Buckle

Abstract

A plug (10) of a buckle (1) comprises: a base (11); a pair of legs (12A, 12B) that extend in a direction of insertion from the base (11) and face one another in the width direction orthogonal to the direction of insertion; and engagement parts (13A, 13B) respectively provided to each of the pair of legs. Each leg has a pressing surface (123) that faces outside in the width direction and is inclined with respect to the direction of insertion so as to be more oriented toward the outside in the width direction the closer the orientation toward the direction of insertion. When a sliding member (30) is located at an engagement position, the engagement parts engage a socket (20). When the sliding member is located at a release position, the pressing surfaces are pressed by the sliding member, causing the legs to elastically deform so as to release the engagement between the engagement parts and the socket. When the plug is inserted into the socket, the sliding member is pressed by the pressing surfaces of the legs, thereby moving from the release position to the engagement position.

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. For example, in the buckle disclosed in Patent Document 1, the plug has a pair of legs, and the plug and the socket are coupled by engagement between an engaging portion provided on each leg and an engaged portion provided on the socket. In this buckle, a pair of legs partially protrude from the socket, and when a user presses the pair of legs by pinching them with the hand, the pair of legs elastically deform so as to approach each other, and the connection between the plug and the socket is released.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-65773

[0004] However, in the buckle described in Patent Document 1, finger force is required for the user to perform an operation of pinching the pair of legs with the hand, and the operation is difficult for a user with weak finger force (for example, a child or an elderly person).

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a buckle that can be operated by a user with weak finger force and is easy to operate.

[0006] [1] One aspect of the present invention comprises a plug, a socket into which the plug is inserted, and a slide member attached to the socket so as to be movable between a mutually different engagement position and a release position in the insertion direction of the plug, wherein the plug has a base, a pair of legs extending from the base in the insertion direction and facing each other in a width direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, and an engagement portion provided on each of the pair of legs, the legs having a pressing surface facing outward in the width direction and inclined with respect to the insertion direction such that it is directed outward in the width direction as it approaches the insertion direction, the engagement portion engages with the socket when the slide member is in the engagement position, the legs elastically deform so as the pressing surface receives pressure from the slide member to release the engagement between the engagement portion and the socket, and when the plug is inserted into the socket, the slide member moves from the release position to the engagement position by receiving pressure from the pressing surface of the legs.

[0007] [2] In the above [1], it is preferable that the engaging portion is positioned inward in the width direction from the pressing surface of the leg portion.

[0008] [3] In the above [1] or [2], the leg portion further has an insertion guide surface that faces outward in the width direction and is inclined with respect to the insertion direction such that it moves inward in the width direction as it moves toward the insertion direction, and it is preferable that the insertion guide surface is formed continuously between the pressing surface and the tip of the leg portion.

[0009] [4] In any of the above [1] to [3], the leg portion has a base-end extension portion connected to the base and a tip-end extension portion connected to the base-end extension portion and forming the pressing surface, and it is preferable that the base-end extension portion extends along a direction inclined with respect to the insertion direction such that it moves inward in the width direction as it moves from the base toward the insertion direction.

[0010] [5] In any of the above [1] to [4], when the slide member is in the engagement position, it is preferable that the pressing surface of the leg portion presses against the slide member.

[0011] [6] In any of the above [1] to [5], the socket preferably has a pair of guide holes formed along the insertion direction, and the slide member is disposed outside the socket and comprises a cover portion that covers the pair of guide holes and a pair of interference portions that pass through the pair of guide holes and contact the pressing surfaces of the pair of legs.

[0012] [7] In the above [6], the interference portion has an interference body portion that protrudes from the cover portion and a claw portion provided on the interference body portion, and it is preferable that the claw portion engages with the socket in the thickness direction which is perpendicular to the insertion direction and the width direction, respectively.

[0013] [8] In the above [6] or [7], the socket preferably has a case portion that forms a housing space in which the plug is housed, and a belt attachment portion provided on the case portion, and the cover portion is arranged from the case portion to the belt attachment portion.

[0014] A plan view showing the buckle of the first embodiment. An exploded perspective view showing the buckle of the first embodiment. A plan view showing the plug of the first embodiment. A plan view showing the socket of the first embodiment. A perspective view showing the sliding member of the first embodiment. A cross-sectional view showing the buckle of the first embodiment. A diagram illustrating the engaged state of the buckle of the first embodiment. A diagram illustrating the disengaged state of the buckle of the first embodiment. A diagram illustrating the fastening operation of the buckle of the first embodiment. A plan view showing the buckle of the second embodiment. An exploded perspective view showing the buckle of the second embodiment. A cross-sectional view showing the buckle of the second embodiment. A diagram illustrating the engaged state of the buckle of the second embodiment. A diagram showing a modified example of the buckle.

