retainer

Abstract

The present invention provides a highly versatile retainer capable of holding an article in a ring shape. The retainer is a retainer (1) for connecting the first end and the second end of an article having a first end and a second end to hold the article in a ring shape. The retainer (1) has a first member (10) and a second member (20) that can be mounted on the first member (10). The first member (10) has a winding portion (11) capable of winding around at least a portion of the first end and at least a portion of the second end. The second member (20) is mounted on the first member (10) to maintain at least a portion of the first end and at least a portion of the second end wound around the winding portion (11), thereby holding the article in a ring shape.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a retainer. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, there were items known to be used in a circular shape, such as bracelets and bangles. Typically, such items have interlocking mechanisms at both ends, and are thus made into circular items by connecting them.

[0003] In addition, there are known solutions where retaining members for holding both ends of the ring-shaped article are provided independently of the article itself, and the article is formed into a ring shape using these retaining members. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a clamp for winding a bracelet into a ring shape, which has a mounting hole and a plurality of holes.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-289917 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0008] For this wristband clamp, a specified hole is formed in the wristband used to wind it into a loop, and the wristband clamp needs to have a protrusion that can pass through the hole. That is, it needs to have a corresponding structure so that the wristband and the wristband clamp can be combined and used together.

[0009] Furthermore, even when using items such as bracelets that do not have such holes, the availability of a retainer that can easily hold the item in a loop expands the range of objects that can be held in a loop, increasing its versatility and enabling its use in various situations.

[0010] The main objective of this application is to provide a highly versatile retainer capable of holding an article having at least two ends in a ring shape. Further issues and novel features will become clear from the description and accompanying drawings.

[0011] Solution for solving the problem

[0012] The following is a brief summary of the representative technical solutions disclosed in this application.

[0013] As a retaining member of the present invention, it is a retaining member for connecting the first end and the second end of an article having a first end and a second end to retain the article in a ring shape. The retaining member has a first member and a second member that can be mounted on the first member. The first member has a winding portion that can be wound around at least a portion of the first end and at least a portion of the second end. By being mounted on the first member, the second member maintains at least a portion of the first end and at least a portion of the second end wound around the winding portion, thereby retaining the article in a ring shape.

[0014] The effects of the invention

[0015] According to one technical solution, a retainer can be provided that is a highly versatile retainer capable of holding an article having at least two ends in a ring shape. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a retainer (surface side) according to one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the retainer (inner side) of one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3A yes Figure 2 The retainer shown is in section A-A.

[0019] Figure 3B It means in Figure 3A The cross-sectional view shown shows the state in which the second component is installed on top of the first component.

[0020] Figure 4 From Figure 3B A cross-sectional view of the retainer when viewed from the front side.

[0021] Figure 5 This describes how to wrap an item around... Figure 1 A diagram showing the state of the winding portion of the retainer.

[0022] Figure 6 It means to utilize Figure 1 A diagram showing how a retainer keeps an item in its proper position.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a diagram representing a variation that retains the state of the object.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a perspective view showing the retainer (inner side) in other embodiments.

[0025] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view viewed from the front side of the retainer in other embodiments.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0027] 1. Holding member; 10. First component; 11. Winding part; 11a. Protrusion; 12. Locking part; 13, 14, 23, 24. Notch; 20. Second component; 21. Locking part; 22, 26. Pressing part; 25. Mounting part; 30. Connecting structure; 100. Rope-like article; 100a. First end; 100b. Second end. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in all the drawings used to illustrate the embodiment, components with the same function are labeled with the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted. Additionally, in the drawings, structural and cross-sectional lines are sometimes omitted or simplified for ease of explanation.

[0029] (Implementation Method)

[0030] The retainer of this embodiment is for an article having a first end and a second end, and is used to connect the first end and the second end to retain the article in a ring shape.

[0031] Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the state of the retainer 1 before it holds the article, according to this embodiment. Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the surface of the retaining element. Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the inside of the retaining element. Furthermore, the terms "outer side" and "inner side" are used here for convenience. (For example...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the retainer 1 is configured to have a first member 10, a second member 20, and a connecting structure 30.

[0032] in addition, Figure 3A yes Figure 2 The A-A sectional view (side sectional view) of the retainer 1 shown indicates the state before the second member 20 is installed on the first member 10. Figure 3B Indicates in Figure 3A The cross-section shown depicts the state after the second member 20 is installed following the first member 10. Additionally, Figure 4 From Figure 3B A cross-sectional view of the retainer 1 as viewed from the front side. That is, Figures 1 to 3A This indicates the state before installation. Figure 3B and Figure 4 This indicates the status after installation.

