Slider for Concealed Slide Fastener

- YKK Corporation

Provided is a slider for a concealed slide fastener that can be made compact and smoothly slide even if large transverse pulling force is applied when a slide fastener is closed. A fastener element standing-up is inclined in a horizontal state, by bringing an element rear end section of the fastener element in sliding contact with a pair of second element guide sections extending toward a rear opening from a front end edge of a lower blade. The fastener element is also in sliding contact with a first element guide section disposed on the outer periphery of a guide column, such that the fastener element becomes in a more horizontal state.

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Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a slider for concealed slide fastener that does not expose the main body of a slider that is an opening/closing member to the outside, when closing a slide fastener. Further, the invention relates to a slider for a concealed slide fastener that allows smooth operation of a slider, even if large transverse pulling force is applied to the slider when closing the concealed slide fastener.

BACKGROUND ART

These types of concealed slide fasteners have been used for women's clothes, but recently, the fasteners have been used in fields other than for clothes. For example, the fasteners are used for seat sheets in vehicles or trains.

The seat sheets cover a cushion body integrally formed with a frame in advance. The dimensions of the seat cover are configured to be smaller than the outer size of the cushion body, and the seat sheets are configured to cover the cushion body with compressed state and maximally prevent such as loosening or deforming that is generated in the external shape.

Further, the cushion body elastically deforms when a passenger sits thereon to equivalently distribute and receive the load from the passenger and the seat cover is also configured to elastically deform, corresponding to the elastic deformation of the cushion body. In addition, the cushion body returns to the original shape when the passenger gets up from the seat and the cover is also configured to correspondingly surely return to the original shape. As the seat cover is configured to follow the deformation of the cushion body, the shape of the seat sheets is prevented from being deformed.

The seat cover is generally configured by natural leather, synthetic leather, or a stacked and integrated seat. The stacked and integrated seat is formed in a stacked and integrated configuration by laminating a surface layer, a thin elastic intermediate layer, and a rear bubble layer. such as fabric having various structures is used for the surface layer and such as a polyurethane-foamed sheet is used for the thin elastic intermediate layer. Further, such as thin fabric made by knitting or crocheting very thin lines of threads are used for the rear bubble layer.

In general, a plurality of pieces of sheets cut to fit the shape are combined and sewn in a three-dimensional shape to fabricate the seat cover for seat sheets from the sheets. However, when the entire seat cover is sewn, the seat cover cannot cover the cushion body of a seat having a complicated external shape in many cases. Therefore, in the related art, a non-sewn section is formed in advance in a seat cover, the seat cover covers the cushion body, and then the non-sewn section is sewn by hand.

When the final finish work is performed by hand-sewing, a difference in the quality of the complete product or the sewing time taken to finish a complete product is easily generated in accordance with the difference in skills of the workers. Therefore, recently, in order to remove the finish work by hand-sewing, a slide fastener is increasingly used along the seams, for example, at a section of the sewn section of a seat cover.

Further, as the slide fastener that is used for a seat sheet, a concealed slide fastener of which the slider body is not exposed to the outside is increasingly used to improve the design of the external appearance. As the slide fastener is used, it is possible to perform all of the sewing by a sewing machine to significantly reduce conventional problems caused by the difference in skills, such that productivity is considerably improved.

When the concealed slide fastener is used for a seat sheet of a vehicle and the like, as described above, since the seat cover is configured to be smaller than the outer size of the cushion body, large transverse pulling force is applied to the fastener stringer around the slider. As a result, when a fastener stringer in which the side corresponding to the fastener tape is bent and fixed in a U-shape and a fastener element is attached along the edge of the bent end of the sides is used, and when large transverse pulling force is applied to the fastener stringer, the fastener element is stood up by the large transverse pulling force. That is, the fastener element is stood up vertically to the tape surface of the fastener tape, with the coupling head up.

Further, while each fastener element that is introduced into a shoulder opening of the slider while receiving large transverse pulling force around the shoulder opening is stood up substantially vertical to the tape surface of the fastener tape, the fastener element is introduced into the slider from the shoulder opening.

In each fastener element, when an element rear end section positioned opposite to a coupling head is placed on the top of a lower blade of the slider, the element rear end section may be inclined at an angle in a direction to be in a substantially horizontal state. However, the angle is small, such that the fastener element is introduced into the slider from the shoulder opening while being stood up. As a result, the fastener element is sandwiched by tape guides that guide the fastener tape and the slider cannot slide.

When the slider is forcibly slid in this state, the fastener element where transverse pulling force is exerted is damaged. Further, in a worst case scenario, the bending edge of the fastener tape may be cut. In addition, when the fastener element is not completely in the horizontal state and introduced into the slider, the opposite fastener elements are not accurately engaged when the slide fastener is closed, and a so-called a puncture state is generated.

As a slider that can be used for the concealed slide fastener where the large transverse pulling force is applied, the applicant has already proposed sliders for a concealed slide fastener (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). The concealed slide fastener includes a pair of fastener stringers in which the side corresponding to the fastener tape is bent and fixed in a U-shape and a fastener element is attached along the bent edge of the side.

The slider for a concealed slide fastener described in Patent Document 1 is exemplified as a first related art of the invention and FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the slider. As shown in FIG. 9, a pair of left and right first flanges 43 and 44 having an inverse L-shaped cross-section along the edges is disposed at the left and right edges of a lower blade 42 of a slider 41. A guide column 45 having a substantially elliptical horizontal cross-section is disposed at the center section of the front edge of the lower blade 42.

A rectangular area 46a and a wedge-shaped area 46b which are integrally formed on the top of the guide column 45 are provided in a wedge-shaped space defined between the upper plates 43a and 44a of the pair of first flanges 43 and 44, and a second flange 46 protruding outward along the outer periphery of the guide column 45 is disposed. Further, the lower surface height from the lower blade 42 at the shoulder opening-sided end of the second flange 46 is made larger than the lower surface height from the lower blade 42 at another area, and a tapered surface 46c having a tapered angle gradually increasing toward the rear opening is formed on the outer surface of the second flange 46.

