Buckle

Abstract

This buckle comprises a plug (10) and a socket. The plug (10) comprises: a base part (11); a first leg part (12A) and a second leg part (12B) that protrude from the base part (11) in an insertion direction of the plug (10) and are disposed side by side in a width direction; a first leg extension part (13A) that extends from the first leg part (12A) toward the second leg part (12B); and a second leg extension part (13B) that extends from the second leg part (12B) toward the first leg part (12A). Each of the first leg part (12A) and the second leg part (12B) is configured to be engageable with the socket and disengageable from the socket in accordance with elastic deformation in the width direction. Each of the first leg extension part (13A) and the second leg extension part (13B) has a tensile end part (132) that is subject to a tensile force from an external source. When viewed in a thickness direction, the first leg extension part (13A) and the second leg extension part (13B) are disposed to overlap each other at least partially.

Description

Buckle

[0001] The present invention relates to a buckle.

[0002] Conventionally, a buckle including a socket and a plug inserted into the socket is known. Also, as a kind of such a buckle, there is a buckle in which the engagement between the socket and the plug is released by operating an operating piece such as an operating knob (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the buckle disclosed in Patent Document 1, the plug includes a base portion to which an adherend is attached, a pair of leg portions that protrude from the base portion and engage with the socket, and a bridge portion that connects the tip ends of the pair of leg portions. An operating knob is connected to the central portion of the bridge portion. When the user pulls the operating knob, the bridge portion is deformed so as to be folded with the central portion as a fold line, and the pair of leg portions are bent so as to approach each other. As a result, the engagement between the pair of leg portions and the socket is released, and the plug is removed from the socket.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 8,522,410

[0005] However, in the buckle of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to fold the bridge portion during the release operation, and it is difficult to increase the bending moment of each leg portion. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the force required for the release operation.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a buckle capable of reducing the force required for the release operation.

[0007] [1] A buckle according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a plug and a socket into which the plug is inserted, wherein the plug comprises a base to which an object to be attached is attached, a first leg portion and a second leg portion projecting from the base portion in the insertion direction of the plug and arranged side by side in a width direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, a first leg extension portion extending from the first leg portion toward the second leg portion, and a second leg extension portion extending from the second leg portion toward the first leg portion, wherein each of the first leg portion and the second leg portion is configured to be engageable with the socket and disengaged from the socket in accordance with elastic deformation in the width direction, each of the first leg extension portion and the second leg extension portion has a tension end that receives tensile force from the outside, and when viewed in a thickness direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and the width direction, the first leg extension portion and the second leg extension portion are arranged to overlap at least partially.

[0008] [2] In the above [1], it is preferable that the first leg extension and the second leg extension extend so as to intersect each other when viewed in the thickness direction.

[0009] [3] In the above [1] or [2], the plug may further include a connecting portion that connects the tension end of the first leg extension and the tension end of the second leg extension.

[0010] [4] In the above [3], it is preferable that the widthwise dimension of the connecting portion is at least half of the maximum distance in the widthwise between the first leg portion and the second leg portion.

[0011] [5] In the above [3] or [4], it is preferable that the connecting portion together with the first leg extension and the second leg extension form a loop shape that surrounds the hole in the thickness direction.

[0012] [6] In any of the above [1] to [5], it is preferable that the first leg extension and the second leg extension maintain the gap in the thickness direction between them while the overlapping portion of the first leg extension and the second leg extension changes in response to the tensile force.

[0013] [7] In any of the above [1] to [6], it is preferable that each of the first leg extension and the second leg extension has a thin-walled portion including a portion that overlaps with each other, and that the dimension of the thin-walled portion in the thickness direction is smaller than the dimension of the tension end in the thickness direction.

[0014] [8] In any of the above [1] to [7], the plug further comprises a bridge portion connecting the base end of the first leg portion and the base end of the second leg portion, and a pair of projections protruding from the bridge portion in the insertion direction, wherein the tension end moves between the pair of projections due to the tension force.

[0015] [9] In the above [8], the bridge portion has an intermediate portion located between the pair of protrusions, and it is preferable that the dimension of the intermediate portion of the bridge portion in the thickness direction is smaller than the dimension of the pair of protrusions in the thickness direction.

