Tape repair jig for slide fastener and tape repair method

Abstract

There is provided a tape repair jig for a slide fastener. The slide fastener includes: a pair of element rows; a pair of tapes configured to be in a good state and a defective state; and a slider. In the good state, side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other become a pair of raised portions, and a groove portion is formed between the pair of raised portions. In the defective state, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other overlap with each other vertically. The tape repair jig includes an attachment portion, a gripping portion, and a protruding portion configured to repair the defective state to the good state. The protruding portion is insertable into the groove portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC § 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-016580 filed on Feb. 4, 2025, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a tape repair jig for a slide fastener and a tape repair method.BACKGROUND

[0003] As an example of a slide fastener, there is known a slide fastener including a pair of element rows, a pair of tapes separately fixed to front sides of the pair of element rows, a slider that meshes and separates the pair of element rows, and a pull for operating the slider (Patent Literature 1).

[0004] The slide fastener of Patent Literature 1 adopts a construction suitable for concealing the element rows and for the appearance. The construction is a construction where on a front side of a portion where the pair of element rows is meshed, side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other are buckled in an arched shape and come into close contact with each other.

[0005] Patent Literature 1: WO2023 / 243081A1

[0006] Incidentally, a state where the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other are in close contact with each other in a state of being buckled in an arched shape is a state intended by designers who developed the slide fastener, and is a good state. However, contrary to an intention of the designers, in reality, there are cases where the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other overlap with each other in a front-back direction, that is, a defective state occurs.

[0007] To bring portions in the defective state of the pair of tapes into the good state, it is the only way to separate the pair of element rows by moving the slider to pass through the portion in the defective state, and then return the slider to an original position by moving the slider in an opposite direction to mesh the pair of element rows.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique suitable for bringing portions in a defective state of a pair of tapes into a good state.SUMMARY

[0009] There is provided a tape repair jig for a slide fastener. The slide fastener includes: a pair of element rows extending in a front-rear direction and facing each other in a width direction; a pair of tapes separately fixed to upper surfaces of the pair of element rows and extending in the front-rear direction, the pair of tapes configured to be in a good state and a defective state above a portion where the pair of element rows mesh with each other; and a slider configured to mesh and separate the pair of element rows. In the good state, side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other become a pair of raised portions that is separately raised to bulge upward and that is in close contact with each other in the width direction, and a groove portion that is recessed downward is formed between the pair of raised portions. In the defective state, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other overlap with each other vertically. The tape repair jig is attachable to the slider to be rotatable in the front-rear direction in a state of extending in a radial direction around the slider in a side view. The tape repair jig includes an attachment portion configured to be attached to the slider, a gripping portion extending outward in the radial direction from the attachment portion, and a protruding portion partially protruding from the gripping portion and configured to repair the defective state to the good state. The protruding portion is insertable into the groove portion.

[0010] In the tape repair jig for the slide fastener, the tape repair jig may have rigidity to function as a pull.

[0011] In the tape repair jig for the slide fastener, the protruding portion may be formed on a portion other than both surfaces of an outer surface of the gripping portion facing outward in the radial direction and an inner surface of the gripping portion facing inward in the radial direction.

[0012] In the tape repair jig for the slide fastener, The gripping portion may have, in addition to the outer surface and the inner surface, two surfaces facing a thickness direction orthogonal to the radial direction, and two surfaces facing the width direction orthogonal to the radial direction and the thickness direction. The protruding portion may protrude from one surface of the two surfaces facing the thickness direction of the gripping portion.

[0013] In the tape repair jig for the slide fastener, the protruding portion may be located at an outer portion relative to an intermediate portion of the gripping portion in the radial direction.

[0014] In the tape repair jig for the slide fastener, when the gripping portion is viewed from a side with the one surface as a lower surface, the gripping portion may have a valley portion curved in an arc shape to protrude downward.

[0015] In the tape repair jig for the slide fastener, the protruding portion may be located at a center portion of the gripping portion in the width direction.

[0016] In the tape repair jig for the slide fastener, the attachment portion may be detachable from the slider.

[0017] In the tape repair jig for the slide fastener, the attachment portion may be a cord, and both end portions of the cord may be embedded in the gripping portion.

[0018] There is also provided a tape repair method for the slide fastener. The slide fastener includes: the pair of element rows extending in the front-rear direction and facing each other in the width direction; the pair of tapes separately fixed to the upper surfaces of the pair of element rows and extending in the front-rear direction, the pair of tapes configured to be in the good state and the defective state above the portion where the pair of element rows mesh with each other; and the slider configured to mesh and separate the pair of element rows. In the good state, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other become the pair of raised portions that are separately raised to bulge upward and that are in close contact with each other in the width direction, and the groove portion that is recessed downward is formed between the pair of raised portions. In the defective state, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other overlap with each other vertically. When a portion in the good state and a portion in the defective state are present at the same time in the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other, the tape repair jig as described above is used to repair the portion in the defective state to the good state by inserting the protruding portion into the groove portion in the good state and then passing the protruding portion through the portion in the defective state.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a slide fastener.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-II in FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line III-III in FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the slide fastener is opened.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a method of using a tape repair jig when a portion of a tape in a defective state is corrected.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VI-VI in FIG. 5.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tape repair jig.

[0026] FIG. 8A is a left side view illustrating main parts of the tape repair jig.

[0027] FIG. 8B is a plan view illustrating main parts of the tape repair jig.

[0028] FIG. 8C is a bottom view illustrating main parts of the tape repair jig.

[0029] FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view taken along a line D-D, which illustrates main parts of the tape repair jig.

[0030] FIG. 8E is a rear view illustrating main parts of the tape repair jig.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a slide fastener 1 to which the present invention is applied includes a pair of stringers 2, a slider 3 for opening and closing the pair of stringers 2, and a pull 4 for operating the slider 3. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the pair of stringers 2 includes a pair of tapes 5 facing each other and a pair of element rows 6 separately fixed along side edge portions of the pair of tapes 5 that face each other. The pull 4 illustrated in the drawing has a function of repairing the tape 5 in addition to the function of operating the slider 3, is referred to as the pull 4 when used in the function of operating the slider 3, and is referred to as a tape repair jig 4 when used in the function of repairing the tape 5.

[0032] Hereinafter, directions are determined as follows based on a state where the slide fastener 1 is placed on a plan.

[0033] A “front-rear direction” is a direction in which the slider 3 is moved when the pair of stringers 2 is opened and closed. The “front-rear direction” is also a direction in which the pull 4 rotates above the slider 3. A “forward direction” is a direction in which the slider 3 is moved when the slide fastener 1 is closed. The “forward direction” is an upward direction in FIG. 1. A “rearward direction” is a direction in which the slider 3 is moved when the slide fastener 1 is opened. The “rearward direction” is a downward direction in FIG. 1.

[0034] A “left-right direction” is a direction in which the pair of element rows 6 faces each other, and is a direction in which the pair of element rows 6 is displaced when the pair of element rows 6 meshes with each other and is separated from each other. The “left-right direction” is also referred to as a “width direction”. A “left direction” corresponds to a left direction in FIG. 1. A “right direction” corresponds to a right direction in FIG. 1. The “left-right direction” is a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction.

[0035] An “upper-lower direction” is a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The “upper-lower direction” refers to a direction orthogonal to a paper surface of FIG. 1. An “upward direction” is a direction toward a front side in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 1. A “downward direction” is a direction toward a back side in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 1.

