Fastener

Abstract

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

Description

Connector

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

[0002] Conventionally, a buckle that separably connects connecting members of the same shape has been known as a connecting device (see Patent Document 1). Each connecting member has a base and a plug and socket extending from the base. The plug portion of one connecting member is inserted into the socket portion of the other connecting member, and the plug portion of the other connecting member is inserted into the socket portion of the first connecting member, engaging the plug portions to connect them. The plug portion has a flexible, arm-shaped spring portion (biasing portion) extending from its tip toward the base and positioned outside the width of the buckle. The spring portion presses against the inner wall of the socket portion, elastically deforming in the width direction, and the plug portions approach each other in the width direction to engage, thereby connecting the connecting members. At this time, the socket portions are spaced apart to a certain extent in the width direction. Furthermore, when separating the connecting members, the socket portions of each connecting member are moved closer to each other in the width direction, thereby separating the plug portions in the width direction and disengaging them.

[0003] European Patent No. 3462967

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

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

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

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

[0008] In a coupler according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the coupler according to the first or second aspect, at least the first plug portion may have a claw portion that protrudes toward the first socket portion in the width direction. According to this configuration, since the first plug portion has the protruding claw portion as described above, the claw portion can be used to couple and separate the first and second coupling members by moving the first and second coupling members relative to each other in the width direction.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to the coupler of any one of the first to third aspects, and further relates to the coupler including both the first and second biasing portions, wherein a tip of the first biasing portion abuts the second plug portion when the first connecting member and the second connecting member are in an engaged state, and a tip of the second biasing portion abuts the first plug portion in the engaged state. With this configuration, the first plug portion and the second plug portion in the engaged state are disposed between the first and second biasing portions in the width direction. Therefore, compared to a case where only one of the first and second biasing portions is provided, the first plug portion and the second plug portion in the engaged state can be sandwiched between the first and second biasing portions, thereby making it possible to more stabilize the connected state of the first connecting member and the second connecting member.

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

[0011] In a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the coupler according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the first socket portion and the second socket portion each have side edges along the insertion direction that face each other at a distance in the width direction when the first and second coupling members are engaged, and the side edges may be inclined with respect to the thickness direction so that outer portions are positioned more outward in the width direction than inner portions in a thickness direction that intersects the insertion direction and the width direction. This configuration reduces the risk of fingers getting caught between the side edges when the first socket portion and the second socket portion are brought close to each other.

[0012] In a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the coupler of any one of the first to sixth aspects, when the first and second coupling members are in an engaged state, the first plug portion and the second plug portion may be releasably engaged with each other. With this configuration, compared to, for example, a case in which the first and second coupling members are provided with engaging portions that engage with the first and second plug portions, respectively, the widthwise dimension of the coupler can be reduced by the amount of the engaging portions not provided, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the coupler.

[0013] In a coupler according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the coupler according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, at least the first socket portion may have a bottom surface that defines its interior on the first base portion side, and the one biasing portion may be formed by a leaf spring that extends from the bottom surface in the insertion direction. With this configuration, the biasing portion is formed by the leaf spring, which makes it easy to remove the first connecting member and the second connecting member from a mold during manufacture, and also eliminates the need to form, for example, a mold-removal hole or the like in the first socket portion and the second socket portion just for forming the biasing portion.

[0014] In a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the coupler of the eighth aspect, at least the first socket portion has a side surface continuous with the bottom surface, the side surface being disposed at a distance in the width direction from the second plug portion inserted into the first socket portion, and the one of the biasing portions may be disposed between the side surface and the second plug portion in an elastically deformable manner when the first connecting member and the second connecting member are in the engaged state, and a tip thereof may abut against the second plug portion. With this configuration, when the first plug portion and the second plug portion are engaged, the tip of the biasing portion abuts against the second plug portion, thereby stabilizing the engaged state, while the first socket portion can be pushed in the width direction to bring the biasing portion closer to the second plug portion, thereby releasing the engagement.

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

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

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

[0018] In a coupler according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the coupler according to the twelfth aspect, the one biasing portion may extend from the side surface toward the first base portion. With this configuration, the biasing portion of the first socket portion itself can also be used as a guide to guide the second plug portion between the biasing portion and the first plug portion, thereby enabling a smooth connection between the first connecting member and the second connecting member.

