Female snap button

Abstract

Provided is a metal female snap button which can be mass produced, which achieves high sustainability, which enables an increase in force of action, and a deformation part of which does not catch a garment or the like. The present invention relates to a metal female snap button (10, 20, 30) which can be attached to and detached from a male snap button (40) and which is constituted by a single component. The female snap button (10, 20, 30) comprises: a cylindrical part (11, 21, 31) that defines an engagement space (S) which can receive an engagement part (41) of the male snap button (40); a flange part (18, 28, 38) that extends radially outward from one axial-direction end of the cylindrical part (11, 21, 31); and a base part (19, 29, 39) that extends radially inward from the other axial-direction end of the cylindrical part (11, 21, 31). The cylindrical part (11, 21, 31) includes a plurality of slits (12, 22, 32, 12a, 12b, 12c) that extend in the axial direction of the cylindrical part (11, 21, 31) and that are provided along the circumferential direction; and a plurality of deformation parts (13, 23, 33) that elastically deform upon attachment / detachment to / from the male snap button (40). The slits (12, 22, 32, 12a, 12b, 12c) are non-continuous with each other. Each of the deformation parts (13, 23, 33) is defined between two slits (12, 22, 32, 12a, 12b, 12c) which are adjacent in the circumferential direction.

Description

Female snap button

[0001] The present invention relates to a female snap button, and more particularly to a single-piece metallic female snap button.

[0002] A commonly known female snap button is one that incorporates a wire spring into a metal snap button body. The wire spring elastically deforms when attaching or detaching from a male snap button and also increases the connecting force with the male snap button. However, this type of female snap button is composed of two parts: the snap button body and the wire spring. This requires molding the wire spring to fit a specific snap button body and then incorporating the wire spring into the snap button body, which makes it unsuitable for mass production. Another issue is that the use of a wire spring, in particular, reduces sustainability.

[0003] International Publication No. 2021 / 255942 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Publication No. 4,989,520 (Patent Document 2) disclose metal female snap buttons that do not use wire springs. The female snap buttons in Patent Documents 1 and 2 include multiple elastically deforming portions rising from a base portion. Each elastically deforming portion is separated from the flange portion and cover portion opposite the base portion. Each elastically deforming portion temporarily bends radially inward and outward when attached to or detached from a male snap button, with the center of this bending being the base end of each elastically deforming portion, i.e., the boundary with the base portion. Because this bending action centered on the base end is repeated, the above-mentioned female snap buttons have limitations on the bending force of the elastically deforming portions and the forces required for each of the on-action (the action of connecting the male snap button) and off-action (the action of disconnecting the male snap button), resulting in a problem of being unable to generate a certain amount of action force. Another problem is that the base end of each elastically deforming portion is prone to metal fatigue. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned female snap button, the end of the elastically deforming portion opposite the base end is discontinued from the flange portion and the cover portion, which presents the problem that clothing and the like can easily get caught on this end.

[0004] International Publication No. 2021 / 255942 Patent No. 4989520

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a metal female snap button that can be mass-produced, has high sustainability, can increase the action force, and does not catch on clothing or the like at the deformed portion.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, there is provided a female snap button (10, 20, 30) made of metal and consisting of a single component, which is detachable from a male snap button (40), and which comprises a cylindrical portion (11, 21, 31) defining an engagement space (S) capable of receiving an engagement portion (41) of the male snap button (40), a flange portion (18, 28, 38) extending radially outward from one axial end of the cylindrical portion (11, 21, 31), and a base portion (19, 29, 39) extending radially inward from the other axial end of the cylindrical portion (11, 21, 31), The tubular portion (11, 21, 31) includes a plurality of circumferentially arranged slits (12, 22, 32, 12a, 12b, 12c) extending in the axial direction of the tubular portion (11, 21, 31), and a plurality of deformation portions (13, 23, 33) that elastically deform when the male snap button (40) is attached to or detached from the tubular portion (11, 21, 31), and each of the slits (12, 22, 32, 12a, 12b, 12c) is discontinuous with one another, and each deformation portion (13, 23, 33) is defined between two circumferentially adjacent slits (12, 22, 32, 12a, 12b, 12c).

[0007] The female snap button of the present invention is made of a single component and does not use a separate wire spring, etc. This allows for mass production, is wireless, and is sustainable. The female snap button of the present invention is made of metal, such as, but not limited to, aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, copper alloy, iron, stainless steel, etc.