[0015] [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the buckle 1 of the first embodiment comprises a plug 10, a socket 20 into which the plug 10 is inserted, and a slide member 30 attached to the socket 20. In this buckle 1, the first adherend is attached to the plug 10, the second adherend is attached to the socket 20, and the plug 10 is coupled to the socket 20, thereby connecting the first adherend and the second adherend to each other. The slide member 30 can be used as an operating body for release operation.

[0016] In this embodiment, the plug 10, socket 20, and sliding member 30 are each integrally molded from, for example, a synthetic resin material. The first and second adherends can be any long object such as a belt, tape, or string.

[0017] 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 (front-back 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.

[0018] (Configuration of Plug 10) The configuration of the plug 10 will be described with reference to Figure 3. The plug 10 comprises a base portion 11 to which a first object to be attached can be attached, a pair of legs 12A and 12B protruding from the base portion 11 in the +X direction, and a pair of engaging portions 13A and 13B provided on the pair of legs 12A and 12B.

[0019] The base portion 11 has a pair of side wall portions 112A and 112B arranged with a gap in the Y direction between them, rod portions 113 and 114 connecting the pair of side wall portions 112A and 112B, and a bridge portion 115 connecting the pair of side wall portions 112A and 112B on the +X side of the rod portions 113 and 114. There is a gap between each of the rod portions 113 and 114 and the bridge portion 115 through which the first adherend is inserted, and the first adherend is attached to the base portion 11 by wrapping the first adherend around at least one of the rod portions 113 and 114.

[0020] The legs 12A and 12B protrude from the base 11 in the +X direction and are arranged with a gap in the Y direction between them. The legs 12A and 12B have a shape that is symmetrical with respect to the center of the plug 10 in the Y direction. Specifically, each of the legs 12A and 12B includes a base-end extension 121 connected to the side wall 112A (or side wall 112B) of the base 11, and a tip-end extension 122 connected to the base-end extension 121.

[0021] The base extension portion 121 extends along a direction inclined with respect to the X direction, such that it moves inward in the Y direction as it moves from the base portion 11 toward the +X direction. Furthermore, the base extension portion 121 is formed to bend elastically inward in the Y direction when subjected to the release operation described later.

[0022] The tip extension portion 122 extends from the base extension portion 121 toward the +X direction. This tip extension portion 122 has a pressing surface 123 and an insertion guide surface 124 as parts facing outward in the Y direction. The pressing surface 123 has a planar shape facing outward in the Y direction and is inclined with respect to the X direction so that it is further outward in the Y direction as it approaches the +X direction. A recess 125 is formed between this pressing surface 123 and the base extension portion 121, which is concave toward the Y direction.

[0023] The insertion guide surface 124 has a curved shape facing outward in the Y direction and is inclined with respect to the X direction so that it moves inward in the Y direction as it approaches the +X direction. This insertion guide surface 124 is formed continuously from the pressing surface 123 to the tip of the leg portion 12A (or leg portion 12B). A corner portion 126 that is convex outward in the Y direction is formed between the insertion guide surface 124 and the pressing surface 123. This corner portion 126 has a vertex TP located at the outermost point in the Y direction of the tip extension portion 122, where the insertion guide surface 124 and the pressing surface 123 intersect.

[0024] Furthermore, the tip extension portion 122 is formed to be wider in the Y direction than the base extension portion 121. In other words, the maximum width W1 in the Y direction of the base extension portion 121 is smaller than the maximum width W2 in the Y direction of the tip extension portion 122. Note that the maximum width W2 in the Y direction of the tip extension portion 122 is set on a virtual line passing through the vertex TP. Also, regarding the overall outer dimensions of the plug 10, the maximum outer dimension R1 in the Y direction determined by the base extension portions 121 of the pair of legs 12A and 12B is larger than the maximum outer dimension R2 in the Y direction determined by the tip extension portions 122 of the pair of legs 12A and 12B. In other words, in each leg 12A and 12B, the outermost part of the base extension portion 121 in the Y direction (specifically, the outer surface in the Y direction at the end adjacent to the base 11) is positioned outward in the Y direction from the vertex TP of the tip extension portion 122.

[0025] The engaging portions 13A and 13B are positioned inward in the Y direction from the pressing surfaces 123 of the leg portions 12A and 12B. Furthermore, the engaging portion 13A has a pair of protrusions 131 projecting from the tip-side extension 122 of the leg portion 12A to both sides in the Z direction. Similarly, the engaging portion 13B has a pair of protrusions 131 projecting from the tip-side extension 122 of the leg portion 12B to both sides in the Z direction. Each protrusion 131 has an engaging surface 131E facing the -X direction. Note that in Figure 3, the protrusions 131 projecting in the +Z direction from the tip-side extension 122 of the leg portion 12A are shown, while the protrusions 131 projecting in the -Z direction are omitted.

