Buckle and method for producing same

Abstract

Provided is a buckle enabling attaching and detaching of a plug 12 and a socket 14 in a wide variety of directions, thereby providing flexible operability. The plug 12 includes a pair of leg parts 16 projecting in one direction, and the pair of leg parts 16 has engaging elements that detachably engage with the socket 14. The socket 14 is provided with a plate-like mounting plate part 42, and the mounting plate part 42 is provided with receiving elements 46, 52 with which the engaging elements 22, 25 of the plug detachably engage. When the plug 12 is brought closer to the socket 14 in a range between the Y direction and the Z direction, the engaging elements 22, 25 and the receiving elements 46, 52 are guided by a part of the socket 14 and the elastic deformation of the pair of leg parts 16 increases. Upon arrival at the engaging position, the elastic deformation of the pair of leg parts 16 is restored, whereby the engaging elements 22, 25 and the receiving elements 46, 52 are engaged. When the pair of leg parts 16 are pressed and elastically deformed to approach each other, the engagement is released, making removal possible.

Description

Buckle and its manufacturing method

[0001] The present invention relates to a buckle having a plug and a socket that can be connected and disconnected to each other, and that can connect and disconnect separate parts of a tape, belt, or other member, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0002] Conventionally, a buckle for detachably connecting two objects to be connected is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1. This buckle consists of a male member and a box-shaped female member and has a structure that allows it to be used with one hand. The male member can be inserted into the tip opening of the female member not only from the side, but also by pushing it vertically from above and then inserting it horizontally. In other words, the male member can be connected to the female member by either inserting it horizontally or vertically.

[0003] JP 2019-136299 A

[0004] In the case of the above-mentioned background art, the female member is formed in a box shape, and unlike when engaged, to release the engagement, the male member cannot be removed vertically but must be removed horizontally from the box-shaped female member, which means there is little flexibility in releasing the engagement, and it cannot be used in applications where easy release in the vertical direction is preferred.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the background art described above, and has as its object to provide a buckle that allows a plug and a socket to be attached and detached in a wide range of directions.

[0006] The present invention provides a buckle comprising a plug and a socket which can be connected and disconnected to each other and which are each attached to a predetermined member, wherein the plug has a pair of legs protruding in one direction, the direction in which the pair of legs protrude is defined as the Y direction, the direction perpendicular to the Y direction and in which the pair of legs face each other is defined as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Y direction and the X direction is defined as the Z direction, and the pair of legs are each formed with an engaging element which detachably engages with the socket, the socket has a plate-shaped mounting plate, the surface of the mounting plate is a plane parallel to the X direction and the Y direction which are perpendicular to each other, the thickness direction of the mounting plate is defined as the Z direction, and the mounting plate is provided with an engaged element which detachably engages with the engaging element of the plug, The connection position of the socket, where the plug and the socket are connected to each other, is a position on one surface of the mounting plate portion where the Y directions of the plug and the socket are aligned and overlap in the Z direction, and when the plug is brought close to the socket in a range between the Y direction and the Z direction, the engaging element and the engaged element are guided by a part of the socket, causing the elastic deformation of the pair of legs to increase, allowing the engaging element and the engaged element to reach an engaging position, and when the engaging element and the engaged element reach the engaging position and the elastic deformation of the pair of legs is restored, the engaging element and the engaged element engage with each other, and when the pair of legs are operated to increase the elastic deformation, the engagement is released, and the buckle can be removed in a range between the Y direction and the Z direction.

[0007] The engaging elements provided on the pair of legs of the plug consist of a first engaging element formed near the tip of the leg and a second engaging element formed away from the tip of the leg, and the engaged elements provided on the mounting plate of the socket consist of a first engaged element with which the first engaging element engages and a second engaged element with which the second engaging element engages. The second engaged element engages with the second engaging element in the Z direction.

[0008] The first engaging element is a first protrusion that protrudes in opposite directions in the X direction from the pair of legs, and the first engaged element is a first engaging space that opens in the X direction and into which the first protrusion is inserted, and when the legs elastically deform toward each other, the first protrusion can reach the first engaging space, and when it reaches the first engaging space, the elastic deformation is restored and the first protrusion is inserted into and engaged with the first engaging space, and the first engaging space is surrounded by an upright wall that faces and engages with the first protrusion, and around the upright wall is formed a socket-side slope that guides the pair of legs toward each other and elastically deforms when the plug is brought close from a range between the Y direction and the Z direction.

