Slider for slide fasteners

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

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

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

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0005] In recent years, there has been a demand for the application of sliders of the form disclosed in Patent Document 1 to slide fasteners that open and close the openings of tents and sleeping bags. Since such slide fasteners are required to be operable from both inside and outside the tent, and from both inside and outside the sleeping bag, it is necessary to attach pull tabs to both sides of the slider, i.e., the upper and lower plates. There is also a demand for sliders that attach pull tabs by plastically deforming the upper and lower columns, such as the slider disclosed in Patent Document 2.

[0006] In the slider disclosed in Patent Document 1, the front-to-back length of the lower plate and the front-to-back length of the upper plate are different at the position of the connecting column. Therefore, it was not possible to provide upper and lower columns with the same front-to-back length on the upper and lower plates, as disclosed in Patent Document 2. More specifically, if the front-to-back length of the lower column is the same as the front-to-back length of the upper column, the tip of the lower column will be positioned away from directly below the lower plate, and the handle cannot be attached to the lower column.

[0007] This invention was created in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a slider that can be operated from both the top and bottom while being less likely to jam the fabric. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The slider for a slide fastener of the present invention comprises an upper plate and a lower plate arranged with a gap between them vertically, an upper column protruding from the upper surface of the upper plate and extending backward, a lower column protruding from the lower surface of the lower plate and extending backward, and a connecting column connecting the upper plate and the lower plate at their front sides. The upper column and the lower column are plastically deformable. The upper column has an upper base end connected to the upper plate at its front end in the longitudinal direction, and an upper tip portion at its rear end in the longitudinal direction, with an upper gap between it and the upper surface of the upper plate. The lower column has a lower base end connected to the lower plate at its front end in the longitudinal direction, and a lower tip portion at its rear end in the longitudinal direction, with a lower gap between it and the lower surface of the lower plate. At the position of the connecting column, the length L4 of the lower plate in the front-rear direction is shorter than the length L3 of the upper plate in the front-rear direction. The length L2 of the lower column in the front-rear direction is shorter than the length L1 of the upper column in the front-rear direction. That is, the slider for the slide fastener of the present invention has the relationship of L4 < L3 and L2 < L1.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Advantages of the Invention

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

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

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

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

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

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a right side view of the slider of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a rear view of the slider of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a plan view of the slider of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a bottom view of the slider of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] It is an enlarged view of a part of the slider of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] It is a right side view showing the state where the slider of FIG. 1 is plastically deformed. [Figure 7] It is a front view of the slider of the second embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] It is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] It is a sectional view taken along line X-X of FIG. 8.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] As is well known, a slider comprises a slider body that moves along a pair of opposing rows of elements, and a pull handle attached to the slider body. Figures 1 to 5 show the slider body 1. The slider S in the first embodiment of the present invention is the slider body 1 before the pull handle is attached.

[0022] "Forward direction" refers to the direction in which the slider body 1 moves when closing the slide fastener. In Figure 2, "forward direction" refers to the direction towards the back of the page, perpendicular to the plane of the paper. "Backward direction" refers to the direction in which the slider body 1 moves when opening the slide fastener. In Figure 2, "backward direction" refers to the direction towards the front of the page, perpendicular to the plane of the paper. "Left-right direction" refers to the direction in which a pair of element rows face each other. "Left-right direction" corresponds to the left-right direction in Figure 2. Also, "left-right direction" is perpendicular to the front-back direction. "Up-down direction" refers to the direction perpendicular to the front-back direction and the left-right direction. "Up-down direction" corresponds to the up-down direction in Figure 2.

[0023] The slider body 1 of the first embodiment, which is the slider S, comprises an upper plate 2 and a lower plate 3 arranged with a gap between them vertically, an upper column 4 protruding from the upper surface of the upper plate 2 and extending rearward, a lower column 5 protruding from the lower surface of the lower plate 3 and extending rearward, a connecting column 6 connecting the upper plate 2 and the lower plate 3 at their front sides, and flanges 7 protruding from the left and right ends of the upper plate 2 and the lower plate 3 in a direction that narrows the gap between the opposing upper plate 2 and the lower plate 3. The slider body 1 of the first embodiment has a symmetrical shape.

[0024] The slider body 1 also includes an element path 8 through which a pair of element rows pass, and a pair of tape grooves 9 that communicate with the element path 8 and through which the tape to which the element rows are fixed passes. The element path 8 is divided vertically by an upper plate 2 and a lower plate 3, and horizontally by left and right flanges 7 of the upper plate 2 and the lower plate 3. The front side of the element path 8 consists of a pair of branch paths that branch off to the left and right relative to the connecting column 6. The rear side of the element path 8 consists of a single confluence path formed by the merger of the pair of branch paths, extending straight backward from the connecting column 6.

[0025] Viewed from above, the outer perimeter of the top plate 2, as shown in Figure 3, comprises an upper front edge 21 located at the front, an upper left edge 22 located on the left side, an upper right edge 23 located on the right side, and an upper rear edge 24 located at the rear side. The outer perimeter of the top plate 2 is also formed in an arc shape at the points where adjacent edges 21-24 are continuous, known as corners. The edges 21-24 are arranged in a tangential direction at both ends of the corners. The upper front edge 21 is convex, meaning it protrudes forward from the left-right end towards the middle in the left-right direction. In the illustrated example, the upper front edge 21 is a roughly V-shaped convex protrusion. The interior angle of the V is 90 degrees or more and less than 180 degrees. The front of the upper left edge 22 curves to the left as it extends forward. The front of the upper right edge 23 curves to the right as it extends forward. The position where the upper plate 2 has its maximum width in the left-right direction is at the rear end of the front corner of the upper plate 2, or near the rear of that end. The upper rear edge 24 is approximately parallel to the left and right.

