SLIDER FOR SLIDE FASTENER AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a slide fastener slider and a manufacturing method thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

Among slide fastener sliders in the related art, a slider as disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is known as a slider suitable for forming a pull tab by winding and attaching a string-like member.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a slide fastener slider 100 according to Patent Literature 1 includes an upper blade 101 and a lower blade 102, and a pull tab attachment portion 103 is formed on the upper blade 101. The pull tab attachment portion 103 includes a pair of left and right first members 105R and 105L protruding from an upper surface of the upper blade 101, and a second member 106 connecting the pair of left and right first members 105R and 105L. A pull tab insertion path 108 is provided between the second member 106 and the upper surface 107 of the upper blade 101, and a string-like member can be passed through the pull tab insertion path 108 and wound around the second member 106. Accordingly, the string-like member can be attached to the slider 100 to serve as a pull tab.

FIG. 2 illustrates a state where the slider 100 is attached to a slide fastener 200 in a state where a string-like pull tab 110 is attached to the slider 100. The pull tab 110 includes a string-like member 111 and a gripping portion 112 provided on one end portion of the string-like member 111. By gripping and pulling the gripping portion 112 by a hand, the slider 100 can be moved along fastener element rows 201 of the slide fastener 200. The slide fastener slider 100 according to Patent Literature 1 is excellent in design, and is also excellent in convenience in terms of allowing a garment supplier or an end user to freely attach his/her favorite pull tab.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: WO2015/194044A1

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

In the slide fastener slider 100 according to Patent Literature 1, particularly in a state where the pull tab is not attached as illustrated in FIG. 1, a curvilinear form and a neat design are particularly emphasized, but in a state where the string-like pull tab 110 is attached as illustrated in FIG. 2, the advantage may not be sufficiently utilized. That is, in the state where the string-like pull tab 110 is attached as illustrated in FIG. 2, the string-like member 111 is exposed to an upper side of the pull tab attachment portion 103 of the slider 100, and thus a knot of the string-like member 111 is conspicuous. Further, since the string-like member 111 is wound to ride over the pull tab attachment portion 103, when the slider 100 is viewed from a side surface, a thickness of a diameter of the string-like member 111 appears to be stacked on a thickness of the pull tab attachment portion 103, and thus a consumer is given an impression of large thickness over the entire slider.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a slide fastener slider that improves the convenience of attachment of a string pull tab to a slider without affecting a design aspect due to exposure of a string portion to a surface as in a slider with a string pull tab in the related art.

Solution To Problem

The present invention implements the above objects by the following means.

• • (1) A slide fastener slider according to the present invention includes a slider body in which an upper blade and a lower blade are connected to each other, a pull tab, and a string attachment structure, in which the slider body includes a pull tab attachment portion formed on the upper blade, the pull tab attachment portion includes a pair of left and right first members protruding from an upper surface of the upper blade and a second member configured to connect the pair of left and right first members, and a pull tab insertion path is provided between the second member and the upper blade, at least a part of the pull tab is provided with a string-like member, and the string-like member of the pull tab and the string attachment structure are disposed in the pull tab insertion path.
  • (2) In the slide fastener slider according to the present invention, the string-like member of the pull tab includes a string folded portion, the string folded portion is located below an upper surface of the second member, and a pair of the string-like members extending from the string folded portion is attached to the slider body to pass through the pull tab insertion path.

Further, the string attachment structure may have the following features.

• • (3) The string attachment structure includes a right recessed groove and a left recessed groove, and the pair of string-like members extending from the string folded portion passes between the pair of left and right recessed grooves and the pair of left and right first members.
  • (4) The string attachment structure includes a right internal passage defined by a right wall which is planar and a central separation wall, and a left internal passage defined by a left wall and the central separation wall, and the string-like member passes through the left and right internal passages.
  • (5) In the slide fastener slider according to the present invention, the string attachment structure includes a front raised portion and a rear raised portion on an upper surface thereof, and the second member is disposed between the front raised portion and the rear raised portion.
  • (6) In the slide fastener slider according to the present invention, a front side edge and a rear side edge of the second member of the pull tab attachment portion of the slider body have a curvilinear shape, and edge portions of the front raised portion and the rear raised portion of the string attachment structure have a curved surface shape corresponding to the curvilinear shape of the second member.
  • (7) In the slide fastener slider according to the present invention, the string attachment structure includes a cover member on an upper surface thereof, and the second member of the pull tab attachment portion is accommodated between the cover member and a central body portion of the string attachment structure.
  • (8) In the slide fastener slider according to the present invention, a front surface of the string attachment structure is an inclined surface.
  • (9) In the slide fastener slider according to the present invention, the string attachment structure is provided with a rear recess penetrating in a left-right direction on a rear surface thereof.
  • (10) In the slide fastener slider according to the present invention, the string attachment structure includes an offset recess, and a string folded portion of the string-like member is disposed in a string storage space formed by the offset recess.
  • (11) In the slide fastener slider according to the present invention, the string attachment structure is integrally formed with the slider body.