[0026] The plug 10 may further have a support piece 14 that protrudes in the +X direction from the bridge portion 115 between the legs 12A and 12B. The specific shape of the support piece 14 is not particularly limited, but it is configured to suppress excessive elastic deformation of the legs 12A and 12B inward in the Y direction.

[0027] (Configuration of Socket 20) The configuration of socket 20 will be explained with reference to Figures 4, 6, and 7. Figure 7 is a diagram that combines a plan view of the plug 10 with cross-sectional views of the socket 20 and the sliding member 30, cut at the center in the Z direction.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the socket 20 comprises a case portion 21, a rib portion 22 provided on the case portion 21, and a belt attachment portion 23 provided on the case portion 21.

[0029] The case portion 21 has a storage space S capable of accommodating the legs 12A and 12B of the plug 10, and an opening AP that communicates with the storage space S and opens in the -X direction (see Figure 2). Specifically, the case portion 21 has a pair of wall portions 211 and 212 arranged opposite to each other in the Z direction, and a pair of side wall portions 213A and 213B arranged opposite to each other in the Y direction. Of the wall portions 211 and 212, wall portion 211 is arranged on the front side (for example, the +Z side) of the buckle 1 in the front-to-back direction, and wall portion 212 is arranged on the back side (for example, the -Z side) of the buckle 1 in the front-to-back direction.

[0030] The case portion 21 has a pair of guide holes H1A and H1B that penetrate the wall portion 211 in the Z direction, and a pair of mounting holes H2A and H2B that penetrate the side wall portions 213A and 213B, respectively, in the Y direction. The guide holes H1A and H1B are arranged side by side in the Y direction in the wall portion 211 and have a rectangular shape with the X direction as the longitudinal direction. Mounting hole H2A penetrates the side wall portion 213A, and mounting hole H2B penetrates the side wall portion 213B, and each mounting hole H2A and H2B has a rectangular shape with the X direction as the longitudinal direction. The case portion 21 may also have a hole H3 that penetrates the wall portion 211 in the Z direction and exposes the engaging portions 13A and 13B of the plug 10 to the +Z side from the case portion 21.

[0031] Furthermore, each of the wall portions 211 and 212 has a pair of guide portions 214A and 214B facing inward in the Y direction into the housing space S, and a pair of engaged portions 215A and 215B facing in the +X direction. The guide portions 214A and 214B are formed as the side surfaces of the stepped shape on the inner surfaces of the wall portions 211 and 212, and are arranged so that they move inward in the Y direction as they move toward the +X direction. The engaged portions 215A and 215B are formed to be continuous with the guide portions 214A and 214B as part of the inner surface of the hole H3 in the wall portion 211, or as the side surfaces of the stepped shape on the inner surface of the wall portion 212. In Figure 4, the guide portions 214A, 214B and engaged portions 215A, 215B formed on the wall portion 211 are shown with hidden lines, and in Figure 7, the guide portions 214A, 214B and engaged portions 215A, 215B formed on the wall portion 212 are shown with hidden lines.

[0032] The rib portion 22 is provided on the case portion 21 so as to surround the opening AP of the case portion 21. This rib portion 22 protrudes from the outer surface of the case portion 21 and forms a stopper surface 221 facing the +X side.

[0033] The belt attachment portion 23 is provided at the +X side end of the case portion 21. Specifically, the belt attachment portion 23 comprises a rod portion 231 arranged along the Y direction and a pair of connecting portions 232A and 232B that connect both ends of the rod portion 231 to the case portion 21. A gap exists between the rod portion 231 and the case portion 21 through which the second adherend is inserted, and the second adherend is wrapped around the rod portion 231.

[0034] (Configuration of the slide member 30) The configuration of the slide member 30 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. The slide member 30 comprises a cover portion 31 that partially covers the outer surface of the socket 20, and a pair of interference portions 32A and 32B that protrude from the cover portion 31.

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, the cover portion 31 has a cover body portion 311 that extends along the X and Y directions, and a pair of cover side wall portions 312A and 312B provided at both ends of the cover body portion 311 in the Y direction. The cover body portion 311 is arranged from the case portion 21 to the belt attachment portion 23. Specifically, the cover body portion 311 covers the area of ​​the wall portion 211 excluding the rib portion 22 (i.e., the area of ​​the wall portion 211 including the guide holes H1A and H1B) and the belt attachment portion 23 from the +Z side. The cover side wall portions 312A and 312B cover the side wall portions 213A and 213B of the socket 20 from the outside in the Y direction. In addition, the cover body portion 311 and the side wall portions 213A and 213B can abut against the stopper surface 221 of the rib portion 22 in the -X direction.

