Reverse-opening slide fastener

Abstract

A box rod (60) has a box rod protrusion (65) that protrudes toward a butterfly rod (40) side. A lower slider (10B) has a locking claw (25) that protrudes into an element guide path (17b) and can come into contact with an element (32). In a state in which the lower slider (10B) is pulled down to the lower end, the locking claw (25) protruded into the element guide path (17b) is positioned below the box rod protrusion (65) and is positioned so as to overlap the box rod protrusion (65) as viewed from the vertical direction.

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 Application Publication No. 2008-99975

[0006] In a conventional reverse-opening slide fastener such as that described in Patent Document 1, when the pair of left and right fastener stringers are separated, i.e., in a so-called single-stringer state, the lower slider is free to move. Therefore, in the single-stringer state, it is difficult to position the lower slider at the lower end of the fastener stringer and maintain a state in which the box pin is positioned within the element guide path of the lower slider.

[0007] If the lower slider has a large range of motion, it may move from the correct position during the opening operation, preventing the pair of left and right zipper stringers from properly engaging. In this case, the user must move the lower slider to the bottom end of the zipper stringer before operating the opening device, leaving room for improvement in operability. Furthermore, some users may perform improper operations, such as forcibly inserting the insert pin when the lower slider is not in the correct position, which could result in damage to the zipper.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and its object is to provide a reverse-opening slide fastener that can keep the lower slider in an appropriate position in the one-stringer state.

[0009] 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), a plurality of elements (32) arranged to face each other on the inner edge portions of the first and second zipper stringers (30A, 30B) in the left-right direction, an insert pin (40) and a box pin (60) arranged to face each other on the lower end portions of the inner edge portions 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 box pin (60) has a box pin protrusion (65) protruding toward the insert pin (40), The lower slider (10B) has a locking claw (25) that protrudes into the element guide path (17b) and can abut against the element (32), and when the lower slider (10B) is pulled down to the bottom end, the locking claw (25) that protrudes into the element guide path (17b) is located below the box pin protrusion (65) and is located so as to overlap the box pin protrusion (65) when viewed from the up-down direction.

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a reverse-opening slide fastener that can maintain the lower slider in an appropriate position in the one-stringer state.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front view of a reverse-opening slide fastener according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 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. 3 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. 4 is a view from the front side showing a state in which the insert pin protrusion has climbed over the box pin protrusion. FIG. 5 is a view from the bottom of FIG. 3, showing a state in which the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion have begun to come into contact. FIG. 6A is a view of the insert pin from the front side. FIG. 6B is a view of the insert pin from the inside (right side) in the left-right direction. FIG. 7A is a view of the box pin from the front side. FIG. 7B is a view of the box pin from the inside (left side) in the left-right direction. FIG. 7C is a view of the box pin from the bottom. FIG. 8 is a side view of the lower slider and the box pin from the inside in the left-right direction. FIG. 9 is a view of the lower slider and the box pin from the back side. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the lower slider and the box pin as seen from the front side.

[0012] Hereinafter, a reverse-opening slide fastener according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] 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."

[0014] The "left-right direction" refers to the direction in which a pair of element rows are arranged, a 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" refers to the left-right direction in Figure 1.

[0015] Furthermore, the "front-back direction" is a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the left-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-back direction" is the depth direction of the paper in FIG.

[0016] Hereinafter, a reverse-opening slide fastener according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a front view of a reverse-opening slide fastener according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] 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 will also be simply referred to as "stringers") 30A, 30B, a plurality of elements 32 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "elements") arranged to face each other on the inner edges of the first and second fastener stringers 30A, 30B, an insert pin 40 and a box pin 60 arranged to face each other on the lower ends of the inner edges of the first and second stringers 30A, 30B, and an upper slider 10A and a lower slider 10B arranged with rear openings 18a, 18b facing each other in the vertical direction to open and close the first and second stringers 30A, 30B.

[0018] Each of the first and second stringers 30A, 30B includes a strip-shaped fastener tape (hereinafter simply referred to as "tape") 31a, 31b that is long in the vertical direction, a plurality of fastener elements 32 attached along the inner edge portion, which is the edge portion on the opening and 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, which limits the upward movement of the upper slider 10A.

[0019] 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, but are not limited to, woven or knitted polyamide fiber, polyester fiber, acrylic fiber, or the like. Furthermore, the elements 32 are not limited to those in which each element is independent, and may be coil elements.

