Gauge rod coupling tool

Abstract

To provide a gauge rod coupling tool that facilitates operations to attach or remove a gauge rod to and from the gauge rod coupling tool.SOLUTION: One side and the other side clamping arms 5, 5A slidably clamping a gauge rod 4 are provided on both ends of a substrate 3, and one side and the other side fall prevention parts 6, 6A are provided at the ends of the one side and the other side clamping arms 5, 5A on the center side of the substrate 3. A pair of single-side holding bodies 2, 2 is arranged back-to-back and substrates 3, 3 of the pair of single-side holding bodies 2, 2 are rotatably connected to each other, and the one side clamping arm 5 is provided, on its inner surface, a spring piece 21 that urges one side edge part 4F in a width direction of the gauge rod 4 to the other side. The gauge rod 4 is inclined with respect to the substrate 3, and the spring piece 21 is pushed toward one side by using one side edge part 4F of the inclined gauge rod 4. Consequently, when the interval K between the spring piece 21 and a leading end surface 14S that is the inner edge part of the other side fall prevention part 6A becomes equal to or more than the width W of the gauge rod 4, the other end edge part 4F can be fitted into the other side clamping arm 5A, and thereby the single-side holding body 2 can be attached to a desired position of the gauge rod 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a scale coupling tool provided with a pair of one-side holders each provided with a holding arm for slidably holding a scale at both ends of a substrate, and rotatably connecting the substrates of the pair of one-side holders.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as this type of tool, two L-shaped holding edges are provided opposite to each other at both side ends of a polymerizing portion, a spring piece is attached to the inner central portion of one of the holding edges, and two one-side metal fittings each provided with a shaft hole at the central portion of the polymerizing portion are placed back to back. A pair of elastic plates each provided with a convex portion fitted into the shaft hole of the polymerizing portion at the central portion of a disc are placed on both sides of the shaft hole portion, and the central portions of both convex portions are pivotally attached with a bolt so that the central portions of both polymerizing portions are crimped by both elastic plates (for example, Patent Document 1), or a pair of one-side metal fittings each slidably attaching two scales are polymerized back to back, both polymerizing portions are rotatably connected, and a scale is held between the holding edges of each one-side metal fitting through a guide groove of each guide (for example, Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional scale coupling tools such as Patent Documents 1 and 2 above, to attach a scale, there is no other way but to insert the end portion in the length direction of the scale into the coupling tool, and after inserting the end portion of the scale, it is necessary to move it to an arbitrary position. Particularly when the scale is long, the attachment work and the work when moving it to an arbitrary position become complicated, and the same work is also required when removing it.

[0005] Furthermore, since it is mainly used for the inspection of the finished forms of civil engineering and construction works, there was also a problem that if sand or the like was caught between the scale coupler and the scale, the scale would be scraped when moving it to an arbitrary position.

[0006] The problem to be solved is to provide a scale coupler that enables easy attachment and detachment of the scale to and from the scale coupler.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] The invention according to claim 1 provides a pair of holding arms on both ends of a substrate for slidably sandwiching a scale from the width direction of the scale, and provides one-side and the other-side retaining portions on the ends of these one-side and the other-side holding arms on the central side of the substrate. A pair of one-side holders for slidably holding the scale from the thickness direction of the scale are provided between the one-side and the other-side retaining portions and the substrate. The pair of one-side holders are arranged back to back, and the substrates of the pair of one-side holders are rotatably connected to each other. In a scale coupler provided with biasing means for biasing one side edge portion in the width direction of the scale to the other side on the inner surface of the one-side holding arm, the scale is inclined with respect to the substrate so that the one side edge portion of the scale approaches the substrate more than the other side edge portion of the scale, and by pushing the biasing means to one side by the one side edge portion of the inclined scale, the biasing means is characterized in that it is deformable so that the distance between the biasing means and the inner edge portion of the other-side retaining portion becomes equal to or greater than the width of the scale.

[0008] The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that a guiding portion for guiding the other side edge portion of the scale to one side is provided on the inner end side of the other-side retaining portion.

[0009] The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that an edge contact portion where the other side edge portion of the scale abuts is provided on the inner surface of the other-side holding arm, and the inner edge portion of the other-side retaining portion is located closer to the central side of the substrate than the edge contact portion.

Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the configuration of claim 1, by pushing the biasing means to one side by one side edge of the inclined scale, when the distance between the biasing means and the inner edge of the retaining portion on the other side becomes equal to or greater than the width of the scale, the other side edge can be fitted into the other clamping arm, whereby the one-sided holder can be attached to a desired position on the scale.

[0011] According to the configuration of claim 2, the guide portion can smoothly fit the other side edge of the scale into the other clamping arm.

[0012] According to the configuration of claim 3, the inserted other side edge abuts against the edge abutting portion, and the other side edge side is held in a state of being sandwiched from the thickness direction between the other retaining portion and the substrate side.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below do not limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Also, not all of the configurations described below are essential requirements of the present invention.

Example

[0015] Example 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. The scale coupling tool 1 includes a pair of one-side holders 2, 2 that are rotatably connected. Each one-side holder 2 is provided with one-side and the other-side clamping arms 5, 5A that slidably clamp a scale 4 in its width direction at both ends in the width direction of a metal substrate 3, and retaining portions 6, 6A are protruded inwardly at the ends of these clamping arms 5, 5A. Then, the pair of one-side holders 2, 2 are arranged back to back, and the substrates 3, 3 of the pair of one-side holders 2, 2 can be rotatably connected and disconnected. Note that the substrate 3 has a square shape in plan view.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the one-side and the other-side clamping arms 5, 5A include clamping arm bodies 11, 11A provided by bending both side edges of the metal substrate 3 in a direction intersecting with the substrate 3, and vertical plate portions 12, 12A made of synthetic resin provided on the inner surfaces of the clamping arm bodies 11, 11A.

