CN109770484B

CN109770484B - Stopper for slide fastener and method of manufacturing slide fastener

Info

Publication number: CN109770484B
Application number: CN201811357694.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: P·布鲁尼; M·迪吉罗拉米; 岩濑裕一; 马修·佩蒂特
Original assignee: YKK Corp
Current assignee: YKK Corp
Priority date: 2017-11-15
Filing date: 2018-11-15
Publication date: 2021-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-15
Also published as: FR3073372A1; FR3073372B1; CN109770484A

Abstract

The invention relates to an end stop (20) for a slide fastener, comprising an upper plate (21) having an upper surface (22) and a lower surface (23), a post (24) extending downwardly from the lower surface (23) of the upper plate, and two diverging leg portions (26, 27) extending and protruding in opposite diverging directions from the distal end of the post. A respective space (28, 29) is defined between each leg portion (26, 27) and the lower surface (23) of the upper plate for receiving a respective portion of a strap attached to a fastener strip. The upper plate (21) comprises at least one through opening or gap (33, 34) extending from the upper surface (22) to the lower surface (23) of the upper plate (21) and being surrounded by the upper plate in at least two directions in the plane in which the upper plate extends.

Description

Stopper for slide fastener and method of manufacturing slide fastener

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a stopper for a slide fastener, and in particular to a stopper for a bottom end portion of a slide fastener. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a slide fastener with a bottom end stop.

Background

The zip fastener comprises a pair of flat-lying tapes, each tape having an inwardly facing edge, wherein the elements (or teeth) are attached to the edges in such a way as to ensure that the elements are forced into mutual engagement when the edges are drawn towards each other by the action of a slider on the respective element. A tape with elements attached in this manner is called a stringer. When two chain belts are combined together, they are called a chain belt (chain). When a strip of zipper tape is taken and the slider, top stop and bottom stop are attached to the tape, a zipper is formed.

Stoppers are fitted at one or both ends of the fastener stringer for stopping the sliding of the slider, thereby preventing the slider from falling off the fastener stringer at the top (by the top stopper) or the bottom (by the bottom stopper) of the stringer. The bottom stop is located on the bottom end side of the zipper stringer and is attached adjacent to the lowermost zipper element.

The present disclosure relates to a zipper stop including an upper plate having an upper surface and a lower surface and a post extending downwardly from the lower surface of the upper plate. The post has a distal end that is bifurcated into two malleable leg portions that extend outwardly in opposite directions. A space is provided between each leg portion and the lower surface of the upper plate. Each of the two spaces receives a respective portion of the fastener strip and a respective portion of a rib (cord) formed along an inner edge of the respective strip. When the leg portions are bent or curled in an upward direction toward the lower surface of the upper plate, each leg portion grasps a corresponding one of the two bands with the inner portion of the corresponding band. This type of stop is specially designed for "closed end" zippers, i.e. zippers with ends that do not open. This type of stop is also known in the art as a "K-shaped" bottom stop. Zipper stops of this type are known from WO2013/014108a 1.

Since only the legs of the stop need to be bent, the K-stop can have a higher finishing quality on the upper surface of the plate when the bottom stop is attached. In fact, the balance of the pressures applied to the legs and the panel surface can be adjusted and there is no need for the panel to bend in any way.

For some K-shaped stoppers, the upper outer surface of the stopper is stamped or inscribed with indicia. Furthermore, an indication can be placed on the stop enabling the machine or operator to identify the front or rear part of the bottom stop (in the direction of the plane of travel of the slider) to ensure that the sign is attached in the correct manner.

CN205214413U discloses an H-shaped bottom end stop for a slide fastener, comprising an upper plate and a lower plate connected by a post. Each plate has an upper surface and a lower surface, and two linear grooves extending in the transverse direction are formed through the upper plate and the lower plate from the upper surface to the lower surface. The upper and lower plates have an initial undeformed state in which the upper surface of the upper plate and the lower surface of the lower plate are slightly concave. The upper plate and the lower plate are both curled over the ribs and the bands of the two link belts, and brought into a fixed deformed state in which the upper surface of the upper plate and the lower surface of the lower plate are flat and parallel to each other.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a zipper stop whose upper panel is shaped as a logo, or has other special aesthetic appearances. Another object of the present invention is to attach the bottom end stop more firmly to the fastener stringer of the slide fastener while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the stop.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stopper for a slide fastener, comprising:

an upper plate having an upper surface and a lower surface;

