Pin-retained clip   

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pin holder type fastener including a pin and a pin holder. Particularly preferably, the invention is applied to a fastener of an ornament, such as a tiepin, a brooch, a pierced earring or a necklace, but it is also applied to a fastener of various kinds of article, other than the ornament, of a comparatively small size.

2. Description of the Related Arts

To date, it is common that a pin holder type fastener in a bodily ornament such as, for example, a pierced earring, as shown in (a) in FIG. 1, has a structure in which a pin 1 having a peripheral groove 2 in a vicinity of a leading extreme portion is inserted into a pin fastener (omitted from the figure), and a holding member 3 of the pin fastener is moved into a position in which it locks into the peripheral groove 2, and is fixed. Then, as shown in (b) in FIG. 1, by causing the holding member 3 to withdraw from the peripheral groove 2 by means of an appropriate operation, it is possible to extract the pin 1 from the pin fastener.

In particular, in pin holder type fasteners of recent years, there are many structures in which the holding member\'s moving into and withdrawal from the peripheral groove of the pin is carried out using a spring material having an elastic deformation function. As a normal pin fastener is of a small size, it is practical to simplify the structure of the fastener by means of a pin holding mechanism using the spring material.

As a first related art, a fastener of an ear decoration (a pierced earring) proposed in the heretofore mentioned Literature 1 can be presented. The fastener, as shown in (a) in FIG. 2, provides a hole 6 in a guide portion 5, which is a central portion of a substrate 4. Then, a tubular guide piece 7 is fitted into the hole 6, and a pin is inserted via a through hole 8 of the guide piece 7. Meanwhile, an elastic tab 9 accompanying a guide groove 10 is formed in a peripheral portion of the substrate 4. The elastic tab 9 is bent gently to a rear of the substrate 4, constructing a loop portion 11. That is, as shown in (b) in FIG. 2, a structure is such that a pin 12 is inserted from the guide portion 5 side of the substrate 4, causing the loop portion 11 to bite into a peripheral groove 13 thereof, and holding the pin 12.

Next, as a second related art, a pin fastener shown by sectional views in (a) and (b) in FIG. 3 is also proposed. In the pin fastener 14, a pair of holding members 16 made of a material capable of an elastic deformation are housed inside a cover 15, which overall is circular or elliptical. The holding members 16, being configured approximately symmetrically centered on a central pin insertion portion 17, each include a pin holder arm 18 and a holding arm 19 of shapes shown.

In a pinning condition, as shown in (a) in FIG. 3, each of the holding arms 19 of the two holding members 16 pushes the other holding member 16 in an opposite direction, as a result of which, the pair of pin holder arms 18 is pushed in a direction of the pin insertion portion 17. For this reason, a pin (omitted from the figure) which is in the pin insertion portion 17 is held by the pair of pin holder arms 18.

In a case of extracting the pin from the pin fastener 14, button portions 20 protruding into an exterior of the cover 15 from the holding members 16 are pressed into a direction of the center. By so doing, as shown in (b) in FIG. 3, each of the pair of pin holder arms 18, resisting a biasing force of the holding arm 19, withdraws from the pin, and the pinning condition is ended.

However, in the heretofore described first and second related arts, the mechanism is such that the holding member of the pin fastener (that is, the loop portion 11 in the first related art, and the pin holder arms 18 in the second related art) is brought into contact with the peripheral groove of the pin from a radial direction (a right angle direction). In the case of this kind of mechanism, a pin insertion force (a force necessary when inserting the pin into the pin fastener) and a pin extraction force (a force necessary for extracting the pin without a withdrawal operation of the holding member) are basically of the same strength. Consequently, when setting the pin insertion force small in consideration of an ease of a pinning operation, the pin extraction force also becomes smaller. As a result of this, due to, for example, the pierced earring becoming caught on a hair or the like, there is a danger of the pin falling out even though a pin extraction operation has not been carried out. For this reason, it is not uncommon that the pierced earring falls off without being noticed, and that the pierced earring is lost.

Next, in the heretofore described first related art, it is necessary that an extremely small tubular guide piece 7 is manufactured, and that this is fitted into the hole 6 of the substrate 4. Furthermore, it is necessary that the fitted portion is fixed by means such as a welding. Also, in the heretofore described second related art, it is necessary that an extremely small pair of pin fasteners 14 of a complex shape are accurately manufactured, and installed in the cover 15. Consequently, an increase in their manufacturing cost and installation cost is unavoidable.

SUMMARY

An object of the invention is to provide a pin holder type fastener with a small pin insertion force but a large pin extraction force, with which moreover it is possible to easily end a pinning condition with a simple operation. Another object of the invention is to make a structure of this kind of fastener simple, and to reduce a manufacturing cost thereof.

A first aspect of the invention is a fastener including: a pin holder; and a pin in which is provided a holding portion formed by a peripheral groove, a depressed portion or a protruding portion in a leading extreme portion vicinity, the fastener holding the pin by locking a holding member of the pin holder onto the holding portion of the pin, and ending a pinning condition by causing the holding member to withdraw from the holding portion, wherein

the pin holder, by bend forming a central portion of a longitudinal direction of a thin plate-like spring material into an acute angle or an arc, is formed to have a triangular side view shape formed by an apex and a pair of inclining portions on either side thereof,

as well as providing a pin holder hole for inserting a pin in the apex, a pair of the holding members, of a length such as to lock onto the holding portion of the pin inserted into the pin holder hole, protrude from a peripheral portion of a longitudinal direction in the pin holder hole, in the same direction as the inclining portions, and furthermore,

by bend forming longitudinal direction extreme portions of the pair of inclining portions in a direction along a bottom edge of the triangular side view shape, stoppers are formed against a pinning condition ending operation which causes an elastic compression deformation of the triangular side view shape of the pin holder.

In the fastener according to the first aspect, when pinning the fastener, the pin is inserted into the pin holder hole of the apex from a bottom edge side of the triangular shape of the pin holder. At this time, the pin is inserted while elastically deforming and pushing out the pair of holding members protruding into the pin holder hole. Then, on the holding portion reaching a protrusion position of the holding members, the holding members lock onto the holding portion, and the pinning is completed. In the event that the holding portion of the pin is formed by the peripheral groove or the depressed portion, as a small clicking sound is emitted when the holding members move into the holding portion, it is possible to easily confirm the completion of the pinning. As the pair of holding members protrude in the same direction as the inclining portions, a resistance to an insertion of the pin is weak, and a resistance to an extraction of the pin which is in the pinning condition is extremely strong. That is, a pin insertion force is small, while a pin extraction force is large.

When wishing to end the pinning condition, it is sufficient that both extremes of the pair of inclining portions of the pin holder are pinched between a thumb and an index finger, and a force is applied in such a way as to reduce a space between the extremes of the inclining portions (to cause an elastic compression deformation of the triangular side view shape of the pin holder). By means of this operation, an elastic deformation is brought about in such a way that the apex of the pin holder bends more acutely, and the pair of holding members protruding from the inclining portions are displaced away from each other. Consequently, the holding members withdraw from the holding portion, and it is possible to extract the pin from the pin holder.

Then, as the stoppers are formed by bend forming the longitudinal direction extreme portions of the pair of inclining portions in the direction along the bottom edge of the triangular side view shape, in a pinning condition ending operation, it is sufficient that the compression deformation of the pin holder is caused until the stoppers come into contact with the pin. As a result of this, the pinning condition ending operation becomes simple and reliable, on top of which it is possible to effectively prevent damage to the apex due to causing an excessive compression deformation of the pin holder, and a deterioration of an elastic deformation capacity of the apex.

A second aspect of the invention is a fastener including: a pin holder; and a pin in which is provided a holding portion formed by a peripheral groove, a depressed portion or a protruding portion in a leading extreme portion vicinity, the fastener holding the pin by locking a holding member of the pin holder onto the holding portion of the pin, and ending a pinning condition by causing the holding member to withdraw from the holding portion, wherein

the pin holder, by bend forming a central portion of a longitudinal direction of a thin plate-like spring material into an acute angle or an arc, is formed to have a triangular side view shape formed by an apex and a pair of inclining portions on either side thereof,

as well as providing a pin holder hole for inserting a pin in the apex, a pair of the holding members, of a length such as to lock onto the holding portion of the pin inserted into the pin holder hole, protrude from a peripheral portion of a longitudinal direction in the pin holder hole, in the same direction as the inclining portions, and furthermore

as well as forming a bottom edge portion by bend forming one or both longitudinal direction extreme portions of the pair of inclining portions in a direction along a bottom edge of the triangular side view shape, a pin through hole for passing the pin through is provided in a portion of the bottom edge portion immediately below the pin holder hole.