Further, a manufacturing method of a slide fastener slider according to the present invention includes the following means.

• • (12) A manufacturing method of a slide fastener slider, the manufacturing method including: a step of disposing a string folded portion of a string-like member of a pull tab in a pull tab insertion path surrounded by an upper blade of a slider body, a pair of left and right first members protruding from an upper surface of the upper blade, and a second member connecting the pair of left and right first members; a step of disposing a string attachment structure between a pair of the string-like members extending from the string folded portion; and a step of moving the string attachment structure and the string-like member toward the pull tab insertion path, pushing the string attachment structure into the pull tab insertion path against a frictional force to be generated between the string attachment structure and an inner surface of the pull tab insertion path, and fixing the string attachment structure and the string-like member to the slider body.
  • (13) In the step of fixing the string attachment structure and the string-like member to the slider body, a rear raised portion provided on the string attachment structure is removed from the pull tab insertion path, so that the second member is fixed to be sandwiched between a front raised portion and the rear raised portion provided on the string attachment structure.

Advantageous Effects of the Invention

With the slide fastener slider according to the present invention, the convenience of attachment of a string pull tab to the slider is improved without affecting a design aspect due to exposure of a string portion to a surface as in a slider with a string pull tab in the related art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slide fastener slider in the related art.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a slide fastener in which the slider illustrated in FIG. 1 is used.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a slider according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a string attachment structure used in the slider according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the string attachment structure illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a right side view of the string attachment structure illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the string attachment structure illustrated in FIG. 4 as viewed from a front side.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a state after a string-like member is passed through a pull tab insertion path of a slider body.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a state where the string attachment structure is disposed between string-like members.

FIG. 10 is a view in a state where only the string attachment structure is attached without passing the string-like member through the slider body, as viewed from a rear side of the slider toward the front side.

FIG. 11A is a right side view of a string attachment structure used in a slider according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11B is a rear view of a string attachment structure used in a slider according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12A is a right side view of a string attachment structure used in a slider according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12B is a rear view of a string attachment structure used in a slider according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a string attachment structure used in a slider according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13B is a rear view of a string attachment structure used in a slider according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the slider according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15A is a right side view of a string attachment structure used in a slider according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15B is a rear view of a string attachment structure used in a slider according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16A is a right side view of a string attachment structure used in a slider according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16B is a rear view of a string attachment structure used in a slider according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a top view illustrating a state where a string attachment structure is attached to a slider body of a slider according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating a state where a string attachment structure and a string-like member are disposed on a slider according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of a slide fastener slider according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, regarding the slider, an upper side is a near side with respect to a paper surface of FIG. 3, a lower side is a far side with respect to the paper surface of FIG. 3, a front side is an upper side with respect to the paper surface of FIG. 3, a rear side is a lower side with respect to the paper surface of FIG. 3, a right side is a right side with respect to the paper surface of FIG. 3, and a left side is a left side with respect to the paper surface of FIG. 3. A left-right direction is also referred to as a width direction. More specifically, in a slider, a side from which a fastener element is separated is defined as the front side, a side from which the fastener element is meshed is defined as the rear side, a sliding direction of the slider is defined as a front-rear direction (length direction), a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction and parallel to a fastener tape is defined as the left-right direction (width direction), and a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is defined as an up-down direction.

First Embodiment

FIG. 3 is a top view of a slide fastener slider 10 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “slider 10”) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The slider 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes at least three components. The three components are a slider body 11 in which an upper blade 12 and a lower blade 13 are connected, a pull tab 19, and a string attachment structure 21. The slider body 11 basically has the same structure as the slide fastener slider in the related art illustrated in FIG. 1, and includes the upper blade 12 and the lower blade 13 which have a plate shape, and a pull tab attachment portion 14 formed on the upper blade 12. A lower surface of the upper blade 12 and an upper surface of the lower blade 13 are connected by a connecting column. Each of the upper blade 12 and the lower blade 13 has an elongated shape in a sliding direction of the slider. Hereinafter, the sliding direction of the slider is defined as a length direction of the slider, and a direction orthogonal to the length direction and parallel to a fastener tape is defined as a width direction of the slider. The pull tab attachment portion 14 is formed on an upper surface 17 which is a surface opposite to a lower blade 13 side of the upper blade 12. The pull tab attachment portion 14 includes a pair of left and right first members 15R and 15L protruding from the upper surface 17 of the upper blade 12, and a second member 16 connecting the pair of left and right first members 15R and 15L. The pair of left and right first members 15R and 15L are spaced apart in the width direction of the slider. The second member 16 extends in the width direction of the slider. A pull tab insertion path 18 extending in a front-rear direction is provided between a lower surface of the second member 16 and the upper surface 17 of the upper blade 12. The slider body 11 can be manufactured by, for example, injection molding of a resin material or die casting of a metal material such as a zinc alloy or an aluminum alloy.