[0016]

[10] In any of the above [3] to [5], the socket preferably comprises a case portion having an opening into which the plug is inserted, and the case portion has a slit formed along the insertion direction from the opening and exposing the connecting portion to the outside of the case portion.

[0017] A plan view showing the buckle of the first embodiment. A perspective view showing the plug of the first embodiment. A plan view showing the plug of the first embodiment. A side view of the plug of Figure 2 as seen from the direction of arrow IV. A cross-sectional view taken along line VV of Figure 3. A diagram showing a combination of a cross-sectional view of the socket and a plan view of the plug of the first embodiment. A diagram illustrating the release operation of the plug of the first embodiment. A plan view showing the plug of the second embodiment. A plan view showing the plug of the third embodiment.

[0018] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment and subsequent embodiments, components similar to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and their descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

[0019] [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. As shown in Figure 1, the buckle 1 of the first embodiment comprises a plug 10 and a socket 20 into which the plug 10 is inserted. A first adherend is attached to the plug 10, and a second adherend is attached to the socket 20. The first adherend and the second adherend are connected to each other by coupling the plug 10 with the socket 20. The first adherend and the second adherend can be any long object such as a belt, tape, or string. In addition, an operating piece 30 for release operation is attached to the plug 10 of this embodiment. The operating piece 30 may be a string or strip made of yarn such as woven or knitted threads, or it may be any shape made of a relatively soft resin such as elastomer or silicone.

[0020] In the following explanation, the length direction of the buckle 1 is referred to as the X direction, the width direction (left-right direction) of the buckle 1 as the Y direction, and the thickness direction of the buckle 1 as the Z direction. The X, Y, and Z directions are orthogonal to each other. Furthermore, within the X direction, the direction in which the plug 10 is inserted into the socket 20 is referred to as the +X direction, and the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the plug 10 (i.e., the removal direction) is referred to as the -X direction. Similarly, the direction toward one side of the Z direction is referred to as the +Z direction, and the direction toward the other side of the Z direction is referred to as the -Z direction. Furthermore, the direction toward the center of the buckle 1 in the Y direction is referred to as the inward direction of the Y direction, and the opposite direction is referred to as the outward direction of the Y direction.

[0021] (Configuration of Plug 10) The configuration of the plug 10 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the plug 10 includes a base 11 to which a first adherend can be attached, a first leg portion 12A and a second leg portion 12B that protrude from the base portion 11 in the +X direction and are arranged with a gap in the Y direction between them, a first leg extension portion 13A extending from the first leg portion 12A, a second leg extension portion 13B extending from the second leg portion 12B, and a connecting portion 14 that connects the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B. The plug 10 of this embodiment is integrally molded from, for example, a synthetic resin material.

[0022] The base portion 11 has a pair of side wall portions 112A and 112B arranged with a gap in the Y direction between them, and rod portions 113 and 114 connecting the pair of side wall portions 112A and 112B. There is a gap between the rod portions 113 and 114 through which the first object to be attached is inserted, and the first object to be attached is attached to the base portion 11 by wrapping the first object to at least one of the rod portions 113 and 114.

[0023] The first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B, together with the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B, have a rotationally symmetrical shape with respect to the center line C that passes through the center of the plug 10 in the Y direction and the center in the Z direction, respectively.

[0024] Specifically, each of the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B includes a leg piece portion 121 extending in the +X direction from the side wall portion 112A (or side wall portion 112B) of the base portion 11, and an engaging portion 125 provided on the leg piece portion 121 and configured to engage with the socket 20.

[0025] The leg portion 121 has a base end portion 122, which is the -X side end connected to the side wall portion 112A (or side wall portion 112B), and a tip portion 123, which is the +X side end. The leg portion 121 is not particularly limited, but generally forms a curved shape that curves inward in the Y direction as it moves toward the +X direction. Furthermore, the leg portion 121 is configured to be elastically deformable toward the Y direction when subjected to a release operation described later.

[0026] The engaging portion 125 is configured to be able to engage with the socket 20 in the -X direction and to be able to disengage from the socket 20 in accordance with the elastic deformation of the leg portion 121. The engaging portion 125 in this embodiment is provided on the tip portion 123 of the leg portion 121 and has a pair of protrusions 125A and 125B that protrude from the tip portion 123 on both sides in the Z direction.