In the invention of Patent Document 1, as the height to the lower blade 42, the height at the upper ridge of the tapered surface 46c at the shoulder opening of the second flange 46 is made larger than the height at the upper ridge of the tapered surface 46c at the rear opening. By this configuration, even if the fastener element is introduced into the slider 41 from the shoulder opening in the state of being inclined slightly to the horizontal direction from the standing-up state, the fastener element is guided to the tapered surface 46c of the second flange 46 and introduced to an element guide passage 49, without interfering with the second flange 46.

While the fastener element is introduced into the element guide passage 49, the element connecting section is gradually inclined to pass through the lower surface of the second flange 46, due to the combined influence of guiding by the tapered surface 46c of the second flange 46 and the force that inclines the fastener element due to the tensile force of the previous element and the fastener tape. Further, the fastener element that has been introduced in the element guide passage 49 is fixed in the inclined posture by the upper plates 43a and 44a of the pair of first flanges 43 and 44 and the second flange 46 and smoothly moves in the element guide passage 49 of the slider 41.

Further, the fastener element is not sandwiched between the upper plates 43a and 44a of the lower blade 42 and the second flange 46, and damage to the fastener element and cutting of the fastener tape can be prevented. In addition, the slider 41 can smoothly slide and the slider 1 for a concealed slide fastener can be closed without a problem.

The slider for a concealed slide fastener described in Patent Document 2 is exemplified as a second related art of the invention and FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the slider. As shown in FIG. 10, a pair of flanges 53 and 54 having an inverse L-shaped cross-section is disposed along the left and right sides perpendicular to the sliding direction of a slider 51, from a lower blade 52.

A guide column 55 is disposed toward between a pair of upper plates 53a and 54a, at the center section of the front edge of the lower blade 52. An element guide section 57 protruding outward toward the inner end surface 56 of the upper plates 53a and 54a, is disposed on the outer periphery of the guide column 55, and the front end in the engagement direction of the fastener element 59 at the upper plates 53a and 54a extends forward further than the front end of the element guide section 57.

In the invention of Patent Document 2, the front end in the engagement direction of the fastener element 59 at the upper plates 53a and 54a extends forward further than the front end of the element guide section 57. By this configuration, even if the fastener element 59 stands up perpendicular to the fastener tape 60, with the coupling head 59a up, at the position where the fastener element 59 is spaced forward in the engagement direction further than the slider 51, the fastener element 59 is guided into the slider 51 in contact with the upper plates 53a and 54a extending forward further than the front end of the element guide section 57.

Further, as the fastener element 59 guided into the slider 51 in contact with the upper plates 53a and 54a is influenced by the previous fastener element 59 inclined at an angle in the horizontal posture, an inclining force for the horizontal state is applied. In addition, tensile force that pulls the fastener tape 60 into the slider 51 is applied to the fastener element 59, on the basis of the operation of sliding the slider 51.

Accordingly, the pair of left and right fastener elements 59 is inclined in the horizontal state from the vertically standing-up posture, until it enters the element guide passage of the slider 51. Further, since the fastener tape 60 moves close to the guide column 55 in sliding contact with the upper plates 53a and 54a, the coupling head 59a of the fastener element 59 can be brought in contact with the element guide section 57.

Further, each fastener element 59 appropriately inclined to the horizontal state is introduced into the element guide passage 58 of the slider 51 while bringing the coupling head 59a in contact with the element guide section 57. The coupling head 59a of the fastener element 59 can smoothly move toward the rear opening in the element guide passage 58 while being slowly inclined to the posture that passes through the element guide section 57 downward.

Therefore, it is possible to engage the pair of left and right fastener elements 59 in the correct posture (engagement posture) inclined in the complete horizontal state. Further, unlike the related art, the fastener element 59 is not nipped by the tape guide passage formed between the flanges 53 and 54 and the element guide section 57, and damage to the fastener element 59 or cutting of the fastener tape 60 can be prevented. As described above, in the invention of Patent Document 2, the slider 51 can smoothly slide and the concealed slide fastener can be closed without a problem.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-54176

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-135722

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be solved by the Invention

As the basic configurations of the inventions in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for the fastener element stood up in the posture perpendicular to the fastener tape, the fastener element can be moved at an angle in a horizontal posture by guiding the coupling head of the fastener element.

Therefore, in the inventions of Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the fastener element that is in the vertical standing-up posture is moved at an angle in the horizontal posture, as the guide section that applies rotational moment in sliding contact with the coupling head of the fastener element, the second flange 46 protruding outward along the outer periphery of the guide column 45 and the element guide section 57 are disposed in the invention of Patent Document 1 and the invention of Patent Document 2, respectively.

By the configurations of the inventions in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the fastener element that is in the vertical standing-up posture can be moved at an angle in the horizontal posture that is the engagement posture.

However, the fastener element inclined by transverse pulling force applied to the fastener tape is inclined in various angles by the direction in which the transverse pulling force is applied and the magnitude of the transverse pulling force. Accordingly, the angle at which the fastener element is in contact with the guide section that can apply rotational moment is not stable.

Further, when larger transverse pulling force is applied to the fastener tape, the fastener element slides in the longitudinal direction of the fastener tape without actively coming in contact with the guide section, and the fastener element may not smoothly return to the horizontal position, such that there is still a need for improvement.

In particular, when the fastener element is sewn and attached by a thread along the end edges of the fastener tape, the fastener element is not integrally fixed to the fastener tape. Therefore, the fastener tape under large transverse pulling force may transversely move while generating relative movement to the fastener element.

When the amount of movement of the fastener element is smaller than the amount of movement of the fastener tape in the transverse direction, for example, in the invention of Patent Document 1, the head section of the fastener element cannot come in contact with or press the tapered surface 46c of the second flange 46 with large force. Further, in the invention of Patent Document 2, the coupling head 59a of the fastener element 59 cannot come in contact with or press the element guide section 57 with large force.

In this state, for the fastener element in an inclined posture, it is impossible to apply rotational moment to change the standing-up posture to the horizontal state to the fastener element, using the tapered surface 46c of the second flange 46 or the element guide section 57.

