JPH11182509A - Coupling device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coupling device by which two devices can be easily attached/separated to/from each other and which may not disturb at the time of transportation, carrying-in and removal. SOLUTION: In this coupling device attached to a second device 200 for connecting/separating a first device 100 and the second device 200 to/from each other, the coupling device is provided with a pinching member comprising a plurality of guide members 1a and rail members 1b to be opened/closed for pinching and fixing the first device 100 and a pressing member 2 applying force to this pinching member so as to fix the first device 100: and each pinching member has an opening/closing shape to convert motion making the second device 200 approach the first device 100 into motion opening/closing the pinching member without disturbing attachment when the coupling device is attached to the first device 100.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connecting device for connecting a plurality of devices, and more particularly, to an attachment,
The present invention relates to a coupling device having a mechanism that can be easily separated.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When designing a connecting device for connecting a plurality of devices, it is necessary to consider the usage of those devices. Once the devices are connected once, if there is almost no need to separate them, a connecting device that securely fixes the devices will be designed, but if it is necessary to separate the devices after connection, It is necessary to design a coupling device that reliably connects the devices to each other and that easily disconnects and separates the devices.

For example, as an example of the latter device, a device such as a copying machine and a bin sorter can be cited. That is, the copying machine and the bin sorter are connected to each other when used, and the recording materials discharged from the copying machine are rearranged and used by the bin sorter. However, it is necessary to separate the copying machine and the bin sorter during maintenance of the copying machine and the bin sorter and to remove the jam, and to inspect the inside of the copying machine and the like. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 4-223970 discloses a connecting device capable of connecting and separating a main frame provided on a copying machine (installation table) and a guide rail provided on a bin sorter. Has been proposed.

[0004]

However, in such a connecting device, it is difficult for the user to attach the main body frame to the copying machine by himself, and it is necessary to entrust maintenance work to the user. May impose a time and financial burden on the operator. In addition, at the time of transportation, carry-in, and the like, it cannot be said that space efficiency is necessarily good due to the guide rails and the like that are integrally formed. Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a purpose thereof is to provide a connecting device that is easy to be attached and separated, and does not hinder them during transportation, loading, and withdrawal. To provide.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a connecting device provided in a second device for connecting and separating a first device and a second device, wherein the connecting device is a first device. A plurality of openable and closable holding members for holding and fixing the first device, and a pressing member for applying a force to the first member so as to fix the first device, wherein each of the holding members connects the connecting device to the first device. When the device is attached to the first device, the device has an opening / closing shape that converts a movement of bringing the second device closer to the first device into a motion of opening and closing the sandwiching member so as not to hinder the attachment. By configuring the coupling device in this way, when the second device is brought closer to the first device, the opening / closing shape of the sandwiching member contacts a part of the first device (for example, a caster or the like), The sandwiching member is opened and closed by a balance between the force of bringing the device closer to the first device and the force of the pressing member, so that the first device can be easily attached to the connecting device without obstructing the attachment. Further, even after the attachment, the connection device and the first device are securely fixed by the force of the pressing member.

Further, in the present invention, each of the sandwiching members has an expandable and contractable portion. By configuring the connecting device in this manner, the expanding and contracting portion of the sandwiching member is expanded and contracted, and the first device and the second device are brought into contact with and separated from each other with the first device still attached to the connecting device. It can be done easily.

Further, according to the present invention, the expansion / contraction portion has a restriction member for restricting / releasing the expansion / contraction, and each of the holding members connects the second device to the first device when attaching the connecting device to the first device. It has a release shape for converting a movement approaching one device into a movement for releasing the expansion and contraction of the expansion and contraction portion. First, by providing the restricting member, it is possible to prevent the sandwiching member from unexpectedly expanding and contracting. Also, by providing the release shape, when the second device approaches the first device, the opening / closing shape of the sandwiching member contacts a part of the first device (for example, a caster or the like), and the second device is moved to the first device. The sandwiching member is opened and closed by a balance between the force approaching the one device and the force of the pressing member, and the restricting member is released by the opening and closing movement, so that the sandwiching member can expand and contract. That is, the expansion and contraction of the expansion and contraction portion is restricted before the connecting device is attached to the first device, and the expansion and contraction is automatically released after the attachment.

In the present invention, each of the sandwiching members has a bendable portion. With such a configuration of the connecting device, the space efficiency can be improved by folding the sandwiching member at the bent portion when the connecting device is transported or carried in.