[0033] The following is a detailed description of each part constituting the retaining member 1.

[0034] The first component 10 has a winding portion 11.

[0035] The winding portion 11 is a component for winding at least a portion of the first end and at least a portion of the second end of an article that is to be held.

[0036] Here, the article to be held has a first end and a second end, and each of these ends only needs to be able to be wound onto the winding portion 11 at least partially. For example, cases can be given where the first end and the second end are respectively in the shape of a long rope or a strip, and the shape of the middle portion between the first end and the second end is not particularly limited. Furthermore, articles that are generally in the shape of a rope or a strip can be given as typical examples.

[0037] Furthermore, the winding portion 11 is not particularly limited in shape as long as it can be configured to wind at least a portion of the first end and at least a portion of the second end of such an article. The shape of the winding portion 11 is preferably a columnar shape with a predetermined diameter to facilitate winding of the end of the article; for example, shapes such as square prisms, triangular prisms, and other polygonal prisms, and cylinders can be used.

[0038] From the viewpoint of winding and holding an article, a polygonal prism with corners on the side increases friction at the corners, making it easy to hook and preventing the article from shifting off the winding portion 11, and is therefore preferred.

[0039] Furthermore, when the winding portion 11 is cylindrical, one end of the cylindrical portion can be used to wind the first end of the article, and the other end can be used to wind the second end of the article. In this case, the first end and the second end of the article can be in direct contact at the center of the winding portion 11, or the first end and the second end of the article can be indirectly connected by the winding portion 11 without direct contact.

[0040] Furthermore, the winding portion 11 is preferably formed to extend in a direction (first direction) that is substantially the same as the circumferential direction that constitutes the ring when the article is held in a ring shape. In other words, this first direction can also be referred to as the tangential direction at the holding member 1 of the article held in a ring shape, as will be explained later. Figure 6 Therefore, it is easy to understand this direction. That is, Figure 6 The first direction becomes the left and right directions in this diagram.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first direction described above can also be referred to as the direction in which the openings formed by the notches 13 and 14 of the first member 10 described later are connected (see reference). Figure 2 and Figure 4At this time, since the first end and the second end of the article are respectively wound around the winding portion 11 and the article is held in a loop shape, the winding portion 11 also forms a loop-shaped portion. In this case, it is possible to form a loop shape without applying excessive force from the side of the article, thus making it possible to stabilize the holding member 1 in holding the article.

[0042] Furthermore, at least one of the ends of the winding portion 11 in the first direction may have a protrusion 11a extending in a direction intersecting the first direction. The direction in which the protrusion 11a extends only needs to intersect the first direction, and the angle of intersection is preferably 60 to 120 degrees, more preferably 80 to 100 degrees, even more preferably 85 to 95 degrees, and particularly preferably 90 degrees.

[0043] The protrusion 11a serves to restrict the movement of the article wound around the winding portion 11. This, in particular, prevents the end of the article from shifting axially in the columnar winding portion 11 and falling off. Therefore, the protrusion 11a allows for more stable holding of the article.

[0044] Furthermore, the extending direction of the protrusion 11a is preferably the direction in which it extends toward the second member 20 when the second member 20 is mounted to the first member 10, and more preferably it is configured to extend in the direction of the second member 20. Figure 3B When viewed from the side, the protrusion 11a overlaps with the pressing part 22, which will be described later. This allows the item to be held more stably. Furthermore, it is preferable that the protrusion 11a and the pressing part 22 are in an adjacent position when the second member 20 is mounted on the first member 10.

[0045] Next, the second component 20 is a component that can be installed on the first component 10. Furthermore, by installing the second component 20 on the first component 10, at least a portion of the first end and at least a portion of the second end of the article wound around the winding portion 11 can be maintained in a wound state. That is, by installing the second component 20 on the first component 10, the article can be held in a loop shape.

[0046] The shape of the second component 20 is not particularly limited, as long as it can be installed on the first component 10 and perform the aforementioned functions. For example, such as Figures 1-4 As shown, an example can be illustrated by having a locking part 21 for mounting the second member 20 to the first member 10. In this case, the first member 10 is provided with a locking part 12, which is formed in a shape that allows the locking part 21 to lock it in place.

