JP5501255B2 - Hidden slide fastener using the same fastener element as the fastener element for the hidden slide fastener - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fastener element for a hidden slide fastener in which a meshing element becomes invisible from the tape surface when meshed with a fastener element (hereinafter simply referred to as an element) attached along one edge of a pair of fastener tapes. And a hidden slide fastener lined up on an element mounting edge of a fastener tape in which the element is bent in a U shape.

  Conventionally, a fastener element used for this type of hidden slide fastener is formed along an element mounting edge portion in which a core string portion is provided at one end edge of a fastener tape by injection molding of synthetic resin or die casting of zinc alloy or the like. Installed.

  The element used for this hidden slide fastener has a substantially U-shaped longitudinal section, and the engagement portion of the element formed at one end thereof is mounted toward the inside of the fastener tape. In this state, the element attachment edge portion of the fastener tape to which the element is attached is folded back into a U shape, and the shape is fixed with a heat set or the like, and then a slider is inserted through the element row to obtain a hidden slide fastener.

  However, in such a hidden slide fastener, generally, when tensile stress is applied in the tape width direction from both sides of the fastener tape when the element is engaged, a gap is generated between the left and right fastener tapes, and the tape surface side There is a problem in that the meshing element can be seen and the concealability cannot be secured.

  In order to solve these problems, for example, in the fastener element for the hidden slide fastener disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 52-10383 (Patent Document 1) and Utility Model Registration No. 2598345 (Patent Document 2), A meshing portion is provided at one end of the open end of the U-shaped element. The meshing portion includes a plate-like portion on the tape fixing side, a neck portion integrally formed on a surface opposite to the tape fixing side of the plate-like portion, and extending from the neck portion toward the front of the open end side of the element. A meshing space is formed between the engagement surface excluding the neck portion of the plate-like portion and the peripheral surface of the neck portion and the meshing head portion to be engaged with and disengaged from the other meshing portion. . In the hidden slide fastener to which the elements disclosed in these Patent Documents 1 and 2 are mounted, when the left and right elements are engaged by sliding the slider, the movement of the elements toward the tape surface is caused by the engagement surface. Since it is regulated, a stable meshing state without deviation can be obtained. In addition, even if tension acts in the tape width direction, the engagement surface prevents the element from rotating toward the tape surface, preventing gaps between the left and right fastener tapes from appearing on the fastener surface. To do.

  In this way, the particularly required function for the hidden slide fastener is not only to ensure a meshing strength that makes it difficult for the element to come off when the required tension is applied in the tape width direction, but also from between the left and right fastener tapes. It has a concealing property that does not look into. However, in recent years, products to which hidden slide fasteners are applied have been extremely diversified. That is, the use is not limited to various conventional clothes and bags, but is used for various products such as seat covers for seats of automobiles, trains, airplanes, and the like.

  Specifically, for example, when a hidden slide fastener is applied to a seat cover of an automobile, the seat cover is usually formed smaller than the outer dimensions of the cushion body. With respect to the slide fastener, a strong tensile stress is applied to the left and right fastener stringers in the tape length direction and the width direction. However, when the conventional hidden slide fastener is subjected to the strong tensile stress as described above, a problem such as a gap between the left and right fastener tapes or the disengagement of the elements easily occurs.

  In particular, the hidden slide fasteners described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are also weak against torsional force, pushing force, and the like. For example, the hidden slide fastener sewn on clothing or the like has received torsional force or pushing force. In this case, there is a problem that the meshing portion of the element is likely to be deformed or damaged, and cannot be used for a long time.

  In particular, the element of Patent Document 1 is configured such that when the left and right elements are meshed, the side surfaces of the meshing portions are in close contact with each other, so that when the fastener chain is folded, the fastener chain is stiff. There was also a problem that the bending operation could not be performed smoothly due to lack of flexibility. On the other hand, the element of Patent Document 2 only supports both corners in the tape longitudinal direction of the meshing head with the front and rear engagement surfaces of the mating element when the left and right elements are engaged, and is adjacent to the left and right. Since the engagement surfaces of the mating counterpart elements do not come into close contact with each other, the slide fastener can be easily bent in the longitudinal direction, but from the base (main body) of the element through the neck that is narrowed. Since the meshing head protrudes, there is a problem that the meshing head and neck are likely to be deformed or damaged.

