Stop structure

Abstract

The invention provides a locking structure that makes it difficult for the connection between the main body and the connecting part to come loose. [Solution] The locking structure 10 comprises a main body portion 12 and a connecting portion 14 connected to the main body portion 12. The main body portion 12 has a locking portion 22 that locks onto a locking portion formed on a fixing member, and a plate portion 20a that has a first insertion hole portion 26 into which the fixing member can be inserted, and is located on the tip side in the insertion direction of the fixing member, relative to the locking portion 22. The connecting portion 14 has a second insertion hole portion 40 into which the fixing member can be inserted. One of the main body portion 12 and the connecting portion 14 has an elastic locking portion 28 that extends from the periphery of one of the first insertion hole portion 26 and the second insertion hole portion 40 and is inserted into the other of the first insertion hole portion 26 and the second insertion hole portion 40. The elastic locking portion 28 has a column portion 28a extending along the axial direction of the fixing member, and a locking projection 28b that protrudes from the column portion 28a in a direction away from the fixing member and locks into the other of the first insertion hole portion 26 and the second insertion hole portion 40.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking structure for locking to a fixing member.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a clamp including a main body having a clamping portion for holding a tube or a rod-shaped object, and a pressing member that can be assembled to the main body so as to cover an insertion opening of the clamping portion of the main body. A hinge portion for connecting to the main body is provided at one end of the pressing member, and engaging means for engaging with the main body is provided at the other end of the pressing member. The engaging means has an elastic piece that is hung on a protrusion of the main body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the clamp disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the elastic piece can be bent outward where the engagement with the protrusion is disengaged, there is a risk of disengagement from the protrusion of the main body depending on the direction of the external force applied to the pressing member.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a locking structure that can make the connection between the main body portion and the connecting portion difficult to disconnect.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a locking structure according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a main body and a connecting part connected to the main body. The main body has a locking portion that engages with a locking portion formed on a fixing member, and a plate portion that has a first insertion hole into which the fixing member can be inserted, and is located on the tip side in the insertion direction of the fixing member, relative to the locking portion. The connecting part has a second insertion hole into which the fixing member can be inserted. One of the main body and the connecting part has an elastic locking portion that extends from the periphery of one of the first and second insertion holes and is inserted into the other of the first and second insertion holes. The elastic locking portion has a column portion that extends along the axial direction of the fixing member and a locking projection that protrudes from the column portion in a direction away from the fixing member and engages with the other of the first and second insertion holes. The movement of the locking projection in the unlocking direction of the elastic locking portion is restricted by the fixing member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a locking structure can be provided that makes it difficult for the connection between the main body and the connecting part to come loose. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the locking structure of the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the locking structure in an embodiment where it is attached to a bolt. [Figure 3] This is a plan view of the connecting section. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the connection state between the main body and the connecting parts. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view AA of the locking structure. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view of a modified locking structure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the locking structure 10 of the embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the locking structure 10 of the embodiment attached to the bolt 52. The locking structure 10 is fixed to the bolt 52, which is erected from the panel 50, while holding long members such as harnesses and pipes. The panel 50 is, for example, a vehicle body panel. In Figure 2, the long members are omitted.

[0010] The locking structure 10 comprises a main body 12, a connecting part 14, a cover part 16, and a hinge part 18. The main body 12 has the function of holding a long member and the function of locking onto the bolt 52. The connecting part 14 and the cover part 16 are integrally formed and connected to one end of the main body 12 by a thin hinge part 18, and are rotatably mounted relative to the main body 12. The connecting part 14 is connected to the main body 12.

[0011] The main body 12 includes a frame 20, a locking portion 22, an insertion hole 24, a first insertion hole 26, an elastic locking portion 28, a first base portion 30, a receiving portion 32, a second base portion 34, and a holding portion 36.

[0012] The frame portion 20 has a plate portion 20a, a side wall portion 20b, and a bottom portion 20c, and is formed in a rectangular tubular shape. The plate portion 20a and the bottom portion 20c are arranged opposite each other and parallel to one another. A pair of side wall portions 20b are arranged opposite each other and parallel to one another and are connected to the plate portion 20a and the bottom portion 20c. The plate portion 20a has a first insertion hole portion 26 for inserting a bolt 52. The bottom portion 20c has an insertion hole 24 for inserting a bolt 52. The bottom portion 20c is seated on the panel 50.