At least a part of the pull tab 19, which is the second component of the slider 10, is provided with a string-like member 20, and the string-like member 20 includes a string folded portion 20A in an intermediate portion thereof and a pair of string extending portions 20B and 20B continuous from the string folded portion 20A. End portions of the string extending portions 20B and 20B (end portions on side not illustrated in FIG. 3) may be provided with a gripping portion 112 as in the pull tab of the slider in the related art illustrated in FIG. 2, or may be simply a knot of the string. As the string-like member 20, for example, a twisted string formed by twisting a plurality of fiber materials, a belt-like member formed by weaving a fiber material in a tape shape, a member formed by extruding a resin, or a member molded by injecting a resin can be used, but the present invention is not particularly limited thereto.

The string attachment structure 21, which is the third component of the slider 10, is disposed in the pull tab insertion path 18. The string attachment structure 21 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a front raised portion 22 provided at one end in the length direction and a rear raised portion 23 provided at another end in the length direction. The string attachment structure 21 is disposed so as to sandwich the second member 16 of the slider body 11 between the front raised portion 22 and the rear raised portion 23. The string folded portion 20A of the string-like member 20 is disposed on a front side of the front raised portion 22 of the string attachment structure 21, and the pair of string extending portions 20B and 20B continuous from the string folded portion 20A are provided so as to pass through gaps between side surfaces of the string attachment structure 21 in the left-right direction and the left and right first members 15R and 15L of the slider body 11, respectively. Accordingly, the string-like member 20 is attached so as not to come off from the slider body 11 in a rearward direction. For example, the string attachment structure 21 may be manufactured by injecting a resin material which is a soft member, or may be manufactured by die casting of a metal material such as a zinc alloy or an aluminum alloy.

Next, a specific structure of the string attachment structure 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the string attachment structure 21, FIG. 5 is a top view of the string attachment structure 21, FIG. 6 is a right side view of the string attachment structure 21, and FIG. 7 is a front view of the string attachment structure 21 viewed from the front side. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7, the string attachment structure 21 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has an upper surface, a lower surface facing the upper surface, a front surface, a rear surface facing the front surface, a right side surface, and a left side surface facing the right side surface. The string attachment structure 21 includes, on an upper surface thereof, the front raised portion 22 provided at one end in the length direction, a central body portion 24 continuous from the front raised portion 22, and the rear raised portion 23 provided at the other end in the length direction continuous from the central body portion 24. The central body portion 24 is substantially flat. The front raised portion 22 and the rear raised portion 23 are thicker than the central body portion 24 in an up-down direction. Between the central body portion 24 and the front raised portion 22, a curved surface is gradually inclined upward toward the front, and this inclined curved surface serves as a front engagement surface 29 to be engaged with the second member 16 of the slider body 11. On the other hand, the rear raised portion 23 is provided on a rear side of the central body portion 24, and between the central body portion 24 and the rear raised portion 23, a curved surface is formed which is gradually inclined upward toward the rear, and this inclined curved surface serves as a rear engagement surface 30 to be engaged to the second member 16 of the slider body 11. Each of the front engagement surface 29 and the rear engagement surface 30 includes a downwardly convex curved surface smoothly connected to a flat surface of the central body portion 24 and an upwardly convex curved surface smoothly connected to the downwardly convex curved surface.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, a front surface 27 of the string attachment structure 21 is an inclined surface that is gradually inclined downward toward the front. On the other hand, a rear surface 28 of the string attachment structure 21 is a flat surface substantially vertical to the up- down direction. A lower surface of the string attachment structure 21 is substantially flat (more strictly, has a slight gradient in the left-right direction as illustrated in FIG. 7 in order to provide a gradient for punching at the time of manufacturing).

