Reverse-opening slide fastener

Abstract

In an insertion completed state in which an upper slider (10A) and a lower slider (10B) are pulled down to a lowermost end and a pin (40) is inserted into the upper slider (10A) and the lower slider (10B) up to the lowermost end, pin projections (45, 47) are located below box projections (65, 67). The pin (40) is provided with accommodation sections (46, 48) that can accommodate the box projections (65, 67) and are provided further to the upper side of the pin (40) than the pin projections (45, 47). When the pin projections (45, 47) cross over the box projections (65, 67) at the time of insertion of the pin (40), the pin projections (45, 47) cross over the box projections (65, 67) from a first state in which the pin projections (45, 47) and the box projections (65, 67) are in a contacting state, and transition to a second state in which the contacting state is released or reduced, and the box projections (65, 67) are accommodated in the accommodation sections (46, 48).

Description

Reverse-opening slide zipper

[0001] The present invention relates to a reverse-opening slide fastener.

[0002] Conventionally, slide fasteners equipped with separable end stoppers such as box pins or butterfly pins have been widely used to open and close the left and right front body sections of clothing, for example. Also known as slide fasteners primarily used in long coats, skiwear, and the like, are slide fasteners that can separate the interlocked left and right element rows not only from the upper end of the fastener chain but also from the lower end in order to enhance the functionality and design of the clothing. Slide fasteners that can separate the interlocked element rows from both the upper and lower ends in this manner are called reverse-opening slide fasteners. An example of such a reverse-opening slide fastener is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-99975 (Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the slide fastener of Patent Document 1, for example, a case where a pair of left and right fastener stringers are opened (separated) and then meshed with a pair of left and right element rows to close the fastener stringers will be described.

[0004] First, a pair of upper and lower sliders attached to the element rows of one fastener stringer are slid to the lower end on the box pin side. Next, an insert pin is inserted into the pair of upper and lower sliders that have moved to the lower end. In this insertion operation, the insert pin is inserted from the shoulder of the upper slider into the element guide path of the upper slider and into the element guide path of the lower slider. Then, the locking piece of the box pin is accommodated in the insert pin accommodation portion, and the insert pin is fully inserted into the element guide path of the lower slider, completing the insert pin insertion operation. Thereafter, by sliding the upper slider upward along the element rows, the left and right element rows are interlocked and the slide fastener can be closed.

[0005] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-99975

[0006] In a conventional reverse-opening slide fastener such as that described in Patent Document 1, when closing a pair of left and right fastener stringers, as described above, the insert pin is inserted from the shoulder of the upper slider and inserted all the way into the element guide path of the lower slider.

[0007] However, in a reverse-opening slide fastener, when the insert pin is inserted into the element guide path of the upper and lower sliders via the shoulder of the upper slider, the position of the tip of the insert pin is hidden by the upper and lower sliders and cannot be seen. As a result, the insertion state of the insert pin must be grasped by feel, making it difficult to determine whether the insert pin has been inserted to the specified position. This has led to the problem that the upper slider may be slid when the insert pin is not fully inserted to the specified position.

[0008] If the insert pin is not fully inserted into the upper and lower sliders, and an attempt is made to slide the upper slider upward, the upper slider will get caught on the insert pin or the like and will not be able to slide. This means that the insert pin must be pulled out of the upper and lower sliders and reinserted, which is one of the causes of reduced operability of the reverse-opening slide fastener. Furthermore, if the upper slider is caught and cannot be slid as described above, some users may pull the upper slider forcefully, which could result in an incorrect combination.

[0009] To prevent such an event, it is desirable for the user to be able to recognize that the insert pin has been properly inserted into the upper and lower sliders and the box pin.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a reverse-opening slide fastener that allows the user to properly recognize that the insert pin has been inserted into the upper and lower sliders and the box pin.

[0011] The present invention achieves the above-mentioned object by the following configuration: [1] A reverse-opening slide fastener (1) comprising a pair of left and right first and second zipper stringers (30A, 30B), an insert pin (40) and a box pin (60) arranged to face each other at the lower end portions of the inner edges in the left and right direction of the first and second zipper stringers (30A, 30B), and an upper slider (10A) and a lower slider (10B) arranged with their rear openings (18a, 18b) facing each other in order to open and close the first and second zipper stringers (30A, 30B), wherein the insert pin (40) has insert pin protrusions (45, 47), and the box pin (60) has box pin protrusions (65, 67), In an insertion completion state in which the upper slider (10A) and the lower slider (10B) are pulled down to their lowest ends and the insert pin (40) is inserted into the upper slider (10A) and the lower slider (10B) to their lowest ends, the insert pin protrusions (45, 47) are located below the box pin protrusions (65, 67), and the insert pin (40) is provided with storage portions (46, 48) above the insert pin protrusions (45, 47) that can store the box pin protrusions (65, 67), a reverse-opening slide fastener (1) characterized in that, when the insert pin (40) is inserted, as the insert pin protrusions (45, 47) climb over the box pin protrusions (65, 67), a transition occurs from a first state in which the insert pin protrusions (45, 47) and the box pin protrusions (65, 67) are in contact with each other to a second state in which the insert pin protrusions (45, 47) climb over the box pin protrusions (65, 67), the contact state is released or reduced, and the box pin protrusions (65, 67) are stored in the storage sections (46, 48).

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a reverse-opening slide fastener that allows the user to properly recognize that the insert pin has been inserted into the upper and lower sliders and the box pin.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a front view of a reverse-opening slide fastener according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a view from the front side showing a state in which the insert pin has begun to be inserted into the upper and lower sliders. FIG. 2B is a view from the back side showing a state in which the insert pin has begun to be inserted into the upper and lower sliders. FIG. 3A is a view from the front side showing a state in which the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion have begun to come into contact. FIG. 3B is a view from the back side showing a state in which the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion have begun to come into contact. FIG. 4A is a view from the front side showing a state in which the insert pin protrusion has climbed over the box pin protrusion. FIG. 4B is a view from the back side showing a state in which the insert pin protrusion has climbed over the box pin protrusion. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the insert pin. FIG. 5B is a view from the front side of the insert pin. FIG. 5C is a view from the back side of the insert pin. FIG. 5D is a view of the insert pin from the left and right inner sides. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the box pin. FIG. 6B is a view of the box pin from the front side. FIG. 6C is a view of the box pin from the back side. FIG. 6D is a view of the box pin from the left and right inner side. FIG. 7A is a view from the front side showing the insert pin starting to be inserted into the upper and lower sliders. FIG. 7B is a view from the back side showing the insert pin starting to be inserted into the upper and lower sliders. FIG. 8A is a view from the front side showing the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion starting to come into contact. FIG. 8B is a view from the back side showing the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion starting to come into contact. FIG. 9A is a view from the front side showing the insert pin protrusion climbing over the box pin protrusion. FIG. 9B is a view from the back side showing the insert pin protrusion climbing over the box pin protrusion. FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the insert pin. FIG. 10B is a view of the insert pin from the front side. FIG. 10C is a view of the insert pin from the back side. FIG. 10D is a view of the insert pin from the left and right inner side. Fig. 11A is a view from the front side showing the state where the insert pin has begun to be inserted into the upper and lower sliders. Fig. 11B is a view from the back side showing the state where the insert pin has begun to be inserted into the upper and lower sliders. Fig. 12A is a view from the front side showing the state just before the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion come into contact. Fig. 12B is a view from the back side showing the state just before the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion come into contact. Fig. 13A is a view from the front side showing the state where the insert pin protrusion has climbed over the box pin protrusion. Fig. 13B is a view from the back side showing the state where the insert pin protrusion has climbed over the box pin protrusion. Fig. 14A is a view from the front side showing the state where the insert pin has been completely inserted. Fig. 14B is a view from the back side showing the state where the insert pin has been completely inserted.FIG. 15A is a perspective view of the insert pin. FIG. 15B is a view of the insert pin from the front side. FIG. 15C is a view of the insert pin from the back side. FIG. 15D is a view of the insert pin from the left and right inner side. FIG. 16A is a perspective view of the box pin. FIG. 16B is a view of the box pin from the front side. FIG. 16C is a view of the box pin from the back side. FIG. 16D is a view of the box pin from the left and right inner side. FIG. 17A is a view of the insert pin as it begins to be inserted into the upper and lower sliders, as seen from the front side. FIG. 17B is a view of the insert pin as it begins to be inserted into the upper and lower sliders, as seen from the back side. FIG. 18A is a view of the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion just before they come into contact, as seen from the front side. FIG. 18B is a view of the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion just before they come into contact, as seen from the back side. FIG. 19A is a view of the insert pin protrusion climbing over the box pin protrusion, as seen from the front side. FIG. 19B is a view from the back side showing a state in which the insert pin protrusion has climbed over the box pin protrusion. FIG. 20A is a perspective view of the insert pin. FIG. 20B is a view of the insert pin from the front side. FIG. 20C is a view of the insert pin from the back side. FIG. 20D is a view of the insert pin from the left and right inner side. FIG. 21A is a perspective view of the box pin. FIG. 21B is a view of the box pin from the front side. FIG. 21C is a view of the box pin from the back side. FIG. 21D is a view of the box pin from the left and right inner side. FIG. 22A is a view from the front side showing a state in which the insert pin has begun to be inserted into the upper and lower sliders. FIG. 22B is a view from the back side showing a state in which the insert pin has begun to be inserted into the upper and lower sliders. FIG. 23A is a view from the front side showing a state immediately before the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion come into contact. FIG. 23B is a view from the back side showing a state immediately before the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion come into contact. Fig. 24A is a view from the front side showing the insert pin protrusion climbing over the box pin protrusion. Fig. 24B is a view from the back side showing the insert pin protrusion climbing over the box pin protrusion. Fig. 25A is a perspective view of the insert pin. Fig. 25B is a view of the insert pin seen from the front side. Fig. 25C is a view of the insert pin seen from the back side. Fig. 25D is a view of the insert pin seen from the left and right inside.

[0014] Hereinafter, a reverse-opening slide fastener according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0015] In this specification, the "vertical direction" refers to the sliding direction of the slider, the longitudinal direction of the slide fastener or fastener stringer, and the insertion / removal direction of the insert pin relative to the slider or box pin. The "vertical direction" refers to the vertical direction in FIG. 1. Of the "vertical direction," the direction in which the upper slider slides to interlock the left and right element rows is particularly referred to as "upward," and the direction in which the upper slider slides to separate the left and right element rows is particularly referred to as "downward." The direction in which the lower slider slides to interlock the left and right element rows is particularly referred to as "downward," and the direction in which the lower slider slides to separate the left and right element rows is particularly referred to as "upward."