[0047] When the first member 10 and the second member 20 have locking portions 21 and locked portions 12 in such a way that they can lock into each other, they can be reliably locked in the desired configuration, which is therefore preferred. In this case, the second member 20 can cover at least a portion of the end of the article wound around the winding portion 11, and is locked to the first member 10 in this covered state.

[0048] In addition, Figure 1 and Figure 2 The example shown illustrates a case where the locking part 21 is convex and the locking part 12 is concave, capable of fitting into the convex shape; however, the shapes can also be reversed. Furthermore, the shape is not particularly limited as long as locking is possible.

[0049] Furthermore, an example is shown in which, when the second component 20 is installed onto the first component 10, the first component 10 and the second component 20 are connected by a connecting structure 30 to form a single unit. This connecting structure 30 bends to install the second component 20 onto the first component 10 at a specific position, simplifying the installation operation and eliminating the risk of losing either the first component 10 or the second component 20, thus making it preferable. Moreover, in this embodiment, the connecting structure 30 is not essential and can be a separate component that does not connect the first component 10 and the second component 20.

[0050] As mentioned above, in Figure 3A The image shows the state before the second component 20 is installed on the first component 10. Figure 3B The diagram shows the state after the second component 20 is installed on the first component 10. As shown here, the second component 20 is installed on the first component 10 by bending the connecting structure 30 that connects the first component 10 and the second component 20.

[0051] Furthermore, by attaching the second component 20 to the first component 10, the end of the article is kept wound around the winding portion 11, thus maintaining the article in a loop shape. Here, by providing a pressing portion 22 (first pressing portion) on the second component 20, this function can be stably performed.

[0052] The pressing part 22 is a protruding member provided on the second member 20, and is a member used to restrict the movement of an article not wound on the winding part 11 when the second member 20 is installed on the first member 10. Figure 3B and Figure 4 The pressing part 22 is preferably configured to extend in a direction toward the first member 10 when the second member 20 is mounted to the first member 10, and more preferably is configured to extend in... Figure 3BWhen viewed from the side, it overlaps with the protrusion 11a. This allows the item to be held more stably. Furthermore, it is preferable that the protrusion 11a and the pressing part 22 are in an adjacent position when the second member 20 is mounted on the first member 10.

[0053] like Figure 4 As shown, inside the retainer 1, if the area where the end of the article is wound around the winding portion 11 is defined as the winding area R1, and the unwound area is defined as the non-winding area R2, then the pressing portion 22 is configured to be disposed in the non-winding area R2 (outside the winding portion 11 (protrusion 11a)).

[0054] The pressing part 22 can press down on an item that is about to exit from the opening from the side in the non-winding area R2, thereby restricting the movement of the item and holding it more stably. Furthermore, if the pressing part 22 is too long, the item will be pressed down too forcefully, which may cause the holding to become unstable. Therefore, the pressing part 22 is preferably configured such that... Figure 3B When viewed from the side as shown, it does not overlap with the winding portion 11.

[0055] Furthermore, the pressing part 22 can also prevent the end of the article wound on the winding part 11 from shifting in the axial direction of the winding part 11 and falling off. At this time, in order to further restrict the movement of the article and make it difficult for it to fall off, it is preferable to also provide the pressing part 22 close to the winding area R1 in the non-winding area R2. If the pressing part 22 is provided in this way, the same function can be achieved by using the pressing part 22 even without the above-mentioned protrusion 11a.

[0056] Furthermore, notches 13, 14, 23, and 24 can be provided in the first component 10 and the second component 20, respectively. When the second component 20 is installed on the first component 10, these notches become openings for articles to pass through. That is, in this embodiment, circular openings are formed using notches 13 and 23, and also using notches 14 and 24. Moreover, the shape of the opening is not limited to a circle and is not particularly limited.

[0057] Here, an example is shown where two notches are combined to form an opening, but at least one of the first member 10 and the second member 20 may have a notch to form an opening during installation.

[0058] The opening formed here is preferably formed on the opposing sides of the retainer 1, and more preferably on the axial direction of the winding portion 11. By forming it in this way, the winding portion 11 becomes part of the circumference of the ring of the article being held in a ring shape. Therefore, no unnecessary force is applied to the article from the outside, and it can be held stably.

[0059] Alternatively, the second component 20 may also have a mounting portion 25 for attaching decorative parts in a detachable manner. This mounting portion 25 is provided on the outer surface of the second component 20 and allows the decorative parts to be mounted on the retaining member 1 that holds the article in a ring shape. The decorative parts are detachable and can be replaced from various types of decorative parts as needed.

