JP2002021826A - Connecting member - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connecting member improved in the connecting force and capable of easily connecting and disconnecting two plate materials. SOLUTION: This connecting member for connecting two plate materials W and W' is provided with a head part 2 formed with a central hole 2a at a nearly central part thereof, a leg part 3 to be inserted into through holes Wa and W'b formed in the plate materials W and W', a claw part 5 formed at a tip of the leg part 3 so as to be locked with the other plate material W', and a cap part 4 to be engaged with the tip of the leg part 3 so as to cover the claw part 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a joining member which is inserted into a through hole penetrating two plate members and joins the two plate members.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG.
In order to connect the furniture Fu2 and the furniture Fu2 in parallel, the through holes Xa are formed in the side plates X and X 'of the furniture Fu1 and Fu2.
And X'a are provided in a plurality (for example, four each), and the resin members 101 and 10 are respectively provided in the through holes Xa and X'a.
This has been done by screwing a bolt B through the screw 2.

That is, as shown in FIG. 12, concave portions Xb and X'b are formed at the opening edges of the through holes Xa and X'a, and resin members 101 and 102 are formed in the concave portions Xb and X'b. After fitting, the bolt B is screwed into the female screw formed on the inner peripheral surface of the resin members 101 and 102 so that the head of the bolt B does not protrude into the storage space of the furniture Fu1 or Fu2. It has become.

[0004]

However, when disassembling the furniture Fu1 and Fu2 by disconnecting the conventional resin members 101 and 102 and the bolts B by using the bolts B, the bolts B tightly screwed together with a driver or the like. Since it is necessary to rotate and remove the bolts B from the resin members 101 and 102, it is difficult for a person who is unfamiliar with handling tools such as a driver, such as a woman or a child, to perform the disassembly work by himself. However, even if a person is used to disassemble and connect a large number of pieces of furniture, it takes time and effort to screw and remove the bolts B, resulting in poor workability. .

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a joining member capable of easily joining or detaching two plate members while improving joining force.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A joining member that is inserted into a through hole that passes through two plate members and joins the two plate members, the head having a central hole formed in a substantially central portion, and the head extending from the head and having the central hole. A leg portion that can be inserted into the through hole, and a claw portion that is formed at the tip of the leg portion and that can be locked to the other plate material when the leg portion is inserted from the through hole on one plate material side; A cap that is engageable with the tip of the leg, and covers the claw when engaged.

According to this configuration, the leg portion is inserted into the through hole of the one plate material from the distal end side, and the claw portion is engaged with the other plate material, and then the claw portion is covered with the cap portion. Thereby, the two plate members are joined. That is, the head is locked on one plate material side and the claw portion is locked on the other plate material side, and the cap portion functions as a blindfold for the claw portion.

In order to release the joining of these plate members, a thin rod-shaped member such as a driver is inserted from the center hole of the head, the cap portion engaged with the tip of the leg portion is removed, and the engagement of the claw portion is released. This is performed by pulling out the head and legs from the through holes.

According to the invention described in claim 2, the leg portion can be bent inward when the leg portion is inserted into the through hole,
With the claw portion extending outward from the tip thereof, the claw portion is engaged with the opening edge of the through hole in the other plate in a state where the leg portion is inserted through the through hole. It is characterized by that.

According to this configuration, the leg portion including the claw portion is inserted into the through hole with the leg portion bent inward, and the claw portion is opened in the through hole on the other plate material side. When the edge is reached, the leg is restored and the pawl is locked in place. In addition, it is preferable that at least two legs are formed. In this case, when the legs are bent inward, the directions in which the tips of these legs approach each other,
That is, when moving inward and restoring in a state where the through hole is inserted, the tip of the leg moves away from each other, that is, moves outward, and the claw is locked to the opening edge of the through hole in the other plate material. You.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the tip of the leg or the claw and the cap are each provided with an uneven shape, and the tip of the leg and the cap are engaged by fitting the unevenness. It is characterized by that.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the claw portion has a taper on the outer peripheral surface thereof, the diameter of which is reduced in a direction in which the leg portion is inserted.

According to this configuration, when the tip of the leg is inserted into the through hole, the taper formed in the claw guides the leg in the direction of the through hole.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the cap portion is engaged with the leg portion, the claw portion formed at the tip of the leg portion is positioned and fixed so as to be locked to the other plate material. In order to keep the front end surface of the leg portion and its vicinity, a holding portion is provided.