In order to solve such a problem, for example, according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-151839 (Patent Document 3), it has excellent concealability and meshing strength, and even if it receives tensile stress in the tape width direction, a gap is formed between the left and right fastener tapes. There has been proposed a fastener element for a hidden slide fastener that does not occur and does not deform or break even when subjected to torsional force or pushing force.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 52-10383 Utility Model Registration No. 2598345 JP 2007-151839 A

  The hidden slide fastener element proposed by the above-mentioned Patent Document 3 includes a C-shaped base portion that holds the core string portion, and extends in substantially the same direction from each tip of the C-shaped base portion, and on each opposing surface thereof. Flat first and second tape clamping portions having first and second tape clamping surfaces for clamping the side edges of the fastener tape, the tip of the C-shaped base, and the second of the second tape clamping portion And a meshing portion integrally formed on the back surface opposite to the tape clamping surface. The meshing portion includes a neck portion integrated with the back surface of the second tape clamping portion, a meshing head projecting from the neck portion beyond the distal end surface of the second tape clamping portion, and a distal end surface of the C-shaped base portion. And a shoulder portion. Furthermore, a plane other than the neck portion on the back surface of the second tape clamping portion constitutes an engagement surface. The characteristic configuration is that the front end surface of the first tape holding portion is formed wider than the front end surface of the second tape holding portion, and more preferably, the engagement surface of the second tape holding portion is It forms in the inclined surface which inclines upward toward the front-end | tip from the base end of the engagement surface with respect to the upper surface of the meshing head of a meshing part.

  By providing such a characteristic configuration, when the meshing portions of the left and right elements are meshed with each other, the meshing head of one element is guided by the mating engagement surface so as to be pushed downward, and the meshing position When the elements are engaged at the same time, the area where the front end surface of the first tape clamping part presses the fastener tape from the left and right can be increased more than the conventional one. Since it can be pressed stably, even if the hidden slide fastener is subjected to tensile stress, it can effectively prevent the gap between the left and right fastener tapes from being generated, and ensure the excellent concealment of the hidden slide fastener Can do.

  However, this type of hidden slide fastener has been widely applied to various fields as described above. As a result, as shown in Patent Document 3, the hidden slide fastener attached to the product has a torsional force and a thrust. When subjected to a pressing force, the meshing strength between elements and the element concealing property are improved, and deformation and damage to the meshing head and neck are less likely to occur. There may be cases where the specific requirements of a field cannot be met.

  For example, in recent years, airbag devices have been mounted on many automobile seats. In the seat cover for a seat with the airbag device mounted as described above, it is not necessary to simply cover the seat with the seat seat cover as in the conventional case, and the cover is usually the same as the conventional one in terms of appearance. Although the shape is maintained, it is necessary to inflate and deploy the airbag in a predetermined direction outside the seat, instantly and smoothly when the airbag device is activated due to an emergency. The deployment part of the seat cover must also be deployed quickly and reliably at the moment when the airbag is inflated.

  Therefore, fragile thread and plastic parts are used for the deployment part of the seat cover that covers the seat seat on which the conventional airbag device is mounted, and can be deployed quickly and reliably at the moment when the airbag is inflated. I am doing so. However, when these fragile threads and plastic parts are used, the appearance of an automobile seat is likely to be impaired. Especially when fragile threads are used, a low stretch fabric is sewn on the back of the skin of the seat seat development. This increases not only the complexity of sheet manufacturing, but also increases the work and material costs. Further, when using a weak plastic part, when the development part of the seat cover is developed, the plastic part is broken and the broken pieces are easily scattered around.

  In view of such circumstances, the appearance of the seat cover that is attached to the seat of an automobile or the like equipped with an airbag device is ensured in normal appearance, and the airbag is not activated when the airbag device is in operation. It is important that the deployment portion of the seat cover is also deployed at the same time as the expansion and deployment is started, and further, the deployment portion of the seat cover is required to be manufactured at a reasonable cost.

  In order to meet these demands, the present invention makes use of the advantages of the above-described hidden slide fastener and compensates for the disadvantages, and maintains the good appearance as a seat cover of an automobile seat seat to which an airbag device is mounted. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hidden slide fastener that enables quick and smooth deployment of the deployment portion of the seat cover when the airbag device is operated.

In order to achieve the above object, the fastener element provided by the present invention has, as a basic configuration, a C-shaped base portion that holds the core string portion and substantially parallel to each tip of the C-shaped base portion. Flat first and second tape clamping portions that extend in the same direction and have first and second tape clamping surfaces that sandwich the side edges of the fastener tape on their respective opposing surfaces; and tips of the C-shaped bases; it and a meshing portion formed integrally on the rear surface side opposite to the second tape holding surface of the second tape holding portions, the engaging portion is integrated with the back surface of the second tape holding portions A concealed slide fastener having a neck portion, a meshing head portion extending from the neck portion beyond the distal end surface of the second tape clamping portion, and a shoulder portion comprising the distal end surface of the C-shaped base portion. A fastener element, in front of the second tape clamping part Is said coupling head of the back and the other party, the C-shaped central portion of the shaped base around the now formed relatively rotated easily shaped, said relatively rotating easily shaped, the second The engagement surface excluding the neck portion on the back surface opposite to the second tape clamping surface of the tape clamping portion is from the base end to the middle portion of the C-shaped base side of the engagement surface of the second tape clamping portion. The main feature is that it is a horizontal plane parallel to the lower surface, and is a bent surface that bends upward from the intermediate portion to the tip .