[0009] The pair of legs of the plug are formed with a plug-side slope that abuts against the socket when the plug is approached from the range between the Y direction and the Z direction, guiding the pair of legs to approach each other and causing elastic deformation.

[0010] The plug is provided with a plate-like cover plate portion adjacent to the pair of legs in the Z direction and having a surface direction parallel to the X and Y directions, and when the plug and the socket are connected to each other, the cover plate portion faces the mounting plate portion of the socket across the legs, and the cover plate portion is provided with a guide groove or protrusion along the Y direction, and the mounting plate portion is provided with a protrusion that is slidably inserted into the guide groove along the Y direction or a guide groove into which the protrusion is slidably inserted.

[0011] The cover plate portion covers at least a portion of the pair of legs in the projection direction of the pair of legs in the Z direction, and comes into contact with the legs when the legs elastically deform in the Z direction.

[0012] The cover plate is provided with a pair of locking portions that lock the pair of legs together to prevent them from separating when the legs are elastically deformed toward each other with an appropriate force.

[0013] With the plug and the socket connected to each other, the leg portion is housed inside the buckle by the mounting plate portion and the cover plate portion.

[0014] The second engaging element is a second engaging space formed by cutting out a portion of the thickness in the X direction of the pair of legs and opening to opposite sides, the second engaged element is a second protrusion that protrudes in the X direction and is inserted into the second engaging space, and when the legs elastically deform in the directions toward each other, the second engaging space becomes able to reach the second protrusion, and when it reaches the second protrusion, the elastic deformation is restored and the second protrusion is inserted into and engaged with the second engaging space, and the second engaging space has an upright wall that faces and engages with the second protrusion.

[0015] The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a buckle comprising a plug and a socket which are connectable and disconnectable to each other and each attached to a predetermined member, the plug having a pair of legs protruding in one direction, the direction in which the pair of legs protrude being defined as a Y direction, a direction perpendicular to the Y direction and in which the pair of legs face each other being defined as an X direction, and a direction perpendicular to the Y direction and the X direction being defined as a Z direction, the pair of legs each having an engaging element formed thereon for detachably engaging with the socket, when the plug is brought close to the socket, the pair of legs are guided by a part of the socket and elastically deform so as to be able to reach an engaging position, when the plug reaches the engaging position, the elastic deformation of the pair of legs is restored and the engaging elements engage, and when the pair of legs are operated to increase the elastic deformation, the engagement can be released, the plug having a cover plate portion adjacent to the projection direction of the pair of legs in the Z direction and having a surface direction parallel to the X direction and the Y direction, the cover plate portion having a pair of locking portions for locking the pair of legs so as not to spread in the X direction while elastically deformed, The plug is integrally molded from synthetic resin, and in the molded state, the pair of legs do not overlap with the cover plate portion in the projection direction in the Z direction. After molding, the pair of legs are pressed to elastically deform and positioned between the pair of locking portions, and in that state the pressure is released to lock them into the locking portions, and the pair of legs are assembled so that they can elastically deform in the direction toward each other.

[0016] The pair of legs are pressed in the Z direction opposite to the cover plate portion, and are pressed closer to each other to be positioned between the pair of locking portions, and then the pressure is released to lock them into the locking portions.

[0017] The buckle of the present invention allows the plug and socket to be attached and detached in a wide range of directions, from the horizontal to the vertical, and has flexible operability, thereby expanding the uses of the buckle.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a buckle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the buckle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a left side view (a), a front view (b), and a right side view (c) of the buckle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plug of the buckle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the plug of the buckle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a front view (a), a right side view (b), and a bottom view (c) of the plug of the buckle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a socket of the buckle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a plan view (a), a front view (b), and a right side view (c) of the socket of the buckle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the molded state of the plug of the buckle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a rear view of the molded state of the plug of the buckle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] A buckle 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 10. Figures 1 to 3 show the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the buckle 10 of this embodiment comprises a plug 12 and a socket 14 to which the plug 12 is connected. The buckle 10 is attached to a tape 1, a belt, or another specified pair of members, and can be connected and disconnected from each other as desired. The plug 12 and socket 14 are integrally molded from a synthetic resin such as polyacetal, polyamide, or polypropylene.