[0020] 2 to 4 show in chronological order the insert pin 40 being inserted into the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B when the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B have been slid to their lower ends. FIG. 2 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. 3 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. 4 is a view from the front side showing the state where the insert pin protrusion has climbed over the box pin protrusion. FIG. 5 is a view from the bottom of FIG. 3, showing the state where the insert pin protrusion and the box pin protrusion have begun to come into contact.

[0021] 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. 2 to 5, 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 rear blades 14a and 14b at 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 1, with the lower ends of the first and second stringers 30A, 30B 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.

[0024] The front and rear blades 13a, 13b or the rear blades 14a, 14b are provided with flanges extending in the front-rear direction at both left and right edges thereof. The flanges in this embodiment include front blade flanges (not shown in FIGS. 2 to 4; partially shown in FIG. 8, which will be described later) that protrude from both 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 both left and right edges of the rear blades 14a, 14b toward the front blades 13a, 13b (front side).

[0025] The rear blade flanges 21a, 21b are disposed on the rear openings 18a, 18b side and include straight flange portions 21c, 21d that extend linearly in the up-down direction, and inclined flange portions 21e, 21f that connect to the straight flange portions 21c, 21d and slope outward in the left-right direction toward the shoulder openings 19a, 19b. The front blade flanges, not shown, have a shape that is substantially symmetrical to the rear blade flanges 21a, 21b in the front-to-back direction. Thus, like the rear blade flanges 21a, 21b, the front blade flanges include straight flange portions (not shown) that are disposed on the rear openings 18a, 18b side and extend linearly in the up-down direction, and inclined flange portions (not shown) that connect to the straight flange portions and slope outward in the left-to-right direction toward the shoulder openings 19a, 19b.

[0026] 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° 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 2 to 5, the element guide paths (rear openings 18a and 18b) of the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B communicate with each other.

[0027] The linear flange portions of the front blade flanges face the linear flange portions 21c and 21d of the rear blade flanges 21a and 21b with a gap in the front-to-back direction, and the inclined flange portions of the front blade flanges face the inclined flange portions 21e and 21f of the rear blade flanges 21a and 21b with a gap in the front-to-back direction. The gap in the front-to-back direction between the front and rear blade flanges 21a and 21b is the minimum distance between the front and rear blades 13a, 13b, 14a, and 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 larger than the thickness of the first and second tapes 31a and 31b. This prevents the left and right elements 32, insert pin 40, and box pin 60 from falling off the element guide paths 17a and 17b of the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B, and allows the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B to slide on the front and back surfaces of the first and second tapes 31a and 31b.

[0028] 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 ends of the left and right inner edges of the left and right tapes 31a and 31b. The lower ends 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 sections reinforced with thermoplastic resin. The tape reinforcement sections are formed by welding a thermoplastic resin film such as polyamide or polyethylene to the lower ends of the left and right tapes 31a and 31b using ultrasonic processing or by penetrating and solidifying a thermoplastic resin liquid.

[0029] 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 2 to 5 show an enlarged view of the connected state of the insert pin 40 and the box pin 60 within the element guide paths 17a, 17b of the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B.

[0030] 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 first 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.

[0031] Fig. 6A is a view of the insert pin as seen from the front side, and Fig. 6B is a view of the insert pin as seen from the inside (right side) in the left-right direction.

[0032] As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, 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.

[0033] 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 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.

[0034] 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 2 to 5.

[0035] 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.

[0036] An interlocking protrusion 43 is formed on the inner side of the upper surface 40E of the insert pin 40 in the left-right direction, and engages with an interlocking recess 32a (see Figure 1) provided in the interlocking head of the element 32 at the lowest end of the second fastener stringer 30B.

[0037] 5, a lower end inclined surface 44 is formed at the lower end of the front surface 40A of the insert pin 40, which is gradually inclined toward the back surface 40B as the front surface 40A extends downward. When inserting the insert pin 40 into the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B, the lower end inclined surface 44, which is the foremost, functions as a guide surface, allowing for a smooth insertion operation.