Also, the starting point of the curved surface is desirably in the vicinity the distal end position of the coupling heads of mating fastener elements at the time of engagement with the mating fastener element. Further, the bent surface may be an inclined surface that is inclined upward or a curved surface that bulges downward.

  According to another representative aspect, the relatively easy-to-turn shape is a chamfered portion in which a tip ridge line portion of the meshing head is chamfered. The chamfered portion may be formed on an inclined surface or a curved surface that is inclined downward toward the tip of the meshing head.

  According to still another aspect, as the shape that is relatively easy to rotate, the surface on the opposite side to the second tape clamping portion side of the meshing head is an upper inclined surface or a convex surface that is inclined toward the tip. The shape of a curved surface can also be adopted.

  According to a second basic configuration of the present invention, the fastener elements are arranged at predetermined intervals along an element attachment edge of a pair of fastener tapes, and the element attachment edge of the fastener tape is substantially U-shaped. In the hidden slide fastener, the slider is inserted into the fastener element in a folded state.

  When the fastener element for the hidden slide fastener described in Patent Document 3 is adopted in the deployment portion of the seat cover of the automobile seat with the airbag device mounted, the airbag of the airbag device starts to expand, and the hidden slide When the expansion pressure acts from the inside of the fastener to try to disengage the fastener element, a force (lateral pulling force) acts in the direction in which the left and right fastener tapes are separated from each other, that is, in the tape width direction. . When this lateral pulling force is applied, the fastener elements in the meshing state are the first and second tape clamping portions extending in the same direction from the tips of the C-shaped bases around the meshing heads. The fastener tape main body side tends to be disengaged from the mating head of the other party by rotating about the meshing head of the fastener element so that the first tape clamping portions on the side of each fastener tape are separated from each other.

  However, in the conventional hidden slide fastener elements as described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the engagement strength of the engagement portion is too large to be easily disengaged, and the airbag is strongly expanded. When pressure is applied, an excessive force is applied to rotate the fastener element in the width direction of the fastener tape around the engagement head of the fastener element while maintaining the engagement state between the fastener elements. In many cases, the tape holding portion is broken, and the broken pieces are scattered to the periphery, not only delaying the inflation and deployment timing of the airbag, but also the broken pieces may hit the occupant directly.

  The present inventors tried to elucidate the cause of the breakage of such a conventional fastener element through various experiments. As a result, in the conventional fastener element, the surface contact (surface engagement) between the meshing surface of the meshing head between the meshing fastener elements and the engagement surface on the meshing portion side of the mating second tape clamping portion. The tip of the meshing head that is about to disengage between the fastener elements slides on the mating engagement surface and prevents the pivoting movement around the meshing head, It was found that the meshing head and the mating engagement surface were strongly pressed together, and eventually the meshing head and / or the second tape clamping portion were broken.

  Therefore, in the present invention, by adopting the above-described characteristic configuration, the above-described meshing head can be easily rotated, and the airbag device is secured while maintaining a required meshing strength when in a normal state. During the operation, the meshing state is easily released at the moment when the inflating and deploying force of the airbag acts on the seat deploying portion. As a result, there is no timing delay in the inflating and deploying operation of the airbag when the airbag device is operated, and the fastener element is not broken. The lateral pulling force in the present invention is desirably in the range of 60 to 200 N / 2.54 cm. If it is smaller than 60 N / 2.54 cm, the meshing strength is too low, and the meshing of the fastener element is easily disengaged. If it exceeds 200 N / 2.54 cm, the delay of the inflation and deployment timing of the airbag increases, and the fastener element frequently breaks. Note that the breaking strength of the fastener element varies greatly depending on the material used. For example, PBT and POM have high hardness but are brittle and easily break, but for example PA has low brittleness and is difficult to break.

  In the present invention, the ratio value W2 / W1 of the front-rear width dimension W2 in the tape width direction of the neck part and the overhanging width W1 in the front-rear direction in the tape width direction of the meshing head is smaller than 0.55. Then, the meshing strength with the mating fastener element becomes high, and when it exceeds 0.75, the mating strength with the mating fastener element becomes extremely low, and in any case, it is not practical.

  Thus, during normal engagement of the left and right fastener elements, the tip of the engagement head of the mating fastener element is brought into surface contact with the flat surface of the engagement surface on the engagement portion side of the second tape clamping portion and engaged. Is in a state. Now, when a strong pulling force that pulls the fastener element apart from the left and right fastener tapes when the airbag starts to inflate, for example, the flat surface portion of the engagement surface and the tip portion of the mating fastener element engaged with each other The distal end portion of the meshing head moves to a bent surface following the flat surface, and the meshing head relatively rotates and easily disengages from the engagement surface. As a result, when the airbag is deployed and inflated, the meshing head and the mating engagement surface are easily disengaged, an excessive force is not applied to the meshing head and the engagement surface, the slide fastener opens, The bag can be easily deployed. Accordingly, the fastener element does not break, and the airbag is inflated and deployed at an appropriate timing without timing delay.

