JP6474875B1

JP6474875B1 - Cable chain

Info

Publication number: JP6474875B1
Application number: JP2017200960A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 英生松浦; 秀馬渡部
Original assignee: Kunimori Kagaku Co Ltd
Current assignee: Kunimori Kagaku Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-10-17
Filing date: 2017-10-17
Publication date: 2019-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 2037-10-17
Also published as: KR20190050738A; JP2019074153A; CN109937315B; CN109937315A; WO2019077795A1; KR102150293B1

Abstract

【課題】長さを容易に調節でき、組み立てが容易な上に、ケーブル類が内部空間の外にはみ出して損傷を受けることを抑止可能なケーブルチェーンを提供する。【解決手段】単位部材１０（１０Ａ，１０Ｂ）は、右壁１１Ｒ及び左壁１１Ｌと、これらの上部を閉鎖可能な上壁１２と、下部を連結する下壁１３と、を備え、樹脂で一体に形成されている。ケーブルチェーン１は、単位部材１０Ａ，１０Ｂの右壁１１Ｒ及び左壁１１Ｌを相対回動可能に連結するように複数の単位部材１０（１０Ａ，１０Ｂ）を屈曲可能に連結して形成される。上壁１２と下壁１３は、後方に向かって延びる可撓性のある上薄壁部１２２と下薄壁部１３２とをそれぞれ有する。単位部材１０Ａの上薄壁部１２２と下薄壁部１３２は、それぞれ、単位部材１０Ａ，１０Ｂの間の相対回動の過程において、単位部材１０Ｂの上本体部１２１と下本体部１３１に対して常に一部が重なるように形成されている。【選択図】図２Provided is a cable chain that can be easily adjusted in length, can be easily assembled, and can prevent cables from protruding from an internal space and being damaged. A unit member (10A, 10B) includes a right wall (11R) and a left wall (11L), an upper wall (12) capable of closing the upper part thereof, and a lower wall (13) connecting the lower part, and is integrally made of resin. Is formed. The cable chain 1 is formed by connecting a plurality of unit members 10 (10A, 10B) in a bendable manner so as to connect the right wall 11R and the left wall 11L of the unit members 10A, 10B so as to be relatively rotatable. The upper wall 12 and the lower wall 13 each have a flexible upper thin wall portion 122 and a lower thin wall portion 132 that extend rearward. The upper thin wall portion 122 and the lower thin wall portion 132 of the unit member 10A are respectively relative to the upper main body portion 121 and the lower main body portion 131 of the unit member 10B in the process of relative rotation between the unit members 10A and 10B. It is always formed so that a part overlaps. [Selection] Figure 2

Description

本発明は、給電や電気信号の送受信に用いるケーブルや、空気等の流体を供給するホースといったケーブル類を屈曲可能な状態で保護するケーブルチェーンに関する。 The present invention relates to a cable chain that protects cables such as cables used for power supply and transmission / reception of electrical signals and cables such as a hose that supplies fluid such as air in a bendable state.

給電や電気信号の送受信に用いるケーブルや、空気等の流体を供給するホースといったケーブル類は、一端を固定して他端を移動させると、一部が過度に屈曲したり摩耗したりして損傷を受ける虞がある。そこで、横断面が矩形の枠状で、内部空間にケーブル類を収容し、ケーブル類が損傷を受けない程度の曲率半径で屈曲可能なケーブルチェーンが知られている（例えば、特許文献１）。特許文献１に記載のケーブルチェーンは、複数の単位部材を一列に連結することだけで組み立てられ、単位部材は一体に形成されている。このため、１つの単位部材を得るために、複数の部材を組み立てる手間を要しない。そして、特許文献１のケーブルチェーンはその長さを、連結する単位部材の数を変えるだけで容易に調節できる。 Cables such as cables used for power supply and transmission / reception of electric signals and hoses that supply fluids such as air, etc., may be damaged if they are bent excessively or worn if one end is fixed and the other end is moved. There is a risk of receiving. Therefore, a cable chain is known that has a rectangular frame shape, accommodates cables in an internal space, and can be bent with a radius of curvature that does not damage the cables (for example, Patent Document 1). The cable chain described in Patent Document 1 is assembled only by connecting a plurality of unit members in a row, and the unit members are integrally formed. For this reason, in order to obtain one unit member, the effort which assembles a some member is not required. And the cable chain of patent document 1 can adjust the length easily only by changing the number of the unit members to connect.

特許文献１の単位部材は、横断面が矩形の枠状で、間隔を開けて互いに対向する一対の側壁と、この一対の側壁の間において、上部を開閉可能に連結する上壁と、下部を連結する下壁との４つの壁が一体に形成されている。隣り合う単位部材は、内部空間が連続するように一対の側壁間が相対回動可能に連結される。複数の単位部材がこの様に連結されることでケーブルチェーンが形成され、ケーブル類はその内部空間に収容される。ここで、隣り合う単位部材は、内部空間が直線状に延びた伸長状態から上壁側が内周側となるように屈曲することができる。そして、最大に屈曲した状態では、隣接する側壁同士が当接することでこれ以上屈曲しないようになっており、このとき隣接する上壁の端部同士が当接する。すなわち、隣り合う単位部材の上壁端部間の間隔は、最大に屈曲した状態から伸長状態に近づくほど開くようになっている。従って、隣り合う単位部材の上部は、最大に屈曲した状態から伸長状態に近づく程開口が開き、この開口では、ケーブルチェーンの内部空間に収容されたケーブル類がむき出しになる。 The unit member of Patent Document 1 is a frame having a rectangular cross section, a pair of side walls facing each other with a space therebetween, an upper wall that connects the upper part in an openable manner, and a lower part between the pair of side walls. Four walls with a lower wall to be connected are integrally formed. Adjacent unit members are connected so that relative rotation is possible between the pair of side walls so that the internal space is continuous. A plurality of unit members are connected in this manner to form a cable chain, and the cables are accommodated in the internal space. Here, the adjacent unit members can be bent from the extended state in which the internal space extends linearly so that the upper wall side becomes the inner peripheral side. And in the state bent to the maximum, when adjacent side walls contact | abut, it prevents it from bending any more, and the edge parts of the adjacent upper wall contact | abut at this time. That is, the interval between the upper wall end portions of the adjacent unit members opens from the maximum bent state to the extended state. Therefore, the upper part of the adjacent unit members opens as it approaches the extended state from the bent state, and the cables housed in the internal space of the cable chain are exposed in this opening.

特許４８８５１２５号公報Japanese Patent No. 4885125

特許文献１に記載のケーブルチェーンは、使用環境によっては、上述したケーブルチェーンの上部で開く開口からケーブル類の一部が内部空間の外にはみ出して損傷を受けることが問題となる場合があった。そこで、上記の開口を狭め、内部空間の閉鎖度を高めるために、隣り合う単位部材の上壁の端部同士の間隔が狭まる様に、上壁をケーブルチェーンの延びる方向に伸長させることも考えられる。しかし、この様に上壁を伸長したならば、最大に屈曲した状態では隣り合う上壁の端部同士が当接するため、隣り合う単位部材の相対回動角度が小さく制限され、ひいては、ケーブルチェーンを小さな曲率半径で屈曲できないという問題が生じる。従って、特許文献１に記載のケーブルチェーンは、ケーブル類の一部が内部空間の外にはみ出して損傷を受けることを防ぐために内部空間の閉鎖度を高めることと、小さな曲率半径で屈曲させることの両立は困難であった。 Depending on the usage environment, the cable chain described in Patent Document 1 may have a problem in that a part of the cables protrudes from the opening that opens at the top of the cable chain described above and is damaged. . Therefore, in order to narrow the opening and increase the degree of closure of the internal space, it is also possible to extend the upper wall in the direction in which the cable chain extends so that the interval between the upper wall ends of adjacent unit members is narrowed. It is done. However, if the upper wall is extended in this way, the ends of the adjacent upper walls come into contact with each other when the upper wall is bent to the maximum, so that the relative rotation angle of the adjacent unit members is limited to be small, and as a result, the cable chain Has a problem that it cannot be bent with a small radius of curvature. Therefore, in the cable chain described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to increase the degree of closure of the internal space and to bend it with a small radius of curvature in order to prevent a part of the cables from protruding outside the internal space and being damaged. It was difficult to achieve both.

このため、上述した特許文献１のケーブルチェーンの長所である、長さを容易に調節でき、組み立てが簡便なことに加え、ケーブル類の一部が内部空間の外にはみ出して損傷を受けることを抑止するために内部空間が高い閉鎖度で閉鎖されたケーブルチェーンが求められていた。 For this reason, it is possible to easily adjust the length, which is an advantage of the cable chain of Patent Document 1 described above, and in addition to being easy to assemble, a part of the cables protrudes outside the internal space and is damaged. In order to suppress it, a cable chain whose interior space was closed with a high degree of closure was required.

