Fastener, male screw side member, and female screw side member

Abstract

To provide a fastener capable of shortening a fastening time.SOLUTION: A fastener comprises a male screw member 10 and a female screw member 20. The male screw member includes a screw part 11 in which male screw faces 12A and 12B in which a male screw side screw thread 12 is formed so as to extend substantially orthogonally in an axial direction and outer peripheral pieces 13A and 13B in which the male screw side screw thread 12 is not formed are alternately disposed in an outer peripheral direction. The male screw side screw thread 12 is formed so as to reduce a width in the axial direction from a substantial center 12CA of the male screw side screw thread 12 in an extension direction toward both ends 12CB and 12CC. The female screw side member includes a screw hole 21 in which female screw faces 22A and 22B in which a female screw side screw thread 22 is formed so as to extend substantially orthogonally in an axial direction and inner peripheral pieces 23A and 23B in which the female screw side screw thread 22 is not provided are alternately disposed in an inner peripheral direction. The female screw side screw thread 22 is formed so as to reduce a width in the axial direction from a substantial center 22CA of the female screw side screw thread 22 in an extension direction toward both ends 22CB and 22CC.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastener, a male screw member, and a female screw member.

Background Art

[0002] A fastener fastens by screwing a male screw and a female screw together. Regarding such a fastener, for example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a technique for preventing loosening after the male screw and the female screw are fastened.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In conventional fasteners such as Patent Document 1 above, the thread of the male screw and the thread of the female screw are screwed together so as to rotate relative to each other by the length of each other, and thus it takes time to fasten when these threads are long.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a fastener, a male screw member, and a female screw member that can shorten the time required for fastening.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the fastener according to the first aspect of the present invention has a threaded portion in which a male thread surface formed with male thread flanks extending substantially orthogonally to the axial direction in the outer peripheral direction and outer peripheral pieces without the male thread flanks are alternately arranged. The male thread flanks are formed such that the width in the axial direction narrows from the approximate center in the extending direction of the male thread flanks toward both ends, and a male thread side member. In the inner peripheral direction, it has a threaded hole in which a female thread surface provided with female thread flanks extending substantially orthogonally to the axial direction and inner peripheral pieces without the female thread flanks are alternately arranged. The female thread flanks are formed such that the width in the axial direction narrows from the approximate center in the extending direction of the female thread flanks toward both ends, and a female thread side member. By relatively rotating the threaded portion and the threaded hole in one direction, the male thread flanks and the female thread flanks are brought into a screwed state, and by relatively rotating the threaded portion and the threaded hole in the other direction, the male thread flanks and the female thread flanks are brought into a screwed state.

[0007] Further, in the second aspect of the present invention, locking portions are further provided in the threaded portion and the threaded hole so as to lock the relative rotation between the threaded portion and the threaded hole in each screwed state.

[0008] Further, in the third aspect of the present invention, the locking portion includes a first convex portion formed between the approximate center in the extending direction and one end, and a second convex portion formed between the approximate center in the extending direction and the other end on one of the male thread flanks and the female thread flanks. On the other of the male thread flanks and the female thread flanks, a first concave portion formed at a position that fits with the first convex portion when relatively rotated in the one direction to reach the screwed state, and a second concave portion formed at a position that fits with the second convex portion when relatively rotated in the other direction to reach the screwed state.

[0009] Further, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the first concave portion is larger than the first convex portion and the second convex portion, and the second concave portion is smaller than the first convex portion and the second convex portion.

[0010] Further, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the threaded portion is cylindrical and has a through hole communicating with the threaded hole inside in the screwed state.

[0011] Further, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, a male-threaded side pipe provided radially outside the axial center in the through hole, one end of which branches in two directions, and one of the branched portions, the first male-threaded side branched portion, faces the one direction, and the other of the branched portions, the second male-threaded side branched portion, faces the other direction; and a female-threaded side pipe provided radially outside the axial center in the threaded hole, one end of which branches in two directions, and one of the branched portions, the first female-threaded side branched portion, faces the other direction, and the other of the branched portions, the second female-threaded side branched portion, faces the one direction, and in the screwed state, the first female-threaded side branched portion is fitted with the first male-threaded side branched portion, and the second female-threaded side branched portion is fitted with the second male-threaded side branched portion.

[0012] Further, the male-threaded side member according to the seventh aspect of the present invention includes a male-threaded surface formed with male threads extending substantially orthogonally to the axial direction of the threaded portion and disposed at a part in the outer peripheral direction of the threaded portion, and outer peripheral pieces that are alternately arranged with the male-threaded surface in the outer peripheral direction to form the outer periphery of the threaded portion and on which the male threads are not formed, and the male threads are formed such that the axial width of the threaded portion narrows from the approximate center in the extending direction of the male threads toward both ends.

