staples

Abstract

The present invention provides a U-shaped nail capable of retaining a stem, a branch or the like of a plant to a guide element, the U-shaped nail including: a main body portion formed of a flexible wire rod and opened in a first direction; a first leg portion continuously extended from a first end portion of one opened side of the main body portion; and a second leg portion continuously extended from a second end portion of the other opened side of the main body portion, the first leg portion having a first portion bent and extended outward, and a second portion bent from the first portion and extended in the first direction, and the second leg portion having a third portion extended in the first direction, and a fourth portion bent outward from a distal end portion of the third portion, the third portion being longer than the second portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a U-shaped nail. Background Technology

[0002] A U-shaped nail is known for holding the stem, column, or branch of a plant or tree onto a guiding element (such as a wire, beam, rope, pole, tube, or branch).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses such a U-shaped nail. The U-shaped nail disclosed in this patent document includes a pair of left and right arms and a convex protrusion disposed between the two arms. By clamping a guide element between the convex protrusions and closing the arms to clamp between the stem, etc., the stem, etc., can be held by the guide element.

[0004] Citation List

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: EP1839482B Summary of the Invention

[0007] Technical issues

[0008] However, the guide element is only sandwiched in the middle by the convex protrusion, so it may detach from the convex protrusion.

[0009] Because the stems, etc., only hold the ends of the closed arms together by overlapping, the arms are easy to open, and the stems, etc., are easy to detach from the arms. In particular, when the stems, etc., grow thicker, or when the weight of the fruit, etc., growing on the stems, etc., increases, the arms may shift in the opening direction, and the aforementioned problems may easily occur.

[0010] Therefore, the object of the present invention relates to providing a U-shaped nail that cannot be detached.

[0011] Solution to the problem

[0012] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, a U-shaped nail is provided, which is capable of holding the stem, branch, etc. of a plant on a guiding element. The U-shaped nail includes: a main body portion that opens in a first direction; a first leg portion that extends continuously from a first end portion, the first end portion being one of the two ends of the main body portion on the opening side; and a second leg portion that extends continuously from a second end portion, the second end portion being the other end of the main body portion on the opening side. The first leg portion includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being curved and extending outward, and the second portion being curved from the first portion and extending in the first direction. The second leg portion includes a third portion and a fourth portion, the third portion extending in the first direction, and the fourth portion being curved outward from the end portion of the third portion. The third portion is longer than the second portion. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1A This is a diagram illustrating an example of a U-shaped nail according to one embodiment;

[0014] Figure 1B This is a diagram showing an example of a U-shaped staple in a bundled state;

[0015] Figure 2A This is a diagram illustrating the steps of a bundling method according to an embodiment;

[0016] Figure 2B This is a diagram illustrating the steps of a bundling method according to an embodiment;

[0017] Figure 2C This is a diagram illustrating the steps of a bundling method according to an embodiment;

[0018] Figure 2D This is a diagram illustrating the steps of a bundling method according to an embodiment;

[0019] Figure 2E This is a diagram illustrating the steps of a bundling method according to an embodiment;

[0020] Figure 2F This is a diagram illustrating the steps of a bundling method according to an embodiment;

[0021] Figure 3A It is an enlarged perspective view showing the state during the binding process;

[0022] Figure 3B It is an enlarged perspective view showing the state during the binding process;

[0023] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing the state in which the stem, etc., are held on the guide element by U-shaped nails;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing another configuration in which the stem, etc., is held on the guide element by a U-shaped nail;

[0025] Figure 6A This is a diagram illustrating an example of a U-shaped nail according to one embodiment;

[0026] Figure 6B This is a diagram showing an example of the U-shaped nail in a bundled state;

[0027] Figure 7A This is a diagram illustrating the steps of a bundling method according to an embodiment;

[0028] Figure 7B This is a diagram illustrating the steps of a bundling method according to an embodiment;

[0029] Figure 7CThis is a diagram illustrating the steps of a bundling method according to an embodiment;

[0030] Figure 7D This is a diagram illustrating the steps of a bundling method according to an embodiment;

[0031] Figure 7E It is an enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing the state in which the first part is bent using the claw;

[0032] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the deformation of a U-shaped nail accompanying the growth of stems, etc.;

[0033] Figure 9A This is a diagram showing an example of a U-shaped staple in a bundled state;

[0034] Figure 9B This is a diagram showing an example of a U-shaped staple in a bundled state;

[0035] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating an example of integrating multiple U-shaped nails;

[0036] Figure 11A This is a diagram illustrating an example of a variant of a U-shaped nail according to an embodiment;

[0037] Figure 11B yes Figure 11A A magnified view of region AR3 in the image;

[0038] Figure 11C Is Figure 11A A cross-sectional view of the U-shaped nail taken along the second plane PL2;

[0039] Figure 12A This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of engaging a modified U-shaped pin with a guide element according to an embodiment;

[0040] Figure 12B This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of engaging a modified U-shaped pin with a guide element according to an embodiment;

[0041] Figure 12C This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of engaging a modified U-shaped pin with a guide element according to an embodiment;

[0042] Figure 12D This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of engaging a modified U-shaped pin with a guide element according to an embodiment;

[0043] Figure 12E This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of engaging a modified U-shaped pin with a guide element according to an embodiment;

[0044] Figure 12F This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of engaging a modified U-shaped pin with a guide element according to an embodiment;

[0045] Figure 12G This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of engaging a modified U-shaped pin with a guide element according to an embodiment;

[0046] Figure 12H This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of engaging a modified U-shaped pin with a guide element according to an embodiment;

[0047] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing an example of a modified U-shaped nail;

[0048] Figure 14 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a U-shaped nail according to one embodiment;

[0049] Figure 15A This is a diagram illustrating the variation in the holding posture of the U-shaped nail according to an embodiment;

[0050] Figure 15B This is a diagram illustrating the variation in the holding posture of the U-shaped nail according to an embodiment;

[0051] Figure 16A This is a diagram showing the cross-sectional construction of a U-shaped nail according to one embodiment;

[0052] Figure 16B This is a diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the U-shaped nail according to an embodiment; and

[0053] Figure 16C This is a diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the U-shaped nail according to an embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0054] In the following description, embodiments of the invention will be illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are examples used to explain the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments.

[0055] [First Embodiment]

[0056] Figure 1A A U-shaped nail 10 according to a first embodiment is shown. Figure 1B The U-shaped nail 10 is shown in a bundled state. The U-shaped nail 10 is formed of a flexible wire (e.g., a metal such as iron wire). With the object to be held, such as a plant stem or branch (hereinafter referred to as "stem, etc. P"), positioned in the U-shaped nail 10, the two ends of the U-shaped nail 10 bend and engage with the guiding element G, as shown. Figure 1B As shown, the stem P can thus be held by the guiding element G. The wire forming the U-shaped nail 10 can be a flexible and ductile wire.

[0057] The U-shaped nail 10 includes a main body 10A, a first leg 10B extending continuously from one end of the main body 10A, and a second leg 10C extending continuously from the other end.

[0058] The main body 10A is the part that connects the first leg 10B and the second leg 10C and surrounds the stem, etc., P. Figure 1B As shown, since the first leg 10B and the second leg 10C are engaged with the same guide element G in the bundled state, the stem, etc., P can be disposed in the area surrounded by the main body 10A, the first leg 10B, and the second leg 10C. Therefore, as long as an opening is provided for disposing of the stem, etc., P, the main body 10A can be formed into various shapes, such as rectangles and parallelograms, depending on the shape of the stem, etc., P. Figure 1A As shown, the main body 10A according to this embodiment is formed with a C-shape or arc shape, thereby opening to the left in the direction of the paper surface. Here, in Figure 1A In this context, the direction from the closed side (right side of the paper surface) of the main body 10A to the open side (left side of the paper surface) (left direction of the paper surface) is called the opening direction D1.

[0059] The first leg 10B and the second leg 10C are parts for engaging with the guide element G.

[0060] like Figure 1A As shown, the first leg 10B includes a first portion 10B1 and a second portion 10B2. The first portion 10B1 is connected to one end 10A1 of the main body 10A, and the first portion 10B1 bends outward and extends outward. The second portion 10B2 bends further from the first portion 10B1 and extends in the opening direction D1.

[0061] The angle α1, or buckling angle, between the first portion 10B1 and the main body 10A is an acute angle of about 90 degrees (e.g., 80 to 90 degrees). The second portion 10B2 includes an end portion for engaging with the guide element G, and its angle with the first portion 10B1, i.e., the buckling angle, is an acute angle of about 90 degrees (e.g., 80 to 90 degrees). By providing the first portion 10B1, the second portion 10B2 is offset outward relative to the main body 10A, and the second portion 10B2 extends in the opening direction D1.

[0062] The first part 10B1 can be referred to as the shoulder. Since the first part 10B1 bends about 90 degrees relative to the main body 10A and extends outward, and the second part 10B2 bends about 90 degrees relative to the first part 10B1 and extends in the opening direction D1, the portion extending from one end of the main body 10A through the first part 10B1 to the second part 10B2 can be referred to as the crank portion.

[0063] Since the second portion 10B2 can be offset, the first portion 10B1 is preferably formed to be shorter than the second portion 10B2. The second portion 10B2 may have a length capable of engaging with the guide element G, and is therefore preferably formed to be shorter than the third portion 10C3, which will be described later.

[0064] The second leg 10C includes a third part 10C3 and a fourth part 10C4. The third part 10C3 is connected to another end 10A2 of the main body 10A, and the third part 10C3 extends in the opening direction D1. The fourth part 10C4 bends outward from the end of the third part 10C3.

[0065] like Figure 1B As shown, the third portion 10C3 is the portion that is bent to close the opening formed by the main body 10A. In its pre-bending state, the third portion 10C3 extends in the opening direction D1, that is, approximately parallel to the second portion 10B2. Therefore, the third portion 10C3 is preferably formed to be longer than the width of the opening formed by the main body 10A (i.e., the distance between the one end 10A1 and the other end 10A2 of the main body) and longer than the second portion 10B2. The largest inscribed circle C1 in the main body 10A corresponds to the maximum dimension of the stem, etc., P, which is assumed to be held by the U-shaped nail 10 without expanding the main body 10A. Therefore, the third portion 10C3 is preferably formed to be longer than the shortest line segment connecting the two intersection points, where the tangent T1 of the inscribed circle C1 intersects the second portion 10B2 and the third portion 10C3. With such a construction, as... Figure 1B As shown, the opening can be closed by causing the end of the third part 10C3 to reach the second part 10B2 without interfering with the inscribed circle C1. The term "buckling" includes not only bending to form as... Figure 1B The curves shown also include those that are bent.

[0066] As described above, the third portion 10C3 is preferably formed as the shortest line segment longer than the two intersection points of the tangent T1 connecting the inscribed circle C1 and the second portion 10B2 and the third portion 10C3. However, when the diameter of the stem, etc., held by the U-shaped nail 10 is smaller than the diameter of the inscribed circle C1, the third portion 10C3 can be formed as shorter than the second portion 10B2. That is, the third portion 10C3 can have a length reaching the second portion 10B2, and its length can be selected according to the diameter of the stem, etc., P to be held.

[0067] The fourth part 10C4 (an example of a “buckled portion”) is the part that engages with the guide element G. The fourth part 10C4 buckles outward (away from the opening) from the end of the third part 10C3, and on the other hand, the third part 10C3 buckles inward (inward) in the direction of closing the opening. Figure 1B Because the buckled third portion 10C3 is elastic in the direction in which the closed opening returns to its widened original position, the fourth portion 10C4 can apply tension to the guide element G in the direction of widening of the opening (i.e., in the direction away from the first leg 10B). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the U-shaped pin 10 from falling off due to the buckling of the guide element G. The fourth portion 10C4 is configured such that the angle (buckling angle) with the third portion 10C3 is an acute angle. The angle between the fourth portion 10C4 and the third portion 10C3 is preferably smaller than the angle α1 between the first portion 10B1 and the main body 10A. With this configuration, the fourth portion 10C4 can be properly hooked onto the guide element G.

[0068] [Binding method using U-shaped nails 10 of a strapping machine 20]

[0069] The following text describes the binding method using U-shaped nails 10 of the strapping machine 20. Figures 2A to 2E This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of engaging the U-shaped staple 10 with the guide element G using a strapping machine 20. Line L1 shown in the figure is a reference line for facilitating comparison of positional changes of the U-shaped staple 10 between the figures. Figure 2F This is a schematic diagram showing the end of the second part 10B2 of the first leg 10B spirally bent as a result of advancing along the groove formed by the first deformable part 20A.

[0070] The strapping machine 20 includes: a first deformation part 20A (clamping part) that bends or flexes the end side of the first leg 10B (second part 10B2) of the U-shaped nail 10; a second deformation part 20B that bends or flexes the third part 10C3 of the second leg 10C, thereby moving the end side of the second leg 10C toward the end side of the first leg 10B; and a pushing part 20C that moves the U-shaped nail 10 in the opening direction D1.

[0071] For example, when the U-shaped pin 10 moves relative to the first deformed portion 20A in the opening direction D1, the first deformed portion 20A can be realized by a spiral or arc-shaped groove portion, which is formed such that the end of the second portion 10B2 surrounds the outer periphery of the guide element G or advances along the outer periphery of the guide element G while drawing a spiral. Since the U-shaped pin 10 is flexible, when the U-shaped pin 10 moves in the opening direction D1, the end of the second portion 10B2 moves in the groove portion of the first deformed portion 20A, while bending and drawing a spiral. Therefore, with the guide element G positioned on the axis of the spiral, by moving the U-shaped pin 10 relative to the first deformed portion 20A in the opening direction D1, the end of the first leg 10B of the U-shaped pin 10 can be formed into a spiral shape surrounding the outer periphery of the guide element G with the guide element G as the axis.

[0072] The groove portion of the first deformable portion 20A is formed in a spiral or arc shape, such that the end of the second portion 10B2 advances along the outer periphery of the guide element G while drawing a spiral, but it is not limited to having a spiral or arc-shaped groove portion. For example, the groove portion can be provided in a cylindrical shape including a top surface and a side surface. The top surface includes an inclined surface that advances in the axial direction as it advances in the circumferential direction. The end of the first leg portion 10B entering the groove portion having this configuration advances in the circumferential direction while advancing in the axial direction along the inclined surface provided on the top surface, and thus draws a spiral. According to such a configuration, the end of the first leg portion 10B can be curved so that a spiral can be drawn even in a cylindrical side surface without a groove. In this way, the end side of the first leg portion 10B can be curved so that the end side of the first leg portion 10B surrounds the guide element G by providing the first deformable portion 20A with a configuration in which the end of the first leg portion 10B is guided in the circumferential direction and advanced in the axial direction.

