U.S. patent application number 10/799175 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-23 for slide fastener with separable bottom end stop.
Invention is credited to Kumano, Isamu, Mizuhara, Hisayoshi, Sanada, Yukio, Segawa, Kiyomasa.
Application Number | 20040181920 10/799175 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32821377 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040181920 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mizuhara, Hisayoshi ; et
al. |
September 23, 2004 |
Slide fastener with separable bottom end stop
Abstract
This invention relates to a slide fastener with a separable
bottom end stop which scatters an external force applied to a
reinforcement portion upon the opening/closing operation to reduce
an applied load thereby preventing damages to the flexible
reinforcement portion. Reinforcement portions are formed on a lower
half of a box pin and an insert pin of a separable bottom end stop
with synthetic resin symmetrically on front and rear surfaces of a
fastener tape such that the reinforcement portions are extended on
the fastener tape. Each reinforcement portion has an inside portion
adjacent to the box or insert pin and an outside portion connected
thereto. In the inside portion, plural ribs are disposed obliquely
and a concave portion is formed among the ribs to supply
flexibility. The outside portion is formed of thick ribs and
connects with the inside portion. Consequently, an external force
applied to the reinforcement portion is scatted by the oblique ribs
in the thin inside portion, thereby reducing the applied load.
Inventors: |
Mizuhara, Hisayoshi;
(Toyama-ken, JP) ; Kumano, Isamu; (Toyama-ken,
JP) ; Sanada, Yukio; (Toyama-ken, JP) ;
Segawa, Kiyomasa; (Toyama-ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael S. Leonard
Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLC
P.O. Box 1135
Chicago
IL
60690-1135
US
|
Family ID: |
32821377 |
Appl. No.: |
10/799175 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/387 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B 19/38 20130101;
Y10T 24/2511 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/387 |
International
Class: |
A44B 019/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 20, 2003 |
JP |
2003-77523 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A slide fastener with a separable bottom end stop in which
fastener elements are attached to opposing side edges of a pair of
fastener tapes, comprising a separable bottom end stop made of
synthetic resin which is attached to the opposing side edges of the
fastener tapes at end portions of the fastener elements, and a
reinforcement portion which is formed integrally with the separable
bottom end stop and extended toward at least one surface of the
fastener tapes, wherein the reinforcement portion is formed of
plural ribs disposed obliquely as seen in its plan view, which are
provided in an inside portion on a side connected to the separable
bottom end stop.
2. The slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop according
to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement portion is so configured that
the ribs are disposed symmetrically on both surfaces of the
fastener tape while the inside portion 11 is formed thinner than an
outside portion.
3. The slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop according
to claim 1, wherein an intersecting portion of the ribs is formed
in an arc-like configuration as seen in its plan view.
4. The slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop according
to claim 1, wherein a concave portion is formed among the ribs in
the inside portion of the reinforcement portion.
5. The slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop according
to claim 1, wherein a cut-out which is dented toward a top end is
formed in a bottom edge of the inside portion of the reinforcement
portion.
6. The slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop according
to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement portion is constituted of the
inside portion connected to the separable bottom end stop and an
outside portion which is connected to the inside portion and
extended toward an outer edge of the fastener tape while the
outside portion is formed of plural ribs disposed in parallel with
a predetermined interval.
7. The slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop according
to claim 6 having a rib for connecting front ends of the plural
ribs wherein the rib has a parallel potion extending in a parallel
direction with the length direction of the fastener tape at a
bottom end side of the reinforcement portion and a bent portion
bending in a direction parting from an outside edge portion of the
fastener tape at an upper end side of the reinforcement
portion.
8. The slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop according
to claim 1, wherein bottom ends of the inside portion and an
outside portion of the reinforcement portion are formed farther
from a bottom end of the fastener tape 3 than a bottom end of a box
pin or an insert pin are.
9. The slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop according
to claim 7, wherein the bottom end of the box pin or the insert pin
is disposed adjacent to the bottom end of the fastener tape and an
adhered portion in which yarns composing the fastener tape adhere
each other is formed at the bottom end of the fastener tape.
10. The slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop according
to claim 1, wherein a side edge portion of each of the fastener
tapes opposing an outer end portion of the reinforcement portion
opposite to the box is formed into a rough structure and the outer
end portion of the reinforcement portion penetrates into the rough
structure.
11. The slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop according
to claim 1, wherein, in the inside portion of the reinforcement
portion, width from an inside end faces of the fastener elements
toward an inside of each of the fastener tapes is within 4.0 mm.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a configuration of a reinforcement
portion for reinforcing a fastener tape provided continuously to a
box pin, an insert pin or a box attached to an end portion of the
fastener tape in a separable bottom end stop provided on a slide
fastener.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In recent years, in the slide fastener field, provision of a
product having a simplified structure, which realizes a cheap price
and excellent quality, has been demanded in the market. This
tendency is remarkably apparent in a slide fastener with a
separable bottom end stop which is used in an opening/closing
section in the front body of clothes and capable of connecting or
disconnecting end portions of fastener tapes.