The inventor(s) of the invention has achieved the invention, based on that it is possible to move the fastener element at an angle in a horizontal posture that is an engagement posture, by bringing the element rear end section of the fastener element in sliding contact with a second element guide section, when or before bringing the element rear end section in contact with a first element guide section corresponding to the tapered surface 46c of Patent Document 1 or the element guide section 57 of Patent Document 2, as the result of various examinations.

Further, by configuring the slider for the concealed slide fastener like the invention, it is possible to effectively apply force applied to the fastener element from the second element guide section, torsion force that move the fastener element at an angle in a horizontal posture from a previous fastener element that has been moved at an angle in a horizontal state, tensile force that pulls the fastener tape into the slider, and the like to the fastener element that is introduced into the slider.

By applying these forces to the fastener element, the fastener element in the standing-up posture substantially perpendicular to the fastener tape is moved at an angle in a horizontal posture that is the engagement posture. Further, the fastener stringer can smoothly move toward the rear opening through the Y-shaped element guide passage formed in the slider while gradually inclining. Therefore, the fastener element smoothly moves through the Y-shaped element guide passage formed in the slider.

In addition, the fastener element is not stuck in the Y-shape element guide passage, such that the slider can be smoothly slid.

As described above, an object of the invention is to provide a slider for a concealed slide fastener which allows a slider to smoothly slide even if large transverse pulling force is applied when a slide fastener is closed, by improving the inventions of Patent Documents 1 and 2.

Means for Solving the Problems

In order to achieve the object, a slider for a concealed slide fastener having a fastener tape bent and fixed in a U-shape and attaching/detaching fastener elements of a pair of fastener stringer, the fastener elements are attached along the end edge of the bent fastener tape, is characterized in that the slider comprising: a lower blade; a pair of side walls provided to stand along both edges in the left-right direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slider 1 at the lower blade; a pair of upper plates extending to be close to each other from the upper ends of the pair of side walls; a guide column provided to stand at the side of a shoulder opening of the slider from the lower blade; a first element guide section protruding on the outer periphery of the guide column; a Y-shaped tape guide passage guiding a bent section of the fastener tape bent in a U-shape by the inner end faces of the pair of upper plates and the outer end surface of the first element guide section; and a second element guide section extending toward a rear opening from the front end edge of the lower blade, at both left and right ends of the lower blade, and the second element guide section protrudes toward the upper plates from the lower blade in the side of a side of the guide column.

Further, in the invention, the second element guide section is disposed at the same position as the front end of the shoulder opening side or beyond the front end of the shoulder opening side of the guide column in the sliding direction of the slider.

Further, in the invention, the first element guide section has a side guide surface formed toward the rear opening from a side of the guide column and having a parallel surface in the sliding direction of the slider, and a front guide surface inclined toward the shoulder opening side and upward as a surface continuing with the side guide surface, and the first element guide section is opposite the second element guide section.

Further, in the invention, the second element guide section is a protruding section formed from the inner wall of the lower blade to the inner walls of the side walls.

Further, in the invention, the protruding section has an inclined surface inclined toward the side walls from the lower blade and the inclined surface is opposite the first element guide section.

Further, in the invention, in the tape guide passage, the shoulder opening-sided Y-shaped tape guide passage divided into two lines toward the shoulder opening of the slider is opened and enlarged straight toward the shoulder opening of the slider, and the second element guide section extends in the axial direction inclined inward further than the axial line of the shoulder opening-sided tape guide passage.

Further, in the invention, the start position of the second element guide section that starts to guide the element rear end section in sliding contact can be disposed ahead of the start position of the first element guide section that starts to guide the coupling head of the fastener element in sliding contact.

Further, in the invention, the front end of the shoulder opening of the second element guide section is disposed ahead of the inclined surface positioned closer to the lower blade than the inner walls of the upper plates, in the first element guide section.

Further, in the invention, the fastener element is attached by sewing along the end edge of the fastener tape.

Further, in the invention, when seen from above, a front end edge in the engagement direction of the fastener element at the pair of upper plates extends close to a front end edge of the lower blade, and a curved section is formed by being chamfered at the inner opposite corners of the front end edge of the upper plates.

Further, in the invention, the front end edge at the pair of side walls is disposed at the side of the rear opening further than the front end at the second element guide section.

Effect of the Invention

The invention relates to a slider for a concealed slide fastener in which a side edge opposite a fastener tape is bent and fixed in a U-shape and a pair of fastener stringer where a fastener element is attached along the bent edge of the side edge is provided.

Herein, it is described when the front end sections of a pair of upper plates where the bent section of the fastener tape introduced in a slider is in sliding contact are pivots where the fastener tape is curved by transverse force. In this state, in the pair of fastener stringer, the distance from the pivot to an element rear end section is larger than the distance from the pivot to a coupling head. Therefore, as rotational moment that inclines the fastener element, larger rotational moment can be applied to the fastener element by guiding the element rear end section in sliding contact rather than by guiding the coupling head in sliding contact.

As described above, even if the fastener element right before introduced in the slider is introduced in a standing-up posture substantially perpendicular to the fastener tape, by guiding the element rear end section positioned opposite to the coupling head as the section of the fastener element that is guided first, rotational moment for efficiently making a horizontal posture can be efficiently applied to the fastener element.

Further, when the fastener element is sewn and attached by a thread along the end edge of the fastener tape, the fastener element is not integrally fixed to the fastener tape, such that even if the fastener tape is moved by transverse pulling force, the fastener element is left without integrally moving with the movement of the fastener tape. However, the fastener element is integrally moved in the movement direction along the tape guide passage of the fastener tape.

Accordingly, in the movement of the fastener tape along the tape guide passage, the element rear end section of the fastener element is moved in sliding contact with the second element guide. Further, the coupling head of the fastener element is moved to the first element guide by the second element guide, such that coupling head can come in contact with the first element guide.

As described above, the element rear end section is guided in contact with the second element guide section and can come in sliding contact with the first element guide. Further, the fastener element in a standing-up state can be changed into a horizontal state by the second element guide section.

In addition, the coupling head of the fastener element supported by the second element guide section can be surely inclined in a horizontal posture by being brought in sliding contact with the first element guide section.

