Slide fastener lock mechanism

Abstract

A slide fastener lock mechanism is provided with lock portions configured to detachably couple a pair of sliders. The lock portions each include a base portion which extends in a direction in which the pair of sliders approach each other from the shoulder opening side of the slider, and a hook portion which protrudes in the upper-lower direction from the base portion.The hook portions respectively provided on the pair of sliders are configured to be engaged with and disengaged from each other between shoulder openings of the pair of sliders.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide fastener lock mechanism that detachably couples a pair of sliders.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] When an opening of a bag or the like is opened and closed by a slide fastener, the fastener may be unintentionally opened and items may fall from the opening. In addition, when the bag including the slide fastener in the opening is a backpack, since the opening disposed behind a user is easily opened and closed, there is a concern that the items may be stolen from the opening in such a short time that the owner would not even notice.

[0003] In a coupler for a slide fastener described in Patent Literature 1, a pair of sliders slidably disposed on a pair of fastener stringers are provided with an engaging portion and an engaged portion that detachably couple the pair of sliders to each other. The pair of sliders meshed with the pair of fastener stringers are coupled by the engaging portion and the engaged portion, thereby preventing the opening that is opened and closed by the slide fastener from being opened against the user's intention.CITATION LISTPatent Literature

[0004] Patent Literature 1: JP2020-74939ASUMMARY OF INVENTIONTechnical Problem

[0005] According to the coupler for a slide fastener described in Patent Literature 1, since the engaging portion and the engaged portion for detachably coupling the pair of sliders with the opening closed are provided, security is improved. Here, the engaging portion which is a convex portion provided in the slider on one side and the engaged portion which is recessed in the slider on the other side are inserted into and removed from each other while being elastically deformed. Therefore, a strong force equal to or greater than a certain level is required for a locking operation and an unlocking operation of the pair of sliders, and there is a problem in operability and durability. Therefore, a slide fastener lock mechanism that facilitates a locking operation and an unlocking operation of a pair of sliders and has a simple configuration is desired.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a slide fastener lock mechanism that can smoothly and easily perform a locking operation and an unlocking operation of a pair of sliders with a simple configuration.Solution to Problem

[0007] The object of the present invention is achieved by the following configurations.

[0008] [1] A slide fastener lock mechanism, which is provided with lock portions configured to detachably couple a pair of sliders, at the pair of sliders slidably disposed on a pair of left and right fastener stringers, in order to mesh or separate the pair of fastener stringers, in which

[0009] when a longitudinal direction of each of the pair of fastener stringers is defined as a front-rear direction, and an extending direction of a coupling column coupling an upper blade and a lower blade of each of the pair of sliders is defined as an upper-lower direction, the lock portions respectively disposed at end portions on shoulder opening sides of the pair of sliders each include a base portion which is provided on one of the upper blade and the lower blade of the slider and which extends in a direction in which the pair of sliders approach each other in the front-rear direction from the shoulder opening side of the slider, and a hook portion which protrudes in the upper-lower direction from the base portion, and

[0010] the hook portions respectively provided on the pair of sliders are configured to be engaged with and disengaged from each other between shoulder openings of the pair of sliders.

[0011] [2] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [1], in which in the pair of sliders, when the upper blade of one of the pair of sliders includes the base portion extending, the upper blade of another slider does not include the base portion extending.

[0012] [3] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [1], in which at least one of the hook portions of the pair of sliders has an inclined surface inclined toward a backward opening direction of the corresponding slider toward a tip end direction thereof.

[0013] [4] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [3], in which

[0014] at least a part of the inclined surface of at least one of the hook portions of the pair of sliders is formed at a position beyond an intermediate position between an outer surface of the upper blade and an outer surface of the lower blade.

[0015] [5] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [1], in which a left-right width of the hook portion is equal to or less than a left-right width of the slider, and

[0016] the hook portion is disposed on a central side in a left-right width direction of the slider.

[0017] [6] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [5], in which the left-right width of the hook portion is 0.3 times or more a left-right width of the coupling column.

[0018] [7] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [1], in which

[0019] the lock portion is a lock member that is attachable to and detachable from the slider, and the lock member includes a first surface portion disposed on one of the upper blade or the lower blade, a second surface portion disposed on another of the upper blade or the lower blade, and a connection portion in the upper-lower direction that connects the first surface portion and the second surface portion and that is disposed along a shoulder opening side of the coupling column,

[0020] the second surface portion includes the base portion and the hook portion, and

[0021] a locking portion configured to detachably lock the lock member to a pull-tab attaching column provided on the upper blade is formed on at least one of the first surface portion and the second surface portion.

[0022] [8] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [7], in which the locking portions are provided on the first surface portion and the second surface portion, and

[0023] the pair of lock members have the same shape.

[0024] [9] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [7], in which

[0025] the locking portion includes a pair of locking pieces that are configured to sandwich the pull-tab attaching column, one of the locking pieces is formed in a linear shape along a side surface of the pull-tab attaching column, and another of the locking pieces is formed in an L shape so as to surround the pull-tab attaching column.

[0026]

[10] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [9], in which the connection portion is formed with a restricting portion protruding in the front-rear direction so as to abut against the coupling column in the left-right direction.

[0027]

[11] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [9], in which the locking piece having the L shape is disposed on one of left and right sides of the pull-tab attaching column, and

[0028] the restricting portion is disposed on another of left and right sides of the coupling column.

[0029]

[12] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to

[10] , in which

[0030] a pair of the restricting portions are provided so as to sandwich side surfaces of the coupling column in the left-right direction.

[0031]

[13] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to any one of [1] to [6], in which

[0032] the lock portion is integrally molded with each of the pair of sliders.

[0033]

[14] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [1], in which

[0034] the base portion includes a lower base portion and an upper base portion that are arranged side by side in the left-right direction and that are offset in the upper-lower direction,

[0035] the hook portion includes a first hook portion protruding upward from the lower base portion and a second hook portion protruding downward from the upper base portion, and

[0036] the first hook portion and the second hook portion disposed to face each other between the shoulder openings of the pair of sliders are configured to be engaged with and disengaged from each other by providing the lock portion on each of the pair of sliders.Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0037] According to the present invention, the locking operation and the unlocking operation of the pair of sliders can be smoothly and easily performed with a simple configuration.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a slide fastener provided with a slide fastener lock mechanism according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 (A) and (B) in FIG. 2 are a side view and a plan view showing a pair of sliders provided with the lock mechanism, respectively.

[0039] FIG. 3 (A), (B), and (C) in FIG. 3 are a side view, a plan view, and a front view showing the slider to which a lock member is attached, respectively.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the slider to which the lock member is attached.

[0041] FIG. 5 (A) and (B) in FIG. 5 are a plan view and a bottom view showing the lock member, respectively.

[0042] FIG. 6 (A) in FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the lock member, and (B) therein is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A showing the slider to which the lock member is attached.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a lock member according to an other embodiment 1.

[0044] FIG. 8 (A) in FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a lock member according to an other embodiment 2, and (B) therein is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A showing the slider to which the lock member according to the other embodiment 2 is attached similarly to (B) in FIG. 6.

[0045] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a slide fastener lock mechanism according to an other embodiment 3.

[0046] FIG. 10 (A) and (B) in FIG. 10 are a side view and a plan view showing the slide fastener lock mechanism according to the other embodiment 3, respectively.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0047] A slide fastener to which a slide fastener lock mechanism (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a “lock mechanism”) according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to (B) in FIG. 6. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below, and various modifications can be made as long as they have substantially the same configuration as the present invention and exhibit the same operation and effect.

[0048] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a slide fastener provided with a slide fastener lock mechanism according to the present embodiment, and (A) and (B) in FIG. 2 are a side view and a plan view showing a pair of sliders provided with the lock mechanism, respectively. A slide fastener 1 includes a pair of fastener stringers 2, 2, and a pair of sliders 10, 10 slidably disposed along the fastener stringers 2, 2. The slide fastener 1 is provided with a lock mechanism by detachably attaching a lock member 20 to each of the pair of sliders 10, 10.

[0049] The pair of fastener stringers 2, 2 are each formed by attaching one row of fastener elements 2B, 2B to each of tape edge portions where a pair of fastener tapes 2A, 2A face each other. In FIG. 1, the fastener elements 2B, 2B are shown in a simplified manner.

[0050] The slider 10 includes an upper blade 11, a lower blade 12, a coupling column 14 that couples the upper blade 11 and the lower blade 12, and a pull-tab attaching column 13 provided on the upper blade 11 to attach a pull tab 16 to the upper blade 11. The pull tab 16 will be described with reference to (A) and (B) in FIG. 2. A guide path through which the fastener elements 2B, 2B pass is formed between the upper blade 11 and the lower blade 12. The coupling column 14 is disposed on a shoulder opening side (a central side in a left-right direction in (A) and (B) in FIG. 2) of the slider 10 of the guide path. A flange portion 15 that extends from the upper blade 11 toward the lower blade 12 and guides the pair of fastener elements 2B, 2B so as to be close to each other is provided on a backward opening side (an outer side in the left-right direction in (A) and (B) in FIG. 2) of the slider 10 of the guide path.

[0051] That is, by an opening operation of the sliders 10 in which the pair of sliders 10, 10 are slid in the direction of separating from each other, the pair of fastener stringers 2 and 2 coming out from the shoulder openings of the sliders 10 are brought into a separated state. Further, by a closing operation of the sliders 10 in which the pair of sliders 10, 10 are slid in a direction of approaching each other, the pair of fastener stringers 2, 2 coming out from the backward openings of the sliders 10 are brought into a meshed state.

[0052] In the following embodiment, with respect to the lock member 20 attached to the slide fastener 1, a longitudinal direction of the fastener stringers 2, 2, that is, a direction in which the slider 10 moves for opening and closing the pair of fastener stringers 2, 2 is referred to as a front-rear direction. A front side of the lock member 20 (the slider 10) refers to a direction approaching the other lock member 20 with respect to the front-rear direction. The front side of the lock member 20 (the slider 10) can also be said to be the shoulder opening side of the slider 10. A rear side of the lock member 20 (the slider 10) refers to a direction away from the other lock member 20 with respect to the front-rear direction. The rear side of the lock member 20 (the slider 10) can also be referred to as the backward opening side of the slider 10. A direction in which the pair of fastener stringers 2, 2 are arranged is referred to as the left-right direction or a width direction. A direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, that is, an extending direction of the coupling column 14 is referred to as an upper-lower direction.