[0005] Conventionally, in an ordinary product of the slide fastener
with a separable bottom end stop, fastener elements are attached
along opposing side edges of a pair of fastener tapes and the
separable bottom end stop constituted of a box pin, a box and an
insert pin is attached to the bottom ends of the fastener elements.
Then, a reinforcement tape in which an adhesive layer is provided
on the rear face of a plain woven fabric (taffeta) or synthetic
resin film is bonded to the fastener tape at a portion to be
provided with the separable bottom end stop in order to reinforce
the portion for stabilization and then, the separable bottom end
stop is attached.
[0006] The slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop having
the reinforcement tape requires the reinforcement tape in order to
reinforce the fastener tape so that the quantity of components of
the slide fastener increases thereby increasing product cost.
Further, because a step of bonding the reinforcement tape and a
bonding machine are always required in a process for manufacturing
the slide fastener and thus, the manufacturing process cannot be
simplified, an increase in product cost is induced.
[0007] On the other hand, for example, Japanese Utility Model
Application Publication No. 41-17374 has disclosed a separable
bottom end stop for a slide fastener in which a box pin, an insert
pin and a net-like reinforcement piece are formed by injection
molding using synthetic resin in a condition in which it is
deviated by half pitch on the front and rear surfaces of the
fastener tape without bonding any reinforcement tape on the end
portion of the fastener tape.
[0008] Because in this separable bottom end stop for the slide
fastener the outer peripheral edge of its reinforcement piece has a
sharp corner, the reinforcement piece is likely to be caught by
other things and separated from the base fabric. Further, because
the reinforcement piece is provided widely and largely toward the
outer peripheral edge of the fastener tape, the fastener tape on
that portion becomes rigid, so that when the slide fastener is
sewed to an object fabric, a sewing needle makes contact with the
reinforcement piece and frequently is broken. Additionally, when
the separable bottom end stop is connected or disconnected, an
external force such as twisting force or bending force is
repeatedly applied on the reinforcement piece, which breaks the
reinforcement piece. This problem should be solved.
[0009] Further, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,435,489 has disclosed
a slide fastener with a separable bottom end stop in which the
separable bottom end stop and a horizontal grid structure are
provided integrally at an end portion of a fastener tape while a
reinforcement portion is provided on the surface of the fastener
tape by forming an oblique grid structure integrally adjacent to
the former grid structure.
[0010] In the slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop, an
internal portion of the reinforcement piece connected to a box pin,
a box and an insert pin is constructed of ribs extended in parallel
in the width direction of the fastener tape and ribs extended in
parallel in the length direction of the fastener tape such that
concave portions formed between the ribs are arranged. Thus,
although the largest load is put on this portion when such an
external force as bending or twisting is applied to the fastener
tape, it is not durable and easy to damage, which is a problem to
be solved. Further, because a grid structure in which plural ribs
running obliquely with respect to the width direction of the
fastener tape intersect with each other is formed in a portion
extending from the connecting portion to an outer edge of the
fastener tape, that is, a portion in which the fastener tape is
sewed on clothes fabric, many ribs intersect with sewing line in
which sewing yarn runs, so that the frequency that the sewing
needle contacts the ribs at the sewing time increases thereby
leading to breaking of the ribs, which is a problem to be
solved.
[0011] The invention has been accomplished in views of the
above-described problems and an object of the invention is to
provide a slide fastener with a separable end stop which is
unlikely to be damaged when an external force is applied on a
fastener stringer intending to bend it in the direction of the
front and rear surfaces. Because plural ribs are disposed obliquely
in the connecting portion between the separable bottom end stop and
a reinforcement portion, that is, an inside portion of the
reinforcement portion on which the largest load is applied, the
external force is easily scattered and reduced thereby making the
slide fastener hard to be damaged. At the same time, separation of
the reinforcement portion from clothes fabric when it is caught by
other things is also prevented.
[0012] In addition to the above-described object, a second object
of the invention is to provide the slide fastener with the
separable bottom end stop, in which the reinforcement portions are
formed on both surfaces of a fastener tape by integral molding such
that the fastener tape is sandwiched thereby while each of the
reinforcement portions include an inside portion having a
stabilized configuration or flexibility.
[0013] In addition to the above-described objects, a third object
of the invention is to provide the slide fastener with the
separable bottom end stop capable of preventing the inside portion
of the reinforcement portion from being damaged by scattering an
external force applied to the inside portion of the reinforcement
portion.