[0017] Further, the retaining portions 6, 6A include retaining portion main bodies 13, 13A provided by bending the end portions of the clamping arm main bodies 11, 11A inward (toward the center of the substrate 3) and substantially parallel to the substrates 3, 3, and upper plate portions 14, 14A made of synthetic resin provided on the inner surfaces of the retaining portion main bodies 13, 13.

[0018] On the inner surface sides of the clamping arms 5, 5A on one side and the other side, one-side and the other-side guide frame bodies 16, 16A having a substantially U-shaped cross section are fixed. These guide frame bodies 16, 16A are made of synthetic resin, and those made of engineering plastics excellent in fatigue resistance, friction resistance, and wear resistance such as POM (polyacetal) are used.

[0019] The one-side and the other-side guide frame bodies 16, 16A integrally include the upper plate portions 14, 14A constituting the inner surfaces of the retaining portions 6, 6A, lower plate portions 17, 17A provided on the inner surfaces of the substrates 3, and vertical plate portions 12, 12A connecting the outer ends of these upper plate portions 14, 14A and lower plate portions 17, 17A, and form a substantially U shape.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, on the tip side of the upper plate portion 14A of the other-side guide frame body 16A, a protrusion 14T is peripherally provided on the outer surface of the upper plate portion 14A. The tip surface of this protrusion 14T is formed as an inclined surface 14K serving as a guide portion that inclines toward one side from the outer surface side toward the inner surface side in the thickness direction of the upper plate portion 14A. This inclined surface 14K is continuous with the upper portion of the tip surface 14S of the upper plate portion 14A. Note that the tip surface 14S of the upper plate portion 14A constituting a part of the retaining portion 6A on the other side is the inner edge portion of the retaining portion 6A.

[0021] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, on the tip side of the upper plate portion 14 of the guide frame body 16 on one side, an inclined surface 14U serving as a guide portion is provided at the corner between the tip surface 14S and the inner surface 14N of the upper plate portion 14, and this inclined surface 14U faces the inner surface side of the substrate 3. Further, the distance K (FIG. 9) between the tip portion 15 of the inner surface 14N of the upper plate portion 14 of the retaining portion 6 on one side and the tip portion 15A of the inner surface 14N of the upper plate portion 14A of the retaining portion 6A on the other side is narrower than the width W (FIG. 9) of the scale 4 (W>K). Incidentally, the inclined surface 14U is provided between the inner surface 14N of the upper plate portion 14 on one side and the tip surface 14S of the upper plate portion 14 on one side.

[0022] Also, the tip surface 14S is provided flush with the tip surface 13S of the retaining portion main body 13 on one side. In the mounted state, one side edge portion 4F in the width direction of the scale 4 is sandwiched and held between the inner surface 14N and the lower plate portion 17 from the thickness direction, and the other side edge portion 4F in the width direction of the scale 4 is sandwiched and held between the inner surface 14N and the lower plate portion 17A from the thickness direction, resulting in a retaining state. In this way, the inner surfaces 14N, 14N of the upper plate portions 14, 14A of the retaining portions 6, 6A are contact pressing portions that can contact the inner surface or the outer surface of the scale 4 and prevent the scale 4 from being pulled out in the thickness direction from the clamping arms 5, 5A. Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 9, the distance between the upper plate portions 14, 14A and the lower plate portions 17, 17A is set slightly wider than the thickness of the scale 4 so that the scale 4 can be easily inserted, and there is a gap of about 0.5 to 2 mm (0.5 mm or more and 2 mm or less) therebetween.

[0023] As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, the vertical plate portion 12 of the guide frame body 16 on one side is substantially flat plate-shaped, has inclined surfaces 18, 18 that are obliquely outward on the inner surfaces at both ends in the length direction, and bosses 19, 19 protruding from the outer surfaces on both sides in the length direction of the vertical plate portion 12 are fitted into fitting holes 20, 20 of the clamping arm main body 11 of the clamping arm 5 on one side.

[0024] A spring piece 21 as a biasing means is attached to the inner surface of the vertical plate portion 12. The spring piece 21 is formed by bending a strip-shaped spring material to form arc-shaped portions 22, 22 on both sides, and a flat mounting portion 23 is formed between these arc-shaped portions 22, 22. A clamping pin 24 is inserted through the mounting portion 23 and a through hole 24H (Fig. 5) of one side clamping arm 5, and is clamped by the head portion 25 of the pin 24 and a clamping portion 26 on the outer surface of the clamping arm body 11, thereby attaching the one side guide frame body 16 and the spring piece 21 to the inner surface of the clamping arm body 11. Incidentally, the spring piece 21 is heat-treated so that plastic deformation does not occur when it is crushed.

[0025] The end portions 22T, 22T of the arc-shaped portions 22, 22 of the spring piece 21 are free ends, and the end portions 22T, 22T are oriented in substantially the same direction as the inclined surfaces 18, 18. It is preferable to attach them so that a gap of 1 mm or less is formed between the end portions 22T, 22T and the inclined surfaces 18, 18 of the vertical plate portion 12, but the gap is not essential.