[0016] The "left-right direction" is the direction in which a pair of element rows are arranged, the direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slider, and can also be referred to as the width direction of the slide fastener, fastener stringer, element, insert pin, and box pin. The "left-right direction" is the left-right direction in Figure 1.

[0017] Furthermore, the "front-to-back direction" is a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the left-to-right direction, and can also be rephrased as the thickness direction of the slide fastener, fastener stringer, element, insert pin, and box pin. The "front-to-back direction" is the depth direction of the paper surface of Figure 1.

[0018] [First embodiment] A reverse-opening slide fastener according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a front view of a reverse-opening slide fastener 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] The reverse-opening slide fastener 1 shown in Fig. 1 is an opening / closing device that enables opening and closing of the left and right front body sections of, for example, a jacket or a long coat. As shown in Fig. 1, the reverse-opening slide fastener 1 includes a pair of left and right first and second fastener stringers (hereinafter, fastener stringers may also be simply referred to as "stringers") 30A, 30B, an insert pin 40 and a box pin 60 that are arranged facing each other at the lower ends of the inner edges in the left and right directions of the first and second stringers 30A, 30B, and an upper slider 10A and a lower slider 10B that are arranged with their rear openings 18a, 18b facing each other in the vertical direction to open and close the first and second stringers 30A, 30B.

[0020] Each of the first and second stringers 30A, 30B includes a strip-shaped fastener tape (hereinafter also simply referred to as "tape") 31a, 31b that is long in the vertical direction, a fastener element (hereinafter also simply referred to as "element") 32 attached along the inner edge portion, which is the edge portion on the opening / closing side in the width direction of each tape 31a, 31b, and an upper stop 33 attached to the upper part of the inner edge portion of each tape 31a, 31b and restricting the upward movement of the upper slider 10A.

[0021] Hereinafter, the tape 31a constituting the first stringer 30A may be referred to as the "first tape," and the tape 31b constituting the second stringer 30B may be referred to as the "second tape." In this example, the first and second tapes 31a, 31b are made of woven or knitted polyamide fiber, polyester fiber, acrylic fiber, or the like, but are not limited to these. In addition, the elements 32 are not limited to those in which each element is independent, and may be coil elements.

[0022] 2A to 4B chronologically show the insert pin 40 being inserted into the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B when the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B are slid to their lowest ends. FIG. 2A is a view from the front side showing the state where the insert pin has begun to be inserted into the upper and lower sliders. FIG. 2B is a view from the back side showing the state where the insert pin has begun to be inserted into the upper and lower sliders. FIG. 3A is a view from the front side showing the state where the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion have begun to come into contact. FIG. 3B is a view from the back side showing the state where the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion have begun to come into contact. FIG. 4A is a view from the front side showing the state where the insert pin protrusion has overcome the box pin protrusion. FIG. 4B is a view from the back side showing the state where the insert pin protrusion has overcome the box pin protrusion.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B each include a slider body 11a and 11b and a pull tab 12a and 12b connected to the slider body 11a and 11b. Also referring to Figs. 2A to 4B, the slider body 11a and 11b include a front blade 13a and 13b disposed on the front side of the first and second stringers 30A and 30B, and a rear blade 14a and 14b disposed on the rear side of the first and second stringers 30A and 30B. The front blades 13a and 13b and the rear blades 14a and 14b are connected to each other by guide posts 15a and 15b extending in the front-rear direction at the shoulders 19a and 19b of the front blades 13a and 13b and the center in the left-right direction. By providing the guide posts 15a, 15b, Y-shaped element guide paths 17a, 17b that bifurcate toward the shoulder openings 19a, 19b are defined inside the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B between the front blades 13a, 13b and the rear blades 14a, 14b. The shoulder openings 19a, 19b of the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B are provided on the side where the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B move to engage the element rows of the slide fastener 1 (the side where the slide fastener 1 is closed). That is, the shoulder opening 19a is provided at the top of the upper slider 10A, and the shoulder opening 19b is provided at the bottom of the lower slider 10B. The rear openings 18a, 18b of the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B are provided on the side where the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B move to separate the element rows of the slide fastener 1 (the side where the slide fastener 1 is opened). That is, the rear opening 18a is provided at the bottom of the upper slider 10A, and the rear opening 18b is provided at the top of the lower slider 10B.

[0024] Reference numerals 16a and 16b in FIG. 1 denote pull tab holders to which the pull tabs 12a and 12b are connected, and the pull tab holders 16a and 16b are protruded from the front blades 13a and 13b.

[0025] 1, when the lower ends of the first and second stringers 30A, 30B are connected by the insert pin 40 and box pin 60 (described in detail below), when a user holds the pull tab 12a and moves the upper slider 10A upward, the left and right elements 32 pass through the element guide paths 17a, 17b between the front and rear vanes 13a, 14a and engage with each other, closing the space between the first and second stringers 30A, 30B. When the upper slider 10A is moved downward, the left and right elements 32 are disengaged, opening the space between the first and second stringers 30A, 30B. When a user holds the pull tab 12b and moves the lower slider 10B upward, the left and right elements 32 are disengaged from each other, opening the space between the first and second stringers 30A, 30B. When the lower slider 10B is moved downward, the left and right elements 32 are passed through the element guide paths 17a, 17b between the front and rear blades 13b, 14b and meshed with each other, closing the gap between the first and second stringers 30A, 30B.

[0026] The front and rear blades 13a, 13b or the rear blades 14a, 14b are provided with flanges extending in the front-rear direction at their left and right edges. The flanges in this embodiment include front blade flanges 20a, 20b that protrude from the left and right edges of the front blades 13a, 13b toward the rear blades 14a, 14b (rear side), and rear blade flanges 21a, 21b that protrude from the left and right edges of the rear blades 14a, 14b toward the front blades 13a, 13b (front side).

[0027] The front blade flange portions 20a, 20b are arranged on the rear opening 18a, 18b side and include straight flange portions 20c, 20d that extend linearly in the vertical direction, and inclined flange portions 20e, 20f that are connected to the straight flange portions 20c, 20d and incline outward in the horizontal direction as they approach the shoulder openings 19a, 19b side.

[0028] The rear blade flange portions 21a, 21b are arranged on the rear opening 18a, 18b side and include straight flange portions 21c, 21d that extend linearly in the vertical direction, and inclined flange portions 21e, 21f that are connected to the straight flange portions 21c, 21d and incline outward in the horizontal direction as they approach the shoulder openings 19a, 19b.

[0029] In this embodiment, the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B have substantially the same shape, and when the upper slider 10A is rotated 180 degrees in a plane perpendicular to the front-to-back direction, it takes on the shape of the lower slider 10B. Therefore, when the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B are brought into contact with each other as shown in Figures 2A to 4B, the element guide paths (rear openings 18a and 18b) of the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B communicate with each other.

[0030] A gap (not shown) exists between the front and rear blade flanges 20a, 20b and the rear blade flanges 21a, 21b in the front-to-back direction, and this gap is the minimum distance between the front and rear blades 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b. This minimum distance is smaller than the maximum thickness of the element 32, insert pin 40, and box pin 60 in the front-to-back direction, and is larger than the thickness of the first and second tapes 31a, 31b. This prevents the left and right elements 32, insert pin 40, and box pin 60 from falling out of the element guide paths 17a, 17b of the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B, and allows the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B to slide on the first and second tapes 31a, 31b.

[0031] Next, the insert pin 40 and the box pin 60 will be described. The insert pin 40 and the box pin 60 are formed, for example, by injection molding or extrusion molding a thermoplastic resin such as polyacetal, polyamide, polypropylene, or polybutylene terephthalate onto the lower end portions of the left and right inner edges of the left and right tapes 31a and 31b. The lower end portions of the left and right tapes 31a and 31b from which the insert pin 40 and the box pin 60 are formed may be tape reinforcement portions reinforced with thermoplastic resin. The tape reinforcement portions are formed by welding a thermoplastic resin film such as polyamide or polyethylene to the lower end portions of the left and right tapes 31a and 31b by ultrasonic processing or by penetrating and solidifying a thermoplastic resin liquid.

[0032] The insert pin 40 and the box pin 60 can be connected and disconnected from each other. Figure 1 shows the disconnected state of the insert pin 40 and the box pin 60, and Figures 2A to 4B show enlarged views of the insert pin 40 and the box pin 60 connected within the element guide paths 17a, 17b of the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B.

[0033] Fig. 5A is a perspective view of the insert pin. Fig. 5B is a view of the insert pin from the front side. Fig. 5C is a view of the insert pin from the back side. Fig. 5D is a view of the insert pin from the left and right inside. Fig. 6A is a perspective view of the box pin. Fig. 6B is a view of the box pin from the front side. Fig. 6C is a view of the box pin from the back side. Fig. 6D is a view of the box pin from the left and right inside.

[0034] 1, the insert pin 40 is disposed below the element 32 at the lower end of the inner edge in the left-right direction of the first fastener stringer 30A, and is formed in a thin rod shape along the tape 31a. In order to facilitate the insert pin 40 being inserted diagonally from above into the element guide paths 17a, 17b of the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B, the upper and lower ends of the insert pin 40 are curved to the left (the opposite side to the box pin 60), and the insert pin 40 as a whole has a bow shape when viewed from the front and back.

[0035] As shown in Figures 5A to 5D, the insert pin 40 has a front surface 40A and a back surface 40B which are approximately flat surfaces, left and right inner side surfaces 40C (side surfaces toward the left and right center of the slide fastener 1), left and right outer side surfaces 40D, an upper side surface 40E, and a lower side surface 40F.

[0036] The left and right outer side surfaces 40D of the insert pin 40 are the parts that come into sliding contact with the flange portions (front blade flange portions 20a, 20b and rear blade flange portions 21a, 21b) of the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B when the insert pin 40 is inserted into the element guide paths 17a, 17b of the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B.

[0037] A concave locking recess 41 is formed on the back surface 40B side of the upper part of the left and right inner side surfaces 40C of the insert pin 40. This locking recess 41 is a portion that engages with a locking protrusion 61 of a box pin 60 (described later) to stop the insert pin 40 at the lowest end when the insert pin 40 is inserted into the element guide paths 17a, 17b of the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B arranged at the lowest end as shown in Figures 2A to 4D.

