Locking combination

Abstract

A locking combination comprises a nut structure and a screw. The nut structure comprises a nut head and a fastener. The nut head has a screw hole. The buckling piece and the nut head are arranged along the axis. The fastener comprises a bottom ring and a plurality of elastic arms. The elastic arms are arranged on the bottom ring and arranged around the axis, at least part of each elastic arm extends towards the screw hole, and each elastic arm is provided with an internal thread. The screw is configured to couple the internal thread first and then couple the screw hole. The locking combination can improve the connecting efficiency and the locking strength.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a locking combination. Background Technology

[0002] As people's living standards continue to improve, their demand for the quality of electronic products is also increasing. Faced with the huge demand for electronic products, major manufacturers are also striving to improve their brand's market competitiveness.

[0003] Specifically, in addition to enhancing the functionality and performance of electronic products, how to effectively improve the structural quality of electronic products at low cost is undoubtedly a topic that manufacturers attach great importance to. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a locking assembly that can improve connection efficiency and locking strength.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a locking assembly includes a nut structure and a screw. The nut structure includes a nut head and a snap-fit ​​member. The nut head has a threaded hole. The snap-fit ​​member and the nut head are arranged along an axis. The snap-fit ​​member includes a base ring and a plurality of elastic arms. The elastic arms are disposed on the base ring and arranged about the axis, each elastic arm extending at least partially toward the threaded hole, and each elastic arm has an internal thread. The screw is configured to couple the internal thread first and then the threaded hole.

[0006] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the nut head described above includes a body and a wall. The body has opposing first and second sides, with a screw hole located on the first side. The body further has a screwdriver hole located on the second side and aligned axially with the screw hole. The wall connects to the first side and surrounds the resilient arm and abuts against the bottom ring.

[0007] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the wall and the elastic arm are separated from each other.

[0008] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the wall has a first length along the axis, and the elastic arms have a second length at the ends of the wall away from the main body along the axis, wherein the first length is greater than the second length.

[0009] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the aforementioned main body and elastic arm are separated from each other.

[0010] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the locking assembly further includes a limiting sleeve. The limiting sleeve includes a collar and a plurality of protrusions. The collar is located between the wall and the elastic arm. The protrusions connect to the collar and are respectively located between adjacent elastic arms. The screw includes a threaded section and a body section. The threaded section has an external thread configured to first couple an internal thread and then a threaded hole; the external thread has a first outer diameter. The body section is connected to the threaded section along an axis and has a second outer diameter larger than the first outer diameter; the body section is configured to abut against the protrusions and push the limiting sleeve to move relative to the elastic arm along the axis.

[0011] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the aforementioned body segment has a support surface that is annular and surrounds the threaded segment. The support surface is configured to abut against the protrusion and push the limiting sleeve to move relative to the elastic arm along the axis.

[0012] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, each of the above-described elastic arms includes a threaded portion and a connecting portion, the connecting portion being connected between the threaded portion and the bottom ring, a corresponding one of the internal threads being located in the threaded portion, and a collar being configured to at least partially press against the threaded portion.

[0013] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, each of the above-mentioned protrusions is spaced from the axis by a distance, which is twice the first outer diameter but less than the second outer diameter.

[0014] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the elastic arms and protrusions described above are evenly distributed around the axis.

[0015] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the bottom ring and the elastic arm are integrally formed.

[0016] The above-described embodiments of the present invention have at least the following advantages:

[0017] (1) When assembling the nut structure with the screw, the threaded section of the screw is first at least partially pressed between the elastic arms and against the threaded portion of the elastic arms, so as to at least partially and slightly elastically expand the elastic arms, and the external thread of the threaded section is coupled to the internal thread of the elastic arm. Through this simple engagement mechanism, a preliminary connection can be quickly formed between the nut structure and the screw. Moreover, since the external thread of the threaded section is coupled to the internal thread of the elastic arm, the nut structure is not easy to loosen from the screw, which effectively improves the efficiency of the nut structure in connecting the screw.