[0027] The first leg extension 13A extends from the tip 123 of the first leg 12A toward the second leg 12B, and has a base end 131 connected to the first leg 12A, and a tension end 132 which is a tip spaced apart in the Y direction from the base end 131. This first leg extension 13A is formed to be continuous with the first leg 12A and has a curved shape that curves toward the -X direction as it approaches the second leg 12B.

[0028] As described above, the second leg extension 13B has a shape obtained by rotating the first leg extension 13A by 180 degrees with respect to the center line C of the plug 10. Therefore, the description of the second leg extension 13B is substantially the same as that of the first leg extension 13A, except that the positive and negative signs in the Z direction are reversed.

[0029] Specifically, the second leg extension 13B extends from the tip 123 of the second leg 12B toward the first leg 12A, and has a base end 131 connected to the second leg 12B, and a tension end 132 which is a tip spaced apart in the Y direction from the base end 131. This second leg extension 13B is formed to be continuous with the second leg 12B and has a curved shape that curves toward the -X direction as it approaches the first leg 12A.

[0030] In this embodiment, when the plug 10 is viewed from the Z direction, the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B are arranged to overlap each other in the portion between the base end 131 and the tension end 132 (see Figure 3). A detailed explanation follows below. In the following, the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B may be referred to as leg extensions 13A and 13B.

[0031] When the plug 10 is viewed from the Z direction, the leg extensions 13A and 13B extend so as to intersect each other. For example, the first leg extension 13A is positioned to pass through the -Z side of the second leg extension 13B, and the second leg extension 13B is positioned to pass through the +Z side of the first leg extension 13A. As a result, the tension end 132 of the first leg extension 13A is positioned between the second leg extension 13B and the second leg portion 12B, and the tension end 132 of the second leg extension 13B is positioned between the first leg extension 13A and the first leg portion 12A.

[0032] The base ends 131 of the leg extensions 13A and 13B are positioned at different locations in the Z direction, i.e., in ranges that do not overlap in the Z direction (see Figure 4). For example, the base end 131 of the first leg extension 13A is connected to the -Z side protrusion 125B of the first leg 12A, and the base end 131 of the second leg extension 13B is connected to the +Z side protrusion 125B of the second leg 12B.

[0033] On the other hand, the tension ends 132 of the leg extensions 13A and 13B are positioned at the same location relative to each other in the Z direction. For example, the tension ends 132 of the leg extensions 13A and 13B are located in the Z-direction center of the plug 10, and the leg extensions 13A and 13B have a shape that is inclined with respect to the Z direction from the base end 131 toward the tension end 132.

[0034] Furthermore, each of the leg extensions 13A and 13B has a thin-walled portion 133 formed in the overlapping area. The Z-direction dimension H1 of the thin-walled portion 133 is smaller than the Z-direction dimension H2 of the tension end 132, and a gap G in the Z-direction is formed between the thin-walled portions 133 of the leg extensions 13A and 13B (see Figure 5). It is preferable that the base end 131 of the leg extensions 13A and 13B has a larger Z-direction dimension than the thin-walled portion 133.

[0035] Furthermore, the leg extensions 13A and 13B elastically deform together with the first leg 12A and the second leg 12B in response to the tensile force applied to each tension end 132. Therefore, the position of the overlapping portion of the leg extensions 13A and 13B changes in response to the tensile force applied to each tension end 132. While the overlapping portion of the leg extensions 13A and 13B changes in response to the tensile force, the leg extensions 13A and 13B maintain a gap G in the Z direction between them. In other words, when the first leg 12A and the second leg 12B are operated, a gap G in the Z direction always exists between the leg extensions 13A and 13B that overlap in the Z direction.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the connecting portion 14 connects the tension end 132 of the first leg extension 13A and the tension end 132 of the second leg extension 13B. The connecting portion 14 extends along the Y direction, and is curved such that its central portion in the Y direction protrudes in the -X direction. The dimension W1 of the connecting portion 14 in the Y direction is not particularly limited, but is preferably half or more of the maximum distance W2 in the Y direction between the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B. The dimension of the connecting portion 14 in the Z direction is preferably equal to the Z direction dimension H2 of the tension end 132, and is also preferably about the same as the Z direction dimensions of the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B. The dimension W1 in the Y direction of the connecting portion 14 corresponds to the distance between the portion of the first leg extension 13A that extends from the first leg portion 12A toward the second leg portion 12B that is furthest from the first leg portion 12A, and the portion of the second leg extension 13B that extends from the second leg portion 12B toward the first leg portion 12A that is furthest from the second leg portion 12B.