[0036] A “radial direction” is the following direction. When a direction in which the pull 4 moves the slider 3 is reversed, the pull 4 rotates in the front-rear direction to draw a semicircle around the slider 3 when viewing a movement of the pull tab 4 from a side. A direction of a straight line connecting a center of the semicircle and one point on the semicircle is the “radial direction”. Even when the tape repair jig 4 does not function as a pull, the tape repair jig 4 is rotatable in the front-rear direction to draw a semicircle around the slider 3, similarly to the pull. Therefore, the “radial direction” is also used in the description of the tape repair jig 4.

[0037] Each of the element rows 6 includes a plurality of elements disposed in a row in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the element row 6 includes a continuous element in which the plurality of elements are continuous in the front-rear direction.

[0038] The continuous element is a single monofilament made of synthetic resin and bent in three-dimensional directions (up-down, left-right, and front-rear). In the monofilament, one unit of the elements meshing with the facing monofilament is continuous in the front-rear direction. The element of the continuous element can be meshed with and separated from the element of the other facing continuous element. The monofilament has a coil shape or a zigzag shape. The monofilament may be referred to as a coil element or a zigzag element corresponding to a bent shape. Incidentally, the monofilament is a coil element in the present embodiment, and is in a form of being wound around a core cord 6a extending in a straight line in the front-rear direction as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4.

[0039] Each of the tapes 5 has a band shape elongated in the front-rear direction, and a thickness direction thereof is the upper-lower direction. A facing side edge of the tape 5 is parallel to the front-rear direction. The facing side edge portion of the tape 5 is superimposed on an upper surface of the element row 6 and is fixed to the element row 6 by a sewing yarn 6b. The side edge means a line portion of a straight line in a plan view, and the side edge portion means a portion of a band-shaped surface from a straight line portion as the side edge toward the sewing yarn 6b. The tape 5 is preferably waterproof. When the tape 5 is waterproof, the tape 5 includes, for example, a tape body made of a fabric or a knit object, and a waterproof sheet attached to an upper surface of the tape body.

[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a through hole 3a for attaching the pull 4 is formed in an upper portion of the slider 3. The through hole 3a is a hole penetrating the slider 3 in a direction orthogonal to the upper-lower direction, specifically, in the left-right direction. Specifically, the through hole 3a is formed by a body 31 located below the through hole 3a and a pull attachment portion 32 located in front of, behind, and above the through hole3a. That is, the slider 3 includes the body 31 and the pull attachment portion 32. Although not illustrated, the body 31 is formed with, as an internal space thereof, an element passage, which is an element passage penetrating in the front-rear direction, branching into two on a front side, and becoming one on a rear side, and a pair of tape grooves communicating with the element passage and opening to the left and right. The pair of element rows 6 passes through the element passage, and the tape 5 on a corresponding side passes through each of the tape grooves.

[0041] When the pair of stringers 2 is closed, the pair of element rows 6 meshes with each other. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the pair of tapes 5 may be in a good state 5a and a defective state 5b behind the slider 3.

[0042] In the good state 5a, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes 5 that face each other are a pair of raised portions 51 that is separately raised to bulge upward and is in close contact with each other in the width direction. A groove portion 52 recessed downward is formed between the pair of raised portions 51. A distance in the upper-lower direction between the upper surface of each of the pair of element rows 6 and an apex of each of the pair of raised portions 51 is defined as a height 51h of the raised portion 51. A width of the groove portion 52 decreases toward the pair of element rows 6. A width maximum dimension 52W of the groove portion 52 is an interval between the apexes of the pair of raised portions 51.

[0043] In the defective state 5b, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes 5 that face each other include a pair of overlapping portions 54 that vertically overlaps with each other, and a pair of non-overlapping portions 55 that extends from each of the overlapping portions 54 toward the sewing yarns 6b for sewing the corresponding tapes 5. That is, the facing side edge portion of the tape 5 includes the overlapping portion 54 and the non-overlapping portion 55. In the non-overlapping portion 55, the tapes 5 do not overlap with each other.

[0044] In an example illustrated in FIG. 4, in the plan view, the facing side edge of the tape 5 and a facing side edge of the element row 6 are in a relationship of vertically facing each other.

[0045] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 7, and 8A to 8E, the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment includes an attachment portion 41 that is detachably attached to the slider 3, a gripping portion 42 that is gripped when operated, and a protruding portion 43 that partially protrudes from the gripping portion 42. When the tape repair jig 4 functions as a pull, the tape repair jig 4 has rigidity for functioning as a pull such that the attachment portion 41 or the gripping portion 42 is not broken or the attachment portion 41 is not detached from the gripping portion 42. The tape repair jig 4 is attached to the slider to be rotatable in the front-rear direction and swingable left and right.

[0046] The tape repair jig 4 is in a pulled state when the slider 3 is operated. The pulled state is a state of being in a straight line toward an outer side in the radial direction around the pull attachment portion 32 in a side view. When the pair of stringers 2 is opened, the gripping portion 42 is disposed behind the attachment portion 41, and when the pair of stringers 2 is closed, the gripping portion 42 is disposed in front of the attachment portion 41.

[0047] The attachment portion 41 is a cord. The cord is curved in a U-shape, and both end portions thereof are embedded in the gripping portion 42. The cord is elastically deformable. When the tape repair jig 4 is attached to the pull attachment portion 32, a tip end (an end portion on a side opposite to the gripping portion 42) of the attachment portion 41 passes through the through hole 3a, and the gripping portion 42 passes through an inside of the tip end. In this way, the attachment portion 41 is attached to the pull attachment portion 32 in a wound state. The attachment portion 41 has elasticity capable of being twisted in a state of being attached to the pull attachment portion 32. Therefore, when the tape repair jig 4 is twisted in a state of extending in the radial direction around the pull attachment portion 32, the gripping portion 42 rotates corresponding to the twisted angle.

[0048] The gripping portion 42 is located outside the attachment portion 41 in the radial direction. The gripping portion 42 is made of, for example, resin or metal. The gripping portion 42 has an elongated plate shape. Since the gripping portion 42 has a plate shape, the gripping portion 42 has a thickness direction. Since the gripping portion 42 is elongated, the gripping portion 42 has a longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction corresponds to the radial direction. The gripping portion 42 has a width direction in addition to the longitudinal direction when viewed from the thickness direction. The thickness direction, the longitudinal direction, and the width direction are relatively orthogonal to each other. An inner end portion of the gripping portion 42 in the radial direction and the attachment portion 41 cooperate to form an annular shape, and an annular inner hole penetrates in the thickness direction.

[0049] To describe the gripping portion 42, the thickness direction, the longitudinal direction, and the width direction are aligned with the front-rear direction, the upper-lower direction, and the left-right direction used in the description of the slide fastener 1 as follows. The longitudinal direction of the gripping portion 42 corresponds to the front-rear direction. The thickness direction of the gripping portion 42 corresponds to the upper-lower direction. The width direction of the gripping portion 42 corresponds to the left-right direction (the width direction) of the slide fastener 1. As a result, the gripping portion 42 has an upper surface, a lower surface, a front surface, a rear surface, and a pair of side surfaces. The front surface of the gripping portion 42 is a surface joined to the attachment portion 41. The lower surface of the gripping portion 42 is a surface from which the protruding portion 43 protrudes.

[0050] The gripping portion 42 extends rearward from the attachment portion 41. The gripping portion 42 is curved in a wave shape in the side view. Specifically, in the side view, the gripping portion 42 includes a valley portion 45 curved in an arc shape to protrude downward, a mountain portion 46 adjacent to the valley portion 45 on a front side and raising upward, and a mountain portion 47 adjacent to the valley portion 45 on a rear side and raising upward.

