Male/female engaging device with tape

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a male/female engaging device with tape for use in clothes including foundation garments such as brassieres and body suit, inner wear, outer wear such as sports wear, and overall such as baby wear and infant wear.

2. Description of the Related Art

The conventional male/female engaging device employing male/female hooking tape for use in clothes including foundation garments, inner wear, outer wear, and overall for baby wear and infant wear has been disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 62-79416. According to a male-female engaging tape in this publication, as shown in

FIG. 20

, a core thread

5

′ is exposed along a side edge

4

′ of each of a pair of cloth tapes

3

′ which are folded back along a longitudinal direction thereof, and a female engaging device

1

′ molded of synthetic resin having an engaging hole

34

′ provided in a front half portion, and an attaching portion

8

′ provided in a rear half portion for nipping the tape

3

′ is mounted on a side edge of a tape

3

′ at a predetermined interval. A male engaging device

2

′ is molded integrally of synthetic resin, containing an hooking portion which is hooked on the engaging hole in the aforementioned front half portion, and an attaching portion

8

′ provided on a rear half portion for nipping the tape

3

′ is mounted on the side edge of the other tape at a predetermined interval.

Further, an engaging/disengaging device with tape has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2525301. According to this publication, as shown in

FIG. 21

, a male engaging/disengaging device

102

containing a neck portion

135

protruded sideways and an expanded head

124

perpendicular to this neck portion

135

is molded integrally of synthetic resin on a side edge of one of a pair of tapes

103

, while a female engaging/disengaging device

101

containing an engagement groove which the neck portion

135

engages is molded integrally of synthetic resin, such that the engagement portions of the male and female engaging/disengaging devices and the attaching portions

108

thereof to the tape

103

are formed at the same height.

When in the male/female hooking tape shown in

FIG. 20

, the female hooking device and male hooking device are hooked on each other to join both tapes, since engagement points of the female engaging device and male engaging device is far from the side edge of the tape, there is generated a large gap between the side edges of the both tapes. Thus, when the male/female hooking tape is used, it does not have a good appearance and not fashionable. Further, because the female hooking device is a simple through hole and the male hooking device is a simple structure of a hook, there is a problem that the engagement between the both engaging devices is not stable when they are engaged.

Further, in the engaging/disengaging device with tape shown in

FIG. 21

, when the male engaging device is hooked on the female engaging device so as to join both tapes, because the engagement point between the male engaging device and female engaging device is far from the side edges of the tapes, there is generated a large through hole between the side edges of the tape. Consequently, when the engaging/disengaging device with tape is used, it does not have a good appearance and not fashionable. Further, if a twisting is generated between the male engaging/disengaging device and female engaging/disengaging device in an engagement state, the engagement may be released easily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a male/female engaging device with tape comprising a male engaging device having a hooking mechanism and a female engaging device having an engaging mechanism, both being attached to side edges of right and left tapes, a gap between the right and left tapes is formed to be as small as possible when they engage each other, providing male/female engaging device with tape with a fashionably beautiful appearance. Further, an object is to provide a male/female engaging device with tape in which engagement between the male engaging device and female engaging device can be achieved firmly and a strong holding force against a twisting action can be maintained.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a male/female engaging device with tape in which an engaging operation for combining the female engaging device having the engaging mechanism with the male engaging device having the hooking mechanism can be carried out very easily and the appearances of the female and male engaging devices are beautiful and excellent in terms of design.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a male/female engaging device with tape in which the female engaging device having the engaging mechanism and the male engaging device having the hooking mechanism are formed in a rigid configuration and an engaging operation for combining the female engaging device with the male engaging device is achieved easily.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a male/female engaging device with tape in which an engaging operation for combining the female engaging device having an engaging mechanism with the male engaging device having hooking mechanism can be carried out relatively easily and especially a disengaging operation for releasing the engagement between the combined female engaging device and male engaging device can be achieved very easily.

To achieve the above object, there is provided a male/female engaging device with tape, wherein female engaging devices

1

having an engaging mechanism are attached to one of the side edges

4

opposing each other of a pair of tapes

3

while male engaging devices

2

having a hooking mechanism are attached to the other side edge

4

, such that engagement or disengagement between the female engaging device

1

and male engaging device

2

is carried out in a position inside of the tape

3

with respect to one of the side edges

4

of the tape

3

on which the female engaging device

1

or male engaging device

2

is attached.