[0037] The connecting portion 14, together with the leg extensions 13A and 13B, forms a loop shape surrounding the Z-direction hole 15A. This hole 15A is through which the operating piece 30 can be inserted. That is, the operating piece 30 is connected to the connecting portion 14 by being inserted through the hole 15A and wrapped around the connecting portion 14.

[0038] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the plug 10 of this embodiment further comprises a bridge portion 16 connecting the base end 122 of the first leg portion 12A and the base end 122 of the second leg portion 12B, and a pair of projections 17A and 17B protruding from the bridge portion 16 in the +X direction.

[0039] The bridge portion 16 has an intermediate portion 161 located between a pair of projections 17A and 17B, and a pair of support ends 162A and 162B located on both sides of the intermediate portion 161. The bridge portion 16 has a curved shape such that the intermediate portion 161 is located on the +X side of the support ends 162A and 162B. The intermediate portion 161 has a shape that is recessed on both sides in the Z direction compared to the projections 17A and 17B. That is, the Z-direction dimension H3 of the intermediate portion 161 is smaller than the Z-direction dimension H4 of the projections 17A and 17B (see Figure 5).

[0040] The protruding portions 17A and 17B extend from the bridge portion 16 in the +X direction and form an accommodation space S1 that opens in the +X direction between them. This accommodation space S1 can accommodate the connecting portion 14 in a state displaced in the -X direction during a release operation described later.

[0041] (Configuration of Socket 20) The configuration of the socket 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 6. Note that FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a combination of a cross-sectional view of the socket 20 cut at the central portion in the Z direction and a front view of the plug 10.

[0042] The socket 20 includes an attachment portion 21 to which a second adherent can be attached, and a case portion 22 provided with the attachment portion 21. The socket 20 of the present embodiment is integrally formed of a synthetic resin material.

[0043] The attachment portion 21 includes a rod portion 211 arranged along the Y direction, and a pair of connecting portions 212A and 212B that connect both ends of the rod portion 211 and the case portion 22. There is a gap through which the second adherent is inserted between the rod portion 211 and the case portion 22, and the second adherent is wound around the rod portion 211.

[0044] The case portion 22 has a pair of wall portions 221 and 222 arranged opposite to each other in the Z direction, and a pair of side wall portions 223A and 223B arranged opposite to each other in the Y direction. This case portion 22 has an accommodation space S2 that can accommodate the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B of the plug 10, and an opening AP that communicates with the accommodation space S2 and opens in the -X direction.

[0045] The wall portions 221 and 222 have slits SL having a shape cut in the +X direction from the opening AP. Each slit SL of the wall portions 221 and 222 exposes the connecting portion 14 of the plug 10 from the case portion 22 in the +Z direction (or -Z direction). For this reason, the operation piece 30 connected to the connecting portion 14 is pulled out from the case portion 22 through the slit SL.

[0046] The side wall portions 223A and 223B connect both ends in the Y direction of the wall portions 221 and 222. Further, the side wall portions 223A and 223B have holes TH penetrating in the Y direction. The hole TH of the side wall portion 223A exposes the first leg portion 12A from the case portion 22 to the outside in the Y direction, and the hole TH of the side wall portion 223B exposes the second leg portion 12B from the case portion 22 to the outside in the Y direction. Among the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B of the plug 10, the portions exposed from the hole TH of the socket 20 can be used as operation portions when the buckle 1 is disengaged.

[0047] The case portion 22 further includes guide surfaces 224 provided on the inner surfaces of the side wall portions 223A and 223B, and a pair of engaged portions 225A and 225B provided on the wall portions 221 and 222, respectively. The guide surface 224 has a surface shape facing the inside in the Y direction, and the engaged portions 225A and 225B have a surface shape continuous with the guide surface 224 and facing the +X direction.

