JP3929786B2

JP3929786B2 - Connecting member between devices

Info

Publication number: JP3929786B2
Application number: JP2002023468A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 幸雄尾幡
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-01-31
Filing date: 2002-01-31
Publication date: 2007-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 2022-01-31
Also published as: JP2003226355A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、複数の機器同士（たとえばＯＡ機器同士や、家電製品同士）を連結するため連結部材に関し、特に、複写機等の画像形成装置を市場から回収運送する場合などにおいて、複写機等同士の干渉（衝突や擦り合い）が原因で発生する外装壁の傷を防止することができる、複数機器同士の連結部材に関する。本発明の連結部材は、取っ手内臓型のＯＡ機器同士の連結に有効に応用できる。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
近年、地球資源保護及び地球環境保護の観点からＯＡ機器、家電製品等の機器の回収・再利用が叫ばれている。たとえば、ＯＡ機器の一つである図６、図７に示す画像形成装置５１，５２（これらは複写機である）を回収する場合には、ビル内にあるオフィス等から回収業者のトラック等に積載して再生工場等に運送し、再生処理をするのが一般的である。図６は相互に連結するべき画像形成装置の一例を示すもので、（ａ）は概略斜視図、（ｂ）はその平面図である。図７は相互に連結するべき画像形成装置の別例を示すもので、（ａ）は概略斜視図、（ｂ）はその平面図である。
【０００３】
上記運送に際しては、略直方体状の画像形成装置５１及び／又は５２が複数、前後左右を問わず様々な状態でトラックに積載される場合がある。この場合、画像形成装置同士の干渉防止が不十分であるため、運送時に前記干渉により、プラスチックや鉄板で構成された外装壁５７，５８に傷が発生する結果、回収したままでは有価な、再生した画像形成装置として市場に出すことができないという問題があった。なお図６、図７に記載された符号について説明すると、５３ａ〜５３ｄ，５４ａ〜５４ｄは、それぞれ貫通孔５９，６０を介して引出し・収納することができる取っ手、５５ａ及び５５ｂは孔、５６ａ及び５６ｂは把持部である。
【０００４】
そこで従来、上記干渉の防止手段として、（１）画像形成装置相互間にクッション材（衝撃吸収材：図略）を介在させるものや、（２）画像形成装置移動用の前記取っ手を、固定部材（図略）によって固定するものが採用されている。
【０００５】
しかしながら、上記（１）ではクッション材の固定が不十分であったため、的確な干渉防止効果が得られない場合があった。上記（２）の手段では、取っ手の大きさや形状に応じて種々の固定部材が必要であった。また、資源再利用の観点から前記固定部材の再使用（繰返し使用）を考えなければならないが、一度運送に使用した固定部材は再使用ができず、廃棄処分をしなければならなかった。さらに、（２）の手段にあっては、取っ手を固定部材に固定する際、ドライバ等の工具による作業が必要であるため、固定部材に対する取っ手の取付け・取外しを簡便・迅速に行うことができないという不具合があった。
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
本発明は上記問題点に鑑みなされたもので、その第１の目的は、複数の機器同士を、これに設けられた移動操作用取っ手を介して簡便な操作で迅速に連結し、これにより、連結後の機器相互間の干渉を、トラック運送中などにおいても的確に防止することができる複数機器同士の連結部材を提供することにある。本発明の第２の目的は、大きさや形状が種々に異なっていても、これに十分対応することができる連結部材を提供することである。本発明の第３の目的は、繰返し使用ができる連結部材を提供することである。本発明の第４の目的は、複数機器同士の連結操作を、ドライバ等の工具を使用することなく行うことができる連結部材を提供することにある。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１に係る発明は、複数の機器同士を、それぞれに設けられた移動操作用の取っ手を介して連結するための連結部材であって、連結部材本体と、第１及び第２のブロックと、第１のブロックに取外し自在に連結される第１の連結部または第２の連結部と、第２のブロックに取外し自在に連結される第１の連結部または第２の連結部とを備えてなり、第１の連結部は第１の機器に設けられた取っ手に対して、第２の連結部は第２の機器に設けられた取っ手に対して、それぞれ係脱自在であり、第１及び第２のブロックは連結部材本体に対して挿脱自在であり、かつ、第１及び第２のブロックを連結部材本体に挿入した状態ではこれら第１のブロックと第２のブロックを相互に螺着連結することができることを特徴とする機器同士の連結部材である。
【０００８】
請求項２に係る発明は、第１及び第２の連結部の端部にピンを突設し、第１のブロックの外壁に第１のねじ孔を複数形成し、連結部材本体外周壁における第１のねじ孔に対応する位置に孔を形成し、第１または第２の連結部のピンを第１のブロックに挿入した状態で該第１のブクロックを連結部材本体に挿入し、前記複数の孔のいずれか少なくとも一つを介してねじを第１のねじ孔に螺入することにより第１または第２の連結部を第１のブロックに固着するとともに、前記複数の孔のうち他のものを介してねじを第１のねじ孔に螺入することにより第１のブロックを連結部材本体に固着し、第２のブロックの外壁に第２のねじ孔を少なくとも一つ形成し、第１または第２の連結部のピンを第２のブロックに挿入し、第２のねじ孔にねじを螺入することにより、第１または第２の連結部を第２のブロックに固着し、この第２のブロックを連結部材本体に挿入し、第２のブロックを第１のブロックに螺着連結するようにしたことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の機器同士の連結部材である。