[0014] Further, in addition to the above-described objects, a
fourth object of the invention is to provide the slide fastener
with the separable bottom end stop which can be provided with a
reinforcement structure for the ribs in the inside portion of the
reinforcement or a variable structure for the ribs. More
specifically, this object is to provide the slide fastener with the
separable bottom end stop in which the inside portion of the
reinforcement portion is provided with a concave portion which,
when a twisting force is applied to an end portion of the fastener
tape, absorbs part of the external force to reduce the applied
load. Furthermore, a fifth object of the invention is to provide
the slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop in which
frequency of contact of a sewing needle and ribs when a fastener
tape is sewed on clothes or the like are reduced in order to
prevent the ribs from being damaged in an outside portion of the
reinforcement portion.
[0015] Moreover, a sixth object of the invention is to provide the
slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop, in which, even
when the fastener stringers are cut with heat, the end portion
never turns rigid, particularly no lump is generated in a core
portion, securing an excellent texture to the skin and even when a
twisting force is applied to the end portion of the fastener tape,
the ribs in the reinforcement portion are never separated from the
tape. Further, a seventh object of the invention is to provide the
slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop, in which the
outside portion of the reinforcement portion can be fixed on the
fastener tape firmly in order to prevent the reinforcement portion
from being separated, thereby ensuring a long term use while the
inside portion of the reinforcement portion is formed into an
optimum structure capable of exerting its effective function.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENITON
[0016] In order to achieve the above objects, according to a first
aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slide fastener
with a separable bottom end stop in which fastener elements are
attached to opposing side edges of a pair of fastener tapes,
comprising a separable bottom end stop of synthetic resin
constituted of, for example, a box, a box pin, and an insert pin,
which is attached by integral molding to each of opposing side
edges of the fastener tapes adjacent to the fastener elements, and
a reinforcement portion for reinforcing the fastener tape, the
reinforcement portion being formed integrally with the separable
bottom end stop and extended toward at least one surface of the
fastener tape, wherein the reinforcement portion is formed of
plural ribs disposed obliquely as seen in its plan view, which are
provided in an inside portion connected to the separable bottom end
stop.
[0017] In addition to the above constitution, preferably, the
reinforcement portion is so configured that the ribs are disposed
symmetrically on both surfaces of the fastener tape while the
inside portion connected to the separable bottom end stop is formed
thinner than an outside portion. It is desired that the
intersecting portion of the ribs formed in the inside portion of
the reinforcement portion is formed in an arc-like configuration as
seen in its plan view. Further, preferably, a concave portion is
formed in, for example, a through-hole shape or a concave shape
having a thin bottom portion, among the ribs in the inside portion
of the reinforcement portion. Preferably, a cut-out which is dented
toward a top end is formed in the bottom edge of the inside portion
of the reinforcement portion.
[0018] It is preferable that the reinforcement portion formed on
the fastener tape is constituted of the inside portion connected to
the separable bottom end stop and the outside portion which is
connected to the inside portion and extended toward an outer edge
of the fastener tape while the outside portion is formed of plural
ribs disposed in parallel in the width or length direction with a
predetermined interval.
[0019] Further, preferably, a core portion and the fastener tape
are cut with heat with front ends of a box pin and an insert pin as
reference points, and bottom ends of the inside portion and outside
portion of the reinforcement portion are visually recognized that
it is located inside of the cut line.
[0020] Moreover, a side edge portion of the fastener tape opposing
the outer end portion of the reinforcement portion opposite to the
box is formed into a rough structure and the end portion of the
reinforcement portion penetrates into the rough structure of the
tape.
[0021] Preferably, in the inside portion of the reinforcement
portion, width from an inside end faces of the fastener elements
toward an inside of the fastener tape is within 4.0 mm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a front view of major portions of a slide fastener
with a separable bottom end stop;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a front view of major portions of a fastener
stringer loaded with a box pin;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the fastener stringer;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a front view of major portions of a fastener
stringer loaded with an insert pin;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the same fastener stringer;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along a line VI-VI in FIG.
2;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along a line VII-VII in
FIG. 2;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a box;
[0030] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along a line IX-IX in FIG.
