Slider

Abstract

A slider includes: a slider body, including an upper blade and a lower blade disposed opposite to each other; and a slider replacement piece, including a rear opening and a pair of slide rails extending from the rear opening toward a front side in a longitudinal direction and separated from each other. A pair of slide grooves extending in the longitudinal direction are correspondingly provided on two opposite side edges of one of the upper blade and the lower blade in a width direction. The slider replacement piece horizontally slides relative to the slider body along the pair of slide grooves through the pair of slide rails to be installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade to serve as a part of one of the upper blade and the lower blade.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of China application serial no. 202510077231.0, filed on Jan. 17, 2025. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.BACKGROUNDTechnical Field

[0002] The disclosure relates to the technology of fastener field, and in particular to a slider.Description of Related Art

[0003] In the prior art, a common fastener generally includes a fastener chain composed of a fastener tape and a pair of fastener stringers composed of multiple element columns arranged on the fastener tape, and a slider installed on the fastener stringers to open or close the element columns through sliding. A pull tab may also be provided on the slider according to requirements to drive the slider to slide on the fastener chain. The slider is usually manufactured into an integrated slider body having an upper blade and a lower blade disposed opposite to each other, and a pull tab installation post is disposed or formed on an upper surface of the upper blade of the slider body. Therefore, in the case where a partial region of one of the upper blade and the lower blade slider is damaged, the entire slider usually needs to be discarded. In this regard, a method has been developed in which a part of one of the upper blade and the lower blade is replaced through a slider replacement piece, so that only the slider replacement piece is replaced when the partial region of one of the upper blade and the lower blade is damaged. However, in the currently developed modular slider, the slider body and the slider replacement piece are connected through a pivot, which results in complicated assembly steps and low structural strength. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the structure of the slider to enhance the assembly operability and structural strength of the slider.SUMMARY

[0004] The disclosure provides a slider having improved assembly operability and structural strength.

[0005] The disclosure provides a slider, including: a slider body, including an upper blade and a lower blade disposed opposite to each other; and a slider replacement piece, including a rear opening and a pair of slide rails extending from the rear opening toward a front side in a longitudinal direction and separated from each other. A pair of slide grooves extending in the longitudinal direction are correspondingly provided on opposite side edges of one of the upper blade and the lower blade in a width direction. The slider replacement piece horizontally slides relative to the slider body along the pair of slide grooves through the pair of slide rails to be installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade to serve as a part of one of the upper blade and the lower blade.

[0006] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, the pair of slide rails obliquely extend from the rear opening toward the front side in the longitudinal direction, and a distance between the pair of slide rails in the width direction gradually increases from the rear opening toward the front side. In a state where the slider replacement plate is installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade, the pair of slide rails clamp the two opposite side edges provided with the pair of slide grooves of one of the upper blade and the lower blade.

[0007] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, each of the pair of slide rails has a first slot extending in the width direction, and the first slot is located on an inner side of the slide rail, so that the slide rail is configured to be deformable from the inner side toward an outer side through the first slot.

[0008] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, the first slot is disposed at a position of the slide rail closer to a rear end than a front end in the longitudinal direction.

[0009] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, each of the pair of slide rails has a second slot extending in the longitudinal direction, and the second slot is located at a center of the slide rail and is connected to the first slot, so that the slide rail is configured to be deformable from the inner side toward the outer side through the first slot and the second slot.

[0010] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, each of the pair of slide rails has a rib extending along the longitudinal direction, and in a state where the slider replacement piece is installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade, the rib is embedded in the slide groove along the longitudinal direction.

[0011] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, in the state where the slider replacement piece is installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade, an upper surface and a lower surface of the rib are covered by the slide groove along the longitudinal direction.

[0012] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, each of front ends of the pair of slide rails in the longitudinal direction has an engagement protrusion protruding toward an inner side from an inner side surface, and the pair of slide rails horizontally slide along the pair of slide grooves through the engagement protrusions to be installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade.

[0013] In the slider of an embodiment of the disclosure, each of front ends of the pair of slide grooves in the longitudinal direction has an engagement recess recessed from an outer side toward an inner side, and a depth of the engagement recess is greater than a depth of the slide groove. The slider replacement piece is engaged with the engagement recess of the slide groove by the engagement protrusion of the slide rail to be fixed to one of the upper blade and the lower blade.

[0014] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, the rear opening of the slider replacement piece is provided with an engagement hole at a rear end in the longitudinal direction, one of the upper blade and the lower blade is provided with a hook at the rear end in the longitudinal direction, and the slider replacement piece is engaged with the hook by the engagement hole to be fixed to one of the upper blade and the lower blade.

[0015] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, one of the upper blade and the lower blade is provided with a step portion at a rear end in the longitudinal direction, and the slider replacement piece is installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade, so that at least one part of the rear opening abuts against the step portion.

[0016] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, a length of the upper blade in the longitudinal direction is smaller than a length of the lower blade in the longitudinal direction, so that a rear end of the upper blade in the longitudinal direction is closer to the front side than a rear end of the lower blade in the longitudinal direction. The slider replacement piece is installed on the upper blade, so that the rear opening abuts against the rear end of the upper blade, and a length of the slider replacement piece and the upper blade in the longitudinal direction after installation is equivalent to the length of the lower blade.

[0017] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, the slider replacement piece further includes a protruding portion disposed on an upper surface of the rear opening. In a state where the slider replacement piece is installed on the upper blade, the protruding portion and an open end on a rear side of a pull tab installation post provided on an upper surface of the upper blade are opposite to each other and form a stopper wall located on the rear side of the pull tab installation post and the upper blade.

[0018] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, the protruding portion includes an inclined portion obliquely extending backward from a front end of the rear opening and a parallel portion extending from the inclined portion toward a rear end of the rear opening, and a pitch between the parallel portion and the open end of the pull tab installation post in a thickness direction is smaller than a pitch between the inclined portion and the pull tab installation post in the thickness direction.

[0019] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, in a front-rear direction of the protruding portion, a front end of the parallel portion is located further forward than a front end of the open end of the pull tab installation post.

[0020] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, materials of the slider body and the slider replacement piece include zinc.

[0021] Based on the above, in the slider of the disclosure, the slider replacement piece includes the pair of slide rails extending from the rear opening toward the front side in the longitudinal direction and separated from each other, and the pair of slide grooves extending in the longitudinal direction are provided on the two opposite side edges of one of the upper blade and the lower blade of the slider body in the width direction. The slider replacement piece horizontally slides relative to the slider body along the pair of slide grooves through the pair of slide rails to be installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade to serve as a part of one of the upper blade and the lower blade. Thus, the slider replacement piece may not only horizontally slide along the pair of slide grooves through the pair of slide rails separated from each other to be easily installed, but may also be installed through the pair of slide rails clamping the two opposite side edges of one of the upper blade and the lower blade. Accordingly, the slider of the disclosure has improved assembly operability and structural strength.

[0022] In order for the features and advantages of the disclosure to be more comprehensible, the following specific embodiments are described in detail in conjunction with the drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a slider before assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional schematic view of the slider shown in FIG. 1 after assembly.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a top schematic view of a slider replacement piece for the slider shown in FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are top schematic views of the slider shown in FIG. 1 before assembly, during an assembly process, and after assembly.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a top schematic view of the slider replacement piece shown in FIG. 1 in another modified example.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a slider after assembly according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a side schematic view of the slider shown in FIG. 6.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a slider replacement piece for the slider shown in FIG. 6.DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, and examples of the exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a slider before assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure, FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional schematic view of the slider shown in FIG. 1 after assembly, FIG. 3 is a top schematic view of a slider replacement piece for the slider shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are top schematic views of the slider shown in FIG. 1 before assembly, during an assembly process, and after assembly, FIG. 5 is a top schematic view of the slider replacement piece shown in FIG. 1 in another modified example, FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a slider after assembly according to another embodiment of the disclosure, FIG. 7 is a side schematic view of the slider shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a slider replacement piece for the slider shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 1 to FIG. 4C

[0032] are used to illustrate a specific structure and an assembly method of a slider 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, FIG. 5 is used to illustrate a specific structure of a slider 100A in another modified example of the disclosure, and FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 are used to illustrate a specific structure of a slider 100B in another embodiment of the disclosure. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto and may be adjusted according to requirements.

[0033] Please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. In the embodiment, the slider 100 includes a slider body 110 and a slider replacement piece 120. The slider body 110 includes an upper blade 112 and a lower blade 114 disposed opposite to each other. The slider replacement piece 120 includes a rear opening 122 and a pair of slide rails 124 extending from the rear opening 122 toward a front side S1 in a longitudinal direction L (equivalent to the front-rear direction) and separated from each other. A pair of slide grooves 112g extending in the longitudinal direction L are correspondingly provided on two opposite side edges 112s of one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112 is taken as an example here) in a width direction W (equivalent to the left-right direction). The slider replacement piece 120 horizontally slides relative to the slider body 110 along the pair of slide grooves 112g through the pair of slide rails 124 (the state change as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) to be installed on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112) to serve as a part of one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112).

[0034] Specifically, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the ends of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 of the slider body 110 corresponding to the front side S1 in the longitudinal direction L are connected to each other through a guide post 113, and the ends of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 corresponding to a rear side S2 in the longitudinal direction L are formed in an open state, so as to form an element channel 115 between the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 and on the left and right sides of the guide post 113. Furthermore, a pull tab installation post 116 extending from the front side S1 toward the rear side S2 and forming a cantilever on the rear side S2 is provided on the upper surface of the upper blade 112 (but not limited thereto). Here, an example in which the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on the upper blade 112 of the slider body 110 is taken for description. Except for a base portion 117 of the upper blade 112 connected to the guide post 113 and the pull tab installation post 116, a plate surface part of the upper blade 112 and a flange portion 118 corresponding to the two opposite sides of the element channel 115 are disposed on the slider replacement piece 120. Thus, a part of the upper blade 112 of the slider body 110 may be replaced through the slider replacement piece 120 (as shown in FIG. 2). However, in other embodiments not shown, the slider replacement piece 120 may also be used to replace a part of the lower blade 114. The disclosure does not limit the specific structure of the slider body 110, which may be adjusted according to requirements.