In the invention, in order to guide the element rear end section in the slider, the second element guide section that guides the element rear end section can be extended to the rear opening from the front end edge of the lower blade, at both the left and right sides of the lower blade. Further, as the configuration of the second element guide section, the second element guide section is disposed opposite a side of the guide column and protrudes toward the upper plate from the lower blade.

By this configuration, even if the fastener element right before introduced into the slider is in a standing-up posture substantially perpendicular to the fastener tape, by guiding the element rear end section, rotational moment for efficiently making a horizontal posture can be efficiently applied to the fastener element.

Further, the coupling head of the fastener element can be supported by the second element guide section such that the angle and position of the fastener element are within predetermined ranges when being in sliding contact with the first element guide section. Accordingly, the coupling head of the fastener element can be in sliding contact with the first element guide section in a stable state.

In the invention, as the disposing relationship of the second element guide section and the guide column, the second element guide section can be disposed at the same position as the front end of the shoulder opening side of the guide column or beyond the front end of the shoulder opening side in the sliding direction of the slider. By this configuration, the fastener element can be inclined in a horizontal posture before or when the fastener element is introduced into the element guide passage, such that the fastener element can smoothly pass through the slider.

In the invention, as the configuration of the first element guide section, the first element guide section can be formed toward the rear opening from a side of the guide column. Further, the first element guide section can have a side guide surface having a parallel surface in the sliding direction of the slider, and a front guide surface inclined toward the shoulder opening side and upward as a surface continuing with the side guide surface. In addition, the first element guide section and the second element guide section can be opposite each other.

By this configuration, the fastener element can be efficiently inclined into a horizontal posture by cooperation of the first element guide section and the second element guide section. Further, after the element rear end section comes in sliding contact with the second element guide section, the coupling head of the fastener element can be brought in sliding contact with the first element guide section.

Further, after the fastener element in the standing-up posture substantially perpendicular to the fastener tape is slightly inclined in the direction in which a horizontal state is made by the second element guide section, or after the fastener element is brought in sliding contact with the second element guide section, the fastener element can be surely inclined into the horizontal state by cooperation of the first element guide section and the second element guide section.

As the configuration of the second element guide section, the second element guide section can be a protruding section formed from the inner wall of the lower blade to the inner walls of the side walls. By this configuration, a guide surface and/or a guide stepped section can be configured at the protruding section. Further, as the configuration of the guide surface, the guide surface can be an inclined surface inclined toward the side walls from the lower blade and a surface disposed opposite the first element guide section.

By this configuration, the fastener element can be efficiently inclined into a horizontal posture by the second element guide section. Further, rotational moment for making the fastener element in a standing-up position substantially perpendicular to the fastener tape be in a horizontal state can be efficiently applied to the element rear end section from the guide surface and/or the guide stepped section of the second element guide section. In addition, by configuring the guide surface as an inclined surface, the fastener element can be efficiently guided to be inclined into a horizontal state by the inclined surface.

In the invention, in the Y-shaped tape guide passage, as the configuration at the shoulder opening divided into two lines toward the shoulder opening of the slider, the tape guide passage can be opened and enlarged straight toward the shoulder opening of the slider, and the second element guide section extends in the axial direction inclined inward further than the axial line of the shoulder opening-sided tape guide passage.

By this configuration, the radius of curvature can be configured large when the bent section of the fastener tape being in contact with the front end edges of the pair of upper plates is curved in the longitudinal direction of the fastener tape. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly introduce the fastener stringer under transverse tensile force into the tape guide passage. Further, it is possible to suppress the standing-up angle of the fastener element that is stood up substantially perpendicular to the fastener tape.

Further, the shape of the Y-shaped tape guide passage can be configured to be opened and enlarged straight and the axial line of the second element guide can be inclined inward with respect to the axial line of the shape opened and enlarged straight. By this configuration, the fastener element can be more surely moved close to the first element guide as being moved toward the rear opening of the slider. Therefore, the fastener element can be smoothly brought in contact with the first element guide surface and can be inclined in a horizontal state.

In particular, in the type of the element used that is sewn to the fastener tape by a thread, even if the fastener tape is moved by transverse pulling force and the fastener element is left separated in the side direction of the fastener tape, the gap between the second element guide and the tape guide passage is configured to be small toward the rear opening of the slider, such that the separated fastener element can be forcibly returned to the initial position.

In the invention, the start position of the second element guide section that starts to guide the element rear end section in sliding contact can be disposed ahead of the first element guide section that starts to guide the coupling head of the fastener element in sliding contact.

By this configuration, such as the position or the angle of the fastener element can be supported by the second element guide within predetermined ranges, before the fastener element comes in contact with the first element guide. Further, such as since the position or the angle can be made within predetermined ranges, the inclination angle of the fastener element can be efficiently changed to the horizontal posture direction by the second element guide.

In the invention, the front end of the shoulder opening of the second element guide section can be disposed ahead of the inclined surface positioned closer to the lower blade than the inner walls of the upper plate, in the first element guide section.

By this configuration, even if the fastener element right before introduced into the slider is in a standing-up posture substantially perpendicular to the fastener tape, the fastener element can be first brought in sliding contact with the second element guide section. Further, rotational movement for making the fastener element in a horizontal posture can be applied earlier than the second element guide section.

In the invention, when seen from above, a front end edge in the engagement direction of the fastener element at the pair of upper plates can extend close to a front end edge of the lower blade, and a curved section can be formed by being chamfered at the inner opposite corner of the front end edge of the pair of upper plates.

By this configuration, even if the fastener element right before introduced into the slider is in a standing-up posture substantially perpendicular to the fastener tape, the fastener element can be inclined into a horizontal posture by cooperation of the upper front end edge and the second element guide section.

In the invention, the inner opposite corners of the front end edges of the upper plates are formed as curved sections formed by chamfering. Further, by bringing the fastener tape in sliding contact with the inner opposite corners, when large tensile force is applied in the transverse direction to the bent section of the fastener tape, the curved section formed at the inner opposite corner can receive the large tensile force applied to the bent section of the fastener tape. Therefore, it is possible to reduce stress concentration on the curved section, in the fastener tape.

As described above, it is possible to prevent the fastener tape from being cut also in the process the fastener element is inclined into a horizontal posture that is an engagement posture.