[0038] The dimension of the lower portion 48 of the insert pin 40 in the front-to-back direction decreases toward the box pin 60 (inward in the left-to-right direction). Here, the lower portion 48 of the insert pin 40 refers to the portion below the insert pin protrusion 45 described below. The inner left-to-right side of the front side portion of the lower portion 48 of the insert pin 40 is cut out to provide a relief 46, so that the dimension of the lower portion of the insert pin 40 in the front-to-back direction decreases toward the box pin 60. Therefore, when inserting the insert pin 40 from the lower portion 48 side, the lower portion 48 is less likely to come into contact with the box pin protrusion 65 described below, improving the insert pin 40's insertability. Furthermore, the relief 46 provided on the surface of the lower portion 48 reduces interference with the locking claw 25 (see FIGS. 8 and 9 ) protruding from the front blade plate 13 b into the element guide path 17 b when the insert pin 40 is inserted.

[0039] By providing the above-described relief 46, a front-side inclined surface 47 is formed on the inner surface of the lower portion 48 of the insert pin 40 in the left-right direction, inclining backward as it approaches the box pin 60 (inward in the left-right direction). Referring also to FIG. 5 , the front-side inclined surface 47 of the lower portion 48 of the insert pin 40 faces a rear-side inclined surface 68 on the rear surface of the box pin protrusion 65 (described later). Therefore, the front-side inclined surface 47 of the insert pin 40 and the rear-side inclined surface 68 of the box pin protrusion 65 abut against and guide each other, enabling smooth insertion of the insert pin 40. The shape of the front-side inclined surface 47 is not particularly limited as long as it is inclined, and it may be a tapered surface or a curved surface. The inclination angle of the front-side inclined surface 47 relative to the front-back direction is preferably 40° to 60°. Setting this inclination angle reduces interference between the front-side inclined surface 47 of the insert pin 40 and the box pin protrusion 65 when inserting the insert pin 40.

[0040] 1, 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 second 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.

[0041] 2 to 5, the box pin 60 positions the lower slider 10B at the lowest end of the second fastener stringer 30B, and also connects and positions the insert pin 40 inserted into the element guide paths 17a, 17b of the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B arranged at the lowest end. The lower slider 10B is arranged closer to the insert pin 40 and box pin 60 than the upper slider 10A. The upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B are arranged so that their rear openings 18a, 18b face each other.

[0042] Figure 7A shows the box pin as viewed from the front, Figure 7B shows the box pin as viewed from the inside (left side) in the left-right direction, and Figure 7C shows the box pin as viewed from the bottom.

[0043] As shown in Figures 7A to 7C, 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 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 60C of the box pin 60 are arranged on the opposite side from the left and right outer side surfaces 60D 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 60C, 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] As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B , insert pin protrusions 45 protruding 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 and 10B. The apex 45a of the insert pin protrusions 45 is located below the vertical center of the insert pin 40. More specifically, the apex 45a of the insert pin protrusions 45 is closer to the bisector L1 that bisects the insert pin 40 in the vertical direction than the upper surface 40E or the lower surface 40F. Thus, by forming the insert pin protrusions 45 near the vertical center of the insert pin 40, the bow-shaped insert pin 40 has an advantageous shape in terms of strength.

[0050] The insert pin projection 45 includes an upper inclined surface 45b that forms a surface above the apex 45a and a lower inclined surface 45c that forms a surface below the apex 45a. The upper inclined surface 45b connects to the upper part of the apex 45a and slopes upward from the apex 45a, extending away from the box pin 60 (to the left). The lower inclined surface 45c connects to the lower part of the apex 45a and slopes upward from the apex 45a, extending away from the box pin 60 (to the left). The inclination of the lower inclined surface 45c relative to the vertical direction is greater than the inclination of the upper inclined surface 45b.

[0051] As a result, when the insert pin 40 is pulled upward from the fully inserted state shown in Figure 4, 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.

[0052] The insert pin 40 is provided with a storage portion 49 above the insert pin protrusion 45 that can store the box pin protrusion 65. In this embodiment, the storage portion 49 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. 4 , 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 portion 49 of the insert pin 40. In the illustrated example, the storage portion 49 has a substantially flat shape, but the shape of the storage portion 49 is not particularly limited as long as it can substantially store the box pin protrusion 65, and it may be concave, for example.

[0053] 7A to 7C, 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.

[0054] 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).

[0055] 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 that bisects the box pin 60 in the vertical direction than the upper surface 60E or the lower surface 60F. In the illustrated example, the top 65a 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.