  By making the starting point of the bent surface near the tip of the engaging head of the mating fastener element at the time of meshing with the mating fastener element, the bent surface is at the time of normal meshing of the fastener element and at the start of inflation and deployment of the airbag When a large expansion pressure of the above acts on the fastener element in the meshing state to shift to the meshing release state, the meshing release is smoothly realized without imposing an excessive burden on the meshing elements.

  Further, even if the tip ridge line portion of the meshing head is chamfered, or an upper inclined surface or a convex shape in which the surface on the opposite side of the meshing head to the second tape clamping portion side is inclined upward. Even if it is curved, the meshing head is relatively easy to rotate and is easily detached from the engagement surface.

  Fastener elements having these configurations are lined up at predetermined intervals along the element attachment edges of a pair of fastener tapes, and the hidden slide fastener that folds the element attachment edges of the fastener tape into a substantially U shape is particularly suitable. It is valid.

It is the perspective view seen from the back surface side of the fastener element which shows 1st Example which concerns on this invention. It is the perspective view seen from the surface side of the fastener element. It is a side view of the fastener element. It is a partial side view which shows the normal meshing state of the hidden slide fastener of this invention to which the same fastener element was attached. It is a partial side view which shows a mesh release state when a tape horizontal pulling force is applied to the hidden slide fastener of the present invention. It is a reverse view of the fastener element which shows 2nd Example of this invention. It is a partial cross section figure which shows the normal meshing state of the fastener element which shows 3rd Example of this invention. It is a partial cross section figure which shows the meshing state of the same fastener element when a tape horizontal pulling force worked. It is a reverse view which shows a part of hidden slide fastener of this invention. It is a surface view which shows a part of the hidden slide fastener. It is behavior explanatory drawing explaining the attitude | position change of a fastener element when a fastener element is guide | induced into the fastener element channel | path of a slider. It is the fragmentary perspective view seen from the back surface side which shows the modification of the said 1st Example. It is a partial side view of the fastener element which shows the modification of the said 3rd Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fastener element 2 C-shaped base 3 1st tape clamping part 4 2nd tape clamping part 5 Engagement part 6 Engagement head 6a Curved surface 7 Neck part 8 Shoulder part 9 Reinforcement part 10 Tape side edge mounting groove 11 Tape clamping surface 12 Engagement surface 12a Horizontal surface 12b Upper inclined surface 13 Engagement head upper surface 14 Circular holding hole 15 Tip surface 16 of first tape clamping portion Tip surface 18 of second tape clamping portion First outer peripheral surface 19 Second outer peripheral surface 21 Hidden slide Fastener 22 Fastener tape 23 Fastener stringer 24 Slider 25 Core string portion 26 Return end surface 27 Fastener element passage 30 Flange

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the entire fastener element according to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the element exposed side, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fastener element as seen from the element concealing side. FIG. 3 is a side view of the fastener element. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which the fastener element is engaged, and FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state in which the lateral pulling force of the left and right fastener tapes acts on the engagement fastener element to release the engagement. is there. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part in FIG.

  The fastener element 1 has a substantially U-shape as a whole in which the tape side edge mounting groove 10 for mounting the tape side edge of the fastener tape 22 is formed, and holds the core string portion 25 of the fastener tape 22. C-shaped base 2, flat plate-like first tape clamping unit 3 and second tape clamping unit 4 extending substantially in parallel from the respective tips of C-shaped base 2, and tape of second tape clamping unit 4 The engagement portion 5 is provided on the engagement surface 12 side corresponding to the back surface opposite to the sandwiching surface 11. The first tape clamping part 3 and the second tape clamping part 4 are slightly inclined with respect to the C-shaped base part 2 toward the first tape clamping part side, and rise obliquely upward. As a result, the tape side edge mounting groove 10 is also inclined in the same direction (hereinafter referred to as “upward”) as a whole.

  The fastener element 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a circular holding hole 14 for holding the core string portion 25 at a substantially central portion in the vertical direction of the C-shaped base portion 2. The tape side edge mounting groove 10 is formed upward. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the 1st tape clamping part 3 and the 2nd tape clamping part 4 which are described in the said patent document 2, for example are connected to the approximate center of the tape side edge part mounting groove | channel 10. It is also possible to form a connecting part. By providing such a connecting portion, the fastener element 1 can be firmly fixed to a predetermined portion of the fastener tape 22.

