JP3347091B2 - Universal joint - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a universal joint.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional universal joint provided at a tip of a stand arm of a treatment heater for warming an affected part of a human body for changing the direction of the treatment heater. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the universal joint.

This universal joint includes a joint base 1 made of metal such as aluminum, and a pair of brackets 2a and 2b are protruded from one end of the joint base 1 in a parallel direction. One bracket 2a
, A lock bolt through hole 3 is formed to penetrate as a square hole. A pressure plate through hole 4 is formed in the other bracket 2b.

[0004] A lock collar 6 having opposing surfaces 5a and 5b formed as parallel surfaces is interposed between the pair of brackets 2a and 2b. The lock collar 6 is formed of a polyacetal resin reinforced with glass fibers. A lock bolt through hole 7 is formed at the center of the lock collar 6 so as to penetrate the opposing surfaces 5a and 5b. On one side of the outer periphery of the lock collar 6, a color slit 8 reaching the lock bolt through hole 7 is formed. A shaft hole 9 ′ is formed in the outer periphery of the lock collar 6 along a collar slit 8 and crosses a part of the lock bolt through hole 7.

[0005] A shaft 10 'is passed through the shaft hole 9'. On the outer periphery of the shaft 10 ′, a retaining groove 11 is formed at a portion facing the lock bolt through hole 7. A mounting seat 12 is fixed to the outer periphery of a portion of the shaft 10 ′ protruding outside the lock collar 6. Shaft 1 penetrating the mounting seat 12
The base end of 0 'is a screw portion 10a', and a mounting nut 13 is screwed into the screw portion 10a '.

A pressure plate 14 is slidably fitted in the pressure plate through hole 4 of the other bracket 2b in a non-rotating state. A lock bolt through hole 15 is formed through the pressure plate 14.

In this state, the lock bolt 16 ′ is passed through the lock bolt through hole 3 of the one bracket 2 a, the lock bolt through hole 7 of the lock collar 6, and the lock bolt through hole 15 of the pressure plate 14. Lock bolt 16
′ Has a square portion 1 adjacent to its head 16a ′.
6b 'is provided, and this square portion 16b' is passed through the lock bolt through hole 3 formed of a square hole and is prevented from rotating.

[0008] Lock bolt through hole 1 of pressure plate 14
A lock nut 17 ′ made of a hexagonal nut is screwed into a screw portion 16 c ′ of the lock bolt 16 ′ passing through 5,
The width of the collar slit 8 is reduced by the fastening, and the shaft 1
0 'is fastened.

In a conventional example of such a universal joint, a stand arm 18 is connected to the joint base 1, and a therapeutic heater (not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) is connected to the screw portion 10a 'and the mounting nut 13. Installed.

For this purpose, the orientation of the treatment heater is determined by turning the lock collar 6 around the lock bolt 16 'of the universal joint and by turning the shaft 10' around the axis with respect to the lock collar 6. , 2
Can be changed in the axial direction.

[0011]

However, in the conventional universal joint, since the direction can be changed only in two axial directions, there has been a problem that the change in direction cannot be expected.

In a conventional universal joint, a lock collar 6 is provided between a pair of brackets 2a and 2b.
However, there is a problem that abnormal noise is generated when the lock collar 6 rotates.

Further, the screw portion 16 of the lock bolt 16 '
Since the lock collar 6 is tightened by screwing the lock nut 17 ′ made of a hexagon nut to c ′, there is a problem that the lock collar 6 cannot be rotated due to excessive tightening.

An object of the present invention is to provide a universal joint capable of changing the direction in three axial directions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a universal joint which does not generate abnormal noise when the lock collar rotates.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a universal joint which can prevent the lock collar from being unable to rotate due to excessive tightening of the lock nut.