[0053] Next, the lock member 20 will be described with reference to (A) in FIG. 3 to (B) in FIG. 6. (A) in FIG. 3 to (C) in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are a side view, a plan view, a front view, and a perspective view showing the slider to which the lock member is attached, respectively, (A) in FIG. 5 and (B) in FIG. 5 are a plan view and a bottom view showing the lock member, respectively, (A) in FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the lock member, and (B) in FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A showing the slider to which the lock member is attached.

[0054] The lock member 20 includes a first surface portion 21, a second surface portion 22, and a connection portion 23. The first surface portion 21 is disposed on one side of an upper surface of upper blade 11 or a lower surface of lower blade 12, and the second surface portion 22 is disposed on the other side of the upper surface of upper blade 11 or the lower surface of lower blade 12. The connection portion 23 extends in the upper-lower direction along the coupling column 14 of the slider 10 in front of an end portion on the shoulder opening side of the slider 10, and connects the first surface portion 21 and the second surface portion 22.

[0055] That is, the lock member 20 has a U shape so as to sandwich outer surface sides of the upper blade 11 and the lower blade 12 in the upper-lower direction from the shoulder opening side of the slider 10.

[0056] In the first surface portion 21 and the second surface portion 22, step portions 21a, 22a against which front end sides of the upper blade 11 or the lower blade 12 abut are formed on surfaces facing each other. That is, the end portion on the shoulder opening side of the slider 10 abuts against the pair of step portions 21a, 22a and the connection portion 23, so that an attachment position of the slider 10 to the lock member 20 can be positioned (see (A) in FIG. 3).

[0057] In the example shown in FIG. 4, (A) in FIG. 6, and (B) in FIG. 6, the step portions 21a, 22a are formed in a linear shape in the left-right direction as viewed from the upper-lower direction, but may be curved in an arcuate shape along a shape of the shoulder opening side of the slider 10.

[0058] The first surface portion 21 and the second surface portion 22 are respectively provided with locking portions 24, 25 that extend rearward from the shoulder opening side of the slider 10 on which the connection portion 23 is disposed, and that used for detachably attaching the lock member 20 to the pull-tab attaching column 13 when provided along the upper surface of the upper blade 11.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 4 and (A) in FIG. 6, the locking portions 24, 25 have first locking pieces 24A, 25A formed along a side surface on one of left and right sides of the pull-tab attaching column 13, and second locking pieces 24B, 25B formed along a side surface on the other of the left and right sides. As shown (A) in FIG. 5 and (B) in FIG. 5, extending end sides of the first locking pieces 24A, 25A are bent and formed in an L-shape so as to surround the pull-tab attaching column 13, the second locking pieces 24B, 25B are formed in a linear shape along the side surface of the pull-tab attaching column 13, and cutout portions 24B1, 25B1 inclined in a direction away from the pull-tab attaching column 13 are formed on the extending end sides. Note that the extending end sides of both of the first locking pieces 24A, 25A and the second locking pieces 24B, 25B may be bent and formed in an L-shape so as to surround the pull-tab attaching column 13.

[0060] As a result, the locking portions 24, 25 are configured asymmetrically with the L-shaped first locking pieces 24A, 25A having a high locking force with respect to the pull-tab attaching column 13 and the linear second locking pieces 24B, 25B that smoothly attach to and detach from the pull-tab attaching column 13, so that both the difficulty of detachment of the lock member 20 attached to the pull-tab attaching column 13 and the ease of the attachment and detachment operation with respect to the pull-tab attaching column 13 are achieved.

[0061] The second surface portion 22 includes a plate-shaped base portion 26 extending forward from the shoulder opening side of the slider 10, which is a direction approaching the other slider 10, and a claw-shaped hook portion 27 protruding in the upper-lower direction from an extending end of the base portion 26.

[0062] The base portion 26 is formed thicker than the upper blade 11 and the lower blade 12. On the other hand, an inner surface side of the base portion 26 on which the hook portion 27 is formed is formed on the same plane without substantially any step between the upper blade 11 or the lower blade 12 and the inner surface side of the base portion 26 across the connection portion 23 in a side view. In addition, a dimension of the base portion 26 in the width direction has a left-right width approximately the same as that of the upper blade 11 or the lower blade 12 in a plan view (see (B) in FIG. 3). In this case, the width dimension of the base portion 26 is preferably equal to or less than the maximum width dimension of the slider 10 and equal to or larger than the width dimension of the hook portion 27.

[0063] Accordingly, even when the lock member 20 is attached to the slider 10, the fastener elements 2B, 2B coming out from the shoulder opening side of the slider 10 move along the base portion 26. Therefore, the lock member 20 does not prevent the slider 10 from sliding along the fastener stringers 2, 2.

[0064] The hook portion 27 has a left-right width equal to or less than the left-right width of the base portion 26, and is disposed on a central side in a left-right width direction of the base portion 26 (see (A) in FIG. 5 and (B) in FIG. 6). Accordingly, since a space through which the fastener elements 2B, 2B pass can be secured on left and right outer sides of the hook portion 27, the slider 10 provided with the lock member 20 can be smoothly slid along the fastener stringers 2.

[0065] In the shown example, the hook portion 27 is formed to have substantially the same width as the left-right width of the connection portion 23, but the hook portion 27 may be formed to have substantially the same width as the base portion 26 so as to give priority to strength of the hook portion 27. On the other hand, the hook portion 27 may be narrower than the coupling column 14 thinner than the connection portion 23. In this case, the left-right width of the hook portion 27 is preferably 0.3 times or more the left-right width of the coupling column. The left-right width of the hook portion 27 is preferably equal to or less than the width dimension of the slider 10 or equal to or less than the width dimension of the base portion 26. Further, the left-right width of the hook portion 27 is preferably 1.75 times or less the left-right width of the coupling column. With such a configuration, locking can be stably performed while maintaining the strength of the hook portion 27, and the engagement can be easily released even at the time of release. In addition, interference with the tape or the element can be reduced.

[0066] The hook portion 27 is inclined rearward, which is a backward opening direction of the slider 10, toward a tip end direction. The hook portion 27 has two inclined surfaces 27A, 27B having different angles on a front surface which is a surface facing the slider 10 on the other side.

[0067] The inclined surfaces 27A, 27B constituting the hook portion 27 have a first inclined surface 27A on a base end side in the upper-lower direction and a second inclined surface 27B on a tip end side in the upper-lower direction, and the second inclined surface 27B is formed so as to have a greater rearward inclination than the first inclined surface 27A. At this time, the second inclined surface 27B is formed across at least an intermediate position O in the upper-lower direction between an outer surface of the upper blade 11 and an outer surface of the lower blade 12 (see (A) in FIG. 2). The first inclined surface 27A may be formed across the intermediate position O.

[0068] The hook portions 27 may be formed such that the inclined surfaces 27B of the hook portions 27 come into contact with each other when the pair of sliders 10, 10 provided with the hook portions 27 are closed, and is not limited to the above configuration. For example, of the hook portions 27 provided on the pair of sliders 10, 10, only the inclined surfaces 27A, 27B of the hook portion 27 on one side may be formed at a position beyond the intermediate position O.

[0069] Here, the first surface portion 21 and a front surface side of the connection portion 23 are formed with a substantially flat cutout surface 28 inclined forward toward the base portion 26 of the second surface portion 22 in a side view. An inclination angle of the cutout surface 28 is formed to be substantially the same as that of the first inclined surface 27A of the hook portion 27. Accordingly, a coupling space for coupling the hook portion 27 and the hook portion 27 provided on the slider 10 on the other side is formed in front of the first surface portion 21 and the connection portion 23.

[0070] The connection portion 23 is provided with a restricting portion 29 protruding in the front-rear direction so as to abut on a side surface on one of the left and right sides of the coupling column 14 of the slider 10 (see (A) in FIG. 6 and (B) in FIG. 6). Specifically, the restricting portion 29 abuts on the side surface opposite to the side surface in the left-right direction on which the L-shaped first locking pieces 24A, 25A are disposed along the side surface on the one of the left and right sides of the pull-tab attaching column 13. In other words, the second locking piece 24B of the first surface portion 21, the restricting portion 29, and the second locking piece 25B of the second surface portion 22 are arranged side by side in the upper-lower direction.

[0071] According to the restricting portion 29, since it is possible to press the side surface of the coupling column 14 on the second locking pieces 24B, 25B side, which have an insufficient locking force to the pull-tab attaching column 13, the lock member 20 attached on the slider 10 is more stable, and rattling of the lock member 20 can be reduced.

[0072] Next, the operation and effect of the lock mechanism using the above lock member 20 will be described.

[0073] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, (A) in FIG. 2, and (B) in FIG. 2, the lock mechanism is formed by attaching a second lock member 20B on the other side to the other slider 10 in a point symmetrical state in which the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the second lock member 20B are inverted with respect to a first lock member 20A attached to one slider 10. Here, the first lock member 20A and the second lock member 20B have the same shape.

[0074] Specifically, in the first lock member 20A attached to the slider 10 on the one side, the second surface portion 22 is disposed along the lower surface of the lower blade 12, so that the base portion 26 extends along the lower blade 12, and the hook portion 27 protrudes from the base portion 26 toward the upper side in the upper-lower direction, which is the upper blade 11 side. On the other hand, in the second lock member 20B attached to the slider 10 on the other side, the second surface portion 22 is disposed along the upper surface of the upper blade 11, so that the base portion 26 extends along the upper blade 11, and the hook portion 27 protrudes from the base portion 26 toward the lower side in the upper-lower direction, which is the lower blade 12 side.

[0075] According to this configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, (A) in FIG. 2, and (B) in FIG. 2, the lock mechanism is switched to a locked state by performing the locking operation in which the hook portions 27 provided on the pair of sliders 10, 10 are coupled to each other between the shoulder openings of the pair of sliders 10, 10 along with the closing operation of the sliders 10. Accordingly, the opening operation of the slide fastener 1 by the slider 10 is locked.

[0076] On the other hand, the lock mechanism is switched to an unlocked state by performing an unlocking operation for releasing the coupling between the hook portions 27 attached to the pair of sliders 10, 10. Thus, the opening operation of the slide fastener 1 by the slider 10 is allowed.