[0013] Further, the female-threaded side member according to the eighth aspect of the present invention includes a female-threaded surface provided with female threads extending substantially orthogonally to the axial direction of the threaded hole and disposed at a part in the inner peripheral direction of the threaded hole, and inner peripheral pieces that are alternately arranged with the female-threaded surface in the inner peripheral direction to form the inner periphery of the threaded hole and on which the female threads are not provided, and the female threads are formed such that the axial width of the threaded hole narrows from the approximate center in the extending direction of the female threads toward both ends.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the fastener, male screw side member, and female screw side member according to the present invention, the time required for fastening can be shortened.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6A

Figure 6B

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16A

Figure 16B

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For ease of understanding the description, the same reference numerals are given to the same components in each drawing as much as possible, and overlapping descriptions are omitted as appropriate.

[0017] ==First Embodiment== Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0018] ≪Configuration≫ First, the configuration of the fastener 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "this embodiment") will be described.

[0019] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the fastener 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the fastener 1 includes a male-thread side member 10 and a female-thread side member 20 as main parts.

[0020] The male-thread side member 10 mainly includes a cylindrical thread portion 11 having a through hole 14 extending in the axial direction inside.

[0021] The thread portion 11 is axially extended such that on the outer peripheral direction, male thread surfaces 12A and 12B with male threads 12 on the male-thread side and outer peripheral pieces 13A and 13B without threads 12 are alternately arranged. Also, the male threads 12 on the male-thread side extend perpendicular to the axial direction of the thread portion 11.

[0022] Note that the outer peripheral pieces 13A and 13B are roughly in the shape of cutting out a part in the circumferential direction of a cylindrical outer peripheral surface.

[0023] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows the state in which the threaded portion 11 is formed so as to be arranged in the order of the male thread surface 12A, the outer peripheral piece 13A, the male thread surface 12B, and the outer peripheral piece 13B in the outer peripheral direction. Also, the double-headed arrow in Figure 2 indicates the relative rotation direction when the thread ridges 12 formed on the male thread surfaces 12A and 12B are respectively screwed into the thread ridges 22 provided on the female thread surfaces 22A and 22B described later.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, the outer diameter of the thread ridge 12 (dashed-dotted arrow) is larger than the outer diameters of the outer peripheral pieces 13A and 13B (two-dot chain line arrow).

[0025] Figure 4 is a side view of the threaded portion 11 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 4, the thread ridges 12 on the male thread side extend so as to be substantially orthogonal (preferably orthogonal) to the axial direction (double-headed arrow). Note that "substantially orthogonal" means that the inclination angle from the orthogonal direction is within ±3°.

[0026] Also, the thread ridges 12 on the male thread side are formed such that the axial width of the threaded portion 11 narrows from the substantially center 12CA (preferably the center) in the extending direction of the thread ridges 12 toward both ends 12CB and 12CC. Note that "substantially center" means including the range of a distance of 3% from the center (in the length of the extending direction of the thread ridges 12).

[0027] On the other hand, the female thread side member 20 shown in Figure 1 includes a threaded hole 21 as a main part.

[0028] The threaded hole 21 extends in the axial direction of the threaded hole 21 such that, in the circumferential direction, the female thread surfaces 22A and 22B on which the female threads 22 on the female thread side are provided (attached) and the inner circumferential pieces 23A and 23B without the threads 22 are alternately arranged. Further, the female threads 22 on the female thread side extend so as to be orthogonal to the axial direction of the threaded hole 21.

[0029] Incidentally, the inner circumferential pieces 23A and 23B are roughly in the shape of cutting out a part in the circumferential direction of a cylindrical inner circumferential surface.

[0030] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a state in which the threaded hole 21 is formed so as to be arranged in the order of the female thread surface 22A, the inner circumferential piece 23A, the female thread surface 22B, and the inner circumferential piece 23B in the circumferential direction. Also, the double-headed arrows in Figure 3 indicate the relative rotation directions when the threads 22 provided on the female thread surfaces 22A and 22B are screwed into the threads 22 formed on the male thread surfaces 12A and 12B, respectively.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, in the threaded hole 21, the hole diameter (dashed-dotted arrow) of the thread 22 portion is smaller than the hole diameters (two-dot chain line arrows) of the inner circumferential pieces 23A and 23B.

[0032] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the threaded hole 21 shown in Figure 1 in the axial direction. As shown in Figure 5, the female threads 22 on the female thread side extend so as to be substantially orthogonal (preferably orthogonal) to the axial direction of the threaded hole 21. Here, "substantially orthogonal" means that the inclination angle from the orthogonal direction is within ±3°.

[0033] Further, the female threads 22 on the female thread side are formed such that the axial width of the threaded hole 21 narrows from the substantially center 22CA (preferably the center) in the extending direction of the threads 22 toward both ends 22CB and 22CC. Here, "substantially center" means including the range of a distance of 3% from the center (in the length of the extending direction of the threads 22).

[0034] As will be described in detail later, by relatively rotating the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 in one direction, the thread 12 and the thread 22 are brought into a screwed state. Further, by relatively rotating the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 in the other direction, the thread 12 and the thread 22 are brought into a screwed state. Thereby, the threaded portion 11 can be fastened to the threaded hole 21.

[0035] Further, the through hole 14 of the cylindrical threaded portion 11 communicates with the threaded hole 21 in the above screwed state. Thereby, the male threaded member 10 and the female threaded member 20 can be used as a flow path such as a water pipe.