[0017]

According to the present invention, a pair of brackets are provided at one end of a joint base so as to protrude in a parallel direction, and one of the brackets is formed with a lock bolt through hole formed therethrough. On the other side, a pressure plate through-hole is formed, and a lock collar whose opposing surface is a parallel surface is interposed between the pair of brackets. A bolt slit is formed, and a color slit reaching the lock bolt through hole is formed on one side of the outer periphery of the lock collar, and a first shaft is formed on the outer periphery of the lock collar along the collar slit and across the lock bolt through hole. A hole is formed, a first shaft is passed through the first shaft hole, a pressure plate is fitted into a pressure plate through hole of the other bracket, and a pressure plate is inserted into the pressure plate. A first lock bolt is passed through a lock bolt through hole of one of the brackets, a lock bolt through hole of the lock collar, and a lock bolt through hole of the pressure plate. A lock nut is screwed into a screw portion of a first lock bolt that has passed through a hole, and the width of the collar slit is reduced by fastening the lock nut to improve the universal joint to which the first lock bolt is fastened.

In the universal joint according to the present invention, a surface of the joint base opposite to the projecting side of each bracket is concentric with the second shaft through hole and the entrance of the hole in a direction orthogonal to the lock bolt. And a collar insertion hole having a larger diameter than the hole. A base slit is formed in the joint base along the collar insertion hole and reaches the collar insertion hole. A cylindrical collar is inserted into the collar insertion hole. A second shaft hole is formed through the cylindrical collar along the axis thereof. A color slit that reaches the second shaft hole along the second shaft hole is formed on a part of the outer periphery of the cylindrical collar so as to face the base slit. A lock bolt passage hole is formed in the cylindrical collar across the collar slit. The joint base is also provided with a lock bolt through hole facing the lock bolt through hole of the cylindrical collar. A second shaft is passed through the second shaft hole of the cylindrical collar and the second shaft through hole of the joint base ahead of the second shaft hole. A second lock bolt is passed through the lock bolt through hole of the joint base and the lock bolt through hole of the cylindrical collar. By the fastening of the second lock bolt, the width between the base slit of the joint base and the collar slit of the cylindrical collar is narrowed, and the second shaft is tightened. A mounting member is integrally provided on the second shaft protruding outside the joint base.

In the universal joint having such a structure, the change of the orientation is performed by rotating the lock collar around the first lock bolt and the lock shaft around the axis of the first shaft in the same manner as before. In addition to being able to do with rotation,
Rotation of the second shaft with respect to the cylindrical collar about its axis can be performed and can be performed in three axial directions. For this reason, there is an advantage that the direction of the universal joint can be changed much more easily than before.

In the present invention, the base slit has an L-shape including a slit reaching the collar insertion hole along the direction of the collar insertion hole and a slit bent at a right angle at an end of the slit. Is preferably formed. When the base slit is formed in an L-shape as described above, the second shaft can be tightened without projecting a pair of brackets and without increasing the size of the base slit. Further, according to the L-shaped slit, the base slit can be easily deformed when the second shaft is tightened.

In the present invention, it is preferable that a lock washer made of resin is interposed between the lock collar and each bracket on both sides thereof. When the lock washer made of resin is interposed in this way, abnormal noise does not occur when the lock collar rotates.

Further, according to the present invention, the lock nut screwed into the first lock bolt comprises a cap nut, and the cap nut is screwed into the screw portion of the first lock bolt to form a pressure plate. And a stopper provided to abut on the bracket at the outer periphery retreated from the tip of the screw cylinder. In this case, by tightening the cap nut, the lock collar is compressed via the pressure plate at the tip of the screw cylinder, narrowing the gap between the collar slits, and in the process, the tip of the stopper It comes into contact with the bracket and can no longer be tightened. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the lock collar from being unable to rotate due to excessive tightening of the lock nut.

[0023]

1 to 4 show an embodiment of a universal joint according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the universal joint of the present embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 3B is a longitudinal sectional side view and a longitudinal sectional plan view of the universal joint of the present embodiment, FIG. 3 is a rear view of a joint base in the universal joint of the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the universal joint of the present embodiment.

In the universal joint of this embodiment, a pair of brackets 2a and 2b are also provided at one end of the joint base 1 so as to project in parallel directions. One of the brackets 2a is formed to penetrate as a square hole. A pressure plate through hole 4 is formed in the other bracket 2b.