  The meshing part 5 integrated on the engagement surface 12 side of the second tape clamping part 4 includes an oval meshing head 6, a constricted neck 7, and a partial tip surface of the C-shaped base 2. And a shoulder portion 8. The engagement surfaces 12 are arranged on the left and right sides of the neck portion 7 and the shoulder portion 8, respectively, extend from the shoulder portion 8 to the meshing head 6, and project from the neck portion 7 and the shoulder portion 8 in an eave shape. . The meshing head 6 extends outward beyond the engagement surface 12 of the second tape clamping portion 4. A meshing space is formed between the meshing head 6, the neck 7, the shoulder 8 and the engagement surface 12. In this embodiment, the second tape holding portion 4, particularly the shape of the engagement surface 12 thereof, is the most characteristic.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the engagement surface 12 extends from the communicating portion with the circular holding hole 14 constituting the proximal end portion of the tape side edge mounting groove 10 to the meshing head 6. However, the shape thereof is not simply the same plane as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above, but in the intermediate portion 12c between the communication portion and the meshing head 6 from the horizontal surface 12a to the upper inclined surface 12b. It has been switched to. As shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate portion 12 c corresponds to a portion where only the distal end portion of the mating head 6 is in slight surface contact with the horizontal surface 12 a when meshing with the mating fastener element 1. . Here, the tip of the mating head 6 of the other party is brought into slight surface contact with the horizontal surface 12a when each fastener element 1 is easily moved in the vertical direction by the pushing-up force from the outside when the fastener elements are engaged with each other. This is because it is prevented from moving and is not easily cracked during normal engagement of the hidden slide fastener.

  The upper inclined surface 12b from the intermediate portion 12c to the tip of the engaging surface 12 is engaged with a strong inflation pressure when the fastener element 1 shown in FIG. 5 functions to smoothly realize the transition to the mesh release state shown in FIG. 5 when acting on the fastener element 1 in the above without causing an excessive burden between the mesh elements.

  That is, when the fastener elements 1 are normally engaged with each other, as shown in FIG. 4, the distal end portion of the mating head 6 slightly faces the horizontal surface 12 a of the second tape clamping portion 4 in the left and right fastener elements 1. They are just touching. The area of this surface contact can be changed depending on the size of the fastener element 1 and cannot be determined uniformly. However, the hidden slide fastener 21 of the present invention is not shown, for example, in a vehicle seat seat equipped with an airbag device. Even when it is applied to the seat cover, when a normal pulling force is applied to the left and right fastener tapes 22 in the direction in which they are separated from each other, or an external force such as a push-up force against the engaged fastener element 1 is applied. However, it is sufficient if the area is sufficient to hold the fastener element 1 with the horizontal surface 12a of the counterpart second tape holding portion 4 and maintain the meshing posture without breaking it.

  According to this embodiment, the tip surface 16 and the meshing head upper surface 13 are connected to the upper surface 13 (FIG. 2) of the meshing head 6 that intersects the tip surface 16 of the second tape holding part 4 at a right angle. A reinforcing portion 9 having a rectangular shape in plan view and a right triangle shape in side view is arranged. In the fastener element 1 of the present embodiment, the meshing head 6 is provided via the thin neck portion 7 as described above, and the meshing head upper surface 13 and the tip surface 16 intersect at right angles. However, since the reinforcing portion 9 is provided, the strength of the meshing portion 5 can be sufficiently secured. For example, a strong twisting force or pushing force is applied to the fastener element 1 in the meshing state. Even when added, deformation and breakage of the meshing portion 5 can be prevented. In addition, since it has a rectangular shape in plan view, the entire upper surface of the meshing head 6 can be reinforced, and even if a large inflation pressure is applied by the airbag, it can sufficiently withstand the pressure and easily breaks. There is no need to do. In addition, this reinforcement part 9 is not made into a rectangular shape by planar view like illustration, and the whole may be made into a triangular pyramid shape.

  Further, on the surface of the neck 7 and the meshing head 6 on the opposite side to the second tape clamping portion side, that is, the surface (lower surface) opposite to the surface on which the reinforcing portion 9 is formed, FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, a curved surface 6 a that curves toward the tip of the meshing head 6 is formed. Moreover, it can replace with the curved surface 6a and can also be set as the upper inclined surface which inclines upward toward the front-end | tip of a meshing head. By forming the curved surface 6 a or the upper inclined surface, the vertical thickness of the meshing head 6 is gradually reduced toward the tip of the meshing head 6. This is because when a lateral pulling force is applied to the left and right fastener tapes 22, for example, as shown in FIG. This is to facilitate rotation in the direction of the lateral pulling force of the fastener tape 22.

  Now, the hidden slide fastener 21 when the fastener element 1 is in the normal meshing state shown in FIG. 4 is operated, for example, an airbag device (not shown) is started to inflate and deploy, and its strong inflation When the pressure acts on each fastener element 1, the fastener element 1 in the meshing state instantaneously shifts to the meshing release state shown in FIG. That is, due to the inflation pressure at the start of inflation of the airbag, a strong pulling force acts in the separating direction of the left and right fastener tapes 22, so that the left and right fastener elements 1 respectively move in the pulling direction of the fastener tape 22 around the core string portion 25. It turns quickly. At this time, the tip end portion of the mating head 6 that is slightly in surface contact with the horizontal surface 12a of the second tape holding portion 4 slides on the horizontal surface 12a and instantaneously shifts to the upper inclined surface 12b following the horizontal surface 12a. Then, it is guided on the upper inclined surface 12b in a point contact state with the upper inclined surface 12b and moves without resistance.