Further, in the present invention, the first device is installed by a plurality of shafts, and the connecting device has a plurality of openable and closable holding members that hold the shaft of the first device therebetween. By configuring the coupling device in this way,
Since the shaft is interposed and fixed, the connecting device can be easily and securely attached without providing a special device in the first device. In addition, since this connecting device is present between the bottom surface of the first device and the shaft, it does not hinder the operation and operation of the first device.

[0010]

Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples. The connection device according to the present embodiment is a connection device provided in a second device for connecting and separating the first device and the second device, and the connection device sandwiches the first device. A plurality of openable and closable pinching members to be fixed with, and a pressing member for applying a force to the plurality of pinching members so as to fix the first device, each of the pinching members, the coupling device to the first device An opening / closing shape that converts the movement of bringing the second device closer to the first device when attaching the first device to the movement of opening and closing the sandwiching member so as not to hinder the attachment; A restricting member for restricting and releasing the coupling device, a release shape for converting a movement of bringing the second device closer to the first device when the connecting device is attached to the first device into a motion for releasing the expansion and contraction of the expansion and contraction portion, and bending. And a possible bent portion.

FIG. 1 shows a copying machine 100 and a bin sorter 200.
1 shows an entirety of a connecting device, a first device, and a second device according to the present embodiment for connecting the first device and the second device. In the present embodiment, a description will be given by taking as an example a copying machine 100 as a first device and a bin sorter 200 for rearranging sheets discharged from the copying machine 100 as a second device, but the present invention is not limited to this. It can be applied to various devices that require attachment and separation. FIG. 1 shows a state before the connecting device fixed to the bin sorter 200 is attached to the copier 100. The bin sorter 200 is approached in the direction of the arrow in FIG. It is intended to be attached to.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the copying machine 100, the bin sorter 200, and the connecting device in the state of FIG. 1 from the bottom side thereof. In this embodiment, two pinching members 1 are attached to the bottom of the bin sorter 200, and the pinching members 1
Is roughly composed of a guide member 1a and a rail member 1b. In this embodiment, a spring 2 is used as a pressing member, and the sandwiching member 1 is pulled inside the bin sorter 200 by the elastic force of the spring 2, that is, in the direction of the arrow in FIG. In this embodiment, the two casters 101ab (c
d). The pressing member may be any member that can apply a predetermined force to the sandwiching member 1, and may be formed of an elastic body such as rubber.

FIG. 3 shows the guide member 1a and the spring 2 in more detail. The guide member 1a is formed of a metal having a substantially U-shaped cross section cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. One end of the guide member 1a has a closing portion 11
Is provided, and an opening 12a is provided at the other end. The guide member 1a is attached to the bin sorter 200 so as to be openable and closable. The attachment is made by penetrating the rotary hole 13a and the swing groove 14a with bolts 13b and 14b, respectively.
This is performed by fixing the bolts 13b and 14b to the bottom surface. Here, the bolt 13b and the rotary hole 13a are rotatably mounted, and the bolt 14b and the swing groove 14a
Is mounted so as to be swingable. As a result, the guide member 1a is swingable about the rotation hole 13a as a central axis by an angle θ _MAX that looks at both ends of the swing groove 14a from the rotation hole 13a. The cross-sectional shape of the guide member 1a may be a shape such as a substantially C-shape or a substantially U-shape other than the shape shown in the present embodiment.

The guide member 1a has a restriction hole 15a, and a restriction pin 15 inserted into the restriction hole 15a.
b is fixed to the bottom of the bin sorter 200. The length of the limit pin 15b is such that its tip protrudes into the guide member 1a. When the protrusion of the rail member 1b, which will be described later, and the tip of the limit pin 15b collide, the length of the rail member 1b with respect to the guide member 1a is reduced. Is to restrict the movement.

The spring 2 connects the pinching member 1 to the bin sorter 200.
The copier 100 always applies a force so as to be attracted inward.
Is fixed. The force can be appropriately set in consideration of the balance between the required fixing strength and the ease of attachment and detachment. That is, if the force is weak, it is difficult to securely fix the copying machine 100. On the other hand, if the force is too strong, more force is required when attaching to and removing from the copying machine 100. Is also not preferred. The adjustment of the pulling force is performed by adjusting the elastic force of the spring 2, the distance from the rotary hole 13a to the mounting position of the spring 2, the casters 101a to 101d of the copying machine 100 in which the pinching member 1 is actually pinched and fixed from the rotary hole 13a. It can be adjusted by the distance up to. That is, the rotating hole 13
a is a fulcrum, an attachment position of the spring 2 is a force point, and a point where the pinching member 1 contacts the casters 101a to 101d of the copying machine 100 is an action point.

