EP2525030A1

EP2525030A1 - Magnet catch

Info

Publication number: EP2525030A1
Application number: EP11732866A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Masaru Sakai
Original assignee: Nifco Inc
Current assignee: Nifco Inc
Priority date: 2010-01-12
Filing date: 2011-01-11
Publication date: 2012-11-21
Also published as: JP2011144510A; CN102713119A; WO2011086996A1; JP5360721B2; CN102713119B

Abstract

A magnet catch of the present invention includes a magnet holder provided with a magnet; a slider which inserts the magnet holder; and a housing embedding the magnet holder and the slider. The magnet holder includes a cylinder body in which a screw is provided in an outer circumference, and internally holds the magnet and the like. The slider is provided with a screw into which the magnet holder is inserted in an inner circumference of an inside. By turning the magnet holder, the magnet can be moved in and out. The magnet cap fits into the other end of the magnet holder, holds the magnet and yokes so as not to come out, and also includes an abutting portion abutting against the inner circumference of the slider. In the magnet catch with the aforementioned structure, the abutting portion of the magnet cap abuts against an inner circumferential surface of the slider so as to generate a friction in that portion, and after the magnet holder is rotated, a halted position of the magnet holder does not come loose and does not change.

Description

Field of Technology

The present invention relates to a magnet catch for holding a door attached by a hinge at a closed position in furniture, or a storage and the like. The present invention relates to the magnet catch in which a position of a magnet does not change by providing a friction to an abutting surface of a magnet cap blocking the position of the magnet from moving even if there is an impact when the door is closed.

Background Art

Fig. 5 is a drawing for explaining a conventional magnet catch. In Fig. 5, for example, in a specification of a Registered Utility Model No. 3039221 , there is disclosed the conventional magnet catch. The magnet catch 51 at least comprises a magnet 52; a pair of yokes 53 and 53' holding the magnet 52; a cylinder body 54 attaching the magnet 52 and the yokes 53; a rotational operating flange 56 allowing a rotating operation of the cylinder body 54; a housing 55 capable of adjusting a position of the cylinder body 54; and an attachment body 57 attaching the housing.
The attachment body 57 is screwed to the furniture, or the storage and the like which are not shown in the figure by openings 557. In the cylinder body 54, there is provided a screw on an outer circumferential surface, and also there is provided a screw provided on an inner circumferential surface of the housing 55 and screwed together with the aforementioned screw. The magnet 52 and a pair of the yokes 53 and 53' can change a position of the magnet 52 by rotating the rotational operating flange 56, and can absorptively fix the door which is not shown in the figure at a predetermined position.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

Patent Document 1: Registered Utility Model No. 3039221

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The magnet catch 51 disclosed in Fig. 5 rotates the cylinder body 54 wherein the magnet 52 and the like are attached by the rotational operating flange 56, and adjusts a positional relation of the housing 55 and the cylinder body 54. In the conventional magnet catch 51, there has been a problem that a position of a hitting surface of the door has happened to jolt out of alignment due to the impact when the door is closed.
In order to solve the aforementioned problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a magnet catch without positional misalignment in the hitting surface of the door.

Means for Solving the Problems

A magnet catch of the present invention comprises at least a magnet held by a pair of yokes; a magnet holder holding the magnet and the yokes in one end of an inside of a cylinder body wherein a screw is provided on an outer circumference; a slider having a screw for inserting the magnet holder therein; a magnet cap including an abutting portion abutting against an inner circumference of the slider, and fitting into the other end of the magnet holder; and a housing including the slider embedded with the magnet holder having the magnet and the magnet cap attached therein. By turning one end of the magnet holder, the magnet catch of the present invention can change positions of the magnet and the yokes.
The magnet catch of the present invention may further comprise a latch mechanism provided between the slider and the housing, and being capable of selectively locking by proceeding and receding.
In the magnet catch of the present invention, it is preferable that the abutting portion of the magnet cap has a shape generating a friction between the abutting portion and an inner circumferential surface of the slider.
In the magnet catch of the present invention, it is preferable that a projection provided in the magnet cap engages with an opening portion of the magnet holder.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, the abutting portion provided to protrude toward an outer circumferential direction of the magnet cap has a shape in such a way as to abut against the inner circumferential surface of the slider so as to generate a strong friction between the abutting portion and the inner circumferential surface of the slider, and after the magnet holder is rotated, a halted position of the magnet holder does not change.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is an overall view before each portion in a magnet catch, which is an example of the present invention, is assembled.
Fig. 2(a) is a plan view when each portion of the magnet catch, which is the example of the present invention, is assembled, and Fig. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line 11b to 11b in Fig. 2(a).
Figs. 3 (a) to 3(c) are a perspective view, a cross-sectional view, and a side view for explaining a magnet holder in the magnet catch which is the example of the present invention.
Fig. 4(a) is an assembly drawing of a magnet cap and the magnet holder which are the example of the present invention, and Fig. 4(b) is a perspective view of the magnet holder in which the magnet cap is embedded.
Fig. 5 is a drawing for explaining a conventional magnet catch.

