Rotation assist tool for rods with full length adjustment mechanism

Abstract

(1) In an automobile, the axles are connected to the body by a suspension (suspension mechanism) so that they can be raised and lowered relative to a neutral height position. Thus, the body can be raised and lowered relative to the axles relative to a neutral height position. As shown in "Reference Figure 1 Showing the Background of the Article," a pair of left and right suspensions may be connected by a connecting rod. The connecting rod extends in the width direction of the automobile, with one end pivotally connected to one suspension (more precisely, a member forming the suspension or a member integrally connected to that member; the same applies below), and the other end pivotally connected to the other suspension. (2) Also as shown in "Reference Figure 1 Showing the Background of the Article," the connecting rod may have an adjustable length using a turnbuckle mechanism. That is, the connecting rod is divided into a first and a second divided rod, and the two divided rods are connected by a connecting member. The center of the connecting member is formed with a telescopic operating part shaped like a bolt head, and both sides of the connecting member are provided with reverse-threaded bolt shafts (first bolt shaft, second bolt shaft), each of which is threaded into a screw hole (not shown) formed on the tip end of each of the split rods. Thus, as additionally shown in "Reference Figure 2 Showing the Background of the Article," by rotating the connecting member in one direction, the connecting rod lengthens, and by rotating the connecting member in the other direction, the connecting rod shortens. (3) As mentioned above, each end of the connecting rod (the base end of each of the first and second split rods) is rotatably connected to each of the left and right suspensions. That is, as shown in the "reference perspective view showing the state in which the article is to be used at use site 1" and the "reference perspective view showing the state in which the article is to be used at use site 2," cylindrical rotating ends are provided at the base ends of the first and second divided rods, and a bolt shaft (not shown) that extends to connect the pair of support plate parts with a bolt and nut passes through a cylindrical hole (not shown) in the rotating end. In this way, each divided rod is connected at its base end so as to be able to rotate (swing).As shown in "Reference Diagram (a) Showing the Non-Use State of the Article at Use Location 1" and "Reference Diagram (a) Showing the Non-Use State of the Article at Use Location 2," a rubber bushing is fitted to the bolt shaft, maintaining the pivot end in its original, predetermined position (located in the center between the pair of support plates and concentric with the pivot support shaft). (4) As shown in "Reference Diagram 1 Showing the Background of the Article," a lock nut is threaded onto each bolt shaft (first bolt shaft, second bolt shaft) of the connecting member connecting the first and second split rods. When the connecting rod is extended or retracted (its overall length is adjusted), both lock nuts are loosened (rotated away from the split rods) and the extension / retraction operating unit is rotated. Once the overall length of the connecting rod has been set to the desired length, the lock nuts are tightened, maintaining the connecting rod at that length, as shown in "Reference Diagram 2 Showing the Background of the Article." (5) However, as shown in the "Reference Diagram (b) Showing the State of the Article in Use Location 1 When Not in Use" and the "Reference Diagram (b) Showing the State of the Article in Use Location 2 When Not in Use," when tightening the lock nuts, both the first and second divided rods also tend to rotate around their own central axes. In this case, the bushings undergo compressive deformation, twisting the first and second divided rods, making it difficult to tighten the lock nuts smoothly. (6) The present article solves the above-mentioned problems. As shown in the "Reference Oblique View Showing the State of the Article in Use Location 1 When in Use" and the "Reference Oblique View Showing the State of the Article in Use Location 2," when tightening the lock nuts, the present article is first fitted between the rotating end and a pair of support plates. That is, as shown in the "Reference Diagram Showing the State of the Article in Use Location 1 When in Use" and the "Reference Diagram Showing the State of the Article in Use Location 2 When in Use," each of the approximately semicircular ring portions of the article is inserted into the gap between the rotating end and each of the support plates. In this way, the pivot end is maintained in the original, predetermined position described above, and the first and second split rods are not twisted, allowing the lock nut to be tightened smoothly, thereby facilitating smooth adjustment of the overall length of the connecting rod.

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