[0035] Furthermore, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the rear opening 122 of the slider replacement piece 120 corresponds to the end of the lower blade 114 on the r ear side S2 and is formed in an open state. The pair of slide rails 124 of the slider replacement piece 120 extend from the rear opening 122 toward the front side S1 in the longitudinal direction L and are separated from each other. The flange portion 118 is disposed on the two opposite sides of the slider replacement piece 120 in the width direction W and extends from the rear opening 122 toward the front side S1 to at least partially correspond to the outer sides of the pair of slide rails 124 (but not limited thereto). In contrast, the two opposite side edges 112s of the upper blade 112 in the width direction W are disposed on the base portion 117 and are substantially parallel to each other, and the pair of slide grooves 112g extending in the longitudinal direction L are correspondingly disposed on the two opposite side edges 112s and are substantially parallel to each other. Preferably, the pair of slide grooves 112g disposed on the two opposite side edges 112s are substantially parallel to the plate surface directions of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114. In this way, the slider replacement piece 120 may horizontally slide relative to the slider body 110 along the pair of slide grooves 112g through the pair of slide rails 124 separated from each other, and installation is performed from the two opposite side edges 112s of the slider body 110 in the width direction W.

[0036] As an example, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C, the assembly method of the slider 100 is as follows. When the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on the slider body 110 from the rear side S2 of one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112 is taken as an example here) (as shown in the states of FIG. 1 and FIG. 4A), the pair of slide rails 124 of the slider replacement piece 120 first contact the rear ends (the ends corresponding to the rear side S2) of the pair of slide grooves 112g provided on the two opposite side edges 112s of the upper blade 112. Then, the pair of slide rails 124 slide along the pair of slide grooves 112g toward the front side S1 (as shown in the state of FIG. 4B) until the pair of slide rails 124 slide to the front ends (the ends corresponding to the front side S1) of the pair of slide grooves 112g (as shown in the states of FIG. 2 and FIG. 4C). When the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112), the slider replacement piece 120 may be a part of one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112) to form the complete slider 100 (as shown in the states of FIG. 2 and FIG. 4C). That is, the assembled slider 100 may be installed on a fastener chain (not shown) and open or close the fastener chain through sliding. In contrast, when a part of one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112) is damaged, the slider replacement piece 120 may be removed through sliding in the reverse direction, that is, the slider replacement piece 120 horizontally slides from the front side S1 toward the rear side S2 relative to the slider body 110 along the pair of slide grooves 112g through the pair of slide rails 124 (as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4A) for replacement.

[0037] Through the above configuration, in the slider 100 of the embodiment, the slider replacement piece 120 includes the pair of slide rails 124 extending from the rear opening 122 toward the front side S1 in the longitudinal direction L and separated from each other, and the pair of slide grooves 112g extending in the longitudinal direction L are correspondingly provided on the two opposite side edges 112s of one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112 is taken as an example here) of the slider body 110 in the width direction W. The slider replacement piece 120 horizontally slides relative to the slider body 110 along the pair of slide grooves 112g through the pair of slide rails 124 to be installed on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112) to serve as a part of one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112). In this way, the slider replacement piece 120 may not only horizontally slide along the pair of slide grooves 112g through the pair of slide rails 124 separated from each other to be easily installed, but may also be installed through the pair of slide rails 124 clamping the two opposite side edges 112s of one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112). Accordingly, the slider 100 of the embodiment has improved assembly operability and structural strength.

[0038] Furthermore, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the pair of slide rails 124 obliquely extend from the rear opening 122 toward the front side S1 in the longitudinal direction L, and the distance between the pair of slide rails 124 in the width direction W gradually increases from the rear opening 122 toward the front side S1 (not parallel to each other). In other words, a distance D1 between rear ends P2 connected to the rear opening 122 in the pair of slide rails 124 is smaller than a distance D2 between front ends P1 opposite to the rear opening 122, so that the pair of slide rails 124 gradually expand toward the outer side of the width direction W from the rear ends P2 toward the front ends P1 in the longitudinal direction L (as shown in FIG. 3). In the state where the slider replacement piece 120 horizontally slides relative to the slider body 110 along the pair of slide grooves 112g through the pair of slide rails 124, the pair of slide rails 124 first contact the rear ends of the pair of slide grooves 112g corresponding to the rear side S2 with the front ends P1 with the larger distance D2 (as shown in the states of FIG. 1 and FIG. 4A), and then slide toward the front side S1 until the rear ends P2 with the smaller distance D1 also contact the rear ends of the pair of slide grooves 112g corresponding to the rear side S2 (as shown in the states of FIG. 2 and FIG. 4C). In the state where the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112 is taken as an example here), the pair of slide rails 124 clamp the two opposite side edges 112s of one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112) provided with the pair of slide grooves 112g.

[0039] Furthermore, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, each of the pair of slide rails 124 has a first slot 124n1 extending in the width direction W, and the first slot 124n1 is located on the inner side of the slide rail 124, so that the slide rail 124 is configured to be deformable from the inner side toward the outer side through the first slot 124n1. Furthermore, the first slot 124n1 is disposed at a position of the slide rail 124 closer to the rear end P2 than to the front end P1 in the longitudinal direction L. In other words, the first slot 124n1 extends from the inner side of the slide rail 124 toward the middle of the slide rail 124 but does not extend to the outer side of the slide rail 124 (does not cut through the entire slide rail 124 along the width direction W). During the process of the pair of slide rails 124 sliding along the slide grooves 112g toward the front side S1, the pair of slide rails 124 pushed by the two opposite side edges 112s may be flipped from the inner side toward the outer side to be deformed with the first slots 124n1 near the rear ends P2 as the reference points (as shown by the arrows in FIG. 3), so that the pair of slide rails 124 may be more closely fitted with the contours of the two opposite side edges 112s provided with the slide grooves 112g with the inner side surfaces thereof in the width direction W during the process of sliding toward the front side S1. In this way, the slider 100 not only sets the pair of slide rails 124 to obliquely extend from the rear opening 122 toward the front side S1 in the longitudinal direction L and expand toward the outer side, but also sets the first slots 124n1 near the rear ends P2 of the pair of slide rails 124 connected to the rear opening 122, which may enable the sliding of the slider replacement piece 120 to be smoother, and may enhance the clamping effect of the pair of slide rails 124, so as to enhance the structural strength of the slider 100. The above description about the pair of slide rails 124 (being obliquely disposed and expanding toward the outer side, and provided with the first slots 124n1 to facilitate deformation toward the outer side) may be adjusted according to the requirements, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0040] In contrast, in the slider 100A of the modified example shown in FIG. 5, a slider replacement piece 120A has a similar structure to the slider replacement piece 120, but has the following differences. A pair of slide rails 124A of the slider replacement piece 120A vertically extend from the rear opening 122 toward the front side S1 in the longitudinal direction L, and the distance D between the pair of slide rails 124A from the rear opening 122 toward the front side S1 in the width direction W is substantially the same (parallel to each other). Furthermore, each of the pair of slide rails 124A has the first slot 124n1 extending in the width direction W and located on the inner side of the slide rail 124A, and the first slot 124n1 is disposed at a position of the slide rail 124A closer to the rear end P2 in the longitudinal direction L. In addition, each of the pair of slide rails 124A has a second slot 124n2 extending in the longitudinal direction L, and the second slot 124n2 is located at the center of the slide rail 124A and is connected to the first slot 124n1, so that the slide rail 124A is configured to be deformable from the inner side toward the outer side through the first slot 124n1 and the second slot 124n2. In other words, the second slot 124n2 extends from the center of the slide rail 124A toward the front side S1 and the rear side S2 but does not extend to the front end P1 and the rear end P2 of the slide rail 124A (does not cut through the entire slide rail 124A along the longitudinal direction L), and the second slot 124n2 is connected to the first slot 124n1 to form a T-shaped slot.

[0041] It can be seen from the above that in the modified example shown in FIG. 5, in case where the slider replacement piece 120A replaces the slider replacement piece 120 and is installed on the slider body 110 as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, during the process of the pair of slide rails 124A sliding toward the front side S1 along the slide grooves 112g, the pair of slide rails 124A pushed by the two opposite side edges 112s may be flipped from the inner side toward the outer side to be deformed with the T-shaped slots formed by the first slots 124n1 near the rear ends P2 and the second slots 124n2 connected to the first slots 124n1 as the reference points (as shown by the arrows in FIG. 5), so that the pair of slide rails 124A may be more closely fitted with the contours of the two opposite side edges 112s provided with the slide grooves 112g with the inner side surfaces thereof in the width direction W during the process of sliding toward the front side S1. Thus, compared to the slider 100, the slider replacement piece 120A of the slider 100A in the modified example shown in FIG. 5 is not only provided with the first slots 124n1 near the rear ends P2 of the pair of slide rails 124A connected to the rear opening 122, but also provided with the second slots 124n2 extending in the longitudinal direction L and connected to the first slots 124n1 at the center of the pair of slide rails 124A, which may enable the sliding of the slider replacement piece 120A to be smoother, and may enhance the clamping effect of the pair of slide rails 124A, so as to enhance the structural strength of the slider 100A. The above description about the pair of slide rails 124A (being provided with the first slots 124n1 and the second slots 124n2 to facilitate deformation toward the outer side) may be adjusted according to requirements, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0042] In addition, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, each of the pair of slide rails 124 has a rib 124r extending along the longitudinal direction L, and in the state where the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112 is taken as an example here), the rib 124r is embedded in the slide groove 112g along the longitudinal direction L. As an example, the rib 124r is disposed on the inner side surface of the slide rail 124 and protrudes toward the inner side from the inner side surface, and is disposed at a position of the slide rail 124 closer to the rear side S2 than the first slot 124n1 in the longitudinal direction L. During the process of the pair of slide rails 124 sliding toward the front side S1 along the slide grooves 112g, as shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C, the pair of slide rails 124 may be flipped from the inner side toward the outer side to be deformed with the first slots 124n1 near the rear ends P2 as the reference points (as shown by the arrows in FIG. 3), and then the ribs 124r enter the slide grooves 112g from the rear ends (the ends corresponding to the rear side S2) of the slide grooves 112g and slide toward the front side S1 along the slide grooves 112g until the front end (the ends corresponding to the front side S1) of the slide grooves 112g. Furthermore, in the state where the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112), the upper surface and the lower surface of the rib 124r are covered by the slide groove 112g along the longitudinal direction L. That is, the rib 124r overlaps with the slide groove 112g in the up-down direction (corresponding to a thickness direction T).

