U.S. patent application number 11/964371 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-03 for member having spring properties and product employing same.
This patent application is currently assigned to YKK CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Akihiko Hoda, Hisayoshi Mizuhara, Yasuhiko Sugimoto, Noritaka Tsubata.
Application Number | 20080155796 11/964371 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39183036 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080155796 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tsubata; Noritaka ; et
al. |
July 3, 2008 |
MEMBER HAVING SPRING PROPERTIES AND PRODUCT EMPLOYING SAME
Abstract
In a member having spring properties, such as a slider for a
slide fastener or a snap button, the member main unit is composed
of copper or a copper-based alloy, and the spring member attached
to the member main unit is also composed of copper or a
copper-based alloy. This eliminates the trouble of having to
separate the structural components when recycling copper and also
allows regenerated ingots to be readily prepared through a
remelting process, thereby lowering recycling costs.
Inventors: |
Tsubata; Noritaka; (Toyama,
JP) ; Mizuhara; Hisayoshi; (Toyama, JP) ;
Hoda; Akihiko; (Toyama, JP) ; Sugimoto; Yasuhiko;
(Toyama, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARBY & DARBY P.C.
P.O. BOX 770, Church Street Station
New York
NY
10008-0770
US
|
Assignee: |
YKK CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
39183036 |
Appl. No.: |
11/964371 |
Filed: |
December 26, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/381 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/25 20150115;
A44B 17/0011 20130101; A44B 19/26 20130101; A44B 19/308
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/381 |
International
Class: |
A44B 19/24 20060101
A44B019/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 27, 2006 |
JP |
2006-351067 |
Claims
1. A member having spring properties, comprising: a member main
unit comprising copper or a copper-based alloy; and a spring member
comprising a copper-based alloy mounted on the member main
unit.
2. The member having spring properties according to claim 1,
wherein the spring member has 0.2% resistance of at least 1000
N/mm.sup.2 and a spring threshold of at least 700 N/mm.sup.2.
3. The member having spring properties according to claim 1,
wherein the spring member has 0.2% resistance of at least 1200
N/mm.sup.2 and a spring threshold of at least 1000 N/mm.sup.2.
4. The member having spring properties according to claim 1,
wherein the spring member has a hardness Hv not greater than 400,
tensile elongation of at least 5%, corrosion resistance equal to or
greater than red brass, and a needle detector compatibility
corresponding to A.
5. The member having spring properties according to claim 1,
wherein the spring member does not comprise lead, mercury, cadmium,
or hexavalent chromium.
6. The member having spring properties according to claim 1,
wherein the member having spring properties is a body of a slider
for a slide fastener, the member main unit is a main body of the
slider, and the spring member is mounted on the main body.
7. A slider for a slide fastener comprising a body and a pull,
wherein the body is the member having spring properties according
to claim 6, and the pull comprises copper or a copper-based
alloy.
8. A slide fastener comprising elements, stops, and a slider,
wherein the elements and/or stops consist of copper or a
copper-based alloy, and the slider is the slider according to claim
7.
9. The member having spring properties according to claim 1,
wherein the member having spring properties is a female unit of a
snap button, the member main unit is a button body, and the spring
member is mounted on the button body.
10. A snap button comprising a male unit and a female unit, wherein
the male unit consists of copper or a copper-based alloy, and the
female unit comprises the member having spring properties according
to claim 9.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 to Japanese patent application no. 2006-351067 filed on
Dec. 27, 2006. The content of the application is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a member composed of a
member main unit made of copper or a copper-based alloy and a
spring member attached thereto.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Members such as sliders for fasteners, snap buttons, and
electrical component connectors are conventionally composed of a
member main unit made of copper or a copper-based alloy and a
spring member attached thereto. Iron alloys are used for such
spring members because of the need for high strengths, corrosion
resistance, and spring properties. Stainless steel materials are
also often used because of the need for needle detector
compatibility in the above fastener slider and snap button
applications (see Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 2003-277890A and
H8-269639A).
[0006] Meanwhile, the rising costs of metal materials recently
(especially copper and zinc) have led to a greater need to recycle
the copper and copper alloys that are used in the aforementioned
members.
[0007] However, in members comprising a spring member made of
stainless steel attached to a member main unit made of copper or a
copper-based alloy (referred to below as "members endowed with
spring properties"), the member main unit and the spring member are
different materials, making it necessary to separate the two, which
results in poor recyclability.