[0077] The above locking operation will be specifically described. When the first lock member 20A and the second lock member 20B come into contact with each other along with the closing operation of the sliders 10, the second inclined surfaces 27B of the hook portions 27 formed across the intermediate position O come into contact with each other. As a result, the pair of sliders 10, 10 are guided in a direction in which the sliders 10, 10 are separated from each other in the upper-lower direction so that the hook portion 27 rides on the hook portion 27 on the other side. Next, at the same time when the guiding of the second inclined surfaces 27B is completed, the pair of hook portions 27 formed in a hook shape in the upper-lower direction are brought into a locked state of meshing with each other, so that the opening operation of the sliders 10 is restricted (see (A) in FIG. 2).

[0078] That is, the locking operation of the lock mechanism can be smoothly and easily performed without using a large force that elastically deforms the first lock member 20A and the second lock member 20B.

[0079] Since the first lock member 20A and the second lock member 20B are the same member, the inclination angles of the inclined surfaces 27A, 27B of the hook portions 27 provided on the pair of sliders 10, 10 are the same. Therefore, the locking operation becomes smooth. Further, even when the first lock member 20A and the second lock member 20B are not the same member, in order to smoothly perform the locking operation, it is preferable that the inclined surfaces 27A, 27B of the hook portions 27 provided on the pair of sliders 10, 10 are formed to have approximately the same inclination angle. The inclined surfaces 27A, 27B of the pair of hook portions are preferably in surface contact with each other.

[0080] The above unlocking operation will be specifically described. The lock mechanism switched to the locked state can easily release the engagement between the hook portions 27 by twisting the coupled first lock member 20A and second lock member 20B in the direction of axial rotation with respect to the front-rear direction or shifting them in the upper-lower direction.

[0081] That is, the unlocking operation of the lock mechanism can be smoothly and easily performed without using a large force that elastically deforms the first lock member 20A and the second lock member 20B.

[0082] If the lock member 20 is configured to be locked and unlocked by the hook portions in the left-right direction, a force for removing the slider 10 in the width direction is required when performing the unlocking operation, and thus the unlocking operation is difficult. Further, depending on a sewing state of the fastener stringer 2, there may be cases where there is not enough room to move the slider 10 in the left-right direction, making the unlocking operation difficult.

[0083] When the unlocking operation is performed, only the upper surface (hereinafter referred to as an unlocking operation position X) of the first surface portion 21 of the first lock member 20A in which the hook portion 27 is formed upward from the lower blade 12 side among the upper surface sides of the first lock member 20A and the second lock member 20B coupled to each other is pushed downward, so that the unlocking operation can be easily performed with one hand (see (A) in FIG. 2).

[0084] At this time, the first surface portion 21 of the first lock member 20A and the second surface portion 22 of the second lock member 20B are arranged side by side on the upper surface side of the coupled pair of sliders 10, 10. Therefore, the user can easily grasp that the first surface portion 21 of the lock member 20 having a short length is the unlocking operation position X for performing the unlocking operation.

[0085] According to the lock member 20 described above, since the locking portions 24, 25 to be locked to the pull-tab attaching column 13 are provided on both the first surface portion 21 and the second surface portion 22, the shapes of the pair of lock members 20 can be made completely the same. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the pair of lock members 20 constituting the lock mechanism can be reduced.

[0086] Incidentally, the above lock mechanism is formed by attaching the detachable lock members 20 to the pair of sliders 10, respectively, but instead of the lock members 20, a configuration may be adopted in which a lock portion (not shown) corresponding to the lock member 20 is integrally molded with each of the sliders 10.

[0087] According to this configuration, the first surface portion 21, the second surface portion 22, the connection portion 23, and the locking portions 24, 25 are unnecessary as compared with a case where the lock member 20 is attached to and detached from the slider 10. Therefore, since the base portion 26 can extend along the upper blade 11 or the lower blade 12, the base portion 26 can be formed thinner in the upper-lower (thickness) direction. Therefore, the entire lock mechanism can be made more compact and stronger.

[0088] Next, a lock member according to an other embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the lock member according to the other embodiment 1. A lock member 20C includes the first surface portion 21, the second surface portion 22, and the connection portion 23.

[0089] The connection portion 23 is provided with the restricting portion 29 protruding in the front-rear direction so as to abut on the side surface on one of the left and right sides of the coupling column 14 of the slider 10. Specifically, the restricting portion 29 abuts on a side surface in the same direction as the side surface on which the L-shaped first locking pieces 24A, 25A are disposed along the side surface on one of the left and right sides of the pull-tab attaching column 13. In other words, the L-shaped first locking piece 24A of the first surface portion 21, the restricting portion 29, and the L-shaped first locking piece 25A of the second surface portion 22 are arranged side by side in the upper-lower direction.

[0090] According to this configuration, since the restricting portion 29 does not become an obstacle when attaching the locking portions 24, 25 to the pull-tab attaching column 13, it is possible to reduce rattling of the lock member 20C attached to the slider 10 without changing the ease of the attachment and detachment operation of the lock member 20C to and from the slider 10.

[0091] Next, an other embodiment 2 of the lock member 20 will be described with reference to (A) in FIG. 8 and (B) in FIG. 8. (A) in FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a lock member according to the other embodiment 2, and (B) in FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A showing the slider to which the lock member according to the other embodiment 2 is attached similarly to (B) in FIG. 6. A lock member 20D includes the first surface portion 21, the second surface portion 22, and the connection portion 23.

[0092] The connection portion 23 is provided with a pair of restricting portions 29 protruding in the front-rear direction so as to abut on both left and right side surfaces of the coupling column 14 of the slider 10. According to this configuration, rattling of the lock member 20D attached to the slider 10 can be further reduced.

[0093] Next, a lock mechanism according to an other embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 9, (A) in FIG. 10, and (B) in FIG. 10. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the slide fastener lock mechanism according to the other embodiment 3, and (A) in FIG. 10 and (B) in FIG. 10 are a side view and a plan view showing the slide fastener lock mechanism according to the other embodiment 3, respectively. The slide fastener lock mechanism according to the other embodiment 3 is formed by attaching lock members 40 to the pair of sliders 10, 10.

[0094] The lock member 40 includes a first surface portion 41 formed along the upper blade 11, a second surface portion 42 formed along the lower blade 12, and a connection portion 43 in the upper-lower direction connecting the first surface portion 41 and the second surface portion 42.

[0095] The second surface portion 42 includes a plate-shaped base portion 46 extending forward from the shoulder opening side of the slider 10, and a claw-shaped hook portion 47 protruding in the upper-lower direction from an extending end of the base portion 46.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 9, the base portion 46 includes a lower base portion 46A and an upper base portion 46B. The lower base portion 46A and the upper base portion 46B are arranged side by side in the left-right direction and are offset in the upper-lower direction.

[0097] The hook portion 47 includes a first hook portion 47A protruding upward from an extending end of the lower base portion 46A and a second hook portion 47B protruding downward from an extending end of the upper base portion 46B.

[0098] The lower base portion 46A and the first hook portion 47A, and the upper base portion 46B and the second hook portion 47B are formed to be point symmetrical as viewed in an axial direction in the front-rear direction.

[0099] According to the above, as shown in FIG. 9, (A) in FIG. 10, and (B) in FIG. 10, the lock mechanism is formed by attaching a second lock member 40B on the other side to the other slider 10 in a symmetrical state in which left and right sides of the second lock member 40B are inverted with respect to a first lock member 40A attached to the one slider 10. By providing the first lock member 40A and the second lock member 40B on the pair of sliders 10, 10, the first hook portion 47A and the second hook portion 47B, which are disposed to face each other between the shoulder openings of the pair of sliders 10, 10, are engaged with and disengaged from each other.

[0100] Specifically, the first hook portion 47A of the first lock member 40A and the second hook portion 47B of the second lock member 40B are engaged with and disengaged from each other, and the second hook portion 47B of the first lock member 40A and the first hook portion 47A of the second lock member are engaged with and disengaged from each other.

[0101] Similarly to the base portion 46 of the second surface portion 42, the first surface portion 41 extends forward from the shoulder opening side of the slider 10, and has an abutment surface 48 that abuts against the lock member 40 on the other side. Thereby, when the first lock member 40A and the second lock member 40B are coupled, the abutment surface 48 of the first lock member 40A and the abutment surface 48 of the second lock member 40B provided on the pair of sliders 10, 10 abut against each other.

[0102] According to this configuration, since it is not necessary to attach the first lock member 40A and the second lock member 40B upside down, when the pair of sliders 10, 10 are coupled by the lock mechanism, the first lock member 40A and the second lock member 40B that appear on the upper surfaces of the sliders 10, 10 have the same length, resulting in a neat appearance (see (B) in FIG. 10).

[0103] According to the example described above, the lock members 20, 40 attached to the pair of sliders 10, 10 have the same shape, but a set of two lock members may have different shapes. For example, in the lock members 40 according to the other embodiment 3, only the hook portion 47 protruding upward from the base portion 46 may be formed in the lock member 40 on one side, and only the hook portion 47 protruding downward from the base portion 46 may be formed in the lock member 40 on the other side, so that they can be engaged with and disengaged from each other.

[0104] As described above, the following matters are disclosed in the present specification.

[0105] (1) A slide fastener lock mechanism, which is provided with lock portions configured to detachably couple a pair of sliders, at the pair of sliders slidably disposed on a pair of left and right fastener stringers, in order to mesh or separate the pair of fastener stringers, in which

[0106] when a longitudinal direction of each of the pair of fastener stringers is defined as a front-rear direction, and an extending direction of a coupling column coupling an upper blade and a lower blade of each of the pair of sliders is defined as an upper-lower direction, the lock portions respectively disposed at end portions on shoulder opening sides of the pair of sliders each include a base portion which is provided on one of the upper blade and the lower blade of the slider and which extends in a direction in which the pair of sliders approach each other in the front-rear direction from the shoulder opening side of the slider, and a hook portion which protrudes in the upper-lower direction from the base portion, and

[0107] the hook portions respectively provided on the pair of sliders are configured to be engaged with and disengaged from each other between shoulder openings of the pair of sliders. According to this configuration, since the hook portions 27, 47 in the upper-lower direction respectively provided in the sliders 10 are engaged with and disengaged from each other between the shoulder openings of the pair of sliders 10, 10, the coupling by the hook portions 27, 47 can be released by a simple operation of shifting or twisting the coupled pair of sliders 10, 10 in the upper-lower direction. Further, since the lock portions 20, 40 can be simply and easily configured, the cost of the lock mechanism can be reduced.