  When the tip portion of the meshing head 6 moves to the upper inclined surface 12b in this way, the tip portion of the meshing head 6 is guided by the upper inclined surface 12b and easily slides without resistance, and each fastener element 1 has its center The core string portion 25 as a center is quickly rotated in the pulling direction of the fastener tape 22, and the engagement of each fastener element 1 is easily released. When the fastener element 1 rotates, even if the curved surface 6a provided on the lower surface of the meshing head 6 and the upper inclined surface 12b face each other, a wide gap is ensured between the curved surface 6a and the upper inclined surface 12b. During the rotation, interference between the curved surface 6a and the upper inclined surface 12b can be avoided.

  As a result, excessive force due to the inflation pressure of the airbag is not applied to the second tape holding portion 4 and the meshing portion 5 when the airbag device is operated, and the fastener element 1 is not broken. Incidentally, the lateral pulling force required for the deployment of the hidden slide fastener described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 exceeds 250 N / 2.54 cm, whereas the lateral pulling force of the present invention is 60 to 200 N / 2.54 cm. Deploy with low force.

  FIG. 12 shows a modification of the first embodiment. According to this modification, the horizontal surface 12a and the upper inclined surface 12b are not bent and continued, but the intermediate portion 12c that is a bending switching portion between the horizontal surface 12a and the upper inclined surface 12b is not used as a bent surface. The upper inclined surface 12b can be formed as a curved surface bulging downward following the horizontal surface 12a.

  FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the fastener element according to the present invention. Also in the present embodiment, the structure of the main part of the fastener element 1 is not substantially different from that of the first embodiment. The characteristic configuration in the present embodiment is that a relative dimensional relationship between the meshing head 6 and the neck 7 of the fastener element 1 is defined. Therefore, in the following description, the same names and symbols are used for the names and symbols of the portions substantially corresponding to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the engagement portion 5 of the fastener element 1 includes an engagement head 6 that is elliptical in plan view, and a distal end of the C-shaped base 2 that is narrowly tied in the center from the long diameter portion of the engagement head 6. A neck 7 extending to the shoulder 8 of the face and connected to the shoulder 8; According to the second embodiment, when the maximum width dimension in the meshing direction of the meshing head 6 (vertical direction in the figure) is W1, and the minimum width dimension in the same direction of the neck portion 7 is W2, the maximum width dimension is set. A value W2 / W1 of the ratio of the minimum width W2 to W1 is defined in a range of 0.55 to 0.75. If the ratio W2 / W1 is smaller than 0.55, the neck 7 is too tight and the lateral pulling strength between the fastener elements becomes high, and the engagement cannot be easily released even by the operation of the airbag device. In addition, an excessive load is applied to the peripheral portion of the meshing portion, and it becomes easy to break. When W2 / W1 exceeds 0.75, the neck portion 7 is too tightly bound and the pulling strength between the fastener elements becomes too weak, and even when the airbag device is in operation, the engagement between the fastener elements is easily disengaged. End up.

  In this embodiment, POM is used as the material of the fastener element 1, the ratio value W2 / W1 is set to 0.69, and the lateral pulling strength between the fastener elements is 100 N / Compared with the lateral pulling strength of a normal fastener element made of the same material having a W2 / W1 value of 0.48, which is 2.54 cm, the strength is 1/5 lower. When the lateral pulling strength in this embodiment is 100 N / 2.54 cm, the resistance of tearing and unfolding at the unfolded portion of the seat cover (not shown) can be reduced during the operation of the airbag apparatus, and the fastener element can be used in normal use. It is the intensity | strength with which a meshing is maintained.

7 and 8 show a fastener element which is a third embodiment of the present invention for a hidden slide fastener, and a state when the fastener element is rotated.
In this embodiment, the difference from the first and second embodiments is that in the first and second embodiments, the mating head of the other party that is in surface contact with the engagement surface 12 of the second tape clamping part 4 of the other party. The upper surface 13 of FIG. 6 (the upper surface of FIG. 2) is formed in a plane, and the upper surface 13 and the oval peripheral side surface are orthogonal to each other. As described above, at least the ridge line portion at the tip of the meshing head 6 is perpendicular to the meshing direction to form the chamfered portion 6b. The chamfered portion 6b may be a curved surface, but may be an inclined surface inclined toward the tip of the meshing head 6 as shown in FIG. In the above embodiment, the horizontal surface 12a is formed from the base end to the middle of the engagement surface 12 of the second tape holding portion 4 and the upper inclined surface 12b is formed from the middle to the front end. Along with the formation of the catch portion 6b, the engagement surface 12 is formed on the same horizontal surface 12a from the proximal end to the distal end.