FIG. 4 shows the rail member in more detail. This rail member is formed of a metal having a substantially U-shaped cross section cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction,
The size of the cross section is slightly smaller than the opening 12a of the guide member 1a, and is set to a size that can be taken in and out of the opening 12a of the guide member 1a. The rail member has a projection 15 for restricting and releasing expansion and contraction of the rail member.
d to e are provided. Further, an opening and closing shape 1 for converting the movement of bringing the bin sorter 200 closer to the copying machine 100 into the movement of opening and closing the sandwiching member 1 so as not to hinder the mounting.
6a and 6b, and a release shape 17 that converts the movement to release the expansion and contraction of the expansion and contraction portion.

The rail member has fitting portions 18a and 18b which can be fixed by being engaged with the caster shaft of the copying machine 100. The shape of the fitting portion 18 can be designed according to the shape of the caster shaft or the like of the copying machine 100. As shown in this embodiment, the fitting portion 18 is engaged with the caster shaft as shown in FIG. When fixing the rail member) and the copying machine 100, the fitting portion 18 having a concave shape can be used. The meshing part is the copying machine 10
The caster is not limited to 0, and may be fixed by being engaged with the adjuster shaft as shown in FIG. 5B. Further, when these caster shafts and the like are made of metal, such as iron, having such a property as to be attracted to the magnet, in order to fix the connecting device (rail member) and the copying machine 100 more effectively, It is good also as composition which provides a magnet in a fitting part.

The rail member has a bent portion 19 that can be bent. FIG. 6 shows this bent portion 19.
Is shown in more detail. As shown in FIG. 6A, the bent portion 19 divides the rail member into two parts (1b, 1b '), and divides the rail member into two parts.
b ′ is rotatably fixed by a screw 191 and is kept straight by using a torsion spring 192. As shown in FIG. 6 (b), when bending against the elastic force of the torsion spring 192, a state where the notch 194 and the boss 195 are bent by a latch fitted with the boss 195 as shown in FIG. Can be kept. The cross-sectional shape of the guide member 1a may be substantially C-shaped or substantially square-shaped in addition to the shape shown in this embodiment.

In this embodiment, two rollers are provided near the rear end of the rail member 1b, and the rollers roll on the inner surface of the guide member 1a, so that the expansion and contraction of the rail member 1b with respect to the guide member 1a is further smoothed. You can do it.

The operation of the coupling device having such a configuration will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 shows the operation of the coupling device when the copying machine 100 and the bin sorter 200 shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows the change of the swing angle θ of the sandwiching member 1 at that time. The case where the swing angle θ is 0 ° is, as shown in FIG. 3 shows a state in which it is attached by the sandwiching member 1, and the angle is used as a reference.

In the initial state, that is, in a state where the copying machine 100 and the bin sorter 200 are sufficiently separated as shown in FIG. 2, the swing angle of the sandwiching member 1 takes an angle α which is a negative value. This is because the guide member 1 is
Since a is pulled inward, that is, in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 3, the entire sandwiching member 1 is drawn inward. This attracted force is applied to the bolt 1 at the outer end of the swing groove 14a.
4b is limited by the contact, and the swing angle is settled at a constant angle α.

Next, when the bin sorter 200 approaches the copying machine 100 and the bin sorter 200 is moved by 11, the tip of the rail member of the sandwiching member 1 is caster 101 of the copying machine 100.
a (c). Furthermore, bin sorter 200 is copied to copier 1
As the distance approaches 00, the open / close shape 16a of the rail member moves along the caster axis of the casters 101a (c). That is, when the bin sorter 200 is further moved closer to the copying machine 100 from the distance l1, the caster shaft is pressed against the opening / closing shape 16a, and a force for expanding the sandwiching member 1 acts against the force attracted inward by the spring, and gradually acts. The sandwiching members 1 open each other. FIG. 7A shows this state. In this state, the distance between the bin sorter 200 and the copying machine 100 is from the distance l1 to the distance l2.
In the meantime, the swing angle θ of the sandwiching member 1 tends to increase as shown in FIG.