【０００９】
請求項３に係る発明は、第１の連結部が、これに設けられた連結ピンを介して第１の機器の取っ手に係脱されるものであり、第２の連結部が、これに設けられた爪を介して第２の機器の取っ手に係脱されるものであることを特徴とする請求項１または２に記載の機器同士の連結部材である。
【００１０】
請求項４に係る発明は、第１のねじ孔に螺入するねじ及び第２のねじ孔に螺入するねじが、蝶型段付きねじであることを特徴とする請求項２または３に記載の機器同士の連結部材である。
【００１１】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態を、図面を参照しながら説明する。
図１は連結部材の概略分解斜視図、図２はその概略組立断面図である。図３、図４、図５はそれぞれ図１に示す連結部材の第１、第２、第３の形体を示す概略正面図である。図６は相互に連結するべき画像形成装置の一例を示すもので、（ａ）は概略斜視図、（ｂ）はその平面図である。図７は相互に連結するべき画像形成装置の別例を示すもので、（ａ）は概略斜視図、（ｂ）はその平面図である。図８は連結構造の一例、すなわち図６の画像形成装置同士の一連結例を示す模式的平面図、図９は図６の画像形成装置同士の別の連結例を示す模式的平面図、図１０は図７の画像形成装置同士の一連結例を示す模式的平面図、図１１は図７の画像形成装置同士の別の連結例を示す模式的平面図である。図１２は図６の画像形成装置と図７の画像形成装置との一連結例を示す模式的平面図である。図１３は図６の画像形成装置と図７の画像形成装置との別の連結例を示す模式的平面図である。
【００１２】
図１、図２に示す連結部材１は、連結部材本体６と、「第１のブロック」としての第１ブロック５と、「第２のブロック」としての第２ブロック１０と、第１ブロック５に取外し自在に連結される「第１の連結部」としての第１連結部１２または「第２の連結部」としての第２連結部１４と、第２ブロック１０に取外し自在に連結される第１連結部１２または第２連結部１４とを備えている。また、第１連結部１２は「第１の機器」としての画像形成装置５１（図６参照）に設けられた取っ手５３ａ〜５３ｄに対して係脱自在であり、第２連結部１４は「第２の機器」としての画像形成装置５２に設けられた取っ手５４ａ〜５４ｄに対して係脱自在である。第１ブロック５及び第２ブロック１０は連結部材本体６に対して挿脱自在であり、かつ、第１ブロック５及び第２ブロック１０を連結部材本体６に挿入した状態ではこれらのブロック同士を螺着連結することができるように構成されている（請求項１参照）。
【００１３】
また、第１連結部１２の端部にピン１２ａを、第２連結部１４の端部にピン１４ａをそれぞれ突設する。第１ブロック５の外壁に「第１のねじ孔」としてねじ孔５ｂ〜５ｅを形成する。連結部材本体６外周壁における前記ねじ孔５ｂ〜５ｅに対応する位置に孔６ａ〜６ｄを形成する。そして、第１連結部１２のピン１２ａまたは第２連結部１４のピン１４ａを第１ブロック５に挿入した状態で該第１ブロック５を連結部材本体６に挿入し、前記孔６ａ，６ｂからねじ孔５ｂ，５ｃに硬質球体１１ａ，１１ｂを挿入した後、これらの孔６ａ，６ｂを介してコイルバネ８付きのねじ７をねじ孔５ｂ，５ｃに螺入することにより第１連結部１２または第２連結部１４を第１ブロック５に固着するとともに、孔６ｃ，６ｄを介して止めねじ９，９をねじ孔５ｄ，５ｅに螺入することにより、第１ブロック５を連結部材本体６に固着できるようにする。
【００１４】
さらに、第２ブロック１０の外壁に「第２のねじ孔」として、ねじ孔１０ｂ，１０ｃを形成する。そして、第１連結部のピン１２ａまたは第２連結部１４のピン１４ａを第２ブロック１０に挿入し、ねじ孔１０ｂ，１０ｃに硬質球体１１ｃ，１１ｄを挿入した後、これらのねじ孔１０ｂ，１０ｃにコイルバネ８付きのねじ７を螺入することにより、第１連結部１２または第２連結部１４を第２ブロック１０に固着し、この第２ブロック１０を連結部材本体６に挿入して、第２ブロック１０を第１ブロック５に螺着連結することができるように構成する（請求項２参照）。
【００１５】
第１連結部１２は、これに設けられた連結ピン１３を介して画像形成装置５１の取っ手に係脱され、第２連結部１４は、これに設けられた爪１４ｂを介して画像形成装置５２の取っ手に係脱されるものである（請求項３参照）。
【００１６】
以下、この連結部材１の構造について更に詳細に説明する。
連結部材１の第１の例である図３に示す第１の連結部材１５は、連結部材本体６と、第１ブロック５と、第２ブロック１０と、連結部材本体６の左右に接続された第１連結部１２，１２とからなる（図１，２を参照）。また、連結部材１の第２の例である図４に示す第２の連結部材１６は、連結部材本体６と、第１ブロック５と、第２ブロック１０と、連結部材本体６の左右に接続された第２連結部１４，１４とからなる（図１，２を参照）。さらに、連結部材１の第３の例である図５に示す第３の連結部材１７は、連結部材本体６と、第１ブロック５と、第２ブロック１０と、連結部材本体６の左右に接続された第１連結部１２及び第２連結部１４とからなる（図１，２を参照）。
【００１７】
このように、第１〜第３の連結部材１５〜１７では連結部材本体６、第１ブロック５及び第２ブロック１０が共通構成要素となっている。第１連結部１２は、図６に示す画像形成装置５１の取っ手５３ａ〜５３ｄのいずれにも係脱自在であり、第２連結部１４は、図７に示す画像形成装置５２の取っ手５４ａ〜５４ｄのいずれにも係脱自在である。
【００１８】
つぎに、前記それぞれの共通構成要素について説明する。
第１ブロック５は全体を四角柱状とし、その長手方向一側に穴５ａを、長手方向他側に向に雌ねじ５ｆをそれぞれ形成する。第１ブロック５の上面にねじ孔５ｂ，５ｄを形成し、これらのねじ孔に対応する正面部位にねじ孔５ｃ，５ｅを形成する。前記ねじ孔５ｂ，５ｃは互いに直交させ、その先端部を前記穴５ａに連通させる。
【００１９】
連結部材本体６も全体を四角柱状とし、長手方向一側に断面長方形の嵌合孔６ｆを形成する。この嵌合穴６ｆの形状・寸法は、第１ブロック５の一部または全体が嵌合できるものとする。連結部材本体６の長手方向他側に円孔６ｅを形成する。この円孔６ｅの形状・寸法は、後記する軸体１０ｅが嵌合できるものとする。また、この連結部材本体６上面における、前記ねじ孔５ｂ，５ｄに対応する部位に孔６ａ，６ｃを形成し、連結部材本体６正面における前記ねじ孔５ｃ，５ｅに対応する部位に孔６ｂ，６ｄを形成する。