In the second aspect, with the exception of effects and benefits arising from the stoppers in the heretofore described first aspect, the same effects and benefits as in the first aspect can be acquired. Furthermore, there are the following effect and benefit. That is, movements of the pin and the pin holder, which are in the pinning condition, are mutually restricted at two points, the pin holder hole of the apex and the pin through holes of the bottom edge portions. For this reason, as the pin holder does not wobble around the pin, the fastener in the pinning condition does not wobble unsteadily.

A third aspect of the invention is a fastener wherein, in the case of providing the bottom edge portion in both of the longitudinal direction extreme portions of the inclining portions, by means of ear tabs provided on one of the bottom edge portions and bend formed in a direction of the other bottom edge portion, the two bottom edge portions are mutually restricted in a condition in which a relative sliding movement in the longitudinal direction is possible.

In the third aspect, as the two bottom edge portions bend formed from the pair of inclining portions are mutually restricted by the ear tabs, the pin holder has a high structural strength. Also, as the relative sliding movement of the two bottom edge portions in the longitudinal direction is possible, even when providing the ear tabs, there is no interference with the pinning condition ending operation accompanying the kind of elastic deformation of the pin holder previously described in the first aspect.

A fourth aspect of the invention is a fastener including: a pin holder; and a pin in which is provided a holding portion formed by a peripheral groove, a depressed portion or a protruding portion in a leading extreme portion vicinity, the fastener holding the pin by locking a holding member of the pin holder onto the holding portion of the pin, and ending a pinning condition by causing the holding member to withdraw from the holding portion, wherein

the pin holder, by bend forming a central portion of a longitudinal direction of a thin plate-like spring material into an acute angle or an arc, is formed to have a triangular side view shape formed by an apex and a pair of inclining portions on either side thereof, and

as well as providing a pin holder hole for inserting the pin in the apex, turnback tabs protrude in a non-longitudinal direction one from each of the pair of inclining portions, and are bend formed in such a way as to overlap on a front surface of the inclining portions (an exterior surface of the triangle), and the holding member, of a length such as to lock onto the holding portion of the pin inserted into the pin holder hole, protrudes from the pair of turnback tabs, in the same direction as the inclining portions, toward a centre of the pin holder hole.

In the fastener according to the fourth aspect, in the same way as in the case of the first aspect, it is possible to easily manufacture the pin holder by processing a thin plate-like spring material, on top of which, as a structure is simple in comparison with a heretofore known pin holder, it is possible to provide a low cost fastener.

Also, although the structure of the pin holder is slightly complex in comparison with the case of the first aspect, as it is not necessary to form the pin holder hole and the holding member in the same portion of the thin plate-like spring material, a process of forming the pin holder hole and the holding member is easy.

A fifth aspect of the invention is the fastener in the heretofore described fourth aspect wherein, by means of ear tabs provided on non-longitudinal direction leading extreme portions of the turnback tabs, and bend formed in a direction of the inclining portions, the leading extreme portions of the turnback tabs are brought into close contact with the inclining portions.

As the turnback tabs bend formed in such a way as to overlap on a front surface of the inclining portions include the holding members, every time an operation of inserting the pin in the pin holder is carried out, a force is received which attempts to lift the turnback tabs up from the front surface of the inclining portions. In the event that the turnback tabs are lifted up from the front surface of the inclining portions, it becomes impossible to realize a good pinning condition. Consequently, by using the ear tabs to bring the turnback tabs into close contact with the inclining portions, as in the fifth aspect, it is possible to completely prevent this kind of defect.

A sixth aspect of the invention is a fastener including: a pin holder; and a pin in which is provided a holding portion formed by a peripheral groove, a depressed portion or a protruding portion in a leading extreme portion vicinity, the fastener holding the pin by locking a holding member of the pin holder onto the holding portion of the pin, and ending a pinning condition by causing the holding member to withdraw from the holding portion, wherein

the pin holder, by bend forming a central portion of a longitudinal direction of a thin plate-like spring material into an acute angle or an arc, is formed to have a triangular side view shape formed by an apex and a pair of inclining portions on either side thereof,

as well as providing a pin holder hole for inserting the pin in the apex, turnback tabs protrude in a non-longitudinal direction one from each of the pair of inclining portions, and are bend formed in such a way as to overlap on a front surface of the inclining portions (an exterior surface of the triangle), and the holding member, of a length such as to lock onto the holding portion of the pin inserted into the pin holder hole, protrudes from the pair of turnback tabs, in the same direction as the inclining portions, toward a centre of the pin holder hole, and furthermore,

as well as forming a bottom edge portion by bend forming one or both longitudinal direction extreme portions of the pair of inclining portions in a direction along a bottom edge of the triangular side view shape, a pin through hole for passing the pin through is provided in a portion of the bottom edge portion immediately below the pin holder hole.

In the sixth aspect, in addition to a point that the same effects and benefits as in the heretofore described fifth aspect can be acquired, there are the following effect and benefit. That is, the movements of the pin and the pin holder, which are in the pinning condition, are mutually restricted at two points, the pin holder hole of the apex and the pin through holes of the bottom edge portions. For this reason, as the pin holder does not wobble around the pin, the fastener in the pinning condition does not wobble unsteadily.

A seventh aspect of the invention is the fastener in the heretofore described sixth aspect wherein, by means of ear tabs provided on non-longitudinal direction leading extreme portions of the turnback tabs, and bend formed in a direction of the inclining portions, the leading extreme portions of the turnback tabs are brought into close contact with the inclining portions.

In the heretofore described sixth aspect, as the turnback tabs bend formed in such a way as to overlap on a front surface of the inclining portions include the holding members, every time an operation of inserting the pin in the pin holder is carried out, a force is received which attempts to lift the turnback tabs up from the front surface of the inclining portions. Then, in the event that the turnback tabs are lifted up from the front surface of the inclining portions, it becomes impossible to realize a good pinning condition. Consequently, by using the ear tabs to bring the turnback tabs into close contact with the inclining portions, as in the seventh aspect, it is possible to completely prevent this kind of defect.

An eighth aspect of the invention is the fastener in the heretofore described sixth aspect or seventh aspect wherein, in the case of providing the bottom edge portion in both of the longitudinal direction extreme portions of the inclining portions, by means of ear tabs provided on one of the bottom edge portions and bend formed in a direction of the other bottom edge portion, the two bottom edge portions are mutually restricted in a condition in which a relative sliding movement in the longitudinal direction is possible.

In the eighth aspect, as the two bottom edge portions bend formed from the pair of inclining portions are mutually restricted by the ear tabs, the pin holder has a high structural strength. As the relative sliding movement of the two bottom edge portions in the longitudinal direction is possible, even when providing the ear tabs, there is no interference with the pinning condition ending operation accompanying the kind of elastic deformation of the pin holder previously described in the first aspect.

A ninth aspect of the invention is a fastener including: a pin holder; and a pin in which is provided a holding portion formed by a peripheral groove, a depressed portion or a protruding portion in a leading extreme portion vicinity, the fastener holding the pin by locking a holding member of the pin holder onto the holding portion of the pin, and ending a pinning condition by causing the holding member to withdraw from the holding portion, wherein

the pin holder, by bend forming a central portion of a longitudinal direction of a thin plate-like spring material into an acute angle or an arc, is formed to have a triangular side view shape formed by an apex and a pair of inclining portions on either side thereof,

as well as providing a pin holder hole for inserting a pin in the apex, a pair of the holding members, of a length such as to lock onto the holding portion of the pin inserted into the pin holder hole, protrude from a peripheral portion of a longitudinal direction in the pin holder hole, in the same direction as the inclining portions, furthermore,

as well as forming a bottom edge portion by bend forming a longitudinal direction extreme portion of one of the pair of inclining portions in a direction along a bottom edge of the triangular side view shape, a pin through hole for passing the pin through is provided in a portion of the bottom edge portion immediately below the pin holder hole, and also,

as well as forming a stand-up portion by bend forming a longitudinal direction extreme portion of the other of the pair of inclining portions in a direction of the apex of the triangle, a shelter member which surrounds a leading extreme of the pin inserted into the pin holder hole is formed by bend forming ear tabs provided at a leading extreme of the stand-up portion.