[0060] In the above description, the mounting part 25 is provided on the second member 20, but it may also be provided on the outer side of the first member 10. However, since the first member 10 has a winding part 11, it is preferable that the mounting part 25 is provided on the second member 20, considering the workability when winding the article.

[0061] Furthermore, the mounting portion 25 is preferably formed as a convex protrusion, for example. In this case, by providing a recess in the decorative component that engages with the protrusion, it can be installed and removed. If a protrusion or recess is pre-formed circumferentially on the protrusion, and a recess in the decorative component that engages with the protrusion or a protrusion that engages with the recess is provided, the installation state can be stabilized. Moreover, if the protrusion is formed from an inwardly flexed material in a two-pronged shape, installation and removal can be easily performed, and the installation state can be more stable, which is therefore preferable.

[0062] Next, further reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 Specifically, the operation of using the retainer 1 to hold the item in a loop is explained. Here, the case of using a rope-like item 100 that extends in a spiral shape (coil shape) as the item is illustrated.

[0063] As an example of the rope-like article 100 used here, an article formed by cutting a cylindrical material with helical slits can be provided. If helical slits are formed and cut simultaneously at two locations, two rope-like articles extending in a helical shape can be obtained. Furthermore, the rope-like article 100 thus obtained has an overall helical shape, with its two ends becoming the first end and the second end. The material forming the rope-like article 100 only needs to be easily deformable and able to be held in a loop by the retaining member 1; a flexible material is preferred.

[0064] first, Figure 5 This is a top view of the first component 10 without the second component 20 installed (viewed from the inside of the retainer 1). The first end 100a and the second end 100b of the rope-like article 100 are respectively wound around the winding portion 11 of the first component 10. Furthermore, in Figure 5 In the diagram, a double-dotted line is used to represent a rope-like object 100.

[0065] At this point, as described above, the first end 100a and the second end 100b can either contact each other directly or be indirectly connected by means of the winding portion 11 without direct contact. Figure 5 The example illustrates situations where there is no direct contact.

[0066] exist Figure 5 In the middle, the first end 100a is wound around the left half of the winding portion 11 and connected to the outside through one (left) opening of the retainer 1, and the second end 100b is wound around the right half of the winding portion 11 and connected to the outside through the other (right) opening of the retainer 1.

[0067] At this time, when winding the end of the rope-like article 100 toward the winding portion 11, considering the retention caused by the friction after winding, it is preferable to wind at least 1 turn (1 pitch) or more. In addition, considering that if the winding portion is too long, it will damage the aesthetics of the article held in a ring shape by the retainer 1 as a decoration, it is more preferable to wind at least 1 turn and less than 2 turns (1 pitch or more and less than 2 pitches), and even more preferably to wind at least 1 turn and less than 1.5 turns (1 pitch or more and less than 1.5 pitches).

[0068] Furthermore, it is preferable that the diameter of the opening of the retainer 1 through which the rope-like article 100 passes is smaller than the outer diameter of the helix of the rope-like article 100. In this way, the rope-like article 100 is pressed down by the opening of the retainer 1, its movement is restricted, and the retainer 1 can stably hold the rope-like article 100. The rope-like article 100 is a rope extending in a helical shape, and is particularly easy to deform when formed of a flexible material, so even a small diameter opening is not a problem.

[0069] Next, as Figure 5 As shown, the second member 20 is installed with the rope-like article 100 wound around the first member 10. By installing the second member 20, the rope-like article 100 can be held in a loop by the retaining member 1. Figure 6 ).

[0070] Items held in a ring shape by retainer 1 can be used for various purposes as decorative items such as bracelets, necklaces, hair ties, keychains, and bangles.

[0071] Furthermore, the retainer 1 is preferably mounted with the second member 20 attached to the first member 10 as described above, so that the interior of the retainer 1 cannot be seen from the outside. This prevents the internal structure of the retainer 1 and the rolled-up state of the article's end from being visible, thus achieving excellent aesthetics. To make it impossible to see from the outside, an opaque material can be used as the material forming the first member 10 and the second member 20.

[0072] In addition, Figure 5 and Figure 6 The example shown is of holding one rope-like item 100, but it is also possible to combine two rope-like items extending in a spiral shape to hold them in a loop. For example, in Figure 7 The illustration shows a variation of the object being in its original state, but here we show an example of combining rope-like objects 101 and 102, which extend in a spiral shape, to form a cylindrical rope-like object. Here, if the rope-like objects 101 and 102 are made of different materials, or if they are made of the same material but with different colors, the tactile feel will be different, and the design will be more sophisticated, which is therefore preferable.