[0026] Viewed from below, the outer perimeter of the bottom plate 3 has a lower front edge 31, a lower left edge 32, a lower right edge 33, and a lower rear edge 34, as shown in Figure 4. The outer perimeter of the bottom plate 3 is also formed in an arc shape at the points where adjacent edges 31-34 are continuous, known as corners. The edges 31-34 are arranged in a tangential direction at both ends of the corners. The lower front edge 31 is concave, meaning it curves backward from the left and right ends towards the middle section in the left-right direction. In the illustrated example, the lower front edge 31 is a roughly V-shaped concave that curves backward. The interior angle of the V is 90 degrees or more and less than 180 degrees. In other words, the lower plate 3 has a recess 31a at its front edge that curves backward. The recess 31a is wider on the left and right than the connecting column 6. In this embodiment, the recess 31a and the lower front edge 31 are the same. The front of the lower left edge 32 curves to the left as it extends forward. The front of the lower right edge 33 curves to the right as it extends forward. The position where the maximum width W3 of the lower plate 3 in the left-right direction is the rear end of the front corner of the lower plate 3, or near the rear of that end. The lower rear edge 34 is approximately parallel to the left and right.

[0027] The outer circumferences of the upper plate 2 and the lower plate 3 overlap vertically, except for the upper front edge 21 and the lower front edge 31. The upper rear edge 24 and the lower rear edge 34 are in the same position in the front-to-back direction. The midpoint of the upper front edge 21 of the upper plate 2 in the left-to-right direction is positioned in front of the midpoint of the lower front edge 31 of the lower plate 3 in the left-to-right direction. The midpoint of the front of the upper plate 2 in the left-to-right direction and the midpoint of the front of the lower plate 3 in the left-to-right direction are the positions where the connecting column 6 is connected. When viewed from the top and bottom, at the position of the connecting column 6, the front-to-back length L4 (maximum value) of the lower plate 3 is shorter (smaller) than the front-to-back length L3 (minimum value) of the upper plate 2. <L3である。

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

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

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

[0031] The upper column 4 and the lower column 5 are supported in a so-called cantilevered manner. That is, one end of the upper column 4 and the lower column 5 in the longitudinal direction is fixed, while the other end is exposed to the air. The upper column 4 and the lower column 5 are plastically deformable when an external force is applied to the other end. More specifically, the slider body 1 is made of plastically deformable metal. The slider body 1 is integrally molded. Furthermore, the upper column 4 and the lower column 5 do not have through holes that intersect them in the longitudinal direction.

[0032] As shown in Figure 5, when viewed from the side, the upper base end 41 of the upper column 4 has a rear edge 411. The rear edge 411 has a curved edge 412 that curves inward in an arc shape as it extends upward from the joint with the upper plate 2. When viewed from the side, the lower base end 51 of the lower column 5 has a rear edge 511. The rear edge 511 has a curved edge 512 that curves inward in an arc shape as it extends downward from the joint with the lower plate 3.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0051] The inventor noticed that the external force for plastically deforming the upper column 4 and the lower column 5 differs depending on the presence or absence of the upper through-hole C1 and the lower through-hole C2, and the sizes of the upper through-hole C1 and the lower through-hole C2. In the case of such a configuration, in order to make it easier to plastically deform the lower column 5, a configuration different from the configuration of the slider S in the first embodiment, that is, a configuration where L2 < L1 and T2 < T1, is desirable. Incidentally, since the slider in the second embodiment has T2 = T1, it is impossible to make T2 < T1 in the first place to make it easier to plastically deform the lower column 5. Therefore, the slider S1 in the second embodiment makes the horizontal cross-sectional area A2 of the lower base end portion 51a of the lower column 5 smaller than the horizontal cross-sectional area A1 of the upper base end portion 41a of the upper column 4. That is, A2 < A1.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Explanation of Signs

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

Claims

1. It comprises an upper plate (2) and a lower plate (3) arranged with a gap between them vertically, an upper column (4) protruding from the upper surface of the upper plate (2) and extending backward, a lower column (5) protruding from the lower surface of the lower plate (3) and extending backward, and a connecting column (6) connecting the upper plate (2) and the lower plate (3) at their front sides. The lower plate (3) has a recess (31a) at its front edge that is recessed to the rear, The recess (31a) is formed to be wider to the left and right than the connecting column (6), The upper column (4) and the lower column (5) are plastically deformable, The upper column (4) is provided with an upper base end (41, 41a) connected to the upper plate (2) at its front end in the longitudinal direction, and an upper tip end (43) positioned at its rear end in the longitudinal direction with an upper gap (D1) between it and the upper surface of the upper plate (2). The lower column (5) is provided with a lower base end portion (51, 51a) connected to the lower plate (3) at its front end in the longitudinal direction, and a lower tip portion (53) positioned at its rear end in the longitudinal direction with a lower gap (D2) between it and the lower surface of the lower plate (3). At the position of the connecting column (6), the length of the lower plate (3) in the front-to-back direction (L4) is shorter than the length of the upper plate (2) in the front-to-back direction (L3). A slider for a slide fastener, characterized in that the length (L2) of the lower column (5) in the front-to-back direction is shorter than the length (L1) of the upper column (4).

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

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

2.

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

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

2.

6. A slider for a slide fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lower base end portion (51, 51a) of the lower column (5) is positioned behind the upper base end portion (41, 41a) of the upper column (4).

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

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