[0051] An upper surface of the valley portion 45 is recessed downward in an arc shape in the side view. A lower surface of the valley portion 45 protrudes downward in an arc shape in the side view.

[0052] An upper surface and a lower surface of the mountain portion 46 on the front side are raised in an arc shape to bulge upward in the side view. An upper surface of the mountain portion 47 on the rear side is raised in an arc shape in the side view. A lower surface of the mountain portion 47 on the rear side protrudes in an arc shape in a state where the lower surface of the valley portion 45 extends. That is, the lower surface of the valley portion 45 and the lower surface of the mountain portion 47 on the rear side cooperate to form one arc shape, and are curved in an arc shape to protrude downward.

[0053] An upper surface and a lower surface of the gripping portion 42 are not plans but are curved in a wave shape in the side view. The lower surface of the gripping portion 42 is curved in an arc shape in a state of bulging downward from both ends in the width direction toward a center when viewed from the front-rear direction. Corner portions between the upper surface and the pair of side surfaces of the gripping portion 42 are curved in a state of bulging in an arc shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. Corner portions between the lower surface and the pair of side surfaces of the gripping portion 42 are also curved in a state of bulging in an arc shape when viewed from the front-rear direction.

[0054] The gripping portion 42 is bilaterally symmetrical. The gripping portion 42 includes a front side, a pair of lateral sides, and a rear side when viewed from the upper-lower direction. The front side and the rear side are parallel to the left-right direction. The rear side has a less width than that of the front side. The pair of lateral sides is parallel to the front-rear direction in the mountain portion 46 on the front side, has a width that increases toward the rear side in a front side portion in the valley portion 45, and has a width that decreases toward the rear side in a rear portion of the valley portion 45 and the mountain portion 47 on the rear side. A width maximum dimension 42W of the gripping portion 42 is larger than a width maximum dimension 43W of the protruding portion 43.

[0055] As described above, the protruding portion 43 protrudes from the lower surface of the gripping portion 42. The protruding portion 43 protrudes from a rear portion (an outer portion in the radial direction) relative to an intermediate portion of the gripping portion 42. More specifically, the protruding portion 43 protrudes from a rear end portion of the mountain portion 47 on the rear side. In other words, assuming that the gripping portion 42 is divided into three equal parts in the radial direction, the protruding portion 43 protrudes from the outer portion of the gripping portion 42 in the radial direction. The protruding portion 43 is located at a center portion of the gripping portion 42 in the width direction. The protruding portion 43 is inserted into the groove portion 52. The width maximum dimension 43W of the protruding portion 43 is less than the width maximum dimension 52W of the groove portion 52.

[0056] The protruding portion 43 has a triangular shape in the side view. In the side view, the protruding portion 43 has a first side that extends along the lower surface of the gripping portion 42 and is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction in a state of being directed upward toward the rear side, a second side that extends from a front end of the first side and forms an acute angle with the first side, and a third side that extends from a rear end of the first side and forms an acute angle with the first side. A corner portion where the second side and the third side intersect has an arc shape in a bulging state. Specifically, the second side and the third side have a straight line shape except for the corner portions. When the straight line shape portions of the second side and the third side are extended to intersect each other, an intersection is formed. The corner portion has an arc shape bulging toward the intersection.

[0057] In a tape repair method according to the first embodiment, the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment described above is used as follows. When the slider 3 is moved in the forward direction to close the pair of stringers 2, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes 5 that face each other may be in the good state 5a, the defective state 5b, and the good state 5a in an order toward a rear side of the slider 3. In this case, first, the tape repair jig 4 is removed from the slider 3. Then, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the protruding portion 43 is inserted into the groove portion 52 in the good state 5a and the protruding portion 43 is pressed against the upper surfaces of the pair of element rows 6 while a finger is pressed against the upper surfaces of the mountain portion 46 on the front side and the valley portion 45 of the gripping portion 42. In this state, in the side view, the gripping portion 42 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction in a state of being directed upward toward the front side, and is separated upward from the pair of raised portions 51. The lower surface of the gripping portion 42 may be in a state of in contact with the pair of raised portions 51.

[0058] Then, the tape repair jig 4 is moved to pass through the overlapping portion 54 in the defective state 5b while the protruding portion 43 is pressed against the upper surfaces of the pair of element rows 6. In this way, the pair of overlapping portions 54 is separated to the left and right by the protruding portion 43 while the protruding portion 43 is passing, and after the protruding portion 43 passes, the pair of overlapping portions 54 becomes the pair of raised portions 51 and is in the good state 5a. When the defective state 5b does not become the good state 5a by one movement operation, an operation of moving in the front-rear direction is repeated several times.

[0059] In the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment, when the protruding portion 43 is inserted into the groove portion 52 in the good state 5a and then passes through a portion in the defective state 5b, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes 5 that face each other can be changed from the defective state 5b to the good state 5a. Since the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment has rigidity to function as a pull, the tape repair jig 4 can also be used as a pull.

[0060] In the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment, the protruding portion 43 is formed on surfaces other than both surfaces of the rear surface (an outer surface facing outward in the radial direction) of the gripping portion 42 and the front surface (an inner surface facing inward in the radial direction) of the gripping portion 42, more specifically, on the lower surface of the gripping portion 42. In the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment, since the protruding portion 43 is formed on the lower surface (one surface in the thickness direction) of the gripping portion 42, the protruding portion 43 can be inserted into the groove portion 52 and pressed against the pair of element rows 6 while pressing the fingers against the upper surface (a surface on a side opposite to one surface in the thickness direction) of the gripping portion 42. As a result, since a position of the finger pressed against the gripping portion 42 is close to the pair of element rows 6, the tape repair jig 4 is stable and easy to operate. Incidentally, in a case of a tape repair jig in which the protruding portion 43 is formed on the rear surface of the gripping portion 42, a protruding portion is inserted into the groove portion 52 while gripping a gripping portion such that a radial direction of the tape repair jig is substantially parallel to the upper-lower direction, and a position of the finger moves away from the pair of element rows 6. Therefore, the tape repair jig is unstable.

[0061] In the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment, the protruding portion 43 is formed on the lower surface of the gripping portion 42 and is located at a rear portion (an outer portion in the radial direction) relative to the intermediate portion of the gripping portion 42. Therefore, when an inner portion of the gripping portion 42 in the radial direction is gripped to open and close the slide fastener 1, the protruding portion 43 is less likely to come into contact with the finger, and the feeling when the gripping portion 42 is gripped is good. Incidentally, it is presumed that the intermediate portion of the gripping portion 42 in the radial direction is most easily touched by the finger.

[0062] In the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment, since the gripping portion 42 has the valley portion 45, it is easy to press the finger against the upper surface recessed in an arc shape of the valley portion 45, and it is easy to operate the tape repair jig 4 in a state where the gripping portion 42 is inserted into the groove portion 52. Since the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment has the mountain portions 46 and 47 in front of and behind the valley portion 45, a state where the finger is pressed against the tape repair jig 4 is stabilized.

[0063] In the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment, since the protruding portion 43 is located at the center portion in the width direction of the gripping portion 42, when the protruding portion 43 is pressed against the groove portion 52, a force is applied not only from a portion directly above the protruding portion 43 but also from both left and right sides above the protruding portion 43, and therefore, the protruding portion 43 is easily stabilized in the groove portion 52, and the tape repair jig 4 is easily operated.

[0064] In the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment, since the attachment portion 41 is detachable, when the tape repair jig 4 is removed from the slider 3, it is easy to operate the tape repair jig 4 when changing from the defective state 5b to the good state 5a.