8;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a partially broken front view of a state in which
the box and box pin are connected;
[0032] FIG. 11 is a partially broken front view showing a state in
which the fastener stringer loaded with the insert pin is being
engaged with the fastener stringer loaded with the box;
[0033] FIG. 12 is a partially broken front view showing a state in
which the fastener stringer loaded with the insert pin is engaged
with the fastener stringer loaded with the box;
[0034] FIG. 13 is a front view showing a modification of the
reinforcement portion;
[0035] FIG. 14 is a front view showing another modification of the
reinforcement portion;
[0036] FIG. 15 is a front view showing still another modification
of the reinforcement portion;
[0037] FIG. 16 is a front view showing a modification of the insert
pin and the reinforcement portion;
[0038] FIG. 17 is a partially broken front view of the bottom end
stop in which the box and the box pin are integrated;
[0039] FIG. 18 is a front view of an embodiment in which the
fastener stringer is loaded with the reinforcement portion;
[0040] FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along a line XIX-XIX in
FIG. 18;
[0041] FIG. 20 is a side view of another embodiment in which the
fastener stringer is loaded with the reinforcement portion;
[0042] FIG. 21 is a corresponding sectional view taken along a line
XIX-XIX in FIG. 18; and
[0043] FIG. 22 is a front view of major portions in the slide
fastener with other separable end stop.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a slide fastener with
a separable bottom end stop of the invention will be described with
reference to the drawings.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, in the slide fastener with the separable
bottom end stop, a fastener chain 1 is not a closed product with a
bottom end stop but an openable product, that is, provided with a
separable bottom end stop 5 which enables right and left fastener
stringers 2 to be separated completely. Fastener elements 4 are
mounted on a core portion 6 provided on a side edge of a fastener
tape 3. A box pin 8 as the separable bottom end stop 5 is mounted
on the core portion 6 continuously with the bottom end of the
fastener element 4 of one side fastener stringer 2 and an insert
pin 9 as the separable bottom end stop 5 is mounted on the core
portion 6 continuously with the bottom end of the fastener element
4 of the other fastener stringer 2. As shown in FIG. 10, the
fastener stringer 2 with the separable bottom end stop provided
with the box pin 8 and a box 7 is produced and combined with the
fastener stringer 2 loaded with the insert pin 9 so as to complete
the slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop.
[0046] In the slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop
according to a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 12, a flat
reinforcement portion 10 is provided integrally with a side face of
the box pin 8 attached to one side fastener stringer 2 of the
fastener chain 1 such that it is extended to the surface of the
fastener tape 3 as shown in FIG. 2. On the other hand, a flat
reinforcement portion 10 is provided integrally with a side face of
the insert pin 9 attached to the other fastener stringer 2 such
that it is extended to the surface of the fastener tape 3 as shown
in FIG. 4. The fastener elements 4, box pin 8, insert pin 9, box 7
and reinforcement portion 10 in the fastener chain 1 are formed
integrally with the fastener tape 3 by injection molding means
using thermoplastic resin such as polyacetal and polyamide.
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the box pin 8 and insert pin 9 are
provided with the reinforcement portions 10 which are protruded
outward from the side faces thereof while the surfaces thereof are
extended flatly. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, as the reinforcement
portion 10 for the box pin 8, an inside portion 11 and an outside
portion 12 are provided from the side face of a lower half portion
of the box pin 8 such that they are protruded outward on the
fastener tape 3. In the inside portion 11 adjacent to the box pin
8, plural ribs 13a protrude from a side face of the box pin 8 and
are disposed obliquely as seen in a plan view and concave portions
14 are formed among the oblique ribs 13a. The concave portions 14
are formed in various kinds of shapes, such as square, diamond,
circular or oval and as shown in FIG. 6, into a through-hole
configuration or into a concave shape having a thin bottom portion.
Consequently, the inside portion 11 of the reinforcement portion 10
is provided with flexibility through the ribs 13a and concave
portions 14 and further, by forming an intersecting portion between
the ribs 13a into a circular or curved shape, an external force
applied to the reinforcement portion 10 is scattered.
[0048] As for the size of the inside portion 11 in the
reinforcement portion 10, width W from an inside end faces of the
fastener elements 4 toward an inside of the fastener tape 3 is
within 4.0 mm. The width of the fastener tape 3 in the slide
fastener Nos. 3 to 5 preferably used for ordinary purpose is 13 to
16 mm and thus, it is as large as it can be formed within about 30%
the width of this fastener tape 3. Although the ratio between the
inside portion 11 and the outside portion 12 may be changed
according to the size of the slide fastener or customer's demand,
it is important that the inside portion 11 exists in a portion in
which it can go through between flanges 36 of a slider 35 while the
outside portion 12 exists in a portion in which the fastener
stringer 2 is to be sewed to a sewing object. Further, the bottom
edge of the reinforcement portion 10 in the inside portion 11 is
provided with a cut-out 15 which is dented upward so as to absorb
part of an external force applied to the end portion of the
fastener tape 3 such as a twisting force. In the meantime, the
upper edge of the inside portion 11 can be also provided with the
cut-out 15.