かかる問題に鑑み本発明の課題は、長さを容易に調節でき、組み立てが容易なだけでなく、屈曲の全過程で内部空間が高い閉鎖度で閉鎖されていることで、ケーブル類の一部が内部空間の外にはみ出して損傷を受けることを抑止可能なケーブルチェーンを提供することにある。 In view of such problems, the problem of the present invention is that not only the length can be easily adjusted and the assembly is easy, but also the internal space is closed with a high degree of closure in the entire bending process, so that a part of the cables It is an object of the present invention to provide a cable chain that can prevent the outside of the interior space from being damaged.

本発明の第１発明は、複数の単位部材を相対回動可能に連結して、内部にケーブル類を屈曲可能に保持するケーブルチェーンであって、前記単位部材は、所定の間隔を開けて対向する一対の側壁と、該一対の側壁の上部を閉鎖可能な上壁と、前記一対の側壁の下部を連結する下壁と、が樹脂で一体に形成されており、隣り合う前記単位部材は、前記一対の側壁の一方同士及び他方同士が部分的に重なり合って相対回動可能に連結されており、前記上壁は、上本体部と上薄壁部とを有し、前記上本体部は、一端部が前記一対の側壁の前記一方の上部に対し、前記上本体部よりも薄肉に形成されたヒンジを介して前記他方の側に曲折可能に連結され、他端部が前記一対の側壁の他方の上部に対して係止可能に形成されており、前記上薄壁部は、可撓性があり、前記他端部が前記他方の上部に対して係止された閉鎖状態において前記上本体部から前記ケーブルチェーンの延びる方向の一方向に向かって延びて形成され、該上薄壁部の前記一方向に向かう長さは、隣り合う前記単位部材の相対回動の過程で、常に隣接する前記単位部材の前記上本体部に対して少なくとも一部が重なる長さであり、隣り合う前記単位部材の相対回動の過程で、前記上薄壁部が隣接する前記単位部材の前記上本体部の上面に対し摺動可能となっており、前記下壁は、下本体部と下薄壁部とを有し、前記下本体部は、前記一対の側壁の下部に連結されており、前記下薄壁部は、可撓性があり、前記上薄壁部と同一方向に向かって延びて形成され、該下薄壁部の前記一方向に向かう長さは、隣り合う前記単位部材の相対回動の過程で、常に隣接する前記単位部材の前記下本体部に対して少なくとも一部が重なる長さとなっており、前記一対の側壁は、前記下本体部との連結部に沿って対向する内側に開口を備えて前記下本体部と平行に延びて隣接する前記単位部材の前記下薄壁部を摺動可能に保持可能な一対の溝を有することを特徴とする。 A first invention of the present invention is a cable chain that connects a plurality of unit members so as to be capable of relative rotation, and holds cables therein so that they can be bent. The unit members are opposed to each other with a predetermined interval therebetween. A pair of side walls, an upper wall capable of closing the upper portions of the pair of side walls, and a lower wall connecting the lower portions of the pair of side walls are integrally formed of resin, and the adjacent unit members are One of the pair of side walls and the other are partially overlapped and connected so as to be relatively rotatable, the upper wall has an upper main body portion and an upper thin wall portion, and the upper main body portion is One end of the pair of side walls is connected to the other side via a hinge formed thinner than the upper main body so as to be able to bend, and the other end is connected to the pair of side walls. The upper thin wall portion is formed to be able to be locked to the other upper portion. The upper thin wall portion is formed to extend from the upper main body portion in one direction in which the cable chain extends in a closed state in which the other end portion is locked to the other upper portion. The length toward the one direction is a length that at least partially overlaps the upper main body portion of the adjacent unit member in the process of relative rotation of the adjacent unit members, In the process of relative rotation of the unit member, the upper thin wall portion is slidable with respect to the upper surface of the upper main body portion of the adjacent unit member, and the lower wall includes the lower main body portion and the lower thin wall portion. The lower main body portion is connected to the lower portions of the pair of side walls, and the lower thin wall portion is flexible and extends in the same direction as the upper thin wall portion. Formed, and the length of the lower thin wall portion in the one direction is equal to the adjacent unit member In the process of pair rotation, the unit member always has a length that at least partially overlaps the lower main body portion of the adjacent unit member, and the pair of side walls face each other along the connecting portion with the lower main body portion. And a pair of grooves capable of slidably holding the lower thin wall portion of the adjacent unit member extending in parallel with the lower main body portion.

第１発明によれば、単位部材は、一体に形成されているため、１つの単位部材を得るために、複数の部材を組み立てる手間を要せず、組み立てが簡便である。そして、ケーブルチェーンはその長さを、連結する単位部材の数を変えるだけで容易に調節できる。 According to the first invention, since the unit members are integrally formed, it is not necessary to assemble a plurality of members to obtain one unit member, and the assembly is simple. The length of the cable chain can be easily adjusted by changing the number of unit members to be connected.

さらに、単位部材は、上壁にケーブルチェーンの延びる方向の一方向に向かって伸びる上薄壁部を備えている。上薄壁部の一方向に向かう長さは、隣り合う単位部材の相対回動の過程で、常に隣接する単位部材の上本体部に対して少なくとも一部が重なる長さとなっている。ここで、上薄壁部の「隣接する単位部材の上本体部に対して少なくとも一部が重なる」とは、上薄壁部に垂直な方向から視て、上薄壁部の一部と隣接する単位部材の上本体部とが重なり合うことを含むのは当然として、上薄壁部の端部と隣接する単位部材の上本体部の端部とが一致した状態となることも含む。従って、隣接する単位部材の間は、相対回動の過程で常に上本体部と上薄壁部とによって上側が閉鎖されている。また、単位部材は、下壁に上述の一方向に向かって伸びる下薄壁部を備えている。下薄壁部の一方向に向かう長さは、隣り合う単位部材の相対回動の過程で、常に隣接する単位部材の下本体部に対して少なくとも一部が重なる長さとなっている。従って、隣接する単位部材の間は、相対回動の過程で常に下本体部と下薄壁部とによって下側が閉鎖されている。また、隣り合う単位部材は、一対の側壁の一方同士及び他方同士が部分的に重なり合って相対回動可能に連結されているため、両側面でも高い閉鎖度で閉鎖されている。従って、ケーブルチェーンは、屈曲の全過程で上下両面および両側面で高い閉鎖度で閉鎖されているため、ケーブル類の一部が内部空間の外にはみ出して損傷を受けることを抑止できる。 Furthermore, the unit member includes an upper thin wall portion extending in one direction in the direction in which the cable chain extends on the upper wall. The length toward the one direction of the upper thin wall portion is a length that at least partially overlaps the upper main body portion of the adjacent unit member in the process of relative rotation of the adjacent unit members. Here, “at least partly overlaps the upper main body part of the adjacent unit member” of the upper thin wall part is adjacent to a part of the upper thin wall part as viewed from the direction perpendicular to the upper thin wall part. Naturally, this includes that the upper body portion of the unit member overlaps the end portion of the upper thin wall portion and the end portion of the upper body portion of the adjacent unit member. Therefore, between the adjacent unit members, the upper side is always closed by the upper main body portion and the upper thin wall portion in the process of relative rotation. Moreover, the unit member is provided with the lower thin wall part extended toward the one direction mentioned above in the lower wall. The length toward the one direction of the lower thin wall portion is a length that at least partially overlaps the lower main body portion of the adjacent unit member in the process of relative rotation of the adjacent unit members. Therefore, between the adjacent unit members, the lower side is always closed by the lower main body portion and the lower thin wall portion in the process of relative rotation. Further, the adjacent unit members are closed with a high degree of closure even on both side surfaces because one of the pair of side walls and the other are partially overlapped and connected so as to be relatively rotatable. Therefore, since the cable chain is closed with a high degree of closure on both the upper and lower surfaces and both sides during the entire bending process, it is possible to prevent a part of the cables from being damaged by being protruded from the inner space.

さらに、他方向側に隣接する単位部材の下薄壁部は、単位部材の一対の側壁と下本体部との連結部に沿い、内側に開口を備える一対の溝に摺動可能に保持される。このため、下薄壁部は屈曲の全過程で面外方向に変形することが抑止され、安定して下側を閉鎖することができる。 Further, the lower thin wall portion of the unit member adjacent to the other direction side is slidably held in a pair of grooves provided with openings on the inside along the connecting portion between the pair of side walls of the unit member and the lower body portion. . For this reason, the lower thin wall portion is prevented from being deformed in the out-of-plane direction during the entire bending process, and the lower side can be stably closed.