Preferably, there is provided a male/female engaging device with tape, wherein the male engaging device

2

having the hooking mechanism covers the side edge

4

of the tape

3

and contains a hooking portion

7

having guide faces

13

at an outer side thereof and a frame portion

9

which is formed in a U shape positioned inward from both ends of the hooking portion

7

and attached to the tape

3

such that the tape

3

is sandwiched thereby. The female engaging device

1

having the engaging mechanism includes a base portion

8

on the side edge

4

for covering the side edge

4

of the tape

3

and a vertical pair of engaging pieces

15

for engaging the hooking portion

7

of the male engaging device

2

, provided on a front face of the base portion

8

so as to protrude.

Still preferably, there is provided a male/female engaging device with tape, wherein the male engaging device

2

having the hooking mechanism covers the side edge

4

of the tape

3

and has on the side edge

4

a hooking portion

7

having guide faces

13

at an outer side thereof, a frame portion

9

which is formed in a U shape positioned inward of the tape

3

from both ends of the hooking portion

7

and sandwiched to the tape

3

thereby to be fixed. A plurality of accommodating portions

12

are provided in the hooking portion

7

such that some partition walls

17

are provided between the hooking portion

7

so as to be connected to the frame portion

9

. The female engaging device

1

having the engaging mechanism includes a base portion

8

for covering the side edge

4

of the tape

3

, and plural vertical pairs of engaging pieces

15

which correspond to the accommodating portion

12

of hooking portion

7

engaging the hooking portions

7

of the male engaging device

2

provided on a front face of the base portion

8

so as to protrude.

Further preferably, there is provided a male/female engaging device with tape, wherein the female engaging device

1

having the engaging mechanism includes on the side edge

4

a base portion

8

so as to cover the side edge

4

of the tape

3

, and an engaging hole

20

provided on a front face of the base portion

8

such that a male piece

23

of the male engaging device

2

is capable of passing through and the male engaging device

2

having the hooking mechanism includes on side edge

4

a base portion

8

so as to cover the side edge

4

of the tape

3

and the male piece

23

having an expanded head portion

24

at a front end thereof and protruded forward from the front face of the base portion

8

.

It is preferable that there is provided a male/female engaging device with tape, wherein the female engaging device

1

having the engaging mechanism includes on the side edge

4

a base portion

8

so as to cover the side edge

4

of the tape

3

, and hook shaped engaging protrusions

28

provided on both sides such that the male piece

23

of the male engaging device

2

is capable of being inserted in between the engaging protrusion

28

so that they are directed inward, the engaging protrusions

28

being provided on a top face or a bottom face of the base portion

8

, for example top face, to face each other, and the male engaging device

2

having the hooking mechanism includes on the side edge

4

a base portion

8

so as to cover the side edge

4

of the tape

3

and the male piece

23

having an expanded head portion

25

with its end expanded and protruded forward from the front face of the base portion

8

.

It is still preferable that there is provided a male/female engaging device with tape, wherein the male engaging device

2

having the hooking mechanism includes on the side edge

4

a base portion

8

so as to cover the side edge

4

of the tape

3

, and engaging protrusions

29

having an engaging head portion

30

at a tip thereof, the engaging protrusion

29

being provided on a top face or a bottom face of the base portion

8

, for example a top face, and the female engaging device

1

having the engaging mechanism includes on the side edge

4

a base portion

8

so as to cover the side edge

4

of the tape

3

and a female piece

33

having an engaging hole

34

in which the engaging protrusion

29

is to be inserted at a front end portion and provided so as to protrude forward from a front face of the base portion

8

.