[0043] It can be seen from the above that in the embodiment, the rib 124r disposed on the slide rail 124 closer to the rear side than the first slot 124n1 does not affect the deformation action of the slide rail 124 being flipped from the inner side toward the outer side through the first slot 124n1 during the sliding process of the slider replacement piece 120. Furthermore, during the process of the rib 124r sliding toward the front side S1 along the slide groove 112g, the upper surface and the lower surface of the rib 124r are covered by the slide groove 112g along the longitudinal direction L, so that the sliding of the rib 124r is limited in the up-down direction (equivalent to the thickness direction T) through the inner side surface of the slide groove 112g. Thus, the ribs 124r may serve as guides to maintain the horizontal sliding of the pair of slide rails 124 during the process of the pair of slide rails 124 sliding along the pair of guide grooves 112g, so that the sliding of the slider replacement piece 120 may be smoother to improve the assembly operability of the slider 100. The above description about the ribs 124r is also applicable to the pair of slide rails 124A of the slider replacement piece 120A shown in FIG. 5, and the specific structures of the ribs 124r and whether the ribs 124r are provided may be adjusted according to requirements, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0044] Similarly, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, each of the pair of slide rails 124 has an engagement protrusion 124p protruding toward the inner side from the inner side surface at the front end P1 in the longitudinal direction L, and the engagement protrusions 124p horizontally slide along the pair of slide grooves 112g to be installed on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112 is taken as an example here). During the process of the pair of slide rails 124 sliding toward the front side S1 along the slide grooves 112g, as shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C, the pair of slide rails 124 first contact the rear ends (the ends corresponding to the rear side S2) of the slide grooves 112g with the engagement protrusions 124p provided at the front ends P1, and then the engagement protrusions 124p enter the slide grooves 112g and slide toward the front side S1 until the front ends (the ends corresponding to the front side S1) of the slide grooves 112g. Thus, the engagement protrusions 124p may serve as guides to maintain the horizontal sliding of the pair of slide rails 124 during the process of the pair of slide rails 124 sliding along the pair of guide grooves 112g, so that the sliding of the slider replacement piece 120 may be smoother to improve the assembly operability of the slider 100. The above description about the engagement protrusions 124p is also applicable to the pair of slide rails 124A of the slider replacement piece 120A shown in FIG. 5, and the specific structures of the engagement protrusions 124p and whether the engagement protrusions 124p are provided may be adjusted according to requirements, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0045] Furthermore, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, each of the pair of slide grooves 112g has an engagement recess 112r (marked in FIG. 1) that is recessed from the outer side surface toward the inner side at the front end (the end corresponding to the front side S1) in the longitudinal direction L, and the depth of the engagement recess 112r is greater than the depth of the slide groove 112g. That is, the engagement recess 112r is more recessed toward the inner sides of the two opposite side edges 112s than the slide groove 112g. During the process of the pair of slide rails 124 sliding toward the front side S1 along the slide grooves 112g, as shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C, the pair of slide rails 124 first enter the slide grooves 112g from the rear ends (the ends corresponding to the rear side S2) of the slide grooves 112g with the engagement protrusions 124p provided at the front ends P1, and then slide toward the front side S1 until the front ends (the ends corresponding to the front side S1) of the slide grooves 112g. Furthermore, the slider replacement piece 120 is engaged with the engagement recess 112r of the slide groove 112g by the engagement protrusion 124p of the slide rail 124 to be fixed to one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112 is taken as an example here).

[0046] As an example, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the front end (the end corresponding to the front side S1) of the slide groove 112g is provided with an inclined wall 112w, and the front side S1 of the inclined wall 112w is recessed toward the inner side to form the engagement recess 112r. After the pair of slide rails 124 slide toward the front side S1 along the slide grooves 112g to the front ends (the ends corresponding to the front side S1) of the slide grooves 112g, the engagement protrusions 124p slide toward the front side S1 and pass through the inclined walls 112w, and the slide rails 124 are pushed by the inclined walls 112w to be deformed from the inner side toward the outer side. After the engagement protrusion 124p passes through the inclined wall 112w, the slide rail 124 releases the push of the inclined wall 112w and is flipped toward the inner side to reset, and the engagement protrusion 124p further enters the engagement recess 112r provided on the front side S1 of the inclined wall 112w to be engaged. However, the setting of the inclined wall 112w may be omitted and the engagement recess 112r that is further recessed toward the inner side may be formed at the front end (the end corresponding to the front side S1) of the slide groove 112g. Thus, the engagement protrusion 124p may not only serve as a guide during the sliding process of the pair of slide rails 124, but also be engaged with the engagement recess 112r to enhance the fixing effect of the slider replacement piece 120 on the slider body 110, thereby further enhancing the structural strength of the slider 100. The above description about the engagement recesses 112r is also applicable to the pair of slide rails 124A of the slider replacement piece 120A shown in FIG. 5, and the specific structures of the engagement recesses 112r and whether the engagement recesses 112r are provided may be adjusted according to requirements, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0047] Similarly, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the rear opening 122 of the slider replacement piece 120 is provided with an engagement hole 126 at the rear end (the end corresponding to the rear side S2) in the longitudinal direction L. One of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112 is taken as an example here) is provided with a hook 112h at the rear end (the end corresponding to the rear side S2) in the longitudinal direction L. Thus, after the pair of slide rails 124 slide toward the front side S1 along the slide grooves 112g, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4C, the hook 112h provided on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112) passes through the engagement hole 126 provided at the rear opening 122 of the slider replacement piece 120. Furthermore, the slider replacement piece 120 is fixed to one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112) by engaging the hook 112h with the engagement hole 126. In this way, the engagement holes 126 and the hooks 112h disposed at the rear ends (the ends corresponding to the rear side S2) do not affect the action of the pair of slide rails 124 sliding toward the front side S1 along the slide grooves 112g and may also be engaged with each other after the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on the slider body 110 to enhance the fixing effect of the slider replacement piece 120 on the slider body 110, thereby further enhancing the structural strength of the slider 100. The above description about the engagement holes 126 is also applicable to the pair of slide rails 124A of the slider replacement piece 120A shown in FIG. 5, and the specific structures of the engagement holes 126 and the hooks 112h and whether the engagement holes 126 and the hooks 112h are provided may be adjusted according to requirements, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0048] Furthermore, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112 is taken as an example here) is provided with a step portion 112t at the rear end (the end corresponding to the rear side S2) in the longitudinal direction L, and the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112), so that at least one part of the rear opening 122 abuts against the step portion 112t. In other words, the step portion 112t thinner than the base portion 117 is formed at the rear end of one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112) connected to the slider replacement piece 120. Furthermore, in the state where the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112), the front end (the end corresponding to the front side S1) of the rear opening 122 is connected to the rear end (the end corresponding to the rear side S2) of the base portion 117 (as shown in FIG. 2), and the step portion 112t overlaps with at least one part of the rear opening 122 in the up-down direction (equivalent to the thickness direction T). In this way, the step portion 112t may support at least one part of the rear opening 122 in the up-down direction (equivalent to the thickness direction T) to enhance the fixing effect of the slider replacement piece 120 on the slider body 110, thereby further enhancing the structural strength of the slider 100. The above description about the step portions 112t is also applicable to the pair of slide rails 124A of the slider replacement piece 120A shown in FIG. 5, and the specific structures of the step portions 112t and whether the step portions 112t are provided may be adjusted according to requirements, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0049] Furthermore, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the slider 100 is described by taking the slider replacement piece 120 being installed on the upper blade 112 of the slider body 110 as an example. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, a length L1 of the upper blade 112 in the longitudinal direction L is smaller than a length L2 of the lower blade 114 in the longitudinal direction L, so that the rear end (the end corresponding to the rear side S2) of the upper blade 112 in the longitudinal direction L is closer to the front side S1 than the rear end (the end corresponding to the rear side S2) of the lower blade 114 in the longitudinal direction L. That is, with reference to the front ends (the ends corresponding to the front side S1) of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114, the upper blade 112 is shorter than the lower blade 114. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on the upper blade 112, so that the rear opening 122 abuts against the rear end of the upper blade 112, and a length L3 of the slider replacement piece 120 and the upper blade 112 after installation in the longitudinal direction L is equivalent to the length L2 of the lower blade 114 (FIG. 1). Thus, the slider replacement piece 120 may be regarded as replacing a part of the upper blade 112 of the slider body 110 to form the complete slider 100 (the lengths of the upper and lower sides are substantially equal, so that the ends at the front side S1 and the rear side S2 are flush). The above installation description about the slider replacement piece 120 is also applicable to the slider replacement piece 120A shown in FIG. 5 and is also applicable to installing the slider replacement piece 120 on the lower blade 114 shorter than the upper blade 112 to replace a part of the lower blade 114, which may be adjusted according to requirements, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0050] In addition, in the embodiment, the slider body 110 and the slider replacement piece 120 are respectively manufactured and then assembled through the above method to f orm the complete slider 100. Preferably, the materials of the slider body 110 and the slider replacement piece 120 include zinc. Using zinc as the slider body 110 and the slider replacement piece 120 may improve the structural strength of the slider 100 and enable the pair of slide rails 124 of the slider replacement piece 120 to have the material property of elastic deformation required when being installed on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112). Furthermore, in the case where zinc is used as the slider replacement piece 120, after the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on the slider body 110, the slider replacement piece 120 may be crimp-reinforced to improve the structural strength, but not limited thereto. In other embodiments not shown, resin materials or the like may be used as the slider body 110 and the slider replacement piece 120, so that the pair of slide rails 124 of the slider replacement piece 120 have the material property of elastic deformation required when being installed. Furthermore, in the case where the resin material is used as the slider replacement piece 120, the slider replacement piece 120 may be installed on the slider body 110 through the elastic force of the resin material (snap-fit installation), and there is no need to crimp-reinforce the slider replacement piece 120.

[0051] It can be seen from the above that through using the material with the material property of elastic deformation (zinc, resin material, etc.) to manufacture the slider replacement piece 120, no matter whether the pair of slide rails 124 obliquely extend or whether the first slot 124n1 is provided, during the process of the pair of slide rails 124 sliding toward the front side S1 along the pair of slide grooves 112g, the pair of slide rails 124 may be pushed by the two opposite side edges 112s and flipped from the inner side toward the outer side to be deformed through the material property of elastic deformation, so that the pair of slide rails 124 may be more closely fitted with the contours of the two opposite side edges 112s of the slide grooves 112g with inner side surfaces thereof in the width direction W during the process of sliding toward the front side S1 and may clamp the two opposite side edges 112s through elastic reset. In this way, the sliding of the slider replacement piece 120 may be smoother and the clamping effect of the pair of slide rails 124 may be enhanced, so as to improve the structural strength of the slider 100. The above description about the material of the slider replacement piece 120 is also applicable to the slider replacement piece 120A shown in FIG. 5. However, the slider body 110 and the slider replacement piece 120 are not limited to being manufactured by the above materials, and the slider body 110 and the slider replacement piece 120 may also be manufactured by different materials. The disclosure does not limit the materials and the fixing methods of the slider body 110 and the slider replacement piece 120, which may be adjusted according to requirements.

