 4, wherein the height difference between the upper surface (433) of the extension portion (43B) and the upper surface (455) of the element base portion (41) is 3 mm or more.

6. The continuous portion (32) of the fastener tape (30) that is continuous with the core cord portion (31) is placed in the space (46). The fastener chain according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the fastener tape (30) and one or more elements (40) or the joining position (P) of the fastener tape (30) to the adherend (2A, 2B) is set in a region (R) between the upper surface (433) of the extension (43B) and the upper surface (455) of the element base (41) where the fastener tape (30) is positioned in the space (46).

7. The fastener chain according to claim 6, wherein at the joining position (P), the fastener tape (30) and one or more of the elements (40) or the fastener tape (30) are sewn to the adherends (2A, 2B).

8. The fastener tape (30) and one or more elements (40) or the fastener tape (30) and the bonding position (P) to the adherends (2A, 2B) is set in the region (R) between a position (A) that is separated from the upper surface (455) by a distance of one-third of the distance between the upper surface (455) of the element base (41) and the bottom surface of the space (46), and the position of the bottom surface of the space (46), in the state before or after applying an opening force to the left and right adherends (2A, 2B). The fastener chain according to claim 7, wherein the fastener tape (30) and one or more of the elements (40) or the fastener tape (30) are configured to be sewn to the adherends (2A, 2B) in the region.

9. The fastener chain according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the area of ​​the upper surface (455) of the element base (41) is smaller than the area corresponding to the bottom surface (413) of the stepped portion (44).

10. The fastener tape (30) is arranged in the space (46) with the continuous portion (32) with respect to the core cord portion (31) bent upward. The fastener chain according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the vertical position of the bottom surface (413) of the stepped portion (44) is the same as the bending position (35) where the continuous portion (32) is bent, or a position closer to the bending position (35) than the upper surface (455) of the element base (41).

11. The fastener tape (30) and one or more of the elements (40) or the fastener The joining position (P) of the fastener tape (30) to the adherends (2A, 2B) is set in the region between a position (A) that is one-third the distance between the upper surface (455) of the element base (41) and the bottom surface (46) of the space (46), and the position of the bottom surface (413) of the stepped portion (44), in the state before or after applying an opening force to the left and right adherends (2A, 2B). A fastener chain according to any one of claims 1 to 10, configured to be sewn to the adherend (2A, 2B) in the said region.

12. The fastener chain according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the stepped portion (44) is positioned on the upper surface (455) of the element base (41) on the side opposite to the space (46).

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