Finally, there is provided a male/female engaging device with tape, wherein the male engaging device

2

having the hooking mechanism includes on the side edge

4

a base portion

8

so as to cover the side edge

4

of the tape

3

, and engaging protrusions

29

having an engaging head portion

35

at a tip thereof, the engaging protrusion

29

being provided on a top face or a bottom face of the base portion

8

, for example top face, and the female engaging device

1

having the engaging mechanism including on the side edge

4

a base portion

8

so as to cover the side edge

4

of the tape

3

. A female piece

33

is protruded forward from front surface of the base portion

8

, having a guide groove

37

for guiding the engaging protrusion

29

from a front end to the inner side, an engaging hole

38

containing engaging portions

39

capable of engaging the engaging protrusion

29

at a deepest portion of the guide groove

37

, such that both the base portions

8

are capable of making contact with each other when the female engaging device

1

engages the male engaging device

2

.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is a front view of a first embodiment of a male/female engaging device with tape.

FIG. 2

is a bottom view of the same male/female engaging device.

FIG. 3

is a front view of a principal portion showing an engagement state of the male/female engaging device with tape.

FIG. 4

is a sectional view taken along the line A—A of the male/female engaging device with tape.

FIG. 5

is a front view of principal portions of the male/female engaging device with tape according to a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6

is a sectional view taken along the line B—B of the male/female engaging device with tape.

FIG. 7

is a front view of principal portions showing an engagement state of the male/female engaging device with tape.

FIG. 8

is a rear view of principal portions of a second embodiment of the male/female engaging device with tape.

FIG. 9

is a sectional view taken along the line C—C of the male/female engaging device with tape.

FIG. 10

is a front view of principal portions showing an engagement state of the male/female engaging device with tape.

FIG. 11

is a front view of principal portions of the male/female engaging device with tape according to a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 12

is a sectional view taken along the line D—D of the male/female engaging device with tape.

FIG. 13

is a front view of principal portions showing an engagement state of the male/female engaging device with tape.

FIG. 14

is a front view of principal portions of a third embodiment of the male/female engaging device with tape.

FIG. 15

is a sectional view taken along the line E—E of the male/female engaging device with tape.

FIG. 16

is a sectional view of principal portions showing an engagement state of the male/female engaging device with tape.

FIG. 17

is a front view of principal portions of the male/female engaging device with tape according to a modification of the third embodiment.

FIG. 18

is a sectional view taken along the line F—F of the male/female engaging device with tape.

FIG. 19

is a partially broken front view of principal portions showing an engagement state of the male/female engaging device with tape.

FIG. 20

is a lateral sectional view of a well known male/female hooking tape.

FIG. 21

is a perspective view of another well known engaging/disengaging device with tape.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the male/female engaging device with tape of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the male/female engaging device with tape of the present invention, female engaging devices

1

having an engaging mechanism are mounted on one of opposing side edges

4

of a pair of narrow width tapes

3

and male engaging devices

2

having a hooking mechanism are mounted on the side edge

4

of the other tape

3

at a predetermined interval. Alternatively, the female engaging devices

1

and the male engaging devices

2

are mounted on the side edge

4

of the narrow width tape

3

alternately at a predetermined interval. By arranging the female engaging devices

1

and male engaging devices

2

at some interval, it prevents the hardening of the side edge

4

of the tape

3

when the female engaging devices

1

and male engaging devices

2

are disposed on the side edge

4

of each tape

3

too closely, so that the tape

3

can be bent or twisted easily. The interval D between the respective female engaging devices

1

and male engaging device

2

is preferable to be more than a width of a single female engaging device

1

or male engaging device

2

in the longitudinal direction of the tape

3

.

The tape

3

on which the female engaging device

1

and the male engaging device

2

are to be mounted is formed by knitting or weaving synthetic fiber of polyamide base or polyester base and a expanded core portion

5

is formed on the side edge

4

of the tape

3

. The core portion

5

can be formed integrally by knitting or weaving a core thread or sewing the core thread integrally.

In the male/female engaging device with tape of any embodiment of the present invention, the female engaging devices

1

and male engaging devices

2

are molded integrally of thermoplastic resin such as polyamide, polyacetal, polypropylene, polybutylene terephthalate by injection molding or extrusion molding on the opposing side edges

4

of a pair of the tapes

3

around each of the core portion

5

or on the side edge

4

of the flat tape

3

such that they are arranged at a predetermined interval.