[0073] The first leg 10B of the U-shaped stud 10 can preferably be engaged with the guide element G by forming a second portion 10B2 of the U-shaped stud 10 to surround at least half or more (preferably one or more turns) the outer periphery of the guide element G.

[0074] Since the first leg 10B of the U-shaped pin 10 contacts the guide element G due to gravity when the guide element G extends horizontally, the U-shaped pin 10 and the guide element G do not need to be in close contact with each other. On the other hand, when the guide element G extends vertically, it is preferable that the U-shaped pin 10 and the guide element G are in close contact with each other, so that the second part 10B2 of the U-shaped pin 10 will not detach from the guide element G due to gravity, and the U-shaped pin 10 is bent or flexed, so that the U-shaped pin 10 is fixed to the guide element G.

[0075] The second deformable portion 20B may include, for example, a guide portion 20B1 and a fulcrum portion 20B2. When the U-shaped nail 10 moves relative to the first deformable portion 20A in the opening direction D1, the guide portion 20B1 abuts against the second leg 10C and causes the second leg 10C to bend in a direction toward the end side of the first leg 10B. The fulcrum portion 20B2 abuts against the inside of the third leg 10C to serve as a fulcrum when bending the second leg 10C. In this embodiment, the U-shaped nail 10 is flexible, and the third portion 10C3 is formed to be longer than the second portion 10B2. For this reason, the guide portion 20B1 can apply sufficient torque to the U-shaped nail 10 to bend the U-shaped nail 10 by increasing the distance between the guide portion 20B1 and the fulcrum portion 20B2.

[0076] The strapping machine 20 also includes a pusher 20C for moving the U-shaped nail 10 in the opening direction D1. The pusher 20C includes a main body pusher 20C1 formed according to the shape of the main body 10A (in this embodiment, it is formed in a curved shape according to the shape of the main body 10A) and a shoulder pusher 20C2 formed according to the shape of the first part 10B1 and having a straight cross section.

[0077] Examples of strapping methods will be described below. However, the construction of the strapping machine is not limited to this disclosure. Known constructions that can bend the U-shaped staple 10 into a similar shape can be used.

[0078] Figure 2A The image shows the U-shaped staple 10 attached to the strapping machine 20. The U-shaped staple 10 does not deform in this state, and therefore has the same... Figure 1A The same construction as shown.

[0079] Subsequently, binding begins with the stem, etc. P, positioned in the U-shaped nail 10 (the area surrounded by the main body 10A, the first leg 10B, and the second leg 10C). The stem, etc. P, and the guide element G extend in substantially the same direction (perpendicular to the paper surface). Figure 2B The image shows the state in which the U-shaped nail 10 moves in the opening direction D1 using the pushing part 20C, thereby causing the end of the second leg 10C in the opening direction D1 to abut against the guide part 20B1, and the second leg 10C to begin to bend.

[0080] As shown in the figure, the contact surface of the guide portion 20B1 that abuts against the second leg portion 10C is formed with an inclined portion (inclined to approach the first leg portion 10B when advancing in the opening direction D1). For this reason, the end side of the second leg portion 10C that abuts against the guide portion 20B1 moves in the direction toward the end of the first leg portion 10B. At this time, the fulcrum portion 20B2 abuts against a predetermined portion on the inner side of the third portion 10C3. For this reason, the third portion 10C3 bends in the direction toward the end of the first leg portion 10B, wherein the portion abutting against the fulcrum portion 20B2 serves as a fulcrum.

[0081] Furthermore, the contact surface of the guide portion 20B1 that abuts against the second leg portion 10C is formed to include a portion that is inclined (inclined to advance in the axial direction when advancing in the opening direction D1) generally in the extending direction of the guide element G and perpendicular to the opening direction D1. Figure 3A The axial direction is the axial direction of the spiral groove portion formed by the first deformed portion 20A. For this reason, the end side of the second leg portion 10C also moves slightly in the axial direction away from the plane including the main body portion 10A while moving toward the end of the first leg portion 10B.

[0082] The means for moving the end portion of the second leg 10C in a direction toward the end portion of the first leg 10B while simultaneously moving it away from the plane including the main body 10A is not limited to the above. For example, such a means may be provided in the first deformable portion 20A. Specifically, it may be provided in the first deformable portion 20A. Figure 3A An inclined surface 20AA is provided at a portion corresponding to the inclined surface 20AA, which is inclined toward the end of the first leg 10B and in a direction away from the plane including the main body 10A. This inclined surface 20AA can be provided at a position where the end side of the second leg 10C abuts. With this configuration, the end side of the second leg 10C moves toward the first leg 10B while abutting the inclined surface 20AA, thereby simultaneously causing the main body 10A to move axially away from the plane including the main body 10A and to move toward the first leg 10B.

[0083] Figure 2CThe diagram shows the U-shaped pin 10 moving further in the opening direction D1 using the pushing part 20C, whereby the end of the second portion 10B2 of the first leg 10B enters the groove of the first deformation part 20A and begins to bend. The guide element G passes through an opening formed in the axial direction (perpendicular to the paper surface). For this reason, when the U-shaped pin 10 moves relative to the first deformation part 20A in the opening direction D1 and the end of the second portion 10B2 enters the groove of the first deformation part 20A, the end of the first leg 10B of the U-shaped pin 10 can deform into a spiral shape surrounding the outer periphery of the guide element G with the guide element G as the axis.

[0084] On the other hand, the connection between the third part 10C3 and the fourth part 10C4 of the second leg 10C abuts against the guide part 20B1 at the start of bending. Subsequently, as bending progresses, the fourth part 10C4 abuts against the guide part 20B1 and is bent. Then, as shown, because the fourth part 10C4 moves on the guide part 20B1, the third part 10C3 abuts against the guide part 20B1 and is bent. At this time, due to the progress of bending, the third part 10C3 and the fourth part 10C4 approach the end of the first leg 10B where the guide element G is provided.

[0085] Figure 2E This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the U-shaped pin 10 is further moved in the opening direction D1 by using the pushing part 20C, thereby allowing the second leg 10C to reach the guide element G and the fourth part 10C4 to engage with the guide element G. Figure 3A This is the perspective view at this moment. (For example...) Figure 2E As shown, when the fourth part 10C4 engages with the guide element G, the opening of the main body 10A closes in the cross-sectional view. Figure 3A As shown, since the inclined surface of the guide portion 20B1 is also formed to be inclined in the axial direction, the end of the second leg portion 10C advances in the axial direction so as to separate from the plane including the main body portion 10A and the first leg portion 10B as bending proceeds. Therefore, when the first leg portion 10B is in a position separated from the part that engages with the guide element G, the second leg portion 10C engages with the guide element G.

[0086] Figure 3B The diagram shows a state in which the first leg 10B and the second leg 10C of the U-shaped nail 10 engage with the guide element G, and then a portion of the component having the groove portion formed with the first deformable portion 20A is moved. Figure 4This is a perspective view showing the state in which the stem, etc., P is held by the guide element G by the U-shaped pin 10. As shown, the first leg 10B is held or fixed to the guide element G by wrapping around it. On the other hand, the second leg 10C hooks onto the guide element G and is movably engaged with it. Since the third part 10C3 is elastic in the direction of closing the opening back to the widened original position, the fourth part 10C4 can apply tension to the guide element G in the direction of widening the opening (i.e., in the direction away from the first leg 10B). Therefore, the possibility of the U-shaped pin 10 falling off the guide element G due to the deflection of the guide element G can be reduced.

[0087] The inventors of this application focused on the following problem: When a U-shaped nail, including a curved main body and a leg extending linearly from the main body, is not provided with a first portion 10B1, it is difficult to press the curved main body in a straight opening direction. Therefore, it is difficult to properly attach the U-shaped nail to the strapping machine and bend the leg, and the provision of the first portion 10B1 cannot be conceived due to trial and error. By providing the first portion 10B1 and pressing it, the U-shaped nail 10 can be pushed out with high precision in the opening direction D1. In this case, the movement accuracy of the U-shaped nail 10 can be improved by providing the first portion 10B1 such that the angle with the main body 10A is 90 degrees to approximately 90 degrees. Figure 2E As shown, since the first part 10B1 is located near the axis of the second part 10B2 compared to the main body 10A, pressing the first part 10B1 can transmit force to the second part 10B2 more effectively than pressing the main body 10A.

[0088] Furthermore, when the U-shaped nail includes a curved main body and legs extending linearly from the main body, it becomes difficult to further widen the main body when the stem, etc., grows to a size corresponding to the inscribed circle of the main body, thus potentially hindering the growth of the stem, etc., P. In the U-shaped nail 10 according to this embodiment, a first portion 10B1 is provided, thereby allowing the connection between the main body 10A and the first portion 10B1 to deform in the direction of widening the main body 10A with a relatively weak force, thereby preventing the problem of inhibiting the growth of the stem, etc., P. On the other hand, since the main body 10A, which may be adjacent to the stem, etc., during growth is curved, the problem of the stem, etc., being damaged by the main body 10A can be prevented.

[0089] In addition, the second part 10B2 and the third part 10C3 are arranged to be approximately parallel to each other, thereby preventing the problem of adjacent U-shaped nails 10 interfering with each other when multiple adjacent stems P are held by the guiding element G.

[0090] In addition, the U-shaped pin 10 can hold or fix the first leg 10B to the guide element G, and can movably engage the second leg 10C with the guide element G.

[0091] As a result, the second leg 10C can easily detach from the guide element G. When the stems, etc., grow, the U-shaped nail 10 can also deform in the extending direction of the guide element G. Furthermore, since the second portion 10B2 is shorter than the third portion 10C3, the second portion 10B2 can be firmly held and fixed to the guide element G; on the other hand, since the third portion 10C3 is longer than the second portion 10B2, the second leg 10C can easily detach from the guide element G by slight movement. For this reason, the workload of workers during and after harvesting or handling the stems, etc., can be reduced.

[0092] Since the third part 10C3 is formed to be longer than the width of the opening formed by the main body 10A, that is, the distance between one end 10A1 and the other end 10A2 of the main body, the opening can be closed by bending the third part 10C3. For this reason, the possibility of the stem, etc., P detaching from the U-shaped nail 10 can be reduced.

[0093] Because the buckling third portion 10C3 is elastic in the direction of returning the closed opening to its widened original position, the fourth portion 10C4 can apply tension to the guide element G in the direction of widening of the opening (i.e., in the direction away from the first leg 10B). Therefore, the possibility of the U-shaped pin 10 dislodging from the guide element G as the guide element G deflects can be reduced.

[0094] like Figure 2E As shown, the fourth part 10C4 surrounds the guide element G and buckles counterclockwise (an example of the "first circumferential direction"), thereby engaging with the guide element G. On the other hand, as... Figure 3B As shown, the second portion 10B2 also bends or buckles counterclockwise (an example of the "first circumferential direction") around the guide element G in order to surround the guide element G. As a result of this construction, the guide element G can be positioned on the inside of the stem P relative to the second portion 10B2, and thus the end of the second portion 10B2 can easily be wound around the guide element G.

[0095] Compared to the case where the deformation of the first leg 10B and the second leg 10C are performed simultaneously, when the deformation of the second leg 10C begins before the deformation of the first leg 10B begins (so that the deformation start timings of the two legs are different from each other), the U-shaped pin 10 can move and bend smoothly. Furthermore, by forming the third part 10C3 to be longer than the second part 10B2, it is easy to make the deformation start timings of the two legs different from each other.

[0096] The means for engaging the first leg 10B with the guide element G is not limited to the method of bending and coiling the second portion 10B2 around the guide element G. For example, the second portion 10B2 of the first leg 10B can be bent at an acute angle to clamp the guide element G in the middle. With this configuration, the first leg 10B can be secured to the guide element G by caulking.

[0097] [Binding method of U-shaped nails 10 without using strapping machine 20]

[0098] According to the first embodiment, the U-shaped nail 10 can also be manually engaged with the guide element G, for example, without using a strapping machine. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the binding state of the U-shaped nails 10 when binding is performed without using a binding machine.

[0099] As shown in the figure, since the connection between the main body 10A and the first part 10B1 is bent, the first leg 10B and the second leg 10C can be properly engaged with the guide element G by engaging the guide element G with the bent portion and the fourth part 10C4 to sandwich the guide element G from both sides in the middle. In addition to the engagement of the fourth part 10C4 with the guide element G, the end portion of the fourth part 10C4 can also be engaged with the first part 10B1 or the second part 10B2.

[0100] In this configuration, the angle α1 formed by the first part 10B1 and the main body 10A can be adjusted by buckling the guide element G. Figure 1A The angle is acute, making it difficult for the guide element G to detach from the buckling portion.

[0101] The angle α1 formed by the first part 10B1 and the main body 10A can be further reduced to clamp the guide element G between the first part 10B1 and the main body 10A, and the first leg 10B can be fixed to the guide element G by caulking. At this time, the first leg 10B can be easily plastically deformed and fixed to the guide element G by grasping the extended second part 10B2. Even after the stem or other P has grown, the U-shaped nail 10 can be easily detached from the guide element G by grasping the extended second part 10B2.

[0102] [Second Embodiment]

[0103] Figure 6A A U-shaped nail 50 according to a second embodiment is shown. Figure 6B An example of the U-shaped nail 50 in a bundled state is shown. Regarding parts that are understood by those skilled in the art, since they are the same as or similar to the description of the U-shaped nail 10 according to the first embodiment, their descriptions will be omitted or simplified, and the main differences will be described.

[0104] The U-shaped nail 50 includes a main body 50A, a first leg 50B extending continuously from one end 50A4 of the main body 50A, and a second leg 50C extending continuously from the other end 50A5.

[0105] The main body 50A has a generally C-shaped or U-shaped opening on one side (to the left of the paper surface) and at least three contact points P1 to P3 circumscribed in the virtual maximum inscribed circle C2. The main body 50A includes a first side portion 50A1 extending at the first contact point P1 on the first leg portion 50B side along the tangent direction (opening direction) of the inscribed circle C2; ​​a second side portion 50A2 extending at the second contact point P2 on the second leg portion 50C side, generally parallel to the first side portion 50A1 along the tangent direction (opening direction) of the inscribed circle C2; ​​and a third side portion 50A3 connecting the first side portion 50A1 and the second side portion 50A2 and extending at the third contact point P3 between contact points P1 and P2 along the tangent direction of the inscribed circle C2. According to this embodiment, the third side portion 50A3 forms an obtuse angle with the first side portion 50A1 and an acute angle with the second side portion 50A2. In other words, the angle α2 between the third side portion 50A3 and the first side portion 50A1 is greater than 90 degrees, and the angle α3 between the third side portion 50A3 and the second side portion 50A2 is less than 90 degrees. Therefore, the third side portion 50A3 is formed to be longer than the distance between one end portion 50A4 and the other end portion 50A5 of the main body portion 50A.

