Concealed slide fastener

Abstract

In a concealed slide fastener in which coupling elements 11, 13, 15 are injection moulded on the edge 25, 27 of a tape 17, 19, a coupling portion 53 of a coupling element is provided on one side of the tape 17, 19 and a shelf 47 of the coupling element on the other side of the tape 17, 19. A coupling portion 53 bears on the shelf 47 of the opposed coupling element with the respective tape 17, 19 sandwiched between them, to limit out of plane separation of the coupling elements.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of three coupling elements of a slide fastener which forms an embodiment of the invention, with the respective tapes removed for clarity;

FIG. 2 is an underneath perspective view of the elements of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section along line III-III of FIG. 1, and showing the slide fastener tapes;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a slide fastener coupling element of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an underneath view of the element of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the element of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a modification of the slide fastener, with one tape removed;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section through the slide fastener, showing a part of a slider;

FIG. 9 is an underneath plan view of the coupling elements of FIG. 1 showing the contact surfaces of the elements, and

FIG. 10 shows a prior art coupling element.

Claims

1. A concealed slide fastener comprising a pair of stringers in which moulded coupling elements are provided on the edge of a respective tape, the coupling element including a body straddling the edge of the tape, a coupling portion extending from the body on one side of the tape and a shelf projecting from the body on the other side of the tape; when the coupling elements of the opposed stringers are engaged, the coupling portions of the coupling elements of one stringer bearing on the shelves of the opposed elements of the other stringer through the respective tape.

2. A concealed slide fastener as claimed in claim 1, the coupling element further including projections formed so as to project from the body at each outer end on the side of the tape opposite to the side whereon the coupling portion extends from the body, the shelves being formed on the side of the projections which face the tapes.

3. A concealed slide fastener as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling elements can be moulded only with a mould which can split into two mould parts substantially along the plane of the tapes.

4. A concealed slide fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tape is positioned at a mid plane of the body.

5. A concealed fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein two shelves are provided on a coupling element and a recess is formed between the shelves.

6. A concealed slide fastener as claimed in any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the shelves of opposed coupling element are spaced from each other at such a distance as to allow the respective tapes to be interposed therebetween.

7. A slide fastener as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling portion comprises a neck extending from the front face of the body and a head formed on the neck, and shoulders are formed on the body adjacent the neck, wherein the coupling portion abuts the adjacent opposed coupling portions at the shoulders and at the transition regions between the head and the neck.