According to this configuration, when the cap portion is engaged, the holding portion holds the tip end surface of the leg and the vicinity thereof and restricts the inward movement. In addition, the holding portion also restricts the rotation of the leg portion relative to the cap portion, but it suffices to restrict at least the distal end of the leg portion from moving inward.

The invention according to a sixth aspect is characterized in that a projection extending in the direction of engagement with the leg is formed between the holding portions.

According to this structure, when the cap is engaged with the tip of the leg, the tip of the leg which is bent and approached to each other is expanded until it is held by the holding portion of the cap.

The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the projection has a taper whose diameter decreases in the direction of engagement with the leg.

The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the two plate members are side plates constituting furniture, and the furniture is connected by joining the side plates.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the joining member according to the present embodiment has through holes Wa and W ′ penetrating two plate members (one plate member W and the other plate member W ′).
a, a joining member 1 for joining these plate members W and W ′, and is mainly composed of a head 2 and a leg 3 integrally formed of resin, and a cap 4.

As shown in FIG. 2, the head 2 is formed of an annular member having a central hole 2a formed at a central portion thereof.
And the thickness is substantially the same as the depth of the concave portion Wb that follows. The concave portions Wb and W'b are larger in diameter than the through holes Wa and W'a, and are formed with a diameter that allows the head portion 2 and the cap portion 4 to enter. It is preferable that the center hole 2a has a diameter through which a driver can be inserted. However, the center hole 2a may have a smaller diameter as long as it can receive a thin rod-shaped member.

The leg 3 is composed of two members extending from the head 2, and a claw 5 extending outward (in a direction in which the two legs 3 are separated) is provided at the tip of each member. Is formed.
When these legs 3 are inserted into the through holes Wa and W′a, they can bend in the direction a (inside) approaching each other, and are restored in the state after the insertion, and the claw 5 Is locked at the opening edge of the through hole W'a in the other plate member W '(near the boundary with the through hole W'a in the concave portion W'b).

That is, in this embodiment, the two legs 3
Since the head 2 and the cap 4 as other components are formed of resin, the head 2 and the cap 4 can be bent in a direction approaching each other, and then are naturally restored to the claw 5. Can be locked, but may be made of other materials such as wood as long as the legs 3 bend in the direction approaching each other and recover naturally. The leg 3 may be a plurality of three or more,
A single slit may be formed so as to be able to bend inward.

Further, since the claw portion 5 has a taper 5a on its outer peripheral surface, the diameter of which is reduced in the direction in which the leg portion 3 is inserted (downward in FIG. 1), the distal end of the leg portion 3 is formed with through holes Wa and W When inserted into 'a', the leg 3 can be guided in the direction of the through holes Wa and W'a. Further, a gap c is formed between the taper 5a and the concave portion W'b of the other plate member W 'in a state where the tip end of the leg 3 is engaged with the cap portion 4, so that an operator can enter the gap c. By inserting a finger, the leg 3 can be bent inward, and the joining member 1 can be easily removed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a convex shape 6 extending in a direction perpendicular to the paper of FIG. 3 is formed on the front and back surfaces of the tip of the leg 3 including the claw 5, and will be described later. It can fit with the concave shape 7 formed on the cap part 4. It is to be noted that a concave shape may be provided at the tip end side of the leg portion 3 and a concave shape may be provided at a position of the cap portion 4 to be fitted with the concave shape. A possible concave shape may be used.

As described above, the cap portion 4 can be engaged with the tip of the leg portion 3 by the convex shape 6 and the concave shape 7, and covers the claw portion 5 when engaged. A holding portion 9 for holding the front end surface of the leg portion 3 and its vicinity is formed so that the front end of the leg portion 3 is positioned and fixed so that the front end of the leg portion 3 is separated by a predetermined interval t (see FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 4, the holding section 9
Each tip surface of the book leg 3 and its vicinity (claw 5
9c which is formed on the surface of the cap portion 4 according to the shape of
It is composed of 9a and 9b forming wall surfaces. These holding parts 9 are formed symmetrically with respect to the center of the cap part 4, and one wall surface 9b and the other wall surface 9b are separated by a predetermined size t.
It is molded only apart. A concave shape 7 for fitting with the above-mentioned convex shape 6 is formed on the wall surface 9a.

According to this configuration, when the cap portion 4 is engaged with the leg portion 3, the wall surface 9b of the holding portion 9 is
While holding the distal end surface and its vicinity to prevent the leg portion 3 from moving inward (the direction in which the leg portions 3 approach each other), the wall surface 9a of the holding portion 9 causes the leg portion 3 to rotate relative to the cap portion 4. Regulate. Therefore, in the state where the cap portion 4 is attached, it is possible to prevent the locking between the claw portion 5 and the other plate member W 'from being released unexpectedly.