a post extending downwardly from a lower surface of the upper plate, the post having a distal end; and

two leg portions diverging from the distal end of the post, the leg portions extending and protruding in opposite directions to each other,

wherein a respective space is defined between each leg portion and the lower surface of the upper plate for receiving at least a respective portion of a ribbon attached to the inner portion of the fastener tape, and

the upper plate comprises at least one opening extending from an upper surface to a lower surface of the upper plate and being surrounded by the upper plate in at least two directions in a plane in which the upper plate extends.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slide fastener including:

two fastener stringer, it includes: a left zipper strip and a right zipper strip, each zipper strip comprising a rib disposed along a respective one of two opposing edges of the zipper strip; and two rows of left and right fastener elements arranged along a respective one of two opposing edges of the fastener strips; and

a slider for engaging and disengaging the two rows of left and right fastener elements with each other, wherein

The zipper further comprises a stop which is crimped on the left and right zipper tapes at one end of the two rows of zipper elements, so that at least a portion of at least one of the two tapes and the tape rib is partially introduced into the at least one opening and remains at least partially surrounded by corners of the opening and gripped in the opening due to the action of the leg portions which can be bent upwards towards the opening.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a fastener tape.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a partial plan view of a slide fastener provided with a stopper according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the stopper shown in fig. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a top view of the stopper of fig. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the stop of FIG. 3 after being crimped onto a zipper strip.

Fig. 6 is a top view of a stopper according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a side view of a stopper according to a modified embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a top view of a stopper according to a modified embodiment.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a schematic top view of a slide fastener 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The slide fastener 1 includes: fastener stringers 2, 3; left and

right fastener tapes

4, 5 having a plurality of fastener elements 6, 7 arranged in two rows along opposite edges of the

fastener tapes

4, 5, respectively; and a slider 10 for engaging and disengaging the left and right fastener elements 6, 7 with and from each other. The

ribs

8, 9 formed at the opposite edges of the

fastener tapes

4, 5 are shown in fig. 2.

In the following description, the terms "longitudinal direction" or "lengthwise direction" or "up-down direction" refer to the direction of movement of the slider along the slide fastener. Specifically, the direction in which the slider 10 is relatively moved with respect to the respective rows of fastener elements 6, 7 so as to be engaged with the respective rows of fastener elements is defined as "upward", and the direction in which the slider is moved to separate the respective rows of fastener elements 3 is defined as "downward". In addition, a direction crossing the front and rear surfaces of the fastener tape and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is defined as a "transverse" direction or a "width" direction.

The zipper includes an end stop 20. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the end stop 20 is a bottom end stop, fixed by crimping onto the left and

right fastener tapes

4, 5 at the lower end of each row of fastener elements 6, 7. Bottom stop 20 prevents slider 10 from sliding down the zipper element. End stop 20 may function as a top stop. Preferably, the end stop 20 is made of metal or alloy.

The end stop 20 includes an upper plate 21 having an upper surface 22 and a lower surface 23 and a post 24 extending downwardly from the lower surface 23 of the upper plate 21.

Preferably, the post 24 extends from a laterally intermediate position of the lower surface 23.

The posts 24 may extend from the upper plate 21 to the opposite underside or rear side of the stop.

In this specification, reference is made to a stopper having an upper plate. The term "upper" as used herein should be interpreted to mean that the upper panel will face outwardly when used on a garment, for example. The invention can be applied not only to clothing but also to other fields, such as handbags, suitcases and other luggage.

The post 24 may extend along the entire upper and lower length of the stopper.

The post 24 has a distal end 25 that is bifurcated into two

malleable leg portions

26, 27 that project outwardly therefrom in mutually opposite directions. A

space

28, 29 is provided between each

leg portion

26, 27 and the lower surface 23 of the upper plate 21. Each

space

28, 29 receives a respective portion of a

fastener strip

4, 5 and a respective portion of a

rib

8, 9 formed along the respective strip. When the

leg portions

26, 27 are bent or curled upwardly towards the lower surface 23 of the upper plate, each leg portion grips a respective one of the two

straps

8, 9 with the inner portion of the respective strap.

The upper plate provides at least one through opening or

gap

33, 34 extending from the upper surface 22 to the lower surface 23 of the upper plate 21. The embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 5 provides two through

openings

33, 34 on either side with respect to the column 24.