[0036] Here, the fastener 1 according to the present embodiment further includes first convex portions 31AA, 31BA and second convex portions 31AB, 31BB shown in FIG. 2, and first concave portions 32AA, 32BA and second concave portions 32AB, 32BB shown in FIG. 3.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the first convex portion 31AA is formed between the substantially central portion 12CA and one end 12CB in the extending direction of the thread 12 (on the male thread surface 12A side). Similarly, the first convex portion 31BA is formed between the substantially central portion 12CA and one end 12CB in the extending direction of the thread 12 (on the male thread surface 12B side).

[0038] Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the second convex portion 31AB is formed between the substantially central portion 12CA and the other end 12CC in the extending direction of the thread 12 (on the male thread surface 12A side). Similarly, the second convex portion 31BB is formed between the substantially central portion 12CA and the other end 12CC in the extending direction of the thread 12 (on the male thread surface 12B side).

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the first concave portion 32AA is formed at a position between the substantially central portion 22CA and one end 22CB in the extending direction of the thread 22 (on the female thread surface 22B side). This position is a position where it fits with the first convex portion 31AA when the thread 12 and the thread 22 are brought into a screwed state by relatively rotating the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 in one direction.

[0040] Similarly, the first recess 32BA is formed between the approximate center 22CA in the extending direction of the thread 22 (on the female thread surface 22A side) and one end 22CB. This position becomes a position where it fits with the first protrusion 31BA when the thread portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 are rotated relative to each other in one direction so that the thread 12 and the thread 22 are in a screwed state.

[0041] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the second recess 32AB is formed at a position between the approximate center 22CA in the extending direction of the thread 22 (on the female thread surface 22A side) and the other end 22CC. This position becomes a position where it fits with the second protrusion 31AB when the thread portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 are rotated relative to each other in the other direction so that the thread 12 and the thread 22 are in a screwed state.

[0042] Similarly, the second recess 32BB is formed between the approximate center 22CA in the extending direction of the thread 22 (on the female thread surface 22B side) and the other end 22CC. This position becomes a position where it fits with the second protrusion 31BB when the thread portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 are rotated relative to each other in the other direction so that the thread 12 and the thread 22 are in a screwed state.

[0043] The above-described first protrusions 31AA, 31BA, the second protrusions 31AB, 31BB, the first recesses 32AA, 32BA, and the second recesses 32AB, 32BB are examples of locking portions formed on the thread portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 so as to lock the relative rotation of the thread portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 in the screwed state of the male thread surfaces 12A and 12B and the female thread surfaces 22A and 22B.

[0044] Note that the first protrusions 31AA, 31BA and the second protrusions 31AB, 31BB are not shown in FIG. 4. However, the first protrusions 31AA, 31BA and the second protrusions 31AB, 31BB are respectively formed on one or more of the plurality of threads 12 arranged axially as shown in FIG. 4.

[0045] Also, for the first concave portions 32AA and 32BA, and the second concave portions 32AB and 32BB, illustration is omitted in FIG. 5. However, the first concave portions 32AA and 32BA, and the second concave portions 32AB and 32BB are each formed on one or more of the plurality of threads 22 arranged in the axial direction as shown in FIG. 5.

[0046] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the first convex portion 31AA shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the first convex portion 31AA is arch-shaped and is formed on the surface (inclined surface) of the thread 12. Also, the first convex portion 31BA has the same shape as the first convex portion 31AA.

[0047] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the second convex portion 31AB shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 8, the second convex portion 31AB is arch-shaped and is formed on the surface (inclined surface) of the thread 12. Also, the second convex portion 31BB has the same shape as the second convex portion 31AB.

[0048] Note that the first convex portion 31AA shown in FIG. 7 and the second convex portion 31AB shown in FIG. 8 are represented in the same shape. That is, the first convex portions 31AA and 31BA, and the second convex portions 31AB and 31BB are all of the same shape. However, they may be slightly different from each other in shape.

[0049] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the first concave portion 32AA shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 9, the first concave portion 32AA has a shape hollowed out in an arch shape and is formed on the surface (inclined surface) of the thread 22. The same applies to the first concave portion 32BA.

[0050] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the second concave portion 32AB shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 10, the second concave portion 32AB has a shape hollowed out in an arch shape and is formed on the surface (inclined surface) of the thread 22. The same applies to the second concave portion 32BB.

[0051] However, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the first concave portions 32AA and 32BA are larger than the first convex portions 31AA and 31BA, and the second concave portions 32AB and 32BB are smaller than the second convex portions 31AB and 31BB.

[0052] In FIG. 2, the male thread surfaces 12A and 12B, and the outer peripheral pieces 13A and 13B are shown to have the same length in the outer peripheral direction. However, in the threaded portion 11, it is preferable that the outer peripheral pieces 13A and 13B are longer (in the outer peripheral direction) than the male thread surfaces 12A and 12B, respectively.

[0053] Also, in FIG. 3, the female thread surfaces 22A and 22B, and the inner peripheral pieces 23A and 23B are shown to have the same length in the circumferential direction where they are absent. However, in the threaded hole 21, it is preferable that the inner peripheral pieces 23A and 23B are longer (in the inner peripheral direction) than the female thread surfaces 22A and 22B, respectively.