[0026] In this case, due to dimensional errors or the like, if the end portions 22T, 22T of the arc-shaped portions 22, 22 are attached in a state of being in pressure contact with the inclined surfaces 18, 18 of the vertical plate portion 12 and the spring piece 21 is elastically deformed before a load is applied, there is a risk of impairing the predetermined performance as a spring. Therefore, the gap is provided so as not to deform in the attached state. Although it is preferable to provide such a gap, if the deformation amount of the spring piece 21 is small, one or both of the end portions 22T, 22T may be in contact with the inclined surfaces 18, 18 of the vertical plate portion 12. Even when in contact, when being crushed by the scale 4, the end portions 22T, 22T can smoothly deform so as to spread in both lengthwise directions along the inclined surfaces 18, 18 inclined in the same direction as the end portions 22T, 22T. Also, in the attached state, as shown in Fig. 6, a part of the arc-shaped portions 22, 22 protrudes inward from the front end surface 14S of the one side guide frame body 16, so that the position of the arc-shaped portions 22, 22 of the spring piece 21 can be easily visually confirmed, but it does not have to protrude.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 5, the vertical plate portion 12A of the other-side guide frame body 16A is substantially flat-plate-shaped, has obliquely outward inclined surfaces 18A, 18A on the inner surfaces at both ends in the length direction, and bosses 19A, 19A protruding from the outer surfaces on both sides in the length direction of the vertical plate portion 12A are fitted into fitting holes 20A of the clamping arm main body 11A. Further, a flat mounting portion 23A recessed toward the vertical plate portion 12A is provided at the center of the vertical plate portion 12A, and edge contact surfaces 28, 28 serving as edge contact portions where edges 4F, 4F of the scale 4 abut are provided between the mounting portion 23A and the inclined surfaces 18A, 18A.

[0028] In addition, the inner surfaces of the clamping arm main bodies 11, 11A, the inner surface of the vertical plate portion 12, and the edge contact surfaces 28, 28 are parallel, and both edge contact surfaces 28, 28 are located on the same plane.

[0029] Then, the pin 24 for caulking is inserted through the mounting portion 23A, the vertical plate portion 12A, and the through-hole 24H of the clamping arm main body 11A, and the other-side guide frame body 16A is attached to the inner surface of the clamping arm main body 11A by sandwiching it between the head portion 25 of the pin 24 and the caulking portion 26 on the outer surface of the clamping arm main body 11.

[0030] Next, a method of attaching the scale 4 to the one-side holder 2 will be described. As shown in Fig. 9, one-side edge portion 4F (the right side when viewed in accordance with the direction of the reference numeral in Fig. 9) of the scale 4 is inclined with respect to the substrate 3 so as to approach the substrate 3 from the other-side edge portion 4F of the scale 4, and the spring piece 21 is pushed in one side by the one-side edge portion 4F of the inclined scale 4, so that the interval K between the spring piece 21 and the tip surface 14S which is the inner edge portion of the retaining portion 6A on the other side is made equal to or greater than the width W of the scale 4 to deform the spring piece 21, and by pushing the other-side edge portion 4F (the left side when viewed in accordance with the direction of the reference numeral in Fig. 9) toward the substrate 3 along the inclined surface 14K, the spring piece 21 is further deformed, and as shown by the solid line in Fig. 9, the scale 4 can be inserted midway in the length direction between the retaining portions 6, 6A on one side and the other side and the substrate 3.

[0031] Also, from the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 9, by pushing the spring piece 21 to one side by the edge 4F on one side of the scale 4 in the reverse procedure of the above-described attachment, the edge 4F on the other side can be removed by passing through the tip surface 14S on the other side. At this time, since an inclined surface 14U serving as a guide portion is provided at the corner between the tip surface 14S and the inner surface 14N of the upper plate portion 14, the edge 4F side on the other side can be smoothly removed without hitting the corner.

[0032] In addition, the upper spring piece 21 in FIG. 9 can be elastically deformed until the edge 4F of the scale 4 hits the head 25 of the pin 24, and the scale 4 can be further pushed in by this amount.

[0033] By providing the inclined surface 14K at the tip of the upper plate portion 14A of the other-side guide frame body 16A, which is a component with less elasticity, in this way, the attachment of the scale 4 can be performed smoothly. Also, since the one-side holder 2 can be attached at a desired position on the scale 4, the amount of sliding of the one-side holder 2 can be reduced for alignment after attachment, resulting in excellent usability.

[0034] Next, a rotation connection mechanism 41 that can rotatably connect and disconnect the substrates 3, 3 of the pair of one-side holders 2, 2 will be described below. In order to provide this rotation connection mechanism 41, a central hole 42 (FIG. 2) serving as a rotation center hole is formed at the center of the substrates 3, 3.

[0035] Also, on the substrate 3 of one of the one-side holders 2, circular click positioning protrusions 43 are provided protruding on the outer surface side at four positions at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on a virtual circle centered on the central hole 42. These four positioning protrusions 43 are arranged at equal intervals in the width direction and the length direction of the substrate 3, and adjacent positioning protrusions 43 are arranged at an angular position of 90 degrees centered on the central hole 42.

[0036] Furthermore, on the substrate 3 of the other one-side holder 2, four circular fixing holes 44 are formed at positions corresponding to the positioning protrusions 43, and these four fixing holes 44 are arranged at equal intervals in the width direction and the length direction of the substrate 3.