[0008] In sliders for fasteners, for example, stainless steel
materials are employed as the catch (lock pin) used for the slider
lock mechanism and the spring member that allows the catch to
function, so when the slider is recycled (re-melted), the spring
member must be separated form the body main unit of the slider
composed of the copper alloy, compromising the recyclability. The
same problems occur in snap buttons and connector members.
[0009] Stainless steel lock pins doubling as catches and springs
are also used in sliders for jeans, for example, but the copper
alloy slider main unit and the stainless steel lock pin are not the
same color, detracting from the design.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An object of the present invention is to improve the
recyclability of members composed of member main units made of
copper or copper-based alloys and spring members attached
thereto.
[0011] The inventors perfected the present invention upon
discovering that the problems regarding the recyclability of the
members noted above can be resolved by using a spring member
composed of a copper-based alloy as the spring member in members
composed of a member main unit made of copper or a copper-based
alloy and a spring member attached thereto.
[0012] Specifically, the present invention has a structure as
described below. [0013] (1) A member having spring properties,
characterized by comprising: a member main unit comprising copper
or a copper-based alloy; and a spring member comprising a
copper-based alloy mounted on the member main unit. [0014] (2) The
member having spring properties according to (1) above,
characterized in that the spring member has 0.2% resistance of at
least 1000 N/mm.sup.2 and a spring threshold of at least 700
N/mm.sup.2. [0015] (3) The member having spring properties
according to (1) above, characterized in that the spring member has
0.2% resistance of at least 1200 N/mm.sup.2 and a spring threshold
of at least 1000 N/mm.sup.2. [0016] (4) The member having spring
properties according to any of (1) through (3) above, characterized
in that the spring member has a hardness Hv not greater than 400,
tensile elongation of at least 5%, corrosion resistance equal to or
greater than red brass, and a needle detector compatibility
corresponding to A. [0017] (5) The member having spring properties
according to any of (1) through (4) above, characterized in that
the spring member does not comprise lead, mercury, cadmium, or
hexavalent chromium. [0018] (6) The member having spring properties
according to any of (1) through (5) above, characterized in that
the member having spring properties is a body of a slider for a
slide fastener, the member main unit is a main body of the slider,
and the spring member is mounted on the main body. [0019] (7) A
slider for a slide fastener comprising a body and a pull,
characterized in that the body is the member having spring
properties according to (6) above, and the pull comprises copper or
a copper-based alloy. [0020] (8) A slide fastener comprising
elements, stops, and a slider, characterized in that the elements
and/or stops consist of copper or a copper-based alloy, and the
slider is the slider according to (7) above. [0021] (9) The member
having spring properties according to any of (1) through (5) above,
characterized in that the member having spring properties is a
female unit of a snap button, the member main unit is a button
body, and the spring member is mounted on the button body. [0022]
(10) A snap button comprising a male unit and a female unit,
characterized in that the male unit consists of copper or a
copper-based alloy, and the female unit comprises the member having
spring properties according to (9) above.
[0023] The use of the member having spring properties in the
present invention eliminates the trouble of having to separate the
members and also allows regenerated ingots to be readily prepared
through a remelting process, thereby lowering recycling costs.
[0024] In addition, since both the member main unit and the spring
member are composed of copper or a copper-based alloy, the color
will be the same, resulting in better design properties (attractive
appearance).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a slide fastener.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of slider for which the present
invention is applicable.
[0027] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the slider in FIG.
2.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a cross section of the slider in FIG. 2.
[0029] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of another example of
a slider for which the invention is applicable.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross section along center line in
longitudinal direction of the slider in FIG. 5.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a cross section of a snap button.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a cross section of another example of a snap
button.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] The member having spring properties in the invention will be
described below based on the drawings using a fastener slider and a
button as examples. The slide fastener F will be described
first.
[0034] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a slide fastener. As
illustrated in FIG. 1, the slide fastener 200 is composed of a pair
of fastener tapes 202, a core 204 formed on one side of the faster
tape 202, elements 206 secured (attached) by caulking at certain
intervals on the cores 204 of the fastener tapes 202, a top stop
208 and bottom stop 210 secured by caulking to the cores 204 of the
fastener tapes 202 at the top and bottom elements 206, and a slider
for a slide fastener (referred to below as "slider") 300 that is
disposed between the pairs of facing elements 206 and that is
slidable back and forth to allow the elements 206 to be engaged or
disengaged (closed or opened). In the above, the assembly of the
elements 206 attached to the cores 204 of the fastener tapes 202 is
referred to as a slide fastener chain 212. Although not
illustrated, the bottom stop 210 may be an opening and fitting
device composed of an insert pin, box pin, and retaining box
allowing the pair of slide fastener chains 212 to be separated by
opening operation using the slider 300.