Further, between the holding portions 9 (that is, the two wall surfaces 9)
b), a projection 8 extending in the direction of engagement with the leg 3 (upward in FIG. 5) is formed as shown in FIG.
The projection 8 is formed with a taper 8a (see FIG. 4) whose diameter is reduced in the direction of engagement with the leg 3. With this configuration, when the cap portion 4 is engaged with the tip of the leg 3, as shown in FIG. 6, the projection 8 enters between the legs 3 and bends to be close to each other. (Indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure) until it is held by the holding portion 9.

That is, when the leg 3 is inserted into the through holes Wa and W'a, the leg 3 must be bent inward at least by the amount of protrusion of the claw 5, but in this state,
Since the claw portion 5 cannot be engaged with the other plate member W ', the cap portion 4 must be engaged until the leg portion 3 is naturally restored without the projection portion 8. In this case, depending on the material of the leg 3, it may take a long time before restoration, and the workability may deteriorate. In contrast,
Since the protrusion 8 in this embodiment is forcibly expanded until the tip of the leg 3 is held by the holding portion 9, the bent leg 3 is forcibly restored, and the claw 5 is quickly moved to the other plate material. W 'can be locked.

Further, for example, when the leg 3 is not symmetrically bent but biased to one side due to the taper 8a of the projection 8 (the gap between the tips of the leg 3 is in the axial direction of the through holes Wa and W'a). ), The distal end of the leg 3 can be extended while being guided by the holding portion 9.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. In order to join the two plate members W and W 'by the joining member 1, first, the leg 3 is bent inward (the direction a in FIG. 1), and in this state, the through-hole W
a and W'a. The head 2 is one plate material W
At this point, the insertion of the leg 3 is terminated, and the cap 4 is fitted to the tip of the leg 3 from the other plate member W '.

When the cap portion 4 is fitted, the bent leg portion 3 is forcibly restored by the projection portion 8 and held in the holding portion 9, and at the same time, the convex shape 6 is fitted into the concave shape 7. Then, the cap 4 is engaged with the tip of the leg 3. In this state, the joining operation by the joining member 1 is completed, and the two plates W and W ′ are firmly joined.

In order to remove the joining member 1 and release the joining of the plate members W and W ′, first, a thin rod-shaped member such as a driver is inserted from the central hole 2 a and pressed against the projection 8 of the cap portion 4. Thus, the engagement of the cap portion 4 with the tip of the leg portion 3 is released. In this state, since only the cap portion 4 as a blindfold for the claw portion 5 of the joining member 1 has been removed, the joining by the joining member 1 has not been released yet.

Subsequently, the claw portion 5 is picked up and the leg portion 3 is placed inside (FIG. 1).
(The direction of middle a), and the distance between the tips of the claw portions 5 is changed to the through hole W.
When it becomes smaller than the inner diameters of a and W′a, it is pushed out to the head 2 side, the protruding head 2 is pinched, and the head 2 and the leg 3 are pulled out from the through holes Wa and W′a. Here, the claw 5 and the recess W′b are formed by the taper 5 a formed in the claw 5.
Is formed between them, the operator can insert his / her finger into this gap to pinch the claw 5 and easily flex the leg 3.

Therefore, according to the joining member 1 according to the present embodiment, as compared with joining by bolts, the work of rotating the bolts for unscrewing is unnecessary, and the workability can be improved, and the claw portion can be improved. 5 is joined to the plate member W 'while being locked, the joining force can be improved, and the reliability as a joining member can be improved.

Further, the joining member 1 according to the present embodiment
In a case where the present invention is applied to a material in which joining and detachment of plate materials can be repeatedly performed, for example, as shown in FIG.
And Fu2. That is, if the side plate X of Fu1 is used instead of the plate member W and the side plate X ′ of Fu2 is used instead of the plate member W ′, the side plates X and X ′ can be joined in the same manner as described above, and two pieces of furniture can be connected.

In general, furniture needs to be connected or disconnected when the layout is changed, and the connection or disassembly work is repeatedly performed during shipment by knockdown. This is particularly effective when the joining member according to the present embodiment having good workability is used.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the present invention can be applied to a case where two plate members are not formed with a concave portion. In this case, the head and the cap portion protrude from the surface of the plate material, but the joining function of the two plate materials is the same as in the embodiment.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the outer peripheral shapes of the head and the cap portion may have a curvature, and further, as shown in FIG. Can also be applied. Of course, these modified examples can also be applied to those in which the side plates of furniture are joined to each other.