[0048] (Engagement operation of the buckle 1) The disengagement operation of the buckle 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 6. It is assumed that the operation piece 30 of the present embodiment is connected to the connecting portion 14 by inserting through the hole 15A.

[0049] The engagement operation of the buckle 1 is the same as that of a conventional buckle, and the plug 10 may be inserted into the socket 20 through the opening AP. At this time, the guide surfaces 224 of the side wall portions 223A and 223B guide the engaging portions 125 of the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B in the +X direction and press them inward in the Y direction. As a result, the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B are in a state of being bent inward in the Y direction.

[0050] When the insertion of the plug 10 into the socket 20 is completed, the engaging portions 125 of the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B cross over the guide surfaces 224 of the side wall portions 223A and 223B and engage with the engaged portions 225A and 225B. At this time, the pressing force on the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B is released and they return to their original shapes.

[0051] As described above, the plug 10 engages with the socket 20. At this time, the operation piece 30 is in a state of being exposed from the socket 20 through the slit SL.

[0052] (Release Operation of Buckle 1) The release operation of Buckle 1 using the operating piece 30 will be explained with reference to Figure 7. Note that Figure 7 shows the plug 10 inside the socket 20, and the socket 20 is not shown. The user will perform the release operation by pulling the operating piece 30 in the -X direction (see arrow R1 in Figure 7).

[0053] When the release operation is performed, the connecting portion 14 is displaced in the -X direction (see arrow R2 in Figure 7), and the tension ends 132 of the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B are housed in the housing space S1. At this time, the first leg portion 12A receives a force in the -X direction via the first leg extension 13A, and the second leg portion 12B receives a force in the -X direction via the second leg extension 13B. As a result, a bending moment is generated inward in the Y direction with the base end portion 122 as the fulcrum for each of the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B, and the tip portions 123 of the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B are disengaged inward in the Y direction (see arrow R3 in Figure 7). As a result, the engaging portions 125 of the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B are disengaged from the engaged portions 225A and 225B, and the plug 10 can be removed from the socket 20. Subsequently, when the tensile force in the -X direction is continued to be applied by the operating piece 30, the plug 10 is removed from the socket 20. With this, the release operation of the buckle 1 using the operating piece 30 is completed.

[0054] Furthermore, the release operation of the buckle 1 in this embodiment is not limited to pulling the operating piece 30. That is, the user may perform an operation to release it by pulling the operating piece 30, or by applying pressure to the operating parts of the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B.

[0055] (Effects of this embodiment) As described above, the buckle 1 of this embodiment comprises a plug 10 and a socket 20 into which the plug 10 is inserted. The plug 10 comprises a base 11, a first leg portion 12A and a second leg portion 12B that protrude from the base 11 in the insertion direction (+X direction) of the plug 10 and are arranged side by side in the width direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the insertion direction, a first leg extension portion 13A extending from the first leg portion 12A toward the second leg portion 12B, and a second leg extension portion 13B extending from the second leg portion 12B toward the first leg portion 12A. The first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B are configured to be engageable with the socket 20 and disengaged from the socket 20 in accordance with elastic deformation in the width direction, and each of the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B has a tension end portion 132 that receives external tensile force, and when viewed in the thickness direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the insertion direction and the width direction, the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B are arranged to overlap each other at least partially.

[0056] In the buckle 1 of this embodiment, when a release operation is performed, an external tensile force is applied to the tension ends 132 of the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B. At this time, the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B generate a bending moment directed inward in the Y direction in the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B. As a result, the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B elastically deform and are released from engagement with the socket 20.

[0057] Furthermore, in the buckle 1 of this embodiment, the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B are arranged to overlap at least partially in the Z direction, thereby improving the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B within a virtual plane perpendicular to the Z direction. Here, the tensile ends 132 of the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B are the parts that receive tensile force from the outside, i.e., the points of force P1 and P2 of the bending moment generated in the first leg 12A and the second leg 12B. The bending moment generated in the first leg 12A is proportional to the distance D1 in the Y direction from the base end 122 of the first leg 12A to the point of force P1, and the bending moment generated in the second leg 12B is proportional to the distance D2 in the Y direction from the base end 122 of the second leg 12B to the point of force P2 (see Figure 3). In this embodiment, the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B can be positioned to ensure a large distance D1 and D2, and as a result, the bending moment generated in the first leg 12A and the second leg 12B can be increased. In other words, the efficiency of generating a bending moment in response to external tensile force can be improved. Therefore, in the buckle 1 of this embodiment, the force required for the release operation can be reduced compared to conventional designs.