[0108] (2) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to (1), in which

[0109] in the pair of sliders, when the upper blade of one of the pair of sliders includes the base portion extending, the upper blade of another slider does not include the base portion extending.

[0110] According to this configuration, the locking between the hook portions 27 in the upper-lower direction can be released by pressing the upper surface on the upper blade 11 side without the base portion 26, so that an unlocking operation is facilitated.

[0111] (3) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to (1) or (2), in which at least one of the hook portions of the pair of sliders has an inclined surface inclined toward a backward opening direction of the corresponding slider toward a tip end direction thereof.

[0112] According to this configuration, since the inclined surfaces 27A, 27B provided on the pair of sliders 10 come into contact with each other, the pair of sliders smoothly ride on each other, and thus the locking operation becomes smooth.

[0113] (4) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to any one of (1) to (3), in which

[0114] at least a part of the inclined surface of at least one of the hook portions of the pair of sliders is formed at a position beyond an intermediate position between an outer surface of the upper blade and an outer surface of the lower blade.

[0115] According to this configuration, when the pair of sliders 10, 10 provided with the lock portions 20, 40 are brought close to each other, the inclined surfaces 27A, 27B come into contact with each other, so that the hook portions 27 smoothly ride on each other. This facilitates a coupling operation of the pair of sliders 10 by the lock portions 20, 40.

[0116] (5) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to any one of (1) to (4), in which

[0117] a left-right width of the hook portion is equal to or less than a left-right width of the slider, and

[0118] the hook portion is disposed on a central side in a left-right width direction of the slider.

[0119] According to this configuration, since spaces through which the fastener elements 2B constituting the fastener stringers 2 pass can be secured on both the left and right sides of the hook portion 27, a sliding operation of the slider 10 becomes smooth even if the lock portions 20, 40 are provided.

[0120] (6) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to (5), in which the left-right width of the hook portion is 0.3 times or more a left-right width of the coupling column.

[0121] According to this configuration, since the spaces through which the fastener elements 2B pass on both the left and right sides of the hook portion 27 can be made as wide as possible while securing the left-right width necessary for coupling the pair of hook portions 27, 27, it is possible to achieve both a smooth sliding operation of the sliders 10 and securing a sufficient locking force between the hook portions 27.

[0122] (7) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to any one of (1) to (6), in which

[0123] the lock portion is a lock member that is attachable to and detachable from the slider, and the lock member includes a first surface portion disposed on one of the upper blade or the lower blade, a second surface portion disposed on another of the upper blade or the lower blade, and a connection portion in the upper-lower direction that connects the first surface portion and the second surface portion and that is disposed along a shoulder opening side of the coupling column,

[0124] the second surface portion includes the base portion and the hook portion, and

[0125] a locking portion configured to detachably lock the lock member to a pull-tab attaching column provided on the upper blade is formed on at least one of the first surface portion and the second surface portion.

[0126] According to this configuration, a function of coupling the pair of sliders 10, 10 can be retrofitted by attaching the lock members 20, 40 to the slider 10, and thus convenience and versatility are improved.

[0127] (8) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to (5), in which

[0128] the locking portions are provided on the first surface portion and the second surface portion, and

[0129] the pair of lock members have the same shape.

[0130] According to this configuration, since the pair of lock members 20, 20, 40, 40 have the same shape, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0131] (9) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to (7) or (8), in which

[0132] the locking portion includes a pair of locking pieces that are configured to sandwich the pull-tab attaching column, one of the locking pieces is formed in a linear shape along a side surface of the pull-tab attaching column, and another of the locking pieces is formed in an L shape so as to surround the pull-tab attaching column.

[0133] According to this configuration, it is possible to achieve both ease of attachment of the lock members 20, 40 to the slider 10 and difficulty of detachment of the lock members 20, 40 attached to the slider.

[0134] (10) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to any one of (7) to (9), in which

[0135] the connection portion is formed with a restricting portion protruding in the front-rear direction so as to abut against the coupling column in the left-right direction.

[0136] According to this configuration, since rattling of the lock members 20, 40 attached to the slider can be prevented by the restricting portion 29 abutting against the coupling column 14, the lock members 20, 40 are less likely to come off the slider.

[0137] (11) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to (10), in which the locking piece having the L shape is disposed on one of left and right sides of the pull-tab attaching column, and

[0138] the restricting portion is disposed on another of left and right sides of the coupling column.

[0139] According to this configuration, since the restricting portion 29 does not become an obstacle when attaching the lock members 20, 40 to the slider 10, it is possible to achieve both ease of attachment of the lock members 20, 40 to the slider 10 and difficulty of detachment of the lock members 20, 40 attached to the slider 10.

[0140] (12) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to (10), in which

[0141] a pair of the restricting portions are provided so as to sandwich side surfaces of the coupling column in the left-right direction.

[0142] According to this configuration, the lock members 20, 40 are less likely to come off the slider 10.

[0143] (13) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to any one of (1) to (6), in which the lock portion is integrally molded with each of the pair of sliders.

[0144] According to this configuration, since the pair of sliders 10, 10 can be coupled to each other without performing an operation of attaching a member to the slider 10, convenience is improved.

[0145] (14) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to any one of (1) to (13), in which

[0146] the base portion includes a lower base portion and an upper base portion that are arranged side by side in the left-right direction and that are offset in the upper-lower direction,

[0147] the hook portion includes a first hook portion protruding upward from the lower base portion and a second hook portion protruding downward from the upper base portion, and

[0148] the first hook portion and the second hook portion disposed to face each other between the shoulder openings of the pair of sliders are configured to be engaged with and disengaged from each other by providing the lock portion on each of the pair of sliders.

[0149] According to this configuration, since it is not necessary to attach the lock portion 40 upside down with respect to the pair of sliders 10, 10, the appearance of the entire lock mechanism becomes neat.REFERENCE SIGNS LIST1 slide fastener

[0151] 2 fastener stringer

[0152] 2A fastener tape

[0153] 2B fastener element

[0154] 10 slider

[0155] 11 upper blade

[0156] 12 lower blade

[0157] 13 pull-tab attaching column

[0158] 14 coupling column

[0159] 15 flange portion

[0160] 20, 20C, 20D lock member (lock portion)

[0161] 20A first lock member

[0162] 20B second lock member

[0163] 21 first surface portion

[0164] 21a step portion

[0165] 22 second surface portion

[0166] 22a step portion

[0167] 23 connection portion

[0168] 24, 25 locking portion

[0169] 24A, 25A first locking piece (locking piece)

[0170] 24B, 25B second locking piece (locking piece)

[0171] 24B1, 25B1 cutout portion

[0172] 26 base portion

[0173] 27 hook portion

[0174] 27A first inclined surface (inclined surface)

[0175] 27B second inclined surface (inclined surface)

[0176] 29 restricting portion

[0177] 40 lock member

[0178] 40A first lock member

[0179] 40B second lock member

[0180] 41 first surface portion

[0181] 42 second surface portion

[0182] 43 connection portion

[0183] 46 base portion

[0184] 46A lower base portion

[0185] 46B upper base portion

[0186] 47 hook portion

[0187] 47A first hook portion

[0188] 47B second hook portion

Examples

embodiment 1

[0088]Next, a lock member according to an other embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the lock member according to the other embodiment 1. A lock member 20C includes the first surface portion 21, the second surface portion 22, and the connection portion 23.

[0089]The connection portion 23 is provided with the restricting portion 29 protruding in the front-rear direction so as to abut on the side surface on one of the left and right sides of the coupling column 14 of the slider 10. Specifically, the restricting portion 29 abuts on a side surface in the same direction as the side surface on which the L-shaped first locking pieces 24A, 25A are disposed along the side surface on one of the left and right sides of the pull-tab attaching column 13. In other words, the L-shaped first locking piece 24A of the first surface portion 21, the restricting portion 29, and the L-shaped first locking piece 25A of the second surface portion 22 a...

embodiment 3

[0103]According to the example described above, the lock members 20, 40 attached to the pair of sliders 10, 10 have the same shape, but a set of two lock members may have different shapes. For example, in the lock members 40 according to the other embodiment 3, only the hook portion 47 protruding upward from the base portion 46 may be formed in the lock member 40 on one side, and only the hook portion 47 protruding downward from the base portion 46 may be formed in the lock member 40 on the other side, so that they can be engaged with and disengaged from each other.

[0104]As described above, the following matters are disclosed in the present specification.[0105](1) A slide fastener lock mechanism, which is provided with lock portions configured to detachably couple a pair of sliders, at the pair of sliders slidably disposed on a pair of left and right fastener stringers, in order to mesh or separate the pair of fastener stringers, in which[0106]when a longitudinal direction of each o...

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide fastener lock mechanism that detachably couples a pair of sliders.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] When an opening of a bag or the like is opened and closed by a slide fastener, the fastener may be unintentionally opened and items may fall from the opening. In addition, when the bag including the slide fastener in the opening is a backpack, since the opening disposed behind a user is easily opened and closed, there is a concern that the items may be stolen from the opening in such a short time that the owner would not even notice.

[0003] In a coupler for a slide fastener described in Patent Literature 1, a pair of sliders slidably disposed on a pair of fastener stringers are provided with an engaging portion and an engaged portion that detachably couple the pair of sliders to each other. The pair of sliders meshed with the pair of fastener stringers are coupled by the engaging portion and the engaged portion, thereby preventing the opening that is opened and closed by the slide fastener from being opened against the user's intention.CITATION LISTPatent Literature

[0004] Patent Literature 1: JP2020-74939ASUMMARY OF INVENTIONTechnical Problem

[0005] According to the coupler for a slide fastener described in Patent Literature 1, since the engaging portion and the engaged portion for detachably coupling the pair of sliders with the opening closed are provided, security is improved. Here, the engaging portion which is a convex portion provided in the slider on one side and the engaged portion which is recessed in the slider on the other side are inserted into and removed from each other while being elastically deformed. Therefore, a strong force equal to or greater than a certain level is required for a locking operation and an unlocking operation of the pair of sliders, and there is a problem in operability and durability. Therefore, a slide fastener lock mechanism that facilitates a locking operation and an unlocking operation of a pair of sliders and has a simple configuration is desired.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a slide fastener lock mechanism that can smoothly and easily perform a locking operation and an unlocking operation of a pair of sliders with a simple configuration.Solution to Problem

[0007] The object of the present invention is achieved by the following configurations.