  By adopting the above-described configuration in this embodiment, during normal engagement of the fastener elements 1, as shown in FIG. 7, the horizontal surface 12 a of the second tape clamping portion 4 in the left and right fastener elements 1 and the mating head of the other party The surface of the part 6 except the chamfered part 6b is in surface contact with the surface near the half part. The area of this surface contact varies depending on the size of the fastener element 1 and the required engagement strength, and cannot be determined uniformly. However, the hidden slide fastener 21 of the present invention is for a vehicle equipped with an airbag device, for example. Even when applied to a seat cover (not shown) of the seat, an external force such as a normal pulling force in the direction in which the left and right fastener tapes 22 are separated from each other and a push-up force with respect to the engaged fastener element 1 is applied. However, the area may be sufficient to hold the fastener element 1 with the horizontal surface 12a of the second tape holding portion 4 of the other party and maintain the meshing posture without breaking it.

  Now, the hidden slide fastener 21 when the fastener element 1 is in the normal meshing state shown in FIG. 7, for example, an airbag device (not shown) is activated, and the airbag starts inflating and deploying. When pressure is applied to each fastener element 1, even in this embodiment, the fastener element 1 in the meshing state immediately shifts to the meshing release state shown in FIG. 8 as in the first and second embodiments. . That is, due to the inflation pressure at the start of inflation of the airbag, a strong pulling force acts in the direction in which the left and right fastener tapes 22 are separated, and the left and right fastener elements 1 rotate in the direction in which the fastener tape 22 is pulled. At this time, the chamfered portion 6b at the tip of the mating head 6 that has been in surface contact with the horizontal surface 12a of the second tape clamping portion 4 rotates on the mating engagement surface 12 without any trouble, and FIG. As shown, the fastener element 1 smoothly rotates in the pulling direction of the fastener tape 22 around the central portion of the C-shaped base 2 to release the meshing of the meshing fastener element 1.

  In the above description, the first to third embodiments are individually described. However, in the present invention, these embodiments can be appropriately combined. For example, the first embodiment can be combined with the second embodiment, or the upper inclined surface 12b in the first embodiment can be formed, and the chamfered portion 6b can be formed at the top end of the upper surface of the meshing head. . Furthermore, although not shown in the drawings, it is possible to use an upper inclined surface instead of the chamfered portion 6b. In this case, in order to ensure a required contact area between the upper surface 13 of the mating head 6 that is in surface contact with the horizontal surface 12a, the intermediate portion of the engagement surface 12 that is the starting point of the upper inclined surface 12b is used as the second tape. It is good to slightly displace to the front end side of the clamping part 4. For example, all the characteristic configurations of the first to third embodiments may be combined.

  The fastener elements 1 of the present invention having such a configuration are arranged at predetermined intervals on the element attachment edges of the pair of fastener tapes 22 to form the fastener stringer 23 shown in FIG. The hidden slide fastener 21 as shown in FIG. 9 is obtained by inserting the slider 24 through the element row of the fastener element 1 with the edge side folded back in a substantially U shape as shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 10 is a plan view of the hidden slide fastener 21 according to the present embodiment as viewed from the tape front side, and FIG. 9 is a rear view of the hidden slide fastener 21 as viewed from the tape rear surface side.

  The fastener element 1 can be attached to the fastener tape 22 by means conventionally used. For example, a synthetic resin is injection-molded on the element attachment edge of the fastener tape 22 to obtain a predetermined shape. The fastener element 1 made of synthetic resin having the above can be attached to the fastener tape 22. In this case, for example, polyacetal, polybutylene terephthalate, nylon or the like can be used as the synthetic resin that is the material of the fastener element 1. In addition, the metal fastener element 1 can be attached to the fastener tape 22 by performing die casting of copper alloy, nickel alloy, aluminum or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the hidden slide fastener 21 obtained using such a fastener element 1 holds the core string portion 25 of the fastener tape 22 in the circular holding hole 14 of the fastener element 1, and the fastener The element attachment edge portion of the fastener tape 22 is clamped by the first tape clamping portion 3 and the second tape clamping portion 4 of the element 1.

  Further, the fastener tape 22 is folded back in a substantially U shape at the tip of the first tape sandwiching portion 3, and the slider 24 is slid to engage the fastener elements 1 attached to the left and right fastener tapes 22 with each other. As shown in FIG. 4, the folded end surfaces 26 of the fastener tape 22 folded in a substantially U shape are brought into close contact with each other. Thereby, the hidden slide fastener 21 can make the engaged fastener element 1 invisible from the surface side of the fastener tape 22.

