Slide fastener

Abstract

An opening implement (60) of this slide fastener (10) comprises: a box body (61) that is disposed at one end in the length direction of a fastener tape of one fastener element row (30A), and that has a front surface (63), a rear surface (64), and a pair of side surfaces (65, 66); and a box rod (62) that is fixed to the box body (61) and is provided so as to protrude forward from one side in the width direction of the box body (61). The box body (61) includes: an attachment part (67) that is provided on one side in the width direction and to which one fastener tape (20A) is attached; and a holding part (80, 80A) that is provided on the other side in the width direction and is able to hold one end part of the other fastener element row (30B). The holding part (80, 80A) has a locking piece (90) that protrudes from the front surface side to the rear surface side; and a stop wall (91) that faces the locking piece (90) with an interval therebetween in the length direction of the fastener tape. An engagement head part (31a) of an end part fastener element (31E) positioned at the tip of one end part of the other fastener element row (30B) can be held between the locking piece (90) and the stop wall (91).

Description

Slide fastener

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide fastener having an opening device.

[0002] Generally, slide fasteners are roughly divided into two representative types: a normal type slide fastener in which the interlocking left and right element rows are arranged and exposed on the tape surface side of the fastener tape, and a hidden type slide fastener (so-called hidden slide fastener) in which the interlocking left and right element rows can be concealed so that they cannot be seen from the outside. Taking advantage of their concealment property, hidden slide fasteners do not interfere with the design of the product, and are therefore suitably used in products such as various types of clothing and shoes, and in recent years have also been used in seat covers for automobiles and trains (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] A hidden slide fastener is constructed by folding the opposing side edges of a pair of left and right fastener tapes along their length into a U-shaped cross section, and providing a number of fastener elements at a predetermined pitch along the outer surface of the U-shaped folded portion. The slider of the hidden slide fastener has left and right flanges with an L-shaped cross section that rise from the left and right side edges of the lower blade toward the surface and bend at right angles toward each other, and further has a column that rises from the center of one end of the lower blade toward the surface and has a pull tab attachment portion at its tip. The Y-shaped space formed between the lower blade and the L-shaped cross section flange serves as an element guide passage (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0004] In addition, in a hidden slide fastener, an opening device is provided at one end of each of the left and right fastener stringers (see, for example, Patent Document 3). For this reason, when connecting the opening device, it is necessary to insert the insert pin attached to the end of one fastener stringer into the Y-shaped space in the slider, and then insert it into the insert pin insertion space in the box body attached to the end of the other fastener stringer.

[0005] Japanese Patent No. 5269103 Japanese Patent No. 5474073 Japanese Patent No. 4651634

[0006] In the concealed slide fastener for automobile use described in Patent Document 1, the automobile seat covering to which the fastener tape is sewn is hard and thick, so that the concealed slide fastener described in Patent Document 1 has a hard restricting member provided in the tape portion folded back in a U-shape so that the element will not be exposed even when tension is applied in a state in which the left and right fastener tapes are pulled.

[0007] In such a concealed slide fastener, which has a stiff, thick sheet sewn thereto and a stiff fastener tape folded back into a U-shape, a large force is required to pull up the slider when closing the concealed slide fastener while winding up the fastener tape. For this reason, in order to close the fastener normally, a large slider with an L-shaped cross-section flange in which the parallel portion on the rear opening side is formed long has been used.

[0008] However, when inserting the insert pin of the opening device into such a large slider with a long parallel section, the insert pin may interfere with the flange with an L-shaped cross section, and the insert pin may lift up when the slider is pulled up, so improvements in operability when inserting the insert pin and pulling up the slider are required.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a slide fastener that can prevent interference between the slider and insert pin even when a large slider is used, and can improve operability when connecting the opening device or pulling up the slider.