[0036] The cover sidewalls 312A and 312B are provided with claw portions 313 that protrude inward in the Y direction. The claw portion 313 of the cover sidewall 312A engages with the socket 20 in the +Z direction by fitting into the mounting hole H2A of the sidewall 213A. Similarly, the claw portion 313 of the cover sidewall 312B engages with the socket 20 in the +Z direction by fitting into the mounting hole H2B of the sidewall 213B. It is preferable that the claw portions 313 are formed continuously along the X direction and are longer in the X direction than the interference portions 32A and 32B.

[0037] Furthermore, the cover side walls 312A and 312B have an operating surface 314 facing outward in the Y direction. This operating surface 314 has an arc shape that is recessed inward in the Y direction when viewed in the Z direction. The operating surface 314 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 315 aligned in the X direction to prevent the user's fingers from slipping.

[0038] The interfering portions 32A and 32B are arranged side by side in the Y direction. Each of the interfering portions 32A and 32B has an interfering body portion 321 that protrudes from the cover body portion 311 in the -Z direction, and a claw portion 322 that protrudes outward in the Y direction from the interfering body portion 321.

[0039] The interference body portion 321 has a columnar shape that protrudes from the cover body portion 311 in the -Z direction. The cross-section of the interference body portion 321 perpendicular to the Z direction has a semicircular shape that, for example, draws a convex arc inward in the Y direction (see Figure 7). That is, the interference body portion 321 has a curved surface 323 that is convex inward in the Y direction when viewed in the Z direction.

[0040] The interference body 321 of interference portion 32A passes through the guide hole H1A of the wall portion 211, and the curved surface 323 of the interference body 321 contacts the pressing surface 123 of the leg portion 12A. Similarly, the interference body 321 of interference portion 32B passes through the guide hole H1B of the wall portion 211, and the curved surface 323 of the interference body 321 contacts the pressing surface 123 of the leg portion 12B.

[0041] The claw portion 322 protrudes outward in the Y direction from the interference body portion 321 and engages with the socket 20 in the +Z direction by entering into the mounting hole H2A of the side wall portion 213A (or the mounting hole H2B of the side wall portion 213B).

[0042] The slide member 30 described above is mounted on the socket 20 so as to be movable in the X direction, and is movable in the X direction between a different engagement position (see Figure 7) and a release position (see Figure 8). The operation of the slide member 30 when it is in the engagement position and the release position will be described later. Figures 8 and 9, which will be referenced in the following description, are shown by combining a plan view of the plug 10 and cross-sectional views of the socket 20 and the slide member 30, similar to Figure 7.

[0043] (Release operation of buckle 1) As shown in Figure 7, when the slide member 30 is in the engagement position, the engagement portions 13A and 13B engage with the engaged portions 215A and 215B of the socket 20 in the -X direction. As a result, the plug 10 is connected to the socket 20 and the buckle 1 is fastened. In this embodiment, the engagement surfaces 131E of the pair of protrusions 131 of the engagement portion 13A engage with the engaged portions 215A of the wall portions 211 and 212, and the engagement surfaces 131E of the pair of protrusions 131 of the engagement portion 13B engage with the engaged portions 215B of the wall portions 211 and 212. That is, the engagement portions 13A and 13B engage with the socket 20 on both sides of the leg portions 12A and 12B in the Z direction.

[0044] Also, when the slide member 30 is in the engaged position, the cover portion 31 abuts against the stopper surface 221 of the rib portion 22 in the -X direction, and the interference portions 32A and 32B abut against the inner surfaces of the guide holes H1A and H1B in the -X direction. Thereby, the movement of the slide member 30 in the -X direction is restricted. In FIG. 7, the arrangement of the guide holes H1A and H1B in the socket 20 is shown by a one-dot chain line.

[0045] Also, when the slide member 30 is in the engaged position, the pressing surfaces 123 of the leg portions 12A and 12B contact the interference portions 32A and 32B, and the pressing by the elastic force of the leg portions 12A and 12B is applied to the interference portions 32A and 32B. Thereby, the slide member 30 receives a force in the -X direction from the leg portions 12A and 12B, and the rattling of the slide member 30 is suppressed.

[0046] When the user releases the fastening state of the buckle 1, the user moves the slide member 30 in the +X direction. At this time, the user can perform the operation by holding the pair of operation surfaces 314 of the slide member 30 by hand.

[0047] When the slide member 30 moves in the +X direction from the engaged position, the interference portions 32A and 32B press the pressing surfaces 123 of the leg portions 12A and 12B. Thereby, the leg portions 12A and 12B are elastically deformed so as to bend inward in the Y direction.

[0048] Then, as shown in FIG. 8, when the slide member 30 reaches the release position, the leg portions 12A and 12B are elastically deformed most greatly inward in the Y direction, and the engaging portions 13A and 13B are arranged inward in the Y direction than the engaged portions 215A and 215B of the socket 20, and are disengaged from the engaged portions 215A and 215B. At this time, the interference portions 32A and 32B do not cross over the apexes TP of the leg portions 12A and 12B and maintain the state of contacting the pressing surfaces 123.