[0035] Copper or a copper-based alloy is primarily used as the
material for the slider 300 in the present invention. A needle
detector compatible copper or copper-based alloy that is compatible
with needle detectors is also preferably used in the interests of
recyclability for the elements 206, top stop 208, and bottom stop
210. The slider 300 is described in detail below.
[0036] FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 illustrate an example of a slider
300 for a slide fastener with automatic stops in which a plate
spring is used as the spring member. FIG. 2 is a perspective view
of the entire structure of the slider, FIG. 3 is an exploded
perspective view of the relation between the parts, and FIG. 4 is a
cross section of the slider in FIG. 2 (except that the pull
position is different).
[0037] The slide body 1 is formed of a upper wing plate 4, lower
wing plate 5, and guide post 6 that connect the upper wing plate 4
and the lower wing plate 5. The plate spring 2 has a plate shape
with the both ends being bent, a base plate 7 formed in the middle,
a locking pawl 8 formed at one end, and an anchoring drooping
portion 9 formed at the other end. A axis 10 is formed at one end
of the pull 3, allowing it to rotatably pivot on the body 1, and a
pull component 11 formed at the other end.
[0038] For the body 1, a protrusion 12 that protrudes upward in the
shape of a hook is also provided in the middle on the forward side,
that is, the shoulder opening side, of the upper wing plate 4. A
protruding engagement protrusion 13 is provided in the middle of
the distal end of the protrusion 12 and is fitted to a through hole
25 in the engagement tongue 24 of the plate spring 2 described
blow. A abutting contact 14 capable of contact with the engagement
tongue 24 is formed at the distal end of the protrusion 12 on
either side of the engagement protrusion 13, and the abutting
contact 14 is formed in the vertical plane intersected at right
angles by the line of extension relative to the upper surface of
the upper wing plate 4. A through hole 15 passing through to an
element guide groove 19 is provided in the base of the protrusion
12, and a support platform 16 protrudes from both sides of the base
of the protrusion 12 to allow the forward-inclined plate spring 2
to be placed there.
[0039] A hook-shaped protrusion 17 in the shape of a hook tilted
toward the rear protrudes from the middle on the posterior side,
that is, posterior opening side, of the upper wing plate 4, the
distal end of the hook-shaped protrusion 17 is bend to provide an
engagement component 18 that fits into a hook hole 26 in the plate
spring 2, and a pawl hole 20 passing through to the element guide
groove 19 is provided in the base of the hook-shaped protrusion 17.
A dent groove 21 is also provided in the front surface of the guide
post 6, and a generally right triangular detent 22 that is flat at
the bottom and inclined at the top is provided on either side of
the dent groove 21, so as to engage the detent portion 23 of the
plate spring 2. Instead of being concave, the dent groove 21 may
also be in the form of a vertical shaft piercing through the guide
post 6 connecting the top and bottom part.
[0040] The plate spring 2 is in the form of a generally collapsed
U-shape, with the locking pawl 8 provided at one end and the narrow
drooping portion 9 provided at the other end. The detent portion 23
that is projecting sideways protrudes at the distal end of the
drooping portion 9 and engages with the detent 22 provided on the
guide post 6. An opening 28 is provided in the base plate 7 in the
middle of the plate spring 2, the extended engagement tongue 24 is
oriented forward from the edge of the opening 28 and bent downward,
the through hole 25 into which the engagement protrusion 13 of the
protrusion 12 is fitted is provided in the middle of the engagement
tongue 24, and the hook hole 26 into which the engagement component
18 of the posterior hook-shaped protrusion 17 is fitted is provided
in the plate spring 2 adjacent to the locking pawl 8 to prevent the
floating of the locking pawl 8.
[0041] The pull 3 has the axis 10 provided at one end and the pull
component 11 provided at the other end. When the pull 3 is attached
to the body I and laid longitudinally, the axis 10 protrudes out
biased to the side facing the body 1, resulting in the formation of
a cam 27 wherein the cross section of the axis 10 is a long
rectangle along the longitudinal direction of the pull 3. The pull
3 is attached to the body 1, so that the plate spring 2 is held up
when the pull 3 is pulled up.
[0042] In the slider equipped with the assembled automatic stop
mechanism, when the pull 3 is placed upright as illustrated in FIG.