[0008] In the present invention, the tubular portion of the female snap button has a plurality of circumferential slits. Each slit penetrates the tubular portion in the thickness direction and extends in the axial direction of the tubular portion. The slits are discontinuous with one another; in other words, one slit is discontinuous with another circumferentially adjacent slit, and each slit is independent. One end of each slit is located at the flange portion end of the tubular portion, and the other end of each slit is located at the base portion end of the tubular portion, and each slit extends only between the flange portion end and the base portion end of the tubular portion.

[0009] In the present invention, the tubular portion of the female snap button includes multiple deformation portions that elastically deform when attached to or detached from the male snap button. Each deformation portion is defined between two circumferentially adjacent slits. As the female snap button is used, each deformation portion repeatedly flexes inward and outward in the radial direction, but each deformation portion is connected to the flange portion and the base portion, and the upper and lower ends of each deformation portion are supported by the flange portion and the base portion. As a result, the reduction in the bending force of each deformation portion and the force required for on-action and off-action is suppressed in the medium to long term, and metal fatigue of each deformation portion does not occur.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, all of the portions between two adjacent slits in the circumferential direction in the cylindrical portion can be defined as deformation portions. For example, if six slits are provided in the circumferential direction in the cylindrical portion, six portions between two slits are defined in the circumferential direction in the cylindrical portion. In one embodiment, all of these six portions between the slits can be defined as deformation portions.

[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, the tubular portion (11, 21) includes a non-deformable portion (14, 24) between two circumferentially adjacent deformable portions (13, 23) that does not deform when the male snap button (40) is attached to or detached from the tubular portion (11, 21). Each non-deformable portion is defined between two circumferentially adjacent slits. In this embodiment, in the example in which six slits define six circumferential spaces between two slits, three deformable portions and three non-deformable portions can be set alternately in the circumferential direction.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the deformed portions (13, 23, 33) has an engagement end (13a, 23b, 33a) that protrudes most radially inward. When the cylindrical portion includes a non-deformed portion, at least a portion of the deformed portion protrudes more radially inward than the non-deformed portion. The force required for action can be changed by increasing or decreasing the inner diameter of each deformed portion (e.g., the diameter passing through the engagement end that protrudes most radially). In addition, as described below, by changing the circumferential spacing between the deformed portions, the number of deformed portions, the presence or absence of a non-deformed portion, etc., the action force that changes based on the increase or decrease in the inner diameter of the deformed portion can be adjusted to a more desirable value.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the circumferential spacing of the non-deformed portions (14) is greater than the circumferential spacing of the deformed portions (13). In another embodiment of the present invention, the circumferential spacing of the deformed portions (23) is greater than the circumferential spacing of the non-deformed portions (24). In addition to increasing or decreasing the inner diameter of the deformed portions as described above, by changing the circumferential spacing of each deformed portion and each non-deformed portion in this way, it is possible to set and adjust an optimal action value taking into consideration the direction when connecting with a male snap button, etc.

[0014] In the present invention, the female snap button is made of a single component and does not use a separate wire spring or the like, making it suitable for mass production, wireless, and sustainable. Furthermore, each deformation portion of the tubular portion of the female snap button is defined between two circumferentially adjacent slits and connected to the flange portion and base portion. Therefore, even if each deformation portion repeatedly flexes over the medium to long term, the upper and lower ends of each deformation portion are supported by the flange portion and base portion, preventing a reduction in the bending force and the force required for on-action and off-action, and preventing metal fatigue in each deformation portion. Furthermore, clothing, etc., will not get caught on each deformation portion.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a female snap button 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the female snap button 10. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the female snap button 10 and the male snap button 40 in a connected state. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the female snap button 10 and the male snap button 40 in the process of being released from their connection. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a female snap button 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a side view taken along arrow B in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a plan view of a female snap button 30 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a side view taken along arrow D in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E in FIG. 9. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing a modified slit. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing another modified slit. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing yet another modified slit.

[0016] Several embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be modified within the scope of the claims. Figures 1 and 2 are a perspective view and a plan view of a female snap button 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 2. In the following description, the up and down directions of the female snap buttons 10, 20, and 30 will be determined based on the dimensions of the pages of Figures 3, 8, and 11.