【００２０】
第２ブロック１０では、直方体状の本体１０ｆの長手方向一側に断面円形の軸体１０ｅ及び、その先端部に雄ねじ１０ａを突設する。本体１０ｆの長手方向他側には穴１０ｄを形成する。また、本体１０ｆの上面にねじ孔１０ｃ及び、このねじ孔１０ｃに対応する正面部位にねじ孔１０ｂをそれぞれ形成し、これらのねじ孔１０ｂと１０ｃを互いに直交させ、その先端部を前記孔１０ｄに連通させる。
【００２１】
第１連結部１２では、直方体状の本体の長手方向一側にピン１２ａを、下面側に連結ピン１３をそれぞれ突設する。前記ピン１２ａの外周面には、硬質球体（図２参照）を係止保持するための凹部１２ｂを円周方向３６０°にわたって形成する。同様に第２連結部１４では、直方体状の本体の長手方向一側にピン１４ａを突設し、長手方向他側には下向きの爪１４ｂを形成する。この爪１４ｂは、前記本体下面側の凹部１４ｄにより形成する。前記ピン１４ａの外周面には、硬質球体（図２参照）を係止保持するための凹部１４ｃを円周方向３６０°にわたって形成する。
【００２２】
上記構成部材の他にねじ７、コイルバネ８、止めねじ９及び前記硬質球体１１ａ〜１１ｄを用意する。これらの硬質球体は例えば鋼鉄製とし、その直径を同一とする。ねじ７及び止めねじ９としては、ドライバ等の工具を必要とせずに締付固定が可能な手動式ねじである蝶型段付きねじが好ましい。
【００２３】
つぎに、前記第１〜第３の連結部材１５〜１７の組立て手順の一例について、図１及び図２を参照して説明する。なお適宜、他の順序で組み立てることもできる。
〔第１の連結部材１５の組立て手順〕
（ａ）第１ブロック５を、連結部材本体６の嵌合穴６ｆに挿入し、ねじ孔５ｂ〜５ｅを、孔６ａ〜６ｄに対応する位置に位置決めする。これにより各ねじ孔が、対応する孔に連通する。
（ｂ）孔６ｃ，６ｄを介して、それぞれ止めねじ９をねじ孔５ｄ，５ｅに螺入する（ねじ込む）。これにより、第１ブロック５が、連結部材本体６に連結される。
（ｃ）第２ブロック１０の軸体１０ｅを連結部材本体６の円孔６ｅに嵌合し、これと並行して雄ねじ１０ａを第１ブロック５の雌ねじ５ｆにねじ込む。これにより、第２ブロック１０が連結部材本体６に連結される。前記ねじ込みの深さは、組み立てた連結部材１５の全長を考慮して適宜のものとする。言い換えれば、この連結部材１５の全長は、前記ねじ込み深さによって決まる。
【００２４】
（ｄ）第１連結部１２のピン１２ａを第１ブロック５の穴５ａに挿入する。
（ｅ）硬質球体１１ａを、孔６ａを介してねじ孔５ｂに挿入する。これにより、この硬質球体の表面の一部が前記凹部１２ｂと接触する。
（ｆ）コイルバネ８を挿入したねじ７を、孔６ａを介してねじ孔５ｂに螺入する。該螺入では、コイルバネ８の先端部を硬質球体１１ａに圧接させる。これにより、硬質球体１１ａ表面の一部が前記凹部１２ｂに圧接する。
（ｇ）同様にして、孔６ｂから硬質球体１１ｂを挿入し、ついでコイルバネ８を挿入したねじ７を、孔６ｂを介してねじ孔５ｃに螺入する。該螺入では、コイルバネ８の先端部を硬質球体１１ｂに圧接させる。これにより、この硬質球体表面の一部が前記凹部１２ｂに圧接する。前記硬質球体の挿入・固定により、第１連結部１２が第１ブロック５に連結される。
（ｈ）別に用意した第１連結部１２のピン１２ａを第２ブロック１０の穴１０ｄに挿入する。以下、前記手順（ｅ）〜（ｇ）と同一の要領で硬質球体１１ｃ、１１ｄの挿入・固定を行うことにより、第１連結部１２を第２ブロック１０に連結する。
【００２５】
以上、（ａ）〜（ｈ）の手順により図２、図３に示すように、長手方向に第１連結部１２、第１ブロック５、連結部材本体６、第２ブロック１０、第１連結部１２の順に連結した構造の連結部材１５が組み立てられる。
【００２６】
図２、図４に示す連結部材１６を組み立てるには、連結部材１５における左右の第１連結部１２，１２に代えて、第２連結部１４，１４を連結すれば良いし、図２、図５に示す連結部材１７を組み立てるには、連結部材１５における左右の第１連結部１２，１２の一方に代えて、第２連結部１４を連結すれば良い。また、連結部材１５〜１７にいずれにおいても、連結部材本体６内における、第１ブロック５と第２ブロック１０との螺着のねじ込み深さにより、これら連結部材の全長を長・短に調整することができる。したがって、相互に連結するべき画像形成装置同士間の離間距離の調整を行うことが可能である。
【００２７】
連結部材１５または１７の連結ピン１３は、画像形成装置５１の取っ手５３ａ〜５３ｄに形成された孔５５ａ，５５ｂのいずれにも挿入自在となっている。このため、連結部材１５または１７は、連結ピン１３を介して画像形成装置５１に連結できる。また、連結部材１６または１７の爪１４ｂは、画像形成装置５２の取っ手５４ａ〜５４ｄに挿脱できるものである。この場合、爪１４ｂを形成する凹部１４ｄが把持部５６ａ，５６ｂに対し係脱自在となっている。このため、連結部材１５または１７は、爪１４ｂを介して画像形成装置５２に連結できる。
【００２８】
したがって、（１）図８または図９に示すように、２台の画像形成装置５１と５１を相互に連結したり、（２）図１０または図１１に示すように、２台の画像形成装置５２と５２を相互に連結したり、（３）図１２または図１３に示すように、２台の画像形成装置５１と５２を相互に連結したりすることができる。また、例えば中央に画像形成装置５１を置き、この周囲に２台の画像形成装置５１，５１及び２台の画像形成装置５２，５２を配置し、これらを連結部材１５〜１７から適宜に選んだもので相互に連結することができる。そして、このように連結した５台の画像形成装置では、トラック運送時等における相互間の干渉が的確に防止される。
【００２９】
【発明の効果】
以上の説明で明らかなように、請求項１，２の発明に係る連結部材は、連結部材本体の長手方向両側に、第１の機器の移動操作用取っ手に係脱自在な第１の連結部または、第２の機器の移動操作用取っ手に係脱自在な第２の連結部を、容易に取外し自在に、簡便な操作で連結することができる構造となっている。このためこの連結部材は、たとえば図３〜図５に示すような３種類の形体をとることができる。したがって、これら３種類の連結部材のうち適宜のものを用意することにより、連結するべき機器が第１の機器同士であるか、第２の機器同士であるか、あるいは第１の機器と第２の機器とであるかの、いずれにも対応することができる。また、第１のブロックと第２のブロックとの螺着連結の際、螺入深さを適宜に設定することで、この連結部材の全長を長・短に調整することが可能である。そして、この連結部材によれば複数の機器同士を、互いに適宜間隔をあけて連結することができるため、これらの機器が相互に干渉しあうことなくトラック等により運送することが可能となるうえ、この連結部材は前記機器から取り外して繰り返し使用することができる。