[0037] The rotation link mechanism 41 includes a disk 51 which is an intermediate member disposed between the two substrates 3 and 3. This disk 51 is made of synthetic resin and is made of the engineering plastic which is a rigid member without elasticity. As shown in FIG. 12 etc., a circular fixing projection 53 which fits into the fixing hole 44 is protruding on the other surface 51B of the disk 51. Therefore, when the fixing projection 53 fits into the fixing hole 44, the other one-sided holder 2 and the disk 51 rotate integrally.

[0038] Also, since the intermediate member is a circular disk 51, in the case of the same quadrangle as the substrate 3, when the one-sided holders 2 and 2 are rotated, for example, the angle between them is set to 45 degrees, the corners of the square are likely to be exposed. On the other hand, an intermediate member having a large area without being exposed can be obtained. By increasing the size, the length from the outer peripheral position of the disk 51 to the end of the substrate 3 is shortened, and the force applied to the end of the substrate 3 is dispersed to the disk 51, so that the substrate 3 can be reinforced.

[0039] Also, as shown in FIG. 10 etc., a circular positioning recess 52 into which the positioning projection 43 fits is formed on one surface 51A of the disk 51. When the positioning projection 43 fits into this positioning recess 52 and the other one-sided holder 2 and the disk 51 are rotated 90 degrees with respect to one one-sided holder 2 from the state where the one-sided holders 2 and 2 shown in FIG. 1 face in the same direction, the one-sided holders 2 and 2 are positioned at a position where they intersect at 90 degrees.

[0040] In this way, the positioning projection 43 and the positioning recess 52 constitute a positioning means 45 (FIG. 6) capable of positioning the rotational positions of the one-sided holder 2 and the disk 51.

[0041] At the center of the disc 51, a substantially rectangular central cylinder portion 54 is provided, and this central cylinder portion 54 corresponds to the central hole 42. Further, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the rotation connection mechanism 41 includes one connection body 60 inserted into the central hole 42 of one of the one-sided holders 2 from the inner surface side of the substrate 3, and the other connection body 70 inserted into the central hole 42 of the other one-sided holder 2 from the inner surface side of the substrate 3. These connection bodies 60 and 70 are made of synthetic resin, and those made of the engineering plastic are used.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 7, the one connection body 60 includes a polygonal square cylinder main body 61, a flange portion 62 that is a substrate sandwiching portion that abuts against and holds the inner surface of the one substrate 3, and a stepped hole 63 having a stepped hole portion 63A formed through the center. A screw portion 64A of a screw 64, which is a screw means, is inserted into the stepped hole 63, and a head portion 64B of the screw 64 is housed in the stepped portion 63A having a larger diameter.

[0043] Also, in the assembled state, the substrate 3 and the disc 51 of the other one-sided holder 2 are connected in a non-rotatable state by fitting the fixing hole 44 of the other substrate 3 and the fixing projection 53 of the disc 51. By fitting the square cylinder main body 71 of the other connection body 70 into the central cylinder portion 54 of the disc 51, the other connection body 70 is connected to the disc 51 in a non-rotatable state. By fitting the square cylinder main body 61 of the one connection body 60 into the stepped hole portion 73A of the other connection body 70, the one connection body 60 is connected to the other connection body 70 in a non-rotatable state. The scale coupling tool 1 is assembled by screwing the screw 64 inserted through the stepped hole 63 of the one connection body 60 and both stepped holes 73 of the other connection body 70 into a nut 74 fixed to the other connection body 70.

[0044] Therefore, even if one of the one-sided holders 2 is rotated with respect to the other one-sided holder 2, no force is applied to loosen the screw 64 by this rotation operation, and the screw 64 will not become loose during normal use. Supplementary explanation: If one of the connecting bodies 60 is missing and the head 64B of the screw 64 is in pressure contact with the inner surface of one of the substrates 3, or if a washer (not shown) is sandwiched between the head 64B and one of the substrates 3, etc., when the one-sided holders 2, 2 are rotated, a force is applied to loosen the screw 64. Similarly, when the other connecting body 60 is rotatable with respect to the other connecting body 70, a force is applied to loosen the screw 64 when the one-sided holders 2, 2 are rotated. However, in the rotation connection mechanism 41 with the above configuration, no force is applied to loosen the screw 64 by the rotation operation of the one-sided holders 2, 2.

[0045] In addition, a cross groove 64C, which is a tool engagement portion, is formed in the head 64B of the screw 64, and a minus driver (not shown) engages with it.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the other connecting body 70 includes a polygonal square tube main body 71, a flange portion 72 that is a substrate clamping portion that abuts against and holds the inner surface of the other substrate 3, and a double-step hole 73 having stepped hole portions 73A and 73B with steps formed at both ends and penetrating through the center. The opening areas of the stepped portions 73A and 73B at both ends are larger than the central portion of the double-step hole 73. A nut 74 into which the screw 64 is screwed is fixed in a non-rotatable state to the other stepped portion 73B on the other substrate 3 side of the double-step hole 73. In this case, the stepped portion 73B has a polygonal shape corresponding to the nut 74, and the nut 74 is housed and fixed in the stepped portion 73B in a non-rotatable state.

[0047] Also, the square tube main body 61 of the one connecting body 60 is inserted into and removed from the one stepped portion 73A on the one substrate 3 side of the double-step hole 73. The stepped portion 73A has a polygonal shape corresponding to the square tube main body 61 of the one connecting body 60. The square tube main body 61 is inserted into and removed from the one stepped portion 73A, and in the inserted state, the square tube main body 61 of the one connecting body 60 and the stepped portion 73A of the other connecting body 70 are connected in a non-rotatable state.