[0010] The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following configuration: (1) A slide fastener comprising a pair of fastener stringers each having a pair of fastener tapes and a pair of fastener element rows sewn to tape side edge portions of the pair of fastener tapes, and an opening device provided at one end of the pair of fastener stringers in the longitudinal direction of the fastener tapes and capable of separating or connecting one end of the pair of fastener stringers, wherein the opening device comprises: a box body arranged at one end in the longitudinal direction of the fastener tape of one of the pair of fastener element rows, the box body having a front surface, a back surface and a pair of side surfaces, and a box pin fixed to the box body and provided protruding forward from one side in the width direction of the box body, wherein the box body has an attachment portion provided on one side in the width direction to which one of the fastener tapes is attached, and a holding portion provided on the other side in the width direction and capable of holding one end of the other of the pair of fastener element rows, and the holding portion has a locking piece protruding from the front surface side to the back surface side, and a stop wall facing the locking piece at an interval in the longitudinal direction of the fastener tape, A slide fastener, wherein an engaging head of an end fastener element located at a tip of one end of the other fastener element row can be held between the locking piece and the stop wall.(2) The slide fastener according to (1), wherein the slide fastener is a hidden slide fastener in which opposing tape side edge portions of the pair of fastener tapes are bent into a U-shape and the pair of fastener element rows are sewn to the bent folded pieces of the tape side edge portions of the pair of fastener tapes, the retaining portion has an insertion space into which a fastener element at one end of the other fastener element row is inserted, the retaining portion accommodates the folded piece of the other fastener tape in the insertion space, and the retaining portion has a slit that opens the insertion space to the surface of the box body so that the tape main portion of the other fastener tape faces the surface of the box body on the other width direction side, and the opposing wall portion on the one width direction side that forms the slit has an inclined surface that inclines toward the other width direction side toward one end of the fastener tape in the length direction. (3) The slide fastener according to (2), wherein the surface of the box body is formed with a step so that the surface on one width direction side with respect to the slit bulges out in the front-to-back direction more than the surface on the other width direction side. (4) A slide fastener according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the locking piece has a slope that gradually protrudes from the front side to the back side as it approaches the stopping wall, and the rear surface of the locking piece has a stepped surface on the other side in the width direction so that the distance between the locking piece and the stopping wall is shortened. (5) A slide fastener according to (4), wherein an opening is provided on the back surface of the box body up to a position higher than the rear surface of the locking piece. (6) A slide fastener according to (1), wherein the locking piece and the stopping wall of the holding portion are located forward of the front surface of the box body.

[0011] According to the present invention, instead of using an insert pin, the fastener elements of the other fastener element row are formed continuously to one end of the other fastener element row, so that even when a large slider is used, one end of the other fastener element row passes smoothly through the slider and is inserted into and held in the insertion space of the box body, thereby improving operability when connecting the opening device or pulling up the slider.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an automobile seat in which a hidden slide fastener according to this embodiment is used. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which a fastener stringer is sewn to an upholstery material of an automobile seat. (a) is a front view of the slider, and (b) is a side view of the slider as seen from the rear opening side. (a) is a surface view of the hidden slide fastener showing the slider, opening device, and element in a state in which the slider is in a lifting start position where it is pulled up from the opening device, (b) is a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV in (a), and (c) is a cross-sectional view along line IV'-IV' in (a). FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one end of a pair of fastener stringers having opening devices in a connected state, as seen from the back side. (a) is a front view of one end of a pair of fastener stringers having opening devices in a connected state, (b) is a side view thereof, and (c) is a rear view thereof. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line VII-VII in (c). 10(c) is an enlarged view of a portion XI in FIG. 10(c). FIG. 10(a) is a rear view of one fastener stringer having a box body and a box pin, with the fastener tape shown in imaginary lines. FIG. 10(b) is a rear view of one end of a pair of fastener stringers in a connected state, excluding the fastener tape. FIG. 10(c) is an enlarged view of a portion XI in FIG. 10(c). FIG. 10(a) is a rear view of one end of a pair of fastener stringers having an opening device, relating to a concealed slide fastener according to a modified example, and FIG. 10(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 10(a).

[0013] An embodiment of the concealed slide fastener according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the front side refers to the upper side of the paper in Fig. 2 and the front side of the paper in Fig. 4(a), and the back side refers to the lower side of the paper in Fig. 2 and the rear side of the paper in Fig. 4(a). The front side refers to the upper side of the paper in Fig. 4(a), the rear side refers to the lower side of the paper in Fig. 4(a), the left side refers to the left side of the paper in Figs. 2 and 4(a), and the right side refers to the right side of the paper in Figs. 2 and 4(a). Therefore, the left-right direction of the concealed slide fastener is the width direction of a pair of fastener element rows, which will be described later, and is also the width direction of the box body, which will be described later. The front-rear direction of the concealed slide fastener is also the longitudinal direction of the box pin, and the direction in which the element rows close as the slider moves is the front side, and the direction in which the element rows open is the rear side.

[0014] Fig. 1 shows an automobile seat in which the concealed slide fastener according to this embodiment is used, Fig. 2 shows a cross section of the concealed slide fastener, Fig. 3 shows a slider of the concealed slide fastener, and Figs. 4 to 11 show one end of a pair of fastener stringers having opening devices, which are applied to the concealed slide fastener.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, in an automobile seat, fastener stringers 11A, 11B attached to the edges of two seat covers 1 are closed by sliding of a slider 40 to cover the cushion body of the seat. In this case, the hidden slide fastener 10 of this embodiment conceals the interlocking left and right fastener element rows 30A, 30B (see Figure 2) that make up the fastener stringers 11A, 11B so that they cannot be seen from the outside.