[0020] The plug 12 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 4 to 6. In the following description, the direction in which a pair of legs 16 (described later) of the plug 12 protrude is referred to as the Y direction, the direction perpendicular to the Y direction and in which the pair of legs 16 face each other is referred to as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Y and X directions is referred to as the Z direction. The plug 12 is overlapped and engaged with the socket 14 in the Z direction, and has a pair of legs 16 protruding in the Y direction.

[0021] An engaging element that engages with the socket 14 is provided near the protruding tip 16a of each leg 16. A single mounting portion 18 is integrally provided at the base end 16b of each leg 16, opposite the tip 16a, to connect the base ends 16b of the pair of legs 16. The mounting portion 18 is provided with a mounting hole 19 through which the tape 1, a belt, or other specified member is inserted and connected. The mounting hole 19 is formed long in the X direction, and a mounting bar 19a around which the tape 1 or the like is wound is provided inside the mounting hole 19 in the X direction.

[0022] The pair of legs 16 protrude symmetrically from the mounting portion 18, and the cross section of each leg 16 in the Z direction intersecting the protruding direction is a rectangle that is relatively long in the thickness direction, and the pair of legs 16 are elastically deformable and relatively easily elastically deform in the X direction. The distance between the pair of legs 16 is slightly narrower on the tip end 16a side than on the base end 16b side.

[0023] Each of the pair of legs 16 is formed with an engaging element that detachably engages with the socket 14, and the engaging element consists of a first engaging element formed at a position close to the tip 16a of the leg 16 and a second engaging element formed at a position a predetermined distance away from the tip 16a of the leg 16.

[0024] The first engagement elements are first protrusions 22 that protrude toward opposite sides of the pair of legs 16. The first protrusions 22 are provided on the opposite outer surfaces 16c of the legs 16 and on portions that connect to the tips 16a. A plug-side slope 24 is formed on the first protrusion 22, connecting to the tips 16a of the legs 16 and one back surface 16d in the Z direction. The plug-side slope 24 is a surface that intersects the Y direction and the Z direction and faces outward on each of the pair of legs 16. When the plug 12 approaches the socket 14 from a range between the Y direction and the Z direction, the plug-side slope 24 abuts against a socket-side slope 50 of the socket 14, which will be described later, and guides the pair of legs 16 toward each other, causing significant elastic deformation. As shown in FIG. 5, the tips 16a of the legs 16 recede toward the base end 16b from the tips 16a as the amount of protrusion from the outer surface 16c increases. As shown in FIG. 6C, the back surface 16d side of the plug-side inclined surface 24 is inclined toward the opposite front surface 16e from the back surface 16d as the protrusion amount from the outer surface 16c increases, and the first projection 22 becomes thinner.

[0025] The second engagement elements are second engagement spaces 25 that open to opposite sides of the pair of legs 16. As shown in FIG. 6( b), the second engagement spaces 25 are recessed in a surface continuous with the outer surface 16c of a second engagement space projection 28 that protrudes from the back surface 16d of the leg 16, and open to opposite sides. The second engagement spaces 25 are formed by cutting out a portion of the X-direction thickness of the second engagement space projection 28, forming a groove-like shape that is elongated in the Y-direction. The inner peripheral surface forms an upright wall 30 that faces a second protrusion 52 (described later) of the socket 14. The tip 16a side of the upright wall 30 reaches and opens to the end 28a of the second engagement space projection 28. In other words, the upright wall 30 opens to the tip 16a side of the leg 16.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, small locking projections 31 are formed on the tips 16a of the pair of legs 16 so as to project in the direction in which the legs 16 project.

[0027] The plug 12 is provided with a cover plate 32 that is adjacent to the pair of legs 16 in the Z direction and has a surface that is approximately parallel to the X and Y directions, and the cover plate 32 is formed integrally with the mounting portion 18. The cover plate 32 is a rectangle that is slightly longer in the Y direction and slightly shorter in the X direction than the mounting portion 18.

[0028] A guide groove 34 is provided in the Y direction on the back surface 32a of the cover plate 32 adjacent to the leg 16 in the Z direction, passing through the center. In the rear view shown in FIG. 5 , the guide groove 34 is straight, with one end continuing to the mounting hole 19 and the other end reaching the tip 32b of the cover plate 32 opposite the mounting portion 18. Sidewalls 36 forming the groove are formed on both sides of the guide groove 34. The pair of sidewalls 36 are symmetrical to each other, continuing to the mounting portion 18, and are lower in height in the Z direction than the mounting portion 18. One end of the sidewall 36 in the Y direction reaches the mounting hole 19 and continues along the periphery of the mounting hole 19, separating from each other along an L-shape, near the base end 16b of the leg 16. The other end reaches the tip 32b of the cover plate 32, separating from each other along the tip 32b, and reaches near a corner of the tip 32b.