[0013] A pair of locking portions 22 are formed on each of the pair of side wall portions 20b. The locking portions 22 are flexible and protrude inward, and their tips are formed in a claw shape. The locking portions 22 engage with the grooves of the bolt 52. The plate portion 20a is located on the tip side of the bolt 52, i.e., above the locking portions 22.

[0014] A pair of elastic locking portions 28 extend upward from the plate portion 20a and are positioned around the first insertion hole portion 26, facing each other with the first insertion hole portion 26 in between. Each elastic locking portion 28 has a column portion 28a and a locking projection portion 28b. By providing the elastic locking portions 28 on the plate portion 20a, the locking can be released more easily than if they were provided on the connecting portion 14.

[0015] The column portion 28a is erected along the axial direction of the bolt 52 and is flexible, and this flexibility moves the locking projection 28b. The locking projection 28b protrudes from the column portion 28a outward in the opposing direction of the pair of elastic locking portions 28, that is, away from the bolt 52. By locking the elastic locking portion 28 into the connecting portion 14, assembly can be easily performed by simply pushing the elastic locking portion 28 into the connecting portion 14.

[0016] The first base portion 30 protrudes from one side wall portion 20b. Multiple receiving portions 32 are formed on the front side of the first base portion 30. The receiving portions 32 are formed in a substantially semi-cylindrical shape, open to the front side, and capable of receiving long members. The receiving portions 32 may be made of a viscoelastic material or a rubber material, and may be formed integrally with the first base portion 30 by two-color molding. One end of the first base portion 30 is connected to the frame portion 20, and the other end of the first base portion 30 is connected to the hinge portion 18.

[0017] The second base portion 34 protrudes from the other side wall portion 20b. Multiple holding portions 36 are formed on the front side of the second base portion 34. The holding portions 36 are capable of holding long members.

[0018] The cover portion 16 covers the opening of the receiving portion 32. One end of the cover portion 16 is connected to the connecting portion 14, and the other end of the cover portion 16 is connected to the hinge portion 18 and is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the main body portion 12. A plurality of semi-cylindrical portions 42 are formed on the back side of the cover portion 16. As shown in FIG. 2, in the closed state where the connecting portion 14 is connected to the main body portion 12, the semi-cylindrical portion 42 combines with the receiving portion 32 to form a cylindrical shape. The receiving portion 32 and the semi-cylindrical portion 42 cooperate to hold the long member. Note that the semi-cylindrical portion 42 may also be formed of a viscoelastic material or a rubber material by two-color molding, similar to the receiving portion 32. The state where the cover portion 16 covers the opening of the receiving portion 32 is maintained by connecting the connecting portion 14 to the main body portion 12.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the connecting portion 14. The connecting portion 14 is connected to the elastic locking portion 28 of the main body portion 12. The connecting portion 14 has a second insertion hole portion 40 and a cylindrical portion 44.

[0020] The second insertion hole portion 40 can insert a bolt 52. The second insertion hole portion 40 has a first hole edge portion 40a, a second hole edge portion 40b, and a third hole edge portion 40c. The first hole edge portion 40a, the second hole edge portion 40b, and the third hole edge portion 40c are provided in pairs in accordance with the pair of elastic locking portions 28 and are formed in parallel respectively. The pair of first hole edge portions 40a are positioned opposite to each other and are located between the second hole edge portion 40b and the third hole edge portion 40c. The elastic locking portion 28 locks to the second insertion hole portion 40.

[0021] The second hole edge portion 40b is adjacent to the first hole edge portion 40a and is formed recessed from the first hole edge portion 40a and recessed outward in the opposing direction of the pair of first hole edge portions 40a. The opposing direction of the pair of first hole edge portions 40a is the same as the protruding direction of the locking protrusion 28b of the elastic locking portion 28 in the connected state. The center line 46 passes through the center of the connecting portion 14 and is along the longitudinal direction of the cover portion 16. The second hole edge portion 40b is located farther from the center line 46 than the first hole edge portion 40a. The second hole edge portion 40b is continuous with the first hole edge portion 40a and is located in a direction perpendicular to the protruding direction of the locking protrusion 28b. The second hole edge portion 40b is offset from the first hole edge portion 40a by more than the protruding length of the locking protrusion 28b.