A lock collar 6 is provided between the brackets 2a and 2b so that the opposing surfaces 5a and 5b are parallel surfaces. A lock bolt through hole 7 is formed at the center of the lock collar 6 so as to penetrate the opposing surfaces 5a and 5b. On one side of the outer periphery of the lock collar 6, a color slit 8 reaching the lock bolt through hole 7 is formed. On the outer periphery of the lock collar 6, a first shaft hole 9 is formed along the collar slit 8 and across the lock bolt through hole 7.
Is formed. The first shaft hole 9 has a first shaft 10
Are rotatably passed through. A retaining groove 11 is formed on the outer periphery of the first shaft hole 9. The pressure plate 14 is slidably fitted in the pressure plate through hole 4 of the other bracket 2b along the pressure plate through hole 4 in a state where the pressure plate 14 is prevented from rotating. The pressure plate 14 has
The lock bolt through hole 15 is formed to penetrate. Nylon lock washers 19a, 19b are interposed between the lock collar 6 and the brackets 2a, 2b on both sides thereof.

The lock bolt through hole 3 of one bracket 2a, the hole of the lock washer 19a, and the lock collar 6
Of the lock bolt through hole 7, the lock washer 19b, and the lock bolt through hole 15 of the pressure plate 14.
Of the first lock bolt 1 passed through the lock bolt through hole 15 of the pressure plate 14.
A lock nut 17 made of a cap nut is attached to the screw portion 16c of No. 6.
Are screwed into each other, and the width of the collar slit 8 is reduced by the fastening, so that the first lock bolt 16 is fastened. A lock nut 17 made of a cap nut is screwed into a screw portion 16c of the first lock bolt 16 to press the pressure plate 14, and a bracket is provided around an outer periphery receded from the tip of the screw tube portion 17a. 2b, and a stopper portion 17b provided so as to abut on 2b.

The retaining groove 11 on the outer periphery of the first shaft hole 9 has
A part of the outer periphery of the first lock bolt 16 is fitted in a direction orthogonal to this, and the first shaft hole 9 is prevented from being removed.

An L-shaped notch 10b is provided at the tip of the first shaft 10, and an end 10c remains. A rotation stopper 20 made of a screw is projected from the lock collar 6 so as to face the inside of the notch 10b. The rotation stopper 20 has an end 10c during which the first shaft 10 rotates.
, The rotation of the first shaft 10 is stopped. For this reason, even if an electric cord or the like is attached to the universal joint, it is possible to prevent the universal joint from being entangled and cut. In the case where an electric cord or the like is not attached, the rotation stopper 20 or the end 10
c can be omitted.

Each bracket 2a, 2 of the joint base 1
b on the other surface opposite to the projecting side
A second through-hole 21 and a collar insertion hole 22 that opens concentrically with a larger diameter than the hole are formed at the inlet of the second shaft through hole 21 in a direction orthogonal to 6. The second shaft through hole 21 penetrates the joint base 1 and is opened on the support surface 1a that supports the base of each bracket 2a, 2b.

The joint base 1 has a collar insertion hole 22.
An L-shaped base slit 23 composed of a slit 23a reaching the collar insertion hole 22 along the direction of, and a slit 23b bent at a right angle at an end of the slit 23a.
Is provided.

A cylindrical collar 24 is inserted into the collar insertion hole 22. The cylindrical collar 24 is formed of the same material as the lock collar 6. The cylindrical collar 2
4 is formed with a second shaft hole 25 penetrating along the axis thereof. A collar slit 26 is formed in a part of the outer periphery of the cylindrical collar 24 so as to reach the second shaft hole 25 along the second shaft hole 25. A lock bolt through hole 27 is formed in the cylindrical collar 24 so as to cross the collar slit 26. This cylindrical collar 24 has a color slit 26 formed by a slit portion 23 of a base slit 23.
a, and is inserted into the collar insertion hole 22 so as to face.

A lock bolt through hole 28 is formed in the joint base 1 so as to face the lock bolt through hole 27 of the cylindrical collar 24. This lock bolt through hole 28
Is a screw hole 28a. A second lock bolt 29 is passed through the lock bolt through hole 28,
A part of the joint base 1, which is screwed into a screw hole 28 a at the tip of the lock bolt through hole 28 and is surrounded by the L-shaped base slit 27 by being tightened by the second lock bolt 29. The tip side of 1b moves so that the cylindrical collar 23 is tightened.