本発明の第２発明は、上記第１発明において、前記一対の側壁は、前記上本体部が前記閉鎖状態にあるときに、隣接する前記単位部材の前記上薄壁部を摺動可能に上から保持し、前記上本体部よりも上部において隔離して内側に対向して延びる一対の爪を有することを特徴とする。 According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the pair of side walls are slidably above the upper thin wall portion of the adjacent unit member when the upper main body portion is in the closed state. And having a pair of claws that are separated from each other at the upper part of the upper main body part and extend in opposition to the inside.

第２発明によれば、一対の側壁が有する一対の爪は、上本体部が閉鎖状態にあるときに、隣接する単位部材の上薄壁部を摺動可能に上から保持する。このため、上壁の上薄壁部は、面外方向に変形することが抑止され、安定して上側を閉鎖することができる。 According to the second invention, the pair of claws of the pair of side walls slidably hold the upper thin wall portion of the adjacent unit member from above when the upper main body portion is in the closed state. For this reason, the upper thin wall portion of the upper wall is prevented from being deformed in the out-of-plane direction, and the upper side can be stably closed.

本発明の第３発明は、上記第１発明または上記第２発明において、前記単位部材は、ポリプロピレン樹脂により形成されていることを特徴とする。 According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect or the second aspect, the unit member is formed of a polypropylene resin.

第３発明によれば、単位部材は、可撓性が高いポリプロピレン樹脂で一体に形成されているため、上薄壁部および下薄壁部の高い可撓性が確保される。これによって上薄壁部は上本体部と一対の爪との間で、下薄壁部は一対の溝との間で円滑に摺動するとともに、容易に屈曲するので、隣接する単位部材間の相対回動が容易となる。そして、ケーブルチェーンが、ケーブル類の屈曲に追従して円滑に屈曲することができる。 According to the third invention, since the unit member is integrally formed of a highly flexible polypropylene resin, high flexibility of the upper thin wall portion and the lower thin wall portion is ensured. Accordingly, the upper thin wall portion smoothly slides between the upper main body portion and the pair of claws, and the lower thin wall portion smoothly slides between the pair of grooves and bends easily. Relative rotation becomes easy. The cable chain can be bent smoothly following the bending of the cables.

ケーブルチェーンの側面図である。It is a side view of a cable chain. 上壁が閉じた閉鎖状態の単位部材の斜視図である。It is a perspective view of the unit member of a closed state where the upper wall was closed. 上壁が開いた開放状態の単位部材の斜視図である。It is a perspective view of the unit member of the open state where the upper wall opened. 上壁が開いた開放状態の単位部材の左壁を除いた部分について、左上側から視た斜視図である。It is the perspective view seen from the upper left side about the part except the left wall of the unit member of the open state which the upper wall opened. 連結された２つの単位部材が伸長状態にある場合における側面図である。It is a side view in case two connected unit members are in an extension state. 図５のＶＩ−ＶＩ線で切断して示す断面図である。It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected and shown by the VI-VI line of FIG. 連結された２つの単位部材が最大屈曲状態にある場合における側面図である。It is a side view in case two connected unit members are in the maximum bending state.

本発明の一実施形態のケーブルチェーン１について、図１〜図７を用いて説明する。図１に示す様に、ケーブルチェーン１は、複数の単位部材１０が一列に連結されて形成されており、各連結部分で屈曲可能となっている。単位部材１０は、横断面が矩形の枠状となっており、その内部空間にケーブル類２が挿通され、ケーブル類２を屈曲可能に保持する。なお、本実施形態の説明にあたって、ケーブルチェーンの延びる方向を前後方向とし、ケーブルチェーンが屈曲する方向を上下方向として方向を定める。上、下、前、後、左、右の方向を図２以降の各図中に矢印で示し、以下の説明において方向に関する記述はこれらの方向を基準とする。 A cable chain 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the cable chain 1 is formed by connecting a plurality of unit members 10 in a row, and can be bent at each connecting portion. The unit member 10 has a frame shape with a rectangular cross section, and the cables 2 are inserted into the internal space thereof so that the cables 2 can be bent. In the description of the present embodiment, the direction is determined with the extending direction of the cable chain as the front-rear direction and the direction in which the cable chain bends as the up-down direction. Up, down, front, back, left, and right directions are indicated by arrows in each of the drawings subsequent to FIG. 2, and in the following description, descriptions regarding directions are based on these directions.

図２〜図４に示す様に、単位部材１０（１０Ａ、１０Ｂ）は、所定の間隔を開けて対向する左右一対の右壁１１Ｒ、左壁１１Ｌと、右壁１１Ｒと左壁１１Ｌの間において、上部を開閉可能に連結する上壁１２と、下部を連結する下壁１３とを備える。右壁１１Ｒと、左壁１１Ｌと、上壁１２と、下壁１３とは、一体にポリプロピレン樹脂で形成されている。単位部材１０は、可撓性が高い材質で形成されていればよく、ポリエチレン樹脂や、ポリアミド樹脂や、エラストマーで形成されてもよい。 As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the unit member 10 (10 A, 10 B) has a pair of left and right right walls 11 R and 11 L facing each other with a predetermined interval between the right wall 11 R and the left wall 11 L. The upper wall 12 is connected to the upper part so as to be openable and closable, and the lower wall 13 is connected to the lower part. The right wall 11R, the left wall 11L, the upper wall 12, and the lower wall 13 are integrally formed of polypropylene resin. The unit member 10 only needs to be formed of a highly flexible material, and may be formed of a polyethylene resin, a polyamide resin, or an elastomer.

図３及び図４には、上壁１２が開いた開放状態の単位部材１０の斜視図が示されており、単位部材１０はこの状態にインジェクション成形によって一体成形されて製造される。図３に示す様に、上壁１２が開いた開放状態では、ケーブル類２を単位部材１０の上側から、右壁１１Ｒ、左壁１１Ｌ及び下壁１３で囲まれる内部領域に収容することができる。そして、ケーブル類２を右壁１１Ｒ、左壁１１Ｌおよび下壁１３で囲まれる単位部材１０の内部に収容したら、上壁１２を閉じた閉鎖状態にする。図２には、上壁１２が閉じた閉鎖状態の単位部材１０の斜視図が示されており、図１に示すケーブルチェーン１の使用時には、図２に示す様に、単位部材１０は上壁１２を閉じた閉鎖状態となっている。なお、図２には前側の単位部材１０Ａと後側の単位部材１０Ｂとが示されているが、以降の説明では前側の単位部材１０Ａ中心に説明する。また、図５〜図７では、連結された単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂとが示されているが、前側の単位部材１０Ａは実線で示しており、後側の単位部材１０Ｂは２点鎖線で示した。 3 and 4 are perspective views of the unit member 10 in an open state in which the upper wall 12 is opened, and the unit member 10 is manufactured by being integrally formed by injection molding in this state. As shown in FIG. 3, when the upper wall 12 is open, the cables 2 can be accommodated from the upper side of the unit member 10 in an internal region surrounded by the right wall 11 R, the left wall 11 L, and the lower wall 13. . When the cables 2 are accommodated in the unit member 10 surrounded by the right wall 11R, the left wall 11L, and the lower wall 13, the upper wall 12 is closed. 2 is a perspective view of the closed unit member 10 with the upper wall 12 closed. When the cable chain 1 shown in FIG. 1 is used, as shown in FIG. 12 is closed. In FIG. 2, the front unit member 10A and the rear unit member 10B are shown, but in the following description, the description will focus on the front unit member 10A. 5-7, the unit member 10A and the unit member 10B which were connected are shown, but the front unit member 10A is shown by a solid line, and the rear unit member 10B is shown by a two-dot chain line. Indicated.

右壁１１Ｒと左壁１１Ｌとは、図２や図６に示す様に、これらの左右方向の中間の平面に関してほぼ左右対称に形成されている。以下では、まず、右壁１１Ｒと左壁１１Ｌの共通する構造について代表として右壁１１Ｒについて説明するが、左壁１１Ｌは、右壁１１Ｒに対応する符号をつけて説明を省略する。次に、右壁１１Ｒと左壁１１Ｌの異なる部分について説明することとする。 As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the right wall 11 R and the left wall 11 L are formed substantially symmetrically with respect to an intermediate plane in the left-right direction. In the following, first, the right wall 11R will be described as a representative of the common structure of the right wall 11R and the left wall 11L, but the left wall 11L is given the reference numeral corresponding to the right wall 11R, and the description is omitted. Next, different parts of the right wall 11R and the left wall 11L will be described.