In the invention, the position of the front end edge at the pair of side walls can be disposed at the rear opening further than the front end at the second element guide.

By this configuration, when the bent section of the fastener tape being in contact with the front end edges of the pair of upper plates is curved in the longitudinal direction of the fastener tape, the gap between the end of the front side of the second element guide section and the ends of the front sides of the pair of side walls can function as a space for avoiding interference with the fastener element.

Further, when the bent section of the fastener tape being in contact with the front end edges of the pair of upper plates is curved to take the shape of the curved section at the front end edges of the pair of upper plates that are chamfered, the fastener element can be smoothly curved without coming in contact with the front ends of the pair of side walls.

In the invention, before the coupling head of the fastener element is forcibly rotated in the horizontal posture direction by the first element guide section or before the fastener tape is curved in the longitudinal direction by the front end edges of the pair of upper plates, rotational moment that rotates the fastener element in a horizontal posture direction can be applied to the element rear end section of the fastener element by the second element guide section.

Further, the fastener tape can be smoothly introduced into the tape guide passage, and the inclination angle of the fastener element when the coupling head of the fastener element comes in sliding contact with the first element guide section can be made in the horizontal posture direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slider for a concealed slide fastener (Embodiment).

FIG. 2 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the slider (Embodiment).

FIG. 3 is a front view of the slider (Embodiment).

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the slider taken along the center line (Embodiment).

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the behavior of a coupling element seen from an element guide surface of the slider (Explanatory view).

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the main parts showing the behavior of the fastener seen from a shoulder opening and illustrating (Embodiment).

FIG. 7 is an A-A cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 (Embodiment).

FIG. 8 is a B-B cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 (Embodiment).

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a slider for a concealed slide fastener (Related art 1).

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a slider for a concealed slide fastener (Related art 2).

 MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Further, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described below and may be modified in various way as long as the modifications have substantially the same configurations as that of the invention and show the same operation effect.

Further, in the invention, the front-rear direction means the sliding direction of a slider, and the shoulder opening side is the front and the rear opening side is the rear, in the slider. The left-right direction means the direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slider when seen from above. In addition, the up-down direction means the front-rear surface direction of a lower blade of the slider, and the upper plate side is the front surface and the lower blade side is the rear surface.

Further, for the fastener chain for concealed slide fastener that is used in the invention, various types of fastener chains, such as a fastener chain formed by integrally injection-molding synthetic resin or metal that is an element to a fastener tape, or a fastener chain formed by caulking an element formed by metal to a fastener tape, or a fastener chain formed by attaching an element formed in a linear coil shape or a zigzag shape to a fastener tape, maybe used as the fastener chain for a concealed slide fastener.

In addition, a slider (1) for concealed slide fastener in the invention, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, is a slider that is used for a concealed slide fastener having a pair of fastener stringer in which the side corresponding to a fastener tape 14 is bent and fixed in a U-shape and a fastener element 13 is attached along the bent end edge of the side.

EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIG. 1, the slider 1 includes a lower blade 2, a pair of flanges 3 and 4 provided to stand along the left and right edges of the lower blade 2, a guide column 5 disposed at the lower blade 2, a tab mounting column 6 disposed on the top of the guide column 5, a first element guide section 7 disposed on the outer periphery of the guide column 5, second element guide sections 8 disposed at the left and right of the lower blade 2, and a tab (not shown) rotatably supported by the tab mounting column 6.

Further, the slider 1 is configured in a left-right symmetric shape passing the center line in the left-right direction of the slider 1 and having the plane perpendicular to the lower blade 2 as a mirror surface. For the width shape in the left-right direction of the lower blade 2, the width is constant from the front end edge 2a of the lower blade 2 to the position slightly behind the rear end of the guide column 5, gradually reduces from the position, and is further constant to the end edge of a rear opening 17.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the pair of flanges 3 and 4 have a pair of side walls 3a and 4a provided to stand along both the left and right edges of the lower blade 2 and a pair of upper plates 3b and 4b that bend inward and extend from the upper ends of the side walls 3a and 4a, respectively, to be opposite each other and extend also in the front-rear direction of the slider 1, and the cross-sectional shape is an inverse L-shape.

As shown in FIG. 2, the side walls 3a and 4a respectively have a parallel section 23c from the rear opening 17 when seen from above, and an enlarged opening 23b that is enlarged and open in the width direction toward the front section, continuing from the parallel section 23c. Further, the front ends 20 of the side walls 3a and 4a may extend to the position where the width shape in the left-right direction of the lower blade 2 shows that the width gradually reduces. In addition, the width shape in the left-right direction of the lower blade 2 at the front side from the enlarged opening 23b is configured as the parallel section 23a.

Further, in FIG. 2, when seen from above, in the slider 1, a plan view of the slider is shown at the left half in FIG. 2 and a cross-sectional view with the first element guide section 7 and the upper plate 3b removed is shown at the right half in FIG. 2. In addition, the removed first element guide section 7 and upper plate 3b are shown in imaginary shapes by dotted lines at the right half in FIG. 2.

When seen from the above shown in FIG. 2, the front end edges 21 of the upper plates 3b and 4b extend around the front end edge 2a of the lower blade 2. According to this configuration, the lower side at the front end edge 21 of the upper plates 3b and 4b is configured as a space that is not supported by the side walls 3a and 4a.

That is, the front end edges 21 of the upper plates 3b and 4b preferably extend forward further than the front ends 20a of the side walls 3a and 4a. Further, it is preferable that the gap between the front end edges 21 of the upper plates 3b and 4b and the front end 20 of the side walls 3a and 4a is configured such that the fastener element 13 mounted on the concealed slide fastener can pass without interfering with the front ends 20 of the side walls 3a and 4a.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inner opposite corners opposite each other at the front end edges 21 of the upper plates 3b and 4b are formed as a curved section 21a where chamfer is performed. Further, the end surface where the upper plates 3b and 4b are opposite each other is configured as an inner end surface 21b.