[0054] In particular, it is preferable that the outer peripheral pieces 13A and 13B have a length exceeding 1 / 2 and not exceeding 2 / 3 of the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the threaded portion 11. Also, it is preferable that the inner peripheral pieces 23A and 23B have a length exceeding 1 / 2 and not exceeding 2 / 3 of the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the threaded hole 21. By setting these lengths to exceed 1 / 2, it becomes easier to insert the threaded portion 11 into the threaded hole 21. Also, by setting these lengths to not exceed 2 / 3, the fastening force between the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 can be improved.

[0055] More preferably, in the threaded portion 11, the outer peripheral pieces 13A and 13B are each made about 1% longer than the male thread surfaces 12A and 12B, and in the threaded hole 21, the inner peripheral pieces 23A and 23B are each made about 1% longer than the female thread surfaces 22A and 22B. The above is the description of the configuration of the fastener 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0056] ≪Operation when rotating relative to each other in one direction≫ First, as shown in FIG. 1, the threaded portion 11 is linearly inserted into the threaded hole 21 at an angle such that the male thread surface 12A and the inner peripheral piece 23B, the male thread surface 12B and the inner peripheral piece 23A, the outer peripheral piece 13A and the female thread surface 22A, and the outer peripheral piece 13B and the female thread surface 22B face each other respectively.

[0057] Then, from the state where the threaded portion 11 is linearly inserted into the threaded hole 21, the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 are relatively rotated by approximately 45° in one direction (clockwise rotation in FIG. 2 and counterclockwise rotation in FIG. 3) so that the thread 12 and the thread 22 are screwed together, thereby fastening the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21.

[0058] FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram showing the screwed state when the thread 12 on the male thread side shown in FIG. 2 and the thread 22 on the female thread side shown in FIG. 3 are rotated in one direction. However, in FIG. 6A, the thread 12 of the male thread surface 12B is schematically shown by a dashed line.

[0059] When the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 are relatively rotated in one direction, as shown in FIG. 6A, it is inserted between the threads 22 of the female thread surface 22A from one end 12CB side where the axial width is narrow among the threads 12 of the male thread surface 12B. Then, it is screwed together so that half of the extending direction of the thread 12 is in sliding contact with half of the extending direction of the thread 22.

[0060] Also, in such a screwed state, the first convex portion 31BA and the first concave portion 32BA are fitted together.

[0061] Note that the above description regarding the screwing of the thread 12 of the male thread surface 12B and the thread 22 of the female thread surface 22A is the same for the thread 12 of the male thread surface 12A and the thread 22 of the female thread surface 22B not shown in FIG. 6A.

[0062] In the state where the male thread surfaces 12A and 12B and the female thread surfaces 22A and 22B are screwed together as described above, since the first convex portions 31AA, 31BA and the first concave portions 32AA, 32BA are fitted together, the relative rotation between the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 can be locked.

[0063] And since the first concave portions 32AA and 32BA are larger than the first convex portions 31AA and 31BA, this locking becomes a deep locking and results in a completely fixed state (non-releasable).

[0064] ≪Operation when rotating relative to other directions≫ First, as shown in FIG. 1, the screw thread surface 12A and the inner peripheral piece 23B, the screw thread surface 12B and the inner peripheral piece 23A, the outer peripheral piece 13A and the female screw thread surface 22A, and the outer peripheral piece 13B and the female screw thread surface 22B are inserted linearly into the screw hole 21 at an angle such that they face each other respectively for the threaded portion 11.

[0065] Then, from the state where the threaded portion 11 is linearly inserted into the screw hole 21, the threaded portion 11 and the screw hole 21 are relatively rotated by approximately 45° in the other direction (counterclockwise rotation in FIG. 2 and clockwise rotation in FIG. 3) so that the thread 12 and the thread 22 are screwed together, thereby fastening the threaded portion 11 and the screw hole 21.

[0066] FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing the screwed state when the thread 12 on the male screw side shown in FIG. 2 and the thread 22 on the female screw side shown in FIG. 3 are rotated in the other direction. However, in FIG. 6B, the thread 12 of the male screw surface 12B is schematically shown by a dashed line.

[0067] When the threaded portion 11 and the screw hole 21 are relatively rotated in the other direction, as shown in FIG. 6B, it is inserted between the threads 22 of the female screw surface 22B from the other end 12CC side where the axial width is narrow among the threads 12 of the male screw surface 12B. Then, they are screwed together such that half in the extending direction of the thread 12 is in sliding contact with half in the extending direction of the thread 22.

[0068] Also, in such a screwed state, the second convex portion 31BB and the second concave portion 32BB are fitted together.

[0069] Note that the above description regarding the screwing of the thread 12 of the male screw surface 12B and the thread 22 of the female screw surface 22B is the same for the thread 12 of the male screw surface 12A and the thread 22 of the female screw surface 22A not shown in FIG. 6B.