[0106] The first leg 50B and the second leg 50C are parts for engaging with the guide element G.

[0107] like Figure 6A As shown, the first leg 50B includes a first portion 50B1 extending from one end 50A4 of the main body 50A along the tangential direction (i.e., in the opening direction) of the inscribed circle C2 at the first contact point P1, and a second portion 50B2 that bends outward from the first portion 50B1. Since the second portion 50B2 can have the same construction as the first portion 50B1, its detailed description will be omitted. The first leg 50B can be implemented without the first portion 50B1, consisting only of the second portion 50B2 that bends outward from one end 50A4 of the main body 50A.

[0108] like Figure 6B As shown, the third part 50C3 is the portion that is buckled to close the opening formed by the main body part 50A. In its state before buckling ( Figure 6A The third part 50C3 is formed to extend continuously from the second side 50A2 in the opening direction D1.

[0109] In order to close the opening when it is bent, the third part 50C3 is preferably formed to be longer than the width of the opening formed by the main body 50A, that is, the distance between one end 50A4 and the other end 50A5 of the main body.

[0110] In order to close the opening when it is bent to be parallel to the third side 50A3, the third part 50C3 is more preferably formed to be longer than the third side 50A3.

[0111] like Figure 6B As shown, by bending the third portion 50C3 parallel to the third side 50A3, the U-shaped pin 50 forms a parallelogram including the first side 50A1, the second side 50A2, and the third side 50A3. The shape of the parallelogram is determined according to the bending position of the third portion 50C3. In this embodiment, the third portion 50C3 is preferably bent such that the third side 50A3 forms the long side of the parallelogram, and the side including the first side 50A1 and the second side 50A2 forms the short side of the parallelogram. With this configuration, when the stem P in the parallelogram grows, the stem P can first abut against the third side 50A3 or the third portion 50C3 corresponding to the longer side that is easier to bend. For this reason, compared to the case where the stem P abuts against the shorter side that is difficult to bend, the growth of the stem P can be prevented from being inhibited. The figure shows the state in which the growing stem P first abuts against the third side 50A3 and the third portion 50C3.

[0112] The third side 50A3 may have a rectangular shape that forms right angles with the first side 50A1 and the second side 50A2, or it may form an obtuse angle with the first side 50A1 and an acute angle with the second side 50A2.

[0113] [Binding method using a 60mm strapping machine and 50mm U-shaped staples]

[0114] Next, the binding method using U-shaped nails 50 of the strapping machine 60 will be described. Figures 7A to 7D This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of engaging the U-shaped staple 50 with the guide element G using a strapping machine 60. On the left side of each figure, the U-shaped staple 50 (strapping machine 60 not shown) is shown as viewed from a plane parallel to the plane including the main body 50A. Figure 7E This is an enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing the state in which the second part 50B2 of the U-shaped nail 50 is bent and fixed to the guide element G using the claw 60A1 of the strapping machine 60.

[0115] Figure 7A The U-shaped nail 50 shown is similar to Figure 6AThe difference in the U-shaped nail 50 shown is that the second portion 50B2 is buckled to a greater extent. Therefore, the angle between the second portion 50B2 and the straight line including the first side 50A1 (or the first portion 50B1) is 45 degrees or less. However, due to other points having... Figure 6A The structure of the U-shaped nail 50 shown is basically the same, so the same reference numerals are given, and its detailed description is omitted here.

[0116] The strapping machine 60 includes: a claw 60A1 ( Figure 7E The U-shaped pin 50 has a second portion 50B2 for bending; a guide element fixing portion 60A2 for fixing the second portion 50B2 to the guide element G; a second deformation portion 60B for bending a predetermined portion of the second leg 50C of the U-shaped pin 50 so that the end side of the second leg 50C of the U-shaped pin 50 moves toward the end side of the first leg 50B; and a third deformation portion 60C for bending a portion on the end side of the second leg 50C in a direction away from the first leg 50B to form a fourth portion 50C4 (bending portion).

[0117] like Figure 7E As shown, with the guide element G sandwiched between the second portion 50B2 and the first portion 50B1 corresponding to the fixed side wire of the first leg 50B, the claw portion 60A1 applies a load to the second portion 50B2 of the first leg 50B to press the second portion 50B2 downward and fix the first leg 50B to the guide element G. The claw portion 60A1 applies an inclined load to deform the second portion 50B2, so that it does not collide with the fixed side wire 50B1 when the second portion 50B2 is pressed down. The guide element fixing portion 60A2 is provided with a groove-shaped portion surrounded by a bottom surface and two side surfaces to prevent the fixed side wire of the first leg 50B from moving. Figures 7A to 7E In order to clearly show the deformation and positional relationship between the first leg 50B and the second leg 50C, for convenience, one side surface of the bottom surface and the two side surfaces constituting the guide element fixing part 60A2 (which is disposed on the front side of the paper surface) are not shown. Figure 7E The diagram shows the guide element G sandwiched and deformed between the first portion 50B1 and the second portion 50B2, which serve as the fixing side wire. In this embodiment, during the flexing of the second leg 50C, the step of fixing the guide element G to the first leg 50B via the claw portion 60A1 is performed. However, the invention is not limited to this; for example, the flexing of the second leg 50C can begin after the step of fixing the guide element G to the first leg 50B is performed.

[0118] like Figure 7BAs shown, the second deformable portion 60B includes a movable portion 60B1 and a fulcrum portion 60B2. The movable portion 60B1 abuts against the outer side of a portion on the end side of the second leg 50C and moves toward the end side of the first leg 50B while a load is applied to the second leg 50C. The fulcrum portion 60B2 serves as a buckling fulcrum by abutting against the inner side of a portion on the body portion 50A side of the second leg 50C. Since the fulcrum portion 60B2 is fixed at least until the buckling angle becomes the necessary angle, the second leg 50C can buckle according to the movement of the movable portion 60B1, wherein the portion abuts against the fulcrum portion 60B2 as a fulcrum. The fulcrum portion 60B2 can be fixed to the strapping machine 60 or can be moved after buckling.

[0119] The third deformable portion 60C includes a wall portion that abuts against the end-side portion rather than the inner side of the movable portion 60B1. Since the third deformable portion 60C is fixed, the fourth portion 50C4 can be formed by bending the area on the end-side of the second leg 50C in a direction away from the first leg 50B as the movable portion 60B1 moves.

[0120] In the following description, examples of the strapping method will be illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the construction of the strapping machine is not limited to this disclosure. A strapping machine with another construction capable of bending the U-shaped staples 50 into a similar shape may be used.

[0121] Figure 7A The initial state of the U-shaped staple 50 attached to the strapping machine 60 is shown. The U-shaped staple 50 does not deform in this state, and therefore has the same... Figure 6A The same structure is shown. The left side of the attached figure shows the main body 50A, the first leg 50B, and the second leg 50C arranged in the same plane PL.

[0122] Subsequently, binding begins with the stem, etc. P, positioned inside the U-shaped nail 50 (the area surrounded by the main body 50A, the first leg 50B, and the second leg 50C). The stem, etc. P, and the guide element G (not shown) extend in approximately the same direction (perpendicular to the paper surface).

[0123] Figure 7B The diagram shows the movable part 60B1 moving towards the end of the first leg 50B while applying a load to the second leg 50C, thereby causing the second leg 50C to begin bending, with the portion abutting the fulcrum part 60B2 serving as the fulcrum. Additionally, the diagram shows the region at the end of the second leg 50C beginning to bend away from the first leg 50B via the third deformable part 60C, which is to be fixed.

[0124] Subsequently, the distal region of the second leg 50C passes through the gap between the movable portion 60B1 and the third deformable portion 60C, thereby causing the distal region of the second leg 50C to largely buckle to form the fourth portion 50C4. After passing through the gap between the movable portion 60B1 and the third deformable portion 60C, the distal region of the second leg 50C deforms, thus slightly returning due to springback, thereby defining the shape of the fourth portion 50C4. By adjusting the gap between the movable portion 60B1 and the third deformable portion 60C, the angle of the fourth portion 50C4, suitable for hooking and engaging with the guide element G, can be adjusted.

[0125] The movable part 60B1 simultaneously advances along the axial direction (the normal direction of plane PL) so as to tilt relative to plane PL. For this reason, Figure 7B The left side shows the end of the second leg 50C beginning to separate slightly from the plane PL.

[0126] Figure 7C The diagram shows the state of the U-shaped pin 50 after the movable portion 60B1 is closest to the first leg 50B. At this point, the second leg 50C bends until the fourth portion 50C4 passes through the guide element G with one part abutting against the fulcrum portion 60B2, which serves as a fulcrum. In this embodiment, the bend is greater than 90 degrees. The end of the second leg 50C intersects with the second portion 50B2. Furthermore, as shown on the left side of the figure, the end of the second leg 50C is mostly separated from the plane PL.

[0127] Meanwhile, with the guide element G sandwiched between the second part 50B2 and the fixed side wire of the first leg 50B, the claw 60A1 fixes the first leg 50B to the guide element G by pressing and bending the second part 50B2. Figure 7C The left side shows that the end of the second part 50B2 separates from the plane PL as the claw 60A1 presses the second part 50B2 to tilt it from the plane PL.

[0128] Figure 7D The diagram shows the state where the buckling load of the movable portion 60B1 is released and the fourth portion 50C4 returns towards the guide element G via springback. At this time, the guide element G is fixed to the first leg 50B and engages with the second leg 50C. Preferably, the amount of buckling of the second leg 50C is adjusted by the movable portion 60B1 such that the guide element G engages with the fourth portion 50C4 or the connection between the third portion 50C3 and the fourth portion 50C4.

[0129] The operation and effects based on the above-mentioned U-shaped nail 50 and binding method will be described below.

[0130] Figure 8This is a schematic diagram showing the deformation of the U-shaped nail 50 as the stem, etc., P grows. As shown, when the stem, etc., P grows, it can abut against the U-shaped nail 50. At this time, when the U-shaped nail is formed into an arc shape, a larger force is required to widen the U-shaped nail in the radial direction. Therefore, the growth of the stem, etc., P is suppressed. On the other hand, according to this embodiment, the U-shaped nail 50 is formed into a square. For this reason, in many cases, the growing stem, etc., is adjacent to the center of either side. Since the center of the side is easily buckled by a weak force, the growth of the stem, etc., can be prevented from being suppressed compared to the case of an arc-shaped U-shaped nail.

[0131] Furthermore, the U-shaped nail 50 is formed as a parallelogram with a long side. For this reason, in many cases, the growing stem P rests near the center of the long side. Since the area near the center of the long side is more susceptible to weak buckling than the area near the center of the short side, it is possible to further prevent inhibition of stem P growth. The figure schematically shows the state in which the third side 50A3 and the third part 50C3 of the second leg 50C, which are the long sides, buckle first when the stem P temporarily grows to the size of the circle P10.

[0132] Furthermore, the second leg 50C of the U-shaped nail 50 is bent into a parallelogram shape that tilts to the left along the paper surface, as shown in the figure. For this reason, the bending angle α4 of the second leg 50C can be reduced compared to a parallelogram tilted to the opposite side. Therefore, the bending operation of the second leg 50C can be performed quickly and easily.

[0133] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the U-shaped nail 50 can apply tension to the guiding element G based on the deformation caused by the growth of the stem, etc. P.

[0134] Figure 9A The shape of the U-shaped nail 50 before stem and other P growth is shown, and Figure 9B The shape of the U-shaped nail 50 is shown when the stem, etc., grow and the U-shaped nail 50 widens.

[0135] like Figure 9A As shown, since the stem P initially does not abut against the U-shaped pin 50, the first leg 50B of the U-shaped pin 50 holds the guide element G, but the second leg 50C barely contacts the guide element G or engages with the guide element G to the extent that the guide element G is not contacted. However, as Figure 9BAs shown, the U-shaped nail 50 widens due to deformation caused by the growth of the stem, etc., P. Here, the first leg 50B of the U-shaped nail 50 surrounds the guide element G in the figure and bends counterclockwise (an example of the "first circumferential direction"), thereby engaging with the guide element G. On the other hand, the second leg 50C surrounds the guide element G and bends clockwise (an example of the "second circumferential direction"). For this reason, tension acts between the portion of the guide element G that engages with the first leg 50B and the portion of the guide element G that engages with the second leg 50C. For this reason, when the stem, etc., P that needs to be engaged grows, the U-shaped nail 50 can be firmly engaged with the guide element G in a manner that does not easily detach.

[0136] Furthermore, since the second leg 50C extends in a straight line, the U-shaped nail 50 can be easily manufactured. Using the binding method according to this embodiment, the fourth part (bent portion) 50C4 can be formed by bending the second leg 50C in one step. Additionally, parts with the same construction as the U-shaped nail according to the first embodiment can exhibit the same operation and effect.

[0137] [Binding method using U-shaped nails 50 without using a strapping machine 60]

[0138] According to the second embodiment, the U-shaped nail 50 can be manually engaged with the guide element G, for example, without using a strapping machine. That is, as Figure 5 The schematic diagram of the U-shaped nail 10 in the binding state shows that, since the connecting part between the first part 50B1 and the second part 50B2 of the U-shaped nail 50 is bent, the first leg 50B and the second leg 50C can be properly engaged with the guide element G, so that the guide element G is sandwiched between the bent part and the second leg 50C from both sides.

[0139] Even in such a configuration, the angle formed by the first part 50B1 and the second part 50B2 is acute due to buckling, so the guide element G is unlikely to detach from the buckled portion.

[0140] By further reducing the angle between the first part 50B1 and the second part 50B2 and clamping the guide element G between the first part 50B1 and the second part 50B2, the first leg 50B can be fixed to the guide element G by caulking.

[0141] [Variation]

[0142] Various modifications can be made to this invention without departing from its essential principles. For example, some components in the embodiments can be added to other embodiments within the ordinary creative scope of those skilled in the art. Furthermore, in another embodiment, some components in the embodiments can be replaced with corresponding components.