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

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

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

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

[0023] In a coupler according to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the coupler according to the seventeenth aspect, the first engagement portion may be disposed inside the first socket portion, and the second engagement portion may be disposed inside the second socket portion. With this configuration, the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion can be configured not to be exposed to the outside, thereby improving design.

[0024] A coupler according to a 19th aspect of the present invention is the coupler according to the 17th or 18th aspect, wherein an opening is formed between the first engaging portion and the first base portion, into which a tip of the second plug portion is disposed in the engaged state, and an opening is formed between the second engaging portion and the second base portion, into which the tip of the first plug portion is disposed in the engaged state. With this configuration, when the second plug portion and the first engaging portion are engaged, the tip of the second plug portion can be disposed in the opening of the first connecting member, and when the first plug portion and the second engaging portion are engaged, the tip of the first plug portion can be disposed in the opening of the second connecting member, and the width dimension of the coupler when the first connecting member and the second connecting member are connected to each other can be reduced compared to when these openings are not formed.

[0025] In a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the coupler according to any one of the seventeenth to nineteenth aspects, a restricting member may be removably provided between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion to restrict the first and second coupling members from moving toward each other in the width direction in the engaged state. According to this configuration, by providing a restricting member between the first and second engagement portions in an engaged state in which the second plug portion and the first engagement portion are engaged with each other and the first plug portion and the second coupling portion are engaged with each other, the first and second coupling members are restricted from moving toward each other in the width direction, preventing the aforementioned engagement from being released. This more reliably maintains the engaged state. Furthermore, by removing the restricting member from between the first and second engagement portions, the first and second coupling members can be allowed to move toward each other, enabling the disengaged state to be established.

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

[0027] Perspective view showing the connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Perspective view showing the connecting member of the connector according to the first embodiment. Explanatory view showing the connecting member of the connector according to the first embodiment. Cross-sectional view showing the connected state of the connector according to the first embodiment. Cross-sectional view showing the operation of the connector according to the first embodiment. Cross-sectional view showing the separated state of the connector according to the first embodiment. Exterior view showing the connector in the separated state shown in FIG. 6. Perspective view showing the connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Perspective view showing the connecting member of the connector according to the second embodiment. Explanatory view showing the connecting member of the connector according to the second embodiment. Cross-sectional view showing the connected state of the connector according to the second embodiment. Cross-sectional view showing the operation of the connector according to the second embodiment. Cross-sectional view showing the separated state of the connector according to the second embodiment. Exterior view showing the connector in the separated state shown in FIG. 13. Perspective view showing the connector according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Perspective view showing the connecting member of the connector according to the third embodiment. Explanatory view showing the connecting member of the connector according to the third embodiment. Explanatory view showing the connected state of the connector according to the third embodiment. Rear view showing the connector according to the third embodiment from the back side. Cross-sectional view showing the connected state of the connector according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Perspective view showing the connector according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Perspective view showing the connecting member of the connector according to the fifth embodiment. Rear view showing the connector according to the fifth embodiment from the back side. Explanatory view showing the connector according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. Perspective view showing the regulating member of the connector according to the sixth embodiment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0049] [Third Embodiment] A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Referring to Figures 15 to 19, a buckle 1E serving as a connector according to the third embodiment includes connecting members 2E and 2F (first and second connecting members), which are detachably connected to one another. The connecting member 2E includes a base 21E (first base), a plug portion 31E (first plug portion), and a socket portion 41E (first socket portion) extending from the base 21E. The connecting member 2F (second connecting member) is configured generally similarly to the connecting member 2E, and includes a base 21F (second base), a plug portion 31F (second plug portion), and a socket portion 41F (second socket portion) formed similarly to the base 21E, plug portion 31E, and socket portion 41E. In addition, detailed explanations of the respective components of the base 21F, plug portion 31F, and socket portion 41F in the connecting member 2F will be omitted by appropriately replacing the ``E'' in the reference numerals of the respective components of the base 21E, plug portion 31E, and socket portion 41E in the connecting member 2E with ``F''.

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

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

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

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

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

[0055] According to this buckle 1E, the connecting members 2E, 2F are engaged at two locations spaced apart in the Y direction, which increases the engagement strength compared to when the connecting members 2E, 2F are engaged at one location as in the first and second embodiments, and also reduces torsional deformation around an imaginary axis along the X direction. In addition, the engaging portions 71E and 71F are not exposed to the outside, which improves the design.