[0049] Also, when the slide member 30 reaches the release position, the claw portions 313 of the cover side wall portions 312A and 312B abut against the inner surfaces of the mounting holes H2A and H2B in the +X direction. Thereby, the movement of the slide member 30 in the +X direction is restricted.

[0050] After the slide member 30 reaches the release position, the user can pull the plug 10 out of the socket 20. This detaches the plug 10 from the socket 20 and releases the fastening of the buckle 1. After the plug 10 is detached from the socket 20, the slide member 30 becomes free to move between the release position and the engagement position relative to the socket 20.

[0051] (Fastening operation of buckle 1) When fastening buckle 1, the user should insert the plug 10 into the socket 20 as shown in Figure 9. At this time, the user should hold the plug 10 in at least one hand while operating it. In other words, the user may fasten buckle 1 with one hand.

[0052] Immediately before the plug 10 is inserted into the socket 20, the plug 10 may be tilted in the Y direction. In this case, the insertion guide surface 124 of the leg portion 12A or leg portion 12B contacts the edge of the opening AP of the socket 20, guiding the leg portions 12A and 12B into the accommodating space S. Then, the engaging portions 13A and 13B are guided by the guide portions 214A and 214B of the socket 20, correcting the orientation of the plug 10, and allowing the plug 10 to be inserted along the X direction.

[0053] When the plug 10 is inserted into the socket 20, the insertion guide surfaces 124 of the legs 12A and 12B first come into contact with the interference parts 32A and 32B. At this time, each insertion guide surface 124 presses the interference parts 32A and 32B in the +X direction. As a result, the sliding member 30, which was in a free state, moves in the +X direction and is positioned in the release position. As the insertion of the plug 10 progresses, the insertion guide surfaces 124 of the legs 12A and 12B receive inward pressure in the Y direction from the interference parts 32A and 32B. As a result, the legs 12A and 12B elastically deform so that they bend inward in the Y direction.

[0054] When the plug 10 is fully inserted, the interfering parts 32A and 32B move over the vertices TP of the legs 12A and 12B and come into contact with the pressing surface 123 (as shown in Figure 8). At this time, the interfering parts 32A and 32B are pressed by the pressing surface 123 of the legs 12A and 12B due to the elastic force of the legs 12A and 12B and move in the -X direction. As a result, the slide member 30 moves from the released position to the engaged position.

[0055] Furthermore, when the slide member 30 moves from the release position to the engagement position, the legs 12A and 12B bend back outward in the Y direction due to their own elastic force, and the engaging portions 13A and 13B engage with the engaged portions 215A and 215B of the socket 20 in the -X direction. As a result, the plug 10 is connected to the socket 20, and the buckle 1 is fastened. Consequently, the buckle 1 is in the state shown in Figure 7.

[0056] Therefore, in the buckle 1 of this embodiment, when the plug 10 is inserted into the socket 20, the slide member 30 moves from the release position to the engagement position without any operation by the user, thereby fastening the buckle 1.

[0057] (Effects of this embodiment) (1) As described above, the buckle 1 of this embodiment comprises a plug 10, a socket 20 into which the plug 10 is inserted, and a slide member 30 attached to the socket 20 so as to be movable between different engaged and released positions in the insertion direction (+X direction) of the plug 10. The plug 10 has a base 11, a pair of legs 12A, 12B extending from the base 11 in the insertion direction and facing each other in the width direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the insertion direction, and engaging portions 13A, 13B provided on each of the pair of legs 12A, 12B. The legs 12A, 12B face outward in the width direction (outward in the Y direction) and are oriented toward the insertion direction (+X direction). The slide member 30 has a pressing surface 123 that is inclined with respect to the insertion direction (+X direction) so that it extends outward in the width direction (outward in the Y direction). When the slide member 30 is in the engagement position, the engaging portions 13A and 13B engage with the socket 20. When the slide member 30 is in the release position, the legs 12A and 12B elastically deform so that the engagement between the engaging portions 13A and 13B and the socket 20 is released as each pressing surface 123 receives pressure from the slide member 30. When the plug 10 is inserted into the socket 20, the slide member 30 moves from the release position to the engagement position as it receives pressure from the pressing surfaces 123 of the legs 12A and 12B. With this configuration, the engagement between the plug 10 and the socket 20 can be released by sliding the slide member 30. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to pinch the legs 12A and 12B with their fingers. Furthermore, when inserting the plug 10 into the socket 20, the plug 10 and the socket 20 can be engaged without requiring the sliding operation of the sliding member 30. Therefore, the number of operating steps does not increase compared to conventional buckles. Accordingly, this embodiment provides a buckle 1 that can be operated even by users with weak finger strength and is easy to operate.