[0143] For example, the curved body portion 10A of the U-shaped nail 10 can be replaced by the body portion 50A of the U-shaped nail 50. In this case, the body portion of the U-shaped nail 10 includes: a first side portion that extends linearly in the opening direction and includes one end of the body portion; a second side portion that includes the other end of the body portion and extends substantially parallel to the first side portion; and a third side portion that connects the first side portion and the second side portion and extends linearly.

[0144] Even using this type of U-shaped nail, the same operation and effect can be achieved as with a U-shaped nail of the same construction. The third side can be a rectangular shape that forms right angles with the first and second sides, or it can form an obtuse angle with the first side and an acute angle with the second side.

[0145] The third side 50A3 of the U-shaped nail 50 can form approximately a right angle with each of the first side 50A1 and the second side 50A2, or it can form an acute angle with the first side 50A1 and an obtuse angle with the second side 50A2.

[0146] The second part 50B2 of the U-shaped nail 50 can be directly connected to the end 50A4 of the main body 50A, or it can be included in the part extending therebetween in the opening direction D1.

[0147] Furthermore, the edges can be connected to the corners of the main body by curves other than arcs. The main body can be formed by connecting curves and straight lines.

[0148] The U-shaped nail 50 may also include a second portion 10B2 of the U-shaped nail 10. In this case, the U-shaped nail 50 further includes a second portion that bends from the first portion and extends substantially parallel to the third portion.

[0149] When the U-shaped nail 50 is also provided with a second part, the second part can be bent so that the guide element G can be held in place using a strapping machine.

[0150] In this case, a strapping machine in which a third deformation portion 60C is further provided in the strapping machine 20 can be used. Such a strapping machine may include: a first deformation portion that bends or flexes one end side of the wire; a second deformation portion that bends or flexes a predetermined portion of the wire to move the other end side of the wire toward the aforementioned one end side; and a third deformation portion that bends or flexes outwards to a portion closer to the other end side than the predetermined portion. By providing an inclined abutment surface as a guide portion 20B1 of the second deformation portion, the second leg can be bent or flexed such that its end moves toward the first leg (towards the inside of the opening), even when the second leg extends in a straight line as in the U-shaped nail 50. In this case, by providing a member fixed as the third deformation portion 60C at the abutment position of the end of the second leg, the end portion of the second leg can be flexed in a direction away from the first leg (towards the outside of the opening) to provide a configuration corresponding to the flexed portion. The first deformable portion is realized by the same clamp as the first deformable portion 20A, so that the end side of the first leg can be bent or flexed to surround the guide element G.

[0151] By using such a strapping machine, a U-shaped nail obtained by further setting a second portion onto the U-shaped nail 50 is attached. This allows for the execution of steps such as using a second deformation portion of the strapping machine to bend or flex a predetermined portion of the second leg of the U-shaped nail to move the end side of the second leg toward the first leg, and using a third deformation portion of the strapping machine to bend or flex a portion closer to the end side of the second leg than the predetermined portion to form a flexed portion. Furthermore, it allows for the execution of steps such as using a first deformation portion of the strapping machine to bend or flex the end side of the second portion of the first leg of the U-shaped nail to surround the guide element. Steps can be performed to engage the formed flexed portion with the guide element and apply tension to the guide element in a direction away from the first leg. The step of holding the guide element can be performed before the step of forming the flexed portion.

[0152] U-shaped nails 10 or 50 can be separated one after another, or they can be connected and integrated with each other. Figure 10 A U-shaped nail structure 500 is shown, which includes a plurality of U-shaped nails 50 stacked overlapping each other and connected by adhesive. As shown, a strapping operation can be performed continuously by integrating multiple U-shaped nails (such as U-shaped nails 10 or U-shaped nails 50) and attaching the integrated U-shaped nails to a cartridge of a strapping machine, etc.

[0153] [First Variation of the First Embodiment]

[0154] In the following text, a first variation of the U-shaped nail 10 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0155] Figure 11AA U-shaped nail 100, a variation of the U-shaped nail 10, is shown. Figure 11B yes Figure 11A The enlarged view of region AR3 shown, and Figure 11C This is a cross-sectional view of the U-shaped nail 10 taken along the second plane PL2, which will be described later. Points having the same construction as the U-shaped nail 10 according to the first embodiment have the same names, and their descriptions will be omitted or simplified; the different parts will be described primarily.

[0156] U-shaped nail 100 is similar to U-shaped nail 10, wherein U-shaped nail 100 includes a main body 100A, a first leg 100B extending continuously from one end of the main body 100A, and a second leg 100C extending continuously from the other end of the main body 100A.

[0157] The main body 100A is the part that connects the first leg 100B and the second leg 100C and surrounds the stem, etc., P, and is formed by, for example, an arc with a central angle of 180 degrees. The stem, etc., P, which is the object to be held, can be a growing plant such as a stem or fruit, or it can be a column.

[0158] The first leg 100B is the portion for engaging with the guide element G. The first leg 100B includes a first portion 100B1 and a second portion 100B2, wherein the first portion 100B1 is connected to one end 100A1 of the main body 100A, bends and extends to the outside of the opening, and the second portion 100B2 further bends from the first portion 100B1 and extends in the opening direction D1. The portion of the main body 100A extending from the aforementioned end 100A1 through the first portion 100B1 to the second portion 100B2 (i.e., the first portion 100B1 and the second portion 100B2) can be referred to as a crank portion. The first leg 100B includes the crank portion. Since the first leg 100B has the same construction as the first leg 10B of the U-shaped nail 10, its detailed description will be omitted.

[0159] Similar to the first embodiment, Figure 11A The direction from the closed side (right side of the paper surface, such as the midpoint of the main body 100A) toward the open side (left side of the paper surface) (the left direction of the paper surface) is called the opening direction D1. By moving the main body 100A relative to the object to be held in the opening direction D1, the main body 100A can be configured to surround the object to be held.

[0160] The second leg 100C is the part used to close the opening of the main body 100A and, in the top view, engages with the guide element G or the first leg 100B by bending it with a strapping machine or manually (by the operator's manual operation).

[0161] The second leg 100C includes a third part 100C3 and a fourth part 100C4, wherein the third part 100C3 is connected to another end 100A2 of the main body 100A and extends in the opening direction D1, and the fourth part 100C4 bends outward from the end of the third part 100C3.

[0162] Part 3, 100C3, is on the floor plan ( Figure 11A The portion of the third portion 100C3 bends and closes at least one opening formed between one end 100A1 and the other end 100A2 of the main body portion 100A. Since the length of the third portion 100C3 is the same as the length of the third portion 10C3 of the second leg 10C of the U-shaped nail 10, its detailed description will be omitted. Therefore, the third portion 100C3 has a length that closes the opening of the main body portion 100A (i.e., a length greater than the distance between the ends 100A1 and 100A2 of the main body portion 100A that are separated in a direction perpendicular to the opening direction D1). Figure 11A As shown, the third portion 100C3 is preferably formed to be longer than the second portion 100B2. In this case, as... Figure 11A As shown, the first leg 100B separates from the tangential plane TP that contacts the second leg 100C at its end in the opening direction D1.

[0163] According to this variant, the third part 100C3 includes a fifth part 100C31 extending linearly from the end 100A2 in the opening direction D1, an end portion corresponding to the end of the third part 100C3, and a sixth part located between the fifth part and the end portion. Here, the fifth part 100C31 extends linearly, and is therefore referred to as the linear part 100C31 for the convenience of this variant.

[0164] The sixth portion corresponds to the portion disposed between the end portion and the fifth portion 100C31 to connect the end portion and the fifth portion 100C31, and which bends toward the first leg 100B side (inner side of the U-shaped nail 10) relative to the fifth portion 100C31. For this reason, the end portion corresponding to the end of the third portion 100C3 and the sixth portion are referred to as the end portion 100C32. It can also be said that the end portion 100C32 is connected to the straight portion 100C31 and corresponds to the portion at the end of the second leg 100C on the opening direction D1 side.

[0165] The straight portion 100C31 is a portion that extends in a straight line generally parallel to the opening direction D1. In this variant, a large portion of the third portion 100C3, including a portion in the direction opposite to the opening direction D1 (e.g., 66% or more of the total length of the third portion 100C3), corresponds to the straight portion 100C31.

[0166] End portion 100C32 is the portion that bends or curves relative to straight portion 100C31 in the direction toward first leg portion 100B. In this variant, the portion of third portion 100C3 on the opening direction D1 side (e.g., 34% or less of the total length of third portion 100C3) corresponds to end portion 100C32.

[0167] As a result of the buckling of the end portion 100C32 relative to the straight portion 100C31, the end portion 100C32 is configured such that a contact point CP exists in the first region AR1 between the second leg 100C (end portion 100C32) and a tangential plane TP perpendicular to the straight line SL passing through the center of the straight portion 100C31 and contacting the second leg 100C (end portion 100C32), wherein the first leg 100B is disposed between the first region AR1 and the second region AR2, the first region AR1 and the second region AR2 being formed by a second plane PL2 including the straight line SL ( Figure 11A (and the example of the "second plane") defines and is perpendicular to the first plane PL1 that passes through the main body 60A, the first leg 100B, and the second leg 100C in the initial state. Figure 12B (and an example of the "first plane"). When the straight section 100C31 includes a slightly deformed portion, the straight line SL passing through the center of the straight section 100C31 can be a straight line approximately connected to the center of the straight section 100C31.

[0168] like Figure 11A As shown, when the wall surface GS of the guide element G is flat and the first leg 100B is engaged approximately perpendicularly with the wall surface GS of the guide element G, the wall surface GS and the tangential plane TP approximately coincide with each other.

[0169] In this variant, since the end portion 100C32 bends relative to the straight portion 100C31 in a direction close to the first leg 100B, the end portion 100C32 of the second leg 100C shifts toward the first region AR1 as it advances in the opening direction D1. However, the end portion 100C32 can bend relative to the straight portion 100C31 in a direction close to the first leg 100B.

[0170] The fourth portion 100C4 (an example of a “bent portion”) is the part intended to engage with the guide element G or the first leg 100B. The fourth portion 100C4 bends outward (away from the opening) from the end 100C32 of the third portion 100C3 (more specifically, the end portion connected to the end of the end 100C32). For this reason, the fourth portion 100C4 bends relative to the end 100C32 to shift toward the second region AR2 side where the first leg 100B is not present.

[0171] As described above, the third part 100C3 is located at the end portion in the opening direction D1, close to the first leg 100B. For this reason, as... Figure 11C As shown, at least two intersecting lines are formed between the second plane PL2 (or a plane parallel to the second plane PL2 and passing through the outer edge of the straight portion 100C31) and the surface of the second leg portion 100C. The first intersecting line is IL1, which is the first intersecting line between the surface of the connection portion between the third portion 100C3 and the fourth portion 100C4 and the second plane PL2 (or a plane parallel to the second plane PL2 and passing through the outer edge of the straight portion 100C31). The second intersecting line is IL2, which is the second intersecting line IL2, which is the surface including the portion of the straight portion 100C31 and the second plane PL2 (or a plane parallel to the second plane PL2 and passing through the outer edge of the straight portion 100C31). The second intersecting line IL2 is separated from the first intersecting line IL1 in a direction opposite to the opening direction D1 (in other words, the first intersecting line IL1 is separated from the second intersecting line IL2 in the opening direction D1). Figure 11C The diagram shows the connection between the third part 100C3 and the fourth part 100C4, which is slightly deformed by the wall surface GS immediately after the second leg 100C and the wall surface GS come into contact with each other at the contact point CP.

[0172] As described above, the second leg 100C can be said to include a straight portion 100C31, an end portion 100C32, and a fourth portion, wherein the straight portion 100C31 is connected to another end portion 100A2 of the main body portion 100A and extends straight in the opening direction D1, the end portion 100C32 is displaced in a direction close to the first leg 100B and contacts the tangential plane TP at the contact point CP, and the fourth portion bends outward from the end portion 100C32 and extends in a direction opposite to the opening direction D1.

[0173] The inventors of this application emphasize the fact that when attempting a binding operation to hold a stem or other object P on the guide element G by engaging the U-shaped pin 10 with the guide element G, the second leg 10C can remain non-flexed in the direction approaching the first leg 10B. Therefore, the inventors envision a configuration in which the second leg 100C is provided with an end 100C32. According to the U-shaped pin 100, the second leg 100C is configured such that the contact point CP exists in the first region AR1 where the first leg 100B is present. For this reason, when the U-shaped pin 100 moves in the opening direction D1, the second leg 100C can be guided to flex in the direction approaching the first leg 100B, as described below.

[0174] [How to use U-shaped nails (100mm) for binding]

[0175] The method of binding the U-shaped nail 100 will be described below. Figures 12A to 12HThis is a schematic diagram showing the state of engaging the U-shaped staple 100 with the guide element G using a strapping machine 110 or manually, as viewed from the top surface (the lower side of the paper surface in the figure) and the side surface (the upper side of the paper surface in the figure). That is, the U-shaped staple 100 can be engaged with the guide element G using a strapping machine 110, or it can be engaged manually with the guide element G when the guide element G is made of a soft material such as drywall.

[0176] The strapping machine 110 includes a pusher 110C for moving the U-shaped staple 100 in a direction substantially corresponding to the opening direction D1. However, the construction of the strapping machine is not limited to this disclosure. A strapping machine with another construction capable of moving the U-shaped staple 100 in the opening direction D1 can be used.

[0177] Figure 12A The initial state of the U-shaped staple 100 attached to the strapping machine 110 is shown. The U-shaped staple 100 does not deform in this initial state, and therefore has the same... Figures 11A to 11C The same structure is shown. As shown in the figure, in the initial state, the main body 100A, the first leg 100B, and the second leg 100C of the U-shaped nail 100 are disposed on the first plane PL.

[0178] Subsequently, binding begins with the stem, etc. P, positioned inside the U-shaped nail 100 (the area surrounded by the main body 100A, the first leg 100B, and the second leg 100C). The stem, etc. P, and the guide element G extend in approximately the same direction (perpendicular to the paper surface). Figure 12B The image shows the state in which the U-shaped nail 100 moves in the opening direction D1 by using the pushing part 110C, whereby the end of the second leg 100C in the opening direction D1 abuts against the wall surface GS of the guide element G, and the second leg 100C begins to bend.

[0179] At this time, the first contact point between the second leg 100C and the wall surface GS is the contact point CP corresponding to the end of the second leg 100C in the opening direction D1. The contact point CP exists in a first region AR1 on the side of the first leg 100B relative to the second plane PL2 including the straight line SL. For this reason, as... Figure 12B As shown, as the second leg 100C moves forward in the opening direction D1, the end 100C32 that receives force from the straight portion 100C31 bends in a direction close to the first leg 100B.