[0029] At the tip of the side wall portion 36 that reaches near the corner of the tip portion 32b, a locking portion 38 is provided that is bent like a hook toward the mounting portion 18. The locking portion 38 locks the pair of legs 16 so that they do not spread in the X direction while being appropriately elastically deformed. A guide groove 34 opens between the pair of side wall portions 36 at the tip portion 32b of the cover plate portion 32.

[0030] The cover plate 32 is provided on one side of the pair of legs 16 in the Z direction. The pair of legs 16 overlap in the Z direction, covering the legs 16 with a small gap. The other side of the leg 16 is exposed to the outside and does not have the cover plate 32. When the leg 16 elastically deforms toward the front side in the Z direction, it comes into contact with the cover plate 32, preventing significant elastic deformation toward the surface 16e. A thin plate-shaped operating unit 40 is integrally provided on the outer surface 16c of the leg 16. The operating unit 40 has a surface approximately parallel to the X and Y directions and is thinner in the Z direction than the leg 16. In the bottom view shown in FIG. 5 , the operating unit 40 has a triangular shape extending from the mounting portion 18 to near the tip 16a. The longest side extends along the Y direction, and the shorter side intersecting the tip of the Y-direction side on the 16a side extends along the X direction. A portion of the operating unit 40 protrudes to the side of the cover plate 32.

[0031] Next, the socket 14 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 7 and 8. The socket 14 includes a thin mounting plate 42, which is provided with an engaged element that detachably engages with an engaging element of the plug 12. The mounting plate 42 is trapezoidal. In the following description, the directions of the sides of the upper and lower bases of the trapezoidal shape of the mounting plate 42 shown in Figure 8 are defined as the X direction, the height is defined as the Y direction, and the thickness direction of the mounting plate 42 is defined as the Z direction. As will be described in detail later, the coupling position at which the plug 12 and the socket 14 are coupled to each other is a position where a pair of legs 16 of the plug 12 overlap in the Z direction with one back surface 42a of the mounting plate 42 in the Z direction, and the central axes of the plug 12 and the socket 14 in the X direction are aligned with each other.

[0032] An attachment portion 44 is integrally formed on the trapezoidal lower base of the attachment plate portion 42, and the attachment portion 44 is formed to be thicker in the Z direction than the attachment plate portion 42, and forms a U-shaped thick portion on both side edges along the Y direction of the attachment plate portion 42 that extends to about half the length of the side edges and protrudes toward the back surface 42a.

[0033] The mounting plate 42 is formed with engaged elements that detachably engage with the plug 12, and the engaged elements consist of a first engaged element with which the first engaging element engages and a second engaged element with which the second engaging element engages. The mounting plate 42 is provided on one side in the Z direction, and the surface on which the first engaged element and the second engaged element are provided is exposed to the outside.

[0034] The first engaged element is a first engagement space 46 into which the first protrusion 22 of the plug 12 is inserted. The first engagement space 46 is formed by recessing a pair of opposing inner surfaces 44a of the mounting portion 44, which is a U-shaped thick portion, to open in the X direction, and further penetrates the mounting plate portion 42 in the Z direction. The inner circumferential surface of the first engagement space 46 forms an upright wall 48 that faces the first protrusion 22 of the plug 12. A pair of socket-side slopes 50 are formed at the corner between the inner surface 44a of the mounting portion 44 and a top surface 44b that is approximately parallel to the X and Y directions. When the plug 12 is brought closer within the range between the Y and Z directions, the pair of socket-side slopes 50 come into contact with the plug-side slopes 24 formed on the legs 16 of the plug 12, guiding the pair of legs 16 to approach each other and causing significant elastic deformation. The socket side inclined surface 50 is a surface that intersects the Y direction and the Z direction and faces the center of the mounting plate portion 42, and the corner formed by the inner surface 44a and the top surface 44b is chamfered and continues to the upright wall 48.