まず、共通する構造について説明する。図２〜図６に示す様に、右壁１１Ｒは右方からみて、長軸を前後方向とした略角丸長方形状の板状部材である。前側は左側面（内側面）が、左方から見て略円形に切り欠かれた前外壁１１ＲＦとして形成され、後側は右側面（外側面）が、右方から見て略円形に切り欠かれた後内壁１１ＲＲとして形成されている。そして、前外壁１１ＲＦと後内壁１１ＲＲの間が、本体部１１ＲＢとして形成されており本体部１１ＲＢは、内側の前面に内面段差１１Ｒ１ａと、外側の後面に外面段差１１Ｒ１ｂとを備えている。前外壁１１ＲＦと後内壁１１ＲＲの厚みは等しく、右壁１１Ｒの本体部１１ＲＢの厚みの半分程度とされている。このため、図６に示す様に、前外壁１１ＲＦの右側面（外側面）は、本体部１１ＲＢの右側面（外側面）と同一平面となり、後内壁１１ＲＲの左側面（内側面）は、本体部１１ＲＢの左側面（内側面）と同一平面となっている。前外壁１１ＲＦの中央部には、左右方向に貫通する円孔１１Ｒ２が設けられ、後内壁１１ＲＲの中央部には右方（外側方向）に向かって突出する円筒状の円筒突起１１Ｒ３が設けられている。単位部材１０Ａの円筒突起１１Ｒ３は、単位部材１０Ｂの円孔１１Ｒ２に回動可能に嵌合できるようになっている。前外壁１１ＲＦの左側面には、前端に円弧状の切り欠き部１１Ｒ４と、切り欠き部１１Ｒ４から円孔１１Ｒ２にかけて延びる左側（内側）に開口する連結溝１１Ｒ５が設けられている。連結溝１１Ｒ５の深さは、切り欠き部１１Ｒ４から円孔１１Ｒ２に向かうにつれ次第に浅くなるように形成されている。本体部１１ＲＢの前側の下端部には、後述する下壁１３の下薄肉部１３１ｂとの間で形成される左方（内側）に開口を有し横断面が略Ｕ字状で前後方向に延びる摺動溝１１Ｒ６が形成されている。摺動溝１１Ｒ６は、後端部が本体部１１ＲＢの前後方向中央部に位置し、前端部は円孔１１Ｒ２の若干後方で底面が前外壁１１ＲＦの左側面に一致している。さらに、摺動溝１１Ｒ６の上端外周縁部における本体部１１ＲＢからは、左方に延びる庇部１１Ｒ６１が設けられている。摺動溝１１Ｒ６には、単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂとが連結されたとき、後述する下壁１３に設けられた下薄壁部１３２の右端部が挿入されて、単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂの相対回動に伴って摺動する。 First, a common structure will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the right wall 11 R is a plate member having a substantially rounded rectangular shape with the long axis as the front-rear direction when viewed from the right. The front side is formed as a front outer wall 11RF in which the left side surface (inner side surface) is cut out in a substantially circular shape when viewed from the left side, and the right side surface (outer side surface) is cut out in a substantially circular shape when viewed from the right side on the rear side. A rear inner wall 11RR is formed. A portion between the front outer wall 11RF and the rear inner wall 11RR is formed as a main body portion 11RB. The main body portion 11RB includes an inner surface step 11R1a on the inner front surface and an outer surface step 11R1b on the outer rear surface. The front outer wall 11RF and the rear inner wall 11RR have the same thickness, and are about half the thickness of the main body portion 11RB of the right wall 11R. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6, the right side surface (outer side surface) of the front outer wall 11RF is flush with the right side surface (outer side surface) of the main body portion 11RB, and the left side surface (inner side surface) of the rear inner wall 11RR is the main body. It is flush with the left side surface (inner side surface) of the portion 11RB. A circular hole 11R2 penetrating in the left-right direction is provided in the central portion of the front outer wall 11RF, and a cylindrical cylindrical protrusion 11R3 protruding rightward (outward direction) is provided in the central portion of the rear inner wall 11RR. Yes. The cylindrical protrusion 11R3 of the unit member 10A can be rotatably fitted in the circular hole 11R2 of the unit member 10B. On the left side surface of the front outer wall 11RF, an arc-shaped cutout portion 11R4 and a connecting groove 11R5 opening on the left side (inner side) extending from the cutout portion 11R4 to the circular hole 11R2 are provided at the front end. The depth of the connecting groove 11R5 is formed so as to gradually become shallower from the notch 11R4 toward the circular hole 11R2. The lower end on the front side of the main body 11RB has an opening on the left (inside) formed between the lower thin portion 131b of the lower wall 13 described later and has a substantially U-shaped cross section and extends in the front-rear direction. A sliding groove 11R6 is formed. The sliding groove 11R6 has a rear end portion located at the center in the front-rear direction of the main body portion 11RB, a front end portion slightly behind the circular hole 11R2, and a bottom surface coinciding with the left side surface of the front outer wall 11RF. Further, a flange portion 11R61 extending leftward is provided from the main body portion 11RB in the outer peripheral edge portion of the upper end of the sliding groove 11R6. When the unit member 10A and the unit member 10B are connected to the sliding groove 11R6, the right end portion of the lower thin wall portion 132 provided on the lower wall 13 described later is inserted, and the unit member 10A and the unit member 10B are inserted. It slides with relative rotation.

次に、右壁１１Ｒと左壁１１Ｌとで異なる部分について説明する。図２〜図６に示す様に、右壁１１Ｒの上部には前突起部１１Ｒ７と後突起部１１Ｒ８とが上方に突出して設けられている。前突起部１１Ｒ７は後突起部１１Ｒ８より上方に向かって高く延びて形成されるとともに、前側に前下方に向かって傾斜する傾斜面部１１Ｒ７１が形成されている。傾斜面部１１Ｒ７１の前端部はその前後方向の位置が円孔１１Ｒ２の中心の前後方向の位置とほぼ等しく形成されている。後突起部１１Ｒ８の後側の面の前後方向の位置は、円筒突起１１Ｒ３の中心の前後方向の位置より若干前方の位置とされている。後突起部１１Ｒ８の上面部には薄肉のヒンジ部１１Ｒ８１が設けられて、ヒンジ部１１Ｒ８１によって後述する上壁１２と連結されている。単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂとが連結されて相対回動されたとき、後突起部１１Ｒ８の後側の面は前突起部１１Ｒ７の傾斜面部１１Ｒ７１に当接して回動が止められるようになっている。前突起部１１Ｒ７の上端部には、左方に突出する爪１１Ｒ９が設けられている。爪１１Ｒ９の下面は、後突起部１１Ｒ８の上面より上方に位置している。 Next, differences between the right wall 11R and the left wall 11L will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, a front protrusion 11R7 and a rear protrusion 11R8 are provided on the upper portion of the right wall 11R so as to protrude upward. The front projection 11R7 is formed to extend higher upward than the rear projection 11R8, and an inclined surface portion 11R71 that is inclined toward the front lower side is formed on the front side. The front end portion of the inclined surface portion 11R71 is formed so that the position in the front-rear direction is substantially equal to the position in the front-rear direction at the center of the circular hole 11R2. The position in the front-rear direction of the rear surface of the rear protrusion 11R8 is a position slightly ahead of the position in the front-rear direction at the center of the cylindrical protrusion 11R3. A thin hinge portion 11R81 is provided on the upper surface portion of the rear projection portion 11R8, and is connected to an upper wall 12 described later by the hinge portion 11R81. When the unit member 10A and the unit member 10B are connected and relatively rotated, the rear surface of the rear protrusion 11R8 comes into contact with the inclined surface portion 11R71 of the front protrusion 11R7 so that the rotation is stopped. Yes. A claw 11R9 that protrudes to the left is provided at the upper end of the front protrusion 11R7. The lower surface of the claw 11R9 is located above the upper surface of the rear projection 11R8.