[0180] On the other hand, the first leg 100B is formed to be shorter than the second leg 100C, and in the initial state is separated from the tangent plane TP without intersecting the tangent plane TP. Figure 11AFor this reason, the first leg 100B contacts the wall surface GS only after the second leg 100C begins to contact it. Therefore, before being affected by the reaction caused by the contact between the first leg 100B and the wall surface GS, the second leg 100C can be guided to flex in the direction approaching the first leg 100B or in the direction of opening and closing. In this variant, the first leg 100B engages with the guide element G by snapping into the wall surface GS. To facilitate engagement with the guide element G, the end of the first leg 100B can be formed as a sharp point.

[0181] When the U-shaped staple 100 moves in the opening direction D1 using the pusher 110C of the strapping machine 110, the second leg 100C further bends and approaches the first leg 100B, therefore, as Figure 12C As shown, the second leg 100C (near the connection between the third part 100C3 and the fourth part 100C4) intersects with the first leg 100B in the top view. For this reason, the opening provided by the main body 100A in the initial state can be closed in the top view.

[0182] Figure 12D The diagram shows the state in which the U-shaped pin 100 is engaged with the guide element G. At this time, as shown in the figure, the first leg 100B can pass through the guide element G. The fourth portion 100C4 of the second leg 100C engages with the first leg 100B by hooking onto the first leg 100B.

[0183] As described above, even when using the U-shaped nail 100 according to this variant, the stem P can be held in place by engaging the U-shaped nail 100 with the guide element G while the stem P is surrounded.

[0184] Figure 12E The image shows a held-down state, wherein, as a variation, the main body 100A of the U-shaped nail 100 is bent to be inclined relative to the extending direction of the stem, etc., P. Figure 12D In the shown holding state, the first plane PL1, including the main body 100A, is approximately perpendicular to the extending direction of the stem, etc. P. However, as Figure 12E As shown, when the U-shaped nail 100 is bent such that the plane including the main body portion 100A is inclined relative to the extending direction of the stem, etc., the U-shaped nail 100 can engage with the guide element G.

[0185] Depending on the shape of the stem P, the gap between the main body 100A and the stem P can be uneven. Therefore, the gap between the main body 100A and the stem P can be adjusted by bending the U-shaped pin 100. Here, since the second leg 100C engages with the first leg 100B, the main body 100A is more prone to bending compared to the case where the second leg 100C is fixed to the guide element G.

[0186] Figure 12F An example of a holding state is shown, in which the fourth part 100C4 engages with the first leg 100B using the crank portion of the first leg 100B to hold the object to be held. As shown, the second leg 100C can engage with the first leg 100B by hooking the fourth part 100C4 onto the first part 100B1 of the first leg 100B.

[0187] Figure 12G An example of a holding state is shown, wherein the end of the first leg 100B is bent to hold the object to be held. By bending the end of the first leg 100B, the first leg 100B is less likely to leave the wall that serves as the guide element G. Considering this, the second portion 100B2 of the first leg 100B can be formed as a third portion 100C3 that is longer than the second leg 100C.

[0188] Figure 12H An example of a holding state is shown, in which not only the first leg 100B of the second leg 100C but also the fourth portion 100C4 of the second leg 100C is engaged with the wall surface GS of the guide element G to engage the second leg 100C with the guide element G and hold the object to be held. Force in the direction of opening is applied to the fourth portion 100C4 by the elasticity of the bent third portion 100C3. Therefore, the fourth portion 100C4 can be firmly engaged with the wall surface GS when engaged.

[0189] As described above, the U-shaped pin 100 according to this variant can also engage with the guide element G. Furthermore, the second leg 100C can reliably deform in a direction approaching the first leg 100B.

[0190] As described above, both the first leg 100B and the second leg 100C can engage with the same guide element G, or the first leg 100B can engage with the guide element G, while the second leg 100C can engage with the first leg 100B instead of the guide element G.

[0191] Here, the first leg 100B can have a sharp end to facilitate engagement with the guide element G. This end can be formed so that it is closer to the second leg 100C than the centerline CL, with the apex PP passing through the centerline CL at the center of the second portion 100B2 of the first leg 100B. By forming the apex PP of the end in this way, the second portion 100B2 can easily deflect in the opposite direction to the location of the stem, etc. P. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the straight-shaped portion of the second portion 100B2 from deforming or buckling toward the side where the stem, etc. P is located.

[0192] Even when the strapping is performed by the strapping machine 20 using the U-shaped nail 10, the end of the second portion 10B2 of the first leg 10B can be formed closer to the second leg 10C than the center line CL, wherein the apex PP passes through the center line CL and through the center of the second portion 10B2. By forming the apex PP of the end in this way, the end side of the first leg 10B of the U-shaped nail 10 (the second portion 10B2) can be properly bent or buckled by the first deformation portion 20A (clamping portion).

[0193] [Second Variation of the First Embodiment]

[0194] In the following text, a second variation of the U-shaped nail 10 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0195] Figure 13 A U-shaped nail 120, a variant of the U-shaped nail 10, is shown. Points having the same construction as the U-shaped nail 10 according to the first embodiment have the same names, and their descriptions will be omitted or simplified; the different parts will be described primarily.

[0196] U-shaped nail 120 is similar to U-shaped nail 10, wherein U-shaped nail 120 includes a main body 120A, a first leg 120B extending continuously from one end of the main body 120A, and a second leg 120C extending continuously from the other end of the main body 120A.

[0197] The main body 120A has the same structure as the main body 10A, so its description is omitted.

[0198] The first leg 120B includes a first portion 120B1 and a second portion 120B2, wherein the first portion 120B1 is connected to one end 120A1 of the main body 120A and is bent and extends outward, and the second portion 120B2 is further bent from the first portion 120B1 and extends in the opening direction D1.

[0199] Here, as shown in Figures 1 and 13, the first portion 10B1 of the U-shaped nail 10 and the first portion 120B1 of the U-shaped nail 120 have different structures. Figure 13 As shown, the first part 120B1 differs from the first part 10B1, which includes two buckling portions, in that the first part 120B1 includes four buckling portions.

[0200] That is, as shown in Figure 1, the first part 10B1 includes two buckled portions, namely a portion that buckles and connects to the end of the main body 10A to change direction outward, and a portion that further buckles and connects to the second part 10B2.

[0201] On the other hand, the first portion 120B1 includes four bent portions: a portion that bends and connects to the end 120A1 of the main body portion 120A to change direction outward; a portion that further bends to change direction and extends in a direction opposite to the opening direction D1; a portion that further bends to change direction outward again; and a portion that further bends to connect to the second portion 120B2. Therefore, the first portion 120B1 includes a first portion protruding in the opening direction D1 and a second portion connected to the first portion and protruding in a direction opposite to the opening direction D1.

[0202] The structure of the first part, which connects the main body 120A and the second part 120B2 and extends in the opening direction D1, can be modified differently.

[0203] For example, with Figure 13 Compared to the previous construction, the length of the portion extending in the direction opposite to the opening direction D1 can be increased.

[0204] Alternatively, the first part can be formed to connect to the second part 120B2, such that the outwardly advancing part and the part advancing in the opening direction D1 are alternately repeated.

[0205] Alternatively, the first part can be formed to extend outward in a direction inclined opposite to the opening direction D1 and connect to the second part 120B2. This configuration corresponds to Figure 1A The buckling angle α1 in the first part 10B1 shown is set to an acute angle (e.g., 30 to 60 degrees).

[0206] The U-shaped nail 100 can be modified in various ways. For example, the main body 100A may not be arc-shaped. Different portions may be provided between the straight portion 100C31 and the end portion 100C32. For example, a very short portion may be provided between the straight portion 100C31 and the end portion 100C32 so that it connects to the end portion 100C32 once it is shifted outward from the straight portion 100C31. Different portions may be provided between the main body 100A and the straight portion 100C31. For example, a very short portion with a slight bend may be provided between the main body 100A and the straight portion 100C31 to connect the main body 100A and the straight portion 100C31. Those skilled in the art can modify the U-shaped nail disclosed in this application without prejudice to the essential points of the invention.

[0207] [Third Embodiment]

[0208] The U-shaped nail 200 according to the third embodiment will be described below.

[0209] The inventors of this application focus on the fact that, in the case of the U-shaped nail 50 according to the second embodiment, when the stem, etc., P grows and comes into contact with the U-shaped nail 50, the main body portion 50A can bite into the stem, etc., depending on the type of the stem, etc., P. Therefore, the inventors of this application conceived of a construction for the main body portion 200A, which is bent and connects the end portion 200A1 and the end portion 200A2, such that an opening for inserting the stem, etc., P, as an object to be held, is provided between one end portion 200A1 and the other end portion 200A2.

[0210] Figure 14 A U-shaped nail 200 is schematically illustrated. As shown, the U-shaped nail 200 includes a first leg 200B and a second leg 200C. The first leg 200B includes a first portion 200B1 and a second portion 200B2. The first portion 200B1 is connected to an end 200A1 and extends from the midpoint 200A3 of the body portion 200A toward the opening in the opening direction D1. The second portion 200B2 is configured to bend outward from the first portion 200B1. The second leg 200C includes a third portion 200C3, which is connected to another end and extends in the opening direction D1. The first leg 200B can be implemented by the second portion 200B2 bending outward from the end 200A1 of the body portion 200A, thereby omitting the first portion 200B1.

[0211] According to the U-shaped nail 200, since the main body 200A is curved, the contact area between the U-shaped nail 200 and the stem P can be increased compared to the U-shaped nail 50. For this reason, the U-shaped nail 200 can be prevented from biting into the stem P.

[0212] The detailed construction of the U-shaped nail 200 will be described below. Parts that are the same as or similar to those described in relation to the U-shaped nail according to other embodiments, and therefore will be omitted or simplified by those skilled in the art, will be described primarily as different parts.

[0213] [Main Body Section]

[0214] The main body 200A is the part that surrounds the stem P by inserting the stem P and engaging the U-shaped nail 200 with the guide element G in a tied state (holding state).

[0215] In addition to the structure in which the main body portion 200A according to this embodiment is bent to protrude in a direction opposite to the opening direction D1, it also includes the following structure: The opening direction D1 is the direction from the closed side (right side of the paper surface) of the main body portion 200A to the open side (left side of the paper surface) (left direction of the paper surface). More specifically, in the structure according to this embodiment, the opening direction D1 can also be said to correspond to the direction from the midpoint 200A3 between one end 200A1 and the other end 200A2 of the main body portion 200A toward the opening.

[0216] According to this embodiment, the main body portion 200A is formed generally asymmetrically in the upper half and lower half of the paper surface. More specifically, the main body portion 200A includes a first main body portion 200A4 that bends from near the midpoint 200A3 and connects to one end 200A1, and a second main body portion 200A5 that bends from near the midpoint 200A3 and connects to the other end 200A2. The second main body portion 200A5 is separated from the virtual inscribed circle C3 inscribed in the U-shaped pin 200 at a midpoint including the midpoint 200A6 (an example of "first position on the second main body") between the midpoint 200A3 and the other end 200A2.

[0217] Here, the inscribed circle C3 in the U-shaped nail 200 is inscribed at, for example, at at least one end 200A1 and the other end 200A2 of the U-shaped nail 200. As shown, the middle portion including the second body portion 200A5, at least the midpoint 200A6, is formed to have a diameter larger than the circumference of the inscribed circle C3. Therefore, the midpoint 200A6 is formed with an increased diameter to separate it from the inscribed circle C3 inscribed in the U-shaped nail 200 at one end 200A1 and the other end 200A2, wherein one end 200A1 and the other end 200A2 are separated from the midpoint 200A6, and the midpoint 200A6 is located between the one end 200A1 and the other end 200A2. In the figure, to clearly show the separation of the midpoint 200A6 from the circumference of the inscribed circle C3, the distance between them is schematically drawn to be greater than normal.

[0218] As a result of this construction, as will be described later, the U-shaped nail 200 initially allows the portion other than the midpoint 200A6 to contact the stem P, and as the stem P grows, the portion including the midpoint 200A6 can contact the stem P. Since the midpoint 200A6 is formed with an increased diameter, the growing and larger stem P can appropriately contact the midpoint 200A6. The location of contact with the growing stem P can be a point other than the midpoint 200A6 of the second body portion 200A5. The inscribed circle can be inscribed in the U-shaped nail 200 at points other than the first end 200A1 and the second end 200A2.

[0219] In this embodiment, the first main body portion 200A4 includes an arc portion with a constant radius. Specifically, the first main body portion 200A4 is formed as an arc following a circle (corresponding to the inscribed circle C3) with a central angle of 90 degrees or less, the diameter of which is the distance between end portion 200A1 and the other end portion 200A2. For this reason, the first main body portion 200A4 is adapted to maintain a cross-section having the inscribed circle C3 or a stem smaller than the inscribed circle C3.

[0220] On the other hand, the second main body portion 200A5 is connected to the first main body portion 200A4 near the midpoint 200A3, and connected to the second leg portion 200C at the other end portion 200A2, and is disposed outside the inscribed circle C3 between the midpoint 200A3 and the end portion 200A2. For example, the second main body portion 200A5 is formed as an elliptical arc having a major radius larger than the radius of the inscribed circle C3. Therefore, the second main body portion 200A5 includes: a portion separated from the inscribed circle C3 such that the distance to the virtual inscribed circle C3 increases as the second main body portion 200A5 separates from the midpoint 200A3 and approaches the end portion 200A2; and a portion separated from the inscribed circle C3 such that the distance to the virtual inscribed circle C3 decreases as the second main body portion 200A5 further separates from the midpoint 200A3 and approaches the end portion 200A2. When the entire second main body 200A5 is formed as an elliptical arc, the distance between the inscribed circle C3 and the second main body 200A is the largest at the midpoint 200A6.

[0221] like Figure 14 As shown, in this embodiment, the major axis LAX of the elliptical arc constituting the second main body 200A5 is set on a straight line L3, which connects the center CP3 of the inscribed circle C3 and the connecting portion between the first part 200B1 and the second part 200B2 of the first leg 200B. For this reason, when the U-shaped nail 200 engages with the guide element G near the connecting portion between the first part 200B1 and the second part 200B2, the position furthest from the guide element G and the position where the distance between the inscribed circle C3 and the second main body 200A becomes greatest are both near the midpoint 200A6. For this reason, when the main body 200A of the U-shaped nail 200 engaged with the guide element G tilts as the stem P grows, the stem P can be supported near the midpoint 200A6, which is the position furthest from the guide element G. The elliptical arc is an arc viewed from the tilted direction. For this reason, when at least a portion of the second main body 200A5 has an elliptical arc, the elliptical arc portion can support the stem P along the cylindrical side. Therefore, compared to the case where the stem P is supported by an arc, the stem P can be supported by a longer portion. For this reason, a U-shaped nail that is impossible to bite into the stem P compared to the prior art can be provided.