[0016] 1 and 2, the concealed slide fastener 10 includes a pair of left and right fastener stringers 11A, 11B having fastener element rows 30A, 30B sewn to left and right fastener tapes 20A, 20B, respectively, a slider 40 that can slide along the fastener element rows 30A, 30B formed on each fastener stringer 11A, 11B, and an opening device 60 that is provided at one end of the pair of fastener stringers 11A, 11B in the length direction of the fastener tape and can separate or connect one end of the pair of fastener stringers 11A, 11B. Note that a stop portion (not shown) may be provided at the other end of the pair of fastener element rows 30A, 30B, respectively.

[0017] The pair of fastener stringers 11A, 11B comprises a pair of fastener tapes 20A, 20B in which opposing tape side edge portions 24 are bent into a U-shape along the tape length direction, a pair of continuous fastener element rows 30A, 30B sewn to the outer surfaces of the folded-back pieces 22 of the tape side edge portions 24 of the pair of fastener tapes 20A, 20B using sewing thread 12, and a regulating member 13 sewn to the inner surfaces of the folded-back pieces 22 together with the fastener element rows 30A, 30B using sewing thread 12.

[0018] In addition, the left and right fastener tapes 20A, 20B each have a tape main body 21 arranged on the exposed surface side of the hidden slide fastener 10, a tape folding portion 23 arranged continuously from the tape main body 21 and folded into a U-shape, and a folded piece portion 22 extending in the tape width direction from the side edge of the tape folding portion 23.

[0019] The fastener element rows 30A and 30B are formed of coil-shaped fastener elements 31 molded from monofilaments made of synthetic resin such as polyamide or polyester. Each fastener element 31 constituting the fastener element rows 30A and 30B has an interlocking head 31a, upper and lower leg portions 31b and 31c extending from the interlocking head 31a, and a leg connecting portion 31d that connects the end of the upper leg portion 31b or the lower leg portion 31c to the lower leg portion 31c or the upper leg portion 31b of the adjacent fastener element 31.

[0020] Furthermore, the fastener element rows 30A, 30B are sewn to the fastener tapes 20A, 20B so that the core cord 32 is inserted between the upper and lower leg portions 31b, 31c of the fastener element rows 30A, 30B, and the interlocking head portion 31a protrudes outward in the tape width direction (left and right direction) from the tape folding portion 23.

[0021] The regulating member 13 has a plurality of regulating main bodies 14 formed in the shape of thin small pieces and rectangular in front view, and connecting portions 15 that connect the regulating main bodies 14 in the tape length direction. The connecting portions 15 are formed in the shape of a film with a constant width, and the small piece-like regulating main bodies 14 are integrally molded with the connecting portions 15 at predetermined intervals in the tape length direction, so that the regulating main bodies 14 are connected together via the connecting portions 15.

[0022] In this case, the small piece-like regulating body 14 and the film-like connecting portion 15 are formed by two-color molding. The regulating body 14 is molded using a hard synthetic resin such as polyamide, polyacetal, polypropylene, or polybutylene terephthalate, while the connecting portion 15 is molded using a synthetic resin that is softer than the regulating body 14, such as polyurethane, silicone rubber, or thermoplastic elastomer. In the present invention, the material of the regulating member 13 is not limited and can be changed as desired.

[0023] The regulating member 13 (particularly, the regulating main body portion 14) sewn to the folded piece portion 22 of the fastener tapes 20A, 20B is disposed on the surface of the folded piece portion 22 opposite to the surface to which the fastener elements 31 are sewn, at a position where one side edge of the regulating member 13 abuts against the inner surface of the tape folding portion 23 of the fastener tapes 20A, 20B when the fastener element rows 30A, 30B are interlocked. Note that in the present invention, the shape and dimensions of each regulating member 13 are not particularly limited, but it is preferable to set the shape and dimensions of the regulating member 13 so that, for example, when the regulating member 13 is sewn so that the other side edge of the regulating member 13 and the side edge of the folded piece portion 22 side of the fastener tapes 20A, 20B are aligned in the tape width direction, one side edge of the regulating member 13 abuts against the inner surface of the tape folding portion 23 of the fastener tapes 20A, 20B.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3 , a slider 40 for a concealed slide fastener comprises a slider body 41 and a pull tab (not shown) attached to the surface of the slider body 41. The slider 40 may be opened and closed by hooking a jig onto a ring portion attached to the front end of the slider body 41 without providing the pull tab. The slider body 41 has a lower blade 42 having first flanges 43 with an inverted L-shaped cross section erected on the left and right side edges, a guide post 44 erected at the front end of the lower blade 42, a second flange 45 extending from the peripheral edge of the front surface of the guide post 44, and a gate-shaped pull tab mounting post 46 extending in the sliding direction of the slider 40 on the surface of the second flange 45 to which the pull tab is rotatably attached. An element guide path 47 is formed so as to be surrounded by the lower blade 42 and the first flange 43. Although the pull tab is not shown, the slider 40 may be attached with a pull tab, or the slider 40 may be operated using a jig.