In the fastener according to the ninth aspect, in the same way as in the case of the first aspect, it is possible to easily manufacture the pin holder by processing a thin plate-like spring material, on top of which, as a structure is simple in comparison with a heretofore known pin holder, it is possible to provide a low cost fastener. Furthermore, in the ninth aspect, there are the following effects and benefits.

That is, as a first point, the movements of the pin and the pin holder, which are in the pinning condition, are mutually restricted at two points, the pin holder hole of the apex and the pin through holes of the bottom edge portions. For this reason, as the pin holder does not wobble around the pin, the fastener in the pinning condition does not wobble unsteadily.

As a second point, as the stand-up portion is provided, and the shelter member which surrounds the leading extreme of the pin inserted into the pin holder hole is formed on the stand-up portion, the leading extreme of the pin which is in the pinning condition is housed inside the shelter member. As a result of this, it is possible to prevent an accident such as, handling the fastener carelessly, a sharp leading extreme of the pin pricking a wearer\'s finger or skin.

A tenth aspect of the invention is a fastener including: a pin holder; and a pin in which is provided a holding portion formed by a peripheral groove, a depressed portion or a protruding portion in a leading extreme portion vicinity, the fastener holding the pin by locking a holding member of the pin holder onto the holding portion of the pin, and ending a pinning condition by causing the holding member to withdraw from the holding portion, wherein

the pin holder, by bend forming a central portion of a longitudinal direction of a thin plate-like spring material into an acute angle or an arc, is formed to have a triangular side view shape formed by an apex and a pair of inclining portions on either side thereof,

as well as providing a pin holder hole for inserting the pin in the apex, pin holder tabs are formed by bend forming longitudinal direction extreme portions of the pair of inclining portions in such a way as to overlap on a front surface (an exterior surface of the triangle) or a rear surface (an interior surface of the triangle) of the inclining portions, and the holding member, of a length such as to lock onto the holding portion of the pin inserted into the pin holder hole, protrudes from a longitudinal direction extreme portion of the pair of pin holder tabs, in the same direction as the inclining portions, toward a centre of the pin holder hole.

In the fastener according to the tenth aspect, in the same way as in the case of the first aspect, it is possible to easily manufacture the pin holder by processing a thin plate-like spring material, on top of which, as a structure is simple in comparison with a heretofore known pin holder, it is possible to provide a low cost fastener.

Also, although the structure of the pin holder is slightly complex in comparison with the case of the first aspect, as it is not necessary to form the pin holder hole and the holding member in the same portion of the thin plate-like spring material, a process of forming the pin holder hole and the holding member is easy.

An eleventh aspect of the invention is the fastener in the heretofore described tenth aspect wherein, in the case of bend forming the pin holder tabs in such a way as to overlap on the front surface of the inclining portions, by means of ear tabs provided in a non-longitudinal direction of the pin holder tabs, and bend formed in a direction of the inclining portions, the pin holder tabs are brought into close contact with the inclining portions.

In the heretofore described tenth aspect, as the pin holder tabs bend formed in such a way as to overlap on a front surface of the inclining portions include the holding members, every time an operation of inserting the pin in the pin holder is carried out, a force is received which attempts to lift the pin holder tabs up from the front surface of the inclining portions. Then, in the event that the pin holder tabs are lifted up from the front surface of the inclining portions, it becomes impossible to realize a good pinning condition. Consequently, by using the ear tabs to bring the pin holder tabs into close contact with the inclining portions, as in the eleventh aspect, it is possible to completely prevent this kind of defect.

A twelfth aspect of the invention is a fastener including: a pin holder; and a pin in which is provided a holding portion formed by a peripheral groove, a depressed portion or a protruding portion in a leading extreme portion vicinity, the fastener holding the pin by locking a holding member of the pin holder onto the holding portion of the pin, and ending a pinning condition by causing the holding member to withdraw from the holding portion, wherein

the pin holder is configured of a spring member, and a holder base including the holding member,

the spring member has a triangular side view shape formed by an apex, having a shape of being bent into an acute angle or an arc, and a pair of linear, inclining portions on either side thereof, and also, includes a pin holder hole for inserting a pin in the apex, and

by fixing the holder base on one or both of the pair of inclining portions, holding members of the holding base protrude in the same direction as the inclining portions, and to a length such as to lock onto the holding portion of the pin inserted into the pin holder hole.

In the ornament fastener according to the twelfth aspect, it is not necessary to integrally form the spring member configuring the pin holder and the holder base including the holding members. Also, it being sufficient that a material configuring the spring member is a material which can be elastically deformed, it is not necessary to use a material with which a bending process is possible. Due to these points, a selection of the material and a design of the fastener are relatively easy. Also, as the structure of the pin holder is simple, it is possible to provide a low cost fastener.

When pinning the fastener, the pin is inserted into the pin holder hole of the apex from a bottom edge side of the triangular shape of the pin holder. At this time, the pin exerts a force on the holding members protruding into the pin holder hole which attempts to push the holding members out. This force is transmitted to the spring material via the holder base including the holding members and, by the spring member bringing about a certain degree of deformation, the pin pushes out the holding members, and is inserted into the pin holder hole.

Then, on the pin holder portion reaching a protrusion position of the holding members, the heretofore described certain degree of deformation of the spring member is removed, as a result of which, the leading extreme portions of the holding members return to their original protrusion positions and lock onto the pin holder portion, and the pinning is completed. In the event that the pin holder portion is the peripheral groove or the depressed portion, as a small clicking sound is emitted when the holding members lock onto the holding portion, it is possible to easily confirm the completion of the pinning. As the holding members protrude in the same direction as the inclining portions, a resistance to an insertion of the pin is weak, and a resistance to an extraction of the pin which is in the pinning condition is extremely strong. That is, a pin insertion force is small, while a pin extraction force is large.

When wishing to end the pinning condition, it is sufficient that both extremes of the pair of inclining portions of the spring member are pinched between a thumb and an index finger, and a force is applied in such a way as to reduce a space between the extremes of the inclining portions. By means of this operation, an elastic deformation is brought about in such a way that the apex of the spring member bends more acutely, and the pair of holding members protruding from the inclining portions are displaced away from each other. Consequently, the holding members withdraw from the pin holder portion, and it is possible to extract the pin from the pin holder.

A thirteenth aspect of the invention is a fastener including: a pin holder; and a pin in which is provided a holding portion formed by a peripheral groove, a depressed portion or a protruding portion in a leading extreme portion vicinity, the fastener holding the pin by locking a holding member of the pin holder onto the holding portion of the pin, and ending a pinning condition by causing the holding member to withdraw from the holding portion, wherein

the pin holder is configured of a spring member, and a holder base including the holding member,

the spring member has a triangular side view shape composed of an apex, having a shape of being bent into an acute angle or an arc, and a pair of linear, inclining portions on either side thereof, and also, includes a pin holder hole for inserting a pin in the apex,

by fixing the holder base on one or both of the pair of inclining portions, holding members of the holding base protrude in the same direction as the inclining portions, and to a length such as to lock onto the holding portion of the pin inserted into the pin holder hole, and furthermore,

longitudinal direction extreme portions of the pair of inclining portions having bottom edge portions having a shape of being bent in a direction along a bottom edge of the triangular side view shape, a certain space is left between leading extreme portions of the bottom edge portions, and a notch portion is formed through which the pin inserted into the pin holder hole can be passed.