[0222] As described below, when stems and other parts grow, U-shaped nails 200 are typically used to tilt the stems 10 to 40 degrees relative to the horizontal surface. For this reason, the elliptical arc provided at the second body portion 200A5 is preferably formed such that the tilt angle is within the range of 10 degrees or more and 40 degrees or less, wherein the tilt angle is an arc tilted with the minor axis as the axis of rotation.

[0223] However, the second main body portion 200A5 may have a different curve that approximates an elliptical arc rather than an elliptical arc. For example, the second main body portion 200A5 may have an arc portion with a radius smaller than the radius of the inscribed circle C3.

[0224] The second main body 200A can be formed to have an elliptical arc at a portion thereof. For example, the portion intersecting the straight line L3 can be formed as an elliptical arc, and the elliptical arc can be connected to the midpoint 200A3 and the end point 200A2 by a smooth curve.

[0225] The second main body portion 200A5 can be formed such that it is furthest from the inscribed circle C3 at a portion other than the midpoint 200A6 of the second main body portion 200A5. For example, the second main body portion 200A5 can be formed such that it is furthest from the inscribed circle C3 at a position between the midpoint 200A6 and the midpoint 200A3, or at a position between the midpoint 200A6 and the end portion 200A2. For example, when the first portion 200B1 of the first leg portion 200B is larger than the first portion 200B1 in the opening direction D1... Figure 14 When the structure shown is longer, the connection between the first part 200B1 and the second part 200B2 is located from Figure 14 The second main body portion 200A5 can be formed at a position further away from the inscribed circle C3 between the midpoint 200A6 and the midpoint 200A3, rather than at the midpoint 200A6. Conversely, for example, when the first portion 200B1 of the first leg 200B is formed to be further away from the inscribed circle C3 than the first portion 200B1 in the opening direction D1... Figure 14 When the structure shown is short, the second main body 200A5 can be formed so that it is furthest from the inscribed circle C3 at a position between the midpoint 200A6 and the other end 200A2.

[0226] The main body portion 200A described above is also applicable to U-shaped nails other than U-shaped nail 200. The structure of the main body portion 200A described above can be applied to, for example, U-shaped nail 100 or U-shaped nail 120.

[0227] In the main body portion 200A according to this embodiment, the first main body portion 200A4 and the second main body portion 200A5 are formed asymmetrically. However, as one form of the curved structure of the main body portion 200A, the portions corresponding to the first main body portion 200A4 and the second main body portion 200A5 can be formed symmetrically, and for example, these portions can be formed by arcs having the same radius. Furthermore, as one form of the curved structure of the main body portion 200A, the portion (or at least a portion thereof) corresponding to the first main body portion 200A4 can be formed by an arc having a first radius, while the portion (or at least a portion thereof) corresponding to the second main body portion 200A5 can be formed by an arc having a second radius smaller than the first radius. Furthermore, as one form of the curved structure of the main body portion 200A, the portions corresponding to the first main body portion 200A4 and the second main body portion 200A5 can both be formed by elliptical arcs. For example, an elliptical arc having a major axis LAX as its major axis can be connected to end portion 200A1 and end portion 200A2. Alternatively, the elliptical arc constituting the second main body portion 200A5 may extend to at least a portion of the first main body portion 200A4. According to this configuration, since the contact area with the stem or P is increased compared to the case where the main body portion is formed by connecting line segments, a U-shaped nail capable of preventing it from biting into the stem or P can also be provided.

[0228] [Bend]

[0229] Next, the construction of the curved portion located at the third part 200C3 of the second leg 200C will be described.

[0230] like Figure 14 As shown, in this embodiment, the third part 200C3 may include a bent portion 200C31 and an extension portion 200C32, wherein the bent portion 200C31 is connected to another end 200A2 and bends to shift outward in the opening direction D1 (i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the opening direction D1 and away from the opening), and the extension portion 200C32 bends and connects to the bent portion 200C31 and extends linearly in the opening direction D1.

[0231] According to this construction, the connection between the bent portion 200C31 and the extension portion 200C32 can be used as a fulcrum for bending the third part 200C3. For this reason, the connection between the bent portion 200C31 and the extension portion 200C32 can be referred to as the bending portion. By providing the bending portion at the middle of the third part 200C3, the second leg 200C (third part 200C3) can be easily bent by a strapping machine or manually (by the operator's manual operation). Since the second leg (third part) can be bent in a fixed position, the operability of the strapping operation is improved. Since the second leg (third part) is elastic due to the bent portion 200C31, it is possible to prevent the second leg (third part) from biting into the stem or other parts P, and the stem or other parts P can be reliably held.

[0232] The bending portion 200C31, etc., as described above, is also applicable to U-shaped nails other than U-shaped nails 200. The construction of the bending portion 200C31, etc., can be applied to, for example, U-shaped nails 50.

[0233] [Terminal flexion]

[0234] Next, the construction of the end bend provided at the third part 200C3 of the second leg 200C will be described.

[0235] like Figure 14 As shown, in this embodiment, the third part 200C3 may include an end bend 200C33, which is connected to the extension 200C32 and is displaced outward in the opening direction D1.

[0236] According to this structure, when the second leg 200C (third part 200C3) is bent by manual operation, the second leg 200C (third part 200C3) is easily bent by clamping the end bending part 200C33, thereby improving the operability of the binding operation.

[0237] According to this embodiment, the U-shaped nail 200 can support the stem, etc., at different locations according to the deformation caused by the growth of the stem, etc.

[0238] Figure 15A The posture of the U-shaped nail 200 is shown before the stem and other P-shaped growth occurs. Figure 15B The posture of the U-shaped nail 200 is shown after the stem, etc., P has grown. In the figure, both the stem, etc., P and the guiding element G (not shown) extend upward from below (vertically). Therefore, Figure 15A and 15B The lower part of the image corresponds to the side view, and the upper part corresponds to the top view.

[0239] exist Figure 15A and 15BIn the U-shaped staple 200, the first leg 200B and the second leg 200C engage with a guide element (not shown). As a device for engaging the U-shaped staple 200 with the guide element, a strapping machine such as the strapping machine 60 described above can be used (however, when the U-shaped staple 200 includes the end bend 200C33, the strapping machine 60 may not include the third deformed part 60C), or the strapping operation can be performed manually.

[0240] With the U-shaped nail 200 secured to the guide element, the connecting portion between the first part 200B1 and the second part 200B2 of the first leg 200B engages with the guide element, similar to... Figure 9A As shown. The connection between the end bend 200C33 and the extension 200C32 of the second leg 200C also engages with the guide element. When the second leg 200C does not include the end bend 200C33, the second leg 200C can be engaged with the guide element by manually bending the end of the second leg 200C and hooking the second leg 200C onto the guide element.

[0241] The stem, etc., is thin until it grows fully and therefore does not contact the U-shaped nail 200. As the stem, etc., gradually grows, a portion of it comes into contact with the U-shaped nail 200, such as... Figure 15A As shown. Typically, no large force acts on the U-shaped nail 200 from the stem, etc., P before reaching this state. For this reason, the plane PL3 including the main body portion 200A (through the main body portion 200A) of the U-shaped nail 200 remains substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the stem, etc., P. In this way, the posture of the U-shaped nail 200 when the first leg 200B and the second leg 200C engage with the guide element and the plane PL3 including the main body portion 200A (through the main body portion 200A) is substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the stem, etc., P, is referred to as the first holding posture.

[0242] When the stem P is located at the center of the U-shaped nail 200 and grows into a shape with a circular cross-section, the stem P grows into... Figure 14 When the virtual inscribed circle C3 is sized, the stem P is inscribed in the U-shaped nail 200. However, in many cases, since the stem P is not necessarily located off-center from the U-shaped nail 200 and grows to have a circular cross-section, when the stem P has a cross-section smaller than the inscribed circle C3, the stem P is inscribed in the U-shaped nail 200, such as... Figure 15A As shown.

[0243] Here, the second main body 200A5 is formed with an increased diameter, such that the distance between it and the center CP3 of the virtual inscribed circle C3 is greater than the radius of the inscribed circle C3. More specifically, the second main body 200A5 is formed to include an elliptical arc, the major radius of which is greater than the radius of the inscribed circle C3 on the straight line L3. For this reason, in many cases, the U-shaped nail 200 is inscribed in the stem P at two locations: the area including the contact point 200A7 (an example of the "first point") and the area including the contact point 200A8 (an example of the "second point") spanning the midpoint 200A6 (which is the intersection of the straight line L3 and the second main body 200A5 before contacting the stem P at the midpoint 200A6).

[0244] Assuming that the radius of the stem P is radius PR1 (an example of "first radius"), it can be said that the side surface of the stem P has a cylindrical surface with radius PR1. Therefore, the second body portion 200A5 is formed to include: contact points 200A7 and 200A8 inscribed in the virtual cylindrical surface with radius PR1; and a midpoint 200A6 (an example of "third point") located between these two contact points and separated from the virtual cylindrical surface.

[0245] As the stem P grows, it grows into a cylinder with a radius PR2 greater than the radius PR1. As the stem P grows, its weight is applied to the U-shaped nail 200 (including cases where branches or similar things extending horizontally from the stem P grow and are pressed from above the U-shaped nail 200, and the U-shaped nail 200 is pushed downwards vertically). Here, because the first leg 200B is fixed to the guide element, the main body 200A is bent, causing the portion of the second main body 200A5 not fixed to the guide element to decrease vertically, such as... Figure 15B As shown. For this reason, the plane PL4, including the main body portion 200A (passing through the main body portion 200A), is inclined relative to the extending direction of the stem, etc., P. Here, the second main body portion 200A5 includes a portion formed as an elliptical arc. For this reason, the elliptical arc portion of the second main body portion 200A5, including the midpoint 200A6, can support the stem, etc., P along the side surface of the stem, etc., which is a cylindrical surface with a radius PR2.

[0246] When the extension direction of the stem P is inclined relative to the plane PL4 including the main body 200A (through the main body 200A) and the midpoint 200A6 contacts the stem P due to the bending of the main body 200A in this way, the posture of the U-shaped nail 200 when the first leg 200B and the second leg 200C engage with the guide element is referred to as the second holding posture.

[0247] According to this embodiment, the U-shaped pin 200 is configured such that the main body 200A has an elliptical arc, emphasizing that when the main body 200A is in a second holding posture, tilted relative to the horizontal direction due to the weight of the object to be held, the U-shaped pin 200 is more likely to engage with the object to be held than in a first holding posture where the main body 200A extends in a substantially horizontal direction. With this configuration, since the contact area can be fixed to the cylindrical surface when the main body 200A is tilted, it is possible to prevent the U-shaped pin 200 from engaging with the object to be held.

[0248] Furthermore, the U-shaped nail 200 is elastic due to the bending portion 200C31. For this reason, when the second leg (third part) bends at the bending portion and the extension 200C32 contacts the stem or other parts P, it can prevent the extension 200C32 from biting into the stem or other parts P.

[0249] [Fourth Embodiment]

[0250] The inventors of this application also investigated the cross-sectional structure of a U-shaped nail capable of preventing it from biting into the object. That is, when the U-shaped nail has a circular cross-section, it contacts the object to be held at a single point on the cross-section, making it easy for the U-shaped nail to bite into the object. Furthermore, there is a possibility that the guiding element may not engage with sufficient holding force. Therefore, a cross-sectional structure of a U-shaped nail capable of preventing it from biting into the object and enhancing engagement with the guiding element was examined.

[0251] Specifically, focusing on the fact that in a second holding posture where the main body is tilted relative to the horizontal direction due to the weight of the object to be held, the lower end of the U-shaped pin is more likely to bite into the object to be held. Examining the following cross-sectional shape, which, compared to U-shaped pins with circular cross-sections in the prior art, shows that when the U-shaped pin is tilted, the contact area between the U-shaped pin and the object to be held at the lower end increases without increasing the cross-sectional area (i.e., without increasing material costs).

[0252] Furthermore, the inventors of this application envision a structure in which the shape of the inner surface in contact with the object to be held is different from the shape of the outer surface not in contact with the object to be held, and the cross-section of the U-shaped pin is formed asymmetrically. Specifically, the inventors envision a structure in which the contact area of ​​the portion of the inner surface of the U-shaped pin that contacts the object to be held is increased, and the frictional surface of the outer surface of the U-shaped pin that engages with the guide element is increased.

[0253] The cross-sectional structure of the U-shaped nail will be described below. The cross-sectional structure of the U-shaped nail shown in this embodiment can also be applied to any U-shaped nail disclosed in this application.

[0254] The inventors of this application envision a structure having a cross-sectional shape that, while maintaining the same cross-sectional area as a circular cross-section in the prior art, increases the thickness of the U-shaped nail in the vertical direction and decreases the width of the U-shaped nail in the horizontal direction, thereby serving as a structure for increasing the contact area between the U-shaped nail in a second holding posture and the object to be held.

[0255] Figure 16A An example of a U-shaped nail 400A with this configuration is shown, and a cross-sectional view is shown of the U-shaped nail 400A tilted at 15 degrees in the second holding position, taken near the lower end along a section perpendicular to the extension direction.

[0256] As shown in the figure, the U-shaped nail 400A includes a side portion 400A1 and a side portion 400A2 in its cross-section. In side portion 400A1, the left end on the paper surface corresponding to the inner surface extends linearly in the vertical direction. In side portion 400A2, the right end on the paper surface corresponding to the outer surface extends linearly in the vertical direction. The vertical ends include a circular upper end portion 400A3 and a lower end portion 400A4, which connect the upper and lower ends of side portions 400A1 and 400A2, respectively.

[0257] Here, the up-down direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the plane PL5 passing through the first leg, the second leg, and the main body, while the left-right direction refers to the direction parallel to the plane PL5. Since the U-shaped nail 400A is tilted at 15 degrees relative to the horizontal plane in the figure, the plane PL5 is also tilted at 15 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

[0258] The U-shaped nail 400A has a thickness T1 in the vertical direction perpendicular to the plane PL5 and a width W1 in the horizontal direction parallel to the plane PL5. Here, the thickness T1 is greater than the diameter D1 of a virtual circle having the same cross-sectional area as the U-shaped nail 400A, while the width W1 is smaller than the diameter D1.