[0025] The first flange 43 has a parallel portion 48 extending from the rear opening and parallel to each other, an inclined portion 49 inclined away from each other from the parallel portion 48 toward the shoulder opening, and a straight portion 50 extending further in the front-rear direction from the inclined portion 49 toward the shoulder opening. In this embodiment, the front-rear directions lengths L1, L2, L3 of the parallel portion 48, the inclined portion 49, and the straight portion 50 are designed to satisfy the relationship L1 > L2 > L3. Note that L1 is the length of the outer shape of the parallel portion 48, but the length inside the parallel portion 48 is the length over which the left and right fastener element rows 30A, 30B mesh within the slider 40, and in the illustrated example, corresponds to the length of about five elements on one side.

[0026] Then, by moving the slider 40 toward the stopper portion, the left and right fastener element rows 30A, 30B mesh together, and by moving the slider 40 toward the opening tool 60, the left and right fastener element rows 30A, 30B separate.

[0027] According to the concealed slide fastener 10 obtained in this manner, when the slider 40 is slid to engage the left and right fastener element rows 30A, 30B, the left and right tape folding portions 23 are brought into abutment with each other, and the regulating member 13 abuts against the inner surfaces of the tape folding portions 23 to press the tape folding portions 23, so that the left and right tape folding portions 23 can be stably maintained in abutted state. As a result, the left and right fastener element rows 30A, 30B in the engaged state can be concealed by the abutted left and right tape folding portions 23 so as not to be seen from the tape exposed surface sides of the fastener tapes 20A, 20B.

[0028] In particular, when the left and right fastener element rows 30A, 30B are interlocked, even if the left and right fastener tapes 20A, 20B are subjected to a lateral pulling force and pulled outward along the tape width direction, the regulating main body portion 14 made of hard resin regulates the left and right tape folding portions 23 from moving away from each other, preventing the positions of the left and right tape folding portions 23 from fluctuating, thereby enabling the left and right tape folding portions 23 to be stably maintained in a butted state.

[0029] 4 to 6, the opening device 60 includes a box body 61 and a box pin 62 arranged at one end of the left and right fastener element rows 30A, 30B, i.e., at one end of the fastener element row 30A, while the other of the left and right fastener element rows 30A, 30B, i.e., at one end of the fastener element row 30B, fastener elements 31 are formed continuously together with the core string 32 to the tip instead of an insert pin. That is, the fastener elements 31 and the core string 32 of the other fastener element row 30B are formed longer than those of the one fastener element row 30A. Note that in Figures 4 and subsequent figures, the tape folding portions 23 of the left and right fastener tapes 20A, 20B when the left and right fastener element rows 30A, 30B are engaged are illustrated spaced apart in the width direction for convenience.

[0030] The box body 61 has a front surface 63, a back surface 64, and a pair of side surfaces 65, 66, and is formed in an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the box pin 62 is fixed to the box body 61 and protrudes forward from one side of the box body 61 in the width direction.

[0031] The box body 61 has an attachment portion 67 provided on one side in the width direction to which one fastener tape 20A is attached, and a holding portion 80 provided on the other side in the width direction and capable of holding one end of the other fastener element row 30B.

[0032] The holding portion 80 has an insertion space portion 81 behind the front surface 68 of the box body 61 into which the fastener elements 31 and the core cord 32 at one end of the other fastener element row 30B are inserted.

[0033] The holding portion 80 accommodates the fastener element 31, the core cord 32, and the folded piece portion 22 of the other fastener tape 20B in the insertion space portion 81, while having a slit 84 that opens the insertion space portion 81 to the surface 63 of the box body 61 so that the tape main body portion 21 of the other fastener tape 20B faces the surface 63b on the other side of the width direction of the box body 61.

[0034] The surface 63 of the box body 61 is formed with a step so that the surface 63a on one widthwise side relative to the slit 84 bulges out in the front-to-back direction more than the surface 63b on the other widthwise side. The surface 63 of the box body 61 also has a front-side upright wall 70 that extends forward of the front surface 68 with which the rear opening of the slider 40 abuts, in order to regulate the front-to-back position of the box body 61 relative to the slider 40. Furthermore, the box body 61 has an opposing wall portion 85 on one widthwise side that forms the slit 84, which extends forward of the front surface 68 and is formed to communicate between the box pin 62 and the front-side upright wall 70 on one widthwise side.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, the box body 61 and the box pin 62 are injection molded onto the core cord 32 of one fastener element row 30A and one end of one fastener tape 20A. That is, the end of the core cord 32 of one fastener element row 30A is inserted into the box pin 62, and one end of the fastener tape 20A is connected to the front upright wall 70 and the opposing wall portion 85 on one widthwise side of the box body 61 and the inside of the box pin 62 (see FIG. 9). The opposing wall portion 85 extends forward of the front upright wall 70 on one widthwise side. In addition, a spacer portion SA is present in front of the box pin 62, attached to the folded piece portion 22 with no fastener element 31 provided and the core cord 32 exposed (see FIG. 5). That is, the area between the end fastener element located at the tip of one end of one fastener element row 30A and the box pin 62 constitutes the spacer portion SA.