[0035] The second engaged element is a second protrusion 52 inserted into the second engagement space 25 of the plug 12. When the legs 16 elastically deform toward each other, the second protrusion 52 coincides with the second engagement space 25, and then the elastic deformation is restored, allowing the second protrusion 52 to be inserted into and engaged with the second engagement space 25. The mounting plate 42 is provided with a pair of through-holes 54 spaced apart in the X direction, penetrating the mounting plate 42 in the Z direction, near the middle of the mounting plate 42's length in the Y direction. The through-holes 54 are rectangular, with a pair of sides each in the X and Y directions. The second protrusion 52 is integrally provided at a corner of the through-hole 54 where the side facing the mounting portion 44 intersects with the side close to the side edge of the mounting plate 42. The second protrusion 52 is a plate-like protrusion with a planar direction substantially parallel to the X and Y directions. Its thickness in the Z direction is thinner than that of the mounting plate 42, allowing it to be inserted into the second engagement space 25 of the plug 12 with a slight margin. As shown in FIG. 8B, when viewed from the Z direction, the shape is a rectangle with corners located inside the through-hole 54.

[0036] A protrusion 56 is provided on the back surface 42a of the mounting plate 42, passing through the center, in the Y direction. As shown in FIG. 8(b) , the protrusion 56 is linear, with one end continuing to the mounting portion 44 and the other end reaching the tip 42b of the mounting plate 42 opposite the mounting portion 18. Mounting holes 58 are provided on both sides of the protrusion 56 in the X direction, through which the tape 1, belt, or other specified member is inserted and connected. The mounting hole 58 extends along the protrusion 56, and a side wall portion 60, lower than the protrusion 56, is formed along the side edge of the mounting hole 58 penetrating the mounting plate 42 on the side opposite the protrusion 56, providing reinforcement. The protrusion 56 is formed with a mounting hole 62 penetrating in the X direction, through which the tape 1 inserted through the pair of mounting holes 58 is inserted in the X direction. The mounting hole 62 extends along the Y direction along the protrusion 56. One end of the mounting hole 62 in the Y direction reaches the vicinity of the tip portion 42b, and the opposite end reaches the mounting portion 44 and penetrates the mounting portion 44 in the Y direction. The protrusion 56 is slidably inserted into the guide groove 34 of the plug 12 when the plug 12 and socket 14 are connected to each other.

[0037] Next, a method for manufacturing the buckle 10 of this embodiment will be described. As described above, the plug 12 and the socket 14 are integrally molded from a synthetic resin such as polyacetal, polyamide, or polypropylene.

[0038] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, in the molded state of the plug 12, the pair of legs 16 do not overlap with the cover plate 32 in the Z direction but are positioned to the side of the cover plate 32. This allows the molding die to be removed. After molding, a force is applied to the legs 16 in a direction away from the cover plate 32, causing them to elastically deform. The locking protrusions 31 of the legs 16 are inserted so as to overlap the back surface 32a of the locking portion 38 of the cover plate 32, avoiding the locking portion 38 in the Z direction. When the force that elastically deformed the legs 16 is released, the legs 16 recover slightly from their elastic deformation and, in a moderately elastically deformed state, the locking protrusions 31 of the legs 16 are biased and abut against the locking portion 38 of the cover plate 32. This locks the pair of legs 16 so that they do not separate, resulting in the finished product shown in Figures 4 to 6. The socket 14 is integrally molded into the finished product shape shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0039] Next, the engagement operation and method of use of the buckle 10 of this embodiment will be described below. First, tape 1 is attached to the plug 12 of this buckle 10. The end of tape 1 is inserted from the back surface 32a of the mounting hole 19 of the mounting portion 18 of the plug 12, wrapped around the outer periphery of the mounting bar 19a, and inserted again into the mounting hole 19 from the front surface. The tape 1 is then overlapped on itself on the back surface 32a of the mounting hole 19, and pulled out so that the length can be adjusted. Next, tape 1 is attached to the socket 14. The tip of tape 1 is inserted into one mounting hole 58 from the surface opposite the back surface 42a of the mounting plate portion 42 of the socket 14, and pulled out through the other mounting hole 58 after passing through the mounting hole 62.