[0008] [1] A slide fastener lock mechanism, which is provided with lock portions configured to detachably couple a pair of sliders, at the pair of sliders slidably disposed on a pair of left and right fastener stringers, in order to mesh or separate the pair of fastener stringers, in which

[0009] when a longitudinal direction of each of the pair of fastener stringers is defined as a front-rear direction, and an extending direction of a coupling column coupling an upper blade and a lower blade of each of the pair of sliders is defined as an upper-lower direction, the lock portions respectively disposed at end portions on shoulder opening sides of the pair of sliders each include a base portion which is provided on one of the upper blade and the lower blade of the slider and which extends in a direction in which the pair of sliders approach each other in the front-rear direction from the shoulder opening side of the slider, and a hook portion which protrudes in the upper-lower direction from the base portion, and

[0010] the hook portions respectively provided on the pair of sliders are configured to be engaged with and disengaged from each other between shoulder openings of the pair of sliders.

[0011] [2] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [1], in which in the pair of sliders, when the upper blade of one of the pair of sliders includes the base portion extending, the upper blade of another slider does not include the base portion extending.

[0012] [3] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [1], in which at least one of the hook portions of the pair of sliders has an inclined surface inclined toward a backward opening direction of the corresponding slider toward a tip end direction thereof.

[0013] [4] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [3], in which

[0014] at least a part of the inclined surface of at least one of the hook portions of the pair of sliders is formed at a position beyond an intermediate position between an outer surface of the upper blade and an outer surface of the lower blade.

[0015] [5] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [1], in which a left-right width of the hook portion is equal to or less than a left-right width of the slider, and

[0016] the hook portion is disposed on a central side in a left-right width direction of the slider.

[0017] [6] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [5], in which the left-right width of the hook portion is 0.3 times or more a left-right width of the coupling column.

[0018] [7] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [1], in which

[0019] the lock portion is a lock member that is attachable to and detachable from the slider, and the lock member includes a first surface portion disposed on one of the upper blade or the lower blade, a second surface portion disposed on another of the upper blade or the lower blade, and a connection portion in the upper-lower direction that connects the first surface portion and the second surface portion and that is disposed along a shoulder opening side of the coupling column,

[0020] the second surface portion includes the base portion and the hook portion, and

[0021] a locking portion configured to detachably lock the lock member to a pull-tab attaching column provided on the upper blade is formed on at least one of the first surface portion and the second surface portion.

[0022] [8] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [7], in which the locking portions are provided on the first surface portion and the second surface portion, and

[0023] the pair of lock members have the same shape.

[0024] [9] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [7], in which

[0025] the locking portion includes a pair of locking pieces that are configured to sandwich the pull-tab attaching column, one of the locking pieces is formed in a linear shape along a side surface of the pull-tab attaching column, and another of the locking pieces is formed in an L shape so as to surround the pull-tab attaching column.

[0026]

[10] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [9], in which the connection portion is formed with a restricting portion protruding in the front-rear direction so as to abut against the coupling column in the left-right direction.

[0027]

[11] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [9], in which the locking piece having the L shape is disposed on one of left and right sides of the pull-tab attaching column, and

[0028] the restricting portion is disposed on another of left and right sides of the coupling column.

[0029]

[12] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to

[10] , in which

[0030] a pair of the restricting portions are provided so as to sandwich side surfaces of the coupling column in the left-right direction.

[0031]

[13] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to any one of [1] to [6], in which

[0032] the lock portion is integrally molded with each of the pair of sliders.

[0033]

[14] The slide fastener lock mechanism according to [1], in which

[0034] the base portion includes a lower base portion and an upper base portion that are arranged side by side in the left-right direction and that are offset in the upper-lower direction,

[0035] the hook portion includes a first hook portion protruding upward from the lower base portion and a second hook portion protruding downward from the upper base portion, and

[0036] the first hook portion and the second hook portion disposed to face each other between the shoulder openings of the pair of sliders are configured to be engaged with and disengaged from each other by providing the lock portion on each of the pair of sliders.Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0037] According to the present invention, the locking operation and the unlocking operation of the pair of sliders can be smoothly and easily performed with a simple configuration.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a slide fastener provided with a slide fastener lock mechanism according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 (A) and (B) in FIG. 2 are a side view and a plan view showing a pair of sliders provided with the lock mechanism, respectively.

[0039] FIG. 3 (A), (B), and (C) in FIG. 3 are a side view, a plan view, and a front view showing the slider to which a lock member is attached, respectively.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the slider to which the lock member is attached.

[0041] FIG. 5 (A) and (B) in FIG. 5 are a plan view and a bottom view showing the lock member, respectively.

[0042] FIG. 6 (A) in FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the lock member, and (B) therein is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A showing the slider to which the lock member is attached.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a lock member according to an other embodiment 1.

[0044] FIG. 8 (A) in FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a lock member according to an other embodiment 2, and (B) therein is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A showing the slider to which the lock member according to the other embodiment 2 is attached similarly to (B) in FIG. 6.

[0045] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a slide fastener lock mechanism according to an other embodiment 3.

[0046] FIG. 10 (A) and (B) in FIG. 10 are a side view and a plan view showing the slide fastener lock mechanism according to the other embodiment 3, respectively.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0047] A slide fastener to which a slide fastener lock mechanism (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a “lock mechanism”) according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to (B) in FIG. 6. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below, and various modifications can be made as long as they have substantially the same configuration as the present invention and exhibit the same operation and effect.

[0048] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a slide fastener provided with a slide fastener lock mechanism according to the present embodiment, and (A) and (B) in FIG. 2 are a side view and a plan view showing a pair of sliders provided with the lock mechanism, respectively. A slide fastener 1 includes a pair of fastener stringers 2, 2, and a pair of sliders 10, 10 slidably disposed along the fastener stringers 2, 2. The slide fastener 1 is provided with a lock mechanism by detachably attaching a lock member 20 to each of the pair of sliders 10, 10.

[0049] The pair of fastener stringers 2, 2 are each formed by attaching one row of fastener elements 2B, 2B to each of tape edge portions where a pair of fastener tapes 2A, 2A face each other. In FIG. 1, the fastener elements 2B, 2B are shown in a simplified manner.

[0050] The slider 10 includes an upper blade 11, a lower blade 12, a coupling column 14 that couples the upper blade 11 and the lower blade 12, and a pull-tab attaching column 13 provided on the upper blade 11 to attach a pull tab 16 to the upper blade 11. The pull tab 16 will be described with reference to (A) and (B) in FIG. 2. A guide path through which the fastener elements 2B, 2B pass is formed between the upper blade 11 and the lower blade 12. The coupling column 14 is disposed on a shoulder opening side (a central side in a left-right direction in (A) and (B) in FIG. 2) of the slider 10 of the guide path. A flange portion 15 that extends from the upper blade 11 toward the lower blade 12 and guides the pair of fastener elements 2B, 2B so as to be close to each other is provided on a backward opening side (an outer side in the left-right direction in (A) and (B) in FIG. 2) of the slider 10 of the guide path.

[0051] That is, by an opening operation of the sliders 10 in which the pair of sliders 10, 10 are slid in the direction of separating from each other, the pair of fastener stringers 2 and 2 coming out from the shoulder openings of the sliders 10 are brought into a separated state. Further, by a closing operation of the sliders 10 in which the pair of sliders 10, 10 are slid in a direction of approaching each other, the pair of fastener stringers 2, 2 coming out from the backward openings of the sliders 10 are brought into a meshed state.

[0052] In the following embodiment, with respect to the lock member 20 attached to the slide fastener 1, a longitudinal direction of the fastener stringers 2, 2, that is, a direction in which the slider 10 moves for opening and closing the pair of fastener stringers 2, 2 is referred to as a front-rear direction. A front side of the lock member 20 (the slider 10) refers to a direction approaching the other lock member 20 with respect to the front-rear direction. The front side of the lock member 20 (the slider 10) can also be said to be the shoulder opening side of the slider 10. A rear side of the lock member 20 (the slider 10) refers to a direction away from the other lock member 20 with respect to the front-rear direction. The rear side of the lock member 20 (the slider 10) can also be referred to as the backward opening side of the slider 10. A direction in which the pair of fastener stringers 2, 2 are arranged is referred to as the left-right direction or a width direction. A direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, that is, an extending direction of the coupling column 14 is referred to as an upper-lower direction.

[0053] Next, the lock member 20 will be described with reference to (A) in FIG. 3 to (B) in FIG. 6. (A) in FIG. 3 to (C) in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are a side view, a plan view, a front view, and a perspective view showing the slider to which the lock member is attached, respectively, (A) in FIG. 5 and (B) in FIG. 5 are a plan view and a bottom view showing the lock member, respectively, (A) in FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the lock member, and (B) in FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A showing the slider to which the lock member is attached.

[0054] The lock member 20 includes a first surface portion 21, a second surface portion 22, and a connection portion 23. The first surface portion 21 is disposed on one side of an upper surface of upper blade 11 or a lower surface of lower blade 12, and the second surface portion 22 is disposed on the other side of the upper surface of upper blade 11 or the lower surface of lower blade 12. The connection portion 23 extends in the upper-lower direction along the coupling column 14 of the slider 10 in front of an end portion on the shoulder opening side of the slider 10, and connects the first surface portion 21 and the second surface portion 22.

[0055] That is, the lock member 20 has a U shape so as to sandwich outer surface sides of the upper blade 11 and the lower blade 12 in the upper-lower direction from the shoulder opening side of the slider 10.

[0056] In the first surface portion 21 and the second surface portion 22, step portions 21a, 22a against which front end sides of the upper blade 11 or the lower blade 12 abut are formed on surfaces facing each other. That is, the end portion on the shoulder opening side of the slider 10 abuts against the pair of step portions 21a, 22a and the connection portion 23, so that an attachment position of the slider 10 to the lock member 20 can be positioned (see (A) in FIG. 3).

[0057] In the example shown in FIG. 4, (A) in FIG. 6, and (B) in FIG. 6, the step portions 21a, 22a are formed in a linear shape in the left-right direction as viewed from the upper-lower direction, but may be curved in an arcuate shape along a shape of the shoulder opening side of the slider 10.