[0048] Therefore, by fitting the fixing hole 44 and the fixing projection 53, the disc 51 is connected to the substrate 3 of the other one-sided holder 2 in a non-rotatable state, the other connecting body 70 is connected to this disc 51 in a non-rotatable state, and the one connecting body 60 is connected to this other connecting body 70 in a non-rotatable state.

[0049] As a result, the one connecting body 60, the other connecting body 70, the disc 51, and the other one-sided holder 2 can rotate integrally. Further, by tightening the screw 64, the substrates 3, 3 and the disc 51 are clamped between the flange portions 62, 72 which are substrate holding portions, and the flange portions 62, 72 are pressed against the inner surfaces of the substrates 3, 3.

[0050] Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the screw 64 is inserted into the stepped hole 63 from one substrate 3 side, and the screw 64 is screwed into the nut 74 (FIG. 8), whereby the one-sided holders 2, 2 are rotatably connected. In this state, the fixing projection 53 (FIG. 12) of the disc 51 is fitted into the fixing hole 44 of the other one-sided holder 2, and the other one-sided holder 2 and the disc 51 rotate integrally. Further, the other connecting body 70 fitted into the polygonal central cylindrical portion 54 of the disc 51 and the one connecting body 60 that rotates integrally with the other connecting body 70 rotate integrally.

[0051] Therefore, when the other one-sided holder 2 is rotated with respect to the one-sided holder 2, the other one-sided holder 2, the disc 51, the one and the other connecting bodies 60, 70, and the screw 64 screwed into the nut 74 of the connecting body 70 rotate integrally. Also, since the one-sided holder 2 rotates with respect to the square cylindrical main body 71 of the other connecting body 70, no loosening force is applied to the screw 64 due to the rotation of the other one-sided holder 2 with respect to the one-sided holder 2. Further, the parts in contact with the substrate 3 are the flange portions 62, 72 made of synthetic resin and the outer periphery of the square cylindrical main body 71, and in the rotation connection mechanism 41, no metal member contacts the metal substrates 3, 3.

[0052] Further, as shown in FIG. 13, on the inner circumference of the central cylindrical portion 54, four arc-shaped portions 54E, 54E, 54E, 54E are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and linear flat portions 54H are provided between adjacent arc-shaped portions 54E, 54E. These four arc-shaped portions 54E, 54E, 54E, 54E are located on a virtual circle centered on the center of the central cylindrical portion 54.

[0053] Furthermore, the outer peripheral shape of the square cylindrical body 71 corresponds to the inner peripheral shape of the central cylindrical portion 54. On the outer periphery of the square cylindrical body 71, four arc-shaped portions 71E, 71E, 71E, 71E are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and linear flat portions 71H are provided between adjacent arc-shaped portions 71E, 71E. These four arc-shaped portions 71E, 71E, 71E, 71E are located on a virtual circle centered on the double-stage hole 73 of the square cylindrical body 71.

[0054] Therefore, when the square cylindrical body 71 is inserted into the central cylindrical portion 54, the flat portions 54H, 71H connect the disk 51 and the other connecting body 70 in a non-rotating state.

[0055] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the square cylindrical body 71 of the other connecting body 70 is loosely inserted into the central hole 42 of the one-side holding body 2. Since the circular central hole 42 made of metal rotates with respect to the plurality of arc-shaped portions 71E, 71E, 71E, 71E made of plastic, the one-side holding body 2 can rotate smoothly around the square cylindrical body 71. During rotation, the flange portion 62 slides on the inner surface of the substrate 3.

[0056] Note that there are no arc-shaped portions on the inner peripheral surface of one of the stepped portions 73A and the outer peripheral surface of the square cylindrical body 61 inserted into this inner peripheral surface, and they are formed in a square cylindrical shape.

[0057] When the one-side holders 2, 2 rotate, one surface 51A of the disc 51 slides on the outer surface of the one substrate 3. On this one surface 51A, there are provided a side edge surface 54A of the central cylinder portion 54 which is parallel to and located on the same plane as the other surface 51B of the disc 51, a sliding surface 55A of an annular portion 55 which is wider than the side edge surface 54A formed to connect the four positioning recesses 52, 52, 52, 52 and is centered on the central cylinder portion 54, a side edge surface 56A of a radial central-side rib portion 56 that connects the sliding surface 55A and the side edge surface 54A, a side edge surface 57A of a cylindrical outer peripheral portion 57 provided at the outer peripheral edge of the disc 51, and a side edge surface 58A of a radial outer peripheral-side rib portion 58 that connects the side edge surface 57A and the sliding surface 55A.

[0058] In addition, the rib portions 56, 58 are arranged side by side on a virtual line (not shown) provided radially from the center of the central cylinder portion 54, and a plurality of them are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0059] Between the central cylinder portion 54, the annular portion 55, and the adjacent central-side rib portions 56, 56 in the circumferential direction of the disc 51, a substantially fan-shaped central-side recess 81 is formed, the planar shape of which is a small fan cut out from a fan-shaped central angle portion, and between the sliding surface 55A, the outer peripheral portion 57, and the adjacent outer peripheral-side rib portions 58, 58, an arc-shaped outer peripheral-side recess 82 is formed.