[0022] The third hole edge 40c is located adjacent to the first hole edge 40a and protrudes more than the first hole edge 40a, extending inward in the opposing direction of the pair of first hole edges 40a. In other words, the third hole edge 40c is located closer to the center line 46 than the first hole edge 40a.

[0023] The cylindrical portion 44 is erected from the periphery of the second insertion hole portion 40 and is formed to surround the second insertion hole portion 40. The cylindrical portion 44 surrounds the elastic locking portion 28 that engages with the edge of the second insertion hole portion 40.

[0024] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the connected state of the main body 12 and the connecting part 14. In Figure 4, the elastic locking part 28 of the main body 12 is shown locked into the second insertion hole 40 of the connecting part 14. The locking projection 28b catches on the first hole edge 40a, restricting the movement of the connecting part 14 away from the main body 12.

[0025] The elastic locking portion 28 has a protruding hook portion 28c at its top. The hook portion 28c is formed for hooking tools and jigs. The worker hooks the hook portion 28c with a tool or the like and tilts the elastic locking portion 28 toward the second hole edge portion 40b. When the elastic locking portion 28 is tilted and the locking projection 28b moves from the first hole edge portion 40a toward the second hole edge portion 40b, the locking of the locking projection 28b is released. The locking projection 28b then passes through the position of the second hole edge portion 40b, and the connecting portion 14 detaches from the main body portion 12. This makes it easier to release the locking of the elastic locking portion 28, and allows the long member to be removed without damaging the main body portion 12 and the connecting portion 14. In addition, if the long member is replaced, the worker can easily install the elastic locking portion 28 by pushing it into the second insertion hole portion 40.

[0026] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view AA of the locking structure 10 shown in Figure 2. The locking structure 10 shown in Figure 5 is shown in the state of being locked to the bolt 52, similar to Figure 2.

[0027] The elastic locking portion 28 extends from the peripheral portion 26a of the first insertion hole portion 26 and is inserted into the second insertion hole portion 40. The bolt 52 is inserted into both the first insertion hole portion 26 and the second insertion hole portion 40. In other words, the elastic locking portion 28 and the bolt 52 are inserted into the same second insertion hole portion 40, and the deflection of the column portion 28a is limited by the bolt 52, maintaining the locking of the locking projection portion 28b. The elastic locking portion 28 is restricted by the bolt 52 from moving the locking projection portion 28b in the unlocking direction. The movement of the locking projection portion 28b in the unlocking direction is the movement of the pair of locking projection portions 28b toward each other. This makes it difficult for the connecting portion 14 to come off the main body portion 12, and improves the removal force. Furthermore, since the elastic locking portion 28 is inserted into the same second insertion hole 40 as the bolt 52, the locking structure 10 can be made smaller than when the elastic locking portion 28 locks from the outside of the connecting portion 14.

[0028] The elastic locking portion 28 extends upward from the plate portion 20a, and the locking projection 28b is exposed on the front side of the connecting portion 14, allowing for easy placement of tools or the like.

[0029] The elastic locking portion 28 is enclosed within the cylindrical portion 44 while locked to the connecting portion 14, and is housed inside the connecting portion 14 so as not to protrude upward from the connecting portion 14. This protects the elastic locking portion 28. Furthermore, because the elastic locking portion 28 does not protrude upward, the locking structure 10 when the main body portion 12 and the connecting portion 14 are locked can be made smaller.

[0030] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a modified locking structure. The modified locking structure differs from the locking structure 10 shown in Figure 5 in the shape of the elastic locking portion 128. The elastic locking portion 128 has a column portion 128a that rises from the plate portion 20a and a locking projection 128b that protrudes from the column portion 128a.