4, the plate spring 2 is held up against the repulsing force by
means of the cam 27 of the pull 3, and the locking pawl 8 is
retracted from the element guide groove 19, allowing the slider to
freely slide. When the pull 3 is collapsed to its original
position, the locking pawl 8 advances into the element guide groove
19 and is inserted between the elements, stopping the slider. When
the pull 3 is collapsed toward the front of the body 1, the plate
spring 2 remains held up by the biased cam 27, allowing the slider
to freely slide forward.
[0043] In the present invention, the plate spring and the parts
forming the slider are all made of copper or a copper-based alloy,
resulting in very good recyclability.
[0044] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an example of a slider for a slide
fastener with an automatic stop device using a coil spring as the
spring member in another embodiment of the invention.
[0045] FIG. 5 is a vertical exploded perspective view of a slider
300, and FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross section immediately before
the pull is attached.
[0046] A concave pull retainer 35 is disposed downwardly oriented
from the diamond portion 33 of the upper wing plate 32 toward the
rear opening 34 of the slider 300. A locking pawl 37 is vertically
rotatably attached to a location near the diamond portion 33 of the
internal space 36 of the pull retainer 35. Formed in the locking
pawl body 37 are an engagement clasp 49 that protrudes from an
engagement hole 47 in generally the middle of the upper wing plate
32 to where the rows of teeth are located, and a actuation groove
52 that is open toward the posterior opening 34 and that houses the
attachment shaft 51 of the pull. The locking pawl 49 is energized
by a spring 55 so as to always protrude out of the engagement hole
47, and the gap 57 between the upper wing plate 32 and the end on
the posterior opening 34 side of the pull retainer 35 serves as the
gap into which the attachment shaft 51 of the pull 50 is inserted.
A member 58 for closing the insertion gap is disposed in the gap 57
so as to slide between the gap closing position and the gap opening
position near the diamond portion 33 side.
[0047] This slider has been disclosed in Japanese Utility Model
Publication No. S4-32974Y2 and will therefore not be further
elaborated here, but is a structure in which the pull 50 is
removable relative to the slider S by means of the above structure,
thereby always allowing the pull 50 to be readily removed or
attached. As such, even when the pull 50 is not made of copper or a
copper-based alloy, the pull 50 can be readily removed from the
slider 300 when recycled, so that the pull 50 does not need to be
made of copper or a copper-based alloy.
[0048] In the present invention, the spring and the parts forming
the slider are all made of copper or a copper-based alloy,
resulting in very good recyclability.
[0049] Snap buttons in other embodiments of the invention will be
described based on FIGS. 7 and 8. In the following, "surface
members" refer to members disposed primarily on the outer surface
of a substrate, and "base members" refer to members primarily
disposed on the under side of the substrate.
[0050] FIG. 7 is a cross section illustrating a snap button SB1 as
an example of a snap button for which the invention is applicable.
The snap button SB1 is composed of a female button 101 and a male
button 102. The female button 101 is composed of a female member
103 (base member) in which is formed a concavity 103a equipped with
an elastic member (spring member) that engages with the male button
102 (described below) on the inner peripheral surface, and a female
fixing member 105 (surface member) that is thrust into the
substrate 90 and secures the female member 103. The male button 102
is composed of a male member 104 (surface member) having an
expanding head 104a that engages with the elastic member of the
female member 103, and a male fixing member 106 (base member) that
is thrust into the substrate 90 and secures the male member
104.
[0051] FIG. 8 is a cross section illustrating a snap button SB2 in
another embodiment of a snap button. The snap button SB2 is
composed of a female button 101 and male button 102 in the same
manner as the snap button SB1 above. The female button 101 is
composed of covered member 107, a female fixing member 105 that is
inserted into the covered member 107, that prevents the covered
member 107 from becoming deformed, that is thrust into the
substrate 90, and that secures the covered member 107 and a female
member 103 described below on either side of the substrate 90 (the
covered member 107 and female fixing member 105 are together a
surface member), a female member 103 inside of which a concavity
103a that houses the male button 102 is formed, and a spring 108
(the female member 103 and spring 108 are together a base member)
that is disposed in the concavity 103a of the female member 103 and
has elasticity to engage with a male button 102 describe below. The
male button 102 is composed of a male member 104 (surface member)
having an expanding head 104a that engages with a spring 108 having
elasticity disposed in the concavity 103a of the female member 103
to provide elasticity, and a male fixing member 106 (base member)
that is thrust into the substrate 90 and secures the male member
104.