[0060] Also, on the side edge surface 54A of the central cylinder portion 54, a semi-circularly recessed groove portion 54M is provided radially, on the sliding surface 55A of the annular portion 55, a semi-circularly recessed groove portion 55M is provided radially, and on the side edge surface 57A of the outer peripheral portion 57, a semi-circularly recessed groove portion 57M is provided radially. As shown in FIG. 11, these groove portions 54M, 55M, 57M are arranged side by side on a virtual line (not shown) provided radially from the center of the central cylinder portion 54, and a plurality of them are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0061] The positioning recess 52 on the one surface 51A and the fixing protrusion 53 on the other surface 51B are provided at the same planar position of the disk 51. A through hole 83 that opens into the positioning recess 52 is formed at the tip of the fixing protrusion 53. In the assembled state, since the through hole 83 of the fixing protrusion 53 fitted into the fixing hole 44 opens to the inner surface of the substrate 3, dust within the positioning recess 52 can be discharged to the outside.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 12, on the other surface 51B of the disk 51, a circular recess 84 that is circular in plan view is formed so as to connect the fixing protrusions 53. This circular recess 84 is provided corresponding to the annular portion 55 on the one surface 51A.

[0063] By providing the circular recess 84 corresponding to the annular portion 55 in this way, sink marks on the sliding surface 55A of the annular portion 55 during molding of the synthetic resin disk 51 can be prevented, the sliding surface 55A can be molded flat, and the positioning protrusion 43 can slide smoothly with respect to the sliding surface 55A.

[0064] Next, the assembly method will be described. The fixing protrusion 53 is fitted into the fixing hole 44, and the other surface 51B of the disk 51 is overlapped with the outer surface of the other substrate 3. The square tube main body 71 of the other connecting body 70 is inserted into the central hole 42 of the substrate 3 and the central cylindrical portion 54 of the disk 51 from the inner surface side of the substrate 3, and the flange portion 72 is brought into contact with the inner surface of the substrate 3.

[0065] Then, by inserting the square tube main body 61 into the square central cylindrical portion 54, the disk 51 and the other connecting body 70 are connected in a non-rotatable state and rotate integrally.

[0066] The outer surface of the one substrate 3 is overlapped with the one surface 51A of the disk 51, and the tip of the square tube main body 61 is inserted into the central hole 42 of the one substrate 3. With the flange portion 72 of the other connecting body 70 in contact with the inner surface of the other substrate 3, the tip surface of the square tube main body 71 is flush with or lower than the inner surface of the one substrate 3 and the tip of the square tube main body 71 is positioned within the central hole 42 of the one substrate 3.

[0067] Insert the square tube main body 61 of one connecting body 60 from the inner surface side of one substrate 3 into one step portion 73A of the double-step hole 73 of the other connecting body 70. Insert screws 64 into the stepped holes 63 and 73, and screw the screws 64 into nuts 74 and tighten them. Thus, the substrates 3, the disk 51, and the substrate 3 are sandwiched and assembled between the flange portions 62 and 72. Also, in the reverse procedure of assembly, the screws 64 can be removed to disassemble.

[0068] Next, the usage method of the scale coupling tool 1 will be described. As described above, attach and position the one-side holder 2 at a desired position in the length direction of the scale 4. And when using the scales 4 and 4 in the intersecting direction, rotate one one-side holder 2 with respect to the other one-side holder 2. At the position where the scales 4 and 4 intersect, the positioning protrusion 43 fits into the positioning recess 52 and is positioned and fixed at 90-degree intervals.

[0069] And during rotation, the tip surface of the positioning protrusion 43 that has come out of the positioning recess 52 rides on the sliding surface 55A and makes surface contact and slides. Since one surface 51A of the substrate 3 and the disk 51 are separated by the height of the protrusion 43, when the disk 51 rotates, sand or the like is not sandwiched between the portion of the substrate 3 other than the positioning protrusion 43 and one surface 51A, and the outer surface of the substrate 3 is not scraped.

[0070] Also, even if sand or the like is sandwiched between the fixing protrusion 53 and the sliding surface 55A of the annular portion 55, the sand moves as the disk 51 rotates, and this sand fits into the groove portion 55M and is removed from the fixing protrusion 53.

[0071] When rotating the one-side holders 2 and 2 in this way, only the tip surface of the positioning protrusion 43 of one substrate 3 slides on the sliding surface 55A of the disk 51, and the substrates 3 do not slide relative to each other, preventing the generation of rust on the substrate 3 due to sliding of sand or the like.

[0072] Also, even if dust gets between the outer surface of the substrate 3 and one surface 51A of the disk 51 when the tip surface of the positioning projection 43 of one substrate 3 rides on the sliding surface 55A of the disk 51, for example, the dust on the outer surface of the substrate 3 facing the sliding surface 55A accumulates in the groove portion 55M due to the rotation of the disk 51. For example, the dust on the outer surface of the substrate 3 corresponding to the central side rib portion 56 is scraped off by the central side rib portion 56 as the disk 51 rotates and accumulates in the central side recess 81. Thereby, it is possible to prevent rotation with dust sandwiched between one surface 51A and the outer surface of the substrate 3.

[0073] Also, when water accumulates in the central side recess 81 and the outer peripheral side recess 82, it can be discharged to the outside through the groove portions 54M, 55M, 57M.

[0074] Then, the dust accumulated in the groove portions 54M, 55M, 57M, the recesses 81, 82, and the positioning recess 52 can be easily removed by removing the one - side holders 2, 2 to make the disk 51 alone.

[0075] Also, if the screw 64 is loosened and removed, the pair of one - side holders 2, 2, the disk 51, and the connecting bodies 60, 70 can be disassembled to remove the internal dust and moisture.