With the ornament fastener according to the thirteenth aspect, in addition to a point that the same effects and benefits as in the heretofore described twelfth aspect can be acquired, there are the following effect and benefit. That is, the movements of the pin and the pin holder, which are in the pinning condition, are mutually restricted at two points, the pin holder hole of the apex of the spring member and the bottom edge portions. For this reason, as the pin holder does not wobble around the pin, the fastener in the pinning condition does not wobble unsteadily.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a general structural principle of a pin holder type fastener.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show a heretofore known pin holder type fastener. (a) of

FIG. 4 shows a pinning condition of a fastener according to Example 1, (b) of FIG. 4 shows a pinning ending condition, and (c) of FIG. 4 shows a template member of a pin holder. (a) of

FIG. 5 shows a pinning condition of a fastener according to Example 2, while (b) of FIG. 5 shows a template member of a pin holder. (a) of

FIG. 6 shows a pinning ending condition of the fastener according to Example 2, while (b) of FIG. 6 shows a modification example of the template member shown in (b) of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows the pinning condition of the fastener according to Example 2 by a perspective view. (a) of

FIG. 8 shows an apex of the pin holder in the pinning condition, (b) of FIG. 8 shows the apex of the pin holder in the pinning ending condition, and (c) of FIG. 8 shows the apex of the pin holder in a case in which a shape of the template member differs.

FIG. 9 shows a template member of a pin holder according to Example 3. (a) of

FIG. 10 shows a pinning condition of a fastener according to Example 3, while (b) of FIG. 10 shows a pinning ending condition thereof. (a) of

FIG. 11 shows a pinning condition of a fastener according to Example 4, while (b) of FIG. 11 shows a template member of a pin holder according to Example 4. (a) of

FIG. 12 shows a first template member of a pin holder according to Example 5, while (b) of FIG. 12 shows a second template member. (a) of

FIG. 13 shows a bottom view showing a pin holder according to Example 6 in a condition in which a spring member thereof is spread flat, while (b) of FIG. 13 shows a positional relationship of a pair of holder bases in (a) of FIG. 13. (a) of

FIG. 14 shows the pin holder according to Example 6 in a pinning condition, while (b) of FIG. 14 shows the pin holder according to Example 6 in a pinning ending condition.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the pin holder according to Example 6 in the pinning condition.

FIG. 16 shows a template member of a pin holder according to Example 7,

FIG. 17 shows a pinning condition of a fastener according to Example 7 by means of a perspective view,

FIG. 18 shows a side view of FIG. 17, and

FIG. 19 shows an ending condition of a pinning in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 shows a template member of a pin holder according to Example 8, and

FIG. 21 shows a pinning condition of a fastener according to Example 8 by means of a perspective view.

FIG. 22 shows a template member of a pin holder according to Example 9, and

FIG. 23 shows a pinning condition of a fastener according to Example 9 by means of a perspective view.

FIG. 24 shows a template member of a pin holder according to Example 10, and

FIG. 25 shows a pinning condition of a fastener according to Example 10 by means of a perspective view.

Next, a description will be given of embodiments for implementing a first aspect to a thirteenth aspect of the invention, including a best embodiment thereof.

[Overall Description of Fastener]

A fastener according to the invention is a pinning type fastener configured of a pin holder and a pin provided with a holding portion in a vicinity of an extreme. Then, holding the pin by locking a holding member of the pin holder in the holding portion of the pin, a pinning condition is ended by withdrawing the holding member from the pin holding portion.

The pin holding portion is configured of a peripheral groove, a depressed portion and a protruding portion. It is not essential that the peripheral groove, which is the holding portion, is provided around a whole circumference of the pin. Also, a depth of the peripheral groove not being limited, in the event that a locking strength of the holding member is sufficiently high, taking also a frictional resistance into account, it is acceptable that the peripheral groove is formed extremely shallow, or to an extent that the peripheral groove is barely noticeable. A shape of the depressed portion or protruding portion, which are the holding portion, is not limited as long as it is possible to lock the holding member.

It is particularly preferable that the fastener of the invention is applied to a fastener of an ornament. With regard also to various kinds of article, other than the ornament, of a comparatively small size, for example, a toy or an everyday article, it is possible to fasten parts thereof together by providing the pin holder on one of them, and the pin on the other. Furthermore, the fastener can also be used to fasten these articles to a wall surface, board or the like by providing the pin holder on one of them, and the pin on the other.

A kind of ornament on which the fastener according to the invention can be used is not limited, as long as it is an ornament furnished with a pin holder type fastener, but a tiepin, a brooch, a pierced earring, a necklace and the like are illustrated as being representative. In these kinds of ornament, for example, attaching the pin to an ornamental member side adorned with a jewel or the like, it is possible to establish a method which holds the ornamental member with the pin fastener. Also, as another attachment method, the fastener can also be used as a joint of an electric wire or an electric cable. In a saw or a cutting tool with a handle, the fastener can also be used in a connection or the like of the handle portion and a blade portion.

Although there is a large variety of embodiments of the pin holder, any pin holder in the first aspect to the eleventh aspect is configured using a thin plate-like spring material.

It is particularly preferable that the thin plate-like spring material is capable of being bent, and is configured by processing a single rectangular thin plate-like spring material. In this case, as regards a manufacture of the pin holder, a flat, rectangular, single thin plate-like spring material is prepared, a pin holder hole and the holding member are formed by, for example, performing a punching process, after which, preferably, a necessary bending formation is carried out accompanying a heat treatment. Consequently, as it possible to manufacture using the single thin plate-like spring material, an installation of a plurality of parts being unnecessary as well as a structure of the pin holder being simple, it is possible to provide a low cost fastener.

The heretofore described thin plate-like spring material is made of a material having an elastic deformation capacity. Although a spring steel such as brass or stainless steel can of course be used, as precious metals such as gold or platinum also have a certain elastic deformation capacity, they can also be used. It is also possible to use a hard plastic thin plate-like spring material.

A thickness of the thin plate-like spring material is determined as appropriate, considering an extent of the elastic deformation capacity of the spring material, an ease of the bending process and the like. Although dimensions of the rectangular thin plate-like spring material are basically determined considering a size of a pin holder to be manufactured, at the same time, vertical and horizontal dimensions for forming a template member, to be described hereafter, are necessary. Consequently, the vertical and horizontal dimensions necessary for the thin plate-like spring material may differ depending on an embodiment of the pin holder.

Although a method of processing the thin plate-like spring material to manufacture the pin holder is not limited, a particularly effective and preferable method consists of the following first process and second process.

As the first process, the punching process is performed on the thin plate-like spring material, forming the template member (a flat, thin plate-like spring material having a predetermined shape, necessary for manufacturing the pin holder). It is also acceptable that the template member is formed by an appropriate processing method other than the punching process such as, for example, a process using a cutter.

As the second process, a necessary bending process is performed on the template member, configuring the pin holder. In the second process, in order to fix a shape of a bent portion, it is preferable that the bending process is carried out while doing the heat treatment. The bending process includes a bending process of an apex common to each of the following embodiments, a bending process of a stopper in a first embodiment, a bending process of a bottom edge portion in a second, fourth and fifth embodiment, a bending process of an ear tab in the second to sixth embodiments, a bending process of a turnback tab in the third and fourth embodiments, a bending process of a stand-up portion in the fifth embodiment, and a bending process of a pin holding tab in the sixth embodiment.

A pin holder according to the twelfth aspect and thirteenth aspect is configured of a spring member made of a material capable of an elastic deformation, and a holder base equipped with a holding member.

The constituent material of the spring material not being limited, as long as it is a material capable of an elastic deformation, it is also possible to use, for example, precious metals, such as gold or platinum, which have a certain elastic deformation capacity, as well as a spring steel such as brass or stainless steel, but more preferably, a plastic material or a rubber material (for example, a silicone rubber material), which is an organic spring material, can be used.

The spring member has a triangular side view shape formed by the apex, which has a shape of being bent at an acute angle or in an arc, and a pair of linear, inclining portions on either side of the apex, and also includes the pin holder hole in the apex for inserting the pin. The holder base, which includes a holding member for holding the pin, is fixed to one or both of the pair of inclining portions. A constituent material of the holder base is not limited but, while it is preferable that it is made of a hard material, an elastic deformation capacity is not necessarily required.

By fixing the holder base to the inclining portions of the spring member, the holding member provided on the holding base is configured in such a way as to protrude in the same direction as the inclining portions, and at a length such as to bite into the peripheral groove of the pin inserted into the pin holder hole.