[0052] The spring member (elastic member and spring), the surface
members and base members in the above snap buttons SB1 and SB2 are
all composed of copper or a bopper-based alloy, resulting in very
good recyclability.
[0053] The spring member made of copper or a copper-based alloy in
the invention is preferably made of a high strength copper alloy
endowed with the following properties.
[0054] 0.2% resistance: at least 1000 N/mm.sup.2 (and preferably at
least 1200 N/mm.sup.2)
[0055] Spring threshold: at least 700 N/mm.sup.2 (and preferably at
least 1000 N/mm.sup.2)
[0056] Hardness: no more than Hv 400
[0057] Tensile elongation: at least 5%
[0058] Corrosion resistance: equal to or greater than red brass (85
Cu/15 Zn)
[0059] Needle detector compatibility: corresponding to A
[0060] Alloy components: free of lead, mercury, cadmium, and
hexavalent chromium
[0061] The above properties are particularly required in spring
members used in snap buttons and sliders for fasteners in
particular.
[0062] A copper-based spring member with a 0.2% resistance of at
least 1000 N/mm.sup.2 and a spring threshold of at least 700
N/mm.sup.2 can be used for practical purposes. Slide fasteners and
snap buttons are used under severe conditions, depending on the
application. Examples include stone washed jeans or autoclaving in
clean rooms or the like. In consideration of such severe
conditions, the 0.2% resistance is preferably at least 1200
N/mm.sup.2 and the spring threshold is preferably at least 1000
N/mm.sup.2.
[0063] The hardness and tensile elongation are stipulated at the
above values in the interests of providing enough durability for
actual use and ease of manufacturing/processing (such as press
molding).
[0064] Furthermore, slide fasteners, snap buttons, and the like are
preferably free of lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium
because they may be used in personal effects such as clothing and
shoes.
[0065] In terms of the corrosion resistance noted above, copper
alloys used in fasteners need to be resistant to a variety of
things, including chemicals such as acids and alkalis, but must
above all be resistant to stress cracking, also referred to as
season cracking. In the event of residual stress due to processing,
exposure to ammonia atmospheres may result in cracks, which tend to
become more pronounced as the zinc content of copper-zinc alloys
increases. For example, brass (65 Cu/35 Zn) is more susceptible to
cracking than red brass (85 Cu/15 Zn), and there is a risk that the
teeth will become broken under some conditions of use. Thus, even
though brass is stronger than red brass, red brass is more suitable
as materials for fasteners from the standpoint of stress cracking.
Similarly, spring members featuring the use of copper alloys need
to be resistant to stress cracking. This therefore means that in
the present invention, the copper alloy for the spring member has
at least the resistance to stress cracking of red brass in the JIS
H 4201 ammonia test.
[0066] Specific tests are given below.
[0067] (Corrosion Resistance Test)
[0068] Samples are suspended for 2 hours in a desiccator with the
samples positioned at the height of 50 to 100 mm from the surface
of 12% ammonia water, and the samples are then examined for stress
cracking. Because the copper alloy used for the spring member is in
the form of wire or line, corrosion resistance of the samples can
be determined by the tensile strength. Stress cracking will be
revealed by a decrease in the tensile strength.
[0069] Needle detector compatibility will now be discussed. A
process for detecting contamination by needles that have broken off
during the sewing process is needed in processes where clothing
with slide fasteners and/or buttons is sewn to produce final
products. At that time, the structural components of the slide
fasteners and buttons must not activate the needle detector. The
members must therefore have a magnetic permeability of no more than
1.005 in a 1 kOe magnetic field and a magnetization of no more than
550 memu/g in a 18 kOe magnetic field, and preferably a magnetic
permeability of no more than 1.003 in a 1 kOe magnetic field and a
magnetization of no more than 440 memu/g in a 18 kOe magnetic
field.
[0070] In magnetostatic field type needle detectors which measure
variations in magnetic flux density that are caused when metal
passes through at a constant rate in a magnetic flux, needle
detection capacity is assessed based on a relative value in
relation to a standard value, where the variation in magnetic flux
density corresponding to a steel ball 0.8 mm in diameter is set to
100 to 120 as the standard value (indicator), and the needle
detection level is the measured result of the object under
analysis. That is, when the needle detection level of the object
under analysis is at or below the standard value, it is no greater
than that corresponding to a steel ball 0.8 mm in diameter, and if
the needle detection level of the object under analysis is at or
below the needle detection level of a steel ball 1.2 mm in
diameter, it is no greater than that corresponding to a steel ball
1.2 mm in diameter. The needle detection capacity is expressed by
whether or not the result is at or below any of the values for
steel balls 0.8, 1.2, or 1.5 mm in diameter. If the result is at or
below that corresponding to a steel ball 0.8 mm in diameter, it
means that broken needles of the smallest special size used in
sewing can be detected. If the result is at or below that
corresponding to a steel ball 1.2 mm in diameter, it means that
broken needles of the normally used size can be detected. The
expression "corresponding to A" in the specification of the present
application means a level no greater than that for a steel ball 0.8
mm in diameter.