[0040] The plug 12 and socket 14 can be coupled to each other as long as the protrusion 56 of the socket 14 is slidably inserted into the guide groove 34 of the plug 12 and positioned in the X direction. With the central axes of the plug 12 and socket 14 in the X direction approximately aligned, the plug 12 is moved toward the socket 14 in the Y direction from the front end 42b side or in the Z direction from the back surface 42a side. Then, the plug-side slope 24 of the plug 12 abuts and is guided against the socket-side slope 50 of the socket 14, and elastic deformation of the pair of legs 16 increases in the direction of approaching each other, allowing the first protrusion 22 of the plug 12 to reach the engagement position between the first engagement space 46 of the socket 14. When the first protrusion 22 of the plug 12 reaches the engagement position in the first engagement space 46 of the socket 14, the pair of legs 16 recover from their elastic deformation, the first protrusion 22 is inserted into the first engagement space 46, and the second protrusion 52 is inserted into and engaged with the second engagement space 25, thereby connecting the plug 12 and the socket 14. This connects the pair of tapes 1 in a T-shape. The connection between the plug 12 and the socket 14 may be at any angle between the direction in which the plug 12 approaches the socket 14 from the tip end 42b side in the Y direction and the direction in which the plug 12 approaches the socket 14 from the back surface 42a side in the Z direction.

[0041] 1 to 3, the plug 12 and socket 14 are connected to each other such that the back surface 42a of the mounting plate portion 42 of the socket 14 and the back surface 32a of the cover plate portion 32 of the plug 12 face each other substantially parallel, and the mounting portion 18 of the plug 12 and the mounting portion 44 of the socket 14 are spaced apart. The plug 12 and socket 14 are aligned in the Y direction, the protrusion 56 of the socket 14 is inserted into the guide groove 34 of the plug 12 to position them in the X direction, and they overlap in the Z direction. The first protrusion 22 and second engagement space 25 of the plug 12 are aligned with and engaged with the first engagement space 46 and second protrusion 52 of the socket 14, thereby connecting them.

[0042] Furthermore, the plug 12 and socket 14 can be connected even if the Y direction of the plug 12 and the Y direction of the socket 14 intersect. For example, when the first protrusion 22 side of the plug 12 is closer to the socket 14 in the Z direction than the second engagement space 25, that is, when the plug 12 is brought closer to the socket 14 in a state where it is lower, the plug-side inclined surface 24 is pushed by the socket-side inclined surface 50, causing the leg 16 to elastically deform. Then, the first protrusion 22 reaches the first engagement space 46 before the second engagement space 25 reaches the second protrusion 52, but the plug-side inclined surface 24 continues to be pushed by the socket-side inclined surface 50 until the Y direction of the plug 12 becomes substantially parallel to the Y direction of the socket 14, maintaining its elastic deformation. When the Y direction of the plug 12 becomes approximately parallel to the Y direction of the socket 14, the second protrusion 52 also reaches the second engagement space 25, the elastic deformation of the pair of legs 16 is restored, the first protrusion 22 is inserted into the first engagement space 46, and the second protrusion 52 is inserted into and engaged with the second engagement space 25, thereby connecting the plug 12 and the socket 14.

[0043] To release the engagement, the operating portion 40 protruding laterally from the cover plate portion 32 of the plug 12 is pressed to increase the elastic deformation of the pair of legs 16. This causes the first protrusion 22 to be pulled out of the first engagement space 46, and the second protrusion 52 to be pulled out of the second engagement space 25, making the engagement disengageable and removable within a range between the Y direction and the Z direction. The direction of separation upon release of the engagement may be any angle, between a direction away from the tip portion 42b in the Y direction and a direction away from the back surface 42a in the Z direction.

[0044] When the plug 12 and socket 14 are connected to each other, the leg 16 is housed inside the buckle 10 by the cover plate 32 and the mounting plate 42. Then, the second protrusion 52 engages in the Z direction in the second engagement space 25. Therefore, the cover plate 32 of the plug 12 remains approximately parallel to the mounting plate 42 of the socket 14 with the leg 16 in between, preventing tilting even when force is applied to the tape 1.

[0045] The tip 16a side of the standing wall 30 of the second engagement space 25 is open, reaching the end 28a of the second engagement space protrusion 28. In other words, the standing wall 30 is open on the tip 16a side of the leg portion 16. This makes it easy to engage and disengage from the Y direction.

[0046] According to the buckle 10 of this embodiment, the plug 12 and socket 14 can be attached and detached in a range from the horizontal Y direction to the vertical Z direction, providing flexible operability and easy handling. The connection is established by a first protrusion 22 formed near the tip 16a of the leg 16 and a second engagement space 25 formed away from the tip 16a of the leg 16, preventing the connection between the plug 12 and socket 14 from tilting or becoming disconnected even when force is applied to the tape 1. The legs 16 are housed inside the buckle 10 by a cover plate 32 and an attachment plate 42, making it compact and preventing it from getting caught on other components. The cover plate 32 covers at least a portion of the pair of legs 16 in the Z direction of the legs 16, so that when the legs 16 elastically deform in the Z direction, they come into contact with each other, preventing elastic deformation even when a strong force is applied.