[0070] In the state where the male thread surfaces 12A and 12B and the female thread surfaces 22A and 22B are screwed together as described above, since the second convex portions 31AB and 31BB and the second concave portions 32AB and 32BB are fitted, the relative rotation between the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 can be locked.

[0071] However, since the second concave portions 32AB and 32BB are smaller than the second convex portions 31AB and 31BB, this locking is a shallow locking and is a temporary fixing that can be released by applying a force equal to or greater than a certain amount in one direction.

[0072] <<Effect>> The fastener 1 according to the present embodiment has a threaded portion 11 in which male thread surfaces 12A and 12B formed with male thread flanks 12 extending substantially orthogonally to the axial direction are alternately arranged with outer peripheral pieces 13A and 13B where the male thread flanks 12 are not formed, and the male thread flanks 12 are formed such that the width in the axial direction narrows from the substantially central portion 12CA in the extending direction of the male thread flanks 12 toward both ends 12CB and 12CC, a male thread side member 10, and in the inner peripheral direction, a threaded hole 21 in which female thread surfaces 22A and 22B provided with female thread flanks 22 extending substantially orthogonally to the axial direction are alternately arranged with inner peripheral pieces 23A and 23B where the female thread flanks 22 are not formed, and the female thread flanks 22 are formed such that the width in the axial direction narrows from the substantially central portion 22CA in the extending direction of the female thread flanks 22 toward both ends 22CB and 22CC, a female thread side member 20, and by relatively rotating the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 in one direction, the male thread flanks 12 and the female thread flanks 22 are brought into a screwed state, and by relatively rotating the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 in the other direction, the male thread flanks 12 and the female thread flanks 22 are brought into a screwed state. Unlike the conventional threaded portion where the thread flanks are continuous, the threaded portion 11 has short thread flanks 12 because the outer peripheral pieces 13A and 13B are provided. Similarly, unlike the conventional threaded hole where the thread flanks are continuous, the threaded hole 21 has short thread flanks 22 because the inner peripheral pieces 23A and 23B are provided. That is, in the conventional fastener, it must be rotated multiple times when screwing the threaded portion into the threaded hole. On the other hand, in the fastener 1 according to the present embodiment, after linearly inserting the threaded portion 11 into the threaded hole 21, the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 are relatively rotated, so that they can be screwed with a number of rotations less than one rotation, and the time required for fastening can be shortened compared to the conventional case. Furthermore, in the fastener 1 according to the present embodiment, since the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 can be fastened by relative rotation in either one direction or the other direction, the convenience is improved. Also, when screwing the male thread surfaces 12A, 12B and the female thread surfaces 22A, 22B, first, it is inserted into the thread 22 from the side where the width of the thread 12 is the narrowest, so the friction during insertion is small and it is easy to screw.

[0073] In addition, the present embodiment further includes locking portions formed on the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 so as to lock the relative rotation between the threaded portion 11 and the threaded hole 21 in the screwed state of the thread 12 and the thread 22. Thereby, in the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the screwed state of the thread 12 and the thread 22 from becoming loose.

[0074] In addition, in the present embodiment, the first concave portions 32AA, 32BA are larger than the first convex portions 31AA, 31BA, and the second concave portions 32AB, 32BB are smaller than the second convex portions 31AB, 31BB. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the temporary locking and the complete fixing locking can be selected by changing the relative rotation direction.

[0075] In addition, in the present embodiment, the threaded portion 11 is cylindrical and has a through hole 14 communicating with the threaded hole 21 inside in the screwed state of the male thread surfaces 12A, 12B and the female thread surfaces 22A, 22B. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the male threaded side member 10 and the female threaded side member 20 can be used as a flow path such as a water pipe, so the convenience is improved.

[0076] Further, the male screw side member 10 according to the present embodiment is disposed on a part in the outer peripheral direction of the screw part 11, and has male screw surfaces 12A and 12B on which male screw threads 12 extending substantially orthogonally to the axial direction of the screw part 11 are formed, and outer peripheral pieces 13A and 13B that are alternately arranged with the male screw surfaces 12A and 12B in the outer peripheral direction to form the outer periphery of the screw part 11 and on which the male screw threads 12 are not formed. The male screw threads 12 are formed such that the width in the axial direction of the screw part 11 narrows from the substantially center 12CA in the extending direction of the male screw threads 12 toward both ends 12CB and 12CC. In the conventional screw part, the screw threads are continuous, whereas in the screw part 11, since the outer peripheral pieces 13A and 13B are provided, the screw threads 12 are short, so that the time required for fastening can be shortened compared with the conventional case. Furthermore, since it is inserted between the female screw threads from the side where the width of the screw thread 12 is the narrowest, the friction at the start of insertion is small and it is easy to screw together. And since it can be fastened by relative rotation in either one direction or the other direction, the convenience is improved.