[0058] In conventional buckles, when the user attempts to grasp the pair of legs with their fingers, there is a possibility that their fingers may get caught between the legs and the socket. In contrast, with the buckle 1 of this embodiment, as described above, there is no need to grasp the legs 12A and 12B, thus avoiding the possibility of the user's fingers getting caught in the buckle 1.

[0059] (2) In this embodiment, the engaging portions 13A and 13B are positioned inward in the width direction (inward in the Y direction) from the pressing surfaces 123 of the leg portions 12A and 12B. With this configuration, when the slide member 30 contacts the pressing surface 123, interference with the engaging portions 13A and 13B can be avoided, allowing the slide member 30 to be operated smoothly. In addition, sufficient dimensions in the X direction of the pressing surfaces 123 of the leg portions 12A and 12B can be secured, so the force required to operate the slide member 30 can be suppressed.

[0060] (3) In this embodiment, the legs 12A and 12B have an insertion guide surface 124 that faces outward in the width direction (outward in the Y direction) and is inclined with respect to the insertion direction such that it moves inward in the width direction (inward in the Y direction) as it moves toward the insertion direction (+X direction), and the insertion guide surface 124 is formed continuously between the pressing surface 123 and the tips of the legs 12A and 12B. With this configuration, when the plug 10 is inserted into the socket 20, the insertion guide surface 124 can smoothly guide the legs 12A and 12B into the housing space S. At this time, the slide member 30 can move smoothly relative to the insertion guide surface 124 toward the pressing surface 123.

[0061] (4) In this embodiment, the legs 12A and 12B have a base-end extension 121 connected to the base 11 and a tip-end extension 122 connected to the base-end extension 121 and forming a pressing surface 123. The base-end extension 121 extends in a direction inclined with respect to the insertion direction, such that it moves inward in the width direction (inward in the Y direction) as it moves from the base 11 toward the insertion direction (+X direction). With this configuration, the Y-direction dimension of the space where the pressing surface 123 is located can be secured without increasing the size of the socket 20. In other words, in a small socket 20, the amount of deflection of the legs 12A and 12B by operating the slide member 30 can be secured, and engagement and disengagement between the plug 10 and the socket 20 can be reliably performed.

[0062] (5) When the slide member 30 of this embodiment is in the engagement position, the pressing surfaces 123 of the legs 12A and 12B press against the slide member 30. In this configuration, the elastic force of the legs 12A and 12B can suppress rattling of the slide member 30.

[0063] (6) The socket 20 of this embodiment has a pair of guide holes H1A and H1B that communicate the inside and outside of the socket 20 and are formed along the insertion direction (+X direction). The slide member 30 is positioned on the outside of the socket 20 and includes a cover portion 31 that covers the pair of guide holes H1A and H1B, and a pair of interference portions 32A and 32B that pass through the pair of guide holes H1A and H1B and contact the pressing surfaces 123 of the pair of legs 12A and 12B. With this configuration, the slide member 30 can contact the legs 12A and 12B inside the socket 20, while preventing the user's fingers from entering the guide holes H1A and H1B of the socket 20. This prevents the user's fingers from being caught between the socket 20 and the slide member 30 when the slide member 30 moves relative to the socket 20.

[0064] (7) The interference portions 32A and 32B of this embodiment have an interference body portion 321 that protrudes from the cover portion 31 and a claw portion 322 provided on the interference body portion 321, and the claw portion 322 engages with the socket 20 in the thickness direction which is perpendicular to the insertion direction and the width direction, respectively. With this configuration, the slide member 30 can be stably attached to the socket 20.

[0065] (8) The socket 20 of this embodiment has a case portion 21 that forms a housing space S and a belt attachment portion 23 provided on the case portion 21, and the cover portion 31 is arranged from the case portion 21 to the belt attachment portion 23. With this configuration, the cover portion 31 can cover the gap between the case portion 21 and the belt attachment portion 23 in the socket 20, preventing the user's fingers from getting caught in the gap. Therefore, when the slide member 30 moves relative to the socket 20, it is possible to prevent the user's fingers from getting caught between the socket 20 and the slide member 30.

[0066] [Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 13. The buckle 1A of the second embodiment is a modified version of the buckle 1 of the first embodiment and includes a slide member 40 with a different shape from that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, components similar to those of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and their descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

[0067] The plug 10 of the second embodiment is formed substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. However, as shown in Figure 13, the legs 12A and 12B of the plug 10 may be connected to the base 11 at a position inward in the Y direction than in the first embodiment. In this case, the plug 10 may further have support pieces 15A and 15B that are positioned outward in the Y direction from the legs 12A and 12B. The support pieces 15A and 15B are formed to protrude from the base 11 in the +X direction, thereby suppressing rattle of the plug 10 in the Y direction relative to the socket 20.