[0038] A bulge 42 bulging in the left-right direction is formed on the upper portion of the left and right inner side surfaces 40C of the insert pin 40, on the surface 40A side of the locking recess 41. The bulge 42 is generally triangular when viewed from the front and back. The left-right inner surface 42a of the bulge 42 has a tapered shape in which its width dimension gradually increases toward the top. As a result, when the lower slider 10B is slid upward from the bottom end, the left-right inner surface 42a of the bulge 42 comes into sliding contact with the guide post 15b of the lower slider 10B, and functions as a guide surface that opens the insert pin 40 to the left.

[0039] An engaging protrusion 43 is formed on the left-right inner side of the upper surface 40E of the insert pin 40, which engages with an engaging recess 32a (see Figures 2A to 4D) provided in the engaging head of the element 32 at the lowest end of the second fastener stringer 30B.

[0040] A slope 44 is formed at the lower end of the front surface 40A of the insert pin 40, gradually inclining the front surface 40A toward the back surface 40B as it extends downward. When inserting the insert pin 40 into the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B, the foremost slope 44 functions as a guide surface, allowing for smooth insertion.

[0041] 6A to 6D, the box pin 60 is disposed below the element 32 at the lower end of the inner edge in the left-right direction of the second fastener stringer 30B, and is formed in a thin rod shape along the tape 31b. In order to facilitate the element guide paths 17a, 17b of the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B being inserted obliquely from above into the box pin 60, the upper and lower ends of the box pin 60 are curved to the right (the opposite side to the insert pin 40), and the box pin 60 as a whole has a bow shape.

[0042] 1, the box pin 60 positions the lower slider 10B at the lowest end of the second fastener stringer 30B, and also connects at its lowest end the insert pin 40 inserted into the element guide paths 17a, 17b of the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B. The lower slider 10B is disposed closer to the insert pin 40 and box pin 60 than the upper slider 10A. The upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B are disposed so that their rear openings 18a, 18b face each other.

[0043] As shown in Figures 6A to 6D, the box pin 60 has a front surface 60A and a back surface 60B which are approximately flat surfaces, left and right inner side surfaces 60C (side surfaces on the left and right center side of the slide fastener 1), left and right outer side surfaces 60D, an upper side surface 60E, and a lower side surface 60F.

[0044] The left and right outer side surfaces 60D of the box pin 60 are the parts against which the flange portions (front wing plate flange portions 20a, 20b and rear wing plate flange portions 21a, 21b) of the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B slide when the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B are slid to their lowest end positions, which are the end positions on the box pin 60 side.

[0045] Stopper portions 62a, 62b protruding in the front-to-back direction are provided at the lower ends of the front surface 60A and the back surface 60B of the box pin 60. These stopper portions 62a, 62b abut against the front blade 13b and the rear blade 14b of the lower slider 10B to prevent the lower slider 10B from falling off from below.

[0046] The left and right inner side surfaces 40C of the box pin 60 are arranged on the opposite side from the left and right outer side surfaces 40D and are surfaces facing the insert pin 40. On the back surface 60B side of the upper end of the left and right inner side surfaces 40C, a triangular locking protrusion 61 protrudes to the left (toward the insert pin 40) when viewed from the front and back direction. The locking protrusion 61 is a part that engages with the locking recess 41 of the insert pin 40 when the insert pin 40 is inserted into the element guide paths 17a, 17b of the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B arranged at the lowest end, and stops the insert pin 40 at the lowest end. Therefore, the locking protrusion 61 of the box pin 60 and the locking recess 41 of the insert pin 40 have similar shapes.

[0047] The upper surface 61a of the locking protrusion 61, on which the element 32 is located, is substantially flat. The sloped surface 61b of the locking protrusion 61, which faces the insert pin 40, is shaped so that the width of the locking protrusion 61 gradually increases upward. The sloped surface 61b functions as an inclined guide surface that slides against the guide post 15b of the lower slider 10B and opens the box pin 60 to the right when the lower slider 10B is slid upward from the bottom end.

[0048] Next, the insert pin protrusion 45 of the insert pin 40 and the box pin protrusion 65 of the box pin 60 will be described.

[0049] 5A to 5D, insert pin protrusions 45 that protrude toward the box pin 60 are provided on the left and right inner side surfaces 40C of the insert pin 40. The insert pin protrusions 45 are provided on the front surface 40A of the left and right inner side surfaces 40C, but not on the back surface 40B. This prevents the insert pin protrusions 45 from interfering with the locking protrusions 61 provided on the back surface 60B of the upper end of the box pin 60 when the insert pin 40 is inserted into the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B.

[0050] The insert pin protrusion 45 is located in the vertical middle of the insert pin 40. More specifically, the top 45a of the insert pin protrusion 45 is closer to the bisector L1 (see FIG. 5D ) that bisects the insert pin 40 in the vertical direction than the upper surface 40E or the lower surface 40F. In the illustrated example, the upper end of the insert pin protrusion 45 overlaps the bisector L1. In this way, by forming the insert pin protrusion 45 near the vertical center of the insert pin 40 in the bow-shaped insert pin 40, a shape that is advantageous in terms of strength is obtained.

[0051] The insertion process of the insert pin 40 into the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B will be described later with reference to Figures 2A to 4B. Figures 4A and 4B show the state in which the insertion of the insert pin 40 is completed. In this inserted state, the top 45a of the insert pin protrusion 45 is positioned at the same vertical position as a portion of the linear flange portions 20c, 20d, 21c, and 21d of the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B. That is, it is preferable that the top 45a of the insert pin protrusion 45 is positioned between a line L3 that passes through the upper ends of the linear flange portions 20c and 20d of the upper slider 10A and extends in the left-right direction, and a line L4 that passes through the lower ends of the linear flange portions 21c and 21d of the lower slider 10B and extends in the left-right direction. In the illustrated example, the top 45a of the insert pin protrusion 45 is positioned at the same vertical position as the lower portions of the linear flange portions 20d and 21d of the lower slider 10B. Even with this configuration, the insert pin 40 has an arched shape, and the insert pin protrusion 45 is formed near the center in the vertical direction of the insert pin 40, resulting in a shape that is advantageous in terms of strength. Furthermore, the top 45a of the insert pin protrusion 45 is positioned in the narrowest straight portion of the element guide paths 17a, 17b, so the insert pin protrusion 45 and the box pin protrusion 65 can be reliably abutted against each other, providing a clicking sensation.

[0052] The insert pin projection 45 includes an upper inclined surface 45b connecting its upper end to the apex 45a, and a lower inclined surface 45c connecting the apex 45a to its lower end. The upper inclined surface 45b is inclined downward so as to extend toward the box pin 60 (right side). The lower inclined surface 45c is inclined downward so as to extend toward the opposite side from the box pin 60 (left side). The inclination of the lower inclined surface 45c in the vertical direction is greater than the inclination of the upper inclined surface 45b.

[0053] As a result, when the insert pin 40 is pulled out from the fully inserted state shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the upper inclined surface 45b of the insert pin protrusion 45, which has a smaller inclination, comes into contact with the box pin protrusion 65, so that the insert pin 40 is gently guided by the upper inclined surface 45b, allowing the insert pin 40 to be pulled out smoothly.

[0054] The insert pin 40 is provided with a storage section 46 above the insert pin protrusion 45 that can store the box pin protrusion 65. The storage section 46 in this embodiment is provided in a range above the insert pin protrusion 45 and below the bulge 42 on the surface 40A side of the left and right inner side surfaces 40C. As shown in FIG. 4A , when the insert pin protrusion 45 passes over the box pin protrusion 65 and insertion of the insert pin 40 is complete, the box pin protrusion 65 is stored in the storage section 46 of the insert pin 40. In the illustrated example, the storage section 46 has a substantially flat shape, but the shape of the storage section 46 is not particularly limited as long as it can substantially store the box pin protrusion 65, and it may be concave, for example.

[0055] 6A to 6D, box pin protrusions 65 that protrude toward the insert pin 40 are provided on left and right inner side surfaces 60C of the box pin 60. The box pin protrusions 65 are provided on the front surface 60A side of the left and right inner side surfaces 60C.

[0056] As described above, the insert pin protrusion 45 is provided on the front surface 40A side of the insert pin 40, and similarly, the box pin protrusion 65 is provided on the front surface 60A side. When the insert pin 40 is inserted, the insert pin protrusion 45 and the box pin protrusion 65 at least partially overlap when viewed from the top-bottom direction, which is the insertion and removal direction of the insert pin 40. Therefore, when the insert pin 40 is inserted, the insert pin protrusion 45 and the box pin protrusion 65 come into contact. Note that the insert pin protrusion 45 and the box pin protrusion 65 press against each other in the top-bottom and left-right directions, so they never overlap in the front-back direction (they never overlap when viewed from the front-back direction).

[0057] The box pin protrusion 65 is located in the vertical center of the box pin 60. More specifically, the top 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 is closer to the bisector L2 (see FIG. 6D ), which bisects the box pin 60 in the vertical direction, than the upper surface 60E or the lower surface 60F. In the illustrated example, the lower end of the box pin protrusion 65 is located slightly above the bisector L2. In this way, by forming the box pin protrusion 65 near the vertical center of the box pin 60, the bow-shaped box pin 60 has an advantageous shape in terms of strength.

[0058] 2A to 4B, the process of inserting the insert pin 40 into the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B will be described later. Figures 4A and 4B show a state in which the insertion of the insert pin 40 has been completed. In this state in which the insertion has been completed, the top 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 is positioned at the same position in the vertical direction as a portion of the linear flange portions 20c, 20d, 21c, and 21d of the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B. That is, it is preferable that the top 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 be positioned between a line L3 that passes through the upper ends of the linear flange portions 20c and 20d of the upper slider 10A and extends in the left-right direction, and a line L4 that passes through the lower ends of the linear flange portions 21c and 21d of the lower slider 10B and extends in the left-right direction. In the illustrated example, the top 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 is located at the same vertical position as the vertical middle portion of the linear flange portions 20d, 21d of the lower slider 10B. This configuration also allows the box pin protrusion 65 to be formed near the vertical center of the bow-shaped box pin 60, resulting in a shape advantageous in terms of strength. Furthermore, since the top 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 is located in the narrowest linear portion of the element guide passages 17a, 17b, the insert pin protrusion 45 and the box pin protrusion 65 can be reliably abutted against each other, providing a clicking sensation. To provide a clicking sensation, the box pin protrusion 65 needs to be sized to reliably abut against the insert pin protrusion 45. However, since the top 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 is located in the narrowest linear portion of the element guide passages 17a, 17b, the size of the box pin protrusion 65 does not need to be larger than necessary.