[0036] On the other hand, the tape main body 21 of the other fastener tape 20B is located on the exposed surface side so as to be flush with the tape main body 21 of one fastener tape 20A, and the surface 63b on the other widthwise side of the box body 61, including the front-side standing wall 70, is formed thinner than the surface 63a on one widthwise side of the box body 61 (see FIGS. 4(c) and 10(a)). When the fastener elements 31, core cords 32 and folded-back pieces 22 of the other fastener element row 30B are accommodated in the insertion space 81, the surface 63b on one widthwise side of the box body 61 is covered by the other fastener tape 20B.

[0037] When the rear opening of the slider 40 is in contact with the front surface 68 of the box body 61, the front end of the spacer portion SA is located at the inclined portion 49 or the straight portion 50 beyond the parallel portion 48 of the slider 40. The parallel portion 48 is the position where the left and right fastener elements 31 begin to mesh, and by having the spacer portion SA on one of the left and right stringers 11A at this position, it can be easily inserted into the slider 40 without interfering with the other fastener element 31, and also prevents an inappropriate clicking sensation when inserted into the slider 40.

[0038] Furthermore, the opposing wall portion 85 on one side in the width direction that forms the slit 84 has an inclined surface 86 that inclines toward the other side in the width direction toward one end of the fastener tapes 20A, 20B in the length direction, and has straight surfaces 87, 88 along the front-to-rear direction in front and behind the inclined surface 86. As a result, when one end of a pair of fastener stringers 11A, 11B is connected using the opening tool 60, the opposing wall portion 85 on one side in the width direction and the opposing wall portion 89 on the other side in the width direction guide the insertion of one end of the other fastener tape 20B, as will be described later.

[0039] 7, the holding portion 80 has a locking piece 90 protruding from the front side to the back side, and a stop wall 91 facing the locking piece 90 at an interval in the length direction of the fastener tape. The locking piece 90 and the stop wall 91 are engaged with each other so as to hold the interlocking head 31a of the end fastener element 31E located at the tip of one end of the other fastener element row 30B in the space S between the locking piece 90 and the stop wall 91. That is, with one end of the other fastener element row 30B restricted in the front-to-back direction by the inner wall surface of the insertion space portion 81, the interlocking head 31a of the end fastener element 31E is held in the space S.

[0040] The locking piece 90 is formed on the inner wall surface of the insertion space portion 81 on the other widthwise side of the slit 84 to lock the interlocking head portion 31a of the end fastener element 31E of the other fastener element row 30B.

[0041] The locking piece 90 has a slope 92 that gradually protrudes from the front surface side to the back surface side as it approaches the stop wall 91. The slope 92 guides the interlocking head 31a of the end fastener element 31E toward the space S when one end of the other fastener element row 30B is inserted into the insertion space 81, and when the interlocking head 31a of the end fastener element 31E is held in the space S, prevents interference with the interlocking head 31a of the fastener element 31 adjacent to the end fastener element 31E.

[0042] 11, the rear surface 93 of the locking piece 90, together with the front surface of the stopping wall 91, is formed parallel to the front surface 68 of the box body 61, and has a stepped surface 93a on the other widthwise side so as to shorten the distance between the locking piece 90 and the stopping wall 91. The stepped surface 93a makes the distance between the locking piece 90 and the stopping wall 91 shorter than the longitudinal dimension of the interlocking head 31a of the end fastener element 31E, and can prevent the interlocking head 31a from coming off the area between the locking piece 90 and the stopping wall 91.