In the female/male engaging device with tape in a first embodiment shown in

FIGS. 1

to

4

, the male engaging device

2

having a hooking mechanism is attached to the side edge

4

of the tape

3

by molding a substantially cylindrical-shaped hooking portion

7

so as to cover the core portion

5

provided on the side edge

4

of the tape

3

as shown in

FIG. 1 and 2

. An U-shaped frame portion

9

is provided from both sides of the hooking portion

7

to an inner position of the tape

3

. The frame portion

9

is formed of a wall

10

and a connecting portion

11

and molded integrally to sandwich tape

3

. In the hooking portion

7

, as shown in

FIG. 4

, an end face

14

whose end portion is substantially flat is formed and a guide face

13

, which is a sloping surface start rising up from the end face

14

, is formed from this end face

14

as it goes deeper, so that an engaging piece

15

of the female engaging devices

1

can be inserted easily. Further, an accommodating portion

12

is formed in a gap between the hooking portion

7

and frame portion

9

in the inner part of the hooking portion

7

so that an end portion of the engaging piece

15

is accommodated and the end portion of the engaging piece

15

can be moved slightly in a depth direction of the accommodating portion

12

in this gap.

Although the embodiment of the male engaging device

2

has been described about a case in which a sectional shape of the hooking portion

7

is substantially cylindrical, the shape of the hooking portion

7

may not be always cylindrical but may be oval or polygon such as pentagon. Any shape may be used as long as the guide face

13

is provided on the side of the hooking portion

7

to which the engaging piece

15

of the female engaging devices

1

is inserted.

In the female engaging devices

1

having the engaging mechanism, as shown in

FIGS. 1 and 2

, a base portion

8

in which an outside edge of its sectional shape is wider is formed so as to cover a core portion

5

provided on the side edge

4

of the tape

3

to be mounted on the side edge

4

of the tape

3

and then, a pair of elastically deformable engaging pieces

15

are provided vertically such that a front end thereof is open from a center of each of an upper edge and a lower edge of the front face of the base portion

8

, and the engaging pieces

15

have a horse shoe section so that a width thereof becomes narrower as they go to the front. The pair of the engaging pieces

15

move along the guide faces

13

formed on the hooking portion

7

of the male engaging device

2

while widening a gap gradually as shown in

FIGS. 3 and 4

. When they go beyond the hooking portion

7

, the engaging pieces

15

are elastically returned to their original shape so that they enter the accommodating portion

12

, and engage the accommodating portion

12

such that they sandwich the hooking portion

7

from above and below. A bottom face

16

of the engaging piece

15

is flat that it is capable of being in contact with the end face

14

of the hooking portion

7

. Of course, the base portion

8

on both sides of the engaging piece

15

is constructed to be in contact with an end face

14

of the hooking portion

7

and front ends of the side walls

10

.

Although the embodiment of the female engaging device

1

has been described about a case in which a sectional shape of the base portion

8

is trapezoidal and the sectional shape of the engaging pieces

15

is a C shape, the sectional shape of the base portion

8

may not be always trapezoid, but may be of other shape such as rectangular or circular as long as it covers the side edge

4

of the tape

3

. Further, a sectional shape of the engaging piece

15

may not always be horse shoe shape but may be a horizontal V shape. If there is a portion which coincides with an outer shape of the hooking portion

7

of the male engaging device

2

and can be elastically deformed to hook, that shape has an engaging function. Therefore, any shape may be used if it is capable of being elastically deformed and has a hooking portion.

Therefore, when the female engaging devices

1

and male engaging device

2

engage each other, they make engagement at a position inside of the side edge

4

of the tape

3

on which the male engaging device

2

and female engaging device

1

are mounted. Thus, a distance between the side edges

4

of the right and left tapes

3

can be narrowed as much as possible, which means because the male engaging device

2

in the male/female engaging device with tape of this embodiment is so constructed that it is not protruded outward of the side edge

4

of the tape

3

as in the conventional product, the interval between the right and left tapes

3

can be formed narrower. Further, because when the female engaging device

1

and male engaging device

2

engages each other, the two engaging pieces

15

above and below sandwich the hooking portion

7

from above and below, even if twisting action is applied between the female engaging device

1

and male engaging device

2

, they keep a strong engaging strength against the twisting, so that the engaging state can be maintained. Further, because the side walls

10

of the frame portion

9

exist on both sides of the engaging piece

15

, even if a pulling action is applied in the longitudinal direction of the tape

3

, the engaging piece

15

makes contact with the side wall

10

so as to prevent a relative motion of the respective parts thereby maintaining a secure engaging state.