Herein, “fixing” the holder base to the inclining portions of the spring member means to arrange in such a way that the holder base, at least, does not move farther than its fixing position toward an extreme of the inclining portions. Although details of this kind of fixing method are not limited, for example, as will be illustrated in embodiments and examples to be described hereafter, as well as configuring the holder base with a material with which a bending process is possible, the turnback tab provided on the holder base is turned back in such a way as to wrap around the inclining portions of the spring member, and it is possible to bring an extreme of the turnback tab into contact with a bend portion provided at the extreme of the inclining portions. Furthermore, in the event that the spring member is made of a comparatively soft plastic material or rubber material, it is also possible to cause the bent turnback tab to bite into the inclining portions of the spring member. Furthermore, it is also acceptable to configure appropriate locking means on each of the inclining portions of the spring material and the holder base, which interlock at the fixing position of the holder base, and restrict a movement of the holder base toward the inclining portions extreme.

In the first embodiment of the pin holder according to the invention, as well as the pin holder being made of the thin plate-like spring material, by bend forming a central portion of a longitudinal direction of the thin plate-like spring material into an acute angle or an arc, it has the triangular side view shape formed by the apex and the pair of inclining portions on either side thereof. Furthermore, a stopper is formed by bend forming a longitudinal direction extreme of the pair of inclining portions in a direction along a bottom edge of the triangular side view shape. The stopper, when causing an elastic compression deformation of the triangular side view shape of the pin holder in a pinning condition ending operation, functions as the stopper by coming into contact with the pin.

In this embodiment, although this can also be said of the other embodiments, to be described hereafter, it is possible to optionally select a bending angle of the apex as necessary. For example, with a pin holder for a pierced earring, it is preferable to arrange in such a way that, the apex having a gentle bending angle of around 100 to 150 degrees, the pair of inclining portions have a spread. Meanwhile, with, for example, a pin holder for a necklace, it is preferable, the apex having a sharp bending angle of around 40 to 70 degrees, to form the pin holder slenderly.

In the apex, as well as providing the pin holder hole for inserting the pin, a pair of holding members, of a length such as to lock into a holding portion of the pin inserted into the pin holder hole, protrude in the same direction as the inclining portions from a peripheral portion of a longitudinal direction in the pin holder hole.

In the second embodiment of the pin holder according to the invention too, as well as the pin holder being made of the thin plate-like spring material, by bend forming the central portion of the longitudinal direction of the thin plate-like spring material into an acute angle or an arc, it has the triangular side view shape formed by the apex and the pair of inclining portions on either side thereof.

Then, in the apex, as well as providing the pin holder hole for inserting the pin, the pair of holding members, of a length such as to lock into the holding portion of the pin inserted into the pin holder hole, protrude in the same direction as the inclining portions from the peripheral portion of the longitudinal direction in the pin holder hole.

Furthermore, as well as forming a bottom edge portion by bend forming one or both longitudinal direction extremes of the pair of inclining portions in the direction along the bottom edge of the triangular shape of the pin holder, pin through holes for passing the pin through are provided in the bottom edge portion, in a portion immediately below the pin holder hole.

More preferably, in the case of providing the bottom edge portion in both of the longitudinal direction extremes of the inclining portions, as previously described, by means of ear tabs provided on one of the bottom edge portions, and bend formed in a direction of the other bottom edge portion, the two bottom edge portions restrain each other in a condition in which a relative sliding movement is possible in the longitudinal direction.

In the third embodiment of the pin holder according to the invention too, as well as the pin holder being made of the thin plate-like spring material, by bend forming the central portion of the longitudinal direction of the thin plate-like spring material into an acute angle or an arc, it has the triangular side view shape formed by the apex and the pair of inclining portions on either side thereof.

Then, in the apex, as well as providing the pin holder hole for inserting the pin, a turnback tab protruding in a non-longitudinal direction from each of the pair of inclining portions, and being bend formed in such a way as to overlap on a front surface of the inclining portions (a triangular exterior surface of the pin holder), a holding member, of a length such as to lock into the holding portion of the pin inserted into the pin holder hole, protrudes from the pair of turnback tabs, in the same direction as the inclining portions, toward a centre of the pin holder hole.

More preferably, ear tabs provided at a non-longitudinal direction extreme of the turnback tabs are locked onto the inclining portions by being bend formed in the direction of the inclining portions, and the turnback tabs are brought into close contact with the inclining portions by means of the ear tabs.

In the fourth embodiment of the pin holder according to the invention too, as well as the pin holder being made of the thin plate-like spring material, by bend forming the central portion of the longitudinal direction of the thin plate-like spring material into an acute angle or an arc, it has the triangular side view shape formed by the apex and the pair of inclining portions on either side thereof.

Then, in the apex, as well as providing the pin holder hole for inserting the pin, the turnback tab protruding in a non-longitudinal direction from each of the pair of inclining portions, and being bend formed in such a way as to overlap on the surface of the inclining portions (the triangular exterior surface of the pin holder), the holding member, of a length such as to lock into the holding portion of the pin inserted into the pin holder hole, protrudes from the pair of turnback tabs, in the same direction as the inclining portions, toward the centre of the pin holder hole.

Furthermore, as well as forming the bottom edge portion by bend forming one or both longitudinal direction extremes of the pair of inclining portions in the direction along the bottom edge of the triangular side view shape of the pin holder, the pin through hole for passing the pin through is provided in the bottom edge portion, in the portion immediately below the pin holder hole.

More preferably, the ear tabs provided at the non-longitudinal direction extreme of the turnback tabs are locked onto the inclining portions by being bend formed in the direction of the inclining portions, and the turnback tabs are brought into close contact with the inclining portions by means of the ear tabs.

More preferably still, in the case of providing the bottom edge portion in both of the longitudinal direction extremes of the inclining portions, as previously described, by means of the ear tab provided on one of the bottom edge portions, and bend formed in the direction of the other bottom edge portion, the two bottom edge portions restrain each other in the condition in which the relative sliding movement is possible in the longitudinal direction.

In the fifth embodiment of the pin holder according to the invention too, as well as the pin holder being made of the thin plate-like spring material, by bend forming the central portion of the longitudinal direction of the thin plate-like spring material into an acute angle or an arc, it has the triangular side view shape composed of the apex and the pair of inclining portions on either side thereof.

Then, in the apex, as well as providing the pin holder hole for inserting the pin, the pair of holding members, of a length such as to lock into the holding portion of the pin inserted into the pin holder hole, protrude in the same direction as the inclining portions from the peripheral portion of the longitudinal direction in the pin holder hole.

Furthermore, forming the bottom edge portion by bend forming the longitudinal direction extreme of one of the pair of inclining portions in the direction along the bottom edge of the triangular side view shape of the pin holder, the pin through hole for passing the pin through is provided in the bottom edge portion, in the portion immediately below the pin holder hole.

Also, as well as forming the stand-up portion by bend forming the longitudinal direction extreme of the other of the pair of inclining portions in a direction of the apex of the triangle of the pin holder, a shelter member, which surrounds a leading extreme of the pin inserted into the pin holder, is formed by bend forming an ear tab provided at a leading extreme of the stand-up portion.

In the sixth embodiment of the pin holder according to the invention too, as well as the pin holder being made of the thin plate-like spring material, by bend forming the central portion of the longitudinal direction of the thin plate-like spring material into an acute angle or an arc, it has the triangular side view shape formed by the apex and the pair of inclining portions on either side thereof.

Then, in the apex, as well as providing the pin holder hole for inserting the pin, pin holder tabs being formed by bend forming the longitudinal direction extremes of the pair of inclining portions in such a way as to overlap on the front surface (the triangular exterior surface of the pin holder) or rear surface (a triangular interior surface of the pin holder) of the inclining portions, the holding member, of a length such as to lock into the holding portion of the pin inserted into the pin holder hole, protrudes from a longitudinal direction extreme of the pair of pin holder tabs, in the same direction as the inclining portions, toward the centre of the pin holder hole.

More preferably, in the case of bend forming the pin holder tabs in such a way as to overlap on the front surface of the inclining portions, by bend forming ear tabs provided at a non-longitudinal direction extreme of the pin holder tabs in the direction of the inclining portions, the pin holder tabs are brought into close contact with the inclining portions by means of the ear tabs.

In a seventh embodiment of the pin holder according to the invention, the pin holder is configured of the spring member, and the holder base including the holding member.