[0259] The inventors of this application have confirmed that when the surface of the stem, etc., P moves slightly to the side of the U-shaped nail 400A, causing the U-shaped nail 400A to bite into the surface of the stem, etc., P, which is the object to be held in the figure, the contact area between the surface of the stem, etc., P and the U-shaped nail 400A is greater than the circular cross-section.

[0260] Therefore, according to having Figure 16A The U-shaped nail 400A with a cross-section can increase the contact area between the U-shaped nail and the object to be held and prevent the U-shaped nail from biting in, compared with the case with a circular cross-section.

[0261] Figure 16BAn example of a U-shaped nail 400B with this configuration is shown, and similarly, a cross-sectional view of the U-shaped nail 400B taken near its lower end along a section perpendicular to the extension direction when it is tilted 15 degrees in a second holding posture is shown.

[0262] As shown in the figure, the U-shaped nail 400B includes two sides and an upper end and a lower end connecting the two sides, as in the U-shaped nail 400A. However, unlike the U-shaped nail 400A in which the sides, upper end and lower end have edges and are connected to each other, the sides, upper end and lower end here are connected in a circular shape.

[0263] The U-shaped nail 400B has a thickness T2 in the vertical direction perpendicular to the plane PL5 and a width W2 in the horizontal direction parallel to the plane PL5. Here, the thickness T2 is greater than the diameter D1 of a virtual circle having the same cross-sectional area as the U-shaped nail 400B, while the width W2 is smaller than the diameter D1.

[0264] It was also confirmed that, in this U-shaped nail 400B, the contact area between the surface of the stem, etc., and the U-shaped nail 400B is larger compared to the case of a circular cross-section.

[0265] Figure 16C A U-shaped nail 400C is shown, which is configured such that the contact area between the part to be held and the inner surface of the U-shaped nail that contacts the object to be held is increased, and the friction surface between the guide element and the outer surface of the U-shaped nail that engages with the guide element is increased.

[0266] As shown in the figure, in the cross-section, the inner surface of the U-shaped nail 400C includes an elliptical arc portion with its major axis pointing vertically, and the outer surface of the U-shaped nail 400C includes a straight portion extending vertically. Further, the U-shaped nail includes a cross-section comprising an upper end portion connecting the upper end of the elliptical arc portion and the upper end of the straight portion, and a lower end portion connecting the lower end of the elliptical arc portion and the lower end of the straight portion. Here, compared to the curvature of the elliptical arc portion, by reducing the radius of curvature R connecting the upper and lower ends to the straight portion, the straight portion extending vertically is made longer. For example, R is less than half the thickness T3.

[0267] The U-shaped nail 400C may include an inner surface connected by an R to at least one or both of an upper end and a lower end, wherein R is half or more of the thickness T3 in the cross-section. The U-shaped nail may also include an outer surface connected by an R to at least one or both of an upper end and a lower end, wherein R is half or more of the thickness T3. With this configuration, the frictional resistance with a guide element such as a rope can be increased because the straight portion on the outer surface can be made longer. Furthermore, compared to the case of a circular cross-section on the inner surface, the contact area with the object to be held can be increased, thus preventing it from biting into the object.

[0268] The U-shaped nail 400C has a thickness T3 in the vertical direction perpendicular to the plane PL5 and a width W3 in the horizontal direction parallel to the plane PL5. Here, the thickness T3 is greater than the diameter D1 of a virtual circle having the same cross-sectional area as the U-shaped nail 400C, while the width W3 is smaller than the diameter D1.

[0269] It was also confirmed that in this U-shaped nail 400B, the contact area between the surface of the stem, etc., and the U-shaped nail 400B is larger compared to the case of a circular cross-section. Furthermore, by providing a straight portion on the outer side, the friction surface with the guide element can be increased, and the engagement with the guide element can be enhanced.

[0270] As described above, by employing a U-shaped nail with the cross-section shown in this embodiment, it is possible to provide a U-shaped nail that prevents the object to be held from biting in and hardly detaches from the guide element.

[0271] Furthermore, the U-shaped nail disclosed in this application can be modified in various ways by those skilled in the art, demonstrating ordinary inventiveness. For example, the U-shaped nail may have portions that exhibit different functions between certain parts and other parts and are not described in this application. The construction shown in the embodiments can be applied to the construction shown in another embodiment. For example, the cross-sectional construction shown in the fourth embodiment can be provided to the U-shaped nail shown in the first embodiment.

[0272] As stated above, the following is disclosed in this application.

[0273] (1) A U-shaped nail capable of holding a plant stem or branch on a guiding element, the U-shaped nail being made of a flexible wire, the U-shaped nail comprising:

[0274] The main body has an opening on one side;

[0275] A first leg, the first leg extending continuously from one end of the main body on the opening side; and

[0276] The second leg extends continuously from the other end of the main body on the opening side, wherein...

[0277] The first leg includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being flexed and extending outward, and the second portion being flexed from the first portion and extending in an opening direction.

[0278] The second leg includes a third portion and a fourth portion, the third portion extending in the opening direction, and the fourth portion curving outward from the end portion of the third portion.

[0279] The third part is formed to be longer than the second part.

[0280] (2) According to the U-shaped nail described in (1), wherein,

[0281] The third portion is formed to be longer than the distance between one end and the other end of the main body.

[0282] (3) According to the U-shaped nail described in (1), wherein,

[0283] The second part and the third part are formed to be substantially parallel to each other.

[0284] (4) The U-shaped nail according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein,

[0285] The angle between the first part and the main body is an acute angle.

[0286] (5) The U-shaped nail according to (4), wherein,

[0287] The angle between the first part and the main body is 90 degrees or approximately 90 degrees.

[0288] (6) The U-shaped nail according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein,

[0289] The main body includes a portion that is C-shaped.

[0290] (7) The U-shaped nail according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein,

[0291] The main body includes a portion that is formed into a rectangular shape.

[0292] (8) The U-shaped nail according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein,

[0293] The main body includes a portion formed as a parallelogram.

[0294] (9) The U-shaped nail according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein,

[0295] The main body includes: a first side portion extending linearly in the opening direction and including one end portion; a second side portion including the other end portion and extending substantially parallel to the first side portion; and a third side portion connecting the first side portion and the second side portion and extending linearly.

[0296] (10) The U-shaped nail according to (9), wherein,

[0297] The third side forms an obtuse angle with the first side, and the third side forms an acute angle with the second side.

[0298] (11) A U-shaped nail, said U-shaped nail being made of a flexible wire, and said U-shaped nail being capable of holding the stem or branch of a plant on a guiding element, said U-shaped nail comprising:

[0299] The main body has an opening on one side;

[0300] A first leg, the first leg extending continuously from one end of the main body on the opening side; and

[0301] The second leg extends continuously from the other end of the main body on the opening side, wherein...

[0302] The first leg includes a flexed and outwardly extending first portion.

[0303] The second leg includes a third portion extending in the opening direction, and

[0304] The main body has

[0305] At least three contact points circumscribed in the virtual inscribed circle, and including

[0306] The first side portion extends in the tangential direction of the inscribed circle at the first contact point on the side closer to the first leg portion.

[0307] The second side, at the second contact point on the second leg side, extends substantially parallel to the first side in the tangential direction of the inscribed circle; and

[0308] The third side extends in the tangential direction of the inscribed circle at the third contact point between the first contact point and the second contact point.

[0309] (12) The U-shaped nail according to (11), wherein,

[0310] The third side forms an obtuse angle with the first side, and the third side forms an acute angle with the second side.

[0311] The third portion is formed to be longer than the distance between one end and the other end of the main body.

[0312] (13) The U-shaped nail according to (11) or (12), wherein,

[0313] The first leg further includes a second portion that flexes from the first portion and extends generally parallel to the third portion.

[0314] (14) A U-shaped nail, the U-shaped nail being made of a flexible wire, and the U-shaped nail being deformable by a tying machine to hold the stem or branch of a plant on a guide element, the tying machine including a first deformation section and a second deformation section, the first deformation section bending or buckling one end side of the wire, the second deformation section bending or buckling a predetermined portion of the wire to move the other end side of the wire toward the one end side, the U-shaped nail comprising:

[0315] The main body has an opening on one side;

[0316] A first leg, the first leg extending continuously from one end of the main body on the opening side; and

[0317] The second leg extends continuously from the other end of the main body on the opening side, and the second leg includes a flexed portion that bends outward on the end side, wherein...

[0318] The first leg includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being flexed and extending outward, and the second portion being flexed from the first portion and extending in an opening direction. The second portion is bent or flexed such that the distal end of the second portion surrounds the guide element through the first deformable portion, thereby retaining the guide element.

[0319] The second leg includes a third portion that extends in the opening direction and is bent or flexed by the second deformable portion, thereby engaging the flexed portion with the guide element when the stem or branch of the plant is in the U-shaped nail.

[0320] (15) A U-shaped nail, the U-shaped nail being deformable by a binding machine to hold the stem or branch of a plant on a guide element, the binding machine including a first deformation section, a second deformation section, and a third deformation section, the first deformation section bending or buckling one end side of the wire, the second deformation section bending or buckling a predetermined portion of the wire to move another end side of the wire toward the first end side, the third deformation section bending or buckling a portion of the wire closer to the other end side than the predetermined portion is to the other end side outward, the U-shaped nail being made of a flexible wire, the U-shaped nail comprising:

[0321] The main body has an opening on one side;

[0322] A first leg, the first leg extending continuously from one end of the main body on the opening side; and

[0323] The second leg extends continuously from the other end of the main body on the opening side, wherein...

[0324] The first leg includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being flexed and extending outward, and the second portion being flexed from the first portion and extending in an opening direction. The second portion is bent or flexed by the first deformable portion such that the distal end of the second portion surrounds the guide element, thereby retaining the guide element.

[0325] The second leg includes a third portion and a fourth portion, the third portion extending in the opening direction and bent or flexed inward by the second deformation portion, and the fourth portion extending in the opening direction and bent or flexed outward by the third deformation portion, thereby engaging with the guide element when the stem or branch of the plant is located in the U-shaped nail.

[0326] (16) A binding method for holding a stem or branch of a plant on a guiding element, the binding method comprising:

[0327] The steps for attaching U-shaped staples to the strapping machine;

[0328] The U-shaped nail is made of flexible wire and includes

[0329] The main body has an opening on one side;

[0330] A first leg, the first leg extending continuously from one end of the main body on the opening side; and

[0331] The second leg extends continuously from the other end of the main body on the opening side, wherein...

[0332] The first leg includes a flexed and outwardly extending first portion and a second portion flexed from the first portion and extending in the opening direction, and

[0333] The second leg includes a third portion extending in the opening direction and a fourth portion that bends outward from the end of the third portion.

[0334] The strapping machine includes

[0335] A first deformation portion, wherein the first deformation portion bends or buckles one end side of the wire; and

[0336] The second deformation section bends or buckles a predetermined portion of the wire so that the other end side of the wire moves toward the first end side;

[0337] The step of moving the end side of the second leg toward the first leg using the second deformation part of the tying machine while the stem or branch is located in the area surrounded by the first leg, the second leg and the main body;

[0338] The step of using the first deforming part of the strapping machine to bend or flex the end side of the first leg of the U-shaped nail to surround the guide element and thus retain the guide element; and

[0339] The step of engaging the fourth portion with the guide element to apply tension to the guide element in a direction away from the first leg.

[0340] (17) A binding method for holding a stem or branch of a plant on a guiding element, the binding method comprising:

[0341] The steps for attaching U-shaped staples to the strapping machine;

[0342] The U-shaped nail is made of flexible wire and includes

[0343] The main body has an opening on one side;

[0344] A first leg, the first leg extending continuously from one end of the main body on the opening side; and

[0345] The second leg extends continuously in the opening direction from the other end of the main body on the opening side, wherein...

[0346] The first leg includes a flexed and outwardly extending first portion and a second portion that flexes from the first portion and extends in the opening direction.

[0347] The strapping machine includes

[0348] A first deformation section, wherein the first deformation section causes one end side of the wire to bend or buckle;

[0349] A second deformation portion, wherein the second deformation portion bends or buckles a predetermined portion of the wire so that the other end side of the wire moves toward the first end side; and

[0350] The third deformation portion causes the portion closer to the other end side than the predetermined portion to bend or buckle outward;

[0351] In the state where the stem or branch is located in the area surrounded by the first leg, the second leg and the main body, the fourth part is formed by using the second deformation part of the strapping machine to bend or flex the predetermined part of the second leg of the U-shaped nail and move the end side of the second leg toward the first leg, and by using the third deformation part of the strapping machine to bend or flex the part closer to the end side of the second leg than the predetermined part is closer to the end side of the second leg.

[0352] The step of using the first deformation section of the strapping machine to bend or flex the end side of the second portion of the first leg of the U-shaped nail to surround the guide element and thus retain the guide element; and

[0353] The step of engaging the fourth portion with the guide element to apply tension to the guide element in a direction away from the first leg.

[0354] (18) According to the binding method described in (16), wherein

[0355] In the step of bending or flexing to surround the guide element, the distal end of the first leg is bent or flexed around the guide element in a first circumferential direction to surround the guide element, and

[0356] In the step of engaging the buckled portion to the guide element, the fourth portion, which buckles about the guide element in the first circumferential direction, engages with the guide element.

[0357] (19) According to the binding method described in (17), wherein

[0358] In the step of bending or flexing to surround the guide element, the distal end of the first leg is bent or flexed around the guide element in a second circumferential direction to surround the guide element, and

[0359] In the step of joining the fourth portion to the guide element, the buckled portion, which buckles about the guide element in a first circumferential direction opposite to the second circumferential direction, joins the guide element.

[0360] (20) The binding method according to (17) or (18), wherein

[0361] In the step of moving the end side of the second leg in the direction toward the first leg, the end side of the second leg moves in the direction away from the plane including the main body while moving in the direction toward the first leg.

[0362] (21) A U-shaped nail, said U-shaped nail being made of a flexible wire and capable of holding the stem or branch of a plant on a guiding element, said U-shaped nail comprising:

[0363] The main body is curved and has an opening on one side;

[0364] A first leg, the first leg extending continuously from one end of the main body on the opening side; and

[0365] The second leg extends continuously from the other end of the main body on the opening side, wherein...

[0366] The first leg includes a first portion that flexes and extends outward toward the opening and a second portion that flexes from the first portion and extends linearly in the direction in which the opening closes. The second portion is bent or flexed to surround the guide element at its end, thereby retaining the guide element.