[0018] (2) When the screw hole of the main body is tightly coupled to the threaded section of the screw, the body section of the screw also pushes the limiting sleeve along the axis to the horizontal position of the corresponding threaded part, and the collar of the limiting sleeve at least partially presses against the side of the threaded part opposite to the internal thread, so that the internal thread of the elastic arm is tightly pressed against the external thread of the threaded section, which is beneficial to improve the locking strength of the nut structure and the screw. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 A perspective view of a locking assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided, wherein screws are omitted;

[0020] Figure 2 To illustrate along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of line segment AA;

[0021] Figure 3 For illustration Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the locking assembly, in which the nut head is omitted;

[0022] Figures 4-7 For illustration Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the application process of the locking combination.

[0023] [Symbol Explanation]

[0024] 100: Locking Combination

[0025] 110: Nut Structure

[0026] 111: Nut head

[0027] 112: Main Body

[0028] 112A: First side

[0029] 112B: Second side

[0030] 113: Wall

[0031] 116: Fasteners

[0032] 117: Bottom ring

[0033] 118: Flexible Arm

[0034] 1181: Threaded section

[0035] 1182: Connecting part

[0036] 120: Screws

[0037] 121: Threaded section

[0038] 122: Ontology segment

[0039] 122S: Supporting surface

[0040] 130: Limiting sleeve

[0041] 131: Ring

[0042] 132: Protrusion

[0043] AA: line segment

[0044] D1: First outer diameter

[0045] D2: Second outer diameter

[0046] HP: Screwdriver hole

[0047] HS: Screw hole

[0048] L1: First Length

[0049] L2: Second Length

[0050] R: Distance

[0051] SI: Internal thread

[0052] SO: External thread

[0053] XL: Axis Detailed Implementation

[0054] The following describes several embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. For clarity, many practical details will be described in the following description. However, it should be understood that these practical details are not intended to limit the invention. That is, in some embodiments of the invention, these practical details are not essential. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, some conventional structures and elements will be shown in the drawings in a simple schematic manner, and in all drawings, the same reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar elements. And, where feasible, features of different embodiments can be interchanged.

[0055] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have their ordinary meanings, meanings that are understandable to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the definitions of the foregoing terms in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted in the context of this specification as having the meaning consistent with the relevant field of this invention. Unless specifically defined, these terms will not be construed as having idealized or overly formal meanings.

[0056] Please refer to Figures 1-3 . Figure 1 For the purpose of illustrating a perspective view of a locking assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, screws 120 are omitted. Figure 2 To illustrate along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of line segment AA. Figure 3 For illustration Figure 1 A perspective view of the locking assembly 100, wherein the nut head 111 is omitted. In this embodiment, as... Figures 1-3 As shown, a locking assembly 100 includes a nut structure 110, a limiting sleeve 130, and a screw 120 (the screw 120 is not shown for clarity in the drawings). Figures 1-3 Please see Figures 4-7The nut structure 110 includes a nut head 111 and a snap-fit ​​member 116. The nut head 111 has a threaded hole HS. The snap-fit ​​member 116 is arranged with the nut head 111 along an axis XL. The snap-fit ​​member 116 includes a bottom ring 117 and a plurality of resilient arms 118. The resilient arms 118 are disposed on the bottom ring 117 and arranged about the axis XL, and each of the resilient arms 118 extends at least partially toward the threaded hole HS of the nut head 111, and each of the resilient arms 118 has an internal thread SI. In practical applications, the bottom ring 117 and the resilient arms 118 are integrally formed, that is, the snap-fit ​​member 116 is made from the same single piece of material.

[0057] More specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, the nut head 111 includes a body 112 and a wall 113. The body 112 has opposing first sides 112A and second sides 112B, with a screw hole HS located on the first side 112A of the body 112. The body 112 further has a screwdriver hole HP located on the second side 112B of the body 112 and aligned with the screw hole HS along the axis XL, and the screwdriver hole HP is configured to allow a screwdriver (not shown) to be inserted to turn the nut head 111. The wall 113 connects to the first side 112A of the body 112, and the wall 113 surrounds the resilient arm 118 of the snap fastener 116 and abuts against the bottom ring 117.