Best Modes of Carrying out the Invention

(First Aspect)

A magnet catch of the first aspect of the present invention comprises at least a magnet holder wherein a magnet is provided; a slider inserting the magnet holder; and a housing embedding the magnet holder and the slider. The magnet holder comprises a cylinder body in which a screw is provided on an outer circumference, and the magnet held by a pair of yokes is held in one end of an inside. Also, the magnet held by a pair of the yokes slightly protrudes from the yokes in an end portion.
In the slider, the screw inserting the magnet holder is provided on an inner circumference of an inside, and the magnet holder turns so as to be capable of taking the magnet in and out. The magnet cap fits into the other end of the magnet holder, holds the magnet and the yokes so as not to come out, and also includes an abutting portion abutting against the inner circumference of the slider. Also, the magnet holder is molded in a shape in such a way as to halt at one end when the magnet and the like are inserted from the other end. The magnet holder wherein the magnet and the magnet cap are attached is provided inside the housing after the magnet holder is embedded in the slider.
In the magnet catch with the aforementioned structure, the abutting portion of the magnet cap abuts against an inner circumferential surface of the slider so as to generate a friction in that portion, and after the magnet holder is rotated, a halted position of the magnet holder does not come loose and does not change.

(Second Aspect)

The magnet catch of a second aspect of the present invention differs from the first invention in that a latch mechanism is provided between the slider and the housing to be capable of selectively locking by proceeding and receding. The latch mechanism releases a lock by a lock lever by the magnet holder being pushed, and due to a force of a spring, the slider protrudes forward only for a predetermined distance. For the latch mechanism, a well-known mechanism can be used.

(Third Aspect)

In the magnet catch of a third aspect of the present invention, a concave portion, in which the abutting portion provided in the magnet cap can protrude from a circumference of the magnet holder, is provided in the cylinder body of the magnet holder. In the abutting portion, a portion protruding from the cylinder body hits against the inner circumferential surface of the slider so as to generate the friction therebetween. Also, the concave portion provided in the magnet holder generates the friction without rotating the abutting portion of the magnet cap. The aforementioned friction can prevent the magnet holder from coming loose.

(Fourth Aspect)

In the magnet cap of a fourth aspect of the present invention, an opening portion, in which a projection provided in the magnet cap fits in for retaining, is provided in the magnet holder. The magnet cap is structured by a synthetic resin member which is slightly softer compared to the slider, so that a frictional force at a time of an insertion increases. Accordingly, the magnet cap is inserted into the opening portion so as to have a structure which cannot come out by a usual operation.