A second shaft 30 is passed through the second shaft hole 25 of the cylindrical collar 24 and the second shaft through hole 21 of the joint base 1 ahead of the second shaft hole 25. A retaining groove 31 is provided on the outer periphery of the intersection of the second shaft 30 and the second lock bolt 29, and a part of the second lock bolt 29 is fitted into the retaining groove 31, The second shaft 30 is prevented from falling off. Second shaft 3 passing through joint base 1
0, a lock groove 32 is provided on the outer periphery of the tip portion.
A U-shaped retaining ring 34 is fitted to the outer periphery of the distal end of the shaft 30 via a washer 33, and the retaining ring 34 is
And the second shaft 30 is locked.

A plate-like mounting member 35 is integrally provided on the second shaft 30 protruding outside the joint base 1. The attachment member 35 has a rotation stopper 36 protruding from the other surface of the joint base 1.
A rotation range limiting groove 37 into which the rotation stopper 36 is inserted is formed on the other surface of the joint base 1.

In this example, unlike the conventional example, the distal end of the stand arm 18 is screwed into the threaded portion 10a at the base end of the first shaft 10, and is locked by the lock nut 38.
The treatment heater 39 is attached to the attachment member 35.

In the universal joint having such a structure, the orientation is changed by rotating the lock collar 6 around the first lock bolt 16 and the first shaft 10 as in the conventional case.
In addition to the rotation of the second shaft 30 around the axis of the cylindrical collar 24 around the axis, the rotation of the second shaft 30 can be performed in three directions. For this reason, there is an advantage that the direction of the universal joint can be changed much more easily than before.

The base slit 1 has an L-shaped slit 23a reaching the collar insertion hole 22 along the direction of the collar insertion hole 22 and a slit 23b bent at a right angle at an end of the slit 23a. Therefore, the second shaft 30 can be tightened without projecting a pair of brackets and without increasing the size of the base slit 1. Also, according to the L-shaped slit 23, the second shaft 3
At the time of tightening 0, the distal end side of the portion 1b of the joint base 1 surrounded by the L-shaped base slit 27 moves, so that the base slit 1 can be easily deformed.

Since lock washers 19a, 19b made of resin are interposed between the lock collar 6 and the brackets 2a, 2b on both sides thereof, the lock collar 6
It does not emit noise when rotating.

A lock nut 17 screwed to the first lock bolt 16 is formed of a cap nut, and the cap nut is screwed to the screw portion 16c of the first lock bolt 16 to press the pressure plate 14. And a bracket 2b at the outer periphery retreated from the tip of the screw cylinder 17a.
And a stopper portion 17c provided so as to abut the screw cylinder portion 1 when the cap nut is tightened.
Lock collar 6 via pressure plate 14 at the tip of 7a
Is compressed, the interval between the color slits 8 is reduced, and in the process, the tip of the stopper portion 17c comes into contact with the bracket 2b, so that it cannot be further tightened. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the lock collar 6 from being unable to rotate due to excessive tightening of the lock nut 17.

Further, retaining grooves 11, 31 are provided in the first and second shafts 10, 31, and a part of the first and second lock bolts 16, 29 is fitted in the retaining grooves 11, 31. Thus, the first and second shafts 10, 31 can be prevented from coming off without using another component. Note that the second lock bolt 29 may be made to penetrate the joint base 1, and the slit 23 a of the base slit 23 may be narrowed by tightening a nut separate from the joint base 1.

In the above example, the universal joint is provided between the treatment heater and the stand arm. However, the universal joint of the present invention is not limited to this. It can be similarly used for applications such as a camera platform and other parts that change the direction with a machine.

[0042]