[0065] In the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment, since the attachment portion 41 is a cord and both end portions of the cord are embedded in the gripping portion 42, the attachment portion 41 is easily attached to and detached from the slider 3.

[0066] In a state where the protruding portion 43 is inserted into the groove portion 52 and pressed against the pair of element rows 6, since the gripping portion 42 is located above the pair of raised portions 51, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes 5 that face each other can be maintained in the good state 5a, and a portion in the defective state 5b can be changed to the good state 5a by moving the tape repair jig 4.

[0067] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the gripping portion 42 has an elongated shape in the embodiment described above. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the gripping portion 42 may have another shape, for example, a disk shape. The gripping portion 42 is curved in a wave shape in the side view in the embodiment described above. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the gripping portion 42 may have another shape, for example, a flat plate shape in the side view. In addition, the tape repair jig 4 has rigidity to function as a pull in the embodiment described above. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the tape repair jig 4 may have only a function of repairing a tape. In this case, in the slide fastener, a dedicated pull may be attached to the slider, the tape repair jig 4 may also be attached to the slider together with the dedicated pull, and the tape repair jig 4 may be one component of the slide fastener, or the tape repair jig 4 may not be one component of the slide fastener but may be a component separated from the slide fastener and may be attached to the slider later.

[0068] As described above, a slide fastener to which the present invention is applied includes a pair of element rows extending in a front-rear direction and facing each other in a width direction, a pair of tapes separately fixed to upper surfaces of the pair of element rows and extending in the front-rear direction, the pair of tapes configured to be in a good state and a defective state above a portion where the pair of element rows mesh with each other, and a slider configured to mesh and separate the pair of element rows. In the good state, side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other become a pair of raised portions that is separately raised to bulge upward and that is in close contact with each other in the width direction, and a groove portion that is recessed downward is formed between the pair of raised portions. In the defective state, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other overlap with each other vertically. On a premise of such a slide fastener, the tape repair jig according to the present invention is attachable to the slider to be rotatable in the front-rear direction in a state of extending in a radial direction around the slider in a side view. The tape repair jig includes an attachment portion configured to be attached to the slider, a gripping portion extending outward in the radial direction from the attachment portion, and a protruding portion partially protruding from the gripping portion and configured to repair the defective state to the good state. The protruding portion is insertable into the groove portion.

[0069] The tape repair jig may or may not function as a pull when attached to the slider. For example, in a construction in which the attachment portion is broken when the tape repair jig is pulled to move the slider in the front-rear direction, the tape repair jig does not function as a pull. To cause the tape repair jig to function as a pull, the following is desirable.

[0070] The tape repair jig has rigidity to function as a pull.

[0071] Although it does not matter on which surface the protruding portion is formed, to stabilize the tape repair jig in a state where the protruding portion is inserted into the groove portion and pressed against the pair of element rows, the following is desirable.

[0072] That is, the protruding portion is formed on a portion other than both surfaces of an outer surface of the gripping portion facing outward in the radial direction and an inner surface of the gripping portion facing inward in the radial direction.

[0073] To further stabilize the tape repair jig in the state where the protruding portion is inserted into the groove portion and pressed against the pair of element rows, the following is desirable.

[0074] The gripping portion has, in addition to the outer surface and the inner surface, two surfaces facing a thickness direction orthogonal to the radial direction, and two surfaces facing the width direction orthogonal to the radial direction and the thickness direction. The protruding portion protrudes from one surface of the two surfaces facing the thickness direction of the gripping portion.

[0075] Although it does not matter at which position in the radial direction of the gripping portion the protruding portion is formed, to make it difficult to touch the protruding portion in an opening and closing operation of the slide fastener, the following is desirable.

[0076] That is, the protruding portion is located at an outer portion relative to an intermediate portion of the gripping portion in the radial direction.

[0077] When viewed from the thickness direction, the shape of the gripping portion does not matter, but the following is desirable to facilitate the operation of the tape repair jig in a state where the protruding portion is inserted into the groove portion.

[0078] That is, when the gripping portion is viewed from a side with the one surface as a lower surface, the gripping portion has a valley portion curved in an arc shape to protrude downward.

[0079] Although it does not matter at which position in the width direction of the gripping portion the protruding portion is formed, to facilitate the operation of the tape repair jig in the state where the protruding portion is inserted into the groove portion, the following is desirable.

[0080] That is, the protruding portion is located at a center portion of the gripping portion in the width direction.

[0081] The attachment portion may be configured not to be detachable from the slider, but to facilitate the operation of the tape repair jig to change the defective state to the good state, the following is desirable.

[0082] That is, the attachment portion is detachable from the slider.

[0083] An example of a specific construction of the attachment portion is as follows. That is, the attachment portion is a cord, and both end portions of the cord are embedded in the gripping portion.

[0084] A slide fastener to which the tape repair method according to the present invention is applied is the same as the slide fastener to which the tape repair jig according to the present invention is applied. Then, in the tape repair method according to the present invention, when a portion in the good state and a portion the defective state are present at the same time in the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other, the tape repair jig described above is used to repair the portion in the defective state to the good state by inserting the protruding portion into the groove portion in the good state and then passing the protruding portion through the portion in the defective state.

[0085] According to the present invention, when the protruding portion is inserted into the groove portion in the good state and then passes through a portion in the defective state, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other can be changed from the defective state to the good state.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0031]As illustrated in FIG. 1, a slide fastener 1 to which the present invention is applied includes a pair of stringers 2, a slider 3 for opening and closing the pair of stringers 2, and a pull 4 for operating the slider 3. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the pair of stringers 2 includes a pair of tapes 5 facing each other and a pair of element rows 6 separately fixed along side edge portions of the pair of tapes 5 that face each other. The pull 4 illustrated in the drawing has a function of repairing the tape 5 in addition to the function of operating the slider 3, is referred to as the pull 4 when used in the function of operating the slider 3, and is referred to as a tape repair jig 4 when used in the function of repairing the tape 5.

[0032]Hereinafter, directions are determined as follows based on a state where the slide fastener 1 is placed on a plan.

[0033]A “front-rear direction” is a direction in which the slider 3 is moved when the pair of stringers 2 is opened and closed. ...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC § 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-016580 filed on Feb. 4, 2025, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a tape repair jig for a slide fastener and a tape repair method.BACKGROUND

[0003] As an example of a slide fastener, there is known a slide fastener including a pair of element rows, a pair of tapes separately fixed to front sides of the pair of element rows, a slider that meshes and separates the pair of element rows, and a pull for operating the slider (Patent Literature 1).

[0004] The slide fastener of Patent Literature 1 adopts a construction suitable for concealing the element rows and for the appearance. The construction is a construction where on a front side of a portion where the pair of element rows is meshed, side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other are buckled in an arched shape and come into close contact with each other.

[0005] Patent Literature 1: WO2023 / 243081A1

[0006] Incidentally, a state where the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other are in close contact with each other in a state of being buckled in an arched shape is a state intended by designers who developed the slide fastener, and is a good state. However, contrary to an intention of the designers, in reality, there are cases where the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other overlap with each other in a front-back direction, that is, a defective state occurs.