Example 1

Fig. 1 is an overall view before each portion in the magnet catch which is an example of the present invention is assembled. A magnet catch 10 of the present invention comprises at least a magnet holder 13 wherein a magnet 12 is provided; a slider 15 inserting the magnet holder 13; and a housing 17 embedding the magnet holder 13 and the slider 15. Also, the magnet catch 10 is structured at least by a synthetic resin molded article, the magnet, and the like, and also is held by a pair of yokes 11 and 11'. Also, the magnet 12 has a shape so as not to be dropped out between end- portion convexes 111 and 111' of a pair of the yokes 11 and 11', and a turnable knob portion 131.
Figs. 2(a) and 2(b) are a plan view and a cross-sectional view when each portion of the magnet catch which is the example of the present invention is assembled. Incidentally, in Figs. 2(a) and 2(b), a dimensional relation does not match. Figs. 3(a) to 3(c) are a perspective view, a cross-sectional view, and a side view for explaining the magnet holder in the magnet catch which is the example of the present invention. Fig. 4(a) is an assembly drawing of the magnet cap and the magnet holder which are the example of the present invention, and Fig. 4(b) is a perspective view of the magnet holder in which the magnet cap is embedded. In Figs. 2(a) to 4(b), the magnet holder 13 is structured by the cylinder body in which a screw 133 is provided on the outer circumference. Also, in the cylinder body, the magnet 12 held by a pair of the yokes 11 and 11' is held in one end of the inside.
The magnet holder 13 comprises the turnable knob portion 131 for allowing the magnet holder 13 to proceed and recede; an end opening portion 132 wherein the magnet 12 protrudes in the end portion; the screw 133 provided on the outer circumference; a trunk-part opening portion 134 provided in one portion of the cylinder body; and an end-part concave portion 135 provided on the other end. A shape of the end opening portion 132 formed in an end of the magnet holder 13 has a shape so as to allow the end of the magnet 12 to protrude, and also to prevent the yokes 11 and 11', and the magnet 12 from falling outside.
In Fig. 4(a), the magnet holder 13 fixes by a magnet cap 14 being fitted into the other end without dropping-out of the magnet 12 and the yokes 11 and 11'. Also, the magnet cap 14 is made of a synthetic resin molded article made of a soft member slightly softer compared to the after-mentioned slider 15. The magnet cap 14 comprises at least a magnet abutting portion 141 in one end; fitting convex portions 142 on both ends of side portions; and engaging convex portions 143 abutting against an inside of the after-mentioned slider 15 on both side portions of the other end.
Also, in a trunk portion of the magnet cap 14, there can be provided, for example, a through-hole 144. The through-hole 144 can be arbitrarily provided, and has a size and/or shape convenient for providing elasticity necessary for the magnet cap 14. The elasticity of the magnet cap 14 allows the magnet cap 14 to fit into the magnet holder 13, and allows the magnet cap 14 to be removed by strongly pushing both ends of the fitting convex portions 142.
The magnet cap 14 is fitted from the other end portion after the magnet 12 and the yokes 11 and 11' are fitted into the magnet holder 13. When the magnet cap 14 is pushed into the magnet holder 13, the fitting convex portions 142 are fitted into the trunk-part opening portion 134 provided in the magnet holder 13 so as to be capable of preventing the magnet 12 and the yokes 11 and 11' from dropping out. Also, when the engaging convex portions 143 provided in the magnet cap 14 fit into the end-part concave portion 135 provided in the magnet holder 13, a rotation of the engaging convex portions 143 is halted, and also one portion of the engaging convex portions 143 protrudes outside, and abuts against an inner surface of the after-mentioned slider 15, so that the engaging convex portions 143 become an abutting portion generating a friction.
In the slider 15, there is provided a screw 151 inserting the magnet holder 13 on the inner circumference of the inside. In the magnet holder 13, the screw 133 provided on the outer circumference, and the screw 151 provided on the inner circumference of the slider 15 are screwed together, and by turning the knob portion 131, a position of the magnet 12 can be moved in and out. The magnet cap 14 fits into the other end of the magnet holder 13, and holds the magnet 12 and the yokes 11 and 11' so as not to come out to the outside.
The magnet cap 14 prevents the magnet 12 and the yokes 11 and 11' from dropping out by fitting the fitting convex portions 142 and the trunk-part opening portion 134 of the magnet holder 13. Also, the engaging convex portions 143 of the magnet cap 14 include the abutting portion abutting against the inner circumference of the slider 15. In the magnet catch 10, the abutting portion of the engaging convex portions 143 in the magnet cap 14 abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the slider 15 so as to generate a friction in that portion, and after the magnet holder 13 is rotated, the halted position of the magnet holder 13 does not come loose and does not change.
In the engaging convex portions 143 provided in the magnet cap 14, there is provided the end-part concave portion 135 being capable of protruding from the circumference of the magnet holder 13, and there is formed the abutting portion abutting against the inner circumferential surface of the slider 15. Also, in the abutting portion, there generates a high friction between the abutting portion and the inner circumferential surface of the slider by halting the rotation by the end-part concave portion 135 so as to halt the rotation of the magnet holder 13. Namely, in the friction, the position of the magnet 12 provided in the magnet holder 13 does not change. The slider 15 is attached to the housing 17 shown in Fig. 1.

Example 2

In Figs. 1, 2(a), and 2(b), in the magnet catch of a second example, there comprise a spring 16 for allowing the magnet holder 13 to bounce out, and a latch mechanism 18 (since this is the well-known mechanism, details are omitted) which can carry out an engagement and a release of the spring 16. The slider 15 comprises at least an annular convex portion 152 engaging the spring 16, and a concave portion 153 inserting the spring.
The housing 17 fits into the slider 15, and also is provided with a convex portion 171 being capable of inserting into the other-end inside of the spring 16, and the latch mechanism 18. Also, in the housing 17, there are attachment portions 173 and 173' for attaching to furniture, or a storage (not shown in the figures), and by screws 174 and 174', the housing 17 is attached to a predetermined position. The slider 15 and the housing 17 allow the magnet holder 13 to come to a state capable of selectively locking in proceeding and receding by a spring 182 (since this is the well-known mechanism, how to fasten and the like are omitted) of the latch mechanism 18.
As mentioned above, although the examples of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned examples. Then, the present invention can be modified with various designs provided that they do not exceed the subject described in a scope of claims of the present invention. For example, the magnet holder, the slider, the latch mechanism, and the housing can be matched to a usage purpose, a shape and the like of the furniture or the storage. Also, in the magnet catch of the present invention, although an arbitrary material can be selected, the hardness of the magnet cap and the slider can be also made nearly the same.
All contents of the specification, claims, drawings, and abstract of Japanese Patent Applications No. 2010-003928 filed on January 12, 2010 are cited in their entireties herein and are incorporated as a disclosure of the specification of the present invention.

Claims

A magnet catch, at least comprising:
a magnet held by a pair of yokes;

a magnet holder holding the magnet and the yokes at one end of an inside of a cylinder body having a screw on an outer circumference;

a slider having a screw for inserting the magnet holder therein;

a magnet cap including an abutting portion abutting against an inner circumference of the slider, and fitting into the other end of the magnet holder; and

a housing including the slider embedded with the magnet holder having the magnet and the magnet cap attached therein,

wherein positions of the magnet and the yokes are changed by turning the one end of the magnet holder.
A magnet catch according to claim 1, further comprising a latch mechanism provided between the slider and the housing, and capable of selectively locking in proceeding and receding.
A magnet catch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the abutting portion of the magnet cap has a shape generating a friction between the abutting portion and an inner circumferential surface of the slider.
A magnet catch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a projection provided in the magnet cap engages with an opening portion of the magnet holder.