On a right side surface 25R of the string attachment structure 21, a right recessed groove 32R recessed toward the inside of the string attachment structure 21 is provided so as to extend from the front to the rear. An upper right edge portion 33R is provided above the right recessed groove 32R so as to extend from the front to the rear, and a lower right edge portion 34R is provided below the right recessed groove 32R so as to extend from the front to the rear. The right recessed groove 32R is recessed in a substantially semicircular arc shape with a curvature, and the entire recessed groove is a curved surface. Similarly, on a left side surface 25L of the string attachment structure 21, a left recessed groove 32L recessed toward the inside of the string attachment structure 21 is provided so as to extend from the front to the rear, and an upper left edge portion 33L and a lower left edge portion 34L are provided above and below the left recessed groove 32L, respectively, so as to extend from the front to the rear. The left recessed groove 32L is recessed in a substantially semicircular arc shape with a curvature, and the entire recessed groove is a curved surface. (It should be noted that the arc shape does not mean an accurate arc shape, but means that a rounded curved surface is sufficient.)

Next, a procedure for attaching the string-like member 20 of the pull tab 19 to the slider body 11 using the string attachment structure 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8, 9, and 3.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a state after the string-like member 20 is disposed in the pull tab insertion path 18 of the slider body 11. The string folded portion 20A of the string-like member 20 is passed from the rear side toward the front side of the pull tab insertion path 18.

Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the string attachment structure 21 is disposed between a pair of the string-like members 20 (string extending portions 20B and 20B) extending from the string folded portion 20A. The string attachment structure 21 is located on the upper surface 17 of the upper blade 12 of the slider body 11 in proximity to the string folded portion 20A of the string-like member 20. Then, while maintaining the located state, the string attachment structure 21 and the string-like member 20 are moved rearward toward the pull tab insertion path 18. In a state where the string attachment structure 21 abuts against the pull tab attachment portion 14 and no force is applied rearward, a height in the up-down direction of the rear raised portion 23 of the string attachment structure 21 is larger than a height in the up-down direction of the pull tab insertion path 18. Further, in a case where a force is applied rearward, the rear raised portion 23 is reversibly deformed and pressed into the pull tab insertion path 18. That is, in a state where the rear raised portion 23 is inside the pull tab insertion path 18, an upper surface of the rear raised portion 23 is strongly pressed against the lower surface of the second member 16 of the slider body 11, and the rear raised portion 23 is elastically deformed (the second member 16 may be elastically deformed). In this state, the string attachment structure 21 is pressed into the pull tab insertion path 18 against a frictional force generated between the string attachment structure 21 and an inner surface of the pull tab insertion path 18, and in a case where the rear raised portion 23 is disposed behind the pull tab insertion path 18, the state illustrated in FIG. 3 is obtained. In the state of FIG. 3, the second member 16 of the pull tab attachment portion 14 is sandwiched between the front raised portion 22 and the rear raised portion 23 of the string attachment structure 21, and the string attachment structure 21 is fixed to the slider body 11. In this case, it is preferable that both the front engagement surface 29 of the front raised portion 22 and the rear engagement surface 30 of the rear raised portion 23 are completely in close contact with the second member 16 of the pull tab attachment portion 14 from the viewpoint of suppressing rattling in the attachment state of the string attachment structure 21. Further, it is preferable that an upper surface of the central body portion 24 of the string attachment structure 21 is completely in close contact with the lower surface of the second member 16.

The string folded portion 20A of the pull tab 19 attached as described above is at least attached to the slider body 11 so as to be located below the upper surface (highest position of upper surface) of the second member 16 of the pull tab attachment portion 14, and the pair of string-like members 20 extending from the string folded portion 20A is also attached to the slider body 11 so as to pass through the pull tab insertion path 18 and extend to the rear side of the slider 10. In other words, the string-like member 20 of the pull tab 19 is located below the upper surface of the second member 16. Therefore, the influence on the appearance from the upper surface of the slider 10 is reduced as compared with the related art in which the string-like member 20 is normally exposed to an upper surface side of the second member 16 of the pull tab attachment portion 14.

Here, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the front raised portion 22 of the string attachment structure 21 is formed to be greatly raised upward with respect to the rear raised portion 23. Therefore, in the state illustrated in FIG. 3, even when a force toward the rear of the slider is applied to the string attachment structure 21 by pulling the pull tab 19 toward the rear of the slider, the string attachment structure 21 does not easily enter the pull tab insertion path 18.

Since the front surface 27 of the string attachment structure 21 is a surface that is gradually inclined downward toward the front as illustrated in FIG. 6, when the pull tab is strongly pulled rearward so that a force toward the rear side of the slider is applied to the string attachment structure 21, the string folded portion 20A is rubbed upward along the inclined surface of the front surface 27 of the string attachment structure 21, and the string folded portion 20A is located at a position same as the front raised portion 22 in the up-down direction. Therefore, the force for pulling the string attachment structure 21 rearward acts at a position indicated by an arrow X in FIG. 6. Since the force indicated by the arrow X can be directly received by the pull tab attachment portion 16 of the slider body via the front raised portion 22, the effect of further preventing the string attachment structure 21 from coming off is implemented. Conversely, in a case where a force acts on a position indicated by an arrow Y in FIG. 6, the force indicated by the arrow Y acts as a moment (clockwise moment with periphery of front engagement surface 29 as fulcrum in FIG. 6) that causes the string attachment structure 21 to enter the pull tab insertion path 18 with the periphery of the front engagement surface 29 of the front raised portion 22 as a fulcrum, and thus the effect of preventing the string attachment structure 21 from coming off is reduced.