[0007] To bring portions in the defective state of the pair of tapes into the good state, it is the only way to separate the pair of element rows by moving the slider to pass through the portion in the defective state, and then return the slider to an original position by moving the slider in an opposite direction to mesh the pair of element rows.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique suitable for bringing portions in a defective state of a pair of tapes into a good state.SUMMARY

[0009] There is provided a tape repair jig for a slide fastener. The slide fastener includes: a pair of element rows extending in a front-rear direction and facing each other in a width direction; a pair of tapes separately fixed to upper surfaces of the pair of element rows and extending in the front-rear direction, the pair of tapes configured to be in a good state and a defective state above a portion where the pair of element rows mesh with each other; and a slider configured to mesh and separate the pair of element rows. In the good state, side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other become a pair of raised portions that is separately raised to bulge upward and that is in close contact with each other in the width direction, and a groove portion that is recessed downward is formed between the pair of raised portions. In the defective state, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other overlap with each other vertically. The tape repair jig is attachable to the slider to be rotatable in the front-rear direction in a state of extending in a radial direction around the slider in a side view. The tape repair jig includes an attachment portion configured to be attached to the slider, a gripping portion extending outward in the radial direction from the attachment portion, and a protruding portion partially protruding from the gripping portion and configured to repair the defective state to the good state. The protruding portion is insertable into the groove portion.

[0010] In the tape repair jig for the slide fastener, the tape repair jig may have rigidity to function as a pull.

[0011] In the tape repair jig for the slide fastener, the protruding portion may be formed on a portion other than both surfaces of an outer surface of the gripping portion facing outward in the radial direction and an inner surface of the gripping portion facing inward in the radial direction.

[0012] In the tape repair jig for the slide fastener, The gripping portion may have, in addition to the outer surface and the inner surface, two surfaces facing a thickness direction orthogonal to the radial direction, and two surfaces facing the width direction orthogonal to the radial direction and the thickness direction. The protruding portion may protrude from one surface of the two surfaces facing the thickness direction of the gripping portion.

[0013] In the tape repair jig for the slide fastener, the protruding portion may be located at an outer portion relative to an intermediate portion of the gripping portion in the radial direction.

[0014] In the tape repair jig for the slide fastener, when the gripping portion is viewed from a side with the one surface as a lower surface, the gripping portion may have a valley portion curved in an arc shape to protrude downward.

[0015] In the tape repair jig for the slide fastener, the protruding portion may be located at a center portion of the gripping portion in the width direction.

[0016] In the tape repair jig for the slide fastener, the attachment portion may be detachable from the slider.

[0017] In the tape repair jig for the slide fastener, the attachment portion may be a cord, and both end portions of the cord may be embedded in the gripping portion.

[0018] There is also provided a tape repair method for the slide fastener. The slide fastener includes: the pair of element rows extending in the front-rear direction and facing each other in the width direction; the pair of tapes separately fixed to the upper surfaces of the pair of element rows and extending in the front-rear direction, the pair of tapes configured to be in the good state and the defective state above the portion where the pair of element rows mesh with each other; and the slider configured to mesh and separate the pair of element rows. In the good state, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other become the pair of raised portions that are separately raised to bulge upward and that are in close contact with each other in the width direction, and the groove portion that is recessed downward is formed between the pair of raised portions. In the defective state, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other overlap with each other vertically. When a portion in the good state and a portion in the defective state are present at the same time in the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other, the tape repair jig as described above is used to repair the portion in the defective state to the good state by inserting the protruding portion into the groove portion in the good state and then passing the protruding portion through the portion in the defective state.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a slide fastener.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-II in FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line III-III in FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the slide fastener is opened.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a method of using a tape repair jig when a portion of a tape in a defective state is corrected.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VI-VI in FIG. 5.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tape repair jig.

[0026] FIG. 8A is a left side view illustrating main parts of the tape repair jig.

[0027] FIG. 8B is a plan view illustrating main parts of the tape repair jig.

[0028] FIG. 8C is a bottom view illustrating main parts of the tape repair jig.

[0029] FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view taken along a line D-D, which illustrates main parts of the tape repair jig.

[0030] FIG. 8E is a rear view illustrating main parts of the tape repair jig.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a slide fastener 1 to which the present invention is applied includes a pair of stringers 2, a slider 3 for opening and closing the pair of stringers 2, and a pull 4 for operating the slider 3. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the pair of stringers 2 includes a pair of tapes 5 facing each other and a pair of element rows 6 separately fixed along side edge portions of the pair of tapes 5 that face each other. The pull 4 illustrated in the drawing has a function of repairing the tape 5 in addition to the function of operating the slider 3, is referred to as the pull 4 when used in the function of operating the slider 3, and is referred to as a tape repair jig 4 when used in the function of repairing the tape 5.

[0032] Hereinafter, directions are determined as follows based on a state where the slide fastener 1 is placed on a plan.

[0033] A “front-rear direction” is a direction in which the slider 3 is moved when the pair of stringers 2 is opened and closed. The “front-rear direction” is also a direction in which the pull 4 rotates above the slider 3. A “forward direction” is a direction in which the slider 3 is moved when the slide fastener 1 is closed. The “forward direction” is an upward direction in FIG. 1. A “rearward direction” is a direction in which the slider 3 is moved when the slide fastener 1 is opened. The “rearward direction” is a downward direction in FIG. 1.

[0034] A “left-right direction” is a direction in which the pair of element rows 6 faces each other, and is a direction in which the pair of element rows 6 is displaced when the pair of element rows 6 meshes with each other and is separated from each other. The “left-right direction” is also referred to as a “width direction”. A “left direction” corresponds to a left direction in FIG. 1. A “right direction” corresponds to a right direction in FIG. 1. The “left-right direction” is a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction.

[0035] An “upper-lower direction” is a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The “upper-lower direction” refers to a direction orthogonal to a paper surface of FIG. 1. An “upward direction” is a direction toward a front side in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 1. A “downward direction” is a direction toward a back side in the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 1.

[0036] A “radial direction” is the following direction. When a direction in which the pull 4 moves the slider 3 is reversed, the pull 4 rotates in the front-rear direction to draw a semicircle around the slider 3 when viewing a movement of the pull tab 4 from a side. A direction of a straight line connecting a center of the semicircle and one point on the semicircle is the “radial direction”. Even when the tape repair jig 4 does not function as a pull, the tape repair jig 4 is rotatable in the front-rear direction to draw a semicircle around the slider 3, similarly to the pull. Therefore, the “radial direction” is also used in the description of the tape repair jig 4.

[0037] Each of the element rows 6 includes a plurality of elements disposed in a row in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the element row 6 includes a continuous element in which the plurality of elements are continuous in the front-rear direction.

[0038] The continuous element is a single monofilament made of synthetic resin and bent in three-dimensional directions (up-down, left-right, and front-rear). In the monofilament, one unit of the elements meshing with the facing monofilament is continuous in the front-rear direction. The element of the continuous element can be meshed with and separated from the element of the other facing continuous element. The monofilament has a coil shape or a zigzag shape. The monofilament may be referred to as a coil element or a zigzag element corresponding to a bent shape. Incidentally, the monofilament is a coil element in the present embodiment, and is in a form of being wound around a core cord 6a extending in a straight line in the front-rear direction as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4.

[0039] Each of the tapes 5 has a band shape elongated in the front-rear direction, and a thickness direction thereof is the upper-lower direction. A facing side edge of the tape 5 is parallel to the front-rear direction. The facing side edge portion of the tape 5 is superimposed on an upper surface of the element row 6 and is fixed to the element row 6 by a sewing yarn 6b. The side edge means a line portion of a straight line in a plan view, and the side edge portion means a portion of a band-shaped surface from a straight line portion as the side edge toward the sewing yarn 6b. The tape 5 is preferably waterproof. When the tape 5 is waterproof, the tape 5 includes, for example, a tape body made of a fabric or a knit object, and a waterproof sheet attached to an upper surface of the tape body.