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

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

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

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

[0060] [Sixth Embodiment] A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In Fig. 24, a buckle 1L as a connector according to the sixth embodiment is configured generally similarly to the buckle 1E according to the third embodiment, but differs from the buckle 1E in that a restricting member 81L that restricts the coupling members from moving toward each other in the Y direction is provided in a removable manner. Note that the same components of the buckle 1L as those of the buckle 1E will be appropriately designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0072] In the second and fourth embodiments, the tip ends 611C, 611G of the leaf springs 61C, 61G are positioned at positions corresponding to the positions in the X direction where the claw portions 33D, 33F of the plug portions 31D, 31F in the engaged state are positioned, but this is not limited thereto. Any configuration is acceptable as long as the connecting members 2C, 2E and the connecting members 2D, 2F are capable of being connected to and separated from each other. For example, the tip ends 611C, 611G may be positioned in front of the claw portions 33D, 33F without extending to positions corresponding to the positions in the X direction where the claw portions 33D, 33F of the plug portions 31D, 31F in the engaged state are positioned. Furthermore, the tips 611D, 611H of the leaf springs 61D, 61H are positioned at positions corresponding to the positions in the X direction where the claw portions 33C, 33E of the plug portions 31C, 31E in the engaged state are positioned, but this is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the connecting members 2C, 2E and the connecting members 2D, 2F are configured to be able to be connected to and separated from each other. For example, the leaf springs 61D, 61H may not extend to positions corresponding to the positions in the X direction where the claw portions 33C, 33E of the plug portions 31C, 31E in the engaged state are positioned, and the tips 611D, 611H may be configured to be positioned in front of the claw portions 33C, 33E.

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

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

[0075] In the buckles 1, 1C, 1E, 1G, 1J, and 1L of the first to sixth embodiments, the connecting members 2A, 2C, and 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2D, and 2F are configured to be engaged by moving away from each other in the Y direction, and to be disengaged by moving toward each other in the Y direction against the bias of the leaf spring 51A, 51E, and 61C (or 51B, 51F, and 61D) serving as one of the biasing portions. With this configuration, the connecting members 2A, 2C, and 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2D, and 2E are connected in the engaged state, but the socket portions 41A, 41C, and 41E and the socket portions 41B, 41D, and 41E can be moved toward each other in the Y direction to disengage the engaged state against the bias of the one of the biasing portions, thereby enabling the connecting members 2A, 2C, and 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2D, and 2F to be separable from each other in the X direction.

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

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

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

[0079] In the buckles 1, 1C, 1E, 1G, 1J, and 1L of the first to sixth embodiments, the socket portions 41A, 41C, and 41E and the socket portions 41B, 41D, and 41F have side edges 422A to 422F and 423A to 423F, respectively, along the X direction that face each other at a distance in the Y direction when the connecting members 2A, 2C, and 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2D, and 2F are engaged, and the side edges 422A to 422F and 423A to 423F are inclined with respect to the Z direction so that their outer portions are positioned further outward in the Y direction than their inner portions in the Z direction. This configuration reduces the risk of fingers getting caught between the side edges 422A to 422F and 423A to 423F when the socket portions 41A, 41C, and 41E and the socket portions 41B, 41D, and 41F are brought close to each other.

[0080] In the buckles 1 and 1C of the first and second embodiments, when the connecting members 2A and 2C and the connecting members 2B and 2D are engaged, the plug portions 31A and 31C and the plug portions 31B and 31D are releasably engaged with each other. With this configuration, compared to when the connecting members 2 to 2D are provided with engaging portions that engage with the plug portions 31A and 31C and the plug portions 31B and 31D, respectively, the widthwise dimension of the buckles 1 and 1C is not provided separately, and the size of the coupler can be reduced accordingly.

[0081] In the buckles 1, 1E, 1J, and 1L of the first, third, fifth, and sixth embodiments, at least the socket portion 41A, 41E has a bottom surface 411A, 411E that defines the interior 45A, 45E on the base portion 21A, 21E side, and the one biasing portion 51A, 51E is formed by a leaf spring 51A, 51E extending in the X direction from the bottom surface 411A, 411E. With this configuration, the one biasing portion 51A, 51E is formed by the leaf spring 51A, 51E. This facilitates die-cutting during manufacturing of the connecting members 2A, 2E and the connecting members 2B, 2E. Furthermore, it is possible to eliminate the need to form die-cut holes, for example, solely for forming the biasing portion, in the socket portion 41A, 41B, 41E, 41F.