The male/female engaging device with tape shown in

FIGS. 5

to

7

indicates a modification of the first embodiment. The male engaging device

2

having a hooking mechanism is mounted on the side edge

4

of the tape

3

by molding a substantially cylindrical hooking portion

7

so as to cover the core portion

5

disposed on the side edge

4

of the tape

3

. A U-shaped frame portion

9

is provided from both ends of the hooking portion

7

to an inner position of the tape

3

so as to sandwich the tape

3

. The frame portion

9

comprises side walls

10

and a connecting portion

11

. As shown in

FIG. 5

, a partition wall

17

having the same shape as the side wall

10

is arranged in the midst of the connecting portion

11

so that two small accommodating portion

12

are formed in the hooking portions

7

. By providing several partition walls

17

, plural accommodating portions

12

may be provided freely.

In the hooking portion

7

, an end face

14

whose front end is substantially flat is formed as shown in

FIG. 6 and a

guide face

13

having a rising gradient as it goes deeper is formed on each of upper and lower faces from this end face

14

. Further, an accommodating portion

12

with a gap is formed between hooking portion

7

and frame portion

9

so as to accommodate the engaging piece

15

.

In the female engaging devices

1

having the engaging mechanism, as shown in

FIG. 5

, a trapezoidal base portion

8

having such a sectional shape in which an outside edge is wider is molded so as to cover the core portion

5

provided on the side edge

4

of the tape

3

, and two pairs of the engaging pieces

15

above and below are provided side by side such that their ends are open from the base potion

8

to the front end, having a C-shape cross section and are elastically deformable. The engaging pieces

15

engage the two accommodating portions

12

provided in the hooking portion

7

of the male engaging device

2

in a state that they hook thereon from above and below, so as to achieve balanced engagement. The other structure and configuration are the same as the first embodiment.

In the male/female engaging device with tape of the second embodiment shown in

FIGS. 8

to

10

, as shown in

FIGS. 8 and 9

, in the female engaging portion

1

having an engaging function, a box-like base portion

8

whose outer side is thick is formed so as to cover the core portion

5

provided on the side edge

4

of the tape

3

, so as to be mounted on the side edge

4

of the tape

3

. Then, a rectangular engaging hole

20

is made near a lower edge of the front face of the base portion

8

so that a male piece

23

of the male engaging device

2

is capable of being inserted. The box-like base portion

8

is formed in a large size such that the surface is extended to a deeper side. Then, a hollow accommodating portion

12

is provided in a bottom face at a front end of the engaging hole

20

, so that an expanded head portion

24

formed at a front end of the male piece

23

is accommodated and the expanded head portion

24

is capable of moving slightly in the depth direction of the accommodating portion

12

.

As shown in

FIGS. 8 and 9

, the male engaging device

2

having the hooking mechanism is mounted on the side edge

4

of the tape

3

by molding a prismatic, trapezoidal base portion

8

so as to cover the core portion

5

provided on the side edge

4

of the tape

3

, and the male piece

23

capable of passing through the engaging hole

20

of the female engaging devices

1

is provided near the lower edge of the front face of the base portion

8

so as to protrude forward. By providing the male piece

23

with the expanded head portion

24

whose front end is expanded like an arrow tip, the male engaging device

2

is capable of engaging the engaging hole

20

of the female engaging device

1

by snap action. When the female engaging device

1

is engaged with the male engaging device

2

, end faces of both the base portions

8

make contact with each other to maintain a stabilized state. It is important that the expanded head portion

24

is not expanded excessively.

