JP2018044583A - Screw cap - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a screw cap capable of improving workability in assembling and reducing a size and a weight.SOLUTION: A screw cap includes a fixed seat 12 to which a shaft portion of a screw S is inserted so that a load in a fastening direction, of a head portion Sb of the screw S can be supported by a seating surface, supporting legs 13, 14 bendably connected to the fixed seat 12, and a cap body 15 bendably connected to one of the supporting legs 13, and lockable to the other supporting leg 14. The supporting legs 13, 14 respectively have leg body portions 13A, 14A bendably connected to an outer edge portion of the fixed seat 12 at base end portions, and erecting guide portions 13B, 14B disposed on the leg body portions 13A, 14A in a projecting manner to be inserted and positioned between the seating surface 12a of the fixed seat 12 and the head portion Sb of the screw S at tip portions, in a state that the leg body portions 13A, 14A are erected to the fixed seat 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a screw cap that is locked to a member fixing screw and covers the outside of a screw head.

  Most of the interior members of the vehicle are attached to the attachment target portion by screws. A member such as an interior member of a vehicle has an important appearance from the outside. For this reason, it is desirable that the head of the screw to which the member is attached is not visible from the outside.

  As a countermeasure against such a decrease in appearance, it is known to provide a screw cap for covering the outside of the head of the screw and to lock the screw cap to the screw (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The screw cap described in Patent Document 1 includes a washer portion (fixed seat) having a screw insertion hole, and a bottomed cylindrical cap portion (cap) that is fitted to the washer portion from above and covers the outer side of the screw head. Main body), and a strip that can be bent and deformed to connect the washer portion and the cap portion. The screw cap can cover the head of the screw with the cap portion by fitting the bottomed cylindrical cap portion to the washer portion after the screw tightening is completed.

Japanese Utility Model Publication 2-69110

  The screw cap described in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which a cap portion that is a cap body is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and the cylindrical portion is fitted to an outer peripheral surface of a washer portion that is a fixed seat. For this reason, for example, when there is a screw hole that is deeply recessed in the attached member, it is necessary to set the extension length of the cylindrical portion of the cap portion to substantially the same length as the depth of the screw hole. However, if the extension length of the cylindrical part of the cap part is lengthened, it becomes difficult to fit the cylindrical part to the washer part, and the volume of the entire screw cap increases.

  Accordingly, the present invention is intended to provide a screw cap capable of improving the assembly workability and reducing the size and weight.

The screw cap according to the present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above problems.
A screw cap according to the present invention is a screw cap that is locked to a member fixing screw (for example, the screw S of the embodiment) and covers the outside of the head of the screw (for example, the head Sb of the embodiment). It has an insertion portion (for example, the insertion hole 11 of the embodiment) into which the shaft portion of the screw (for example, the shaft portion Sa of the embodiment) is inserted, and supports the load in the fastening direction of the head portion of the screw on the seating surface. Possible fixing seats (for example, the fixing seat 12 of the embodiment) and a plurality of supporting legs (for example, the first supporting leg 13 and the first supporting leg 13 of the embodiment) whose base end portion is flexibly connected to the outer edge portion of the fixing seat. 2 support legs 14) and a cap main body (for example, an embodiment) that has a base end portion that is bendably connected to any one of the plurality of support legs, and that can be locked to at least one of the remaining support legs. Cap book 15), and each of the support legs includes a leg main body portion (for example, leg main body portions 13A and 14A of the embodiment) whose base end portion is flexibly connected to an outer edge portion of the fixed seat, and the leg An upright guide projecting from the leg main body so that the front end is inserted and disposed between the seat surface of the fixed seat and the head of the screw in a state where the main body stands up with respect to the fixed seat. Part (for example, the standing guide parts 13B and 14B of the embodiment).