The guide column 5 is provided to stand at the center section in the left-right direction of the lower blade 2, around the shoulder opening 16 of the slider 1. Further, the door-shaped tab mounting column 6 extending in the front-rear direction is disposed on the upper surface of the guide column 5. In addition, the plate-shaped first element guide section 7 protruding outward toward the inner end surfaces 21b of the pair of upper plates 3b and 4b from the outer periphery of the guide column 5 is disposed on the outer periphery of the guide column 5.

A tab (not shown) can be supported by the tab mounting column 6 by inserting the ring-shaped section of the tab into the tab mounting column 6 in an example of the figure and then caulking the tab mounting column 6.

As the configuration of the guide column 5, as in PCT/JP2009/64927 by the applicant(s), a two-division configuration composed of a body section 19 where the lower blade 2 is provided to stand and a coating upper plate member 18 coated on and fit to the body section 19 may be implemented. Further, as shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the guide column 5 may be integrally formed with the lower blade 2.

In the configuration of the guide column 5 shown in FIG. 4, an example of two division configuration composed of the body section 19 and the coating upper plate member 18 is shown. A convex section where a concave section formed in the coating upper plate member 18 is fitted, is formed on the outer surface of the body section 19. The coating upper plate member 18 can be fixed to the body section 19 by fitting the concave section of the coating upper plate member 18 to the concave section formed on the outer surface of the body section 19 and then caulking a leg section 18a formed at the front end of the coating upper plate member 18, as shown in FIG. 3.

As the concave section of the coating upper plate member 18, the concave section of the coating upper plate member 18 may be configured to be closed at the rear end. By this configuration, both the front and rear end surfaces of the body section 19 can be interposed between the closed rear end of the concave section of the coating upper plate member 18 and the leg section 18a.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a front guide surface 7a formed by inclining the front end of the coating upper plate member 18 forward, is formed on the outer surface of the coating upper plate member 18. Further, on the inner wall of the coating upper plate member 18, a side guide surface 7b continuing from the left and right of the front guide surface 7a toward the rear opening 17 from the side of the guide column 5 and toward the lower blade 2 is formed.

In other words, the side guide surface 7b is a surface that is parallel with the inner wall surface of the lower blade 2, as the inner wall of the plate-shaped first element guide section 7 protruding from the guide column 5. Meanwhile, the front guide surface 7a is an inclined surface that is inclined upward from the front end of the side guide surface 7b and formed on the front end surface of the plate-shaped first element guide section 7.

The first element guide section 7 is configured by the front guide surface 7a and the pair of left and right side guide surfaces 7b. As shown in FIG. 3, the first element guide section 7 is configured to be opposite the second element guide section 8 which will be described below.

Further, in FIG. 1, an example in which the forward bending state of the front guide surface 7a is the flat plane-shaped inclined surface is shown, but the forward bending state of the front guide surface 7a may be formed in a curved surface of a concave surface or a convex surface.

The tab mounting column 6 supporting the tab (not shown) is provided to stand on the upper surface of the coating upper plate member 18. Even if the guide column 5 is integrally formed with the lower blade 2, the front guide surface 7a and the pair of left and right side guide surfaces 7b are necessarily configured at the guide column 5, as the first element guide section 7.

Further, the tab mounting column 6, as described in PCT/JP2009/64927, may be mounted on the lower blade 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the Y-shaped tape guide passage 12 that guides the bent section 14a of the fastener tape 14 bent in a U-shape is configured by the inner end surfaces 21b of the pair of upper plates 3b and 4b and the outer end surface of the first element guide section 7.

The rear end section of the first element guide section 7 extends close to the connecting section of the parallel sections 23a of the side walls 3a and 4a and the enlarged opening 23b.

The passage surrounded by the inner wall surfaces of the pair of flanges 3 and 4, the inner wall surface of the lower blade 2, the guide column 5, and the first element guide section 7 is configured as the element guide passage 10 that guides the fastener element 13 attached to the fastener tape 14.

Further, the second element guide section 8 is formed on the inner walls of both of the left and right ends of the lower blade 2. The second element guide section 8 is a protruding section that protrudes upward further than the inner wall of the lower blade 2 and the protruding section is formed by extending the front end 22 toward the rear opening 17 from the front end edge 2a of the lower blade 2.

The second element guide section 8 substantially extends in parallel in the sliding direction of the slider, that is, the front-rear direction and the end of the rear opening side of the second element guide section 8 is the section that is in contact with the inner wall surface of the enlarged opening 23b of the side walls 3a and 4a.

The second element guide section 8, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, has a guide end section 8a having a flat surface 24 facing the side walls 3a and 4a and a guide surface 8b inclined downward toward the upper surface of the lower blade 2 from the guide end section 8a. The flat surface 24 at the guide end section 8a may be configured as a surface that is parallel with the upper surface of the lower blade 2 or a smooth surface inclined downward toward the rear opening 17.

The configuration of the guide surface 8b or the guide end section 8a at the second element guide section 8 may extend in the axial direction that is parallel with the center line in the left-right direction at the slider 1 or may extend in the axial direction inclined to the center line in the left-right direction, toward the shoulder opening 16 of the slider 1, when seen from the plane described above.

That is, the element rear end section 13b of the fastener element 13 that is guided in sliding contact by the second element guide section 8 is needed to configure the guide surface 8b and/or the guide end section 8a to be close to the center line in the left-right direction at the slider 1, in accordance with movement to the rear opening 17, when seen from above.

Further, as the position of the front end section at the second element guide section 8, the position of the front end edge 2a of the lower blade 2, that is, a configuration in which the front end section extends forward further than the front end of the guide column 5 is exemplified. However, as the position of the front end section of the second element guide section 8, the front end section may extend to the position corresponding to the side of the guide column 5, over a half the side of the guide column 5 in the front-rear direction.

A stepped section 25 is configured at the lower end edge of the downward inclined guide surface 8b. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the fastener element 13 is in a horizontal posture by the protruding section 29 formed on the upper surface of the lower blade 2, from the stepped section 25 and the guide column 5 to the rear opening 17, the fastener element 13 can be lifted from the upper surface of the lower blade 2. The guide surface 8b may be configured as an inclined flat surface or in a curved shape having a smooth convex curved surface or concave curved surface.

By this configuration, when the fastener element 13 is in a horizontal posture, it is possible to prevent a thread 27 attaching the fastener element 13 to the fastener tape 14 from coming in contact with the upper surface of the lower blade 2.