The male/female engaging device shown in

FIGS. 11

to

13

indicate a modification of the second embodiment. In the female engaging device

1

having an engaging mechanism, as shown in

FIGS. 11 and 12

, a long prismatic base portion

8

is molded on the surface of tape

3

so as to cover the core portion

5

provided on the side edge

4

of the tape

3

so as to be mounted on the side edge

4

of the tape

3

. Then, a pair of hook-shaped engaging protrusions

28

are provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the tape

3

of the top surface of the base portion

8

such that they oppose each other and their protruded sides are directed inward. Consequently, the male piece

23

of the male engaging device

2

is capable of being inserted.

As shown in

FIGS. 11 and 12

, the male engaging device

2

having the hooking mechanism is attached to the side edge

4

of the tape

3

so as to cover the core portion

5

provided on the side edge

4

of the tape

3

such that the prismatic base portion

8

is protruded perpendicular to the surface of the tape

3

. Then, the male piece

23

is provided on the front face of the base portion

8

so as to protrude forward from its upper edge. An expanded head portion

25

is formed on a front end of the male piece

23

such that it is protruded on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the tape

3

, and when inserted in between the engaging protrusion

28

of the female engaging device

1

, it is elastically deformed so as to be engaged. Although the male piece

23

may be of a flat sheet, a center portion of the male piece

23

is hollowed out as shown in the Figure so as to form a frame body. As a result, the expanded head portion

25

of the male piece

23

is provided with elastic force so that engaging/disengaging operation for the female engaging devices

1

and male engaging device

2

can be carried out easily.

In the male/female engaging device with tape according to a third embodiment shown in

FIGS. 14

to

16

, the male engaging device

2

having the hooking mechanism is attached to the side edge

4

of the tape

3

so as to cover the core portion

5

provided on the side edge

4

of the tape

3

such that a prismatic base portion

8

having a long rectangular section is molded. As shown in

FIG. 14 and 15

, an engaging protrusion

29

comprising a neck portion

35

provided at a trunk portion thereof and an engaging head portion

30

having a spherical head portion is provided in the center of the top surface of the base portion

8

so as to protrude. Then, a groove portion

31

is provided at a top portion of the engaging head portion

30

such that it is dented to provide the engaging head portion with elasticity. As a result, engagement with an engaging hole

34

formed in the male piece

33

of the female engaging device

1

is facilitated.

As shown in

FIGS. 14 and 15

, the female engaging device

1

having the engaging mechanism is attached to the side edge

4

of the tape

3

so as to cover the core portion

5

provided on the side edge

4

of the tape

3

, such that a prismatic base portion

8

is molded on the tape

3

so as to protrude perpendicularly. Then, a female piece

33

is provided on the front face of the base portion

8

from the front edge to forward so as to protrude, and a circular engaging hole

34

having a larger diameter than an outer size of the neck portion

35

of the engaging protrusion

29

is provided in the center near a front end of this female piece

33

, so that the engaging head portion

30

of the male engaging device

2

can be engaged with this engaging hole

34

by snap action.

The female engaging devices

1

and the male engaging device

2

are engaged with each other by pressing from above and below. Upon engagement, the engaging hole

34

compresses the engaging head portion

30

and after the engagement, the neck portion

35

of the engaging protrusion

29

is capable of moving slightly in a gap within the engaging hole

34

. As a result, end faces of both the base portions

8

keep contact with each other so that a stabilized engagement is maintained.

A male/female engaging device with tape shown in

FIGS. 17

to

19

indicates a modification of the third embodiment. As shown in

FIG. 17 and 18

, the male engaging device

2

having the engaging mechanism is attached to the side edge

4

of the tape

3

so as to cover the side edge

4

of the flat tape

3

such that a prismatic base portion

8

is molded. Upon molding of the base portion

8

, upper and lower portions of the base portions

8

are connected integrally through a hole portion

40

provided at an end of the tape

3

so as to achieve a firm fixing of the tape

2

.

An engaging protrusion

29

is provided in the center of the top face of the base portion

8

so as to protrude. Then, a step portion

36

is formed by cutting out a lower portion of the trunk portion of the engaging protrusion

29

so as to form a neck portion

35

at the trunk portion and a hook-shaped engaging head portion

30

directed inward of the tape

3

at a tip thereof. As a result, when the female engaging device

1

engages the male engaging device

2

, the female piece

33

is not capable of escaping upward.