The spring member having the triangular side view shape formed by the apex, which has a shape of being bent at an acute angle or in an arc, and the pair of linear, inclining portions on either side of the apex, and also including the pin holder hole in the apex for inserting the pin, by the holder base being fixed to one or both of the pair of inclining portions, the holding member of the holder base is configured in such a way as to protrude in the same direction as the inclining portions, and to a length such as to lock into the holder portion of the pin inserted into the pin holder hole.

More preferably, furthermore, the longitudinal direction extremes of the pair of inclining portions having bottom edge portions of a shape of being bent in the direction along the bottom edge of the triangular side view shape, a certain space is left between leading extremes of the bottom edge portions, and a notch portion is formed through which the pin inserted into the pin holder hole can pass.

Next, a description will be given, based on the drawings, of examples of the invention. A technical scope of the invention is not limited to the following examples.

As shown in FIG. 4, a fastener 21 includes a pin holder 22 and a pin 23.

(c) of FIG. 4 shows a template member 24 for manufacturing the pin holder 22. The template member 24 is formed by performing a punching process or other appropriate process on a rectangular, thin plate-like spring material, with which a bending process is possible and which has an elastic deformation capacity. A central portion 25 (a portion surrounded by a broken line) of the template member 24 is a portion which forms a pin holder hole. In the central portion 25, by providing notches 26 of a certain shape, a pair of holding members 27 heading along a longitudinal direction of the template member 24 are formed in a shape wherein a width gradually becomes less heading toward a leading extreme. Although forming the holding members 27 with this kind of shape has an important meaning with regards to design, this will be described hereafter in Example 2.

An accurately calculated and designed small space 28 is cut away between leading extremes of the pair of holding members 27. In other words, a shape is such that the pin holder hole is formed in the central portion 25, the pair of holding members 27 protrude toward the central portion from a peripheral portion of a longitudinal direction in the pin holder hole, and the space 28 is left between the leading extremes of the holding members 27.

The central portion 25 of this kind of template member 24 is bend processed into an arc, as shown in (a) of FIG. 4. At this time, it is preferable that the bending shape is fixed by carrying out a heat treatment. However, the pair of holding members 27 are not bent. It is also acceptable that both extremes of the longitudinal direction of the template member 24 are also bent back along broken lines 29. It is also acceptable, in order to facilitate the bending back, to put a shallow, groove-shaped notch in the broken line 29 portions.

The pin holder 22 formed in this way being made of a single rectangular, thin plate-like spring material, the central portion of the spring material is made an apex 30 bend formed into an arc, and the pin holder 22 has a triangular side view shape including a pair of inclining portions 31 on either side of the apex 30. The apex 30 bend formed into an arc has a shape wherein the pair of holding members 27 protrude from the peripheral portion of the longitudinal direction in the pin holder hole. As the pair of holding members 27 are not bend processed, they protrude in the same direction as the inclining portions. When the pin 23 is inserted into the pin holder hole, the pair of holding members 27 protrude to a length such as to bite into a peripheral groove 23a of the pin.

The fastener 21 according to Example 1 is used in the following way. That is, when pinning the fastener 21, the pin 23 is inserted from a bottom edge of the triangular shape of the pin holder 22 into the pin holder hole of the apex 30. At this time, the pin 23 is inserted while elastically deforming the pair of holding members 27 protruding into the pin holder hole, and pushing them out to an exterior. As the pair of holding members 27 protrude in the same direction as the inclining portions 31, they do not exhibit a strong resistance to the heretofore described insertion of the pin. Then, on the peripheral groove 23a of the pin 23 reaching a protrusion position of the holding members 27, the holding members 27 elastically return to an original shape and move into the peripheral groove 23a of the pin 23, and the pinning is completed.

As a small clicking sound is emitted when the holding members 27 moves into the peripheral groove 23a of the pin 23, it is possible to easily confirm the completion of the pinning. For this reason, it is possible to reliably pin the fastener 21. In the fastener 21 which is in the pinning condition, in a condition in which the holding members 27 protrude in a direction opposite to a direction in which the pin 23 comes out, the pin 23 will not come out of the pin fastener 22 as the condition stands, as the holding members 27 are biting into the peripheral groove 23a. For this reason, even in the event that the pin holder 22 or pin 23 becomes caught on, for example, a hair or other material, the pinning condition is maintained, and a problem such as a loss due to an ornament falling off does not occur.

When wishing to end the pinning condition of the fastener 21, extremes of the pair of inclining portions 31 of the pin holder 22 are pinched between, for example, a thumb and an index finger, and a force is applied in directions of arrows (directions of reducing a space between the extremes of the inclining portions 31) shown in (b) of FIG. 4. By means of this operation, as shown in (b) of FIG. 4, an elastic deformation is brought about in such a way that the apex 30 of the pin holder 22 bends more acutely.

This aspect is illustrated in further detail in FIG. 8. (a) of FIG. 8 shows the apex 30 in the pinning condition, while (b) of FIG. 8 shows the apex 30 when ending the pinning condition. As shown in (b) of FIG. 8, by bringing about an elastic deformation in such a way that the apex 30 of the pin holder 22 bends more acutely, the pair of holding members 27 are displaced away from each other. Consequently, the pair of holding members 27 withdraw from the peripheral groove 23a of the pin 23. For this reason, the pin 23 easily comes out of the pin holder 22.

A fastener 32 according to Example 2 includes a pin holder 33 and the same pin 23 as in the case of Example 1. The pin holder 33 is manufactured using a template member 34 shown in (b) of FIG. 5. The template member 34 is made of a material with which a bending process is possible, and which has an elastic deformation capacity.

In the template member 34, by providing the notches 26 in a central portion in the same way as the previously described template member 24, the pair of holding members 27 and the space 28 are formed. However, in the template member 34, extension portions 35 for configuring bottom edge portions 37, to be described hereafter, are provided at either extreme of a longitudinal direction. In the extension portions 35, pin through holes 36 are formed in portions which come immediately below the apex 30 when configuring the bottom edge portions 37. As the pin through holes 36 are formed in long ovals in a left-right direction of the figure, the inserted pin 23 can move relatively in the left-right direction.

By bend processing the central portion of the longitudinal direction of this kind of template member 34 into an arc, as shown in (a) of FIG. 5, the apex 30 and the pair of inclining portions 31 are formed. Furthermore, by bend processing the extension portions 35, which are the extremes of the inclining portions 31, along broken lines of (b) of FIG. 5, a mutually overlapping pair of bottom edge portions 37 are formed. It is also acceptable, in order to facilitate the bending back, to put a shallow, groove-shaped notch in the broken line portions. The previously described pin through holes 36 are positioned in portions of the bottom edge portions 37 immediately below the apex 30.

Also, each leading extreme of the pair of bottom edge portions 37 is of a length such that it does not reach a base of the other bottom edge portion 37. Consequently, as shown in (a) of FIG. 6, when ending a pinning condition of the fastener 32, they do not constitute an obstacle to an operation causing an elastic deformation of the apex 30 of the pin holder 33 in such a way that it bends more acutely.

As shown in (b) of FIG. 5, ear tabs 38 are formed at a leading extreme of one of the extension portions 35. After forming the bottom edge portions 37 in the way heretofore described, the ear tabs 38 are bend formed in a direction of the other bottom edge portion 37. Although the same also applies to ear tabs shown in each of the following examples, it is also acceptable, in order to facilitate a bending back along depicted broken lines, to put a shallow, groove-shaped notch in the ear tabs 38. By means of the bending formation of the ear tabs 38, the two bottom edge portions 37 restrain each other in a condition in which a relative sliding movement is possible in a longitudinal direction.

Although also common to the previously described Example 1 and to each of the examples to be described hereafter, although it is also acceptable that the pair of holding members 27 in this Example 2 are of a shape wherein they have the same width from a base to a tip, it is particularly preferable that they are of a shape wherein the width gradually becomes less heading toward the tip, as shown in (b) of FIG. 5.

In the event that the pair of holding members 27 are of the shape shown in (b) of FIG. 5, a portion corresponding to the apex 30 in the template member 34 (a portion indicated by a width A) is of a greater width than base portions of the holding members 27 in the template member 34 (portions indicated by widths B). For this reason, when forming the apex 30 of the pin holder 33 by bend processing the template member 34, a bending force does not concentrate in the portion indicated by the width A. Consequently, as shown in (b) of FIG. 8, it is possible to bend a whole, from the portion indicated by the width A as far as the portions indicated by the widths B on either side thereof, evenly in a gentle arc. The apex 30 having this kind of bending shape exhibits a superior durability in response to a repetition of a pinning condition ending operation which causes an elastic compression deformation of a triangular side view shape of the pin holder 33.