[0059] The box pin projection 65 includes an upper inclined surface 65b connecting its upper end to the apex 65a, and a lower inclined surface 65c connecting the apex 65a to its lower end. The upper inclined surface 65b is inclined downward so as to extend toward the insert pin 40 (left side). The lower inclined surface 65c is inclined downward so as to extend toward the opposite side from the insert pin 40 (right side). Here, the inclination of the lower inclined surface 65c in the vertical direction is greater than the inclination of the upper inclined surface 65b.

[0060] As a result, when the insert pin 40 is inserted, the insert pin protrusion 45 comes into contact with the upper inclined surface 65b of the box pin protrusion 65, which has a small inclination, and after climbing over the upper inclined surface 65b of the box pin protrusion 65, the contact state is suddenly released or reduced by the lower inclined surface 65c, which has a large inclination, thereby providing a strong clicking sensation.

[0061] On the left and right inner side surfaces 60C of the box pin 60, grooves 66 are formed below the box pin protrusions 65, recessed on the opposite side (right side) from the insert pin 40. The upper ends of the grooves 66 are continuous with the lower inclined surfaces 65c of the box pin protrusions 65. The grooves 66 accommodate the insert pin protrusions 45 that have climbed over the box pin protrusions 65.

[0062] Next, the manner in which the insert pin 40 is connected to the box pin 60 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 4B.

[0063] When connecting the insert pin 40 to the box pin 60, first, the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B are pulled down to the lowest position as shown in Figures 2A and 2B. In this state, the box pin 60 is positioned within the element guide paths 17a, 17b of the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B. The box pin protrusion 65 protrudes toward the insert pin 40 from the left-right center M of the slide fastener 1. In this state, the insert pin 40 begins to be inserted from the shoulder opening 19a of the upper slider 10A, with the lower surface 40F leading.

[0064] As the insert pin 40 continues to be inserted, the insert pin protrusion 45 comes into contact with the box pin protrusion 65 that protrudes toward the insert pin 40 from the left-right center M. This contact state between the insert pin protrusion 45 and the box pin protrusion 65 when the insert pin protrusion 45 climbs over the box pin protrusion 65 is sometimes referred to as a first state. Figures 3A and 3B show the state in which the top 45a of the insert pin protrusion 45 and the upper inclined surface 65b of the box pin protrusion 65 are in contact.

[0065] As described above, the insert pin protrusion 65 protrudes toward the insert pin 40 from the left-right center M of the slide fastener 1, so the insert pin 40 can be inserted and removed more smoothly than when the insert pin protrusion 45 protrudes toward the box pin 60 from the left-right center M. For example, when the insert pin protrusion 45 protrudes toward the box pin 60 from the left-right center M, the insert pin protrusion 45 needs to be formed relatively large, so there is a possibility that the insert pin 40 will get caught on the guide pillar 15a of the upper slider 10A or the like when being inserted or removed.

[0066] The top 45a of the insert pin protrusion 45 is located closer to the insert pin 40 than the left-right center M of the slide fastener 1. This allows the insert pin 40 to be inserted and removed smoothly.

[0067] Furthermore, the box pin protrusion 65 has a larger width in the left-right direction than the insert pin protrusion 45. According to this configuration, the insert pin 40 can be inserted and removed more smoothly than when the insert pin protrusion 45 is made to protrude more in the left-right direction than the box pin protrusion 65.

[0068] 3A and 3B , if the insert pin 40 is further inserted, the insert pin protrusion 45 will climb over the box pin protrusion 65, and the contact state will be released or alleviated, resulting in a transition to a second state in which the box pin protrusion 65 is stored in the storage section 46, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B . Therefore, the resistance and sound produced when the insert pin protrusion 45 climbs over the box pin protrusion 65 gives the user a sense of insertion or a click, as if the insert pin 40 is securely fitted, and the user can properly recognize that the insert pin 40 has been inserted into the box pin 60.

[0069] In the illustrated example, the second state in which the box pin protrusion 65 is housed in the housing portion 46 is approximately equivalent to the fully inserted state in which the insert pin 40 is inserted all the way to the bottom. Strictly speaking, the fully inserted state is when the insert pin 40 is further inserted downward from the second state and the locking recess 41 of the insert pin 40 and the locking protrusion 61 of the box pin 60 come into contact and engage with each other.

[0070] The insert pin protrusion 45 and the box pin protrusion 65 never overlap each other in the front-to-back direction from the start of insertion of the insert pin 40 until the insertion is completed. In other words, the insert pin protrusion 45 and the box pin protrusion 65 reliably press against each other in the vertical or horizontal direction, providing a clicking sensation.

[0071] In particular, when inserting the insert pin 40, the insert pin protrusion 45 comes into contact with the upper inclined surface 65b of the box pin protrusion 65, which has a small inclination, and after climbing over the upper inclined surface 65b of the box pin protrusion 65, the contact state is abruptly released or reduced by the lower inclined surface 65c, which has a large inclination, thereby providing a strong clicking sensation.

[0072] Conversely, when the insert pin 40 is pulled out, the upper inclined surface 45b of the insert pin projection 45, which has a small inclination, comes into contact with the box pin projection 65, so that the insert pin 40 can be pulled out smoothly.

[0073] As described above, the top 45a of the box pin protrusion 65 is located at the same vertical position as a portion of the linear flange portions 20c, 20d, 21c, and 21d of the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B. This positions the top 45a of the box pin protrusion 65 near the vertical center of the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B (near the rear openings 18a and 18b). Therefore, after the insert pin 40 is inserted through the shoulder opening 19a of the upper slider 10A, it passes over the box pin protrusion 65 at a certain speed, achieving both smooth insertion and the generation of a clicking sensation. Furthermore, the top 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 is located near the rear openings 18a and 18b, where the element guide paths 17a and 17b of the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B are narrowest, so the top 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 can be positioned closer to the insert pin 40. Therefore, contact and interference between the insert pin protrusion 45 and the box pin protrusion 65 is reliably generated when the insert pin 40 is inserted, providing a more reliable clicking sensation. If the top 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 were formed near the inclined flange portions 20e, 21e of the upper slider 10A (above the line L3), the insert pin 40 would interfere with the box pin protrusion 65 immediately after being inserted into the upper slider 10A, potentially impairing smooth insertion. Furthermore, because the width of the element guide path 17a is relatively large, there is a possibility that contact between the insert pin protrusion 45 and the box pin protrusion 65 will not occur when the insert pin 40 is inserted. To ensure this contact, the box pin protrusion 65 would need to be enlarged. However, this embodiment does not exclude the adoption of this configuration if it can solve the above problem. Furthermore, if the top 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 is formed near the inclined flange portions 20f, 21f of the lower slider 10B (below the straight line L4), the width of the element guide path 17b is relatively large, so there is a possibility that contact between the insert pin protrusion 45 and the box pin protrusion 65 will not occur when the insert pin 40 is inserted, and in order to cause this contact to occur, the box pin protrusion 65 needs to be made larger. However, this embodiment does not exclude the adoption of this configuration as long as it can solve the above problem.

[0074] Furthermore, in the fully inserted state, the top 45a of the insert pin protrusion 45 is located near the vertical center of the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B (near the rear openings 18a and 18b). As a result, in the insert pin 40 which is generally formed in a bow shape to match the shape of the upper and lower sliders 10 and 10B, the insert pin protrusion 45 is formed near the vertical center of the insert pin 40 which is most advantageous in terms of strength.

[0075] 4A , when the left-right width of the box pin 60 at the top 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 is A, the left-right width of the insert pin 40 at the top 45a of the insert pin protrusion 45 is B, and the left-right width of the interior (element guide paths 17a, 17b) of the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B at the straight flange portions 20c, 20d, 21c, and 21d is C, then A + B > C. Therefore, when the insert pin 40 is inserted, the insert pin protrusions 45 located near the straight flange portions 20c, 20d, 21c, and 21d always come into contact with the box pin protrusion 65, ensuring a clicking sensation. Furthermore, after the insert pin 40 is completely inserted, the insert pin protrusions 45 and the box pin protrusion 65 can be maintained in an engaged state.

[0076] 4A, when the width of the box pin 60 in the left-right direction at the top 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 is A and the minimum width of the interior (element guide path 17a, 17b) of the upper slider 10A or the lower slider 10B between the inclined flange portions 20e, 21e and the guide posts 15a, 15b is D, D > A. This allows the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B to slide to the lowest end of the slide fastener 1 while the box pin 60 passes through the interior.

[0077] [Second embodiment] Next, a reverse-opening slide fastener according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The slide fastener of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the insert pin 40, but other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same parts are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted or simplified.

[0078] 7A to 9B show, in time sequence, the insertion of the insert pin 40 into the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B in a state in which the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B are slid to their lowest ends in the second embodiment. FIG. 7A is a view from the front side showing the state in which the insert pin has begun to be inserted into the upper and lower sliders. FIG. 7B is a view from the back side showing the state in which the insert pin has begun to be inserted into the upper and lower sliders. FIG. 8A is a view from the front side showing the state in which the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion have begun to come into contact. FIG. 8B is a view from the back side showing the state in which the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion have begun to come into contact. FIG. 9A is a view from the front side showing the state in which the insert pin protrusion has overcome the box pin protrusion. FIG. 9B is a view from the back side showing the state in which the insert pin protrusion has overcome the box pin protrusion.

[0079] Fig. 10A is a perspective view of the insert pin. Fig. 10B is a view of the insert pin seen from the front side. Fig. 10C is a view of the insert pin seen from the back side. Fig. 10D is a view of the insert pin seen from the left and right inside. Note that the box pin 60 is the same as in the first embodiment, so please refer to Figs. 6A to 6D for details of the structure of the box pin 60.

[0080] 10A to 10D, insert pin protrusions 45 that protrude toward the box pin 60 are provided on the left and right inner side surfaces 40C of the insert pin 40 according to the second embodiment. The insert pin protrusions 45 are provided across the entire width of the left and right inner side surfaces 40C in the front-to-back direction.

[0081] The insert pin protrusion 45 is located in the vertical middle of the insert pin 40. More specifically, the top 45a of the insert pin protrusion 45 is closer to the bisector L1 (see FIG. 10D ) that vertically bisects the insert pin 40 than the upper surface 40E or the lower surface 40F. In this way, by forming the insert pin protrusion 45 near the vertical center of the insert pin 40 in the bow-shaped insert pin 40, the shape is advantageous in terms of strength.