[0056] The process of inserting the insert pin 40 into the upper and lower sliders 10A and 10B will be described later with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Figure 4 shows the state in which the insertion of the insert pin 40 is completed. In this inserted state, the top 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 is positioned at the same vertical position as a portion of the linear flange portions 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 is positioned between a line L3 that passes through the upper end of the linear flange portion 21c of the upper slider 10A and extends in the left-right direction, and a line L4 that passes through the lower end of the linear flange portion 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 positioned at the same vertical position as the lower portion of the linear flange portion 21d of the lower slider 10B. By setting it in this manner, the box pin protrusion 65 is formed near the center of the box pin 60 in the vertical direction in the bow-shaped box pin 60, resulting in a shape that is advantageous in terms of strength. Also, because the top 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 is located in the narrowest straight portion of the element guide paths 17a, 17b, the insert pin protrusion 45 and the box pin protrusion 65 can be reliably abutted against each other, providing a clicking sensation. Furthermore, to provide a clicking sensation, the box pin protrusion 65 needs to be sized to reliably abut against the insert pin protrusion 45, but because the top 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 is located in the narrowest straight portion of the element guide paths 17a, 17b, there is also the advantage that the size of the box pin protrusion 65 does not need to be larger than necessary.

[0057] The box pin projection 65 includes an upper inclined surface 65b that forms the surface above the apex 65a, and a lower inclined surface 65c that forms the surface below the apex 65a. The upper inclined surface 65b is inclined so as to extend toward the insert pin 40 (left side) as it extends downward from the upper end of the box pin projection 65. The lower inclined surface 65c is inclined so as to extend toward the opposite side from the insert pin 40 (right side) as it extends downward from the apex 65a of the box pin projection 65. Here, the inclination of the lower inclined surface 65c in the vertical direction is greater than the inclination of the upper inclined surface 65b.

[0058] 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.

[0059] The dimension of the box pin protrusion 65 in the front-to-back direction decreases toward the insert pin 40 (inner side in the left-to-right direction), and the box pin protrusion 65 has a tapered shape. More specifically, the inner side of the back side of the box pin protrusion 65 is cut out in the left-to-right direction to provide a back-side relief 66, and the inner side of the front side of the box pin protrusion 65 is cut out in the left-to-right direction to provide a front-side relief 67, so that the dimension of the box pin protrusion 65 in the front-to-back direction decreases toward the insert pin 40. This makes it less likely that the insert pin 40 will hit the box pin protrusion 65 when the insert pin 40 is inserted, improving the insert pin 40's insertability.

[0060] By providing the back-side relief 66 as described above, a back-side inclined surface 68 that inclines toward the front side as it approaches the insert pin 40 is formed on the back side of the box pin protrusion 65. Referring also to Figure 5, the back-side inclined surface 68 on the back side of the box pin protrusion 65 faces the front-side inclined surface 47 of the lower part 48 of the insert pin 40. Therefore, the front-side inclined surface 47 of the insert pin 40 and the back-side inclined surface 68 of the box pin protrusion 65 abut against and guide each other, making it possible to smoothly insert the insert pin 40.

[0061] Furthermore, by providing the front-side relief 67, a front-side inclined surface 69 that slopes backward toward the insert pin 40 is formed on the surface of the box pin protrusion 65. This front-side inclined surface 69 is located in a position visible to the user, which has the effect of improving the design of the box pin 60. Furthermore, when the lower slider 10B is pulled upward, there may be cases where the tip 25a of the locking claw 25 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) does not completely retract from the element guide path 17b to the front side. Even in this state, the tip 25a of the locking claw 25 can be guided by the front-side inclined surface 69, allowing the locking claw 25 to retract to the front side. This therefore makes the pulling operation of the lower slider 10B smoother.

[0062] The shapes of the rear inclined surface 68 and the front inclined surface 69 are not particularly limited as long as they are inclined, and may be tapered or curved. The inclination angle of the rear inclined surface 68 relative to the front-rear direction is preferably 30° to 55°. Setting this inclination angle can reduce interference between the rear inclined surface 68 of the box pin 60 and the front inclined surface 47 of the insert pin 40 when inserting the insert pin 40. The inclination angle of the front inclined surface 69 relative to the front-rear direction is preferably 2° to 25°. Setting this inclination angle can reduce interference between the front inclined surface 69 of the box pin 60 and the locking claw 25 and between the front inclined surface 69 and the guide post 15a of the upper slider 10A, and can improve the appearance of the box pin 60.