In the event that, provisionally, the pair of holding members 27 are of the shape wherein they have the same width from the base to the tip, the bending force in the bend processing of the template member 34 concentrates in the portion corresponding to the apex 30, and this portion is bent into a sharp arc. For this reason, as shown in (c) of FIG. 8, a distance W between the tips of the pair of holding members 27 is small in comparison with the case of (b) of FIG. 8, to be described hereafter. That is, in order to withdraw the pair of holding members 27 from the peripheral groove of the pin 23, it is necessary to cause a greater compression deformation of the pin holder 33. A repetition of a large compression deformation has an adverse effect on a durability of the elastic deformation capacity of the apex 30.

A using condition of the fastener 32 according to Example 2 is the same as in the case of Example 1, with the exception of points described next. That is, in the pinning of the fastener 32, the pin 23 is passed from a bottom edge side of the triangular shape of the pin holder 33, through the pin through holes 36, then inserted into the pin holder hole of the apex 30. Movements of the pin 23 and the pin holder 33, which are in the pinning condition, are mutually restricted at two points, the pin holder hole of the apex 30 and the pin through holes 36 of the bottom edge portions 37. For this reason, as the pin holder 33 does not wobble around the pin 23, an ornament in the pinning condition does not wobble unsteadily.

Furthermore, as the two bottom edge portions 37 are mutually restricted by the ear tabs 38, the pin holder 33 has a high structural strength. Also, as the relative sliding movement of the two bottom edge portions 37 in the longitudinal direction is possible, even when providing the ear tabs 38, there is no interference with the kind of deformation of the pin holder 33 for ending the pinning condition, previously described in Example 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the fastener 32 which is in the pinning condition.

In Example 2, it is also acceptable to use a template member 39 shown in (b) of FIG. 6. In the template member 39, as opposed to the previously described template members 24 and 34, a pair of holding members 40 are not of a shape wherein they become gradually narrower heading toward a tip, but are of the same width from a base to the tip.

As shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 10, a fastener 41 according to Example 3 includes a pin holder 42 and the same pin 23 as in the case of Example 1. The pin holder 42 is manufactured using a template member 43 shown in FIG. 9.

The template member 43, in the same way as the template member 24 according to Example 1, is formed by performing an appropriate process, such as a punching process, on a rectangular, thin plate-like spring material, with which a bending process is possible and which is made of a material having an elastic deformation capacity. Only a pin holder hole 45 is formed in a central portion 44 of the template member 43. The same extension portions 35 as in the template member 34 according to Example 2 are formed at either extreme of a longitudinal direction of the central portion 44, and also, the pin through holes 36 are formed in the extension portions 35.

Meanwhile, turnback tabs 46 protrude in a non-longitudinal direction from portions on both a left and right side of the pin holder hole 45 in the central portion 44. Furthermore, a pair of holding members 47 are provided protruding from the turnback tabs 46, in such a way as to protrude into the pin holder hole 45 when turned back over the central portion 44. A space 49, equivalent to the space 28 in the case of the previously described template member 24, is set between leading extremes of the pair of holding members 47. Also, an ear tab 48 is provided on each of the turnback tabs 46.

The apex 30 and the pair of inclining portions 31 are formed by bend processing the central portion of the longitudinal direction of the template member 43 into an arc, in the same way as in the case of Example 1. Furthermore, by bend processing the extension portions 35, which are the extremes of the inclining portions 31, along broken lines of FIG. 9, a mutually overlapping pair of bottom edge portions 37 are formed. It is also acceptable, in order to facilitate the bending back, to put a shallow, groove-shaped notch in the extension portions 35, along the depicted broken lines. The previously described pin through holes 36 are positioned in portions of the bottom edge portions 37 immediately below the apex 30. Each leading extreme of the pair of bottom edge portions 37 is of a length such that it does not reach a base of the other bottom edge portion 37.

Furthermore, the pair of turnback tabs 46 are bend formed along depicted broken lines in such a way as to mutually overlap on the front surface of the inclining portions 31. It is also acceptable, in order to facilitate the bending back, to put a shallow, groove-shaped notch in the turnback tabs 46, along the depicted broken lines. As a result of this kind of bending formation, the pair of holding members 47 protruding from the pair of turnback tabs 46 attain a condition in which they protrude in a direction of a central portion of the pin holder hole 45. The ear tabs 48 are locked onto the inclining portions 31 by being bend formed in the direction of the inclining portions 31, and each of the turnback tabs 46 is brought into close contact with the inclining portions 31 by means of the ear tabs 48.

With the fastener 41 according to Example 3, although there is a difference in configuration in that the holding members 47 protrude from the turnback tabs 46, with regard to the operation of pinning the fastener 41 and the operation of ending the pinning condition, they are the same as in the case of Example 1.

Also, in the same way as in the case of Example 2, as movements of the pin 23 and the pin holder 42, which are in the pinning condition, are mutually restricted at two points, the pin holder hole 45 of the apex 30 and the pin through holes 36 of the bottom edge portions 37, an ornament in the pinning condition does not wobble unsteadily.

Although not shown in a figure, as a modification example of Example 3, in the same way as in the case of Example 2, it is also preferable that, by bend forming the ear tab provided on one of the bottom edge portions 37 in a direction of the other bottom edge portion 37, the two bottom edge portions 37 restrict each other in a condition in which a relative sliding movement is possible in the longitudinal direction.

As shown in (a) of FIG. 11, a fastener 50 according to Example 4 includes a pin holder 51 and the same pin 23 as in the case of Example 1. As the fastener 50 is preferably applied, for example, to a necklace, the pin holder 51 and the pin 23 are each coupled to a necklace chain 52.

The pin holder 51 is manufactured using a template member 53 shown in (b) of FIG. 11. The template member 53, in the same way as the template member 24 according to Example 1, is formed by performing an appropriate process, such as a punching process, on a rectangular, thin plate-like spring material, with which a bending process is possible and which is made of a material having an elastic deformation capacity. By providing the notches 26 of a certain shape in a central portion 54 of the template member 53, the pair of holding members 27 are formed leaving the space 28 between them.

The same extension portion 35 as in the template member 34 according to Example 2 is formed at one extreme of a longitudinal direction of the central portion 54, and the pin through hole 36 is formed in the extension portion 35. Meanwhile, an extension portion 56 for forming a stand-up portion 55, to be described hereafter, is provided at the other extreme of the longitudinal direction of the central portion 54. Then, a pair of ear tabs 58 protrude in a non-longitudinal direction, through appointed bend portions 57 indicated by broken lines, in a leading extreme portion of the extension portion 56.

The apex 30 and the pair of inclining portions 31 are formed by bend processing the central portion of the longitudinal direction of this kind of template member 53 into an arc, in the same way as in the case of Example 1. In this example, the bending angle of the apex 30 is made an acute one, and the ornament fastener 50 is formed slenderly.

Then, by bend processing the extension portion 35 along broken lines of (b) of FIG. 11, the bottom edge portion 37 which has the pin through hole 36 is formed. As shown in (a) of FIG. 11, a leading extreme of the bottom edge portion 37 is of a length such that it does not reach the other inclining portion 31. Consequently, when ending a pinning condition of the fastener 50, it does not constitute an obstacle to an operation causing an elastic deformation of the apex 30 of the pin holder 51 in such a way that it bends more acutely.

Meanwhile, the other extension portion 56, by being bend formed along depicted broken lines in a direction of the apex of the triangle of the pin holder 51, forms the stand-up portion 55. It is also acceptable, in order to facilitate the bending back, to put a shallow, groove-shaped notch in the extension portion 56, along the depicted broken lines. Next, by bending the ear tabs 58 provided at an extreme of the stand-up portion 55 at the appointed bend portions 57, and bending them further along broken lines at leading extremes thereof, a shelter member 59, which surrounds a leading extreme of the pin 23 inserted into the pin holder hole, is formed in a tube shape.