In a state where the string attachment structure 21 is attached to the slider body 11 as illustrated in FIG. 3, it is preferable that the front raised portion 22 and the rear raised portion 23 are not conspicuous as much as possible in terms of appearance. Therefore, in the top view of FIG. 3, a maximum length in the front-rear direction of an exposed portion of the front raised portion 22 or the rear raised portion 23 is preferably smaller than a length in the front-rear direction at a center position in the left-right direction of the second member 16 of the pull tab attachment portion 14, and further, a length of the front raised portion 22 or the rear raised portion 23 exposed in the front- rear direction is preferably 60% or less of a length of the second member 16 of the pull tab attachment portion 14 in the front-rear direction.

Next, description will be given, with reference to FIG. 10, of a relative relation of dimensions among components in a state where the string attachment structure 21 is attached to the inside of the pull tab insertion path 18 of the slider body 11. FIG. 10 is a view in a state where only the string attachment structure 21 is attached without passing the string-like member 20 through the slider body 11, as viewed from the rear side of the slider toward the front side. In a state where the string attachment structure 21 is attached as illustrated in FIG. 10, the pull tab insertion path 18 becomes two right and left string-through holes 18R and 18L due to the string attachment structure 21. Here, a length indicated by r1 illustrated in FIG. 10 is a distance between a leader line L1 extending in the up-down direction from the deepest portion of the right recessed groove 32R of the string attachment structure 21 and a leader line L2 extending in the up-down direction from the outermost portion of the pull tab insertion path 18 in the left-right direction. This is referred to as a string-through hole reference length r1 for convenience. Here, when a diameter of the string-like member 20 to be passed through the left and right string-through holes 18R and 18L in a natural state is r2, the string-through hole reference length r1 is designed to be an appropriate size in relation to the diameter r2 of the string-like member. In consideration of a usage situation of a general slide fastener, since it is preferable that the pull tab 19 is fixed to the slider body 11 as much as possible without hanging or moving except when the slide fastener is operated, it is preferable that the string-through hole reference length r1 is designed to be smaller than the diameter r2 of the string-like member in the natural state. With such a dimensional design, in a state where the string attachment structure 21 is attached to the slider body 11, the string-like member 20 of the pull tab 19 is in a state of being compressed by the left and right string-through holes 18R and 18L, and the string-like member 20 does not move freely with respect to the left and right string-through holes 18R and 18L. Preferably, the string-through hole reference length r1 is 50% to 80% of the diameter r2 of the string-like member in the natural state. This is also advantageous in that, when the string attachment structure 21 is attached to the slider body 11, the string attachment structure 21 can be pressed into the pull tab insertion path 18 with an appropriate force without compressing the string attachment structure 21 more than necessary. The pair of string extending portions 20B and 20B continuous from the string folded portion 20A are provided so as to pass through gaps between the side surfaces in the left-right direction of the string attachment structure 21 and the first members 15R and 15L of the slider body 11. More specifically, the string attachment structure 21 includes a right recessed groove 32R and a left recessed groove 32L, and the pair of string-like members 20 (more precisely, pair of string extending portions 20B and 20B) extending from the string folded portion 20A are passed between the pair of left and right recessed grooves (32R and 32L) and the pair of left and right first members (15L and 15R).

A length d1 illustrated in FIG. 10 is a length (width) in the left-right direction of the rear raised portion 23 of the string attachment structure 21, and d1 is referred to as a rear raised portion width dl for convenience. In a case where the rear raised portion width d1 is large, an exposed area of the string attachment structure 21 becomes large, the appearance is not preferable, and a frictional force generated when the string attachment structure 21 is passed through the pull tab insertion path 18 increases. On the other hand, when the width d1 is extremely small, the left and right string-through holes 18R and 18L become large, and the string-like member 20 may not be restrained by the left and right string-through holes 18R and 18L, and therefore, the rear raised portion width d1 is preferably about 40% to 70% of the maximum width in the left-right direction of the pull tab insertion path 18.