In the universal joint according to the present invention, the orientation can be changed by rotating the lock collar around the first lock bolt and locking the first shaft around its axis as in the prior art. In addition to rotation with respect to the collar, rotation of the second axis with respect to the cylindrical collar about its axis can be performed with three axes. For this reason, there is an advantage that the direction of the universal joint can be changed much more easily than before.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an example of an embodiment of a universal joint according to the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are a vertical sectional side view and a vertical sectional view of a universal joint of this example.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a joint base in the universal joint of the present example.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the universal joint of the present example.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional universal joint.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional universal joint.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Joint base 1a Support surface 1b Part of joint base 2a, 2b Bracket 3 Lock bolt through hole 4 Pressure plate through hole 5a, 5b Opposing surface 6 Lock collar 7 Lock bolt through hole 8 Color slit 9 'Shaft hole 9 First Shaft hole 10 'Shaft 10 First shaft 10a', 10a Screw portion 10b Notch portion 10c End portion 11 Retaining groove 12 Mounting seat 13 Mounting nut 14 Pressure plate 15 Lock bolt passage hole 16 'Lock bolt 16 First lock Bolt 16a ', 16a Head 16b', 16b Square part 16c ', 16c Screw part 17', 17 Lock nut 18 Stand arm 19a, 19b Lock washer 20 Rotation stopper 21 Second through hole 22 Collar insertion hole 23 Base slit 23a, 23b Slit part 24 Cylindrical collar 25 Second shaft hole 26 Color slit 27 Lock bolt through hole 28 Lock bolt through hole 28a Screw hole 29 Second lock bolt 29a Screw portion 30 Second shaft 31 Detachment groove 32 Lock groove 33 Washer 34 Retaining ring 35 Mounting member 36 Rotation stopper 37 Rotation range limiting groove 38 Lock nut 39 Heater for treatment

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A pair of brackets are protruded from one end of a joint base in a parallel direction, and a lock bolt through hole is formed through one of the brackets, and a pressure plate through hole is formed through the other of the brackets. A lock collar having an opposing surface parallel to the pair of brackets is interposed between the pair of brackets, and a lock bolt through hole is formed at the center of the lock collar through the opposing surface. A collar slit is formed on one side of the outer periphery of the lock collar so as to reach the lock bolt through hole, and a first shaft hole is formed on the outer periphery of the lock collar along the collar slit and across the lock bolt through hole. A first shaft is passed through the first shaft hole, and a pressure plate is fitted into the pressure plate through hole of the other bracket,
A lock bolt through hole is formed through the pressure plate, and a first lock bolt through hole of one of the brackets, a lock bolt through hole of the lock collar, and a lock bolt through hole of the pressure plate. A lock nut is screwed into a threaded portion of the first lock bolt that has passed through the lock bolt through hole of the pressure plate, and a width of the collar slit is reduced by fastening the lock nut, so that the first width of the collar slit is reduced. A universal joint to which the lock bolt is fastened, wherein a surface of the joint base opposite to the protruding side of each of the brackets has a second shaft through hole orthogonal to the lock bolt and an inlet of the hole. And a collar insertion hole which is formed concentrically and has a larger diameter than the hole is formed, and the joint base is formed along the collar insertion hole. A base slit reaching the collar insertion hole is formed, a cylindrical collar is inserted into the collar insertion hole, and a second shaft hole is formed through the cylindrical collar along the axis thereof. A color slit that reaches the second shaft hole along the second shaft hole is formed on a part of the outer periphery of the cylindrical collar so as to face the base slit. A lock bolt through hole is formed across the joint base, and a lock bolt through hole is also formed in the joint base so as to face the lock bolt through hole of the tubular collar, and the second shaft hole of the tubular collar is formed with the lock shaft through hole. A second shaft is passed through the second shaft through hole of the joint base, and a second lock bolt is passed through the lock bolt through hole of the joint base and the lock bolt through hole of the cylindrical collar. Through the The width of the base slit of the joint base and the width of the collar slit of the tubular collar is reduced by fastening the lock bolt of No. 2, and the second shaft is tightened, and the second shaft that is outside the joint base is A universal joint, wherein a mounting member is integrally provided on the second shaft. 2. The slit of the base, which reaches the collar insertion hole along the direction of the collar insertion hole,
The universal joint according to claim 1, wherein the slit is formed in an L shape with a slit bent at a right angle at an end of the slit. 3. The universal joint according to claim 1, wherein a lock washer made of resin is interposed between the lock collar and each of the brackets on both sides thereof. 4. The lock nut screwed to the first lock bolt comprises a cap nut, and the cap nut is screwed to the screw portion of the first lock bolt to press the pressure plate. 4. The screw cylinder according to claim 1, further comprising: a screw cylinder portion to be formed; and a stopper portion provided so as to abut on the bracket at an outer periphery retracted from a tip of the screw cylinder portion. 5. Universal joint.