[0082] 9A and 9B show the insert pin 40 in a state where insertion is complete. In this inserted state, the apex 45a of the insert pin protrusion 45 is positioned at the same vertical position as a portion of the linear flange portions 20c, 20d, 21c, and 21d of the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B. That is, it is preferable that the apex 45a of the insert pin protrusion 45 be positioned vertically between a line L3 that passes through the upper ends of the linear flange portions 20c and 20d of the upper slider 10A and extends in the left-right direction, and a line L4 that passes through the lower ends of the linear flange portions 21c and 21d of the lower slider 10B and extends in the left-right direction. Even with this configuration, the insert pin protrusion 45 is formed near the vertical center of the insert pin 40, which has a bowed shape, resulting in a shape that is advantageous in terms of strength. Furthermore, since the top 45a of the insert pin projection 45 is located in the narrowest straight portion of the element guide paths 17a, 17b, the insert pin projection 45 and the box pin projection 65 can be reliably brought into contact with each other, providing a clicking sensation.

[0083] The insert pin projection 45 includes an upper inclined surface 45b connecting its upper end to the apex 45a and a lower flat surface 45d connecting the apex 45a to its lower end. The upper inclined surface 45b slopes downward so as to extend toward the box pin 60 (right side). The lower flat surface 45d slopes downward so as to extend toward the opposite side from the box pin 60 (left side).

[0084] The insert pin 40 is provided with a storage section 46 above the insert pin protrusion 45 that can store the box pin protrusion 65. In this embodiment, the storage section 46 is configured as a groove that is recessed across the entire width of the left and right inner side surfaces 40C in the front-to-back direction. The storage section 46 is connected to the upper inclined surface 45b of the insert pin protrusion 45. As shown in FIG. 9A , when the insert pin protrusion 45 passes over the box pin protrusion 65 and insertion of the insert pin 40 is completed, the box pin protrusion 65 is stored in the storage section 46 of the insert pin 40.

[0085] Even when the insert pin 40 configured as described above is used, as shown in Figures 7A to 9B, the insert pin 40 can be inserted into the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B and connected to the box pin 60 in the same manner as in the first embodiment (see Figures 2A to 4B).

[0086] More specifically, when connecting the insert pin 40 to the box pin 60, first, the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B are pulled down to the lowest position as shown in Figures 7A and 7B. In this state, the insert pin 40 is inserted from the shoulder opening 19a of the upper slider 10A, with the lower surface 40F leading.

[0087] As the insert pin 40 continues to be inserted, the insert pin protrusion 45 comes into contact with the box pin protrusion 65 that protrudes toward the insert pin 40 from the left-right center M. Figures 8A and 8B show the insert pin protrusion 45 and the box pin protrusion 65 in contact with each other.

[0088] 8A and 8B , if the insert pin 40 is further inserted, the insert pin protrusion 45 will climb over the box pin protrusion 65, and the contact state will be released or alleviated, resulting in a transition to a second state in which the box pin protrusion 65 is stored in the storage section 46, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B . Therefore, the resistance and sound produced when the insert pin protrusion 45 climbs over the box pin protrusion 65 gives the user a sense of insertion or a click, as if the insert pin 40 is securely fitted, and the user can properly recognize that the insert pin 40 has been inserted into the box pin 60.

[0089] In addition, in the second embodiment (see FIG. 9A), the left-right width B of the insert pin 40 at the top 45a of the insert pin protrusion 45 is shorter than in the first embodiment (see FIG. 4A), which improves the insert pin 40's insertability into the box pin 60.

[0090] Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0091] [Third embodiment] Next, a reverse-opening slide fastener according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The slide fastener of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the insert pin 40 and the box pin 60, but other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same parts are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted or simplified.

[0092] 11A to 14B chronologically show states in which the insert pin 40 is inserted into the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B in a state in which the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B are slid to the bottom end in the third embodiment. FIG. 11A is a view from the front side showing a state in which the insert pin has begun to be inserted into the upper and lower sliders. FIG. 11B is a view from the back side showing a state in which the insert pin has begun to be inserted into the upper and lower sliders. FIG. 12A is a view from the front side showing a state immediately before the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion come into contact. FIG. 12B is a view from the back side showing a state immediately before the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion come into contact. FIG. 13A is a view from the front side showing a state in which the insert pin protrusion has overcome the box pin protrusion. FIG. 13B is a view from the back side showing a state in which the insert pin protrusion has overcome the box pin protrusion. FIG. 14A is a view from the front side showing a state in which the insert pin insertion has been completed. FIG. 14B is a view from the back side showing the state in which the insertion of the insert pin is completed.

[0093] Fig. 15A is a perspective view of the insert pin. Fig. 15B is a view of the insert pin from the front side. Fig. 15C is a view of the insert pin from the back side. Fig. 15D is a view of the insert pin from the left and right inside. Fig. 16A is a perspective view of the box pin. Fig. 16B is a view of the box pin from the front side. Fig. 16C is a view of the box pin from the back side. Fig. 16D is a view of the box pin from the left and right inside.

[0094] 15A to 15D, insert pin protrusions 45 that protrude toward the box pin 60 are provided on the left and right inner side surfaces 40C of the insert pin 40 according to the third embodiment. The insert pin protrusions 45 are provided across the entire width of the left and right inner side surfaces 40C in the front-to-back direction.

[0095] The insert pin protrusion 45 is located at the bottom of the insert pin 40. More specifically, the top 45a of the insert pin protrusion 45 is closer to the lower surface 40F in the vertical direction than the bisector L1 (see FIG. 15D ) that bisects the insert pin 40 in the vertical direction. By arranging the insert pin protrusion 45 at the bottom of the insert pin 40 in this way, the amount of protrusion of the insert pin protrusion 45 in the left-right direction is reduced, which has the effect of improving the ease of insertion of the insert pin 40 into the box pin 60.

[0096] 14A and 14B show the state in which the insertion of the insert pin 40 is complete. In this inserted state, the top 45a of the insert pin protrusion 45 is positioned at the same position in the up-down direction as a part of the inclined flange portion 21f of the lower slider 10B. That is, the top 45a of the insert pin protrusion 45 is positioned below a line L4 that passes through the lower ends of the linear flange portions 21c, 21d of the lower slider 10B and extends in the left-right direction. Furthermore, because the left-right width B of the insert pin 40 at the top 45a of the insert pin protrusion 45 is shorter than in the first embodiment (see FIG. 4A ), the insert pin 40 can be easily inserted into the box pin 60.

[0097] The insert pin projection 45 includes an upper inclined surface 45b connecting its upper end to the apex 45a and a lower inclined surface 45c connecting the apex 45a to its lower end. The upper inclined surface 45b slopes downward so as to extend toward the box pin 60 (right side). The lower inclined surface 45c slopes downward so as to extend toward the opposite side from the box pin 60 (left side).

[0098] The insert pin 40 is provided with a storage portion 46 above the insert pin protrusion 45 that can store the box pin protrusion 65. In this embodiment, the storage portion 46 is configured as a groove that is recessed across the entire width of the left and right inner side surfaces 40C in the front-to-back direction. The storage portion 46 is connected to the upper inclined surface 45b of the insert pin protrusion 45. As shown in Figures 13A and 13B, when the insert pin protrusion 45 rides over the box pin protrusion 65, the box pin protrusion 65 is stored in the storage portion 46 of the insert pin 40.

[0099] 16A to 16D, box pin protrusions 65 that protrude toward the insert pin 40 are provided on the left and right inner side surfaces 60C of the box pin 60. The box pin protrusions 65 are provided across the entire width of the left and right inner side surfaces 60C in the front-to-back direction.

[0100] The box pin protrusion 65 is located in the vertical center of the box pin 60. More specifically, the top 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 is closer to the bisector L2 (see FIG. 16D ), which bisects the box pin 60 in the vertical direction, than the upper surface 60E or the lower surface 60F. In the illustrated example, the lower end of the box pin protrusion 65 is located slightly below the bisector L2. In this way, by forming the box pin protrusion 65 near the vertical center of the box pin 60, the bow-shaped box pin 60 has an advantageous shape in terms of strength.

[0101] 14A and 14B show the state in which the insertion of the insert pin 40 is complete. In this inserted state, the apex 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 is positioned at the same position in the up-down direction as a part of the inclined flange portion 21f of the lower slider 10B. In other words, the apex 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 is positioned below a line L4 that passes through the lower ends of the linear flange portions 21c, 21d of the lower slider 10B and extends in the left-right direction. This configuration has the effect of suppressing the amount of protrusion of the insert pin protrusion 45 in the left-right direction and improving the insert pin 40's insertability into the box pin 60.

[0102] The box pin projection 65 includes an upper inclined surface 65b connecting its upper end to the apex 65a, and a lower inclined surface 65c connecting the apex 65a to its lower end. The upper inclined surface 65b is inclined downward so as to extend toward the insert pin 40 (left side). The lower inclined surface 65c is inclined downward so as to extend toward the opposite side from the insert pin 40 (right side). Here, the inclination of the lower inclined surface 65c in the vertical direction is greater than the inclination of the upper inclined surface 65b.

[0103] As a result, when the insert pin 40 is inserted, the insert pin protrusion 45 comes into contact with the upper inclined surface 65b of the box pin protrusion 65, which has a smaller inclination. After the insert pin 40 passes over the upper inclined surface 65b of the box pin protrusion 65, the contact state is released or reduced by the lower inclined surface 65c, which has a larger inclination. This provides a clicking sensation. As shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B , the insert pin protrusion 45 and the box pin protrusion 65 are set to protrude less in the left-right direction than in the above embodiment, and when the insert pin 40 is fully inserted, the insert pin protrusion 45 and the box pin protrusion 65 do not overlap with the left-right center M. That is, the top 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 is located closer to the box pin 60 than the left-right center M, and the top 45a of the insert pin protrusion 45 is located closer to the insert pin 40 than the left-right center M. Therefore, when the insert pin 40 is inserted, the insert pin protrusion 45 does not come into strong contact with the box pin protrusion 65, but rather the user feels the insert pin protrusion 45 sliding over the box pin protrusion 65.

[0104] On the left and right inner side surfaces 60C of the box pin 60, grooves 66 are formed below the box pin protrusions 65, recessed on the opposite side (right side) from the insert pin 40. The upper ends of the grooves 66 are continuous with the lower inclined surfaces 65c of the box pin protrusions 65. The grooves 66 accommodate the insert pin protrusions 45 that have climbed over the box pin protrusions 65.

[0105] Notches 69 are provided on the left and right inner side surfaces 60C of the box pin 60 above the box pin protrusions 65, recessed toward the opposite side (right side) from the insert pin 40. The notches 69 are located in the vertical middle of the box pin 60. More specifically, the notches 69 are closer to the bisector L2 (see FIG. 16D ), which vertically bisects the box pin 60, than the upper surface 60E or the lower surface 60F. In the illustrated example, the notches 69 are located slightly above the bisector L2.