With the fastener 50 according to Example 4, in the same way as in the case of Example 2, as movements of the pin 23 and the pin holder 51, which are in the pinning condition, are mutually restricted at two points, the pin holder hole of the apex 30 and the pin through holes 36 of the bottom edge portions 37, an ornament in the pinning condition does not wobble unsteadily.

Also, as the fastener 50 is formed slenderly, in a case in which it is used as, for example, a necklace, there being little swelling of the fastener hidden under clothing, an impression and appearance is favourable. Also, due to the existence of the stand-up portion 55, the fastener 50 is stable. Furthermore, as the shelter member 59 which surrounds the leading extreme of the pin 23 inserted into the pin holder hole is formed, it is possible to prevent an accident such as, handling the fastener 50 carelessly, a sharp leading extreme of the pin pricking a wearer\'s finger or skin.

A fastener according to Example 5 also includes a pin holder and the same pin 23 as in the case of Example 1. Regarding this example, in order to avoid a duplication of a description and illustration, only a template member 60 or 61, for manufacturing the pin holder, will be illustrated and described.

As shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 12, both the first template member 60 and the second template member 61, in the same way as the template member 24 according to Example 1, are formed by performing an appropriate process, such as a punching process, on a rectangular, thin plate-like spring material, with which a bending process is possible and which is made of a material having an elastic deformation capacity.

In the first template member 60, only the pin holder hole 45 is formed in a central portion 62 thereof. An extension portion 63, for forming a pin holder tab, being provided at either extreme of a longitudinal direction of the central portion 62, a pair of ear tabs 64 protruding in a non-longitudinal direction, and a rather narrow holding member 65 protruding in a longitudinal direction, are provided at a leading extreme portion of each of the extension portions 63.

When manufacturing the pin fastener according to this example from the template member 60, an apex and a pair of inclining portions are formed by bend processing the central portion of the longitudinal direction of the template member 60 into an arc, in the same way as in the case of Example 1. Then, the pin holder tabs are formed by bending the extension portions 63 along broken lines 63a of (a) of FIG. 12 in such a way that they overlap on a front surface of the inclining portions. It is also acceptable, in order to facilitate the bending back, to put a shallow, groove-shaped notch along the broken lines. By means of this bending process, the pair of holding members 65 attain a condition in which they protrude into the pin holder hole 45. Next, the ear tabs 64 of the pin holder tabs are locked onto the inclining portions by being bend formed in the direction of the inclining portions, and the pin holder tabs are brought into close contact with the inclining portions by means of the ear tabs 64.

In the second template member 61, only a point of not including the pair of ear tabs 64 is different when compared with the first template member 60. When manufacturing the pin fastener according to this example from the template member 61, after forming an apex and a pair of inclining portions by bend processing a central portion of a longitudinal direction of the template member 61, the pin holder tabs are formed by bending the extension portions 63 along broken lines of (b) of FIG. 12 in such a way that they overlap on a rear surface of the inclining portions. In this case, as the pin holder tabs are overlapped from the rear surface of the inclining portions, it is not necessary to lock them to the inclining portions using ear tabs or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, a fastener according to Example 6 includes a pin holder 66 and the same pin 23 as in the case of Example 1. The pin holder 66 is configured of a spring member 67 and holder bases 68.

The spring material 67 being molded from a silicone rubber having an appropriate hardness and elastic deformation capacity, it has a triangular side view shape formed by an apex 69, which has a shape of being bent at an acute angle or in an arc, and a pair of linear, inclining portions 70 on either side of the apex 69, and also includes a pin holder hole 71 in the apex for inserting the pin 23.

A bottom edge portion 73 of a shape wherein it is bent in a direction along a bottom edge of the previously mentioned triangular side view shape is formed, through a vertical portion 72 curved in a direction approximately parallel to an insertion direction of the pin 23, in each longitudinal direction extreme portion of the pair of inclining portions 70. A certain space 74 is left between leading extremes of the bottom edge portions 73, and notch portions 75 are formed through which the pin 23 inserted into the pin holder hole 71 can pass. With the inclining portions 70 in the spring member 67, it is also possible to have a configuration wherein the bottom edge portions 73 are not formed, or furthermore, neither the bottom edge portions 73 nor the vertical portions 72 are formed.

The holder base 68 is fixed to each of the pair of inclining portions 70. However, it is also possible to fix only one holder base 68 to one of the inclining portions 70 only. The holder bases 68 being plate-like members made of a hard material with which a bending process is possible, as shown in a pair in an actual fixing position relationship in (b) of FIG. 13, they include a base portion 76, a holding member 77 protruding from the base portion, and a pair of turnback tabs 78 protruding in a vertical direction with respect to the holding member 77.

Then, in a condition in which the holder bases 68 are joined to the inclining portions 70, by bending the turnback tabs 78 in such a way as to wrap around the inclining portions 70, the holder bases 68 are fixed to the inclining portions 70. As extreme portions of the holding bases 68 on inclining portion 70 leading extreme sides come into contact with the previously mentioned vertical portions 72, they do not move farther than their fixing positions toward the inclining portion 70 leading extreme sides. In the event that the vertical portions 72 or bottom edge portions 73 are not formed on the spring member 67, the kind of appropriate fixing means previously described in the “Embodiments” section is applied in order to fix the holding bases 68.

In the heretofore described fixing condition, the holding members 77 of the holder bases 68 protrude in the same direction as the inclining portions 70, and to a length such as to bite into the peripheral groove 23a of the pin 23 inserted into the pin holder hole 71.

A using condition of the fastener according to Example 6 is basically the same as in the cases of Example 1 and Example 2.

That is, when pinning the fastener, the pin 23 is inserted into the pin holder hole 71 of the apex 69 from a bottom edge side of the triangular shape of the spring member 67 in the pin holder 66. At this time, the pin 23 is inserted while pushing the holding members 77 protruding into the pin holder hole 71 out to the exterior. As the pair of holding members 77 protrude in the same direction as the inclining portions 70, they do not exhibit a strong resistance to the heretofore described insertion of the pin 23. Then, on the peripheral groove 23a of the pin 23 reaching a protrusion position of the holding members 77, the holding members 77 return to an original position and move into the peripheral groove 23a of the pin 23, and the pinning is completed.

As a small clicking sound is emitted when the holding members 77 moves into the peripheral groove 23a of the pin 23, it is possible to easily confirm the completion of the pinning. For this reason, it is possible to reliably pin the fastener. In the fastener which is in the pinning condition, in a condition in which the holding members 77 protrude in a direction opposite to a direction in which the pin 23 comes out, the pin 23 will not come out of the pin holder 66 as the condition stands, as the holding members 77 are biting into the peripheral groove 23a. For this reason, even in the event that the pin holder 66 or pin 23 becomes caught on, for example, a hair or other material, the pinning condition is maintained, and the problem such as a loss due to the ornament falling off does not occur.

When wishing to end the pinning condition of the fastener, extremes of the pair of inclining portions 70 of the spring member 67 are pinched between, for example, a thumb and an index finger, and a force is applied in directions of reducing a space between the extremes of the inclining portions 70. By means of this operation, as shown in (b) of FIG. 14, an elastic deformation is brought about in such a way that the apex 69 of the spring member 67 bends more acutely. The space 74 left between the leading extremes of the pair of bottom edge portions 73 allows this elastic deformation. When the space 74 disappears, as shown in (b) of FIG. 14, by means of the elastic deformation, the pin 23 attains a condition in which it is passing through a hole formed by the pair of notch portions 75. By means of this kind of elastic deformation of the spring member 67, the pair of holding members 77 are displaced away from each other. Consequently, the pair of holding members 77 withdraw from the peripheral groove 23a of the pin 23. For this reason, the pin 23 easily comes out of the pin holder 66.

Also, in the pinning of the fastener, the pin 23 is passed from a bottom edge side of the triangular shape of the spring member 67, through the space 74, then inserted into the pin holder hole 71 of the apex 69. Movements of the pin 23 and the pin holder 66, which are in the pinning condition, are mutually restricted at two points, the pin holder hole 71 of the apex 69 and the bottom edge portions 73. For this reason, as the pin holder 66 does not wobble around the pin 23, an ornament in the pinning condition does not wobble unsteadily.

As shown in FIG. 17, a fastener 79 according to Example 7 includes a pin holder 80 and the same pin 23 as in the case of Example 1. The pin holder 80 is manufactured using a template member 81 shown in FIG. 16.