[0047] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. Here, like reference numerals denote like components as in the above embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, the buckle 64 is formed so that the mounting portion 44 of the socket 14 protrudes from the tip 32b of the cover plate 32 of the plug 12 when the plug 12 is attached. The protruding mounting portion 44 is provided with a mounting hole 19 for attaching the tape 1.

[0048] The tape 1 to be attached to the socket 14 is attached by inserting the tip of the tape 1 into the attachment hole 19 and winding the end of the attachment portion 18 around it so that it overlaps with the tape 1 itself.

[0049] The buckle 64 of this embodiment is used in the same manner as the above-described embodiment and has the same effect. The pair of tapes 1 can be attached to the plug 12 and the socket 14, respectively, and connected with the attachment directions aligned in the longitudinal direction.

[0050] The buckle of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified. A protrusion may be provided on the mounting plate of the plug, and a guide groove may be provided on the mounting plate of the socket. The width and location of the mounting holes can be freely set, and the type, location, and number of tapes are not limited.

[0051] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Tape 10, 64 Buckle 12 Plug 14 Socket 16 Leg 16a Tip 22 First protrusion 24 Plug-side inclined surface 25 Second engagement space 30, 48 Upright wall 32 Cover plate portion 34 Guide groove 38 Locking portion 42 Mounting plate portion 46 First engagement space 50 Socket-side inclined surface 52 Second protrusion 56 Ridge

Claims

1. A buckle comprising a plug (12) and a socket (14) which can be connected and disconnected to each other and which are each attached to a predetermined member (1), wherein the plug (12) has a pair of legs (16) protruding in one direction, the direction in which the pair of legs (16) protrude is the Y direction, the direction perpendicular to the Y direction and in which the pair of legs (16) face each other is the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Y direction and the X direction is the Z direction, and the pair of legs (16) are each formed with engaging elements (22, 25) which detachably engage with the socket (14), the socket (14) has a plate-shaped mounting plate (42), the surface of the mounting plate (42) is a plane parallel to the X direction and the Y direction which are perpendicular to each other, the thickness direction of the mounting plate (42) is the Z direction, and the mounting plate (42) is provided with engaged elements (46, 52) which detachably engage with the engaging elements (22, 25) of the plug, The coupling position of the socket (14), where the plug (12) and the socket (14) are coupled to each other, is a position on one surface of the mounting plate portion (42) where the plug (12) and the socket (14) coincide in the Y direction and overlap in the Z direction, and when the plug (12) is brought closer to the socket (14) at least within a range between the Y direction and the Z direction, the engaging elements (22, 25) and the engaged elements (46, 52) are guided by a part of the socket (14), and elastic deformation of the pair of legs (16) increases, allowing the engaging elements (22, 25) and the engaged elements (46, 52) to reach an engagement position, and when the engaging elements (22, 25) and the engaged elements (46, 52) reach the engagement position and the elastic deformation of the pair of legs (16) is restored, the engaging elements (22, 25) and the engaged elements (46, 52) engage with each other, The buckle is characterized in that when the pair of legs (16) are operated to increase elastic deformation, the engagement is released and the buckle can be removed at least in the range between the Y direction and the Z direction.

2. A buckle as set forth in claim 1, wherein the engaging elements (22, 25) provided on the pair of legs (16) of the plug (12) consist of a first engaging element (22) formed in a position close to the tip (16a) of the leg (16) and a second engaging element (25) formed in a position away from the tip (16a) of the leg (16), and the engaged elements (46, 52) provided on the mounting plate portion (42) of the socket (14) consist of a first engaged element (46) with which the first engaging element (22) engages and a second engaged element (52) with which the second engaging element (25) engages.

3. A buckle according to claim 2, wherein the second engaged element (52) engages with the second engaging element (25) in the Z direction.

4. A buckle as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first engaging element (22) is a first protrusion (22) protruding in opposite directions in the X direction of the pair of legs (16), the first engaged element (46) is a first engaging space (46) into which the first protrusion (22) is inserted and which opens in the X direction, and when the legs (16) elastically deform toward each other, the first protrusion (22) is able to reach the first engaging space (46), and when it reaches the first engaging space (46), the elastic deformation is restored and the first protrusion (22) is inserted into and engaged with the first engaging space (46), the first engaging space (46) is surrounded by an upright wall (48) which faces and engages with the first protrusion (22), and a socket-side slope (50) is formed around the upright wall (48) which guides the pair of legs (16) toward each other and elastically deforms them when the plug (12) is brought toward them from a range between the Y direction and the Z direction.