[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a through hole 3a for attaching the pull 4 is formed in an upper portion of the slider 3. The through hole 3a is a hole penetrating the slider 3 in a direction orthogonal to the upper-lower direction, specifically, in the left-right direction. Specifically, the through hole 3a is formed by a body 31 located below the through hole 3a and a pull attachment portion 32 located in front of, behind, and above the through hole3a. That is, the slider 3 includes the body 31 and the pull attachment portion 32. Although not illustrated, the body 31 is formed with, as an internal space thereof, an element passage, which is an element passage penetrating in the front-rear direction, branching into two on a front side, and becoming one on a rear side, and a pair of tape grooves communicating with the element passage and opening to the left and right. The pair of element rows 6 passes through the element passage, and the tape 5 on a corresponding side passes through each of the tape grooves.

[0041] When the pair of stringers 2 is closed, the pair of element rows 6 meshes with each other. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the pair of tapes 5 may be in a good state 5a and a defective state 5b behind the slider 3.

[0042] In the good state 5a, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes 5 that face each other are a pair of raised portions 51 that is separately raised to bulge upward and is in close contact with each other in the width direction. A groove portion 52 recessed downward is formed between the pair of raised portions 51. A distance in the upper-lower direction between the upper surface of each of the pair of element rows 6 and an apex of each of the pair of raised portions 51 is defined as a height 51h of the raised portion 51. A width of the groove portion 52 decreases toward the pair of element rows 6. A width maximum dimension 52W of the groove portion 52 is an interval between the apexes of the pair of raised portions 51.

[0043] In the defective state 5b, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes 5 that face each other include a pair of overlapping portions 54 that vertically overlaps with each other, and a pair of non-overlapping portions 55 that extends from each of the overlapping portions 54 toward the sewing yarns 6b for sewing the corresponding tapes 5. That is, the facing side edge portion of the tape 5 includes the overlapping portion 54 and the non-overlapping portion 55. In the non-overlapping portion 55, the tapes 5 do not overlap with each other.

[0044] In an example illustrated in FIG. 4, in the plan view, the facing side edge of the tape 5 and a facing side edge of the element row 6 are in a relationship of vertically facing each other.

[0045] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 7, and 8A to 8E, the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment includes an attachment portion 41 that is detachably attached to the slider 3, a gripping portion 42 that is gripped when operated, and a protruding portion 43 that partially protrudes from the gripping portion 42. When the tape repair jig 4 functions as a pull, the tape repair jig 4 has rigidity for functioning as a pull such that the attachment portion 41 or the gripping portion 42 is not broken or the attachment portion 41 is not detached from the gripping portion 42. The tape repair jig 4 is attached to the slider to be rotatable in the front-rear direction and swingable left and right.

[0046] The tape repair jig 4 is in a pulled state when the slider 3 is operated. The pulled state is a state of being in a straight line toward an outer side in the radial direction around the pull attachment portion 32 in a side view. When the pair of stringers 2 is opened, the gripping portion 42 is disposed behind the attachment portion 41, and when the pair of stringers 2 is closed, the gripping portion 42 is disposed in front of the attachment portion 41.

[0047] The attachment portion 41 is a cord. The cord is curved in a U-shape, and both end portions thereof are embedded in the gripping portion 42. The cord is elastically deformable. When the tape repair jig 4 is attached to the pull attachment portion 32, a tip end (an end portion on a side opposite to the gripping portion 42) of the attachment portion 41 passes through the through hole 3a, and the gripping portion 42 passes through an inside of the tip end. In this way, the attachment portion 41 is attached to the pull attachment portion 32 in a wound state. The attachment portion 41 has elasticity capable of being twisted in a state of being attached to the pull attachment portion 32. Therefore, when the tape repair jig 4 is twisted in a state of extending in the radial direction around the pull attachment portion 32, the gripping portion 42 rotates corresponding to the twisted angle.

[0048] The gripping portion 42 is located outside the attachment portion 41 in the radial direction. The gripping portion 42 is made of, for example, resin or metal. The gripping portion 42 has an elongated plate shape. Since the gripping portion 42 has a plate shape, the gripping portion 42 has a thickness direction. Since the gripping portion 42 is elongated, the gripping portion 42 has a longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction corresponds to the radial direction. The gripping portion 42 has a width direction in addition to the longitudinal direction when viewed from the thickness direction. The thickness direction, the longitudinal direction, and the width direction are relatively orthogonal to each other. An inner end portion of the gripping portion 42 in the radial direction and the attachment portion 41 cooperate to form an annular shape, and an annular inner hole penetrates in the thickness direction.

[0049] To describe the gripping portion 42, the thickness direction, the longitudinal direction, and the width direction are aligned with the front-rear direction, the upper-lower direction, and the left-right direction used in the description of the slide fastener 1 as follows. The longitudinal direction of the gripping portion 42 corresponds to the front-rear direction. The thickness direction of the gripping portion 42 corresponds to the upper-lower direction. The width direction of the gripping portion 42 corresponds to the left-right direction (the width direction) of the slide fastener 1. As a result, the gripping portion 42 has an upper surface, a lower surface, a front surface, a rear surface, and a pair of side surfaces. The front surface of the gripping portion 42 is a surface joined to the attachment portion 41. The lower surface of the gripping portion 42 is a surface from which the protruding portion 43 protrudes.

[0050] The gripping portion 42 extends rearward from the attachment portion 41. The gripping portion 42 is curved in a wave shape in the side view. Specifically, in the side view, the gripping portion 42 includes a valley portion 45 curved in an arc shape to protrude downward, a mountain portion 46 adjacent to the valley portion 45 on a front side and raising upward, and a mountain portion 47 adjacent to the valley portion 45 on a rear side and raising upward.

[0051] An upper surface of the valley portion 45 is recessed downward in an arc shape in the side view. A lower surface of the valley portion 45 protrudes downward in an arc shape in the side view.

[0052] An upper surface and a lower surface of the mountain portion 46 on the front side are raised in an arc shape to bulge upward in the side view. An upper surface of the mountain portion 47 on the rear side is raised in an arc shape in the side view. A lower surface of the mountain portion 47 on the rear side protrudes in an arc shape in a state where the lower surface of the valley portion 45 extends. That is, the lower surface of the valley portion 45 and the lower surface of the mountain portion 47 on the rear side cooperate to form one arc shape, and are curved in an arc shape to protrude downward.

[0053] An upper surface and a lower surface of the gripping portion 42 are not plans but are curved in a wave shape in the side view. The lower surface of the gripping portion 42 is curved in an arc shape in a state of bulging downward from both ends in the width direction toward a center when viewed from the front-rear direction. Corner portions between the upper surface and the pair of side surfaces of the gripping portion 42 are curved in a state of bulging in an arc shape when viewed from the front-rear direction. Corner portions between the lower surface and the pair of side surfaces of the gripping portion 42 are also curved in a state of bulging in an arc shape when viewed from the front-rear direction.

[0054] The gripping portion 42 is bilaterally symmetrical. The gripping portion 42 includes a front side, a pair of lateral sides, and a rear side when viewed from the upper-lower direction. The front side and the rear side are parallel to the left-right direction. The rear side has a less width than that of the front side. The pair of lateral sides is parallel to the front-rear direction in the mountain portion 46 on the front side, has a width that increases toward the rear side in a front side portion in the valley portion 45, and has a width that decreases toward the rear side in a rear portion of the valley portion 45 and the mountain portion 47 on the rear side. A width maximum dimension 42W of the gripping portion 42 is larger than a width maximum dimension 43W of the protruding portion 43.