[0052] Please refer to FIG. 6 to FIG. 8. In another embodiment of the disclosure, the slider 100B includes the slider body 110 and a slider replacement piece 120B, wherein the slider replacement piece 120B is different from the slider replacement piece 120 described in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4C and the slider replacement piece 120A shown in FIG. 5, but may also be installed on the slider body 110. For the description (specific structure, material, etc.) of the slider body 110, please refer to the above content, which will not be elaborated here. Furthermore, the slider replacement piece 120B includes the rear opening 122 and the pair of slide rails 124A extending from the rear opening 122 toward the front side S1 in the longitudinal direction L and separated from each other. The slider replacement piece 120B horizontally slides relative to the slider body 110 along the pair of slide grooves 112g of the slider body 110 through the pair of slide rails 124A (the state change as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) and is installed on the upper blade 112 to serve as a part of the upper blade112. For the description (specific structure, material, installation means, etc.) of the rear opening 122 and the pair of slide rails 124A, please refer to the above content, which will not be elaborated here. Furthermore, although the slider replacement piece 120B is shown here to adopt the pair of slide rails 124A as shown in FIG. 5 (having the first slots 124n1 and the second slots 124n2 to form the T-shaped slots), in other embodiments not shown, the slider replacement piece 120B may also adopt the pair of slide rails 124 as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 (obliquely disposed and having the first slots). The disclosure is not limited thereto and may be adjusted according to requirements.

[0053] Specifically, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, the slider replacement piece 120B further includes a protruding portion 128 disposed on the upper surface of the rear opening 122. In the state where the slider replacement piece 120B is installed on the upper blade 112 (installed through the pair of slide rails 124A horizontally sliding relative to the slider body 110 along the pair of guide grooves 112g as described above), the protruding portion 128 and an open end 116a (that is, the end forming the cantilever) on the rear side of the pull tab installation post 116 provided on the upper surface of the upper blade 112 are opposite to each other and form a stopper wall located on the rear side of the pull tab installation post 116 and the upper blade 112 (as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7). In other words, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the pull tab installation post 116 is disposed with a gap from the upper surface of the upper blade 112 in the thickness direction T, and the open end 116a on the rear side of the pull tab installation post 116 forms the cantilever, so that the gap between the open end 116a and the upper blade 112 in the thickness direction T allows an installation ring of a pull tab (not shown) to pass through for installation. In the state where the slider replacement piece 120B is installed on the upper blade 112, the gap between the open end 116a and the upper blade 112 may be substantially closed through the protruding portion 128 provided on the upper surface of the rear opening 122 of the slider replacement piece 120B (not limited to complete closing, as long as the gap between the protruding portion 128 and the open end 116a is smaller than the size through which the installation ring of the pull tab may pass after the slider replacement piece 120B is installed), thereby preventing the installed pull tab from slipping off the open end 116a. Thus, a stopper for closing the gap between the open end 116a of the pull tab installation post 116 and the upper blade 112 may be omitted.

[0054] Furthermore, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, the protruding portion 128 includes an inclined portion 128a obliquely extending backward from the front end of the rear opening 122 and a parallel portion 128b extending from the inclined portion 128a toward the rear end of the rear opening 122. The inclined portion 128a gradually rises from the front end of the rear opening 122 toward the rear side S2 (that is, inclined upward). Furthermore, the inclined portions 128a may further extend from the front end of the rear opening 122 toward the pair of slide rails 124A. That is, the inclined portions 128a substantially form a Y shape. Furthermore, the parallel portion 128b is substantially at the same height as the rear ends of the inclined portions 128a and has an upper surface that is parallel to and planar with the upper blade 112 for the open end 116a of the pull tab installation post 116 to abut against (but not limited to that the open end 116a must contact the upper surface of the parallel portion 128b, which may be adjusted according to factors such as the actual assembly result and manufacturing tolerances). Furthermore, a pitch t1 between the parallel portion 128b and the open end 116a of the pull tab installation post 116 in the thickness direction T is smaller than a pitch t2 between the inclined portion 128a and the pull tab installation post 116 in the thickness direction T. Thus, through the inclined setting of the inclined portion 128a, the slider replacement piece 120B provided with the protruding portion 128 may be easily installed on the upper blade 112 from the rear side S2 toward the front side S1 without causing the protruding portion 128 to interfere with structures such as the pull tab installation post 116 during the installation process. Furthermore, through the protruding setting of the parallel portion 128b, the stopper wall may be formed at the open end 116a of the pull tab installation post 116 to substantially close the gap between the open end 116a and the upper blade 112 (not limited to complete closing). However, in other embodiments not shown, the inclined portion 128a of the protruding portion 128 may also be configured to gradually decrease from the front end of the rear opening 122 toward the rear side S2 (that is, inclined downward). The disclosure does not limit the specific structure of the protruding portion 128 and whether the protruding portion 128 is provided, which may be adjusted according to requirements.

[0055] Furthermore, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, in the front-rear direction of the protruding portion 128, the front end of the parallel portion 128b is located further forward than the front end of the open end 116a of the pull tab installation post 116. That is, the inclined portion 128a starts to be inclined from a position further forward than the front end of the open end 116a, and the entire open end 116a corresponds to the parallel portion 128b. As an example, the maximum distance between the parallel portion 128b and the open end 116a of the pull tab installation post 116 (that is, the maximum value of the pitch t1) is greater than the axial width of the installation ring of the pull tab. In this way, in the case where the installation ring of the pull tab is installed to the pull tab installation post 116, the installation ring of the pull tab may be supported by the open end 116a of the pull tab installation post 116 and abut against the parallel portion 128b. When a pulling force is applied to the pull tab, the pulling force of the pull tab may be borne by the pull tab installation post 116 having a stronger structural strength instead of being borne by the slider replacement piece 120, which is beneficial to improving the overall structural strength. However, the disclosure does not limit the specific structure of the parallel portion 128b of the protruding portion 128 and whether the parallel portion 128b is provided, which may be adjusted according to requirements.

[0056] In summary, in the slider of the disclosure, the slider replacement piece includes t pair of slide rails extending from the rear opening toward the front side in the longitudinal direction and separated from each other. and the pair of slide grooves extending in the longitudinal direction are provided on the two opposite side edges of one of the upper blade and the lower blade of the slider body in the width direction. The slider replacement piece horizontally slides relative to the slider body along the pair of slide grooves through the pair of slide rails to be installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade to serve as a part of one of the upper blade and the lower blade. Thus, the slider replacement piece may not only horizontally slide along the pair of slide grooves through the pair of slide rails separated from each other to be easily installed, but may also be installed through the pair of slide rails clamping the two opposite side edges of one of the upper blade and the lower blade. Preferably, the pair of slide rails obliquely extend toward the front side, and the distance in the width direction gradually increases toward the front side, thereby further improving the clamping force. Furthermore, each of the pair of slide rails has the first slot extending in the width direction and located on the inner side of the slide rail, so that the slide rail is configured to be deformable from the inner side toward the outer side through the first slot, thereby further improving the assembly operability of the slider. Accordingly, the slider of the disclosure has improved assembly operability and structural strength.

[0057] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate, but not to limit, the technical solutions of the disclosure. Although the disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, persons skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions described in the above embodiments may still be modified or some or all of the technical features thereof may be equivalently replaced. However, the modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the disclosure.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0031]Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, and examples of the exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a slider before assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure, FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional schematic view of the slider shown in FIG. 1 after assembly, FIG. 3 is a top schematic view of a slider replacement piece for the slider shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are top schematic views of the slider shown in FIG. 1 before assembly, during an assembly process, and after assembly, FIG. 5 is a top schematic view of the slider replacement piece shown in FIG. 1 in another modified example, FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a slider after assembly according to another embodiment of the disclosure, FIG. 7 is a side schematic view of the slider shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a slider replacement piece for the slider shown ...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of China application serial no. 202510077231.0, filed on Jan. 17, 2025. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.BACKGROUNDTechnical Field

[0002] The disclosure relates to the technology of fastener field, and in particular to a slider.Description of Related Art

[0003] In the prior art, a common fastener generally includes a fastener chain composed of a fastener tape and a pair of fastener stringers composed of multiple element columns arranged on the fastener tape, and a slider installed on the fastener stringers to open or close the element columns through sliding. A pull tab may also be provided on the slider according to requirements to drive the slider to slide on the fastener chain. The slider is usually manufactured into an integrated slider body having an upper blade and a lower blade disposed opposite to each other, and a pull tab installation post is disposed or formed on an upper surface of the upper blade of the slider body. Therefore, in the case where a partial region of one of the upper blade and the lower blade slider is damaged, the entire slider usually needs to be discarded. In this regard, a method has been developed in which a part of one of the upper blade and the lower blade is replaced through a slider replacement piece, so that only the slider replacement piece is replaced when the partial region of one of the upper blade and the lower blade is damaged. However, in the currently developed modular slider, the slider body and the slider replacement piece are connected through a pivot, which results in complicated assembly steps and low structural strength. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the structure of the slider to enhance the assembly operability and structural strength of the slider.SUMMARY

[0004] The disclosure provides a slider having improved assembly operability and structural strength.

[0005] The disclosure provides a slider, including: a slider body, including an upper blade and a lower blade disposed opposite to each other; and a slider replacement piece, including a rear opening and a pair of slide rails extending from the rear opening toward a front side in a longitudinal direction and separated from each other. A pair of slide grooves extending in the longitudinal direction are correspondingly provided on opposite side edges of one of the upper blade and the lower blade in a width direction. The slider replacement piece horizontally slides relative to the slider body along the pair of slide grooves through the pair of slide rails to be installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade to serve as a part of one of the upper blade and the lower blade.

[0006] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, the pair of slide rails obliquely extend from the rear opening toward the front side in the longitudinal direction, and a distance between the pair of slide rails in the width direction gradually increases from the rear opening toward the front side. In a state where the slider replacement plate is installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade, the pair of slide rails clamp the two opposite side edges provided with the pair of slide grooves of one of the upper blade and the lower blade.

[0007] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, each of the pair of slide rails has a first slot extending in the width direction, and the first slot is located on an inner side of the slide rail, so that the slide rail is configured to be deformable from the inner side toward an outer side through the first slot.

[0008] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, the first slot is disposed at a position of the slide rail closer to a rear end than a front end in the longitudinal direction.