図２〜図６に示す様に、左壁１１Ｌの上部には一体突起部１１Ｌ７が上方に突出して設けられている。一体突起部１１Ｌ７の上方への突出高さは前突起部１１Ｒ７の突出高さと同一である。一体突起部１１Ｌ７の前側に前下方に向かって傾斜する傾斜面部１１Ｌ７１が形成されている。傾斜面部１１Ｌ７１の前端部はその前後方向の位置が円孔１１Ｌ２の中心の前後方向の位置とほぼ等しく形成されている。一体突起部１１Ｌ７の後側の面の前後方向の位置は、円筒突起１１Ｌ３の中心の前後方向の位置より若干前方の位置とされている。すなわち、側面視で右壁１１Ｒの傾斜面部１１Ｒ７１と左壁１１Ｌの傾斜面部１１Ｌ７１は重なっており、右壁１１Ｒの後突起部１１Ｒ８の後側の面の前後方向の位置と左壁１１Ｌの一体突起部１１Ｌ７の後側の面の前後方向の位置とは一致している。単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂとが連結されて相対回動されたとき、一体突起部１１Ｌ７の後側の面は一体突起部１１Ｌ７の傾斜面部１１Ｌ７１に当接して回動が止められるようになっている。一体突起部１１Ｌ７の上端部には、爪１１Ｒ９に対向する位置に右方に突出する爪１１Ｌ９が設けられている。爪１１Ｌ９の下面の上下方向の高さは、爪１１Ｒ９の下面と同一である。一体突起部１１Ｌ７の後部には、左右に貫通する横断面が矩形状の係止孔１１Ｌ７２が設けられている。係止孔１１Ｌ７２の上端部側は、左右方向に斜めに切り欠かれて斜面部１１Ｌ７３が形成されている。また、係止孔１１Ｌ７２の上部側の壁には下方に向かって延びる突起１１Ｌ７２ａが形成されている。斜面部１１Ｌ７３は、後述する上壁１２を閉鎖状態とするときに上壁１２の係止爪１２３を円滑に係止孔１１Ｌ７２の中に導くためのものである。また、突起１１Ｌ７２ａは係止孔１１Ｌ７２の中に入った係止爪１２３が容易に抜け出ないように係止爪１２３の穴１２３ａに係合して保持するためのものである。 As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, an integral protrusion 11 L 7 protrudes upward from the upper portion of the left wall 11 L. The protruding height of the integrated protruding portion 11L7 is the same as the protruding height of the front protruding portion 11R7. An inclined surface portion 11L71 which is inclined toward the front lower side is formed on the front side of the integral protrusion 11L7. The front end portion of the inclined surface portion 11L71 is formed so that the position in the front-rear direction is substantially equal to the position in the front-rear direction at the center of the circular hole 11L2. The position in the front-rear direction of the rear surface of the integrated protrusion 11L7 is slightly ahead of the position in the front-rear direction at the center of the cylindrical protrusion 11L3. That is, when viewed from the side, the inclined surface portion 11R71 of the right wall 11R and the inclined surface portion 11L71 of the left wall 11L overlap, and the position in the front-rear direction of the rear surface of the rear protrusion portion 11R8 of the right wall 11R and the integral protrusion of the left wall 11L. The position of the rear surface of the portion 11L7 coincides with the position in the front-rear direction. When the unit member 10A and the unit member 10B are connected and relatively rotated, the rear surface of the integrated protrusion 11L7 comes into contact with the inclined surface portion 11L71 of the integrated protrusion 11L7 so that the rotation is stopped. Yes. A claw 11L9 that protrudes to the right is provided at a position facing the claw 11R9 at the upper end of the integral protrusion 11L7. The vertical height of the lower surface of the claw 11L9 is the same as the lower surface of the claw 11R9. A locking hole 11L72 having a rectangular cross section penetrating from side to side is provided at the rear of the integrated protrusion 11L7. The upper end portion side of the locking hole 11L72 is cut obliquely in the left-right direction to form a slope portion 11L73. A protrusion 11L72a extending downward is formed on the upper wall of the locking hole 11L72. The inclined surface portion 11L73 is for smoothly guiding the locking claw 123 of the upper wall 12 into the locking hole 11L72 when the upper wall 12 to be described later is closed. Further, the protrusion 11L72a is for engaging and holding the hole 123a of the locking claw 123 so that the locking claw 123 entering the locking hole 11L72 does not easily come out.

図２〜図５に示すように、上壁１２は、上本体部１２１と、上薄壁部１２２とを備える。上本体部１２１は、左右方向の長さが右壁１１Ｒの右面から左壁１１Ｌの右面までの長さで、前後方向の長さが後突起部１１Ｒ８の後面から爪１１Ｒ９の前端部までの長さ程度である。上本体部１２１は、前後方向の長さが後突起部１１Ｒ８の前後方向の長さにほぼ等しい上厚肉部１２１ａと、前後方向の長さが爪１１Ｒ９の前後方向の長さにほぼ等しい上薄肉部１２１ｂと、上厚肉部１２１ａと上薄肉部１２１ｂとを連結する上傾斜部１２１ｃと、を有する。上薄肉部１２１ｂの肉厚は、上厚肉部１２１ａの肉厚の１／２程度であり、上薄肉部１２１ｂの左右方向の長さは上厚肉部１２１ａの左右方向の長さより短い。これは、図３に示す開放状態から図２に示す閉鎖状態にする過程で前突起部１１Ｒ７との干渉を避けるためである。図３に示す開放状態において、上厚肉部１２１ａの左側面の下端部は、ヒンジ部１１Ｒ８１によって右壁１１Ｒの後突起部１１Ｒ８の右側面の上部に連結され左下方に曲折可能とされている。また、上厚肉部１２１ａの上端部には上方に向かって延びる係止爪１２３が設けられている。係止爪１２３の略中央部には、右に開口する穴１２３ａが設けられている。係止爪１２３は、上壁１２を図２に示す閉鎖状態としたとき、左壁１１Ｌの係止孔１１Ｌ７２に係合し、突起１１Ｌ７２ａが穴１２３ａに係合する。上本体部１２１の上厚肉部１２１ａの後端部から後方に向かって上薄壁部１２２が延設されている。上薄壁部１２２の前後方向の長さは、上本体部１２１の前後方向の長さ（上厚肉部１２１ａの後端から上薄肉部１２１ｂの前端にかけての長さ）とほぼ等しい。また、上薄壁部１２２の肉厚は、上本体部１２１の前側の上厚肉部１２１ａの肉厚の１／４程度である。これによって、上薄壁部１２２は可撓性に優れて容易に面外方向に変形する。上薄壁部１２２の上面と上本体部１２１の上面とは同一平面に形成されている。図２に示す閉鎖状態において、爪１１Ｒ９の下面と上薄肉部１２１ｂの上面との間及び爪１１Ｌ９の下面と上薄肉部１２１ｂの上面との間には、隣り合う単位部材１０の上薄壁部１２２の左右端部を摺動可能に遊嵌する隙間が形成される。すなわち、図２に示す様に、単位部材１０Ｂと単位部材１０Ａとが連結されるとき、単位部材１０Ｂのこの隙間の中に隣り合う単位部材１０Ａの上薄壁部１２２が挿入される。 As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the upper wall 12 includes an upper main body portion 121 and an upper thin wall portion 122. The upper main body 121 has a length in the left-right direction from the right surface of the right wall 11R to the right surface of the left wall 11L, and a length in the front-rear direction from the rear surface of the rear projection 11R8 to the front end of the claw 11R9. It is about the size. The upper main body portion 121 has an upper thick portion 121a whose length in the front-rear direction is substantially equal to the length in the front-rear direction of the rear projection 11R8, and a length in the front-rear direction substantially equal to the length in the front-rear direction of the claw 11R9. It has the thin part 121b and the upper inclination part 121c which connects the upper thick part 121a and the upper thin part 121b. The thickness of the upper thin portion 121b is about ½ of the thickness of the upper thick portion 121a, and the length of the upper thin portion 121b in the left-right direction is shorter than the length of the upper thick portion 121a in the left-right direction. This is to avoid interference with the front protrusion 11R7 in the process of changing from the open state shown in FIG. 3 to the closed state shown in FIG. In the open state shown in FIG. 3, the lower end portion of the left side surface of the upper thick portion 121a is connected to the upper portion of the right side surface of the rear projection portion 11R8 of the right wall 11R by the hinge portion 11R81 and can be bent to the lower left. . A locking claw 123 extending upward is provided at the upper end of the upper thick portion 121a. A hole 123 a that opens to the right is provided in a substantially central portion of the locking claw 123. When the upper wall 12 is in the closed state shown in FIG. 2, the locking claw 123 engages with the locking hole 11L72 of the left wall 11L, and the protrusion 11L72a engages with the hole 123a. An upper thin wall portion 122 extends rearward from the rear end portion of the upper thick portion 121a of the upper main body portion 121a. The length of the upper thin wall portion 122 in the front-rear direction is substantially equal to the length of the upper main body portion 121 in the front-rear direction (the length from the rear end of the upper thick portion 121a to the front end of the upper thin portion 121b). Further, the thickness of the upper thin wall portion 122 is about ¼ of the thickness of the upper thick portion 121 a on the front side of the upper main body portion 121. As a result, the upper thin wall portion 122 is excellent in flexibility and easily deforms in the out-of-plane direction. The upper surface of the upper thin wall portion 122 and the upper surface of the upper main body portion 121 are formed on the same plane. In the closed state shown in FIG. 2, the upper thin wall portion of the adjacent unit member 10 is between the lower surface of the claw 11R9 and the upper surface of the upper thin portion 121b and between the lower surface of the claw 11L9 and the upper surface of the upper thin portion 121b. A gap is formed in which the left and right ends of 122 are slidably fitted. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, when the unit member 10B and the unit member 10A are connected, the upper thin wall portion 122 of the adjacent unit member 10A is inserted into this gap of the unit member 10B.