[0031] The column portion 128a has projections 54 that engage with the grooves of the bolt 52. Multiple projections 54 are formed protruding from the back surface of the column portion 128a. The back surface of the column portion 128a is the side opposite to the front surface where the locking projection 128b is provided. The multiple projections 54 are spaced apart to match the groove pitch of the bolt 52. As a result, the projections 54 contact the bolt 52 and receive a reaction force, which pushes the locking projection 128b in a direction that bites into the bolt. This stabilizes the locking state of the elastic locking portion 28 and suppresses rattling.

[0032] The locking projection 128b has a tapered surface 56 that locks onto the first hole edge 40a of the second insertion hole 40. The tapered surface 56 is formed on the lower surface of the locking projection 128b, located at the base of the locking projection 128b, and is formed in conjunction with the column 128a. As a result, the tapered surface 56 contacts the first hole edge 40a and receives a reaction force, which suppresses rattling of the elastic locking portion 28.

[0033] In this embodiment, the main body 12 is seated on the panel 50 and the connecting portion 14 is located on the tip side of the bolt 52, but the embodiment is not limited to this configuration. For example, the positional relationship between the main body 12 and the connecting portion 14 may be reversed. That is, the second insertion hole 40 of the connecting portion 14 is inserted into the bolt 52, and then the first insertion hole 26 and through hole 24 of the main body 12 are inserted and attached.

[0034] Furthermore, the elastic locking portion 28 may extend from the periphery of the second insertion hole portion 40 of the connecting portion 14 and lock onto the edge of the first insertion hole portion 26. In other words, one of the main body portion 12 and the connecting portion 14 may have an elastic locking portion 28 that extends from the periphery of one of the first insertion hole portion 26 and the second insertion hole portion 40 and is inserted into the other of the first insertion hole portion 26 and the second insertion hole portion 40. In this embodiment, the locking projection 28b locks onto the other of the first insertion hole portion 26 and the second insertion hole portion 40.

[0035] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications, such as design changes, can be made to each embodiment based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and embodiments with such modifications may also be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0036] In the embodiment, the locking portion 22 is shown to be locked to the bolt 52, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the locking portion 22 may be locked to a fixing pin. The fixing pin has a step such as a flange or groove on its outer surface, and the locking portion 22 can be locked to this step. In any case, the locking portion 22 locks to a lockable portion formed on the fixing member. In the case of the bolt 52, the lockable portion is a screw groove, and in the case of the fixing pin, it is a step. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 10 Locking structure, 12 Main body, 14 Connecting part, 16 Cover part, 18 Hinge part, 20 Frame part, 20a Plate part, 20b Side wall part, 20c Bottom part, 22 Locking part, 24 Through hole, 26 First insertion hole part, 28 Elastic locking part, 28a Column part, 28b Locking projection part, 28c Hook part, 30 First base part, 32 Receiving part, 34 Second base part, 36 Holding part, 40 Second insertion hole part, 40a First hole edge part, 40b Second hole edge part, 40c Third hole edge part, 42 Semi-cylindrical part, 44 Cylindrical part, 46 Centerline, 50 Panel, 52 Bolt, 54 Projection part, 56 Tapered surface.

Claims

1. The main body and It comprises a connecting part that connects to the main body, The main body is, A locking portion that engages with a locking portion formed on a fixing member, It has a first insertion hole into which the fixing member can be inserted, and a plate portion located on the tip side in the insertion direction of the fixing member, The connecting portion has a second insertion hole into which the fixing member can be inserted, One of the main body portion and the connecting portion has an elastic locking portion that extends from the periphery of one of the first insertion hole portion and the second insertion hole portion and is inserted into the other of the first insertion hole portion and the second insertion hole portion. The elastic locking portion is, A column portion extending along the axial direction of the aforementioned fixing member, It has a locking projection that protrudes from the column portion in a direction away from the fixing member and engages with the other of the first insertion hole portion and the second insertion hole portion, The locking structure is characterized in that the elastic locking portion's movement in the unlocking direction of the locking projection is restricted by the fixing member.

2. The locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic locking portion is provided on the main body and extends from the plate portion.

3. The second insertion hole portion is, The first hole edge that the elastic locking portion engages with, The first hole edge is adjacent to a second hole edge, and the elastic locking portion is recessed in the direction of the protruding locking projection while the elastic locking portion is locked to the first hole edge, The locking structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking projection is released when it moves from the first hole edge toward the second hole edge.

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