[0077] Also, the female screw side member 20 according to the present embodiment is disposed on a part in the inner peripheral direction of the screw hole 21, and has female screw surfaces 22A and 22B on which female screw threads 22 extending substantially orthogonally to the axial direction of the screw hole 21 are provided, and inner peripheral pieces 23A and 23B that are alternately arranged with the female screw surfaces 22A and 22B in the inner peripheral direction to form the inner periphery of the screw hole 21 and on which the female screw threads 22 are not provided. The female screw threads 22 are formed such that the width in the axial direction of the screw hole 21 narrows from the substantially center 22CA in the extending direction of the female screw threads 22 toward both ends 22CB and 22CC. In the conventional screw hole, the screw threads are continuous, whereas in the screw hole 21, since the inner peripheral pieces 23A and 23B are provided, the screw threads 22 are short, so that the time required for fastening can be shortened compared with the conventional case. Furthermore, since it is inserted between the male screw threads from the side where the width of the screw thread 22 is the narrowest, the friction at the start of insertion is small and it is easy to screw together. And since it can be fastened by relative rotation in either one direction or the other direction, the convenience is improved.

[0078] ==Second Embodiment== Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "this embodiment") will be described focusing on the parts different from the first embodiment.

[0079] ≪Configuration≫ FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 of the male screw side member 10 according to this embodiment. Further, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 of the female screw side member 20 according to this embodiment.

[0080] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in this embodiment, contrary to the first embodiment, first convex portions 31AA, 31BA and second convex portions 31AB, 31BB are formed on the thread 22, and first concave portions 32AA, 32BA and second concave portions 32AB, 32BB are formed on the thread 12.

[0081] ≪Effect≫ In the first embodiment and this embodiment, the locking portion includes first convex portions 31AA, 31BA formed between a substantially central portion 12CA (22CA) in the extending direction and one end 12CB (22CB) on one of the male screw side thread 12 and the female screw side thread 22, and second convex portions 31AB, 31BB formed between the substantially central portion 12CA (22CA) in the extending direction and the other end 12CC (22CC), and first concave portions 32AA, 32BA formed at positions that fit with the first convex portions 31AA, 31BA when rotated relative to each other in one direction to be in a screwed state on the other of the male screw side thread 12 and the female screw side thread 22, and second concave portions 32AB, 32BB formed at positions that fit with the second convex portions 31AB, 31BB when rotated relative to each other in the other direction to be in a screwed state. Thereby, with a simple structure, relative rotation can be locked when the threads 12 and 22 are in a screwed state regardless of the direction of relative rotation.

[0082] ==Third Embodiment== Hereinafter, the third embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "this embodiment") will be described focusing on the parts different from the first embodiment.

[0083] <<Configuration>> FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 of the male screw side member 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, in addition to the configuration described in the first embodiment, the male screw side member 10 includes a first male screw side pipe 41A and a second male screw side pipe 41B.

[0084] The first male screw side pipe 41A and the second male screw side pipe 41B are pipes provided on the radially outer side of the axis O1 in the through hole 14.

[0085] Further, one end portion 43 of each of the first male screw side pipe 41A and the second male screw side pipe 41B branches in two directions. Furthermore, one of the branched portions, the first male screw side branch portion 43A, faces one direction, and the other of the branched portions, the second male screw side branch portion 43B, faces the other direction.

[0086] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3 of the female screw side member 20 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, in addition to the configuration described in the first embodiment, the female screw side member 20 includes a first female screw side pipe 42A and a second female screw side pipe 42B.

[0087] The first female screw side pipe 42A and the second female screw side pipe 42B are pipes provided on the radially outer side of the axis O2 in the screw hole 21.

[0088] Further, one end portion 44 of each of the first female screw side pipe 42A and the second female screw side pipe 42B branches in two directions. Furthermore, one of the branched portions, the first female screw side branch portion 44A, faces the other direction, and the other of the branched portions, the second female screw side branch portion 44B, faces one direction.

[0089] FIG. 15 is an axial cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the thread 12 shown in FIG. 13 and the thread 22 shown in FIG. 14 are screwed together by rotating relative to each other in the other direction. In the screwed state shown in Fig. 15, the second female screw side branch portion 44B fits with the second male screw side branch portion 43B. Although not shown, in the state where the thread 12 and the thread 22 are screwed together by relative rotation in one direction, the first female screw side branch portion 44A fits with the first male screw side branch portion 43A.

[0090] Regarding the above fitting in detail, the first female screw side branch portion 44A and the second female screw side branch portion 44B have a larger diameter than the first male screw side branch portion 43A and the second male screw side branch portion 43B, and the first male screw side branch portion 43A is fitted so as to be inserted into the first female screw side branch portion 44A, and the second male screw side branch portion 43B is fitted so as to be inserted into the second female screw side branch portion 44B.

[0091] Thereby, the first male screw side pipe 41A and the first female screw side pipe 42A communicate with each other, and the second male screw side pipe 41B and the second female screw side pipe 42B communicate with each other.

[0092] Fig. 16A is an enlarged view showing the first male screw side branch portion 43A and the first female screw side branch portion 44A. As shown in Fig. 16A, a male screw side flat valve 45 is provided on the first male screw side branch portion 43A, and a female screw side flat valve 46 is provided on the first female screw side branch portion 44A. The flat valves 45 and 46 are in a closed state in the natural state, but in Fig. 16A, they are shown in a slightly open state for easy understanding of the opening and closing operation of the flat valve.