[0009] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, each of the pair of slide rails has a second slot extending in the longitudinal direction, and the second slot is located at a center of the slide rail and is connected to the first slot, so that the slide rail is configured to be deformable from the inner side toward the outer side through the first slot and the second slot.

[0010] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, each of the pair of slide rails has a rib extending along the longitudinal direction, and in a state where the slider replacement piece is installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade, the rib is embedded in the slide groove along the longitudinal direction.

[0011] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, in the state where the slider replacement piece is installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade, an upper surface and a lower surface of the rib are covered by the slide groove along the longitudinal direction.

[0012] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, each of front ends of the pair of slide rails in the longitudinal direction has an engagement protrusion protruding toward an inner side from an inner side surface, and the pair of slide rails horizontally slide along the pair of slide grooves through the engagement protrusions to be installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade.

[0013] In the slider of an embodiment of the disclosure, each of front ends of the pair of slide grooves in the longitudinal direction has an engagement recess recessed from an outer side toward an inner side, and a depth of the engagement recess is greater than a depth of the slide groove. The slider replacement piece is engaged with the engagement recess of the slide groove by the engagement protrusion of the slide rail to be fixed to one of the upper blade and the lower blade.

[0014] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, the rear opening of the slider replacement piece is provided with an engagement hole at a rear end in the longitudinal direction, one of the upper blade and the lower blade is provided with a hook at the rear end in the longitudinal direction, and the slider replacement piece is engaged with the hook by the engagement hole to be fixed to one of the upper blade and the lower blade.

[0015] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, one of the upper blade and the lower blade is provided with a step portion at a rear end in the longitudinal direction, and the slider replacement piece is installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade, so that at least one part of the rear opening abuts against the step portion.

[0016] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, a length of the upper blade in the longitudinal direction is smaller than a length of the lower blade in the longitudinal direction, so that a rear end of the upper blade in the longitudinal direction is closer to the front side than a rear end of the lower blade in the longitudinal direction. The slider replacement piece is installed on the upper blade, so that the rear opening abuts against the rear end of the upper blade, and a length of the slider replacement piece and the upper blade in the longitudinal direction after installation is equivalent to the length of the lower blade.

[0017] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, the slider replacement piece further includes a protruding portion disposed on an upper surface of the rear opening. In a state where the slider replacement piece is installed on the upper blade, the protruding portion and an open end on a rear side of a pull tab installation post provided on an upper surface of the upper blade are opposite to each other and form a stopper wall located on the rear side of the pull tab installation post and the upper blade.

[0018] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, the protruding portion includes an inclined portion obliquely extending backward from a front end of the rear opening and a parallel portion extending from the inclined portion toward a rear end of the rear opening, and a pitch between the parallel portion and the open end of the pull tab installation post in a thickness direction is smaller than a pitch between the inclined portion and the pull tab installation post in the thickness direction.

[0019] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, in a front-rear direction of the protruding portion, a front end of the parallel portion is located further forward than a front end of the open end of the pull tab installation post.

[0020] In the slider of the embodiment of the disclosure, materials of the slider body and the slider replacement piece include zinc.

[0021] Based on the above, in the slider of the disclosure, the slider replacement piece includes the pair of slide rails extending from the rear opening toward the front side in the longitudinal direction and separated from each other, and the pair of slide grooves extending in the longitudinal direction are provided on the two opposite side edges of one of the upper blade and the lower blade of the slider body in the width direction. The slider replacement piece horizontally slides relative to the slider body along the pair of slide grooves through the pair of slide rails to be installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade to serve as a part of one of the upper blade and the lower blade. Thus, the slider replacement piece may not only horizontally slide along the pair of slide grooves through the pair of slide rails separated from each other to be easily installed, but may also be installed through the pair of slide rails clamping the two opposite side edges of one of the upper blade and the lower blade. Accordingly, the slider of the disclosure has improved assembly operability and structural strength.

[0022] In order for the features and advantages of the disclosure to be more comprehensible, the following specific embodiments are described in detail in conjunction with the drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a slider before assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional schematic view of the slider shown in FIG. 1 after assembly.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a top schematic view of a slider replacement piece for the slider shown in FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are top schematic views of the slider shown in FIG. 1 before assembly, during an assembly process, and after assembly.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a top schematic view of the slider replacement piece shown in FIG. 1 in another modified example.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a slider after assembly according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a side schematic view of the slider shown in FIG. 6.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a slider replacement piece for the slider shown in FIG. 6.DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, and examples of the exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a slider before assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure, FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional schematic view of the slider shown in FIG. 1 after assembly, FIG. 3 is a top schematic view of a slider replacement piece for the slider shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are top schematic views of the slider shown in FIG. 1 before assembly, during an assembly process, and after assembly, FIG. 5 is a top schematic view of the slider replacement piece shown in FIG. 1 in another modified example, FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a slider after assembly according to another embodiment of the disclosure, FIG. 7 is a side schematic view of the slider shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a slider replacement piece for the slider shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 1 to FIG. 4C

[0032] are used to illustrate a specific structure and an assembly method of a slider 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure, FIG. 5 is used to illustrate a specific structure of a slider 100A in another modified example of the disclosure, and FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 are used to illustrate a specific structure of a slider 100B in another embodiment of the disclosure. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto and may be adjusted according to requirements.

[0033] Please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. In the embodiment, the slider 100 includes a slider body 110 and a slider replacement piece 120. The slider body 110 includes an upper blade 112 and a lower blade 114 disposed opposite to each other. The slider replacement piece 120 includes a rear opening 122 and a pair of slide rails 124 extending from the rear opening 122 toward a front side S1 in a longitudinal direction L (equivalent to the front-rear direction) and separated from each other. A pair of slide grooves 112g extending in the longitudinal direction L are correspondingly provided on two opposite side edges 112s of one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112 is taken as an example here) in a width direction W (equivalent to the left-right direction). The slider replacement piece 120 horizontally slides relative to the slider body 110 along the pair of slide grooves 112g through the pair of slide rails 124 (the state change as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) to be installed on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112) to serve as a part of one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112).

[0034] Specifically, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the ends of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 of the slider body 110 corresponding to the front side S1 in the longitudinal direction L are connected to each other through a guide post 113, and the ends of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 corresponding to a rear side S2 in the longitudinal direction L are formed in an open state, so as to form an element channel 115 between the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 and on the left and right sides of the guide post 113. Furthermore, a pull tab installation post 116 extending from the front side S1 toward the rear side S2 and forming a cantilever on the rear side S2 is provided on the upper surface of the upper blade 112 (but not limited thereto). Here, an example in which the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on the upper blade 112 of the slider body 110 is taken for description. Except for a base portion 117 of the upper blade 112 connected to the guide post 113 and the pull tab installation post 116, a plate surface part of the upper blade 112 and a flange portion 118 corresponding to the two opposite sides of the element channel 115 are disposed on the slider replacement piece 120. Thus, a part of the upper blade 112 of the slider body 110 may be replaced through the slider replacement piece 120 (as shown in FIG. 2). However, in other embodiments not shown, the slider replacement piece 120 may also be used to replace a part of the lower blade 114. The disclosure does not limit the specific structure of the slider body 110, which may be adjusted according to requirements.

[0035] Furthermore, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the rear opening 122 of the slider replacement piece 120 corresponds to the end of the lower blade 114 on the r ear side S2 and is formed in an open state. The pair of slide rails 124 of the slider replacement piece 120 extend from the rear opening 122 toward the front side S1 in the longitudinal direction L and are separated from each other. The flange portion 118 is disposed on the two opposite sides of the slider replacement piece 120 in the width direction W and extends from the rear opening 122 toward the front side S1 to at least partially correspond to the outer sides of the pair of slide rails 124 (but not limited thereto). In contrast, the two opposite side edges 112s of the upper blade 112 in the width direction W are disposed on the base portion 117 and are substantially parallel to each other, and the pair of slide grooves 112g extending in the longitudinal direction L are correspondingly disposed on the two opposite side edges 112s and are substantially parallel to each other. Preferably, the pair of slide grooves 112g disposed on the two opposite side edges 112s are substantially parallel to the plate surface directions of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114. In this way, the slider replacement piece 120 may horizontally slide relative to the slider body 110 along the pair of slide grooves 112g through the pair of slide rails 124 separated from each other, and installation is performed from the two opposite side edges 112s of the slider body 110 in the width direction W.

[0036] As an example, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C, the assembly method of the slider 100 is as follows. When the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on the slider body 110 from the rear side S2 of one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112 is taken as an example here) (as shown in the states of FIG. 1 and FIG. 4A), the pair of slide rails 124 of the slider replacement piece 120 first contact the rear ends (the ends corresponding to the rear side S2) of the pair of slide grooves 112g provided on the two opposite side edges 112s of the upper blade 112. Then, the pair of slide rails 124 slide along the pair of slide grooves 112g toward the front side S1 (as shown in the state of FIG. 4B) until the pair of slide rails 124 slide to the front ends (the ends corresponding to the front side S1) of the pair of slide grooves 112g (as shown in the states of FIG. 2 and FIG. 4C). When the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112), the slider replacement piece 120 may be a part of one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112) to form the complete slider 100 (as shown in the states of FIG. 2 and FIG. 4C). That is, the assembled slider 100 may be installed on a fastener chain (not shown) and open or close the fastener chain through sliding. In contrast, when a part of one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112) is damaged, the slider replacement piece 120 may be removed through sliding in the reverse direction, that is, the slider replacement piece 120 horizontally slides from the front side S1 toward the rear side S2 relative to the slider body 110 along the pair of slide grooves 112g through the pair of slide rails 124 (as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4A) for replacement.

[0037] Through the above configuration, in the slider 100 of the embodiment, the slider replacement piece 120 includes the pair of slide rails 124 extending from the rear opening 122 toward the front side S1 in the longitudinal direction L and separated from each other, and the pair of slide grooves 112g extending in the longitudinal direction L are correspondingly provided on the two opposite side edges 112s of one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112 is taken as an example here) of the slider body 110 in the width direction W. The slider replacement piece 120 horizontally slides relative to the slider body 110 along the pair of slide grooves 112g through the pair of slide rails 124 to be installed on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112) to serve as a part of one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112). In this way, the slider replacement piece 120 may not only horizontally slide along the pair of slide grooves 112g through the pair of slide rails 124 separated from each other to be easily installed, but may also be installed through the pair of slide rails 124 clamping the two opposite side edges 112s of one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112). Accordingly, the slider 100 of the embodiment has improved assembly operability and structural strength.