When the distance between the bin sorter 200 and the copying machine 100 reaches the distance l2, the caster shaft 102a (c) of the copying machine 100 follows the inside of the rail member 1b and reaches the fitting portion 18b. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the swing angle θ of the sandwiching member 1 takes the maximum value β1, and the distance l2
At a point in time, the swing angle θ drops at once. Note that even when the swing angle θ takes the maximum value β1, the tip of the limit pin 15b exists at the fixed portion between the protrusions 15c and 15d of the rail member 1b (see FIG. 4), and the protrusion 15d is The rail member 1b is prevented from jumping out of the guide member 1a without reaching the elastic portion 12b.

Further, the bin sorter 200 is
, The fitting portion 18b and the caster shaft 102
The lock with the a is released, and the caster shaft 102a follows the open / close shape 16b (release shape 17) of the rail member 1b. The distance between the bin sorter 200 and the copying machine 100 is l
When the rotation angle reaches 3, the swing angle of the sandwiching member 1 reaches β2 as shown in FIG. In this state, the sandwiching member 1 is considerably pushed outwardly against the elastic force of the spring 2, and the pin 1b extends from the limiting hole 15a of the guide member 1a.
Is released, the pinching member 1 is expanded.

Further, the bin sorter 200 is
When the moving distance of the bin sorter 200 reaches 14 by approaching to the above, the swing angle θ of the sandwiching member 1 further increases, and FIG.
Takes the maximum value β3 as shown in FIG. Note that the state of the connecting device at this time is, as shown in FIG.
The restriction pin 15b is completely removed from the restriction hole 15a.

When the moving distance of the bin sorter 200 slightly exceeds 14, the force by which the spring 2 pulls the sandwiching member 1 inward, the caster shaft and the opening / closing shape 16b (release shape 17).
From the relationship, the elastic force of the spring 2 automatically generates a force to pull out the rail member 1b from the guide member 1a. At this time, since the restriction pin 15b has come off from the restriction hole 15a of the guide member 1a, the tip of the restriction pin 15b climbs over the protrusion 15d and extends and contracts between the protrusions de.
Will exist. At the same time, the fitting portion 18a and the caster shaft 102a are fixed, and
b and the caster shaft 102b are fixed, and the fixing of the connecting device and the copying machine 100 is completed (see FIG. 7C).

The coupling device and the copying machine 100
The swing angle θ of the sandwiching member 1 at the time when the fixing is completed is 0 °, which is larger than α in the initial state, which indicates that this state is maintained against the elastic force of the spring 2. . That is, at the time when the fixing is completed, it means that the force for pinching the caster shafts 102a and 102b is acting due to the elastic force of the spring 2, and thus the connecting device and the copying machine 100 can be more securely fixed. it can.

In a normal use state, the copying machine 100 and the bin sorter 200 are installed in contact with each other via the connecting device. That is, they are used as shown in FIG. The connecting device in this state is shown in FIG.
(A). In this case, the restriction hole 15 of the guide member 1a
a of the limit pin 15b protruding from the rail member 1
b is present near the protrusion 15d of the telescopic portion 12b.

However, when it is necessary to open the cover on the side of the copying machine 100 in the event of a paper jam or maintenance, as shown in FIG. 9B, the connection between the fitting portions 18a and 18b and the caster shafts 102a and 102b is performed. The distance between the copier 100 and the bin sorter 200 can be secured by the expansion and contraction of the expansion and contraction portion of the sandwiching member 1 without releasing the fixing. The connecting device in this state is shown in FIG. In this case, the tip of the restriction pin 15b protruding from the restriction hole 15a of the guide member 1a exists near the protrusion 15e of the telescopic portion 12b of the rail member 1b.

When the connecting device is mounted on the bin sorter 200 or shipped from an assembly factory, the bent portion 19 can be folded and stored as shown in FIG. 11 so as not to hinder transportation, carry-in and the like. . FIG.
(A) shows the bottom side of the bin sorter 200 in a folded state. In the present embodiment, each folding member 1 has one bent portion 19 as described above, but the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. It may have one or more bent portions 19.