図２〜図５に示す様に、下壁１３は、下本体部１３１と下薄壁部１３２とを備える。下本体部１３１は、前端部が円孔１１Ｒ２及び円孔１１Ｌ２の中心位置の直下に位置し、後端部が円筒突起１１Ｒ３及び円筒突起１１Ｌ３の中心軸位置の直下に位置する。下本体部１３１は、前後方向の長さが下本体部１３１の前後方向の長さの１／３程度の下厚肉部１３１ａと、前後方向の長さが下本体部１３１の前後方向の長さの１／２程度の下薄肉部１３１ｂと、下厚肉部１３１ａと下薄肉部１３１ｂとを連結する下傾斜部１３１ｃと、を有する。下薄肉部１３１ｂの肉厚は、上厚肉部１２１ａの肉厚程度であり、下厚肉部１３１ａの肉厚は下薄肉部１３１ｂの肉厚の２倍程度である。下厚肉部１３１ａの後端部から後方に向かって、下厚肉部１３１ａの下面と平行に下薄壁部１３２が延設されている。また、下薄壁部１３２の下面の高さは、下薄肉部１３１ｂの上面よりわずかに上方の位置に設定されている。下薄壁部１３２の肉厚は上薄壁部１２２と同程度で、前後方向の長さは下薄肉部１３１ｂの前後方向の長さとほぼ等しい。これによって、下薄壁部１３２は可撓性に優れて容易に面外方向に変形する。図２に示す様に、単位部材１０Ｂと単位部材１０Ａが連結されるとき、後側の単位部材１０Ｂの右壁１１Ｒの摺動溝１１Ｒ６と左壁１１Ｌの摺動溝１１Ｌ６との中に、前側の単位部材１０Ａの下薄壁部１３２の左右端部が挿入される。 As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the lower wall 13 includes a lower main body portion 131 and a lower thin wall portion 132. The lower main body 131 has a front end portion located immediately below the center positions of the circular hole 11R2 and the circular hole 11L2, and a rear end portion located directly below the central axis positions of the cylindrical protrusion 11R3 and the cylindrical protrusion 11L3. The lower main body 131 includes a lower thick portion 131a whose length in the front-rear direction is about 1/3 of the length in the front-rear direction of the lower main body 131, and a length in the front-rear direction of the lower main body 131. And a lower inclined portion 131c that connects the lower thick portion 131a and the lower thin portion 131b. The thickness of the lower thin portion 131b is about the thickness of the upper thick portion 121a, and the thickness of the lower thick portion 131a is about twice the thickness of the lower thin portion 131b. A lower thin wall portion 132 extends from the rear end portion of the lower thick portion 131a to the rear in parallel with the lower surface of the lower thick portion 131a. Further, the height of the lower surface of the lower thin wall portion 132 is set to a position slightly above the upper surface of the lower thin wall portion 131b. The thickness of the lower thin wall portion 132 is approximately the same as that of the upper thin wall portion 122, and the length in the front-rear direction is substantially equal to the length in the front-rear direction of the lower thin wall portion 131b. Accordingly, the lower thin wall portion 132 is excellent in flexibility and easily deforms in the out-of-plane direction. As shown in FIG. 2, when the unit member 10B and the unit member 10A are connected, the front side of the sliding groove 11R6 of the right wall 11R of the rear unit member 10B and the sliding groove 11L6 of the left wall 11L The left and right ends of the lower thin wall portion 132 of the unit member 10A are inserted.

単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂが連結されて伸長状態から屈曲状態に至る状況について説明する。図５に、単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂが連結されてケーブルチェーンの延びる方向に真っ直ぐ伸ばされた伸長状態を示す。また、図７に、単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂが連結されて相対的に最大角度屈曲された最大屈曲状態を示す。 A situation where the unit member 10A and the unit member 10B are connected to reach the bent state from the extended state will be described. FIG. 5 shows an extended state in which the unit member 10A and the unit member 10B are connected and straightened in the direction in which the cable chain extends. FIG. 7 shows a maximum bent state in which the unit member 10A and the unit member 10B are connected and bent relatively at the maximum angle.

図５に示す様に、伸長状態において、単位部材１０Ａの上薄壁部１２２の後端は、単位部材１０Ｂの上薄肉部１２１ｂと爪１１Ｒ９との間及び上薄肉部１２１ｂと爪１１Ｌ９との間に位置し、上薄肉部１２１ｂと重なり合っている。これによって、単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂの上部は、単位部材１０Ａの上壁１２と単位部材１０Ｂの上壁１２によって隙間なく覆われている。また、単位部材１０Ａの下本体部１３１の後端部と単位部材１０Ｂの下本体部１３１の前端部とは当接するとともに、単位部材１０Ａの下薄壁部１３２の後端部側は単位部材１０Ｂの左右の摺動溝１１Ｒ６と摺動溝１１Ｌ６に挿入され、下薄肉部１３１ｂと重なり合っている。これによって、単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂの下部は、単位部材１０Ａの下壁１３と単位部材１０Ｂの下壁１３によって隙間なく覆われている。また、単位部材１０Ａの後内壁１１ＲＲと単位部材１０Ｂの前外壁１１ＲＦは密着し、同様に、単位部材１０Ａの後内壁１１ＬＲと単位部材１０Ｂの前外壁１１ＬＦは密着している（図６参照）。これによって、単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂの側部は、単位部材１０Ａの右壁１１Ｒ及び左壁１１Ｌと、単位部材１０Ｂの右壁１１Ｒ及び左壁１１Ｌと、によって隙間なく覆われている。また、単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂの前後方向に他の単位部材が同様に連結されることによってケーブルチェーン１が構成される。すなわち、ケーブルチェーン１は、上下両面および両側面を高い閉鎖度で閉鎖しているため、ケーブル類２の一部が内部空間の外にはみ出して損傷を受けることを抑止できる。 As shown in FIG. 5, in the extended state, the rear end of the upper thin wall portion 122 of the unit member 10A is between the upper thin portion 121b and the claw 11R9 and between the upper thin portion 121b and the claw 11L9. It overlaps with the upper thin part 121b. Accordingly, the upper portions of the unit member 10A and the unit member 10B are covered with the upper wall 12 of the unit member 10A and the upper wall 12 of the unit member 10B without any gap. The rear end portion of the lower main body portion 131 of the unit member 10A and the front end portion of the lower main body portion 131 of the unit member 10B are in contact with each other, and the rear end portion side of the lower thin wall portion 132 of the unit member 10A is the unit member 10B. Are inserted into the left and right sliding grooves 11R6 and 11L6 and overlap the lower thin portion 131b. Accordingly, the lower portions of the unit member 10A and the unit member 10B are covered without a gap by the lower wall 13 of the unit member 10A and the lower wall 13 of the unit member 10B. Further, the rear inner wall 11RR of the unit member 10A and the front outer wall 11RF of the unit member 10B are in close contact, and similarly, the rear inner wall 11LR of the unit member 10A and the front outer wall 11LF of the unit member 10B are in close contact (see FIG. 6). Accordingly, the side portions of the unit member 10A and the unit member 10B are covered without gaps by the right wall 11R and the left wall 11L of the unit member 10A and the right wall 11R and the left wall 11L of the unit member 10B. Moreover, the cable chain 1 is comprised by connecting another unit member similarly in the front-back direction of unit member 10A and unit member 10B. That is, since the cable chain 1 closes both the upper and lower surfaces and both side surfaces with a high degree of closure, it is possible to prevent a part of the cables 2 from protruding outside the internal space and being damaged.