[0071] In the present invention, the needle detection capacity is
preferably no more than that of a steel ball 1.2 mm in diameter,
and ideally no more than that of a steel ball 0.8 mm in diameter.
Also in the present invention, when the alloy being measured is in
the form of a sample measuring 15.times.15.times.0.4 mm, the needle
detection level of the objecting being measured will be the result
obtained as the object moves vertically to the magnetic flux. In
case of slide fasteners or buttons, the objects to be measured are
the finished products or the parts, and the needle detection level
will also be the result obtained as the object moves vertically to
the magnetic flux.
[0072] The invention is illustrated in greater detail by, but is
not limited to, the following embodiments of the invention.
EXAMPLES
[0073] (Production of Spring Member)
[0074] A spring member 1 and a spring member 2 having the
compositions given in Table 1 as the spring member copper alloys
were produced in the following manner.
[0075] The compositions in Table 1 were measured out, melted in the
usual manner in a 30 Kg high frequency induction melting furnace,
cast to a thickness of 10 mm and a width of 120 mm, then
solution-treated, cold rolled to 3 mm, subjected to process
annealing, again cold rolled to 1.5 mm, and subjected to final
annealing to a size of 120.times.300 mm.
[0076] The material was then furthermore cold rolled to a reduction
ratio of 60% and age hardened by heat treatment. the resulting
material was used as samples. The "0.2% resistance" and "spring
threshold" of the samples at this point in time are given in Table
2.
[0077] The samples were prepared to a size of 15.times.15.times.0.4
mm to determine the needle detection levels. The needle detection
levels were determined using a magnetostatic field type needle
detector which measures variations in magnetic flux density that
are caused when the metal passes through at a constant rate in a
magnetic flux, wherein the variation in magnetic flux density
corresponding to a steel ball 0.8 mm in diameter is set to 100 to
120 as the standard value (indicator), and the needle detection
level is the measured result of the object under analysis. Table 2
gives the results determined based on the above. The numerical
figures in the table indicate the relative values in relation to
the standard value above. The results in Table 2 show that the
needle detection levels of the samples of the invention were a very
low level of no more than 80.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Composition (wt %) Cu Be Ti impurities
Spring member 1 97.3 1.9 -- 0.8 Spring member 2 96.3 -- 3.2 0.5
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Properties Spring member 1 Spring member 2
0.2% resistance (N/mm.sup.2) 1100 1000 Spring threshold
(N/mm.sup.2) 830 880 Hardness (before age 200 330 hardening)(Hv)
Tensile elongation (before age 10 11 hardening) (%) Corrosion
resistance .largecircle. .largecircle. Needle detection level 60 60
Needle detector compatibility A A
[0078] Table 2 shows that the spring member 1 and spring member 2
were endowed with properties suitable for spring members used in
slide fasteners and snap buttons.
[0079] (Slide Fastener Application)
[0080] The plate spring 2 in FIG. 3 was prepared based on the
composition and production method in "Production of Spring Member"
above. The resulting plate spring 2 was assembled with a pull 3 and
body 1 composed of red brass (85 Cu-15 Zn) to produce a slide
fastener 300 composed of a copper-based alloy.
[0081] The above slider 300 for a slide fastener was disposed with
elements 206, top stop 208, and bottom stop 210 composed of red
brass (85 Cu-15 Zn) shown in FIG. 1 to produce a slide fastener 200
composed of a copper-based alloy.
[0082] The plate spring 2 above was endowed with properties
suitable for sliders used in slide fasteners. The slider for use in
a slide fastener and the slide fastener itself were composed of
copper-based alloys, resulting in good recyclability.
[0083] It is evident that the recyclability is just as good if the
spring member is used as the spring member in a button.
[0084] The member having spring properties in the present invention
is extremely useful for industrial purposes because it eliminates
the trouble of having to separate the structural components when
recycling copper and also allows regenerated ingots to be readily
prepared through a remelting process, thereby lowering recycling
costs.
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