[0076] Thus, in this embodiment, corresponding to claim 1, on both ends of the substrate 3, holding arms 5 and 5A for slidably clamping the scale 4 from the width direction of the scale 4 are provided on one side and the other side, and on the ends of these holding arms 5 and 5A on one side and the other side, retaining portions 6 and 6A on one side and the other side are provided on the central side of the substrate 3. A pair of single-side holders 2 and 2 for slidably holding the scale 4 from the thickness direction of the scale 4 are provided between these retaining portions 6 and 6A on one side and the other side and the substrate 3. The pair of single-side holders 2 and 2 are arranged back to back, and the substrates 3 and 3 of the pair of single-side holders 2 and 2 are rotatably connected to each other. In the scale coupling tool 1 provided with a spring piece 21 as biasing means for biasing one side edge portion 4F in the width direction of the scale 4 to the other side on the inner surface of the holding arm 5 on one side, the scale 4 is inclined with respect to the substrate 3 such that one side edge portion 4F of the scale 4 approaches the substrate 3 more closely than the other side edge portion 4F of the scale 4. By pushing the spring piece 21 to one side by the one side edge portion 4F of this inclined scale 4, since the spring piece 21 is deformable such that the distance K between the spring piece 21 and the tip surface 14S which is the inner edge portion of the retaining portion 6A on the other side becomes equal to or greater than the width W of the scale 4, by pushing the spring piece 21 to one side by the one side edge portion 4F of the inclined scale 4, when the distance K between the spring piece 21 and the tip surface 14S of the retaining portion 6A on the other side becomes equal to or greater than the width W of the scale 4, the other side edge portion 4F can be fitted into the holding arm 5A on the other side, and thereby the single-side holder 2 can be attached to a desired position of the scale 4.

[0077] Thus, in this embodiment, corresponding to claim 2, on the inner end side of the retaining portion 6A on the other side, an inclined surface 14K as a guiding portion for guiding the other side edge portion 4F of the scale 4 to one side is provided. Therefore, the other side edge portion 4F of the scale 4 can be smoothly fitted into the holding arm 5A on the other side by the inclined surface 14K.

[0078] Thus, in this embodiment, corresponding to claim 3, an edge contact surface 28 as an edge contact portion where the other side edge portion 4F of the scale 4 abuts is provided on the inner surface of the holding arm 5A on the other side. Since the tip surface 14S which is the inner edge portion of the retaining portion 6A on the other side is located closer to the central side of the substrate 3 than the edge contact surface 28 which is the edge contact portion, the fitted other side edge portion 4F abuts against the edge contact surface 28, and the other side edge portion 4F side is held in a state of being sandwiched from the thickness direction between the retaining portion 6A on the other side and the substrate 3 side.

[0079] As an effect in the following embodiments, the spring piece 21 is attached such that the end portions 22T, 22T of the arc-shaped portions 22, 22 on both sides are free ends, and a gap is formed between the end portions 22T, 22T and the inclined surfaces 18, 18 of the vertical plate portion 12. Therefore, it is attached in a state before deformation, without losing its spring property. Moreover, when it is crushed by the scale 4, the end portions 22T, 22T can smoothly deform so as to spread in both lengthwise directions along the inclined surfaces 18, 18 inclined in the same direction as the end portions 22T, 22T.

[0080] Also, when removing the scale 4, since the inclined surface 14U serving as a guide portion is provided at the corner between the front end surface 14S and the inner surface 14N of the upper plate portion 14, the other edge portion 4F side can be smoothly removed without hitting the corner.

[0081] The rotation connection mechanism 41 can insert the square tube main body 71 of the other connecting body 70 into the central tube portion 54 of the disk 51, thereby connecting the other connecting body 70 to the disk 51 in a non-rotatable state. Also, the square tube main body 61 of the one connecting body 60 is inserted and removed from one step portion 73A on the substrate 3 side of the double-step hole 73. In the inserted state, the square tube main body 61 of the one connecting body 60 and the step portion 73A of the other connecting body 70 are connected in a non-rotatable state. Further, the disk 51 is connected to the substrate 3 of the other one-sided holder 2 in a non-rotatable state by the fitting of the fixing hole 44 and the fixing protrusion 53. Furthermore, by connecting the connecting bodies 60, 70 with the screw 64, a pair of substrates 3, 3 and the disk 51 can be sandwiched between the flange portions 62, 72. Moreover, the square tube main body 71 of the other connecting body 70 is loosely inserted into the central hole 42 of the one-sided holder 2. Since the circular central hole 42 rotates with respect to the plurality of arc-shaped surface portions 71E, 71E, 71E, 71E made of synthetic resin, the one-sided holder 2 can rotate smoothly around the square tube main body 71.

[0082] Also, in the assembled state, since the through-hole 83 of the fixing projection 53 fitted into the fixing hole 44 of the disk 51 opens to the inner surface of the substrate 3, dust in the positioning recess 52 can be discharged to the outside. Further, during rotation, the tip surface of the positioning projection 43 that has come off the positioning recess 52 rides on the sliding surface 55A and makes surface contact and slides, and since one surface 51A of the substrate 3 and the disk 51 are separated by the height of the projection 43, when the disk 51 rotates, sand or the like is not pinched between the portion other than the positioning projection 43 of the substrate 3 and one surface 51A, and the outer surface of the substrate 3 is not scraped.