【００３０】
請求項３に係る連結部材では、第１の連結部がその連結ピンを介して第１の機器の取っ手に係脱され、第２の連結部がその爪を介して第２の機器の取っ手に係脱される。このため、第１の機器同士もしくは第２の機器同士を、または第１の機器と第２の機器とを簡便・迅速に連結し、または分離することができる。
【００３１】
請求項４に係る連結部材では、蝶型段付きねじで組み立てるようにしたから、ドライバ等の作業用具を使用することなく、組立て・分解することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る連結部材の概略分解斜視図である。
【図２】図１の連結部材の概略組立断面図である。
【図３】図１に示す連結部材の第１の形体を示す概略正面図である。
【図４】図１に示す連結部材の第２の形体を示す概略正面図である。
【図５】図１に示す連結部材の第３の形体を示す概略正面図である。
【図６】相互に連結するべき画像形成装置の一例を示すもので、（ａ）は概略斜視図、（ｂ）はその平面図である。
【図７】相互に連結するべき画像形成装置の別例を示すもので、（ａ）は概略斜視図、（ｂ）はその平面図である。
【図８】本発明に係る連結構造の一例、すなわち図６の画像形成装置同士の一連結例を示す模式的平面図である。
【図９】図６の画像形成装置同士の別の連結例を示す模式的平面図である。
【図１０】図７の画像形成装置同士の一連結例を示す模式的平面図である。
【図１１】図７の画像形成装置同士の別の連結例を示す模式的平面図である。
【図１２】図６の画像形成装置と図７の画像形成装置との一連結例を示す模式的平面図である。
【図１３】図６の画像形成装置と図７の画像形成装置との別の連結例を示す模式的平面図である。
【符号の説明】
１連結部材
５第１ブロック
５ａ穴
５ｂ〜５ｅねじ孔
５ｆ雌ねじ
６連結部材本体
６ａ〜６ｄ孔
６ｅ円孔
６ｆ嵌合穴
７ねじ
８コイルバネ
９止めねじ
１０第２ブロック
１０ａ雄ねじ
１０ｂ，１０ｃねじ孔
１０ｄ穴
１０ｅ軸体
１０ｆ本体
１１ａ〜１１ｄ硬質球体
１２第１連結部
１２ａピン
１２ｂ凹部
１３連結ピン
１４第２連結部
１４ａピン
１４ｂ爪
１４ｃ凹部
１４ｄ凹部
１５第１の連結部材
１６第２の連結部材
１７第３の連結部材
５１，５２画像形成装置
５３ａ〜５３ｄ取っ手
５４ａ〜５４ｄ取っ手
５５ａ，５５ｂ孔
５６ａ，５６ｂ把持部
５７，５８外装壁
５９，６０貫通孔[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connecting member for connecting a plurality of devices (for example, OA devices or home appliances), and in particular when copying and transporting an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine from the market. The present invention relates to a connecting member for connecting a plurality of devices, which can prevent damage to an exterior wall caused by interference (collision or rubbing). The connection member of the present invention can be effectively applied to the connection between OA devices with built-in handles.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, collection and reuse of equipment such as OA equipment and home appliances has been screamed from the viewpoint of protecting global resources and protecting the global environment. For example, when collecting the image forming apparatuses 51 and 52 (these are copying machines) shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 which are one of the OA devices, they are transferred from the office in the building to the truck of the collecting company. Generally, it is loaded and transported to a recycling factory or the like for recycling processing. 6A and 6B show examples of image forming apparatuses to be connected to each other. FIG. 6A is a schematic perspective view, and FIG. 6B is a plan view thereof. 7A and 7B show another example of image forming apparatuses to be connected to each other. FIG. 7A is a schematic perspective view, and FIG. 7B is a plan view thereof.