[0043] 7, the width W1 in the front-to-back direction of the inner wall surface of the insertion space 81 is formed larger than the maximum cross-sectional dimension W of the interlocking head 31a of the end fastener element 31, taking into consideration the insertability of one end of the other fastener element row 30B. Also, the distance D between the tip of the locking piece 90 and the inner wall surface of the insertion space 81 is designed to be smaller than the maximum cross-sectional dimension W of the interlocking head 31a, taking into consideration the insertability of the interlocking head 31a and the clicking sensation that occurs when the interlocking head 31a overcomes the locking piece 90 and contacts the stop wall 91. On the other hand, the distance D is designed to be larger than the minimum cross-sectional dimension H of the interlocking head 31a so that the interlocking head 31a can overcome the locking piece 90 and be removed from between the locking piece 90 and the stop wall 91. Note that the minimum cross-sectional dimension H may take into consideration the elastic deformation of the interlocking head 31a. The distance D is an important dimension during insertion. When the interlocking head 31a overcomes the locking piece 91, a twist occurs in the interlocking head 31a. The twisting allows the interlocking head 31a to pass through the distance D, and the twisting acts as resistance when overcoming the locking piece 91, increasing the clicking sensation after insertion is complete. When disengaging, the interlocking head 31a will not come off with a load that is sufficient to pull up the slider 40, but will come off when the fastener tape 20B is directly pulled upward with a strong force.

[0044] 7 and 10(c), an opening 94 is provided on the rear surface 64 of the box body 61 from the rear end to a position higher than the rear surface 93 of the locking piece 90, and when viewed from the back side, the rear surface 93 of the locking piece 90, the stopping wall 91, and the end fastener element 31E and the core string 32 in the locked state face the opening 94. As a result, the injection molding of the box body 61 is performed with the mold inserted through the insertion space portion 81 and the opening 94, and the locking piece 90 is formed in the insertion space portion 81.

[0045] In the concealed slide fastener 10 configured in this manner, when the pair of fastener element rows 30A, 30B are engaged to close the concealed slide fastener 10, first the rear opening of the slider 40 is pulled down until it abuts against the front surface 68 of the box body 61. At this time, as shown in Figure 4 (c), the box pin 62 is placed in the element guide path 47, and the tip portion of the first flange 43 on one side of the slider 40 is sandwiched between the box pin 62 and the front-side upright wall 70, thereby positioning the slider 40 in the front-to-back direction relative to the box body 61. This state in which the rear opening of the slider 40 abuts against the front surface 68 of the box body 61 is the slider pull-up start position for pulling up the slider 40 when closing the concealed slide fastener 10.

[0046] With the slider 40 and the box body 61 in the slider pull-up start position, the fastener element 31 and the core string 32 at one end of the other fastener element row 30B are inserted into the other element guide path 47 of the slider 40 and then housed in the insertion space 81 of the box body 61. Then, the interlocking head 31a of the end fastener element 31E of the other fastener element row 30B moves rearward over the locking piece 90 and is held in the space S between the locking piece 90 and the stop wall 91. At this time, the interlocking head 31a of the end fastener element 31E moves over the locking piece 82, giving the operator a clicking sensation.

[0047] Here, the fastener elements 31 and the core string 32 at one end of the other fastener element row 30B have more flexibility than a conventional insert pin, so even if the parallel portion 48 of the first flange 43 is long, they can easily pass through the element guide path 47. Also, a regulating member 13 may be provided on the folded piece portion 22 of the fastener tape 20B, and in that case, the flexibility to pass through the element guide path 47 can be maintained while maintaining a posture that allows smooth movement within the element guide path 47.

[0048] In addition, as one end of the other fastener element row 30B is inserted into the insertion space 81 toward the locking piece 90, the tape folding portion 23 of the other fastener tape 20B passes through the slit 84 of the box body 61. At that time, the tape folding portion 23 comes into contact with the inclined surface 86 of the opposing wall portion 85, and the other fastener tape 20B is pressed against the opposing wall portion 89 on the other side in the width direction by the inclined surface 86. Then, while the other fastener tape 20B remains pressed against the opposing wall portion 89, the interlocking head 31a of the end fastener element 31E climbs over the locking piece 90, so the position of the end fastener element 31E when inserted is stable and a reliable clicking feeling is easily obtained.

[0049] In particular, since the locking piece 90 has a slope 92 formed thereon, the engaging head 31a of the end fastener element 31 can be guided toward the space between the tip of the locking piece 90 and the inner wall surface of the insertion space 81.

[0050] In addition, the straight surface 87 located forward of the inclined surface 86 guides the other fastener element row 30B together with the other fastener tape 20B, preventing fastener elements 31 other than the end fastener element 31E from interfering with part of the box body 61 and causing an inappropriate clicking sensation before the end fastener element 31E is completely inserted.

[0051] Furthermore, when the interlocking head 31a of the end fastener element 31E of the other fastener element row 30B is held between the locking piece 90 and the stopping wall 91, the rear surface 93 of the locking piece 90 has a stepped surface 93a, so that when the slider 40 is pulled up, even if a force is applied to the end fastener element 31E to move it in the width direction, the end fastener element 31E will not come off the locking piece 90.