[0058] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, the wall 113 of the nut head 111 has a first length L1 along the axis XL, while the elastic arm 118 of the snap fastener 116 has a second length L2 along the axis XL relative to the end of the wall 113 away from the body 112. In this embodiment, the first length L1 of the wall 113 is greater than the second length L2 of the elastic arm 118. That is, the body 112 of the nut head 111 and the elastic arm 118 of the snap fastener 116 are separated from each other. Furthermore, the wall 113 of the nut head 111 and the elastic arm 118 of the snap fastener 116 are also separated from each other. Therefore, the elastic arm 118 of the snap fastener 116 and the nut head 111 do not contact each other, and the nut head 111 does not hinder the elastic deformation of the elastic arm 118 relative to the bottom ring 117.

[0059] Furthermore, such as Figures 2-3 As shown, each of the elastic arms 118 includes a threaded portion 1181 and a connecting portion 1182. The connecting portion 1182 is connected between the threaded portion 1181 and the bottom ring 117, that is, the threaded portion 1181 is away from the bottom ring 117 relative to the connecting portion 1182, and the corresponding one of the internal threads SI is located on the side of the threaded portion 1181 facing the axis XL.

[0060] On the other hand, such as Figures 2-3As shown, the limiting sleeve 130 includes a collar 131 and a plurality of protrusions 132. The collar 131 is located between the wall 113 of the nut head 111 and the elastic arm 118 of the snap fastener 116, and is configured to at least partially abut against the side of the threaded portion 1181 opposite to the internal thread SI. The protrusions 132 connect the collar 131 and are respectively located between two adjacent elastic arms 118, and each of the protrusions 132 is spaced a distance R from the axis XL. In practical applications, the elastic arm 118 of the snap fastener 116 and the protrusions 132 of the limiting sleeve 130 are evenly distributed around the axis XL.

[0061] Please refer to Figures 4-7 . Figures 4-7 For illustration Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the application process of the locking assembly 100. In this embodiment, as described above, the locking assembly 100 further includes a screw 120. Figures 4-7 As shown, screw 120 includes a threaded section 121 and a body section 122, with the body section 122 connected to the threaded section 121 along axis XL. The threaded section 121 has an external thread SO, which has a first outer diameter D1. Furthermore, the body section 122 has a second outer diameter D2. In this embodiment, the second outer diameter D2 of the body section 122 is larger than the first outer diameter D1 of the threaded section 121, such that the body section 122 of screw 120 has a support surface 122S, which is annular and surrounds the threaded section 121.

[0062] Specifically, such as Figure 4 As shown, the nut structure 110 moves toward the screw 120, while the screw 120 partially enters the snap-fit ​​member 116 without coupling the internal thread SI of the elastic arm 118. In this embodiment, the distance R between the protrusion 132 of the limiting sleeve 130 and the axis XL is more than twice the first outer diameter D1 of the threaded section 121; therefore, the threaded section 121 of the screw 120 can pass through the limiting sleeve 130.

[0063] Subsequently, as Figure 5 As shown, the nut structure 110 continues to move toward the screw 120, while the threaded segment 121 of the screw 120 at least partially presses against the elastic arms 118 and against the threaded portion 1181 of the elastic arms 118, thus slightly elastically spreading the elastic arms 118. The external thread SO of the threaded segment 121 couples with the internal thread SI of the elastic arm 118. Through this simple engagement mechanism, a preliminary connection can be quickly formed between the nut structure 110 and the screw 120. Moreover, because the external thread SO of the threaded segment 121 couples with the internal thread SI of the elastic arm 118, the nut structure 110 is not easily loosened from the screw 120, which effectively improves the efficiency of the nut structure 110 connecting to the screw 120.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distance R between the protrusion 132 of the limiting sleeve 130 and the axis XL is less than twice the second outer diameter D2 of the body segment 122. Therefore, the body segment 122 will not pass through the limiting sleeve 130, while the supporting surface 122S of the body segment 122 can abut against the protrusion 132 of the limiting sleeve 130 and push the limiting sleeve 130 to move relative to the buckle 116 along the axis XL.

[0065] Subsequently, as Figure 6 As shown, the nut structure 110 continues to move toward the screw 120 until the external thread SO of the threaded segment 121 is at least partially located within the threaded hole HS of the body 112. At this point, the user can insert a screwdriver into the screwdriver hole HP of the body 112 and rotate the nut head 111 relative to the screw 120 to further couple the external thread SO of the threaded segment 121 with the threaded hole HS of the body 112. That is, the external thread SO is configured to first couple the internal thread SI of the elastic arm 118 and then the threaded hole HS of the body 112.