[0058] In this embodiment, when viewed in the Z direction, the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B extend so as to intersect each other. With this configuration, interference between the tension ends 132 of the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B is suppressed, and the release operation can be performed smoothly.

[0059] The plug 10 of this embodiment further includes a connecting portion 14 that connects the tension end 132 of the first leg extension 13A and the tension end 132 of the second leg extension 13B. With this configuration, by attaching the operating piece 30 to the connecting portion 14, tensile force can be suitably applied to both the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B.

[0060] In this embodiment, the widthwise (Y-direction) dimension W1 of the connecting portion 14 is more than half of the maximum distance W2 in the Y-direction between the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B. With this configuration, bending moments can be generated more efficiently in each of the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B. In addition, a wide operating piece 30, such as a tape, can be suitably used.

[0061] In this embodiment, the connecting portion 14, together with the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B, forms a loop shape that surrounds the hole 15A in the thickness direction (Z direction). In this configuration, the operating piece 30 can be wrapped around the connecting portion 14 by inserting it through the hole 15A. Therefore, the attachment of the operating piece 30 to the connecting portion 14 is easy.

[0062] In this embodiment, while the overlapping portions of the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B change in response to the tensile force, the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B maintain a gap between them in the thickness direction (Z direction). This configuration suppresses interference between the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B, allowing for a smooth release operation.

[0063] In this embodiment, each of the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B has a thin-walled portion 133 formed in the overlapping area, and the Z-direction dimension H1 of the thin-walled portion 133 is smaller than the Z-direction dimension H2 of the tension end 132. With this configuration, since the thin-walled portions 133 of the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B are formed thinly, the overall thickness of the plug 10 can be suppressed. In addition, since the tension end 132 is formed thickly, the strength of the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B can be improved.

[0064] In this embodiment, the plug 10 further includes a bridge portion 16 connecting the base end 122 of the first leg portion 12A and the base end 122 of the second leg portion 12B, and a pair of projections 17A and 17B protruding from the bridge portion 16 in the insertion direction (+X direction). The tension end 132 moves between the pair of projections 17A and 17B due to external tensile force. In this configuration, since the tension end 132 is guided by the pair of projections 17A and 17B, it is possible to prevent the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B from becoming unstable, and the release operation can be performed smoothly. In addition, it is possible to prevent excessive tensile force from being applied to either the first leg extension portion 13A or the second leg extension portion 13B, thus preventing damage to the plug 10.

[0065] In this embodiment, the bridge portion 16 has an intermediate portion 161 located between a pair of projections 17A and 17B, and the Z-direction dimension H3 of the intermediate portion 161 of the bridge portion 16 is smaller than the Z-direction dimension H4 of the pair of projections 17A and 17B. With this configuration, interference between the bridge portion 16 and the operating piece 30 attached to the connecting portion 14 can be effectively suppressed.

[0066] In this embodiment, the socket 20 includes a case portion 22 into which an opening AP is formed into which the plug 10 is inserted. The case portion 22 is formed along the +X direction from the opening AP and has a slit SL that exposes the connecting portion 14 to the outside of the case portion 22. With this configuration, the operating piece 30 attached to the connecting portion 14 is pulled out from the case portion 22 through the slit SL, thus effectively suppressing interference between the operating piece 30 and the case portion 22. Furthermore, even if the operating piece 30 is pulled in a direction inclined with respect to the X direction, a tensile force in the -X direction can be applied to the operating piece 30.

[0067] [Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 8. The buckle of the second embodiment is a modified version of the buckle 1 of the first embodiment and comprises a plug 10A shown in Figure 8 and a socket 20 of the first embodiment. The plug 10A of the second embodiment comprises a first leg extension 13C and a second leg extension 13D instead of the first leg extension 13A and second leg extension 13B of the first embodiment.