[0017] The female snap button 10 is a single component manufactured by drawing a metal plate. The female snap button 10 comprises a tubular portion 11, a flange portion 18, and a base portion 19. The tubular portion 11 defines an internal engagement space S capable of receiving the engagement portion 41 of a male snap button 40 (see FIGS. 4 and 5 ). The flange portion 18 extends radially outward from the upper end, which is one axial end of the tubular portion 11. The flange portion 18 extends radially outward from the upper end of the tubular portion 11 at an inclined downward angle, then extends downward, and then terminates in a C-shaped bend radially inward. The base portion 19 extends radially inward from the lower end, which is the other axial end of the tubular portion 11. The base portion 19 is provided with a circular opening 19a. The opening 19a is for passing the shank of an attachment tool (not shown) through which the female snap button 10 is attached to fabric, such as clothing. The shaft portion that is passed through the opening 19 a into the cylindrical portion 11 is crimped to the base portion 19 .

[0018] In the first embodiment, for example, six linear slits 12 are formed in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 11. Each slit 12 extends in the axial direction of the tubular portion 11, i.e., vertically. Each slit 12 is discontinuous with one another. In other words, one slit 12 is discontinuous with another circumferentially adjacent slit 12, and each slit 12 is independent. Each slit 12 penetrates the tubular portion 11 in the thickness direction. That is, it penetrates between the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the tubular portion 11. Each slit 12 extends only between the upper and lower ends of the tubular portion 11. In other words, each slit 12 terminates at the upper end of the tubular portion 11 and at the lower end of the tubular portion 11. Each slit 12 is formed by shearing a metal material during the manufacturing of the female snap button 10; however, as described below, slits can also be formed by cutting a metal material.

[0019] The tubular portion 11 includes three deforming portions 13 that elastically deform when the male snap button 40 is attached to or detached from the tubular portion 11, and three non-deforming portions 14 that do not deform when the male snap button 40 is attached to or detached from the tubular portion 11, arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. Each deforming portion 13 and each non-deforming portion 14 is defined between two circumferentially adjacent slits 12. In other words, each deforming portion 13 and each non-deforming portion 14 is a portion of the tubular portion 11 between two circumferentially adjacent slits 12. Each deforming portion 13 and each non-deforming portion 14 is connected to a flange portion 18 at the top and to a base portion 19 at the bottom. Each deforming portion 13 is connected to the flange portion 18 and the base portion 19 over the entire circumferential interval, i.e., the entire interval between two circumferentially adjacent slits 12 that define each deforming portion 13.

[0020] In the female snap button 10, each deformed portion 13 is machined to be more convex radially inward than each non-deformed portion 14. Each deformed portion 13 has an engaging end 13a at its upper end, which protrudes most radially inward. Each deformed portion 13 has an upper inclined surface 13b extending from the engaging end 13a to the flange portion 18 and a lower inclined surface 13c extending from the engaging end 13a to the base portion 19. The upper inclined surface 13b and the lower inclined surface 13c protrude radially inward more than the non-deformed portion 14. In other words, the inner diameter of the tubular portion 11 along the deformed portion 13 gradually decreases from the upper end of the tubular portion 11 to the engaging end 13a at the upper inclined surface 13b, reaching a minimum at the engaging end 13a, and gradually increases from the engaging end 13a to the lower end of the tubular portion 11 at the lower inclined surface 13c. The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 11 along the non-deformable portion 14 is substantially constant between the upper end and the lower end of the cylindrical portion 11 .

[0021] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the female snap button 10 and male snap button 40 in a connected state. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the female snap button 10 and male snap button 40 in the process of being released from their connection. The male snap button 40 has an engagement portion 41 and a base portion 42. The engagement portion 41 includes a large-diameter portion 41a and a constricted portion 41b with a smaller diameter than the large-diameter portion 41a. The outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 41a is larger than the inner diameter along the engagement end 13a of the deformed portion 13 of the tubular portion 11 of the female snap button 10, but smaller than the inner diameter along the non-deformed portion 14. The female snap button 10 and male snap button 40 are connected by inserting the engagement portion 41 of the male snap button 40 into the engagement space S of the female snap button 10. When the engaging portion 41 of the male snap button 40 is inserted into the engaging space S of the female snap button 10, and when the engaging portion 41 is pulled out from the engaging space S, the large diameter portion 41a of the engaging portion 41 causes the deformed portion 13 of the female snap button 10 to temporarily elastically deform radially outward (see dotted line in Figure 5), and then returns to its original radially inward position.