As shown in

FIGS. 17 and 18

, the female engaging device

1

having the engaging mechanism is attached to the side edge

4

of the tape

3

so as to cover the side edge

4

of the flat tape

3

such that a prismatic base portion

8

is molded so as to protrude perpendicularly with respect to the tape

3

. Upon molding of the base portion

8

, upper and lower portions of the base portions

8

are connected integrally through a hole portion

40

provided at an end of the tape

3

so as to achieve a firm fixing.

A female piece

33

is provided on the front face of the base portion

8

so as to protrude forward from its upper edge and then a guide groove

37

for guiding an insertion of the engaging protrusion

29

of the male engaging device

2

is provided from a front end of this female piece

33

toward the center portion thereof. Then, an engaging hole

38

is provided in the deepest portion of the guide groove

37

. Engaging portions

39

protruded to the guide groove

37

are provided on both sides of the deepest portion of the guide grooves

37

so that the engaging hole

38

coincides with a sectional shape of the neck portion

35

of the engaging protrusion

29

. Consequently, the engaging portions

39

restrict an escape of the engaging protrusion

29

when the female engaging devices

1

engages the male engaging device

2

.

An inner shape of the engaging hole

34

is larger than an outside shape of the neck portion

35

of the engaging protrusion

29

so that there is a gap between the both. Thus, the engaging protrusion

29

is capable of moving slightly in the engaging hole

34

such that both the base portions

8

maintain a stabilized engagement. Meanwhile, engagement and disengagement of the female engaging device

1

and male engaging device

2

can be achieved along one flat operation.

The male/female engaging device with tape of the present invention has the structure described above and with this structure, the following effects are achieved.

According to the present invention, there is a male/female engaging device with tape, wherein female engaging devices

1

having an engaging mechanism are attached to one of the side edges

4

of an opposing pair of tapes

3

while male engaging devices

2

having a hooking mechanism are attached to the other side edge

4

, such that engagement or disengagement between the female engaging device

1

and male engaging device

2

is carried out at the inner side of the tape

3

with respect to the side edge

4

of the tape

3

on which the female engaging device

1

or male engaging device

2

is attached. As a result, the gap between the side edges

4

of the right and left tapes

3

can be made as small as possible, so that a male/female engaging device with tape having a beautiful and fashionable appearance can be obtained.

According to the present invention, there is provided a male/female engaging device with tape, wherein the male engaging device

2

having the hooking mechanism covers the side edge

4

of the tape

3

and has a hooking portion

7

having guide faces

13

at an outer side thereof and a frame portion

9

which is formed in a U shape directed inward from both ends of the hooking portion

7

and sandwiching the tape

3

, and the female engaging device

1

having the engaging mechanism includes a base portion

8

for covering the side edge

4

of the tape

3

and engaging pieces

33

, for engaging the hooking portion

7

provided on a front face of the base portion so as to protrude. Because the male/female engaging device is symmetrical with respect to the front and rear sides thereof, either surface may be exposed outside. Thus, it is convenient for use and an engaging operation can be carried out easily. Further, even if a twisting action or a pulling action is applied in engagement, a strong engagement holding force is secured. Thus, a male/female engaging device with tape capable of maintaining a stabilized engaging force without looseness can be obtained.

According to the present invention, there is provided a male/female engaging device with tape, wherein the male engaging device

2

having the hooking mechanism covers the side edge

4

of the tape

3

and contains an hooking portion

7

having guide faces

13

at an outer side thereof, a frame portion

9

which is formed in a U shape directed inward from both ends of the hooking portion

7

and sandwiched to the tape

3

and a plurality of accommodating portions

12

provided in the hooking portion

7

such that partition walls

17

are connected to the frame portion

9

, and the female engaging device

1

having the engaging mechanism includes a base portion

8

for covering the side edge

4

of the tape

3

and plural engaging pieces

15

which engage the hooking portions

7

provided on a front face of the base portion

8

so as to protrude. Because the male/ female engaging device is symmetrical with respect to the front and rear sides thereof, any surface may be exposed outside. Thus, it is convenient for use and a balanced engagement can be achieved. Therefore, a male/female engaging device with tape capable of maintaining a stabilized engaging state without looseness can be obtained.