[0038] Furthermore, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the pair of slide rails 124 obliquely extend from the rear opening 122 toward the front side S1 in the longitudinal direction L, and the distance between the pair of slide rails 124 in the width direction W gradually increases from the rear opening 122 toward the front side S1 (not parallel to each other). In other words, a distance D1 between rear ends P2 connected to the rear opening 122 in the pair of slide rails 124 is smaller than a distance D2 between front ends P1 opposite to the rear opening 122, so that the pair of slide rails 124 gradually expand toward the outer side of the width direction W from the rear ends P2 toward the front ends P1 in the longitudinal direction L (as shown in FIG. 3). In the state where the slider replacement piece 120 horizontally slides relative to the slider body 110 along the pair of slide grooves 112g through the pair of slide rails 124, the pair of slide rails 124 first contact the rear ends of the pair of slide grooves 112g corresponding to the rear side S2 with the front ends P1 with the larger distance D2 (as shown in the states of FIG. 1 and FIG. 4A), and then slide toward the front side S1 until the rear ends P2 with the smaller distance D1 also contact the rear ends of the pair of slide grooves 112g corresponding to the rear side S2 (as shown in the states of FIG. 2 and FIG. 4C). In the state where the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112 is taken as an example here), the pair of slide rails 124 clamp the two opposite side edges 112s of one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112) provided with the pair of slide grooves 112g.

[0039] Furthermore, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, each of the pair of slide rails 124 has a first slot 124n1 extending in the width direction W, and the first slot 124n1 is located on the inner side of the slide rail 124, so that the slide rail 124 is configured to be deformable from the inner side toward the outer side through the first slot 124n1. Furthermore, the first slot 124n1 is disposed at a position of the slide rail 124 closer to the rear end P2 than to the front end P1 in the longitudinal direction L. In other words, the first slot 124n1 extends from the inner side of the slide rail 124 toward the middle of the slide rail 124 but does not extend to the outer side of the slide rail 124 (does not cut through the entire slide rail 124 along the width direction W). During the process of the pair of slide rails 124 sliding along the slide grooves 112g toward the front side S1, the pair of slide rails 124 pushed by the two opposite side edges 112s may be flipped from the inner side toward the outer side to be deformed with the first slots 124n1 near the rear ends P2 as the reference points (as shown by the arrows in FIG. 3), so that the pair of slide rails 124 may be more closely fitted with the contours of the two opposite side edges 112s provided with the slide grooves 112g with the inner side surfaces thereof in the width direction W during the process of sliding toward the front side S1. In this way, the slider 100 not only sets the pair of slide rails 124 to obliquely extend from the rear opening 122 toward the front side S1 in the longitudinal direction L and expand toward the outer side, but also sets the first slots 124n1 near the rear ends P2 of the pair of slide rails 124 connected to the rear opening 122, which may enable the sliding of the slider replacement piece 120 to be smoother, and may enhance the clamping effect of the pair of slide rails 124, so as to enhance the structural strength of the slider 100. The above description about the pair of slide rails 124 (being obliquely disposed and expanding toward the outer side, and provided with the first slots 124n1 to facilitate deformation toward the outer side) may be adjusted according to the requirements, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0040] In contrast, in the slider 100A of the modified example shown in FIG. 5, a slider replacement piece 120A has a similar structure to the slider replacement piece 120, but has the following differences. A pair of slide rails 124A of the slider replacement piece 120A vertically extend from the rear opening 122 toward the front side S1 in the longitudinal direction L, and the distance D between the pair of slide rails 124A from the rear opening 122 toward the front side S1 in the width direction W is substantially the same (parallel to each other). Furthermore, each of the pair of slide rails 124A has the first slot 124n1 extending in the width direction W and located on the inner side of the slide rail 124A, and the first slot 124n1 is disposed at a position of the slide rail 124A closer to the rear end P2 in the longitudinal direction L. In addition, each of the pair of slide rails 124A has a second slot 124n2 extending in the longitudinal direction L, and the second slot 124n2 is located at the center of the slide rail 124A and is connected to the first slot 124n1, so that the slide rail 124A is configured to be deformable from the inner side toward the outer side through the first slot 124n1 and the second slot 124n2. In other words, the second slot 124n2 extends from the center of the slide rail 124A toward the front side S1 and the rear side S2 but does not extend to the front end P1 and the rear end P2 of the slide rail 124A (does not cut through the entire slide rail 124A along the longitudinal direction L), and the second slot 124n2 is connected to the first slot 124n1 to form a T-shaped slot.

[0041] It can be seen from the above that in the modified example shown in FIG. 5, in case where the slider replacement piece 120A replaces the slider replacement piece 120 and is installed on the slider body 110 as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, during the process of the pair of slide rails 124A sliding toward the front side S1 along the slide grooves 112g, the pair of slide rails 124A pushed by the two opposite side edges 112s may be flipped from the inner side toward the outer side to be deformed with the T-shaped slots formed by the first slots 124n1 near the rear ends P2 and the second slots 124n2 connected to the first slots 124n1 as the reference points (as shown by the arrows in FIG. 5), so that the pair of slide rails 124A may be more closely fitted with the contours of the two opposite side edges 112s provided with the slide grooves 112g with the inner side surfaces thereof in the width direction W during the process of sliding toward the front side S1. Thus, compared to the slider 100, the slider replacement piece 120A of the slider 100A in the modified example shown in FIG. 5 is not only provided with the first slots 124n1 near the rear ends P2 of the pair of slide rails 124A connected to the rear opening 122, but also provided with the second slots 124n2 extending in the longitudinal direction L and connected to the first slots 124n1 at the center of the pair of slide rails 124A, which may enable the sliding of the slider replacement piece 120A to be smoother, and may enhance the clamping effect of the pair of slide rails 124A, so as to enhance the structural strength of the slider 100A. The above description about the pair of slide rails 124A (being provided with the first slots 124n1 and the second slots 124n2 to facilitate deformation toward the outer side) may be adjusted according to requirements, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0042] In addition, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, each of the pair of slide rails 124 has a rib 124r extending along the longitudinal direction L, and in the state where the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112 is taken as an example here), the rib 124r is embedded in the slide groove 112g along the longitudinal direction L. As an example, the rib 124r is disposed on the inner side surface of the slide rail 124 and protrudes toward the inner side from the inner side surface, and is disposed at a position of the slide rail 124 closer to the rear side S2 than the first slot 124n1 in the longitudinal direction L. During the process of the pair of slide rails 124 sliding toward the front side S1 along the slide grooves 112g, as shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C, the pair of slide rails 124 may be flipped from the inner side toward the outer side to be deformed with the first slots 124n1 near the rear ends P2 as the reference points (as shown by the arrows in FIG. 3), and then the ribs 124r enter the slide grooves 112g from the rear ends (the ends corresponding to the rear side S2) of the slide grooves 112g and slide toward the front side S1 along the slide grooves 112g until the front end (the ends corresponding to the front side S1) of the slide grooves 112g. Furthermore, in the state where the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112), the upper surface and the lower surface of the rib 124r are covered by the slide groove 112g along the longitudinal direction L. That is, the rib 124r overlaps with the slide groove 112g in the up-down direction (corresponding to a thickness direction T).

[0043] It can be seen from the above that in the embodiment, the rib 124r disposed on the slide rail 124 closer to the rear side than the first slot 124n1 does not affect the deformation action of the slide rail 124 being flipped from the inner side toward the outer side through the first slot 124n1 during the sliding process of the slider replacement piece 120. Furthermore, during the process of the rib 124r sliding toward the front side S1 along the slide groove 112g, the upper surface and the lower surface of the rib 124r are covered by the slide groove 112g along the longitudinal direction L, so that the sliding of the rib 124r is limited in the up-down direction (equivalent to the thickness direction T) through the inner side surface of the slide groove 112g. Thus, the ribs 124r may serve as guides to maintain the horizontal sliding of the pair of slide rails 124 during the process of the pair of slide rails 124 sliding along the pair of guide grooves 112g, so that the sliding of the slider replacement piece 120 may be smoother to improve the assembly operability of the slider 100. The above description about the ribs 124r is also applicable to the pair of slide rails 124A of the slider replacement piece 120A shown in FIG. 5, and the specific structures of the ribs 124r and whether the ribs 124r are provided may be adjusted according to requirements, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0044] Similarly, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, each of the pair of slide rails 124 has an engagement protrusion 124p protruding toward the inner side from the inner side surface at the front end P1 in the longitudinal direction L, and the engagement protrusions 124p horizontally slide along the pair of slide grooves 112g to be installed on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112 is taken as an example here). During the process of the pair of slide rails 124 sliding toward the front side S1 along the slide grooves 112g, as shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C, the pair of slide rails 124 first contact the rear ends (the ends corresponding to the rear side S2) of the slide grooves 112g with the engagement protrusions 124p provided at the front ends P1, and then the engagement protrusions 124p enter the slide grooves 112g and slide toward the front side S1 until the front ends (the ends corresponding to the front side S1) of the slide grooves 112g. Thus, the engagement protrusions 124p may serve as guides to maintain the horizontal sliding of the pair of slide rails 124 during the process of the pair of slide rails 124 sliding along the pair of guide grooves 112g, so that the sliding of the slider replacement piece 120 may be smoother to improve the assembly operability of the slider 100. The above description about the engagement protrusions 124p is also applicable to the pair of slide rails 124A of the slider replacement piece 120A shown in FIG. 5, and the specific structures of the engagement protrusions 124p and whether the engagement protrusions 124p are provided may be adjusted according to requirements, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0045] Furthermore, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, each of the pair of slide grooves 112g has an engagement recess 112r (marked in FIG. 1) that is recessed from the outer side surface toward the inner side at the front end (the end corresponding to the front side S1) in the longitudinal direction L, and the depth of the engagement recess 112r is greater than the depth of the slide groove 112g. That is, the engagement recess 112r is more recessed toward the inner sides of the two opposite side edges 112s than the slide groove 112g. During the process of the pair of slide rails 124 sliding toward the front side S1 along the slide grooves 112g, as shown in FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C, the pair of slide rails 124 first enter the slide grooves 112g from the rear ends (the ends corresponding to the rear side S2) of the slide grooves 112g with the engagement protrusions 124p provided at the front ends P1, and then slide toward the front side S1 until the front ends (the ends corresponding to the front side S1) of the slide grooves 112g. Furthermore, the slider replacement piece 120 is engaged with the engagement recess 112r of the slide groove 112g by the engagement protrusion 124p of the slide rail 124 to be fixed to one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112 is taken as an example here).