[0049] The outside portion 12 of the reinforcement portion 10 is
formed adjacent to the inside portion 11 and the outside portion 12
is formed of thicker ribs 13b, 13c than the ribs 13a in the inside
portion 11. The ribs 13b are formed such that they extend in
parallel in a width direction of the fastener tape 3 and have a
predetermined interval therebetween in a length direction of the
fastener tape 3. Preferably, the sectional shape of the ribs 13b is
an isosceles triangle while the inclination angle of the side face
is about 60.degree. as shown in FIG. 7, that is, the angle a shown
in FIG. 7 satisfies the condition of .alpha..ltoreq.30.degree.. By
securing a large interval between the ribs 13b and forming the
sectional shape of the ribs 13b into the shape described above, the
frequency that a sewing needle may contact the ribs 13b when the
fastener stringer 2 is sewed to a sewing object is reduced thereby
preventing the ribs 13b from being damaged. Further, front ends of
the plural ribs 13b are connected by a rib 13c extending in the
length direction of the fastener tape 3. The rib 13c has a parallel
potion 13c-1 extending in a parallel direction with the length
direction of the fastener tape 3 at a bottom end side of the
outside portion 12 and a bent portion 13c-2 bending in a direction
parting from an outside edge portion of the fastener tape 3 at an
upper end side of the outside portion 12. The rib 13c has the same
sectional shape as that of the rib 13b. Due to the bent potion
13c-2 of 13c, the rib 13b and the rib 13c-2 are connected at obtuse
angle at an upper corner of a flame 16. Therefore, since the upper
corner of the flame 16 is not acuminate, the upper corner of the
flame 16 of the reinforcement portion 10 are prevented from
hitching other object and thereby separation of the reinforcement
portion 10 from the fastener tape 3 is avoided. In the
reinforcement portion 10 of the outside portion 12, the frame 16 is
formed with the rib 13b and the rib 13c, thereby forming a stable
configuration. Consequently, when the fastener stringer 2 is nipped
with fingers, it is easy to be nipped because an appropriate
stiffness exists, so that the operation of the bottom end stop can
be carried out easily.
[0050] As for the configuration of the box pin 8 formed on the core
portion 6 of the fastener tape 3, a recess 17 is provided on an
opposite face to the face on which the reinforcement portion 10 is
formed. A partition plate 29 provided between a front wall 25 and a
rear wall 26 of the box 7 is engaged with this recess 17 so as to
integrate the box pin 8 with the box 7.
[0051] In the reinforcement portion 10 of the fastener stringer 2
loaded with the insert pin 9, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the inside
portion 11 and the outside portion 12 are provided on a side face
of the lower half portion of the insert pin 9 such that it is
protruded outward on the fastener tape 3 like the fastener stringer
2 loaded with the box pin 8. Plural ribs 13a protrudes from a side
face of the insert pin 9 and are disposed obliquely as seen in its
plan view in the inside portion 11 adjacent to the insert pin 9 and
the through-hole type concave portions 14 having no bottom or the
concave portion 14 having a thin bottom portions are formed among
the oblique ribs 13a so as to provide with flexibility and
intersecting portions of the ribs 13a are formed in arc-like shape
such as circular one so as to scatter an external force applied to
the reinforcement portion 10. Because the reinforcement portion 10
is provided on the lower half portion which is a part of each of
the box pin 8 and insert pin 9, the reinforcement portion 10 having
flexibility can be formed.
[0052] The inside portion 11 in the reinforcement portion 10 is
formed within about 30% of the width of the fastener tape 3 like
the fastener stringer 2 loaded with the box pin 8. The cut-out 15
is provided in the lower edge of the reinforcement portion 10 in
the inside portion 11 so as to absorb part of an external force
such as a twisting force applied to the end portion of the fastener
tape 3. In the meantime, the cut-out 15 may be provided on the
upper edge of the inside portion 11.
[0053] The outside portion 12 of the reinforcement portion 10 is
formed continuously with the inside portion 11 like the fastener
stringer 2 loaded with the box pin 8 and the outside portion 12 is
formed of thicker ribs 13b, 13c than the ribs 13a in the inside
portion 11. The ribs 13b are so provided that they extend in
parallel in a width direction of the fastener tape 3 toward the
outside of the fastener tape 3 and have a predetermined interval
therebetween in a length direction of the fastener rape 3,the front
ends of which are connected by the rib 13c extending in the length
direction of the fastener tape 3 so as to form the flame 16. The
rib 13c has the parallel potion 13c-1 extending in the parallel
direction with the length direction of the fastener tape 3 at the
bottom end side of the outside portion 12 and the bent portion
13c-2 bending in the direction parting from the outside edge
portion of the fastener tape 3 at the upper end side of the outside
portion 12. Due to the bent potion 13c-2 of 13c, the rib 13b and
the rib 13c-2 are connected at obtuse angle at the upper corner of
a flame 16. Therefore, since the upper corner of the flame 16 is
not acuminate, the upper corner of the flame 16 of the
reinforcement portion 10 are prevented from hitching other object
and thereby separation of the reinforcement portion 10 from the
fastener tape 3 is avoided. Each of the ribs 13b and 13c is formed
such that the sectional shape is an isosceles triangle and the
inclination angle of the side face is about 60.degree., so that
contact with the sewing needle is avoided at the time of sewing of
the fastener stringer 2, thereby protecting the ribs 13 from a
damage.