Each or at least one of the through openings or

gaps

33, 34 is surrounded by the upper plate in at least two directions in the plane in which the plates extend. This arrangement of at least one of the openings or

gaps

33, 34 prevents relative movement of the stop with respect to the dental chain band at least in the lengthwise and transverse directions.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 3, each opening or

gap

33, 34 completely surrounds the portion of the belt comprising the ribs. Each opening or

gap

33, 34 provides a respective inner wall 30 that extends through upper plate 21 from upper surface 22 to lower surface 23.

Each opening or

gap

33, 34 may have the shape of a closed loop when viewed from the outside. Alternatively, the opening or gap may have the shape of an opening wire.

Preferably, relatively sharp edges or corners 31 are formed along the junctions between the lower surface 23 and the inner walls 30 of the gaps or

openings

33, 34.

Each edge or corner 31 extends along a non-perfectly straight path. Thus, the edge or corner 31 at least partially surrounds the portion of the respective one of the two bands that includes the respective rib.

Thus, the edge or corner 31 intersects at least two or preferably several different and non-parallel directions in a plane substantially parallel to the plane in which the upper surface extends.

In certain embodiments, the edges or corners 31 may be formed in a rounded shape having a radius that facilitates manufacturing.

As another example, in the embodiment shown in fig. 6 and 7, the gap or opening 33 is similarly formed with angled corners 31 in all directions except for the direction extending at an angle along the width of the belt, while the gap or opening 34 is completely surrounded by angled corners 31. Thus, the expression "surrounded by the upper plate in at least two directions in the plane in which the upper plate extends" or "partially surrounded" should be interpreted broadly, including embodiments in which the gaps or

openings

33, 34 and the corners 31 describe an arc or open loop in which portions of the band and/or ribs may be completely or partially enclosed. Each of the two

leg portions

26, 27 comprises an upwardly oriented

convex portion

36, 37 projecting towards the upper plate 21, such that at least a portion of the band and/or ribbing moves partially into one or more openings or

gaps

33, 34 and remains gripped in the opening or gap at least partially surrounded by the edges of the at least one or more openings or

gaps

33, 34 and due to the interaction of the upwardly

bent leg portions

26, 27.

Fig. 3 shows the stop 20 in an undeformed initial state prior to application to the fastener strips. In the undeformed initial state, the

leg portions

26, 27 diverge downwardly and outwardly from each other in opposite directions to form an obtuse angle therebetween below the post.

In the undeformed state, the upper plate 21 has a given shape, in this example the upper surface 22 is flat and not modified.

In order to fix the stopper 20 to the fastener stringers 2, 3, the stopper 20 is initially in an undeformed state. The end portions of the

fastener tapes

4, 5 and the corresponding portions of the

ribs

8, 9 are introduced into

spaces

28, 29 provided between each

leg portion

26, 27 and the lower surface 23 of the upper plate 21. The following crimping step plastically deforms the

leg portions

26, 27 so that they bend towards the upper plate. This step curls the ribbon and the band between the leg portion and the lower surface of the upper plate. The upward pressure applied to the leg portion causes the strap and/or strap to be captured within the openings or

gaps

33, 34 so that the leg portion can be more securely retained on the strap or strap. More specifically, due to the pressure of the

leg portions

26, 27, those portions of the fastener strips 4, 5 which are at least partially surrounded by the gaps or

openings

33, 34 are pressed upwardly. The upward pressure causes the encircled portions of

fastener strips

4, 5 to contact angled edges or corners 31, thereby increasing the grip of the end stop on the strip. Thus, the shape of the upper plate helps to hold the strap and the belt more firmly, thereby improving the clamping action of the stopper.

In the deformed or final state of the crimped stopper 20, the upper surface 22 of the upper plate 21 maintains its original undeformed shape. As a result, the crimping process does not detract from the appearance of the upper surface 22, which is the most visible surface of the stopper in use. Preferably, the upper plate 21 has a predetermined thickness, which ensures that it does not deform during the crimping process or normal use. Preferably, the upper plate 21 has a predetermined thickness and rigidity that is greater than the thickness and rigidity of the

leg portions

26, 27 at their thinnest portions. This arrangement helps prevent the appearance of the upper surface 22 from being damaged.

In the deformed or final state after crimping, the lower leg portion may lie in a lower plane parallel to the upper plate.

The upper plate 21 may have virtually any shape and contour, for example, the shape is a letter, number, mark, logo, design or decoration.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1-5, the upper surface 22 is shaped as an "S" with C-shaped portions on both sides of the transverse medial post 24.