図７に示すように、最大屈曲状態において、単位部材１０Ａの上薄壁部１２２の後端は、単位部材１０Ｂの上厚肉部１２１ａの後端部近傍に位置するとともに、上薄壁部１２２の前端は、上面を爪１１Ｒ９及び爪１１Ｌ９によって上方から押圧され、上薄壁部１２２の下面が上厚肉部１２１ａの上面に重なり合っている。これによって、単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂの上部は、単位部材１０Ａの上壁１２と単位部材１０Ｂの上壁１２によって隙間なく覆われている。また、単位部材１０Ａの下本体部１３１の後端部と単位部材１０Ｂの下本体部１３１の前端部とは離隔するとともに、単位部材１０Ａの下薄壁部１３２の後端部側は単位部材１０Ｂの左右端部は摺動溝１１Ｒ６と摺動溝１１Ｌ６の前端部に位置して下薄肉部１３１ｂの前端部側と重なり合っている。これによって、単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂの下部は、単位部材１０Ａの下壁１３と単位部材１０Ｂの下壁１３によって隙間なく覆われている。また、単位部材１０Ａの後内壁１１ＲＲと単位部材１０Ｂの前外壁１１ＲＦは密着し、同様に、単位部材１０Ａの後内壁１１ＬＲと単位部材１０Ｂの前外壁１１ＬＦは密着している（図６参照）。これによって、単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂの側部は、単位部材１０Ａの右壁１１Ｒ及び左壁１１Ｌと、単位部材１０Ｂの右壁１１Ｒ及び左壁１１Ｌと、によって隙間なく覆われている。すなわち、最大屈曲状態においても、ケーブルチェーン１は、上下両面および両側面を高い閉鎖度で閉鎖しているため、ケーブル類２の一部が内部空間の外にはみ出して損傷を受けることを抑止できる。 As shown in FIG. 7, in the maximum bent state, the rear end of the upper thin wall portion 122 of the unit member 10A is located in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the upper thick portion 121a of the unit member 10B, and the upper thin wall portion 122. As for the front end, the upper surface is pressed from above by the claw 11R9 and the claw 11L9, and the lower surface of the upper thin wall portion 122 overlaps the upper surface of the upper thick portion 121a. Accordingly, the upper portions of the unit member 10A and the unit member 10B are covered with the upper wall 12 of the unit member 10A and the upper wall 12 of the unit member 10B without any gap. Further, the rear end portion of the lower main body portion 131 of the unit member 10A is separated from the front end portion of the lower main body portion 131 of the unit member 10B, and the rear end portion side of the lower thin wall portion 132 of the unit member 10A is the unit member 10B. The left and right end portions are located at the front end portions of the sliding groove 11R6 and the sliding groove 11L6 and overlap the front end portion side of the lower thin portion 131b. Accordingly, the lower portions of the unit member 10A and the unit member 10B are covered without a gap by the lower wall 13 of the unit member 10A and the lower wall 13 of the unit member 10B. Further, the rear inner wall 11RR of the unit member 10A and the front outer wall 11RF of the unit member 10B are in close contact, and similarly, the rear inner wall 11LR of the unit member 10A and the front outer wall 11LF of the unit member 10B are in close contact (see FIG. 6). Accordingly, the side portions of the unit member 10A and the unit member 10B are covered without gaps by the right wall 11R and the left wall 11L of the unit member 10A and the right wall 11R and the left wall 11L of the unit member 10B. That is, even in the maximum bent state, the cable chain 1 closes both the upper and lower surfaces and both side surfaces with a high degree of closure, so that it is possible to prevent a part of the cables 2 from protruding outside the internal space and being damaged. .

この様に、図５における伸長状態においても、図７における最大屈曲状態においても、ケーブルチェーン１はその内部を高い閉鎖度で閉鎖しており、これらの状態の間の屈曲の全過程で、常に内部を高い閉鎖度で閉鎖している。 Thus, in the extended state in FIG. 5 and in the maximum bent state in FIG. 7, the cable chain 1 is closed with a high degree of closure, and is always in the entire process of bending between these states. The interior is closed with a high degree of closure.

以上のように構成される本実施形態は、以下のような作用効果を奏する。単位部材１０は、一体に形成されているため、１つの単位部材１０を得るために、複数の部材を組み立てる手間を要せず、組み立てが簡便である。そして、ケーブルチェーン１はその長さを、連結する単位部材１０の数を変えるだけで容易に調節できる。 The present embodiment configured as described above has the following operational effects. Since the unit members 10 are integrally formed, it is not necessary to assemble a plurality of members in order to obtain one unit member 10, and the assembly is simple. The length of the cable chain 1 can be easily adjusted simply by changing the number of unit members 10 to be connected.

さらに、単位部材１０Ａは、上壁１２にケーブルチェーン１の延びる方向の一方向である後方に向かって延びる上薄壁部１２２を備えている。上薄壁部１２２の後方に向かう長さは、単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂの相対回動の過程で、常に隣接する単位部材１０Ｂの上壁１２の上本体部１２１に対して少なくとも一部が重なる長さとなっている。なお、上薄壁部１２２の「隣接する単位部材１０Ｂの上本体部１２１に対して少なくとも一部が重なる」とは、上（上薄壁部１２２に垂直な方向）から視て、上薄壁部１２２の一部と隣接する単位部材１０Ｂの上本体部１２１とが重なり合うことを含むのは当然として、上薄壁部１２２の端部と隣接する単位部材１０Ｂの上本体部１２１の端部とが一致した状態となることも含む。従って、単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂの間は、相対回動の過程で常に上壁１２の上本体部１２１と上薄壁部１２２とによって上側が閉鎖されている。また、単位部材１０Ａは、下壁１３に後方に向かって延びる下薄壁部１３２を備えている。下薄壁部１３２の後方に向かう長さは、単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂの相対回動の過程で、常に隣接する単位部材１０Ｂの下本体部１３１に対して少なくとも一部が重なる長さとなっている。従って、単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂの間は、相対回動の過程で常に下壁１３の下本体部１３１と下薄壁部１３２とによって下側が閉鎖されている。また、単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂは、右壁１１Ｒ同士及び左壁１１Ｌ同士が部分的に重なり合って相対回動可能に連結されているため、両側面側においても高い閉鎖度で閉鎖されている。従って、ケーブルチェーン１は、屈曲の全過程で、上側、下側及び左右両側で高い閉鎖度で閉鎖されているため、ケーブル類２の一部が内部空間の外にはみ出して損傷を受けることを抑止できる。 Further, the unit member 10 A includes an upper thin wall portion 122 that extends toward the rear, which is one direction in which the cable chain 1 extends, on the upper wall 12. The length toward the rear of the upper thin wall portion 122 is at least partly relative to the upper body portion 121 of the upper wall 12 of the adjacent unit member 10B in the course of relative rotation of the unit member 10A and the unit member 10B. Overlapping length. Note that “at least a portion of the upper thin wall portion 122 overlaps the upper main body portion 121 of the adjacent unit member 10B” means that the upper thin wall is viewed from above (in a direction perpendicular to the upper thin wall portion 122). As a matter of course, it includes that the upper body portion 121 of the unit member 10B adjacent to a part of the portion 122 overlaps with the end portion of the upper body portion 121 of the unit member 10B adjacent to the end portion of the upper thin wall portion 122. It also includes a state in which. Therefore, the upper side between the unit member 10A and the unit member 10B is always closed by the upper main body portion 121 and the upper thin wall portion 122 in the process of relative rotation. Further, the unit member 10A includes a lower thin wall portion 132 that extends rearward on the lower wall 13. The length toward the rear of the lower thin wall portion 132 is a length that always overlaps at least partly with the lower main body portion 131 of the adjacent unit member 10B in the process of relative rotation of the unit member 10A and the unit member 10B. ing. Accordingly, the lower side between the unit member 10A and the unit member 10B is always closed by the lower main body portion 131 and the lower thin wall portion 132 of the lower wall 13 in the process of relative rotation. Further, the unit member 10A and the unit member 10B are closed with a high degree of closure on both side surfaces because the right walls 11R and the left wall 11L are partially overlapped and connected so as to be relatively rotatable. . Therefore, since the cable chain 1 is closed with a high degree of closure on the upper side, the lower side, and the left and right sides in the entire process of bending, a part of the cables 2 protrudes outside the internal space and is damaged. Can be suppressed.

さらに、前側（他方向側）に隣接する単位部材１０Ａの下薄壁部１３２は、後側の単位部材１０Ｂの一対の側壁１１Ｒ，１１Ｌと下本体部１３１との連結部に沿い、内側に開口を備える一対の溝１１Ｒ６，１１Ｌ６に、摺動可能に保持される。このため、下薄壁部１３２は屈曲の全過程で面外方向に変形することが抑止され、安定して下側を閉鎖することができる。 Further, the lower thin wall portion 132 of the unit member 10A adjacent to the front side (the other direction side) opens along the connecting portion between the pair of side walls 11R and 11L of the rear unit member 10B and the lower main body portion 131. Are slidably held in a pair of grooves 11R6 and 11L6. For this reason, the lower thin wall portion 132 is prevented from being deformed in the out-of-plane direction during the entire bending process, and the lower side can be stably closed.