[0003]
During the transportation, a plurality of substantially rectangular parallelepiped image forming apparatuses 51 and / or 52 may be loaded on the truck in various states regardless of front, rear, left and right. In this case, since the interference between the image forming apparatuses is not sufficiently prevented, the external walls 57 and 58 made of plastic or iron plate are damaged due to the interference during transportation. There is a problem that the image forming apparatus cannot be put on the market. 6 and 7, the reference numerals 53a to 53d and 54a to 54d are handles that can be pulled out and housed through the through holes 59 and 60, 55a and 55b are holes, 56a and Reference numeral 56b denotes a gripping portion.
[0004]
Therefore, conventionally, as means for preventing the interference, (1) a cushion material (impact absorber: not shown) is interposed between the image forming apparatuses, and (2) the handle for moving the image forming apparatus is fixed to the fixing member. What is fixed by (not shown) is adopted.
[0005]
However, in the above (1), since the cushion material is not sufficiently fixed, an accurate interference preventing effect may not be obtained. The means (2) requires various fixing members depending on the size and shape of the handle. In addition, from the viewpoint of resource reuse, it is necessary to consider reuse (fixed use) of the fixing member. However, the fixing member once used for transportation cannot be reused and must be disposed of. Further, in the means (2), when the handle is fixed to the fixing member, a work such as a screwdriver is required, so that the attachment / detachment of the handle to the fixing member cannot be performed easily and quickly. There was a problem that.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its first object is to quickly connect a plurality of devices with a simple operation via a moving operation handle provided on the device, An object of the present invention is to provide a connecting member for a plurality of devices that can accurately prevent interference between devices after connection even during trucking. The second object of the present invention is to provide a connecting member that can sufficiently cope with various sizes and shapes. A third object of the present invention is to provide a connecting member that can be used repeatedly. A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a connecting member capable of performing a connecting operation between a plurality of devices without using a tool such as a driver.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is a connecting member for connecting a plurality of devices to each other via a handle for moving operation provided in each device, the connecting member main body, the first and second blocks, A first connecting portion or a second connecting portion that is detachably connected to the first block, and a first connecting portion or a second connecting portion that is detachably connected to the second block. The first connecting portion is detachable from the handle provided in the first device, and the second connecting portion is detachable from the handle provided in the second device. The second block can be inserted into and removed from the connecting member main body, and the first block and the second block are screwed to each other when the first and second blocks are inserted into the connecting member main body. A connecting member between devices characterized by being able to be connected A.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a pin is protruded from the ends of the first and second connecting portions, a plurality of first screw holes are formed in the outer wall of the first block, A hole is formed at a position corresponding to one screw hole, and the first block is inserted into the connecting member body in a state where the pin of the first or second connecting portion is inserted into the first block; The first or second connecting portion is fixed to the first block by screwing the screw into the first screw hole through at least one of the holes, and the other of the plurality of holes The first block is fixed to the connecting member main body by screwing the screw into the first screw hole through the first block, and at least one second screw hole is formed on the outer wall of the second block. Insert the pin of the second connecting part into the second block and screw the screw into the second screw hole Thus, the first or second connecting portion is fixed to the second block, the second block is inserted into the connecting member body, and the second block is screwed and connected to the first block. It is the connection member of the apparatuses of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 3 is such that the first connecting portion is engaged with and disengaged from the handle of the first device via a connecting pin provided on the first connecting portion, and the second connecting portion is provided on the handle. It is a connection member of the apparatuses of Claim 1 or 2 which is engaged / disengaged by the handle of a 2nd apparatus via the nail | claw which was made.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the screw to be screwed into the first screw hole and the screw to be screwed into the second screw hole are butterfly stepped screws. This is a connecting member between the devices.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the connecting member, and FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view thereof. 3, 4, and 5 are schematic front views showing first, second, and third shapes of the connecting member shown in FIG. 1, respectively. 6A and 6B show examples of image forming apparatuses to be connected to each other. FIG. 6A is a schematic perspective view, and FIG. 6B is a plan view thereof. 7A and 7B show another example of image forming apparatuses to be connected to each other. FIG. 7A is a schematic perspective view, and FIG. 7B is a plan view thereof. 8 is a schematic plan view illustrating an example of a connection structure, that is, a connection example between the image forming apparatuses in FIG. 6, and FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view illustrating another connection example between the image forming apparatuses in FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing an example of connection between the image forming apparatuses in FIG. 7, and FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing another example of connection between the image forming apparatuses in FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view showing an example of connection between the image forming apparatus of FIG. 6 and the image forming apparatus of FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view showing another example of connection between the image forming apparatus of FIG. 6 and the image forming apparatus of FIG.