As shown, for example, in fig. 1-5, embodiments may provide one or more peripheral discontinuities 35 along the contour of one or more of the

openings

33, 34. To further improve the clamping action of the stop, the profile of the openings or

gaps

33, 34 may be extended to form a closed or open loop with an angular extension of more than 180 degrees in the plane of the upper plate.

The upper surface 22 of the upper plate may have an uneven shape. Alternative embodiments may provide the upper plate with a concave, convex, or differently shaped upper surface that is not flat. Since the upper surface 22 is not deformed during the curling of the stopper 20 on the fastener tape, the appearance of the upper surface is not adversely affected by the deformation of the

leg portions

26, 27.

The openings or

gaps

33, 34 generally provide for a reduction in the size of the upper plate 21. On the other hand, this reduction in size does not reduce the ability of the bottom stop to grip the ribbing and band of the link belt. The belt and portions of the strap are raised by the raising of the

leg portions

26, 27. As a result, the portions of the band and ribs move at least partially into the openings or

gaps

33, 34 and remain at least partially surrounded by and gripped in the edges 31 of the openings or

gaps

33, 34. Thus, the opening or gap that interacts with the leg portion provides a more effective overall grip of the stop on the fastener chain.

Gaps or openings similar to those in the upper plate 21 may be formed and incorporated into the

leg portions

26, 27. If it is desired to incorporate gaps or openings into the

leg portions

26, 27 of the end stops for aesthetic, economic or other reasons, then preferably the gaps in the upper plate and in the leg portions will be shaped to ensure effective clamping of the strap or band. In all cases, the gap in the leg portion may completely or only partially surround the area of the strap.

In order to improve the gripping action and to prevent any relative movement of the stop piece with respect to the stringer, preferably the stop piece provides at least two or more of said openings or

gaps

33, 34. Still preferably, an opening or gap may be located on each side of the post 24 to grip a respective one of the two

straps

8, 9 with the inner portion of the respective strap. Optionally, to further improve the clamping action, the two or more gaps or openings may be asymmetric in one or more planes.

The different positions of the openings or

gaps

33, 34 prevent relative movement in the longitudinal and transverse directions and relative rotation of the stop with respect to the stringer.

In addition, in those embodiments where the opening or gap is only partially surrounded by the inner wall 30 and the inner wall 30 extends in a direction in the plane of the upper plate 22 that is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the direction of movement of the slider, the additional resistance created in the strap and/or the ribbing increases the effectiveness of the clamping. When the opening or gap is tangent to the centre of rotation of the upper plate of the bottom stop, the effect of the clamping is higher than when the opening or gap is on a line passing through the centre of rotation. This arrangement provides a tangential force that resists release of the stop from the zipper. In other words, when the encircled portion of the band and/or rib is encircled in a direction that is non-parallel to the length or width of the fastener strips, then the ability of the end stop to resist releasing the encircled portion of the band and/or rib increases.

As shown in the modified embodiment in fig. 8 and 9, the

protrusions

41, 42 may be provided on the

leg portions

26, 27. The

projections

41, 42 project from the upper surfaces of the

leg portions

26, 27. The upper surfaces of the

leg portions

26, 27 are surfaces at the side facing the lower surface 23 of the upper plate 21. The

projections

41, 42 are provided at positions located at substantially the centers of the

openings

33, 34 as viewed in a direction perpendicular to a plane in which the upper surface 22 extends (in plan view). The

projections

41, 42 bite into the

ribs

8, 9 in the deformed state to enhance the grip effect.

It will be appreciated that the stopper may be designed with a wide variety of potential shapes and logos, particularly those that allow the closed or partially enclosed area of the band and/or ribbing to be visible through the stopper.

Various aspects and embodiments of the stopper and methods of manufacturing the zipper have been described. It should be understood that each aspect and embodiment may be combined with any other aspect or embodiment. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but may be varied within the scope of the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A stopper (20) for a slide fastener, said stopper comprising:

an upper plate (21) having an upper surface (22) and a lower surface (23), the upper plate (21) facing outwardly when the stopper (20) is attached to a zipper tape;

a post (24) extending downwardly from a lower surface (23) of the upper plate (21), the post having a distal end (25); and

two leg portions (26, 27) diverging from a distal end (25) of the post (24), the leg portions extending and protruding in mutually opposite directions,

wherein a respective space (28, 29) is defined between each leg portion (26, 27) and the lower surface (23) of the upper plate (21) for receiving at least a respective portion of a rib attached to an inner portion of a fastener tape,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the upper plate (21) comprising at least one opening (33, 34), the at least one opening (33, 34) extending from an upper surface (22) to a lower surface (23) of the upper plate (21) and being surrounded by the upper plate (21) in at least two directions in a plane in which the upper plate (21) extends,