[0058] The first surface portion 21 and the second surface portion 22 are respectively provided with locking portions 24, 25 that extend rearward from the shoulder opening side of the slider 10 on which the connection portion 23 is disposed, and that used for detachably attaching the lock member 20 to the pull-tab attaching column 13 when provided along the upper surface of the upper blade 11.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 4 and (A) in FIG. 6, the locking portions 24, 25 have first locking pieces 24A, 25A formed along a side surface on one of left and right sides of the pull-tab attaching column 13, and second locking pieces 24B, 25B formed along a side surface on the other of the left and right sides. As shown (A) in FIG. 5 and (B) in FIG. 5, extending end sides of the first locking pieces 24A, 25A are bent and formed in an L-shape so as to surround the pull-tab attaching column 13, the second locking pieces 24B, 25B are formed in a linear shape along the side surface of the pull-tab attaching column 13, and cutout portions 24B1, 25B1 inclined in a direction away from the pull-tab attaching column 13 are formed on the extending end sides. Note that the extending end sides of both of the first locking pieces 24A, 25A and the second locking pieces 24B, 25B may be bent and formed in an L-shape so as to surround the pull-tab attaching column 13.

[0060] As a result, the locking portions 24, 25 are configured asymmetrically with the L-shaped first locking pieces 24A, 25A having a high locking force with respect to the pull-tab attaching column 13 and the linear second locking pieces 24B, 25B that smoothly attach to and detach from the pull-tab attaching column 13, so that both the difficulty of detachment of the lock member 20 attached to the pull-tab attaching column 13 and the ease of the attachment and detachment operation with respect to the pull-tab attaching column 13 are achieved.

[0061] The second surface portion 22 includes a plate-shaped base portion 26 extending forward from the shoulder opening side of the slider 10, which is a direction approaching the other slider 10, and a claw-shaped hook portion 27 protruding in the upper-lower direction from an extending end of the base portion 26.

[0062] The base portion 26 is formed thicker than the upper blade 11 and the lower blade 12. On the other hand, an inner surface side of the base portion 26 on which the hook portion 27 is formed is formed on the same plane without substantially any step between the upper blade 11 or the lower blade 12 and the inner surface side of the base portion 26 across the connection portion 23 in a side view. In addition, a dimension of the base portion 26 in the width direction has a left-right width approximately the same as that of the upper blade 11 or the lower blade 12 in a plan view (see (B) in FIG. 3). In this case, the width dimension of the base portion 26 is preferably equal to or less than the maximum width dimension of the slider 10 and equal to or larger than the width dimension of the hook portion 27.

[0063] Accordingly, even when the lock member 20 is attached to the slider 10, the fastener elements 2B, 2B coming out from the shoulder opening side of the slider 10 move along the base portion 26. Therefore, the lock member 20 does not prevent the slider 10 from sliding along the fastener stringers 2, 2.

[0064] The hook portion 27 has a left-right width equal to or less than the left-right width of the base portion 26, and is disposed on a central side in a left-right width direction of the base portion 26 (see (A) in FIG. 5 and (B) in FIG. 6). Accordingly, since a space through which the fastener elements 2B, 2B pass can be secured on left and right outer sides of the hook portion 27, the slider 10 provided with the lock member 20 can be smoothly slid along the fastener stringers 2.

[0065] In the shown example, the hook portion 27 is formed to have substantially the same width as the left-right width of the connection portion 23, but the hook portion 27 may be formed to have substantially the same width as the base portion 26 so as to give priority to strength of the hook portion 27. On the other hand, the hook portion 27 may be narrower than the coupling column 14 thinner than the connection portion 23. In this case, the left-right width of the hook portion 27 is preferably 0.3 times or more the left-right width of the coupling column. The left-right width of the hook portion 27 is preferably equal to or less than the width dimension of the slider 10 or equal to or less than the width dimension of the base portion 26. Further, the left-right width of the hook portion 27 is preferably 1.75 times or less the left-right width of the coupling column. With such a configuration, locking can be stably performed while maintaining the strength of the hook portion 27, and the engagement can be easily released even at the time of release. In addition, interference with the tape or the element can be reduced.

[0066] The hook portion 27 is inclined rearward, which is a backward opening direction of the slider 10, toward a tip end direction. The hook portion 27 has two inclined surfaces 27A, 27B having different angles on a front surface which is a surface facing the slider 10 on the other side.

[0067] The inclined surfaces 27A, 27B constituting the hook portion 27 have a first inclined surface 27A on a base end side in the upper-lower direction and a second inclined surface 27B on a tip end side in the upper-lower direction, and the second inclined surface 27B is formed so as to have a greater rearward inclination than the first inclined surface 27A. At this time, the second inclined surface 27B is formed across at least an intermediate position O in the upper-lower direction between an outer surface of the upper blade 11 and an outer surface of the lower blade 12 (see (A) in FIG. 2). The first inclined surface 27A may be formed across the intermediate position O.

[0068] The hook portions 27 may be formed such that the inclined surfaces 27B of the hook portions 27 come into contact with each other when the pair of sliders 10, 10 provided with the hook portions 27 are closed, and is not limited to the above configuration. For example, of the hook portions 27 provided on the pair of sliders 10, 10, only the inclined surfaces 27A, 27B of the hook portion 27 on one side may be formed at a position beyond the intermediate position O.

[0069] Here, the first surface portion 21 and a front surface side of the connection portion 23 are formed with a substantially flat cutout surface 28 inclined forward toward the base portion 26 of the second surface portion 22 in a side view. An inclination angle of the cutout surface 28 is formed to be substantially the same as that of the first inclined surface 27A of the hook portion 27. Accordingly, a coupling space for coupling the hook portion 27 and the hook portion 27 provided on the slider 10 on the other side is formed in front of the first surface portion 21 and the connection portion 23.

[0070] The connection portion 23 is provided with a restricting portion 29 protruding in the front-rear direction so as to abut on a side surface on one of the left and right sides of the coupling column 14 of the slider 10 (see (A) in FIG. 6 and (B) in FIG. 6). Specifically, the restricting portion 29 abuts on the side surface opposite to the side surface in the left-right direction on which the L-shaped first locking pieces 24A, 25A are disposed along the side surface on the one of the left and right sides of the pull-tab attaching column 13. In other words, the second locking piece 24B of the first surface portion 21, the restricting portion 29, and the second locking piece 25B of the second surface portion 22 are arranged side by side in the upper-lower direction.

[0071] According to the restricting portion 29, since it is possible to press the side surface of the coupling column 14 on the second locking pieces 24B, 25B side, which have an insufficient locking force to the pull-tab attaching column 13, the lock member 20 attached on the slider 10 is more stable, and rattling of the lock member 20 can be reduced.

[0072] Next, the operation and effect of the lock mechanism using the above lock member 20 will be described.

[0073] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, (A) in FIG. 2, and (B) in FIG. 2, the lock mechanism is formed by attaching a second lock member 20B on the other side to the other slider 10 in a point symmetrical state in which the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the second lock member 20B are inverted with respect to a first lock member 20A attached to one slider 10. Here, the first lock member 20A and the second lock member 20B have the same shape.

[0074] Specifically, in the first lock member 20A attached to the slider 10 on the one side, the second surface portion 22 is disposed along the lower surface of the lower blade 12, so that the base portion 26 extends along the lower blade 12, and the hook portion 27 protrudes from the base portion 26 toward the upper side in the upper-lower direction, which is the upper blade 11 side. On the other hand, in the second lock member 20B attached to the slider 10 on the other side, the second surface portion 22 is disposed along the upper surface of the upper blade 11, so that the base portion 26 extends along the upper blade 11, and the hook portion 27 protrudes from the base portion 26 toward the lower side in the upper-lower direction, which is the lower blade 12 side.

[0075] According to this configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, (A) in FIG. 2, and (B) in FIG. 2, the lock mechanism is switched to a locked state by performing the locking operation in which the hook portions 27 provided on the pair of sliders 10, 10 are coupled to each other between the shoulder openings of the pair of sliders 10, 10 along with the closing operation of the sliders 10. Accordingly, the opening operation of the slide fastener 1 by the slider 10 is locked.

[0076] On the other hand, the lock mechanism is switched to an unlocked state by performing an unlocking operation for releasing the coupling between the hook portions 27 attached to the pair of sliders 10, 10. Thus, the opening operation of the slide fastener 1 by the slider 10 is allowed.

[0077] The above locking operation will be specifically described. When the first lock member 20A and the second lock member 20B come into contact with each other along with the closing operation of the sliders 10, the second inclined surfaces 27B of the hook portions 27 formed across the intermediate position O come into contact with each other. As a result, the pair of sliders 10, 10 are guided in a direction in which the sliders 10, 10 are separated from each other in the upper-lower direction so that the hook portion 27 rides on the hook portion 27 on the other side. Next, at the same time when the guiding of the second inclined surfaces 27B is completed, the pair of hook portions 27 formed in a hook shape in the upper-lower direction are brought into a locked state of meshing with each other, so that the opening operation of the sliders 10 is restricted (see (A) in FIG. 2).

[0078] That is, the locking operation of the lock mechanism can be smoothly and easily performed without using a large force that elastically deforms the first lock member 20A and the second lock member 20B.

[0079] Since the first lock member 20A and the second lock member 20B are the same member, the inclination angles of the inclined surfaces 27A, 27B of the hook portions 27 provided on the pair of sliders 10, 10 are the same. Therefore, the locking operation becomes smooth. Further, even when the first lock member 20A and the second lock member 20B are not the same member, in order to smoothly perform the locking operation, it is preferable that the inclined surfaces 27A, 27B of the hook portions 27 provided on the pair of sliders 10, 10 are formed to have approximately the same inclination angle. The inclined surfaces 27A, 27B of the pair of hook portions are preferably in surface contact with each other.

[0080] The above unlocking operation will be specifically described. The lock mechanism switched to the locked state can easily release the engagement between the hook portions 27 by twisting the coupled first lock member 20A and second lock member 20B in the direction of axial rotation with respect to the front-rear direction or shifting them in the upper-lower direction.

[0081] That is, the unlocking operation of the lock mechanism can be smoothly and easily performed without using a large force that elastically deforms the first lock member 20A and the second lock member 20B.

[0082] If the lock member 20 is configured to be locked and unlocked by the hook portions in the left-right direction, a force for removing the slider 10 in the width direction is required when performing the unlocking operation, and thus the unlocking operation is difficult. Further, depending on a sewing state of the fastener stringer 2, there may be cases where there is not enough room to move the slider 10 in the left-right direction, making the unlocking operation difficult.

[0083] When the unlocking operation is performed, only the upper surface (hereinafter referred to as an unlocking operation position X) of the first surface portion 21 of the first lock member 20A in which the hook portion 27 is formed upward from the lower blade 12 side among the upper surface sides of the first lock member 20A and the second lock member 20B coupled to each other is pushed downward, so that the unlocking operation can be easily performed with one hand (see (A) in FIG. 2).