[0054] The reinforcement portions 10 constituted of the inside
portions 11 and outside portions 12, which are to be formed on the
fastener stringers 2 loaded with the box pin 8 and insert pin 9,
are formed on the front and rear surfaces of the fastener tape 3 by
injection molding as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, so that the front and
rear surfaces of the fastener tape 3 are sandwiched by the
reinforcement portions 10. The reinforcement portions 10 may be
formed on only a single surface of the fastener tape 3, not on both
sides.
[0055] In the box 7 to be attached to the fastener stringer 2
loaded with the box pin 8, which is a rectangular solid, as shown
in FIGS. 8 and 9, the narrow partition plate 29 is provided at an
upper portion in the center between the front wall 25 and the rear
wall 26 and an engaging portion 32 is provided on the bottom end of
the partition plate 29. An insertion hole 28 which is an opening
equal to the thickness of the inside portion 11 of the
reinforcement portion 10 and through which the fastener stringer 2
loaded with the box pin 8 can be inserted, is provided in a side
wall 27 located sideway of the box 7 while a box pin insertion hole
30 through which the box pin 8 can be inserted is provided between
the insertion hole 28 and the partition plate 29. An insertion hole
28, which is an opening equal to the thickness of the inside
portion 11 of the reinforcement portion 10 and through which the
fastener stringer 2 loaded with the insert pin 9 can be inserted,
is provided up to the bottom portion of the other side wall 27
while an insert pin insertion hole 31 through which the insert pin
9 can be inserted is provided between the insertion hole 28 and the
partition plate 29, so that the box 7 is completed.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 10, the box pin 8 of the fastener stringer
2 loaded with the box pin 8 is inserted into the box pin insertion
hole 30 in the completed box 7 and the inside portion 11 of the
reinforcement portion 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 28 in
the side wall 27 and the partition plate 29 provided in the box 7
is pressed into the recess 17 provided in the side face of the box
pin 8. As a result, the engaging portion 32 provided on the bottom
end of the partition plate 29 engages an end of the recess 17,
thereby the box pin 8 and the box 7 being integrated with each
other and fixed.
[0057] When the fastener stringer 2 loaded with the insert pin 9 is
mounted on the fastener stringer 2 loaded with the box 7, with a
slider 35 being slid to contact the top end of the box 7 and held
in contact therewith as shown in FIG. 11, the insert pin 9 is
inserted into a guide groove 37 in the slider 35 by nipping the
reinforcement portion 10 of the fastener stringer 2 loaded with the
insert pin 9. Further, the inside portion 11 of the reinforcement
portion 10 is inserted between the flanges 36 so that the insert
pin 9 is inserted into the insert pin insertion hole 31 in the box
7. After that, if the slider 35 is pulled and slid by nipping the
reinforcement portion 10, the fastener chain 1 in which the
fastener elements 4 on the right and left fastener stringers 2
engage each other is completed as shown in FIG. 12.
[0058] The separable bottom end stops 5 shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and
15 indicate modifications of the outside portion 12 in the
reinforcement portion 10. In the reinforcement portion 10 shown in
FIG. 13, the installation ranges of the inside portion 11 and the
outside portion 12 are formed long and widely relative to the box
pin 8 and insert pin 9. Consequently, the quantity of the ribs 13b
extending in the lateral direction in the frame 16 in the outside
portion 12 is increased and range to be reinforced on the outer
edge of the fastener tape 3 becomes wider.
[0059] In the reinforcement portion 10 shown in FIG. 14, although
the installation range of the inside portion 11 to the box pin 8
and insert pin 9 is equal to that in the first embodiment, the
arrangement of the ribs 13b in the outside portion 12 is different.
That is, none of the ribs 13b in the outside portion 12 is disposed
in the lateral direction within the frame 16, but a single rib 13c
is disposed vertically so that the rib 13c can be deviated from a
sewing line by a sewing machine, thereby reducing the frequency of
damage of the rib 13c. Consequently, the fastener stringer 2 can be
sewed securely and effectively. Further, because the reinforcement
portion 10 shown in FIG. 15 has no rib 13c on the outside end of
the outside portion 12 so that no frame 16 is formed, the outside
of the reinforcement portion 10 can be provided with
flexibility.