[0055] As described above, the protruding portion 43 protrudes from the lower surface of the gripping portion 42. The protruding portion 43 protrudes from a rear portion (an outer portion in the radial direction) relative to an intermediate portion of the gripping portion 42. More specifically, the protruding portion 43 protrudes from a rear end portion of the mountain portion 47 on the rear side. In other words, assuming that the gripping portion 42 is divided into three equal parts in the radial direction, the protruding portion 43 protrudes from the outer portion of the gripping portion 42 in the radial direction. The protruding portion 43 is located at a center portion of the gripping portion 42 in the width direction. The protruding portion 43 is inserted into the groove portion 52. The width maximum dimension 43W of the protruding portion 43 is less than the width maximum dimension 52W of the groove portion 52.

[0056] The protruding portion 43 has a triangular shape in the side view. In the side view, the protruding portion 43 has a first side that extends along the lower surface of the gripping portion 42 and is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction in a state of being directed upward toward the rear side, a second side that extends from a front end of the first side and forms an acute angle with the first side, and a third side that extends from a rear end of the first side and forms an acute angle with the first side. A corner portion where the second side and the third side intersect has an arc shape in a bulging state. Specifically, the second side and the third side have a straight line shape except for the corner portions. When the straight line shape portions of the second side and the third side are extended to intersect each other, an intersection is formed. The corner portion has an arc shape bulging toward the intersection.

[0057] In a tape repair method according to the first embodiment, the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment described above is used as follows. When the slider 3 is moved in the forward direction to close the pair of stringers 2, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes 5 that face each other may be in the good state 5a, the defective state 5b, and the good state 5a in an order toward a rear side of the slider 3. In this case, first, the tape repair jig 4 is removed from the slider 3. Then, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the protruding portion 43 is inserted into the groove portion 52 in the good state 5a and the protruding portion 43 is pressed against the upper surfaces of the pair of element rows 6 while a finger is pressed against the upper surfaces of the mountain portion 46 on the front side and the valley portion 45 of the gripping portion 42. In this state, in the side view, the gripping portion 42 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction in a state of being directed upward toward the front side, and is separated upward from the pair of raised portions 51. The lower surface of the gripping portion 42 may be in a state of in contact with the pair of raised portions 51.

[0058] Then, the tape repair jig 4 is moved to pass through the overlapping portion 54 in the defective state 5b while the protruding portion 43 is pressed against the upper surfaces of the pair of element rows 6. In this way, the pair of overlapping portions 54 is separated to the left and right by the protruding portion 43 while the protruding portion 43 is passing, and after the protruding portion 43 passes, the pair of overlapping portions 54 becomes the pair of raised portions 51 and is in the good state 5a. When the defective state 5b does not become the good state 5a by one movement operation, an operation of moving in the front-rear direction is repeated several times.

[0059] In the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment, when the protruding portion 43 is inserted into the groove portion 52 in the good state 5a and then passes through a portion in the defective state 5b, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes 5 that face each other can be changed from the defective state 5b to the good state 5a. Since the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment has rigidity to function as a pull, the tape repair jig 4 can also be used as a pull.

[0060] In the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment, the protruding portion 43 is formed on surfaces other than both surfaces of the rear surface (an outer surface facing outward in the radial direction) of the gripping portion 42 and the front surface (an inner surface facing inward in the radial direction) of the gripping portion 42, more specifically, on the lower surface of the gripping portion 42. In the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment, since the protruding portion 43 is formed on the lower surface (one surface in the thickness direction) of the gripping portion 42, the protruding portion 43 can be inserted into the groove portion 52 and pressed against the pair of element rows 6 while pressing the fingers against the upper surface (a surface on a side opposite to one surface in the thickness direction) of the gripping portion 42. As a result, since a position of the finger pressed against the gripping portion 42 is close to the pair of element rows 6, the tape repair jig 4 is stable and easy to operate. Incidentally, in a case of a tape repair jig in which the protruding portion 43 is formed on the rear surface of the gripping portion 42, a protruding portion is inserted into the groove portion 52 while gripping a gripping portion such that a radial direction of the tape repair jig is substantially parallel to the upper-lower direction, and a position of the finger moves away from the pair of element rows 6. Therefore, the tape repair jig is unstable.

[0061] In the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment, the protruding portion 43 is formed on the lower surface of the gripping portion 42 and is located at a rear portion (an outer portion in the radial direction) relative to the intermediate portion of the gripping portion 42. Therefore, when an inner portion of the gripping portion 42 in the radial direction is gripped to open and close the slide fastener 1, the protruding portion 43 is less likely to come into contact with the finger, and the feeling when the gripping portion 42 is gripped is good. Incidentally, it is presumed that the intermediate portion of the gripping portion 42 in the radial direction is most easily touched by the finger.

[0062] In the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment, since the gripping portion 42 has the valley portion 45, it is easy to press the finger against the upper surface recessed in an arc shape of the valley portion 45, and it is easy to operate the tape repair jig 4 in a state where the gripping portion 42 is inserted into the groove portion 52. Since the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment has the mountain portions 46 and 47 in front of and behind the valley portion 45, a state where the finger is pressed against the tape repair jig 4 is stabilized.

[0063] In the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment, since the protruding portion 43 is located at the center portion in the width direction of the gripping portion 42, when the protruding portion 43 is pressed against the groove portion 52, a force is applied not only from a portion directly above the protruding portion 43 but also from both left and right sides above the protruding portion 43, and therefore, the protruding portion 43 is easily stabilized in the groove portion 52, and the tape repair jig 4 is easily operated.

[0064] In the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment, since the attachment portion 41 is detachable, when the tape repair jig 4 is removed from the slider 3, it is easy to operate the tape repair jig 4 when changing from the defective state 5b to the good state 5a.

[0065] In the tape repair jig 4 according to the first embodiment, since the attachment portion 41 is a cord and both end portions of the cord are embedded in the gripping portion 42, the attachment portion 41 is easily attached to and detached from the slider 3.

[0066] In a state where the protruding portion 43 is inserted into the groove portion 52 and pressed against the pair of element rows 6, since the gripping portion 42 is located above the pair of raised portions 51, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes 5 that face each other can be maintained in the good state 5a, and a portion in the defective state 5b can be changed to the good state 5a by moving the tape repair jig 4.

[0067] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the gripping portion 42 has an elongated shape in the embodiment described above. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the gripping portion 42 may have another shape, for example, a disk shape. The gripping portion 42 is curved in a wave shape in the side view in the embodiment described above. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the gripping portion 42 may have another shape, for example, a flat plate shape in the side view. In addition, the tape repair jig 4 has rigidity to function as a pull in the embodiment described above. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the tape repair jig 4 may have only a function of repairing a tape. In this case, in the slide fastener, a dedicated pull may be attached to the slider, the tape repair jig 4 may also be attached to the slider together with the dedicated pull, and the tape repair jig 4 may be one component of the slide fastener, or the tape repair jig 4 may not be one component of the slide fastener but may be a component separated from the slide fastener and may be attached to the slider later.

[0068] As described above, a slide fastener to which the present invention is applied includes a pair of element rows extending in a front-rear direction and facing each other in a width direction, a pair of tapes separately fixed to upper surfaces of the pair of element rows and extending in the front-rear direction, the pair of tapes configured to be in a good state and a defective state above a portion where the pair of element rows mesh with each other, and a slider configured to mesh and separate the pair of element rows. In the good state, side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other become a pair of raised portions that is separately raised to bulge upward and that is in close contact with each other in the width direction, and a groove portion that is recessed downward is formed between the pair of raised portions. In the defective state, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other overlap with each other vertically. On a premise of such a slide fastener, the tape repair jig according to the present invention is attachable to the slider to be rotatable in the front-rear direction in a state of extending in a radial direction around the slider in a side view. The tape repair jig includes an attachment portion configured to be attached to the slider, a gripping portion extending outward in the radial direction from the attachment portion, and a protruding portion partially protruding from the gripping portion and configured to repair the defective state to the good state. The protruding portion is insertable into the groove portion.