[0046] As an example, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the front end (the end corresponding to the front side S1) of the slide groove 112g is provided with an inclined wall 112w, and the front side S1 of the inclined wall 112w is recessed toward the inner side to form the engagement recess 112r. After the pair of slide rails 124 slide toward the front side S1 along the slide grooves 112g to the front ends (the ends corresponding to the front side S1) of the slide grooves 112g, the engagement protrusions 124p slide toward the front side S1 and pass through the inclined walls 112w, and the slide rails 124 are pushed by the inclined walls 112w to be deformed from the inner side toward the outer side. After the engagement protrusion 124p passes through the inclined wall 112w, the slide rail 124 releases the push of the inclined wall 112w and is flipped toward the inner side to reset, and the engagement protrusion 124p further enters the engagement recess 112r provided on the front side S1 of the inclined wall 112w to be engaged. However, the setting of the inclined wall 112w may be omitted and the engagement recess 112r that is further recessed toward the inner side may be formed at the front end (the end corresponding to the front side S1) of the slide groove 112g. Thus, the engagement protrusion 124p may not only serve as a guide during the sliding process of the pair of slide rails 124, but also be engaged with the engagement recess 112r to enhance the fixing effect of the slider replacement piece 120 on the slider body 110, thereby further enhancing the structural strength of the slider 100. The above description about the engagement recesses 112r is also applicable to the pair of slide rails 124A of the slider replacement piece 120A shown in FIG. 5, and the specific structures of the engagement recesses 112r and whether the engagement recesses 112r are provided may be adjusted according to requirements, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0047] Similarly, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the rear opening 122 of the slider replacement piece 120 is provided with an engagement hole 126 at the rear end (the end corresponding to the rear side S2) in the longitudinal direction L. One of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112 is taken as an example here) is provided with a hook 112h at the rear end (the end corresponding to the rear side S2) in the longitudinal direction L. Thus, after the pair of slide rails 124 slide toward the front side S1 along the slide grooves 112g, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4C, the hook 112h provided on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112) passes through the engagement hole 126 provided at the rear opening 122 of the slider replacement piece 120. Furthermore, the slider replacement piece 120 is fixed to one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112) by engaging the hook 112h with the engagement hole 126. In this way, the engagement holes 126 and the hooks 112h disposed at the rear ends (the ends corresponding to the rear side S2) do not affect the action of the pair of slide rails 124 sliding toward the front side S1 along the slide grooves 112g and may also be engaged with each other after the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on the slider body 110 to enhance the fixing effect of the slider replacement piece 120 on the slider body 110, thereby further enhancing the structural strength of the slider 100. The above description about the engagement holes 126 is also applicable to the pair of slide rails 124A of the slider replacement piece 120A shown in FIG. 5, and the specific structures of the engagement holes 126 and the hooks 112h and whether the engagement holes 126 and the hooks 112h are provided may be adjusted according to requirements, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0048] Furthermore, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112 is taken as an example here) is provided with a step portion 112t at the rear end (the end corresponding to the rear side S2) in the longitudinal direction L, and the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112), so that at least one part of the rear opening 122 abuts against the step portion 112t. In other words, the step portion 112t thinner than the base portion 117 is formed at the rear end of one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112) connected to the slider replacement piece 120. Furthermore, in the state where the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112), the front end (the end corresponding to the front side S1) of the rear opening 122 is connected to the rear end (the end corresponding to the rear side S2) of the base portion 117 (as shown in FIG. 2), and the step portion 112t overlaps with at least one part of the rear opening 122 in the up-down direction (equivalent to the thickness direction T). In this way, the step portion 112t may support at least one part of the rear opening 122 in the up-down direction (equivalent to the thickness direction T) to enhance the fixing effect of the slider replacement piece 120 on the slider body 110, thereby further enhancing the structural strength of the slider 100. The above description about the step portions 112t is also applicable to the pair of slide rails 124A of the slider replacement piece 120A shown in FIG. 5, and the specific structures of the step portions 112t and whether the step portions 112t are provided may be adjusted according to requirements, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0049] Furthermore, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the slider 100 is described by taking the slider replacement piece 120 being installed on the upper blade 112 of the slider body 110 as an example. Here, as shown in FIG. 1, a length L1 of the upper blade 112 in the longitudinal direction L is smaller than a length L2 of the lower blade 114 in the longitudinal direction L, so that the rear end (the end corresponding to the rear side S2) of the upper blade 112 in the longitudinal direction L is closer to the front side S1 than the rear end (the end corresponding to the rear side S2) of the lower blade 114 in the longitudinal direction L. That is, with reference to the front ends (the ends corresponding to the front side S1) of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114, the upper blade 112 is shorter than the lower blade 114. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on the upper blade 112, so that the rear opening 122 abuts against the rear end of the upper blade 112, and a length L3 of the slider replacement piece 120 and the upper blade 112 after installation in the longitudinal direction L is equivalent to the length L2 of the lower blade 114 (FIG. 1). Thus, the slider replacement piece 120 may be regarded as replacing a part of the upper blade 112 of the slider body 110 to form the complete slider 100 (the lengths of the upper and lower sides are substantially equal, so that the ends at the front side S1 and the rear side S2 are flush). The above installation description about the slider replacement piece 120 is also applicable to the slider replacement piece 120A shown in FIG. 5 and is also applicable to installing the slider replacement piece 120 on the lower blade 114 shorter than the upper blade 112 to replace a part of the lower blade 114, which may be adjusted according to requirements, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0050] In addition, in the embodiment, the slider body 110 and the slider replacement piece 120 are respectively manufactured and then assembled through the above method to f orm the complete slider 100. Preferably, the materials of the slider body 110 and the slider replacement piece 120 include zinc. Using zinc as the slider body 110 and the slider replacement piece 120 may improve the structural strength of the slider 100 and enable the pair of slide rails 124 of the slider replacement piece 120 to have the material property of elastic deformation required when being installed on one of the upper blade 112 and the lower blade 114 (the upper blade 112). Furthermore, in the case where zinc is used as the slider replacement piece 120, after the slider replacement piece 120 is installed on the slider body 110, the slider replacement piece 120 may be crimp-reinforced to improve the structural strength, but not limited thereto. In other embodiments not shown, resin materials or the like may be used as the slider body 110 and the slider replacement piece 120, so that the pair of slide rails 124 of the slider replacement piece 120 have the material property of elastic deformation required when being installed. Furthermore, in the case where the resin material is used as the slider replacement piece 120, the slider replacement piece 120 may be installed on the slider body 110 through the elastic force of the resin material (snap-fit installation), and there is no need to crimp-reinforce the slider replacement piece 120.

[0051] It can be seen from the above that through using the material with the material property of elastic deformation (zinc, resin material, etc.) to manufacture the slider replacement piece 120, no matter whether the pair of slide rails 124 obliquely extend or whether the first slot 124n1 is provided, during the process of the pair of slide rails 124 sliding toward the front side S1 along the pair of slide grooves 112g, the pair of slide rails 124 may be pushed by the two opposite side edges 112s and flipped from the inner side toward the outer side to be deformed through the material property of elastic deformation, so that the pair of slide rails 124 may be more closely fitted with the contours of the two opposite side edges 112s of the slide grooves 112g with inner side surfaces thereof in the width direction W during the process of sliding toward the front side S1 and may clamp the two opposite side edges 112s through elastic reset. In this way, the sliding of the slider replacement piece 120 may be smoother and the clamping effect of the pair of slide rails 124 may be enhanced, so as to improve the structural strength of the slider 100. The above description about the material of the slider replacement piece 120 is also applicable to the slider replacement piece 120A shown in FIG. 5. However, the slider body 110 and the slider replacement piece 120 are not limited to being manufactured by the above materials, and the slider body 110 and the slider replacement piece 120 may also be manufactured by different materials. The disclosure does not limit the materials and the fixing methods of the slider body 110 and the slider replacement piece 120, which may be adjusted according to requirements.

[0052] Please refer to FIG. 6 to FIG. 8. In another embodiment of the disclosure, the slider 100B includes the slider body 110 and a slider replacement piece 120B, wherein the slider replacement piece 120B is different from the slider replacement piece 120 described in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4C and the slider replacement piece 120A shown in FIG. 5, but may also be installed on the slider body 110. For the description (specific structure, material, etc.) of the slider body 110, please refer to the above content, which will not be elaborated here. Furthermore, the slider replacement piece 120B includes the rear opening 122 and the pair of slide rails 124A extending from the rear opening 122 toward the front side S1 in the longitudinal direction L and separated from each other. The slider replacement piece 120B horizontally slides relative to the slider body 110 along the pair of slide grooves 112g of the slider body 110 through the pair of slide rails 124A (the state change as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) and is installed on the upper blade 112 to serve as a part of the upper blade112. For the description (specific structure, material, installation means, etc.) of the rear opening 122 and the pair of slide rails 124A, please refer to the above content, which will not be elaborated here. Furthermore, although the slider replacement piece 120B is shown here to adopt the pair of slide rails 124A as shown in FIG. 5 (having the first slots 124n1 and the second slots 124n2 to form the T-shaped slots), in other embodiments not shown, the slider replacement piece 120B may also adopt the pair of slide rails 124 as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 (obliquely disposed and having the first slots). The disclosure is not limited thereto and may be adjusted according to requirements.

[0053] Specifically, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, the slider replacement piece 120B further includes a protruding portion 128 disposed on the upper surface of the rear opening 122. In the state where the slider replacement piece 120B is installed on the upper blade 112 (installed through the pair of slide rails 124A horizontally sliding relative to the slider body 110 along the pair of guide grooves 112g as described above), the protruding portion 128 and an open end 116a (that is, the end forming the cantilever) on the rear side of the pull tab installation post 116 provided on the upper surface of the upper blade 112 are opposite to each other and form a stopper wall located on the rear side of the pull tab installation post 116 and the upper blade 112 (as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7). In other words, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the pull tab installation post 116 is disposed with a gap from the upper surface of the upper blade 112 in the thickness direction T, and the open end 116a on the rear side of the pull tab installation post 116 forms the cantilever, so that the gap between the open end 116a and the upper blade 112 in the thickness direction T allows an installation ring of a pull tab (not shown) to pass through for installation. In the state where the slider replacement piece 120B is installed on the upper blade 112, the gap between the open end 116a and the upper blade 112 may be substantially closed through the protruding portion 128 provided on the upper surface of the rear opening 122 of the slider replacement piece 120B (not limited to complete closing, as long as the gap between the protruding portion 128 and the open end 116a is smaller than the size through which the installation ring of the pull tab may pass after the slider replacement piece 120B is installed), thereby preventing the installed pull tab from slipping off the open end 116a. Thus, a stopper for closing the gap between the open end 116a of the pull tab installation post 116 and the upper blade 112 may be omitted.

