Slide-fastener coupling element and method of making the same

Abstract

A press-formed, metal, coupling element particularly suitable for use in a bidirectionally openable slide fastener which includes a coupling head portion having on its opposite end a protrusion and a corresponding pocket, and a guide groove formed in the front end of the coupling head portion, the guide groove having a width and a depth both reducing progressively from the pocket side toward the protrusion side of the coupling head portion. When the slide fastener is opened and closed, the guide groove in each coupling element slidably receives and guides the front end portion of the opposite coupling element as the protrusion and pocket of these coupling element are brought into and out of mutual engagement with each other. With the provision of the guide groove, the coupling elements are mutually engageable and disengageable with least friction resistance when the slide fastener is opened and closed in either of two reciprocal directions. A simple method of making such coupling element is also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.