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

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

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

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

[0086] In the buckles 1C, 1G of the second and fourth embodiments, the leaf spring 61C, 61G serving as one of the biasing portions extends from the inner surface 441C, 441E toward the base portion 21C, 21E. With this configuration, the leaf spring 61C, 61G of the socket portion 41C, 41E itself can also be used as a guide to guide the plug portion 31D, 31F between the leaf spring 61C, 61G and the plug portion 31C, 31E, thereby enabling smooth connection between the connecting member 2C, 2E and the connecting member 2D, 2F.

[0087] In the buckles 1C and 1G of the second and fourth embodiments, the leaf spring 61C, 61G serving as one of the biasing portions is inclined in the X direction so that the tip 611C, 611G side of the leaf spring 61C, 61G is spaced apart from the inner surface 441C, 441E. This configuration makes it easy to form a gap between the tip 611C, 611G of the leaf spring 61C, 61G and the inner surface 441C, 441E, which is sufficient for the elastic deformation of the leaf spring 61C, 61G.

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

[0089] In the buckles 1C, 1G of the second and fourth embodiments, the tip 611C, 611G of the leaf spring 61C, 61G serving as one of the biasing portions protrudes toward the plug portion 31C, 31E in the Y direction. This configuration increases the elastic deformation of the leaf spring 61C, 61G after the plug portion 31D, 31F abuts against the tip 611C, 611G of the leaf spring 61C, 61G, thereby stabilizing the engagement state of the plug portion 31D, 31F. Furthermore, as described above, the increased elastic deformation of the leaf spring 61C, 61G can produce a clicking sensation when the plug portion 31D, 31F engages with the plug portion 31D, 31F. Furthermore, the elastic deformation of the leaf springs 61C, 61G can be kept small until the plug portions 31D, 31F abut against the tips 611C, 611G of the leaf springs 61C, 61G, so that the plug portions 31D, 31F can be easily inserted.

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

[0091] In the buckles 1E, 1G, 1J, and 1L of the third to sixth embodiments, the engaging portion 71E is disposed inside 45E of the socket portion 41E, and the engaging portion 71F is disposed inside 45F of the socket portion 41F. This configuration prevents the engaging portions 71E and 71F from being exposed to the outside, improving the design.

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

[0093] In the buckle 1J of the sixth embodiment, a restricting member 81L is removably provided between the engaging portions 71E and 71F to restrict the coupling members 2E and 2F from moving toward each other in the Y direction when they are engaged. According to this configuration, when the plug portion 31F and the engaging portion 71E are engaged with each other and the plug portion 31E and the engaging portion 71F are engaged with each other, the restricting member 81L provided between the engaging portions 71E and 71F restricts the coupling members 2E and 2F from moving toward each other in the Y direction, preventing the aforementioned engagement from being released. This more reliably maintains the engaged state. Furthermore, by removing the restricting member 81L from between the engaging portions 71E and 71F, the coupling members 2E and 2F can be allowed to move toward each other, enabling the disengaged state.

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

Claims

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

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

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

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

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

6. the first socket portion (41A, 41C, 41E) and the second socket portion (41B, 41D, 41F) each have side edge portions (422A, 422B, 422C, 422D, 422E, 422F, 423A, 423B, 423C, 423D, 423E, 423F) along the insertion direction that face each other with a gap in the width direction when the first connecting member (2A, 2C, 2E) and the second connecting member (2B, 2D, 2F) are engaged, The connector of claim 1, wherein the side edges (422A, 422B, 422C, 422D, 422E, 422F, 423A, 423B, 423C, 423D, 423E, 423F) are inclined with respect to the thickness direction so that the outer portions are positioned outside the width direction relative to the inner portions in the thickness direction intersecting the insertion direction and the width direction.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19. An opening (73J) is formed between the first engagement portion (71E) and the first base portion (21E), and in the engaged state, a tip end of the second plug portion (31F) is disposed therein. The coupling device according to claim 17, wherein an opening (73K) is formed between the second engagement portion (71F) and the second base portion (21F) in which a tip of the first plug portion (31E) is positioned in the engaged state.

20. A coupling device as described in claim 17, wherein a regulating member (81L) is removably provided between the first engagement portion (71E) and the second engagement portion (71F) for regulating the mutual approaching movement of the first connecting member (2E) and the second connecting member (2F) in the width direction in the engaged state.