When the screw cap is assembled to the member to be attached together with the screw, the shaft portion of the screw is inserted into the insertion portion of the fixed seat. At this time, the plurality of support legs are bent to some extent in the standing direction. When the head of the screw is displaced in the fixed seat direction in this state, the standing guide portions of the plurality of support legs are pressed in the seat surface direction of the fixed seat by the head of the screw. Thus, when the standing guide portion is pressed by the head of the screw, the posture of the standing guide portion changes so as to be close to the seat surface of the fixed seat, and accordingly, the leg main body portion of the support leg is against the fixed seat. Get upright. In this state, the screw is fastened to the mounting member. Thereafter, the cap main body is bent from the base end portion and is locked with respect to the other supporting legs standing upright.
Since the plurality of support legs stand by pressing the standing guide portion with the head of the screw, the plurality of support legs are supported by the fixed seat with high rigidity when the screw tightening is completed. For this reason, when this configuration is adopted, even when the extension length of the support leg is set long, the leg main body of the support leg is automatically raised when the screw is inserted, and the screw is fastened. Later, sufficient support rigidity of the support legs can be ensured. Therefore, the screw cap can be easily assembled to the attached member together with the screw. In addition, since the fixed seat and the cap body are connected by a plurality of support legs, the screw cap as a whole can be made smaller and lighter than when the fixed seat and the cap body are connected by a cylindrical portion. Can be planned.

The upright guide portion and the fixed seat have a concave-convex fitting portion (for example, the locking protrusion 23 and the engagement of the embodiment) that are fitted to each other in a state where the leg main body portion stands up with respect to the fixed seat. A hole 24) may be provided.
In this case, when the standing guide portion of the support leg is pressed by the head portion of the screw and the standing guide portion is pressed in the seat surface direction of the fixed seat, the raised and recessed fitting portions are fitted to each other so that the standing guide The part is fixed to the seating surface of the fixed seat. As a result, the support leg is stably held in the standing posture.

The plurality of support legs include a first support leg (for example, the first support leg 13 of the embodiment) in which the cap body is connected to a distal end portion in the extending direction, and the cap main body at the distal end portion in the extending direction. And a second support leg (for example, the second support leg 14 of the embodiment) having a latchable engagement portion (for example, the engagement hole 21 of the embodiment), and the second support leg and the fixed seat The first support leg and the cap body may be configured as an integral part arranged in one direction.
In this case, since the second support leg, the fixed seat, the first support leg, and the cap body are configured as an integral part aligned along one direction, the screw cap can be easily manufactured by molding or the like. Become.

  According to the present invention, the standing guide portion protrudes from the leg main body portion of the support leg, the base end portion of which is flexibly connected to the outer edge portion of the fixed seat, and the leg main body portion of the support leg stands up with respect to the fixed seat. In this state, the distal end portion of the standing guide portion is inserted and disposed between the seat surface of the fixed seat and the head portion of the screw. Sufficient support rigidity of the support legs can be ensured after being erected automatically and after the screws are fastened. Therefore, according to the present invention, the screw cap can be easily assembled, and the fixed seat and the cap body are connected by the plurality of support legs, so that the entire screw cap can be reduced in size and weight. Can be planned.

It is a perspective view which shows a part of side door of the vehicle which employ | adopted the screw cap which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the expansion | deployment state of the screw cap which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state in the middle of the assembly | attachment of the screw cap which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional side view which shows the assembly | attachment process of the screw cap which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention sequentially by (a), (b), (c).

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a view of a mounting portion of an inner handle (not shown) of a side door 1 of a vehicle as viewed from the vehicle interior side.
Reference numeral 2 in FIG. 1 is a door lining attached to the vehicle interior side of a door main body (not shown) of the side door 1, and reference numeral 3 is an inner handle installed on the door lining 2 together with the inner handle. It is a garnish (attached member). The inner handle garnish 3 is attached to the door body by a garnish fixing screw S (see FIGS. 3 and 4). A screw cap 10 made of resin is locked to the screw S.