As described above, according to the present invention, since the string-like member 20 is not exposed so as to ride over the pull tab attachment portion 14 and is disposed so as to pass through the lower side of the pull tab attachment portion 14, the design of the slider body 11 in the top view is not visually hindered by the string-like member 20. In particular, when the slider 10 is viewed from the side, the thickness of the diameter of the string-like member 20 is not stacked on the thickness of the pull tab attachment portion 14, and only the original thickness of the slider body 11 is obtained. Therefore, the thinness of the slider body 11 in the side view and the clear curvilinear design are not impaired.

Further, according to the present invention, even a user who uses a slide fastener or a sewing operator who sews the slide fastener on clothes or the like can attach the string pull tab 19 to the slider body 11 with a simple operation process without requiring a particularly complicated operation.

In addition, since an operation of winding a string around a slider body is required in a string pull tab in the related art, there is an aspect that automation by a machine is difficult, but an operation of attaching a string pull tab according to the present invention is an operation of moving a string in the front-rear direction, and thus it is also advantageous in terms of automation by a machine.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 11A and 11B are views illustrating a string attachment structure 21B provided in a slider according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 11A is a side view of the string attachment structure 21B viewed from a right side, and FIG. 11B is a rear view of the string attachment structure 21B viewed from a rear side.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, a right side surface 25R and a left side surface 25L of the string attachment structure 21B are not provided with the recessed grooves 32R and 32L as provided in the first embodiment, and the right side surface 25R and the left side surface 25L are planes. In FIGS. 11A and 11B, the right side surface 25R and the left side surface 25L are illustrated as planes perpendicular to an up-down direction, but may be planes inclined in the up-down direction. In the second embodiment, as compared with the first embodiment, an inclination of the front surface 27 of the string attachment structure 21B is small, and a length of the front raised portion 22 in a front-rear direction is long. The front surface 27 of the string attachment structure 21B may not be an inclined surface but may be a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction.

According to the second embodiment, the strength of the string attachment structure 21B itself becomes stronger, and the risk of breakage due to aged deterioration or repetition of removal and attachment work is reduced. In addition, according to the second embodiment, there are advantages that a mold to be used for manufacturing the string attachment structure 21B is simplified, and a filling failure or the like of a material in the mold at the time of manufacturing hardly occurs.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 12A and 12B are views illustrating a string attachment structure 21C provided in a slider according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 12A is a side view of the string attachment structure 21C viewed from a right side, and FIG. 12B is a rear view of the string attachment structure 21C viewed from a rear side.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 12A and 12B, a lower right edge portion 34R and a lower left edge portion 34L, which are provided in the first embodiment, are not provided on a lower side of the string attachment structure 21C, and the left and right recessed grooves 32R and 32L are not in a substantially semicircular arc shape as in the first embodiment, but in a substantially ¼ arc shape. In addition, the left and right recessed grooves 32R and 32L of the string attachment structure 21C are disposed such that a front side thereof is offset toward the rear side, and a lower side of a front surface of the string attachment structure 21C is an offset recess 36 cut in a curvilinear shape. In other words, the string attachment structure 21C includes at least the offset recess 36 provided on the lower surface on the opposite side of the front raised portion 22. Accordingly, a string storage space 37 is formed on the lower side of the front surface of the string attachment structure 21C.

According to the third embodiment, since the string folded portion 20A of the pull tab 19 is stored in the string storage space 37 provided on the lower side of the front surface of the string attachment structure 21C, the string folded portion 20A is not exposed at all on a surface (upper surface) of the slider 10 or only a part of the string folded portion 20A can be exposed, and thus the appearance of the slider 10 is less likely to be affected by the string-like member 20.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 13A and 13B are views illustrating a string attachment structure 21D provided in a slider according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a back surface (lower surface) of the string attachment structure 21D, and FIG. 13B is a rear view of the string attachment structure 21D viewed from a rear side. FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a slider body 11D of the slider 10 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is an embodiment suitable for the slider body 11D in which a width in a left-right direction of the second member 16 of the pull tab attachment portion 14 is designed to be relatively large as illustrated in FIG. 14.

The string attachment structure 21D according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is designed such that the string-like member 20 is passed through left and right internal passages 39R and 39L provided inside the string attachment structure 21D as illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B, instead of the string-like member 20 being supported by the recessed grooves 32R and 32L provided on the left and right sides as in the embodiments described above. The right internal passage 39R is defined by a right wall 40R which is planar and provided on the string attachment structure 21D and a central separation wall 40C, and the left internal passage 39L is defined by a left wall 40L and the central separation wall 40C. A front side of the central separation wall 40C is disposed to be offset toward the rear side, and a lower side of a front surface of the string attachment structure 21D is the offset recess 36 cut out in a substantially 90-degree angular shape. Accordingly, the string storage space 37 is formed on the lower side of the front surface of the string attachment structure 21D.