[0054] Furthermore, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, the protruding portion 128 includes an inclined portion 128a obliquely extending backward from the front end of the rear opening 122 and a parallel portion 128b extending from the inclined portion 128a toward the rear end of the rear opening 122. The inclined portion 128a gradually rises from the front end of the rear opening 122 toward the rear side S2 (that is, inclined upward). Furthermore, the inclined portions 128a may further extend from the front end of the rear opening 122 toward the pair of slide rails 124A. That is, the inclined portions 128a substantially form a Y shape. Furthermore, the parallel portion 128b is substantially at the same height as the rear ends of the inclined portions 128a and has an upper surface that is parallel to and planar with the upper blade 112 for the open end 116a of the pull tab installation post 116 to abut against (but not limited to that the open end 116a must contact the upper surface of the parallel portion 128b, which may be adjusted according to factors such as the actual assembly result and manufacturing tolerances). Furthermore, a pitch t1 between the parallel portion 128b and the open end 116a of the pull tab installation post 116 in the thickness direction T is smaller than a pitch t2 between the inclined portion 128a and the pull tab installation post 116 in the thickness direction T. Thus, through the inclined setting of the inclined portion 128a, the slider replacement piece 120B provided with the protruding portion 128 may be easily installed on the upper blade 112 from the rear side S2 toward the front side S1 without causing the protruding portion 128 to interfere with structures such as the pull tab installation post 116 during the installation process. Furthermore, through the protruding setting of the parallel portion 128b, the stopper wall may be formed at the open end 116a of the pull tab installation post 116 to substantially close the gap between the open end 116a and the upper blade 112 (not limited to complete closing). However, in other embodiments not shown, the inclined portion 128a of the protruding portion 128 may also be configured to gradually decrease from the front end of the rear opening 122 toward the rear side S2 (that is, inclined downward). The disclosure does not limit the specific structure of the protruding portion 128 and whether the protruding portion 128 is provided, which may be adjusted according to requirements.

[0055] Furthermore, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, in the front-rear direction of the protruding portion 128, the front end of the parallel portion 128b is located further forward than the front end of the open end 116a of the pull tab installation post 116. That is, the inclined portion 128a starts to be inclined from a position further forward than the front end of the open end 116a, and the entire open end 116a corresponds to the parallel portion 128b. As an example, the maximum distance between the parallel portion 128b and the open end 116a of the pull tab installation post 116 (that is, the maximum value of the pitch t1) is greater than the axial width of the installation ring of the pull tab. In this way, in the case where the installation ring of the pull tab is installed to the pull tab installation post 116, the installation ring of the pull tab may be supported by the open end 116a of the pull tab installation post 116 and abut against the parallel portion 128b. When a pulling force is applied to the pull tab, the pulling force of the pull tab may be borne by the pull tab installation post 116 having a stronger structural strength instead of being borne by the slider replacement piece 120, which is beneficial to improving the overall structural strength. However, the disclosure does not limit the specific structure of the parallel portion 128b of the protruding portion 128 and whether the parallel portion 128b is provided, which may be adjusted according to requirements.

[0056] In summary, in the slider of the disclosure, the slider replacement piece includes t pair of slide rails extending from the rear opening toward the front side in the longitudinal direction and separated from each other. and the pair of slide grooves extending in the longitudinal direction are provided on the two opposite side edges of one of the upper blade and the lower blade of the slider body in the width direction. The slider replacement piece horizontally slides relative to the slider body along the pair of slide grooves through the pair of slide rails to be installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade to serve as a part of one of the upper blade and the lower blade. Thus, the slider replacement piece may not only horizontally slide along the pair of slide grooves through the pair of slide rails separated from each other to be easily installed, but may also be installed through the pair of slide rails clamping the two opposite side edges of one of the upper blade and the lower blade. Preferably, the pair of slide rails obliquely extend toward the front side, and the distance in the width direction gradually increases toward the front side, thereby further improving the clamping force. Furthermore, each of the pair of slide rails has the first slot extending in the width direction and located on the inner side of the slide rail, so that the slide rail is configured to be deformable from the inner side toward the outer side through the first slot, thereby further improving the assembly operability of the slider. Accordingly, the slider of the disclosure has improved assembly operability and structural strength.

[0057] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate, but not to limit, the technical solutions of the disclosure. Although the disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, persons skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions described in the above embodiments may still be modified or some or all of the technical features thereof may be equivalently replaced. However, the modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the disclosure.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0031]Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, and examples of the exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a slider before assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure, FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional schematic view of the slider shown in FIG. 1 after assembly, FIG. 3 is a top schematic view of a slider replacement piece for the slider shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are top schematic views of the slider shown in FIG. 1 before assembly, during an assembly process, and after assembly, FIG. 5 is a top schematic view of the slider replacement piece shown in FIG. 1 in another modified example, FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a slider after assembly according to another embodiment of the disclosure, FIG. 7 is a side schematic view of the slider shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a slider replacement piece for the slider shown ...

Claims

1. A slider, comprising:a slider body, comprising an upper blade and a lower blade disposed opposite to each other; anda slider replacement piece, comprising a rear opening and a pair of slide rails extending from the rear opening toward a front side in a longitudinal direction and separated from each other, whereina pair of slide grooves extending in the longitudinal direction are correspondingly provided on two opposite side edges of one of the upper blade and the lower blade in a width direction,the slider replacement piece horizontally slides relative to the slider body along the pair of slide grooves through the pair of slide rails to be installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade to serve as a part of one of the upper blade and the lower blade.

2. The slider according to claim 1, wherein:the pair of slide rails obliquely extend from the rear opening toward the front side in the longitudinal direction, and a distance between the pair of slide rails in the width direction gradually increases from the rear opening toward the front side,in a state where the slider replacement piece is installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade, the pair of slide rails clamp the two opposite side edges provided with the pair of slide grooves of one of the upper blade and the lower blade.

3. The slider according to claim 1, wherein:each of the pair of slide rails has a first slot extending in the width direction, andthe first slot is located on an inner side of the slide rail, so that the slide rail is configured to be deformable from the inner side toward an outer side through the first slot.

4. The slider according to claim 3, wherein:the first slot is disposed at a position of the slide rail closer to a rear end than a front end in the longitudinal direction.

5. The slider according to claim 3, wherein:each of the pair of slide rails has a second slot extending in the longitudinal direction, andthe second slot is located at a center of the slide rail and is connected to the first slot, so that the slide rail is configured to be deformable from the inner side toward the outer side through the first slot and the second slot.

6. The slider according to claim 3, wherein:each of the pair of slide rails has a rib extending along the longitudinal direction, andin a state where the slider replacement piece is installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade, the rib is embedded in the slide groove along the longitudinal direction.

7. The slider according to claim 6, wherein:in the state where the slider replacement piece is installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade, an upper surface and a lower surface of the rib are covered by the slide groove along the longitudinal direction.

8. The slider according to claim 1, wherein:each of front ends of the pair of slide rails has an engagement protrusion protruding toward an inner side from an inner side surface in the longitudinal direction, and the pair of slide rails horizontally slide along the pair of slide grooves through the engagement protrusions to be installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade.

9. The slider according to claim 8, wherein:each of front ends of the pair of slide grooves in the longitudinal direction has an engagement recess recessed from an outer side toward an inner side, and a depth of the engagement recess is greater than a depth of the slide groove,the slider replacement piece is engaged with the engagement recess of the slide groove by the engagement protrusion of the slide rail to be fixed to one of the upper blade and the lower blade.

10. The slider according to claim 1, wherein:the rear opening of the slider replacement piece is provided with an engagement hole at a rear end in the longitudinal direction,one of the upper blade and the lower blade is provided with a hook at the rear end in the longitudinal direction, andthe slider replacement piece is engaged with the hook by the engagement hole to be fixed to one of the upper blade and the lower blade.

11. The slider according to claim 1, wherein:one of the upper blade and the lower blade is provided with a step portion at a rear end in the longitudinal direction, andthe slider replacement piece is installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade, so that at least one part of the rear opening abuts against the step portion.

12. The slider according to claim 1, wherein:a length of the upper blade in the longitudinal direction is smaller than a length of the lower blade in the longitudinal direction, so that a rear end of the upper blade in the longitudinal direction is closer to the front side than a rear end of the lower blade in the longitudinal direction,the slider replacement piece is installed on the upper blade, so that the rear opening abuts against the rear end of the upper blade, anda length of the slider replacement piece and the upper blade after installation in the longitudinal direction is equivalent to the length of the lower blade.

13. The slider according to claim 1, wherein:the slider replacement piece further comprises a protruding portion disposed on an upper surface of the rear opening,in a state where the slider replacement piece is installed on the upper blade, the protruding portion and an open end on a rear side of a pull tab installation post provided on an upper surface of the upper blade are opposite to each other and form a stopper wall located on the rear side of the pull tab installation post and the upper blade.

14. The slider according to claim 13, wherein:the protruding portion comprises an inclined portion obliquely extending backward from a front end of the rear opening and a parallel portion extending from the inclined portion toward a rear end of the rear opening, anda pitch between the parallel portion and the open end of the pull tab installation post in a thickness direction is smaller than a pitch between the inclined portion and the pull tab installation post in the thickness direction.

15. The slider according to claim 14, wherein:in a front-rear direction of the protruding portion, a front end of the parallel portion is located further forward than a front end of the open end of the pull tab installation post.

16. The slider according to claim 1, wherein:materials of the slider body and the slider replacement piece comprise zinc.

17. The slider according to claim 2, wherein:each of the pair of slide rails has a first slot extending in the width direction, andthe first slot is located on an inner side of the slide rail, so that the slide rail is configured to be deformable from the inner side toward an outer side through the first slot.

18. The slider according to claim 17, wherein:the first slot is disposed at a position of the slide rail closer to a rear end than a front end in the longitudinal direction.

19. The slider according to claim 17, wherein:each of the pair of slide rails has a second slot extending in the longitudinal direction, andthe second slot is located at a center of the slide rail and is connected to the first slot, so that the slide rail is configured to be deformable from the inner side toward the outer side through the first slot and the second slot.

20. The slider according to claim 17, wherein:each of the pair of slide rails has a rib extending along the longitudinal direction, andin a state where the slider replacement piece is installed on one of the upper blade and the lower blade, the rib is embedded in the slide groove along the longitudinal direction.

Images