さらに、一対の側壁１１Ｒ，１１Ｌが有する一対の爪１１Ｒ９，１１Ｌ９は、上本体部１２１が閉鎖状態にあるときに、隣接する単位部材１０Ｂの上薄壁部１２２を摺動可能に上から保持する。このため、上壁１２の上薄壁部１２２は、面外方向に変形することが抑止され、安定して上側を閉鎖することができる。 Further, the pair of claws 11R9, 11L9 included in the pair of side walls 11R, 11L hold the upper thin wall portion 122 of the adjacent unit member 10B from above so that the upper body portion 121 is slidable when the upper main body portion 121 is in a closed state. . For this reason, the upper thin wall portion 122 of the upper wall 12 is prevented from being deformed in the out-of-plane direction, and the upper side can be stably closed.

また、単位部材１０は、可撓性が高いポリプロピレン樹脂で一体に形成されているため、上薄壁部１２２および下薄壁部１３２の高い可撓性が確保される。これによって上薄壁部１２２は上本体部１２１と爪１１Ｒ９及び爪１１Ｌ９との間で、下薄壁部１３２は摺動溝１１Ｒ６及び摺動溝１１Ｌ６の間で円滑に摺動するとともに、容易に屈曲するので、単位部材１０Ａと単位部材１０Ｂの間の相対回動が容易となる。そして、ケーブルチェーン１が、ケーブル類２の屈曲に追従して円滑に屈曲することができる。 In addition, since the unit member 10 is integrally formed of a highly flexible polypropylene resin, the high flexibility of the upper thin wall portion 122 and the lower thin wall portion 132 is ensured. Accordingly, the upper thin wall portion 122 smoothly slides between the upper main body portion 121 and the claw 11R9 and the claw 11L9, and the lower thin wall portion 132 smoothly slides between the sliding groove 11R6 and the sliding groove 11L6. Since it bends, relative rotation between unit member 10A and unit member 10B becomes easy. The cable chain 1 can be smoothly bent following the bending of the cables 2.

以上、特定の実施形態について説明したが、本発明は、それらの外観、構成に限定されず、本発明の要旨を変更しない範囲で種々の変更、追加、削除が可能である。例えば、次のようなものが挙げられる。なお、上述した実施形態で説明した単位部材１０と実質的な構成及び作用が同じ箇所については、これらと同一の符号を付してその説明を省略する。 As mentioned above, although specific embodiment was described, this invention is not limited to those external appearances and structures, A various change, addition, and deletion are possible in the range which does not change the summary of this invention. For example, the following can be mentioned. In addition, about the location where the substantial structure and effect | action are the same as the unit member 10 demonstrated by embodiment mentioned above, the code | symbol same as these is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

１．上記実施形態においては、単位部材１０がポリプロピレン樹脂で形成されている。しかし、単位部材１０は可撓性が高い材質で形成されていればよく、単位部材１０を形成する材質は、ポリエチレン樹脂や、ポリアミド樹脂や、エラストマーであってもよい。 1. In the said embodiment, the unit member 10 is formed with the polypropylene resin. However, the unit member 10 may be formed of a highly flexible material, and the material forming the unit member 10 may be a polyethylene resin, a polyamide resin, or an elastomer.

２．図３に示す様に、上述した実施形態の円筒突起１１Ｒ３は右方に突出した円筒状となっているが、円柱状としてもよい。 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the cylindrical protrusion 11R3 of the above-described embodiment has a cylindrical shape protruding rightward, but may be a columnar shape.

３．上記実施形態においては、上薄壁部１２２と下薄壁部１３２は、共に後方に向かって延びて形成されており、延びる方向が同一方向である。これに限らず、上薄壁部１２２と下薄壁部１３２が延びる方向は逆方向であってもよい。 3. In the above embodiment, the upper thin wall portion 122 and the lower thin wall portion 132 are both formed to extend rearward, and the extending directions are the same direction. Not only this but the direction where the upper thin wall part 122 and the lower thin wall part 132 extend may be a reverse direction.

１ケーブルチェーン
１０単位部材
１１Ｒ右壁
１１Ｌ左壁
１１ＲＢ，１１ＬＢ本体部
１１ＲＦ，１１ＬＦ前外壁
１１ＲＲ，１１ＬＲ後内壁
１１Ｒ１ａ，１１Ｌ１ａ内面段差
１１Ｒ１ｂ，１１Ｌ１ｂ外面段差
１１Ｒ２，１１Ｌ２円孔
１１Ｒ３，１１Ｌ３円筒突起
１１Ｒ４，１１Ｌ４切り欠き部
１１Ｒ５，１１Ｌ５連結溝
１１Ｒ６，１１Ｌ６摺動溝
１１Ｒ６１，１１Ｌ６１庇部
１１Ｒ７前突起部
１１Ｒ７１傾斜面部
１１Ｒ８後突起部
１１Ｒ８１ヒンジ部
１１Ｒ９爪
１１Ｌ７一体突起部
１１Ｌ７１傾斜面部
１１Ｌ７２係止孔
１１Ｌ７２ａ突起
１１Ｌ７３斜面部
１１Ｌ９爪
１２上壁
１２１上本体部
１２１ａ上厚肉部
１２１ｂ上薄肉部
１２１ｃ上傾斜部
１２２上薄壁部
１２３係止爪
１２３ａ穴
１３下壁
１３１下本体部
１３１ａ下厚肉部
１３１ｂ下薄肉部
１３１ｃ下傾斜部
１３２下薄壁部
２ケーブル類

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cable chain 10 Unit member 11R Right wall 11L Left wall 11RB, 11LB Main part 11RF, 11LF Front outer wall 11RR, 11LR Rear inner wall 11R1a, 11L1a Inner surface level difference 11R1b, 11L1b Outer surface level difference 11R2, 11L2 Circular hole 11R3, 11L3 Cylindrical protrusion 11R4, 11L4 Notch portion 11R5, 11L5 Connection groove 11R6, 11L6 Sliding groove 11R61, 11L61 Gutter portion 11R7 Front projection portion 11R71 Inclined surface portion 11R8 Rear projection portion 11R81 Hinge portion 11R9 Claw 11L7 Integrated projection portion 11L71 Inclined surface portion 11L72 Locking hole 11L72a Protrusion 11L73 Slope Part 11L9 Claw 12 Upper wall 121 Upper main body part 121a Upper thick part 121b Upper thin part 121c Upper inclined part 122 Upper thin wall part 123 Locking claw 123a Hole 13 Lower wall 131 Lower main body part 131a Lower Thick part 131b Lower thin part 131c Lower inclined part 132 Lower thin wall part 2 Cables

Claims

A cable chain that connects a plurality of unit members so as to be relatively rotatable, and holds cables in a bendable manner.
In the unit member, a pair of side walls facing each other with a predetermined interval, an upper wall capable of closing an upper portion of the pair of side walls, and a lower wall connecting the lower portions of the pair of side walls are integrally formed of resin. Formed,
The adjacent unit members are connected to each other such that one of the pair of side walls and the other part of the side walls partially overlap with each other, and can be relatively rotated.
The upper wall has an upper main body portion and an upper thin wall portion,
The upper body part is connected to the other side of the upper part of the pair of side walls so as to be able to bend to the other side through a hinge formed thinner than the upper body part, and the other end part. Is formed so that it can be locked to the other upper part of the pair of side walls,
The upper thin wall portion is flexible, and extends in one direction from the upper body portion in a direction in which the cable chain extends in a closed state in which the other end portion is locked to the other upper portion. Formed,
The length of the upper thin wall portion in the one direction is a length that at least partially overlaps the upper main body portion of the adjacent unit member in the process of relative rotation of the adjacent unit members. Yes,
In the process of relative rotation of the adjacent unit members, the upper thin wall portion is slidable with respect to the upper surface of the upper main body portion of the adjacent unit member,
The lower wall has a lower main body portion and a lower thin wall portion,
The lower main body is connected to the lower portions of the pair of side walls,
The lower thin wall portion is flexible and formed extending in the same direction as the upper thin wall portion,
The length of the lower thin wall portion in the one direction is a length that at least partially overlaps the lower main body portion of the adjacent unit member in the process of relative rotation of the adjacent unit members. And
The pair of side walls have an opening on the inner side facing the connecting portion with the lower main body portion, and extend parallel to the lower main body portion so that the lower thin wall portion of the adjacent unit member can slide. A cable chain having a pair of grooves that can be held.

2. The pair of side walls according to claim 1, wherein when the upper main body portion is in the closed state, the upper thin wall portions of the adjacent unit members are slidably held from above, A cable chain having a pair of claws that are separated from each other at the upper portion and extend in opposition to each other.

3. The cable chain according to claim 1, wherein the unit member is formed of polypropylene resin.