[0068] The socket 20 of the second embodiment is formed substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, but instead of the mounting holes H2A and H2B of the first embodiment, it has a mounting hole H4 formed in the wall portion 211 (see Figures 11 and 12). The mounting hole H4 penetrates the wall portion 211 in the Z direction between a pair of guide holes H1A and H1B in the Y direction. In addition, the rib portion 22 and guide portions 214A and 214B of the first embodiment may be omitted in the socket 20 of the second embodiment.

[0069] The slide member 40 of the second embodiment includes a cover portion 41 that partially covers the outer surface of the socket 20, a pair of interference portions 42A and 42B provided on the cover portion 41 that interfere with the plug 10 inside the socket 20, and a pair of cover engagement portions 43A and 43B provided on the cover portion 41 between the pair of interference portions 42A and 42B.

[0070] The cover portion 41 covers a part of the wall portion 211 (the area including the guide holes H1A and H1B) from the outside of the socket 20. The cover portion 41 has an operating surface 411 facing the +Z side.

[0071] The interfering portions 42A and 42B are arranged side by side in the Y direction and protrude from the cover portion 41 in the -Z direction. The specific shapes of the interfering portions 42A and 42B are not particularly limited, but for example, they are cylindrical.

[0072] Interfering portion 42A can be inserted through the guide hole H1A of the wall portion 211 and make contact with the leg portion 12A of the plug 10. Similarly, interfering portion 42B can be inserted through the guide hole H1B of the wall portion 211 and make contact with the leg portion 12B of the plug 10.

[0073] The cover engagement portions 43A and 43B are arranged side by side in the Y direction between the interfering portions 42A and 42B. The cover engagement portions 43A and 43B also have a projection 431 that protrudes from the cover portion 41 in the -Z direction and a claw portion 432 that protrudes outward in the Y direction from the projection 431. Each projection 431 of the cover engagement portions 43A and 43B is inserted through the mounting hole H4 of the wall portion 211, and each claw portion 432 engages with the socket 20 in the +Z direction.

[0074] The slide member 40 of the second embodiment is mounted to the socket 20 so as to be movable in the X direction, and, similar to the first embodiment, is movable in the X direction between different engaged and disengaged positions. As a result, the interfering portions 42A and 42B of the slide member 40 function similarly to the interfering portions 32A and 32B of the first embodiment.

[0075] In the buckle 1A of the second embodiment described above, the user can release the engagement between the plug 10 and the socket 20 by operating the operating surface 411 of the slide member 40, similar to the first embodiment. Furthermore, when inserting the plug 10 into the socket 20, the plug 10 and the socket 20 can be engaged without the need to slide the slide member 40. Therefore, the buckle 1A of the second embodiment can achieve substantially the same effects as the first embodiment. In addition, in the buckle 1A of the second embodiment, the slide member 40 is present only on the front side of the socket 20, which provides a different aesthetic appearance from the first embodiment.

[0076] [Modifications] In each of the above embodiments, the legs 12A and 12B of the plug 10 only need to have at least a pressing surface 123, and their arrangement and shape may be changed. Also, in each of the above embodiments, the engaging portions 13A and 13B of the plug 10 only need to be configured to be able to engage with the socket 20, and their arrangement and shape may be changed.

[0077] For example, Figure 14 shows a modified buckle 1A, which corresponds to Figure 7 of the first embodiment. In this buckle 1A, the plug 10A may have engaging portions 16A and 16B that protrude outward in the Y direction from the leg portions 12A and 12B, instead of the engaging portions 13A and 13B of the first embodiment. These engaging portions 16A and 16B can engage with the engaged portions 215A and 215B of the socket 20 in the -X direction. That is, in the modified example, the leg portions 12A and 12B engage with the socket 20 on one side in the Y direction of the leg portions 12A and 12B via the engaging portions 16A and 16B. Note that in this plug 10A, the insertion guide surfaces 124 of the leg portions 12A and 12B may be omitted.

[0078] The socket 20 in each of the above embodiments only needs to have a configuration that allows a plug 10 to be inserted and engage with the plug 10, and its specific shape may be changed. For example, in the socket 20 of each of the above embodiments, the engaged portions 215A and 215B are formed on the wall portions 211 and 212, but they may be formed on either one of the wall portions 211 and 212, or they may be formed on the side wall portions 213A and 213B instead of the wall portions 211 and 212.

[0079] The slide members 30 and 40 in each of the above embodiments should be configured to be able to contact the pressing surfaces 123 of the legs 12A and 12B. For example, in the first embodiment, the interference portions 32A and 32B of the slide member 30 are configured to protrude in the -Z direction from the cover body 311, but they may also be configured to protrude inward in the Y direction from the cover sidewalls 312A and 312B. Alternatively, in the first embodiment, if the pressing surfaces 123 of the legs 12A and 12B are arranged to be exposed to the outside of the socket 20, the cover sidewalls 312A and 312B may function as interference portions that contact the pressing surfaces 123 of the legs 12A and 12B.