[0367] The second leg includes a third portion and a fourth portion, the third portion including a portion that flexes and extends linearly in the direction in which the opening closes, and the fourth portion flexing outward from the end portion of the third portion to apply tension in the direction away from the first leg and engaging with the guide element.

[0368] (22) A U-shaped nail, said U-shaped nail being made of a flexible wire and holding a plant stem or branch on a guiding element, said U-shaped nail comprising:

[0369] Main body;

[0370] A first leg, the first leg extending continuously from one end of the main body; and

[0371] The second leg extends continuously from the other end of the main body, wherein...

[0372] The first leg includes a second portion that extends linearly in the direction of opening closure, and the second portion is bent or flexed to surround the guide element at its end, thereby retaining the guide element.

[0373] The second leg includes a third portion and a fourth portion. The third portion includes a portion that is flexed and extends linearly in the direction in which the opening closes. The fourth portion flexes outward from the end of the third portion to apply tension in a direction away from the first leg and engages with the guide element.

[0374] The main body includes a first side, a second side, and a third side. The first side extends in a straight line from the first leg, the second side extends in a straight line from the second leg approximately parallel to the first side, and the third side forms an obtuse angle with the first side and an acute angle with the second side, thereby connecting the first side and the second side.

[0375] (23) The U-shaped nail according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein,

[0376] The third part includes a fifth part and a sixth part, the fifth part extending linearly in the opening direction, and the sixth part located between the fifth part and the end portion.

[0377] The sixth portion flexes toward the first leg relative to the fifth portion.

[0378] (24) The U-shaped nail according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein,

[0379] The third part includes a straight portion and an end portion, the straight portion extending linearly in the opening direction, and

[0380] The contact point between the second leg and the cutting plane exists in a first region where the first leg is present. The cutting plane is perpendicular to a straight line passing through the center of the straight portion and contacts the second leg. The first region is one of two regions divided by a second plane, which is perpendicular to the first plane passing through the first leg and the second leg, and the second plane includes the straight line.

[0381] (25) The U-shaped nail according to (24), wherein,

[0382] The portion including the end portion is buckled relative to the straight portion to be laterally displaced toward the first region.

[0383] The fourth portion is bent relative to the portion including the end portion to shift toward a second region in which the first leg is absent, the second region being another region among the two regions divided by the second plane.

[0384] (26) The U-shaped nail according to (24) or (25), wherein,

[0385] The first leg is separated from the cutting plane.

[0386] (27) The U-shaped nail according to any one of (23) to (26), wherein,

[0387] The vertex of the end of the second portion in the opening direction is formed to be closer to the second leg than a straight line passing through the center of the second portion.

[0388] (28) A U-shaped nail, said U-shaped nail being made of a flexible wire, and said U-shaped nail causing a guiding element to hold an object to be held, such as the stem or branch of a plant, said U-shaped nail comprising:

[0389] The main body is bent such that an opening is provided between two ends for inserting an object to be held, so as to connect one end to the other end;

[0390] A first leg, which engages with the guide element, and comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being connected to one end of the body portion and extending from the midpoint of the body portion in an opening direction toward the opening, the second portion being outwardly curved from the first portion; and

[0391] The second leg engages with the guide element and includes a third portion that is connected to the other end of the body portion and extends in the opening direction.

[0392] (29) The U-shaped nail according to (28), wherein,

[0393] The main body includes a first main body and a second main body, the first main body bending near the midpoint and being connected to one end, and the second main body bending near the midpoint and being connected to the other end; and

[0394] The second main body is separated from the virtual inscribed circle at a first position on the second main body. The virtual inscribed circle is inscribed in the U-shaped nail at at least two contact points. The at least two contact points are separated from the first position and the at least two contact points sandwich the first position between the at least two contact points.

[0395] (30) The U-shaped nail according to (29), wherein,

[0396] The inscribed circle is inscribed in the U-shaped nail at least at one end and the other end.

[0397] The first main body includes an arc portion formed by an arc having the same radius as the inscribed circle, and

[0398] The second main body includes an elliptical arc portion, which is formed by an elliptical arc having a major radius larger than the radius of the inscribed circle.

[0399] (31) The U-shaped nail according to (30), wherein,

[0400] The major axis of the elliptical arc lies on a straight line passing through the center of the inscribed circle and the connection between the first part and the second part.

[0401] (32) The U-shaped nail according to (28) or (29), wherein,

[0402] The third part includes a curved portion and an extension portion, the curved portion being bent to shift outward as it advances in the opening direction, the extension portion being bent and connected to the curved portion, and the extension portion extending linearly in the opening direction.

[0403] (33) The U-shaped nail according to (32), wherein,

[0404] The third part includes an end bend that is connected to the extension and is displaced outward as it advances in the opening direction.

[0405] (34) The U-shaped nail according to any one of (28) to (33), wherein,

[0406] In a cross-section perpendicular to the extension direction of the U-shaped nail,

[0407] The thickness of the U-shaped nail in the vertical direction perpendicular to the first plane passing through the first leg, the second leg, and the main body is greater than the diameter of the virtual circle having the same cross-sectional area as the U-shaped nail.

[0408] The width of the U-shaped nail in the left-right direction parallel to the first plane passing through the first leg and the second leg is less than the diameter of the virtual circle having the same cross-sectional area as the U-shaped nail.

[0409] (35) A U-shaped nail, said U-shaped nail being made of a flexible wire, and said U-shaped nail causing a guiding element to hold an object to be held, such as the stem or branch of a plant, said U-shaped nail comprising:

[0410] The main body includes a curved portion that is bent such that an opening for inserting an object to be held is provided between two ends, and the curved portion connects one end to the other end.

[0411] A first leg, the first leg being connected to one end of the main body to engage with the guide element; and

[0412] The second leg is connected to the other end of the main body to engage with the guide element, wherein

[0413] The main body has a first point, a second point, and a third point. The first point is inscribed within a virtual first cylindrical surface inscribed in the U-shaped nail. The virtual first cylindrical surface has a central axis perpendicular to a first plane passing through the first leg and the second leg, and the virtual first cylindrical surface has a first radius. The second point is inscribed within the first cylindrical surface, and the third point is located between the first point and the second point and is separated from the first cylindrical surface.

[0414] The U-shaped nail is configured to:

[0415] In a first holding posture, the object to be held is surrounded in a state where the extension direction of the object to be held is substantially perpendicular to the plane including the main body, and the first leg and the second leg engage with the guide element; and

[0416] In the second holding posture, the main body is bent by the growing object to be held, such that the extension direction of the object to be held is inclined relative to the plane including the main body, and the object to be held is surrounded in such a state that a third point contacts the object to be held and the first leg and the second leg engage with the guide element.

[0417] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-183166, filed on October 30, 2020, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-166024, filed on October 8, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0418] List of reference numerals

[0419] 10: U-shaped nail

[0420] 10A: Main body

[0421] 10A1: End

[0422] 10A2: End

[0423] 10B: First leg

[0424] 10B1: Part 1

[0425] 10B2: Part Two

[0426] 10C: Second leg

[0427] 10C3: Part Three

[0428] 10C4: Part Four

[0429] 20: Strapping machine

[0430] 20A: First Deformation Section

[0431] 20B: Second Deformation

[0432] 20C: Promotion Department

[0433] 50: U-shaped nail

[0434] 50A: Main body

[0435] 50A1: First side

[0436] 50A2: Second side

[0437] 50A3: Third side

[0438] 50A4: End

[0439] 50A5: End

[0440] 50B: First leg

[0441] 50C: Second leg

[0442] 50C3: Part Three

[0443] 50C4: Part Four

[0444] 60: Strapping machine

[0445] 500: U-shaped nail structure

Claims

1. A U-shaped nail capable of holding a plant stem or branch on a guiding element, the U-shaped nail being made of a flexible wire, the U-shaped nail comprising: The main body is formed as an arc-shaped bend or as a rectangular shape open in a first direction. The main body includes a first end and a second end, the first end extending in the first direction, and the second end extending in the opposite direction to the first end. A first leg, which extends continuously from the first end of the main body; as well as The second leg extends continuously from the second end of the main body, wherein... The first leg includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being bent outward from a first end, and the second portion being bent outward from the end portion of the first portion and extending in the first direction. The second leg includes a third portion and a fourth portion, the third portion extending from the second end in the first direction, and the fourth portion curving outward from the end of the third portion such that the fourth portion is positioned on the side of the third portion away from the opening. The third part is longer than the second part. The third part includes a fifth part and a sixth part, the fifth part extending linearly from the second end in the first direction, and the sixth part located between the fifth part and the end portion of the third part. The sixth portion flexes toward the first leg relative to the fifth portion.

2. The U-shaped nail according to claim 1, wherein, The third portion is longer than the distance between the first end and the second end of the main body.

3. The U-shaped nail according to claim 1, wherein, The second part and the third part extend generally parallel to each other.

4. The U-shaped nail according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The angle between the first part and the main body is 90 degrees.

5. The U-shaped nail according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The main body is formed in a C-shape.

6. The U-shaped nail according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The vertex of the end of the second part in the first direction is formed to be closer to the second leg than a straight line passing through the center of the second part.

7. The U-shaped nail according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The angle between the first part and the main body is an acute angle.

8. A U-shaped nail capable of holding a plant stem or branch on a guiding element, the U-shaped nail being made of a flexible wire, the U-shaped nail comprising: The main body portion has an opening in a first direction; The first leg extends continuously from a first end, which is one of the two ends of the main body on the opening side. as well as The second leg extends continuously from the second end, which is the other end of the main body on the opening side. The first leg includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being flexed and extending outward, and the second portion being flexed from the first portion and extending in the first direction. The second leg includes a third portion and a fourth portion, the third portion extending in the first direction, and the fourth portion curving outward from the end portion of the third portion. The third part is longer than the second part. The third part includes a fifth part and the end portion, wherein the fifth part is a straight portion extending linearly in the first direction. At least a portion of the fourth part is disposed on a first side of a straight line extending through the center of the fifth part, and wherein the first leg is disposed on a second side of the straight line opposite to the first side. The contact point between the second leg and the tangential plane exists in a first region where the first leg is present. This first region corresponds to the second side of the straight line. The tangential plane is perpendicular to the straight line and contacts the second leg. The first region is one of two regions divided by a second plane, which is perpendicular to the first plane passing through both the first and second legs, and includes the straight line. The portion including the end portion is buckled relative to the straight portion to shift toward the first region, and The fourth portion is buckled to shift relative to the portion including the end portion toward a second region, the second region corresponding to the first side of the straight line, and the second region being one of the two regions divided by the second plane where the first leg is absent.

9. The U-shaped nail according to claim 8, wherein, The first leg is separated from the cutting plane.

10. The U-shaped nail according to claim 8, wherein, The vertex of the end of the second part in the first direction is formed to be closer to the second leg than a straight line passing through the center of the second part.

11. The U-shaped nail according to claim 8, wherein, The third portion is longer than the distance between the first end and the second end of the main body.

12. The U-shaped nail according to claim 8, wherein, The second part and the third part extend generally parallel to each other.

13. The U-shaped nail according to claim 8, wherein, The angle between the first part and the main body is 90 degrees.

14. The U-shaped nail according to claim 8, wherein, The angle between the first part and the main body is an acute angle.

15. The U-shaped nail according to claim 8, wherein, The main body includes a portion that is C-shaped.

16. A U-shaped pin for causing a guiding element to retain an object to be retained, and the U-shaped pin is made of a flexible wire, the U-shaped pin comprising: The main body is bent such that an opening for inserting an object to be held is provided between a first end and a second end, and the main body connects the first end and the second end; A first leg engages with the guide element and includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is connected to the first end of the body portion and extends in an opening direction from the midpoint of the body portion toward the opening. The second portion bends outward from the first portion. as well as The second leg engages with the guide element, and the second leg includes a third portion connected to the second end of the body portion, the third portion extending in the opening direction, wherein... The main body includes a first main body and a second main body. The first main body is bent near its midpoint and is connected to a first end. The second main body is bent near its midpoint and is connected to a second end. When the virtual circle inscribed in the U-shaped pin at at least two contact points is an inscribed circle, the at least two contact points are separated from the midpoint of the second main body, and the at least two contact points sandwich the midpoint of the second main body between the at least two contact points, the second main body is separated from the inscribed circle at the midpoint of the second main body. The third part includes a curved portion and an extension portion, the curved portion being connected to the second end and being bent to shift outward as it advances in the opening direction, the extension portion being bent and connected to the curved portion and extending linearly in the opening direction.

17. The U-shaped nail according to claim 16, wherein, The third part includes an end bend that is connected to the extension and is displaced outward as it advances in the opening direction.

18. The U-shaped nail according to claim 16 or 17, wherein, The inscribed circle is inscribed in the U-shaped pin at least at the first end and the second end. The first main body includes an arc portion formed by an arc having the same radius as the inscribed circle, and The second main body includes an elliptical arc portion, which is formed by an elliptical arc having a major radius larger than the radius of the inscribed circle.

19. The U-shaped nail according to claim 18, wherein, The major axis of the elliptical arc lies on a straight line passing through the center of the inscribed circle and the connection between the first part and the second part.

20. The U-shaped nail according to claim 16 or 17, wherein, The object to be held is the stem or branch of a plant.

21. A U-shaped nail for use in a binding machine, the binding machine including a first deformation section and a second deformation section, the first deformation section being configured to bend or flex one end side of a wire, the second deformation section being configured to bend or flex a predetermined portion of the wire to move another end side of the wire toward the one end side, the U-shaped nail being capable of holding a plant stem or branch on a guiding element, and the U-shaped nail being made of a flexible wire, the U-shaped nail comprising: The main body is formed as an arc-shaped bend or as a rectangular shape open in a first direction. The main body includes one end and another end, the one end extending in the first direction, and the other end extending in the first direction in the opposite direction to the one end. A first leg, the first leg extending continuously from one end of the main body; as well as The second leg extends continuously from the other end of the main body, and includes a flexed portion that flexes outward at the distal end. The first leg includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being flexed and extending outward, and the second portion being flexed from the first portion and extending in the first direction. The second portion is bent or flexed by the first deformable portion such that the distal end of the second portion surrounds the guide element, thereby retaining the guide element. The second leg includes a third portion that extends in the first direction and is bent or flexed by the second deformable portion, thereby engaging the flexed portion with the guide element when the stem or branch of the plant is in the U-shaped nail.

22. The U-shaped nail according to claim 21, wherein, The main body is formed in a C-shape.

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