According to the fourth embodiment, even in a slider designed to have a relatively large width in the left-right direction of the second member 16 of the pull tab attachment portion 14 as illustrated in FIG. 14, the string-like members 20 can be disposed in parallel at positions close to a center in the left-right direction of the slider, and thus the string-like member 20 extending through the left and right internal passages 39R and 39L also looks like hanging down in parallel, and the appearance of the entire slider is improved. In addition, when the string attachment structure 21D is attached to the slider body 11, the rigidity of the entire string attachment structure 21D is reduced and the string attachment structure 21D is easily bent due to presence of the left and right internal passages 39R and 39L, and thus an operation force for pressing the string attachment structure 21D into the pull tab insertion path 18 of the slider body 11 can be reduced. A state where the string folded portion 20A of the pull tab 19 is stored in the string storage space 37 is the same as in the third embodiment.

Fifth Embodiment

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 15A and 15B are views illustrating a string attachment structure 21E provided in a slider according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 15A is a side view of the string attachment structure 21E viewed from a right side, and FIG. 15B is a rear view of the string attachment structure 21E viewed from a rear side. In contrast to the fourth embodiment, the fifth embodiment is an embodiment suitable for a slider (not illustrated) in which a width in a left-right direction of the second member 16 of the pull tab attachment portion 14 is designed to be relatively small.

In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, a width in the left-right direction of the string attachment structure 21E is smaller than those in the above-described embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B. Specifically expressing numerically, the width in the left-right direction of the string attachment structure 21E is about 30% to 60% of a maximum height in an up-down direction of the string attachment structure 21E (that is, height of front raised portion 22). Further, a rear recess 42 penetrating in the left-right direction is provided near a center of the rear surface 28 of the string attachment structure 21E.

In the fifth embodiment, since an exposed portion of the string attachment structure 21E becomes smaller, the appearance of the entire slider is less likely to be affected by the string attachment structure 21E. In addition, since the rigidity of a rear surface 28 side of the string attachment structure 21E is reduced and the string attachment structure 21E is easily bent by providing the rear recess 42, an operation force for pressing the string attachment structure 21E into the pull tab insertion path 18 of the slider body 11 can be reduced. The fifth embodiment is not necessarily applied only to a slider in which the width in the left-right direction of the second member 16 of the pull tab attachment portion 14 is designed to be relatively small, and for example, can be applied to a case where it is desired to intentionally dispose the string-like member 20 with a sufficient gap between the slider body 11 and the string attachment structure 21 in the slider as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Sixth Embodiment

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 16A and 16B are views illustrating a string attachment structure 21F provided in a slider according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 16A is a side view of the string attachment structure 21F viewed from a right side, and FIG. 16B is a rear view of the string attachment structure 21F viewed from a rear side.

The string attachment structure of each of the above-described embodiments includes, on an upper surface thereof, the front raised portion 22 and the rear raised portion 23 as portions for attachment to the slider body 11, whereas in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the string attachment structure includes, on the upper surface thereof, a cover member 44 instead of the front raised portion 22 and the rear raised portion 23. An accommodation space 47 capable of accommodating the second member 16 of the pull tab attachment portion 14 is provided between the cover member 44 and the central body portion 24. The cover member 44 is supported in a cantilever manner by a support column 45 extending upward from a front surface 27 side of the string attachment structure 21F, and a protrusion 46 extending downward is provided at a tip end of the string attachment structure 21F. A procedure for attaching the string attachment structure 21F according to the sixth embodiment configured as described above to the slider body 11 will be described. First, a front side of the second member 16 of the pull tab attachment portion 14 is inserted from a gap between the protrusion 46 and the rear surface 28, and in a case where the second member 16 is completely inserted into the accommodation space 47, the protrusion 46 is engaged with a rear side of the second member 16. Accordingly, the second member 16 does not easily come out of the accommodation space 47, and the string attachment structure 21F is firmly attached to the slider body 11.

According to the sixth embodiment, since the cover member 44 is supported in a cantilever manner, the string attachment structure 21F is easily bent and is easily attached to the slider body 11. Although the cover member 44 covers the pull tab attachment portion 14 and is exposed, there is an advantage that a design or a logo mark can be put on an upper surface 48 of the cover member 44.

Seventh Embodiment

Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 17 is a view illustrating a slider body 11G according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention and a state where a string attachment structure 21G is attached to the slider body 11G. For convenience, a view in a state where the string pull tab 19 is not attached and only the string attachment structure 21G is attached is illustrated.