[0080] 1, 1A...Buckle, 10, 10A...Plug, 11...Base, 112A, 112B...Side wall, 113, 114...Rod, 12A, 12B...Leg, 121...Base end extension, 122...Tip extension, 123...Pressing surface, 124...Insertion guide surface, 126...Corner, 13A, 13B...Engaging part, 131...Protrusion, 131E...Engaging surface, 14...Support piece, 15A, 15B...Support piece, 16A, 16B...Engaging part, 20...Socket, 21...Case part, 211, 212...Wall, 213A, 213B...Side wall, 214A, 214B...Guide part, 215A, 215B...Engaged part, 22...Rib part, 221...Stock Top surface, 23...belt attachment part, 231...rod part, 232A, 232B...connecting part, 30...slide member, 31...cover part, 311...cover body part, 312A, 312B...cover side wall part, 313...claw part, 314...operating surface, 315...protrusion, 32A, 32B...interference part, 321...interference body part, 322...claw part, 40...slide member, 41...cover part, 411...operating surface, 42A, 42B...interference part, 431...protruding part, 432...claw part, 43A, 43B...cover engagement part, AP...opening, H1A, H1B...guide hole, H2A, H2B...mounting hole, H3...hole, H4...mounting hole, S...storage space, TP...apex.

Claims

1. The device comprises a plug (10, 10A), a socket (20) into which the plug (10, 10A) is inserted, and sliding members (30, 40) attached to the socket (20) so as to be movable between mutually different engaged and disengaged positions in the insertion direction of the plug (10, 10A), wherein the plug (10, 10A) has a base (11), a pair of legs (12A, 12B) extending from the base (11) in the insertion direction and facing each other in a width direction perpendicular to the insertion direction, and engaging portions (13A, 13B, 16A, 16B) provided on each of the pair of legs (12A, 12B), wherein the legs (12A, 12B) have a pressing surface (123) facing outward in the width direction and inclined with respect to the insertion direction such that it is further outward in the width direction as it approaches the insertion direction. A buckle wherein, when the slide members (30, 40) are in the engagement position, the engagement portions (13A, 13B, 16A, 16B) engage with the socket (20); when the slide members (30, 40) are in the release position, the legs (12A, 12B) elastically deform so as to release the engagement between the engagement portions (13A, 13B, 16A, 16B) and the socket (20) by the pressure on the pressing surface (123) of the slide members (30, 40); and when the plug (10, 10A) is inserted into the socket (20), the slide members (30, 40) move from the release position to the engagement position by the pressure on the pressing surface (123) of the legs (12A, 12B).

2. The buckle according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion (13A, 13B, 16A, 16B) is positioned inward in the width direction from the pressing surface (123) of the leg portion (12A, 12B).

3. The buckle according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the leg portions (12A, 12B) further have an insertion guide surface (124) that faces outward in the width direction and is inclined with respect to the insertion direction such that it moves inward in the width direction as it approaches the insertion direction, and the insertion guide surface (124) is formed continuously between the pressing surface (123) and the tip portions of the leg portions (12A, 12B).

4. The buckle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the leg portions (12A, 12B) have a base-end extension portion (121) connected to the base portion (11) and a tip-end extension portion (122) connected to the base-end extension portion (121) and forming the pressing surface (123), and the base-end extension portion (121) extends along a direction inclined with respect to the insertion direction such that it moves inward in the width direction as it moves from the base portion (11) toward the insertion direction.

5. The buckle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the sliding members (30, 40) are in the engagement position, the pressing surfaces (123) of the legs (12A, 12B) press against the sliding members (30, 40).

6. The buckle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the socket (20) has a pair of guide holes (H1A, H1B) formed along the insertion direction, and the slide members (30, 40) are arranged outside the socket (20) and include cover portions (31, 41) that cover the pair of guide holes (H1A, H1B), and a pair of interference portions (32A, 32B, 42A, 42B) that pass through the pair of guide holes (H1A, H1B) and contact the pressing surfaces (123) of the pair of leg portions (12A, 12B).

7. The buckle according to claim 6, wherein the interfering portion (32A, 32B) has an interfering body portion (321) protruding from the cover portion (31) and a claw portion (322) provided on the interfering body portion (321), and the claw portion (322) engages with the socket (20) in the thickness direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and the width direction, respectively.

8. The buckle according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the socket (20) has a case portion (21) that forms a housing space (S) in which the plugs (10, 10A) are housed, and a belt attachment portion (23) provided on the case portion (21), and the cover portion (31) is arranged extending from the case portion (21) to the belt attachment portion (23).

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