  The hidden slide fastener 21 is a first outer peripheral surface which is a rear end curved surface of the C-shaped base 2 of the fastener element 1 on the first tape clamping portion 3 side and a rear end curved surface of the second tape clamping portion 4 side. Since the 18 and the second outer peripheral surface 19 are respectively cylindrical surfaces, when the slider 24 is slid, interference between the fastener element 1 and the slider 24 can be suppressed and good sliding characteristics can be obtained. Furthermore, the following effects can also be obtained.

  For example, when the slider 24 is slid and the left and right fastener elements 1 are engaged with each other, if a tensile stress is applied to the left and right fastener tapes 22 toward the outside, as shown by phantom lines in FIG. The fastener element 1 may enter in an inclined posture with respect to the fastener element passage 27 of the slider 24. In this case, when the fastener element 1 passes through the fastener element passage 27 of the slider 24, the second outer peripheral surface 19 of the fastener element 1 contacts the lower plate 29 of the slider 24, and the first outer peripheral surface 18 is opposite to the slider 24. It slides toward the rear opening side of the slider 24 in contact with the L-shaped flange 30. At that time, depending on the shape of the fastener element passage 27 of the slider 24, the second outer peripheral surface 19 is brought into contact with the lower plate 29 of the slider 24, and the first outer peripheral surface 18 is brought into contact with the flange 30 of the slider 24. The fastener element 1 can be rotated in the fastener element passage 27 so that the posture of the fastener element 1 can be tilted to a posture suitable for meshing as shown by the solid line in FIG.

  That is, according to the hidden slide fastener 21 of the present embodiment, even if the fastener element 1 enters the fastener element passage 27 of the slider 24 in an inappropriate posture for tilting engagement, the fastener element passage By tilting the posture of the fastener element 1 within 27, the right and left fastener elements 1 can be surely engaged with each other, and an advantage that a stable engagement state can be secured can be obtained.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the second outer peripheral surface 19 of the fastener element 1 has a larger radius of curvature than the first outer peripheral surface 18 as described above. That is, when the fastener element 1 is rotated in the slider 24 as described above and tilted to an appropriate posture for meshing, the second outer peripheral surface 19 is in contact with the slider rather than the first outer peripheral surface 18. Becomes wider. Therefore, since the second outer peripheral surface 19 has a larger radius of curvature than the first outer peripheral surface 18, the fastener element 1 can be smoothly rotated in the fastener element passage 27, and the fastener element 1 can be efficiently used. And can be tilted stably.

Claims (6)

A C-shaped base portion (2) for holding the core string portion (25), and a C-shaped base portion (2) extending in substantially the same direction from each tip of the C-shaped base portion (2), and fastener tape (22) Flat plate-like first and second tape clamping portions (3, 4) having first and second tape clamping surfaces for clamping the side edges of the tape, the tip of the C-shaped base (2), and the second tape And a meshing portion (5) integrally formed on the back surface of the clamping portion (4) opposite to the second tape clamping surface. The meshing portion (5) is provided with the second tape clamping portion ( 4) a neck portion (7) integrated with the back surface, and a meshing head portion (6) extending from the neck portion (7) beyond the front end surface (16) of the second tape clamping portion (4), A fastener element (1) for a hidden slide fastener having a shoulder portion (8) comprising a tip surface of the C-shaped base portion (2),
The back surface engaging surface (12) of the second tape clamping part (4) and the mating head (6) of the other side rotate relatively around the center of the C-shaped base part (2). It is formed in an easy shape,
The relatively pivotable shape is such that the engagement surface (12) excluding the neck (7) on the back side opposite to the second tape clamping surface of the second tape clamping portion (4) is the same. From the base end of the engagement surface (12) on the C-shaped base (2) side to the intermediate part (12c) is a horizontal plane (12a) parallel to the lower surface of the second tape clamping part (4), and the intermediate part ( 12c) A fastener element for a hidden slide fastener, wherein the fastener element is a bent surface that is bent upward from the starting point to 12c).   The value W2 / W1 of the ratio of the maximum width dimension W1 in the meshing direction of the meshing head (6) to the minimum width dimension W2 in the meshing direction of the neck (7) is 0.55 to 0.75. Fastener element.   2. The fastener element according to claim 1, wherein the starting point of the bent surface is in the vicinity of the tip of the meshing head (6) of the counterpart fastener element (1) when meshed with the counterpart fastener element (1).   The fastener element according to claim 3, wherein the bent surface is an upper inclined surface (12b) inclined upward following the horizontal plane (12a).   The fastener element according to claim 3, wherein the bent surface is a curved surface that bulges downward and curves. A plurality of the fastener elements (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 are arranged at predetermined intervals along an element mounting edge of the pair of fastener tapes (22), and the fastener tape (22) A hidden slide fastener characterized in that a slider (24) is inserted into the fastener element (1) in a state in which an element mounting edge is folded back in a substantially U shape.

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