[0083] Also, when water accumulates in the central-side recess 81 and the outer-periphery-side recess 82, it can be discharged to the outside through the groove portions 54M, 55M, 57M. Further, even if sand or the like is pinched between the fixing projection 53 and the sliding surface 55A of the annular portion 55, the sand moves as the disk 51 rotates, and this sand fits into the groove portion 55M and is removed from the fixing projection 53.

[0084] Furthermore, even if dust enters between the outer surface of the substrate 3 and one surface 51A of the disk 51, for example, the dust on the outer surface of the substrate 3 facing the sliding surface 55A accumulates in the groove portion 55M due to the rotation of the disk 51, and for example, the dust on the outer surface of the substrate 3 corresponding to the central-side rib portion 56 is scraped off by the central-side rib portion 56 as the disk 51 rotates and accumulates in the central-side recess 81. Thereby, it is possible to prevent dust from being pinched between one surface 51A and the outer surface of the substrate 3 and rotating. Also, when water accumulates in the central-side recess 81 and the outer-periphery-side recess 82, it can be discharged to the outside through the groove portions 54M, 55M, 57M.

[0085] Also, since the lower plate portion 17 is wider than the upper plate portion 14, when the scale 4 is inserted obliquely, it is possible to prevent the edge portion 4F from hitting the outer surface of the substrate 3.

[0086] Also, since the intermediate member is a circular disk 51, in the case of the same quadrilateral as the substrate 3, when the one-side holders 2, 2 are rotated, for example, to an angle of 45 degrees between them, the corners are likely to be exposed. On the other hand, an intermediate member having a large area without being exposed can be obtained. By making it larger, the length from the outer peripheral position of the disk 51 to the end of the substrate 3 becomes shorter, and the force applied to the end of the substrate 3 is dispersed to the disk 51, so that the substrate 3 can be reinforced.

Embodiment

[0087] FIG. 14 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted and will be described in detail. This figure shows a modified example of a guiding portion that guides the other side edge portion 4F of the scale 4 to one side.

[0088] As shown in this figure, the inclined surface 14K is formed as a convex curved surface 14W serving as a guiding portion. This curved surface 14W is curved so as to approach one side from the outer surface side toward the inner surface side in the thickness direction of the upper plate portion 14A.

[0089] Thus, in this embodiment, since the curved surface 14W serving as a guiding portion for guiding the other side edge portion 4F of the scale 4 to one side is provided on the inner end side of the other-side retaining portion 6A, corresponding to the above-described respective claims, the same operations and effects as those in the first embodiment are achieved.

[0090] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, the guiding portion provided on the upper plate portion 14A may be a combination of an inclined surface 14K and a curved surface 14W. Also, in the embodiment, an inclined surface 14K as a guiding portion is provided on the upper plate portion that constitutes a part of the retaining portion. However, a guiding portion may be provided on the retaining portion main body that constitutes a part of the retaining portion, or a guiding portion may be provided so as to straddle both the upper plate portion and the retaining portion. Further, in the embodiment, a disc is exemplified as the intermediate member, but a rectangular plate may also be used. Also, in the embodiment, a screw having a plus groove is shown as the screw means, but a screw having a minus groove, a screw that is turned by a hexagon wrench, or even a screw that is screwed into the other connecting body without using a nut may be used. Also, the combination of members of the rotation connection mechanism is not limited to the embodiment, and various mechanisms can be used.

Explanation of Signs

[0091] 1 Scale coupler 2 One-sided holder 3 Substrate 4 Scale 4F Edge 5 One-side clamping arm 5A Other-side clamping arm 6,6 Retaining portion 14K Inclined surface (guiding portion) 14N Inner surface (contact pressing portion) 14S Tip surface (inner edge portion) 14W Curved surface (guiding portion) 21 Spring piece (biasing means) 28 Edge contact surface (edge contact portion) 51 Disc (intermediate member) 60 One connecting body 61 Square tube main body (tube main body) 62 Flange portion (substrate clamping portion) 70 Other connecting body 71 Square tube main body (tube main body) 72 Flange portion (substrate clamping portion)

Claims

1. Provided are a pair of clamping arms on both ends of a substrate, which slidably clamp a scale from the width direction of the scale, and on the ends of these clamping arms on one side and the other side, anti-removal portions on one side and the other side are provided on the central side of the substrate, and a pair of single-side holders are provided to slidably hold the scale from the thickness direction of the scale between the anti-removal portions on one side and the other side and the substrate. The pair of single-side holders are arranged back to back, and the substrates of the pair of single-side holders are rotatably connected to each other. In a scale coupling tool provided with biasing means for biasing one side edge portion in the width direction of the scale to the other side on the inner surface of the clamping arm on one side. The scale is inclined with respect to the substrate such that the one side edge portion of the scale approaches the substrate closer than the other side edge portion of the scale, and by pushing the biasing means to one side by the one side edge portion of the inclined scale, the distance between the biasing means and the inner edge portion of the anti-removal portion on the other side is greater than or equal to the width of the scale, and the biasing means is deformable. A scale coupling tool characterized by this.

2. The scale coupling tool according to claim 1, characterized in that a guiding portion for guiding the other side edge portion of the scale to one side is provided on the inner end side of the anti-removal portion on the other side.

3. The scale coupling tool according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an edge contact portion where the other side edge portion of the scale abuts is provided on the inner surface of the clamping arm on the other side, and the inner edge portion of the anti-removal portion on the other side is located closer to the central side of the substrate than the edge contact portion.

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