the opening (33, 34) includes an inner wall (30) extending from the upper surface (22) to the lower surface (23) through the upper plate (21), and a corner portion (31) is formed along a connection between the lower surface (23) and the inner wall (30),

bending the leg portion (26, 27) towards the upper plate (21) so as to introduce at least a portion of at least one of a zipper strip and a strap partially into the at least one opening (33, 34) and to remain at least partially surrounded by and gripped in a corner (31) of the opening (33, 34).

2. The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that,

the two leg portions (26, 27) form an obtuse angle with each other when the stopper (20) is in an undeformed initial state.

3. The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that,

the post (24) extends from a laterally intermediate position of the lower surface (23), and the at least one opening (33, 34) is disposed on one side with respect to the post (24).

4. The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that,

at least a portion of a corner (31) of the opening (33, 34) extends along a linear path.

5. The stopper according to claim 4,

the corners (31) of the openings (33, 34) extend along a closed loop.

6. The stopper according to claim 4,

the corners (31) of the openings (33, 34) extend along the opening line.

7. The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that,

the corners (31) extend in at least two different and non-parallel directions in a plane parallel to a plane in which the upper surface (22) extends.

8. The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that,

the thickness and rigidity of the upper plate (21) are greater than those of the leg portions (26, 27).

9. The stopper according to claim 1, characterized in that,

protrusions (41, 42) are provided on the upper surfaces of the leg portions (26, 27), respectively.

10. The stopper according to claim 9, characterized in that,

each protrusion (41, 42) is provided at the center of the opening (33, 34) as viewed from a direction perpendicular to a plane in which an upper surface (22) of the upper plate (21) extends.

11. A slide fastener (1) comprising:

two fastener stringer (2, 3), the two fastener stringer including: left and right zipper strips (4, 5), each of which comprises a rib (8, 9) arranged along a respective one of two opposite edges of the zipper strips (4, 5); and two rows of left and right zipper elements (6, 7) arranged along respective ones of two opposite edges of the zipper strips; and

a slider (10) for engaging and disengaging the two rows of left and right zipper elements (6, 7) from each other,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the zipper further comprising a stopper (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 crimped on the left and right zipper tapes (4, 5) at one end of the two rows of zipper elements (6, 7) such that at least a portion of at least one of the two tapes and the ribbon is partially introduced into the at least one opening (33, 34) and remains at least partially surrounded by a corner (31) of the opening (33, 34) and gripped therein due to the action of a leg portion (26, 27) that can bend upwards towards the opening.

12. The zipper of claim 11,

each of the two leg portions (26, 27) comprises an upwardly oriented convex portion (36, 37) protruding towards the upper plate, such that at least a portion of the band and/or ribbing moves partially into one or more openings or gaps (33, 34) and remains at least partially surrounded by edges of the at least one or more openings or gaps (33, 34) and gripped therein due to the interaction of the upwardly bent leg portions (26, 27).

13. A method of manufacturing a slide fastener (1), characterized by comprising:

providing two fastener stringer tapes (2, 3) comprising left and right fastener tapes (4, 5), each tape comprising a strip rib (8, 9) arranged on and along opposite edges of the tape (4, 5);

providing sliders (10) mounted to respective elements of the two fastener stringers (2, 3) for engaging and disengaging the two rows of left and right fastener elements (6, 7) with and from each other,

providing a stopper (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, in an undeformed state;

introducing the left and right fastener tapes (4, 5) and at least a portion of the strip (8, 9) into a respective one of the spaces (28, 29);

crimping stops on the left and right fastener tapes (4, 5) at one end of the two rows of fastener elements (6, 7) by bending the leg portions (26, 27) towards the upper plate (21), after which at least a portion of at least one of the two tapes and the ribs is partially introduced into the at least one opening (33, 34) and remains at least partially surrounded by and gripped in a corner portion (31) of the at least one opening (33, 34) without deforming the upper surface (22) of the upper plate (21).

14. The manufacturing method according to claim 13, wherein

After crimping, the upper surface (22) retains an undeformed shape.

15. The method of manufacturing of claim 14, wherein

After crimping, the undeformed shape of the upper surface (22) includes one of a flat shape, a concave shape, a convex shape, a slanted shape, and any multiple combination thereof.