[0041]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, at the time of joining the plate members, the leg portion is inserted into the through hole and locked with the claw portion, and the claw portion is covered with the cap portion. At the time of removal, a thin rod-shaped member such as a screwdriver is inserted from the central hole to remove the cap, and the claw is configured to be unlocked to the plate, so that the joining force by the joining member is improved,
The two plate members can be easily joined or removed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the plate members are joined by the configuration in which the claw portions are extended outward at the ends of the leg portions extending in the insertion direction, the two plate members are joined more easily. Or it can be removed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the cap is engaged by fitting the concave and convex shapes, the cap can be reliably engaged with the tip of the leg.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the taper of the claw allows the tip of the leg to be guided when the leg is inserted into the through-hole, and provides a gap between the claw and the recess of the plate. Is formed, the operator can insert his / her finger into this gap, pinch the claw portion, easily bend the leg portion, and facilitate removal of the joining member.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the holding portion holds the tip of the leg portion and restricts the inward movement of the leg portion, the engagement between the claw portion and the plate member in a state where the cap portion is attached. The stop can be prevented from being released. In addition, the rotation of the leg relative to the cap can also be restricted, so that the locking between the claw and the plate can be prevented from being released unexpectedly.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the tip of the leg is forcibly extended to the holding portion, the bent leg is forcibly restored, and the claw is immediately locked to the other plate. Can be done.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the cap can be accurately engaged with the cap, and the claw can be more reliably engaged with the opening edge of the through hole.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily join or remove two plate members while maintaining the joining force of the joining members in connecting a plurality of furniture.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a joining member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a head of the joining member according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a right side view showing a head and a leg in the joining member according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a cap portion of the joining member according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a state in which a leg of the joining member according to the embodiment of the present invention is engaged with a cap.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a case where the joining member according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the connection of furniture.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a case where the joining member according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a plate material having no concave portion.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a case where a joining member as a modification according to the present invention is applied to a plate material having no concave portion.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a case where the joining member according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a member for joining two plate members, one of which is a thin plate and the other of which is a thick plate.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a joining member for connecting conventional furniture.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a conventional joining member joins side plates forming furniture.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Joint member 2 ... Head 2a ... Center hole 3 ... Leg part 4 ... Cap part 5 ... Claw part 5a ... Taper 6 ... Convex shape 7 ... Concave shape 8 ... Projection part 8a ... Taper 9 ... Holding part 9a, 9b ... Wall surface 9c: bottom surface W: one plate member W ': the other plate member Wa, W'a: through hole Wb, W'b: concave portion a: inside c: gap t: predetermined interval Fu1, Fu2: furniture X, X' ... Side plate Xa, X'a: through hole Xb, X'b: concave portion 101, 102: resin member B: bolt

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A joining member which is inserted into a through hole penetrating two plate members and joins the two plate members, comprising: a head having a central hole formed substantially at a central portion; A leg that is extended and can be inserted into the through-hole; formed at the tip of the leg, and can be locked to the other plate when the leg is inserted through the through-hole on one plate; And a cap portion that is engageable with the tip of the leg portion and covers the claw portion when engaged. 2. The leg portion is capable of being bent inward when inserted into the through hole, has the claw portion extending outward from the tip thereof, and the leg portion is provided with the claw portion. The joining member according to claim 1, wherein the claw portion is engaged with an opening edge of the through hole in the other plate member while being inserted into the through hole. 3. The method according to claim 3, wherein the tip of the leg or the claw and the cap are each provided with an uneven shape, and the tip of the leg and the cap are engaged by fitting the uneven. The joining member according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The joining member according to claim 2, wherein said claw portion has a taper on an outer peripheral surface thereof to reduce a diameter in a direction in which said leg portion is inserted. 5. The leg portion for positioning and fixing the cap portion so that when engaged with the leg portion, a claw portion formed at the tip of the leg portion is engaged with the other plate material. The joining member according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a holding portion that holds a distal end surface of the portion and the vicinity thereof. 6. The joining member according to claim 5, wherein a projection extending in a direction of engagement with said leg is formed between said holding portions. 7. The joining member according to claim 6, wherein said projection has a taper whose diameter is reduced in the direction of engagement with said leg. 8. The furniture according to claim 1, wherein each of the two plate members is a side plate constituting furniture, and the furniture is connected by joining the side plates.
The joining member according to any one of the above.