[0012]
The connecting member 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a connecting member main body 6, a first block 5 as a “first block”, a second block 10 as a “second block”, and a first block 5. The first connecting portion 12 as the “first connecting portion” or the second connecting portion 14 as the “second connecting portion” that are detachably connected to the second block 10 and the second block 10 that is detachably connected to the second block 10. 1 connection part 12 or 2nd connection part 14 is provided. The first connecting portion 12 is detachable with respect to the handles 53a to 53d provided in the image forming apparatus 51 (see FIG. 6) as the “first device”. It is detachable with respect to handles 54a to 54d provided in the image forming apparatus 52 as "second apparatus". The first block 5 and the second block 10 are detachable with respect to the connecting member main body 6, and these blocks are screwed together in a state where the first block 5 and the second block 10 are inserted into the connecting member main body 6. It is configured so that it can be connected (see claim 1).
[0013]
In addition, a pin 12 a is provided at the end of the first connecting portion 12, and a pin 14 a is provided at the end of the second connecting portion 14. Screw holes 5 b to 5 e are formed on the outer wall of the first block 5 as “first screw holes”. Holes 6a to 6d are formed at positions corresponding to the screw holes 5b to 5e on the outer peripheral wall of the connecting member main body 6. Then, the first block 5 is inserted into the connecting member body 6 with the pin 12a of the first connecting portion 12 or the pin 14a of the second connecting portion 14 being inserted into the first block 5, and screws are inserted into the holes 6a and 6b. After the hard spheres 11a and 11b are inserted into the holes 5b and 5c, the screws 7 with the coil springs 8 are screwed into the screw holes 5b and 5c through the holes 6a and 6b, so While fixing the connection part 14 to the 1st block 5, the 1st block 5 can be fixed to the connection member main body 6 by screwing the set screws 9 and 9 in the screw holes 5d and 5e through the holes 6c and 6d. Like that.
[0014]
Further, screw holes 10 b and 10 c are formed on the outer wall of the second block 10 as “second screw holes”. Then, after inserting the pin 12a of the first connecting portion or the pin 14a of the second connecting portion 14 into the second block 10 and inserting the hard spheres 11c, 11d into the screw holes 10b, 10c, these screw holes 10b, 10c. The first connecting portion 12 or the second connecting portion 14 is fixed to the second block 10 by screwing the screw 7 with the coil spring 8 into the second block 10, and the second block 10 is inserted into the connecting member body 6, The two blocks 10 are configured to be able to be screwed to the first block 5 (see claim 2).
[0015]
The first connecting portion 12 is engaged with and disengaged from the handle of the image forming apparatus 51 via a connecting pin 13 provided on the first connecting portion 12, and the second connecting portion 14 is connected to the image forming apparatus 52 via a claw 14b provided thereon. (See claim 3).
[0016]
Hereinafter, the structure of the connecting member 1 will be described in more detail.
The first connecting member 15 shown in FIG. 3, which is a first example of the connecting member 1, is connected to the left and right of the connecting member main body 6, the first block 5, the second block 10, and the connecting member main body 6. It consists of the 1st connection parts 12 and 12 (refer FIG. 1, 2). A second connecting member 16 shown in FIG. 4 as a second example of the connecting member 1 is connected to the left and right of the connecting member main body 6, the first block 5, the second block 10, and the connecting member main body 6. Second connecting portions 14 and 14 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Further, the third connecting member 17 shown in FIG. 5, which is a third example of the connecting member 1, is connected to the connecting member main body 6, the first block 5, the second block 10, and the left and right of the connecting member main body 6. The first connecting portion 12 and the second connecting portion 14 are formed (see FIGS. 1 and 2).
[0017]
Thus, in the 1st-3rd connection members 15-17, the connection member main body 6, the 1st block 5, and the 2nd block 10 are common components. The first connecting portion 12 is detachable from any of the handles 53a to 53d of the image forming apparatus 51 shown in FIG. 6, and the second connecting portion 14 is a handle 54a to 54d of the image forming apparatus 52 shown in FIG. Any of these can be freely engaged and disengaged.
[0018]
Next, each of the common components will be described.
The first block 5 has a rectangular column shape as a whole, and has a hole 5a on one side in the longitudinal direction and a female screw 5f on the other side in the longitudinal direction. Screw holes 5b and 5d are formed on the upper surface of the first block 5, and screw holes 5c and 5e are formed in front portions corresponding to these screw holes. The screw holes 5b and 5c are orthogonal to each other, and their tip portions are communicated with the hole 5a.
[0019]
The whole connecting member body 6 is also formed in a quadrangular prism shape, and a fitting hole 6f having a rectangular cross section is formed on one side in the longitudinal direction. The shape and dimensions of the fitting hole 6f are such that a part or the whole of the first block 5 can be fitted. A circular hole 6 e is formed on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member body 6. The shape and dimensions of the circular hole 6e are such that a shaft body 10e described later can be fitted. In addition, holes 6a and 6c are formed in portions corresponding to the screw holes 5b and 5d on the upper surface of the connecting member body 6, and holes 6b and 6d are formed in portions corresponding to the screw holes 5c and 5e on the front surface of the connecting member body 6. Form.