[0060] Regarding the reinforcement portion 10 for the insert pin 9
shown in FIG. 16, the bottom end of the reinforcement portion 10
formed integrally on the side of the insert pin 9 is located inside
of the bottom end of the insert pin 9 such that it is spaced from
the bottom end of the fastener tape 3, that is, there exists a
surplus portion of the fastener tape 3 below the bottom end of the
reinforcement portion 10 as compared to the bottom end of the
insert pin 9. Due to this configuration, if any external twisting
force is applied to the fastener tape 3, it is not directly
directed to the ribs 13a, 13b, but it is directed to the surplus
portion of the fastener tape 3 firstly. Therefore, the ribs 13a,
13b are not easily separated from the fastener tape 3.
[0061] Further, a heat cut method is adopted in order to cut out a
separate fastener stringer 2 of a predetermined length from the
fastener stringer continuing in the length direction. Since the
bottom end portion of the fastener stringer 2 is cut with heat,
yarns composing the fastener tape 3 adhere to each other where an
adhered portion 19 is formed. As a result of forming the adhered
portion 19 at the cut end portion of the fastener tape 3, the cut
end portion are prevented from fraying. Further, the heat cut is
curried out along a cut line parallel in the width direction of the
fastener tape 3 with a position adjacent to the bottom end of the
insert pin 9 as a reference point such that the core portion 6 of
the fastener tape 3 extends lower than the bottom end of the insert
pin 9 only a little, and thereby an excellent texture is obtained.
Additionally, this is applicable for the fastener stringer 2 loaded
with the box pin 8.
[0062] In the reinforcement portion 10 shown in FIG. 17, the box
pin 8 and box 7 are formed integrally. Thus, part of the inside
portion 11 of the reinforcement portion 10 is formed integrally
with the box 7 so that they can be fixed firmly.
[0063] In the reinforcement portion 10 shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, in
order to firmly fix the reinforcement portion 10 to the fastener
tape 3, warp yarns 21 on the outside edge portion in a woven
fastener tape 3 are pulled out from a certain area so that a rough
woven fabric in which only weft yarns 22 exist is formed so as to
provide a rough structure 20. In the case of a warp knitted
fastener tape 3, its warp knitting yarns are pulled out so as to
form a rough knitting fabric to provide the rough structure 20. By
forming one of the ribs 13c of the frames 16 existing on an outer
end portion of the outside portions 12 in the reinforcement
portions 10 opposite to the box 7 integrally on the front and rear
surfaces of the rough structure 20 of woven fabric or knit fabric,
part of synthetic resin for forming the frames 16 penetrate into
the rough structure 20, so that the reinforcement portions 10 are
fixed on the fastener tape 3 firmly by fusion.
[0064] In the reinforcement portions 10 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21,
the rough structure 20 is provided on the outside edge portion of
the woven or knit fastener tape 3 like the above-described
embodiment and the inside portions 11 of the reinforcement portions
10 are formed on the front and rear faces of the core portion 6 of
the fastener tape 3 while one of the ribs 13c of the frame 16 on
the outer end portion of the outside portion 12 of the
reinforcement portion 10 opposite to the box 7 is disposed on the
rough structure 20 and the frame 16 is fused with the rough
structure 20. Consequently, the reinforcement portions 10 are fixed
on the fastener tape 3 firmly.
[0065] The embodiment shown in FIG. 22 shows an example applied to
a double side openable type separable bottom end stop 5. An end of
one fastener stringer 2 is loaded with the box pin 8 and an end of
the other fastener stringer 2 is loaded with the insert pin 9. The
right and left fastener stringers 2 have no box 7 and two sliders
35 are mounted slidably in opposite directions so that the fastener
chain 1 is opened/closed from both sides and can be separated to
the right and left sides.
[0066] The relatively long box pin 8 which two sliders 35 can pass
is formed on the core portion 6 of one fastener tape 3 in this
slider fastener. A flange 36 of each of the slider 35 makes contact
with the front end of this box pin 8 and a stopper 18 for stopping
the sliding of the slider 35 is formed such that it is extended
horizontally. A front end of the stopper 18 is extended up to one
of the thick ribs 13c of the outside portion 12 in the
reinforcement portion 10. A thin protruded piece 33 which is
protruded sideway is provided on the top end of the box pin 8 in
step-like configuration, so that it is capable of overlapping a
step-like protruded piece 33 provided on the top end of the insert
pin 9.
[0067] The relatively long insert pin 9 which the two sliders 35
can pass is formed on the core portion 6 of the other fastener tape
3. The protruded piece 33 which coincides with the protruded piece
33 of the box pin 8 and overlap the protruded piece 33 is provided
on the top end of the insert pin 9. The inside portion 11 of the
reinforcement portion 10 is formed such that its end side is
expanded so as to coincide with a blade of the slider 35 in order
to allow the wide blades on the shoulder side of the slider 35 to
pass.