  The screw cap 10 is inserted together with the screw S into a screw hole 4 formed in the inner handle garnish 3. The screw hole 4 is formed in a concave shape on the side of the inner handle garnish 3 in the passenger compartment. The screw hole 4 is formed in a substantially circular shape when viewed from the front, and is formed in a tapered shape so that the inner diameter gradually increases from the bottom toward the opening 4a. The screw S passes through the bottom of the screw hole 4 and fastens and fixes the inner handle garnish 3 to the door body. The screw cap 10 is fastened and fixed together with the inner handle garnish 3 to the door main body by the screw S, and in this state, the opening 4a on the vehicle interior side of the screw hole 4 is closed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the screw cap 10 in the unfolded state, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the screw cap 10 in the middle of assembly. 4A, 4B, and 4C are diagrams sequentially showing the assembly process of the screw cap 10. FIG.
The screw cap 10 has a substantially disc-shaped fixed seat 12 having an insertion hole 11 (insertion portion) into which the shaft portion Sa of the screw S is inserted, and each base end portion can be bent at the outer peripheral edge portion of the fixed seat 12. A first support leg 13 and a second support leg 14 connected to each other, and a cap body 15 whose base end part is connected to a distal end part of the first support leg 13 so as to be bent. The fixed seat 12 can support the load in the fastening direction of the head Sb of the screw S by the seat surface 12a substantially orthogonal to the axis L1 of the insertion hole 11.

  The first support leg 13 and the second support leg 14 are connected to the outer peripheral edge of the substantially disc-shaped fixed seat 12 via thin elastic hinges 16 and 17 so as to be bent. The first support leg 13 and the second support leg 14 are connected to opposite end positions in the radial direction on the outer peripheral portion of the fixed seat 12.

  Moreover, the 1st support leg 13 and the 2nd support leg 14 are the expansion | deployment states (state of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 (a)) arrange | positioned so that it may extend in the radial direction of the fixed seat 12 with respect to the fixed seat 12. It can be bent in an upright state (the state shown in FIG. 4C) arranged so as to extend in the axial direction of the fixed seat 12.

  The cap body 15 is formed in a substantially disk shape having a larger diameter than the fixed seat 12 in accordance with the taper shape of the inner peripheral surface of the screw hole 4. The cap main body 15 is connected to the distal end portion of the first support leg 13 via a thin elastic hinge 18 so that the base end portion of the cap main body 15 can be bent.

  The cap body 15 is bent so as to face the fixed seat 12 with respect to the first support leg 13, thereby closing the opening between the front end portions of the first support leg 13 and the second support leg 14. The outer side of the head Sb of S is covered. Further, in a state where the screw cap 10 is attached to the screw hole 4, the cap body 15 closes the opening 4a of the screw hole 4 in this state (see FIG. 4C).

  At a position opposite to the connecting portion of the elastic hinge 18 on the outer periphery of the cap body 15, a locking claw 19 (locking portion) that is locked to the distal end portion of the second support leg 14 and keeps the cap body 15 closed. ) Is projected. The locking claw 19 is integrally formed at the end of the reinforcing rib 20 protruding from the back surface of the cap body 15. The locking claw 19 protrudes toward the radially outer side of the cap body 15. The reinforcing rib 20 will be described in detail later.

  Further, an engagement hole 21 (engagement portion) capable of locking the locking claw 19 of the cap body 15 is formed in the vicinity of the distal end portion of the second support leg 14. In the engagement hole 21, the locking claw 19 of the cap body 15 is fitted in a state where the first support leg 13 and the second support leg 14 stand up with respect to the fixed seat 12. The cap main body 15 is maintained in the closed state by the engagement claw 19 being fitted into the engagement hole 21 of the second support leg 14. The locking claw 19 is formed with a guide taper surface 19 a so that the locking claw 19 is inserted into the engagement hole 21 by an operation of pushing the cap body 15 toward the fixed seat 12.

  Here, the first support leg 13 and the second support leg 14 include leg main body portions 13A and 14A connected to the fixed seat 12 via elastic hinges 16 and 17, and elastic hinges 16 of the leg main body portions 13A and 14A, 17 and standing guide portions 13B and 14B projecting in the vicinity of the connecting portion. The standing guide portions 13B and 14B are configured by arc-shaped plate pieces having a substantially constant thickness, and the central region of the outer arc surface is integrally coupled to the corresponding leg main body portions 13A and 14A.