[0084] At this time, the first surface portion 21 of the first lock member 20A and the second surface portion 22 of the second lock member 20B are arranged side by side on the upper surface side of the coupled pair of sliders 10, 10. Therefore, the user can easily grasp that the first surface portion 21 of the lock member 20 having a short length is the unlocking operation position X for performing the unlocking operation.

[0085] According to the lock member 20 described above, since the locking portions 24, 25 to be locked to the pull-tab attaching column 13 are provided on both the first surface portion 21 and the second surface portion 22, the shapes of the pair of lock members 20 can be made completely the same. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the pair of lock members 20 constituting the lock mechanism can be reduced.

[0086] Incidentally, the above lock mechanism is formed by attaching the detachable lock members 20 to the pair of sliders 10, respectively, but instead of the lock members 20, a configuration may be adopted in which a lock portion (not shown) corresponding to the lock member 20 is integrally molded with each of the sliders 10.

[0087] According to this configuration, the first surface portion 21, the second surface portion 22, the connection portion 23, and the locking portions 24, 25 are unnecessary as compared with a case where the lock member 20 is attached to and detached from the slider 10. Therefore, since the base portion 26 can extend along the upper blade 11 or the lower blade 12, the base portion 26 can be formed thinner in the upper-lower (thickness) direction. Therefore, the entire lock mechanism can be made more compact and stronger.

[0088] Next, a lock member according to an other embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the lock member according to the other embodiment 1. A lock member 20C includes the first surface portion 21, the second surface portion 22, and the connection portion 23.

[0089] The connection portion 23 is provided with the restricting portion 29 protruding in the front-rear direction so as to abut on the side surface on one of the left and right sides of the coupling column 14 of the slider 10. Specifically, the restricting portion 29 abuts on a side surface in the same direction as the side surface on which the L-shaped first locking pieces 24A, 25A are disposed along the side surface on one of the left and right sides of the pull-tab attaching column 13. In other words, the L-shaped first locking piece 24A of the first surface portion 21, the restricting portion 29, and the L-shaped first locking piece 25A of the second surface portion 22 are arranged side by side in the upper-lower direction.

[0090] According to this configuration, since the restricting portion 29 does not become an obstacle when attaching the locking portions 24, 25 to the pull-tab attaching column 13, it is possible to reduce rattling of the lock member 20C attached to the slider 10 without changing the ease of the attachment and detachment operation of the lock member 20C to and from the slider 10.

[0091] Next, an other embodiment 2 of the lock member 20 will be described with reference to (A) in FIG. 8 and (B) in FIG. 8. (A) in FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a lock member according to the other embodiment 2, and (B) in FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A showing the slider to which the lock member according to the other embodiment 2 is attached similarly to (B) in FIG. 6. A lock member 20D includes the first surface portion 21, the second surface portion 22, and the connection portion 23.

[0092] The connection portion 23 is provided with a pair of restricting portions 29 protruding in the front-rear direction so as to abut on both left and right side surfaces of the coupling column 14 of the slider 10. According to this configuration, rattling of the lock member 20D attached to the slider 10 can be further reduced.

[0093] Next, a lock mechanism according to an other embodiment 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 9, (A) in FIG. 10, and (B) in FIG. 10. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the slide fastener lock mechanism according to the other embodiment 3, and (A) in FIG. 10 and (B) in FIG. 10 are a side view and a plan view showing the slide fastener lock mechanism according to the other embodiment 3, respectively. The slide fastener lock mechanism according to the other embodiment 3 is formed by attaching lock members 40 to the pair of sliders 10, 10.

[0094] The lock member 40 includes a first surface portion 41 formed along the upper blade 11, a second surface portion 42 formed along the lower blade 12, and a connection portion 43 in the upper-lower direction connecting the first surface portion 41 and the second surface portion 42.

[0095] The second surface portion 42 includes a plate-shaped base portion 46 extending forward from the shoulder opening side of the slider 10, and a claw-shaped hook portion 47 protruding in the upper-lower direction from an extending end of the base portion 46.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 9, the base portion 46 includes a lower base portion 46A and an upper base portion 46B. The lower base portion 46A and the upper base portion 46B are arranged side by side in the left-right direction and are offset in the upper-lower direction.

[0097] The hook portion 47 includes a first hook portion 47A protruding upward from an extending end of the lower base portion 46A and a second hook portion 47B protruding downward from an extending end of the upper base portion 46B.

[0098] The lower base portion 46A and the first hook portion 47A, and the upper base portion 46B and the second hook portion 47B are formed to be point symmetrical as viewed in an axial direction in the front-rear direction.

[0099] According to the above, as shown in FIG. 9, (A) in FIG. 10, and (B) in FIG. 10, the lock mechanism is formed by attaching a second lock member 40B on the other side to the other slider 10 in a symmetrical state in which left and right sides of the second lock member 40B are inverted with respect to a first lock member 40A attached to the one slider 10. By providing the first lock member 40A and the second lock member 40B on the pair of sliders 10, 10, the first hook portion 47A and the second hook portion 47B, which are disposed to face each other between the shoulder openings of the pair of sliders 10, 10, are engaged with and disengaged from each other.

[0100] Specifically, the first hook portion 47A of the first lock member 40A and the second hook portion 47B of the second lock member 40B are engaged with and disengaged from each other, and the second hook portion 47B of the first lock member 40A and the first hook portion 47A of the second lock member are engaged with and disengaged from each other.

[0101] Similarly to the base portion 46 of the second surface portion 42, the first surface portion 41 extends forward from the shoulder opening side of the slider 10, and has an abutment surface 48 that abuts against the lock member 40 on the other side. Thereby, when the first lock member 40A and the second lock member 40B are coupled, the abutment surface 48 of the first lock member 40A and the abutment surface 48 of the second lock member 40B provided on the pair of sliders 10, 10 abut against each other.

[0102] According to this configuration, since it is not necessary to attach the first lock member 40A and the second lock member 40B upside down, when the pair of sliders 10, 10 are coupled by the lock mechanism, the first lock member 40A and the second lock member 40B that appear on the upper surfaces of the sliders 10, 10 have the same length, resulting in a neat appearance (see (B) in FIG. 10).

[0103] According to the example described above, the lock members 20, 40 attached to the pair of sliders 10, 10 have the same shape, but a set of two lock members may have different shapes. For example, in the lock members 40 according to the other embodiment 3, only the hook portion 47 protruding upward from the base portion 46 may be formed in the lock member 40 on one side, and only the hook portion 47 protruding downward from the base portion 46 may be formed in the lock member 40 on the other side, so that they can be engaged with and disengaged from each other.

[0104] As described above, the following matters are disclosed in the present specification.

[0105] (1) A slide fastener lock mechanism, which is provided with lock portions configured to detachably couple a pair of sliders, at the pair of sliders slidably disposed on a pair of left and right fastener stringers, in order to mesh or separate the pair of fastener stringers, in which

[0106] when a longitudinal direction of each of the pair of fastener stringers is defined as a front-rear direction, and an extending direction of a coupling column coupling an upper blade and a lower blade of each of the pair of sliders is defined as an upper-lower direction, the lock portions respectively disposed at end portions on shoulder opening sides of the pair of sliders each include a base portion which is provided on one of the upper blade and the lower blade of the slider and which extends in a direction in which the pair of sliders approach each other in the front-rear direction from the shoulder opening side of the slider, and a hook portion which protrudes in the upper-lower direction from the base portion, and

[0107] the hook portions respectively provided on the pair of sliders are configured to be engaged with and disengaged from each other between shoulder openings of the pair of sliders. According to this configuration, since the hook portions 27, 47 in the upper-lower direction respectively provided in the sliders 10 are engaged with and disengaged from each other between the shoulder openings of the pair of sliders 10, 10, the coupling by the hook portions 27, 47 can be released by a simple operation of shifting or twisting the coupled pair of sliders 10, 10 in the upper-lower direction. Further, since the lock portions 20, 40 can be simply and easily configured, the cost of the lock mechanism can be reduced.

[0108] (2) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to (1), in which

[0109] in the pair of sliders, when the upper blade of one of the pair of sliders includes the base portion extending, the upper blade of another slider does not include the base portion extending.

[0110] According to this configuration, the locking between the hook portions 27 in the upper-lower direction can be released by pressing the upper surface on the upper blade 11 side without the base portion 26, so that an unlocking operation is facilitated.

[0111] (3) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to (1) or (2), in which at least one of the hook portions of the pair of sliders has an inclined surface inclined toward a backward opening direction of the corresponding slider toward a tip end direction thereof.

[0112] According to this configuration, since the inclined surfaces 27A, 27B provided on the pair of sliders 10 come into contact with each other, the pair of sliders smoothly ride on each other, and thus the locking operation becomes smooth.

[0113] (4) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to any one of (1) to (3), in which

[0114] at least a part of the inclined surface of at least one of the hook portions of the pair of sliders is formed at a position beyond an intermediate position between an outer surface of the upper blade and an outer surface of the lower blade.

[0115] According to this configuration, when the pair of sliders 10, 10 provided with the lock portions 20, 40 are brought close to each other, the inclined surfaces 27A, 27B come into contact with each other, so that the hook portions 27 smoothly ride on each other. This facilitates a coupling operation of the pair of sliders 10 by the lock portions 20, 40.

[0116] (5) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to any one of (1) to (4), in which

[0117] a left-right width of the hook portion is equal to or less than a left-right width of the slider, and

[0118] the hook portion is disposed on a central side in a left-right width direction of the slider.

[0119] According to this configuration, since spaces through which the fastener elements 2B constituting the fastener stringers 2 pass can be secured on both the left and right sides of the hook portion 27, a sliding operation of the slider 10 becomes smooth even if the lock portions 20, 40 are provided.

[0120] (6) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to (5), in which the left-right width of the hook portion is 0.3 times or more a left-right width of the coupling column.

[0121] According to this configuration, since the spaces through which the fastener elements 2B pass on both the left and right sides of the hook portion 27 can be made as wide as possible while securing the left-right width necessary for coupling the pair of hook portions 27, 27, it is possible to achieve both a smooth sliding operation of the sliders 10 and securing a sufficient locking force between the hook portions 27.