[0066] Finally, as Figure 7 As shown, when the screw hole HS of the main body 112 is tightly coupled to the threaded section 121 of the screw 120, the body section 122 of the screw 120 also pushes the limiting sleeve 130 along the axis XL to the level of the corresponding threaded portion 1181. The collar 131 of the limiting sleeve 130 at least partially abuts against the side of the threaded portion 1181 opposite to the internal thread SI, so that the internal thread SI of the elastic arm 118 is tightly pressed against the external thread SO of the threaded section 121, which is beneficial to improve the locking strength between the nut structure 110 and the screw 120.

[0067] In summary, the technical solutions disclosed in the above embodiments of the present invention have at least the following advantages:

[0068] (1) When assembling the nut structure with the screw, the threaded section of the screw is first at least partially pressed between the elastic arms and against the threaded portion of the elastic arms, so as to at least partially and slightly elastically expand the elastic arms, and the external thread of the threaded section is coupled to the internal thread of the elastic arm. Through this simple engagement mechanism, a preliminary connection can be quickly formed between the nut structure and the screw. Moreover, since the external thread of the threaded section is coupled to the internal thread of the elastic arm, the nut structure is not easy to loosen from the screw, which effectively improves the efficiency of the nut structure in connecting the screw.

[0069] (2) When the screw hole of the main body is tightly coupled to the threaded section of the screw, the body section of the screw also pushes the limiting sleeve along the axis to the horizontal position of the corresponding threaded part, and the collar of the limiting sleeve at least partially presses against the side of the threaded part opposite to the internal thread, so that the internal thread of the elastic arm is tightly pressed against the external thread of the threaded section, which is beneficial to improve the locking strength of the nut structure and the screw.

[0070] Although the present invention has been disclosed above by way of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A locking assembly, characterized in that, Include: A nut structure, comprising: A nut head having a threaded hole; and A snap-fit ​​element, arranged along an axis with the nut head, the snap-fit ​​element comprising: One bottom ring; and A plurality of elastic arms are disposed on the bottom ring and arranged about the axis, each of the plurality of elastic arms extending at least partially toward the threaded hole, and each of the plurality of elastic arms having an internal thread; and A screw is configured to first couple the plurality of internal threads and then couple the screw hole.

2. The locking assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The nut head includes: A main body having a first side and a second side opposite to each other, the screw hole being located on the first side, the main body further having a sub-hole located on the second side and aligned with the screw hole along the axis; and A wall body, connecting the first side, surrounds the plurality of elastic arms and abuts against the bottom ring.

3. The locking assembly as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The wall is separated from the plurality of elastic arms.

4. The locking assembly as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The wall has a first length along the axis, and the plurality of elastic arms each have a second length along the axis relative to the end of the wall away from the main body, the first length being greater than the second length.

5. The locking assembly as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The main body is separated from the plurality of elastic arms.

6. The locking assembly as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Also includes: A limiting sleeve, comprising: A ring is located between the wall and the plurality of elastic arms; and Multiple protrusions connect the collar and are respectively located between adjacent pairs of the plurality of elastic arms. The screw contains: A threaded segment having an external thread, configured to first couple the internal thread and then the threaded hole, the external thread having a first outer diameter; and A body segment is connected to the threaded segment along the axis. The body segment has a second outer diameter that is larger than the first outer diameter. The body segment is configured to abut against the plurality of protrusions and push the limiting sleeve to move relative to the plurality of elastic arms along the axis.

7. The locking assembly as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The body segment has a support surface that is annular and surrounds the threaded segment. The support surface is configured to abut against the plurality of protrusions and push the limiting sleeve to move relative to the plurality of elastic arms along the axis.

8. The locking assembly as described in claim 6, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of elastic arms includes a threaded portion and a connecting portion, the connecting portion being connected between the threaded portion and the bottom ring, a corresponding one of the internal threads being located on the threaded portion, and the collar being configured to at least partially abut against the threaded portion.

9. The locking assembly as described in claim 6, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of protrusions is spaced a distance from the axis, which is twice the first outer diameter but less than the second outer diameter.

10. The locking assembly as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The plurality of elastic arms and the plurality of protrusions are evenly distributed around the axis.

11. The locking assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom ring and the plurality of elastic arms are integrally formed.

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