[0073] In addition, Figure 7 An example is shown where a decorative member 110 is mounted on the retainer 1. In this case, the retainer 1 is hidden inside the decorative member 110 and is not shown in the figure. Additionally, in Figure 7 A suspension rope 120 was also added, which allows for installation on various components without the need for loops formed by objects.

[0074] (Modified Example)

[0075] Next, regarding the above-described implementation method, an example that can more stably maintain the item will be described. Figure 8 and Figure 9 The middle section shows the following: Figure 2 The 3D diagram shown and Figure 4 The retainer 1 in the cross-sectional view shown, except for the addition of the pressing part 26 (the second pressing part), becomes a retainer with... Figure 2 and Figure 4 The retainer 1 shown has the same structure. Hereinafter, the description of the same structure will be omitted, and the pressing part 26, which has a different structure, will be described.

[0076] The pressing part 26 is a protruding member provided on the second member 20, and is configured to protrude toward the winding part 11 when the second member 20 is mounted on the first member 10. Figure 4 This serves to restrict the movement of the item wound around the winding section 11.

[0077] The pressing part 26 clamps and presses the end of the article wound around the winding part 11, and the pressing part 26 can perform the above-mentioned function. Therefore, the end of the article wound around the winding part 11 is restricted in its movement and is reliably held by the winding part 11. Therefore, the retainer 1 with this structure can hold the article more stably.

[0078] The pressing part 26 is preferably disposed in a direction extending toward the first member 10 when the second member 20 is installed onto the first member 10, and more preferably disposed in a direction extending toward the first member 10. Figure 3BWhen viewed from the side (in the same direction), it overlaps with the protrusion 11a. This allows the object to be held more stably.

[0079] The invention made by the inventors has been specifically described above based on the embodiments, but the invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from its spirit.

Claims

1. A retainer for holding an article in a ring shape by connecting the first end and the second end of the article having a first end and a second end, wherein, The retainer has a first component and a second component that can be mounted on the first component. The first member has a winding portion capable of winding around at least a portion of the first end and at least a portion of the second end. The second component, by being mounted on the first component, maintains at least a portion of the first end and at least a portion of the second end wound around the wound portion, thereby enabling the article to be held in a loop shape. With the article held in a loop shape, the winding portion is formed to extend along a first direction that is substantially the same as the circumferential direction in which the article forms the loop. The winding portion is configured to hold the article in a loop shape by winding the first end of the article to one end side of the winding portion in the first direction and winding the second end of the article to the other end side of the winding portion in the first direction.

2. The retainer according to claim 1, wherein, The second component is capable of being locked onto the first component while covering at least a portion of the first end of the winding portion and at least a portion of the second end.

3. The retainer according to claim 2, wherein, The second component has a locking part for locking onto the first component. The first component has a locked portion that can be fitted and locked into the locking portion.

4. The retainer according to claim 1, wherein, At least one of the ends of the winding portion in the first direction has a protrusion extending in a direction intersecting the first direction.

5. The retainer according to claim 4, wherein, The second component has a first pressing portion, which, when the second component is mounted on the first component, is used to restrict the movement of the article not wound around the winding portion.

6. The retainer according to claim 1, wherein, The second component has a second pressing portion, which, when the second component is installed on the first component, clamps at least a portion of the first end of the winding portion and at least a portion of the second end of the winding portion between the second component and the winding portion to restrict movement.

7. The retainer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The retainer has a first opening for passage of the first end side of the article and a second opening for passage of the second end side of the article on its opposing sides.

8. The retainer according to claim 7, wherein, At least one of the first and second components has a notch. By mounting the second component onto the first component, the notch forms the first opening and the second opening.

9. The retainer according to claim 7, wherein, The item is a rope-like item extending in a spiral shape. The diameters of the first opening and the second opening are smaller than the outer diameter of the spiral of the article.

10. The retainer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The first component and the second component are connected by a bendable connection structure.

11. The retainer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, By mounting the second component onto the first component, the interior of the retainer cannot be visually confirmed from the outside.

12. The retainer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The outer surface of the retainer has a mounting portion that allows the decorative component to be mounted in a manner that allows the decorative component to be attached and detached.

13. The retainer according to claim 12, wherein, The mounting part is disposed on the second component.

14. The retainer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The item is a rope-like item extending in a spiral shape.

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