[0093] Furthermore, in Fig. 16A, as an example, a state is shown in which an electric wire cable 47 is arranged inside the first female screw side pipe 42A and an electric wire cable 48 is arranged inside the second female screw side pipe 42B.

[0094] Fig. 16B is an enlarged view showing the fitting state of the first male screw side branch portion 43A and the first female screw side branch portion 44A. As shown in Fig. 16B, the first male screw side branch portion 43A is inserted into the first female screw side branch portion 44A, the flat valves 45 and 46 are in an open state, and the electric wire cable 47 and the electric wire cable 48 are connected.

[0095] Although not shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the second male screw side branch portion 43B and the second female screw side branch portion 44B have the same configuration.

[0096] In addition, each configuration described in this embodiment can be applied to the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

[0097] In addition, inside the first male screw side pipe 41A and the first female screw side pipe 42A, things other than the electric wire cables 47 and 48 (for example, a fluid flow path, etc.) may be arranged. The same applies to the second male screw side pipe 41B and the second female screw side pipe 42B.

[0098] <<Effect>> The fastener 1 according to this embodiment is a pipe provided radially outside the axis O1 in the through hole 14, and one end portion 43 branches in two directions. One of the branched portions, the first male screw side branch portion 43A, faces one direction, and the other of the branched portions, the second male screw side branch portion 43B, faces the other direction. The male screw side pipes 41A and 41B, and a pipe provided radially outside the axis O2 in the screw hole 21, and one end portion 44 branches in two directions. One of the branched portions, the first female screw side branch portion 44A, faces the other direction, and the other of the branched portions, the second female screw side branch portion 44B, faces one direction. In the screwed state, the first female screw side branch portion 44A fits with the first male screw side branch portion 43A, and the second female screw side branch portion 44B fits with the second male screw side branch portion 43B, and includes female screw side pipes 42A and 42B. Accordingly, in this embodiment, in the screwed state of the male screw surfaces 12A and 12B and the female screw surfaces 22A and 22B, since the male screw side pipes 41A and 41B and the female screw side pipes 42A and 42B communicate with each other, these can be used as pipes for independent purposes from the male screw side member 10 (through hole 14) and the female screw side member 20 (screw hole 21), so that the convenience is further improved.

[0099] ==Modification Example== Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. That is, those obtained by appropriately modifying the design by those skilled in the art in the above-described specific examples are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the features of the present invention. In addition, each element included in the above-described embodiments and the following modification examples can be combined as long as it is technically possible, and those obtained by combining them are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention.

[0100] For example, in each embodiment, the screw portion 11 is provided with two male screw surfaces 12A and 12B and two outer peripheral pieces 13A and 13B, and the screw hole 21 is provided with two female screw surfaces 22A and 22B and two inner peripheral pieces 23A and 23B. However, the present invention does not limit the number of these surfaces. That is, for the screw portion 11, it is sufficient that a plurality of male screw surfaces and outer peripheral pieces are provided in the outer peripheral direction, and for the screw hole 21, it is sufficient that the female screw surface and the inner peripheral pieces are provided in the inner peripheral direction in the same number as the male screw surface or the outer peripheral pieces, respectively.

[0101] Note that the angle of relative rotation (in one direction or the other direction) between the screw portion 11 and the screw hole 21 required to screw the thread 12 and the thread 22 together varies depending on the number of male screw surfaces and female screw surfaces. For example, when the circumferential lengths of the male screw surface, the outer peripheral piece, the female screw surface, and the inner peripheral piece are the same, if there is one male screw surface, one outer peripheral piece, one female screw surface, and one inner peripheral piece, respectively, the angle of relative rotation is 90°. Alternatively, if there are two male screw surfaces, two outer peripheral pieces, two female screw surfaces, and two inner peripheral pieces, respectively, the angle of relative rotation is 45° (the above embodiment gives this shape as an example). Alternatively, if there are three male screw surfaces, three outer peripheral pieces, three female screw surfaces, and three inner peripheral pieces, respectively, the angle of relative rotation is 30°. Alternatively, if there are four male screw surfaces, four outer peripheral pieces, four female screw surfaces, and four inner peripheral pieces, respectively, the angle of relative rotation is 22.5°. That is, the larger the number of each surface, the smaller the angle of relative rotation between the screw portion 11 and the screw hole 21, and the time required for fastening can be shortened.

[0102] Also, regardless of the number of each surface, it is preferable that the outer peripheral piece is longer than the male thread surface in the circumferential direction, and the inner peripheral piece is longer than the female thread surface in the circumferential direction. When formed in this way, the angle of the relative rotation described above naturally changes.

[0103] Alternatively, the outer peripheral piece may be shorter than the male thread surface in the circumferential direction, and the inner peripheral piece may be shorter than the female thread surface in the circumferential direction. Thereby, the fastening force between the screw portion 11 and the screw hole 21 is improved.

[0104] Also, the male screw side member 10 may have a head in the same manner as a normal male screw. Further, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the screw portion 11 may not have a through hole 14 inside and may be as dense as a normal screw portion. And the female screw side member 20 may have a bottom surface on the side opposite to the entrance side of the screw hole 21 (that is, the insertion side of the male screw side member 10).