[0052] In addition, the core string 32 of the other fastener element row 30B only needs to be formed to a position that ensures the rigidity of the end fastener element 31E, and in this embodiment, it is formed to the rear of the stopping wall 91, as shown in Figure 11.

[0053] 12, the retaining portion 80A of the box body 61A may have a locking piece 90 and a stop wall 91 formed in front of the front surface 68 and adjacent to the box pin 62 in the width direction, so that the engaging head 31a of the end fastener element 31E is held in the space S between the locking piece 90 and the stop wall 91. Although not shown, when the slider 40 is in the lifting start position relative to the box body 61, the locking piece 90 and the stop wall 91 of the retaining portion 80 are formed within the element guide path 47 within the range in which the parallel portion 48 is located in the length direction of the fastener tapes 20A, 20B so as not to interfere with the guide post 44.

[0054] In this case, the holding portion 80A of the box body 61A is not provided with the insertion space portion of the above embodiment, and when the interlocking head 31a of the end fastener element 31E is held between the locking piece 90 and the stop wall 91, the end fastener element 31E and the core string 32 of the other fastener element row 30B are positioned forward of the front surface 68 of the box body 61A. Therefore, the fastener tape 20B extends further rearward than the end fastener element 31E and the core string 32 of the other fastener element row 30B and is formed to the same length as one fastener tape 20A. The rear end positions of the fastener tape 20A and the fastener tape 20B may be different. In this modified example, the holding portion 80A does not have an insertion space, but the fastener elements 31 and the core string 32 of the other fastener element row 30B are attached to the folded piece portion 22 of the fastener tape, so the position of the fastener element 31 in the front-to-back direction is regulated, and the engaging head 31a of the end fastener element 31E can be held in the space S between the locking piece 90 and the stopping wall 91. In this modified example, if the core string 32, the folded piece portion 22 of the fastener tape 20B, or the surface of the fastener tape 20B are located behind the end fastener element 31E, an insertion space may be provided. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the above embodiment.

[0055] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the present invention has been described using a concealed slide fastener, but the present invention can also be applied to slide fasteners other than concealed slide fasteners.

[0056] As described above, the present specification discloses the following: (1) A slide fastener comprising a pair of fastener stringers each having a pair of fastener tapes and a pair of fastener element rows sewn to tape-side edge portions of the pair of fastener tapes, and an opening device provided at one end of the pair of fastener stringers in the longitudinal direction of the fastener tapes and capable of separating or connecting one end of the pair of fastener stringers, wherein the opening device comprises: a box body arranged at one end in the longitudinal direction of the fastener tape of one of the pair of fastener element rows, the box body having a front surface, a back surface, and a pair of side surfaces, and a box pin fixed to the box body and provided protruding forward from one side in the width direction of the box body, wherein the box body has an attachment portion provided on one side in the width direction to which one of the fastener tapes is attached, and a holding portion provided on the other side in the width direction and capable of holding one end of the other of the pair of fastener element rows, and the holding portion has a locking piece protruding from the front surface side to the back surface side, and a stop wall facing the locking piece at an interval in the longitudinal direction of the fastener tape, A slide fastener, wherein an engaging head of an end fastener element located at a tip of one end of the other fastener element row can be held between the locking piece and the stop wall. According to this configuration, instead of an insert pin, the fastener elements of the other fastener element row are formed continuously to one end of the other fastener element row, so that even when a large slider is used, one end of the other fastener element row passes smoothly through the slider and is inserted into and held in the insertion space of the box body, thereby improving operability when connecting an opening tool or pulling up the slider.

[0057] (2) The slide fastener is a hidden slide fastener in which opposing tape side edge portions of the pair of fastener tapes are bent into a U-shape and the pair of fastener element rows are sewn to the bent folded pieces of the tape side edge portions of the pair of fastener tapes, the retaining portion has an insertion space into which a fastener element at one end of the other fastener element row is inserted, the retaining portion accommodates the folded piece of the other fastener tape in the insertion space while including a slit that opens the insertion space to the surface of the box body so that the tape main portion of the other fastener tape faces the surface of the box body on the other side in the width direction, and the opposing wall portion on the one side in the width direction that forms the slit has an inclined surface that inclines toward the other side in the width direction as it approaches one end of the fastener tape in the length direction. With this configuration, the inclined surface guides the other fastener tape while inserting one end of the other fastener element row toward the locking piece, thereby stabilizing the position of the end fastener element when inserted and making it easier to obtain a reliable click feeling.

[0058] (3) The slide fastener according to (2), wherein the surface of the box body is formed with a step so that the surface on one side in the width direction relative to the slit bulges out in the front-to-back direction more than the surface on the other side in the width direction. With this configuration, when inserting the end fastener element, the operator can pinch the tape main body of the other fastener tape located on the front side through the slit, thereby improving the operability of the concealed slide fastener.