5. A buckle as described in claim 4, wherein the pair of legs (16) of the plug (12) are formed with plug-side inclined surfaces (24) that abut against the socket (14) when the plug (12) is brought close to the socket (14) from the range between the Y direction and the Z direction, guiding and elastically deforming the pair of legs (16) so that they approach each other.

6. A buckle according to claim 1, wherein the plug (12) is provided with a plate-like cover plate (32) adjacent to the pair of legs (16) in the Z direction and having a surface direction parallel to the X and Y directions, and when the plug (12) and the socket (14) are connected to each other, the cover plate (32) faces the mounting plate (42) of the socket (14) across the legs (16), and the cover plate (32) is provided with a guide groove (34) or a protrusion along the Y direction, and the mounting plate (42) is provided with a protrusion (56) that is slidably inserted into the guide groove (34) along the Y direction or a guide groove into which the protrusion is slidably inserted.

7. A buckle as described in claim 6, wherein the cover plate portion (32) covers at least a portion of the pair of legs (16) in the Z-direction projection direction of the pair of legs (16) and comes into contact with the legs (16) when they are elastically deformed in the Z-direction.

8. A buckle as described in claim 6, wherein the cover plate portion (32) is provided with a pair of locking portions (38) that lock the pair of legs (16) together by elastically deforming them toward each other with a moderate force, preventing them from separating.

9. A buckle as claimed in claim 6, wherein, when the plug (12) and the socket (14) are connected to each other, the leg portion (16) is housed inside the buckle by the mounting plate portion (42) and the cover plate portion (32).

10. A buckle as described in claim 2, wherein the second engaging element (25) is a second engaging space (25) formed by cutting out a portion of the X-direction thickness of the pair of legs (16) and opening to opposite sides, the second engaged element is a second protrusion (52) that protrudes in the X-direction and is inserted into the second engaging space (25), and when the legs (16) elastically deform in directions approaching each other, the second engaging space (25) is able to reach the second protrusion (52), and when it reaches the second engaging space (25), the elastic deformation is restored and the second protrusion (52) is inserted into and engaged with the second engaging space (25), and the second engaging space (25) is provided with an upright wall (30) that faces and engages with the second protrusion (52).

11. The plug (12) and socket (14) are connectable and disconnectable to each other and are each attached to a predetermined member. The plug (12) has a pair of legs (16) protruding in one direction. The direction in which the pair of legs (16) protrude is the Y direction. The direction perpendicular to the Y direction and in which the pair of legs (16) face each other is the X direction. The direction perpendicular to the Y direction and the X direction is the Z direction. The pair of legs (16) are each formed with engaging elements (22, 25) that detachably engage with the socket (14). When the plug (12) is brought close to the socket (14), it is guided by a part of the socket (14) and the pair of legs (16) a method for manufacturing a buckle, the method comprising: elastically deforming the legs (16) to enable them to reach an engagement position; elastically deforming the pair of legs (16) to restore their original shape and engage the engaging elements (22, 25) when they reach the engagement position; and operating the pair of legs (16) to increase their elastic deformation to enable disengagement; the plug (12) is provided with a cover plate (32) adjacent to the pair of legs (16) in a Z-direction projection direction and having a surface direction parallel to the X-direction and the Y-direction; and the cover plate (32) is provided with a pair of locking portions (38) that lock the pair of legs (16) so that they do not expand in the X-direction when elastically deformed, The plug (12) is integrally molded from synthetic resin, and in the molded state, the pair of legs (16) do not overlap with the cover plate portion (32) in the projection direction in the Z direction. After molding, the pair of legs (16) are pressed to elastically deform and positioned between the pair of locking portions (38), and in that state the pressure is released to lock them to the locking portions (38), and the pair of legs (16) are assembled so that they can elastically deform in the direction of approaching each other.

12. A method for manufacturing a buckle as described in claim 11, in which the pair of legs (16) are pressed in the Z direction opposite to the cover plate portion (32) and are pressed toward each other to position them between the pair of locking portions (38), and then the pressure is released to lock them into the locking portions (38).

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