[0105] Also, the fastener 1 can be used for those with a diameter of several cm to several tens of m. Regarding the material, various materials such as metal, vinyl chloride, glass, etc. are applicable.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0106] 1: Fastener, 10: Male screw side member, 11: Threaded portion, 12: Thread (on the male screw side), 12A, 12B: Male screw surface, 12CA: Center in the extending direction of the thread (on the male screw side), 12CB: One end in the extending direction of the thread (on the male screw side), 12CC: The other end in the extending direction of the thread (on the male screw side), 13A, 13B: Outer peripheral piece, 14: Through hole, 20: Female screw side member, 21: Threaded hole, 22: Thread (on the female screw side), 22A, 22B: Female screw surface, 22CA: Center in the extending direction of the thread (on the female screw side), 22CB: One end in the extending direction of the thread (on the female screw side), 22CC: The other end in the extending direction of the thread (on the female screw side), 23A, 23B: Inner peripheral piece, 31AA, 31BA: First convex portion, 31AB, 31BB: Second convex portion, 32AA, 32BA: First concave portion, 32AB, 32BB: Second concave portion, 41A, 41B: Male screw side pipe, 42A, 42B: Female screw side pipe, 43: One end portion (of the male screw side pipe), 43A: First male screw side branch portion, 43B: Second male screw side branch portion, 44: One end portion (of the female screw side pipe), 44A: First female screw side branch portion, 44B: Second female screw side branch portion

Claims

1. A male-threaded member having a threaded portion in which male-threaded surfaces on which male threads extending substantially orthogonally to the axial direction are formed and outer peripheral pieces on which the male threads are not formed are alternately arranged in the outer peripheral direction, wherein the male threads are formed such that the width in the axial direction narrows from the approximate center in the extending direction of the male threads toward both ends, A female-threaded member having a threaded hole in which female-threaded surfaces on which female threads extending substantially orthogonally to the axial direction are provided and inner peripheral pieces on which the female threads are not provided are alternately arranged in the inner peripheral direction, wherein the female threads are formed such that the width in the axial direction narrows from the approximate center in the extending direction of the female threads toward both ends, Comprising, By relatively rotating the threaded portion and the threaded hole in one direction, the male threads on the male-threaded side and the female threads on the female-threaded side are brought into a screwed state, and by relatively rotating the threaded portion and the threaded hole in the other direction, the male threads on the male-threaded side and the female threads on the female-threaded side are brought into a screwed state, Fastener.

2. Further comprising locking portions formed on the threaded portion and the threaded hole so as to lock the relative rotation of the threaded portion and the threaded hole in each screwed state, The fastener according to claim 1.

3. The locking portion is, On one of the male threads on the male-threaded side and the female threads on the female-threaded side, a first convex portion formed between the approximate center in the extending direction and one end, and a second convex portion formed between the approximate center in the extending direction and the other end, On the other of the male threads on the male-threaded side and the female threads on the female-threaded side, a first concave portion formed at a position that fits with the first convex portion when relatively rotated in the one direction to reach the screwed state, and a second concave portion formed at a position that fits with the second convex portion when relatively rotated in the other direction to reach the screwed state, The fastener according to claim 2, comprising.

4. The first concave portion is larger than the first convex portion, and the second concave portion is smaller than the second convex portion, The fastener according to claim 3.

5. The threaded portion is cylindrical and has a through hole communicating with the threaded hole inside in the screwed state, The fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A pipe provided radially outside the axis in the through hole, one end of which branches in two directions, and one of the branched parts, the first male thread side branch part, faces the one direction, and the other of the branched parts, the second male thread side branch part, faces the other direction; a male thread side pipe A pipe provided radially outside the axis in the threaded hole, one end of which branches in two directions, and one of the branched parts, the first female thread side branch part, faces the other direction, and the other of the branched parts, the second female thread side branch part, faces the one direction. In the screwed state, the first female thread side branch part fits with the first male thread side branch part, and the second female thread side branch part fits with the second male thread side branch part; a female thread side pipe The fastener according to claim 5, comprising the above.

7. A male thread surface disposed on a part in the outer peripheral direction of the thread part and formed with male thread ridges extending substantially orthogonally to the axial direction of the thread part; An outer peripheral piece that forms the outer periphery of the thread part by being alternately arranged with the male thread surface in the outer peripheral direction and on which no male thread ridges are formed; Comprising The male thread ridges are formed such that the axial width of the thread part narrows from the substantially central part in the extending direction of the male thread ridges toward both ends. Male thread side member.

8. A female thread surface disposed on a part in the inner peripheral direction of the threaded hole and provided with female thread ridges extending substantially orthogonally to the axial direction of the threaded hole; An inner peripheral piece that forms the inner periphery of the threaded hole by being alternately arranged with the female thread surface in the inner peripheral direction and on which no female thread ridges are provided; Comprising The female thread ridges are formed such that the axial width of the threaded hole narrows from the substantially central part in the extending direction of the female thread ridges toward both ends. Female thread side member.

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