[0059] (4) A slide fastener according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the locking piece has a slope that gradually protrudes from the front side to the back side as it approaches the stopping wall, and the rear surface of the locking piece has a stepped surface so that the distance between the locking piece and the stopping wall is shortened on the other side in the width direction. With this configuration, the end element can be guided into the space between the locking piece and the stopping wall by the slope, and interference with the interlocking heads of adjacent fastener elements is prevented while the interlocking heads of the end fastener element are held. Furthermore, by providing a stepped surface on the rear surface of the locking piece, the end fastener element can be prevented from coming off the locking piece even when a force that moves the end fastener element in the width direction is applied to the end fastener element when the slider is pulled up.

[0060] (5) The slide fastener according to (4), wherein an opening is provided on the rear surface of the box body up to a position higher than the rear surface of the locking piece. With this configuration, the injection molding of the box body is performed with the mold inserted through the insertion space and the opening, and the locking piece can be easily formed in the insertion space.

[0061] (6) The slide fastener according to (1), wherein the locking piece and the stop wall of the holding portion are located forward of the front surface of the box body. This configuration can be adopted in consideration of the application, etc.

[0062] 10 Concealed slide fastener (slide fastener) 11A, 11B Fastener stringer 20A, 20B Fastener tape 21 Tape main body 22 Folded piece 23 Tape folded portion 24 Tape side edge 30A, 30B Fastener element row 31 Fastener element 31E End fastener element 32 Core cord 40 Slider 41 Slider body 42 Lower wing 43 First flange 44 Guide post 45 Second flange 60 Opening tool 61 Box body 62 Box pin 63 Surface 64 Back surface 65, 66 Side surface 67 Mounting portion 70 Front upright wall 80, 80A Holding portion 81 Insertion space portion 84 Slit 85, 89 Opposing wall portion 86 Inclined surface 90 Locking piece 91 Locking wall 92 Inclined surface 93a Step surface 94 Opening

Claims

1. A slide fastener (10) comprising: a pair of fastener stringers (11A, 11B) having a pair of fastener tapes (20A, 20B) and a pair of fastener element rows (30A, 30B) sewn to the tape side edge portions (24) of the pair of fastener tapes; and an opening device (60) provided at one end of the pair of fastener stringers in the longitudinal direction of the fastener tapes and capable of separating or connecting one end of the pair of fastener stringers, wherein the opening device comprises: a box body (61) arranged at one end of the fastener tape in the longitudinal direction of the fastener tape of one of the pair of fastener element rows, the box body having a front surface (63), a back surface (64) and a pair of side surfaces (65, 66); and a box pin (62) fixed to the box body and provided so as to protrude forward from one side in the width direction of the box body, The box body has an attachment portion (67) provided on one side in the width direction and to which one fastener tape is attached, and a holding portion (80, 80A) provided on the other side in the width direction and capable of holding one end of the other of the pair of fastener element rows, the holding portion having a locking piece (90) protruding from the front side to the back side, and a stop wall (91) facing the locking piece at a distance in the length direction of the fastener tape, and an engaging head (31a) of an end fastener element (31E) located at the tip of one end of the other fastener element row can be held between the locking piece and the stop wall.

2. The slide fastener according to claim 1, wherein the slide fastener is a hidden slide fastener in which opposing tape side edge portions of the pair of fastener tapes are bent into a U-shape and the pair of fastener element rows are sewn to the bent folded-back pieces (22) of the tape side edge portions of the pair of fastener tapes, the retaining portion (80) has an insertion space (81) into which a fastener element (31) at one end of the other fastener element row is inserted, the retaining portion accommodates the folded-back piece of the other fastener tape in the insertion space, and is provided with a slit (84) that opens the insertion space to the surface of the box body so that the tape main portion of the other fastener tape faces the surface of the box body on the other side in the width direction, and the opposing wall portion (85) on one side in the width direction that forms the slit has an inclined surface (86) that inclines towards the other side in the width direction as it approaches one end of the fastener tape in the length direction.

3. A slide fastener according to claim 2, wherein the surface of the box body is formed with a step so that the surface on one widthwise side relative to the slit bulges outward in the front-to-back direction more than the surface on the other widthwise side.

4. A slide fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking piece has a slope (92) that gradually protrudes from the front side to the back side as it approaches the stopping wall, and the rear surface (93) of the locking piece has a stepped surface (93a) on the other side in the width direction so that the distance between the locking piece and the stopping wall becomes shorter.

5. A slide fastener according to claim 4, wherein an opening (94) is provided on the rear surface of the box body up to a position higher than the rear surface of the locking piece.

6. A slide fastener according to claim 1, wherein the locking piece and the stop wall of the retaining portion (80A) are located forward of the front surface of the box body.

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