According to the present invention, there is provided a male/female engaging device, wherein the female engaging device

1

having the engaging mechanism includes a base portion

8

so as to cover the side edge

4

of the tape

3

and an engaging hole

34

provided on a front face of the base portion

8

such that a male piece

23

is capable of passing through, and the male engaging device

2

having the hooking mechanism includes a base portion

8

so as to cover the side edge

4

of the tape

3

and the male piece

23

having an expanded head portion

25

at a front end thereof and protruded forward from the front face of the base portion

8

. As a result, a rigid male/female engaging device with tape can be produced and further, an engaging operation can be carried out easily and a stabilized engagement state without looseness can be maintained.

According to the present invention, there is provided a male/female engaging device, wherein the female engaging device

2

having the engaging mechanism includes a base portion

8

so as to cover the side edge

4

of the tape

3

and hook shaped engaging protrusions

29

provided on both sides facing each other such that the male piece

23

is capable of being inserted therebetween so that they are directed inward on top or bottom face of the base portion

8

, and the male engaging device

2

having the hooking mechanism includes a base portion

8

so as to cover the side edge

4

of the tape

3

and the male piece

23

having an expanded head portion

25

with its end expanded at a front end and protruded forward from the front face of the base portion

8

. An engaging/disengaging operation of the female/male engaging device can be carried out easily and a stabilized engagement state without looseness can be maintained.

According to the present invention, there is provided a male/female engaging device, wherein the male engaging device

2

having the hooking mechanism includes a base portion

8

so as to cover the side edge

4

of the tape

3

and engaging protrusions

28

having an engaging head portion

30

at a tip thereof, the engaging protrusion

29

being provided on a top face or a bottom face of the base portion

8

so as to protrude and the female engaging device

1

having the engaging mechanism includes a base portion so as to cover the side edge of the tape and a female piece

33

having an engaging hole

34

in which the engaging protrusion

29

is to be inserted at a front end portion and provided so as to protrude forward from a front face of the base portion

8

. As a result, a rigid male/female engaging device with tape having a simple structure can be produced. Especially a disengaging operation of male/female engaging devices can be carried out very easily and a stabilized engagement state without looseness can be maintained.

According to the present invention, there is provided a male/female engaging device, wherein the male engaging device

2

having the hooking mechanism includes a base portion

8

so as to cover the side edge

4

of the tape

3

and engaging protrusions

29

having an engaging head portion

30

at a tip thereof, the engaging protrusion

29

being provided on a top face or a bottom face of the base portion

8

so as to protrude and the female engaging device

1

having the engaging mechanism including a base portion

8

so as to cover the side edge

4

of the tape

3

and a female piece

23

having a guide groove

37

extended from a front end thereof and an engaging hole

34

having engaging portions

39

at a deepest portion of the guide groove, and the female piece

33

is protruded forward from the front surface of the base portion

8

. As a result, a rigid male/female engaging device having a simple structure can be produced. Particularly, an engaging operation for engaging the female and male engaging devices by combination can be carried out very easily and a stabilized engagement state without looseness is obtained. As described above, the present invention is capable of exerting very remarkable effects.

Number	Name	Date	Kind
573829	Mixer et al.	Dec 1896	A
1495118	Starck	May 1924	A
2114429	Roseman	Apr 1938	A
2500694	Matsumoto	Mar 1950	A
2709290	Rosenthal	May 1955	A
2809411	Moghadam	Oct 1957	A
3160935	Broyles	Dec 1964	A
3751770	Italiano	Aug 1973	A
5187843	Lynch	Feb 1993	A
5581854	Swain	Dec 1996	A
6058577	Ida et al.	May 2000	A
6182338	Watanabe	Feb 2001	B1
6243927	Matsushima et al.	Jun 2001	B1

Number	Date	Country
2 333 802	Aug 1999	GB
62-79416	May 1987	JP
2525301	Mar 1993	JP

Male/female engaging device with tape

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

Original Assignees

Examiners

Agents

CPC

US Classifications

Field of Search

US

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (1)

US Referenced Citations (13)

Foreign Referenced Citations (3)