[0020]
In the second block 10, a shaft body 10e having a circular cross section is provided on one side in the longitudinal direction of a rectangular parallelepiped main body 10f, and a male screw 10a is provided at the tip thereof. A hole 10d is formed on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the main body 10f. Further, a screw hole 10c is formed in the upper surface of the main body 10f, and a screw hole 10b is formed in a front portion corresponding to the screw hole 10c. The screw holes 10b and 10c are orthogonal to each other, and the tip thereof is formed in the hole 10d. Communicate.
[0021]
In the 1st connection part 12, the pin 12a and the connection pin 13 are each protrudingly provided by the longitudinal direction one side of a rectangular parallelepiped main body, and a lower surface side, respectively. On the outer peripheral surface of the pin 12a, a recess 12b for locking and holding a hard sphere (see FIG. 2) is formed over 360 ° in the circumferential direction. Similarly, in the 2nd connection part 14, the pin 14a protrudes in the longitudinal direction one side of a rectangular parallelepiped main body, and the downward claw 14b is formed in the other longitudinal direction side. The claw 14b is formed by a recess 14d on the lower surface side of the main body. On the outer peripheral surface of the pin 14a, a concave portion 14c for locking and holding a hard sphere (see FIG. 2) is formed over the circumferential direction 360 °.
[0022]
In addition to the above components, a screw 7, a coil spring 8, a set screw 9, and the hard spheres 11a to 11d are prepared. These hard spheres are made of, for example, steel and have the same diameter. As the screw 7 and the set screw 9, a butterfly stepped screw that is a manual screw that can be fastened and fixed without the need of a tool such as a screwdriver is preferable.
[0023]
Next, an example of the assembly procedure of the first to third connecting members 15 to 17 will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, it can also assemble in another order suitably.
[Assembly Procedure of First Connecting Member 15]
(A) The 1st block 5 is inserted in the fitting hole 6f of the connection member main body 6, and the screw holes 5b-5e are positioned in the position corresponding to the holes 6a-6d. As a result, each screw hole communicates with the corresponding hole.
(B) The set screw 9 is screwed (screwed) into the screw holes 5d and 5e through the holes 6c and 6d, respectively. Thereby, the first block 5 is connected to the connecting member main body 6.
(C) The shaft body 10 e of the second block 10 is fitted into the circular hole 6 e of the connecting member body 6, and the male screw 10 a is screwed into the female screw 5 f of the first block 5 in parallel with this. As a result, the second block 10 is coupled to the coupling member body 6. The screwing depth is set appropriately in consideration of the total length of the assembled connecting member 15. In other words, the total length of the connecting member 15 is determined by the screwing depth.
[0024]
(D) The pin 12 a of the first connecting portion 12 is inserted into the hole 5 a of the first block 5.
(E) The hard sphere 11a is inserted into the screw hole 5b through the hole 6a. Thereby, a part of surface of this hard sphere contacts the said recessed part 12b.
(F) The screw 7 into which the coil spring 8 is inserted is screwed into the screw hole 5b through the hole 6a. In the screwing, the tip of the coil spring 8 is brought into pressure contact with the hard sphere 11a. Thereby, a part of hard sphere 11a surface press-contacts to the said recessed part 12b.
(G) Similarly, the hard sphere 11b is inserted from the hole 6b, and the screw 7 into which the coil spring 8 is inserted is screwed into the screw hole 5c through the hole 6b. In the screwing, the tip of the coil spring 8 is brought into pressure contact with the hard sphere 11b. Thereby, a part of this hard sphere surface press-contacts to the said recessed part 12b. The first connecting portion 12 is connected to the first block 5 by inserting and fixing the hard sphere.
(H) The pin 12a of the first connecting part 12 prepared separately is inserted into the hole 10d of the second block 10. Hereinafter, the first connecting portion 12 is connected to the second block 10 by inserting and fixing the hard spheres 11c and 11d in the same manner as the procedures (e) to (g).
[0025]
As described above, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 according to the procedures (a) to (h), the first connecting portion 12, the first block 5, the connecting member main body 6, the second block 10, and the first connecting portion in the longitudinal direction. The connecting member 15 having a structure connected in the order of 12 is assembled.
[0026]
To assemble the connecting member 16 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the second connecting portions 14 and 14 may be connected instead of the left and right first connecting portions 12 and 12 in the connecting member 15. In order to assemble the connecting member 17 shown in FIG. 5, the second connecting portion 14 may be connected instead of one of the left and right first connecting portions 12, 12 in the connecting member 15. In any of the connecting members 15 to 17, the total length of these connecting members is adjusted to be long or short depending on the screwing depth of the first block 5 and the second block 10 in the connecting member main body 6. be able to. Accordingly, it is possible to adjust the distance between the image forming apparatuses to be connected to each other.
[0027]
The connecting pin 13 of the connecting member 15 or 17 can be freely inserted into any of the holes 55a and 55b formed in the handles 53a to 53d of the image forming apparatus 51. Therefore, the connecting member 15 or 17 can be connected to the image forming apparatus 51 via the connecting pin 13. Further, the claw 14 b of the connecting member 16 or 17 can be inserted into and removed from the handles 54 a to 54 d of the image forming apparatus 52. In this case, the concave portion 14d forming the claw 14b is freely engageable with and disengageable from the grip portions 56a and 56b. For this reason, the connecting member 15 or 17 can be connected to the image forming apparatus 52 via the claw 14b.