  The standing guide portions 13B and 14B are projected from the leg main body portions 13A and 14A so as to be substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the leg main body portions 13A and 14A. When the leg main body portions 13A and 14A stand up with respect to the fixed seat 12, the standing guide portions 13B and 14B face each other, and the surface on the side facing the seat surface 12a of the fixed seat 12 It contacts the seating surface 12a. The surface on the opposite side of the surface of the standing guide portions 13B and 14B that contacts the seat surface 12a of the fixed seat 12 constitutes the screw-side seat surfaces 13Ba and 14Ba that the head Sb of the screw S contacts. Further, the inner arc surfaces of the arcuate standing guide portions 13B and 14B constitute an insertion portion 22 into which the shaft portion Sa of the screw S is inserted in a state where the leg main body portions 13A and 14A stand up with respect to the fixed seat 12. To do.

  The standing guide portions 13B and 14B are inserted and arranged between the seat surface 12a of the fixed seat 12 and the head Sb of the screw S in a state where the leg main body portions 13A and 14A stand up with respect to the fixed seat 12. As shown in FIG. For this reason, when the shaft portion Sa of the screw S is inserted into the insertion hole 11 of the fixed seat 12 and the head Sb of the screw S is pressed against the screw side seating surfaces 13Ba and 14Ba of the standing guide portions 13B and 14B, As the guide portions 13B and 14B are tilted and displaced, the leg body portions 13A and 14A are displaced in the standing direction.

  Further, a plurality of locking projections 23 project from the seat surface 12 a of the fixed seat 12, and the corresponding leg main body portions 13 </ b> A and 14 </ b> A are attached to the standing guide portions 13 </ b> B and 14 </ b> B with respect to the fixed seat 12. An engagement hole 24 into which the locking projection 23 is inserted when standing is formed. In the present embodiment, the locking projection 23 and the engagement hole 24 constitute an uneven fitting portion.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 2, the screw cap 10 according to the present embodiment includes a second support leg 14, a fixed seat 12, a first support leg 13, and a cap body 15 that are arranged along the radial direction of the fixed seat 12. It is configured as an integral part aligned in the direction. For this reason, the screw cap 10 can take out a molded product easily from a shaping | molding die by the simple parting along the axial direction of the fixed seat 12 at the time of a shaping | molding. Moreover, the structure of the shaping | molding die which shape | molds the screw cap 10 by this structure of the screw cap 10 can also be simplified.

  As described above, the reinforcing rib 20 protrudes from the back surface of the cap body 15, and the reinforcing rib 20 is formed by arranging the second support leg 14, the fixed seat 12, the first support leg 13, and the cap body 15. Extends along the direction. Further, the reinforcing rib 20 is formed in an arc shape in a side view so that the protruding height at both end portions in the extending direction is higher than the protruding height at the central portion. When the cap body 15 is closed, the locking claw 19 inserted into the engagement hole 21 on the second support leg 14 side is integrated with the end portion on the second support leg 14 side in the extending direction of the reinforcing rib 20. Is formed.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, attachment of the screw cap 10 to the screw hole 4 of the inner handle garnish 3 will be described.
From the initial state shown in FIG. 4 (a), the screw cap 10 is screwed while bending the first support leg 13 and the second support leg 14 in the standing direction with the fixed seat 12 as the bottom as shown in FIG. 4 (b). Insert into hole 4. At this time, the tip end portion of the shaft portion Sa of the screw S is inserted into the insertion hole 11 of the fixed seat 12. From this state, the head Sb of the screw S is pushed toward the bottom of the screw hole 4 with a fingertip or a screwdriver.