[0069] The tape repair jig may or may not function as a pull when attached to the slider. For example, in a construction in which the attachment portion is broken when the tape repair jig is pulled to move the slider in the front-rear direction, the tape repair jig does not function as a pull. To cause the tape repair jig to function as a pull, the following is desirable.

[0070] The tape repair jig has rigidity to function as a pull.

[0071] Although it does not matter on which surface the protruding portion is formed, to stabilize the tape repair jig in a state where the protruding portion is inserted into the groove portion and pressed against the pair of element rows, the following is desirable.

[0072] That is, the protruding portion is formed on a portion other than both surfaces of an outer surface of the gripping portion facing outward in the radial direction and an inner surface of the gripping portion facing inward in the radial direction.

[0073] To further stabilize the tape repair jig in the state where the protruding portion is inserted into the groove portion and pressed against the pair of element rows, the following is desirable.

[0074] The gripping portion has, in addition to the outer surface and the inner surface, two surfaces facing a thickness direction orthogonal to the radial direction, and two surfaces facing the width direction orthogonal to the radial direction and the thickness direction. The protruding portion protrudes from one surface of the two surfaces facing the thickness direction of the gripping portion.

[0075] Although it does not matter at which position in the radial direction of the gripping portion the protruding portion is formed, to make it difficult to touch the protruding portion in an opening and closing operation of the slide fastener, the following is desirable.

[0076] That is, the protruding portion is located at an outer portion relative to an intermediate portion of the gripping portion in the radial direction.

[0077] When viewed from the thickness direction, the shape of the gripping portion does not matter, but the following is desirable to facilitate the operation of the tape repair jig in a state where the protruding portion is inserted into the groove portion.

[0078] That is, when the gripping portion is viewed from a side with the one surface as a lower surface, the gripping portion has a valley portion curved in an arc shape to protrude downward.

[0079] Although it does not matter at which position in the width direction of the gripping portion the protruding portion is formed, to facilitate the operation of the tape repair jig in the state where the protruding portion is inserted into the groove portion, the following is desirable.

[0080] That is, the protruding portion is located at a center portion of the gripping portion in the width direction.

[0081] The attachment portion may be configured not to be detachable from the slider, but to facilitate the operation of the tape repair jig to change the defective state to the good state, the following is desirable.

[0082] That is, the attachment portion is detachable from the slider.

[0083] An example of a specific construction of the attachment portion is as follows. That is, the attachment portion is a cord, and both end portions of the cord are embedded in the gripping portion.

[0084] A slide fastener to which the tape repair method according to the present invention is applied is the same as the slide fastener to which the tape repair jig according to the present invention is applied. Then, in the tape repair method according to the present invention, when a portion in the good state and a portion the defective state are present at the same time in the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other, the tape repair jig described above is used to repair the portion in the defective state to the good state by inserting the protruding portion into the groove portion in the good state and then passing the protruding portion through the portion in the defective state.

[0085] According to the present invention, when the protruding portion is inserted into the groove portion in the good state and then passes through a portion in the defective state, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other can be changed from the defective state to the good state.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0031]As illustrated in FIG. 1, a slide fastener 1 to which the present invention is applied includes a pair of stringers 2, a slider 3 for opening and closing the pair of stringers 2, and a pull 4 for operating the slider 3. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the pair of stringers 2 includes a pair of tapes 5 facing each other and a pair of element rows 6 separately fixed along side edge portions of the pair of tapes 5 that face each other. The pull 4 illustrated in the drawing has a function of repairing the tape 5 in addition to the function of operating the slider 3, is referred to as the pull 4 when used in the function of operating the slider 3, and is referred to as a tape repair jig 4 when used in the function of repairing the tape 5.

[0032]Hereinafter, directions are determined as follows based on a state where the slide fastener 1 is placed on a plan.

[0033]A “front-rear direction” is a direction in which the slider 3 is moved when the pair of stringers 2 is opened and closed. ...

Claims

1. A tape repair jig for a slide fastener, whereinthe slide fastener includes:a pair of element rows extending in a front-rear direction and facing each other in a width direction;a pair of tapes separately fixed to upper surfaces of the pair of element rows and extending in the front-rear direction, the pair of tapes configured to be in a good state and a defective state above a portion where the pair of element rows mesh with each other; anda slider configured to mesh and separate the pair of element rows,in the good state, side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other become a pair of raised portions that is separately raised to bulge upward and that is in close contact with each other in the width direction, and a groove portion that is recessed downward is formed between the pair of raised portions,in the defective state, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other overlap with each other vertically,the tape repair jig is attachable to the slider to be rotatable in the front-rear direction in a state of extending in a radial direction around the slider in a side view,the tape repair jig includes an attachment portion configured to be attached to the slider, a gripping portion extending outward in the radial direction from the attachment portion, and a protruding portion partially protruding from the gripping portion and configured to repair the defective state to the good state, andthe protruding portion is insertable into the groove portion.

2. The tape repair jig for the slide fastener according to claim 1, whereinthe tape repair jig has rigidity to function as a pull.

3. The tape repair jig for the slide fastener according to claim 1, whereinthe protruding portion is formed on a portion other than both surfaces of an outer surface of the gripping portion facing outward in the radial direction and an inner surface of the gripping portion facing inward in the radial direction.

4. The tape repair jig for the slide fastener according to claim 3, whereinthe gripping portion has, in addition to the outer surface and the inner surface, two surfaces facing a thickness direction orthogonal to the radial direction, and two surfaces facing the width direction orthogonal to the radial direction and the thickness direction, andthe protruding portion protrudes from one surface of the two surfaces facing the thickness direction of the gripping portion.

5. The tape repair jig for the slide fastener according to claim 4, whereinthe protruding portion is located at an outer portion relative to an intermediate portion of the gripping portion in the radial direction.

6. The tape repair jig for the slide fastener according to claim 5, whereinwhen the gripping portion is viewed from a side with the one surface as a lower surface, the gripping portion has a valley portion curved in an arc shape to protrude downward.

7. The tape repair jig for the slide fastener according to claim 6, whereinthe protruding portion is located at a center portion of the gripping portion in the width direction.

8. The tape repair jig for the slide fastener according to claim 1, whereinthe attachment portion is detachable from the slider.

9. The tape repair jig for the slide fastener according to claim 8, whereinthe attachment portion is a cord, and both end portions of the cord are embedded in the gripping portion.

10. A tape repair method for the slide fastener, whereinthe slide fastener includes:the pair of element rows extending in the front-rear direction and facing each other in the width direction;the pair of tapes separately fixed to the upper surfaces of the pair of element rows and extending in the front-rear direction, the pair of tapes configured to be in the good state and the defective state above the portion where the pair of element rows mesh with each other; andthe slider configured to mesh and separate the pair of element rows,in the good state, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other become the pair of raised portions that are separately raised to bulge upward and that are in close contact with each other in the width direction, and the groove portion that is recessed downward is formed between the pair of raised portions,in the defective state, the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other overlap with each other vertically, andwhen a portion in the good state and a portion in the defective state are present at the same time in the side edge portions of the pair of tapes that face each other, the tape repair jig according to claim 1 is used to repair the portion in the defective state to the good state by inserting the protruding portion into the groove portion in the good state and then passing the protruding portion through the portion in the defective state.

Images