[0106] Even when the insert pin 40 and box pin 60 configured as described above are used, as shown in Figures 11A to 14B, the insert pin 40 can be inserted into the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B and connected to the box pin 60 in the same manner as in the first embodiment (see Figures 2A to 4B).

[0107] 11A and 11B, when connecting the insert pin 40 to the box pin 60, first, the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B are pulled down to the lowest position. In this state, the insert pin 40 is inserted from the shoulder opening 19a of the upper slider 10A, with the lower surface 40F leading the way.

[0108] As the insert pin 40 continues to be inserted, the insert pin protrusion 45 comes into contact with the box pin protrusion 65 that protrudes toward the insert pin 40 from the left-right center M. Figures 12A and 12B show the state just before the insert pin protrusion 45 and the box pin protrusion 65 come into contact.

[0109] 13A and 13B , when the insert pin 40 is further inserted from the first state (contact state) between the insert pin protrusion 45 and the box pin protrusion 65, the insert pin protrusion 45 moves over the box pin protrusion 65, the contact state is released or reduced, and the box pin protrusion 65 transitions to a second state in which it is stored in the storage portion 46. Therefore, the resistance and sound produced when the insert pin protrusion 45 moves over the box pin protrusion 65 give the user a sense of insertion or a click, as if the insert pin 40 is securely fitted, and the user can properly recognize that the insert pin 40 has been inserted into the box pin 60. Then, when the insert pin 40 is further inserted, the locking recess 41 and the locking protrusion 61 engage, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B , and the insertion is complete.

[0110] Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0111] [Fourth embodiment] Next, a reverse-opening slide fastener according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The slide fastener of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the insert pin 40 and the box pin 60, but other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same parts are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted or simplified.

[0112] 17A to 19B chronologically show states in which the insert pin 40 is inserted into the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B when the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B are slid to the bottom ends in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 17A is a view from the front side showing the state where the insert pin has begun to be inserted into the upper and lower sliders. FIG. 17B is a view from the back side showing the state where the insert pin has begun to be inserted into the upper and lower sliders. FIG. 18A is a view from the front side showing the state just before the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion come into contact. FIG. 18B is a view from the back side showing the state just before the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion come into contact. FIG. 19A is a view from the front side showing the state where the insert pin protrusion has overcome the box pin protrusion. FIG. 19B is a view from the back side showing the state where the insert pin protrusion has overcome the box pin protrusion.

[0113] Fig. 20A is a perspective view of the insert pin. Fig. 20B is a view of the insert pin from the front side. Fig. 20C is a view of the insert pin from the back side. Fig. 20D is a view of the insert pin from the left and right inside. Fig. 21A is a perspective view of the box pin. Fig. 21B is a view of the box pin from the front side. Fig. 21C is a view of the box pin from the back side. Fig. 21D is a view of the box pin from the left and right inside.

[0114] In the first to third embodiments, the clicking sensation is generated by the insert pin protrusion 45 and the box pin protrusion 65 that protrude in the left-right direction, but in the fourth embodiment, the clicking sensation is generated by the second insert pin protrusion 47 and the second box pin protrusion 67 that protrude in the front-to-back direction. As shown in Figures 20A to 20D, the second insert pin protrusion 47 protrudes to one side in the front-to-back direction (the back side), and as shown in Figures 21A to 21D, the second box pin protrusion 67 protrudes to the other side in the front-to-back direction (the front side). As will be described in detail later, the second insert pin protrusion 47 moves over the second box pin protrusion 67 when inserting the insert pin 40, allowing the user to feel the clicking sensation.

[0115] As shown in Figures 20A to 20D, the configuration of the insert pin 40 of the fourth embodiment is substantially the same as that of the insert pin 40 of the first embodiment (Figures 5A to 5D), except for the second insert pin protrusion 47. However, since the box pin 60 is not provided with a box pin protrusion 65 (Figures 6A to 6D) that protrudes in the left-right direction, the insert pin protrusion 45 that protrudes in the left-right direction of the insert pin 40 of this embodiment does not become the part that produces a clicking sensation when the insert pin 40 is inserted. The insert pin protrusion 45 can be stored in the recess 68 of the box pin 60.

[0116] The insert pin 40 of this embodiment is formed with a second insert pin protrusion 47 that protrudes from the back side to provide a clicking sensation when the insert pin 40 is inserted. The second insert pin protrusion 47 is formed on the back surface 42b of the bulging portion 42. The back surface 42b of the bulging portion 42 also forms the front bottom surface 41b of the locking recess 41. The second insert pin protrusion 47 extends along the boundary between the back surface 42b and the left-right inner surface 42a (the left-right inner side surfaces 40C of the insert pin 40), and has a long, narrow, convex embankment-like shape.

[0117] 20D , the dimension of the second insert pin protrusion 47 in the front-to-back direction is set to be sufficiently smaller than the dimension of the locking recess 41, and is set to, for example, approximately one-fifth or less of the dimension of the locking recess 41 in the front-to-back direction. This dimension of the second insert pin protrusion 47 in the front-to-back direction can also be called the amount of protrusion of the second insert pin protrusion 47 in the front-to-back direction, and is set so that a desired clicking sensation is obtained when the second box pin protrusion 67 climbs over the second insert pin protrusion 47.

[0118] The lower part of the second insert pin protrusion 47 is provided without any gaps all the way to the lower end 42c of the back surface 42b of the bulging portion 42 and the lower end 41a of the locking recess 41. In this way, by extending the lower part of the second insert pin protrusion 47, which is on the leading side when the insert pin 40 is inserted, all the way to the lower ends 42c and 41a, the second insert pin protrusion 47 reliably comes into contact with the second box pin protrusion 67, providing a clicking sensation.

[0119] On the other hand, a gap S is interposed between the upper end 47a of the second insert pin protrusion 47 and the upper end 42d of the back surface 42b of the bulging portion 42 and the upper surface 41c of the locking recess 41. The position where this gap S is formed is a portion where the second box pin protrusion 67 does not pass when the insert pin 40 is inserted and does not contribute to the clicking sensation, so the second insert pin protrusion 47 is not formed. However, as in a fifth embodiment described below, the second insert pin protrusion 47 may be extended to the upper end 42d or the upper surface 41c to fill the gap S.

[0120] The insert pin 40 is provided with a second storage section 48 capable of storing the second box pin protrusion 67 above the second insert pin protrusion 47. The second storage section 48 can also be said to be the inside of the locking recess 41 after climbing over the second insert pin protrusion 47, on the back surface 42b of the bulge 42 or the front bottom surface 41b of the locking recess 41.

[0121] Although it has been described that the second storage section 48 is provided "above the second insert pin protrusion 47," "above the second insert pin protrusion 47" here means above the portion of the second insert pin protrusion 47 that the second box pin protrusion 67 comes into contact with and rides over, in other words, above the portion of the second insert pin protrusion 47 that contributes to the click feeling. Therefore, the second storage section 48 only needs to be above the portion of the second insert pin protrusion 47 that the second box pin protrusion 67 rides over and contributes to the click feeling, and does not necessarily have to be located above the entire second insert pin protrusion 47.

[0122] As shown in Figures 21A to 21D, the configuration of the box pin 60 of the fourth embodiment is substantially the same as the box pin 60 of the first embodiment (Figures 6A to 6D), except that the second box pin protrusion 67 and the recess 68 are provided and the box pin protrusion 65 is not provided.

[0123] In the box pin 60 of this embodiment, a second box pin protrusion 67 protruding from the front side is formed in place of the box pin protrusion 65 protruding in the left-right direction in order to obtain a clicking sensation when inserting the insert pin 40. The second box pin protrusion 67 is formed on the surface 61 c of the locking protrusion 61.

[0124] The second box pin protrusion 67 is a convex portion formed on the surface 61c at the boundary between the top surface 61a (upper surface 60E of the box pin 60) and the corners of the inclined surfaces 61b (left and right inner side surfaces 60C of the box pin 60). Therefore, when viewed from the front side as shown in Figure 21B, the second box pin protrusion 67 is formed on the upper left part of the surface 61c of the locking protrusion 61, and the portion from the upper right part to the lower part where the second box pin protrusion 67 is not formed is approximately flat.

[0125] 17A to 19B, with the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B positioned at the lowest end, the second box pin protrusion 67 is positioned closer to the insert pin 40 than the left-right center M of the slide fastener 1. In this way, since the second box pin protrusion 67 is positioned beyond the left-right center M, when the insert pin 40 is inserted, the second box pin protrusion 67 and the second insert pin protrusion 47 interfere with each other, providing a clicking sensation.

[0126] Recesses 68 are provided on the left and right inner side surfaces 60C of the box pin 60. The recesses 68 are provided on the front surface 60A side of the left and right inner side surfaces 60C. The recesses 68 are located in the vertical middle of the box pin 60. More specifically, the recesses 68 are closer to the bisector L2 (see FIG. 21D ), which vertically bisects the box pin 60, than the upper surface 60E or the lower surface 60F. In the illustrated example, the lower end of the recesses 68 is located slightly above the bisector L2. The insert pin protrusion 45 can be accommodated in the recesses 68.

[0127] Next, with reference to FIGS. 17A to 19B, the manner in which the insert pin 40 is connected to the box pin 60 will be described.

[0128] When connecting the insert pin 40 to the box pin 60, first, the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B are pulled down to the lowest position as shown in Figures 17A and 17B. In this state, the box pin 60 is positioned within the element guide paths 17a, 17b of the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B. The box pin protrusion 65 is positioned closer to the insert pin 40 than the left-right center M of the slide fastener 1. In this state, the insert pin 40 begins to be inserted from the shoulder opening 19a of the upper slider 10A, with the lower surface 40F leading.

[0129] As the insert pin 40 continues to be inserted, the second insert pin protrusion 47 comes into contact with the second box pin protrusion 67, which is located closer to the insert pin 40 than the center M in the left-right direction and protrudes toward the surface. This contact state between the second insert pin protrusion 47 and the second box pin protrusion 67 when the second insert pin protrusion 47 climbs over the second box pin protrusion 67 is sometimes referred to as a first state. Figures 18A and 18B show the state just before the second insert pin protrusion 47 and the second box pin protrusion 67 come into contact.

[0130] Here, as described above, the second box pin protrusion 67 is positioned closer to the insert pin 40 than the left-right center M of the slide fastener 1, so the insert pin 40 can be inserted and removed more smoothly than when the second insert pin protrusion 47 is positioned closer to the box pin 60 than the left-right center M. For example, when the second insert pin protrusion 47 is positioned closer to the box pin 60 than the left-right center M, the insert pin 40 needs to be formed relatively large in the left-right direction, so there is a possibility that the insert pin 40 will get caught on the guide pillar 15a of the upper slider 10A or the like when being inserted or removed.