  Thus, when the head Sb of the screw S is pushed toward the bottom of the screw hole 4, the head Sb of the screw S presses the screw side seating surfaces 13Ba and 14Ba of the standing guide portions 13B and 14B. When the standing guide portions 13B and 14B are pressed by the head Sb of the screw S, the inclination angle is changed so as to gradually approach the seat surface 12a of the fixed seat 12, and the seat surface 12a of the fixed seat 12 and the screw S are It is sandwiched between the head Sb. At this time, in the screw cap 10, the leg main body portions 13A and 14A of the first support leg 13 and the second support leg 14 gradually stand up with the tilting displacement of the standing guide portions 13B and 14B.

When the screw S is further pushed in from this state by a screwdriver or the like, the standing guide portions 13B and 14B come close to the seat surface 12a of the fixed seat 12, and the locking projection 23 of the seat surface 12a corresponds to the standing guide portions 13B and 14B. The engaging hole 24 is inserted into the engaging hole 24. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4C, the screw cap 10 has the standing guide portions 13 </ b> B and 14 </ b> B in contact with the seat surface 12 a of the fixed seat 12, and the first support leg 13 and the second support leg 14. The leg main body portions 13A and 14A are held upright.
The screw S may be pushed before the screw S is tightened or when the screw is tightened. When the screw S is tightened by the driver in the screw hole 4, the inner handle garnish 3 is fixed to the door main body.

  Thereafter, the operator presses the cap body 15 of the screw cap 10 with a fingertip, and bends and displaces the cap body 15 in the closing direction. As a result, the locking protrusion 23 of the cap body 15 is fitted into the engagement hole 24 of the second support leg 14. At this time, the reinforcing ribs 20 on the back surface of the cap body 15 are opposed so that both end portions in the extending direction can contact the inner side surfaces of the first support leg 13 and the tip end part of the second support leg 14. As a result, the cap body 15 closes the opening 4a of the screw hole 4 and covers the head Sb of the screw S from the outside.

In the screw cap 10 according to this embodiment, the standing guide portions 13B and 14B protrude from the leg main body portions 13A and 14A of the first support leg 13 and the second support leg 14 which are connected to the outer edge portion of the fixed seat 12 so as to be bent. In the state where the leg main body portions 13A and 14A of the first support leg 13 and the second support leg 14 are raised with respect to the fixed seat 12, the respective leading ends of the standing guide portions 13B and 14B are seats of the fixed seat 12. It is configured to be inserted between the surface 12a and the head Sb of the screw S. Therefore, in the screw cap 10 according to the present embodiment, when the screw S is inserted, the leg main body portions 13A and 14A of the first support leg 13 and the second support leg portion 14 are automatically raised, and the screw S After the fastening, sufficient support rigidity of the first support leg 13 and the second support leg 14 can be ensured.
Therefore, in the screw cap 10 according to the present embodiment, the screw hole 4 and the screw S can be easily assembled, and the fixed seat 12 and the cap body 15 are provided with the first support leg 13 and the second support leg 13. Since it is connected by the support leg 14, the whole screw cap 10 can be reduced in size and weight.

  Further, in the screw cap 10 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of locking projections 23 project from the seating surface 12a of the fixed seat 12, and the standing guide portions 13B of the first support leg 13 and the second support leg 14 are provided. , 14B is formed with an engaging hole 24 into which the engaging protrusion 23 is inserted, and the engaging protrusion 23 and the engaging hole 24 constitute an uneven fitting portion. For this reason, when the standing guide portions 13B and 14B of the first support leg 13 and the second support leg 14 are pressed by the head Sb of the screw S when the screw S is inserted into the screw cap 10, the standing guide portions 13B and 14B. The locking projection 23 on the fixed seat 12 side is fitted into the engaging hole 24. Therefore, the screw cap 10 according to the present embodiment can stably hold the leg main body portions 13A and 14A of the first support leg 13 and the second support leg 14 in the standing posture by adopting this configuration. Can do.