As shown in FIG. 6, the connecting section from the guide end section 8a to the guide surface 8b is configured as a smooth convex curved surface and the connecting section from the guide surface 8b to the stepped section 25 is configured as a smooth convex curved surface.

Further, in the invention, it may be possible to remove the guide end section 8a and extend the guide surface 8b to both left and right sides of the lower blade 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, a fillet section 28 is formed along the interface between the side walls 3a and 4a and the lower blade 2 to increase mounting strength between the side walls 3a and 4a and the lower blade 2 and formability in forming.

Next, smooth sliding of the slider 1 is described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

The fastener chain for a concealed slide fastener shown in FIG. 5 is a type attaching the fastener element 13, which is formed in a coil shape or a zigzag shape formed in a line on the fastener tape (not shown). The linear fastener element 13, as shown in FIG. 7, is attached to the bent section of the fastener tape 14 that is bent in a U-shape, by a thread 27. The pair of fastener elements 13, as shown in FIG. 5, is disposed such that the coupling heads 13a of the fastener elements 13 are opposite each other, and the opposite sides of the coupling heads 13a are connected by a reverse section.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the slider 1 with the upper plates 3b and 4b and the first element guide section 7 removed, and shows the fastener element 13 introduced in the element guide passage 10 of the lower blade 2. FIG. 6 is an illustrative view showing a change of the posture of the fastener element 13 introduced in the element guide passage 10 in a standing-up state, by bringing the element rear end section 13b in sliding contact with the second element guide section 8 and bringing the coupling head 13a in sliding contact with the first element guide section 7, in the fastener element 13 introduced in the slider 1.

FIG. 7 is an A-A cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 and FIG. 8 is a B-B cross-sectional view of FIG. 5.

As can be understood from FIG. 5, the pair of fastener stringers 15 disposed ahead of the shoulder opening 16 of the slider 1 is largely open by large transverse pulling force around the front end edge 21 of the pair of upper plates 3b and 4b. The fastener element 13 stands substantially perpendicular to the tape surface of the fastener tape 14, with the coupling head 13a up.

As the slider 1 is slid in the closing direction (upward in FIG. 5), the element rear end section 13b of the continuing fastener element 13 sequentially comes in sliding contact with the guide end section 8a and/or the guide surface 8b of the second element guide section 8 of the slider 1. In this process, the fastener element 13 that is in sliding contact with the second element guide section 8 is stood with the coupling head 13a up, by the influence of large transverse pulling force applied to the fastener tape 14.

Further, as the slider 1 is further slid in the closing direction, rotational moment that inclines the fastener element 13 in a horizontal posture from the second element guide section 8 is applied to the fastener element 13. In addition, a torsion force that inclines the next fastener element 13 in a horizontal posture is applied through the fastener tape 14 from the previous fastener element 13 that has been inclined in the horizontal posture, and tensile force that pulls the fastener tape 14 into the slider 1 is applied.

The forces are effectively applied to the fastener element 13 that is introduced into the slider 1 and the fastener element 13 that is in the standing-up posture comes in sliding contact with the second element guide section 8, thereby being inclined into a horizontal posture. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, as the coupling head 13a further comes in sliding contact with the front guide surface 7a of the first element guide section 7, the fastener element 13 is further inclined in a horizontal state. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, the fastener element may be into a horizontal posture.

As shown in FIG. 6, the fastener element 13 that is in the standing-up posture is gradually inclined into a horizontal posture while rotating clockwise.

As described above, in the invention, when the fastener element 13 in the standing-up posture is introduced into the slider 1, the fastener element 13 is first inclined from the second element guide section 8 to be in a horizontal posture with respect to the element rear end section 13b, and then, the fastener element 13 is inclined to be in a horizontal posture from the first element guide section 7 with respect to the coupling head 13a.

Further, the pair of side guide surfaces 7b at the first element guide section 7 is formed to continue with the front guide surface 7a that is an inclined surface, such that the fastener element 13 inclined in a horizontal posture can be smoothly introduced to the fastener element engagement region.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the distance from the front end section of the pair of upper plates 3b and 4b that are in sliding contact with the bent section 14a of the fastener tape 14 introduced in the slider 1 to the element rear end section 13b is longer than the distance from the front end sections to the coupling head 13a. By using this arrangement configuration, as the rotational moment that inclines the fastener element 13, larger rotational moment can be applied by guiding the element rear end section 13b in sliding contact rather than by guiding the coupling head 13a in sliding contact.

Further, the start position of the second element guide section 8 that starts to guide the element rear end section 13b in sliding contact is disposed ahead of the start position of the first element guide section 7 that starts to guide the coupling head 13a in sliding contact and the start position of the tape guide passage 10 that starts to guide the bent section 14a of the fastener tape 14 in sliding contact.

By this configuration, rotational moment that rotates the fastener element 13 in a horizontal posture direction can be applied to the element rear end section 13b from the second element guide section 8 before the coupling head 13a of the fastener element 13 is forcibly rotated in a horizontal posture direction by the first element guide section 7 or before the fastener tape 14 is curved in the longitudinal direction by the front end edges of the pair of upper plates 3b and 4b.

Further, the fastener element 13 is supported by the second element guide section 8 such that rotational moment (of the front guide surface 7a) of the first element guide section 7 is easily applied.

Therefore, the fastener tape 14 can be smoothly introduced into the tape guide passage 12 and the inclination angle of the fastener element 13 can be change slightly to the horizontal posture side, when the coupling head 13a of the fastener element 13 comes in sliding contact with the first element guide section 7.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 7, when the fastener element 13 is sewn and attached by a thread 27 along the end edge of the fastener tape 14, the fastener element 13 is not integrally fixed to the fastener tape 14. Therefore, the fastener tape 14 under large transverse pulling force may transversely move while generating relative movement to the fastener element 13.

Further, even though the fastener tape 14 is moved relatively to the fastener element 13 by the transverse pulling force and the fastener element 13 is left in the movement direction of the fastener tape 14, the fastener element 13 is integrally moved in the same direction, with respect to the movement direction of the fastener tape 14 along the tape guide passage 12.