[0131] The second insert pin protrusion 47 is located closer to the insert pin 40 than the left-right center M of the slide fastener 1. This allows the insert pin 40 to be inserted and removed smoothly.

[0132] 19A and 19B , when the insert pin 40 is further inserted from the first state (contact state) between the second insert pin protrusion 47 and the second box pin protrusion 67, the second insert pin protrusion 47 moves over the second box pin protrusion 67, the contact state is released or alleviated, and the second box pin protrusion 67 transitions to a second state in which it is stored in the second storage section 48. Therefore, the resistance and sound produced when the second insert pin protrusion 47 moves over the second box pin protrusion 67 gives the user a sense of insertion or a clicking sensation, as if the insert pin 40 is securely fitted, and the user can properly recognize that the insert pin 40 has been inserted into the box pin 60.

[0133] Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0134] [Fifth Embodiment] Next, a reverse-opening slide fastener according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The slide fastener of this embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in the box pin 60, but other configurations are substantially the same as those of the fourth embodiment. Therefore, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted or simplified.

[0135] 22A to 24B chronologically show states in which the insert pin 40 is inserted into the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B in a state in which the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B are slid to the bottom end in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 22A is a view from the front side showing the state in which the insert pin has begun to be inserted into the upper and lower sliders. FIG. 22B is a view from the back side showing the state in which the insert pin has begun to be inserted into the upper and lower sliders. FIG. 23A is a view from the front side showing the state immediately before the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion come into contact. FIG. 23B is a view from the back side showing the state immediately before the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion come into contact. FIG. 24A is a view from the front side showing the state in which the insert pin protrusion has overcome the box pin protrusion. FIG. 24B is a view from the back side showing the state in which the insert pin protrusion has overcome the box pin protrusion.

[0136] Fig. 25A is a perspective view of the insert pin. Fig. 25B is a view of the insert pin seen from the front side. Fig. 25C is a view of the insert pin seen from the back side. Fig. 25D is a view of the insert pin seen from the left and right inside. Note that the box pin 60 is the same as in the fourth embodiment, so please refer to Figs. 21A to 21D for details of the structure of the box pin 60.

[0137] In the above-described fourth embodiment, a gap S (see FIGS. 20A to 20D) was present between the upper end 47a of the second insert pin protrusion 47 and the upper end 42d of the back surface 42b of the bulging portion 42 and the upper surface 41c of the locking recess 41. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the upper end 47a of the second insert pin protrusion 47 extends to the upper end 42d and the upper surface 41c so as to fill the gap S.

[0138] Next, Figures 22A to 24B show how the insert pin 40 connects with the box pin 60, but since the function and effect are similar to those of the fourth embodiment (Figures 17A to 19B), detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0139] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications and improvements can be made as appropriate within the scope of feasibility.

[0140] As described above, the present specification discloses the following:

[0141] [1] A reverse-opening slide fastener (1) comprising a pair of left and right first and second zipper stringers (30A, 30B); an insert pin (40) and a box pin (60) arranged to face each other at the lower end portions of the inner edges in the left and right direction of the first and second zipper stringers (30A, 30B); and an upper slider (10A) and a lower slider (10B) arranged with their rear openings (18a, 18b) facing each other in order to open and close the first and second zipper stringers (30A, 30B), wherein the insert pin (40) has insert pin protrusions (45, 47), the box pin (60) has box pin protrusions (65, 67), In an insertion completion state in which the upper slider (10A) and the lower slider (10B) are pulled down to their lowest ends and the insert pin (40) is inserted into the upper slider (10A) and the lower slider (10B) to their lowest ends, the insert pin protrusions (45, 47) are located below the box pin protrusions (65, 67), and the insert pin (40) is provided with storage portions (46, 48) above the insert pin protrusions (45, 47) that can store the box pin protrusions (65, 67), a reverse-opening slide fastener (1) characterized in that, when the insert pin (40) is inserted, as the insert pin protrusions (45, 47) climb over the box pin protrusions (65, 67), a transition occurs from a first state in which the insert pin protrusions (45, 47) and the box pin protrusions (65, 67) are in contact with each other to a second state in which the insert pin protrusions (45, 47) climb over the box pin protrusions (65, 67), the contact state is released or reduced, and the box pin protrusions (65, 67) are stored in the storage sections (46, 48).

[0142] According to this configuration, the user can get a sense of insertion or a clicking sensation as if the insert pin (40) is securely fitted into the box pin (60) due to the resistance and sound produced when the insert pin protrusion (45) overcomes the box pin protrusion (65), and can properly recognize that the insert pin (40) has been inserted into the box pin (60).

[0143] [2] The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) described in [1], wherein the insert pin protrusion (45) protrudes toward the box pin (60), and when the upper slider (10A) and the lower slider (10B) are pulled down to their lowest ends, the box pin protrusion (65) protrudes toward the insert pin (40) further than the left-right center (M) of the reverse-opening slide fastener (1).

[0144] According to this configuration, the box pin protrusion (65) protrudes toward the insert pin (40) from the left-right center (M) of the slide fastener (1), so the insert pin (40) can be inserted and removed more smoothly than when the insert pin protrusion (45) protrudes toward the box pin (60) from the left-right center (M). For example, when the insert pin protrusion (45) protrudes toward the box pin (60) from the left-right center (M), the insert pin protrusion (45) needs to be formed relatively large, so there is a possibility that it may get caught on a guide post (15a) of the upper slider (10A) or the like when inserting or removing the insert pin (40).

[0145] [3] The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to [2], wherein the butterfly pin protrusion (45) and the box pin protrusion (65) do not overlap in the front-to-back direction.

[0146] According to this configuration, the insert pin protrusion (45) and the box pin protrusion (65) never overlap each other in the front-to-back direction from the start of insertion of the insert pin (40) until the insertion is completed. In other words, the insert pin protrusion (45) and the box pin protrusion (65) reliably press against each other in the up-down direction or the left-to-right direction, providing a clicking sensation.

[0147] [4] The upper slider (10A) and the lower slider (10B) each comprise: front blades (13a, 13b) arranged on the front side of the first and second fastener stringers (30A, 30B); rear blades (14a, 14b) arranged on the back side of the first and second fastener stringers (30A, 30B); guide posts (15a, 15b) extending in the front-to-back direction and connecting the front blades (13a, 13b) and the rear blades (14a, 14b) at the shoulder (19a, 19b) sides; and flange portions (20a, 20b, 21a, 21b) extending in the front-to-back direction from both left and right edges of the front blades (13a, 13b) or the rear blades (14a, 14b), wherein the flange portions (20a, 20b, 21a, 21b)

[0023] A reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to [2] or [3], comprising: straight flange portions (20c, 20d, 21c, 21d) arranged on the rear opening (18a, 18b) side and extending linearly in the vertical direction; and inclined flange portions (20e, 20f, 21e, 21f) connected to the straight flange portions (20c, 20d, 21c, 21d) and inclined outward in the horizontal direction toward the shoulder openings (19a, 19b), wherein, in the insertion-completed state, a part of the straight flange portions (20c, 20d, 21c, 21d) of the upper slider (10A) or the lower slider (10B) and a top (65a) of the box pin projection (65) are at the same position in the vertical direction.

[0148] According to this configuration, the top (45a) of the box pin protrusion (65) is located near the vertical center (near the rear openings 18a, 18b) of the upper and lower sliders (10A, 10B). Therefore, after the insert pin (40) is inserted through the shoulder opening (19a) of the upper slider (10A), it passes over the box pin protrusion (65) at a certain speed, achieving both smooth insertion and a clicking sensation. Furthermore, since the top (65a) of the box pin protrusion (65) is located near the rear openings (18a, 18b) where the element guide paths (17a, 17b) of the upper and lower sliders (10A, 10B) are narrowest, the top (65a) of the box pin protrusion (65) can be positioned closer to the insert pin (40). Therefore, contact and interference between the insert pin protrusion (45) and the box pin protrusion (65) is reliably generated when the insert pin (40) is inserted, resulting in a more reliable clicking sensation.

[0149] [5] The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) described in [4], wherein, in the insertion-completed state, the top of the butterfly pin protrusion (45) is at the same position in the vertical direction as a part of the linear flange portion (20c, 20d, 21c, 21d) of the upper slider (10A) or the lower slider (10B).

[0150] According to this configuration, the insert pin (40) is generally curved to match the shape of the upper and lower sliders (10, 10B), and the insert pin protrusion (45) is formed near the center of the insert pin (40) in the vertical direction, where it is most advantageous in terms of strength.

[0151] [6] The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to [5], wherein A is the left-right width of the box pin (60) at the top (65a) of the box pin protrusion (65), B is the left-right width of the insert pin (40) at the top (45a) of the insert pin protrusion (45), and C is the left-right width of the inside of the upper slider (10A) or the lower slider (10B) at the linear flange portions (20c, 20d, 21c, 21d), and A+B>C.

[0152] According to this configuration, when inserting the insert pin (40), the insert pin protrusion (45) arranged near the linear flange portions (20c, 20d, 21c, 21d) always comes into contact with the box pin protrusion (65), so a clicking sensation can be reliably obtained. Furthermore, after the insert pin (40) has been inserted, the insert pin protrusion (45) and the box pin protrusion (65) can be maintained in an engaged state.

[0153] [7] A reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to any one of [4] to [6], wherein, when A is the width in the left-right direction of the box pin (60) at the top (65a) of the box pin protrusion (65), and D is the minimum width inside the upper slider (10A) or the lower slider (10B) between the inclined flange portions (20e, 20f, 21e, 21f) and the guide posts (15a, 15b), D > A.

[0154] According to this configuration, the upper and lower sliders (10A, 10B) can slide to the lowest end of the slide fastener (1) while the box pin (60) passes through the inside.

[0155] [8] The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) described in any one of [2] to [7], wherein the box pin projection (65) includes an upper inclined surface (65b) connecting the upper end and the apex (65a) and a lower inclined surface (65c) connecting the apex (65a) and the lower end, and the inclination of the lower inclined surface (65c) in the vertical direction is greater than the inclination of the upper inclined surface (65b).

[0156] According to this configuration, when the insert pin (40) is inserted, the insert pin protrusion (45) comes into contact with the upper inclined surface (65b) of the box pin protrusion (65) with a small inclination, and after climbing over the upper inclined surface (65b) of the box pin protrusion (65), the contact state is abruptly released or reduced by the lower inclined surface (65c) with a large inclination, thereby providing a strong clicking sensation.