In the seventh embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 17, a front side edge 16F and a rear side edge 16B of the second member 16 of the pull tab attachment portion 14 of the slider body 11G have curvilinear shape. In accordance with the curvilinear shape of the second member 16, the front raised portion 22, the front engagement surface 29, the rear raised portion 23, and the rear engagement surface 30 of the string attachment structure 21G also have curvilinear edge portions.

According to the seventh embodiment, since a position at a center in a left-right direction of a curved surface on a string attachment structure 21G side is naturally adjusted according to a shape of a curved surface on a second member 16 side, the string attachment structure 21G is firmly fixed to the slider body 11G. The curved surface shapes are matched with each other in terms of appearance design, so that an impression of a beautiful appearance can be obtained.

Eighth Embodiment

Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 18 is a view illustrating a state where the string attachment structure 21 and the string-like member 20 are attached to the slider 10 according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. The eighth embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the string attachment structure 21 and the string-like member 20 are attached from a rear side to a front side of the slider 10. An attachment procedure is the same as that described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 except that the string attachment structure 21 and the string-like member 20 are located not on a front side but on a rear side of the upper surface 17 of the upper blade 12 of the slider body 11 and moved forward toward the pull tab insertion path 18. The eighth embodiment is an embodiment suitable for a case where an operation direction of the slider 10 becomes a horizontal direction rather than a vertical direction, for example, a case where a slide fastener is attached to an opening and closing portion of a chest pocket of a garment in the horizontal direction, instead of a case where the operating direction of the slider 10 is in the vertical direction (direction in which gravity acts), as in a case where a slide fastener is used for a fly of a garment. As another example of use of the eighth embodiment, for example, when a pair of sliders 10 are used in a state where front sides thereof are aligned with each other at an opening portion of a bag or a backpack, it may be preferable to perform the attachment in a state where an operation portion of the pull tab 19 extends to the front side of the slider as in the eighth embodiment from the viewpoint of operability of the slider 10.

Ninth Embodiment

In each of the above-described embodiments, the string attachment structures 21, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E, 21F, and 21G are configured to be attached to the slider body 11 separately from the slider body 11, but the string attachment structure 21 may be configured to be integrated with the slider body 11 from the beginning without being separated from the slider body 11. For example, when the slider body 11 is manufactured by resin injection molding, a structure corresponding to the string attachment structure 21 may be integrally resin-injected into a space between the second member 16 of the slider body 11 and the upper blade 12.

According to the ninth embodiment, a user who uses the slide fastener or a sewing operator who sews the slide fastener to clothes or the like can simply insert the string-like member 21 into the slider body 11 and connect both ends of the passed string-like member 21 to form the pull tab 19. There is also an advantage that the number of components of the slider 10 is reduced by one.

As described above, with the slider according to each of the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to reduce an influence in terms of design caused by an exposure of a string portion to a surface, which is a problem of a slider with a string pull tab of a type of winding a string in the related art, improve the convenience of attachment of a string pull tab to a slider, and exert various effects as described in the above description.

The present invention is not limited only to the embodiments disclosed above, and it is also possible to appropriately use techniques recognized by a person of ordinary skill in the art as techniques substantially the same as the technical matters described in the embodiments of the present invention or techniques having the same effects as the technical matters, to use the techniques as alternative techniques, or to additionally add the techniques. Furthermore, it is also possible to recombine and implement characteristic configurations of the above embodiments.

In addition, throughout the present description, portions described with reference signs in the drawings are described as constituent portions which are the minimum necessary in each embodiment of the present invention, and do not mean that the present invention is configured only from portions described with reference signs in the drawings.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

• • 10 slide fastener slider
  • 11 slider body
  • 12 upper blade
  • 13 lower blade
  • 14 pull tab attachment portion
  • 15R, 15L first member
  • 16 second member
  • 17 upper surface of upper blade
  • 18 pull tab insertion path
  • 18R, 18L string-through hole
  • 19 pull tab
  • 20 string-like member
  • 20A string folded portion
  • 20B string extending portion
  • 21, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E, 21F, 21G string attachment structure
  • 22 front raised portion
  • 23 rear raised portion
  • 24 central body portion
  • 25R right side surface
  • 25L left side surface
  • 27 front surface
  • 28 rear surface
  • 29 front engagement surface
  • 30 rear engagement surface
  • 32R right recessed groove
  • 32L left recessed groove
  • 33R upper right edge portion
  • 33L upper left edge portion
  • 34R lower right edge portion
  • 34L lower left edge portion
  • 36 offset recess
  • 37 string storage space
  • 39R right internal passage
  • 39L left internal passage
  • 40C central separation wall
  • 40R right wall
  • 40L left wall
  • 42 rear recess
  • 44 cover member
  • 45 support column
  • 46 protrusion
  • 47 storage space
  • 48 upper surface of cover member