In the movement of the fastener tape 14 along the tape guide passage 12, the element rear end section 13b of the fastener element 13 is moved in sliding contact with the second element guide 8. Further, the coupling head 13a of the fastener element 13 is moved to the first element guide 7 by the second element guide 8 and the coupling head 13a can come in sliding contact with the first element guide 7.

In addition, the fastener element 13 is inclined in a horizontal posture from the standing-up position by the second element guide 8 and the first element guide 7.

In the invention described above, since the fastener element 13 can be smoothly inclined in a horizontal posture, it is possible to surely prevent the fastener element 13 from being sandwiched to the tape guide passage 12. Further, the fastener element 13 is smoothly slid in the element guide passage 10 and can be surely moved into a predetermined inclined posture for engagement.

That is, the pair of fastener elements 13 can be surely changed into a horizontal posture before the pair of opposite fastener elements 13 is engaged. Accordingly, the pair of fastener elements 13 can be surely engaged and so-called puncture can be surely prevented.

Further, in the above description, although a configuration using a chain-shaped fastener element as the fastener element of a concealed slide fastener is described, as the fastener element in the invention, it is not limited to the chain-shaped fastener element, but as in the invention described in Patent Document 2, it can be appropriately applied to a concealed slide fastener with engaging elements that are attached to a fastener tape with predetermined gaps.

Even in this case, the coupling head with engaging elements are stood up by the influence from the fastener stringer under large transverse pulling force. However, the coupling head may be guided to be further inclined in a horizontal posture at the first element guide section after the rear end side of the engaging elements is guided first to the second element guide section and inclined slightly into a horizontal state.

Further, the engaging elements can be inclined into a horizontal state by the second element guide section and the first element guide section. As described above, it is possible to surely prevent the engaging elements from being sandwiched in the tape guide passage or so-called puncture from being generated in coupling of a pair of engaging elements.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention can be appropriately used as a slider for a concealed slide fastener that is attached to the opening of the seat cover of a seat sheet, cloths or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 Slider for concealed slide fastener

2 Lower blade

3a, 4a Side wall

3b, 4b Upper plate

5 Guide column

7 First element guide section

7a Front guide surface

7b Side guide surface

8 Second element guide section

8a Guide end section

8b Guide surface

13 Fastener element

13a Coupling head

13b Element rear end section

14 Fastener tape

18 Coating upper plate member

19 Body

41 Slider

42 Lower blade

43, 44 First flange

43a, 44a Upper plate section

45 Guide column

46 Second flange

46c Tapered surface

51 Slider

52 Lower blade

53, 54 Flange

53a, 54a Upper plate section

55 Guide column

56 Inner end surface

57 Element guide section

58 Element guide passage

Claims

1. A slider for a concealed slide fastener having a fastener tape bent and fixed in a U-shape and attaching/detaching fastener elements of a pair of fastener stringer, the fastener elements attached along the end edge of the bent fastener tape, wherein the slider comprises:

a lower blade;
a pair of side walls provided to stand along both sides in the left-right direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slider at the lower blade;
a pair of upper plates extending to be close to each other from the upper ends of the pair of side walls and;
a guide column provided to stand at the side of a shoulder opening of the slider and standing from the lower blade;
a first element guide section protruding on the outer periphery of the guide column;
a Y-shaped tape guide passage guiding a bent section of the fastener tape bent in a U-shape by inner end surfaces of the pair of upper plates and the outer end surface of the first element guide section; and
a second element guide section extending toward a rear opening from the front end edge of the lower blade, at both left and right ends of the lower blade, and
the second element guide section protrudes toward the upper plates from the lower blade in the side of a side surface of the guide column.

2. The slider according to claim 1, wherein the second element guide section is disposed at the same position as the front end of the shoulder opening side of the guide column or beyond the front end of the shoulder opening side in the sliding direction of the slider.

3. The slider according to claim 1, wherein the first element guide section is formed toward the rear opening from a side of the guide column and has a side guide surface having a parallel surface to the sliding direction of the slider, and a front guide surface inclined toward the shoulder opening side or upward as a surface continuing with the side guide surface, and

the first element guide section is opposite the second element guide section.

4. The slider according to claim 1, wherein the second element guide section is a protruding section formed from the inner wall of the lower blade to the inner walls of the side walls.

5. The slider according to claim 4, wherein the protruding section has an inclined surface inclined toward the side walls from the lower blade and the inclined surface is opposite the first element guide section.

6. The slider according to claim 1, wherein in the tape guide passage, the shoulder opening-sided Y-shaped tape guide passage divided into two lines toward the shoulder opening of the slider is opened and enlarged straight toward the shoulder opening of the slider, and the second element guide section extends in the axial direction inclined inward further than the axial line of the shoulder opening-sided tape guide passage.

7. The slider according to claim 1, wherein the start position of the second element guide section that starts to guide the element rear end section in sliding contact is disposed ahead of the first element guide section that starts to guide the coupling head of the fastener element in sliding contact.

8. The slider according to claim 1, wherein the front end of the shoulder opening of the second element guide section is disposed ahead of the inclined surface positioned closer to the lower blade than the inner walls of the upper plates, in the first element guide section.

9. The slider according to claim 1, wherein the fastener element is attached by sewing along the end edge of the fastener tape.

10. The slider according to claim 1, wherein when seen from above, a front end edge in the engagement direction of the fastener element at the pair of upper plates extends close to a front end edge of the lower blade, and

a curved section is formed by being chamfered at the inner opposite corners of the front end edge of the upper plates.

11. The slider according to claim 10, wherein the front end edge at the pair of side walls is disposed closer to the rear opening than the front end at the second element guide section.

Patent History
Publication number: 20130061435
Type: Application
Filed: May 26, 2010
Publication Date: Mar 14, 2013
Applicant: YKK Corporation (Tokyo)
Inventors: Yuichi Yamashita (Toyama), Yasuhiko Matsuda (Toyama)
Application Number: 13/698,566
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Having Specific Contour Or Arrangement Of Converging Channel, Separator Island, Or Wing (24/427); With Means For Concealing Surfaces (24/432)
International Classification: A44B 19/26 (20060101);