[0068] As for the usage condition of the separable bottom end stop
5, with two sliders 35 mounted on the fastener stringer 2 loaded
with the box pin 8 such that they are directed in opposite
directions, the slider 35 is kept in contact with the stopper 18 of
the box pin 8, the insert pin 9 of the fastener stringer 2 loaded
with the insert pin 9 is inserted. Then, the upper slider 35 is
pulled upward so as to engage the fastener elements 4 on the right
and left fastener stringers 2 with each other, thereby completing
the fastener chain 1. To separate the fastener chain 1, if the
fastener stringer 2 loaded with the insert pin 9 is pulled out of
the two sliders 35 after the two sliders 35 are pulled down to the
stopper 18, the right and left fastener stringer 2 can be
disconnected and released.
[0069] The slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop has
the above-described configuration and with this configuration,
following effects are exerted.
[0070] The fastener elements 4 are mounted on the opposing side
edges of a pair of the fastener tapes 3 and the separable bottom
end stop 5 made of synthetic resin is provided on one of the side
edges of each of the fastener tapes 3 at one of end portions of
those fastener elements 4 and the reinforcement portion 10 is
formed integrally with the separable bottom end stop 5 such that it
is extended on at least one surface of the fastener tape 3. Because
the reinforcement portion 10 is constituted of plural ribs 13a
disposed obliquely as seen in its plan view in the inside portion
11 connected to the separable bottom end stop 5, even if a bending
force or a twisting force is applied to the end portion of the
fastener stringer 2 in the slide fastener with separable bottom end
stop 5, the ribs 13a disposed obliquely in the inside portion 11 of
the reinforcement portion scatter the external force effectively
and are easy to deform. Therefore, this prevents the separable
bottom end stop 5 from being damaged and blocks the reinforcement
portion 10 provided on the end portion from being caught by other
things and separated from the fastener tape 3.
[0071] In addition to the above-described effect, in the
reinforcement portion 10, the ribs 13a, 13b and 13c are disposed
symmetrically on both surfaces of the fastener tape 3 and the
inside portion 11 is formed thinner than the outside portion 12.
The reinforcement portions 10 sandwich both surfaces of the
fastener tape 3, so that the reinforcement portions 10 can be fixed
firmly and the inside portions 11 of the reinforcement portions 10
are formed with softness and flexibility.
[0072] Because the intersecting portion of the ribs 13a is formed
in arc-like configuration as seen in its plan view, an external
force applied to the reinforcement portion 10 can be scattered
easily. Further, because the concave portions 14 are formed among
the ribs 13a in the inside portion 11 of the reinforcement portion
10, they allow the ribs 13a of the reinforcement portion 10 to be
deformed and reinforced easily. Moreover, because the cut-out 15
which is dented toward the top end is formed at the bottom edge of
the inside portion 11 of the reinforcement portion 10, it absorbs a
twisting force applied to the inside portion of the reinforcement
portion 10 so as to reduce the load.
[0073] The reinforcement portion 10 is constituted of the inside
portion 11 connected to the separable bottom end stop 5 and the
outside portion 12 which is connected to the inside portion 11 and
extended toward the outer edge of the fastener tape 3 and the
outside portion 12 is formed of plural ribs 13b disposed in
parallel with a predetermined interval. Consequently, the outside
portion 12 of the reinforcement portion 10 is capable of reducing
the frequency that the sewing needle may contact the ribs 13b at
the time of sewing thereby preventing the ribs 13b from a
damage.
[0074] Because, when the core portion 6 and the fastener tape 3 are
cut out with heat with respect to the front end of each of the box
pin 8 and insert pin 9, the bottom ends of the inside portion 11
and outside portion 12 of the reinforcement portion 10 are located
inside of a cut line, the core portion 6 never turns to a rigid
lump when the fastener tape 3 is cut with heat so that an excellent
texture is maintained. Further, the ribs 13a, 13b and 13c of the
reinforcement portion 10 are never separated from the fastener tape
3, so that the separable bottom end stop 5 can be finished with
good quality.
[0075] Because, in the fastener tape 3, a side edge portion
opposing the outer end portion of the reinforcement portion 10
opposite to the box 7 is formed into the rough structure 20 by
weaving or knitting so that the end portion of the reinforcement
portion 10 is allowed to penetrate into the rough structure 20, a
part of the outside portion 12 of the reinforcement portion 10 are
allowed to penetrate into the structure of the fastener tape 3 and
fixed therein, thereby the reinforcement portion 10 being attached
firmly. Because, in the inside portion 11 of the reinforcement
portion 10, width from an inside end faces of the fastener elements
4 toward an inside of the fastener tape 3 is within 4.0 mm, the
inside portion 11 of the reinforcement portion 10 enables easy
insertion/removal of the right and left fastener stringers 2, and
the inside portion 11 can exert its function effectively with an
optimum configuration.
* * * * *