[0157] [9] The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) described in any one of [2] to [8], wherein the butterfly pin protrusion (45) includes an upper inclined surface (45b) connecting the upper end and the apex (45a) and a lower inclined surface (45c) connecting the apex (45a) and the lower end, and the inclination of the lower inclined surface (45c) in the vertical direction is greater than the inclination of the upper inclined surface (45b).

[0158] According to this configuration, when the insert pin (40) is pulled out from the fully inserted state, the upper inclined surface (45b) of the insert pin protrusion (45) with a small inclination comes into contact with the box pin protrusion (65), so that the insert pin (40) is gently guided by the upper inclined surface (45b), and can be smoothly pulled out.

[0159]

[10] The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) described in any one of [2] to [9], wherein the box pin projection (65) has a width in the left-right direction greater than that of the insert pin projection (45).

[0160] According to this configuration, the insert pin (40) can be inserted and removed more smoothly than when the insert pin protrusion (45) is made to protrude in the left-right direction more than the box pin protrusion (65).

[0161]

[11] A reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to any one of [2] to

[10] , wherein the top (45a) of the insert pin protrusion (45) is located closer to the insert pin (40) than the left-right center (M) of the reverse-opening slide fastener (1).

[0162] According to this configuration, the insert pin (40) can be inserted and removed smoothly.

[0163]

[12] The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) described in [1], wherein the butterfly pin protrusion (47) protrudes on one side in the front-to-back direction, and the box pin protrusion (67) protrudes on the other side in the front-to-back direction.

[0164] According to this configuration, when inserting the insert pin (40), the insert pin protrusion (47) passes over the second box pin protrusion (67), and the user can feel a click.

[0165]

[13] The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) described in

[12] , wherein, when the upper slider (10A) and the lower slider (10B) are pulled down to their lowest ends, the box pin protrusion (67) is positioned closer to the insert pin (40) than the left-right center (M) of the reverse-opening slide fastener (1).

[0166] According to this configuration, the second box pin protrusion (67) is positioned closer to the insert pin (40) than the left-right center (M) of the slide fastener (1), so the insert pin (40) can be inserted and removed more smoothly than when the second insert pin protrusion (47) is positioned closer to the box pin (60) than the left-right center (M). For example, when the second insert pin protrusion (47) is positioned closer to the box pin (60) than the left-right center (M), the insert pin (40) needs to be formed relatively large in the left-right direction, so there is a possibility that the insert pin (40) will get caught on a guide post (15a) of the upper slider (10A) or the like when being inserted or removed.

[0167]

[14] The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) described in

[12] or

[13] , wherein the insert pin protrusion (47) is positioned closer to the insert pin (40) than the left-right center (M) of the reverse-opening slide fastener (1).

[0168] According to this configuration, the insert pin (40) can be inserted and removed smoothly.

[0169] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reverse-opening slide fastener 10A Upper slider 10B Lower slider 11a, 11b Slider body 12a, 12b Pull tab 13a, 13b Front blade 14a, 14b Rear blade 15a, 15b Guide post 16a, 16b Pull tab holding portion 17a, 17b Element guide path 18a, 18b Rear opening 19a, 19b Shoulder opening 20a, 20b Front blade flange portion (flange portion) 20c, 20d Straight flange portion 20e, 20f Inclined flange portion 21a, 21b Rear blade flange portion (flange portion) 21c, 21d Straight flange portion 21e, 21f Inclined flange portion 30A First fastener stringer 30B Second fastener stringer 31a, 31b Fastener tape 32 Fastener element 32a Engagement recess 40 Insert pin 40A Front surface 40B Back surface 40C Left and right inner side surfaces 40D Left and right outer side surfaces 40E Upper surface 40F Lower surface 41 Locking recess 41a Lower end 41b Front bottom surface 41c Top surface 42 Bulging portion 42a Left and right inner surface 42b Back surface 42c Lower end 42d Upper end 43 Engagement protrusion 44 Slope 45 Insert pin protrusion 45a Top part 45b Upper inclined surface 45c Lower inclined surface 45d Lower plane 46 Storage part 47 Second insert pin projection (indie pin projection) 47a Upper end part 48 Second storage part (storage part) 60 Box rod 60A Surface 60B Back side 60C Left and right inner sides 60D Left and right outer sides 60E Upper surface 60F Lower surface 61 Locking protrusion 61a Upper surface 61b Inclined surface 61c Surface 62a, 62b Stopper portion 65 Box pin protrusion 65a Top portion 65b Upper inclined surface 65c Lower inclined surface 66 Groove portion 67 Second box pin protrusion (box pin protrusion) 68 Recessed portion 69 Notch portion L1 Bisector that bisects the insert pin in the vertical direction L2 Bisector that bisects the box pin in the vertical direction L3 Straight line that passes through the upper end of the straight flange portion of the upper slider and extends in the left-right direction L4 Straight line that passes through the lower end of the straight flange portion of the lower slider and extends in the left-right direction M Left-right center of the slide fastener

Claims

1. A reverse-opening slide fastener (1) comprising: a pair of left and right first and second fastener stringers (30A, 30B); a butterfly bar (40) and a box bar (60) disposed opposite to each other at the lower ends of the inner edges in the left-right direction of the first and second fastener stringers (30A, 30B); and an upper slider (10A) and a lower slider (10B) disposed with their rear openings (18a, 18b) facing each other to open and close the first and second fastener stringers (30A, 30B), wherein the butterfly bar (40) has butterfly bar protrusions (45, 47), the box bar (60) has box bar protrusions (65, 67), when the upper slider (10A) and the lower slider (10B) are pulled down to the lowermost end and the butterfly bar (40) is inserted into the upper slider (10A) and the lower slider (10B) to the lowermost end, the butterfly bar protrusions (45, 47) are below the box bar protrusions (65, 67), the butterfly bar (40) is provided with storage portions (46, 48) above the butterfly bar protrusions (45, 47) capable of storing the box bar protrusions (65, 67), and when the butterfly bar protrusions (45, 47) straddle the box bar protrusions (65, 67) during insertion of the butterfly bar (40), it transitions from a first state in which the butterfly bar protrusions (45, 47) and the box bar protrusions (65, 67) are in contact to a second state in which the butterfly bar protrusions (45, 47) straddle the box bar protrusions (65, 67) and the contact state is released or reduced and the box bar protrusions (65, 67) are stored in the storage portions (46, 48).

2. The butterfly bar protrusion (45) protrudes toward the box bar (60), and in a state where the upper slider (10A) and the lower slider (10B) are pulled down to the lowermost end, the box bar protrusion (65) protrudes toward the butterfly bar (40) side rather than the center (M) in the left-right direction of the reverse-opening slide fastener (1). The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to claim 1.

3. The butterfly bar protrusion (45) and the box bar protrusion (65) do not overlap in the front-back direction. The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to claim 2.

4. The upper slider (10A) and the lower slider (10B) each include a front wing plate (13a, 13b) disposed on the front side of the first and second fastener stringers (30A, 30B), a back wing plate (14a, 14b) disposed on the back side of the first and second fastener stringers (30A, 30B), guide columns (15a, 15b) extending in the front-back direction and connecting the front wing plate (13a, 13b) and the back wing plate (14a, 14b) on the shoulder opening (19a, 19b) side, and flange portions (20a, 20b, 21a, 21b) extending in the front-back direction from both left and right edges of the front wing plate (13a, 13b) or the back wing plate (14a, 14b). The flange portions (20a, 20b, 21a, 21b) include straight flange portions (20c, 20d, 21c, 21d) disposed on the rear opening (18a, 18b) side and extending linearly in the vertical direction, and inclined flange portions (20e, 20f, 21e, 21f) connected to the straight flange portions (20c, 20d, 21c, 21d) and inclined outward in the left-right direction as they go toward the shoulder opening (19a, 19b) side. In the insertion-completed state, a part of the straight flange portions (20c, 20d, 21c, 21d) of the upper slider (10A) or the lower slider (10B) and the top (65a) of the box bar projection (65) are in the same position in the vertical direction. The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to claim 2.

5. In the insertion-completed state, the top (45a) of the butterfly bar projection (45) is in the same position in the vertical direction as a part of the straight flange portions (20c, 20d, 21c, 21d) of the upper slider (10A) or the lower slider (10B). The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to claim 4.

6. When the left-right width of the box bar (60) at the top (65a) of the box bar projection (65) is A, the left-right width of the butterfly bar (40) at the top (45a) of the butterfly bar projection (45) is B, and the left-right width inside the upper slider (10A) or the lower slider (10B) in the straight flange portions (20c, 20d, 21c, 21d) is C, A + B > C. The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to claim 5.

7. The lateral width of the box bar (60) at the top (65a) of the box bar projection (65) is defined as A, and the minimum width inside the upper slider (10A) or the lower slider (10B) between the inclined flange portions (20e, 20f, 21e, 21f) and the guide posts (15a, 15b) is defined as D. When D > A, the reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to claim 4.

8. The box bar projection (65) includes an upper inclined surface (65b) connecting the upper end portion and the top (65a), and a lower inclined surface (65c) connecting the top (65a) and the lower end portion. In the vertical direction, the inclination of the lower inclined surface (65c) is greater than the inclination of the upper inclined surface (65b). The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to claim 2.

9. The butterfly bar projection (45) includes an upper inclined surface (45b) connecting the upper end portion and the top (45a), and a lower inclined surface (45c) connecting the top (45a) and the lower end portion. In the vertical direction, the inclination of the lower inclined surface (45c) is greater than the inclination of the upper inclined surface (45b). The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to claim 2.

10. The box bar projection (65) has a greater lateral width than the butterfly bar projection (45). The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to claim 2.

11. The top (45a) of the butterfly bar projection (45) is located closer to the butterfly bar (40) side than the lateral center (M) of the reverse-opening slide fastener (1). The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to claim 2.

12. The butterfly bar projection (47) protrudes on one side in the front-back direction, and the box bar projection (67) protrudes on the other side in the front-back direction. The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to claim 1.

13. With the upper slider (10A) and the lower slider (10B) pulled down to the lowermost position, the box bar projection (67) is arranged closer to the butterfly bar (40) side than the lateral center (M) of the reverse-opening slide fastener (1). The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to claim 12.

14. The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to claim 12, wherein the wing bar projection (47) is disposed on the wing bar (40) side with respect to the center (M) in the left-right direction of the reverse-opening slide fastener (1).

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