[0063] Next, the manner in which the insert pin 40 is connected to the box pin 60 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0064] When connecting the insert pin 40 to the box pin 60, first, the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B are pulled down to their lowest ends, as shown in Figure 2. 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 top 65a of the box pin projection 65 protrudes toward the insert pin 40 beyond 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 the way.

[0065] 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. Figure 3 shows 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 4, 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.

[0068] 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 protrudes more left-right than the box pin protrusion 65.

[0069] 3 (contact state), the insert pin 40 transitions to a second state in which 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 is housed in the housing portion 49, as shown in FIG. 4. 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. In the illustrated example, the second state in which the box pin protrusion 65 is housed in the housing portion 49 can be said to be substantially equivalent to a fully inserted state in which the insert pin 40 is inserted all the way to the bottom.

[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 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 is located at the same vertical position as a portion of the linear flange portions 21c, 21d of the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B. This positions the top 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 near the vertical center of the upper and lower sliders 10A, 10B (near the rear openings 18a, 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, 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, providing a more reliable clicking sensation. If the top 65a of the box pin protrusion 65 were formed near the inclined flange portion 21e of the upper slider 10A (above the straight 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 portion 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] 4, 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 21c, 21d is C, then A + B > C. Therefore, when the insert pin 40 is inserted, the insert pin protrusion 45 located near the straight flange portions 21c, 21d always comes into contact with the box pin protrusion 65, ensuring a clicking sensation. Furthermore, after the insert pin 40 is completely inserted, the insert pin protrusion 45 and the box pin protrusion 65 can be maintained in an engaged state.

[0076] 4, 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 portion 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] FIG. 8 is a side view of the lower slider and box pin as viewed from the inside in the left-right direction. FIG. 9 is a view of the lower slider and box pin as viewed from the back side. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the lower slider and box pin as viewed from the front side. Note that in FIG. 8, the portion of the lower slider 10B behind the center in the front-back direction is not shown. Also, while FIGS. 9 and 10 show the lower slider 10B positioned at its bottom end, FIG. 11 shows the lower slider 10B positioned slightly above the bottom end. In other words, the lower slider 10B can move further downward from the state shown in FIG. 11. Also, in FIG. 10, the cover 24 and the locking claw 25 are not shown, as compared to FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0078] 8 and 9, the front blade 13b of the lower slider 10B has flanges 20b extending in the front-rear direction at both left and right edges thereof. The flanges 20b are located on the rear opening 18b side and include a straight flange 20d extending linearly in the up-down direction and an inclined flange 20f connected to the straight flange 20d and inclined outward in the left-right direction toward the shoulder openings 19a and 19b.

[0079] 8 and 10, the pull tab holder 16b includes an upper mounting post 22 and a lower mounting post 23 respectively erected on the upper and lower parts of the surface of the front blade 13b, and a cover 24 disposed so as to straddle the upper mounting post 22 and the lower mounting post 23. A locking claw 25 is housed between the upper mounting post 22 and the lower mounting post 23.

[0080] A cover 24 is fitted over the upper mounting post 22 and the lower mounting post 23 and secured by crimping. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, a pawl insertion hole 26 for inserting the tip 25a of the locking pawl 25 is formed in the front-to-back direction of the front blade 13b. The tip 25a of the locking pawl 25 inserted into the pawl insertion hole 26 reaches into the element guide path 17b. Figure 8 shows the state in which the tip 25a of the locking pawl 25 reaches further back than the front blade flange portion 20b. The locking pawl 25 is inserted between the elements 32 and abuts against the elements 32, thereby restricting the movement of the lower slider 10B.

[0081] A leaf spring (not shown) is disposed on the front side of the locking claw 25 between the upper mounting post 22 and the lower mounting post 23, and the shaft portion (not shown) of the pull tab 12b is disposed on the back side of the locking claw 25. The leaf spring is a substantially rectangular plate extending in the vertical direction, and is fixed to locking portions (not shown) formed on the upper and lower parts of the back surface of the cover 24. In this way, the pull tab holder 16b of this embodiment is composed of the upper mounting post 22, the lower mounting post 23, the cover 24, the locking claw 25, and the leaf spring.