Further, in this embodiment, the two sandwiching members 1 are attracted to the inside of the bin sorter 200 by the spring 2 (pressing member). However, the present invention is not limited to this. The pinching member 1 may be provided in accordance with the number of casters of the copying machine 100 or the like, or the opening and closing shape of the pinching member 1 may be directed outward of the bin sorter 200 as shown in FIG. Pressure member)
May be configured to be attracted to the outside.

[0032]

As described in detail above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the second device provided with the connecting device is provided on the sandwiching member only by approaching the first device to the first device. By the action of the opening and closing shape and the elastic force of the pressing member, the sandwiching member opens and closes, and the first device can be fixed without disturbing the mounting.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, after the first device and the second device are attached by the connecting member, the extension portion of the sandwiching member is extended to thereby easily release the attachment without releasing the attachment. The two devices can be separated from each other at the same time, and the maintainability and the like can be improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, by providing the restricting member, the sandwiching member does not inadvertently extend, and it is possible to carry out them safely and with a good space efficiency at the time of carrying, carrying in and the like. Further, only by bringing the second device provided with the coupling device close to the first device, the coupling device is moved by the action of the release shape provided on the sandwiching member and the elastic force of the pressing member. When it is fixed to, the restriction member is automatically released, so that the user's hand is not bothered.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the sandwiching member has the bent portion, it is possible to carry, carry in, and the like with higher space efficiency.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the first device is installed by a plurality of shafts, the holding member of the connecting device can be used without providing a special connecting member to the first device. The pinching member can be easily fixed, and the opening / closing shape and the releasing shape of the pinching member are moved along the axis, and the second device is brought close to the first device, so that the pinching member hinders the attachment. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform the opening and closing movement for automatically releasing the restriction member. In addition, since the connecting device exists at a relatively low portion between the bottom surface and the shaft of the first device, it does not hinder the operation and operation of the first device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an entire coupling device according to an embodiment together with a copying machine and a bin sorter.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the copying machine, the bin sorter, and the coupling device shown in FIG. 1 from the bottom thereof.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a guide member of a sandwiching member of the coupling device according to the embodiment in detail.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a rail member of a sandwiching member of the coupling device according to the embodiment in detail;

FIG. 5 shows casters and adjusters used when a copying machine as a first apparatus is installed on a floor.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a bent portion of a sandwiching member of the coupling device according to the embodiment in detail.

FIG. 7 shows the operation of the coupling device when the bin sorter is moved closer to the copying machine.

FIG. 8 illustrates a change in the swing angle of the sandwiching member when the bin sorter is moved closer to the copying machine.

FIG. 9 shows an attached state and a separated state of the bin sorter and the copying machine, respectively.

FIG. 10 shows the sandwiching member in a state where the extension is restricted by the restricting member and in a state where the expansion and contraction portion is most extended.

FIG. 11 shows a connecting device attached to a bin sorter with a bent portion bent.

FIG. 12 shows a state in which a bent portion of the sandwiching member is bent from the bottom.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a copying machine, a bin sorter, and a coupling device according to a modification from the bottom thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Nipping member, 1a ... Guide member, 1b ... Rail member,
12a, b ... elastic part, 15a-e ... restricting member, 16a,
b: open / close shape, 17: release shape, 19: bent portion, 2
... Spring (pressing member), 100 ... Copier, 101a-d ...
Caster, 102a-d: caster shaft, 200: bin sorter,

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A connecting device provided in a second device for connecting and separating the first device and the second device, wherein the connecting device is openable and closable to hold and fix the first device. A plurality of sandwiching members, and a pressing member that applies a force to the sandwiching member so as to fix the first device; A coupling device having an opening / closing shape that converts a movement of bringing the device closer to the first device into a movement of opening and closing the sandwiching member so as not to hinder attachment. 2. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein each of the sandwiching members has an extendable and retractable portion. 3. The expansion / contraction part has a restriction member for restricting or releasing the expansion / contraction, and each of the pinching members connects the second device to the first device when attaching the connecting device to the first device. The coupling device according to claim 2, wherein the coupling device has a release shape that converts a movement approaching to a movement to a movement for releasing the expansion and contraction of the expansion and contraction portion. 4. The coupling device according to claim 1, wherein each of the holding members has a bending portion that can be bent. 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first device is installed by a plurality of shafts, and the connecting device has a plurality of openable and closable members for fixing the first device across the shaft. The coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.