[0022] In the female snap button 10 of the first embodiment, the action force can be changed and adjusted by increasing or decreasing the inner diameter passing through the engaging end 13a of each deformed portion 13. Furthermore, in the female snap button 10, the spacing between two circumferentially adjacent slits 12 is set larger in the non-deformed portion 14 than in the deformed portion 13. In the female snap button 10, the number of slits 12 is six, with three deformed portions 13 and three non-deformed portions 14. In addition to increasing or decreasing the inner diameter passing through the engaging end 13a of the deformed portion 13, the action force of the deformed portion 13 can be adjusted to a desired value by changing the circumferential spacing between each deformed portion 13 and each non-deformed portion 14. Furthermore, as the female snap button 10 is used, each deformed portion 13 repeatedly flexes inward and outward in the radial direction. However, because each deformed portion 13 is connected to the flange portion 18 and the base portion 19 and the upper and lower ends of each deformed portion 13 are supported by the flange portion 18 and the base portion 19, the force required for the action can be increased. Furthermore, clothing and the like will not get caught on the deformed portions 13 or the non-deformed portions 14. The advantages of the female snap button 10 as described above also apply to the female snap buttons 20 and 30 described below.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a female snap button 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a side view taken from the direction of arrow B in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 6. The female snap button 20 is made of metal as a single component and includes a cylindrical portion 21, a flange portion 28 extending radially outward from the upper end of the cylindrical portion 21, and a base portion 29 extending radially inward from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 21. The base portion 29 has an opening 29a for passing an attachment tool (not shown). The female snap button 20 differs from the female snap button 10 of the first embodiment in the cylindrical portion 21, but the flange portion 28 and base portion 29 are substantially the same as those of the female snap button 10.

[0024] For example, eight linear slits 22 are formed in the circumferential direction of the tubular portion 21. Each slit 22 extends in the axial direction of the tubular portion 21. Each slit 22 penetrates the tubular portion 21 in the thickness direction. The upper end of each slit 22 terminates at the upper end of the tubular portion 21, and the lower end of each slit 22 terminates at the lower end of the tubular portion 21. The tubular portion 21 includes four deformed portions 23 and four non-deformed portions 24, arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. Each deformed portion 23 and each non-deformed portion 24 is defined between two circumferentially adjacent slits 22. Each deformed portion 23 and each non-deformed portion 24 is connected to the flange portion 28 above and to the base portion 29 below over the entire circumferential distance. In the female snap button 20 of the second embodiment, the distance between two circumferentially adjacent slits 22 is set so that the deformed portion 23 is larger than the non-deformed portion 24.

[0025] In the female snap button 20, each deformed portion 23 includes a protruding portion 23a at its upper end that protrudes radially inward beyond each non-deformed portion 24. Each protruding portion 23a protrudes radially inward in a convexly curved cross section. Each protruding portion 23a has an engaging end 23b that protrudes most radially inward. The inner diameter of the tubular portion 21 along the non-deformed portion 24 is substantially constant between the upper and lower ends of the tubular portion 21. The lower portion of each deformed portion 23 other than the protruding portion 23a is located at the same radial position as the non-deformed portion 24 and does not protrude radially inward relative to the non-deformed portion 24. In other words, the inner diameter of the lower portion of the deformed portion 23 of the tubular portion 21 other than the protruding portion 23a is the same as the inner diameter of the non-deformed portion 24 of the tubular portion 21. When the male snap button 40 is attached or detached, the deformed portion 23 of the female snap button 20 bends radially inward or outward from the protruding portion 23a. Even if this bending is repeated over the medium to long term, each deformation portion 23 is connected to the flange portion 28 and the base portion 29 over the entire circumferential interval, so that the bending force of each deformation portion 23 and the force required for on-action and off-action are not reduced.

[0026] The female snap buttons 10 and 20 of the first and second embodiments described above include non-deformed portions 14 and 24 between two circumferentially adjacent deformed portions 13 and 23. However, the present invention also includes an embodiment that does not include a non-deformed portion. This embodiment will be described below. FIG. 9 is a plan view of a female snap button 30 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a side view as viewed from the arrow D in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E in FIG. 9. The female snap button 30 is made of metal as a single component and includes a cylindrical portion 31, a flange portion 38 extending radially outward from the upper end of the cylindrical portion 31, and a base portion 39 extending radially inward from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 31. The base portion 39 has an opening 39a for passing a mounting fixture (not shown). The female snap button 30 differs from the female snap buttons 10 and 20 of the first and second embodiments in the cylindrical portion 31, but the flange portion 38 and base portion 39 are substantially the same as those of the female snap buttons 10 and 20.