[0082] In this way, the lower slider 10B is a slider with an automatic stop function that is provided with the locking claw 25. Although not shown, the upper slider 10A is also a slider with an automatic stop function that has the same configuration as the lower slider 10B.

[0083] 10, when the lower slider 10B is further moved downward and pulled down to the bottom end as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the claw insertion hole 26 is positioned below the box pin protrusion 65. The locking claw 25 protruding from this claw insertion hole 26 into the element guide path 17b is also positioned below the box pin protrusion 65.

[0084] 8 and 9, the locking claw 25 is positioned so as to overlap the box pin protrusion 65 when viewed in the vertical direction. That is, the locking claw 25 has a portion that overlaps with the box pin protrusion 65 in the left-right direction and in the front-to-back direction. In this way, the locking claw 25 protruding into the element guide path 17b and the box pin protrusion 65 are positioned to abut in the vertical direction. Therefore, even if the lower slider 10B moves upward from the lower end position, the locking claw 25 abuts against the box pin protrusion 65, restricting the upward movement of the lower slider 10B. Therefore, even in a single-stringer state in which the first and second fastener stringers 30A, 30B are separated, the movement of the lower slider 10B is restricted, and the lower slider 10B can be maintained in an appropriate position, such as at the lower end of the second fastener stringer 30B.

[0085] 8 and 9, if the box pin protrusion 65 is located above the upper end (rear opening 18b) of the lower slider 10B when the lower slider 10B is pulled down to the bottom end, the amount of movement of the lower slider 10B would be large, which is undesirable. However, in this embodiment, the box pin protrusion 65 is located below the upper end (rear opening 18b) of the lower slider 10B, so the amount of movement of the lower slider 10B can be limited by the box pin protrusion 65.

[0086] The box pin projection 65 has a lower inclined surface 65c that forms a surface below the top 65a, and this lower inclined surface 65c is positioned to abut in the vertical direction against the locking claw 25 that protrudes into the element guide path 17b. In the example shown in the figure, the inclination angle of the lower inclined surface 65c with respect to the vertical direction is approximately 40°.

[0087] The box pin protrusion 65 protrudes toward the insert pin 40 from the center M in the left-right direction (see FIG. 2), and the lower inclined surface 65c of the box pin protrusion 65 and the guide pillar 15b of the lower slider 10B are positioned so as to overlap when viewed from the top-bottom direction. Therefore, when a user pulls the lower slider 10B upward, the guide pillar 15b of the lower slider 10B may interfere with the box pin protrusion 65, making it difficult to pull up the lower slider 10B. However, in this embodiment, the lower surface of the box pin protrusion 65 that faces the guide pillar 15b in the top-bottom direction is the lower inclined surface 65c, so the guide pillar 15b climbs over the box pin protrusion 65 while being guided by the lower inclined surface 65c, allowing the lower slider 10B to be pulled up smoothly.

[0088] 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.

[0089] As described above, the present specification discloses the following:

[0090] [1] A reverse-opening slide fastener (1) comprising a pair of left and right first and second zipper stringers (30A, 30B); a plurality of elements (32) arranged to face each other on inner edges in the left and right direction of the first and second zipper stringers (30A, 30B); an insert pin (40) and a box pin (60) arranged to face each other on lower ends 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 box pin (60) has a box pin protrusion (65) protruding toward the insert pin (40), The lower slider (10B) has a locking claw (25) that protrudes into the element guide path (17b) and can abut against the element (32), and when the lower slider (10B) is pulled down to the bottom end, the locking claw (25) that protrudes into the element guide path (17b) is located below the box pin protrusion (65) and is located so as to overlap the box pin protrusion (65) when viewed from the up-down direction.

[0091] According to this configuration, when the lower slider (10B) of the second fastener stringer (30B) is pulled down to the bottom end, the locking claw (25) protruding into the element guide path (17b) and the box pin protrusion (65) are in a position where they come into contact in the vertical direction, so that even if the lower slider (10B) moves upward from the lowest end position, the locking claw (25) and the box pin protrusion (65) come into contact, restricting movement of the lower slider (10B). Therefore, even in a single-stringer state in which the first and second fastener stringers (30A, 30B) are separated, the movement of the lower slider (10B) is restricted, and the lower slider (10B) can be maintained in an appropriate position, such as the lower end of the second fastener stringer (30B).