[0028]
Therefore, (1) the two image forming apparatuses 51 and 51 are connected to each other as shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9, or (2) the two image forming apparatuses as shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 52 and 52 can be connected to each other, or (3) two image forming apparatuses 51 and 52 can be connected to each other as shown in FIG. Further, for example, the image forming apparatus 51 is placed in the center, and two image forming apparatuses 51 and 51 and two image forming apparatuses 52 and 52 are arranged around the image forming apparatus 51, and these are appropriately selected from the connecting members 15 to 17. Can be connected to each other. In the five image forming apparatuses connected in this way, mutual interference during trucking or the like is accurately prevented.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, the connecting member according to the first and second aspects of the present invention is the first connecting portion that is detachable from the handle for moving operation of the first device on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member body. Alternatively, the second connecting portion that is detachable from the handle for moving operation of the second device can be easily detached and connected by a simple operation. For this reason, this connection member can take the form of three types as shown, for example in FIGS. Therefore, by preparing an appropriate one of these three types of connecting members, the devices to be connected are the first devices, the second devices, or the first device and the second device. It is possible to correspond to any of these devices. In addition, when the first block and the second block are screwed and connected, the total length of the connecting member can be adjusted to be long or short by appropriately setting the screwing depth. Then, according to this connecting member, it is possible to connect a plurality of devices with an appropriate interval, so that these devices can be transported by a truck or the like without interfering with each other, This connecting member can be removed from the device and used repeatedly.
[0030]
In the connecting member according to claim 3, the first connecting portion is engaged with and disengaged from the handle of the first device via the connecting pin, and the second connecting portion is connected to the handle of the second device via the claw. Be disengaged. Therefore, the first devices or the second devices, or the first device and the second device can be easily and quickly connected or separated.
[0031]
Since the connecting member according to the fourth aspect is assembled with the butterfly stepped screw, it can be assembled and disassembled without using a working tool such as a driver.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a connecting member according to the present invention.
2 is a schematic assembly cross-sectional view of the connecting member of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing a first form of the connecting member shown in FIG. 1;
4 is a schematic front view showing a second form of the connecting member shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a schematic front view showing a third form of the connecting member shown in FIG. 1;
6A and 6B show an example of an image forming apparatus to be connected to each other. FIG. 6A is a schematic perspective view, and FIG. 6B is a plan view thereof.
7A and 7B show another example of an image forming apparatus to be connected to each other, in which FIG. 7A is a schematic perspective view, and FIG. 7B is a plan view thereof.
8 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a connection structure according to the present invention, that is, an example of connection between the image forming apparatuses of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view illustrating another example of connection between the image forming apparatuses in FIG. 6;
10 is a schematic plan view showing a connection example of the image forming apparatuses in FIG.
11 is a schematic plan view showing another example of connection between the image forming apparatuses in FIG. 7;
12 is a schematic plan view showing an example of connection between the image forming apparatus in FIG. 6 and the image forming apparatus in FIG. 7;
13 is a schematic plan view showing another example of connection between the image forming apparatus in FIG. 6 and the image forming apparatus in FIG. 7;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connecting member 5 1st block 5a Hole 5b-5e Screw hole 5f Female screw 6 Connecting member main body 6a-6d Hole 6e Circular hole 6f Fitting hole 7 Screw 8 Coil spring 9 Set screw 10 2nd block 10a Male screw 10b, 10c Screw hole 10d Hole 10e Shaft body 10f Main body 11a to 11d Hard sphere 12 First connecting portion 12a Pin 12b Recess 13 Connecting pin 14 Second connecting portion 14a Pin 14b Claw 14c Recess 14d Recess 15 First connecting member 16 Second connecting member 17 Three connecting members 51, 52 Image forming devices 53a-53d Handles 54a-54d Handles 55a, 55b Holes 56a, 56b Grasping portions 57, 58 Exterior walls 59, 60 Through-holes

Claims

It is a connecting member for connecting a plurality of devices to each other through a handle for moving operation provided on each device,
A connecting member main body, first and second blocks, a first connecting portion or a second connecting portion that is detachably connected to the first block, and a second block that is detachably connected to the second block. 1 connection part or 2nd connection part,
The first connecting part is detachable from the handle provided in the first device, and the second connecting part is detachable from the handle provided in the second device, respectively.
The first and second blocks are detachable with respect to the connecting member main body, and the first block and the second block are mutually connected in a state where the first and second blocks are inserted into the connecting member main body. Can be screwed together,
A connecting member between devices characterized by that.

A pin is projected from the end of the first and second connecting portions,
Forming a plurality of first screw holes in the outer wall of the first block;
Forming a hole at a position corresponding to the first screw hole in the outer peripheral wall of the connecting member body;
The first block is inserted into the connecting member body in a state where the pin of the first or second connecting portion is inserted into the first block, and the screw is first inserted through at least one of the plurality of holes. The first or second connecting portion is fixed to the first block by being screwed into the screw hole, and the screw is screwed into the first screw hole through the other of the plurality of holes. By attaching the first block to the connecting member body,
Forming at least one second screw hole in the outer wall of the second block, inserting a pin of the first or second connecting portion into the second block, and screwing the screw into the second screw hole; Thus, the first or second connecting portion is fixed to the second block, the second block is inserted into the connecting member body, and the second block is screwed and connected to the first block. The connecting member between devices according to claim 1.

The first connecting portion is engaged with and disengaged from the handle of the first device via a connecting pin provided on the first connecting portion, and the second connecting portion is connected to the second via a claw provided on the handle. 3. The connecting member for connecting devices according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is engaged with or disengaging from a handle of the device.

The screw for screwing into the first screw hole and the screw to be screwed into the second screw hole are butterfly-shaped stepped screws.