  Further, the screw cap 10 according to the present embodiment is an integral part in which the second support leg 14, the fixed seat 12, the first support leg 13 and the cap body 15 are arranged in one direction along the radial direction of the fixed seat 12. The reinforcing rib 20 is formed integrally on the back surface of the cap body 15 and extends along the direction in which the second support leg 14, the fixed seat 12, the first support leg 13, and the cap body 15 are arranged. For this reason, the screw cap 10 can be easily formed by molding, and when the cap body 15 is closed, by pressing the region where the reinforcing rib 20 extends on the back side of the cap body 15, The operating force can be efficiently transmitted to the cap body 15. Therefore, the screw cap 10 according to this embodiment can easily and stably close the cap body 15 by adopting this configuration.

  Furthermore, in the case of the screw cap 10 according to the present embodiment, the reinforcing rib 20 is formed in an arc shape in a side view so that the protruding height of both end portions in the extending direction is higher than the protruding height of the central portion. Yes. For this reason, it is possible to stably support the inner side surfaces of the upper sides of the first support leg 13 and the second support leg 14 by both ends of the reinforcing rib 20 in the extending direction, and to extend the reinforcing rib 20 in the extending direction. The volume of the central part can be reduced. Therefore, the screw cap 10 according to the present embodiment employs this configuration, so that the cap body 15 is reduced in size and weight, and the rigidity of the first support leg 13 and the second support leg 14 is lowered by the reinforcing rib 20. Can be increased.

  In addition, in the screw cap 10 according to the present embodiment, a locking claw 19 that can be engaged with the engaging hole 24 in the upper part of the second support leg 14 is provided at one end of the reinforcing rib 20 in the extending direction. Yes. For this reason, the support rigidity of the latching claw 19 can be increased, and the latching of the cap body 15 by the latching claw 19 can be made stronger.

In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A various design change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary. For example, the plurality of support legs of the screw cap 10 are constituted by the first support legs 13 and the second support legs 14, but the number of support legs is not limited to two and may be three or more.
Further, in the above embodiment, the insertion portion of the fixed seat 12 is configured by the insertion hole 11, but the insertion portion of the fixed seat 12 is a notch portion as long as the shaft portion Sa of the screw S can be inserted. It may be.
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the reinforcing rib 20 is integrally formed on the back surface of the cap body 15, but the reinforcing rib 20 may not necessarily be provided on the back surface of the cap body 15. In this case, the locking claw 19 that is engaged with the engagement hole 24 of the second support leg 14 may be provided directly on the back surface of the cap body 15.

10 ... Screw cap 11 ... Insertion hole (insertion part)
12 ... fixed seat 13 ... 1st support leg (support leg)
13A ... Leg body part 13B ... Standing guide part 14 ... Second support leg (support leg)
14A ... Leg main body part 14B ... Standing guide part 15 ... Cap main body 23 ... Locking protrusion (concave / convex fitting part)
24 ... engagement hole (concave / convex fitting part)
S ... Screw Sa ... Shaft Sb ... Head

Claims (3)

In the screw cap that is locked to the screw for fixing the member and covers the outside of the head of the screw,
A fixed seat having an insertion portion into which the shaft portion of the screw is inserted, and capable of supporting a load in a fastening direction of the head portion of the screw on a seat surface;
A plurality of support legs whose base end portions are bendably connected to the outer edge of the fixed seat;
A base end portion that is flexibly connected to any one of the plurality of support legs, and includes a cap body that can be locked with at least one of the remaining plurality of the support legs,
Each said support leg is
A leg main body having a base end portion flexibly connected to an outer edge of the fixed seat;
In a state where the leg main body portion stands with respect to the fixed seat, the tip portion protrudes from the leg main body portion so as to be inserted between the seat surface of the fixed seat and the head of the screw. A screw cap comprising: a standing guide portion;   2. The concave and convex fitting portion that is fitted to each other in a state where the leg main body portion stands with respect to the fixed seat is provided on the standing guide portion and the fixed seat. Screw cap according to The plurality of support legs include a first support leg having the cap body coupled to a distal end portion in the extending direction, and a second support having an engaging portion capable of locking the cap body at the distal end portion in the extending direction. Legs, and
3. The screw according to claim 1, wherein the second support leg, the fixed seat, the first support leg, and the cap main body are configured as an integral part aligned along one direction. cap.

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