[0092] [2] The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) described in [1], wherein, when the lower slider (10B) is pulled down to its lower end, the box pin protrusion (65) is positioned below the upper end of the lower slider (10B).

[0093] If the box pin protrusion (65) were located above the lower slider (10B), the amount of movement of the lower slider (10B) would be large, which is undesirable. However, in the present embodiment, the box pin protrusion (65) is located below the upper end of the lower slider (10B) according to the above configuration, so the amount of movement of the lower slider (10B) can be limited to a small amount by the box pin protrusion (65).

[0094] [3] The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) described in [1] or [2], wherein the box pin projection (65) has a lower inclined surface (65c) that forms a surface lower than the top (65a) of the box pin projection (65).

[0095] When a user pulls up the lower slider (10B), the guide post (15b) of the lower slider (10B) may interfere with the box pin protrusion (65), making it difficult to pull up the lower slider (10B). However, with the above configuration, the lower surface of the box pin protrusion (65) that faces the guide post (15b) in the vertical direction is the lower inclined surface (65c), so the guide post (15b) climbs over the box pin protrusion (65) while being guided by the lower inclined surface (65c), making it possible to pull up the lower slider (10B) smoothly.

[0096] [4] The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) described in any one of [1] to [3], wherein the dimensions of the box pin protrusion (65) in the front-to-back direction become smaller toward the insert pin (40).

[0097] According to this configuration, when inserting the insert pin (40), the insert pin (40) is less likely to hit the box pin protrusion (65), so the insert pin (40) can be easily inserted.

[0098] [5] The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the dimension in the front-to-back direction of the lower part (48) of the insert pin (40) becomes smaller toward the box pin (60).

[0099] According to this configuration, when inserting the insert pin (40), the insert pin (40) is less likely to hit the box pin protrusion (65), so the insert pin (40) can be easily inserted.

[0100] [6] A reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the back side of the box pin protrusion (65) is cut out to provide a relief (66), so that the dimension of the box pin protrusion (65) in the front-to-back direction becomes smaller as it moves toward the insert pin (40), and the front side of the lower part (48) of the insert pin (40) is cut out to provide a relief (46), so that the dimension of the lower part (48) of the insert pin (40) in the front-to-back direction becomes smaller as it moves toward the box pin (60).

[0101] According to this configuration, when inserting the insert pin (40), the insert pin (40) is less likely to hit the box pin protrusion (65), which improves the insert pin (40) insertion performance. In addition, since the relief (46) is provided on the front side of the lower part of the insert pin (40), interference between the locking claw (25) and the locking claw protruding from the front blade (13b) into the element guide path (17b) when inserting the insert pin (40) can be prevented.

[0102] [7] The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to [6], wherein the back surface of the box pin protrusion (65) includes an inclined surface (68) that inclines toward the front as it approaches the insert pin (40), and the surface of the lower part (48) of the insert pin (40) includes an inclined surface (47) that inclines toward the back as it approaches the box pin (60).

[0103] According to this configuration, the inclined surface (68) on the back surface of the box pin protrusion (65) and the inclined surface (47) on the surface of the lower part (48) of the insert pin (40) abut against and guide each other, making it possible to smoothly insert the insert pin (40).

[0104] [8] The insert pin (40) has an insert pin protrusion (45) protruding toward the box pin (60), and when the upper slider (10A) and the lower slider (10B) are pulled down to their lower ends and the insert pin (40) is fully inserted into the upper slider (10A) and the lower slider (10B) to their lower ends, the insert pin protrusion (45) is located below the box pin protrusion (65), and the insert pin (40) is provided with a storage section (49) above the insert pin protrusion (45) that can store the box pin protrusion (65), [1] to [7], wherein, when the insert pin (40) is inserted, when the insert pin protrusion (45) gets over the box pin protrusion (65), the insert pin protrusion (45) and the box pin protrusion (65) are in contact with each other, and the insert pin protrusion (45) gets over the box pin protrusion (65), and the insert pin protrusion (45) transitions to a second state in which the contact state is released or alleviated and the box pin protrusion (65) is stored in the storage section (49).

[0105] 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).