[0027] As an example, four linear slits 32 are provided in the tubular portion 31 at 90-degree intervals in the circumferential direction. Each slit 32 extends in the axial direction of the tubular portion 31. Each slit 32 penetrates the tubular portion 31 in the thickness direction. The upper end of each slit 32 terminates at the upper end of the tubular portion 31, and the lower end of each slit 32 terminates at the lower end of the tubular portion 31. The tubular portion 31 includes four deformed portions 33 defined between two circumferentially adjacent slits 32. In other words, in the female snap button 30, the entire tubular portion 31 is set as a deformed portion 33, and no non-deformed portion is provided. Each deformed portion 33 is connected to the flange portion 38 at the top and to the base portion 39 at the bottom over the entire circumferential interval.

[0028] In the female snap button 30, each deformation portion 33 has an engagement end 33a that protrudes most radially inward. The inner diameter of the tubular portion 31 gradually decreases from the flange portion 38 to the engagement end 33a and gradually increases from the engagement end 33a to the base portion 39. The cross section of each deformation portion 33 is curved and convex radially inward between the flange portion 38 and the engagement end 33a, and is linear between the engagement end 33a and the base portion 39. When the male snap button 40 is attached or detached, the deformation portion 33 of the female snap button 30 bends radially inward and outward from the engagement end 33a. Even if this bending is repeated over a medium to long period of time, the entire circumferential interval of each deformation portion 33 is connected to the flange portion 38 and the base portion 39, thereby minimizing the reduction in the bending force of each deformation portion 33 and the force required for on-action and off-action.

[0029] Figures 12 to 14 are cross-sectional views similar to Figure 3, illustrating modified slits. In Figures 12 to 14, the configuration other than the slits 12a, 12b, and 12c is essentially the same as that of the female snap button 10 shown in Figures 1 to 3, and therefore the reference numerals for the female snap button 10 are used in Figures 12 to 14. Note that the engaging end 13a and other components are omitted in Figures 12 to 14, and the tubular portion 11 in the cross sections of Figures 12 to 14 is shifted circumferentially compared to the cross section of Figure 3. The slit 12a shown in Figure 12 is a thick line that is long vertically. In other words, the slit 12a is a vertically elongated rectangular shape. This slit 12a is formed by cutting out the metal material during the manufacturing of the female snap button 10. The slit 12b shown in Figure 13 has a shape that slightly widens from the top and bottom ends toward the middle. In other words, the slit 12b is a shape that is formed by squeezing an oval to become elongated vertically. This slit 12b is also formed by cutting out the metal material during the manufacturing of the female snap button 10. The slit 12c shown in Figure 14 includes a circular cutout portion 12d at the bottom end. The slit 12c excluding the cutout portion 12d is formed by shearing the metal material, but the cutout portion 12d is also formed by cutting out the metal material.

[0030] 10, 20, 30 Female snap button 11, 21, 31 Cylindrical portion 12, 22, 32, 12a, 12b, 12c Slit 13, 23, 33 Deformed portion 13a, 23b, 33a Engagement end 23a Convex portion 14, 24 Non-deformed portion S Engagement space 40 Male snap button 41 Engagement portion

Claims

1. A female snap button (10, 20, 30) made of metal and consisting of a single part, which is detachable from a male snap button (40), comprising: a cylindrical portion (11, 21, 31) defining an engagement space (S) capable of receiving an engagement portion (41) of the male snap button (40); a flange portion (18, 28, 38) extending radially outward from one axial end of the cylindrical portion (11, 21, 31); and a base portion (19, 29, 39) extending radially inward from the other axial end of the cylindrical portion (11, 21, 31); The tubular portion (11, 21, 31) includes a plurality of circumferentially provided slits (12, 22, 32, 12a, 12b, 12c) extending in the axial direction of the tubular portion (11, 21, 31), and a plurality of deformation portions (13, 23, 33) which elastically deform when the male snap button (40) is attached to or detached from the male snap button (40), each of the slits (12, 22, 32, 12a, 12b, 12c) being discontinuous with one another, and each of the deformation portions (13, 23, 33) being a female snap button defined between two circumferentially adjacent slits (12, 22, 32, 12a, 12b, 12c).

2. A female snap button as described in claim 1, wherein the tubular portion (11, 21) includes a non-deformable portion (14, 24) between two circumferentially adjacent deformable portions (13, 23) that does not deform when attached to or detached from the male snap button (40).

3. A female snap button according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of said deformed portions (13, 23, 33) has an engagement end (13a, 23b, 33a) which protrudes most radially inward.

4. A female snap button as set forth in claim 2, wherein the circumferential spacing of said non-deformed portions (14) is greater than the circumferential spacing of said deformed portions (13).

5. A female snap button as set forth in claim 2, wherein the circumferential spacing of said deformed portions (23) is greater than the circumferential spacing of said non-deformed portions (24).

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