[0122] (7) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to any one of (1) to (6), in which

[0123] the lock portion is a lock member that is attachable to and detachable from the slider, and the lock member includes a first surface portion disposed on one of the upper blade or the lower blade, a second surface portion disposed on another of the upper blade or the lower blade, and a connection portion in the upper-lower direction that connects the first surface portion and the second surface portion and that is disposed along a shoulder opening side of the coupling column,

[0124] the second surface portion includes the base portion and the hook portion, and

[0125] a locking portion configured to detachably lock the lock member to a pull-tab attaching column provided on the upper blade is formed on at least one of the first surface portion and the second surface portion.

[0126] According to this configuration, a function of coupling the pair of sliders 10, 10 can be retrofitted by attaching the lock members 20, 40 to the slider 10, and thus convenience and versatility are improved.

[0127] (8) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to (5), in which

[0128] the locking portions are provided on the first surface portion and the second surface portion, and

[0129] the pair of lock members have the same shape.

[0130] According to this configuration, since the pair of lock members 20, 20, 40, 40 have the same shape, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0131] (9) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to (7) or (8), in which

[0132] the locking portion includes a pair of locking pieces that are configured to sandwich the pull-tab attaching column, one of the locking pieces is formed in a linear shape along a side surface of the pull-tab attaching column, and another of the locking pieces is formed in an L shape so as to surround the pull-tab attaching column.

[0133] According to this configuration, it is possible to achieve both ease of attachment of the lock members 20, 40 to the slider 10 and difficulty of detachment of the lock members 20, 40 attached to the slider.

[0134] (10) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to any one of (7) to (9), in which

[0135] the connection portion is formed with a restricting portion protruding in the front-rear direction so as to abut against the coupling column in the left-right direction.

[0136] According to this configuration, since rattling of the lock members 20, 40 attached to the slider can be prevented by the restricting portion 29 abutting against the coupling column 14, the lock members 20, 40 are less likely to come off the slider.

[0137] (11) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to (10), in which the locking piece having the L shape is disposed on one of left and right sides of the pull-tab attaching column, and

[0138] the restricting portion is disposed on another of left and right sides of the coupling column.

[0139] According to this configuration, since the restricting portion 29 does not become an obstacle when attaching the lock members 20, 40 to the slider 10, it is possible to achieve both ease of attachment of the lock members 20, 40 to the slider 10 and difficulty of detachment of the lock members 20, 40 attached to the slider 10.

[0140] (12) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to (10), in which

[0141] a pair of the restricting portions are provided so as to sandwich side surfaces of the coupling column in the left-right direction.

[0142] According to this configuration, the lock members 20, 40 are less likely to come off the slider 10.

[0143] (13) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to any one of (1) to (6), in which the lock portion is integrally molded with each of the pair of sliders.

[0144] According to this configuration, since the pair of sliders 10, 10 can be coupled to each other without performing an operation of attaching a member to the slider 10, convenience is improved.

[0145] (14) The slide fastener lock mechanism according to any one of (1) to (13), in which

[0146] the base portion includes a lower base portion and an upper base portion that are arranged side by side in the left-right direction and that are offset in the upper-lower direction,

[0147] the hook portion includes a first hook portion protruding upward from the lower base portion and a second hook portion protruding downward from the upper base portion, and

[0148] the first hook portion and the second hook portion disposed to face each other between the shoulder openings of the pair of sliders are configured to be engaged with and disengaged from each other by providing the lock portion on each of the pair of sliders.

[0149] According to this configuration, since it is not necessary to attach the lock portion 40 upside down with respect to the pair of sliders 10, 10, the appearance of the entire lock mechanism becomes neat.REFERENCE SIGNS LIST1 slide fastener

[0151] 2 fastener stringer

[0152] 2A fastener tape

[0153] 2B fastener element

[0154] 10 slider

[0155] 11 upper blade

[0156] 12 lower blade

[0157] 13 pull-tab attaching column

[0158] 14 coupling column

[0159] 15 flange portion

[0160] 20, 20C, 20D lock member (lock portion)

[0161] 20A first lock member

[0162] 20B second lock member

[0163] 21 first surface portion

[0164] 21a step portion

[0165] 22 second surface portion

[0166] 22a step portion

[0167] 23 connection portion

[0168] 24, 25 locking portion

[0169] 24A, 25A first locking piece (locking piece)

[0170] 24B, 25B second locking piece (locking piece)

[0171] 24B1, 25B1 cutout portion

[0172] 26 base portion

[0173] 27 hook portion

[0174] 27A first inclined surface (inclined surface)

[0175] 27B second inclined surface (inclined surface)

[0176] 29 restricting portion

[0177] 40 lock member

[0178] 40A first lock member

[0179] 40B second lock member

[0180] 41 first surface portion

[0181] 42 second surface portion

[0182] 43 connection portion

[0183] 46 base portion

[0184] 46A lower base portion

[0185] 46B upper base portion

[0186] 47 hook portion

[0187] 47A first hook portion

[0188] 47B second hook portion

Examples

embodiment 1

[0088]Next, a lock member according to an other embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the lock member according to the other embodiment 1. A lock member 20C includes the first surface portion 21, the second surface portion 22, and the connection portion 23.

[0089]The connection portion 23 is provided with the restricting portion 29 protruding in the front-rear direction so as to abut on the side surface on one of the left and right sides of the coupling column 14 of the slider 10. Specifically, the restricting portion 29 abuts on a side surface in the same direction as the side surface on which the L-shaped first locking pieces 24A, 25A are disposed along the side surface on one of the left and right sides of the pull-tab attaching column 13. In other words, the L-shaped first locking piece 24A of the first surface portion 21, the restricting portion 29, and the L-shaped first locking piece 25A of the second surface portion 22 a...

embodiment 3

[0103]According to the example described above, the lock members 20, 40 attached to the pair of sliders 10, 10 have the same shape, but a set of two lock members may have different shapes. For example, in the lock members 40 according to the other embodiment 3, only the hook portion 47 protruding upward from the base portion 46 may be formed in the lock member 40 on one side, and only the hook portion 47 protruding downward from the base portion 46 may be formed in the lock member 40 on the other side, so that they can be engaged with and disengaged from each other.

[0104]As described above, the following matters are disclosed in the present specification.[0105](1) A slide fastener lock mechanism, which is provided with lock portions configured to detachably couple a pair of sliders, at the pair of sliders slidably disposed on a pair of left and right fastener stringers, in order to mesh or separate the pair of fastener stringers, in which[0106]when a longitudinal direction of each o...

Claims

1. A slide fastener lock mechanism, which is provided with lock portions configured to detachably couple a pair of sliders at the pair of sliders slidably disposed on a pair of left and right fastener stringers in order to mesh or separate the pair of fastener stringers whereinwhen a longitudinal direction of each of the pair of fastener stringers is defined as a front-rear direction, and an extending direction of a coupling column coupling an upper blade and a lower blade of each of the pair of sliders is defined as an upper-lower direction, the lock portions respectively disposed at end portions on shoulder opening sides of the pair of sliders each include a base portion which is provided on one of the upper blade and the lower blade of the slider and which extends in a direction in which the pair of sliders approach each other in the front-rear direction from the shoulder opening side of the slider and a hook portion which protrudes in the upper-lower direction from the base portion andthe hook portions respectively provided on the pair of sliders are configured to be engaged with and disengaged from each other between shoulder openings of the pair of sliders2. The slide fastener lock mechanism according to claim 1, whereinin the pair of sliders when the upper blade of one of the pair of sliders includes the base portion extending, the upper blade of another slider does not include the base portion extending.

3. The slide fastener lock mechanism according to claim 1, whereinat least one of the hook portions of the pair of sliders has an inclined surface inclined toward a backward opening direction of the corresponding slider toward a tip end direction thereof.

4. The slide fastener lock mechanism according to claim 3, whereinat least a part of the inclined surface of at least one of the hook portions 47) of the pair of sliders is formed at a position beyond an intermediate position between an outer surface of the upper blade and an outer surface of the lower blade.

5. The slide fastener lock mechanism according to claim 1, whereina left-right width of the hook portion is equal to or less than a left-right width of the slider andthe hook portion is disposed on a central side in a left-right width direction of the slider6. The slide fastener lock mechanism according to claim 5, whereinthe left-right width of the hook portion is 0.3 times or more a left-right width of the coupling column.

7. The slide fastener lock mechanism according to claim 1, whereinthe lock portion is a lock member that is attachable to and detachable from the slider, and the lock member includes a first surface portion disposed on one of the upper blade or the lower blade a second surface portion disposed on another of the upper blade or the lower blade and a connection portion in the upper-lower direction that connects the first surface portion and the second surface portion and that is disposed along a shoulder opening side of the coupling column,the second surface portion includes the base portion and the hook portion anda locking portion configured to detachably lock the lock member to a pull-tab attaching column provided on the upper blade is formed on at least one of the first surface portion and the second surface portion.

8. The slide fastener lock mechanism according to claim 7, whereinthe locking portions are provided on the first surface portion and the second surface portion, andthe pair of lock members have the same shape.

9. The slide fastener lock mechanism according to claim 7, whereinthe locking portion includes a pair of locking pieces that are configured to sandwich the pull-tab attaching column, one of the locking pieces is formed in a linear shape along a side surface of the pull-tab attaching column, and another of the locking pieces is formed in an L shape so as to surround the pull-tab attaching column.

10. The slide fastener lock mechanism according to claim 9, whereinthe connection portion is formed with a restricting portion protruding in the front-rear direction so as to abut against the coupling column in the left-right direction.

11. The slide fastener lock mechanism according to claim 10, whereinthe locking piece having the L shape is disposed on one of left and right sides of the pull-tab attaching column, andthe restricting portion is disposed on another of left and right sides of the coupling column.

12. The slide fastener lock mechanism according to claim 10, whereina pair of the restricting portions are provided so as to sandwich side surfaces of the coupling column in the left-right direction.

13. The slide fastener lock mechanism according to claim 1, whereinthe lock portion, is integrally molded with each of the pair of sliders.

14. The slide fastener lock mechanism according to claim 1, whereinthe base portion includes a lower base portion and an upper base portion that are arranged side by side in the left-right direction and that are offset in the upper-lower direction,the hook portion includes a first hook portion protruding upward from the lower base portion and a second hook portion protruding downward from the upper base portion, andthe first hook portion and the second hook portion disposed to face each other between the shoulder openings of the pair of sliders are configured to be engaged with and disengaged from each other by providing the lock portion on each of the pair of sliders.

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