[0106] This application is based on an international patent application (PCT / JP2023 / 044733) filed on December 13, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0107] 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 20b Front blade flange portion (flange portion) 20d Straight flange portion 20f Inclined flange portion 21a, 21b Rear blade flange portion (flange portion) 21c, 21d Straight flange portion 21e, 21f Inclined flange portion 22 Upper mounting post 23 Lower mounting post 24 Cover 25 Locking claw 25a Tip portion 26 Claw insertion hole 30A First fastener stringer 30B Second fastener stringer 31a, 31b Fastener tape 32 Fastener element 32a Interlocking recess 33 Upper stop 40 Insert pin 40A Surface 40B Back surface 40C Left and right inner side surface 40D Left and right outer side surface 40E Upper surface 40F Lower surface 41 Interlocking recess 42 Bulging portion 42a Left and right inner side surface 43 Interlocking protrusion 44 Lower end inclined surface 45a Peak 45b Upper inclined surface 45c Lower inclined surface 46 Relief 47 Front inclined surface (inclined surface) 48 Lower portion 49 Storage portion 60 Box pin 60A Surface 60B Back surface 60C Left and right inner side surface 60D Left and right outer side surface 60E Upper surface 60F Lower surface 61 Interlocking protrusion 61a Upper surface 61b Inclined surface 62a, 62b Stopper portion 65 Box pin protrusion 65a Top portion 65b Upper inclined surface 65c Lower inclined surface 66 Back side relief (relief) 67 Front side relief 68 Back side inclined surface (inclined surface) 69 Front side inclined surface 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

Claims

1. A reverse-opening slide fastener (1) comprising a pair of left and right first and second zipper stringers (30A, 30B); a plurality of elements (32) arranged to face each other on the inner left and right edges of the first and second fastener stringers (30A, 30B); an insert pin (40) and a box pin (60) arranged to face each other on the lower ends of the inner left and right edges of the first and second fastener 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 fastener stringers (30A, 30B), wherein the box pin (60) has a box pin protrusion (65) protruding toward the insert pin (40), the lower slider (10B) has a locking claw (25) that protrudes into the element guide path (17b) and is capable of abutting with the element (32), and when the lower slider (10B) is pulled down to the bottom end, the locking claw (25) that protrudes into the element guide path (17b) is positioned below the box pin projection (65) and is positioned so as to overlap the box pin projection (65) when viewed from the up-down direction.

2. A reverse-opening slide fastener (1) as described in claim 1, wherein, when the lower slider (10B) is pulled down to its lower end, the box pin projection (65) is positioned below the upper end of the lower slider (10B).

3. A reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the box pin projection (65) has a lower inclined surface (65c) which forms a surface lower than the top (65a) of the box pin projection (65).

4. A reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the dimension in the front-back direction of the box pin projection (65) becomes smaller toward the insert pin (40).

5. A reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dimension in the front-back direction of the lower part (48) of the insert pin (40) becomes smaller toward the box pin (60).

6. A reverse-opening slide fastener (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a rear side portion of the box pin projection (65) is cut out to provide an allowance (66) so that the dimension of the box pin projection (65) in the front-to-back direction decreases toward the insert pin (40), and a front side portion of the lower portion (48) of the insert pin (40) is cut out to provide an allowance (46) so that the dimension of the lower portion (48) of the insert pin (40) in the front-to-back direction decreases toward the box pin (60).

7. A reverse-opening slide fastener (1) as set forth in claim 6, wherein the back surface of the box pin projection (65) includes an inclined surface (68) that inclines toward the front as it approaches the insert pin (40), and the surface of the lower part (48) of the insert pin (40) includes an inclined surface (47) that inclines toward the back as it approaches the box pin (60).

8. The insert pin (40) has an insert pin protrusion (45) protruding toward the box pin (60), and when the upper slider (10A) and the lower slider (10B) are pulled down to their lower ends and the insert pin (40) is fully inserted into the upper slider (10A) and the lower slider (10B) to their lower ends, the insert pin protrusion (45) is located below the box pin protrusion (65), and the insert pin (40) is provided with a storage section (49) above the insert pin protrusion (45) that can store the box pin protrusion (65), 8. The reverse-opening slide fastener (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein when the butterfly pin (40) is inserted, as the butterfly pin protrusion (45) rides over the box pin protrusion (65), a transition occurs from a first state in which the butterfly pin protrusion (45) and the box pin protrusion (65) are in contact with each other to a second state in which the butterfly pin protrusion (45) rides over the box pin protrusion (65), the contact state is released or reduced, and the box pin protrusion (65) is stored in the storage section (49).

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