[0068] Specifically, in the second embodiment, the first leg extension 13C is connected to the first leg 12A at a point on the -X side of the tip 123 of the first leg 12A. Furthermore, the base end 131 of the first leg extension 13C has a shape that widens in the X direction as it approaches the first leg 12A, and is connected to the leg piece 121 of the first leg 12A over a wide area in the X direction. The second leg extension 13D has substantially the same configuration as the first leg extension 13C.

[0069] In this second embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be achieved. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the strength of the connection portion between the first leg portion 12A and the first leg extension portion 13C, and the connection portion between the second leg portion 12B and the second leg extension portion 13B are improved, so damage to the plug 10A can be suitably suppressed.

[0070] [Third Embodiment] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 9. The buckle of the third embodiment is a modified version of the buckle 1 of the first embodiment and comprises a plug 10B shown in Figure 9 and a socket 20 of the first embodiment. The plug 10B of the third embodiment comprises a cord connecting portion 18 which replaces the connecting portion 14 of the first embodiment.

[0071] Specifically, the string connection portion 18 includes a first connection portion 181 provided at the tension end 132 of the first leg extension portion 13A and to which the operating piece 30 is connected, and a second connection portion 182 provided at the tension end 132 of the second leg extension portion 13B and to which the operating piece 30 is connected. The first connection portion 181 and the second connection portion 182 are not particularly limited in their specific configuration, but for example, they have a hole 18A through which the string-shaped operating piece 30 is inserted.

[0072] In this third embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be achieved. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a string-shaped operating piece 30 can be suitably used.

[0073] [Modifications] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as described below.

[0074] In each of the above embodiments, the plugs 10, 10A, and 10B may have an engaging portion provided between the base end 122 and the tip 123 of the leg portion 121, instead of the engaging portion 125 provided on the tip 123 of the leg portion 121. In this case, the engaging portion should have a projection shape that protrudes outward in the Y direction from the leg portion 121, and should be exposed to the outside of the case portion 22 through the hole TH while engaging with the edge of the hole TH in the case portion 22 in the X direction.

[0075] In each of the above embodiments, it is sufficient that the first leg extensions 13A, 13C and the second leg extensions 13B, 13D are arranged to overlap at least partially when viewed from the Z direction. For example, the first leg extensions 13A, 13C and the second leg extensions 13B, 13D may overlap overall while extending along the same direction (e.g., the Y direction). Alternatively, the first leg extensions 13A, 13C and the second leg extensions 13B, 13D may each have a shape that extends along any direction.

[0076] In each of the above embodiments, the tension end 132 is not limited to the tip of the first leg extension 13A, 13C and the second leg extension 13B, 13D, but may be any part. For example, the tension end 132 of the first leg extension 13A, 13C is preferably located beyond the center of the plug 10, 10A, 10B in the Y direction from the first leg 12A, and the tension end 132 of the second leg extension 13B, 13D is preferably located beyond the center of the plug 10, 10A, 10B in the Y direction from the second leg 12B.

[0077] In the first and second embodiments described above, the connecting portion 14 may have a shape that extends along any direction, as long as it can connect the tension ends 132 of the first leg extensions 13A and 13C with the tension ends 132 of the second leg extensions 13B and 13D.

[0078] In each of the above embodiments, the configurations of the bridge portion 16 and the pair of projections 17A and 17B may be changed or omitted. Furthermore, the specific shapes and dimensions of the plugs 10, 10A, and 10B in each of the above embodiments may also be changed.

[0079] In the socket 20 of each of the above embodiments, the case portion 22 has holes TH that expose the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B, but these holes TH may be omitted. In other words, the case portion 22 may be formed to cover the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B.

[0080] In the socket 20 of each of the above embodiments, the slit SL of the case portion 22 may be omitted. In this case, the operating piece 30 may be pulled out from the opening AP of the case portion 22.

[0081] The above embodiments are not necessarily limited to attaching a separate operating piece 30. For example, an operating tab or the like may be provided integrally or separately on the part corresponding to the connecting portion 14 (or on the parts of the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B that are located closest to the base 11). Alternatively, the operator may directly operate the connecting portion 14 with their finger or the like.

[0082] 1...Buckle, 10, 10A, 10B...Plug, 11...Base, 112A, 112B...Side wall, 113, 114...Rod, 12A...First leg, 12B...Second leg, 121...Leg piece, 122...Base end, 123...Tip, 125...Engaging part, 125A, 125B...Protrusion, 13A, 13C...First leg extension, 13B, 13D...Second leg extension, 131...Base end, 132...Tension end, 133...Thin-walled part, 14...Connecting part, 15A...Hole, 16...Bridge part, 161...Intermediate part, 162A, 162B...support end, 17A, 17B...projection, 18...string connection part, 181...first connection part, 182...second connection part, 18A...hole, 20...socket, 21...mounting part, 211...rod part, 212A, 212B...connecting part, 22...case part, 221, 222...wall part, 223A, 223B...side wall part, 224...guide surface, 225A, 225B...engaged part, 30...operating string, AP...opening, G...gap, L...centerline, P1, P2...point of force application, S1, S2...storage space, SL...slit, TH...hole.

Claims

1. The device comprises plugs (10, 10A, 10B) and sockets (20) into which the plugs (10, 10A, 10B) are inserted, wherein each plug (10, 10A, 10B) includes: a base (11) to which an object to be attached is attached; first legs (12A) and second legs (12B) protruding from the base (11) in the insertion direction of the plugs (10, 10A, 10B) and arranged side by side in a width direction perpendicular to the insertion direction; first leg extensions (13A, 13C) extending from the first leg (12A) toward the second leg (12B); and second leg extensions (13B, 13D) extending from the second leg (12B) toward the first leg (12A). A buckle wherein each of the first leg portion (12A) and the second leg portion (12B) is configured to be engageable with the socket (20) and disengaged from the socket (20) in accordance with elastic deformation in the width direction, and each of the first leg extensions (13A, 13C) and the second leg extensions (13B, 13D) has a tension end (132) that receives external tensile force, and when viewed in the thickness direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and the width direction, the first leg extensions (13A, 13C) and the second leg extensions (13B, 13D) are arranged to overlap at least partially.

2. The buckle according to claim 1, wherein, when viewed in the thickness direction, the first leg extensions (13A, 13C) and the second leg extensions (13B, 13D) extend so as to intersect each other.

3. The buckle according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the plug (10, 10A) further comprises a connecting portion (14) that connects the tension end (132) of the first leg extension (13A, 13C) and the tension end (132) of the second leg extension (13B, 13D).

4. The buckle according to claim 3, wherein the widthwise dimension (W1) of the connecting portion (14) is more than half of the maximum widthwise distance (W2) between the first leg portion (12A) and the second leg portion (12B).

5. The buckle according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the connecting portion (14), together with the first leg extensions (13A, 13C) and the second leg extensions (13B, 13D), forms a loop shape surrounding the hole (15A) in the thickness direction.

6. The buckle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first leg extensions (13A, 13C) and the second leg extensions (13B, 13D) maintain the gap in the thickness direction between them while the overlapping portions of the first leg extensions (13A, 13C) and the second leg extensions (13B, 13D) change in response to the tensile force.

7. The buckle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each of the first leg extensions (13A, 13C) and the second leg extensions (13B, 13D) has a thin-walled portion (133) formed in the portion that overlaps with the other, and the dimension (H1) of the thin-walled portion (133) in the thickness direction is smaller than the dimension (H2) of the tension end (132) in the thickness direction.

8. The buckle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plug (10, 10A, 10B) further comprises a bridge portion (16) connecting the base end (122) of the first leg portion (12A) and the base end (122) of the second leg portion (12B), and a pair of projections (17A, 17B) protruding from the bridge portion (16) in the insertion direction, and the tension end (132) moves between the pair of projections (17A, 17B) due to the tensile force.

9. The buckle according to claim 8, wherein the bridge portion (16) has an intermediate portion (161) located between the pair of projections (17A, 17B), and the dimension (H3) in the thickness direction of the intermediate portion (161) of the bridge portion (16) is smaller than the dimension (H4) in the thickness direction of the pair of projections (17A, 17B).

10. The buckle according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the socket (20) comprises a case portion (22) into which the plugs (10, 10A, 10B) are inserted, and the case portion (22) has a slit (SL) formed along the insertion direction from the opening (AP) and exposing the connecting portions (14, 18) to the outside of the case portion (22).

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